#captain of the stormdancer

[zhauric]

“Me time be exactly that. Me damn time 'n I’m nah apologizin' fer any o' that.”

 - Captain Asande Stormborn

[sidgeno-ficrecs]

at the mirk and midnight hour by @fanforthefics (StormDancer)

sidgeno (2018, T, 10.9k)

The Fae don't let go of their own. Neither does Geno.

“Three names, and heart enough to hold them all.” She presses her hand in once, then lets him go. “The heart is enough. Heart can bind even the greatest of us.”

“What? Not make—”

“You welcomed me, and so I give you luck in return.” She bows, formal. “Good luck, Evgeni Malkin. To you and your captain.”

There’s a bang, and Evgeni looks away, towards the sound—Flower messing with his goal—then back. She’s gone.

He turns to the rink again. Flower’s fixing his goal, but Sid is staring at him, at where the Fae had been. His skin is snow as he stares, and his eyes are the inside of a tree.

happy spooky season :)

pretty soon here, we're going to have a plethora of fics from @sidgenospookyfest to ready—but i wanted to recommend a few fics that remind me of fall and halloween while we're all impatiently waiting and rushing to meet the deadline!

i love a fic where we dive right into the world these characters exist in, without a lot of setup—as a reader, i enjoy exploring at the pace the author sets to me, and learning more about the setting as we go, and this fic does an excellent job of that. an immediate reference to the fair folk, along with the barest hint that something is Wrong With Sidney right from the jump? excellent, i am so in.

a real highlight of this fic is geno's quiet, steady devotion. he loves sid—adores him—and doesn't think anything could ever happen, but that doesn't cause major angsting or upset. it is what it is, and he's more than happy to spend every day with sid, to bask in the light of his friendship and affection even if it won't ever lead to anything more. it's only when things start to go terribly, terribly sideways that he has no choice but to do something.

this is a gorgeous story. the wordsmithing in this is truly breathtaking, with some turns of phrase i had to pause and reread several times just to let them fully sink in before i was able to move on. the way the author describes the fae closing in, and their impact on sid, is so excellently described that i found myself holding my breath at parts, crossing my fingers and hoping.

and, of course, my hope paid off in a wonderful, dramatic, fairytale ending.

i've revisited this fic many times, whenever i want to read something that's deeply absorbing, emotional, and lovely to read. it's perfect for a quiet evening, when there's a chill in the air and leaves on the ground and you've got a warm beverage at your side.

read it here on ao3!

and don't forget to leave a comment!

[genevawren38]

Sail With Us, and We'll Show You What It Means to Be Alive

✨Technoblade & Eret, Technoblade & Wilbur

✨15.5k W.C.

✨Techno-centric, Technoblade is forcefully adopted by The Shadows of the Abandoned crew, led by famous pirate Belladonna

✨Graphic descriptions

✨Chapter 4/4 & Completed

✨Leaving London by fin

Once they are outside the range of the scaffold, Wilbur stops playing guitar and flips it to his back while holding out a calloused hand, his chocolate eyes wild in the early air. “You have been selected to join our crew, friend, now hurry up! We must get back to the ship before the moon sets!”

Techno’s mind whirled, thinking of the others he had in his past who would kill over this opportunity. He always listened to the tales with a healthy level of scorn, he believed in Her because you had to cling to something in the darkest storms but the Stormdancer always felt more mythical than reality. Something practically out of a fairy tale was reaching its hand out to bring him aboard for the adventure of a lifetime, he would be a fool to not take that offer.

Taking that outstretched opportunity, they talk off running while yelling grew louder from the square, realising the deception. Pondering why he was chosen, he let the singing man bring him to the docks to confront a ship straight out of a myth.

Made of dark oak planks, it was an elegant specimen Techno had only ever heard spoken about with a tone of awe. Never having laid his blue eyes on it until now, his mouth drops open as they come closer to the lowered gangplank. With several rows of windows, the vessel towered above the other ships docked with rose-red curtains within the glass panes. A vibrant purple flag flew in the masts, a black rose surrounded with electric blue lightning strikes waved proudly in the warm salt-smelling air of the open sea.

Wilbur whistles happily the moment his feet touch the plank leading up to the Stormdancer, someone with nearly as many legends waits at the top for the new member of her crew. Captain Belladonna stood with her hand upon a shining sword hilt, her calling card bloom tucked above her ear pierced with an emerald earring with a golden foundation. Noticing a similar piece in Wilbur’s lobe, Techno lets the excitable man drag him onto his new life.

“Greetings Technoblade, and welcome to the Stormdancer!” Belladonna’s smooth deep voice greets them, dressed in a smart royal blue blazer with golden fastenings. Reaching out a hand covered in shimmering jewellery, Techno releases Wilbur’s to take hers.

[is-it-mungojerry-or-rumpelteazer]

So, a person on my Ao3 has asked me if I have any good Merlin fanfic recs, so I decided it was easier and simpler to do it here and link it. Disclaimer: it has been years since I last read any Merlin fic, so this is just me going through the first pages of the Merlin tag in Kudos order and trying to remember which ones I liked most.

Let’s start with the classics: “Loaded March”, by Footloose. Modern with Magic AU. Arthur is a captain in the military, Merlin is the radio expert, and with their team they get sucked into a Secret Service plot that might end the world. A great read, great ensemble cast. A bit on the military propaganda side. TW for torture, mentions of abusive relationships and the violence expected in a military AU. If you don’t feel like reading 1.000K words of fic, “Shadowlord and Pirate King” by the same author is a Space Opera fic where Merlin is an assassin for hire and Arthur is the captain of a group of space pirates.

“Dying to Return”, by StormDancer. Arthur is feeling extremely lonely after Merlin decided to leave the kingdom, when suddenly an old sorcerer comes to Camelot and refuses to leave even as they try (and fail) to execute him over and over. Cue hard-earned friendships, a conflicted Arthur, and Gwaine being awesome as usual. The author has another “Arthur finds out about Merlin’s magic” fic that is also amazing, “All’s Well That Ends Well��.

Another classic: “The Student Prince”, by FayJay. Set in modern times, Merlin is a student in a small university in Scotland, and his roommate is Prince Arthur, aka his teenage crush, aka a complete asshole. Add keeping his magic studies hidden, Arthur getting in trouble all the time, and the normal stress of being a student, and Merlin has his work cut out for him.

“No Business Like Show Business”, by lady_ragnell. Because I had to put something by her, they are one of my favourite writers ever, after all. Merlin and Arthur are voicing the main characters of an animated TV show. They have never met, so they communicate through post-it notes on the recording booth. I don’t know who is more invested in their relationship: the audience, or their coworkers.

And to end on a lighter note, “In a Name”, by StarlightInHerEyes22. An Elder spirit threatens to kill the knights if they don’t give their full names. As you can imagine, that’s not very fun for Merlin, Emrys, Dragonlord, and a bunch of other stuff.

Does anyone in here still read Merlin fic and wants to add stuff? I feel bad giving them such obvious recs!

[storm-called]

about me

they/them | 24

feel free to call me Rook or Jackdaw

- @rookfern​ is my main blog (and my handle for most things)

I’ve been playing Guild Wars 2 since February of 2019, and I’ve been a part of the GW2 community here for just about as long as well. I write silly little stories about my characters sometimes and even draw them on occasion. I also take commissions (commissions are currently closed).

my characters

main crew:

Glaw Stormcaller (they/she/he; commander; catalyst) [tag]

Rookfern (she/her; pact marshal; Aurene’s champion; soulbeast) [tag] [tag]

Wren Polack (he/him; pact captain; holosmith) [tag]

Brynhildr Hroarkin (she/her; bladesworn) [tag] [tag]

Stagthorne (he/him; general nuisance; deadeye) [tag]

Sari Ruinweld (she/they; medic; guardian) [tag]

Helter Skelter (she/her; astral ward associate; demon hunter) [tag]

queensdale academy crew:

(same universe as main crew, just unaffiliated)

Agent Nexus (she/her; thief) [tag]

Beren Sahl (he/they; engineer) [tag]

Ilkiodora Baelforge (she/her; elementalist) [tag]

Mjoll Stormdottir (she/they; ranger) [tag]

alt crew:

Fíondorach (he/him; commander; Aurene’s champion; harbinger) [tag]

Basar Stormdancer (he/him; mirage) [tag]

Tomel Moonshadow (she/her; thief) [tag]

Miwa Tsang (she/they; jade-tech engineer) [tag]

Ophelia Targen (she/her; noble; necromancer) [tag]

Pyrisous (he/him; fernhound lycanthrope; warrior) [tag]

Sablewick (she/her; former mordrem; revenant) [tag]

miscellaneous:

(all in main crew universe unless stated otherwise)

Lady Lofn (she/her; forgemaster) [tag]

Floki Hroarsson (he/him; hunter; deceased) [tag]

Bitter Hewnfell (she/her; ash legion centurion) [tag]

Brulas Drakenettle (he/him; blood legion soldier) [tag]

Fika Breakwater (he/him; gladium) [tag]

Marad Larskald (she/her; firebrand) [tag]

Picah (xe/xem; journalist) [tag]

Coyote (he/him; dolyak rancher) [tag]

Frogbit (she/they/it; thief; mischief maker) [tag]

Caspian Primrose (he/him; holo-drama actor) [tag]

Operative Shrike (they them; bounty hunter) [tag]

Marcius Day (he/him; scrapper; honorary charr) [tag]

Camphyr (it/its; strange beast) [tag]

jokesy characters:

(characters who are there just for the fun; no real place in my canon)

Starry Bright (she/her; tempest; blinding object) [tag]

Bless Your Heart (any pronouns; firebrand healer) [tag]

other links

Broken Oaths (the massive fanfic centered around Glaw before they became the commander, set during the Icebrood Saga (heavy spoilers); completed)

my other fandom tumblrs:

@krembles​ (Dragon Age)

@rook-rising​ (Flight Rising)

@thisisthegay​ (Star Wars)

If you ever see me running around in game, feel free to say hi!

[rocohen20]

Fic Rec: University/College AU- Part 2

Part 1

Sidney Crosby & Patrick Kane

-Missing him was dark grey all alone, by AbschaumNo1, 12,578 words

Sidney and Patrick become fast friends when Patrick mistook Sidney’s ass for Jonny’s. Since then they’d been joined at the hip, and naturally, people thought they were datings. It leads to problems in the pining area.

Sidney Crosby/Patrick Kane/Jonathan Toews

-BF and BF, by Vertex, 22,253 words

Sidney and Jonny are best friends and Jonny and Patrick are dating. But when Siney started to develope feeling for Patrick, it got a all lot confusing.

I really liked the frienship that each of them had with each other.

Patrick Kane/Jonathan Toews

-A More Gentlemanlike Manner, by Linsky, 1,957 words

Jonathan loves being a librarian, but hates the people. His nerves are tested when he transferred to the undergrads library.

Paul Martin/James Neal

-do you remember when I mowed your lawn? (mowed your lawn), by McSpot, 4,780 words

Paul came back to college, and James talking about his college student boyfriend in the lockeroom. It leads to some misunderstanding.

Jeff Skinner/Eric Staal

-Any Road Will Take You There, by ukiyo91 and yukonecho (yavanna), 27,260 words

Jeff took an assistent job for promissing graduate degree student Eric, it leads to feelings.

Sidney Crosby/Evgeni Malkin

-[Podfic] Seven Calls, by xan_reads (xancredible), 32:52 minutes

[Original Written Work: Seven Calls, by Fanforthefics (StormDancer), 3,336 words]  

Seven calls Sid had with his Evgeni, who is not his boyfriend, upon gratuation.

-Wild Winter, Warm Coffee, by Northisnotup, 3,165 words

Sid is the captain of the hockey team, as a result he get's hit on constantly. So of course it would be just his luck to shut down the one he actually wanted to date.

Sidney Crosby/Claude Giroux

-Happy Accidents, by meanestvenus, 5,770 words

5 times they met on accident and the 1 time it was on purpose.

-Hey Jealousy, by Katybug1992, 3,217 words

5 times alpha Sidney didn't admit he was jealous of omega Claude's company, and 1 time he did.

Nicklas Backstrom/Alexander Ovechkin

-[podfic] Sovereignty, by growlery, 02:42:28 hours

[Original Written Work: Sovereignty, by jolach, 23,105 words]

After a rookie joins the university's drag team Alex is discovering a lot of new things.

