#infinitelymint

[hlficlibrary]

✤ Fake Relationship Fics ✤

A series of posts with the top five fics of each category by kudos plus five more hidden gems from that category! Remember to leave kudos and a comment on the fics you enjoyed to show your appreciation! You can find our other recs here.

- Top 5 H/L Fics -

1️⃣ Escapade by dolce_piccante / @haydolce {M, 146k}

In the grand scheme of things, finding a date for a wedding should be no problem for Louis Tomlinson. He's rich. He's handsome. He's reasonably well behaved. But when the wedding is for his lifelong best friend (and former boyfriend), and is happening in under a month, finding a date for the ceremony and accompanying festivities becomes more of an adventure than he ever could have planned for.

2️⃣ And Then a Bit by @infinitelymint {E, 158k}

“We’d like to give the fans what they want.” Magee states, placing his hand on the table in front of him and leaning forward. “We want to give them Larry Stylinson.”

Or, take a parallel universe where Louis and Harry were never together, mix in a two year hiatus and an impending comeback, pour in a dash of lost fans, two tablespoons of strong friendship and a Modest! employee with a good idea. Add a squeeze of pretending to be a couple, lots of kisses and a tattoo or two. Stir. Serve: the mother of all publicity stunts.

(aka Harry and Louis fake a relationship for publicity. Eventually it becomes a lot less fake and a lot more real.)

3️⃣ California Sold by @isthatyoularry {M, 123k}

Notoriously closeted boyband member Harry Styles is famous on a global scale, meanwhile Louis, as his best friend, is back home in Manchester, living the typical life of a 24 year old. When Harry needs Louis with him in LA, a publicity stunt gone wrong changes their friendship forever.

A fake-relationship AU between two lifelong best friends.

4️⃣ Paint Me In A Million Dreams by green_feelings / @greenfeelings {M, 112k}

Harry's one of Hollywood's biggest actors, has made a name for himself in prestigious films and lives the life of a superstar. There's just one thing missing to make it picture-perfect, but the one Harry's in love with is completely out of reach for him. Enter Louis, one of Hollywood's biggest actors himself, who just came out of the closet and taps new genres in the industry. When Louis sacks the role Harry auditioned for in Scorsese's next big film, their irrational feud starts. Who could have guessed it would get even worse when for promo season, their teams decide to present them as a couple for publicity?

In short, Harry's in love with someone and doesn't care about dating anyone else, Louis never felt home in L.A., Liam writes love songs for someone he shouldn't write love songs to, and Niall makes everything better with good food.

5️⃣ Faking It by TheCellarDoor / @donotdialnine {M, 46k}

A uni AU in which Louis has been Harry’s best friend since he offered him cubed fruit on the playground, and they spend more time cuddling in their dorm beds than they do apart, but it’s not like that. Or is it?

Aka Harry pretends to date his best friend to escape unwanted attention from a too insistent classmate and hopes it won’t blow up in his face. Featuring embarrassing dildo accidents, awkward boners, longing, first times, late night conversations, emotional discoveries and Niall as the exasperated friend with bad advice.

HIDDEN GEMS:

💎 this charade (was never going to last) by @scrunchyharry {E, 68k}

On the surface, CitizenX, an international caritative nonprofit, looked like any other nonprofit, funding humanitarian missions worldwide and striving to make the world a better place, one donation at a time.

At least, that was what Harry thought, until he was hired as a computer specialist for a spinoff agency called carish, whose true purpose was to reveal CitizenX’s tangled web of lies.

As if the whole ‘industrial spy’ business was not stressful enough, Harry found himself in a hatred-at-first-sight relationship with one of his new coworkers, Louis, a man intent on detesting Harry.

When the worst happened and Harry and Louis found themselves thrown together in hiding, with only each other to rely on, Harry never could have predicted the turn their relationship would take.

Nor could he anticipate that it would all be taken away from him and he would have to decide how far he was willing to go to get Louis back.

💎 Love Is a Winning Game by Rearviewdreamer / @all-these-larrythings {M, 47k}

Before their broken engagement, Harry had his head stuck so far in the clouds that he doesn’t even remember entering him and Louis for something as crazy as a couple's gameshow until a series of bad, post-breakup decisions puts Harry in the awkward position of needing the help of his ex-fiancé to try and fix the mess he has made.

💎 Wed’n Walk (Or, We Went to Amsterdam Together) by @hellolovers13 {E, 11k}

When Harry had first started planning his honeymoon to Amsterdam, he had not envisioned ending up there with his best friend.

Or getting fake-married to him for 24 hours.

💎 Every Line, Every Word, Everything by lsforever / @kingonafiftymetreroad {G, 10k}

“I just fucking came out of the closet to the whole world so I wouldn’t have to parade around fake relationships anymore and that’s what you’re trying to put on me again?!”

or, the AU where Harry's team suggests that he should have a fake boyfriend after he's just come out. Who would've thought it would be his best friend?

💎 Just To See That Smile by @homosociallyyours {NR, 6k}

It's Coming Out Week at university, and Harry's taken on a lot of responsibilities to make everything run smoothly. Finding his roommate's boyfriend attractive is making that a bit difficult, unfortunately. It might help if he realized that said boyfriend (Louis) is really just there to help said roommate (Liam) figure out if Liam's crush (Zayn) likes him back.

But that would make things too easy.

A fic where a hastily faked relationship and a lot of miscommunication almost ruins a perfectly good dance.

[allwaswell16]

F a v o r i t e F i c s O f 2 0 2 2

As an avid One Direction fan fic reader, 2022 has been truly incredible! This may look like a long list for my favorites, but I read so many amazing fics this year that it was so hard to pare it down to just these. Please check out all the other fics I recced this year here! Below you will find fics that made me laugh or cry, brought me joy or filled me with emotion, and surprised or comforted me. I share this list not to say that these fics are better than the rest (although I think they're amazing), but to share ones that left a mark on me.

To all our fandom's writers, I thank you for gifting us with your stories, and I send so much love to all of you!

✼ Larry ✼

The Greatest Thing by @infinitelymint

(E, 163k, canon)  the semi-canon accidentally married in Vegas fic that has been seven years in the making

ghost of you by beckywritesthings / @beckydoesthings

(E, 109k, Star Wars au) a Star Wars AU where Harry is Obi-Wan, Louis is Satine, and somehow there’s a love story between the cracks where there shouldn’t be.

For the Right Reasons by @juliusschmidt

(E, 105k, Bachelor au) Louis may have signed up to be a contestant on the Bachelor, but he’s not interested a ring or a proposal, not from Harry, not from anyone. 

Into the Weeds by kair0sclerosis / @hearyouhowling

(M, 87k, strangers to friends to lovers) This is a story about small-town secrets, found family, queer identities, and the battle between fight and flight.

Late Night Talking by @kingsofeverything

(E, 53k, famous/famous) Louis Tomlinson has a new album coming out and a second world tour on the horizon. Promo season gets underway with a stop at Late Night Talking, the late night show hosted by Harry Styles, and Harry Styles just happens to be the man who blew a chance to date Louis a decade ago.

Chasing, Searching, Dreaming by @parmahamlarrie

(E, 46k, soulmates au) Harry has known who his soulmate is since he was twenty years old, and ever since, he has been waiting for Louis to be ready for him. 

I Like You, Say It Back by ishiplouis / @pocketsunshineharry

(E, 43k, a/b/o) the one where it takes a lot of time for Harry and Louis to figure it out. But they do, they always do, don't they?

Mind of Stone by amomentoflove / @daggerandrose

(M, 41k, mythology au) He needs to find a way back home, and then figure out what the fuck happened at the bar tonight.

yeah, he's a looker (but i really think it's guts that matter most) by devilinmybrain / @thedevilinmybrain

(E, 40k, character study) Five times Oli was asked to do something that was outside of his job description, and the one time he didn't have to be asked.

Set the Sky Alight, Oh Holy Night by LadyLondonderry / @londonfoginacup

(T, 33k, roommates) One house, five almost-strangers (plus Niall), six new beginnings.

