RealityBetterThanFiction

Fic, Friends, and Niall.

[realitybetterthanfiction]

can I just say, I'm rereading Take My Breath Away for about the thousandth time and I forgot how fucking funny these characters are. This fic is threatening to make me laugh in the middle of my geopolitics lecture.

🙈 I don’t even think I’VE read it that many times all the way thru. I’m so happy it means so much to you. Thank you for the kind words. Now go pay attention in class! Lol My rag tag bunch of fly boys will be there after geopolitics.

Love to you, dear anon. I was having a crummy day, and this has made me smile.

[realitybetterthanfiction]

hiya! i just thought i'd pop in and say thank you for writing such a beautiful story. take my breath away is easily in my top 5 five fics of all time from across any fandom i've been in and despite me not being active in the 1D/larry fandom anymore, i still find myself coming back to it. i re-read the epilogue just now and it does just make me smile every time i read it. i've been trying to convince my friend to watch top gun and then read your fic for ages now because i made the mistake of reading yours before watching the movie, which honestly made the movie mildly underwhleming when i did get round to it! again, thank you so much for putting your work out there, i really appreciate it <3

Oh my gosh…TOP GUN UNDERWHELMING!!!? Because of TMBA?!! 😭 What a lovely message. Thank you so much for reading and loving the fic. Seeing it get this kind of love years after it’s been posted is so humbling.

Love to you, dear anon. I was having a crummy day, and this has made me smile.

[realitybetterthanfiction]

hi! my name is violet and i just finished reading your fic take my breath away and wow i’m stunned you wrote it so well i couldn’t put it down it’s now one of my fav fics anyway i’m writing to u bc i was wondering if it’d be ok if i printed it i’d love to a physical copy for just myself to reread just for personal use if that’s ok if not i totally understand

Hi Violet!

I’m so incredibly flattered that Take My Breath Away means so much to you. It’s mind boggling that people are still reading it and connecting to it so many years after I posted. I’ve been getting this ask a lot lately. Maybe it’s all coming from the same group, as I understand there’s a Google classroom going around for fics, where authors are being asked to consent to their fics being posted in PDF forms for download. I advised the wonderful, lovely fan running it that I just would not feel okay giving my consent to have my work reposted to another place. It is, of course, every author’s personal prerogative about where they give their consent, but that is my stance. While I can’t control what someone does with something I’ve put out on the internet for open consumption, I must admit that it makes me uncomfortable to have the fic live in any other form aside from where I’ve posted it on Ao3. I’ve had people steal the fic and post it elsewhere without my consent, which is heartbreaking and upsetting as a writer, and part of the reason I’ve gotten away from the fandom. It’s happened all too often to friends of mine in the fandom too, and I think it’s made us all a bit more sensitive and protective of our work. It goes without saying that writing fanfic means no direct revenue for the writer in monetary form, so our only source of “payment” is the love from and interaction with the fandom. Having the fic on another platform where it can’t be seen by the author strips us of that joy. As any writer will tell you, there is no greater happiness than seeing that little email notification stating you’ve gotten kudos or a comment on your work. I truly do appreciate your support and love for the fic, but a printed version doesn’t sit well with me when it’s free online. I really do appreciate you asking and hope that my answer can at least shed some light on my beliefs. Apologies for the super long answer, but you were respectful enough to seek me out and that deserves a thoughtful reply.

All the best,

xoxo Mac

[realitybetterthanfiction]

I just got into Larry fics, or fanfics for that matter. I read Take My Breath Away recently, and it made me want to not read anything ever again. It is sooooooooooo good! I loved it!!!!!

Oh my goodness! I’m so honored that mine was one of your first Larry fics. Welcome to a wonderful world of words in this fandom. It’s filled with love and talent, so please keep reading! Thank you for your kindness! ☺️

[realitybetterthanfiction]

why is 'niall the honda hating brand rep' not a slogan lolol i love how that sentence sounds. it bops.

