these fireproof words

Title: About the River and Cliché

Author: magensta (magentania)

Rating: Mature

Ship: Zayn Malik/Harry Styles

Summary: “Are you flirting with me?” Harry whispers, raising one of his eyebrows, “your future stepbrother?”

“Why, I thought I was being offensive.” Harry snorts, “By calling me sexy?”

“Nope. That means you’re just nothing but an attractive asshole.”

The one where Harry’s mom is going to get married, which is totally fine - if he did not happen to have an one night stand with his soon-to-be stepbrother before.

Why you should read it:

To quote one of the greatest minds of our time, the set up of this fic is “the right kind of wrong.” (Okay I stole that directly from Coyote Ugly, but I stand by my claim). That being said, the story isn’t about almost-incest. The relationship is a bit unconventional, but the story definitely doesn’t play off of any kind of shock factor. I’d say it’s more about healing old wounds. And as unconventional as the relationship might be, Zayn is exactly what Harry needs to pull himself out of the rut he’s in.  

From the beginning the author sets up a conflict outside of the romance plot, which automatically earns points from me. I was pulled in by the plot and the tension obvious in the taboo relationship of soon-to-be stepbrothers, but the family aspect makes the story even more rich. Harry’s backstory is absolutely vital to understanding his character 

The disparity between Harry and “Harry.” You know I love my character development, right? Going back to my previous point, in addition to family relations, another major point of conflict is the persona Harry has constructed since leaving his hometown. What makes the romance so good is the way Zayn sees through the front Harry puts up, and without realizing it, Harry actually reverts back to his genuine self when he’s around Zayn.

I also love the awareness of the text with the way it pokes fun at tropes. It’s a nice nod to cliches we’re familiar with and it’s good for some chuckles here and there but it also draws out insightful moments from the characters. 

Why you shouldn’t read it:

Not an OT5 fic, but it’s a Zarry-centric fic, so that’s not surprising. Harry and Zayn’s relationship is really well-developed, and, again, Harry’s character is so intriguing. And that’s all with a word count around 15,000, which is incredible.

This blog is still pretty fresh, but since we’re getting more followers, I think it’s time to have some fun with this space and with all of you. Basically my idea for theme weeks is that the last week of each month would have a theme chosen from a list of ideas generated by this blog’s followers.

Title: Here Comes the Moon

Author: cantgetnoworse

Rating: Mature

Ship: Zayn Malik/Harry Styles

Summary: It's quite simple, really. Harry comes home from the bakery -- flour trapped between the threads of his beanie, a few quid in his pocket in tips -- before his boyfriend can leave his art studio so that he can cook up a storm for him.

Why you should read it:

Just over a thousand words of gorgeous prose. I can be a bit critical about shorter works and how space is used (or, more accurately, not used), but this has to be the gold standard. It reads like a snapshot, a tiny moment suspended so each detail can be appreciated. The writing is compact and deliberate, and there are so many lines that deliver a nice punch to my feelings. And then he tried Zayn. That line in particular makes me weak.

The portrayal of Harry and Zayn’s relationship is beautiful. We get the story from Harry’s perspective, with Zayn only materializing at the end, but their relationship has a sense of security that I envy. They show their appreciation for each other in small, meaningful ways, and in those acts you just get it. 

Dinner is saved! There isn’t much to spoil and I’m probably the only person who cares about this very minor thing, but I’ll be vague anyway. Toward the end I just kept repeating “The pasta, the pasta” in my head, because I’ve seen too many dinners sacrificed to fic cliches. It’s the little things, people. 

This is a comment to the same tune of “Dinner is saved!” but this was actually published in 2012. The characters don’t seem dated at all, which is an impression I get with some older fics. It translates to the present so effortlessly, and I like that.   

Why you shouldn’t read it:

Right off the bat I can say that if you don’t like short fics, you’ll be a bit hesitant about this one. The length was out of my comfort zone, but it’s such a satisfying read.

Title: See This Through

Author: aguantare

Rating: Teen

Ship: Zayn Malik/Niall Horan

Summary: If Niall hadn’t been down that road five years ago, he wouldn’t think it was possible, the kind of desperation that could set in when your cupboard was literally bare and no one would hire you because of your lack of experience but the only way you could get experience was to get hired somewhere. But he’s been there. And he knows the kinds of things that go through your mind when you haven’t eaten for three days straight, the things you realize you’re willing to do.