All Out of Love by SunTomato / @sun-tomato

(G, 32k, cupid au) While on a mission to match Liam and Zayn, the distraction comes in the shape of Louis Tomlinson – an overworked and underloved man trying way too hard to do everything himself.

Misbehaving Honeys by thinlines / @thinlinez

(E, 29k, a/b/o) In which Omega Louis can't figure out why the alpha newbie on their footie team seems to hold a grudge against him.

dip you in honey by delsicle / @eeveelou

(E, 28k, a/b/o) Anxious about his performance on his wedding night, he enlists the help of his loyal handmaiden Louis to help him practice everything he needs to know

The Risen by @creamcoffeelou

(E, 20k, cult au) In search of the next breaking story, Harry goes off to do something no one else has been able to do: get the scoop on Louis Tomlinson and his devoted group of followers.

Love On Air by jacaranda_bloom / @jacaranda-bloom

(E, 19k, radio station) the one where Louis doesn't have a type, no matter what Niall says, but if he did, it'd probably be the guy currently trapped in his radio studio and grinning back at him from across the desk.

Breathe me in, breathe me out by @lunarheslwt

(E, 14k, a/b/o au) Louis is drawn into a quaint candle shop in his desire to find ways to soothe himself while struggling with touch depri. It takes him two more run-ins and with the lovely alpha sales assistant, and a drop, to figure out the source of the scent that imprints upon him and calms his omega.

Close Enough to Touch by YesIsAWorld / @louandhazaf

(M, 11k, tour au) Louis definitely did not need a masseuse on tour. Not even if that masseuse turned out to be gorgeous, kind, and lovely.

Just Your Jinx by @larryatendoftheday

(T, 10k, witch au) Harry Styles may or may not have accidentally jinxed his extremely fit new neighbor, and it's not so easy to make things right.

Wild As You by bluegreenish / @greenblueish

(M, 9k, country au) a story about how Harry figures out whether the ideal of a house with a white picket fence in the suburbs of a medium-sized city is what he wants, or whether Louis' sheep ranch is the home his heart really desires.

Just the Start by @littleroverlouis

(M, 9k, silver fox au) Louis is a fifty-two year old divorcé who has fallen into a rut. He never anticipated a forced day of self care, and a chance meeting with a charming salon owner would shake him out of his comfort zone.

How It Begins (series) by phdmama / @phd-mama

(E, 8k, kid fic) New town, new job, new school for his daughter. It's a chance to start again for Louis Tomlinson, a clean slate. Or is it?

good enough (for you) by localopa / @voulezloux

(G, 8k, a/b/o) in spite of the rule saying he needs an alpha to rule, he creates an impossible olympics to find a worthy mate. 

The Bandits of Sherwood Forest by foreverfanficaddict / @chaotic-bells

(T, 8k, Robin Hood au) There has been a heap of legends and tall tales about him… But this is the story of what really happened in Sherwood Forest.

Mr. Tuesday by @jaerie

(E, 8k, sex work) It was true that most of his clients were regulars, but there was just something about Mr. Tuesday that would make him stand out amongst the others even if he hadn’t booked almost every single Tuesday with him for the past year. 

Will Death Be Our Last Kiss, My Love? by @fallinglikethis

(M, 6k, Potter Direction) As a half-veela, Louis has always had a past full of romantic turmoil. But his past comes back to bite him fully on the ass when a case falls into the lap of fellow aurors, Niall and Liam.

We're Getting Better With Time by @haztobegood

(T, 5k, silver fox au) the one where Louis is single, Harry is recently divorced, and they reconnect on Facebook forty years after they first met.

Seems You Cannot Be Replaced by QuickedWeen / @becomeawendybird

(M, 5k, high school) Harry and the popular boy in school, Louis Tomlinson, share a tension-filled night together when they're young. Fifteen years later they see each other again.

Love Mail by @neondiamond

(G, 5k, neighbors au) the one where Harry and Louis keep mistakenly receiving each other’s mail (and also fall in love)

ring around the moon by unwept / @peachade

(T, 5k, historical au) 5 slices where they seek shelter in each other.

Simply the Nest (Better Than All the Rest) by @homosociallyyours

(G, 2k, a/b/o) It's been a few months since Louis moved to a new town, and he still hasn't managed to get his nest to feel as comforting as he'd like it to.

Cake Date? by @sadaveniren

(M, 2k, neighbors) Louis is raising money for a bake sale. Harry wants to help.

Check, Check, Checkmate by nonsensedarling / @absoloutenonsense

(E, 2k, Greek mythology au) Harry and Louis play chess... until another game becomes more interesting.

Zoey by @wabadabadaba

(G, 2k, cat fic) Harry has a huge crush on his cat's veterinarian and finally decides to do something about it.

Charm Your Pants Off by 4ureyesonly28 / @evilovesyou

(G, 2k, hospital au) When Harry hurt himself in front of all of his coworkers, he thought his Christmas Eve couldn’t get any worse. That was, until he ended up in an actual ambulance.

Needle by @nouies

(NR, 666 words, dark fantasy) “You didn’t deserve this,” he muttered between hiccups. “She didn’t have the right.”

there’s a house in english bond (somebody planned to stay) by safetyfilm / @larrieblr

(T, 666 words, rules) The Hotel dates back to the mid-17th century, and the owners have invested dearly to make it a home away from home. Please mind our building rules written below in order to have an exceptional stay.

Swings Said by yeah_alright / @uhoh-but-yeah-alright

(T, 500 words, swing fic) A love story told by five swings who each were there to see a piece of it unfold.

✼ Rare Pairs ✼

leave my life outside (or let me in) by we_are_the_same / @so-why-let-your-voice-be-tamed

(M, 52k, Zayn/Liam) Zayn is a 111 year old demon who is trying to decide his future. Liam is a 17 year old human struggling with his own life.

Make It Up As We Go Along by @lululawrence

(NR, 52k, OT5, a/b/o) When a baby is left on their doorstep, their lives become the definition of chaos...but maybe that is exactly what they need to see what has been right in front of them all along.

Sweet Talk (series) by wordsnnotes / @quelsentiment

(M, 14k, Louis/Niall) Louis growls and lunges at the slayer without warning. Niall easily deflects her, though, then grabs the collar of Louis’ leather coat with her unnaturally strong grip and throws her back into the wall where she came from. 

With This Wing, I Thee Wed by LadyAJ_13 / @ladyaj-13

(T, 4k, Louis/Niall) “Nando’s?” Niall crosses his arms and pouts, a little line appearing between his eyebrows. “I want Nandos. I like Nandos.” “And I like my dignity,” Louis mutters.

Doin' Somethin' Right by @laynefaire

(E, 5k, Zayn/Liam) While Liam craved the bright lights and excitement of being on the road, Zayn has eschewed his prior fame, instead choosing a life of relative obscurity as the owner of a vineyard and bed and breakfast in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.

Ready Or Not by cherrylarry / @beelou

(G, 4k, Liam/Louis) five times 1D play hide and seek over the years

still, somehow by @disgruntledkittenface

(NR, 1k, Liam/Louis) Louis trims Liam's split ends.

[evilovesyou]

Ah, it's your birthday!! Happy birthday - I hope you've had the most wonderful day x

Thank you❣️❣️

[stillwannadancewith]

xx

[infinitelymint]

x

[thelarriefics]

FAKE RELATIONSHIP FIC REC, Part II: Below you will find more fics that have themes of fake/pretend relationships. (Part I)

📖 The Greatest Thing by @infinitelymint (163k)

“What’s that on your finger?” Louis asks, his voice higher than usual, slightly panicked as though he’s realised something that Harry hasn’t even begun to comprehend. Harry looks down on his right hand then, sees nothing and moves on to the left, and— Oh. A ring. Or, Harry and Louis haven’t spoken since the band broke up when a dangerous combination of Niall Horan, tequila, and an ordained Elvis impersonator means that the two of them have to embark on their biggest publicity stunt to date - together. (aka the semi-canon accidentally married in Vegas fic that has been seven years in the making)

📖 Lightning Strikes The Heart by @fournipplesau & @justalarryblog (130k)

Shrewsbury, 1814 Dearest reader, I present to you your new bulletin of news regarding Shrewsbury citizen's activities. My name is Lady Merriweather and I will be in charge of the updates. I will make sure you are to know all the important details of what is to happen this season. You must know that you do not know who I am and you never shall. But be forewarned; I certainly do know you. I advise you to be on your best behaviour, lest you want the whole town to be privy of your business. As expected every year, the Lockhart House hosts the season’s opening ball, and its invitation is the motive of the hustle in town, and every family hopes for the invitation. This year is no different, but this year everyone's attention is focused on the new Duke of Montgomery, His Grace Harry Edward Styles, and whether he will attend it. All the omegas will be in their best manner, behaviour and clothes as it is expected. And here, dear reader is where we will find out which young omega might succeed at securing a match, hoping to not become a spinster. Place your bets.

