So I started this rec list sometime in mid to late 2024 after listening to @thisweekinfandomhistory's episode on the Crack Van, where one of the hosts commented (and I'm most definitely probably paraphrasing here) about how rec lists are something of a lost art.
This, combined with my burning desire to write a primer on Dreamling (in the hopes it could perhaps one day get covered on the pod) was what pushed me to start going through my 30-something pages of bookmarks (of which those occupy slightly more than a third of my total pages of bookmarks) and start categorizing them in preparation for this list.
Sorry about all the parentheses; I've very likely got some rather loud undiagnosed ADHD and cannot for the life of me keep my brain from interjecting with every single bit of information, relevant or otherwise. But, I digress.
There are ten posts included in this monster of a fic rec masterpost, and they are divided between Oneshots, Multi-Chaptered Fics, and Series. The reason for the divide is simple: Tumblr only allows 100 inline links per post, as I also learned from listening to the lovely ladies of the This Week in Fandom History Podcast.
The rec list posts are below the cut, along with a link to my masterpost Google Doc, an explanation as to the method behind my madness, among other things.
Oneshots - Part One
Contains: Alternate Universe, Angst with a Happy Ending, Crossover
Oneshots - Part Two
Contains: Fluff / Happy Ending, Fishbowl Rescue, Friends to Lovers, Getting Together, New Inn Is A Temple
Oneshots - Part Three (NSFW)
Contains: Accidental Vouyerism, Age Difference, BDSM, College / University AU, Centaur AU, Dragon AU, Dream Sex, Fantasy AU, First Time / First Kiss / Getting Together / Friends to Lovers, Fluff / Smut
Oneshots - Part Four (NSFW)
Contains: Fishbowl Rescue, Hurt/Comfort, Medieval AU, MPreg / Breeding Kink, Nursing Kink, Omegaverse, Oviposition, Pacific Rim AU, Period Sex, Retired Dream of the Endless, Selkie AU, Sex Pollen, Shapeshifting, Star Wars AU, Stuck in An Airport AU, Soulmates / Soul Bond, Temporary Amnesia, Tentacle Sex, Touch-Starved Dream of the Endless, Venom AU, Werewolf AU
Oneshots - Part Five
Contains: Soulmate AU (No Smut), Touch-Starved Dream of the Endless
Multi-Chapter - Part One
Contains: Alternate Universe, Angst with a Happy Ending, Character Study, Crossover, Fishbowl Rescue, Fluff, Friends / Enemies to Lovers, Getting Together
Multi-Chapter - Part Two (NSFW)
Contains: Angst with a Happy Ending, Body Swap, Canon Divergence AU, College / University / Academia AU, Creatures & Monsters AU, Dragons AU, Dream Sex, Established Relationship, Fairy Tale AU, Fantasy AU, Fishbowl Rescue / Hob Gadling Saves Dream of the Endless, Friends to Lovers, Fuck Or Die, Getting Together, Historical AU, Hob Gadling is Hope of the Endless, Hob Gadling Owns the New Inn
Multi-Chapter - Part Three (NSFW)
Contains: Hurt/Comfort, Medieval AU, Modern Setting / Human AU, Monsterfucking, Omegaverse, Past Relationship(s), Period Sex, Retired Dream of the Endless, Roommates, Sex Pollen, Soulmates AU, Temporary Amnesia,
The New Inn is a Temple, Touch-Starved Dream of the Endless, Vampire AU, Victorian AU, Werewolf AU
There will likely not be any more posts added to this, given the nature of how Tumblr posts work, but as I am still in the middle of my second run-though of the Dreamling ship tag's entire body of completed works, I will continue to update this Google Doc as I go (and whenever I comb through my Marked for Later tab and go through fics that are still there as well) that you may view at your leisure.
Note: this Google Doc is my personal fic rec list, and is not the be-all, end-all of Dreamling fics, despite how expansive it is. If there is a fic I have not added, it's very likely I did not read it because of a tag I'm not into (like Hurt No Comfort), or I read it and didn't bookmark it because I felt like I wasn't going to read it more than once. Or any other number of reasons, such as incomplete fics, which I rarely read these days unless it's a tag that I absolutely go feral for.