Oh Niall and his hatred for Hondas. It was such a ridiculous plot point for a ridiculous fic. But it felt very on brand for him. And yes, I do dare say it bops. 🤣

[mediawhorefics]

just out of curiosity, why don't you allow translations of your writing?

translating in an artform yk? it’s not just taking the words and switching them from one language to the next. it’s not taking what you think is the equivalent piece and fitting it into the puzzle to create the exact same picture... it’s never going to be the same picture because different languages are inherently different. translating takes great skill and dedication and love, both for the original work and for the language, and it takes artistry. it’s not mechanical. it takes a poet’s soul just as much as writing does. and it takes technical knowledge too. deep understanding of the subtleties of both languages. 

but most importantly of all... it takes trust. because my words are my mine and they come from my soul and any random person on the internet that i do not know, doesn’t rightly deserve my trust over them just because they asked politely. 

i’m sorry but... i wouldn’t let a random person whose work i do not know translate mine. because knowing both languages just isn’t enough. thinking so is undervaluing the incredible work translators do every day. and maybe some of the people asking do have the credentials or could use the practice, but it’s my prerogative not to let strangers touch my stuff. maybe that makes me a bit of a control freak, but yk what... i’ve known that about myself for a long time and i’m okay with it. 

even more so, i’m not comfortable with other people having my work posted on their profile, or on other websites, even when i’m credited. again with the control thing.... but if one day, i’m unhappy with my contribution in this fandom for whatever the reason, i like knowing that i’m in control of where my stuff was posted and that i can make the decision to take it down. or, if i ever want to adapt one of my stories into something original, i like knowing i can take it down and have the freedom to do that. we all know the internet is written in ink, that’s no secret. i know once my stuff is other there, it is actually no longer in my control. i know that. either the way it's received, or the way people interact with it, or where it goes on to live forever in corners of the internet or people’s minds....  i’m not under any illusion that i could ever make any of my writing fully disappear, and tbh i don’t see myself deleting my fics rather than orphaning them, but, it’s my work and it should be my choice. having random people posting versions of my stuff left and right makes me feel robbed of that. and i don’t like it. 

and honestly... the number of times i have said no to people only for them to turn around and completely ignore my wishes and do it anyway truly has only hardened me and made me less likely to say yes in the future. it’s all about that trust thing i mentioned. if you can’t hear me when i say no, which again... is my prerogative, why should i EVER trust you enough to want to collaborate in any way shape or form when it comes to my art. sorry but... fuck that. beyond the fact that reposting my stuff or translating it without permission is straight-up a copyright infringement and thievery.... it’s the feeling that those people have zero respect for me that makes it so fucking horrible. 

so yeah, i have said yes to a few people in the past when i first started, before i truly developed a sense of who i was as a writer and before i got so protective over my work.... but i feel differently now. and i’m very unlikely to change my mind. 

[cuethetommo]

FIC VENN DIAGRAM - RESEARCH LIKE WHOA // BANTER // TENSION // HURT/COMFORT

I was sitting here talking to @realitybetterthanfiction about how we are SAD that the new Top Gun movie was postponed, so I decided to make this one in honor of her Top Gun AU, Take My Breath Away.

Stranger Stars

One More Time Again

Harry Styles Cooks

The Finish Line is a Good Place For Us to Start

The Second Hand Unwinds @kingsofeverything

Sodalite & Aventurine @forreveries

Take My Breath Away @realitybetterthanfiction

These Inconvenient Fireworks (ask me if you don’t have it)

And down the long and silent street @whimsicule

Etched in Salt (is a cathedral of the world) @helloamhere

if I had the chance, the things I would do to you @missandrogyny

These Constant Stars @aliensingucci

Who Painted the Moon Black

See the other Fic Venn Diagrams here. Come bring me a challenge!

[realitybetterthanfiction]

YOU ARE AND WILL ALWAYS BE MY RIO! Thank you so much for this gift!!! I love so many of the fics on this graph and I have a few I need to read! 😍 And yay for research!!! I’m a research fiend.

