one direction fic rec list.
Harry/Louis
- there's something about you (that makes me feel alive) by padattack ***
- Shortcut to Happiness: Act One - Meet Cute (Part 1) by colazitron
One day Louis Tomlinson came to pick up his younger twin sisters after their ballet class - that Harry taught. Until that day Harry’s life had mostly consisted of ballet and the periods of time in between that he mostly spent waiting for ballet. From that moment on it became ballet, Louis Tomlinson and the time he spent waiting for either of those, whether he knew it or not.
- Tension and Release by itslaurenyall ***
Louis understands buildup better than most, and he thinks Harry probably understands it better than that.
- All This, And Love Too by justgaytbh ***
Harry is desperately in love with Louis which is hard enough to ignore on any normal day but then, Louis starts to have horrible nightmares that make him sneak into Harry's bed at night.
- to build a home by uneven_fic
A story about a broken boy and the boy who falls in love with him.
- running you with red by uneven_fic
AU. The guys are fighters.
- the hunger in my heart by likecharity
Harry and Louis fall for each other during The X Factor and have difficulty doing anything about it.
- 'til there's no left to hound you by likecharity
Harry and Louis's relationship from Liam's point of view, as management cracks down on them and hiding gets harder.
- My Heart Will Stay by ashavahishta
For awhile, Australia feels like a holiday, but Harry and Louis can't relax when they're forced into doing certain things to hide their relationship.
- joke me something awful by mentalistecbm ***
louis leaves and everyone finds some way to deal but harry. (but that's assuming the other boys deal at all.)
- A Lack of Understanding by rhrj ***
AU. Harry doesn't talk but Louis doesn't need him to.
- a call to arms & a king to a god by captainroyalty ***
Louis is a magician, Liam is his cleaning lady and Harry's the prince of a country on the brink of war. Vague Howl's Moving Castle AU.
- Maybe if we face up to this (we can make it through this) by mrsyt31
The realization that he is in love with his best friend sneaks up on Harry out of nowhere.
- and mercury on your heels by flimsy
road trip fic.
- build it up with silver and gold by mentalistecbm
criminal!au.
- we rest our heads upon one pillow by ashavahishta
Sometimes Zayn aches for something like what Louis and Harry have.
- so we're helpless in sleep and drowning by tracedust
We have swallowed him up, they said. It's beautiful, it really is. Set between Australia and Sweden.
- a chance of overtime, say, my place at nine by folkloric_feel ***
AU in which Louis works for a theater box office and hates it, Harry is a good friend for Liam and Zayn's anniversary, and Niall's a smartass who's just worried his roommate's lusting over an ugly ninety-year-old with phone-transmittable gonorrhea.
- show me lights by mentalistecbm
Leeds.
- there's a life across the river by darkindegrees
“We’re going to live forever,” he bellows at the other boys, his voice not his but entirely his at the same time, a lions roar and Harry’s own shout combined. They smile and they cheer and they all believe it so it’s true, it’s real, it’s them.
- your quietest voice by flimsy ***
- Only Several Miles From the Sun by robpat ***
It started with a walk and unexpected rain and Babs. It started with a smile and green eyes and a bag of warm apple cinnamon muffins. Actually, it started with the bakery. Bakery AU, because of reasons.
- when i feel that something by leira17
In which Harry and Louis are put into a duo instead of a group, and Louis Googles asexuality.
- we are all illuminated by theviolonist ***
The one where they're both painters and it shouldn't be a problem, but it is.
- and possibly i like the thrill by mentalistecbm
harry's more than a little bit in love, and sometimes every second with louis is the happiest he's ever been.
- these tornadoes are for you by myteethsharper ***
this is an alternate universe where the boys are in a punk band instead of a boy band and there is pining and lots of self-indulgent music talk.
- As It Seems by cathedralhearts
triplets au.
- Through the Darkest of Your Days by robpat ***
road trip fic.
- time after time by leira17 ***
groundhog day au.
- of all the stars most beautiful by dangerbears
AU. when isn't the right time for a bookshop fic? louis sells books and harry makes sandwiches and zayn meets someone on the internet.
- Like Flying by clarinetkate
The Olympics are really just an excuse for falling in love. Plus fencing and gymnastics.
