#gorillaz fluff

[all-gorillaz-imagines]

hii! I was wondering if you could do headcanons on what songs the band would dance to on their wedding with their s/o, slow dancing or pumped up dancing I don't mind :), thanks! 💕

You’re welcome, love!

 2D: 

~ When planning your wedding you took the lead. 2D really didn’tmind it, though. The only thing he asked is that he pick the song for yourfirst dance. As the day grew near, 2D had notebooks and scribbles all over hisoffice. It was all full of ideas for your first dance together as a marriedcouple. He sent many long nights searching through his records, YouTubehistory, and Spotify to find the perfect song. Nothing was coming to him. With3 days left he began to panic and got so desperate he even though of turning toMurdoc for help. Scrambling to get his thoughts together, a song played overhis computer’s speakers. 2D quickly turned around and felt it, he felt it inhis heart. This was it, this was the song. He was filled with so much reliefand excitement. He could barely contain himself when he called up the DJ forthe wedding and told them exactly what song to play. 

~ Onthe day of your wedding everything seemed to go by so quickly. Before you knewit, 2D was standing in front of you on the dance floor waiting for the music tostart. Seconds later, a beautiful tune started to play over the speakers. 

“Do you wanna dance?

Will you wear my ring?

Will you laywith me?” 

The words to A.A. Bondy’s Lovers’ Waltz rang in your ears. You beganto tear up as your new husband took your hand and began to dance with you. Heplaced his other hand on your waist and you placed your hand on his shoulder.You held each other close as the music echoed throughout the ballroom. You laidyour head down gently on his shoulder to hide your tears. 2D softly sang alongto the song in your ear. Sniffles could be heard inside the room. The alluringwords of the song touched every heart, even Murdoc’s. As the song came to anend, everyone stood and clapped, but your eyes stayed locked on 2D. He smileddown at you and wiped your tears away. Nothing was said, and nothing needed tobe, the song spoke for you both.

 Murdoc: 

~ No one ever thought Murdoc would married, even Murdoc. Thatall changed when you came into his life. So did a lot of things. He changed hisbehavior and tried to clean up his act all to impress you. It was months ofagony for the man and it showed. When you put it end to all that ridiculousnessand told him that you were in love with him and everything he came with. Youweren’t with him to change who he was. That’s the day Murdoc knew he wouldmarry you. He knew he had to make this day something special. This was morethan a party, this was his chance to show the world it was wrong. He could beloved by someone with a kind heart.

~ Your whole wedding was acomplete surprise to you and everyone else who was invited. As you walked down the aisle you noticed Murdoc wiping at his face. At first you wondered if he was struggling to stay awake after a night of heavy drinking but as you got closer, you realized he was crying. When you reached the end of the aisle you wiped away his tears and held his hands tightly. Throughout the rest of the ceremony, Murdoc’s eyes never left your face. It all seemed to fly by in a blur. All you could see was him. For a moment you forgot you were in a room full of people until they clapped when you said your “I do(s)” As the celebrations began, Murdoc seemed to slip away. You had gotten too busy talking to close friends and relatives to notice. While you were in the middle of a story the lights suddenly came down and a spot light across the room revealed your new husband with a small microphone on his cheek. Music suddenly filled the room and Murdoc’s voice came over the speakers. He walked towards you to take your hand and dance with you. 

“If the sun refused to shineI would still be loving youWhen mountains crumble to the seaThere will still be you and me”

Murdoc’s voice brought tears to your eyes as he sang for you. You two slowly swayed to the song instead of actually dancing. The moment you were in couldn’t have been more perfect. You were kind of glad the world was wrong about Murdoc because you couldn’t imagine loving another man the way you love him.