So don't DM me asking to add specific fics, please. Thanks. :)
I would like to explain that the Google Doc uses the tab function to separate the Oneshots, Multi-Chaptered Fics, and Series, and within each tab, they are further divided using the outline function.
The way I chose to organize the Oneshots and Multi-Chaptered fics was to start by thinking of this rec list as sort of like a menu at a restaurant by picking a main tag that I feel is the focus of the fic, and then further organize them by a sub-catagory tag (for example, I have Moorishflower's fic, Radio Silence, under the broad umbrella of 'Alternate Universe Oneshots' which is further organized under the sub-catagory, 'Post-Apocalyse AU'). Mostly I tried to follow this method by selecting two tags from the tag list of the fic, however not all fics I wanted to include HAD enough tags to use, or they had a bunch of hyper-specific, talk-commentary tags that I felt were not very compatible with the system I had worked out. So there are a few fics that I had to categorize or sub-catagorize simply based on vibes.
Hopefully, that explanation was sufficient, and I know that – given the current state of the fandom in regards to NG – some of these fics may one day become orphaned or be taken down. Unfortunately there is little I can do about that other than to encourage you to download any of the fics you enjoy so that you may continue to enjoy them if they disappear.
The purpose of this undertaking was more to challenge myself (and my patience) to see if I still had what it took to make a proper rec list and also to truly get a sense of Dreamling's major themes, tropes, and common tags so that I could list them out in the primer I still want to write for TWIFH.
That's... pretty much why this exists, though along the way, I was moved to finish this project for the sake of creating a snapshot of this particular ship's fandom at this particular moment in time. Whether or not it lasts remains to be seen, but I'm glad to have done it, and I hope that any fandom historians, as well as current and future fans of Dreamling appreciate my efforts.
I would also like to give a special shout-out to the @mr-sadman Discord, which also has a fic library of at least some of the listed fics for the occasions when AO3 goes down for whatever reason, as a good chunk of Dreamling authors and artists tend to congregate there and are all a bunch of lovely and wonderfully derranged people who have supported me in this endeavor.
All on ao3. I essentially combed through my subscriptions and bookmarks. (Keep an eye on the tags, I might have missed a few 'Mind the tags') (regular 'NSFW' tag isn't a big thing, its part of 'Mind the tags'. 'NSFW' is a genuine warning.)
If you know any of these authors on Tumblr please tag 'em if they aren't already!
Ghoap:
The road to Hell (Is Paved With Good Intentions) by @sunshowersanddandelionwine ! (Mind the tags) (Ongoing series)
nothing but my aching soul by Apollos_Last_Prophet! (Mind the tags) (Ongoing series)
To Be a Lighthouse For Wayward Creatures by @eiraeths ! (Ongoing)
Collecting Strays by WhisperedWords12!
Someone, Something Takes Your Hand by @tiddygame (butterschtick)!
The Aerialist by Aessedia!
Kleptomania by sgt-tombstone (k_crow) / @sgt-toasted-bug !
Deep In The Fog by Crispyywheat!
Any Time You Need Me by thirteenbullets!
In a Pond Not an Ocean by jhopeinfiresme!
To Love and to Hold by ScarletCloack!
Stories of a Part-time Wolf by Grangers_apprentice!
All That’s Left Are Your Bones by Grangers_apprentice!
Spectre-Unit by Zosch! (Mind the tags)
You give me goosebumps by @tiddygame (butterschtick)!
Traditions by Islenthatur!
"Stay Safe" and Other Things to Say in the Dark by rileyriley!
My Sanctuary, You're Holy to Me by uselessmoth!
Event Horizon by lemonyada!
Where Moonlight Meets the Sea by MildLimerance (Mind the Tags) (Ongoing)
Zukka:
All's Fair by Lovely_Elbow_Leech / @lovelyelbowleech ! (Mind the Tags) (Ongoing)
The Stars Align by even_atlas! (Mind the tags) (Ongoing)
Ozymandias, King of Kings by Think_of_a_Wonderful_Thought! (Mind the Tags) (Ongoing)
the fourth ring by sulkybender! (NSFW) (Mind the Tags)
about to fall (capture me) by Jay (tofupofu)! (Mind the Tags)
Unpathed Waters, Undreamed Shores by Onmyliteraturebullshitagain!
