La lune qui flotte, la princesse aussi

Rec List: Movie AUs!

Okay first off let me just say that y'all SHOWED UP for this category and I love you for it. We got 20 amazing submissions, including three of these fics being recced by two separate people -- we love seeing the love!!! I always combine the summaries and comments for those, as I like to showcase multiple perspectives and the different details readers might pick out.

As for the contents of this list, we've got a couple of fics under 20k, but a lot of this list is longer stories -- which makes sense for a longer medium like films. Still, there's plenty of variety, from holidays to histories, romances and comedies and dramas. We've got Teen to Explicit, a girl direction, and a few rare pairs (even an OT5 polyamory)!

Grab your popcorn, grab your tissues, grab your comments and kudos, and show these authors some love.

Now In A Minute by thealmightyavocado/@avocadolouie (150000, Mature, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson)

13 year old Louis gets transported into his 30 year old self. to his horror, he finds his favourite Harry totally missing from his life, and Louis can’t help wondering why a life that seemed so perfect, feels so empty.

Reccer says: it's just amazing watching Louis figure out his future self's life and rekindle the relationship with Harry

Let Our Hearts Collide by crinkle-eyed-boo/@crinkle-eyed-boo (76000, Mature, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson) – fic post Warnings: grief, discussions of grief

When Harry, a lonely transit worker, saves the life of the handsome commuter he's been secretly pining for, an innocent mistake results in Liam Payne's family believing that Harry is engaged to their son. In the Paynes, Harry finds the big family he's always longed for...and a love he never saw coming. A While You Were Sleeping AU

Reccer says: This fic is so heartwarming. The perfect romance, but also such lovely big family Christmas vibes

That Smile and That Midnight Laugh by yeah_alright/@uhoh-but-yeah-alright (50000, Teen, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson) – fic post

A Ferris Bueller's Day Off AU that picks up right where the movie leaves off, and imagines what might happen if Ferris' girlfriend and sister become friends. And maybe something more, too.

Reccer says: It's such a fun premise, and it's so gentle and tender and I love how it explores this friendship that blooms into more

your crimes are quiet, my love by lightswoodmagic/@lightwoodsmagic (97000, Explicit, Zayn Malik/Liam Payne) – fic post Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence

A darker Miss Congeniality AU that follows Zayn and Liam, MI5 agents, partners since training and best friends, as they race to stop a serial killer. When Liam makes a tactical call that backfires and almost gets Zayn killed during a raid, he refuses to let Zayn be the one to put himself at risk when all signs point to an upcoming pageant for the serial killer’s next target. While everyone around them seems to be hiding something and they're forced further apart, Liam and Zayn need to find the person responsible, protect each other with everything they have, and figure out why everything suddenly feels different between them.

Reccer says: This is such a satisfying mystery, which I know is hard to do, and the characters are so well drawn. And bonus PEAK ROMANCE

In The Still Of The Night by jacaranda_bloom/@jacaranda-bloom (68000, Explicit, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson) – fic post

the Dirty Dancing AU where Louis is a feisty omega who wants to change the world, Harry is an alpha from the wrong side of the tracks, and nobody puts Louis in a corner.

Reccer says: I love how the movie is adapted, making it omegaverse worked so well! There's so much heat and chemistry between Louis and Harry, it definitely holds up against the romance of the movie

Two Roads Diverged by FallingLikeThis/@fallinglikethis (16000, Explicit, Nick Grimshaw/Harry Styles) – fic post

Nick is stuck in a job he hates and supporting his writer boyfriend who spends more time at the library doing "research" than he does at home. One fateful day he bumps his head at work and decides to go home early. If he misses the train, he won't catch his boyfriend cheating on him, he'll end up staying in a dead end relationship, and he'll never quit his soul-sucking day job. But what happens if he catches it? A Sliding Doors Au that shows both possible paths.

Reccer says: A sweet and lovely fic! So well written, the altering timelines flowed really well

The World Turned Upside Down by dogslpdi/@dogsliampaynedoesntinstagram (71000, Explicit, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson) – fic post Warnings: period-typical homophobia

In September 1984, Harry Styles starts at Manchester Polytechnic with two goals: to take pictures and to join the Lesbian and Gay Society. He’s never paid much attention to the news, but everyone he meets in Manchester supports the miners. He realises how right they are when he meets Louis Tomlinson, a striking miner who flirts with him. A month later they are both at the founding meeting of Manchester Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners, trying to bring down the government. Through letters and visits they build a relationship, in a world very much not of their own choosing. Manchester and Doncaster in the 1980s are grim, hopeful and alive. Niall is president of the Young Labour club, Nick Grimshaw is in love with the singer of an up and coming band, Fizzy wants to know more about the women of Greenham Common and Harry and Louis are brave. A Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners/Pride AU.

