~2doublebass Headcanons because nobody else is doing it, and the ship is criminally underrated~
•Ace is the one of the three that's very verbally affectionate, and he's surprisingly good at communicating, whereas Murdoc can't really talk about his feelings, so he's very physically affectionate
•Both Stu and Ace have to play the guessing game of "What emotion is Murdoc feeling right now" at least twice a day. Ace's better at guessing.
•Stu lays in the middle of the bed. They had to get a relatively big bed because Stu likes to stretch out during the night and either Murdoc or Ace kept falling out of the bed, so they got a big one, and Stu always lays in the middle between the two of them. The only exception is when Murdoc has had a nightmare and needs the protection from the both of them.
•One of them always has an arm around him. It's usually Murdoc, but all three of them take care of each other and adjust to what they all need right now
•This includes getting Murdoc away from the alcohol, getting Stu away from the pills, and helping Ace against his kleptomania
•((They also all have matching tattoos))
•When Ace is in California and Murdoc and Stu stay behind in London, they video call almost every day, and Stu likes writing letters to. Murdoc always claims he doesn't miss Ace as much until he starts crying because shit his other boyfriend is gone
•All three of them spend a lot of quality time together in their own ways and make sure neither of them feels neglected. This includes going to different dates depending on what each of them likes. They went to the funfair together with Stu before, or to the Arcade with Ace (let this 40 year old man enjoy his arcade games)
•Ace has the healthiest sleep rhythm out of the three of them, which isn't saying much giving his competition.
•Ace was kinda hostile of Murdoc at first- because he knew the history that Stu and Murdoc shared- but by now he knows that the man has genuinely changed and is vowing to do better in any way he can, even when Ace sometimes has to pull him aside and go "Hey, Muds, that wasn't okay of you"
•Ace and Stu started dating while Murdoc was still incarcerated. He came out of jail, was basically being an asshole to both of them, then admitted to just being an asshole because he was incredibly jealous, so they went "Hey you wanna join our relationship?" and he was like "....yeah"
Although he struggled and still kinda struggles to really accept himself as poly
•Both Ace and Murdoc can't skate for shit, don't even let them near a roller rink, and Stu is the only one that can cook without burning something or risking a food poisoning
•Oh and they have a huge blanket that covers the three of them although Ace is a blanket hugger and always pulls it away only to firmly deny that in the morning
hmm i know everyones being serious with 2acedoc but i cant help but imagine 2D and ace grabbing murdocs hands and swinging him between them as they walk like a toddler
To be perfectly honest this is the only acceptable form of 2acedoc in my book.
Only 2D can’t keep that up for long because...upper body strength. So he drops Murdoc, who refuses to let go of Ace’s hand, so Ace goes down too. They’re hazardous to one another but it’s ok cuz they’re happy and cute!
Summary: Request by @plasmasea. 2D whirled around from where he’d been buttering a slice of toast, a few crumbs sticking to his fingers. Murdoc was standing in the doorway of the kitchen, an open can of beer in his hand, his mouth wide open in shock. 2D looked down at himself and shrugged before turning back to his toast.“S’my outfit from the Humility shoot. Thought it’d be fun to wear for the interview today,” he answered. From the table, Ace snickered, knowing exactly why Murdoc was so shocked.
“What the fuck are you wearing?”
2D whirled around from where he’d been buttering a slice of toast, a few crumbs sticking to his fingers. Murdoc was standing in the doorway of the kitchen, an open can of beer in his hand, his mouth wide open in shock. 2D looked down at himself and shrugged before turning back to his toast.
“S’my outfit from the Humility shoot. Thought it’d be fun to wear for the interview today,” he answered. From the table, Ace snickered, knowing exactly why Murdoc was so shocked.
“Yeah Doc, have a little fun once and a while. He looks great!” The older bassist clacked his mouth shut and glared at Ace. The younger just smiled and took a sip of his coffee.
2D wasn’t oblivious to why Murdoc was staring so much. “Thank you, Ace. I think the shorts are a little tighter than before, actually.” He twirled around trying to catch a glance, making sure to pause right in front of Murdoc. “Do they look OK Muds?”