A soup that warms your soul by Thexfictionxstallion (Mind the tags) (Ongoing)
Double Dragon Trouble by Lizardlicks (Ongoing)
How to Date Your Dragon by SyciaraLynx / @syciaralynx (NSFW) (Mind the Tags) (Ongoing)
In The Limelight by Max_thinks_shes_relevant (Ongoing)
The Pirate Prince by DisConsulate (Mind the Tags) (Ongoing series)
Tasting Iron in Your Kiss by Clanio (Mind the Tags) (Ongoing)
The Art of Burning by hella1975 / @hella1975 (Mind the Tags) (Ongoing)
While Mighty Oaks Do Fall by WitchofEndor (Mind the Tags) (Ongoing)
Window to the Soul by SarsparillaSparrow (Bundibird) (Ongoing Series)
(Not Zukka) Glass And Ice by The_Mad_Poet
Jalim:
Say Nothing by DerKatzenprinz and ladygabe! / @thunderwhenhepurrs @katzenprinz (NSFW) (Mind the tags) (Ongoing series)
Talk To Me by Stromkastenglitch ! ( @caelusproject )(Parallel to Say Nothing, focus on the KingKay situation) (Ongoing)
lights out by dashwood!
Repeat Day by Tatjana_Story!
Merthur:
love me like you used to (and i’ll praise you like i should) by moonlit_author (Orphaned) (Ongoing)
The Threads Between Us by a_written_simulacra
Hiraeth by BeautifulFiction (Mind the tags)
The Dragon Rises by Footloose and mushroomtale (Mind the tags)
(Vigilante) Izuku Midoryia:
this is your life, there's no way to run from it by getting_by (Mind the tags) (Ongoing)
The Forgotten Ghost by Roselessness (Mind the tags) (Ongoing)
and here in the still, all that you feel is tranquility by erin_dne (Mind the tags) (Ongoing)
Serendipitous Encounters by Coffee_Scribbles (Mind the tags) (Ongoing)
Broken Crown by GracefulPetals (Mind the tags) (Ongoing)
Genesis by HailcorePhoenix (Mind the tags) (Ongoing)
soft hands, bruised knuckles by hoister_saoy (Mind the Tags) (Ongoing)
Terminal Velocity by BlueJayIs (Mind the Tags) (Ongoing)
The Deep (2015):
What Happens Deep in Durae by pocketfulof_Fanfic / @headfullof-ideas (Mind the tags) (Ongoing series)
Deep Down by pocketfulof_Fanfic / @headfullof-ideas (again cause they're awesome)
Of Piracy and Parenthood by pocketfulof_Fanfic / @headfullof-ideas (once again!) (Mind the tags)
Icy Nights by StoryLover3000 (Mind the tags) (Ongoing)
Interning on the Aronnax by GriffinStone
Sea Change by Dark-Orca-Dynasty (Lamarie_Artsy), Lamarie_Artsy (Ongoing)
Samchalla/MARVEL:
See You As You Are by Wholocked96
Held Together by Spiderwebs by TunaFishChris
Vincent Freeman/Jerome Eugene Morrow(GATTACA):
stardust by starrshard (Mind the tags)
my love lies not in the stars by the_pendragon_queen (Mind the tags)
Chreon:
Animal Hospitality by FigurativelyDead / @figurativelyd3ad (Mind the tags) (Ongoing)
Break Through My Shell by The_Phantom_Writer (Mind the tags) (Ongoing)
evidence (for you to unravel) by trevino / @transkennedys (Mind the tags) (Ongoing)
glory box by crescentelia (NSFW) (Mind the Tags) (Ongoing)
In Threes by Beximia (Mind the Tags)
S.T.A.R.S. In My Eyes by EliteDiversion (Mind the Tags) (Ongoing)
The now, the then, the thinking of when by bowhuntress (Ongoing)
Worse Than It Looks by PinboardButterfly (Mind the Tags)
one night stand (one more time) by sophiecee / @arun-armand-amadeo
(Not Chreon) This Time, It has to be Different (Leon Kennedy Time Travel Fix It) by BlackHoleSunS10 (Ongoing)
Serennedy:
Proof of Life by AphroditesTummyRolls (Ongoing)
aqua regia by Vexia (Mind the Tags) (Ongoing series)
Slimeknight:
After the dust settles by Zom_Nom (Ongoing)
In The Clutches Of Death, I See You In My Final Memories by how_the_cooki3_crumbles (Mind the tags) (Ongoing)
To See You Again by LilyannaRae (Mind the Tags) (Ongoing)
Dispatch:
Dispatching, Depression, & Doughnuts by starkraving (Ongoing series)
ghost boy ghost boy (where did you go?) by BardicInsomnia / @bardicinsomnia (Mind the tags) (Ongoing)