Reccer says: I was overwhelmed by the world that the author created and I could tell how how much careful research must have gone into this fic, and it takes such skill to use that research and not make the story laborious to get through. I was overcome with emotion at different points, it's just a beautiful story

Sea Asunder by cupcakentea/@cupcakentea (68049, Mature, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson) – fic post

A Portrait of a Lady on Fire AU

Reccer says: Such a satisfying slow burn! And it was so atmospheric, this author has such a way with words. I was so wrapped up in this story and I truly fell in love with the characters. It just felt epic, absolutely gorgeous and haunting!

It's Not Personal, It's Business by sweettartine/@sweettartine (16000, Teen, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson) – fic post

The bakery Harry inherited from his grandmother is on the brink of going out of business. The new coffee shop opening up across the street is sure to be the final nail in the coffin. To add insult to injury, the coffee shop general manager is extremely attractive. Harry's only comfort during this nightmare is his internet crush.

Reccer says: SUCH a good adaptation! Such good pacing and build, the arc is just really well done. Right from the beginning, the exposition is smooth and you feel immediately part of this world. And it's so funny and clever, and the author has such a way with opening lines!

All I Want by Kate Monster, sophie_448/ (7000, Teen, Nick Grimshaw/Harry Styles)

It's five weeks to Christmas and Nick has just started his dream job as host of the Radio 1 Breakfast Show. Unfortunately, his crush on Harry, the office intern, might just bring the whole thing crashing to the ground. A Love Actually AU of the prime minister/Natalie storyline. Except we couldn't imagine a world in which Nick was the prime minister, so it's set at Radio 1 instead.

Reccer says: so adorable and fluffy and just fun to read!

The Fire and the Fate by dimpled_halo/@comebackassholes (56000, Explicit, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson) – fic post Warnings: Depression, Alcohol and Drug Addiction

An A Star is born au with a happy ending. Harry is a troubled musician about to reach the end of his rope when he finds Louis singing in a club one night. He’s instantly mesmerised by the man with blue eyes and breathtaking voice.

Reccer says: Loved it!!! The author definitely captured the spirit of their like intense epic love story from the movie but made it so much better with their changes.

Drain to the Stars by Blooming Rogue/@roguenauticals (28002, Explicit, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson)

Louis lived a very quiet life at his inherited book shop in Notting Hill, until Oscar-winner Harry Styles walked through the door.

Reccer says: This one was so delightful and parts of it absolutely broke my heart too, omg. I loved the changes the author made adapting the movie, keeping the spirit and what I love about it while bringing in all of the boys. Really, really well done

Home For The Holiday by Larrysmomfics/@larrysmomfics (86791, Mature, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson) – fic post

A "The Holiday" inspired AU where Harry meets Louis after agreeing to swap houses with a stranger on the internet for three weeks over the holidays.

Reccer says: This fic is charming, funny, sweetly romantic, and has the perfect balance of fandom references! Such a wonderful piece, so well-written and really really hilarious.

I Can Feel It Take A Hold by louislittletomlintum/@louislittletomlintum (30000, Explicit, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson) – fic post

the one where it’s call me by your name but with; developed frontal lobes, oranges instead of peaches, golden by harry styles, and a happy ending

Reccer says: A great film fic from a great author! They’re close enough to the movies without following the exact plot, so it's a familiar story but full of new details and discoveries.

All I’ve Ever Known by haztobegood/@haztobegood (34821, Explicit, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson) – fic post

The disruption was small, but mighty. It came hitched to the back of a black Dodge Ram pickup truck one sunny spring afternoon. With its shiny metal siding and sparkling windows, it stood out like a sore thumb. It was a Tiny House. The brand new tiny house was delivered to the empty lot at 28 Longbourn Lane, drawing a small crowd around the mailboxes. Gossip was a hot commodity in Princess Park and it had been ages since the neighbors had seen something so novel. “It is a truth universally acknowledged that anybody that wants to live in a tiny home must be lacking in both taste and sense.” —A Pride & Prejudice AU

Reccer says: A super fun contemporary reimagining of P&P!

