Still somehow, you're perfect now

January 2026, what a month it has been! I honestly almost forgot about this in the chaos that is new music, but here it is! I actually got quite a bit of reading done this month, even some longer ones. Happy reading everyone!

❃ Calls, Cacti & Confessions by @red-panda-28

Louis/Harry | 1.4k | G | Nontraditional Omegaverse, Established Relationship, Fluff

His Louis, who he’d known for years. Who he felt safe and comfortable around. Whose scent was as familiar and soothing as his own and who never failed to make him laugh, calm him down or lift him up whenever needed. Yes, Harry decided, confessing he was in love definitely wasn’t too soon. Now, he just needed a suitable moment. OR Harry wants to tell Louis he loves him, but a call and a cactus interfere with his plan

This was so sweet!

❃ Figure This Out by @haztobegood

Louis/Harry | 2.4k | E | Sugar Daddy, Daddy Kink, Silver Fox Louis

Louis is everything Harry could have imagined when he’d typed “silver fox enthusiast” into his Grindr profile. Too bad he's probably scared Louis off by giving him too many expensive gifts.

I did a reread of this, and I still love the twist of the dynamic! Harry just wanting to help, and trying his best to not overwhelm Louis. Being completely gone for him. I love it!

❃ Your Page Was Blank But I Read It by @letthemusicmoveyou28

Louis/Harry | 3.1k | E | Dom/Sub, Grammys, Established Relationship

“Saw your performance, amazing love.” Harry can’t help but wince. “The mic wasn’t picking up my vocals right, and the platform was spinning the wrong direction. I’m lucky that I or one of the dancers didn’t break our necks.” He watches something dark flash in Louis’ eyes. “Yeah I know. Already gave Jeff an earful on the phone. Told ‘im if anything like that ever happens again it’s his own neck he should be worried about.” Despite his strong dislike for violence, Harry can’t help but smile at Louis’ fierce protective streak. Louis holds up the jar of green olives to solidify his point. “Doesn’t matter. Technical difficulties aside, you still smashed it Haz.” (Or the one where Harry is having some doubts after the Grammys, and Louis is there to squash those for him).

This was so sweet? I love Louis knowing what Harry needs, and taking care of him!

Only when Harry steps back, Louis dares to look at him. He’s standing with his hands in his back pockets, eyes skimming across the floor. “So…” he looks up at Louis, giving him a tight-lipped smile. “Will I be coming back or…?” No.  Your face reminds me of too many things.  It reminds me of the countless kisses I licked into your laughing mouth.  It reminds me of the never-ending flood of tears that followed right after.  It reminds me of the ugly side of me that you always managed to pull out of me. The one I’ve tried so hard to forget.  Louis opens his mouth but all that leaves his lips is a quiet sigh, accompanied by a clueless shrug.  “I really like your cats,” Harry says, looking down at the floor. “And they seem to like me.” At that, Louis can’t help but smile. “Of course they like you, you fed them a whole box of treats.” “Wasn’t a whole box!” Harry defends, with a scandalized frown on his face. He rubs a hand over the side of his neck, avoiding Louis’ eyes. “Was like… half full. If that.” “Sure.” Glancing over at Lucifer who’s contently sleeping under the stairs

Daddy might not be a psycho, but daddy’s definitely going to lose his damn mind if Harry keeps referring to him as daddy. by @larrydoinglaundry on ao3.

240k

(i cried, not because it was bad, but because it was so beautifully tragic that i wanted it as physical book just so i could pen down every thought)

236K | explicit | exes to lovers |

Louis Tomlinson is a highly successful sex therapist, building his enviable career in the heart of Chicago. But behind closed doors, he's haunted by the demons of his past. Dr. Harry Styles is an exceptionally gifted yet troubled cardiothoracic surgeon who has made all the wrong choices, and is now trying to find his own path after spending a lifetime pleasing other people. A story of growth, forgiveness and compassion. And cats.

Rec List: Fan Faves!

I asked you for your favourite, mind-blowing, life-altering fics, and y'all delivered. And I approve of y'all's taste -- I haven't read all of these fics, but there are a number of fics that I've read and loved as well as fics that are already on my TBR list. And I'm just as excited for the ones I haven't seen before, we love new discoveries and celebrating hidden gems.