📖 Mistletoe's For Two by @ireallysawanangel (90k)

After an encounter in a coffee shop with the rudest man he's ever met, Louis hopes the city is just big enough that he'll never bump into him again. When he spots that man at a bar the following evening, a plan begins to form. They both need dates for their respective Christmas parties and decide to use each other for their own benefit. They'll help one another through the holidays and then 'break it off' on New Year's, then agree to never see each other again. Developing feelings was not part of the plan. Or, an enemies to lovers fake dating advent fic.

📖 this charade (was never going to last) by @scrunchyharry (68k)

On the surface, CitizenX, an international caritative nonprofit, looked like any other nonprofit, funding humanitarian missions worldwide and striving to make the world a better place, one donation at a time. At least, that was what Harry thought, until he was hired as a computer specialist for a spinoff agency called carish, whose true purpose was to reveal CitizenX’s tangled web of lies. As if the whole ‘industrial spy’ business was not stressful enough, Harry found himself in a hatred-at-first-sight relationship with one of his new coworkers, Louis, a man intent on detesting Harry. When the worst happened and Harry and Louis found themselves thrown together in hiding, with only each other to rely on, Harry never could have predicted the turn their relationship would take. Nor could he anticipate that it would all be taken away from him and he would have to decide how far he was willing to go to get Louis back.

📖 another dream but always you by @nobodymoves (60k)

Harry is a Dreamwalker; he has the ability to visit people in their dreams and help put them on the right path. He's assigned to Louis, who's struggling after the break-up of his band. It's an unusual assignment from the beginning; Harry has a crush on Louis, and Louis's subconscious immediately decides Harry is the love of his life. When Dreamers cast Harry as their love interest, he can usually redirect them, but Louis is insistent on being Harry's boyfriend, and despite knowing they have no future, Harry wants to keep up the charade.

📖 Glitter in the sky, glitter in our eyes by @softfonds (59k)

What happens when a Duke who will only marry for love and a courtesan who only sells it create a public ruse? Well, nothing boring for sure. An Edwardian AU.

📖 I Keep Looking For Magic by @lululawrence (36k)

Harry loves Christmas, but this year is special. After ten years of boyfriends all failing to ever meet Harry's family, Harry has a fiance to introduce and things are looking like they will be perfect. Until they break up. Harry cannot go home alone when he had promised to bring a significant other again. This leaves him with little choice but to find someone to pretend they are his fiance. Surely nothing could go wrong with this plan.

📖 Lies & Liability by @evilovesyou (34k)

Harry Styles has only three wishes when he leaves River Dane Manor to go to Town for his first season: that his sister has rented a townhouse that will provide him as many of the comforts of the country life he has grown accustomed to as possible, that he will not trip and fall when he is presented to Her Majesty the Queen, and that he will enter matrimony out of true love, no matter how favourable the match with any which alpha may be.

📖 Pray To God This Won't Be A Mess by @xogucciblue (28k)

When Louis is outed just weeks before his hotly anticipated second album is set to drop, Harry agrees to hold his hand in a few pictures to cool down the media hype. That's all it was supposed to be.

📖 Went Down In Flames by @itsnotreal (26k)

Louis was in an absolutely shit storm. He had let it go on for too long. Let it go too far. But he had a plan. And tonight, said plan was going down. He was going to tell the boys he was proposing this weekend. ‘Harry’ would turn him down, albeit gently, and Louis would play the heartbroken boyfriend. He’d gotten this far. All he had to do was lock himself in his bedroom and cry a little. He’d been in a few plays growing up. Piece of cake. Except. It didn’t go that way. Of course, it didn’t. Because the universe, the beautiful chaotic bitch that she was, just had to have an actual Harry Styles and he just had to be Niall’s best friend.

📖 And I’d Marry You Harry (Because You Forced Me) by @2tiedships2 (24k)

The Proposal AU featuring Harry as Sandra Bullock, Louis as Ryan Reynolds, and all the fun a fake relationship and forced engagement can bring.

📖 if it looks like, feels like, tastes like love...  by @tempolarriefix (16k)

the one where harry and louis hate each other but pretend to date to be able to live in university 'family housing', zayn and liam are their nosy next door neighbors, and niall is the friend who made it all happen.

📖 Wed’n Walk (Or, We Went to Amsterdam Together) by @hellolovers13 (11k)

When Harry had first started planning his honeymoon to Amsterdam, he had not envisioned ending up there with his best friend. Or getting fake-married to him for 24 hours.

📖 Not Another Lonely Christmas by @haztobegood (8k)

Harry should be more nervous that he’s bringing a literal stranger to meet his extended family, but he figures it can’t be much more awkward than Aunt Sharon’s Christmas parties usually are. Instead, he’s looking forward to having an extra person to buffer the conversation. A knock comes one minute after eleven. He lets out the breath and opens the door. “Hi there— Louis?!” Or, the one where the friend Niall sets up as Harry's fake boyfriend turns out to be Gemma's best friend Louis

📖 Christmas Pretenders by @larryatendoftheday (4k)

When Niall convinced Louis to come home with him for the holidays as his fake boyfriend, he never expected he'd run into the loveliest man he'd ever seen. Or, twist on the fake-dating for the holidays fic, where the real love interest is the fake-boyfriend's best friend.

[crinkle-eyed-boo]

On this Fic Writers Appreciation Day, I just feel so lucky to be part of this community of AMAZING writers.

Thank you all for inspiring me, for giving me stories to read that make ME want to create, for writing stories that entertain me, for stories that make me think, and for stories that push me out of my comfort zone. Thank you for accepting the stories I put out into the world and for making me feel seen. Thank you for supporting me and tagging me in things even when words run dry and my muse decides to take a hiatus.

You are all appreciated. Your contributions to the fandom are treasured. You are valid and belong here whether or not you're actively writing! Give all of these authors a follow and a kudos today!

@disgruntledkittenface @kingsofeverything @louandhazaf @sadaveniren @indiaalphawhiskey @myfineline @twopoppies @lovingstheantidote @greenfeelings @allwaswell16 @becomeawendybird @absoloutenonsense @neondiamond @nouies @lululawrence @londonfoginacup @haztobegood @hazzabeeforlou @uhoh-but-yeah-alright @bananaheathen @tommosgun @homosociallyyours @greeneyesfriedrice @harryslonecurl @tommokat @larrysballetslippers @alwaysxlarrie @louisandtheaquarian @brightgolden @laynefaire @fallinglikethis @thelavendrhaze @justalarryblog @jacaranda-bloom @reminiscingintherain @gaycousinlarry @runaway-train-works @infinitelymint @juliusschmidt @2tiedships2 @daggerandrose @phdmama and many many more <3

[twopoppies]

Hi Gina!

I saw that you just posted another list of re-read fics and I’m enjoying seeing everyone’s list as well. I have re-read Unbelievers/Bloodsport, Escapade and Relief Next to Me a few times, as others have mentioned but I’ve got a few other less hyped ones that I turn to quite often.