Travis Konecny/Nolan Patrick

-[podfic] just for the halibut, by clachnaben, frecklebombfic (frecklebomb), growlery, and xan_reads (xancredible), 16:29 minutes

[Original Written Work: just for the halibut, by callabang, 1,789 words]

Nolan and TK are college roommates. They also co-parenting a fish.

I reccomand listening to the unadited Podfic version, because you can hear them laughing over the ridiculousness of the both of them. Also, it was a good behind-the-scene watching for a recording of a Podfic. 

GOOD READING EVERYONE!

[justapayneaway]

It took me a while to compile all these Ziam fics, but here we are with a long list of beautiful stories for everybody that is interested in reading Liam & Zayn fall in love or be in love a lot of times! 

A big shout out to every single fic writer out there in the world... You’re amazing and I thank you every single day for the amazing stories y’all write! 

Enjoy and have a good read ❤️

0k - 20k

There's so Much that We Need to Share by Lovelyziam (1k) The sight of snow didn’t make the cold worth it to Zayn, no. It was this: Liam’s body snug and soft in front of him, pressed tightly to Zayn’s chest while he sat between Zayn’s thighs. It was his arms wrapped around Liam’s waist and their fingers interwoven beneath their pile of blankets. It was the warmth radiating from Liam’s back and slowly seeping into Zayn, making him sleepy and languid despite the freezing press of Liam’s toes against his own.

Sunshine through my window by sunnysideup (2k) Fic idea about Liam being a happy puppy in the sun and Zayn hears him through his window, sees him for the first time and poof, he's in love.

Drive Safe, I Love You by JoMouse (3k) Liam surprises his son with a day at a Motorcycle Bike Show. While there, he finds out about Mini Moto and meets the man who runs a team.

I Know The Sound Of Your Heart by LibbyWrites (7k) Liam always adored the peace and quiet of his neighborhood. Until a new neighbor shows up and turns his world upside down with much more than just loud music.

Most Poetic Ride or Die Death Wish by LetTheMusicMoveYou (10k) Or the one where Niall convinces Liam to join Tinder and a slight miscommunication might make it the best mistake he's ever made.

Get a little bit nervous by louistomlinsons (14k) Ziam farmer's market au where liam, louis, and niall work at the produce stand, harry and zayn work at the bakery stand, and nobody's straight.

Favourite Entertainer by eternallyunleashed (15k) Zayn is a popular YouTuber well known for uploading song covers and original music on his channel and doing podcasts on murder mysteries. He’s amassed a couple million followers and dedicated fanbase. After endless requests from fans, he introduces them to his boyfriend Liam and does the ‘boyfriend does my makeup challenge.'

Just the two of us and a cute little cup of cyanide by orphan_account (17k) An I-accidentally-married-my-best-mate-in-Vegas fic, where Liam's completely oblivious, Zayn's completely in love, Harry's had enough, Louis plays mediator and Niall just wants his best friends to be with each other.

Only Place I Call Home by scottmcniceass (17k) Liam works at a coffee shop; Zayn is a homeless street performer who plays just outside the shop. Sometimes Liam brings Zayn coffee and donuts and in exchange Zayn sings for him.

20k - 40k

We are the quiet ones by englandziam (22k) University AU where Zayn is an English student and Liam is the football captain.

Until you believe it by lizee (23k) Where Zayn and Liam meet at a sixth form party and Zayn offers to tutor him. He doesn't expect himself to fall in love with the kid while he's at it.

Ridiculous by scottmcniceass (24k) They are every cliched high school story. The jock and the rebel. The popular boy and the outsider. They shouldn't fit, and they definitely shouldn't work, but they sort of do anyways.

Wake up the part of me that has fallen asleep by nooelgallagher & yoursongonmyheart (24k) The one where Liam discloses something incredibly personal about his sex life and Louis hatches a plan to help him - which may or may not include Zayn.

Can I Keep You by scottmcniceass (26k) Liam is always trying to do what's best for himself and his daughter, but raising a kid on his own at twenty-two, on top of juggling school work and a full-time job, isn't easy. Zayn just wants a chance to show Liam that he's not going to walk out on them. And Liam's daughter, Emma? She just wants to keep Zayn.

I just can't keep you too far from my thoughts by halleluzayn (28k) The YouTuber AU fic where Zayn is not a beauty vlogger, Liam types like an over excited teenage girl, Louis is a Harry Styles fanboy, Harry is basically Ed Sheeran, and Niall is Liam's video editor that really needs to get laid already.

Down the vista of years by ohthathurt (cloisterrific_221B) (30k) Zayn whispered, “So where do we go from here?”Liam shrugged, seemingly lost in thought. Then he smiled down at his boyfriend, “Forward?”Zayn smiled serenely, eyes twinkling like gold in the sun seeping through the open windows. He nodded, “Forward.”

I'll Be Strong For You by scottmcniceass (30k) When Zayn breaks his leg attempting to skateboard over Harry's car, he ends up stuck in the hospital for two weeks. The only thing he doesn't hate about the hospital is the gorgeous volunteer, Liam, who is almost annoyingly sunny and happy. But Liam's got a secret a secret hidden behind his impossibly bright smile.

It's Always Darkest Before The Dawn by historyziam (30k) At a time in his life when Zayn thinks he has forgotten what genuine happiness feels like, Liam comes into the picture and changes everything.

Somehow I Still Carry On, Burdened By Fears by slashter (31k) Liam's been kidnapped but doesn't remember Zayn and Zayn struggles with loss and love and heartbreak all over again.

You Never Give Up On Me by sunshinexbomb (31k) In which Zayn is an English teacher tempted to write awful poetry about the warm coffee color of Liam's eyes, Liam is a primary ed teacher and single parent who thinks he's too busy to be in a relationship, Niall and Harry are the sickeningly cute newlywed teachers in the school, and Louis is a drama teacher who is not-so-patiently waiting for the day of his own wedding.

The Truth Will Set You Free by loveandbeloved (34k) Zayn wakes up the next day to the news that Liam has taken on the case of the kid, to oppose Zayn and prove that he isn’t a killer.To say he’s pissed beyond belief goes without saying, but somehow he thinks that he should’ve seen this coming.

So let's say, I'll come another day by sophieisgod (36k) Zayn meets Liam in 1999, swinging on the gate in his back yard. Liam meets Zayn in 2010, killing time in McDonald’s on the most important day of his life. They have adventures, conquer the world, and fall in love. A story about fate, timing, free will, wonky genetics, parallel universes, significant tattoos, emotional haircuts, sudden nudity, sex crying, and a Batman t-shirt from HMV.

Be cruel to me ('cause I'm a fool for you) by frenchkiss (37k) The one where Zayn is a stressed out single dad, Liam might just be what he needs, Louis and Niall are always happy to babysit and Harry's a loud snorer.

I’ll never stop choosing you babe, i’ll never get used to you by redsweater (37k) Zayn and Liam are happily married until they're not. 

Twisting to the sun and the moon by orphan_account (37k) (2nd part is also amazing!) Liam has three simple, non-negotiable rules when it comes to one-offs. And he doesn't ever fall for someone he associates with hotel sheets and lust. But this kid, Zayn, twists things inside of him he's not expecting. Suddenly, the rules don't make any sense at all.

My Reflection; All I See Is You by taecheeks (38k) (There is a 2nd part too!) This life, it's forever. That's what being immortal means, but Zayn didn't realize it would take him this long to realize it. What good is forever if nothing else is?

40k - 60k

Every Step by taecheeks (40k) Every step Liam takes, it's for her, Lily. And every path he's journeyed has somehow led him to Zayn.

Here I Stand by StormDancer (40k) Zayn lifts his chin, turns so that he’s facing Harry. He doesn’t look at Liam, because he can’t bear to look, and because he’s really not trying to be mean or pointed. Liam can do what he wants. But Zayn drew a line in the sand a long time ago, and it matters. “I’m not hiding, Haz. This is who I am. They can deal with it.”

You're The Shining Distraction That Makes Me Fly by Romancemesomeziam (40k) Zayn is a recently new single father, falling into his role without ease until Liam, his son's first grade teacher, helps him a little to adapt to the new lifestyle.

Lover Dearest by scottmcniceass (43k) "First rule, babe," Zayn says, leaning down. His lips slide over Liam's jaw, barely there, just a soft pressure, fleeting and gone as soon as it came. "Never trust a vampire."He's grinning as he climbs off Liam, heading for the door. Liam watches him go, thinking that he's wrong. The first rule should be to not fall in love with one.

Some moments are rare by orphan_account (46k) Zayn is spending a summer studying aboard; thirty days across Europe, with his best mate by his side. It's always been like this ― Zayn and Liam. And he's always been a bit daft about love, or the fact that Liam's always been in love with him. It's all a bit of a mess, actually.

Until two and two is three by orphan_account (47k) They're perfect for her, Lily, even if she's their best mates' daughter -- except they hate each other. But life plays out a little comically and a lot tragically sometimes. And Liam will never get over how much he loves Lily or how much he hates Zayn, but they're all she has left now.

Like Peter Pan (Or Superman) by orphan_account (48k) Zayn has spent most of his life up until now in a cloud of smoke, hiding from his past, being different. When a firefighter named Liam rescues him from a fire, Zayn starts to realize maybe Liam's saved his life in another way... and he's not quite sure he's ready to be that guy he should've been all along. But maybe, just for Liam, he can?

Good Thing At a Bad Time by scottmcniceass (49k) Zayn prefers to be on his own. It's easier to survive when you don't have to worry about anyone else. Liam leads a large group of people that have taken residence in an abandoned prison. When Zayn wakes up in a prison cell, all he can think about is finding a way out. Liam makes him want to stay.

It keeps my veins hot (the fire's found a home in me) by loveontherocks (51k) The one where zayn survives a fire and falls in love with the firefighter that saved him.

Not Happening by scottmcniceass (53k) Zayn and Liam are roommates. They hate each other. (Most of the time.)

And you take me the way I am by orphan_account (54k) Liam needs a date to a wedding. His family loves to match him up with blind dates. He doesn't want that. He needs a date... and, well, why not Zayn. Pretending to be boyfriends for a weekend isn't the worst idea he supposes. Liam is horribly wrong.

It's You by happily_missy (56k) Liam is a PA for a famous fashion designer and Zayn is their gorgeous new model. Or the one where Liam is in control of everything except for the fact that he keeps getting hard around Zayn and Zayn refuses to admit that Liam might be everything he's been looking for all along.

Your Lips On Mine by zipplekink (56k) The one where Zayn is a camboy, who likes to think about the fit mechanic with a liking for leather jackets and scruffy beards from uni during his shows. And Liam, the mechanic, who realizes his new roommate is Bradford, the man with the smooth skin covered in tattoos that Liam watches late at night with a hand wrapped around himself.

Face to Face by JoMouse (57k) Liam's fiance lost her ring. Zayn found it in his girlfriend's rucksack. What happens when the ring brings them face to face?

Floating On The Water by scottmcniceass (58k) Liam just wants to get through his last summer working at Malik Resort before University without incident. Of course, life is never that easy, and he ends up getting roped into giving the bosses son, Zayn, swimming lessons. That wouldn't be so bad, if Zayn didn't happen to hate him so much.

Hold on When You Get Love (and Let Go When You Give It) by orphan_account (59k) Where Zayn's studying Lit at Uni and Liam is a construction worker who catches Zayn's eye every day he passes by.

Let Me Drown Slowly by fruityoatey_bahhh (59k) The one where Liam's a prostitute, and Zayn just wants to be kept warm at night.

60k - 80k

These Faded Stars Along Our Horizons by ch3stpaynes (60k) Zayn isn't used to this; the buzzing feeling that comes along with pinched grins, cherry red lips and eyes like Sunday morning coffee. He's used to smogged out cities, not enough oxygen between each breath and perhaps a few spliffs with the boys when the weather isn't absolutely dreadful. And Liam Payne may just flip all of his priorities upside down.

Habits Of The Heart by taecheeks (61k) “I’ll be really good to you,” Liam whispers, sliding an arm under Zayn’s shoulder like he is a pillow. Zayn closes his eyes, remembering when Liam had said those same words to him while laying on his chest before they started dating. The same feeling rattles in his chest, the same uncertainty, the same need for his words to remain true.“I know,” Zayn whispers, massaging his fingers through Liam’s hair. “You always have.”Liam pushes up, brows furrowing together as he stares down at him, the humor in his face turning far more serious. “And I always will, Zayn.”