Please read, kudos, comment, share, and all that jazz! These authors absolutely deserve it.

a little tenderness by disgruntledkittenface/@disgruntledkittenface (10500, Not Rated, Niall Horan/Harry Styles) – fic post

Alpha Harry helps Omega Niall through a case of touch deprivation.

Reccer says: This is my ultimate comfort fic. It is soft and sweet and their relationship is so perfect. I love the way this fic deals with asexuality and secondary genders.

Crawling on Your Shores by juliusschmidt/@juliusschmidt (66631, Explicit, Liam Payne/Harry Styles) – fic post Warnings: mental health issues, past death by suicide

Liam is searching for direction, purpose, connection, and, ultimately, himself. Harry is searching for aliens.

Reccer says: The care that this writer put into writing these characters just trying to figure things out and finding each other is honestly next level.

Stand on Holy Ground by wishingforloushair on ao3/@wishingforloushair (17322, Explicit, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson) Warnings: Religion, unholy uses of holy things.

Harry is a priest and does unholy things to Louis in a church.

Reccer says: I wasn’t raised religious and this fic is the reason why I know how to pray the rosary. I wish I was kidding.

No one like you by Myownspark /@myownsparknow (19924, Mature, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson)

Harry and Louis are 19th century painters on opposite sides of an artistic divide, thought to be complete opposites or completely unrelated. Liam and Niall discover their true story through letters and paintings in the current day.

Reccer says: Beautiful prose that really puts you in the moment, it’s so vivid. Discovering H&L’s love story as Liam and Niall do is so fun, and their love story makes your heart ache.

love is a word, you gave it a name by CuckooTrooke/@larrydoinglaundry (158000, Explicit, Harry Styles / Louis Tomlinson) – fic post Warnings: Themes of closeting and gender identity are discussed with all the respect and care they deserve

After two decades in brutal show business, Louis Tomlinson is trying to restore his tranquility of mind in the peace of Northern Europe where the sun barely sets, Maria's bar is always open, and young Harry has an irresistible spark in his eyes.

Reccer says: This fic gripped my entire soul and changed me as a person. The characters are so nuanced and layered and real, and their story will make you feel every human emotion.

Vexxieverse by SomeDovesFly /@somedovesfly (616774, Explicit, Niall Horan/Zayn Malik/Liam Payne/Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson) – fic post Warnings: Plenty, please heed the tags for each story. Everything is consensual, but some of the kink content is intense and might be triggering.

OT5 poly AU. They navigate through Hollywood, life, sex, kink, and jealousy but never without abundant love. BDSM comfort fic.

Reccer says: In my 25 years of reading fic, I've never encountered anything like this series. The most outstanding, loving, realistic depiction of polyamory *and* kink I've ever seen written for any fandom. This story truly is the greatest of them all and will change you as a person.

Stranger Than Larry Fiction by Larrysmomfics/@larrysmomfics (90000, Mature, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson)

Harry and Louis were never together in the band. Now they’re reading Larry fanfic together. What’s the worst that could happen?

Reccer says: The call outs to some amazing works in the fandom, Harry’s devotion, Louis idiocy.

Our Lives, Non-Fiction by indiaalphawhiskey/@indiaalphawhiskey (113574, Explicit, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson) – fic post

Heralded as the next Neil Gaiman, Louis Tomlinson does not appreciate being told that his very serious novel is in dire need of a PR boost. Even worse, that it comes in the form of a joint book tour with the UK’s #1 online romance-writing sensation Marcel Styles. Already turbulent at best, their partnership takes a drastic turn when, overly stressed about his looming deadline, Marcel accidentally blurts out a secret: though he’s famed for his scorching hot literary love scenes, he is, actually, a virgin.

Reccer says: This is my all-time fave fic. I love the deep dive into the writing process, the incredible banter, and then there’s the hot hot hot smut

Them Butterflies by momentofclarity/@gaycousinlarry (68507, Explicit, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson) – fic post

To sum it all up - Louis is beautiful. Breathtakingly so. And Harry can’t find it in himself to even question the fact that he thinks so. Louis is mesmerising, nearly magnetic with all the energy bouncing off of him. Harry doesn’t know what to make of it, but he knows he doesn’t want this night to end. This is the extraordinarily ordinary AU where Harry falls in love for the first time and Louis learns how to fall in love all over again.