Murdoc gaped for a few more seconds before looking away, his usual scowl back in place. He even smirked a bit as 2D did the same thing to Ace, arching his back a little at just the right angle. “You look like a ponce. Pass the butter.”
2D did, making sure to let his shoulders brush up against both bassists. Then he sat with his toast, right between the two. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Ace checking him out while on his other side Murdoc was doing the same with much less secrecy.
“Well if it looks so stupid I’ll jus’ go take it off!” he said, making no move to get up. Both Murdoc and Ace immediately protested though they both tried to play it cool/
“We have to go! We’re going to be late and not in a fashionable way, Faceache.”
“S’a waste of a perfectly good outfit, isn’t it?”
Luckily 2D knew what they meant, and what they meant was “we like the clothes, keep them on”. So he didn’t make any more fuss about it, instead choosing to nibble away at his toast. Eventually, Murdoc realized they really were going to be late and chased everyone out to the door with threats to their personal safety and they were off to the interview.
Things had gone as usual, though neither Ace or Murdoc could focus when Stu kept crossing and uncrossing his legs. That tiny little shirt kept riding up too and showing off those dimples he had above his ass too. Needless to say, Ace and Murdoc hadn’t been very talkative.
When they got home it was late afternoon. Noodle was going out for a movie date, and Russel had some meetup to go to. 2D, Ace, and Murdoc were all in Murdoc’s room, sharing a joint and lounging around on the bed. 2D was still dressed up, though his knee socks were starting to slip down.
“So, what’s up with this whole…” Murdoc gestured to the outfit. Again, 2D looked down, pretending to be confused. He’d worn it because he remembered how Ace had drooled over him during the shoot, and how Murdoc’s eyes had bugged out when he saw the video. Stu knew he looked good, and he loved when the other two were desperate for him.
“Jus’ thought it would be fun, like I said.” He shrugged, struggling not to grin. Ace was already shifting in his seat, and Murdoc had been extra handsy in the cab on the way back. They couldn’t resist.
“If your definition of fun is having every stranger on the street see half your ass falling out of those shorts, that is,” Ace corrected, ashing the joint and leaning back against the headboard. 2D allowed himself a little grin in the bassists’ direction.
“He’s right you know. Saw quite a few people takin’ a look at you when we stopped for lunch.” 2D had too. He’d made sure to sway his hips just a little bit extra when he did.
“So what. I wore this for the video and millions of people saw it. Don’t be jealous!” He was really laying it on thick but when Ace rolled his eyes and Murdoc growled he knew it was just thick enough. “If it’s such a problem I’ll go change.”
Stu started to sit up, but was stopped by Murdoc’s hand on his wrist and Ace’s shout of “No!” Oh he had them alright, and it hadn’t even been that hard.
“So you want me to keep it on?” he asked, toying with the bottom of his shirt. In his eagerness, he nearly ripped a small hole in the fabric.
“I want to take it off myself,” Murdoc said, pulling 2D back onto the bed. “So lay down and be a good boy for me and Ace, OK D?”
“Yeah come on Stu, we had to watch you prancing around all day. Can’t blame us for being eager.” Ace was at his feet in a flash, tugging at the tops of his socks. 2D squirmed a little in their grasp, enough to jostle them around but not enough to actually escape.
“D’you think you can make me feel good? Better than any of those strangers?” he teased, wiggling his hips. “I’ve been thinkin’ about it all day y’know.”
It was Ace’s turn to look surprised, while Murdoc grinned. “Oh, you did this on purpose? Naughty naughty.” He leaned into 2D’s neck and inhaled deeply. “Wanted us to get worked up. Rrrrreally give it to you?”
Instead of melting, 2D just laughed and looked right at Murdoc. “Do your worst.”
That got the two bassists to get on with it. Immediately Murdoc was biting into Stu’s neck while Ace pressed kisses to his thighs, worming the kneesocks off his legs. 2D groaned and arched, legs spreading wider while his arms wrapped tightly around Murdoc’s shoulders. He had the smuggest smile on his face, which Ace caught as he tossed the socks over his shoulder.
