The Competition

5

It didn't take much convincing this time. They had seen the performance White Eskimos gave and they were all clear that they had to step it up. They had a new song that they hadn't played much yet. It was risky but it would hopefully be worth it. Louis ordered everyone to practice at home and then they would rehearse it the next day.

As soon as he got home Louis headed to his bedroom. He grabbed the portable cd-player and put in a burned copy of the song. He put the headphones on and pressed play. It was weird listening to his own voice but he sang along, making sure he remembered the lyrics. He could hear Liam play on his extra base through the wall and paused the music so they would be on beat.

They were hanging on the lock the next morning. As soon as the doors opened to the Arena they checked the list to see who was performing first.
"White Eskimos are first." Isaac said.

"Alright, let's rehearse." Louis said and they picked up their instruments and closed the door behind them to the rehearsal room they had been using.

They emerged to get some lunch. The dining room area was empty except for Harry, Zayn, and Niall. They filled their plates and took a seat at the same table.
"And then they were only two." Niall said, trying to sound like he did the voice-over for an action movie.

"Eight." Steve said.

"Two bands, one dream, one winner." Niall continued with his creepy voice.

"Shut up." Zayn grunted and threw a French fry at him.

"I can't believe we came this far in the competition." Louis smiled.

"You're very talented. I'm not surprised at all." Harry said and returned the smile.

"Except we all play instruments." Niall commented.

Harry smacked the back of his head.
"What?" Niall whined.

"Don't be an asshole." Harry replied dryly.

"I can play. I just chose not to." Louis huffed.

"What instrument do you play?" Harry asked softly.

"The piano, and the guitar but I'm not that good at it." Louis shrugged.

"And that's bullshit. He can play. He's just too nervous to do it on stage." Liam said.

Louis shrugged it off but Harry put a hand on his arm.
"So was I at first but you can overcome it. It's just like singing. Your voice is an instrument too. I figured that if I can use that instrument I can use the guitar too."

Louis had trouble focusing on anything but that warm hand on his arm so he just nodded his head.
"Alright, we have soundcheck in ten. Don't sneak peek. Let the best band win." Harry said cheerfully and squeezed Louis' arm once before he removed his hand.

Louis just smiled at him. Harry, Zayn, and, Niall left and they hurried to eat so they could rehearse their song one last time before they had to do a sound check as well.

They took a seat up front to watch White Eskimo perform first. They claimed their hands and cheered when they walked out on stage. They were the only ones in the audience, except the judges, but they had their own seats.
"Hi, White Eskimos, this is called Medicine."

Louis chuckled. They always had funny names for their songs. He noticed that Harry was without his guitar. Niall was playing instead. Zayn started with a sick drumbeat first and then Niall joined in on the electric guitar. Harry grabbed the microphone.

I'm here to take my medicine, take my medicine
Treat you like a gentleman
Give me that adrenaline, that adrenaline
I think I'm gonna stick with it
I'm here to take my medicine, take my medicine
Rest it on my fingertips
And up to your mouth, I'm feelin' it out
I'm feelin' it now

Louis' eyes grew wide and his mouth fell to the floor again as he listened to the lyrics. No. It couldn't be about that?

I had a few, got drunk on you and now I'm wasted
And when I sleep, I'm gonna dream of how you tasted

It was definitely about that. How the hell did Harry write a song about sperm and manage to make it sexy? Louis' mind was blown.

He couldn't take his eyes off him. Harry had foreplay with that mic stand. Louis' trousers were getting tight. God damn it!

Harry looked at him and winked as he delivered a line of the song.

The boys and the girls are in
I mess around with him
And I'm okay with it

Okay, definitely not straight. Fuck! Louis was sweating. The room felt hot but that was all Harry. When the song finally ended he let out a breath he hadn't even noticed he had been holding in. He was so turned on right now and that was just ridiculous. It was just a song and they had some fucking balls performing those lyrics in front of the judges. Either they loved it or they hated it. It was a bold move. Louis glanced at the judges. They looked pleased. It seemed to have paid off. A lot of it had to do with Harry's indisputable charisma up on that stage. Louis was sure of it.

He clapped his hands when the song was finally over and Harry smirked at him before he got off stage.

Louis managed to get his boner to go away by thinking of awful things before he had to go out on the stage. Harry was sitting in front of him.
"We're Rogue and this is Written All Over Your Face."

They started playing. Louis glanced at Harry. He was talking to Niall. Louis grabbed the microphone and started to sing.

Hey, babe
It's written all over your face, say it
A hurricane behind the door, oh, oh
So, I've come ready for a war, oh, oh

Harry had snapped his head to look at him and Louis winked at him before he sang the first verse. Harry didn't take his eyes off him. As he reached the "Hey, babe" part again he stared at Harry. He could see a hunger in his eyes. He knew exactly what that look meant. Damn!

He had to look away to be able to concentrate on the performance. When the song ended he smiled, feeling relieved. They had made it through without any mistakes. The woman judge stood up after Harry and his hand were done clapping.
"Good job both bands. We will show all of your performances to the Gallagher brothers. They will decide which band they will take with them on tour. You will have an answer a month from now."

They had to wait a whole month? Louis was disappointed. How would he spend a month not going crazy waiting? His eyes landed on Harry. Oh, he could think of a way to keep himself occupied.

He jumped off the stage and walked up to Harry.
"So, are we celebrating tonight?" He asked in a seductive voice, hinting at his attention.

Harry raised his eyebrow. He got the hint.
"Absolutely."

"Should we exchange cellphone numbers?" Louis asked and picked up his Nokia from his pocket.

"Oh, I don't have a cellphone. Just call our landline. I live with Zayn and Niall. Someone will answer." Harry replied.

He gave Louis their number and Louis typed it in.
"I'll call you later then."

"Can't wait." Harry winked.