A Fuckton of Polygrumps

Egobang: Lost Pt. 1

Synopsis: This is my first attempt at angst in the Polygrumps compilation, so forgive me if it's not as up to par as the rest of my fanfiction. Anyway, Dan gets offered an incredible deal that could mean a new milestone in his musical career and Arin has to figure out whether he wants to confess his feelings for him. Super angsty.

"We'll, uh, we'll figure this shit out next time of Game Grumps," Dan chuckled, practically lying upside down on the couch. "Stay sexy, baby girl!"

Arin snorted, slouching down until he was halfway on the floor. It was a particularly humid day in Los Angeles. Dan dove for his phone, which had been buzzing like crazy since they started recording.

"Hello? Yeah...this is Dan..."

Arin climbed to the other side of the couch and tried to eaves drop. He knew Dan had been expecting an important call for weeks now. Even being so interested, Arin zoned out, not bothering to listen to the conversation after a while. He leaned forward with anticipation as soon as Dan hung up.

"So? Spill! What happened?"

"Brian and a bunch of other friends of mine sent samples of my music to a major record label," Dan explained slowly, his face showing a forced smile. "The manager said he'd love to put my original stuff on the radio and even put our cover album on shelves everywhere..."

"Fuck, dude, that's great!"

"Yeah, and he even thinks we could do concert tours-"

"We can grind out a ton of episodes before you leave! It'll be fine, dude, we travel all the time-"

"I'd have to move to Manhattan," Dan cut in, no longer even bothering to pretend he was alright. "That's what the call was about. I get to do everything I've ever wanted, but I can't stay here. That was the deal."

"Well, you turned them down, right," Arin asked as if it were an easy choice.

"I told them I'd think on it."

"You'll say no, won't you?"

Dan finally looked over at Arin, almost offended as he squinted in disbelief.

"And what the hell makes you so sure? I got offered the chance of a lifetime, something I've been working my entire life to achieve."

"You already have a successful band and we've been doing Game Grumps for 3 years. I thought you settled down by now..."

"I'm not 50, Arin. I'm 36 years old, and that's not nearly the right age for me to hunker down and let every new opportunity past me by. I've got new shit ahead of me. You've given me some of the best years of my life, and I'm grateful, but these chances are so fucking rare."

Neither of them spoke for a moment. Dan sighed loudly and ran his long fingers through his thick hair.

"I have three days to give them an answer."

Arin gritted his teeth and stood up, fists clenched tight.

"What am I gonna do without you? You're my best friend," he breathed, the words barely coming out.

"You've got Suzy," Dan cut in sharply, his tone harsh and distant. "Look, I have to go. I'll see you tomorrow."

With that, he picked up his car keys and leather jacket, leaving without another word.

What the fuck was that supposed to mean, Arin thought. They'd gotten into a comfortable rhythm, finally reaching a nice comfortable routine after Jon left the show. It felt like a family again. And all of a sudden, that balance he'd worked so hard to maintain was being disrupted once again. He knew Dan was in love with him. Everyone knew. He'd put off confronting it because it just seemed easier not to. Dan never brought it up, so neither did he. Even still, he dreaded the pain in Dan's voice whenever he cancelled plans to hang out with Suzy. Yes, they were married, but that didn't make it any less painful.