a rising tide lifts all boats

HERE, AND WHERE YOU ARE  -  ABO & SOULMATE AU

BY @adidassquad          l          ART BY @sugaminthair

-  Astrology is real and advanced. Your soulmate’s birth time/date/place is calculated when you’re born - for the wealthy who can afford it.

“I didn’t want to do the same thing to you.” Harry says, looking Louis straight in the eyes. Louis meets his eyes, confusion clear. 

“But you already did, once you asked for the letter you limited me-”

“I didn’t want you to choose Louis.” Harry knows he’s rudely interrupting the other man but he can’t help himself. “I want you to be with me because you want me, not because I’m your soulmate.”

Louis looks away, then back at him. His eyes are unreadable to Harry. who feels like the control of the situation is slowly slipping away. He never thought his own soulmate would refuse him.

“That’s impossible and you know that.” Louis says in a sharp voice. “You knew, and you’d always know. It would be lying if you tried to become a friend.”

COMING 🔜 TO THE @onedirectionbigbang​ 

Event Horizon — writing_practice, @mercurial-madhouse​

4.274 words / Harry x Louis

Event Horizon (noun): the boundary of a black hole beyond which nothing, including light, can escape; the point of no return. ∾ Celebrated as the youngest soulmates to ever find each other, the world sees Harry and Louis as one. But one body was never meant to hold the magic of two. 

Read this fic in silence, solitude, so you can savour every word. Because this is poetry, the kind that makes you go back and read sections over because you need to understand every bit of it, understand the way the author weaves the words together to create this beautiful lightning spark that shoots straight into your heart.

Diamonds and Pearls — superglass​

6.866 words / Harry x Louis / Explicit

He expects his usual warm welcome from Sue, always drying off a glass or cleaning the taps with a dirty rag. Instead, to his shock, a man is behind the bar, pouring a Whiskey Sour for a regular Harry always sees at this time of night. He’s no doubt his age; he can tell by the smoothness of his skin, the muscles in his biceps, the way his hair is swept back in a style not unlike a young James Dean, exemplifying the cut of his cheekbones and the sharpness at his jaw. As he approaches the bar, quietly since he’s not wearing his shoes, he blurts it out— “Where’s Sue? Is she alright? She’s not dead, is she?” The barkeep, wide-eyed at first but quickly growing amused, smiles at him, eyeing his dress, tousled wet hair and smudged makeup with a curl in his lip. “Darling,” he says, completely ignoring his question, “a leather jacket with a dress like that? Are you mad?” or In the midst of the AIDS crisis, Harry meets Louis after coming home from a drag ball. 80s NYC au.

This fic contains so many wonderful and important bits of history, herstory, their story… It makes you feel welcome as a reader, as if you’re part of everything that’s going on, and as if you know the characters personally. The way this author manages to get emotion across is powerful and settles deep within your chest, bittersweet and daring to hope.

We can find a place to feel good — yeah_alright, @uhohmorshedios​

7.895  words / @finelineficfest / Harry x Louis

14-year-old Harry is ecstatic to finally be old enough to experience the time-honored tradition of school dances. But with each year that passes and each dance he attends, he’s realizing they’re not all he used to hope they’d be. Especially when he can’t actually dance with the person he most wants to. Maybe he and Louis can figure out their own ways to keep dancing, anyway.

Such a soft fic, we follow Harry along the years yearning for a dance, like every one else. The author did such a great job writing the bittersweetness of the situation they are in and wrote such a perfectly sweet ending.

Sea Asunder — @cupcakentea​

68.049 words / @girldirectionfest​ / Harry x Louis

It’s only then, as Anne elegantly sits at the other end of the table, that Louis realises there’s a third set of cutlery and plate laid out on the side between them. She feels something twist in her belly, right when the sound of small heels coming closer echoes from the drawing room. She looks at Anne’s side, where the door she came from remains ajar. But she realises, as the steps slow down, that the one on hers is wide open. She feels the hair on her neck standing up slightly with what feels like a shift in the very atmosphere of the room. A gravitational pull that passes right by her side with no words, no sound, just a disturbance of the air. There she is. A Portrait of a Lady on Fire AU

The writing in this fic really transports you to a different place and time. It’s very beautifully written and portrays the atmosphere so very well. A beautiful slow burn fic where you get attached to the characters so much, you feel bereft to let them go when finished.

we are ghosts amongst these hills — @louisgaynkles​

84.172 words / Harry x Louis / Explicit

Harry spontaneously buys a house in Yorkshire because the universe, or fate, keeps leading him to it. What he didn’t know, is that his new house comes with a past that seems to be mysteriously tied to his own life. Before he knows it he finds himself travelling back in time, stuck in the middle of a century old love story. Featuring Louis as a farmer with a passion for gardening, Zayn as the heir to the local manor, Niall as a pub owner with a secret, and a truly underappreciated Liam. Based on Mariana by Susanna Kearsley

The author did such a wonderful job with this fic, getting you invested in both timelines, that it’s practically impossible to put the fic down. Such a beautifully written, suspenseful story that keeps you on the edge of your seat. This is the first fic from this author and we really hope to read some more!