“Oh look at him Doc, he’s loving this,” he said, leaving the end of the bed and coming to lay on the singer’s other side. “What should we do to him?”
2D whined as Murdoc moved lower, biting harshly at his nipples through the shirt. “I think, given how obvious it is he’s a slut,” Murdoc kissed where he’d bitten, a wordless apology, “he needs to be filled up.”
“Please--!” Stu moaned, taking his hand away from Murdoc’s back to kneed at his package. Murdoc was usually the easiest of the two to get going, and he figured Ace would follow along if he did.
But Ace caught his wrist before he’d barely had time to grasp around Murdoc’s hard cock in his pants. “None of that, Stu. I know what you’re playing at.”
“I’m not playin!” he said, pouting. “You two are jus’ bein’ awful.”
Again, Murdoc chuckled. “Oh well then, love. Let us be a little more awful to you.” All at once the older bassist’s hands moved up under his shirt, rubbing along the length of him before going back down. Stu moaned at the feeling and twisted into it, needing some kind of release. This is what he’d wanted.
“That’s pretty, baby. I’m gonna take your short off now yeah? Don’t want them getting ruined…” Stu lifted his hips in response, aching already. Ace got the shorts off with a bit of tugging--they really were quite tight--and tossed them away with the socks. He didn’t ask before removing 2D’s pants too, because Stu was already trying to get them off himself while Murdoc kissed him senseless.
“Shirt?” Murdoc mumbled into 2D’s lips, nipping at the bottom one. Stu nodded and lifted his arms, then he was naked on the bed while the other two were fully dressed. “Now what?”
Ace ran calloused fingers over Stu’s cheeks, down to his lips. “I want his mouth.” 2D giggled and bit his own lip, relishing in the oversensitive tingling. “Do you mind, Doc?”
“Not at all, mate. You know I can’t get enough of his cute little arse.” Murdoc punctuated his point with a slap to said arse, which made 2D wiggle again.
“Mmm you two talk too much,” he said. “Why don’t you jus’ turn me over and fuck me?”
There was fire in the two bassist’s eyes and Stu closed his own to bask in the burn of it. Within a few seconds, he felt hands turning him over and repositioning him. One set cradled his face, the other was all over his arse, so he didn’t have to guess who was who.
“Pass the lube?” Murdoc rasped, running his hands up and down the singer’s back. 2D heard some shuffling and then the snap of a cap before cold fingers were at his entrance.
“Open your eyes babe?” Ace asked, again caressing 2D’s face like he was some delicate treasure. He did so, finding himself up close and personal with Ace’s cock. Drool puddled under his tongue. “Good, I want you to watch while I fuck your mouth.”
“Still talking?” he snarked, right before Ace stuffed his mouth full. His cock filled the singer’s mouth in an extremely satisfying way and 2D moaned around it, needy and horny. The only thing that could make things better was if--
Behind him, Murdoc was already thrusting two fingers in his arse, knowing 2D was almost always pretty loose. Stu encouraged him, bucking his hips back and forth between the fingers and the cock in his mouth. Ace groaned at the sight and began thrusting gently.
“He looks good like this, doesn’t he?” Murdoc asked, sliding in a third finger. “Aways did think so.”
“S’cause he doesn’t just look like he wants it; he looks like he needs it,” Ace answered as he fisted a chunk of blue hair in his hands. “Can’t you hurry up Doc?”
“Fine, fine, hold him steady then.” 2D wriggled his tongue obscenely while Ace tried to hold still. The singer would see his fingers straining with the effort of it, but then that didn’t matter because Murdoc was pushing inside and he felt so full.
“Mmmph,” he grunted, bending his back to force Murdoc in further. In the same movement, he tipped his head back a little, making Ace slip deeper into his throat. He was full from both ends, cock hard and leaking between his legs. Murdoc and Ace both groaned at the sight.
They easily started up a rhythm of Murdoc rocking into him, pushing him onto Ace, then pulling back. Each thrust sparked a tiny pop of pleasure in 2D’s belly, making his cock twitch and leak all over the bed. He loved this, feeling like they both were at his mercy, even if it might look like he was at theirs. It was easy to get them to do whatever he wanted, a little dressing up, a little backtalk. They were putty in his hands.
