Fics I read this year (2026) and their covers (part 2):
there's no fair in farewell by we_are_the_same ( @so-why-let-your-voice-be-tamed)
covers here ~ 210k words - (friends to lovers/cupids au)
When Harry and Louis, two Cupids who have been bringing people together for decades, are tasked with making Soulmates Liam and Zayn fall in love, it proves to be much harder than expected. But maybe, just maybe, that isn’t such a bad thing after all.
as we move slowly by snsk ( @snsknene )
covers here ~ 2k words - (established relationship/magical realism canon)
Louis grows wings. Harry is the only one who can see them.
Fading by tothemoonmydear ( @tothemoonmydear )
covers here ~ 200k words - (strangers to friends to lovers/emotional hurt-comfort)
Louis knows about beauty; the combination of qualities that pleases the aesthetic senses. He creates that combination every day in the garments he designs while studying fashion at uni. The cut of the design, the color of the fabric, the intricacy of the stitching; it all comes together to create something beautiful. When the science student with the long legs and dimpled smile agrees to model for him, Louis decides he’s found beauty personified. Harry just thinks Louis needs someone to show him how beautiful he is.
I Won't Let You Forget by graceling_in_a_suit ( @graceling-in-a-suit )
covers here ~ 7k words - (soulmates/time travel au)
When Louis is eighteen years old, he meets his soulmate.
He was to wait six years to meet him again; this time, for the first time.
Given a Chance by Fabby ( @fabbyf1 )
covers here ~ 170k words - (exes to lovers/canon-future au)
The one where Louis and Harry run into each other five years after One Direction ends and learn how to love each other again. Featuring: Reggie as the overweight labrador, Niall as Louis’ last grip on reality, and Nowheresville, North Carolina as the setting for Louis’ worst nightmare to come true.
stay for the night (in the palaces in my mind) by we_are_the_same ( @so-why-let-your-voice-be-tamed )
covers here ~ 8k words - (dystopian au/magical realism au)
He knows the rules. He knows that agreement that he’s made with Zayn. If I ever come back different- He scrunches his eyes shut even tighter, as though that can keep the horrible truth at bay. He doesn’t have to be different, he tells himself. He can just ignore- “Hello?”
Fine Line by bananaheathen ( @bananaheathen )
covers here ~ 5k words - (strangers to lovers/fluff-cute)
In which Harry's a rising star musician, and Louis is a bartender who doesn't date the talent.
an island without waves by tofiveohfive ( @clancysletter )
covers here ~ 5k words - (getting back together/post friends with benefits)
Louis feels unreasonable. Less than a month ago, his consciousness was clean, not a hitch in his step. However, since the day the smallest seed of doubt planted itself in his mind, Louis keeps second-guessing himself and his choices. Every time he turns a corner, there’s some variation of Harry’s essence waiting to haunt him. A smell, a sound, a flavor, a color. Something Harry had mindlessly left behind. Something Louis is certain Harry would love if he could show him. Harry is in everything. He’s everywhere.
--An AU inspired by Niall Horan's songs: Everywhere | San Francisco | Still
at last, at last by suspendrs ( @suspendrs )
covers here ~ 40k words - (dystopian au/strangers to lovers)
Harry is born into a cult in a post-apocalyptic world, and Louis is the leader of the rebel group tasked with the mission of shutting them down. Together, they make a rather effective team.
a yuzu grows in brooklyn by stylinsoncity ( @aliensingucci )
covers here ~ 40k words - (american au/strangers to friends to lovers)
harry is a recent implant in new york and a young chef opening a restaurant called yuzu. louis, a music teacher and broadway lover, has been around the block for a while. in a city that's so fast-paced, they're slow to catch on to each other.
When Lightning Strikes. by worldofnight ( @haroldbowie )
covers here ~ 80k words - (american au/enemies to lovers)
They hate each other professionally. Personally. Loudly. Unfortunately, the storm doesn’t care. When a historic weather system bears down on Harry’s hometown, the chase turns deadly, the rivalry turns intimate, and survival starts looking a lot like being trapped under the only man Harry can’t outrun.
Golden by shaylea ( @sunshineandhisrainbows )
covers here ~ 120k words - (new zeland au/strangers to friends to lovers)
On a rainy night in Auckland in the middle of his world tour, popstar Harry Styles loses his ability to carry on. Instead of continuing to Sydney and the rest of his tour, he seeks sanctuary with Louis Tomlinson, a man with a macadamia nut farm and a mysterious past.
If You're Hoping for a Harbour by LadyLondonderry ( @londonfoginacup )
covers here ~ 2k words - (fantasy au/soulmates au)
the best part of me (was always you) by moonshinelouis (lunarflwrs) ( @moonshinelouis-archive )
covers here ~ 5k words - (Post break-up/Getting back together)
Some days, Harry has to work hard to just avoid.
Other days, he just needs to relinquish, let go and trust that he’ll be taken care of.
They probably shouldn’t be doing this — whoever’s heard of exes with benefits? — but they were each other’s first everything. Kiss. Sex. Love.
Louis' the only one he's ever trusted to care for him like that.
His body’s not going to just accept that it’s over; his mind much less.
It Had To Be You by kingsofeverything ( @kingsofeverything )
covers here ~ 40k words - (american au/strangers to friends to lovers)
Harry and Louis are strangers who share the long drive from Chicago to NYC after college. They don't have anything in common, don't get along, and at the end of their trip, they're both glad to say goodbye.
During a chance meeting five years later, they find that nothing has changed, and they part ways expecting never to see each other again.
Ten years after their post-college road trip, Louis and Harry meet once again, but this time they become friends. Eventually, things get complicated.
A When Harry Met Sally AU.
