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Upon request, today we have the third part of our friends with benefits rec list! If you missed them, you can find part one here and part two here. If you enjoy our rec lists, please be sure to like and reblog this post to help spread the word. Happy reading!

1) Sinfully Divine | Explicit | 3,079 words

After a long day at an angel seminar Harry needs to take out his frustration and Louis is happy to help him.

2) Time It Right, Ensure the Passage of Youth Bids Farewell | Mature | 12,202 words

Harry and Louis join a frat, and they are like, totally not into each other like that!

3) If Control is My Religion… | Explicit | 14,000 words

“So just to recap, you’ve been vomiting every single morning, and then you seem to be fine for the rest of the day?” Louis nods. “Except for yesterday when Liam was eating a tuna sandwich after practice and it smelled vile. Who the hell even likes tuna sandwiches?” Niall sighs in the way that a disappointed parent might. “Louis, please don’t take this in the wrong way, because I’m not judging you at all. But is there any possibility that you’re pregnant?” Louis scoffs. Technically, it is possible. Louis’ known he was a male carrier since his routine physical when he was sixteen. But it isn’t actually possible, not really. He and Harry always use a condom. Except for that one day a few weeks ago when Louis had forgotten to buy more and they couldn’t wait. And the time the week before that when the condom had broke, but they both figured it was probably fine. Shit.

4) Sometimes A Fantasy | Explicit | 18,654 words

There’s nothing to complain about when Harry’s walking around their flat with his cock swinging about, nothing to complain about when Harry’s pressing himself up against Louis’ naked backside when he’s reaching for a mug in their cupboards, and nothing to complain about when Harry’s got his hand firm on Louis’ arse when they’re cuddling on the couch. So, in reality, it’s really fucking weird, and Louis knows that. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t like it.

5) There’s A Hole In My Heart (And It’s Got Your Name On It) | Explicit | 19,502 words

The four scream from the stands as the team huddles together, pulling their helmets and gloves off and slapping each other’s backs as they celebrate their win. Louis had stolen a pom-pom from Mal earlier and he shakes it vigorously. His breath hitches when Harry looks up and their eyes meet. The hockey player smirks at him but looks away quickly. “Did he just-” “No.” Louis quickly stops Jade from even finishing that sentence because he’s about to lose his damn mind.

6) Baby, Let Me Love You Goodbye | Not Rated | 20,249 words

Daddy, he’d almost said. Daddy. That’s, that’s porn shit. Dirty and as far as he’d always thought, cheap and vaguely gross. He’s never wanted to say it, let alone even thought it. He doesn’t even know why he almost did. Isn’t sure which part made his fuzzed brain throw it out. He can’t think of himself genuinely saying something like that. Not in bed. Not with Harry. Not with Harry, fuck. His—his Harry. His friend with benefits?

7) The Mess We Created | Explicit | 21,099 words

An innocent one night stand changed into something more than that.

8) Kiwi | Not Rated | 24,110 words

AU. Harry plays on Saturday nights at The Motley. Louis bartends on Saturday nights at The Motley. It’s a thing.

9) Make Sure You Kiss Your Knuckles Before You Punch Me In The Face | Explicit | 24,686 words

Things could be worse. Harry doesn’t know what could be worse than being forced to do a tell-all interview with his ex friends with benefits that he still harbors feelings for, the only person he could ever see a future with, the person who truly hates him so much, he can’t help but hate him right back. But surely, worse things have happened at sea, right?

10) Whitby By The Sea | Explicit | 25,258 words

Forced to confront his past after losing everything, Harry returns home to the sleepy seaside town of Whitby and the boy he left behind all those years ago. He finds that sometimes, going back is the only way to move forward.