(Flambert) Chasing Sunshine by bruciemilf
(Flambert) a freeloader, a roommate, or a secret third thing by kj_crwn
Project Hail Mary (Some Gracerocky):
I'd wave my hand, reveal the stars by WyvernQuill (Ongoing)
When it's over, you're the start by Spades (bumblingbees) (Series possibly ongoing)
(please) cut a six inch valley through the middle of my soul by lizardhands (mind the tags)
The Astrobiology Immersion Program by startingatmidnight (Mind the tags)
Hail Mary: Grace by Inches by PL1 / @neonthewrite (Ongoing)
DSMP/MCYT BUT NOT MAINSTREAM I PROMISE(Vigilante TommyInnit):
Jackdaw by Blackholeca (Ongoing)
TommyInnit's Foolproof Guide To Having Too Many Identities by RevenantMotif (Mind the Tags) (Ongoing)
Something of Yours by TheFlamingAce (Mind the Tags)
Wild Kratts
REPROGRAMMED and DECODED by AnonymousCritter / @littlecrittereli (Mind the tags)
WINTER FIC REC: Below you’ll find fics that take place during the winter season.
📖 A Very Darling Christmas by @aquamarinedaffodil (133k)
It’s Harry’s first holiday season since he opened the little bakery at Astor Square and according to his best friend Zayn, he is hopelessly unprepared. With the start of the local Christmas market right around the corner and an already hectic schedule, Harry really can’t afford to get distracted.
Then again, neither can Louis, who is in the middle of directing rehearsals for a winter musical with his drama class and promised his colleague Niall that he’d focus all of his energy on the musical.
But you know what they say: promises are like pie crusts — made to be broken.
📖 like cranberries on a winter evening by @evilovesyou (57k)
Louis hates Christmas. With good reason, too. And no, he doesn’t want to talk about it.
When research for his next novel leads Louis to the website of a quirky little hotel in Northumberland, there is exactly one room available for the two weeks that Louis really wants to get away from his family.
Will the fairy lights, kind smiles, homemade pastries, and genuine friendships awaiting him in Harry Styles’ hotel be enough to cause Louis a change of heart?
📖 Baby, Won't You Look My Way? by @peachbootylouis (50k)
Or the where Louis’ routine centered life runs like clockwork until a chance hook up throws a wrench named Harry into it all. But as it may turn out a change in plans could be what Louis has needed all along.
📖 Cabin Fever by @germericangirl (46k)
One cabin, one bed, two ex-boyfriends. What could possibly go wrong?
📖 Take A Chance On Me by @peachypetalhazz (39k)
When Harry receives two tickets to see one of his favourite bands, he'd expected that his best mate would accompany him. However, it is soon learned that the intentions behind this so-called gift were far more wondrous than he initially thought.
📖 love drunk, waiting on a miracle by @hellolovers13 (30k)
Harry has a bit of a crush on a customer. Thankfully, the feeling is mutual.
These are their first 24 days together.
📖 California stars by @justanothershadeofblue (27k)
A month in the life (and diary) of one Harry Edward Styles, miner-become-farmer in the brand new state of California, and his hired hand, one Louis Tomlinson. AKA Harry goes to San Francisco for supplies, but ends up with more than he bargained for.
📖 One for the Books by @neondiamond (25k)
When Harry decides to move to London a few weeks before Christmas to pursue his dream and become the new owner of a bookshop after seeing an ad online, everyone he knows tells him he must be out of his mind. As he gets acquainted with his new life and meets a handful of incredible individuals—one of which he happens to grow particularly fond of—he slowly comes to the realisation that it may just be the best decision he's ever made.