1) Golden and Strangers Stars by Shaylea (I am hoping they are continuing to write because their writing style is awesome)

2) Own The Scars by @crinkle-eyed-boo

3) The Light to Guide Me Home and Sail Away With Me by @tommosgun Star_Henderson

4) The Greatest Thing by @infinitelymint

5) U Pop Truck Stop by @kingsofeverything, which I love sooo many of their fics but I’ve read this little one shot more times than I should admit! It’s just so cute and funny!

Thanks Gina, hope your day is great!

I've read most of those and agree they're great! Thanks for adding to the list!

Golden by Shaylea

Stranger Stars by Shaylea

Own The Scars by @crinkle-eyed-boo

The Light to Guide Me Home by Star_Henderson / @tommosgun

Sail Away With Me by Star_Henderson / @tommosgun

The Greatest Thing by @infinitelymint

U-Pop Truck Stop by @kingsofeverything

[sunflowervoltwentyeight]

Hi! This is a fic rec of 52 of my favorite canon fics, organized by length from longest to shortest. Enjoy!

Hiding Place by orphan_account (365k)

Louis never wanted a soulmate, didn’t really care for the whole Bonding thing at all, really. Enter Harry Styles, who’s wanted to be Bonded for as long as he could remember. With one fateful meeting in an X Factor bathroom, Louis gets a dagger on his arm and the realization that just because Harry is his soulmate doesn’t mean it’s mutual.

From the X Factor house to Madison Square Garden, from the Fountain Studios stage to stadiums across the world, Louis has to learn to love without losing himself completely, because someday his best friend will Bond to someone and replace Louis as the center of his universe. Meanwhile, Harry begins to think that maybe fate doesn’t actually know what it’s doing after all, because his other half has clearly been right in front of him the whole time. All he has to do now is convince Louis to give them a chance.

Or, the canon compliant Harry and Louis love story from the very beginning, where the only difference is that the love between them is literally written on their skin, and there’s only so much they can hide.

One More Time Again by orphan_account (232k)

Harry looks down to where Louis is cradling his hand between his own. Louis' hands are slender, the bones delicate, the nails bitten short. The 2-8 on the backs of his fingers is gone, but the faded scar from a skateboarding mishap in Year 7 is still there.

Harry's hand is awkward, knobby-boned and naked, no rings, no tattoos. It's too big for his wrist and his wrist too big for his arm. Yet it still somehow fits in Louis' in the painfully perfect way it always did.

He blinks back the sting in his eyes.

On the morning of his second sold-out performance at Madison Square Garden, Harry wakes up to find that he's sixteen years old, on The X Factor, and that he has a chance to make things right.

A canon-compliant fix-it fic (sort of).

Given A Chance by fabby / @fabby1d (173k)

Five years after One Direction took their last tour, the last thing Louis Tomlinson ever expected to happen while on a tea run at the local Piggly Wiggly was to run into his ex-boyfriend and ex-bandmate Harry Styles.

The odds of them ever running into each other again had to be super slim, right?

Wrong.

What happens when you mix ex-boyfriends with a large serving of Small Town America? Will Louis and Harry be able to set aside their differences, or will Louis be able to stay breezy as fuck in the wake of Harry’s arrival?

(or, the one where Louis and Harry run into each other five years after One Direction ends and learn how to love each other again. Featuring: Reggie as the overweight labrador, Niall as Louis’ last grip on reality, and Nowheresville, North Carolina as the setting for Louis’ worst nightmare to come true.)

And Then a Bit by infinitelymint / @infinitelymint (158k)

“We’d like to give the fans what they want.” Magee states, placing his hand on the table in front of him and leaning forward. “We want to give them Larry Stylinson.”

Or, take a parallel universe where Louis and Harry were never together, mix in a two year hiatus and an impending comeback, pour in a dash of lost fans, two tablespoons of strong friendship and a Modest! employee with a good idea. Add a squeeze of pretending to be a couple, lots of kisses and a tattoo or two. Stir. Serve: the mother of all publicity stunts.

(aka Harry and Louis fake a relationship for publicity. Eventually it becomes a lot less fake and a lot more real.)

It Goes, It’s Golden by lucythegoosey / @harryrainbows (150k)

The chaos Zayn left in his wake wouldn’t feel so disastrous if Harry had Louis. But everything between them crashed and burned a long time ago. All Harry is left with is a hopeless longing and a fear that the band’s current disarray will set in for good.

… And then he finds himself stuck on a sixteen hour plane trip with Louis Tomlinson.

This could either be the most awkward flight of Harry’s life, or the beginning of an atonement he’s been dreaming of since 2013.

Canon Compliant AU in which Harry and Louis broke under the strain of it all and now, years on, there’s a chance to put all the pieces back together. Set in early April 2015 all the way through to October. Written in Harry and Louis’ perspectives, alternating every chapter.

After All These Years by LifeInAColorWheel (127k)

It’s been seven years since One Direction went on hiatus and it’s been eight years since Louis and Harry broke up. They’ve been strangers to one another since then.

But, over the course of a weeklong boys’ trip, history between Harry and Louis resurfaces.

Or,

The one when Louis and Harry don’t talk, connect again years later, and reflect on why their love collapsed.

Just Ask Me To by TellMeThisIsNotLove / @tellmethisisnottumblisnextfuckup (120k)

“You’re telling the truth,” Louis whispers.

“Of course I’m telling the truth!” Harry doesn’t even care that he sounds exasperated.

“Oh my god.” Louis grabs the wall behind him as if looking for support. His body slides down against it until he’s sitting crouched on the floor.

He mumbles something but Harry can’t really figure out what it is. He crouches down, and looks desperately at the breaking boy in front of him.

“You’re telling the truth,” Louis whispers. “You were not supposed to–”

“I was not supposed to do what? Tell me please,” Harry urges, taking Louis’ hands gently in his.

Or the X Factor era canon fic where they learn how to be a couple and that not everyone is going to be on their sides especially those with plain white t-shirts and saccharine smiles.

Burn to Ash by bethaboo / @bethaboolou (116k)

Harry is sitting there, so fucking casual, and Louis realizes in a split second he was not ready. When Harry walked out in Detroit and never looked back, he was a boy verging on a man, still only twenty years old, but there's a man in his place now. Hard and resolute, yes, but still, for the first time in a long time, Louis can kind of see the old Harry in him. The soft, directness of his gaze, the hesitant smile he gives to Lou, the way he wrings his ridiculously large hands in his lap.

He's a little bit the eager sixteen year old puppy dog again, his innocence and sweetness resurrected miraculously, and Louis freezes in place. He was prepared to face the asshole Harry. He was prepared to meet a whole new Harry.

Louis is not prepared to meet one of the old incarnations of Harry, and it absolutely tears him up.

Or the fic where Harry spirals out of control, the band breaks up, and then he shows back up, five years later.

The Blue In Your Eyes Is the Tenerife Sea by lookingforparadise (105k)

Where We Are Tour

Untangle Me by suicxne (103k)

Louis finds himself out of place in LA, unable to get at an itch that’s been bothering him for years. He supposes back in the early days, home hadn’t been a place. It’d been a person. He’d etched it permanently into his skin for fucks sake. It was always him and Harry. Stuck to each other like super glue. Pulled together by some magnetic force, existing in their own bubble. Everyone could see it, but that was half the problem, wasn’t it?

It’s not like Louis can pinpoint the exact moment in time when him and Harry fell out of sync. There wasn’t really one at all. It had been a gradual slip, like the tide wearing away at a sandstone cliff. Chipping the solid foundations until there was nothing left to stop the structure falling to the waves below. It’s not like he spends all of his time sitting around moping over a lost friendship, he’s good at distractions. But LA only seems to accentuate the distance between them. Two separate planets, not even in the same solar system.

Or the one where Harry and Louis finally get it right.

You’ve Got My Devotion (Hate You Sometimes) by lucythegoosey / @harryrainbows (95k)

Harry was in the biggest boy band in the world. He was also one half of the best (or worst, depends on who you ask) kept secret relationship in the music industry.

Now, almost five years on, after One Direction has broken up, and Harry and Louis' relationship has as well, a video threatens to put everything at risk.

One determined Irishman, a massive publicity stunt and two begrudging exes are all it takes to bring One Direction back to life and maybe, just maybe, Harry and Louis' mangled love life too.

