Forever My Not-So-Grump
(A Danny & Arin Fanfiction)
The time read 9:09 as Danny glanced up at the clock. Only a few more hours before Arin gets home and they can start a new session of Grumping. He had been asked to watch over the house while Arin was away to take Suzy to the airport for a modeling job. Arin wouldn't be back until late. Nighttime flights are cheaper, so that's what Suzy bought a ticket for. Not a huge deal; all Danny had to do was watch over the house and make sure that Mochi and Mimi were fed and the house didn't become a complete disaster. It did tend to get boring at times, since Danny wasn't with anyone. He really didn't feel like playing video games before having to record Game Grumps episodes all night. But it was alright; he kept himself entertained. He would sit on the floor and play with Mochi, write a few more lyric ideas for a new Starbomb song, then he would organize video game shelves and look over cases of games that he had not seen before. After all that, he would practice singing different songs in different keys. The level of boredom was pretty strong, but he was still content with his interests. After all, he knew that life was pretty good for him.
After watching a bit of TV and checking over his twitter feed, he glanced up at the clock. 11:56, and still no Arin. He hadn't answered his phone all day, which kind of concerned Danny. He was supposed to be back by 11:00. No big deal, maybe he got held up with something. Maybe Suzy's flight was delayed. Danny didn't mind. He knew that Arin would be back soon.
Danny was startled awake at the sound of an object slamming against the floor somewhere. He must've dozed off after a while waiting for Arin to come home. He sat upright on the couch and clicked on his phone for the time. 3:37 o'clock in the morning. Did Danny forget something? Was Arin home, but didn't bother to wake him? Did something happen to Arin and he was unable to return home? These questions and more rang through his head as he woke from his comatose state. The more he rubbed his eyes, the more clear his vision became. He could've sworn he heard a slam somewhere, but no other noises followed.
He finally rose, sitting up from the comforts of the couch to search out the source of the startling sound. He checked the kitchen, the living room, the dining room, the garage, but nothing was to be found. He was very confused. Maybe Mimi or Mochi knocked something over. Maybe he dreamt it. Over and over he checked the other rooms, looking for the source of the unmannerly noise. Finally after looking for what seemed like an eternity, he returned back to the Grump Room where he left it, not thinking twice about the disruption. Huh, that's strange. He doesn't remember leaving the lights off as he left. Eh, he was pretty tired after all, maybe he forgot.
He searched the wall for the light switch. He never really did well finding things in the dark. He was finally able to feel something against the wall, but it was far from a light switch. It was soft like cloth, almost like a sleeve. Before confused Danny could even react, a hand grabbed him by the wrist and pulled him in. He stumbled over his own feet in the deep darkness and was unable to pull back in time. This very much startled him as he felt the force of two hands shove him up against the black wall. He struggled against the strong hands but couldn't see shit, making it much more difficult to free himself. He gave the black figure a swift kick to the stomach and wrenched himself from the brute force.
Without even thinking, he barged out of the room and headed for the back door as fast as he could. There was no way he was going to let that mysterious creature get him. His breath was short, his heart was racing and his hands were ice cold. The figure regained itself faster than he thought. He couldn't waste any more time. He finally reached the back door and grabbed the knob. No matter how much he tried to pull, the door wouldn't budge. It's almost as if somebody had jammed the door shut. Was the door broke? He pulled and he pulled, heart ready to leap out of his chest, but it did no good. The figure was gaining on him.
Danny panicked as the large black shadow came darting at him, ready to grab him. There was no time to race to the front door. He had no choice. He grabbed the nearest lamp shade and repeatedly started bashing the closest window. He swung and kicked with all his fury until the window finally gave, shattering into millions of tiny crystal particles. He leaped out of the window, just in time to miss the hand that reached out for him.
He took off running as fast as he could, not even bothering to look back. He ran around to the front of the house to get in his car. He pulled at the doors as hard as he could. His keys were locked inside. "Son of a bitch!" Danny exclaimed. His keys were right with him the entire time. How could they be locked in his car? There was no time. He ran out into the middle of the street, screaming for help. He must've left his phone on the couch back in the house because it was not in his pocket and he had no way of communicating with anyone.