Or the one where there’s a bookshop, a cat, OT5 friendship, a budding romance, and all the festive vibes.
📖 as in olden days by @scrunchyharry (18k)
Château Frontenac hotel, Christmas 1925
When his father insisted the entire family spend Christmas abroad in one of his new investments, Harry dreaded the prospect of being trapped for weeks in the biting Canadian cold, so far away from the roaring excitement of his London life. As he crossed half of the world to be buried under a thick blanket of snow, he never imagined he would meet a charming bellhop who would do his best to keep him warm.
📖 And winter came... by @noellehenryfics (16k)
A While you were sleeping AU.
📖 This Winter's Day by @becomeawendybird (14k)
Louis is Harry's stablemaster, and when he falls ill and his mother turns to Harry to help her try and find someone he can settle down with, it's only natural that Harry suggests himself.
📖 I Can Build Your Heart A Home by @loveislarryislove (10k)
Harry and Louis kind of secretly sort of dated in high school. Now it's two years later and they're both back in town for Christmas and it's awkward. Until it isn't.
📖 The Clock Strikes New Year by @jacaranda-bloom (9k)
Harry was homeless, but now he has Louis. Louis was lonely, but now he has Harry. And there’s more than one way to see fireworks on New Year’s Eve.
📖 All I know is I'm in trouble ('cause the atmosphere's so cold) by @so-why-let-your-voice-be-tamed (8k)
While on a holiday with his best mate Zayn, Louis meets Harry, who seems to dislike him from the start. It's just his luck he ends up getting stuck on a ski lift with Harry. Except maybe the universe knows better and he really is lucky.
📖 Alpha Heater For Sale by @harryslonecurl (3k)
It read: Alpha heater for sale! Winter weather got you down? Call Harry for your warm, furnace-like needs!
📖 Rapture by @allwaswell16 (3k)
It was New Year's Eve in Victorian London, and a lonely vampire could no longer resist the stunning lamplighter he watched night after night.
Or, a vampire Harry fic because what says the holidays like Victorian vampires?
📖 a taste of bliss by @beckydoesthings (1k)
It's New Year's Eve, and Louis is working. As much as he hates it, there's a few benefits to working a holiday. One is the free champagne. The second may or may not come in the form of a curly haired sous chef named Harry.
hellooo decided to make a masterpost with links to all my fic recs posts because im lazy and this is easier to manage lol. keeping this pinned and will add whenever i rec more fanfics for more fandoms & ships! happy reading 💜💜💜
p.s. plugging my edits here too hehe
DARKLINA
PART ONE aka the OG pre-show bookverse faves
PART TWO post S1 S&B
MODERN AU RECS
...and random recs like these, these, role reversal ones, alina growing up in the little palace ones, and a cottagecore series.
ELRIEL
MAIN FIC REC LIST
an elain-centric elriel rec
some more recs
another slowburn long fic rec
ICHIHIME
MAIN FIC REC LIST
KASTLE
MAIN FIC REC LIST
ELUCIEN
MAIN FIC REC LIST
LOKANE
MAIN FIC REC LIST
EVAJACKS
first meeting after TBONA ending...
anything by fantasy-on-parchment!
ROWAELIN
urban fantasy modern AU rec
REIDAWAY
MAIN FIC REC LIST i love this lil tugboat
BELLARKE
MAIN FIC REC LIST with post S1 faves
ALTERNATE UNIVERSE RECS
Hold on to Your Heart - falsegoodnight @falsegoodnight
The Proposal AU, where Louis is the no-nonsense editor in chief of one of the largest publishing houses in the country, and Harry is the unlucky assistant that gets roped into a fake engagement to prevent his boss from being deported. Things don't go as planned. 54k [I absolutely adore the movie and this was gorgeous, loved the dual pov too!!]
Babydoll Blues - devilinmybrain @thedevilinmybrain
Louis is a high profile, filthy rich label executive who has the world at his feet - a music god.. Harry is the sugar baby trying to make a name for himself singing in shady bars and hanging off the arm of Louis' biggest rival. What Louis wants, Louis gets. But what if the game gets too hot and hits a little too close to the heart? 111k [this felt like such a treat, it was very very hot and the characters were very emotive.]
