A Fuckton of Polygrumps

Searching

Synopsis: Almost a sequel to my "Lost" fic in which we see the aftermath of what Suzy and Brian have been left with. Misery loves company or whatever. I need to write more angst, so here goes.

Beep. Beep. B E E P. B E E P. Beepbeep.

Brian's fist came down especially hard on the alarm clock this rainy morning as he summoned the strength to sit up. His piercing icy blue eyes fluttered open and they stayed pointed at the blank, white ceiling. His lips parted as he summoned the energy to consciously take a breath. It had been six months. He'd been made a Grump, broken up with Dan, and given up teaching in the span of six months.

"Why can't you be fucking happy," he mouthed at the ceiling as if it were a mirror. "Get up," he followed up with, his tone more authoritative.

Now, it was important to say that him and Danny were still friends. They had decided that there should be no bad blood between them and on Dan's side, there was none. On Brian's end, he thought he could move on. This was the result of catching intense feelings despite his better judgement. He knew about Dan and Arin. He knew he'd get hurt. Even still, he fell hard and fast for the glowing grin and deep brown eyes.

Finally, Brian pried himself from his bed, trudging to the bathroom with feet that felt like cinder blocks. He lazily flicked on the light, startlingly staring into the mirror at his reflection. He never thought it was possible for eight years to catch up to someone in a matter of hours. The insecurity caused a painful twinge in his chest as every wrinkle seemed suddenly visible.

Was it possible that being with Dan was such a surreal experience that his own old age hadn't even crossed his mind? Was it actually a plausible theory that Dan's presence transcended and even delayed the existential crisis that Brian was meant to have almost a decade ago?

"Oh fuck," he grumbled, his eyes immediately draw to the wave of grey hair that suddenly stuck out like a sore thumb.

It was hard to roll his eyes when he felt so miserable. Even being as intelligent as he was, he knew the last few months had been stressfully unpleasant. He ran a hand through his hair and felt his jaw clench as his eyes focused on one individual grey hair at a time. He only looked up when his phone buzzed for a moment before The Hit by TWRP blared from the speaker. He practically dove for it, trying to pick it up before Dan's vocals could haunt his ears yet again. You'd think he'd just change the ringtone, but something in him just wouldn't allow that to happen.

"Impromptu recording sesh, be there or be a dick," the friendliest voice cheered. "You up for it, old man?"

"Don't call me that," Brian snapped almost immediately.

There was a short, intense pause as they both searched for something to say. Brian let out a loud sigh and cleared his throat.

"Sorry...it's been a weird morning, I guess," he murmured. "What were you saying?"

"I wanted to know if you were down to record some new shit but it sounds like you're in the middle of having a moment..."

"Is Arin going to be there?"

Oh god, Brian thought. It sounded way more spiteful than he meant it to be...at least consciously.

"Yeah, he had some new Starbomb ideas to run by us...seriously, dude, what the fuck is up with you today? Is everything okay?"

"I'm fine. I'll be there in a few minutes."

"Hey, Bri?"

"Yes?"

"I'll be really glad to see you again," Dan said, the genuine content in his voice almost grabbing Brian through the phone. "It's uh, it's been a while..."