Danny looked behind him, almost half-scared to find what might be there. Huh, why isn't the large shadow following him? Where did it even go? His pace slowed as he looked all around the area for the monster, but it was nowhere in sight. He did not dare go back to the house, because it could be waiting for him there. He sprinted down the street, eyes still wide open. He was able to find a red shed that he could camp out behind to buy some time. There was a link fence surrounding the abandoned house and shed, so he slyly hopped over the fence and snuck behind the deserted building. There was a solar light that still worked, keeping the yard lit so he wouldn't get caught in anything out of sight.
Danny leaned up against the back wall of the building and tried to catch his breath. He was still in shock and confusion from the events that had just taken place. Did he just witness a break in? His heart rate slowly declined as he started to relax a little. He took his hand and moved his long, curly hair away from his face. Something cold and wet dripped down his forehead as he swiped his bangs away. He glanced down at his hand and saw it was covered in dark red. The more he looked, the more he realized that he had cut his left forearm open on the broken glass back at the house. Glancing closely, he picked small pieces of glass out of his arm. It stung like hell, but it was a very deep cut and would probably need stitches eventually. Blood was all over his jeans, white shirt, and dark blue hoodie. He let out a long sigh of frustration as he tried to avoid bleeding everywhere.
Danny grasped his arm and applied pressure, hoping that would slow the bleeding. He was exhausted. He slid down the side of the shed and landed feet-first on the ground, leaning up against the back wall, squeezing his arm tight. He knew he lost a lot of blood in a short amount of time. The cold California air surrounded him, making him shiver a little. He never realized how cold it was when his adrenaline was at an all time high. Condensation escaped from his mouth every time he exhaled. No. He can't just sit out here like this. There had to be a safer place.
He gently raised himself, leaning against the wall. He could feel the sharp stings running up his forearm and tried not to gasp out. He had to stay as quiet as a mouse and hopefully make it to the nearest occupied house. Little did he know what was peaking right around the corner.
He stood up straight, holding his arm and checking his surroundings. Okay, the coast must be clear. He prepared himself and dashed across the back yard through the high weeds. He actually stayed pretty quiet for how much pressure he was under. He might actually be able to get away from this place. Leaning up against the back of the house, he readied to turn the corner. He might actually make it. As he snuck his way to the side of the house, he thought for sure he was in the clear. That is, until he saw it. A shadow distorted from the scenery.
There was no time to react. Danny felt the force of two large arms wrapping around his abdomen pulling him back into the shadows. His heart sunk at the brute force he was receiving. The breath was knocked out of him and his sight was dim. He threw punches and kicks with all his might, but it hardly had an impact. The figure was finally able to get a good grasp on his tall figure and pinned his arms above his head against the side of the house. Pain seared through his left arm as the shadow applied more force to the open wound. The shadow dug its wretched grip deeper and deeper into Danny's cut. The pain was unbearable. He cried out in agony as the blood trickled from his arm, down his face and neck. His screams were instantly silenced as a large hand came across his face, covering his mouth. That's it. No more running now.
The figure's large black head approached Danny's face. He tried his hardest to avoid any more contact with the beast. The figure whispered a small shhhh in his ear. He could feel the rapid tempo in his chest and arm. His head felt light and thought for sure he was going to pass out from blood loss partnering with fear. The figure released Danny's mouth and he inhaled deeply. Even though his right arm was free, he was firmly held in place by the hard force penetrating his wound. The figure reached into its coat. What was it doing? Danny's heart sunk as he stared down the shine of a large syringe, soon to create his fate. He tried to back away, but it was pretty useless. 'So this is how I die,' he thought to himself.
The figure removed Danny's arm from the wall, but still kept a firm grip on it. The shadow gently rolled his blood-soaked sleeve up and kissed his wound under the dark shadows where its face was unseen. He was a little confused, but didn't dare to speak, for this creature might possibly kill him. All in one swift motion, the figure jabbed the syringe into Danny's open wound and kept him pinned against the wall with its own body. Sharp, furious pain pulsed through every vein in his entire body. The force was so unbearable, he almost got sick. He gritted his teeth and shut his eyes tight, trying hard not to cry out. The figure removed the needle and stuck it back in its coat pocket.