[realitybetterthanfiction]

hi!! hope you're doing well! i just wanted to drop by and say i am almost done reading tmba and i don't want it to end

Oh this is so sweet! Thank you for this lovely little message! Hope you enjoy the ending...and I promise all the angst will be worth it! And then when you’re done, check out the little prequel fic too! 😘

[twopoppies]

I’ve taken a huge break from anything related to one direction - but I just so happened to find Top Gun on Netflix and I know I’ve read the Top Gun fic but I have completely blanked on the name of it! It was by far the best fic I’ve read so could you be so kind as to help me out in the title of it please? 🤗

It is a WONDERFUL fic and the author @realitybetterthanfiction is the best! I love her. 

Take My Breath Away by @realitybetterthanfiction (E, 154K)

There is a prestigious school in the British Royal Navy classified as Premier Delta - or as it is known by its flyers, 1D. These select pilots are an elite set of Naval lieutenants who are trained in the skill of aggressive aerial combat. They are instruments of war, trained in times of peace. They are dogfighters, relentless and fearless in their mission to protect their beloved country. From their lofty vantage, they are always watching, waiting, and ready to lay it all on the line.

Lt. Harry Styles, call sign Sparrow, is a prodigy when it comes to flying. The owner of an unrivaled Naval pedigree, being a pilot was always written in the stars for Harry. With his trusty RIO, Lt. Niall Horan, Harry has made an unprecedented ascension in the ranks of the Naval aerial combat elite, and has been recruited to the esteemed Premier Delta flight school, carrying on his family’s legacy. What he finds there are unexpected friendships, perilous challenges, and something beyond what he ever thought possible. Because as his father had always told him, before the great Captain Styles went tragically missing in combat, you don’t fall in love with the sky, you fall in love with what keeps you on the ground.

[mediawhorefics]

Take My Breath Away by Realitybetterthanfiction ✈️

Take My Breath Away (153k) 

by realitybetterthanfiction / @realitybetterthanfiction 

There is a prestigious school in the British Royal Navy classified as Premier Delta - or as it is known by its flyers, 1D. These select pilots are an elite set of Naval lieutenants who are trained in the skill of aggressive aerial combat. They are instruments of war, trained in times of peace. They are dogfighters, relentless and fearless in their mission to protect their beloved country. From their lofty vantage, they are always watching, waiting, and ready to lay it all on the line.

Lt. Harry Styles, call sign Sparrow, is a prodigy when it comes to flying. The owner of an unrivaled Naval pedigree, being a pilot was always written in the stars for Harry. With his trusty RIO, Lt. Niall Horan, Harry has made an unprecedented ascension in the ranks of the Naval aerial combat elite, and has been recruited to the esteemed Premier Delta flight school, carrying on his family’s legacy. What he finds there are unexpected friendships, perilous challenges, and something beyond what he ever thought possible. Because as his father had always told him, before the great Captain Styles went tragically missing in combat, you don’t fall in love with the sky, you fall in love with what keeps you on the ground.

send me your favourite fic and i’ll make a mini moodboard for it

[realitybetterthanfiction]

I’ve Been Running with the Wolves (G, 3k) for @jaerie​

Just a mere two months ago, Louis’ entire life had turned head over arse...or rather, snout over tail. Being the non-shifting mate to a full-shifting werewolf certainly led to an interesting life. But he’d never imagined that just a year after they officially bonded - and without Louis possessing certain, ehem, essential anatomy - they would be the proud parents of two orphaned infant shifters that had none of their genetics but all of their hearts. That part hadn’t really been a choice.

----

Poor Daddy Louis is tired, and his shifter babies make snack time into a wild wolf chase. Featuring Uncle Niall the helpful (or maybe not so helpful) pack mate. Papa Harry, of course, knows just what to do.

