A Fuckton of Polygrumps

A Simple Wish

Synopsis: Dan makes a wish that changes the world around him. It's like It's A Wonderful Life but kinda different. I wanted to do something angsty!

Dan had gotten into the habit of turning his phone off right after he checked the notifications on the few pieces of social media that he kept. He did this most nights. It wasn't much work, but he had no desire to go through thousands of friend requests on Facebook. He fell face-first onto his bed, not even bothering to kick off his jeans or take off the leather jacket. He hadn't been this exhausted since college. Putting out three music videos, two new albums, doing five panels at two separate conventions, recording more than 56 hours of Game Grumps and Grumpcade episodes had practically put him in a coma. He shut his eyes wearily and nearly threw his phone out the window when it vibrated.

"Hey, the audio fucked up on the-" Arin began.

"Don't care. Ask Kevin to fix it."

"But-"

"Arin. 'M tapped out."

"What got into you?"

"I'm so fucking tired, man. I'll just come in tomorrow."

"Alright, man, get lots of sleep. I love you."

"Love you too, man."

Dan tossed his phone aside and curled up in bed. Sometimes he wished he'd never been born. It wasn't Arin's fault. It wasn't anyone's fault. He often felt incredibly depressed and low when he was deprived of sleep. Dan knew he'd regret saying it, but with how tired and cranky he was, he didn't care. It felt disgusting to think such things since Arin practically saved his life, but he felt that low. He hated how much his music conflicted with his shows and vice versa. He felt like everyone had been dragged into so much just to make him happy. So yes, he wished he'd never met Arin and everyone who contributed to his current success.

"Is that your wish," a voice called from the doorway. "Because that's pretty fucked up."

Dan shot up, but relaxed immediately when he saw who was at the door.

"Barry-"

"Kinda," the transparent person in the doorway replied. "You need to be comfortable and this is the person who makes you the most relaxed. It'll make the whole journey easier for us both."

"Okay, so I'm dreaming."

"Kinda. C'mere. I wanna show you something."

Fully convinced that he was dreaming, Dan rose from the bed and reached out to hold the apparition's hand.

"What the hell were you thinking?" Barry demanded.

"I don't know...I was just tired and-"

"Do you know how much everyone needs you?"

Dan was clearly taken aback. For the longest time, he always thought of how much he needed everyone else. Brian saved him for rock bottom, then Arin saved them both from obscurity. Dan felt like the weakest link in the entire group. Everyone was fine on their own, but he felt like he'd slip if not for the people he constantly surrounded himself with.

"Nobody needs me...at least not my friends. It's different with fans."

"Well, that's why I'm here. You need to see something."

Barry took hold of Dan's hand and snapped his fingers. The bedroom disappeared and suddenly, they were standing in the middle of a familiar kitchen. At the kitchen table, sat Suzy, glasses perched on her nose as she grinned at the man across from her. That man certainly wasn't Arin. In fact, Dan knew all too well who that man was.