Chapter Text
As soon as he starts playing that guitar, Dan knows. It’s him. But the rest of the band doesn’t look anywhere near as sure as he does, and so they go through a couple more people, listening and nodding and chatting politely, but then he’s had enough.
“It should be him,” he says, as confidently as he can make himself sound. His friends shrug, but he can tell they’re just as impressed.
“You heard the guy’s music,” Will reasons with one eyebrow raised. “The man can sing.”
“And he knows his way around a guitar,” Kyle adds.
“ And keys,” comes the acknowledgement from Woody. “And other stuff, probably. We need someone like that.”
“Easy on the eyes, too, if I do say so myself.” They all look at Kyle, who blinks back at them, nonplussed. “What? I’ve got eyes. Thought we were listing things.” A pause; Woody shakes his head and laughs silently. “What, do you disagree?”
“Never said that.”
“Well, no , but-”
“He’s not really my type…?”
Dan laughs awkwardly and shifts, and they all turn to him. It’s a group decision, as always, but they all know how picky their friend can be.
“So it’s settled, then?” He knows Kyle’s giving him a weird look, which he steadfastly ignores as the other members of the band shrug and nod their approval. “Good. Who wants to tell him?”
“That was easier than I expected,” Kyle says when they’re alone. Dan knows from his expression that there’s a reason he’d sent Will and Woody out to the small group of musicians waiting outside.
“What d’you mean?” Dan crosses his ankles under the uncomfortable chair, uncrosses them, crosses one leg across the other.
“I mean, I know you didn’t want anyone new. Not really.”
“‘Course I did!” Dan frowns. “Why wouldn’t I? It’ll be nice to have someone to help out on tour.”
Kyle shifts, too, suddenly looking uncomfortable. “Well I- you know, you’re…” he gestures lamely in Dan’s direction.
“I’m what?” He scoffs, resisting the urge to curl into himself self-consciously.
“You’re…” Kyle sighs through his nose. “I don’t know. We all know you’re a perfectionist when it comes to the band, I’m not picking at you about it.”
“So you thought I would be obnoxious about picking a guitarist?”
“I dunno, Dan! How can I know? I don’t even know what goes on in that head of yours half the time anymore-”
“And what the fuck do you mean by that?” Dan recoils, defensive, and Charlie chooses that exact moment to burst back into the room, barely attempting to hide his excitement.
“So I’m in, then, yeah?”