I See You Babe, But We Are Both Blind by SoftlyandSwiftly (61k) One Direction returns to London for a break from their Take Me Home Tour in August 2013, and after an unfortunate run-in at a coffee shop, Liam and Zayn find themselves in a fake relationship. Except, it ends up not feeling fake at all.

Run For the Woods Now by jmcats (62k) (there are other 3 parts to this one so read them all because they are amazing!) Zayn knows some of the best and worst moments start with one of Louis' ideas. Still, it's almost as if everyone knew where this, his life, was going when Harry and Liam moved into Wagner’s old flat, with that stupid plant sitting in the doorway, and too many cigarettes and Justin Timberlake for any of this to have been one of those classically clichéd love stories.And Zayn doesn't do clichés. Not until Liam, that is.

Some Love Wait Till Its Time by wasp (63k) University!AU where heart-in-the-right place but always-trying-to-save-people Liam Payne meets slightly pretentious hipster Zayn and tries to mend his broken heart.

Keep this love (in a photograph) by carissima (64k) The one where Liam's a fireman, Zayn's a photographer and yeah, there's a calendar shoot or two involved.

The bittersweet between my teeth by gaysubtexts (64k) Liam and Zayn grow up together, louis, niall, and harry tagging along later on. 

According to your heart (my place is not deliberate) by orphan_account (65k) A university-volleyball au in which Zayn hates the game but he does it for a scholarship. And for Louis. And possibly for the new freshman setter who keeps teaching Zayn new things.

The beauty of this mess by orphan_account (67k) Zayn loves this city, loves his boys, loves the salty taste of the surf on his tongue even though he hates the ocean... but he's not expecting to fall in love with Liam and all of his little secrets, too. Not enough to stick around in this sandy city of teenage dreams.

Let's pretend it's love by wafflehood (68k) Pretend!boyfriends fic in which Liam and Zayn get papped while hamming it up for Louis and Eleanor, and management decides the easiest way to deal with the resulting hysteria is to let it run its course.

Simple truths of belonging by soofyahn (68k) Liam spends ten years building the career for himself that he’s always wanted, and spends the same span of time falling out of communication with the one person he can’t reason why he misses. They find each other, again, stumbling around each other for a moment until they fall together in new, unpredictable ways.

Until the End of Time by theyinlove (68k) Zayn Malik lives a pretty decent life. He’s got an incredible family, a nice little place for him and his three sweethearted dogs, an amazing group of friends, and a good, stable job. Aside from the bouts of depression he may occasionally fall into and the intense anxiety he battles, he feels good about where he is in his life. But what do you get when a hunky fireman, who also happens to be a piece of sunshine on earth, walks into a bar? You get a cautious of love man realizing that, shit, maybe some people might be worth the risk of heart break.

The Prince King by ziamhaze (69k) At twenty, Zayn finds himself a widower and single father of one. It takes everything in his power to raise the three month old alone while also keeping up with his budding career as an artist. Five years later and Zayn’s more dedicated than ever to do whatever it takes for the little boy to have a better life than the one he had at his age. When that includes hiring a professional carpenter to build him a treehouse, Zayn finds himself having to figure out how to win the man’s game of cat and mouse before the structure’s complete, or risk missing out on someone who makes him want to spend the rest of his life mixing oil paints together in order to find the exact shade of warmth that the contractor exudes.

These amber words on our fingertips by orphan_account (69k) Zayn's life in London is about one thing — making life perfect for his son. He's still finding himself in this city, with all of the noise and left behind dreams. He needs to focus and Liam is, well, distracting. He's different. Zayn's always liked that word.

These fading scars by lovely_ziam (69k) Vampire!AU in which Liam falls in love with a human.

But the sun comes up instead by blackwayfarers (71k) Zayn Malik, charming and confident fraternity vice-president, meets shy but achingly endearing high schooler Liam Payne at a kegger and everything just goes straight to hell.

The Only One Who Takes You Home by loveandbeloved (71k) The fluffiest stripper AU in which businessman!Zayn and stripper!Liam have a lot of feelings and they both get more than they expected.

Just let me know by SoftlyandSwiftly (72k - this one has two more parts so read them all!) Zayn wakes up in a hospital, eyes blurry and head pounding, only for a doctor to tell him he's lost two years of his life. And if that's not awful enough, something's different with Liam, off like something has changed, and Zayn doesn't understand. Until he does. And then it's somehow worse.

Money Moves by mmaree (74k) A Fake Engagement AU with Boss!Liam and Secretary!Zayn.

Give love a try, one more time by iwasnthere (75k) Zayn groans, "Liam, do you ever get tired of annoying me?""Nope" Liam replies, popping a chip into his mouth. "Because it's cute watching you lie to yourself""Excuse me?" Zayn looks at Liam bemusedly."You're lying to yourself when you say that ‘I annoy you’.” Liam does the quote unquote thing with his fingers, smiling. “Admit it, you like me.""You've been asking me out for the past year and a half,” Zayn states, “the answer you always get is no, and I'm pretending?" he asks incredulously."Yep." Liam grins, "I'll get that yes one day, Zayn." “Keep trying.” Zayn gets out, trying for snappy but it ends up sounding amused. Damn it.

Through the summertime, winter, spring, and fall by taecheeks (77k) They change with the seasons, burning bright during the summer and biting cold during the winter, but that feeling of being in love Zayn found in the summer clings to him through it all.

What We Become by scottmcniceass (78k) “Nervous?”“No.”“It’s okay if you are,” Harry says seriously. “I mean, I know I would be. Like, if there was ever a date that was destined to go bad, it’s probably this one. Werewolf goes on date with the son of a werewolf hunter, who’s also training to be a werewolf hunter when he’s older, while another pack of werewolves are practically massacring the town, and no one has no idea how to stop them. It's not a question of what could go wrong. It's a question of what could possibly go right, and I'm willing to bet the answer to that is nothing."

80k - 100k

Kick, Push by ziamhaze (85k) World champion street skateboarder Zayn Malik has been on top of the sport’s rankings since he turned pro at 15. So when the Olympic Committee announces that skateboarding will be included for the first time at the 2020 Games, he’s thrilled to take on the challenge while representing Great Britain. There’s just one thing standing in between him and adding another title to the record books: his crippling performance anxiety. But when Team GB Skateboarding’s awarded a physiotherapist with an affinity for experimental therapy methods and a crinkly eyed smile, Zayn thinks he might just have found his ticket to bringing home gold.

Pride by iwanttowriteyouafic (86k) The one where Zayn and Liam strike a deal to help each other through their dirtiest nights, but Zayn's perception of alphas may be preventing him from something purer.

Compartment 451 by ziamhaze (88k) Zayn’s a muggleborn wizard whose parents leave him to fend for himself once he’s made aware of his magical abilities. The Payne’s are an open minded wizarding family, who take him in and provide the boy with a loving home before he and their overly excited son Liam, go off to Hogwarts for the first time.

Tunnel Vision by scottmcniceass (90k) In which Zayn is an award-winning popstar with a knack for getting himself in trouble, and Liam is the bodyguard he didn’t want to hire who has a few problems with staying professional.

Z.A.Y.N. by ziamhaze (92k) For six years, international R&B star Liam Payne has topped the charts with his unique, upbeat songs. Even though he’s proud of where he’s gotten himself, he knows he can’t take all the credit; there’s one particular songwriter that goes by the name ‘Icarus Kalim’ that’s played a huge part in his success. Because of the writer’s ability to craft thought provoking tracks that touch Liam in a way he didn’t even know was possible from afar, the celebrity makes a musical exception for ‘Icarus’, buying the man’s songs for himself, even though he swore he would never put his name on something he had no help in creating. But what happens when Liam finally tricks the soulful poet into meeting him after years of not even knowing what the man looks like? Is ‘Icarus’ really all Liam’s made him out to be in his head or will he be unlike anything the singer could’ve ever dreamt up...

Colour my senses cherry red by thilia (96k) Zayn Malik, closeted gay pornstar.

+ 100k

Lost for Words by AGreatPerhaps12 (102k) The one where Liam has a stutter and zero self confidence, and Zayn has a carefully controlled temper (also starring Louis and Harry as that disgustingly-in-love couple and Niall as the only straight guy around, apparently).

Slow and High Tempo by taecheeks (103k) "I just want you, Liam," Zayn whispers, skating his lips across his. "Can I?"Liam's lips part more as Zayn's do, exhaling slightly as Zayn's words sink in. He doesn't understand what they mean, but he knows he meant it when he said Zayn could have anything he wants. His eyes flicker open to stare up at Zayn's dark ones, filled with a warmth that seems to consume Liam as he waits for him to respond. "Yeah, babe."

Deadpool by rorz94 (111k) Zayn Malik, a multi-millionaire good doer/artist, is targeted by a lunatic serial killer for no reason. Enter hot charismatic detective Liam Payne in the investigation of his case. Payne is assigned to protect Mr.Malik as a punishment from his supervisor but Liam does not think it's such a bad punishment to stay close to the attractive young man.

Permanent by scottmcniceass (114k) At twenty-six, Liam has made a name for himself as one of the best football players of his generation. He's in the prime of his game when a car accident threatens to end his career permanently. Depressed and hating the world, Liam heads back to his home town to take some time off and find himself again. He doesn't expect to find life pretty much the way he'd left it eight years ago, and he definitely doesn't expect to find something that might make him want to stay permanently, but that's what he gets.

Hello kisses sweet as wine by xxcaribbean (123k) Zayn doesn’t expect mr. payne to have all the answers, and he certainly hadn’t meant to leave an impression. So, this isn’t really a love story. Well, it shouldn’t be.

Intoxicate Me, Mesmerize Me, Obliterate Me by eternallyunleashed (280k) There was a certain heat obtained from rebellion that even the actual throes of heat never sparked. Keeping up an image of perfection; being the good kid, the perfect son to the Mayor and Chief of Police, the city of Lincoln’s sweetheart omega, it was all taxing to Zayn. Walking the thin line of danger was exhilarating. Was it coincidental that this danger happened to be an attraction to a certain alpha who was none other than the leader of the South Side Vipers gang, who seemed to despise him and the part of town he came from? Probably not. But when had anything ever stopped Zayn?

Can't Help Falling in Love with You by eternallyunleashed (518k) Zayn is an 18 year old just out of high school who is going to start pre-med in NYU in September. Liam is a 26 year old CEO of a major company and also an ex-football player. Their paths cross when Zayn lands an internship at Liam's company thanks to Harry and their lives are completely thrown off balance.

[danceabovethestorm]

Second post of my ongoing dragon-sharing series! I’ll be tagging these as “Stormdance’s Clan”.

This is Vulcan and he’s a complete sweetheart. Whereas Borealis is practically the Icewarden’s poster child for a Guard Captain, Vulcan is more the epitome of a Gaoler flop. He can’t track, can’t fight, and can’t begin to camouflage. In addition, he’s got a tremendously soft heart—too soft for the Icewarden’s service. He was quite decent at comforting and integrating travelers and new exalts though, so when Borealis was assigned to civilian shepherding Vulcan was packed along.

When they first met, Vulcan had a tremendous case of hero-worship for Borealis. Having lived with her, that hero-worship has turned into a life-long affection with a healthy dash of exasperation for his hard-headed partner. He was the one who convinced her to adopt their two children.

Nowadays, Vulcan has no leadership position in the clan; instead he helps care for the clan’s few hatchlings, works with travelers, and occasionally sits on Borealis to keep her from going off an a fanatical rant in honor of the Icewarden.

[mai-takeda]

The Voyage Part I ft. Mai Takeda and Asande Stormborn

The wind seemed to run past her which brought a smile to Mai’s small pink lips. She pushed some of her apple red hair behind her ear and just remained motionless against the side of the boat watching the waters pass them by. She lost herself in the moment so much she didn’t register the newcomer’s presence beside her.

“Fuckin’ hell of a thing, eh?” Asande Stormborn said in her songlike but strong voice. “The waters that is. Nothin’ like sailin’ upon the waters. Don’t think even ridin’ in the clouds can compare. Tis the reason I am savin’ coin in buyin’ a second ship for the seas and not one of expensive things in the clouds. Let that be some others. I belong on the waters.”

