Chapter: 3

Like every morning, you were getting ready for work, this time you packed yourself a bag with some extra clothes and a pair of shoes. You chose to wear the same thigh-high boots, just black with your black skimpy uniform, as a loop hole to the whole thing. The boots gave some coverage to your thighs, nearly shielding your tattoo on your right thigh.

"Look at me now mom. Where ever you are." You huffed at the sight of yourself in the mirror. The minute you turned from your mirror, the door was opened by Ron. "Hey uh- aren't you going to work?" He asked.

"Yep, something wrong?" You asked, skimming through your closet once more, to see if there was something else you wanted to shove in your bag as a last resort.

"Nah, your uniform just looks like something you wear daily." He grinned. "Honestly, I completely agree with you. Though my dad would kick my ass knowing I wear this for work." You snickered. "But, do you need something?" You asked once more.

"Yeah, four things? One, it's gonna rain today so bring an umbrella." He said. Just from hearing the word rain, you searched for your umbrella, which was immediately tossed into my bag. "Got it. The second thing?" I asked.

"One of your brothers got locked up for like an hour, before getting out again." He laughed. "Oh, let me guess. Zachary." You smirked. "And we have a winner! The guy got drunk off his ass and started from a bar fight, then body slammed an officer." Another laugh escaping the two of you once the end was mentioned.

    "That's Zack for you. Can't fix him." You shrugged. "Those hookers on his arm think they can, other than that, the third thing is I have a family dinner tonight." At those words, you grew excited and began clapping your hands together and jumping in place.

    "Yay! Special treatment!" You cheered, bringing your face pierced friend to laugh. "You're lucky you're the only chick my family likes. Want me to pick you up from work?" He offered. "Nah, I'll come here to shower and change. Plus you'll be whining about the smell of the place."

    Ron would gasp, with his hand placed against his chest in surprise. "You think just because I'm some rich spoiled brat that is practically spoon-fed with bags of weed and bottles of the best alcohol at mine side I can't handle smells?" He asked.

    "Yes, exactly. You can't even drink or smoke half your weight. Speaking of weight, have you been eating?" You asked as you put your bag over your shoulder, and taking your keys from your dresser. "Ugh, yeeeesss mom. I've been eating." He groaned in the impression of a moody teen.

    "Weed brownies don't count, son." You chuckled. "Eat the leftovers I have for you in the fridge and drink water. It'll be better for you." You added, walking past him out of your room.

    You've had this motherly instinct with him ever since you've met him. He was a sheltered kid and still is as a grown adult. You can't fault him though, he was very sick as a kid and made it worse for himself. He's getting better at taking care of himself, so that's a plus.

    "Oh, wait- what was the fourth thing you wanted to tell me?" You said, stopping yourself from leaving the door. "Oh, your landlord came told me to tell you, he can't give you any favors anymore. Either you pay by the end of the day or, this is your final straw. Want me to handle it?" He asked.

"Nope, don't do a damn thing. And I mean it."

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    In a blink of an eye, you were at the door of Kong Studios, quietly waiting for doors to open. To your delight, young Noodle opened them for you, with a bright smile on her face. "Y/n!" She pipped, stepping aside to allow you in.

    "Nē kyūtī, anata wa kesa hidoku shiawasedesu." ("Hey cutie, you're awfully happy this morning.") You said, smiling down at her. "Mhm! Kyō no kaimono!" ("Mhm! Shopping today!") She told. "Ah, Osoraku, kyandī ya gēmu o te ni ireru tsumoridesu ka?" ("Ah, probably gonna get yourself some candy and games then?") You asked, with your answer being her taking hold of your hand and looking to you with a smile.

    "Anata mo!" ("With you too!") She cheered. "Mā, hontōni? Soredewa, shoppingukāto o rīdo suru tsumoridesu ka?" ("Oh really? Gonna take the lead on the shopping cart then?") You asked, dropping your bag onto the counter of the front desk before making your way to the kitchen. Noddle clapped her hands in joy with a nod as she followed you to the kitchen.

    You were met with a green sick 2D, gagging Murdoc, and a disgusted Russel. Followed with that all, a putrid smell gassed the kitchen. "Ugh- what's going on in here?" You gagged as you plugged your nose, Noodle doing the same.

    "Ah, about time you showed up Cheeky! Got some work for ya!" Murdoc grinned as he slammed shut the fridge. "Oh how kind of you boss. Expired lunch meat I'm assuming?" You guessed. More like the majority of everything is expired, especially the meat.

    "Good thing we're going shopping today." Russel huffed, tossing a few boxes and bags into the bin, one 2D was quick to use to hurl in. "Looks like you only have to make three plates love, someone already lost their appetite." Murdoc grinned, patting the back of the hurling man.

    "Oh lucky me. But from the looks of it, I can make...something?" You shrugged, opening the sink cabinet for a pair of gloves. Sure, you've touched worst but it didn't mean you had to with your bare hands. "We can help you, this is mainly Murdoc's fault," Russel said, getting himself a pair of gloves as well.