11) Peaches And Soft Myth | Explicit | 36,192 words

“Greta kissed me,” he said at last. It wasn’t the main issue, but it was a start. Louis’ smile was radiant. Eyes sparkling with genuine happiness. Harry’s stomach felt a little funny, wishing he could feel as happy as the cheerleader. “Oh, my god? We did it! I’m a genius ! Was it long? Slow and sensual, full of lust and passion, tongues intertwined—” he gasped. “Did she tremble in your arms?” He hugged himself. “That’s not—” “No one believes me when I say I am a good matchmaker. They are always like, ‘Oh Louis, you have the worst eye for couples and men. You always miss the real connections.’ Who missed now? Not me. Nuh-hu, I saw the potential. Your grumpy attitude did not deter me. I’m probably the greatest matchmaker on campus. Don’t you think?” Louis’ smile faltered. “Wait… why do you look as if you were about to throw up?” “She told me her roommate leaves for a few days after spring break. She invited me to her dorm room.” “Okay?” Louis said slowly. “Am I missing something? Is it about clothes? Because I can totally find something—” Harry scrubbed a hand over his face. “It’s not about that.” “Then what?” “I…” Harry closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “I’m a virgin.”

12) Always An Angel, Never A God | Explicit | 39,518 words

To understand the level of deep water Louis was in, one first needed to know he has had the same best friend since he was five. Ethan Astor was family to him—a friend who he loved deeply despite their differences. A friend he would do almost anything for. So when Ethan came to him with the plan, no matter how he felt about it, Louis accepted it. At first, it was simple, he just had to flutter his eyelashes at any of the boys that showed interest in Ethan, and if they fell for it, he just dumped them without telling them the reason. Somehow, the rumors spread around campus that Ethan had an insufferable friend they had to somehow win over to reach him. Like a final monster before getting the princess.

13) What’s Mine Is Yours To Make Your Own | Mature | 39,919 words | Sequel

Sometimes, the closest Harry ever feels to home is Louis. It’s their shared hotel rooms on tour, their shoes toed off in the doorway next to each other, jackets hung on the same post. It’s everything he doesn’t notice until it’s been taken away from him.

14) Bruise You Like A Peach | Explicit | 40,695 words

There’s two reasons Harry despises Econ. The first is that it’s boring as fuck. The second reason is a bit more personal, a bit more focused in a way. As in it’s focused on one specific thing, or in his case, person.  His name is Louis Tomlinson. 

15) Noble Intentions | Explicit | 43,023 words

"I could have you banished." he's saying, striking that arrogant note in his soft voice. "I could-" he pants, taking a moment to swallow dry. "Ruin you." "Still," Harry replies, letting him catch his breath. "Here you are, letting me lick into your mouth like you already belong to me."

16) Hiding Green Smiles | Explicit | 45,227 words

When Louis goes with Liam to a hidden sex shop, he discovers a new sex toy, the BiteMat, and he can't believe his luck. He loves being bitten, has a biting kink, even, and now he can be bitten over his bonding spot without the fear of anything permanent. He hastily buys it to try with Harry, his friend and roommate, and his regular heat/rut partner for the last eighteen months. They've been friends-with-benefits outside heat or rut for eight months now, and Louis' been desperately in love with Harry for at least five of those months.

17) Easier Than Lying | Explicit | 49,991 words

“Harry, my dear friend, you don’t want to start a war with Louis Tomlinson, trust me,” Niall seemed serious now, shooting Harry a warning look. He simply rolled his eyes at Niall, “So, what? I’m just supposed to put up with Louis’ incessant need to make me miserable? I don’t think he plans to stop anytime soon.” Talking it out with Louis proved to be futile, so maybe he could give the brat a taste of his own medicine. There was no guarantee that it would work, but it couldn’t hurt to try.

18) I Am Br(ok)en | Explicit | 53,180 words

Harry is a 28 year old Alpha who just got his heart broken by his long-term boyfriend. What happens when he meets Louis, a 30 year-old omega who is the spitting image of his ex? Sparks fly and hearts get on the line… Will Harry be able to understand his feelings before it’s too late and he loses everything?

19) Dripping Like Spider Milk | Explicit | 64,303 words

When he sees the alpha, his brown hair curling around the top of his neck and his broad back that’s filled out over the past couple of years, Louis freezes for a moment. The alpha turns around, Louis’ surprised expression mirrored on his own for a fraction of a second before he schools it into a big, yet shy grin and a wave of his huge hand. With his nostrils flared, Louis knows that he can smell him, too. They never hired alphas, except for— “Harry.”

20) Nothing Worsens, Nothing Grows | Mature | 102,528 words

Another roadtrip AU featuring Harry as the misunderstood hipster, Louis as the bitter psych major, Liam as the one with the secret boyfriend, and Niall as the one who just wants everyone to be happy.