All of a sudden the creature released Danny from the wall. He fell to the ground coughing, now that the pressure was let off his chest. He held his arm in brutal pain, staring up at the tall statue that stood before him. Now was his chance, he could make a run for it. He tried hard to keep balanced as he stood up on his own two feet. He turned around and started sprinting the other way. Everything ahead of him looked positive. Maybe this was all a bad dream. He was able to make it all the way to the front yard and the figure wasn't even following him. This was confusing, but he wasn't going to question it. Unfortunately, that's when it all started going downhill.
He sprinted across the front yard, focusing in on the next house with lights on. Gee, everything far away looked really blurry. Maybe it was about time Danny got his eyes checked. No time for that, jeez. He started feeling warm and dizzy. The world started spinning around him and what felt like 100 feet was only 10 feet. His pace slowed dramatically as he started to feel weak in the knees. What was happening to him? The stars above sparkled twice as bright blinding him, making it even harder to see. His breath was all of a sudden short. His energy was completely gone and he felt suddenly ill. That's it. He can't go any longer.
He stopped his tracks in the front yard and stood there. Before he knew it, standing was too much of a challenge, but he wouldn't give up. He stepped a few more paces before collapsing to his knees in the soft grass. Danny's eyesight was spinning and double visioned. His body was extremely warm. It was a terrifying, yet beautiful feeling of mass hysteria. He could barely focus on anything. The only thing he noticed was the figure walking towards him. Instead of fighting it, he admitted defeat and laid his head on the ground, shutting his eyes. The figure kneeled down beside him and lifted his head. He looked up, completely dazed and defeated at the black figure. He was able to mutter a few last words; "Who are you?" The scenery was fading fast, everything around him going dark as he fought the weight of his eyelids. The figure removed its hood and stared into Danny's fainting eyes. He recognized the figure in black.
"Arin?"
Then darkness. Nothing but darkness.
Everything started to fade back into reality as Danny's eyes slowly opened. Whatever kind of drug that was injected into him really took a toll on his body, for his vision was still blurred and his limbs were still weak. There was a throbbing pain in his head as he tried to sit up. The only thing that kept the room lit was one lamp, glowing dimly. The light was just enough for Danny to see his surroundings. He tried to raise his hands to rub his eyes of the blurriness, but only his right hand moved to his command. It took a moment for his eyes to clear their fuzzy state, but soon everything came into clear. A soft red velvet quilt covered his aching weak body as he continued to wake. He tried to move, but the energy just wasn't there. Guess the drugs hadn't worn off yet. He had enough energy to pull the soft red sheet from his upper body to see his situation. As he removed the quilt, he saw his left arm was heavily bandaged and strapped down to the side of the bed. He tried to move, but the limb was fastened firmly against the bed frame with black leather straps. He adjusted his sitting position a little, but the more he tried, more pain he felt. He was able to look down far enough to notice that his shirt was torn and blotched in blood. His chest was bandaged from the upper left of his shoulder down under his right arm. He felt more cuts and bruises appear the more he moved.
He tried desperately to remember what happened last night that put him into this state. He remembers walking around the house, being startled and running. Wait, why was he running? Running through the neighborhood, he hid behind a shed. There was a black figure somewhere in there too. This was ridiculous. All he had to do was watch the house one night for Arin...
Arin.
Why does it feel like Arin was involved? Why is he an important factor? Is it because of his house? It must be, but why won't he leave Danny's mind? Something wasn't right, but Danny couldn't put his finger on it.
Suddenly the door opened and a person came walking down the stairs. Danny could hear soft steps, almost as if he or she was trying to sneak in. It was still too dark to make out who the dark figure was, but it was definitely familiar. He tried to focus in as the figure came closer. A familiar scent filled the room and he knew what that scent was right away. It was the scent and shadow of someone who he had been dearly close to for years. It was the man who had changed his life the moment he met him. "Arin," Dan said in a soft tone. Huh, what timing.
