Chapter Text

The Fight

"Oh come off it Harry, that's not fair and you know it. Look at your last album and how well it did. I could only dream of your success! You get played on the radio, invited to all the awards shows, get to express yourself however you want on stage," Louis said, not backing down. "They've still got me locked into the same image that I was given back in the band. I fucking hate it."

"I know Lou, and I hate what they did to us too, especially you. But I can't even set foot outside without a camera in my face. Every single person I'm seen with is apparently my next shag. At least you get to walk down the street like a normal person. You go to festivals with your mates, you go to clubs, the pub, everything. I know it's not as crazy as it was back in the band, but I just want a break." Harry was exhausted.

And so they continued shouting at each other, slamming doors and placing things down on flat surfaces much harder than was necessary. It wasn't the first time they'd found themselves in this tug-of-war, each convinced they had it worse than the other, wishing they could have a little of what the other had, and it most certainly wouldn't be the last.

"I'm sorry Lou, but if you could just spend a day in my shoes, maybe you'd understand how hard it is for me," Harry whined.

"Yeah, and if you could see things from my perspective, just once, maybe you'd understand how I feel," Louis shouted.

They glared at each other, knowing they were both hurting, but neither looking away because as much as they had bickered and fought over the last nearly thirteen years, they have loved each other almost from the day they met. Deep down they knew the only way they could get through this is together.

Later that afternoon Louis dropped Harry off at Heathrow VIP terminal ready to board a private jet with his band for his show in Germany in two nights time. They hated being apart, and when possible they attended each other's shows, usually under the cover of darkness, flying in on private jets and using side doors and disguises in an attempt to hide from fans. It worked most of the time, and when it didn't, it was usually the eagle-eyed, FBI level Larries who spotted them. Louis has a show in London the next night, so he'll fly out the following morning to be at Harry's show. It's one of the prices they pay for stardom and being together, but they wouldn't have it any other way.

"Love you honey," Harry said, leaning across the middle console of their SUV to kiss his husband. They were legally married a few years ago after the band's hiatus began. A private marriage with a private ceremony, only attended by close family and friends. Something that won't be made public for quite some time, but the timing for revealing it is all part of their master plan.

"Love you too, baby. Message me when you land." Louis kissed him again. Harry nodded and smiled, brushing Louis' cheek with his fingers before exiting the car.

Louis pulled away and started for home.

That night, they both settled into their beds in different parts of the world, missing the warmth and comfort of the other. They both tossed and turned, their minds busy going over the details of their latest argument. They both wish they and the other boys had more control over their lives and images when they all started out as One Direction. It had cost them all dearly. Each of the boys had their own struggles because of it, but for Harry and Louis it was especially hard because they had their careers and their relationship to consider when making decisions. They both had to sacrifice parts of themselves for the other at times. It had always been that way. It was just so hard though when they see the other has freedoms they weren't allowed to have.

They both fell asleep, imagining what it would be like to live a day in the other's shoes.

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The Switch

Harry woke the next morning bright and early, ready to head out for a quick run before meeting up with the band at the arena. They didn't have soundcheck till later that day, but Harry always preferred to arrive the day before his first show when he was going to be in the same city for a couple of nights.

He stretched and opened his eyes, only to find the room cloaked in darkness and thought how strange that was. He liked a bit of daylight in the mornings, it helped him wake up and he clearly remembered opening the curtains before getting into bed last night. Confused, he looked around the room and was surprised to see what appeared to be their bedroom in their north London home. He rubbed his eyes and opened them again. Still the same room. He started to panic, because he definitely remembered being dropped at the airport by Louis yesterday, boarding the private jet and checking into his hotel. It didn't make any sense. He threw back the covers and found himself dressed in Louis' pyjamas. He hurried to their bathroom and turned on the light only to discover his husband's face looking back at him.

What had happened? He closed his eyes, slapped himself on both cheeks and opened his eyes again. Still Louis' face. He quickly removed his pyjama top and came face to face with Louis' body. He was looking straight at the It Is What It Is tattoo across Louis' chest, the 78 tattoo on his left pec muscle, and turning, he saw the heart and stag tattoos on Louis' right bicep. He raised his right hand to touch the chest tattoos and noticed the tattoos along his forearm were not his, but Louis'. He yanked the waistband of the pyjama pants open and looked down. Yep. Louis' dick.

He spoke for the first time and heard Louis' voice, not his own. It had to be a dream. Surely he would wake up soon.

As the panic really set in, he returned to the bedroom, walked towards the window to open the curtains and found himself looking out at their garden. He still couldn't believe this was real. He walked back to the bed, sat down and picked up his phone. Only it wasn't his phone, it was Louis' phone, and it rested on the bedside table next to where he'd woken up not even ten minutes earlier. On Louis' side of the bed.

He called Louis. Well, really, he called himself, but that hurt his brain too much to think about. Louis picked up after the seventh ring.

"Lou," Harry, almost cried the moment the call connected.