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As always, support the authors by leaving kudos and comments! Happy reading!

For pairings like zouis, louaylor, what should I do?

Hi! I won’t lie...it’s fairly difficult to get the word out about rare pair fics. I think it’s important to keep in mind that they’re rare pairs and just are not going to get the attention a Larry fic would. That being said, there are rare pair readers in the fandom, and I’m one of them! And I’d be happy to reblog your fic post if you want to send it to me!

Some of my fellow rare pair readers include: 

@mercurial-madhouse

@lululawrence

@disgruntledkittenface

@haztobegood

@reminiscingintherain

@runaway-train-works

@louandhazaf

@zriller

@fallinglikethis

Also, sometimes there are fests like @louisandmenfest or @harryandmenfest or @heartbreakweatherficfest so be on the look out for fests like that where rare pairs are the fics being posted as fests you could potentially write for and help get a little more traction for your fic. (The keeper of the fest list is @louandhazaf!) 

Also, there are other One Direction themed fests that allow rare pairs like @1daboficfest and @onedirectionbigbang. Some upcoming ones you could write for are: @1dclicheficfest @bhficfest or @1dreversebang. 

There is also a lovely group of people who watch the tag #tracksintheam so be sure to put that in the tags and they’re really nice about reblogging rare pairs that are One Direction related. OH, I just thought of another thing...if you’re writing girl direction you can let @girldirectionsource know! 

Hi there, wonderful followers of this blog!

These past months – this past year, has been hard. Not just for us who run this blog, but for many of you as well. We’ve put much love and almost as much labour into this blog over the year we’ve had it now! 

We hope we’ve managed to at least partially achieve what we set out to do with this. Which is providing all you lovely readers with thoughtful recommendations and all of you wonderful authors with some well-deserved love! 

On our first anniversary, we ask for no great gifts, except for the gift of your submissions. It would truly help us out immensely if you could link us to your favourite under-appreciated fics! That way you save us some time in scouring ao3 for fics that we can recommend. – Time that we can then use to read. 

Thank you to anybody who has given us a follow over the last year or read any of the fics we recommended. You’re all wonderful and we wish you a healthy, happy 2021!

Here’s a list of wonderful under-appreciated fics for the holidays! As always, support the authors by leaving kudos and comments! xx

❄️ jingle around the clock — horlik_aholic

1.056 words / One Shot / Niall Horan x Zayn Malik

“you need to stop your drunken caroling outside of my window at 2 am au”

A very sweet little fic to start you off and get you in the holiday mood! 

❄️ sweater weather — @wishforwishes​

2.046 words / One Shot / Niall Horan x Harry Styles

Holy shit. There’s an actual Gucci model wearing one of his grandma’s sweaters right now.

Who hasn’t dreamed of meeting an actual Gucci model when stranded at the air port? This is a very sweet fic, providing all of the “lifetime” movie feelings you could possibly want! 

❄️ Let’s start the year off right (with a kiss) — whatmakeslarrybeautiful

3.888 words / One Shot / Harry Styles x Louis Tomlinson

Louis hates New Year’s Eve and thinks it’s overrated, and Harry loves New Year’s Eve and is hyped for it. Louis might just change his mind this New Year’s Eve though. Or rather, a specific someone, and a specific something might nudge him along. Ft. Lots of fluff, fair bit of pining, banter and all the fun stuff!

The build-up in this was great. And the pining! Oh! What a sweet friends to lovers fic.

❄️ Under the pink willow tree — @brighlyharry

7.631 words / One Shot / Harry Styles x Louis Tomlinson

It’s Christmas Eve and also Louis’ eighteen birthday. It’s the biggest day of Louis’ life. He’s been keeping up with his elfin studies for years all in preparation for this. He finally gets to join Santa on the sleigh. Nothing Harry says can ruin this day for him, no matter how hard he tries.