“Oh shit… oh shit!” Ace gasped, taking big handfuls of 2D’s hair and pulling. “His mouth… so good…”
“You should feel his arse after. It’s amazin’,” Murdoc answered, speeding up. “So warm and tight...fuck!”
They continued like that for what felt like hours to the singer. Ace felt like heaven in his mouth, so hard with the salty taste of precome flowing heavily. Murdoc was just the right size to press the perfect places inside him that made the slight sting and burn worth it. Oh, who was he kidding, he loved it all.
“Should I finish in his mouth… or on his face?” Ace asked, now pumping his hips rapidly into 2D’s face. The singer was gagging and choking, but he hadn’t made their “stop sign” so he kept going. “I don’t know how much--ngh--longer--”
“Well, he wants to be filled up…” Murdoc sounded a lot calmer, though his tone was definitely gruffer than usual. “In his mouth, Copular. He can take it.”
Stu tried to communicate his agreement via lusty-eye contact but Murdoc chose that exact moment to wrap a hand around his member and start tugging. The stimulation was too much and not enough; he whined and moaned for more and they gave it in spadefuls.
What really did him in was the way they both came at nearly the exact same time. Ace first, with hot shots of cum that made 2D gag and press his lips tight to not lose a drop, and Murdoc second with a low, full-body grunt, his hips stuttering and finally still as he spilled inside. After that Stu couldn’t help but come, gasping against the flesh in his mouth as he made a huge mess of his belly and the bedding.
Hey may have blacked out, or just drifted off for a little bit because the next thing he knew he was laying down on soft sheets away from his own mess and surrounded by warmth. With a contented sigh he flipped over onto his back and rested his hands on his belly, completely sated.
“That was great,” he said quietly. On his left Ace was laying in a similar position, a fresh joint between his lips. Murdoc was on the right, a fag in his hand mirroring Ace. After Ace and Stu had a puff, they traded with Murdoc, and the cycle continued until both were smoked fully.
“You’re insatiable,” Murdoc sighed fondly, twining his legs between the singers. Ace just rolled his eyes and slid down until he was resting on 2D’s shoulder, curled around him with long, noodly limbs.
“Comin’ from you, I’ll take that as a compliment,” 2D answered, yawning. He stretched his arms above himself and noticed something. “No fair, you two are still dressed and I’m naked!”
Ace and Murdoc looked down at themselves where they noticed each other's open files and rumpled underwear. Quickly both discarded their outer clothes--though Ace kept his t-shit--then settled back down.
“Happy now, you princess?” Ace teased pressing kisses to Stu’s cheek and neck. The singer nodded sleepily, chin bobbing down to his chest. His expression was still smug but mostly contented as he curled up, Murdoc at his back and Ace at his front. Immediately the other two adjusted, draping arms and legs this way and that until anyone looking in at them would be confused about which green leg belonged to which man.
“Round two after a nap?” he asked. Murdoc snorted and pinched dully at his side.
“Don’t push it,” he grumbled, but 2D knew he’d won. He knew he deserved a nap too, so without waiting to see if the other’s would join him, he began to drift off; safe in the assurance that they’d at least wait for him to start round two.
I can think about height differences all day every day. 2dacedoc????? muds stuck with two beanpoles???? imagine the Dynamics!!!!!! hrrrnnng......
You are correct, they are so Tall...but they are both sticks! He could just tie a hammock between each of them and relax 😎 plus Murdoc owns both their arses and he knows it. The small angry gremlin controls the gangly lads!
Summary: Sometimes Ace felt like he was at a disadvantage in their relationship. Murdoc and 2D had so much history… so much time together. Sure, not all of it was good, in fact, a lot of it was pretty shit, but they still had in-jokes and stories to look back on. Ace had barely known Murdoc back in the day. They’d partied a bit and hung around with the same crowd but nothing big. And he’d only met 2D when he came to play bass for Gorillaz. It just wasn’t the same.