Noodle:

~ Noodle’s proposal was too sweet and elegant for words to describe. It was just the two of you when she decided to pop the question. It was the most beautiful moment of your life. You two had stayed up late in bed just talking about the possibilities of life. She had suddenly gotten up and played some music. Noodle pulled you from the bed and began to dance with you. The floor became dressed with your footprints mixed with hers. You broke out into a fit of giggles as Noodle pulled away from you and danced with an imaginary partner. She hummed along to the music. You walked over to turn off the radio and as you turned around Noodle had her hand held out. Your face held a confused look as you grabbed her hand. Upon closer inspection, you realized it was a ring. Instantly, tears formed in your eyes as well as Noodle’s. She didn’t even have to say a word and neither did you. She slipped the ring onto your ring and you smiled at her before pulling her into a kiss.

~ You chuckled to yourself as your memory of that night came to an end. It had been almost a year since Noodle’s proposal and the wedding was just a few days away. The two of you couldn’t be happier. As the big day grew near, you both took time to yourselves to prepare and make that walk down the aisle even more special. The wedding was a small one, only family and a few friends. It was a simple garden wedding at the beginning of spring just as the flowers began to blossom. It was a beautiful ceremony and the vows you two read aloud were even more beautiful. Your first dance with Noodle was beyond special. The song that you two danced to when she proposed played in the garden. You grabbed Noodle’s hand and looked into her eyes as you danced with her. Neither of you could stop from smiling. 

“I wanna be your vacuum cleanerBreathing in your dustI wanna be your Ford CortinaI will never rustIf you like your coffee hotLet me be your coffee potYou call the shots babeI just wanna be yours.”

The lyrics of the song made your heart beat even faster as you watched Noodle lean in. Once her lips hit yours, you melted in her arms. The kiss was so powerful you felt all eyes on you. It was like Noodle had gathered every single “I love you” ever said and put it into this one kiss. When she pulled away your eyes were wide with love and lust. It was truly a dream come true.

Russel:

~ Planning a wedding with Russel was a rather difficult experience. Every time you asked him what he thought he just shrugged his shoulders. It was frustrating but you knew that’s how Russel was. You felt bad that you were making all the big decisions so you decided to give him a job. You walked into his studio and handed him a card with a number on it. “This is the phone for the company who will be the DJ at the wedding. I want you to pick the song we dance to for the first time as a married couple.” You smiled at Russel and he chuckled. “Alright.” You planted a kiss on his cheek and walked out. You knew he would make a good choice.

~ When the day of your wedding finally came around, you did everything in your power to find out what your song would be but Russel wasn’t telling. You even whispered to him during the ceremony for him to tell you but all he did was chuckle and wink. You sighed and turned your attention back to the priest. Once Russel kissed you as your newly wed husband, you rushed him to the ballroom to discover what song he had picked out. Russel smirked at you as the music came to life.

“When we were youngerWe thought everyone was on our sideThen we grew a littleAnd romanticized the time I sawFlowers in your hairSee it takes a boy to liveTakes a man to pretend he was thereSo then we grew a littleAnd knew a lotAnd now we demonstrated it to the copsAnd all the things we saidWe were self assured.”

The words you heard confused you at first but as the song continued you began to understand. You looked to your husband and he smiled while holding his hand out. “Dance with me.” He whispered as he held you close to his chest. Russel began to hum along to the song and you slowly followed in his lead. The song he had chosen was the song that was playing oh so long ago when he first laid eyes on you. It was at a local music shop when he came in to pick up Murdoc’s bass after he had busted it once again. “I need to tell you something.” Russel whispered. You pulled away from him so you could look into his eyes. “That day I met you, that was the day I bought that ring that’s on your finger.” 

[thepatricktreestump]

ttotm drabble #2

9.13.17 Period Imagine: 2-D: Gorillaz Are You Okay? Includes: gender neutral, fluff *I couldn’t help but write this with the mindset of how 2-D talks and stutters, so of course, the English is gonna be so screwed up and it’s gonna be British as fuck, but hey, that’s my boo ---

“Bloody hell!” you wake up to your boyfriend cursing, yanking the blankets off of you, holding his face in his hands. You just groan and reach for the sheets.

