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

Interesting choice, I love that! Thank you for this <3

Louis: He is DRAMATIC. It's not that he doesn't like summer. He loves the heat and the way he can show off his legs - he worked hard on them, thank you very much - but at the same time this is an opportunity to complain about something. Bullies other guys into making him icy cocktails and bringing him ice cream and applying sunscreen to his back.

Harry: He has everything he needs at his home: food, drinks, air conditioning and an indoor pool. He walks around naked all day, because it is his second nature and his only problem is being bored.

Niall: This is the end. He cannot do anything. He cannot go out. His friends decline all his calls. Nothing has purpose anymore. Oh wait, his impulse online purchase just got delivered everything is alright again.

Zayn: This is not his first rodeo and he can get through. He googles what to do and gets into action fast. Get enough water, close all windows and doors and shut the blinds, stay downstairs in a room that is the furthest from the sun rays. Get AC if you can.

Liam: The mechanic who comes to attach the AC to Zayn's house. He is working outside clad in just his shorts, minding his own business. Who is he to decline the invite for a lemonade inside though? Zayn insists he cannot let Liam outside to get exposed to the terrible heat. He must definitely stay inside with Zayn until late at night when it finally gets a few degrees colder.

thank you, lovely! 💕

How do you stay motivated to finish what you’ve started?

Ummm, I have so many WIPs that I’ve abandoned for the time being it's so hard to answer this. I guess I just keep try to think more little and often, try and break it down into little bits so it doesn’t feel so huge? So instead of ‘I must finish this fic!’ it’s more, ‘try and finish this chapter/scene/paragraph’. Also posting snippets and getting a nice reaction can be a boost. 

Long chapters or short chapters?

I actually don’t really do chapters? I only have one fic that was chaptered and that was because every chapter started the same way kind of, and thought it was easier doing it that way. I also have a huge WIP that’s about 70K long which is chaptered due to the size of it, but normally I just do it all in a one shot!

hi!!! it’s been TOO LONG!!! I’m very tired and in the middle of exam weeks but soon it will be OVER but anyways i saw ur name and smiled ilysm emanuelle <3 

12.) talk about a new friend you made this year - DO YOU COUNT?? because i was so so so so happy to become your friend you are sweet and funny and clever and very kind and you also love Merlin! What more can a gal need? For other new friends, I would have to shoutout @queenlokibeth for being my FIRST new fandom friend this year and coming up with an ‘if u suffer, i suffer’ model of friendship that I wouldn't have survived the first few months of lockdown without, @dependsonwhospitching for being my #knifewife and being totally okat with hearing all of my jokes TWICE (or more haha), @thewestishharpooners for just. having one of the biggest hearts in the fandom. @louciernagas for her AMAZING analysis and always putting a smile on my face (warm! safe! golden!) and @always28lou and @lascitateognesperanza for having my back when I need it on this site and then being such amazing people over all! 

13.) how was ur birthday: it was chill! I like being lowkey about it so some hiking and some wine and some dancing with fairylights 

E PLEASE THANK YOU! i try to be these things!!!! 

Thank you, E! I made a fake summary + a first scene (under the cut)

Prince Louis, the first heir to the throne, grows up knowing he one day will be king, and kings don’t have time for infantile entertainment. When his younger brother, Liam, convinces him to watch a magician and a jester perform, he is ready to ignore the silly spectacle in favour of strategizing with his Knight and right-hand man, Zayn. 

Louis is caught by surprise when the magician’s beauty challenges that of royalty and his green eyes are the most enticing Louis has ever seen. But he won’t let himself be lured by the man’s charm. A future king has no time for a mediocre entertainer, who makes a living out of children’s play.

We’ll be a fine line | 40k | Explicit | Enemies to Lovers

send me (anon or not) a royalty themed short fic prompt

Hi, thanks so much for your message! 💞

This ended up being more difficult than I anticipated haha, but in the end I’m quite happy with what I came up with 🌸✨ Decided to stick to instrumental music since it seemed to work best for this playlist 😊  

Spikeroog - The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Mountain Call by Thomas Bergersen

Timelapse by Mari Samuelsen

Time of Which We Have No Knowledge - The Tudors

Into the Na’vi World - AVATAR

Happy Childhoods Make for Dull Company - Netflix’s The Witcher