Why you should read it:

Ziall. If I didn’t have a sense of shame, this would be a very short list. Do you ever need a reason to read Ziall? But seriously, the fanfiction world is sleeping on Ziall and I’m not sure why. One reason I love this fic is because it embodies the appeal of this ship. Zayn and Niall find balance in one another. And I love the way this particular author writes their relationship. Both characters are incredibly vulnerable, but instead of falling into unhealthy behaviors in their relationship (as characters in similar situations frequently find themselves in) they support each other and encourage each other to take healthy risks. 

It’s not a slow burn, but it’s a moderate burn. I tend to recommend fics where the characters don’t rush into romance, because quite frankly I find it unrealistic and I close out of it immediately. I love the way Niall’s encounters with Zayn build in the first chapter until Zayn finally realizes he can trust him. As a reader, I need to know a character’s motivation in order for the story to work, and the way Zayn’s walls come down one by one, that’s exactly what happened. 

With three chapters it’s a nice length for a quick read...and then a quick re-read when you realize how much you love it. 

Why you shouldn’t read it:

This is not an OT5 kind of fic, so if that’s your thing, be aware of that going into the story.

One of the fic’s selling points is its length, but I also consider its length a drawback. I would have absolutely loved this if it were expanded into more chapters. There are more parts I would have liked to see more of, such as insight into Niall’s past and his recovery from that past, as well as insight into the development of their romantic feelings toward one another. And, as always, I’m not a fan of time jumps, which we get in the last chapter.

Title: The Things That We Find

Author: bek (backbackforward)

Rating: Teen

Ship: Liam Payne/Louis Tomlinson

Summary: The guy is watching him with a funny expression that disappears so quickly Louis must have imagined it. It's late; he's projecting. "Have a good night," the guy offers, smiling at Louis. "Thanks again for the tip with the timetable."

"My pleasure," says Louis, because I'm probably going to wank to your smile isn't really appropriate. "Thanks for the concert."

"It was a one-time only deal," the guy shouts after him, waving and grinning, and as Louis finds a seat on the bus and falls into it, he can't stop himself from thinking fuck, I hope not.

Why you should read it:

Very well-written! We’ve all been to bus stops, right? Not exactly first on my list for a meet cute, especially in the dead of winter. Toss in the deliciously unusual element of a grown man caught listening to children’s songs and it’s tough to imagine anyone coming up with a masterpiece. Obviously, this story defies the odds, because it’s absolutely brilliant and captivating (you had me at nipple cream). The details are vivid, the dialogue is natural (awkward dialogue makes me cringe and I didn’t cringe once), the humor is really, really on point, and I want to put Louis and Liam in my pocket forever.

Louis is a lovable little shit what else is new?. I feel like Louis is a difficult character for a lot of writers to nail while still retaining what makes him Louis. Most of the time, he’s either watered down and ultra-serious or he’s an obnoxious, manic devil-child with no in-between. This portrayal was very enjoyable, because it was him. The opening scene where he meets Liam might be my favorite thing in the world because of a.) Louis anticipating death and b.) Budget Beckham. But of course, it’s all about character development, which the author nails.     

I try to avoid spoilers that might detract from the reading experience, so I’m going to be vague: Liam is the cutest human being on the planet. When you realize the extent of his cuteness, you will silently scream into your fists and run a few laps just to get over the sappiness of that human puppy. 

Did I mention I’m in love with this story? Because I definitely am. I know I say that about a lot of things I have a lot of love to go around but this might be the perfect romance.

Why you shouldn’t read it:

I’d say this barely counts as fluff so I’m hesitant to slap that label on, but you’re not going to get any angst with this one. So if you get off on pain and misery (which I totally understand, because that’s me), you might have a hard time. Obviously, I read it and loved it, but if you need heartache in your life, you’re not going to get it here. 

Zayn doesn’t have much of a presence, so if that’s a big thing for you, be aware of that. But I don’t think you’ll notice. I got a good chuckle out of Louis’s jealousy the few times he was mentioned.

Title: A House Built Out of Stone

Author: robpatFF

Rating: Mature

Ship: Louis Tomlinson/Harry Styles

Summary: Louis has a used bookshop and Harry has a habit of claiming things that don't belong to him.

Why you should read it:

Sweet little lost puppy Harry all wrapped up in his scarf with his broken down “Harry” chair. He’s so wonderfully endearing, no wonder he could charm his way into Louis’s bookstore. I love the way he strolls into a random shop and just fits. 

