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Murdoc lay in bed. The sun threatened to peek out from behind his curtains and cast its rays upon him, telling him that it was well past afternoon. He couldn't care less about what time it was. He woke up for nobody, and that wasn't about to change.
Well, maybe there was somebody that he woke up for.
What caused him to become awake was the feeling of something too warm on him. Too warm and restrictive. That was the way to summarize sleeping with 2d. As Murdoc struggled to pull his arm free from the hold that 2d had on him, the other let out a sigh and turned his head to nuzzle his chest. When Murdoc freed his arm, you would expect him to shove 2d off him, to cast him aside to the other part of the bed, but instead he blindly patted around for his box of cigarettes and lighter, letting out a relieved sigh when he felt both. It took skill to work a cigarette out and light it one-handed, but nothing was beyond what Murdoc could do. Taking a drag, he let the familiar taste fill his lungs before he blew it out. He was lying on his back, and this position was unfitting for him, so he set about to free his other arm and push himself upright. It was as if it was in a fit of protest as 2d hugged him tighter, letting out disgruntled murmurs.
"Oh, shut up. You don't have to get up."
As if replying, 2d let out a contented sigh. Murdoc rolled his eyes, but brought up a hand and combed it through messy, blue hair. 2d was the most annoying person Murdoc had ever met. 2d had a habit of staring at him, and, at first, it felt as if 2d was scrutinizing every feature of Murdoc with his black void for eyes. He had tried asking 2d about it (Murdoc's version of asking was shouting at him to stop and go on a tirade, to which 2d nervously replied that he had no idea he was doing it) but with no such luck of this habit ever stopping Murdoc grew not to pay any attention to 2d looking at him. It was frustrating, but he was the only one who could tolerate being stared at for so long. Noodle asked him about this when he came back from prison.
"Have you ever noticed that 2d just," she paused, looking around to make sure it was just her and Murdoc, "Just blankly stares at you. As if he's trying to beam a message into your mind."
"Yeah, bloody annoying, but you get used to it."
"I couldn't, and neither could Russel. We both ended up asking him what his deal was, and he acted like he was surprised that we noticed. Like dude, you've been staring at me for five minutes too long!"
Murdoc took a sip of his brandy (oh, how he missed its subtly fruity flavor) before replying, "Because he doesn't realize he's doing it. Believe me, I've had plenty of conversations with him about it."
"Oh," Noodle tapped her chin, "Now that I think about it, he didn't start staring at Russel and me until you were gone. That's when he started."
Now, as Murdoc sat in bed with 2d sleeping on him, his head resting against Murdoc's chest with long legs tangled between sheets and the bassist's legs, Murdoc rolled this conversation in his head. He never noticed that 2d only stared at him, but the more he thought about it, the more it made sense. Even in unfamiliar interviews, 2d had the habit of making it look as if he was paying attention, but really his eyes were gazing at Murdoc (that was the joy of having no pupils to let on what you were looking at). It was as if he were 2d's visual security blanket.
This brought a rare smile to his face.
Murdoc gently ruffled 2d's hair, causing 2d to murmur and try to hide his face against Murdoc's chest, before leaning down to press a soft kiss atop his head. If being at the center of his gaze brought 2d comfort, then Murdoc would treat his eyes for all eternity.