"Baby, why are you calling me at this ungodly hour?"

"Lou, wake up honey," Harry tried again.

"Wanna sleep, I'm hanging up."

"No wait. Don't hang up," Harry panicked. "Something's happened."

"Haz, what's wrong? Are you hurt?"

"No, I'm not hurt, but something has definitely happened. Have you looked in the mirror this morning?" Harry asked.

"How could I? You've just woken me up, and why is it so bright in here?"

"Honey, do you feel okay?" Harry was sure this was impossible, but he didn't know what else to think.

"Harry, I'm too tired to play games. What's going on?"

"Lou, something weird happened overnight and it's gonna be a problem."

Throughout the whole conversation, Louis tried to be patient, but was becoming more frustrated because Harry wouldn't just tell him why he'd called. While he waited for Harry to tell him whatever the problem was, he reached down under the covers to scratch his belly, only to find himself naked underneath. He didn't remember going to bed naked last night after he arrived home from Oli's. Surely he wasn't drunk because he'd driven home. He pulled his hand back up and saw Harry's tattoos on his arm and some chipped nail polish on his fingernails.

"Haz. What the fuck?"

Louis threw the covers back and found Harry's naked body in place of where his own should be. He then looked around the room to discover he'd never seen it before.

"Where am I Harry? What's happening?"

"Don't freak out, okay. But I'm pretty sure you're in Germany."

"Germany? How the fuck did I get here?"

Louis was confused and naked. He stood and walked to the bathroom to look in the mirror.

"And why do l Iook and sound like you?"

"I look and sound like you Lou."

"What? You look like me?"

"Yeah."

"And where are you?"

"Woke up in our bed, at home."

"Fuck. Do you have any idea what happened or how to fix it? How do we fix this Harry?"

"I don't know honey," Harry sighed.

"What are we gonna do? I've got a show tonight. And you've got one tomorrow night."

"Well technically, you have a show tomorrow night honey," Harry chuckled.

"Harry! This is serious. How is this happening? It sounds like some crazy Larry fan fiction prompt. Freaky Friday, but make it Larry."

"Lou," Harry giggled. "Don't tell me you still use your old AO3 account."

"Love, I get some of my best ideas from there. Our fans truly write the best smut. But seriously, how do we change back?"

After Louis ordered breakfast and Harry grabbed some fruit from downstairs, they settled in to discuss their situation and discovered some fun aspects of the switch.

"I must say, it's kinda nice being able to touch your tits and cock anytime I want love. Might just rub one out in the shower."

"Louis William Tomlinson! You will not defile my body without my consent."

"But, you know how I can't resist your body baby," Louis crooned in his sweet as honey way that always worked on Harry. "Oh fuck! Just realised I can use your giant man hands on your pretty cock, and balls too."

"And I guess that means you're green on me putting your bum to good use? All of your toys are still here honey. Might even get some of mine out. You know that big veiny one that you're scared of…" Harry allows the sentence to trail away.

"So you're red on the shower then?" Louis teased.

"Honeeeeey," Harry breathed out with amused frustration.

"Okay, okay, point taken. But don't you think it'd be fun," Louis chuckled.

"I'm warning you Lou. Veins. Big ones!"

Louis let out a loud laugh and they continued bantering until the conversation came back to their upcoming shows.

"It'll be fine honey, we'll work it out," Harry reassured Louis.

"That's easy for you to say. You know all the words to my songs. How the fuck am I going to remember your lyrics, or move around the stage like a fucking Duracell Bunny on crack the way you do? I mean, those satellite stomps and that high leg thing you do with Pauli. How am I gonna do it Harry?" Louis finished, having finally taken a breath. "Fuck Haz, I need a smoke."

"Don't you dare," Harry warned. "I can't afford to muck with my lungs while I'm on tour. That is one way to make sure I'm not able to do the stomps or leg kicks every night. And no drinking either."

'What? No drinking?"

"No drinking Lou. My team all know I don't drink on tour. They'd notice straight away. It's too risky," Harry warned.

"You think that's the risky part? But forgetting eighty percent of the lyrics and trippin' over my own feet on stage won't tip them off?" Louis really could be a brat at times.

"Okay, I see your point. But please don't honey," Harry pleaded.

"Alright baby, I won't, but you'll be looking for a smoke soon enough because you'll get the jitters if you don't."

Fuck, Harry hadn't thought of that. He would have to try and not have too many. It's better for Louis' health anyway. Or, maybe he still had those patches laying around that Louis conveniently kept forgetting to use.

"Is Oli picking you up for your show tonight?" Harry asked instead.

"Yeah baby, about 3pm. Just check my emails, it'll have my set list for tonight and any other details you need," Louis confirmed.

Harry opened up Louis' emails to find the one for tonight's show and had a quick read through.

"So Lou, can I um, add a song to the setlist?" Harry asked

"It depends what it is love. What did you have in mind?"

"Well, I know all the fans have been dying to hear you sing No Control…" Harry started to say but was cut off.

