Waking up was a small chore, Demyx still being fairly tired and not wanting to move from his comfortable position. But something was ringing and said ringing needed to stop, preferably now. So with that, the blond pulled himself up and towards his bedside table, where the sound was coming from. He found his phone through foggy vision on the table, a ringtone playing as someone called. Now more somewhat awake, Demyx recognized the ringtone as the one he set for Axel's contact and unplugged his phone to curl back up and answer the call.

"Hey Ax," he said tiredly.

"Hey yourself," the redhead replied. "I've been calling you and I'm guessing you just now woke up."

"You'd guess right," Demyx said. He glanced at the time and saw it was past eleven, so he didn't sleep in that much. "Why were you calling so much?"

"I called so you can get over here and tell the others about last night," Axel said. "I haven't told them anything yet. Been waiting for you. I told Kairi we had a surprise for her and she's been eager ever since."

"Last night?" he questioned, confused. He brought his free hand up to run through his bed hair, stopping abruptly when he pulled it away and saw the ink there. He blinked before making out what was written there and once he did he was suddenly much more awake. Sitting up he breathed out, "Holy shit, it wasn't a dream," as he remembered, getting a laugh from Axel on the phone.

It all came rushing back to him – being stopped by Larxene, doing his short little audition in the dressing room, everything else that happened backstage, and above all, playing with his favorite band live. Then he was offered Riku's spot and told to expect a call.

"Did you really forget?" Axel asked with another laugh.

"Hey, don't laugh at me. It's still a lot to take in. Besides, it all happened so fast and I fell asleep as soon as I got in bed, it's not my fault my dream and reality mixed," Demyx said. After the concert Axel had dropped him off at home and going to his room he hadn't even bothered changing clothes before falling asleep, simply too tired to.

He would have honestly believed it was all a dream if not for the signature on his hand and the blue tie beside him on the bed.

"I'm not laughing, not anymore, promise," the redhead said. "Just get yourself over here soon. Kairi and Sora won't stop trying to get me to talk."

"Alright, I'll come over right now then," Demyx told him.

"Great. And bring your tie," the redhead added. "I have the other three with me, so don't want you to be left out."

"Yeah, I'm sure that's why," the blond muttered, knowing that his friend was at some point going to tease him. "I'll be there in a while. See ya," he said, not waiting to hang up. He set his phone back down to continue charging while he went to the kitchen to get something to eat and throw on different clothes. It didn't take long to get to Axel's house. He made sure to grab the tie on his way out like Axel told him to, putting it in his pocket as he walked out the door.

The garage door of the redhead's house was opened like it usually was when they were all there. Axel easily spotted him from his seat on the couch as he walked up the driveway. "There he is," the redhead called, standing up and gaining both Kairi and Sora's attention. "Now I can give you two your little surprises," he said as Demyx came to his side, reaching into his pockets. The other two quickly came over too, eager to finally see what they had gotten them.

Pulling out the yellow tie from his pocket, he handed it to Kairi, "Here you go Kai, the tie Xion wore last night. Signed," he added as she looked it over, spotting the signature. "I got Roxas's," he said, holding the red one up before putting it over his shoulder. "And Dem here got Zexion's," he finished with a smirk, handing Sora the orange tie as the blond got out his own.

The brunette looked over the tie he was handed, seeing the signed name of Vanitas. "Couldn't get a tie from Riku?" he asked quietly, with slight sarcasm.

"No, not since he left the band last night," Axel answered.

"He left the band?" Sora asked surprised and saddened. He got a nod from the redhead and he hung his head before realizing. "Wait, if he left then how did they perform?"

"And how did you get the ties?" Kairi asked, hanging hers over her neck before loosely tying it with a smile. "Especially signed."

"Well, they needed a bass player who knew their songs," he started slowly, a smirk coming to his lips. "And the band's assistant manager overheard Demyx mention he was in a band of his own. So she took us backstage, had him try a few things on a bass, then got him to fill Riku's place for the concert."

"You performed with Dusk 'til Dawn?" Kairi questioned in awe, her eyes wide, the same as Sora's as he stood silent.