“2-D,” you whine. “What are you making such a fuss about?” You assumed he had probably seen a spider crawling in the sheets or something like that. He was often afraid of small things. You groggily sit up in bed, yawning, but then feeling something warm and wet in between your legs. Shit. It was that time of the month again, wasn’t it?

“Are y-you dying?” his face paled and you struggled to wake up, still dead tired. “What’s wif all the blood? Are you alright? S-should I call the ambulance?”

“I’m alright,” your face flushed, embarrassed. “It’s just uh, just my period sweetheart.”

“Your what?” he tilted his head to the side, innocent black eyes staring at you, confused. You couldn’t help but chuckle at how adorable he was.

“My period,” you explained. “I get a menstrual cycle every month you know.”

“A what?” he looked even more confused and you rolled your eyes.

“Nobody ever told you about periods?” you stifled a laugh.

“Well I uh, I-I think I saw it once, in a movie or som’fn,” he scratched the back of his head, confuzzled.  “I know a bit about it.”

“I’m not dying,” you explained. “I’m actually quite alright. Just hurts a bit. Lots of cramps. And mood swings. And chocolate cravings.”

“I can get you choc’late,” he quickly offered. “If you want sum.”

“Okay,” you gave a soft smile. “I’d like that.”

“An’ I can do the laundry,” he nodded. “You just uh, y-you rest up. On the couch. I’ll turn on the telly and fix you some tea.”

“You sure?” you raise an eyebrow, flattered by how sweet he was.

“Course,” he grinned a toothy smile. “Anything for you, y/n.” He gave you a kiss on the head before bunching up the stained blankets on the floor, tugging off the dirty bedsheets, and carrying it to the laundry room. You took a quick warm shower and then curled up on the couch in a blanket, seeing as 2-D had already queued up your favorite show on Netflix, making you smile. And of course, there was a warm cup of tea on the table for you, along with a note reading ‘I hope you feel better soon’ with a smiley face and his name. You loved your boyfriend so much, and although you had only been dating for a couple months, he had proved to be the sweetest guy you’d ever meet.

“Is that you?” you called out when you heard the front door swing open.

“It’s me,” he replied, stumbling into the living room carrying a bunch of bags. You widened your eyes.

“What’d you do? Buy the entire store?” you laughed.

“N-no,” he shook his head and put down the bags on the table. “I just thought I might get you som’fn. To cheer you up. Since you feel shitty.”

“Alright,” you chuckled softly. “I do love gifts.”

“Here,” he pulled out a bouquet of roses, making you gush.

“Oh baby, you didn’t have to,” you felt so overwhelmed.

“I want’d to,” he insisted. “I got some more stuff too.” He handed you your favorite sweets, a box of cookies, a bunch of candy bars, and even some bath bombs and candles.

“Why’d you pamper me so much?” you wondered.

“Cause I love you,” he shrugged.

“Come here,” you sighed, patting down on the couch so he could cuddle up beside you and join you curled up in the blanket. “I love you so much, baby.” You kissed him softly, tangling your fingers in his bright blue hair, smiling against his lips. When you pulled away, he gave a soft smile as well.

“So, are you okay?” he raised an eyebrow.

“Am I okay?” you repeated. “I’m wonderful sweetheart. Especially knowing that I have you.”

[addicted-with-some-pens-blog]

Hhhhhhh Murdoc being really soft and sweet with his s/o when he thinks they're alone but one of the other band members sees it and Mudz gets embarrassed.

Sorry for the lateness! Finally got my housing issue solved and just started writing again.

 I loved writing this one so much, bless youuuu <3 

Murdoc is such a hypocrite sometimes…no complaints ever really come from his lover but he typically acts like he never cares what anyone thinks of him until they catch him being all lovey dovey.

This one time, you remember you and Murdoc were sitting on the couch, alone in the living area. His head was in your lap and you ran your fingers through his hair while you two watched some cheesy sitcom. He closes his eyes and sighs: “Wha’ did I ever do to deserve you, love? Why do you like me?”

