"I'm just having a really bad day," Dan informed me sadly. He had just called me from work; he was working on some songs or something, and said that he would be busy today.
"Hey, are you okay?" I was really concerned. He'd never called me with such pain in his voice before.
"I'm- I'll be okay. I'll make it through the day," he whispered to himself.
"If you want me to come over, I can," I offered, Dan's pain hurting me.
"No, I've just- I've been very unlucky today," Dan sighed miserably.
"We've all had those days."
"I know. I- I wish I could go home," Dan's voice seemed strained, "I have to go, bye. Love you."
"Wait, Dan-!" The phone hung up without waiting for my response. I decided to call back, but to no avail. He didn't answer. It broke my heart to see him this way.
I couldn't take just sitting here alone, knowing Dan was suffering. I drove over to him to pick him up. He was done today.
The car ride was silent and short, filled with tension. I arrive at my destination quickly, park the car, and step inside the building where Dan was.
"Dan?" I called his name, hoping for a reply.
"Arin," I heard his voice, and my heart momentarily fluttered with glee at the sound of his voice, "Go away," that cheerful feeling shattered at the rough, near-crying tone of his voice. He walked out to see me, and his face was red and tear stained.
"Oh my God, Dan! What happened to you?" I asked, running over to Dan to comfort him.
"Rough day," he shrugged, then fell silent, his voice wavering, his mouth shut, lip quivering, his eyes avoiding my gaze, blinking quickly. He bit his bottom lip, and took a step away from me. I took two steps closer. His eyes were swimming with tears, and then, with one movement on his part, he snapped under the weight of his emotions. His mouth opened slightly agape, letting out sobs that had no meaning, his eyes were closed, tears flooding out of them. He fell into my chest, his head resting upon me. Though leaning on me, he still emitted sharp sobs frequently, he still cried heavily, and he still shook violently.
"What happened?!" I asked again, hoping for an answer.
"F-first-" Dan hiccuped, "A-all the recordings w-were deleted-" he paused briefly to breathe, "Then, Brian got m-mad, and I d-don't like to see him all up-upset-" a deep breath, "We ha- had to record it all again a-and we can't get it right-" hiccup, "M- mu- my voice hurts."
"Poor kitten," I cooed to him, scooping him up in my arms, feeling him shivering, "Is there anything I can do for you?"
"I- I wan- want to- to go home," he sniffled. Dan then shouted into my chest, an uncontrollable cry of misery.
"Hey, I'm gonna go talk to Brian right now," I whispered to him, holding his limp, weak body in my arms tightly and lovingly. I quickly found Brian, and confronted him, "Hey. Did you do this?" I motioned to the crying Dan in my arms.
"He insisted that we keep working," Brian explained, shooting a sympathetic glance at Dan.
"Dan," I sighed, "Did you?"
I was only met with a nod in response, and a, "I'm s-sorry."
"Dan, you can't do that," I muttered to him, hugging him.
"Home," Dan begged to me with one word.
"Brian, he's going home."
"Of course!" He seemed a bit annoyed, "Don't blame me. Dan pushed himself too far. I'm not stopping you from leaving."
"I'm sorry. I-" I heaved a sigh, "I just feel like I need to defend him."
"Go," Brian shooed me away, "I should be going, too."
I ran to my car with Dan in my arms. His sobs hadn't yet subsided, but he was very slightly more calm. I slid him into the passenger's seat, and started to drive home, getting Dan ice cream on the way; he said his voice was sore, so ice cream dinner seemed like the best medicine.
We're home, and I glance over at Dan again to see that he was completely asleep.
~
"Danny," I heard Arin's voice, "Danny," he sighed it romantically, and I felt my heart speed up.
"Arin?" My voice was hoarse, and I coughed, realizing quickly how hard it was to talk.
"Shhh-sh-shhh," I was already being hushed mere seconds after I woke. I peer around, and see that I was in our bed. Arin had an ice cream cup in his hand, and a spoon in the other.
"Ice cream?" I whispered, though it still pained me.
"For you!" He giggled, "Say ahh."
I swear I felt my heart melt. I knew where Arin was going. I followed his instructions, opening my mouth. A cold spoon filled with ice cream entered my mouth, and I ate it, the cold substance soothing my throat. I beamed, feeling a whole lot better.
"More?" Arin asked for my consent.
"Ahh," I opened again, expecting more ice cream, which I did get.
"God, you're so cute," Arin sighed, making me blush.
"Stop," I mumbled.
"Ahh?" Arin asked again.
"Ahhh," I was fed more ice cream,
After a while, we stopped, and Arin spoke, "You're not allowed to speak. You have a sore throat."
I nodded. The rest of that night was filled with movies and ice cream.
