SECRETS | D.S

twenty-five

An: sorry for the delay, been very busy with fanart commissions (:

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He was in love and there was no denying it.

Dan walked into studio the next morning with a smile, head in the clouds. They had a meeting about their upcoming tour, which was less than a few weeks away now, and they had rehearsal for the next month to prepare.

The song was finished and ready for release, and Dan had decided he'd just have to let it go - the fact that they'd changed everything. It was better that way; not getting involved. Not much he could do about it anyway.

Besides, nothing could compare to the high he was on now.

He wandered into the boardroom, finding a seat as their respective producers and management team began to fill in and soon enough, the meeting began.

"We've got less than a few weeks to prepare for tour, and now that the song is due for release, it's safe to say that things are finally on the move," Mitch said, reaching for the stack of papers in front of him.

"Do we have a date?" Mark asked, looking up from his notes.

"The fifteenth of April," Mitch replied, "we're moving it up, seeing as things are done sooner than expected."

"April?" Dan leaned forward, "that's like... a month away..."

"Problem?"

"N-no," Dan hated this, hated how Mitch seemed to find a way to get under his skin one way or another.

"Good, then it's settled."

"No," Dan hadn't finished his sentence, "no, it's just that I've got unfinished songs and --"

"That won't be a problem. Seeing as you're a support act, we've already crafted a list of songs for you."

"What?" it was Mark's turn to look surprised.

"Don't worry, we've chosen some of your best."

"But ... I..."

"It's done, Dan," Mitch sighed as if Dan was a fly hovering in front of his face, "now, Seth, talk us through your setlist."

Dan was fuming by the time the meeting ended, following Mark who clearly hadn't known this would happen either.

"Sorry, mate, there's nothing I can do. If you wanna join them on tour, we play by their rules."

"That's bullshit, we've never done that before --"

"I know," Mark sighed, "but it is what it is."

He disappeared to the studio thereafter while Mark was dragged into a meeting with Dick and Mitch and he wanted to scream.

Things had just gone from bad to worse - Mitch didn't know what his set list preferences were, how comfortable he felt with certain songs - and Dan had to go with whatever he'd chosen.

His good mood had been officially ruined.

His phone buzzed in his pocket and he dug it out, mentally composing a list of arguments to throw at Mitch.

The message was from Kyle.

Kyle: can we talk?

Dan: sure

Kyle: been thinking about what
you said ... about putting the band back together ...

Dan: can't think about that now

Kyle: of course. sorry to bother you

Dan: no that's not what I meant

Kyle: yeah. forget i said anything

"Fuck, Kyle..." Dan growled, leaning back in his chair with a frustrated sigh.

His head was swimming, conflict gnawing at his conscience, and he couldn't think about everything now.

But Kyle had offered him the smallest glimmer of hope now - if he wanted to talk about the band, maybe it was good news.

He took his phone and headed for the door, dialing Kyle's number.

"Okay, let's talk."