A fic rec of One Direction fics that are hidden gems - amazing fics that have been a bit overlooked and as of the time I made this rec have less than 200 kudos - as requested in an ask that Tumblr has whisked into the abyss. If you enjoy the fics, please leave kudos and comments for the writers! You can find my other recs here. Happy reading!
💎 Into the Weeds by kair0sclerosis
(M, 87k, small town au) With the help of the captivating bartender, Louis, who he can’t seem to stop daydreaming about, and his enchanting group of friends; Harry remembers what it is to be alive. This is a story about small-town secrets, found family, queer identities, and the battle between fight and flight.
💎 don't be afraid to love (and love again) by localopa / @voulezloux
(E, 83k, angst) the one where louis is trans and afraid, harry is cis and brave, and being 100% yourself is easier said than done.
💎 When the Lights Go Out by thelarenttrap / @antidotetogo
(E, 79k, F1 au) In its near eighty years of existence, Formula 1 has never had an out gay driver. In 2017, Harry Styles signs a contract with Scuderia AlphaTauri alongside his childhood friend and competitor, Louis Tomlinson. The next decade of their careers is some of the most tumultuous press--on and off the track--Formula 1 has ever seen.
💎 Your A-Team, Your Endgame by @silverkiiwii
(E, 70k, reality show au) a Next In Fashion au where Louis and Harry are partnered in the competition but they do not get along when they have to if they want to win. Full of fashion, banter, misunderstanding and a whole lot of making each other blush.
💎 Suddenly Last Summer by @disgruntledkittenface
(E, 44k, mystery) Suddenly he has someone who listens to him and cares about what he thinks. Someone who really sees him. But their happily ever after is forever marred by an incident at a party during Labor Day weekend, and Louis is left with a choice to make.
💎 Train Tracks and Porcelain by @jaerie
(E, 41k, historical circus au) Shadows were forming into people and things and, there in the middle of it, Louis watched the humongous head of an elephant emerge from a box car right in front of his eyes. Or a Water For Elephants inspired AU
💎 Mind of Stone by amomentoflove / @daggerandrose
(M, 41k, mythology au) He needs to find a way back home, and then figure out what the fuck happened at the bar tonight.
💎 time to buy and time to lose by 5sexualhomos / @hogwartzlou
(T, 25k, time travel) Over the years, Harry’s father has played many pranks on him, but this is a whole new level. Where did he even come up with this idea? An AU based on the movie About Time.
💎 From Christiania with love by @sweariwouldnt
(NR, 18k, friends to enemies to lovers) It's Louis' first field training day as a future police officer. It doesn't quite go to his plan. Or, maybe, it goes exactly to some bigger plan.
💎 Camboy on Lockdown (series) by @reminiscingintherain
(E, 12k, camboy Louis) While Louis was working on the final draft of his thesis for his Master's, the world went into lockdown around him without him realising. Now he's trapped in student accommodation, and needs a way to earn some money...
💎 it's time to find your wings again by we_are_the_same / @so-why-let-your-voice-be-tamed
(T, 12k, prison guard Louis) His fascination for supernatural creatures had turned into something most closely resembling loathing over the years, due to the many stories of their evildoing, and although he still doesn’t believe in hanging them for their crimes, he does believe in keeping the town safe.
💎 Heart of a Lion (With Metal in His Teeth) by graceling_in_a_suit
(M, 8k, sci fi) Harry is an Android. Louis is his target: a revolutionary leader trying to free his people.
💎 Grow as We Go by @larryatendoftheday
(T, 7k, breakup) a fic about growing up and choosing each other.
💎 But he talks like a gentleman by fondlelarry / @fondofstyles
(NR, 7k, humor) “I had a few too many drinks, ate a bad kebab, rang a bunch of doorbells till someone let me in, vomited in his toilet, stole his orange juice and crashed on his sofa. He woke me up with breakfast though, so I’d say it’s alright.”
💎 What we parted ways with by louisismycat / @liminalkittyfics
(M, 6k, exes) Alpha Harry is surprised to see omega Louis at his matchmaker’s cocktail party for millionaires. Years ago when they were together, Louis loathed schmoozefests with rich people.
💎 Pretty and Preposterous by @brightlyharry
(NR, 5k, neighbors) Harry donates a copy of Pride and Prejudice to his little free library. He never expects what comes next.
💎 old macdonald had a farm by vintagehistories / @adoredontour
(NR, 5k, animal direction) Louis is a hedgehog, Harry is a fish, Niall is a parrot, Liam is a golden retriever, and Zayn is Zayn. It’s a crazy twenty-four hours.
💎 Dirty Diana by yeah_alright / @uhoh-but-yeah-alright
(E, 3k, kink) In the month leading up to his 30th birthday, Harry writes to his confidante Diana every day, sharing his fantasies about Louis.
💎 Pussy Juice by @homosociallyyours
(M, 3k, girl direction) While she manages to dodge the bar's "special" drink, the Pussy Juice shot, she can't avoid the feelings that come up when her former teacher (and teen crush), Louis joins her and her friends for the night.
💎 the blue never-ending sky by @justanothershadeofblue
(T, 3k, epistolary) “Arizona?” Louis asked, and Harry made an affirmative noise from his position on top of his twin bed. “Wouldn’t know, would I?”
💎 Harry, That Kills People by LadyLondonderry / @londonfoginacup
(T, 2k, organized crime/crack) If there’s one thing that Harry hates, it’s getting his clothes dirty. If there’s one other thing that Harry hates, it’s murder.
💎 As Luck Would Have It by @justalittlelouislove
(T, 2k, humor) We've all experienced the trials and tribulations of technology. Louis is sabotaged by a bit of unhelpful autocorrect, but maybe luck is on his side after all.
💎 If I Can't Have You by Janie_17
(T, 2k, fwb) After Harry turns him down, going out for Karaoke is the last thing Louis wants to do, but his friends are persuasive. When Harry shows up with Nick Grimshaw in tow, his evening goes from bad to worse. But will his choice of song manage to turn things around?
(NR, 666 words, fantasy) “You didn’t deserve this,” he muttered between hiccups. “She didn’t have the right.”
💎 Insomnis by @kingsofeverything
(NR, 500 words, science fiction) Harry’s been having trouble sleeping. Louis makes everything better.
💎 Eight Days by LadyAJ_13 / @ladyaj-13
(T, 22k, Liam/Louis) Louis and Liam got hitched in Vegas, completely forgot about it for more than a decade, and it comes back to bite them. Sort of.
💎 You Are A Song by @lululawrence
(NR, 3k, Louis/Nick Grimshaw) To Louis, Nick felt like poetry in motion. He was a bit of chaos surrounding Louis’ otherwise monotonous days, and Louis was quickly becoming addicted.
💎 get my kicks like you by YesIsAWorld / @louandhazaf
(E, 3k, OT5) “Wait,” Liam had said. “You all jerked it at Niall’s?”
💎 Ink on Your Fingers, Ink on My Skin by Layne Faire / @laynefaire
(E, 1k, Zayn/Liam) Liam gets tattoos for the thrill of it.