- are you with me by lookingatstars
Harry comes out. Louis doesn't.
- If You're For Real and Not Pretend by bhstranger ***
In which Harry works in a bakery and Louis can't seem to find what he's looking for.
- If You Build Yourself a Myth by pukecrypukecry ***
Harry is six the first time he makes something change. (magical realism AU)
- blackjacks running down my back by dangerbears
university radio djs au.
- All The Songs That You Sing In The Dark by pukecrypukecry
What happened was that first people got sick. What happened after that was that they died. But the worst thing was what happened after that. After they died, they came back.
- just a memory (and all that we could've been) by trustingno1 ***
"I think - there's something wrong. With Harry's memory," Louis says, and someone mutes the TV. (or: Harry wakes up in a reality in which he and Louis are very much together. Which is pretty awesome. Or - it would be. If Harry could remember any of it. It's not amnesia, because he remember the last two years just fine, thank you very much. He just doesn't remember being with Louis).
- All the Corners of the World by robpat
Alternatively, university!AU in which Harry runs away to New York City with only his camera and a playlist and Louis doesn't have a good side.
- a house built out of stone by robpat ***
Louis has a used bookshop and Harry has a habit of claiming things that don't belong to him.
- from the love to the lightning by mentalistecbm
"i didn’t realize it would sometimes be more than whole, that the wholeness was a rather luxurious idea. because it’s the halves that halve you in half." a like crazy au where harry and louis fall in america, but have to try to make it work when problems arise that force louis to stay in london.
- they say it's fractions and wholes by lumos
“I think...” he exhales shakily, hands trembling. “I think we need to take a break.” Harry looks down at the table, then back up at Louis. He’s silent for a long moment. “Yeah,” he says quietly. “Yeah, I think we do.”
- sing the blues, and swallow them too by drivetothestars
He can’t remember the last song he wrote that wasn’t about Harry, in at least the smallest way; a throwaway line or chord progression he wrote with him in mind. (or, an au where the boys are in a punk band and louis has been in love with harry for years.)
- hold a hand for cover by vashtaneradas ***
they’ve still got all the money in the world, all the big nights and bigger houses, all the people at their doors with singles and album deals and promises of more, they still have all of that, and they will forever. the only thing they’ve burnt through is each other. or, two years after the band, harry and louis bump into each other for the first time.
- Be My Little Good Luck Charm by 100percentsassy ***
In which Harry is a promising amateur golfer making his debut at the PGA Championship, and Louis is a Sky Sports anchor who would really rather be commentating on footie.
- a grocery list pinned to blue by dangerbears
AU. after eight years, louis finally has everything he's wanted. except for harry.
- Thought The Song Was Sung by 1000percentsassy ***
Louis never auditioned for the X-Factor. Years later, Harry's just another gay ex-boybander who lives alone with his cat... until Niall decides to take matters into his own hands and set up a profile for Harry on a dating website.
Liam/Zayn
- The Visible Beauty of a Voice That Sings by luxover ***
"You have the most beautiful voice I've ever seen," Liam says, whispering because it's a secret, because it's truer than anything he's ever said in his entire life.
- The Difference Between Knowing and Knowing by luxover ***
“They say I’m in a band,” Liam tells his mom. He squeezes his eyes shut, his phone pressed tight against his ear. “I don’t even remember any of it.” In which Liam gets temporary amnesia and forgets things even more important than the fact that he's in a band.
- Until I Found Your Hands by jannika
An AU where Liam is an avid comic reader, Zayn works at the local bookstore, Harry runs Open Mic Night, Louis has a long lost love, and Niall is just glad there is free beer at the Open Mic Night.
- All This Unnecessary Preamble by matchsticks_p
"Five times bottom!Zayn hooked up with some strange guy in a random city on tour, and one time he didn't."
- Almost Enough is Never Enough by matchsticks_p
Zayn starts picking up prostitutes who look like Liam. Everybody notices.
- you're the answer to the question I didn't know I was asking by estrella30
everyone thinks that zayn and liam are shagging. that is, everyone except for zayn and liam
- Welcome Home by ozonise ***
Robot fic.
