hi gina! I'd like to ask you if you have any recs where Harry and Louis have another couple in the beginning. Thank you love!
Hi sweetheart. I’m not quite sure what you mean. Are you looking for fics where Harry and/or Louis are dating someone else when they meet? I don’t have a lot. But in addition to this list, you can check out my Healing fic rec for fics where one or the other has just gotten out of a bad relationship.
all the sins you didn’t have by Brooklyn_Babylon / @twopoppies (E, 100K)
It’s 1880, and premier danseur Harry Styles is running out of time. At twenty-five, he’s fast becoming too old for the lecherous benefactors who frequent The Paris Opera Ballet’s infamous backstage, and the only way to ensure he isn’t left penniless or rotting away in a brothel is to secure a permanent patron.
Enter Lord Louis Tomlinson: wealthy, young, handsome. And, unfortunately, a notorious rake. Harry strikes him and his gigantic ego off the list immediately… At least until they realize they have a common set of enemies and a common goal: revenge.
Though their ruse starts smoothly enough, the decadent freedom of Belle Époque Paris gives way to the rigid social rules of aristocratic Victorian London. Can a relationship that started as a calculated deception withstand the harsh realities of societal expectations and family duty to become a love more honest and profound than either has ever known?
babydoll blues by devilinmybrain / @thedevilinmybrain (E, 112K) At last, the full-fledged, dirty, sugar baby fic we needed. Harry's character is so layered and so beautifully drawn, I just fell in love with him. Louis is sexy and powerful and also tender and sweet, just how I imagine the actual Louis to be. This author wrote one of my favorite fics of 2021, so I was really excited to dive into this one. They really know how to set a scene and draw you in to their characters. Scorching smut scenes, excellent use of side characters, and some angst that fully made me cry. Definitely worth a read!
The Serpent and the Lion by louiseparker (E, 212K) Despite the fact that I have zero interest in Harry Potter, I was pulled into this immediately and read all 200+K in two days. The author does a wonderful job of creating a nuanced OT5 friendship, writes great dialogue, and draws a intricate picture of life at Hogwartz. Most of all, I loved the use of flashbacks to tell the story, the deeply layered characterization of Harry, and how wonderfully he and Louis fit together and brought out the best in each other. I’m so happy I found this one.
Stranger Stars by shaylea / @sunshineandhisrainbows (E, 212K) It’s a really unique fic that takes place on a 6-week safari through Africa. It’s incredibly detailed and the author does a lovely job with the character arcs and with setting the scene.
Tug-Of-War by cherrystreet (E, 63K) I read this one a while ago, so I can’t remember a lot of specifics, but this author is pretty much a sure bet. My notes on this one make me chuckle: “So touching. Tears. Great characterizations. Angst is heart breaking, but relatively brief. Smut is hot af”. Well, there you go!
taking tips and getting stoned by alison (M, 24K) Slightly OOC, but I really enjoyed the realistic approach to the storyline and having a fic about life not turning out the way you thought it might, and the opportunity for second chances.
Into the Deep Below by writeivywrite (E, 19K) Harry, Louis, Zayn. This one is gorgeous and makes me feel like I’m underwater when I read it – I don’t know how to explain that clearly. It’s just very dreamy. The fic is about the early stages of figuring out you love more than one person…and it’s gorgeous.
Until You Remember by Throwthemflowers / @hazzabeeforlou (E, 21K) This fic is just beautiful and full of tenderness and it made me cry.
Have Love, Will Travel by @kingsofeverything (E, 97K) This friends (co-workers) to lovers fic was sweet and romantic. The author does a lovely job of showing their closeness and love for each other even before Harry and Louis admit it to each other.
(your heartbeat) rang true inside my bones by flimsy (E, 33K) Once again Harry agrees to help Louis make an ex jealous,. Didn’t he learn his lesson already? Canon divergent/fake boyfriend fun.
Where Your Heart Is by freetheankles / @anymerrylilthought (E, 154K) This one is an absolute heartbreaker. These are two characters who’ve gone through the wringer, so if you’re looking for rainbows and kittens….not here. But there’s so much flirting and fighting and sexiness and finally FINALLY a happy ending. Again, the link is to a google drive.
Promise Not To Stop When I Say When by becka, mediaville (E, 49K) Ok, read the tags because this has some pairings you may not like, but if you can handle that, this is a particularly filthy fic full of pining. And a lot of smut.
i can’t wait to see what you find by enbyharry / @non-binharry (E, 13K) This is such a well-written exploration of gender, independence, and intimacy. I thought the shift from Louis being a separate third part of a couple’s dynamic to falling for Harry himself was handled very smoothly, and I particularly loved the development of Harry’s character as he opened up and let Louis see more of who he was.
Wholehearted by sweetums (E, 10K)* I haven’t read this one, but other people have told me they like it. And it fits what you’re looking for.
Louis meets Harry through a threesome his boyfriend sets up.
Hopefully this is what you wanted, but if not, LMK.