Or: Harry and Louis are forced to fake-date after an old video from when they were dating emerges.

Happy To Be Found by ashavahishta / @ashavahishta (69k)

The weeks spanning October 2012 - January 2013 are a rollercoaster for Harry and Louis. There's shows to play, an album to promote, publicity stunts to be acted out...and several new tattoos to be inked. Throughout it all, the boys focus on the most important thing in their lives - their relationship.

To The Ends of the Earth by stylinsoncity / @stylinsoncity (68k)

During a yearlong hiatus, Louis visits Harry at his cabin in Idaho, where long-buried feelings ignite like the fire keeping them warm.

The Dark and the Dentist by sunshiner (66k)

“I know this song,” Louis whispers, and Harry has to lean his ear toward him to pick up what he’s saying. “It was written for people to dance to it. We should be dancing.”

We can’t, Harry almost spits, but it’d be stupid of him. Louis knows they can’t. Even if he looks like any regular Parisian in their twenties, and Harry looks like any hipster Parisian in their twenties, they can’t anyway. To be fair, they probably wouldn’t do it even if they were out. But if they were two uni students, both in Paris for an exchange, meeting over fallen books at the library, or because of mutual friends, or watching Monet’s Water Lilies?

“How would we dance?” Harry murmurs, mouth almost pressed to Louis’ cheek, so close he can feel his warmth. What a picture they must make, two millionaires freezing in a park and dreaming of a different life.

An account of the events of November 2014. Canon-compliant.

Time Passed by coffinofachimera (66k)

Louis struggles with their relationship as Harry grows into his identity.

Bigger Than Life by rippedgloves (48k)

“Boybander Harry Styles spotted leaving West Hollywood joined hand in hand with new beau, Xander Ritz”

His heart drops in his chest as he scrolls down, ignoring the short irrelevant article and looking desperately for a picture. Sure enough, there’s pap shots of Harry and Xander, walking hand in hand, looking drunk and cheerful and together.

And that’s—that’s really not what Louis was expecting at all.

Drifting, Weightless by dinosaursmate / @dinosaursmate (41k)

“We’ve been asked to do a gig,” Niall said slowly. “Harry and Liam are completely up for it, I am too.”

“Alright. What’s the catch?” Louis asked with suspicion.

“It’s, um…” Niall cleared his throat. “So, Juliana was contacted by this themed cruise company, and they want us to do a four-day One Direction cruise.”

The words hung in the air as Louis’ right eyebrow slowly crept up and he fixed Niall with a stare.

“Absolutely not.” Louis rolled his eyes. “You’re essentially asking me to go on a working holiday with my ex. Stranded on a boat in the ocean for four days.”

“Cruise ships are huge! You don’t have to see him in your down time.”

---

Harry and Louis are exes with benefits until they're not, and the Mediterranean Sea might just be the perfect place to work through some unresolved issues.

Yeah, He’s A Looker (But I Really Think It’s Guts That Matter Most) by devilinmybrain / @thedevilinmybrain(40K)

Five times Oli was asked to do something that was outside of his job description, and the one time he didn't have to be asked.

Nonstop Earthquake Dreams of You by luminaries (37k)

And there's heat behind it, blazing, plasmatic, like stars crashing together, like an explosion in space, like a supernova, like a black hole--everything else sucked out of existence. There's no bed and there's no pillow and they're not lying down, just floating somewhere, somehow, and there's no room and there's no X Factor house and there's no Niall snuffling or Liam's deep, even breathing and there's no wind or traffic outside and there's no hum of the heating unit and it's all just Louis. All encompassingly Louis.

  or, harry falls hard and finds louis already at the bottom

We’ll Be the Fine Line by garblegorf (32k)

“…hey, Harry. It’s Louis…… um, yeah. Listened to the album tonight. It’s real good mate. Um, yeah, just real, impressed. I was kinda putting it off, ya’know, didn’t know if I wanted to listen to it. Saw you went on James and, uh, Saturday Night Live. Couldn’t watch you, have a hard time watching you on these things……. Anyway, mate, just thought I would drop a line. Don’t need to call me back. Alright.”

Louis listens to Fine Line, and, drunk, he leaves a voicemail for Harry after months of not speaking. This reminds Harry of a time before everything fell apart, slowly, painfully, a time when the two of them were still in love. And he desperately wants to go back.

Loved By Your Mother by superglass / @gaymoustache (31k)

Harry stretches out like Venus with her lover, growing sleepy in the late afternoon light with a baby growing inside her. Perhaps not literally, not physically. Not exactly.

or

Harry struggles to come to terms with wanting to have children, and what that means for their relationship. Canon compliant, set a few years into the future.

We Can Take the Long Way Home by eleadore / @eleadore (27k)

“Fertile,” Louis says, and then laughs because it sounds stupid to say out loud. He hasn’t ever really thought of himself in those terms. Baby-making terms. It’s just one of those things his body can do, like exercise, or go without tea. Doesn’t mean he will.

or,

The band takes a break. Harry and Louis come together.

True Love's Gold by alivingfire / @alivingfire (27k)

Gemma starts responding to every single one of Harry’s texts—regardless of subject—with i don’t care, talk to louis. Liam lets Harry complain to him for hours on Skype, pretending he’s not doing other things while Harry whines about his problems. Niall thinks the whole thing is hilarious, texting Harry links to articles titled So, you want your man to propose? and 15 ways to get him ready for the aisle! and follows each of these up with page upon page of laughing emojis. Harry tries everything, literally everything he can think of short of grabbing Louis by tattooed forearm and yelling, “PROPOSE TO ME BEFORE I COMBUST.”

Or, it takes a village to arrange a proposal, but that doesn't mean it's going to go as planned.

Through the Chaos and the Calm by xogucciblue / @xogucciblue (25k)

Harry had thought he’d been prepared for his first solo tour, and in some ways it is exactly what Harry expected. But in other ways it’s entirely different. It’s lonelier than he remembered, all the waiting around backstage, the endless hours on tour buses, the days he’s so tired he thinks he could melt into the asphalt of a rest stop in the middle of America and happily stay there forever, and the nights he’s too keyed up to sleep. It’s alienating. He feels unmoored, drowning in all of his too-big emotions. Without the chaos of four other boys to keep him distracted, to keep him grounded, he’s afraid it's only a matter of time until he loses himself in it for good.

But then there’s Louis. Through it all, there’s still Louis. Waiting for Harry at the end of every show, ready with a bottle of water and sweet words of praise, beside him in dressing rooms, challenging him to ping pong tournaments to pass the long, empty, waiting hours, and holding him through the restless nights, soothing him with reassurances that he’s there, that he understands, and promising that he will never, ever, let Harry truly get lost.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

A collection of timestamps spanning the 2017 leg of Love on Tour.

True North by navigator, quitter (25k)

Altered-canon non-au set between November 2012 and January 7th, 2013.

Every Arrow That I Aim Is True by estrella30 (24k)

“I can see you don’t believe me,” Harry says, pretending to be stern. Louis chuckles a little but doesn’t get out of the bed. “Anyway, I texted Liam and told him you’re with me. He said to stay here as long as you need, and he’ll deal with the show over there until you want to come back, all right?”

Louis doesn’t say anything again so Harry whispers, “Just stay here with me for a while, yeah? I’ll take care of you.”

Louis is quiet. He never picks his head up, but Harry can see the pillow move from where he’s nodding and his fingers tighten around Harry’s. “Yeah,” Louis says. “Yeah, all right.”

You Turn Me On, Make You Radiate by ballsdeepinjesus (15k)

When he presses inside for the first time in weeks, he’s pretty sure he sees stars behind his eyes at the staggering sensation of Harry’s body squeezing every inch of him. When he bottoms out, he stays buried inside for a minute just to catch his bearings, listening as Harry takes sharp breaths beneath him. When he finally feels like he’s under control, he presses his lips against Harry’s ear and whispers, “Are you ready husband?"

Harry throws his head back and groans. “Call me your spouse.”