"No. Absolutely not", Louis replied firmly. Harry knew that tone, but it sounded so strange in his own voice.

"But Louuuu, it would give them such a kick. I could even do some back up dancing for them," Harry giggled. He knew Louis would say no, but it was fun to get his response.

"So now you want to dance too? Fuck Harry, you're killing me here."

They continued discussing the different elements of Louis' show, then started on the tough one - Harry's show. Louis had no idea how he would get through it.

"What did you have planned for today baby? What am I up for?"

"Well, I was going to go for a run," Harry chuckled.

"Fuck that."

"Honey, rude. But after that, just soundcheck," Harry explained.

"I'm… how am I going to remember all of your songs, let alone make sure I get the timing right? Louis asked

"I'll create a setlist for you and share it. Tell Luis you're coming down with something. And my team knows not to disturb me when I've got my headphones in so pop them in and find somewhere to hide if you leave the suite. If anyone comes to talk to you, just give them that icy glare I get when I'm pissed off, they'll stay away. Use the lyrics on Spotify so you can read them as they play and watch some lives on YouTube, they will help." Harry paused to take a breath. "But remember, I'll be there tomorrow before the show. I'll get Oli to change my flight so I can leave right after your show tonight. I'll get in early tomorrow morning."

"Okay love. I'll do my best. Hope I can pull it off," Louis said.

"We'll be alright. We'll work it out honey. Okay, I'd better go pack. Call or message me if you need, but remember to be me in case Oli has your phone. Love you," Harry finishes.

"Love you too baby."

Harry knew it was going to be hard enough pretending to be Louis for a night, but Louis pretending to be Harry, that was going to take some strategic planning and Harry wanted to be there to support Louis through it. He didn’t know how long this weird switch thing would last so he needed to be there for Louis. They had to work it out together. After his call, Harry took a minute to message Oli.

Louis: Hey, change of plans. Need to fly out tonight after the show to meet up with Haz. Don't care how late it is. Email me and him the details once booked. Thanks mate

Oli: On it

Harry had known Louis' best mate Oli since he was sixteen and Louis and Oli were both eighteen. Oli had toured with One Direction many times over the years and was more like a brother really, he was family. He was also Louis' Personal Assistant and the one responsible for sneaking Harry in and out of venues when Louis was touring.

Harry went upstairs, opened Louis' drawers and grabbed the standard black options for when they travelled to each other's shows, folded them neatly and placed them in Louis' rucksack. He didn't choose anything Louis had worn on stage because that would be too easy for the fans to spot. He threw on a pair of black shorts and one of his own band tees, because yes, his clothes usually migrated to Louis' drawers, and went down stairs to their home gym. Louis doesn't run, but Harry needed it to clear his head. He made the Spotify setlist for Louis and shared it with his own Spotify account. Then, just for good measure, he quickly checked Louis' emails and made a Spotify setlist for Louis' show, selected the first song then stepped onto the treadmill to let his body, actually Louis' body, work out the stress.

Louis' body was screaming at him after only five minutes. Harry didn't realise how unfit Louis actually was. He'd have to get him into a regular fitness routine, that's for sure. He kept at it for a bit longer, but slowed it down so he would still be able to move later. Once he'd gone through the first dozen songs, his head felt clearer, so he finished up and went back upstairs for his shower. He dressed in his outfit ready to go to the venue with Oli later, grabbed Louis' rucksack and made his way back downstairs to the kitchen. He made himself a green smoothie, the healthy kind that Louis hates, and listened to the rest of Louis' setlist while he caught up on some housework.

Meanwhile, Louis was in an absolute panic. Harry had sent him the setlist for tomorrows show. He had been listening to it non stop and still couldn't remember the fucking words. How on earth was he going to go on stage tomorrow night and pretend to be Harry? He wondered if he could simply lock himself in Harry's suite and not come out until Harry arrived. But that was sure to raise some questions. He sent a message to Luis saying he wanted to rest today and would meet him later to go to the venue for soundcheck. He had no idea how he was going to survive that.

Five minutes later he received a message from Sarah, checking in on him. He reassured her not to worry and he would see her later at the venue.

Luis knocked on the door to Harry's suite at 1.45pm.

"Hi H, how're you feeling?" Luis greeted Louis as he walked into the suite. "Is there anything I can get for you?"

Louis needed to start laying the groundwork for tomorrow night's show and a reason why today's soundcheck was going to be a disaster.

"Must be coming down with something. I'm tired and my throat's feeling scratchy. Hopefully sound check isn't shit,'" Louis replied.

Luis agreed to stop on the way to the venue and get some lozenges for Louis. Luis bustled him down the lift to the undercover carpark where they both got into the backseat and were driven away by Kevin, Harry's driver.

Soundcheck wasn't the disaster Louis was expecting. It was more than half decent in fact. Louis did well with the lyrics, and got a good feel for how the band interacted while performing. Maybe he could do Harry's show after all?

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