Mai turned her head to the captain of The Stormdancer. She had a hard time saying she met one like this captain. Well, when she thought on it, that wasn’t precisely true. She held many similarities to her twin brother, Kaelivh, who also served to be Mai’s teacher and trainer. She also had similar qualities to that of Mai’s lost love, Veda.

The memory brought pain to wipe away at Mai’s smile. Sadness took her almost immediately. She had not heard from the one she had been certain to be a fixture in her life in so many weeks now that she refused to keep counting the days that rushed by. Wetness seemed to form in her eyes on her own and before she knew it Asande’s voice break into her thoughts again.

“Thinkin’ on her again?” Asande said. “Yer lover that is? Or the one who was or whatever the damned thing ye have now.”

“Always a way of putting things in poetic fashion, San’s,” Mai said with a small sad sigh though a light smile touched the words. “B-but yes. Sometimes it’s hard not to. I mean, I know I have so many seasons turn ahead of me at my age and I am only now experiencing and living my life and finding my way and my path. And I know that I have so many things ahead of me and new people that will come into my life. I also know that--”

“That ya ramble so damn much that ya can power the Dancer cross these waters on that energy alone?” Asande interjected.

Mai’s mouth audibly clamped shut. A blush warmed her cheeks shyly followed by a nod. She sheepishly began to open her mouth when a cry sounded out.

“Sail ho! Ship starboard!” the male youth clamored from the crow’s nest.

Asande and Mai snapped their heads in the specified direction. The ship was nothing more than a speck in the distance without the spyglass The Stormdancer’s spotter held but it was enough to get Asande’s muscles tensing. Mai glanced the older highlander woman’s direction and her eyes widened. For on that face she saw a devilish grin coming to the other woman’s lips. 

“The game it is!” Asande announced pushing from the rail. “Ye might get the chance at puttin’ that blade of yers to work,” she said to Mai. “Wit me.”

Mai nodded, her hand falling to the handle of the katana at her hip before trailing Asande. The two women hurried along the now busying deck headed for the helm. The movement along the deck would seem chaotic to outside eyes, Mai knew, because she thought the same. When she looked more intently on the movements she realized that had not been the case. Everyone moved with a purpose and no one seemed to ever get in the way of another. Their movements were practiced and in sync that spoke well of the crew she had gotten to know over the many days.

“Helmsman!” Asande barked. “Move us three clicks starboard!”

Mai gawked at Asande. “Th-that will take us toward them!” 

“Yer damned right!” Asande said still wearing the grin turning her head upwards to the crow’s nest. “Ye got a sail?”

“Looks like The Black Orchid, Captain!” the youth responded.

“Well shite. Didn’t expect that.” Asande glanced Mai’s direction and noticed the expression. “The captain of that one is a good sort. Coin chasin’ bloke but no salt water in his noggin’ so why he comin’ our way I have no word. He know The Black Orchid can’t take Stormdancer. Get my damn mages up!” Asande barked. 

“We’re here, Cap,” a Midlander with a dusky skin said in a tired voice with another standing beside him. “Though why wake me when you can handle what it is to come without me I no idea. Rather sleep myself.”

Asande rolled her eyes and swiftly smacked the man on the back of the head. “Yer always sleepin’! Damned man will sleep his life away if I let ye. Get to your positions. I may not have time to go slingin’ aether ‘round myself. Sometimes the fun is in close and personal like.”

The man gave a groggy nod while rubbing the back of his head before walking off. Asande watched them go without the grin slipping from her face. Her hand went to her opposite hip of her rapier and pulled out her own spyglass. She extended the cylinder and looked starboard marking the pace and direction of the ship. 

“Oh that bastard is comin’ for us alright. Intersect course indeed. He got the swifter sails wit a bit of wind plus I know the mages he has ‘bout his girl there that give it a bit more push than my louts. Probably could outpace her wit the lead we got but what fun in that, eh?”

Mai found herself gawking at the taller woman again. “Y-you’re as bad as your brother!”

Asande laughed at that while returning her spyglass. She clapped Mai on the shoulder. “Yer ‘bout to learn what dealin’ with the Stormborn is like little Mai. Wet yer blade a bit too but if somethin’ happen to ya that damn brother of mine will have my hide. We watch each other backs, right? Just remember what Kael taught ye and some o’words I sprinkled in. It’ll be fun.”

Numbly, Mai nodded, her grip tightening on the hilt. I take it back. She’s WORSE than her brother, Mai thought. She’s insane! 

“Raise the red, Cap’n?” a voice called out from no direction Mai could discern. 

“Nay! When we near a we’ll run one ‘cross the bow and then meet. I know the bastard. He’s likely to give quarter if the coin is right.” Asande turned her gaze to Mai. “Though don’t know how our cargo is worth it. Not to take wit Dancer.”

“You’re thinking he’s after something else?” Mai asked while feeling the sweat forming on her brow. “I-I haven’t taken a life with my sword sin-since the bandits on the way to my father and brother’s grave. I-”

“Ye’ll be fine, lass,” Asande said with a reassuring smile. “Ye been trainin’ wit my brother and he’s a damned killer in his own right. Yer goin’ to be surprised in what he got in yer head. Believe me. Keep to who yer are, feel the fight ‘round ye and all will be well. Be wit ye every step. Just remember the bastards will take ye and do what they will if ye let them. Can’t have that. Kael will curse us both and come to our rescue. Then I’ll have to hear ‘bout the shite for all days. Let’s be ‘bout it, shall we?”

Taking a deep steadying breath Mai gave an affirming nod despite the knots tying themselves in her gut. She remembered her training with her father and brother when she was younger. She remembered watching Veda swinging her axe and their sparring session. She remembered her lessons from Kaelivh Stormborn and intensity of their training and fights. Even Asande had taught her some things and the Stormdancer’s boatswain.

“I am ready,” she announced in a small yet confident voice more for herself than any other ears.

OOC Notation! This is a collab piece by myself and some person! They aight and I decided to let them hitch onto my--what? Okay, okay! This was a joint effort with Big Z! @zhauric though he’s the main writer :-p I was a bit lazy on images and gifs. Wasn’t easy. Sowwy! Need to take some new ones! More to come! And Mai’s name came first because I’m cuter. I mean my nickname is Candy and his is Bear and Deuce??? Get real! 

P.S. @nattaitshanil We know you can write! You getting in this too with the next chapter! Be prepared! Always on the prowl for more too! 

[fanforthefics]

Find Out What It Means to Me

Author: StormDancer/fanforthefics

Pairing: Tyson Barrie/Colin Wilson

Rating: Mature

Tags:  Gender Swap, Friends to Lovers, Female Friendship

Word Count: 23,910

Summary:

Tyson Barrie is many things, including a woman, a hockey player, and a pretty decent knitter, but in love with her captain is not one of them.

Now, if only anyone would believe that.

In which Tyson deals with microaggressions, bad hair days, the Colorado dating scene, befriending many of Gabe's exes, and, oh right, that whole falling in love thing.

Read it on AO3!

[missytearex]

To Read List - Ziall

This list is purely for myself to keep track of everything I still want to read. Its gonna change as I actually read though them and find more stuff to add.

Find fics I’ve already read here.

Ziall

playing from the same hand by brokendrums

Niall and Zayn grow closer on the European leg of the Where We Are Tour.

Zayn hums again, low from the base of his chest and Niall’s hand skims down Zayn’s arm six more times, Niall counts them slowly to match his rhythm, before it feels a bit more natural.

"Don’t think Perrie’ll make Paris,” Zayn finally says. And that’s that.

It’s Undoubtedly Love by sunshinexbomb

“So, Zayn Malik likes me,” Niall repeats, strumming subconsciously at the guitar that’s still in his hand. “Does he really like me, like me, like me? Do you think he does?” he sings to the same tune as before.

Liam and Louis both shrug. “Dunno, but that’s what he said. What are you going to do?” Liam asks.

“Nothing,” Niall replies, strumming out a few more chords.

“Nothing?!” Louis exclaims. “You’ve gotta do something. Zayn Malik just said he thinks you’re cute and you’re gonna do nothing?”

Niall’s the one to shrug this time. He takes off the snapback on his head, ruffles his hair a bit before saying, “Don’t think there’s really much I can do is there? Just gonna record my video now. Go on with life.”

--

In which Niall sings songs on YouTube, Zayn is an international pop-star, Harry tells stories, Louis does makeup, and Liam likes to take pictures.

Crawl Into Your Atmosphere by spibsy (lucy_and_ramona)

Niall doesn't see it coming. Zayn's on the football team. Niall's in marching band. This isn't supposed to happen, except... then it does. 

Bombshell Blond (Wired Up To Detonate) by slashter

“Correct me if I’m wrong,” Zayn starts, leaning forward and resting his chin on his hands. “But you look a little...nervous?” Niall scoffs but Zayn can see the worry underneath the surface. “Consider yourself corrected.” Zayn just raises an eyebrow at that, and eventually Niall groans, rubbing at his face. “Fuck. Okay, look, I’m not good at this whole--” he waves his hands around, “--wooing thing. I’m not someone who goes on dates and, like, does all that. I’ve never had the time to do that, even.” “You’ve never been in a relationship?” Zayn asks, a bit surprised. Niall blushes. “Never really cared about stuff like that, until I met you.”

[Or the one where Zayn's a spy, Niall's his target, and the whole world's their playground]

see the sparks filled with hope (you are not alone) by niallszayn

„Hello,” Niall mumbled, hot flush already crawling up his neck again. „I should…I won’t keep you from your work.” Zayn sighed a little and rubbed at his forehead, leaving a small smudge of dirt behind. Niall’s fingers twitched with how much he wanted to reach out and wipe it away. Ireland, 1923. When Niall returns from war, he’s not the same young man he was before. Back home at his parent’s mansion, it takes an old friend and young gardener to get him to open up. But what is Zayn to Niall? What can he be?

The One With The On-Screen Boyfriend by brokenstereotype

Zayn Malik plays the star role of Zander Phelps on the hit television drama show, Bradford Heights. When newcomer, Niall Horan is cast to be Zander's new love interest, things take an interesting turn for Zayn. It might not be the worst thing to happen.

An on-screen boyfriends AU that contains as much drama as there is sweet gay loving. Featuring in-love-but-nonhalant-about-our-feelings Liam/Louis and Harry as the chef roommate that is Zayn's biggest fan.

Out of Space, Out of Time by flares

Zayn: Hey, I’m Zayn. I’m here for our date.

For a few seconds, he just stares at the screen, tapping his fingers lightly against the table. Harry’s voice—“You’re fine, Zayn. You’re doing fine.” — barely registers in his head. The text ‘Niall is typing…’ pops up and Zayn wishes that he’d been more adamant about the alcohol. Wine is sounding really good right about now.

AU in which Zayn is new in town, Niall might not be where Zayn thinks he is, and Harry sets them up on a blind Skype date.

headlights, strobe lights (& we can take the long way) by restitched (beingothrwrldly)

Zayn and Niall go on an American road trip after Zayn graduates from uni.

Warnings for cursing, Niall making fun of Zayn, Zayn making fun of Niall, lots of selfies, lots of kissing, Zayn singing karaoke, Niall with too many feelings, and all of the donuts and waffles on the east coast.

lighthouse by justaboat

au. niall's been waiting for zayn his whole life. when he finally comes it might be too late.

i wanna hurry home to you by roofpizza

zayn is an actor; niall is a cameraman. hollywood sucks, but at least they've got each other

come take my pulse by nicheinhischest

"Everything’s always better when the sun comes up," Niall says, idly drawing a Z on Zayn’s elbow. Or an N. It’s hard to tell. “Sorta funny, when you think about it - whole world’s fucking dead, but the sun still rises and sets like nothing’s changed. The predictability is nice.”

Zayn sighs and tells him tiredly, “Y'know, you say eerily cheerful things for someone who bashed a zombie’s face in with a golf club today."

rhythm & blues by JaneKerkovich

Zayn thinks being a college freshman with an English major and a boyfriend in a frat is enough for him -- until he loses a bet, loses The X-Factor and loses Niall.

bruised giver, grit spinner by hungerpunch

"Niall's never seen romantic love in the real world. His parents were never married, but even the marriages he’s seen haven’t looked happy. He's seen love in the movies, sure, but the movies aren't about Dogtown. The romantic comedies aren't about poor kids with fucked up parents. They aren't about a skinny skater boy and his best friend. But maybe, he thinks, they should be."