It’s Golden, Like Daylight - wildestdreams @butyouneverdo
a College/ABO/Fake Relationship AU where longtime friends, Harry and Louis, come up with the perfect plan to fake date, which, of course, ends up being a complete disaster. 61k [It’s fake dating, what’s not to love?]
Beautiful War - itsmotivatingcara
Five years ago, Louis was nearly the next victim in a string of murders plaguing Portland, Oregon. He managed to escape and the Angel Killer was apprehended and sent to prison. Now, Louis' a best-selling author that assists state police with minor cases. He still suffers from the events of the days he'd been held hostage, but he's found ways to cope. That is, until the killings start up again. A body was found in the woods. A body that bared the same signature the media had dubbed: The Angel of Death. Special Agent Harry Styles leads the case, and he doesn't buy into the clairvoyant bullshit that Louis spewed to save face five years ago. He's certain that Louis Tomlinson was involved. Until they meet, and they're both left questioning everything they'd thought to be true. Or An FBI-Clairvoyant AU. 103k [My absolute favourite au; fbi/crime clairvoyant, I’m obsessed. it had everything i look for in a fic. the minute i finished this, i went straight to the author’s page and they do not disappoint!!]
Maybe You’ll Like the Way I Am - lululawrence @lululawrence
When Louis' alpha neighbor asks him to pretend to be his omega for a week, Louis immediately says no. He has too much he's dealing with on his own, and he swore to himself he'd never get that close to an alpha again. Unable to hold to that resolve once guilt sets in, Louis finds that maybe fumbling his way through a fake relationship for a week was exactly what he needed to finally be able to move on. 55k [the way they fell into a relationship felt so so natural, and i’m utterly in love with the characterizations.]
Into the Midnight Sun - summerwine
It's 1983, Harry embarks on his first world tour and Louis is a budding actor in LA. Life spent apart isn't easily adjustable, but somehow they make it work. 63k [i love this, it was soft and there was angst but also commuincation and it was really really brilliant.]
You Bring Me Home - Justalittlelouislove
“Lou, I bet you are the most bravest boy in the whole town.” Louis can still hear his mama screaming for his daddy, and his arm still really hurts, but something about the way Harry says it makes everything feel a whole lot better.
When Louis is nine years old, he earns himself a cast, three whole weeks grounded from tv (especially Superman), and an addiction to impressing Harry Styles. 15k [this fic!!! i love fics where they grow up together and this was soft even with the angst.]
Fireproof - Justalittlelouislove
After managing to survive everything Louis's thrown at him over the past decade, Harry thinks he's seen it all. That is until he comes home to a dragon egg in his living room. Together, Louis and Harry learn a little about co-parenting mythical creatures and a lot about themselves. 26k [witchy/magic chaotic louis!!! and exasperated, in-love harry!!! do i need to say any more?? also the artwork in this fic is too cute]
Come Away With Me - suspendrs @suspendrs-fics
Louis had such big plans. He wanted so much out of life, and so did Amy. Now Bridget is going to grow up without a mother, and she’s always going to wonder what it would be like if this hadn’t happened. He wonders if she’ll blame him for her mother’s death as she gets older, or if she’ll understand that this is just as painful for Louis as it is for her. Louis doesn’t know how he’s going to raise her on his own, because he’s a fantastic father, yes, but he’s always been the fun parent, and Amy was in charge of the rules. He doesn’t know how to make sure Bridget has everything she needs all the time, doesn’t know how to make her favorite meal or how to do that one braid she loves to have in her hair or how to teach her to be the best person she can be. He doesn’t know how to live without Amy, he doesn’t know what he’s going to do. Or, Louis has to pick up the pieces of his and his daughter's life after his wife dies, and Harry is a beautiful stranger that just wants to help. 80k [my heart hurt reading this beautiful fic]
What You’re Signing On For - abrighteryellow @a-brighter-yellow
Back at home in London after a whirlwind romance, Louis wants nothing more than to break ties completely with the sophisticated Frenchman who swept him off his feet. In order to do that, he needs the help of Harry Styles: former town bad boy and adopted brother of Louis' flatmate. An O.C. AU about flawed first impressions, the seductive power of French pastries, bad romance novelists, and getting on the same page. 29k [i never wanted this fic to end]