Danny rapidly tried to sit up and look stronger than his state of being would allow him. His heart raced as he tried to look presentable, his mind thinking in a thousand directions. Arin sat down next to Danny and pushed him back down into the bed and covered his weak body with the soft velvet sheets. He put his soft hand on his forehead and quietly whispered shhhhh just loud enough for only him to hear. The man brushed Danny's messed up bangs away from his magnetic brown eyes. As his eyes adjusted to the light, he stared into the big eyes of his friend and couldn't help but feel a little warm inside. "It's okay Dan, you're fine. Just a little worn out," Arin said. Danny was still in a delusional state and it just occurred to him that Arin was his kidnapper.
"Everything is going to be alright, " Arin replied.
"What is happening?" Danny tried to sit up to move closer to him.
"Woa woa woa, just relax." He pushed Dan back down against the bed frame. "Don't try to move too much." He stood up and took off his jacket, revealing a white shirt covered in dark red stains. All of the evidence revealed itself to Dan as he became more accustomed to his strange surroundings. "You're lucky I found you in time. When I got home, I saw that you weren't there and the place was a wreck. I was so worried when I saw the living room window shattered and the lamp laying out in the middle of the backyard. If it wasn't for your blood trail, I might not have ever found you."
"Where did you find me?"
"You were passed out in the front yard of Johnson's old house covered in your own blood. I swear to god I thought you were dead! I was sick to my stomach, dude. I panicked and dragged you back to the house, unsure of what to do. I'll tell you, you're lucky you didn't bleed to death."
"Bleed to death?" Danny began to feel uneasy as he tried to sit up.
"Easy Dan, you're still very fragile." Arin rested his hand on Dan's tender arm. All of a sudden, there was the sound of a car door slamming shut. Arin instantly reacted and stood up, startled. "Look, I have to go now. Rest up, and DON'T fuck with anything!" In an instance Arin raced up the steps and was gone.
Danny became rather confused. That was the calmest and most serious he has ever seen Arin. Maybe he really was concerned about Dan. But why did he leave in such a hurry? Who was there that was so important? It could've just been Barry or Ross. But wait, then why would he have rushed off in such a hurry? Why is Dan's left arm fastened down for no reason? Something wasn't quite right around there and he knew it.
Before Dan could even process, he was awake again. He must of dozed off while waiting up for Arin's return. The issue was, Arin never returned. This bothered him a little bit, considering that Arin just abandoned him again and never told him what was going on. He couldn't even tell what time it was. The place was exactly the same when he woke up the second time. There was no way of telling how long he had been asleep or if it was even daylight outside. He'd been there for a while, considering his facial stubble was a little longer than before. He couldn't sit around forever. He had to do something.
He began to fumble at the straps securing his left arm with his one good hand. There's no way Arin can leave him here like this. Damn, Arin did a good job at securing this. It took a while before Dan finally gave up on releasing himself. When will Arin be back? He grew more and more impatient with his imprisonment. He began to search all over the room for an escape plan, but the room was too dimly lit for him to recognize anything. All he could make out was the bed and a closeby coffee table with a candle lit on it to his left. To be honest, Dan didn't recognize the place at all. Arin didn't drag him back to the house; this was not a room in anyone's house that he recognized. All he knew is that he couldn't stay much longer.
The more and more Dan looked around, the more details came into picture. He noticed the lamp shade was brown. He noticed there was more than one door in the joint. He noticed the quiet tick of a small clock sitting somewhere in the back of the room. He noticed the coffee table had a drawer. That's when an idea struck him. Dan could search through the coffee drawer to see if anything was inside to give him a hint as to where he might be. The table was so far away, at least out of the range of his one good arm. It doesn't matter. He must try.