A Z-Boys AU.

Experience Points by el_em_en_oh_pee

The good news is that Simon has decided to let Zayn start officially developing the game she and Liam have spent years talking about creating. The bad news is that, because Liam is bedridden after a debilitating accident, Simon puts the new girl, Niall, on the project with Zayn instead. The worse news is that Niall is just Zayn's type.

Some Nights I'm Scared You'll Forget Me Again by pukeandcry

Zayn stifles a groan. He’s not terribly surprised -- Harry’d been mooning over Louis since the day they met three years ago when Zayn had moved into the house next to him -- but he’d been hoping that Harry would eventually get over it and redirect his attention to someone else. This development does not bode well for that turn of events, though. (High School AU)

Not All Stories Have a Happy Ending by KelliDiane

Andy Samuels has been traded. His replacement, Niall Horan, doesn’t really impress the team captain, Zayn Malik.

10 things i ____ about you by robpatFF

“Did the doctors tell you anything already?”

Niall shrugs a little. The movement catches the collar of the too-big t-shirt he has on, one of Liam’s he must have stashed away in his bag. There’s a bruise on his shoulder, probably from the impact, hitting something hard, unmoving and solid. “Far as I know I’m thinking about trying out for X-Factor next month. They said that already happened.” He bites his lip, and his gaze flicks over at Zayn for a moment. “Did I win?”

Amnesia fic.

something about the boy by countthestars

About three things Niall is absolutely positive. First, Zayn is the most attractive person he’s ever seen in real life. Second, the chances he’s actually a vampire are, like, slim to none. Probably. And third, he’s going to kill Harry for putting that idea in his head in the first place.

if i was your boyfriend by countthestars

Zayn's an up-and-coming R&B musician. Niall's a uni student. It's complicated.

burning bright by countthestars

Sometimes people aren't what they seem.

what's a ghost to a nonbeliever by countthestars

Liam shoots Zayn a nervous look. “Zayn’s not,” he starts, clearing his throat. “Zayn doesn’t really believe in ghosts. He’s a, whatchamacallit, a--”

“A skeptic,” Harry says, green eyes gleaming. “How… intriguing."

when the moon hits your eye by countthestars

Niall delivers pizzas and Zayn's a little bit in love.

brighter than sunshine by countthestars

Zayn’s come to trust Niall, and Harry by extension, more than he does most people. Niall had seen through the chinks in Zayn’s armor and had gotten under his skin with impressive quickness. There are still parts of Zayn’s life, though, that he doesn’t know how to share.

Zayn’s learned to trust Niall with himself, he thinks, but he doesn’t know if he can trust him with the most important thing to him.

or; the one where Niall and Harry work in a bakery and Louis and Zayn are struggling to figure it all out.

all the stars align by countthestars

“Your mark,” the boy says. Niall glances down at the name scrawled across the inside of his bicep, his chest suddenly tight. “Yeah,” he murmurs. “'S kinda unusual, right? Never met a Zayn.” “I'm Zayn,” the boy tells him, sounding a bit strained.

Spin For You by sunshinexbomb

“You and Zayn will be going home together tonight if it’s the last thing Payno and I ever do. This pining has gone on too long.”

Niall rolls his eyes, muttering, “I’m not pining.”

“Totally are, mate,” Liam says sympathetically, cuddling into Niall’s side. “But it’s okay. Zayn totally is too. He’s just too,” Liam pauses, making some vague hand gestures, “y’know, to admit it.”

--

Or in which Niall has a big, huge obvious crush on Zayn and just won't admit it.

Where Everybody Knows Your Name by StormDancer

“Well boys,” he says, scratching at Harley’s head. Rhino barks at that, and Zayn obliges him by petting him too. Apparently, that means that he’s showing too much attention to the dogs, and Tigger appears from wherever she’d been hiding, taking her rightful place in his lap. “And girl,” Zayn adds, politely. “Guess we’re back.”

The Ground Whereon He Walks by StormDancer

“You could come home with me.”

“Yeah?” Zayn turns, waggles his eyebrows and leers. “You offering yourself as a rebound?”

“Hah,” Niall snorts, and glances down at the ground. “No, like. I’m going home to spend the summer, you could tag along, if you wanted.”

Zayn blinks. “To Ireland?”

like a cigarette in the mouth or a handshake in the doorway by zouee

i've been down across the road or two, but now i've found the velvet sun that shines on me and you // Zayn and Niall start living together

Come Get Back in Bed, We've Still Got Time Left by YinAndYangOnIce

based off of this really fucking cute video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFYlRd85xsQ

Does It Ever Drive You Crazy? by YinAndYangOnIce

like I said based off of Karakura's work about after the Night Changes video, Niall goes to a convenience store to nurse his wounds after a date gone horribly, horribly wrong where he runs into Zayn, who's had a similarly awful night and they find a way to cheer each other up

The Tale Of Lucky and Bright Eyes by YinAndYangOnIce

Zayn is the editor-in-chief of his university's literary magazine who is dragged to a party by his best mates and meets Niall, a carefree, frat boy with whom he is instantly enamored. Soon after that party, someone starts writing anonymous love poems to him and sends them to the magazine.

I Major in Loving You by YinAndYangOnIce

“You told him what?” Liam crowed, staring at him with wide, judgmental eyes while Louis howled with laughter next to him. 
“I had no choice!” Niall said, dropping his head into his hands miserably.

“Actually, you did,” Liam said incredulously. “You could’ve told him that you weren’t actually part of the art program!”

“But he was putting words in my mouth and I didn’t want to tell him I’d stalked him there and he was really, really hot, Li, I didn’t want to freak him out,” Niall said pleadingly, as if he was appealing in court and Liam was a law student, so he wasn’t that far off.

Or:

Niall is an idiot in love and is just really bad at this romance thing.

How Can You Swallow So Much Sleep by brokendrums

Tour ends and Niall has insomnia. Zayn vows to cure it.

i set my clocks early 'cause i know i'm always late by theamazingpeterparker

Contrary to popular belief, signing up to be a TA in the US History to 1865 freshman course might be the best decision Niall's ever made.

Or, the one where Zayn reads a lot of books, and Harry reassures Niall that there's nothing wrong with wanting to sleep with your professor.

who let the dogs out by theamazingpeterparker

Zayn wants a puppy and Niall's a huge pushover.

skinny love, just last the year. by theamazingpeterparker

Zayn doesn't like Valentine's Day. Niall gives flowers to random people on the street.

you and me plus baby makes three by alnima

After the death of their friends, Zayn and Niall are forced to raise a baby together. Not like they have a problem with that, just a problem with each other.

follow the sun by carissima

Zayn needs a date to his cousin's wedding. Niall's ready, willing and available to be his plus one.

Or the one where Zayn and Niall are pretend boyfriends and it goes exactly how you think it goes.

perspective by words_unravel

per·spec·tive pərˈspektiv/

noun

1. the art of drawing solid objects on a two-dimensional surface so as to give the right impression of their height, width, depth, and position in relation to each other when viewed from a particular point. 2. a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view.

or, a look at four ways Niall and Zayn are Niall and Zayn.

this is how it starts, lightening strikes the heart. by justaboat

zayn doesn't want to date niall (except that he kinda does), niall has a secret, louis is a little shit, and harry and liam are the roommates that give (mostly) bad advice.

You've Got This Spell On Me by VeronikaLP

The one where Niall is a cheery Hufflepuff on said house's Quidditch team and Zayn cheers for him even when he's a Ravenclaw. Featuring disgustingly-in-love Larry, and a pinch of Sophiam.

on the brink of by autopsyofwebs

Niall tries not to think about it. Knowing something and doing something about it are two different things. If anything, he thinks he should feel relief. He’s one of the lucky ones. A lot of people never meet one of their soul mates, much less get to speak to them or see them every day. It doesn’t have to mean anything, he tells himself, and still loses his breath every time he catches Zayn on the stairwell, the crease of his smile, the way he laughs like he’s glad to see him.

les mystères de l'horizon by hungerpunch

"Preferably heist!fic, but anything with ziall as partners in crime (con artists, hackers, assassins, etc.) in an ot5 team. I'd like for one of them to be new to the team and for Zayn and Niall to start off on the wrong foot."

we put the world away (we get so disconnected) by horlik_aholic

Greek Mythology AU where Niall's sad, Zayn's immortal, and Liam and Louis are doing what they can.

Featuring wrathed gods and ancient curses and dazzled Niall.

take a chance on me (you won't regret it) by liferuining_feels

“And what about you? What do you want?”

Niall can’t find his voice but he wants to say you. I want you.

Or the one where Niall tries to help his friends figure out what makes them happy. For Niall? He just wants Zayn.

The Picture of Zayn and Niall by mightierthanthecanon

Based on the prompt: English Lit professor Zayn is a bit confused as to why he's so fascinated with one of his students, Niall Horan.

After All This Time by justyrae

Niall had expectations about his years at Hogwarts, but none of them prepared him for meeting Zayn.

I Wanna Show You Where I Sleep, Keep You There A Couple Weeks by KayleeJohn

Zayn wants to complain that Louis said he’d have the bed until at least morning, but it comes out more of a strangled groan than anything else, “Ngh,” punctuated by a click in Zayn’s throat.

Or the one where Zayn accidentally ends up cuddling with Niall, but he kind of doesn't mind it.

maybe we found love right where we are by niallszayn

Zayn Malik is one of the hottest magazine editors in the industry but he's overworked, so his business partners suggest he get an assistant. Enter Niall Horan, who is quirky and fun and can't write an article to save his life, but he can make a mean frappuccino (and on one rare occasion, give an orgasmic back rub after a long stressful night) so Zayn keeps him around, but definitely not for his face, absolutely not, nope.

Where Do We Begin? by shipsdrifting

Clearly, if he's to follow Niall's lead, the protocol here is for both of them to pretend that they've never met, that they have no recollection of the events that unfolded between them that night.

Zayn takes a breath and sits up straighter. He can do this. Zayn can absolutely try to forget that night ever happened.

Or, Uni AU where Zayn and Niall start working next to each other - and they both kinda pretend that they've completely forgotten about that drunken but mind-blowing one-night-stand they had a month ago.

Who Needs Dubai? by Idzzdi

“Never thought I'd see you on this side of the counter,” Zayn says lowly, looking amused and more awake then Niall has ever seen him in his life before. Also, more attractive. He looks so effortlessly cool it is just not fair and Niall's mouth has become so dry, all he can do is stare.

or Niall has this thing for his coffee shop regular Zayn and they run into each other one night at the airport. Zayn shows him how to properly annoy the airport security.

the awful edges where you end and i begin by nicheinhischest

“I could’ve killed you a dozen times,” Zayn tells him, and he means for it to sound like an apology, maybe. Proof of a conscience, even after everything. Even after this. “A hundred.”

Niall mockingly clicks his tongue in disapproval. “And I’m supposed to thank you for saving it all for a melodramatic stairwell scene?”

You're the cure, you're the pain by ifzi0531

"I hate to break this to you, but I don't think a baby uses rabbit shampoo for bathing." Zayn teased.

Niall pouted, crossing his arms over his chest. "You know what I meant! I thought we agreed that practice makes perfect or whatsoever."

or

Zayn and Niall babysit a friend's bunny, during which Niall tells Zayn that he wants to adopt a child.

Naive Melody by liquidmeasure

"The clock on the side table says it’s just after midnight when he wakes up to Theo screaming and crying for his mother. Just after midnight, so a good three and a half hours of sleep and that’s that. It’s like the kid has finally caught on that all is not well. That his parents have really and truly gone. He keeps crying when Niall picks him up out of his cot and it seems he doesn’t stop for three days."

Post-Zayn canon fic. Zayn steps in to help Niall deal with Theo. Niall isn't sure how to deal with Zayn.

This is sort of a mish-mash of a couple of my prompts, including canon pining and single dad Niall with optional accidental baby acquisition. I couldn't figure out how to give Niall a baby without something terribly sad happening, so I opted for an extended babysitting gig. I hope it works! <3

of an endless summer by petals

Zayn shrugs unapologetically. “My first time away from home,” he admits with a blush that make Niall’s knees feel weak. “But there are perks, I think.”