- Tangled Up in You by marcel
It turns out Zayn’s flatmate is essentially a disney prince. Zayn wonders how this became his life.
- i'll see you down the line by blurrychildren
AU where Zayn works in the snack shop of the local skating rink and Liam’s a hockey player (worse, an attractive one).
- Hollow Creatures Don't Feel the Earth Shake by cheese_cake3
Zayn didn't think he'd ever see Liam again, that much was a fact to him. He never wrote and he never called. Zayn wrote letters, he wrote loads of them but he never had the courage to send them because it felt like Liam left him, didn't want anything to do with him and without Liam there to tell him otherwise, it was so easy to believe.
Liam/Louis
- pick me by sparkbyspark
this is an AU where liam and louis got through as soloists, not as a group, and 1D never existed.
- or loud and out of key bysparkbyspark
internet celebrity au.
- running out of clock by sparkbyspark
Sixthform/highschool AU.
- Someone Like You by harriet_vane
A high school AU in which no one goes to school, ever. Liam has a crush, and then he runs into his crush at a party, and everything gets very complicated.
- all along the watch tower by sparkbyspark
the zombie au where there aren't actually that many zombies.
- when i'm with you by cheese_cak3
It doesn't help that he's already half in-love with Louis and capable of spontaneously losing his speech around him.
- and your teeth marks in my skin by cheese_cak3
He’s twenty three, one of the youngest leading detectives in this department - he’s worked so fucking hard to get here - he will not be unravelled by a stupid author in stripes and suspenders.
- heart lines on your head by uneven_fic
au. liam and louis are a duo.
- Better with You by harriet_vane ***
Single parent and solo artist Liam Payne hires Louis Tomlinson to be a full time nanny to his four year old son Sammy. Although the two men don't quite click from the start it's love at first sight between Sammy and Louis. Eventually Louis and Liam warm up to each other and get on like a house on fire, in fact the two become a little too fond of each other.
- you can pick up where you left off, just wait by cheese_cak3
He wouldn’t give this up for the world except that seems to be exactly what he’s doing right now. (Zayn and Liam win X Factor as a duo, Louis is Zayn's best friend and Liam's boyfriend and when they leave on tour there's a lot of pining.)
- look at the stars, look how they shine for you by estrella30
In the end, Liam says what he always says, what he’ll always say to Louis when he’s like this.“You can, you know,” Liam says quietly. “Be with me, that is.” He feels Louis go tense because Liam’s never had the talk with Louis like he’s had with himself but he somehow thinks Louis knows. They haven’t been together like this for so long Liam half-expects Louis to question him and the fact that he doesn’t makes Liam think Louis wants him just as much, even if it’s just for tonight.
- say, i tried to give my best before by cheese_cak3
Louis has a history of falling in love with his room mates. (New Girl-esque!AU where Liam moves in with Louis, Harry, and Zayn. Oh and Niall goes to Sweden.)
- it's all fun and games until someone falls in love by estrella30
Louis takes Liam on a bunch of brodates to help him get over Danielle and then things happen
- zoom lens feelings by somerdaye
Liam is a semi-professional photographer and Louis is a not-at-all professional model, and everything is Harry’s fault.
- Truly, Madly, Crazy, Deeply by harriet_vane
In which Liam and Louis wake up married after Zayn's bachelor party in Las Vegas.
- thought it would be safest by cheese_cak3 ***
And for years after that, all throughout school, Liam comes home with Louis’ name in the corner of his books and the thin skin of his inner elbows and the back of his shirt even though they’re never in the same class. (Liam and Louis grow up together)
- Paris Pratique by la_faerie ***
The one where Louis is a priest working in France, and Liam is visiting Paris for the summer.
- Almost Feels Like You've Been Here Before by nevulon ***
HS AU. Louis and Harry are having the time of their lives at their new secondary school, until they run into an old classmate, Liam. When Louis falls hard and fast for Liam, he ends up teasing him, accidentally inspiring his new mates to follow his example. Louis and Harry, who aren't around for any bullying, think it's harmless, but Liam doesn't see it that way.
When Louis tries to join Zayn's literary magazine to get on Liam's good side, he realizes what he's been doing. Of course, that's only the beginning.