Sometimes Ace felt like he was at a disadvantage in their relationship. Murdoc and 2D had so much history… so much time together. Sure, not all of it was good, in fact, a lot of it was pretty shit, but they still had in-jokes and stories to look back on. Ace had barely known Murdoc back in the day. They’d partied a bit and hung around with the same crowd but nothing big. And he’d only met 2D when he came to play bass for Gorillaz. It just wasn’t the same.
Not that the other two made him feel that way on purpose. They had plenty of inside jokes between the three of them now, and Murdoc loved nothing more than to regale the younger bassist with stories about his various escapades. 2D always made sure to include Ace in their lives, even if he wasn’t technically part of Gorillaz anymore, and Ace appreciated that. It was just… well… sometimes he felt like a third wheel, despite all that.
Ace was laying on his bed, in his room in Spirit House--yes, he did still have his own room, even if they were all sleeping together most of the time--acting like a total sad-sack. 2D and Murdoc had gone out to do an interview with the rest of the band and while Ace had been invited he didn’t really feel up to pretending he wasn’t completely out of his element for hours while they all talked. So he’d stayed home with the intention of getting some alone time, but after a couple of hours alone time turned into over-thinking, and over-thinking turned into moping and now here he was, laying on his back and staring at the ceiling feeling like a complete waste of space.
He didn’t really have a place here anymore, did he? Murdoc was back, and the band was taking a break. There was no need for him to be skulking around the house like some sort of bad smell. Really, 2D and Murdoc were probably just being nice, letting him stick around. They already had each other, so why did they need him?
Ace heard the front door open and close as the band arrived home. He could hear Noodle and 2D talking loudly about a dog they’d seen on the drive home, coupled with Russel and Murdoc occasionally chiming in. There was the sound of shoes being tossed aside and then the sound of the fridge opening from the kitchen. Ace wondered if they’d gone out to eat without him after the interview; Russel had said he wanted Ace to show him his chilli recipe tonight, but it was always possible he forgot. Feeling even more left out, Ace rolled onto his side facing the wall, curling his knees up to his chest. Did they even know he was still home? Did it matter?
The heavy clunk of boots sounded outside his room, the tell-tail signs of Murdoc wheezing his way up the stairs. They were followed by a quieter, loping step that had to be 2D, judging from the number of times the footsteps stumbled. Ace listened as they both went into Murdoc’s room and felt his heart clench as his fears were validated. They weren’t even going to see if he was home, they probably forgot he was here at all, they--
Ace heard his phone buzz from somewhere in his comforter. He found it, half under the pillow where he’d tossed it. He swiped through the various Twitter and Tumblr notifications to see he had a text from 2D, asking where he was. There were a few other too, a text from Noodle with a funny cat picture attached, a picture of the band standing beside the person who must have interviewed them from Russel. Ace scrolled through their messages, reading and rereading them multiple times. It made him feel a little better, a little more connected. They were his friends, his lovers. They did care, didn’t they?
There was a knock on his bedroom door, followed by the squeak of its hinges as whoever was there peaked inside without waiting. It was 2D, of course, the singer never did really get the hang of most social niceties. Ace looked over from where he was curled up on the bed and offered a small, tired wave. “Hey D, sorry I didn’t answer your text.”
2D walked into the room fully, closing the door behind him. Ace watched him take in the scene, the dark room, the bassist’s messy hair, and the fact that he still hadn’t changed out of his pyjamas form the night before. He knew he looked like a mess, and it only made him feel worse.
“Hey, Acey. It’s pretty dark in here,” the singer said, sitting on the edge of the bed. He reached out and ran a hand through Ace’s greasy hair, wrinkling his nose a bit. “You need a shower, babe.”
“Yeah, sorry,” Ace didn’t know what else to say, he knew he was disgusting. Normally he was all about his appearance but he just wasn’t feeling it today. Or yesterday. Or for the last week.
“No, it’s fine. Murdoc’s worse most of the time.” Stu was smiling a little, obviously hoping to get a laugh out of the other. When Ace just nodded and continued to lay on the bed, 2D frowned. “Are you alrigh’ Ace?”