21) Halfway Home | Mature | 103,158 words

Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson were improbable childhood friends, much to Harry's dismay. They were thrown together each summer when Harry was forced to visit Louis' grandfathers' ranch in Black Hills, South Dakota. With each passing year their friendship blossomed into something more. When trail rides turned to stolen kisses, and tragedies turned to confessions, until they could no longer deny the inevitable draw they felt for one another. Though life and their future plans soon set them on different paths. Ten years later, Louis is the proud owner of Halfway Home Wildlife Refuge. Harry returns to the ranch to escape the perils of his past in London, and though their memories still haunt Louis, he won't let that deter him from his goals. However, someone has been keeping a close eye on the refuge, and possibly Louis specifically, and Harry's return may have unleashed more that just old passions. There's a hunter lurking in the Hills, someone who's decided they've bided their time long enough.

22) Say It Anyway | Explicit | 114,738 words

After leaving an abusive relationship, Louis is just trying to keep his head down— to stay quiet, safe, and move on with his life. But when he meets Harry, something in him starts to stir. Something he’s nowhere near ready to acknowledge. What begins as casual becomes complicated, and as Louis slowly starts to rediscover himself, piece by fragile piece, the past threatens to pull him under before he can fully break free. Harry is used to keeping things simple— his life, his feelings, his relationships. But Louis is far from simple. He’s guarded, careful, and impossible to look away from. The more Harry tries to keep his distance, the more he finds himself wanting to get close.

Check out our other fic rec lists by category here and by title here.

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I want someone to look at me like Louis looks at Oli ❤️💙 Lollapalooza India, 9 March 2025.

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Has anyone figured out what’s so viscerally wrong with this woman yet

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DOECHII Cosmopolitan (2025)

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Doechii — Met Gala 2025

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while everyone else was looking at harry, i was watching this girl trying not to freak out about how close liam’s arm was to her leg.

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You’re welcome

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As Per My Last Email II Kiwiwatermelongrapejuice II E II 32K

Louis Tomlinson works in a soul-crushingly beige office filled with fluorescent lights, passive-aggressive emails, and exactly one broken printer that no one will fix. Unfortunately, his supervisor is Harry Styles: tie too neat, tone too clipped, and apparently incapable of minding his own damn business.

They hate each other. They email like it’s bloodsport. They definitely should not be fucking in the conference room after hours.

But they are.

Now Louis is trying to escape the job, and Harry—who no one even knows is gay—keeps getting in the way. With petty spreadsheets. With deliberately assigned data entry. With his mouth.

It's fine. Louis can handle it.

Unless, of course, HR finds out. Or Zayn says something. Or Harry feels something. Or Louis does.

But really. It’s fine.

OR the one where Louis works in a mind-numbingly beige office, Harry’s his infuriatingly well-dressed supervisor, and they cope with their mutual hatred the only way that makes sense: by secretly hooking up in supply closets, sending deranged emails, and pretending it isn’t the best part of their day. Read it on AO3 here

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Legally Married, Morally Confused II Kiwiwatermelongrapejuice II E II 51k

Louis Tomlinson is just a bartender. A chaotic little shit of a bartender, sure, but still—a normal, very straight man just trying to flirt with models and get free drinks out of it.

Until he accidentally Snapchats a murder. With a leprechaun filter. To his public story.

Now he’s the FBI’s biggest headache and only eyewitness in a high-profile assassination. Which is why he ends up in Witness Protection—with a fake husband.

Enter: Harry Styles. FBI adjacent. Professional. Mysterious. Also alarmingly good at pretending to be married.

For safety, they must convincingly pose as newlyweds. Hold hands. Sit close. Share a bed. You know. Normal married stuff.

It’s all fake. Totally fake. Absolutely, definitely fake.

...Until it starts to feel like it’s not.

Now they’re stuck in suburbia with nosy neighbors, flirty baristas, Niall texting from FBI HQ, and a growing number of feelings no one wants to name.

There are rules. They just keep breaking them.