- Dust Off Your Highest Hopes by pukecrypukecry
Louis has a spot, way in the back row of the school theater, the last little aisle of three seats in a row that are tucked up next to the sound booth. He goes there to nap and to listen to his ipod and go over lines, and everyone knows it’s his, because he sort of runs things in the drama department, and also, he’s written his name on one of the seats with marker.
So he’s confused when he goes to shut his eyes after classes and before he’s due to begin rehearsals, and there’s someone in his spot. The spot that’s his. And not just someone, as it turns out, but Liam Payne. (High School AU)
- Don't Take Love Off the Table Yet by harriet_vane
A wedding planner AU, in which Louis plans absolutely fucking flawless weddings, until he tries to plan Liam's wedding to Danielle.
- Which One Of Us Is Caving by cheese_cak3 ***
Liam doesn't regret hiring Louis, it's the furthest thing from it. He's clever and quick-witted and he's good with people in a way Liam never was. It's amazing, he's amazing and Liam doesn't understand how he survived so long without him. In the professional sense.
Harry/Niall
- Happy Genius Heroes by BlackWave ***
Niall is an aspiring evil genius (who isn't very evil at all). Harry is his pretty assistant. Liam is the visiting friend and Louis and Zayn are meddlesome superheroes.
- Just Smile by harriet_vane
Harry and Niall decide to go to the prom just as friends. It doesn't work out quite as planned.
- flashback sunday by somerdaye
Harry knows how his romantic comedy ends up. He just isn’t entirely sure how they get there. In other words, Niall is a carefree sweetheart and Harry is an emotionally stunted bloke with a bad memory, but it isn’t a big deal, because they’re in love. (Just don’t expect them to talk about it.)
Niall/Zayn
- i've got extra space (in my car, in my heart, in my mind) by asinfastmovies
Roadtrip AU. Zayn shows up at Niall's window early one morning and Niall says yes; they drive to the coast.
- With My Heart Ticking (Like a Bomb in a Birdcage) by tangledbeats
superheroes au.
- Of Artists and Bros by blueandbrady ***
- white shadow waltz by dawktah
fight club au.
- But Who Knows Which Parts Are True? by BlackWave
Niall's a smooth criminal. Louis is his partner in crime. Zayn and Harry are the guys who are trying to catch them and Liam's new.
Louis/Nick
- getting late to give you up by aliferuined ***
- The One Where... by checkthemargins
- but it's better if you do by aliferuined
Louis definitely does not care about Nick's opinion of him. And Nick definitely is not obsessed with Louis.
- Something Personal by checkthemargins ***
Nick is a young, renown neurosurgeon. Harry is his worker-minion. Liam is Harry's new boyfriend. Louis is Harry's best friend and an absolutely wretched little monster, and Nick is stupidly, stupidly in love with him.
- Not a Bloody Thing by checkthemargins
This thing that Nick has with his intern's friend really isn't a big deal.
- the highway signs say we're close by estrella30 ***
the one where Louis dogsits for Aimee's dog and then people think they're dating and then they have to pretend to be boyfriends too
- Getting Good At This by pukecrypukecry ***
Nick inherits custody of his baby god-daughter, and (predictably) has no idea what he's doing; Louis only means to help out a bit, not fall in love with either of them. (A loosely-adapted Life As We Know It AU)
- I Could Stand You One More Night by Hllangel
Louis and Nick have been fucking for ages, but it's definitely not a thing. They don't even like each other.
- Taylor Swift Has Probably Written A Song About This Feeling by neerdowellwolf
Nick isn't sure how he ended up fooling around with Louis Tomlinson and he's definitely not sure when he fell in love.
- i'll follow you, follow you home by annemari
The one where Nick and Louis are in a secret relationship, Louis gets hurt on tour, and they both realise they have some things they need to figure out.
Harry/Michael
- as real as it seems by estrella30
- we are like young volcanoes by crucios
That's the killer. There’re only seven days in a week and Harry Styles who is Not His Boyfriend is taking up five of them. Christ.
- somehow you kicked all my walls in by estrella30
Enough time passes between the last Manchester show and the next time he sees Harry that Michael thinks he probably imagined everything that had happened between the two of them.
or, Harry and Michael hook up a lot over the course of the tour