"No way," Sora said slowly as Axel gave another nod.

"Yep. And before we left Zexion told Dem to think about whether or not he wanted join the band, put his number in his phone, and told him to expect a call in a few days for his answer," Axel told them, looking over at the blond who had his head down in embarrassment while rubbing his neck as the redhead brought back the memories of last night.

"Oh I see," Kairi said with a teasing tone. She took the tie from the blonde's hands and lifted it to put around his neck. "Demy got to give his celebrity crush his number last night."

"Knock it off guys," Demyx said as Sora gave a small laugh. Reaching up to pull the tie off, his hand was taken by Kairi's.

"Wait, what's this?" she asked, looking at the signature there.

"You didn't wash it off yet?" Axel questioned smirk.

"No, I fell asleep before doing anything last night," the blond answered. "He told me to show that to the security guards just in case they tried to throw me out. Axel had it on his hand too," he said, answering Kairi's question now.

"Aw, it's kind of cute," she said lightly as Demyx took his hand back.

"So what are you going to do about the offer?" Sora asked. "Are you going to join?"

"Maybe," the blond mutter. "I'm not sure yet."

"Well, I for one think you should," Kairi stated, putting her hands on her hips. "This is just what you've always wanted. Now's your chance," she added happily with a small bounce and smile.

"What about you guys?" he questioned, rubbing his neck.

Axel gave a short laugh as he put an arm over his friend's shoulders. "You don't have to worry about us."

"Yeah," Kairi agreed. "So long as you don't start forgetting about us."

"I won't, I promise," Demyx said with a smile. "I'm still gonna think about it though."

Going back to school on Monday felt weird. People kept glancing at Demyx and whispering whenever he came near. He knew why. There had been at least one news report, multiple photos, videos, and articles online about him performing Saturday night. There has yet to be any actual information from the rest of the band, stating that they weren't going to reveal anything about him without permission, especially since he wasn't a member at the time and possibly wouldn't be by what they knew of so far. The only thing said about him from Dusk 'til Dawn was that he had been offered the spot in the band and given his time to decide.

Other things had been discussed along with Demyx performing. The band had confirmed that Riku had left for good and unless they found another bass player they'd have to disband. During one interview Demyx watched, Zexion had offhandedly mentioned that hopefully Demyx would decide to join, stating that the blond was actually better than he expected, being able to perform on such short notice. That alone nearly made Demyx squeal with delight, but managed to keep it in.

One other thing they had mentioned was that until further notice, all concerts were cancelled as the tour can't go on without a full band.

Demyx tried to go on with his day normally and act like nothing was on his mind, that the people weren't whispering about him but rather a secret they were told. In reality though, everything was going through his head – all the possibilities of what will happen if he joins, all the things being said about him, and Zexion's call he has still yet to receive.

Up until Wednesday he wore the tie he was given on Saturday with his school uniform. The color was just slightly different from the actual school tie, but that difference was only mostly noticeable when held directly next to each other. He got away with it though, none of the staff noticing.

Finally on Thursday as they all sat in Axel's garage, Demyx's phone went off, the screen displaying an unfamiliar number. The blond froze with the phone in hand, nerves already making him hesitant. His hesitance drew the attention from the others who with realization, fell silent and waited for him to answer the phone.

"Quickly before it goes to voicemail," Axel said with a slight tease in his tone.

Taking a deep breath, Demyx answered the call. "Hello?"

"Demyx?" he heard Zexion's voice ask for confirmation.

"Yes," Demyx answered.

"Alright good. So have you given thought about the offer?"

"Yes," the blond repeated, not yet wrapping his head around what was happening.

"And?" Zexion prompted.

"And I'd love to be a part of the band," Demyx said after a nervous swallow.

"Great. Just one problem," the other said, voice trailing off slightly. "Our manager wants to see you for himself. Is there any way we can have you perform one, maybe two, songs for him?"

"Uh, yeah, that's fine," Demyx answered. "My friends and I actually have our own garage band. I could perform the songs with them if that helps."

"I think it may. I'll need an address though."