Past Louis/Zayn is my not-so guilty pleasure, especially here where it’s difficult to find reasons to dislike Zayn. He’s an important character in the Louis’s life as his best friend (who happens to be his ex), and you can only imagine the kind of mess he would be without him. Okay so maybe he acts like a butt for a hot second, but I think it’s understandable given their complicated relationship and now I want to cry myself to sleep over the prequel we’ll never have.

When Louis gets his groove back! It bothers me to no end when characters hopelessly pine after past relationships. Harry injects life into Louis and ultimately inspires him to move on from Zayn once and for all. It’s incredibly satisfying and motivating watching Louis actually decide to be in control of his future. The apartment cleaning is definitely my favorite scene.

Why you shouldn’t read it:

How do you like your Harry? I feel like this is a valid question, because out of all the boys I think Harry has the most versatile portrayals. This Harry is wide-eyed and innocent, but even if that’s not your favorite Harry, I think you can admire his backbone. He’s not a doormat, and when he gets a whiff of the weirdness between Louis and Zayn he makes it clear that he’s not getting in the middle of that nonsense.   

Past Louis/Zayn might not be your not-so guilty pleasure. It’s clear that there’s no hope of them reuniting, but Zayn is like a ghost. He only shows up maybe three times, but Louis’s so stuck on him, his presence seems to linger through the bulk of the text. Again, I really liked their relationship and it doesn’t at all detract from Harry and Louis’s relation, but if you’re the type who prefers to focus on one couple, you might not enjoy that aspect of the story.

Title: Chaos and Order

Author: badjujuboo (slightlytotheleft)

Rating: Mature

Ship: Liam Payne/Louis Tomlinson

Summary: He was sixteen when his entire life was planned out ahead of him. Twenty-six when he realised that there was more than one road to travel on for the rest of it. A story about a boy who thought he knew what love was, only to properly find it once his heart was broken. A story about ducks and flying together being more of a metaphor about family and what a family can actually be than just animals. A story about a dad figuring out who he is without just being a husband to a wife in a job he hates with two out of three children who like him. But most of all, a story about finding yourself and being happy with all that comes with it.

Why you should read it:

Very character driven, which is an immediate turn-on for me the more you know. This isn’t the kind of story you read for the romance, and even then I don’t think you can appreciate the romance without first appreciating the changes Liam goes through over the course of the story.

I’m incredibly tempted to classify this as a coming of age story, because it is. We start with Liam, a pseudo-adult forced to grow up too fast, adopting roles like father and husband, which he doesn’t quite understand, and we end with an actual grown up who learns to liberate himself and take risks. Sometimes you want to throw things at him, but when Liam finally gets it, he gets it (and then a single tear rolls down my face, because if you’re not proud of him by the end of this, you don’t have a soul). 

Liam and Danielle could be anyone. It’s a very relatable, slice of life story. I know so many people whose lives have taken similar turns, and as a small town girl that really resonates me. You dislike Liam, you dislike Danielle, but at the same time, I think you have to appreciate them as humans. Everything about this story just hits you right in the feelings and then in the kidney, for good measure. 

I have a crush on Mr. Tommo.

Why you shouldn’t read it:

It. literally. hurts. If you’re anything like me (and I’m so sorry if you are) and you get really emotional about fictional characters, you will try to find any possible way to crawl through your monitor to throttle Danielle and her horrible family. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work but I’m not-so-secretly into that kind of pain anyway. 

Speaking of pain I’m into: long chapters. This is my warning to you. Almost 70k in six chapters. As always, this shouldn’t discourage you, but if you’re not into long sits, plan accordingly. 

Title: C’mon Baby (Light My Fire)

Author: popfly

Rating: Teen

Ship: Niall Horan / Liam Payne

Summary: Liam wonders if Niall’s just the type that kisses his mates, if now that they’ve hung out a few times they’ve reached that level.

Why you should read it:

LIAM IS A FIREFIGHTER. Do you really need more incentive?? Honestly, this fic opened my eyes to just how much I need a uniformed Liam in my life. There’s no turning back now.

The romance is so sweet and simple, very realistic. There isn’t a big dramatic flare about it. You’re just watching two people fall in love and it all makes sense. 

It’s a quick read, less than 4,000 words, perfect for a lazy day when you just went to lay around with a cup of tea and melt. It’s definitely one of my go-to fics when I just want to unwind. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve read it.

