Polygrumps Oneshots

Homecoming

Ship: Polygrumps (cause many people are involved)

Prompt: Jon moves back to California. Before anything else happens, however, he's going to meet with some old friends. 

    It was a calm Saturday morning in the streets of LA. The sun shone through the trees, a pleasant breeze gliding through the air.

     But one person in particular was the farthest thing from calm. Jon Jafari's heart pounded with giddiness as he drove down the highway at a faster speed than normal, not even reading the signs he raced by. He didn't need directions- he knew exactly where he was going.

     It wasn't five hours ago that the Youtuber returned to California. He didn't stop by his apartment to unpack his things. His mind in that moment was set on going to one place before anywhere else.

     He finally took a turn onto the all too familiar street, smiling like an idiot when he saw the building he could never forget. He slowed to a stop at the curb in front of the edifice, powering down his car. Jon leaned back in his seat as he gazed at the office, memories flooding back to him in waves. Now that he was actually there, unease replaced his excitement.

     What if they don't accept him- or worse, straight up kicked him out? He had been gone for so long, and communication with them all over the years was slim to almost none. His hands gripped the steering wheel tighter, shaking his head for clearance.

       Before his thoughts coerced him to bail out, he exited the car, closing the door with a clunk. As if in a trance, his feet carried him to the front door as butterflies erupted in his stomach. He came to a stop, eyes glued to the wood as he raised a hand to knock. He paused for only a moment before tapping the wood four times, awaiting a response anxiously.

     His heart pounded hard in his chest as he heard footsteps approaching. The knob turned and opened to reveal a beautiful woman with a blonde streak in her hair. She was just finishing up a text before greeting him.

     "May I he-" She paused when her eyes rose to meet Jon's. A quiet came over the two, both unsure on what to say. Her phone nearly slipped from her grasp before finally speaking. "J-Jon? Is that really you?"

     Jon gave a little shrug, smiling sheepishly at the woman. "The one and only."

     The taxidermist's face lit up like a Christmas tree, covering her mouth in surprise. She positively trembled with excitement as she held the door open for him. The let's player looked at her in confusion before she dramatically waved him in. "Well come on, ya big goof!"

     Jon laughed nervously, stepping into the humble office as the door was then shut. Suzy practically ran through the main space to a little room, chattering excitedly to whoever was in there.

     The youtuber stood in the middle of the room awkwardly, eyes transfixed to his shoes before Suzy came bounding back to him, smiling like a child in a candy store before two more figures exited the little room.

     "Man, Suz. I've never heard you so-"

     "Everything oka-"

     Jon's breathing hitched in his throat when he saw the awe-stricken faces of Dan and Arin staring back at him. An almost eerie silence fell upon the group as they took in the entirety of the situation.

     Jon finally broke the quiet, smiling crookedly at the men. "Hey guys. Miss me?"

     The Grumps said nothing, unadulterated shock prevalent in their dark eyes. It seemed like an eternity passed before Dan made the first move, that bright smile curling up his lips as he laughed jovially.

     "Holy shit on a stick!" Dan exclaimed, striding to the younger man and embracing him. Jon laughed and hugged him back, fighting back tears. After a good while they released their hold, Dan placing a hand on Jon's shoulder as he smiled at Arin.

     "Dude, look who it is! This is such a surprise!" Dan shouted, Arin's eyes still glued to Jon. Almost mechanically, he trotted over to the man, eyes never leaving his face until he stopped about a foot away.

     "Jon..." Arin choked, his face softening into a crooked smile. "Good to see you, man."

     "Same to you, buddy." Jon answered, awkwardly spreading his arms in invitation. Arin gladly accepted, roughly embracing the other man as hot tears of pure happiness slid down their cheeks, Suzy "aww" accompanied with Dan's energetic "Mazel tov!".

     The two stayed like that, just hugging each other. Countless memories of games played long ago flew through their minds, making legible thinking nearly impossible as their hearts did jittery backflips within their chests. Sniffling, they released their holds, wiping away those utterly masculine rivers.

     Dan whooped. "Come on, Jafari! Don't leave us hangin! Whatcha been up to, man?"

     Arin, his jokey self returning, divulged into one of his many voices. "Come ooon! Whaddya standin' around for, knucklehead? Let's hear it!"

     Jon laughed, relieved to see that absolutely nothing has changed. He stayed there well into the night, telling everyone everything that had been happening to him since he left Grumps. They joked and laughed, gasped and cried some more.

     Even though he probably wouldn't stay in California for long, Jon had a wonderful realization: it didn't matter whether or not he moved to a different country, or years pass by without communication with any of them. It didn't matter what walk of life he took: he was always welcome in the Grump Family. And that's all there was to it.