A very christmassy fic. Enemies to lovers, featuring awkward teenagers who can’t handle their feelings. A cute little read!

❄️ Where the love light gleams — @velvetnoodle​

7.854 words /One Shot / Harry Styles x Louis Tomlinson

Harry can’t help but feel like it’s his own fault; if he hadn’t gone to that fucking game, he wouldn’t have been in town to get invited to the concert. And if he’d just said no to the concert (the free concert) then he’d be in Holmes Chapel right now. He’d be with his sister and mum and his family and friends, and not stuck spending Christmas all alone in bloody Wisconsin. When his lonely Christmas Eve is interrupted by the unexpected arrival of his ex-boyfriend, Louis, Harry is hesitant to believe that it’s fate. What begins as a series of random coincidences slowly morphs into an evening of second chances and holiday miracles and peppermint-flavoured kisses that could change Harry’s future forever.

The author did such a good job with the melancholy in this fic. It’s very soft and a little bit sad and features the “exes to lovers” trope the only way it should be served: with a happy ending.

❄️ Something carries on — blue_marauder, @larrylution​

17.756 words / One Shot / Harry Styles x Louis Tomlinson / Explicit

Louis would do anything to escape the prison of his emotions around the holidays. He would even go so far as to abandon his remaining family members and go on a trip to Greece, seeing as they’re better off without his holiday angst anyway. While on his trip, Louis meets a kind and vulnerable stranger who manages to break through his defenses.

A different type of holiday romance. Very tender and soft but with a sadness throughout. The author really makes you feel with the characters. Make sure to read the tags on this one!

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Happy reading! You can help us out by submitting your favourite under-appreciated fics here!

I know time are tough, and it’s Christmas, and money is a precious commodity. But one of our own, a creator in this fandom, my friend and someone I love dearly, lost her husband to Covid this morning. Jacky, @ comebackassholes is a bright light and she needs our help, so please, if you have even a dollar to spare, please consider giving to her and helping her through this. And if you don’t, I completely understand, but then please share so others can see.

I want to help my friend. Thank you. I love you all. So very much.

My 4 year old nephew loves to paint his nails. Any time he sees someone wear nail polish he asks if he can have some too. The most difficult part is getting him to decide what color, because he he wants all of them.

The kid’s favorite football player responded with support.

It’s Mutual by Janie_17 | T | 2841 “I’m in love with Harry,” Louis said firmly, hands on his hips. “Great. Why are you telling me, exactly?” Niall barely lifted his head from the cereal bowl in front of him. Louis felt his own features twist in frustration. “Because! You asked me for a good reason why he can’t come to your party.” “Hmm,” Hummed Niall in response. “I think that’s more of a reason he should come, don’t you?” Grinning he pushed back the chair and walked his bowl over to the sink. “Just chill out about it and maybe it’ll even work in your favor. Besides, it’s our party.”

Every Time We Touch by wabadabadaba | G | 5806 Louis laughed when he heard the term professional cuddler for the first time. His doctor let Louis laugh and then explained the purpose behind the profession and how it could help Louis. It took a few weeks but Louis finally scheduled an appointment, now all he had to do was leave his car and walk into the house. or the one where Louis is suffering from touch deprivation so he goes to see Harry who is a professional cuddler.

I can’t do this alone (sometimes I just need a light) by Only_angel_28 | nr | 7858 “Harry,” he says after another contemplative moment, “can I hug you?” It’s been…well, Harry doesn’t actually know how long it’s been. Less than an hour, probably, but already Louis says his name like it’s safe in his mouth, and now he’s opening his arms like Harry could be safe there too. “Please,” Harry nearly sobs, and sinks into him the way butter melts on toast. It’s an apt metaphor, really, because what Louis is giving him is as essential and sustaining as a loaf of bread to a starving man. His basic need for physical affection is as vital as his need for sustenance, for sleep, and he can’t believe he’s allowed himself to ignore it for so long. Or: Harry is having a rough time. Louis is the kind stranger who makes him smile again.

Loving You’s the Antidote by lululawrence | nr | 11263 Nick and Harry had never been an obvious match. When eighteen-year-old Harry, newly presented as an omega, came home freshly bonded to Nick, a man nine years his elder and a beta no less, Anne had been more than skeptical and Eileen had shared some harsh words of her own. That didn’t deter them, though, and their families soon realised there really was something special about the bondmates that allowed them to work together almost seamlessly. It was only a few months later that Harry started getting sick. Or the one where Harry and Nick have been able to keep Harry’s disorder at bay over the course of their relationship, but when they move to London and away from their support system, they find themselves in desperate need of help.