[...or, a self-indulgent snapshot of hl’s sex lives over the course of 10+ years]

I’m Captain On A Jealous Sea by devilinmybrain / @thedevilinmybrain (15k)

It’s not that Louis doesn’t like Nick. He is, if he’s being honest, kind of indifferent. Louis gets that Nick is just doing his job most of the time, being loud and prying, not having boundaries. But it’s just a little too much for Louis’ taste. Louis, who has learned over the years, when to be loud and when to know that coy is the game. But, it doesn’t matter really. He’s not required to like everyone, doesn’t have to make nice with them outside of having a camera shoved in his face. He can let Nick be Nick and it shouldn’t affect Louis at all.

Except.

What Louis actually has a problem with is the way Nick Grimshaw looks at Harry.

To Have and To Hold by sweariwouldnt (15k)

“Do you think maybe…. am I getting cold feet?”

Louis doesn’t know what to say, instead he puts his book away and turns to his side, to face Harry. Harry looks at him from the side of his eye and then focuses his eyes back on the ceiling.

“Do you think you are?”

Harry makes a move resembling a shrug. “I don’t think I am.”

“Do you not…want to get married?” Louis starts hesitantly, knowing that it’s probably even silly to ask but he has to.

Harry turns to him, and takes his hand, kissing the knuckles. “I do, I do the most, it’s what I’ve wanted more than anything, I just… I don’t know. I feel… weird.”

Harry has a habit of planning their wedding when he feels down. It's not ideal, really.

Still I Call It Magic by orphan_account (14k)

non-au. harry and louis before and after concerts throughout the last 4 years.

Stop the World (‘Cause I Wanna Get Off With You) by devilinmybrain / @thedevilinmybrain (12k)

Five times Louis and Harry get walked in on at the worst time, and one time Louis makes sure they don't.

Cut To The Bone by tilthesundies / @tllthesundies (11k)

There are some things Louis can’t understand.

This is one of them.

Harry celebrates his birthday in Japan. Louis stays with him.

Wild Flower, My Face of Love by orphan_account (11k)

It feels like a lifetime’s worth of adoration when Harry kisses him – just to kiss him, just to feel his lips, because even 15 minutes without them is 14 minutes and 59 seconds too many – and when Louis holds him back, wraps his arms and legs and lips around him, it’s like an inexplicable familiarity between their souls that just four years can’t explain.

Or: the one where Jay gets married.

The Ways We Fight by sweariwouldnt (10k)

How Harry and Louis learn to disagree with each other.

Jealousy Loves Company by sweariwouldnt (10k)

How Harry and Louis work together throughout the years to try and keep the green-eyed monster at bay.

Starry Haze, Crystal Ball by you_explode / @nobodymoves (10k)

Freedom. Harry’s not sure what exactly it means anymore. For him, for Louis. Personally. Professionally. Musically. There are so many layers to it, and it feels like as he gets older, the thicker those layers become.

Non-AU. A brief look at 2020 and the journey Harry and Louis are on with their careers and closet. Inspired by the Devil card.

Read You Like A Book by becka (8k)

Louis realises Harry can read his mind. He'll do anything to make Harry admit it. Set during the North American leg of the WWA tour.

Reminiscing the Other Day by tilthesundies / @tllthesundies (8k)

“Spain,” Harry says. “This weekend.”

Louis blinks. “Are you asking me, or telling me?”

“Asking,” he says with a huff.

Harry's invited to a wedding, and there's only so much Louis can hide.

How I Imagined Us by orphan_account (7k)

“I think about how lucky I am. The whole time, I just keep thinking about how incredibly lucky I am. “

“Because you’re kissing me?”

“Because I’m kissing you and you’re…” Louis stops. Then continues, quietly, “Because you’re the love of my life, Haz.”

New York is one of Harry’s favourites.

[Sometimes reality is shitty and Louis plays Scheherazade.]

In the Heat Where You Lay by orphan_account (7k)

“You’re with me, baby?”

Harry kisses his mouth, pulls him further into their room by his wrists. His large hands come to cup Louis’ face and he kisses Louis so softly, little brushes of their lips like they’re still 16. Harry cradles him. He has to tip downward and hold Louis close because that’s how Harry kisses when they’re in for a long night. As Louis’ senses come back to him, that much he figures out quickly. Harry’s going to fucking ruin him tonight.

“Do you know how much I love you?”

Louis doesn’t respond to the mumbled words against his lips. His fists tighten around the ends of Harry’s shirt and he opens his mouth for Harry’s tongue, hopes that's enough of an answer.

Harry and Louis fuck after Brussels.

Garden of Eden by superglass / @gaymoustache (6k)

Another soft, grainy laugh. A puff from the joint. Green smoke towards the ceiling. Then hazy blue eyes back on his. “Said you wanted to tell me something. Was really important.”

“Oh,” Harry says. There was a reason he came back, an excuse he made up to find Louis and sucker him into letting him sit on his lap even though his weight often puts those thighs to sleep. “Can’t— um. Let me try to remember.”

or

a snapshot of being high and in love in Jamaica.

Right Where You Are, That’s Where I Am by etherealbliss / @givesuethemoon (6k)

It’s been years since they’ve properly said those three words to one another, but now, as they both sit on the floor in this massive room, bodies tanned golden from the sun that’s found them in the middle of rural Sweden… It just feels right.

or

a snapshot of Louis and Harry's time together in Sweden during their two weeks off in August 2022.

No Good Unless It Grows (Feel This Buring, Love of Mine) by iwantstylinson (5k)

It wasn’t until they were settled in and lying idly on the couch with their bodies intertwined that Harry whispered, holding back tears, “I’m not who I want to be.”

Louis leaned down, lips close enough to graze Harry’s cheek, and asked simply, “Well, who do you want to be?”

Harry had thought about growing his hair out for a lot longer than he had even realized.

At the End of My Rope by safona / @saffona (5k)

"Baby?" Harry mumbles, voice laced with sleep and a shiver goes through Louis at hearing the term. He hasn't called him that in so long, in that voice and, clearly, even Louis' body fucking misses it.

"Did you cheat on me?" Louis finds himself asking. If he's being honest it's more so he can see Harry's reaction, than a genuine question, but what has he got to lose?

Sure enough, Harry's face changes from sleepy to the most incredulous look Louis' ever seen on him. He actually looks terrified, all wide eyes, mouth gaping like he can't believe Louis would even assume that and Louis would laugh at it, but he's so done with the way Harry's been acting, he just wants to know what the hell's going on.

Light Me Up by ashavahishta / @ashavahishta(4k)

Harry and Louis' first days at home after Japan.

Rock Those Blue Jeans, Baby by shakespearesque (4k)

Louis has a hate/love relationship with the video diaries. He has a love/love relationship with Harry, though, and the video diaries don't help with that at all.

A Touch of Your Love by casuallyhl / @casuallyhl (3k)

or; the one where they go to Crete and Harry is definitely hiding something

Brothers? By devilinmybrain / @thedevilinmybrain (3k)

"I mean, I've never had a brother, so maybe what Louis and I do in our free time really is just familial bonding." Harry's grin turns wicked, gets that little glint in his eye that unfairly makes Louis' cock jump again. "We just do what other brothers do, right? No funny business."

A Complainy Popstar by snsk / @snsknene (2k)

Harry wants a baby. He settles for a pet rat. Louis sort of hates the pet rat very much a lot.

Living Love in Slow Motion by ashavahishta / @ashavahishta (2k)

Just a typical Sunday morning

One Day Like This by navigator (2k)

Sleepy non-au set the morning of May 3, 2013.

You’ll Never Need to Doubt It by supernope (1k)

Louis has cinnamon swirl hair and Love, Actually on DVD, and they've got five hours to Dallas, and everything is fluff.

[kingsofeverything]

last line challenge!

haven't done a last line in a while, i think? anyway this is from my wip where louis and harry married young and divorced only slightly less young, and now life has sort of brought them together, and louis is clearly annoyed about it. also this is a long af sentence :D

“If you didn't want me to go out with Liam, you should’ve said, and you shouldn’t’ve given him my number, you wanker,” Zayn says as soon as Louis opens the door, pushing past Louis into his house, and through to the kitchen where he reaches into the cabinet above the fridge where Louis keeps his weed. 