Or: The one where Louis goes into Witness Protection and ends up in a fake marriage with a very real problem: he might be catching feelings for his FBI-assigned husband. Read on AO3 here

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"Am I the drama? Meeee?? 🤭"

Love on Tour LA n5 (x)

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Harry and Kunichi Nomura in Japan at the beginning of the year (via kunichi_nomura)

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Get to know me - [2/10 Current Celebrity Crushes] ➝ Louis Tomlinson 

@Louis_Tomlinson: and remember if it’s by one direction and it’s a banger i probably wrote on it

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Zayn performing Sweat in San Francisco

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A One Direction fic rec of canon exes to lovers fics as requested in this ask. If you enjoy the fics, please leave kudos and comments for the writers! You can find my other recs here. Happy reading!

- Louis / Harry -

⊹ You’ve Got My Devotion (Hate You Sometimes) by auburnstargazer

(E, 95k, fake relationship) Harry and Louis are forced to fake-date after an old video from when they were dating emerges.

⊹ dancing in the dark by @clairdeloune

(E, 74k, slow burn) Harry comes out and it brings more than he's expected.

⊹ Remember Me As A Time Of Day by @justanothershadeofblue

(E, 68k, future fic) It's the 20th anniversary of the One Direction hiatus, and the powers that be have decided that it's time for a reunion tour, and ideally, an album.

⊹ Roses & Violets by sincewewereeighteen

(M, 43k, Dunkirk) A little more than a year ago he would’ve been able to actually do something besides sitting here and watching Harry hurt without even knowing for sure why he is hurting. But then again, a little over a year ago Harry hadn’t broken up with him, so, there’s that.

⊹ Place In Me by therogueskimo / @bravetemptation

(NR, 42k, reunion) One Direction reunites in 2023. Louis and Harry haven’t spoken to each other in years.

⊹ Walls by StarryDay13 / @daydreaming-sunflower

(E, 37k, songfic) A bunch of oneshots inspired by Louis' album Walls.

⊹ like a timebomb ticking by @infinitelymint

(M, 31k, angst) Louis loses everything. Harry's still there.

⊹ A Moment In Time by jacaranda_bloom / @jacaranda-bloom

(E, 14k, magic) the one where Harry and Louis used to be together, until they weren’t, but with a twist of fate and a bit of magic, could this be their chance to find forever in each other’s arms?

⊹ The Sun Must Set to Rise by dimpled_halo / @comebackassholes

(M, 8k, Jamaica) Harry is dealing with the aftermath of his divorce when Louis provides him with an escape to paradise he didn't know he needed.

⊹ no faith left to lose by @louieshalo

(M, 7k, confrontation) the one where they miss each other more than anything.

⊹ On The Pull by @homosociallyyours

(E, 4k, friends to lovers) When a radio host jokes that Harry and Louis should go on the pull together after Louis' "breakup" with Eleanor, Louis is quick to privately laugh it off as a ridiculous suggestion. So when Harry texts him and says he heard the interview and would be up for it, Louis is caught off guard. 

⊹ Yesterday’s gone (it’ll be better than before) by red_panda28 / @red-panda-28

(E, 3k, emotional hurt/comfort) Louis and Harry run into each other at the Euros, there's a mix up at the hotel and they have a past

⊹ Make a Heart Dance: Give it a Beat by LadyAJ_13 / @ladyaj-13

(G, 2k, Strictly Come Dancing) Harry Styles signs up to go on Strictly, and everything Louis thought he'd buried down deep comes bubbling right back up to the surface.

⊹ call me any, anytime by @disgruntledkittenface

(E, 2k, girl direction) Harry’s plans for the night are interrupted by an unexpected FaceTime call.

⊹ Remember When You Said? by kair0sclerosis

(G, 1k, angst) Harry calls Louis late one night, seeking answers to questions he doesn’t even want to ask.

- Rare Pairs -

⊹ Live a Thousand Lifetimes by Layne Faire / @laynefaire

(E, 57k, Zayn/Liam) With the whirlwind about to begin again, Liam re-evaluates the last ten years - the fame, the money, the people who changed his life forever - and the person who walked away.

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zayn giving louis a big shout out during his stairway to the sky show in la (night 2) 29.01.25 🥹❤️

louis in the crowd: 

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Possibly the cutest thing I’ve seen all day

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January was a tough year but we made it