When Harry Met Louis by disgruntledkittenface/@disgruntledkittenface (45000, Mature, Harry Styles/ Louis Tomlinson) – fic post

The first time Harry and Louis met, they hated each other. The second time they met, Louis didn’t even remember Harry. The third time they met, they became friends. They were friends for a long time. And then they weren’t.

Reccer says: I love the convos about queer marriage—and the almost-too-real incestuous lesbian friend circles

Tell Me Now, Is It So? by louislittletomlintum/@louislittletomlintum (29000, Explicit, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson) – fic post

The one where Harry comes to work on a pirate radio ship in 1966 and gets a lot more experience than he bargained for.

Reccer says: Great historical tidbits, you can't help fall in love with the world this is set in. And a super sweet H&L.

Make It Up As We Go Along by Lululawrence /@lululawrence (52000, Not Rated, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson/Zayn Malik/Liam Payne/Niall Horan) – fic post

By all accounts, roommates and best friends Harry, Zayn, and Niall are living the dream. Life is going pretty well for all of them, but underneath the surface none of them are truly happy. 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.

Because I realized after a couple of meetings that my moments of baffled distress during them were centering around a pattern of our votes electing by majority to reject most of the good, interesting stuff and agree to publish the very bland.

So I was looking around this room of people I mostly liked or respected if not both, trying to figure out what the fuck when there was no reasonable way of asking, until the day we by majority vote sent definitely the best thing submitted all year back pending 'revisions' which of course would not be made, because the poet would definitely either become demoralized or know for damn sure she was too good for our stupid journal. I have no idea which it was; it's a question of mindset, and the submissions were anonymous.

This good poem was rejected for two reasons, both of which were actually manifestations of it being good. One was that it had made a couple of the board uncomfortable--not by having any shocking subject material, mind, just by provoking emotions with unusual descriptive language and indirectness--and they'd transmitted that uneasiness throughout the group during discussion.

And the other, seized upon as an excuse in light of the first, was that by being complex in terms of both structure and notion it had drawn several of us in, interested enough to engage critically and respond in depth, and so we'd marked it up with lots of places we thought a word choice could have been a little stronger, a line break had been a little odd; ways we thought it could have been a more excellent version of the poem we perceived in it. None of them ways it was actually bad. Just places we felt it could have been better.

At the same meeting, we voted to accept a poem that was an utterly tepid rectangle of predictable nothing-in-particular, because no one could find anything in it to object to.

It wasn't good. It wasn't noticeably bad, either, though; it was one consistent level of mediocrity clear through, and thus no part of it stood out as a weakness, and therefore the committee found it more acceptable than the poem that was superior in every way, but which by being daring and interesting had left itself covered in vulnerable places.

I have seen many posts ragging on over-used phrases in fanfic, and yes, I find 'cerulean orbs' deeply strange, but if I ever said anything hateful on the topic I wish I hadn't.

You know why we say 'smirk' a lot in fic? cause its faster than 'gave a tiny smile to one side with their lips closed, a little cocky and provocative' Smirk is an easy way of saying it. It's the correct word. We say it in fic a lot because people smirk a lot in real life. Go people watch, its all over. Also. Bring me a true synonym for smirk, and I'll use that instead, but these ain't it.

If you have a better way of saying 'took off his shoes without untying them, just levered the heel with the toe of the other' that isn't saying 'he toed off his shoes' I'd love to hear it. Cause that phrase is perfect for it.

'Huffed a laugh'? Yeah, they did. Cause I'm not going to spend extra words describing how they 'exhaled through their nose once, amused, but not enough to fully laugh aloud' Its a specific action. You think people don't do that all day? five bucks says its exactly what you do when you see a meme most of the time. You didn't lol. You huffed a laugh.

The idea that something that's been used before is inherently less valuable is ridiculous. Same with the inverse.

If the phrase you want to use is common or widely used, but is the best way to communicate it? Use it. Don't fall for this trap that is currently consuming hollywood. You don't have to have a clever twist just because 'they survived and were happy' is a trope. You don't have to use some insane alternate phrase just because someone thinks fandom uses 'smirk' too much.

TvTropes - hella useful resource, love to see it; has somehow been interpreted by others as 'if you use any Tropes you are Bad.'

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