[realitybetterthanfiction]

⭐️ It's Not You, and It's Not Me⭐️ Ps. im dying for sequel

Ohhhh!!! I’m so glad you asked about this fic! I don’t talk about it enough because it’s kind of niche and it’s an ambiguous ending. It was actually the fastest fic I’ve ever written and one I’m quite fond of. It just fell out of the sky into my lap and was done in the course of a weekend.

My favorite scene is probably the scene where they are in the hall looking at banners and there are multiple conversations and motives going on in very little dialogue. I really enjoyed working through the way Louis’ character unraveled as the fic went on, this building sense of the fact he wasn’t who he claimed to be but Harry was willing to see past it because he recognized something kindred in his and Louis’ heart. I also loved every scene with Ghost. He’s so loyal to Harry and a formidable friend.

I had every intention of writing a sequel, but I haven’t been very active writing wise lately. I always imagined that they would find themselves back to one another with Louis fighting beside Harry against the Lannister family control of Westeros (after lots of angst and trust issues to work through of course). The real motivation for the sequel, really, was to write Niall as the Mother of Dragons 🤣. I imagined him with his blonde hair riding on top of a dragon yelling Dracarys! Liam was to be from the Iron Islands, and Zayn was a treacherous fighter from Dorne, like the Red Viper. I’ll never say never, but at least nothing really planned for it as of yet.

Thanks for asking! You’re always so kind to me. 😊

[realitybetterthanfiction]

Hello! I saw your post on Niall centric fics (love it, thank you so much!

Aww! Thank you! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, and I hope you find some lovely new Niall fics to read. I’ve been meaning to make the list FOREVER. Just ask @twopoppies how long I’ve been talking to her about making one. Nice to see it getting good reception. Everyone loves a good fic Niall. 😊

[realitybetterthanfiction]

Anyone who knows me will tell you that my whole ass heart belongs to Niall Horan. His Nice to Meet Ya tour was supposed to kick off today, but has been cancelled due to the current pandemic. So today, to put a little love out into the fandom-verse for everyone’s beloved side-kick and Captain of the SS Larry Stylinson, here is the list of my favorite works with great Niall characters. The highest praise I can possibly give. If you’re feeling a bit blue and longing for a dose of Niall, try out some of the awesome selections below! If you’ve got some that are not on the list, let this Niall-lover know! And now…for my Magnum Opus.

Domestic Monsters - g_uttertrash / @g-uttertrash (E, 234K, 9 works)

What can I say about this fic that I haven’t already said…it’s my absolute favorite, and most of the reason is because of Niall, the cooking obsessed werewolf. He’s sweet and hysterical and excitable and conflicted and the absolute glue of this crazy domestic family of monsters. I love how this author gives all the boys their own space within the fic so that you feel you know them each intimately. It’s a WIP, and I will forever be hoping it finishes but even if left as it currently is, it’s well worth the read (especially around Halloween)!

Avengers Series - @whimsicule (M, 227K, 2 works)

One of my favorite series, full of angst and action. This has a great Ziall pairing where Niall is Hawkeye and Zayn is Black Widow, a power couple if there ever was one. They both help Harry and Louis heal old wounds of trauma and heartbreak as they learn that their lives mean more than the next mission. Even if you haven’t seen any of the Marvel movies, this is a must read. It’s how the Captain America/Winter Soldier story line should have gone (I’m not bitter…nope).

Ain’t That a Kick in the Head! - keysmashlesbian & wreckingtomlinson (T, 22K)

Niall is the ring leader for a day of gay chaos at a Boston soccer game. He’s funny, sharp and delightful from start to finish as he turns Harry’s lust for the hot British import soccer player, Louis Tomlinson, into the famed viral meme “Drunk Hawaiian Guy” who has a weird hang up about Tide Pods. It’s laugh out loud amusing and one in a series of similar style fics that will brighten any dreary day.

(Take Me Home) Country Roads - awriterwrites / @a-writerwrites (E, 86K)

One word…ayup. Niall is a hometown backwoods staple as Dr. Tomlinson learns to work with Harry, the local healer known as Mountain Mama. Niall owns pretty much every establishment in town, all of which are perplexingly named Nells. Just his accent alone will have you laughing. 