This wasn’t very like him but this isn’t the first time he’s acted like this. You know that Murdoc had self esteem problems, and that he feels guilty for some of the fucked up shit he’s done in the past. He’s had it rough early on in life too. He’s never really been shown much love other than the love shown to him by the band. Two members of which he kidnapped, and the other who witnessed the abuse of their singer while growing up in the band. He knows that they care for him but he still can’t fathom why. He knows that you love him but sometimes it’s a bit of a hard notion to believe. 

“You are an amazing, talented, loveable and worthy person, Mud . I don’t just like you, ya nut. You know I love you. You’re a bit hard to deal with sometimes but we all have our faults, that’s just  yours.”  You say this as he looks up to you with one of his rare looks. His eyes are wide and they look so different, innocent even. He’s being earnest, and he’s been earnest before  but he rarely ever gives you these heartbreaking eyes that say:       I think i’m worthless but please love me anyway.

He picks his head off you lap and turns to face you. You see that he’s struggling to find his words because he’s grumbling to himself  and he starts to blush, betraying his embarrassment. When he finally speaks he says:  “I’ve never loved anybody like I love you.” Then he kisses you passionately.

When the kiss is broken, you two hear two “Awwwww!’s coming from the doorway where Noodle and 2D stand grinning. Russ pops his head around and laughs: “Never thought ya had it in you Mudz!”

Murdoc’s typically green hue transforms as he blushes furiously, he takes his shoe off and hurls it at 2D as he yells: “I DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU LOT ARE TALKING ABOUT WE WERE JUST WATCHING A SHOW. CAN WE GET SOME PRIVACY HERE OR ARE YOU BUNCH OF NOBS GOING TO KEEP PEEPING IN FROM THE DOORWAY?!”

You laughed and dragged him back down onto the couch before he goes to hunt the band down and manually erase their memory through means of head trauma.

Murdoc is such a hypocrite at times. But he’s your sweet, passionate hypocrite and that was one of his faults you were willing to accept.

[addicted-with-some-pens-blog]

Hello! I'm new and I've never asked anything so I'm Sorry if I'm doing this wrong (you can totally delete that, don't worry :) Could you write about the blue haired boy and "How come I always end up calling you when I can't fall asleep?" Thank you, I love your blog!

Thank youuuu! I’m so happy that you do :) 

A sudden loud and very annoying noise echoes throughout your room jolting you out of your peaceful sleep. You just finished a 14 hour shift and finally got to sleep for two hours. Your eyes are red and they sting slightly. They’re heavy and they don’t want to comply with your will to keep them open. Your phone rings repeatedly, as you struggle to snap out of your sleepy state enough to reach over to your nightstand and see who’s calling. When you finally do, you see that it’s Stuart facetiming you,  and you muster a lazy smile, always happy and willing to talk to him no matter what time of night.

When you pick up the phone, you see him through your screen. He’s leaning against his headboard not wearing a shirt,  he has dark circles under both large black eyes, making them look even bigger than they are. He looks exhausted though. His blue hair is a mess and he’s paler than usual.  Nevertheless, Stuart gives you a genuine smile, happy that you picked up the phone.

You greet him with a groggy “Hello?”

“Ah shit, I caught ya sleepin again, yeah?” He begins to say before offering to hang up and let you sleep.

“Yeah, no it’s totally fine, Stu. What’s up? How was your day?” You ask, genuinely interested. You loved talking to your best friend, your partner in crime.. You’ve missed him lately, not being able to see him because of your job and his schedule with him either touring or being locked up in the studio by Murdoc, practicing with the band.

So you two begin exchanging stories about your day. His day didn’t go very well. He’s been attacked by horrible migraines throughout the day while he was expected to practice with the band. He tried to push through it but he blacked out because of the pain while the band played Kids With Guns. You complained to him about your rude customers, venting about how terrible it is working in a restaurant, even if you are the manager of the establishment. You two cracked jokes to make fun of your customers and Murdoc to lift your spirits up. You for the most part enjoy insulting the pickle-man for giving the person you love so much trouble while he was in pain, and he loved insulting the rude customers that gave you a hard time.

