Hey everyone! I’m back with another story. I’ll keep updating With You, but slowly. I hope you enjoy this story!

I’ve been meaning to write this one for a while, but was unable because I was unsure about some of the details. Thanks Penelope_Ink for clearing up the DBS members for me :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Linkin Park (or any early incarnations of it) or Dead By Sunrise.

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“That cashier was so into you, Brad, it was so obvious,” Rob said, laughing as he opened the apartment door. “Oh shut up Rob,” Brad replied, smiling slightly. They walked into the kitchen area and dropped of the bags from their recent shopping trip. “You can’t deny it,” Rob smirked. Brad rolled his eyes.

“Anyways, how’s that drum solo coming along?” “I think I’ve got it down, what about the guitar line?” Brad nodded, “I’ve got it.” “Do you think we’ll win it? I mean, I’d like to think so, but do you think we actually could?” Their band, Xero, was preparing for an upcoming contest in their town. It was an annual competition and it was their third time competing. The competition was in two days. Brad nodded. “I think this could actually be the year. We’ve got our parts down, Mike has his parts mastered, and Mark killed it last time in rehearsal. This is our time.” Rob smiled at him, “I hope you’re right.” “Aren’t I always?”

They both laughed and began to unpack the shopping bags. “Are Mike and Mark here?” Rob eventually asked in a hushed voice. “I don’t know. Why?” Rob hesitated before continuing. “Does something seem…odd about them lately? Their relationship has always been fine, but something seems off. Like how Mark doesn’t seemed concerned at all about Mike or how Mike-” Rob stopped when he heard a bedroom door open. He turned around and saw Mike leaving he and Mark’s room. 

Rob looked over at Brad, concern evident in his eyes. He and Brad had noticed that over the past few months a change had come over their friend, and they couldn’t explain why. When Rob had first met Mike, Mike had been tall, thin, broad-shouldered, and lively. Even though he’d been thin, he was still healthy. Now, he was almost sickly and shrunken. He always seemed tired and had become withdrawm. The only time they saw the liveliness they remembered was when he performed. His gaze often seemed to be fixated on something intangible. Whenever any concerned was raised, Mike always would softly tell them he was okay. If anyone mentioned anything to Mark, he waved it off and said he was fine. 

“Hey Mike,” Brad said. “Hi,” was the soft response. Rob noticed distress on Mike’s face. “Everything okay?” Mike shook his head. “Mark’s sick.” “What?!” Brad and Rob said in unison. “It’s not too bad, but there’s no way he’ll be able to perform.” Mike sunk down onto the couch and put his face into his hands. “There’s no way we can perform,” he said, his voice muffled. “There’s got to be something we can do, right?” Brad said, his eyes flicking between Mike and Rob, “What if, um…, what if you sang Mike?” Mike’s face shot up out of his hands. “Me? Sing? No. There’s no way. You know I don’t do that. And besides, I’m not any good at it. That’d just be throwing our chances away.” “It’s our best shot. C’mon Mike, please,” Rob said, pleadingly. Mike looked away from them, “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”. “We’ll have to talk to Mark, see what he thinks.”

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Chester Bennington looked out the tour bus window, then back at his band mates. He sighed. This was going to be the last tour, there was no way things would ever work between them again. 

He looked back out the window. It’s all my fault. I messed up everything. He looked at Ryan. His second worst mistake. Just a month ago they’d been together, now the whole band was suffering. I shouldn’t of broken up with him. Amir was just caught in it all, not wanting to choose sides, though it was rather difficult to stay neutral. Chester left the common area and went to his bed. He ignored the drugs under his pillow and laid down. He just wanted things to be the way they once were.