The Finish Line (Is A Good Place For Us To Start) - LoadedGunn / @loaded-gunn (E, 121K)

Niall is a trusted member of Harry’s F1 racing pit crew who travels the world along with the rest of the boys in a high speed, high laughs, high emotion saga. This is probably the best OT5 fic I’ve read where they are literally a pile of codependent puppies. You will love this fic even if you don’t know a thing about F1 racing, and if you do? It’s a fever dream come true.

Love Is A Rebellious Bird - gloria_andrews / @gloriaandrews & @100percentsassy (E, 134K)

Don’t hum Bolero. Niall plays the french horn and is best mates with his elder female stand partner, Gladys. For some reason that instrument choice just fits him, maybe because his voice has that same brassy gentle tone. He brings the laughs and the heart to a classic fic from this dynamic writing duo.

Wild and Unruly - gloria_andrews / @gloriaandrews & @100percentsassy (E, 123K)

When big town paralegal Louis is sent to Wyoming to convince ranch owner Harry to sell his property for its oil reservoir, he meets Niall the ranch hand and his adorable wife, Maggie. Niall is Harry’s steadfast supporter and the one who helps Louis play white knight to win over his man. There are also adorable baby calves that are alone worth the read.

Be My Little Good Luck Charm - @100percentsassy (E, 34K)

Niall is the caddy to Harry’s golf pro in this fic and provides more than just club advice. He’s a nosy little busy body, “monitoring” Harry’s dates with Louis the Sky Sports announcer, but only out of love, of course. At least he doesn’t fall on his butt while carrying Harry’s clubs in this fic like he’s done in real life *cough cough The Masters cough cough*.

Saving Symphony Hall Series - @helloamhere (E, 137K, 3 works)

Niall is a beta and Barbara is his alpha, and both of them are the kickass protectors of omega Louis who plots to save his beloved Symphony. This is another of my favorite and most well fleshed out side pairings with Niall. The writing is stellar and the way Louis’ emotional needs are explored through his friendship with Niall and Babs is so heart-achingly tender.

It’s a Better Place (Since You Came Along) - phdmama / @phd-mama (E, 51K)

Niall is the “amp” for Harry’s “finder” powers, as necessary to one another as a limb, but his importance and support of Harry goes far beyond his magical abilities. The setting of this fic is so unique and fun. It’s supernatural…but on a yacht! There are wands. There is super powerful side Ziam. And there are soulmate fireworks. Have I convinced you yet?

a bagel for all seasons - @disgruntledkittenface (Not Rated, 29K)

A Shiall fic where Niall is a jaded lawyer meant to convince Liam to sell his Christmas tree farm. What a scrooge, I know! Slowly but surely (with the help of completely the adorably domestic B&B owners, Louis and Harry, and their many cats), Niall falls for the local baker, Shawn, and the charms of the tiny holiday obsessed town itself.

5 weeks of Shiall Series - alienharry (E, 37K, 5 works)

Every single one of these fics are amazing and focused on Shiall. A personal favorite is the apple picking fic where Niall bakes and cooks absolutely everything he can think of with apples just so he can keep returning to the orchard where Shawn happens to work. 

A True Love of Mine - myownspark @myownsparknow) (T, 2K)

This is a poetic and beautiful masterpiece where Niall reminisces on a past love while walking the beach with his current love. It’s written impeccably, a snippet of time that opens up a world of feeling.

Dive Series - @allwaswell16 (E, 21K, 5 works)

A lovely series where Niall pops up everywhere, mostly uninvited, to both pester and push Harry into his happily ever after with Louis, the recovering football star, all set on a dreamy California beachfront.

Happy Valentine’s Day, You Cockroach - @allwaswell16 (Not Rated, 2K)

A short and sassy little piece where Niall literally feeds cockroaches to meerkats to get back at Harry on Louis’ behalf.