55!!!! words!!!! (i only counted once though tbf) tagging literally every person i think is a writer who comes up in the alphabet as i type it in... ok wait there's a 50 tag limit i think sooo @louandhazaf @homosociallyyours @allwaswell16 @all-these-larrythings @alwaysxlarrie @absoloutenonsense @bananaheathen @becomeawendybird @belialsmiracles @beelou @brightgolden @comebackassholes @conversationsofyou @crinkle-eyed-boo @dinosaursmate @disgruntledkittenface @evilovesyou @fallinglikethis @femstyles @greenfeelings @gaycousinlarry @hazzabeeforlou @haztobegood @infinitelymint @jaerie @jacaranda-bloom @juliusschmidt @kingonafiftymetreroad @lululawrence @laynefaire @larryatendoftheday @lightwoodsmagic @littleroverlouis @londonfoginacup @maggieisalarrie @march-z5 @mediawhorefics @non-binharry @noellehenry-original @pocketsunshineharry @phdmama @reminiscingintherain @runaway-train-works @realitybetterthanfiction @slowlyseducedbycurls @sadaveniren @so-why-let-your-voice-be-tamed @tommosgun @uhoh-but-yeah-alright @zanniscaramouche

[hlficlibrary]

hello, can you tell me the most popular/ must read Larry fics please?

Hello, anon! So I wouldn't necessarily categorize "most popular" and "must read" as the same thing for me, if that makes sense. That being said, I'll give you the ten most popular HL fics and then give you five more that I think are also "must reads" in addition to the top ten most popular ones. These other "must read" fics are ones that are indeed quite popular as well and that are particularly loved by me. If you'd like a longer rec of "must read" fics, you can fill out the suggestion box on the pinned post!

Here are the top ten most popular HL fics (by kudos) on ao3:

Young & Beautiful by Velvetoscar

Escapade by dolce_piccante

Unbelievers by isthatyoularry

Fading by tothemoonmydear

Baby Heaven's in your Eyes by theboyfriendstagram

Soft Hands, Fast Feet, Can't Lose by dolce_piccante

Bloodsport by isthatyoularry

Relief Next To Me by dolce_piccante

Tired Tired Sea by MediaWhore

And Then a Bit by infinitelymint

Five more "must read" fics:

Love Is A Rebellious Bird by 100percentsassy, gloria_andrews

AU in which the boys still make music. Louis is the concertmaster of the London Symphony Orchestra, Harry is the New! and Exciting! interim conductor/ex-cello prodigy who "has made Mozart cool again" according to Esquire Magazine (Louis hates him immediately, which is definitely why he internet stalked him in his dark bedroom late at night that one time), and Niall is the best. Zayn and Liam are around too.

Don't hum Bolero.

Nothing But You On My Mind by nonsensedarling

Louis Tomlinson is a PR manager hired to improve the image of royal bad-boy Prince Harry Styles. Unfortunately for him, that means being faced with the Prince's constant innuendos, incessant dirty jokes, and relentless flirting. Louis just wants to make it to Princess Gemma's coronation; once she's crowned Queen, his contract is up and he never has to see the Prince again.

Into The Blue by zarah5

AU. In which Louis is Harry's scuba instructor and quite happy to provide the requested special treatment, pun fully intended. It can't be all that difficult to convince Harry that they're on the same page, right? Also, Niall and Liam may or may not be dating, and Zayn is surrounded by emotionally stunted idiots. He bears it with dignity.

Where You Lay by HamPalpert

When Louis's upcoming heat threatens his success at his new dream job, he asks the best (and only) person he can think of to help him through it: his best mates' best mate, Harry Styles. Harry reluctantly accepts, and together the two navigate a strange friends with benefits relationship that quickly turns complicated.

Emperor's New Clothes by sunsetmog

The fact that Louis’s most precious belonging was a cat with a face like thunder and an uncanny ability to cover every single inch of Louis’s clothing with cat hair was something that Louis chose not to think about too much.

or: Harry’s a pop star and Louis isn’t, and there’s a non-disclosure agreement where there used to be a relationship.

[allwaswell16]

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

-Larry-

🫧 Coax the Cold by MediaWhore / @mediawhorefics

(M, 86k, historical au) English Professor Louis Tomlinson’s passion for the occult has been a source of mockery and derision for most of his life. When he hears whispers of a travelling freak show newly established in London claiming the existence of a monstrous sea hybrid, half-man, half-fish, Louis sees it as his ticket to credibility amongst his peers. 

🫧 Drowning In Your Eyes by @smittenwithlouis

(E, 45k, pirate au) The Pirates of the Caribbean inspired au where Harry is a fierce pirate who holds the heart of a beautiful merman.

🫧 Still Deep In Us by graceling_in_a_suit / @graceling-in-a-suit

(T, 41k, post apocalypse au) Harry's just a grieving tinkerer trying to do his best, and Louis is a mermaid that ruins The Village's delicate balance of power (and perhaps, just maybe, wins the heart of a boy).

🫧 Purer Than The Water (like we were) by FeelsForBreakfast / @infinitylourry

(E, 33k, lake au) Louis is a merman and Harry is a boy. The lake is a good place to fall in love.

🫧 Don't Let the Tide Come and Take Me by kiwikero / @icanhazzalou

(M, 28k, urban fantasy) the one where Louis decides to set a merman free and ends up finding his own freedom along the way.

🫧 What the Water Gave Me by @larryatendoftheday

(M, 28k, songwriter au) When a mermaid crawls out of the sea and into Harry’s life, it changes everything. 

🫧 where sirens fear to tread by stylinsoncity / @aliensingucci

(M, 28k, royal au) in the royal line, there are only a select few sirens with the ability to transform into humans once a month. harry is one of those sirens. 

🫧 Beneath The Shining Water by noellehenry / @noellehenrymain

(M, 22k, curse au) Louis returns to Sark to find some answers to his questions, and finds... more questions, dubious answers, new friends and a gorgeous merman!

🫧 Define Dancing by asphodelknox / @iamasphodelknox

(E, 20k, friends to lovers) Louis returns to the summer cottage he always considered home. Unbeknownst to him, he’s also returning to the merman who has been his best friend through everything and finds that maybe there’s a chance for more.

🫧 If the Surface Begs You Home by QuickedWeen / @becomeawendybird

(T, 17k, mpreg) Harry is a mermaid from the underwater kingdom of Mercadia who is a little too fascinated by life above the surface. He's kicked out of his home after he winds up pregnant, and has to figure out how to make his way in the world.

🫧 my head's under water (but I'm breathing fine) by @infinitelymint

(T, 13k, soulmates au) Harry's a merman, Louis is a prince. Sometimes happiness can be found at the bottom of the sea.

🫧 to the light by fondleeds / @harrybridgers

(NR, 13k, Christmas au) Harry is a mermaid lost at sea and Louis is a boy determined to make his first Christmas a memorable one.

🫧 You Can Make Me Whole Again by embro

(T, 11k, curse au) the one where Harry loves Louis, Louis' not exactly interested, and all hope is lost when Harry grows a fish tail one day. Typical.

🫧 In love with the Ocean by @marchessa

(G, 7k, artist au) the one where Louis just want to paint, and Harry has another idea.

🫧 Come With Me (to the sea) by phdmama / @phd-mama

(E, 5k, pwp) One mermaid. One healer. One hot afternoon.

🫧 Sirène by iwillpaintasongforlou / @canonlarry

(E, 4k, first time au) Louis is a merman who turns into a human and Harry takes him home and takes him to bed.

🫧 Moon Dances Over by LadyLondonderry / @londonfoginacup

(G, 2k, a/b/o) Louis has a stubborn streak, though. He’s always been rather a fan of mating for love, and there’s someone he’s had his eye on for a long time now.

🫧 Sea of Love by theweightofmywords / @rockstarlouis

(NR, 1k, Little Mermaid elements) Louis wants to be part of his world.

