Fake Dating Rec List!
List number four is here! I asked (in what I'm sure was a very dignified and reasonable way that did not involve tearing my hair or beating my chest because I love fake dating a completely normal amount) and you guys sure delivered! So below, we have 16 amazing fics (plus one Honorable Mention), ready for your reading pleasure.
It's Fine To Fake It 'Til You Make It ('Til It's True) by Sunflouwerhabit (150960, Not Rated, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson) - fic post
Harry dreads an impending visit to his hometown, where he’ll be forced to reunite with a newly engaged ex-boyfriend, a childhood best friend turned near stranger, and a family who never understood just how desperately he needed to leave. In the midst of it all, a ludicrous Twitter proposition brings him to Louis.
Reccer says: Their characterizations and chemistry in this fic were greats
Sun Means Sky'll Be Blue by Pearlydewdrops (91152, Not Rated, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson) - fic post
As the only singleton under thirty attending his cousin’s five-day wedding, Harry is desperate to find a date, or at least a reason to get people’s questions about his love life off his back. So when Louis, Harry’s old uni roommate and fellow wedding attendee waltzes back into his life, Harry seizes the opportunity, pretending Louis is his ex-boyfriend and that it’s a sore subject not to be mentioned.
Reccer says: I enjoyed the hate to love aspect of this fic, and how they dealt with their feelings. It was also fun to read about all of the dramatics with the wedding and Harry's family.
Escapade by Dolce_piccante (146241, Mature, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson)
CEO Louis / Jack McQueen Harry
Reccer says: Everyone knows Escapade (I hope!) but it's impossible not to mention her. It’s the standard-bearer of fake dating fics!
Mistletoe’s For Two by Crimsontheory (90901, Explicit, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson)
Advent fic, Harry and Louis pretend to be boyfriends. Or not...
Reccer says: The perfect advent fic I think, the kind you'd see in a Christmas movie.
The Games We Play by wishingforloushair (50000, Explicit, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson) - fic post
Warnings: Gun violence, blood, violence in general, a bit of ptsd-like symptoms
Harry and Louis are MI6 agents who have hated each other since basic training but now have to go undercover as a married couple
Reccer says:
keep you like an oath by alnima (18102, Mature, Zayn Malik/Louis Tomlinson)
A supercute Zouis fake dating non-famous American AU with a wild Louis and awkward Zayn!
Reccer says: I love Zouis and this fic gets their relationship dynamics perfectly.
MARRIED FOR A WEEK?! by gravitycentered (20000, Mature, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson) - fic post
Louis is a YouTuber, and asks his friend Harry to join him in a "Married For A Week" challenge. Neither of them wants it to end.
Reccer says: I love the depth of the story, the layers to their friendship and their history and their care for each other. There's also a really interesting interplay of Louis' YouTube videos with Harry's photography projects, and the ideas of what to capture or share and what to keep just them, what's posed or acted and what's real.
kiss me on the mouth (and set me free) by tempolarriefics (47000, Mature, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson) - fic post
When Harry can't afford to finish his university degree without financial aid, Louis volunteers to marry him in order to help him qualify. Of course, that decision is complicated by the fact that Louis has been secretly in love with Harry for years.
Reccer says:
like a moth into a flame by we_are_the_same (5397, Teen, Zayn Malik/Louis Tomlinson) - fic post
A student writes Zayn a sex poem. The only logical conclusion is for Louis and Zayn to fake date.
Reccer says: Everything!! Zayn and Louis' relationship, the whole trope: everything!!
On the Horizon by FitzAndLarry (261051, Mature, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson)
Warnings: Minor PTSD, Anxiety themes
Pilot Louis meets Doctor Harry on a flight & end up fake dating on a two week cruise
Reccer says: Its just lovely! The way the characters are written, and their interactions with each other are done wonderfully.
The Greatest Thing by infinitelymint (163789, Explicit, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson)
semi-cannon accidental marriage in vegas
Reccer says: The highs and the lows are captivating.
For Better, Worse And Mischief (I'm All Yours) by RedOrchid (37513, Explicit, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson)
Harry and Louis get married. PR made them do it.
Reccer says: It was a cute read!
Like Candy in My Veins by Littlelouishiccups (31867, Explicit, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson)
“Um…” Harry said slowly after a moment. “Okay. That’s… this is… Let me get this straight.” He lifted up a hand and swallowed. “You told your family that you have a boyfriend… and my name was the first one you thought of?” “Harry Potter was on TV, alright? It wasn’t that much of a stretch.”
Reccer says: Picture this: two outspoken, stubborn, pining idiots. Record store owner Louis, bakery owner Harry. Christmas, A/B/O, fake dating, too many pies, a “stolen” parking spot, a flooded bathroom, and puns!
Faking It by TheCellarDoor (46173, Explicit, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson) - fic post
Best friends in Uni, fake dating to escape unwanted advances—it’s perfect.
Reccer says: The fake dating fic I keep coming back to! It’s sweet and hot and so fluffy.
And Then A Bit by Infinitelymint (158824, Explicit, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson) - fic post
Or, take a parallel universe where Louis and Harry were never together, mix in a two year hiatus and an impending comeback, pour in a dash of lost fans, two tablespoons of strong friendship and a Modest! employee with a good idea. Add a squeeze of pretending to be a couple, lots of kisses and a tattoo or two. Stir. Serve: the mother of all publicity stunts.
Reccer says: One of my all time favorite fics! I just love how genuinely happy they are to spend time together, how sweet and soft they are at the beginning. And it’s lovely to imagine this as the 1D reunion we all want.
Just Pretend by Kingsofeverything (90207, Explicit, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson) - fic post
Divorced dads + teenage daughters = pretending to date to keep their kids happy.
Reccer says: I love older Larry—and kingsofeverything writes them SO WELL.
And our honorable mention -- this fic has been removed from AO3, so I didn't feel comfortable publicly sharing a link outside the writer's control or wishes (though I'm sure folks can find copies if they go looking), but I couldn't not mention this absolute classic which is one of my favorite fake dating fics ever.
Pull Me Under by Zarah5 (140140, Explicit, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson)
Warnings: Homophobia, paparazzi harassment/stalking
Louis is a famous footballer outed against his will, Harry agrees to be his fake boyfriend to quell stereotypes and speculation.
Reccer says: Pining, emotion, beautiful writing... a fandom classic. Watching the delicate dance as they get to know each other and trust each other and learn from each other is beautiful. Zarah always does miscommunication so believably and realistically, where you can see exactly where things went awry but you still want to shake them because OH MY GOD YOU BOTH LOVE EACH OTHER
Read, reblog, kudos, and comment to your heart's content.
New category announcement coming soon!
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