The Duo (Narry and Lilo)

We Can Do This

"Li, c'mon." Louis  sleepily called, rubbing Liam's back.

 Louis looked at his phone, seeing the time 7:26 a.m. It was Saturday. The big day. They had skipped school yesterday for a "doctor's appointment." Liam thought it wouldn't work but Louis just said they had different definitions of "doctor's appointments." They practiced from morning till dawn. Today was their rest day.  Until 12 hours from now at 7:30. They needed to get to the top of the 2nd League. Since they were newcomers, they were at the bottom of the bottom. If they won their battle and won against everyone in the 2nd, moving up the bracket, they'd win their League and be entered in the 1st for next Saturday.  There's only 12 artists chosen, 6 in each League. The artists are chosen with recordings or with an audition and matched by genre and style. Afraid of rejection, they sent in a YouTube video of their last performance of Just Give Me A Reason by Pink and Nate Ruess. (Liam was Pink.) And instantly got back a response saying they'd been entered.  And today was the day. Their battle. And they were so ready. 

"Hmm?" Liam hummed into Louis neck, snuggled into it. 

"We need to get some breakfast and prepare for tonight." Louis whispered, seeing Liam's eyes widen. "We can do this, Li." 

"Mm okay." Liam sleepily smiled, as he started to hum his part of Sweater Weather. 

"Li." Louis said to a sleepy Liam still on his chest.

"Hmm?" Liam replied, snuggling deeper into Louis' chest.

"Um, kinda have to go here.." Louis said, starting to get up.

"But 5 more minutes.." Liam barely whispered.

"Fine..5 more minutes. Then I have to shower." Louis reluctantly laid back down, huffing.

"Yay.." Liam replied as he fell back asleep in Louis' arms.

Louis may or may not have smiled.

***

Stepping out of the shower, Louis was still lip syncing the words to Look After You by The Fray. It was his favorite and he practically knew everything about it. It was his warm up song. He would hum it or sing a verse before practicing. As he slipped on his clothes, he started to worry about tonight. Which was weird because Louis never worried before a performance. But this was different. This could actually do them some good. It was an actual competition. Not that that it wasn't a good thing before. This could just gain them a lot of exposure. Louis was so ready. He just wanted to do it now. He looked at his phone to see 5:30 p.m. exactly. Liam may have slept for 8 more hours, depending on who asked. Louis said they needed to get up early, but he sure didn't mind sleeping with Liam.  

"LOU! THE PIZZA'S HERE!" Liam called, as he gave the pizza boy the money and closed the door.

"ALRIGHT I'LL BE OUT IN A MINUTE."  Louis yelled back, pulling on his skinny jeans.

Louis walked out to see a smiley Liam eating a pizza slice on the dining table, while making sure to leave Louis at least 4 slices. Louis can eat a whole box in a casual session, four slices was a side order to him. But he couldn't eat a lot before a battle. He loved to move around the stage. 

"Nervous, Li?' Louis asked, walking out of the bathroom and to the table, picking up a slice.

"Mm, not really. I have you up there and you take my nervousness away. All that matters is that beat, and the fact that you're up there with me." Liam said, looking into Louis' eyes.

Louis smiled, looking down. "Oh u-um um brilliant okay yeah let's just pizza yes pizza" Louis stuttered, eating his slice, a red tint coming across his cheeks.

Liam chuckled, pretending not to notice for Louis' benefit.

***

Finishing dinner, Liam and Louis started to walk out even thought it was only 5:45, as they had to get there early for registration. At least they an hour early, the text said. They had Great Big World to go against. If they won, it was two more matches and then they were in 1st league for the next battle. They just had to. An impression like that would cause amazing exposure.

"Alright, Liam. Let's do this." Louis said with a serious look, opening the door for him.

They had to.

"Alright. Let's go." Liam walked out, smiling out of both happiness and hope.