“Yeah, I love it here,” Niall says. “It’s kind of nice getting paid to do stuff like this, like watch kids swim in the lake, while you either swim with them, or you could even read a book. I don’t know, there’s a lot to love.”

“Not really the perk I was thinking of,” Zayn says. “But yeah, sure. The lake, whatever.”

Niall stares at him, watching as Zayn winks before he goes back to his food.

All We Got Up To by venividivici

AU where Zayn and Niall go on a double date with Liam and Louis, that Harry ends up accidentally crashing. (But come on, it's Harry.)

You start a fire inside that I could never control by heart_eyes

“They call us freaks you know, in the local paper—on the news.” He said just above a whisper still cautious, as if admitting out loud that Jay's suspicions had been correct that secret service would jump out from where they were hiding just waiting for Zayn's confirmation before they carted him away to some lab somewhere for experimentation.

“That’s because they don’t understand, refuse to…it’s not like that everywhere though, in the bigger cities we’re more accepted not just tolerated so long as we stay hidden but praised for our abilities—they call us heroes.”

“What like Superman? Batman?” Zayn asked, tone mocking and full of doubt, but Jay’s next words chased the amusement right off his face.

“Exactly like them

(or the one where Zayn attends Heroes Anonymous meetings)

and if you know me, like i know you by horlik_aholic

They promised each other they’d keep in touch, but it wasn’t something that even needed to be discussed-- of course they’d keep in touch. They were Zayn and Niall.

Now Niall’s a senior in high school, newly 17 and ready to breeze through this last year and take on college next fall. He hasn’t heard from Zayn in 3 years.

or, Zayn moves to Niall's town after 3 years of not talking and Niall is coping.

(one of these days) i wish you were a hologram by groundopenwide

Zayn’s stomach churns, and he has to squeeze his eyes shut. “Right now—this is real? I’m not imagining things?”

“I’m right here,” Niall says softly. “I’m always right here, Zayn. Been here the whole time.”

Zayn's been having dreams- dreams that seem so real, he can't even distinguish fact from fiction anymore.

better than words (more than a feeling) by petals

im so sorry, Niall sends back. Followed by, mate got a new num, forgot it

He waits for the reply, because honestly, he sent this guy a picture of himself in the bath. In a green bath. The guy is probably laughing about it with his friends, Niall will probably become a meme on the Internet or something. Blond idiot in green water sending naked selfies to stranger meme.

i rly am sorry, he sends, hoping that’ll be enough to keep the guy from spreading his picture.

dnt worry bout it, cutie xx is the guy’s reply and Niall groans, dropping down on his bed face first. He can’t remember how to breathe. Honestly can’t remember.

Happiness, not in another place but this place. by LauDom

Niall stared at the screen for a long time. Had he met someone else in the club last night? What did the Z stand for? Zoe, Zander, Zeus?

So he decided to be funny and even though his face showed a clear hungover and sleep deprived-ness he sent a pouty selfie and texted: “Sorry, I think u have the wrng number.”

Sweater Weather by xTammyVx

It wasn't until they were outside the club that Niall squeezed Zayn's hand and said, “Come back with me?” then, “I kinda like you.”

Zayn wasn't stupid; he knew that the number of people Niall had slept with over the span of his four-year-long career was exactly what one could expect from a superstar, and that he probably pulled with lines like that all the time. However, simmering below that self-awareness was the unbelievable, untamable fire spreading from where they were touching, and all Zayn wanted was more.

2015: Zayn meets Niall on a post-concert night-out.

2019: Niall comes home for a mid-tour break.

So Hot That I Melted by PigSlay

Zayn's working his way through college to get his degree in art by working as a bartender at a local pub. One night, a group of people, including one stunning blonde named Niall, come there. After that, Niall keeps coming back almost every night and after serenading Zayn during one open mic night and exchanging phone numbers, they slowly become the best things to ever happen to each other.

A Story for the Kids (orphan_account)

"Da, why do you look at Zayn like he's a princess?"

[Niall and his daughter are new to London and Zayn's personal life is a bit messy. Somehow, they make things work.]

I'll Dance With You, I'll Laugh With You (Til It's Christmas in the Room) by tobedwithacupoftea

After a death in Niall's family, he must stay at Hogwarts over Christmas their seventh year. Zayn also stays at the castle and though the boys have a more than amazing Christmas, some ill-advised magic at New Years may ruin it all.

crooked love in a straight line down by leighbot

“You’d like him if you got to know him,” Liam whispers while everyone else finds seats as well.

“I already know him,” Zayn responds.

“Seems like there’s a bit of tension between you two.”

Zayn rolls his eyes hard enough they hurt. “Like homicidal, maybe.”

Or, the studying abroad AU where they're all supposed to stick together but Zayn and Niall get off on the wrong foot. Zayn finds solace in his graffiti, a pretty American boy and a mysterious commenter on his art blog.

With side 'love at first sight' Liam/Harry and 'it's complicated' Louis/Eleanor/Nick.

Sore Winner by venividivici

"No. No, no. Just. Just shut up. Figure Skating isn't a game, okay. I don't play figure skating, I perform it. Big difference from your elementary recess time you call a sport. That's a game." Niall only inhales, sighs loudly into the cold air. "This is nice. You and me. This chilly night, the stars are bright. Perfect time to lay out how we really feel about each other, don't you think?" Or, Zayn likes the stars; Niall reads too many horoscopes; and neither is mature enough to drop their irrational hate.

One, Two, Three Strikes You're Mine by littlepinkbow

Having a crush on a player from your rival's baseball team is bad enough. Even worse when they're literally the most relaxed person ever. It just takes a bit of time and a bit more reckless abandon to figure it out.

let your heart go boom by liferuining_feels

Zayn arrives in Dublin with no expectations except to forget about the life he left behind in London. He's here on exchange for a year, and his only plan is to learn to be himself again. But no matter what, he can't seem to shake off the feeling that he's so helplessly lost.

Then he meets Niall, and suddenly life becomes a little bit more easier.

But what Zayn forgets is that time is ticking, and there's a return ticket to London with his name on it.

All He Needs by sunshineflying

Niall is out and proud at uni, but back in Ireland nobody knows he's gay - not even his family. After some conversation with his best friend and roommate Zayn, as well as their friends Liam and Louis, he knows it's time to just go home and be honest with his family. His crush on Zayn complicates things a bit, especially when Zayn offers to go to Ireland with Niall as moral support, but he follows through with it anyway.

Happiest Place On Earth by pocketfullofbees

It's always weird. Each time he sees the actual character he's surprised people recognize him. Then again, he never saw himself as any type of royalty.

_______

Or the AU where OT5 work as face characters at DisneyLand and Zayn's hopelessly in love with an Irish Faerie.

This Night was Made for Us by zaynplusanyone

Niall and Zayn have a tie that binds them, a bond. It takes them a while, but eventually they figure out that that bond is meant to be there, that it means something more. Tonight is about celebrating that bond, enjoying what they have, and remembering that even when the world is moving too quickly around them, they will always have each other.

Promise You'll Be Glad You Came by Jairo

“It’s Halloween and we’re trick-or-treating but you have no candy” AU.

Ain't No Sunshine by acue

AU where Zayn and Niall meet in an airport only because they were the ones to get assigned the same seat and Niall finds something out about Zayn pretty deep into their relationship that should have been mentioned at the way beginning.

Or the one where Zayn is in the army and Niall is completely smitten with Zayn, and waits for him to come home in one piece a lot.

Walk Away Now and You're Gonna Start a War by Niallaeger

Even the glass of water he had tried to force himself to drink, while sitting on the floor by the bedroom in Niall’s apartment debating whether or not he should bother to get up, left such a horrid taste on his tongue that he couldn’t make it past the first couple sips. It was like all the words he hadn’t said that morning mixed with the bitter taste of the ones he hadn’t had the decency to hold back, and now they’re just lingering, in his head, over his tongue, making his stomach turn, and now Harry’s asking him if he’s alright because he looks a little sick and all Zayn can do is nod.

Or, the one where Zayn doesn't think he can do anything right, and Niall just needs a little time. Basically, your soccer!AU with a healthy dose of angst.

The Not Exactly Late Night Show With Niall Horan by WhyHelloThere

When Niall forgets to book a guest artist for his radio show, Harry sets him up with a friend of a friend. Things just go from there.

I'm sending postcards from my heart, I don't care who sees what I've said by niallszayn

Niall spots who has to be the hottest guy on campus at the library but fails to ask him out when they run into each other. He posts about it on this cool new app though, and hopes for the best.

OR

another uni!au full of pining

Skate Your Way Into My Heart by littlepinkbow

Zayn really can't help but being fond over the ridiculously sweet boy attempting to teach the kids in his class how to rollerblade and Louis really really can't keep his mouth shut.

I've got your body on my skin (and tequila on my tongue) by bonjourziall (punkjuggie)

And at that exact moment Zayn didn't feel the need to drown himself in alcohol anymore. Because Niall's lips were far more intoxicating than any brand of tequila and Zayn craved Niall’s touch more than he craved the burning of the alcohol. or Zayn and Niall both start using alcohol as an excuse to keep hooking up with each other. or Niall is literally the reason that Zayn is becoming an alcoholic.

Perfection Will Not Come by becauseziall

"Later! I promise!" Zayn called after him, backpack weighing down his shoulders. Niall looked back over one shoulder with a goofy grin that overpowered the rest of his face.

"Yeah! Just keep studying your Calc, alright?"

Zayn turned so he walking backwards for a moment. "Yeah," he smiled, "alright," and with that, he turned around, heading back to his dorm, thoughts of sunshine and happiness and beautiful filling his mind.

start off the day singing by leighbot

Secretly, Niall’s pleased by the extra time spent with Zayn, often baiting the children to help him encourage Mr. Malik to join them for a song or two. At least, Niall hopes it’s secret. Based on the teasing he often suffers when around Louis or Harry, he doesn’t think he’s been as subtle as he’d like.

Thankfully, Zayn doesn’t seem to have picked up on Niall’s crush.

Or, the one where Niall is an elementary school music teacher and Zayn's first graders are possibly Niall's favorite class... and not just because Mr. Malik has a pretty smile. Okay, it's a bit because he has a pretty smile.

From Wrong to Right by sunshineflying

Zayn's struggling to let go of an old relationship, but his best friends and roommates Liam and Louis are determined to help him get over it. A chance encounter at a club and a failed attempt at getting someone's number leads Zayn right to the man he's been waiting for.

a house built by a doctor to the stars by fakeheaux

"There's no way you live there," Zayn laughs, brows pulling together. "That's Murder House, bro, no way."

Niall shrugs. "Murder House to you. Murder Home to me."

or niall is the baby of spirits ben and vivien harmon, raised by an eclectic group of ghosts

i don't wanna lose your touch (i don't wanna hurt this much) by fakeheaux

"Okay, so. So...you're stuck with each other," Harry says slowly. "Literally."

Zayn sighs, already done with the whole thing. "Yeah, Harry."

or zayn and niall get magically bonded together after they eat some sus chinese food

know you're not alone by fakeheaux

There are many beliefs of what a shift feels like. The most common one is that the shift always hurts, even after you’ve become used to it. In his opinion, that isn’t quite true. It’s not painful, per se, but it is intense. Shifting, to him, is like a rush of endorphins, adrenaline, and relief all at once. He shifts and it’s like going back home. It’s like - like the best feeling in the world.

or zayn doesn't like dogs which bothers niall so so much

on a wednesday, in a café by fakeheaux

"I like your glasses."

or niall is nosy and zayn speaks urdu in coffee shops

they say we are what we are, but we don't have to be by fakeheaux

"They hate us," Niall murmurs. "They're not going to let us fight with them, just 'cause we wear green."

Zayn shakes his head. "Green's just a color, babe. Don't make you who you are."

it's our paradise (and it's our war zone) by fakeheaux

"We were on a break!" Zayn yells.

or The One With Ross and Rachel, Reimagined

me, her, and the moon by dramaturgicallycorrect

“I think I should go home,” Niall says. “You should really get on. Dance with those boys your mum wants you to dance with.”