After coming down from both of your giggle fits, you sigh,  “I missed you, D.”  

“I miss you too, love. More than you could imagine. It’s been so...hectic around here, wiv the new album comin out and all. I just hope my head gets better before we start touring... “

“How are the new pills working out for you?”

“Not very well considering I had ta call you…Couldn’t fall asleep.” he chuckles,

“So this time you called me because your pills weren’t working? Last week it was because you were freaking out over the fact that eels didn’t have arms...” You laughed. ( SO I SAW A MEME AND THIS IS BASED OFF THE MEME AND I CANT FIND IT ANYMORE) 

"I… dunno actually… There’s just something about you, love… . How come I always end up calling you when I can't fall asleep?" He smiles.

You don’t know why, but this sent a sharp pang of electricity through your stomach. It was a good pang, a nice feeling. You try to cover up the fact that you’re blushing but he notices and giggles.

“You know I love you right?” He proclaims shyly while also turning slightly red. 

This is the first time he’s ever actually said it, both of you being in different beds, him wearing nothing but pajama pants and you with tangled hair and eye crusties. Regardless of the situation, it was the most romantic thing that’s ever really happened to you. Someone who doesn’t get to see you every day, someone who genuinely enjoys talking to you, someone who you’ve considered your best friend and your lover for a while, proclaimed their love for you at 2 AM through facetime. And you couldn’t be happier.

“I love you too, Stu.”

[addicted-with-some-pens-blog]

2D "When did you get so beautiful?" Thank youuuuuuuuuu

SORRY THIS WAS SO LATE OMG I WAS DOING STUFF AND MY INTERNET GOT CUT OFF BC I COULDN’T PAY THE BILL SO I WAS ENTIRELY ON MOBILE FOR THE PAST FEW DAYS ❤️❤️❤️

As the last notes of 5/4 echoes throughout the studio, you stand up and clap for your best friends.

“Haven't played this song in a while eh?” Russel says with a smile, he walks to you and puts his hand in the air for a high five which you reciprocate.

“It was great! All of you were amazing, I'm sure the fans will really appreciate this blast to the past, I know I definitely did.” You encourage the band who all stare at you with large grins.

“Thanks, love!” 2D says with a look that makes you melt. He brings you in for a tight hug. He gives the best hugs. With the looks he gives you and his hugs, the way he’d lean against you during your movie nights and lean his head against your shoulder or on your lap… he drives you crazy sometimes, and he doesn’t even know it. 

You met the band while touring with another band as their assistant manager. After partying with the Gorillaz on several occasions, you grew attached to them, and them to you. Being a long time fan of theirs, when they asked you to leave the other band and work for them, you enthusiastically agreed. Since then, you grew close to everybody, surprisingly including Murdoc. But the person you were the closest with was 2D. You wanted to be more than friends though, throughout your years of knowing Stuart, you started to slowly fall for him.

“Anyone hungry?” Noodle asks everyone.

“Famished.” Russel responds.

Murdoc just grunts as he grabs his keys and heads for the door.

“I'm fine, thanks! I'll just hang around.” You reply.

“No thanks! Bu’ bring me back a peppermint tea if ya can?”

With that, the rest of the band leaves you two alone together. He looks at you and smiles: “Wan’ta watch a movie?”

That's always his go-to activity, luckily, it's yours too. You secretly love cuddling up to him and watching scary movies. It's an excuse to get close to him, he wouldn't question you hugging him close and hiding your face in his chest during a horror flick.

Halfway into the movie you’re cuddled up to his side as his arm rests on your back, after being absorbed in an especially gory scene, you look up to see if he’s as creeped out as you are, instead, catch him staring at you.

“Um…” you blush looking down. He still hasn't taken his eyes off of you. It seems like his obsidian eyes  are studying you closely.

“Didja um, see that part?” You ask him, shyly.

“No.” He responds swiftly.

“Oh.. well um.. it was pretty fu-”

Interrupting you, he shifts himself so that he’s facing you. Removing his arm from around you, he caresses your cheek. “When did ya get so beautiful?” He whispers.