If I Loved You Less - @allwaswell16 (E, 36K)

Niall is the omega mastermind who helps his fellow omega friend, Louis, find a mate. Niall’s patient and loving mate, Shawn, is ever supportive of his husband’s schemings. He’s every bit the antithesis of what one would expect from a regency victorian omega, which is why he’s so awesome.

No Pressure, No Diamonds Series - @karamelised (E, 71K, 5 works)

Niall is the brilliant and borderline crazy criminal ring leader of a heist team that brings thief Louis and grifter Harry together in this high action, super sexy series. He steals things, blows things up, and brings the ship home. 

Through Eerie Chaos - MediaWhore / @mediawhorefics (G, 102K)

Niall is the adorable and nerdy local ghost hunter who convinces an unwilling Harry that the ghost at the old manor is not only real but the love of Harry’s life. He’s so earnest and sweet leading his ghost hunting society and is secretly (or no so secretly) hung up on the brooding bad boy Zayn who attends the meetings despite his snark and skepticism.

Harry Styles Cooks… - sunsetmog / @magicalrocketships (E, 61K)

This fic is a wild and zany WIP where Harry and Louis are about as weird and endearing as you can get. One of the best parts is the devotion of Niall and Liam as Louis’ best friends that indulge his obsession over Harry Styles, the celebrity chef, in the form of buying him innumerable items of unauthorized Harry Styles merch, including shower curtains and pillow cases. They all but drag him kicking and screaming into an adorable relationship with said lonely chef.

The Impossible Now - stylinsoncity / @alienproof (M, 64K)

Time travel, fate, angels, love lost and found. Niall is at the heart of this stunning fic where he throws Louis into another universe with a Christmas Eve wish. Louis learns to love and support all iterations of both Harry and himself. A classic Captain Niall fic if there ever was one.

Escapade - dolce_piccante / @haydolce (M, 146K)

This fandom classic has one of the most hysterical Ziall side pairings, where Niall is a filthy rich sausage empire heir who loves yoga, golf, lube, and karaoke. He’s so wacky and weird but lovable in the same sense. 

Santa/Satan Series - @taggiecb (E, 15K, 4 works)

Who else could possibly support Santa Harry in his dealings with Satan Louis than head elf Niall as they battle over who gets to deliver gifts to the misaddressed letters of the world’s children. I can just picture Niall in an elf get-up with pointy little ears. 

if i had the chance, the things i would do to you - @missandrogyny (E, 14K)

Niall is the fierce manager wrangling a love struck musical star Harry into performing on the show Lip Sync Battle facing off against the object of that love, Louis. He’s the “Niall-bastion” to Harry’s “Hariel” and helps him nab “Loursula” in the end despite having to constantly stop Harry from “blowing” the enemy instead of “blowing him out of the water”.

As You Are - Zarah5 (E, 139K)

A Narry bros story for the ages. Niall and Harry are a group on the X-factor where former participant and current musical darling Louis is a judge. He is exactly what you imagine young Niall was as an X-factor competitor, always with a guitar and everyone’s favorite human.

I’d Do Niall - alongthewatchtower (E, 7K)

In most fics, Niall is not a participant in any of the smut, but this fic breaks that trend. It’s a threesome fic with Larry that is surprisingly hot and sweet as Niall gets a little well deserved action.

Mars Needs Irishmen - kassio / @fakedeepplantjerker (T, 2K)

Such a great little fic where Niall gets to see out his dreams of being a NASA astronaut headed to Mars with the support of his former 1D bandmates. It’s written so well that you could actually believe it to be possible in the future.

like a simile, i paint suggestive pictures (of me and you) - dangerbears (Not Rated, 14K)

Niall supports his fellow college professor Louis through his morality crisis of falling for a student. He loves his friend so much he even repeatedly offers alternative rom-com endings where Nouis fall in love instead and have dogs and kiddos and do pottery and coach footie, but alas ’twas not to be when Larry are the OTP.