Just a touch of your love by thegirlontheblackhoodie | E | 12168 “What if something happened to you? What would I say to Niall?” “Nothing, he would have to wait to see my corpse on the news like everyone else.” Deadpanned Harry. Louis’ gasp was all the answer he got. Ok, so that might have been a bit too much. With a calmer voice, he said, “It’s really fine. I’ve walked to the tube countless times, I can handle myself. Just go home and tell Niall to stop mothering me.” Louis was finally walking by his side and gave him a sideways glance before talking. “He doesn’t know, does he? Of your, uh, condition.” Harry tensed and his breath became erratic, but he didn’t say a word. Louis continued. “His nose probably hasn’t picked it up, and you’re lucky Liam’s also a beta, but it took me a minute to confirm it. Your scent is gettin’ so…” He seemed to struggle to find a word. He didn’t finish the sentence, but the emotion in his voice made Harry’s tummy churn. – Or, Harry is a touch starved omega trying to get through it on his own. Louis happens to be the only alpha around to realize it and offers to help.

Etched in Salt (is a cathedral of the world) by HelloAmHere | E | 24417 Louis asks for very few things in life, and they are: to solve cases, to keep bad people from doing their bad things, to get good coffee, to go home to a spacious apartment with nobody else in it, and to manage his stupid telempathy powers with minimal interference. And now he’s stuck in a tiny cabin in a snowstorm in the middle of god-awful-nowhere with Harry Styles. Because of course he is.

Saving Symphony Hall by HelloAmHere | E | 124766 “I think I have an idea,” Louis said. Slowly, and reluctantly, but with a growing sense of the inevitable. “God damnit, I think I have a really good idea.” “Oh christ, that’s the problem-solving face,” Babs said. “Last time we saw that face, he sold a company.” “Wait, what?” Zayn asked. “Right place, right time,” Louis said. “Also, fuck my life,” “What?” Zayn repeated. Niall patted his hand. “I usually just roll with whatever Louis is about to do,” he said. “It’s better for us all.” “That’s the attitude,” said Louis, “I’ll tell you tomorrow. Tonight, I need to do some research. Zayn, give me your number. I’m gonna save our symphony.”

Hello, everyone! Now that Society6 sells affordable custom wrapping paper, I’ve decided to open up a shop for holiday decor. I’ll be adding both Christmas and generic winter designs and patterns all throughout the holiday season.

JOY OF WRAPPING shop

CUSTOM ITEMS:

If there are any products that Society6 makes that you don’t see listed in the shop (such as phone or laptop cases) please let me know and I can activate them for you.

I’m also offering custom pattern designs on a limited basis but it will come with minimum purchase requirements. Feel free to contact me for details!

Please vote. I know it’s scary and a bunch of people are trying to tell you it’s hard, or it doesn’t matter, or you’re choosing between too bad things. I get that.

Here’s the thing though. If it didn’t matter, if it wasn’t important, so many people wouldn’t be working so hard to stop it from happening, or from counting.

You don’t have time to mail your absentee ballot that’s collecting dust because you keep promising yourself you’ll get to it. I know you’re busy. I know you work odd hours, and/or you have kids to deal with, and/or you’re not even sure where to drop your ballot off at or who some of these candidates are. (What even IS a drain commissioner, am I right?)

If you need help knowing where to vote, please visit votesaveamerica.com

If you need to know about the freaking board of regents at some college no one in your family has ever attended: visit ballotpedia.org

Hello hello, it’s that time of year, again! 2020 has been a rough one for everyone, so I’m really hoping that people will be interested in some fun cheer in the form of a holiday card!

I have some cards bought just in case I can’t get around to making enough, but I do already have some cards made and hopefully I’ll be able to make enough in November so that everyone will get a card homemade by me. That means that my preparations have started, so now I need to know who is getting these cards.

I love sending holiday cards and spreading the love, and this year I do think we could all use some more of that, so please let me know if you’d like one by filling out this google form. I can also send cards that are not affiliated with a holiday and are only winter themed, so if you would like happy mail in the form of a winter card, please let me know when you send me your address. We don’t have to be mutuals or anything like that, and I will send internationally. I only need you to be willing to give me a name and address so I know where to send the cards. I also request that you let me know where line breaks are for the addresses, because otherwise I’m just guessing and that can get messy.

I’m hoping to have the cards sent out by the first week of December in the hopes that they’ll reach most of you in time, so I will be turning off ask that I have all names and addresses by December 1st.