Reccer says: This fic is my ultimate cheer-me-up anytime comfort read. Their first meeting scene is just so … perfectly all consuming (and deeply reminiscent of the first time I met a past love)

You Make Lovin’ Fun by homosociallyyours/@homosociallyyours (109915, Explicit, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson) – fic post

Harry is a 28 year old travel writer at a queer magazine who gets the assignment to go on a lesbian cruise. She figures it’s a nice chance to have some fun in the sun, but she’s not expecting much else– even if her partner and best friend are both encouraging her to hook up with someone while she’s there. When she locks eyes with a gorgeous silver fox from across a crowded room, she starts to think she could’ve been wrong. There are lots of things standing in the way of anything real happening with her and Louis, but that doesn’t stop them from falling for one another. True love isn’t always easy, but they do make lovin’ fun.

Reccer says: Another comfort reread! I love love love that there’s no glossing over the hard parts of relationships, and the gorgeous smut is a bonus!

And Then a Bit by infinitelymint /@infinitelymint (158824, Explicit, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson) – fic post

“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.

Reccer says: All the things!!! This fic has brilliant OT5 shenanigans, all the canon references with a lot less angst, plus bffs Harry and Louis fake dating (or are they?)

where the lights are beautiful by twoshipsdrifting/@polkadotlou (31170, Mature, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson) – fic post Warnings: Dubious Consent during heat

The accidental bonding omegaverse fic where Harry thinks Louis trapped him into bonding

Reccer says: This is my go-to fic when I want to cry. Hurts just right! And it's still after all these years my favorite omegaverse fic

Moon Dances Over by LadyLondonderry/@londonfoginacup (1982, General, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson) – fic post

Omega mer-person Louis will choose his alpha at the mating ceremony tonight, and he is ready to make an unconventional choice.

second part of groupie love

23K | explicit | rockstar louis | groupie h | smut

After parting ways with Harry in Krakow, Louis is left yearning. However, anticipation has never tasted this delicious, and the following release has never been quite this ravenous.

love is a word, you gave it a name by CuckooTrooke/@larrydoinglaundry

158K | famous/non-famous | age difference | slow burn

After two decades in brutal show business, Louis Tomlinson is trying to restore his tranquility of mind in the peace of Northern Europe where the sun barely sets, Maria's bar is always open, and young Harry has an irresistible spark in his eyes.

Read now on Ao3!

i found love in you (and i learned to love me too) by CuckooTrooke /@larrydoinglaundry

166k | famous & non-famous | age difference

After months of battling with his own demons, Louis goes back to get what he once left behind, but Harry's not sure if he showed up in time. A journey of remorse, healing and love that's strong enough to break them down and build them back up again. Sequel to 'love is a word, you gave it a name'.

me after just now having finished it:

LMAO, U KNOW MY FIRST RESPONSE! I'm gonna assume you're after the D, and I'm not sure if you want my faves of 2024, some kind of specific theme, or just what's most recent, so here's a baker's dozen of 1D fics I enjoyed from the last 6 months or so, just to keep it on a leash. If you want to (fine)tune, drop me a (fine)line!

Flying Over on My Own Tonight, @haztobegood, 1.3k

The Ball Guy, @homosociallyyours, 1.3k

Cut Me Up and Kiss My Harder, sorn_alba, 1.5k

Into the Light, anonymous, 1.6k

pumpkin spiced regret, @disgruntledkittenface, 1.8k

Dust, lillyluna, 2.8k

do not want this show to end, @uhoh-but-yeah-alright, 2.8k

Yesterday's Gone, red_panda28, 3.5k

i'm a couple glasses in, justanothershadeofblue, 3.8k

Let Me Be Your Last First Piss, LiveLaughLoveLarry, 6k

drain me, boyfriendstages, 6.9k

touch me baby, put your lips on mine, insightfulinsomniac, 12k

Hi, anon! You're very welcome! Here is the fic you're looking for...

Groupie Love by CuckooTrooke / @larrydoinglaundry

"Now, Louis is only a human. He'd be lying if he said he has never considered his fans attractive but it's not something that happens regularly. Many of them are a little too young for him to look at and those who aren’t so young are rarely squished at the barricade for him to admire. So, seeing a woman like her right at the front is a rare and remarkable surprise for him.

And God does he want to keep looking at her."

45K | explicit | rockstar louis | groupie harry | smut

Louis is a rock star on a world tour and Harry is a regular attendee. They could never work.