Fantasies in five (169k, chaptered) - college/university au
The boy pauses before he drops the envelope into the chute, turning to look at Louis, and Louis’ pretty sure this boy’s goal is to make everything weirder and more uncomfortable than it already is.
“Good luck to you,” he says nicely, a single dimple appearing in his cheek.
Louis drops his envelope down the chute without another thought before patting the boy on the shoulder. “I’d tell you the same, but then I’d be lying,” he says easily, before moving towards the exit door and pushing it open.
During critical points in their lives, it’s easy for Louis and Harry to find comfort in one another—that is, until it becomes extremely hard.
Fate don’t know you (98k, chaptered) - student/teacher au, bad boy!harry, teacher!louis
“Not that bad, really,” he says quickly as he scans Louis’ face. “It depends, really. The freshmen are all right and I think you’ll manage just fine with the sophomores.”
“Seniors are always shit because they think they rule the school, and this specific class of juniors… Well, let’s say you’ll find a real troublemaker there. Some say he used to be a soft kid, but- I don’t know. Most teachers just leave him alone.” Zayn shrugs. “He walks around with a tough crowd. Guess no one wants to take their chances with him. This is Chicago after all.”
“D’you know the name of the kid?” Louis asks, already very curious to meet said person.
“His name is Harry Styles.” The other man responds. “You’re in for a treat with this one.”
[Or: The one in which Louis always hears thunder when Harry speaks and sees lightning when he glances at him.]
Safe and sound (you’ll always be) (58k, chaptered) - singer!louis, bodyguard!harry
When a failed case and a guilty conscience leaves Harry more than a little lost, his boss presents him with a new, less taxing assignment to help him cope. An escape from all the madness is just what Harry needs to get his life back on track. It’s just too bad his new client has a grin like the devil, a pair of electric eyes that Harry simply can’t get over, and no intention whatsoever of letting him catch a break.
Maybe if I got my timing right (30k, one shot)
Louis is aware, of course, that this all makes him sound like the heroine from Twilight, but it’s just. It’s been three years, that’s all. Three years and not once does Louis think that he’s moved on, not once has he met someone who made him feel how Zayn did. Who made his heart race with excitement, with euphoria. Who made him feel high without drugs, like he was walking around on a cloud. Who made Louis feel everything—all the highs and the lows—with startling, vivid clarity.
Which means that there must be some merit to his feelings, considering that it’s been three years and they’ve just consistently been…there. Unchanging. Unwavering.
And whereas before he could ignore them, pretend they weren’t there, he can’t now because Zayn’s getting fucking married. He’s getting hitched. He’s entering into a lifelong commitment with another person, one that’s going to kill all of Louis’ hopes with Zayn and probably his last, only shot at love.
So there really is no choice. Louis has to stop the wedding, confess to Zayn, and ultimately win Zayn back.
(Or: AU where Zayn is getting married to someone that isn’t Louis, and Louis enlists Harry’s help to stop the wedding.)
Pour your heart out (92k, chaptered) - soulmates au
Louis is his soulmate. Or at least Harry thinks he is. Louis feels the same as
. But there are a lot of people named Louis in the world and this Louis might not be the
. It’s besides the point though, because Harry knows he can’t allow himself to get close to any boys. He just can’t and he’s told himself this multiple times. He has to simply stay away from Louis Tomlinson. But he can’t. Harry Styles can never stay away from Louis Tomlinson. It’s physically impossible for him to.
Deuxshpere (156k, chaptered) - college/university au, rich!harry
The way the vines of the rose curled around the sharp straightness of the dagger was an image that was going to be forever embedded into his mind. The longer Harry craned his neck to look at it in the mirror, the more he realized—it was fucking creepy. He couldn’t for the life of him figure out why it was there, or why humans decided to make it mean something.
Harry’s first year at uni is guaranteed to be a breeze as long as he stays focused, steers clear of flying footballs, and completely avoids boys who are in bands.
Bring out feelings in me I never show (24k, chaptered)
“I really think you should stop reading,” Liam says, having moved to hover behind Louis’ back at some point. “I can already see the cogs turning in your head, Louis, and I don’t like this.”
“Shut up,” Louis waves him off and continues reading.
I can do these things, at your request: openly hit on other female guests while you act like you don’t notice; start instigative discussions about politics and/or religion; propose to you in front of everyone; pretend to be really drunk as the evening goes on (sorry I don’t drink, but I used to); start an actual, physical fight with a family member, either inside or on the front lawn for all the neighbors to see.
Three French hems (20k, one shot) - designer!louis
In which Louis is a designer at Burberry and Harry spends December wearing Lanvin… and Lanvin… and Lanvin.
Empty gold (148k, chaptered) - performing arts school/university au
AU where Louis Tomlinson attends the vigorous, demanding performing arts school: Guildhall in hopes to complete his theatre degree. He is a scholarship student, always having to work twice as hard to prove his worth which has caused him to feel resentment and anger towards his subordinate position.
Harry Styles is the wealthy, naturally gifted actor who effortlessly snatches all the main roles within the class. The complete contrast to everything Louis is.
Louis Tomlinson and Harry Styles have had bad blood and despised each other for the two years they attended Guildhall together, making each task a competition between each other.
In the final year, when Guildhall produces and performs an original play, Louis is heartbroken to learn the lead role has been been received to Harry and he’s the second role. He’s mostly terrified, however, when he realises he has to date Harry in the play as their characters. They come together through awkward stage kisses that transforms to hate sex, heated arguments, rehearsal times after lectures and baking carrot cake together.
The melody you never heard (30k, one shot)
It’s one last adventure. One last chance to be young and carefree. One final weekend before they take up their internships, their corporate positions, before they enter the real world, fresh out of university. Niall’s his best mate. Liam’s been there for him since they were lost, little freshmen, trying to find their ways through an overwhelming first year. Harry can’t disappoint them, even if it means enduring four days with Louis.
Louis, who he does share a history with, a history he’s never told anyone about, not even Niall, a history he hasn’t brought up in three years because it’s stupid and embarrassing and confusing.
Or, the one where Harry gets roped into a four-day camping trip with the boy who kissed him and never called back.