Our Love is Timeless - @lululawrence (Not Rated, 6K)

This is a great Shiall fic where a time traveling Niall literally materializes in Shawn’s shower and steals his heart. So gentle and heartwarming in all its hilarity.

How I Feel Inside - @lululawrence (Not Rated, 9K)

This was a fun ABO college verse fic written for yours truly, and while Niall is not onscreen for much of the fic, he is the center of the plot as the rest of the boys try to figure out where he’s mysteriously disappeared to.

For One of the Least of These - LadyLondonderry / @londonfoginacup (G, 6K)

Supernatural fics are my jam, and this has Niall as the 863 year old, weary witch leader of a coven of “baby” witches in Harry, Liam and Zayn that discovers a fox who has been cursed. He’s such a surly little curmudgeon, but he really loves his fellow wiccan brudders.

Has Me By My Heart - LoadedGunn / @loaded-gunn (E, 29K)

Niall steals everything (including a desk chair) and his fondness for Harry, his partner in literal crime, leads him to set aside his massively successful illegal dealings for a desk job. He helps Harry steal Louis’ heart and woos a lover of his own by showering an oblivious Zayn in expensive lunches, priceless art and vintage comics.

Where Your Heart Is - freetheankles (E, 154K)

Niall is the best friend we all wish we had in this fic. His support of Louis (and head over heels love for Louis’ female roommate Sam) is unwavering and heartwarming. Sam is such a well rounded character that you forget she isn’t canon and completely understand Niall’s obsession. 

The Road Less Traveled By - freetheankles (Not Rated, 98K)

Louis is left widowed by…get this…Ed Sheeran, whose brother is none other than Niall Sheeran. He gives Lumberjack Louis love, support, and an occasional kick in the butt when needed to help him nab the new local principle, Harry.

Bioluminescent Vampire Squid - Keep_Calm_and_Read_Fic / @keepcalmandreadfic-blog (E, 45K)

This author’s fics got me into the fandom and were some of the first I read, so it’s no surprise that my love of well written Niall stems from them. This one is main paring of Ziam, where Niall is Zayn’s agent who forces him onto a seafaring expedition on the ridiculous Captain Payne’s boat, who he has been flirting/consulting about a comic book project. Niall may not be the actual captain of the ship, but he certainly captains the Ziam ship in this one.

Bittersweet and Strange - Keep_Calm_and_Read_Fic / @keepcalmandreadfic-blog (E, 41K)

Niall “The Whore” Horan is feared across the lands in this Beauty and the Beast AU, but can rumors really be trusted? While he doesn’t seem to have any necessary duties around the castle despite being hysterical, he is among the first to befriend the new “captive”, Harry, and to convince him to give the infamous King Louis, “The Beast”, a chance to change his mind…and his heart.

And now I humbly offer a few of my Niall-centered fics, because it’s all I seem capable of writing.

Ain’t No Friend of Mine - RealityBetterThanFiction (M, 7K)

Harry and Louis adopt a stray dog that reminds them eerily of their best friend, Niall. It’s wild and weird, but what else would you expect from me?

Fly Boys Top Gun Series - RealityBetterThanFiction (E, 157K, 2 works)

This is my Top Gun AU first fic baby where Niall not only ran away with my plot but my whole heart as well. Niall is Lieutenant Harry Styles’ RIO as they make their way through Premier Delta Naval flight school. Niall is probably the most integral character to moving the story along, and I am an absolute monster for what I did to him in the fic (no spoilers), so please don’t come at me with pitchforks. It hurt me more than it will hurt you...promise.

It’s the Little Things in Life that Mean the Most - RealityBetterThanFiction (T, 7K)

The boys are all shapeshifters and Niall’s a late bloomer who takes an unexpected form. Or as I fondly call it, the chicken fic. That about sums up this strange little thing that I wrote after much contemplation over Niall’s skinny legs.

My Saddle’s Waiting - RealityBetterThanFiction (E, 28K)

Niall is a Honda hating brand rep at the Chicago Auto Show who hangs out in trunks, eats his body weight in churros, and serves as the love guru for all his misguided and stubbornly love-stupid friends. 