-Rare Pairs-

🫧 still feel the same around you by alnima

(T, 12k, Zayn/Harry) the one where Harry is a merman that's fascinated with Zayn.

🫧 Over Science and Water we Talked About Love by transteverogers / @transtevierogers

(T, 8k, Zayn/Liam) Zayn's a merman. A frickin' merman. And, just because it's Zayn's luck, the Liam Payne, residant science geek, finds out.

🫧 sort of like that disney movie the 13th year by  kingsoftheimpossible

(NR, 1k, Zayn/Louis) It’s not that Zayn can’t swim so much as he’s never had a reason to try.

[freyaforestafay]

Favourite Fic Masterpost

nobody asked for this i just wanted to do one lmao

there's no pleasure in this resisting (so go ahead and kiss me) by @givesuethemoon

When The Stars Come Out by BriaMaria

and i would search the night sky to find you by @thedevilinmybrain

Best Colours For Your Portrait by @sevenfeetpirates

you taught me how to love (i taught you how to stop) by @thedevilinmybrain

Unfortunate Fortunes by lthsbluegreener

Lightning Strikes The Heart by @fournipplesau and @justalarryblog

Escapade by dolce_piccante

Who Painted the Moon Black by @haroldsmodellegs

Take My Breath Away by @realitybetterthanfiction

Lunar Waltz by @outropeace

In the Strangest of Ways by @sun-tomato

A Hungry Heart by @jacaranda-bloom

now i think that i could love you back by maroonmoonlouis

You are the Lyrics by TheIfInLife

Baby, We Are Fireproof by @yoursolosong

Running in the Shadows by rainbowninja167

Where You Go, I Go by @fanficrecommendatios

And Then a Bit by @infinitelymint

Promise in the Sky by Throwthemflowers

The King of Spades by @alveronian

Violent Delights by @ohpleaselarry

With the ghost of Lou by @sun-tomato

Devil in my brain, whispering my name by @lunarheslwt

write this down by @sunflouwerhabit

damn this is long 😅 but i love all of these fics and the writing is incredible *chefs kiss*

[tomlinsins]

let's shout out creators!! list your five favourite fic writers of all time ✨

heyy!!

oh absolutely! our fandom has soo soo many amazing writers who choose to bless us with their wonderful fics, it's gonna be sooo hard to just list down 5 but I'll still try.

first @sadaveniren their No Control Club Series is one of my all time favourites. i have blind faith in their writing anon. if they've written something, you just know it'll be good. even the tropes i never read or thought to explore, i've read works of theirs and absolutely loved them.

@crinkle-eyed-boo i've lost count of the times i've reread Own The Scars. the fic is just beautiful. it's such a journey. and so is Mine Would Be You. i can keep going lol.

@infinitelymint every single fic is a masterpiece. that's all i'll say.

@indiaalphawhiskey think they're everyone's favourite author lol and very very much deservedly so!! i'm just here patiently waiting for their next masterpiece aka the GAPT au.

@thinlinez just a plethora of wonderful fics that you just can't help but love!!

I know you asked for five but seriously couldn't not mention these wonderful authors too. just do yourself a favour and devour their ao3. seriously. @2tiedships2 @insightfulinsomniac @larrydoinglaundry @hereforh @itsnotreal @greeneyesfriedrice @lunarheslwt @sparklebootsandvans @pocketsunshineharry and there's probably loads more I'm forgetting still 😭😭

[neverforpickles]

Read responsibly. Leave kudos & comments. Whatever problems you’ll have whilst reading these fanfics are not my problem. Bye.

Fading | tothemoonmydear

our endless numbered days | petricuor

The Road Less Traveled By | freetheankles

Personal Brand of Indulgence | orchidsbyjune

How Many Times Will It Take (To Get This Right) | LilyBlue28

For As Long As I Can Remember (It’s Been December) | green_feelings

To The Ends of the Earth | stylinsoncity

Flightless Bird | audreyhheart

Only You Can Be My Alpha | wubwubnparmaham

I Don’t Want To Need You | tothemoonmydear

Petrichor | spotofpurple

Legends Are Real | LovelyBlue

breathing underwater | orphan_account

like a timebomb ticking | infinitelymint

Take My Breathe Away | RealityBetterThanFiction

I found a love for me (darling just dive right in) | wonderlou

We’re What’s Right In This World | BriaMaria

Blue Ice | purpledandelion

could we ever be enough ? | thepristthinksitsthedevil

once upon a dream | thedeathchamber

Into the wild | Deidei

Call Answered | beechersnope

Si Pudiera Volar | softfonds

The Fire and the Fate | dimpled_halo

The Art of Submission | Jennifer_kaid

there’s no fair in farewell | we_are_the_same

your string of lights are still bright to me | bravestyles

thinking about the t-shirt you sleep in | nonsensedarling

Stole My Heart | WritewhatIwant

Have You Seen The Universe? | sweetkalachuchi.

Dancing With The Devil (completed) | Corsetbriefs

Gloria Regali | TreywisKrucks

[alwaysxlarrie]

sooo even tho i have an outline & louis simply existing, i’m still struggling w a lil writers block w my cult leader louis fic :/ i’m blaming starting a new job this month making me behind on everything fandom-related lol. anyway! thought i’d post a snippet to get back into the flow again (if anyone has any cult leader louis inspo, pls send it my way !!!)

‘Raising an eyebrow, Louis keeps his hands clasped together in front of himself with casual confidence —— a complete contrast to Harry’s hands timidly interlocked with each other behind himself. “Sorry, love, you’ll have to refresh my memory.”

Harry shouldn’t be disappointed. It’s not abnormal for someone giving a speech to not remember every interaction they’ve had with each person in the audience. He shouldn’t feel let down; shouldn’t feel a thick cloud of dread, heavy as a boulder, spreading throughout his body. He shouldn’t feel an overwhelming urge throw a tantrum, to make Louis remember him, to set himself apart from everyone else.

There would be nothing wrong with wanting Louis to remember him —— if it was about his excitement for the organization or the music. But that’s not why he wants to set himself apart from everyone else.

“Oh, uh. Sure, yeah...” Clearing his throat, he prays to the universe and God and anyone else listening to not let his face flush with a burning red blush for what he’s about to say. “When I—um—wolf whistled?”

“Wolf whistled?”

If nothing else, Harry can bask in the glory of getting rid of the interested-out-of-politeness-and-networking look Louis’ been sporting with the other students; at least he looks genuinely amused now. Harry’ll worry about the potential cons later.

He refuses to let himself visibly squirm, but there’s nothing he can do about the sheepish expression he’s undoubtedly sporting now. Sheepish and blushing —— fuck, he is not doing himself any favors with selling himself. “Yes. And, well. The thumbs up?”

Louis hums, stroking his chin with his palm, like he’s trying to remember. A few moments that feel like hours go by; Harry has to physically bite back the urge to keep talking, to see what else he can say or do to make Louis to remember him. But finally, a mischievous sparkle appears in his eyes as he nods and quirks an eyebrow —— such a simple facial expression and yet Harry has to fight off the urge to whimper at the sight. “Ah, yes. The eyebrow wiggling and wolf whistling.”

Harry tries to smile but it likely looks like a grimace instead. “Yeah, that was. Uh. That was me.”

Chuckling, Louis smiles at him -- a good sign, hopefully -- but he still can’t help but feel like it looks like a smile he’d give a puppy. Harry can’t decide if that’s good or not —— maybe Louis finds him cute and charming but maybe he’s just humoring him out of pity —— but regardless, smile is a smile. He’ll take it.

“I know, sweetheart. Just wanted to see how far you’d go to remind me. You’re persistent and dedicated. I like that -- two very important qualities in our line of work.”’

tagging @kingonafiftymetreroad @greenblueish @twopoppies @allwaswell16 @momrryrights @zanniscaramouche @jacaranda-bloom @homosociallyyours @infinitelymint @itsnotreal @crinkle-eyed-boo @beelou @lululawrence @disgruntledkittenface & anyone else who wants to post something !!