Why you shouldn’t read it:

If you want a fic with a strong OT5 presence, you might not be satisfied with this. It’s very much centered on Niall and Liam, with Zayn popping in once or twice.

Had I just looked at the length, I probably wouldn’t have read it. Again, it’s less than 4,000 words so if you’re like me you might consider it a bit of a tease. But I will say that I appreciated the way the story was told within its relatively low word count.

Title: You Look Great When I’m Fucked Up

Author: blackwayfarers

Rating: Explicit

Ship: Zayn Mailk / Liam Payne

Summary: The sun sets while they get stoned, falling like a coin tossed into the ocean, and the calm of night takes over Zayn's awful day. The boys keep up a lazy conversation about surfing but Zayn doesn't say much at all, he just chases the taste of rum out of his mouth with sticky smoke from Niall's joint and listens to his boys talk, the murmur of their voices and the buzz of his high bringing him back home.

Why you should read it:

I’m going to say it: this fic is the quintessential coming-of-age story. I have yet to find a story from any ship within the fandom that can steal my love for this story and these characters. Reading this you just feel it in your bones and it feels like the uncertainty of your teenage years, that pause right before you realize you’re supposed to grow up.

This incarnation of Zayn and Liam is one of my favorite pairings. They just complement each other, with Liam being the most earnest, most endearing boy on the planet and Zayn being the tortured fuck up you’re rooting for.  The relationship is written absolutely beautifully. It’s the indie romance I always wanted.

Best friend Niall is a gem! I feel like this is worth mentioning because while Louis and Harry typically shine as side characters, Niall usually gets the shitty end of the stick. Not here. His character is written as an actual character, an integral part of the story. This might be a slightly controversial opinion, but he’s the glue that keeps Zayn from falling apart.

Why you shouldn’t read it:

I know some people have an aversion to Americanized versions of the boys, so that might be a turn-off, but it really shouldn’t be for this story. California makes sense with its surfing backdrop, and the entire vibe is very easygoing. It fits.

Title: Gods & Monsters

Author: Velvetoscar (mizzwilde)

Rating: Mature

Ship: Harry Styles / Louis Tomlinson

Summary: The instructions were simple: seduce and destroy Harry Styles. Not once did they discuss the option of Louis actually falling in love. So, naturally, that's exactly what he did.

Why you should read it:

This is my first recommendation, because I’m going to lay my bias out on the table right now. At the moment, this is my absolute favorite fic. The plot is one of my guilty pleasures, very Cruel Intentions-esque, but man does it deliver. Variations of this plot have been tried so much you would think it would be exhausted by now, but then this masterpiece comes along. Am I exaggerating? Never. It’s honestly that good.

Because behind every great fic is a great ensemble cast! I have never been more emotionally invested in a group of characters. It’s impossible to read this and root for one person. You just can’t do it. They’re all so multidimensional, so real. I want to scoop up every single character and protect them from their shitty world. 

Liam!!! This shouldn’t detract from the main characters, because Harry and Louis are both phenomenal characters. Liam though. Liam is my favorite character, not just in this story but out of everything I’ve read. I didn’t expect to care about him, because (spoiler) he’s a baddie, but is he?? Is he?? I don’t want to say too much, because I don’t want to spoil anything, but with Liam being behind every twist and turn I expected to hate him more and more for tormenting our wonderful lead couple. The exact opposite happened and I think that in itself is a testament to how well-written this story is. 

Why you shouldn’t read it:

This is not fluff. There are plenty of lighthearted moments courtesy of the wonderfully spacey Zayn and our faithful ball of sunshine, Niall, but the subject might be a little dark for some people. It’s not heavy on angst to the point of absurdity though, so if you’re not firm against angst, just give it a try.

You might think Liam is a horrible person. I’ve read other readers comment on how unlikable Liam was and how they didn’t understand why he was written that way. From my shameless drooling over Liam, obviously I disagree, but I know it can be difficult to stray from the “safe” archetypes the boys usually have. That being said, take that as a warning so you can read with an open mind. Give up preconceived character expectations and you’ll appreciate the story for what it is. 

these fireproof words is a one direction fanfiction library. as an avid fanfiction reader, my purpose in maintaining this library is to discover and celebrate wonderful writing within the fandom and share my favorite stories with others.

this blog is a very new endeavor, which means you may run into problems along the way. please bear with me as this blog is very much a work in progress.

i welcome your messages, your recommendations, and any constructive criticism you have to offer.