    You and Noodle snickered as the green man looked nothing but shocked when called out. "Why me!?" He outraged. "Why not you? The main reason this stuff is expired is that you spent the money on we-"

    "Alright, alright, shut ya gob. I'll get it fixed tomorrow." Murdoc huffed, grumbling under his breath as he staggered out the kitchen with a bottle of whiskey. "Should we expect him to be extremely drunk or what?" You asked.

    "He's no where near a lightweight, he'll just talk too much," Russel said, taking a few bags as Noodle took a smaller one. "Oh goody! I'll help D, he doesn't look too good." You said as you all turned to the man who leaned against the wall, cradling a small trash bin.

    "'ppreciate it Y/n, come on Noodle," Russel said, walking out the kitchen with the skipping girl, while you approached 2D with a smile. "Hey D, you're not looking too hot." You said, taking a napkin from the counter to wipe his mouth. "You fink' I look hideous?" He questioned.

    "That's not- I mean you don't look healthy. Let's get you in a chair." You said, taking his hand into your own, bringing it into the dining room. The room did live up to the old feeling of the studio, yet there was a new splash to it.

    A few plates and cups were scattered around the table, decorated with just a few wrappers of small treats. Once 2D was down in a chair, his hand stayed wrapped around yours. "I'm gonna clean some dishes and the kitchen."

    "While doing that I'll bring you a hot drink, keep that bin comfortable in the meantime." You said, slowly pulling your hand away from his. You thought you'd see his smile falter but he just smiled wider as he wrapped his arms around the bin. "Okay!" He said.

    Your lips tugged into a smile as you patted his shoulder before heading back into the kitchen to start working. During your work, the sky grew darker, letting a gentle waterfall from its clouds.

    Eventually, it was pouring, but since you all were inside, it wasn't that big of a deal. After thrashing ninety-five percent of the fridge and some bits in the pantry, you started cooking whatever you could.

    To be your little helper was Noodle, who was more than excited to do anything besides watching the rainfall. She helped you make egg-fried rice with bacon bits and lemon tea for 2D.

    "Annnnd, kanryō!" ("Annnnd, done!") You said as Noodle finished setting up the last plate. "Yoku yatta, kawai kocha n. Watashitachi wa yoi chīmu o tsukurimasu." ("Good job, cutie. We make a good team.") You told, holding your hand out to her.

    Noodle gave a wide and genuine smile as she clapped her hand against yours. "Sā, hokanohito ni tsukaemashou." ("Now let's serve the others shall we?") You told, picking up three plates, just having one balance in the middle of your arm.

    Noodle mimicked your technique with the plates and followed you to the dining room. "Guys, it's time to eat!" You said, hearing the soft bit of the supposed French "accent" other told have said you had in your voice, spill when you yelled. Thankfully, it went unnoticed.

    As you and Noodle were setting the table, the three came downstairs, ready to eat more than ever. "This looks great Y/n, thanks," Russel said, taking a seat. "It was the only things me and Noodle could find, so I hope it's enough." You sighed, pulling out a spare chair to sit on.

    "Anything to drink?" Murdoc asked. "Just some water with flavor packets, but I put those in the fridge. But if you really want it, there's tap water." You grinned, giving yourself a spoonful of your meal.

    Murdoc grumbled and dug into his pocket to take out a rather large flask, which wasn't a surprise to you or anyone. You all reacted as if it was a normal thing, considering you met this man a day ago and these three have known them for way longer. "Aye Y/n, where did you learn to cook?" 2D asked, setting down his cup.

    "It's a long story, but to shorten it my father used to have a maid that thought me how to cook before my dad started teaching me and brothers to cook before letting us work in his restaurant." You answered with a shrug. "Went from having a maid to being a maid huh? Spoonfed I'm assuming." Murdoc said, taking a quick swig from his flask before continuing to eat.

    "Eh, I'm mean- kinda? But not for too long." You replied calmly. You knew from the start Murdoc was only trying to get under your skin. There was hardly any way that was gonna be possible, two of your older brothers were just like that. But, the difference was you can't punch your boss and whine to dad for a laugh.

    "Y/n, you mentioned you have brothers? How many?" Russel asked. "Five!" You answered sweetly, seeing surprise draw to all their face. "Yeah, I know, it's a lot of us. Could honestly be a band if we wanted to be." You joked. "Watashitachi no yōna!" ("Like us!") Noodle pipped. "You can't just be a band cause you want to love. Got to have talent first. Unlike those phonies." Murdoc said, dragging along his signature laugh.

    "You're sure one to talk about talent," Russel commented, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Hehehe, yeah, he kept fumbling with his bass when we were practicing." 2D giggled. Murdoc bellowed a low growl and gripped his fork like a weapon. "I'll show you a fumble-" Before Murdoc could finish his threat, you spoke.

"Wait...you guys are a band?"