You feel the urge to kiss him, to wrap your arms around his neck and smash your lips against his, but you restrain yourself. You want nothing more than to proclaim your feelings to him and get it over with but anxiety prevents you from doing so. Suddenly, you're flushed and stuttering.

“I don't really know how to respond to that…” you finally manage to get out.

He tilts his head, quiet, waiting for you to elaborate. When you stay silent he leans in and softly presses his lips against yours. You respond by unconsciously leaning into the kiss and placing your hands in his hair, intensifying it, you part your lips allowing for his tongue to join the equation and he leans you backwards into the couch as both of you lose yourselves in the feeling of holding and kissing each other.

When he pulls away you finally speak up, experiencing a sudden surge of confidence.

“I love you. I've loved you for so long and I've been afraid to say it.”

He responds simply with a toothy grin, attacking your lips with his own once more.

[addicted-with-some-pens-blog]

god I loved the murdoc meets s/o's dad can u do it with 2d ? :3

I’m happy you liked it! Here ya go! I switched it up a bit this time :) 

2D wasn’t exactly excited to meet your father today, in fact, you can see that the boy is terrified. He’s hugging his knees in the front seat of the car you’re driving and staring off into the distance. Jeez he’s such a drama queen, he’s probably imagining his own funeral. The thought makes you chuckle.

“Stu, it’ll be fine, I promise! No worries, we’re just having dinner that’s all!” You reassure him.

He looked at you, startled and realized that he was caught in the act. “Sorry love, jus’ a bit anxious is all. I’m okay. Could ya tell me about him? What not to do and stuffs?”

“He just appreciates someone who can make eye contact and sit up straight. Be yourself, he’s gonna ask you questions, just answer him truthfully. He doesn’t know much about you either. He just knows you’re in the band and I’ve been staying with you guys while you tour. “

“But does he know that I can’t help the color of my hair or that the pills I take aren’t just drugs like im not being a bad influence on you or that my eyes are Murdoc’s f-f-FAULT O R  T H A T --” He rambles on and on, not noticing that you pulled over until your mouth was on his. He closed his eyes and wrapped his hand around your neck, his other hand  pulling at your waist trying to get you to scoot over and sit on his lap. He was so easy to get riled up.

You sigh and break the kiss.

“Try to simmer down, D. He doesn’t know. He’s gonna ask if he really cares.” You try to reassure him.

He looks down and bites his lower lip, the gaps in his teeth showing prominently when be does that.  It’s adorable. “But what if he doesn’t like me?”

“Then too bad for him. He’s going to have to deal with it. You’re not going anywhere, Stu Pot.” He blushes and kisses you on the cheek.

You pull out of the parking space you conveniently found during 2D’s mini anxiety attack and you continue driving. When you get to the house you suddenly feel so nostalgic.You look up, that’s the window you used to climb out of in the middle of the night for late night smokes with your best friends. To the side of the house, there’s the tree you fell out of. And there’s your dad, sitting on the porch and smoking a cigarette. He looks up and sees you get out of the car. You run to him and hug your father as tight as you could. His embrace was familiar, tight, and comforting. “I missed you so much, dad.”

He just hugs you tighter.

When you two separate, you see that 2D is right next to you.

“Dad, this is-”

“Stuart, sir. But you can call me 2D, It’s noice to finally meet ya.” His voice is shaky but you’re surprised that he suddenly spoke up.

Dad looks 2D up and down and tilts his head a bit when he notices his eyes.

“Same to you, um, 2-Dee...this one-” he gestures to you , “hasn’t told me a damn thing about you…”

You roll your eyes at him and he turns around and walks into the house, waving for you two to follow. “Hope you two are hungry because dinner is ready.”

 You all sit at the table, you sit next to 2D instead of taking your usual place next to dad. He notices and glares a bit at 2D but he says nothing about it.

You guys begin eating. Stu compliments the food, and dad seems delighted that someone outside the family likes his cooking. “Thank you, it’s just been me and the brat over there, so I never know if they’re being genuine or trying not to hurt my feelings.”