As Dan leaned over, he could feel the instant pain piercing through his left forearm. It startled him a bit, because he wasn't really expecting that level of pain. No matter, he kept going, leaning farther and farther to his right until he could feel the solid wood handle of the table. He yanked it open and reached inside. He felt some flat papers and a cold, awkward-feeling object. He couldn't exactly grip the pages, but he could definitely snatch the object. He pulled it out and veered back into bed. I guess luck was on Danny's side today. It was a pocket knife. He flicked it open with a touch of the thumb.
He smiled at the shiny metallic opportunity and began to saw at the black straps. He wasn't really good with his right hand, but it didn't matter, as long as it meant he'd have freedom. What lasted only five minutes felt like an eternity and yet Danny still wasn't free. There was more than one strap and one alone took at least two or three minutes to saw through. It made his arm very weary and he needed a break every couple minutes to recuperate. Finally, after about an hour straight, he was on the last one. He could feel the pressure let up as the last strap snapped off. He was free! He bent his left arm back towards him and felt a searing burn. 'What the hell?' he thought. He began to roll up his blue sleeve, now purple in some spots from set-in blood stains. He revealed more and more stitches as he rolled up his jacket. The cut grew longer and deeper, almost all the way up to his shoulder. His eyes grew wide and his heart began to race. He immediately stood up and searched for an exit. He needed help now.
There were four doors total. One door was to a bathroom, one to a storage closet, one to a pitch black room and the last one was a staircase to exit. Danny already tried to open the exit door, but it was locked shut. He thought about breaking it down, but it was heavy duty and on the top of stairs, so it probably wouldn't have been a very good idea. He began to feel more and more claustrophobic and to be honest, a little scared. There was nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, and no information as to why he was being held prisoner by his best friend, of all people. Add on top of all this that he had a really bad wound secured with well over two dozen stitches, the pain almost unbearable. The room started spinning again as Dan just stood in the middle of the floor, clutching his arm. His hysteria always seemed to get the best of him in times where he was helpless. He bent his injured arm, feeling the searing pain shoot through his body. The wound began to split open again and bleed, his hands now painted in crimson. He touched his face and could feel the warm blood trickle down his cheeks. He had reached full mental turbulence.
At this moment, Danny heard the upstairs door unlock. Footsteps followed shortly after. Arin finally came back. Dan showed no emotion, for his confusion and delirium had overwhelmed him. "Dan!" shouted Arin. He ran to Dan and caught him before he hit the ground. He eased him down onto his knees and tried to get his attention. "Danny, it's me Arin. I'm here. I tried to get here as soon as I could. I told you not to screw with anything, didn't I?" Danny did not make a sound; he continued his thousand-mile stare. Tears began to swell up in Arin's eyes as he dreaded seeing his best friend like this. "I'm so sorry. I had to do it Dan, I had to." There was a long silence and Dan didn't move a muscle. Arin began to sob softly at how damaged his friend was after going through drugs, wounds, and confusion.
Arin wished he could tell Dan the truth. He wanted to tell him that he was protecting him from a suspected hitman who was planning on using Danny for "experimental purposes," but he could never do that. He had no choice unless he wanted to end up dead. He cared too much for Dan to let him be taken away from him so soon. Arin was being monitored since the beginning and he couldn't let anyone hear or see what was happening, including Dan. The silence continued for a long while before Dan finally broke his daze. Arin's eyes sparkled with curiosity as his friend began to speak. "I love you Arin. Don't ever leave me again." Their faces drew closer and closer until their lips were almost a millimeter apart. The moment was broken as Dan leaned back, his eyes beginning to fade away again. Arin's heart dropped. He realized that that was the first time he'd ever heard Danny speak to him like that. Normally he's way too cool and sly to admit loving anybody. Maybe he had feelings for Arin after all and in his delusional state, he vented it.
Arin caught Dan in his arms as he leaned forwards. He might not be Hercules, but he was strong enough to carry his friend back to the bed and let him rest. He looked down at Danny's limp body as he fell deeper into sleep. He stroked the soft, tender face of his companion and glanced in sorrow. He climbed into the bed next to Dan and held him close. Warm tears rushed down his face again. He never intended for any of this to happen, but Arin was in love with him, and just from what he saw that night, he was pretty sure that Danny was in love with him too.