“I only want to dance with you,” Zayn says, taking her hand and giving her a spin, watching her dress flair beautifully before she pulls her in tight. She holds Niall’s waist tight, and Niall curls into her, resting her head against her chest. They sway slowly to the muffled sounds of the big band and clutch each other for dear life. This is all Zayn needs, her girl and the moon and the stars.

[Or Zayn invites Niall to her going away party, but neither of them want her to go away.]

that which we call a rose by dramaturgicallycorrect

Zayn pops his head around the door suddenly, the sounds of Louis stomping down the stairwell echoing out behind him. “Wait,” he says, even though Niall isn’t going anywhere. “What’s your name?” “Ah. I’m Niall.” He grins. “Although... what’s in a name?” “That which we call a rose,” Zayn says, trailing off with a small grin before the rest of him disappears behind the closing door.

[Or, they're at Juilliard and Niall plays the guitar and Zayn has a beautiful falsetto and Liam, Harry, and Louis need some help putting on Romeo and Juliet.]

nevada's fault by irishmizzy, miss_bennie

“Niall Horan, will you -- ow,” he winces when Harry flicks his neck, but when Zayn starts up again, the disaffected tone is gone, “will you do me the honor of marrying me tonight and winning this bloody game of truth or dare?”

this is no bridget jones by nicheinhischest

“Harry," Zayn feels like he’s losing it, "Harry, you know my life isn't a romantic comedy, right? No matter how much you try and make it one."

"Please, I've seen Love, Actually like... thirty times," Harry says, grinning. "This is going to be so much better.”

the creation of ursa major by robpatFF

Niall would pull him all the way if he could, wrap his sunlight infused hand around Zayn’s and pull them up until they couldn’t breathe. And Zayn would let him, only to return (loyal, dependable, periodic) and settle around his Sirius before he’d float off again.

i can see the sun in late december by robpatFF

Written for the prompt: it's cold in ireland and zayn is all skin and bones and niall is all extra blankets and warmth and kisses (basically lazy kissing under the covers fic) and then this happened

Settle Down With Me by robpatFF

artist!Zayn and fratboy!Niall. Zayn draws and Niall's in a frat and they make it work somehow, they do.

this silver spoon has fed me good by hickeyziall (scentedziall)

"We realise you won’t be thrilled about this, Zayn, but we hope you understand that this is necessary for you to be considered the heir of our business in the future."

Zayn cleared his throat to gain the attention of the boy, who whipped his head around in response. He was taller than Zayn, young and lanky in a charming way that matched the dimples in his cheeks. He wore long, wild hair, hardly contained in a bun, and the uniform green apron with the patisserie’s logo printed in black and white next to his nametag.

"Good luck. You’ll need it."

aka rich kid working in a bakery au?

The Lost Souls by daretoliveforever

Zayn is unique. He receives visions. Most people would think this is a gift. But Zayn thinks it’s a living Hell. He sees people having their lives taken away from them. Either by themselves, or others. The worst part is Zayn doesn’t know what to do. How can he help people when he’s only seen them in the visions?

Baby, It's You by alnima

Zayn Malik has an obsessive crush on famous Internet blogger Niall Horan, but what happens when Niall starts posting about a crush of his own?

amidst all the weather by Livy_May

Niall doesn’t tell Louis, for obvious reasons. He doesn’t tell Harry, either, because if Harry knows something, it’s only a matter of time before Louis knows it, too. And he doesn’t tell Liam because Liam is honestly the worst liar he’s ever met.

He’s not trying to keep it a secret. It just sort of... happens.

Wings Wouldn't Help You Drown by wasp

Zayn just wanted to watch the sun set, watch it bleed into the sky as same as ever in a world that’s forgotten about them, completely slipped under their feet and morphed and fucked up some more.

to put a little sunshine in your life by khakis

san diego au. zayn's a brooklyn boy who follows his maybe-ex-girlfriend to san diego. it turns out a whole lot lovelier than he could have hoped.

“Look at this little family,” Harry murmurs.

“You big softie,” Louis says, but his voice is so steeped in fondness that Zayn can almost taste it, and he feels warm in a way that has nothing to do with the crush of bodies around him. He cranes his head a little and Niall meets him halfway, anticipating it, grinning as their eyes meet and reaching a hand up to grip comfortingly at the back of Zayn’s neck. Yeah, his gaze says, you belong here. We want you here. I want you here.

And then the chicken is burning and Harry yelps like he’s the one being singed and they fall apart as easily as they fell together.

Up towards the sun by wannabe_free

The first time Niall sees the small lumps on his back he freaks out. He stands naked in front of the mirror, the glassy surface still blurry with the steam of the shower he’s just had. There’s something in his back that feels odd. It doesn’t necessarily ache; it’s like a stretching feeling, something from his insides fighting to come onto the surface, pulling at the skin and muscles that come in its way.

AU- OT5-Niall centric. Niall isn't human.

Perfect Storm (orphan_account)

“Who the hell thought it was a good idea t’watch a horror movie in the middle of a thunderstorm?” Niall groaned.

or

The boys watch a scary movie during a storm, and it leaves Niall a bit shaken up (not that he'd admit it). And Zayn is there to save the day, as usual.

Whiteboard by lostinsanity

Niall’s a musician, Zayn’s an artist. Music and art are their lives, respectively. And the story shouldn't be much more complicated from there. But it is, because Zayn is deaf.

Of You I Grow Fonder by Klavier

"I'm Niall Horan, and it's a pleasure to meet you without deep-fried potatoes in my hair."

let's get (meta)physical by murkya

Zayn has a Niall situation that he's capital I Ignoring, and then suddenly he's got a burning problem he really can't ignore, capital letters or not. (modern myth/religious beings AU?)

staked through the heart and you're to blame (you give love a bad name) by biggrstaffbunch

Zayn's a vampire slayer and Niall's a vampire and it's all as star-crossed as it sounds. But also, maybe it's not.

(Featuring Liam as a Watcher that would give a certain Sunnydale librarian heart palpitations and Louis as the hell-raising--but not in the literal sense--sidekick. Plus, Harry.)

Inside My Heart, Inside This House by zzegnas

Niall recovers from his knee injury in the comforts of the English countryside with his two best friends, Harry and Liam.

amour doux by bisousniall

Niall runs an authentic French bakery in London, and he swears he hired Zayn for the extra help, not just for his looks. Also his employee Louis is harbouring a huge crush on their customer, Liam. Harry is there to keep them all together.

Eat Your Heart Out, Gertrude Stein by skullage

Zayn doesn’t have a watch any more; he measures time in distance. How long it’s been since he made Niall laugh, how far apart they were when they said goodnight. How many pieces he could put between his room and Niall’s, how many hours, minutes, seconds since Niall said his name.

Compass Rose by eiqhties

“We’re like all the directions coming together, you know? Like a compass. What do they call them? Compass rose, that’s us.”

An AU in which One Direction are an indie rock band touring America. There's lots of open roads, cramped vans, and pining for the service stations in the UK. Oh, there's also a lot of pining for each other, too.

i was made for sunny days (i was made for you) by nicheinhischest

"Don't do dances," Niall repeats with a smile. "Don't do pool parties. What do you do, Zayn Malik?"

Zayn shrugs. "Play baseball. Date you."

swimming pools by pixies

au where everyone is home from college for the summer, and zayn has the summer he never expected. includes: college rivalries, southern accents, and lifeguards.

delivery entrance to narnia by irishmizzy, miss_bennie

"You okay?” Niall mouths. Zayn knows he’s mouthing it but he can hear it loud and clear, which is fucking weird. He blinks. His head hurts, right on the top where Liam had touched it, but all over, too.

(The one where Zayn gets superpowers.)

do you care if i stay? by justaboat

zayn and niall go on a road trip.

Beer and Band-aids by hotnuts

Niall shoves his numbing hands deeper inside the warmth of his hoodie, biting the cold back with chapped lips and shaking limbs. He hums to keep his anxiety at bay, small noises in the form of some drowned out Justin Bieber tune he hasn't been able to get out of his head since he left Ireland.

Or, that one ziall street au where Zayn is a misunderstood artist, Niall is the cute Irishman who shouldn't be walking around London at night and they fall in love with each other over a lot of alcohol, bruises and angst. Also Louis is a sassy pub-owner with a hipster boyfriend.

here i love you by myownremedy

Louis reckons Niall should just tell Zayn, reminds him that they live together in the tiniest, most overpriced apartment in all of New York and the walls are thin enough that Niall knows what Zayn sounds like when he’s getting off, and they never cook because their kitchen is so tiny, it’s basically a flat with two closets serving as bedrooms and an even smaller bathroom, and they are married, according to Louis, so Niall might as well make it official.

Niall and Zayn (and the rest of the gang) are students at NYU, and Niall and Zayn live together in an overpriced shoebox apartment in the Village. Also, Niall's been in love with Zayn since freshmen year.

I Will Give You the Moon (It’s the Least I Can Do) by TheMipstaz

5 times Niall thought Zayn was a werewolf + 1 time Zayn actually was

never felt like home (until i had you) by groundopenwide

“Missed you.”

Zayn’s voice is hushed, careful, as though he’s not sure he’s allowed to fully make the admission. Each syllable slurs together like he’s spinning molasses.

Niall shuffles his head down the pillow until he can kiss each of Zayn’s knuckles, just once. Zayn hums, the sound coming from far away. They fall asleep with their hands intertwined.

Or: Tour ends, and Niall goes home to Zayn.

follow the marks you left by littlecather

“Yeah,” Zayn nods, voice heavy. “Probably best if we … don’t tell them. For now.”

“For now,” Niall agrees. There’s too much promise in that, though. Niall’s not sure just yet if he can see a point in the future when he can tell them - that he went to see Zayn, without any of them knowing. That he kissed Zayn. That he’s going to see Zayn, again, to possibly do that, again.

Secret relationship; canon.

Soul Mechanism by alexenglish

When a chance encounter with a stubborn human manifested a magical bond within Zayn that had been dormant for decades, Zayn could not deny being intrigued; by the connection, and the boy, and what it meant for a demon such as him -- a demon who had been without a master for many years.

The universe always had a purpose, and meeting Niall was only the beginning.

(And you will always be someone who was beautiful, once.) by softly (alexenglish)

I will always love you, or anyway I will always have loved you now.

(Look at you.) by softly (alexenglish)

I do not believe in love at first sight. But god damn.

(Don’t worry. We’re all doomed eventually.) by softly (alexenglish)

I know your weakness. It’s kisses. You are doomed.

(no one could steer me right, but mama tried.) by softly (alexenglish)

You aren’t really a good person, but god damn, you make bad look awesome.

(Let’s join a street gang! Is NASA recruiting?) by softly (alexenglish)

This town isn’t big enough for the both of us. Let’s run away together!

Killing Time With You by flares

“People got together whenever they felt like it before they came up with the clocks.”

“Yeah, and now, like, no one does,” Zayn says. “Most people want to just date their soulmate, because what’s the point in wasting your time if it’s going to end, right?”

You'll Find What You're Missing In Between the Lines by flares

Niall: its weird to take a cat on the bus right ?

Don't Break Character by flares

It’s all a bit mortifying. Zayn wonders how he ended up being the one embarrassed in this situation.

For a Second There, We'd Won by flares

Zayn can’t stop looking at Niall’s fingernails, bitten down and red, and he wonders what had him so anxious. But he’s not in any place to ask anymore, so he keeps his mouth shut.

Looking for Astronauts by flares

He doesn’t have a crush on Zayn. Like, Niall really doesn’t. It would be stupid. They’re in space. They’re the crew of the first human mission to Mars, for fuck’s sake. Niall doesn’t have time for crushes.

Or he shouldn’t, at least. Logically.

Sipping on Something Sweet by flares

It’s ridiculous how careful he is, actually, and Zayn wants to laugh, if only because the alternative would be to cry. Maybe thinking he might break isn’t too far-fetched of a belief.

I'll Be Your Mirror by liquidmeasure

"I don’t want to talk about walking corpses and sisyphean tragedy. Let’s wander. Let’s eat!” He pulls Zayn forward, over the cobblestones, through the dark. “The city is being reborn around us and you’ve been holed up so far away from me for so many decades. I want to show you everything. I want to climb to the top of it and look down and dedicate it all to you.”

A Ziall Vampire Love AU for Halloween.