[realitybetterthanfiction]

idk if u saw it but niall posted something on his story i think and his shirt has a little rooster, and all i could think about was your shapeshifter fic lmao. roosters are ruined for me. (and by ruined i mean 100x cuuuuter, thanks niall)

Ah! It is a little rooster! I didn’t even make the connection, wow I’m super impressed with you, sweet anon! That fic is just a silly little drabble but I have such a soft spot in my heart for it. Niall, my chicken baby. I still eat chicken nuggets tho. Sorry, Niall.

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

[realitybetterthanfiction]

LaMom’s Class (aka a WIP of truly ridiculous proportions)

Hey Harry....if this whole SNL child birth class thing is true...I just want you to know, I did it first. The fic is soon to come. It’s nearly done. Don’t know how you hacked my Google Docs, but I am releasing this as proof of ownership. 🤣

————

A week later, Niall found himself outside the local community center next to a very excited Harry.

“I can’t believe you signed us up for this shit,” Niall sighed.

“It’s not shit! It’s training to care for infants!”

“I don’t need La Mom’s class to teach me that. I could have just watched a youtube video.”

“It’s not the same. This is practical experiential training. And stop calling it that. It’s LaMaze class.”

“We’re saying the same thing.”

“No. We’re not.”

“Let’s just go get this over with, alright? Hopefully there will be free food. We’ll get me that certificate you want so damn badly. And then we’ll be on our way.”

“Oh no,” Harry said, pulling Niall forward towards the building. “That’s the best part! It’s a five week class.”

“Excuse me, what?”

“It’s five weeks. There’s far too much material to cover in just one day, Niall.”

“Oh for the love of all that’s holy,” Niall moaned, eyes wide as they were greeted by a huge banner that said WELCOME SOON-TO-BE PARENTS!

“It’s this way!” Harry said cheerfully, still tugging on Niall’s arm while he bee-lined for the grouping of heavily pregnant women waiting to be let into the room. “I think we’re in the right place.”

Niall looked around at all the other pairings waiting for class, comprised entirely of pregnant women and their deer-in-the-headlights husbands.

Something occurred to Niall at that moment. “Harry, we’re the only single people here.”

“Well...about that,” Harry said sheepishly, brushing a hand through his hair.

“What did you do?” Niall growled.

“I may have told a bit of a fib. Just to secure us a spot in the class.”

“What. Did. You. Do?” Niall repeated, digging his fingers into Harry’s side until he squeaked.

“It was for couples only!” Harry explained, twisting away from Niall’s bruising grip. “It was the only option!”

“We’re not together!” Niall yelled.

“Shhhh! Not so loud! You’re going to out us.”

“You already have!”

“If it makes you feel any better, I scratched out the label ‘mother’ next to your name on the application. It’s 2019. A baby can have two daddies.”

“I’m not gay!”

“Nobody’s perfect,” Harry remarked haughtily.

“It’s not even that. It’s that you and I are definitely not a couple.”

“It’s only an act. And besides, it’s not like you’ll be picking up birds here.”

Niall looked around at all the happily married women around him. No. He wouldn’t be finding his future missus here.

“Fine. I will go along with this farce you’ve created. But you owe me ice cream. All the mint chocolate chip ice cream I want. I think I’m going to come down with a sudden case of the pregnancy cravings and you had best not say a damn word about it, dearest husband.”

“As long as you successfully learn to hold a child,” Harry answered, holding out his hand. Niall shook it and then the door to the classroom opened.

“After you, sweetums,” Niall ground out, gesturing for Harry to go first.

“Why thank you, honey bunch,” Harry said with a grin.

[dailyniallnews]

@NiallOfficial: what an amazing experience ‘Flicker’ was. From writing those songs to performing them all over the world to you beautiful people. Thank you so much for taking my music under your wing and making it your own. On to the next chapter.