This was so stupid. Ace was being stupid, feeling sorry for himself, acting like a needy child. “Y-yeah, I’m good. How was your interview?” he could feel 2D’s eyes on him still and hoped his question was enough to derail the singer.
“Not too bad, you know. Business as usual. Murdoc said some stupid shit, Russel told him to shut up, and I even got a chance to talk about Madge!” God Stu was adorable, waving his hands around and getting all excited. Ace rolled over to face the singer, wanting to watch him as he rambled. 2D smiled again. “What did you do today?”
That was probably the worst question the singer could have asked. “Uh, you know, nothing much.” Stu’s frown was back as he took a second to really look over Ace, his bedroom, and the way the other man was curled up on the bed.
“You’ve been in bed all day, haven’t you?” he asked quietly, taking one of Ace’s hands into his. “Ace you coulda said you weren’t feelin’ good…”
“I’m fine,” Ace insisited, sitting up. It took a lot more effort than he expected. “I-I didn’t want to bug you guys with my stupid problems.”
2D dropped the bassist’s hand to grab his own phone, sending off a quick text before pulling Ace into a hug. “Are you sick? You’re my boyfriend, your problems are important t’me.”
Ace let himself be held, closing his eyes. What had he done to deserve an angle like Stu as his boyfriend? “M’not sick, I’m just not feelin’ good today.” Or yesterday, or for the last week. It’d ben a while since he really felt like himself, but hey, it happens. Ace had made it through this type of thing before, he could do it again.
“Why?” 2D asked. Ace didn’t answer and the singer held him tighter, obviously getting himself worked up. This was exactly why he hadn’t said anything; he didn’t want 2D getting upset over nothing. Ace was about to try and reassure him when there was another knock at the door. This time, Murdoc walked in, again forgoing any thought of manners. The older bassist took one look at the scene in front of him and sat on the bed opposite Stu, leaning against Ace.
“What’s goin’ on then. 2D texted me sayin’ you’ve been in bed all day. And you didn’t come to say hello. Is that any way to treat your boyfriends?” Murdoc asked. Ace stiffened in Stu’s hold, sure that Murdoc was upset with him.
“Sorry Muds,” he whispered into 2D’s shoulder. He was ruining their night with his stupid feelings and his insecurities. As usual.
“You don’t need to be sorry, Ace,” 2D answered, tightening his grip. “Murdoc wasn’t saying you did anything wrong.” 2D shot Murdoc a little bit of a glare over the younger bassist's head. Luckily Murdoc caught on pretty quick, slinging an arm around Ace and resting his head on top of the others.
“It’s fine, love, I was jokin’.” Murdoc asked, running his calloused fingers up and down against Ace’s wrist. Ace closed his eyes and leaned into their arms despite his self-hatred. He was selfish like that and he hated it. It was nearly impossible to resist when the other two always gave in so willingly
“What’s wrong, Acey?” 2D asked. Ace squeezed his eyes shut and pressed his face harder into Stu’s shoulder.
“I-it’s stupid,” he said, voice cracking. Beside him Murdoc hummed, nuzzling Ace’s hair. Stu shook his head and places a soft kiss on his forehead.
“S’not stupid if it’s makin’ you upset,” the singer insisted. Murdoc nodded as well and it gave Ace the confidence to finally tell them.
“It’s just… You guys don’t need me.” It sounded so stupid when he said it out loud. “You’re famous, and Murdoc’s back, s-so why am I even here?” Oh great, now he was crying. Tears ran down his face and onto 2D’s shirt as he began to shudder. “I-I’m nothing s-special, just a guy who c-can kinda play b-b--”
The tears overwhelmed him to the point he couldn’t get out the rest, but he’d said enough for 2D and Murdoc to figure out the gist of it. Ace began to sob, all the feelings he’d been working so hard to keep back running up and out in a violent rush. Maybe he’d been feeling this way for longer than he’d realized.
2D and Murdoc shared a shocked look as Ace began to crumble. 2D tried to hold Ace tighter, running a hand through his hair over and over again in a desperate bid to comfort him. Murdoc, who was never the best in these types of situations, did his best to shush the younger bassist, humming random bits of music.