"Oh, right," the blond muttered before giving Axel's address.

"So will Saturday be okay to come over?" Zexion asked.

"Yeah, I think so."

"Mind if I call back tomorrow to double check?"

"That's fine."

"Alright, I'll talk to you then," he told him before hanging up.

With that Demyx let out a breath, relieved he had managed to talk without messing up in some way. "Well?" Kairi questioned as she detached herself from the blonde's side, having leaned in to try and listen in, but hadn't managed to make much out. Sora had done the same, except leaning in from the other side of the girl, practically in her lap to try and hear something.

"I guess the band's manager wants to see me in person before deciding on anything," he answered. "You guys will have to perform with me though, if you don't mind."

"Of course we don't mind," Axel replied, Kairi and Sora nodding in agreement.

"Great. So be here, ready, on Saturday."

"You got it," Sora said. "We'll be here, waiting and ready to go."

While waiting for Zexion's call the next day, Demyx instead got one from a different and unrecognized number. Answering it, he was greeted by a man's voice who quickly asked who he was speaking to. After telling the man his name, Demyx was then told that the other on the phone was the manager of Dusk 'til Dawn and that he'd be visiting at five to come and meet Demyx. Once the short call was over, the blond quickly let the others know the time to meet at Axel's with a text.

Saturday morning Demyx woke from a nearly restless night, having been too excited and nervous to lie still. After showering and getting dressed, he quickly made his way to Axel's house to help get ready before the band's manager came at five. Kairi and Sora showed up soon after and helped finish setting up. Once that was done, they did a few quick songs for practice then sat down until the manager came.

Not much later a car parked at the end of the driveway and Larxene along two unknown men got out, making their way up to the open garage.

"Hello again," Larxene greeted as she entered the garage, speaking mostly to Demyx and Axel. Talking fully to Demyx now, she said, "Let me introduce you. This is the band's manager Marluxia, and the band's producer Ansem, gesturing to each man in turn. "And this is Demyx," she told the two, waving her hand out towards the blond.

"Pleasure to finally meet you," Marluxia said, offering his hand to Demyx and shaking once it was taken. "I've seen and heard much about you."

"Does this happen to be your own band?" Ansem questioned, having given the others behind Demyx a quick glance before spotting the set up instruments.

"Yeah, my friends and I play together," Demyx answered.

"I see," the man mused. "While we did come here to see you perform alone, I for one would also like to hear what your friends can do."

"I would as well," Marluxia agreed. "But first let's have you perform."

"Oh right," Demyx said before quickly going to his bass and picking it up. He played each chorus, bridge, and song requested from the two men. It was much like when backstage and having Zexion tell him what to play, only now he was being told to play more difficult parts as well as putting some together when asked.

"Impressive," Ansem muttered once the blond was finished.

"Indeed, but can you sing?" Marluxia asked.

"Um, I sing, but I don't know if I'd be considered good," Demyx answered.

"He's good," Sora spoke up from his spot on the couch, receiving a quick glance from the band's manager.

"Well, I've already talked to the band and they all seem to think that you're good enough," Marluxia started. "I do as well, but I'll have to speak to your parents or any other legal guardian as well as see how well you can sing. Other than that, consider yourself already a member."

"Really?"

"Really. As for you three," the man said, turning his attention to the three on the couch. "I'd like to hear what you can do, if you wouldn't mind playing."

"Alright," Axel said once receiving nods from Kairi and Sora. With that the three stood and got to their instruments – Kairi grabbing her guitar, Axel going to his drums, and Sora to his keyboard –joining Demyx to play a few more songs.

"Not bad," Marluxia said when they were done. "You all sound nice together. I'd be happy to work with you in the future, but for now, my focus is on Demyx and Dusk 'til Dawn. I'll have Larxene call you to arrange for us to meet again and test your singing skills. Until then," he finished with a short nod before turning and leaving with Larxene and Ansem.

I'm back and I have so much to write but not a lot of time to do it, but I just had to get this finished and posted because it was so close to being ready. Anyways, after so long, here's chapter two. And sorry for any typos. Reviews?