I've been wanting to write this since I watched Only Lovers Left Alive earlier this year, so if parts of it seem familiar, that's why. I basically took a Jim Jarmusch movie and made it about Ziall. Sue me! (Wait actually don't sue me. Please.)

All of Me by FallingLikeThis

Niall Horan is perfect.

Zayn came to this conclusion a long time ago. And the depths with which he believes it just grow more with each passing day.

[zhauric]

[incognitajones]

@anghraine asked: Top five ships? (alternately, top five Jyn/Cassian fics? I read a lot, but I keep finding I've missed good ones)

Top Five Ships

I wasn't sure whether this was supposed to be the top 5 ships I will ship until my dying breath? or the top 5 ships I love in canon? or enjoy reading fic for...? So I went for a combination of all of the above.

1. Eowyn/Faramir (The Lord of the Rings): canon, book, movie, fic, fanon, whatever. Number one by virtue of being my longest-running ship--ever since I read the book for the first time at age 11.

2. Scully/Mulder (The X-Files): canon, fic, etc. Sorry not sorry; this was my first Internet-era fandom and I imprinted hard on them. Picture my mid-twenties mind being blown when I discovered fanfic while searching for spoilers during a season hiatus. You mean I could have MORE than canon??!? (We do not speak of the reboot.)

3. Rodney McKay/John Shepard (Stargate Atlantis): fic only. A mildly guilty pleasure since a) I never watched the show and b) I'm given to understand that a majority of the fic is ATG slash... but I quite enjoy the fanon characterization of Rodney as a tetchy genius insecure about everything but his brain, so it works for me.

4. Kade Carrion/Thomas Boniface (The Element of Fire): canon, fanon, fic (not that there is much), whatever, I want it all! Give me your political intrigue in both mortal and fae realms, your crabby, antisocial heroine and your bone-weary but deeply honourable hero (you may detect a pattern here, ahem). Also, thanks to this post I now headcast Thomas as Diego Luna...

5. Anne Elliott/Captain Wentworth (Persuasion): canon, book, movie, etc. The distilled essence of pining.

Top Five Jyn/Cassian Fics

With the caveats that this is in alphabetical order, not preferentially ranked; that I know I'm leaving something out which will probably come to mind as soon as I click Post; and that I deliberately restricted myself to complete longer stories which I think are somewhat unknown/underrated (if I considered short pieces and WIPs as well, choosing only five would be literally impossible):

In the Shadows by StormDancer: A modern-day AU in which former criminal Jyn is an extremely reluctant (at first) partner to Cassian's FBI agent. Great chemistry, both of the whole team and the romantic relationship.

It's a Small Crime by glorious-spoon: It feels inappropriate to call a story that opens with sexual assault "heart-warming," and yet I find it deeply cathartic. How Jyn & Cassian manage to rebuild their trust in each other is moving and lovely.

Take Shelter by nymja: Not precisely underrated, as it was an early classic in the fandom, but possibly somewhat forgotten by now?

to treat everything as if it were a nail by thingswithteeth: Jyn grows up under the thumb of the Empire, but is just as defiant as ever. Detailed AU  world-building and wonderful Bodhi characterization.

the entire Won't You Let Us Wander series by AngelDeux (which is probably cheating, but whatever): Well-done action plots combined with a relationship arc that doesn't resolve as soon as Jyn & Cassian get together, because let's face it they would have issues upon issues

[ao3feed-hockey]

Find Out What It Means to Me

read it on the AO3 at http://bit.ly/2R8N1MR

by StormDancer

Tyson Barrie is many things, including a woman, a hockey player, and a pretty decent knitter, but in love with her captain is not one of them.

Now, if only anyone would believe that.

In which Tyson deals with microaggressions, bad hair days, the Colorado dating scene, befriending many of Gabe's exes, and, oh right, that whole falling in love thing.

Words: 23844, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Men's Hockey RPF

Rating: Mature

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: F/M

Characters: Tyson Barrie, Colin Wilson, Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado Avalanche Ensemble, Plus Assorted WAGs, and OFCs

Relationships: Tyson Barrie/Colin Wilson, Beta Pairing: Gabe Landeskog/Mel Shouldice, Minor Tyson Barrie/OFCs & OMCs

Additional Tags: Genderswap, Friends to Lovers, Female Friendship, Alternate Universe - Gender Changes

read it on the AO3 at http://bit.ly/2R8N1MR

[republicofygam]

Take Back the Skies: a review

SPOILER WARNING: I’ll try to avoid giving away the bigger twists, but if you’re interested, it’s a very steady, character driven adventure. Well worth the read, even for casual readers.

I often read the MyM Magazine, the official magazine for MCM Comic Con. Amid the interviews, features and reviews of almost every medium, there are promos for aspiring artists. One issue promoted a woman going by the name Lucy Saxon, with the caption “Cosplayer, Con-goer, Fangirl, Author”. Accompanying it were a photo of her in a (really good) Captain America cosplay, along with her three published books: Take Back the Skies; The Almost King, and her newest one, (the most prominent) The City Bleeds Gold. Intrigued, I looked into her website.

Upon learning that she wrote Take Back the Skies for NaNoWriMo, I was immediately interested. As a writer who has participated in the challenge three times, I decided that I could benefit with reading another, published, participant’s efforts and see how I can use it to benefit my own efforts. I was in for a nice surprise.

Catherine Hunter lives in a dire state - daughter of the corrupt nobleman Nathaniel Hunter - in the sinister country of Anglya - where common children are Collected for the ongoing war, never to be seen again. To avoid marriage to another nobleman’s son, she runs away, dresses as a boy and takes refuge on the smuggler skyship Stormdancer. Soon, she asserts herself among the crew, settles into her new life as a thief and develops feelings for a young man named Fox. But all the while, Anglya continues to build in menace, and sooner or later, Cat will have to face her destiny. A heart will soar. An Empire will fall.

This goes as no surprise, but Saxon is easily a far better writer than I am. Even with the aid of an editor and agent, she has crafted a very solid, evenly paced story, one that doesn’t throw in twist after twist, but makes the twists she does use that much more powerful. As I broke down the story into its individual chapters, I realised that most of them are dedicated to character interactions, preparations for incoming setpieces and generally creating a calm, focused pacing. This is especially helped by her atmospheric writing, which I need to take cues from.

Cat makes for a good protagonist. Frustrated with her limitations as a noblewoman, she does everything she can to contribute to the story, whether that be pickpocketing or engine work. Despite dressing as a boy to aid her escape, she’s still quite feminine when she wants to be. Every now and then, she’s helped by Fox, her love interest, and it does annoy her a little. In fact, everything about Fox annoys her at first, including her irrational attraction towards him. But, as is the way of the teen genre, this frustration blossoms into something quite captivating and believable.

The worldbuilding is pretty solid, as well. We only see two countries in Tellus, but Saxon uses their variety to enhance the plot. Anglya is grim, filthy and filled with more soldiers than civilians. Syvana, the first country Cat visits outside, is positively bright, bustling and thriving outside of Anglya’s influence. And yet, Cat had been told that it was poverty-stricken and struggling to keep up with the war. Why would they lie?

Unfortunately, I can’t call the plot particularly original. The overall genre of steampunk adventure isn’t normally my kind of thing, although I’m more than happy to have gone out of my comfort zone for this. Thankfully, I could never tell where the plot was going. Even at the end, with its uninteresting villain, still caught me off guard in a delightfully cruel way. Saxon actually follows through with the consequences of this, creating an ending that frustrated and disappointed me, but fits the story perfectly. I have a lot of respect for her, to not cheat and create a tacked-on, happy ending that makes no sense.

On the whole, the plot isn’t something I would write myself, but it is nonetheless told really well. For someone in her mid-teens to write this is incredible. I agree with the publisher: she has an exceptional creative voice. Now, I wonder where they’re selling The Almost King...

[dmsden]

Shiver Me Timbers - Notes on running a pirate-themed campaign

Hullo, Gentle Readers. Oh, wait...excuse me. For this article, I feel I ought to change voices...

Ahem...

Ahoy, maties! So ye come seekin' adventure and salty old pirates, do ye? Well, keep a weather eye out fer trouble, or ye'll find herself keel-hauled faster'n ye c'n say Davy Jones' Locker. And remember, ye scurvy swabs...dead men tell no tales.

This article was inspired by a question from ofcabbagesanddice, who is running a pirate campaign for three family members and who wanted some advice. I gave a short answer back then, but I promised a longer one, and here it is. When running a pirate-themed campaign, there are certain constraints to work around, but certain benefits as well. I'll try to offer advice to limit the former while enhancing the latter.

In any campaign concept, my first questions are what the setting will be like and what the story will be. For my Amanar game, for example, I knew it was going to be a world-hopping Spelljammer-influenced game which would ultimately culminate in a war in the Underdark against an elder brain lich.

For a pirate game, you have a lot of leeway in your stories, as long as they relate to the theme of piracy and the desires of the players. You'll want to have a Session Zero, of course, and get the sense of what the players want. Are they pirates with hearts of gold? Jolly swashbucklers? Grim privateers? A floating hive of scum and villainy? You want to cater the story to what your players want to be. If they want to be privateers, maybe their ultimate goal is to destroy a kraken that has been harrying their country's ships through its minions. If they want to be evil buccaneers, maybe their goal is to pillage the royal treasury, or slay a good dragon and take its legendary hoard.

Setting has two levels in a pirate game. You need to ask yourself two questions: what is the nature of the ship or ships the players sail on, and what's the nature of the area they're sailing around?

The ship can be an NPC for the campaign all on its own. Think of the Millennium Falcon; she may not look like much, but she has it where it counts. Maybe the players are on a former Orcish slaving ship, haunted by the ghosts of the slaves who died aboard it. Maybe they've stolen a graceful elvish swan ship - it's fast and maneuverable, but it makes them a target of the entire elvish navy. Their ship could even be sentient - in my Amanar game, the spelljamming vessel the players had was powered by a childlike entity that could speak to them telepathically. Threats to their ship became much more emotional, because they developed a bond with her.

The region the players sail through is going to have a lot of influence on the flavor of the campaign as well. If you're trying to simulate the golden age of piracy, you might want to have a setting much like the Caribbean in the 1600s. There'd be a mixture of islands and cities along the mainland, and multiple cultures with colonies there, each with their own interests, viewing for supremacy in the region. Another interesting setting might be a vast archipelago, full of cultures and dangers, or an inland sea that's hotly contested by different countries.

Pirate campaigns also have a built-in group of recurring NPCs - the crew of the players' ship. Since these people will be with the players for possibly their entire piratical career, it's worth taking some time to develop who these folks are, including any hidden agendas they might have. Is the ship's cook a cranky old gnome who always makes the food too spicy? Maybe the crew-member who always works in the rigging in a halfling who used to work in a circus? If the ship's navigator once served in the crew of the pirate ship Stormdancer, could he be leading the ship to a hidden treasure, or embroiling them in a war of revenge against his former captain?

If you're dealing with a setting that features various countries working counter to one another interests, you've got a built in mechanism for conflict. Maybe a hobgoblin warlord is willing to pay the players well to harry the ships of the dwarven fleet, or maybe a nation of Dragonborn are fighting a nation of humans, and the players can become privateers for either side. This still gives plenty of opportunities for political intrigue, especially if the players try to play both sides.

A perusal through the Monster Manual shows that there are plenty of wonderful aquatic monsters to use as adversaries. From simple sharks to raiding sahuagin all the way up to the mighty kraken, there are challenges for many levels. And as I mentioned in my previous suggestion on this subject, you can always convert monsters into aquatic versions. Aquatic trolls, hobgoblins, and ghouls are all part of D&D's long history.

Don't forget that, since D&D is a fantasy setting, your stories aren't limited in ways that historical pirates are. Your pirates could explore undersea ruins, or teach their ships to fly in the sky to attack cloud giant fortresses. They could battle frost giant longboats or mind flayer nautiloids. They could trade with locathah merchants or deal with cults devoted to mad sea gods. They could even sail on the endless seas of the Elemental Plane of Water, the vibrant oceans of the Feywild, the dark seas of the Shadowfell, or along the Styx into the Abyss or the Nine Hells!

I hope this has inspired you to consider running a waterborne campaign. For further reading, there's an older Unearthed Arcana article about Waterborne Adventures, which offers race and class options that would be very useful in such a storyline. Set sail, and let the adventure begin!