“No, this is very well done!” 2D grins back, flashing his teeth. (or lack thereof lol.)

Dad, looks at 2D’s face once more, and here’s the question we’ve all been waiting for: “So, you have very uh... interesting eyes. Were you born that way?”

 2D is visibly shaken by the question, afraid of being judged or rejected by your father.

“Well em… no I was not born this way…” 2D starts off slowly. He looks at you and you nod. Then he tells a whole damn story: “I know my appearance is a bit weird. The bassist in the band we’re in actually hit me wiv’ a car. It’s called an 8 ball fracture and it made one of me eyes look like this. The courts ordered Murdoc to take care of me when I was in a coma, but he took me on one of his joyrides and I crashed through the windshield fracturing the other one…then he kidnapped me to be in the band because he liked my new look.” The room falls silent. “Oh and the hair is blue because I fell out of a tree when I was little, my hair fell out and it all grew back blue.”

 Dad looks dumbfounded. There were a series of emotions that flashed through his face, and you were unsure what they meant. You see that 2D notices and that it’s making him anxious as his foot will not stop shaking under the table. You grab his hand over the table. “That’s a hell of a wild story isn’t it, dad?”

“Um, yeah… So this is your um… current bassist? The one you’re working with...now?”

“Yes sir, Murdoc created the band.”

“And he’s around my kid?” Shit. this line of questioning isn’t good.

“Dad, Mudz would never harm me. I mean, his driving could use some help but he’s a chill guy” You try to defend both Murdoc and Stu.

“ A chill guy?” He turns back to 2D: “You let this man around my kid?” Dad doesn’t sound very happy…

“W-w-well with all due respect, sir…” Stu starts timidly, but then stops, squeezing your hand hard. How he started that sentence doesn’t sound like it’s going to be respectful and you just felt a bolt of anxiety shock you in the gut. Dad’s eyes shoot up to glare into his. “With all due respect...Your ‘kid’ is more than capable of making decisions. And they like being around Mudz, and it’s not my place to ‘em not to spend time with him…” He finishes that sentence strong. You have never been more proud of him. You smile at him, put your hand on one cheek and kiss the other.

Dad thinks for a moment, then he looks up and smiles. “Right you are. Sorry if I seemed hostile, I just have to make sure it’s not just any old douche that’s messing with my baby. I see that you respect 'em... I like that.”

2D breathes a sigh of relief which makes dad laugh. You glare at your father, and he notices. “Well, let’s take this party to the couch, shall we?”

You all make your way to the lounge where you all sit down; you and 2D sitting on the couch opposite of your dad’s arm chair.

Dad  asks what 2D does in the band. When 2D responds that he is a singer, dad’s eyes light up. He leaves the room to come back with a case of beers and a guitar. He opens his carton of cigarettes, and finds it empty. 2D offers one of his and dad gladly accepts while he lights both of theirs. Dad looks to you with the cigarette in his mouth as he plugs the guitar in: “Still didn’t take up the family addiction?“ You grimace. Both 2D and dad laugh at your expression and say “Good” at the same time and they both laugh once more. Dad hands both of you a beer and takes a sip of his.

Dad starts playing a song that you recognize as Aerosmith’s “Cryin”

“Know the song?” You frown, 2D doesn’t really listen to classic rock much…Or at least not around you...

Instead of responding to your dad’s inquiry, he starts bobbing his head and singing when the time comes.

Well then…  This is a pleasant surprise.

You join in, harmonizing with 2D. After a couple of more songs it seems like all the tension from earlier is wiped out, you two leave smiling, you hug your dad goodbye and when 2D goes in for a handshake, your father is tipsy enough to pull him in for a hug instead. “Welcome to the family, son.”

On the drive home, you two were silent. It was a comfortable silence, you were still grinning about how well the night ended and Stu was deep in thought. He broke the silence with a: “Ya know...I love you so much.” and you responded “I love you too, Stu.“