“Ace, Ace love,” 2D said quietly. “You’re so special, to me and to Murdoc.”
“You’re a right diamond in the rough,” Murdoc agreed. Ace shook his head and continued to sob.
“N-no, j-just a g-gangster, a B-list a-actor,” Ace stuttered brokenly. “You d-don’t need m-me.”
Sensing this was more serious than a bad day, Murdoc rearranged them so he was laying down, Ace’s back against his chest. 2D took the hint and lay on his side, still cradling the younger bassist’s head against his shoulder. Ace let them move him about, unable to do much more than clutch onto 2D’s shirt and cry. It felt like every negative though he had about himself was brawling their way out of him at once, leaving him helpless.
“We love you Ace. An’ not just us but Noodle and Russel too. You’re a part of Gorillaz,” 2D said lowly.
“You’re a smashin’ bassist too,” Murdoc added gruffly. “Not as good as me but…”
“Murdoc!” 2D swatted at the Satanist with the hand not running through Ace’s hair, hitting him on the shoulder. Murdoc made a big show of moaning and whining.
“Ouch! Stu, that hurt!”
“Quit whining you baby, Ace is cryin’!” He was, but not as much as before. Little hiccups and sniffles were still forcing their way out of him, but focusing on his boyfriend's antics definitely helped. But he still felt like a third wheel, listening to them banter back and forth.
“It’s ok. I know M-Murdoc’s just an asshole,” he said, giving 2D the tiniest of smiles. The singer beamed back even as Murdoc squawked in protest. “I’m sorry for getting your shirt all wet Stu. And for ruining your afternoon.”
“Stop apologizing you git,” Murdoc growled, wrapping his arms around Ace’s middle and pulling him back as close as possible. “You’re always tellin’ me to go easier on myself, so I’m gonna say the same t’you right now.”
“Yeah. We aren’t lying when we say we love you, Acey.” Ace wiped his nose on the back of his sleeve and looked up at the other two with red-rimmed eyes.
“But you don’t need me. You’ve got each other, and the band. I’m just extra, taking up space…” There, he’d finally said it. He watched as 2D’s eyes went wide and Murdoc’s eyebrows shot up into his hairline. They were obviously upset at him.
“No! Ace, darlin’ no,” 2D replied, leaning forward to pepper his face with kisses. Behind him Murdoc was silent, his crushing grip on Ace’s ribs saying more than enough. “Ace you’re so important to us, to everyone.”
“But--” Murdoc cut him off immediately.
“Listen, you stupid American cause I don’t say this often,” Murdoc said quietly enough that even 2D could barely hear. “I fuckin’ love you, Stu loves you, and we want you here, with us. Got it?”
“Yeah...” Ace replied, just as quietly. He didn’t really believe it, but the say the bassists said it made him feel a little bit better. Like maybe he didn’t have to believe it, but they did and that’s what mattered. “I’m--”
“If you say you’re sorry again, I’ll start kissin’ you and I won’t stop!” 2D threatened. The absurdity of it forced a small laugh out of Ace. Murdoc snorted, nose pressed against the back of Ace’s neck.
“That’s not exactly a threat, D,” he said. 2D looked scandalized.
“I would never threaten Ace!” Between them, Ace felt himself smile wide. Murdoc and Stu bickered back and forth over who would get to kiss him first if he said it. It was silly, how they were acting like children but it also felt amazing to be argued over, to be wanted by both of them that much. He still felt pretty awful and out of place, but knowing 2D and Murdoc cared made it a little easier to deal with.
“Why don’t you both kiss me?” he said, bringing an end to their petty argument before things got too rocky. Murdoc grinned and laid a big--somewhat wet--kiss on his left cheek, while 2D gave him a gentle one on his right. In turn he gave them each a kiss on the lips before settling back against his pillow. 2D did the same, a dopey look on his face as he nuzzled closer to Ace. Behind him, Murdoc continued to stay pressed close, though he relaxed his grip around Ace’s waist. It looked like they weren’t letting him get out of this any time soon, so Ace closed his eyes, exhausted after a hard day.
