A Fuckton of Polygrumps

Beauty and the Grump Pt.2

Synopsis: I can't believe people wanted more of this oh my god

Arin stormed off, his monstrous footsteps echoing through the mansion. Dan groaned, punching a pillow and sighing.

"Fuck that guy."

Jack knocked on the door despite Mark pulling on his candlestick arm.

"Go away," Dan groaned.

"Laddie, it's Jack and Mark. Are ya sure ya don't want any food? It might do ya some good to eat-"

"I'll just die here or whatever."

"The fuck kind of emo bullshit is that," Brian demanded. "Open the door, asshole. You're not starving to death in that room after we cleaned it up decades ago."

Dan reluctantly opened the door and watched in awe as the tea pot, candlestick, and clock hopped in. Even if it was all a dream, it was too odd to take in. He silently tried to retrace his day, thinking of any drugs he did. All he remembered was weed early that morning and then again right before he went out. None of this made any sense.

"Eat," Brian demanded. "You're sick and pale as it is."

Dan sat down gradually on the bed and crossed his arms over his chest. The teapot hissed and boiled but Mark held him back.

"Look, kid," he began hastily. "You need to eat something or you won't last more than a week here. Relax. You'll like it better here if you work with us."

Despite his stubborn demeanor, Dan eyed the food on the cart carefully. His stomach could definitely use some food. There was a gorgeous array of food on what looked like incredibly old antique china. He picked up what looked like a plate of spaghetti and sat back, nuzzling against the giant teddy bear.

"I just want to go home," he groaned, forking at his food.

"Chin up," Jack chirped excitedly, forcing a smile. "You might learn to love it-"

"How could I ever love living with a fucking asshole like the guy you all work for? I'm a prisoner here and it fucking blows."

"When you're done eating, we'll take you for a tour," Mark interjected with irritation. "You should know where you're living. Does that sound good?"

Dan's first instinct was to shake his head, but he stopped short. Perhaps, if he got a tour, he'd be able to see what was in the West Wing.

"Totally. I'm down for that."

"Good! Finish up and I'll give you the complimentary tour," Mark replied with excitement. "I know everything about architecture."

Jack rolled his eyes. Mark was a pretentious dickweasel when it came to the architecture of the house. Even so, they embarked for their adventure. Mark rambled on about the history of the manor, sprinkling in horrid puns while Dan and Jack pretended to laugh or even understand them. Still, Mark's voice was incredibly smooth and velvety, so neither of them really minded listening to him prattle on. Then, they arrived to the staircase that led to the forbidden west wing.

"What's up there," Dan asked curiously, already holding the dusty railing.

"Hm? Up there? Nothing," Mark replied with haste.

"Yeah, just dusty ol' nothin'," Jack seconded. "C'mon! Let's go look at the library! Or...maybe go out to the garden?"

"In the dead of winter? N-" Dan hesitated. "Actually, let's go. Lead the way!"

Feeling triumphant, Mark and Jack linked arms, rattling off all the fun things there were to do. Little did they know that Dan never followed and instead climbed the red-carpeted staircase, slipping out of his shoes to make as little noise as possible. The stairs wound up a few flights and led to a desolate hallway. The antique furniture was covered by sheets and plastic. Even still, their splendor couldn't be hidden. He looked about curiously before being drawn to an eerie pink glow towards the balcony. He was immediately entranced and stepped towards the source of the glow of a rose in a glass case. He reached toward it, his hand mechanically reaching for it.

"What are you doing up here," that horrifying voice demanded, growling.

Arin's eyes were furious as he guarded the glass case with his massive claws. He snarled angrily and lunged towards Dan.

"I-I was just curious-"

"Get out!"

"I-I'm sorry-"

Fuck it, Dan thought.

He dashed down the stairs and towards the front door. He didn't even hear Arin's faint apologies as he ran as fast as he could. It was freezing cold outside and snowing heavily, but he kept running because anything had to be better than living with a monster. He didn't know where he was running to, but he kept running through the gate and into the snowy abyss. He only slowed down when he looked about and tried to figure out where he was. Arin took chase soon afterwards, also struggling to see where anything was.

Dan felt a haunting chill rush down his spine as he heard eerie growls in the darkness. He knew the wolves were probably out hunting and he was a nice meal to tide them over. He kept running with three wolves in hot pursuit. He tripped and fell, kicking to get away and searching frantically for something to fight off the wolves with. He picked up a stick and swung it.

"Fuck off! Go on!"

The wolves snarled and growled, biting at the stick that Dan swung. There was a monstrous roar and whimpering. Dan opened his eyes and saw Arin braced for battle on all fours. He scratched and clawed at the wolves and finally fought them all off. Dan's eyes widened as Arin limped towards him.

"A-are you alright-"

Arin shrugged off his cloak and wrapped it around Dan's shoulders. He said nothing and his shallow breath was all that could be heard as they walked back. Dan didn't know why he was even following Arin home. He hated this guy. Even still, he thought he'd at least make sure he thanked Arin for saving him. They got back inside the castle and Arin collapsed onto the giant red armchair.

"Brian, I need a warm bowl of water and a towel," Dan murmured, kneeling next the chair.

"I'm fine," Arin murmured breathlessly.

"Hey, shut up. It'll get infected if I don't do anything about it. Don't move."

Once he had the towel, he began dabbing at the bloody claw marks left in Arin's arms. Arin growled, wincing every so often.

"Hold still," Dan persisted.

"It's hurts!"

"Well, if you'd just let me-"

"If you hadn't run away, I wouldn't be in this situation," Arin grumbled.

"I wouldn't have run away if you actually bothered to treat me well," Dan shot back quickly, pressing the towel on the wounds again.

Everyone gasped and Arin's mouth was agape. No one had ever stood up to him before. There was absolute silence as Dan went back to tending to Arin's injuries.

"Uh...I...it was totally cool of you to save me," he said quietly, wrapping Arin's arm in bandages. "Thanks."

"You're...welcome."

Dan maybe smiled a little bit. Maybe Arin did too. Mark raised a brow and ushered Jack, Brian, Holly, and Barry away.

"Leave them alone. I think they're finally making progress."

"Don't be a buzzkill. I'm here for buttsex," Brian grumbled.

"Let 'em watch! This could be it for us," Jack piped in excitedly. "We could finally be human again!"

"Let's not get too excited just yet," Mark murmured. "Let's see how things go."

Dan stood up slowly, wringing out the bloody towel. Arin rose too and caught Dan's hand.

"Hey, uh...can we...I dunno..."

"Start over," Dan cut in. "Yeah, man, I'm cool with that."