Today marks six months of articles with No Stunts Magazine! I’ve loved crafting my recommendation lists for each issue, but I’m choosing to step back from the column as I have too much on my plate. We’re currently nailing down who will provide Fanfiction articles moving forward, and I’m sure whoever takes over will bring a fresh perspective.
For my final list, I wanted to aim for miscellaneous must-reads from my spreadsheet. I picked an assortment of favorites I hadn’t mentioned in my five other posts. Many couldn’t fit, but you have 60 fics across my articles to choose from. Have fun!
As a reminder, some of these works require an Archive of Our Own account to access, and you need to sit on a waitlist – typically for a week or two – to gain access. I recommend hopping on that list as soon as possible and diving into the open fics now!
1. Time Bomb by ThisSentimentalHeart
Summary: The one where Louis has everything: a lead role in a giant Hollywood franchise, a glittering new house with an entertaining Irish neighbor, and a steady, normal boyfriend who he probably loves. Louis never expected to become a household name among young Hollywood overnight. He also never expected to find something endearing about the enigmatic rockstar who keeps showing up on his back porch.
Why I Liked It: An absolute favorite of all time. Time Bomb is not for everyone with its long list of difficult subjects, but if you can read it, you need to. ThisSentimentalHeart created a story that’s engaging, plot-driven, and emotional. I found that for every toxic element this fic presented, it also followed up at some point or another with lessons and realistic depictions of characters recovering. I’ve never seen a fic seamlessly blend this kind of content, and it left a lasting impact on me.
Content Warning: MANY – Please read tags & chapter notes
2. House of the Rising Sun by Itsmotivatingcara
Summary: The Originals AU that no one asked for.
Why I Liked It: I will perpetually scream Cara’s name into the sky! Her fics are incredible, but House of the Rising Sun recently crushed my entire fic list to pieces with its perfection and snuck straight onto my top five. I have never seen The Originals, so this is my endorsement that you don’t have to know anything about it to enjoy this story. The fantasy elements are outstanding, and the plot keeps you guessing all the way through. Don’t let the tags scare you.
Content Warning: Dark magic, Death & death rituals, Violence
3. Sodalite & Aventurine by forreveries
Summary: The one where, in his travels to find Swan’s elusive treasure, Captain Louis Tomlinson of the Black Dagger discovers he has a stowaway onboard – a stowaway who is rather tall and pretty and pouty and can spout off Shakespearean poetry as though he had written it. A stowaway who is also, unfortunately, secretly Louis’ biggest threat. Captain Harry Styles.
Why I Liked It: After having a less-than-stellar introduction to pirate fics, I was apprehensive about diving into a new one. However, absolutely everyone could enjoy Sodalite & Aventurine. The smut is insanely good, and their relationship development is approached precisely and thoughtfully. Plot twists await; I honestly didn’t know how it would end. A fresh, enrapturing take on the enemies-to-lovers trope.
Content Warning: Minor character death, sword fights
4. Have Faith In Me by stylinsoncity
Summary: As the son of Anne Styles, millionaire owner of one of the world’s most luxurious fashion labels, Harry has spent his last seventeen years living in carefree extravagance. And now he’s grown tired of it, along with the pressure from his mum to follow in her footsteps and the constant care given to him by her past assistants.
When his mum’s newest assistant, Louis, moves into the guesthouse, Harry determines to be treated differently. To be treated like an adult. Except Louis is not at all what Harry was expecting…
Why I Liked It: This is my favorite stylinsoncity fic. I don’t remember the last time I read something I related to so deeply, even when the main subject – an age difference – isn’t one that I’ve had experience with in the same way. Motivations were real and raw, and I sobbed more often than expected, living vicariously through these lovely characters. It is a slow burn, but one where you can tell early on that there’s a lot of tension. Gorgeous fic.
Content Warning: Age difference, death scare
5. You’ve Got My Devotion (Hate You Sometimes) by lucythegoosey
Summary: Harry was in the biggest boy band in the world. He was also one half of the best (or worst, depends on who you ask) kept secret relationship in the music industry. Now, almost five years on, after One Direction has broken up, and Harry and Louis’ relationship has as well, a video threatens to put everything at risk. One determined Irishman, a massive publicity stunt and two begrudging exes are all it takes to bring One Direction back to life and maybe, just maybe, Harry and Louis’ mangled love life too.
Why I Liked It: As the first major piece of Larry fanfiction I ever read, You’ve Got My Devotion (Hate You Sometimes) has my heart. I adored the canon fake dating plot. How lucythegoosey blends musical canon into their stories is impressive and gave me fresh perspectives on most of the album Fine Line. They did the same thing in their other fic with Made in the A.M., It Goes, It’s Golden. I also recommend that. Both provide plenty of angst with engaging plots.
Content Warning: No major triggers
6. One More Time Again by orphan_account
Summary: On the morning of his second sold-out performance at Madison Square Garden, Harry wakes up to find that he’s sixteen years old, on The X Factor, and that he has a chance to make things right. A canon-compliant fix-it fic (sort of).
Why I Liked It: If you’re a fan of canon and angst, One More Time Again is a perfect combination. This fic will particularly impact you if you already have been in the fandom for some time and know about the issues surrounding the X Factor. A particular chapter of this fic haunts me to this day, and yes, you’ll know it when you find it. Overall, a magnificent story with fantastic characters.
Content Warning: Homophobia, Internalized Homophobia, Closeting
7. Dance to the Distortion by Lis (domesticharry)
Summary: Louis accidentally breaks Harry’s camera lens and in order to get it fixed, they decide to participate in a romantic couples study. The only issue is that they are not actually couple. Well that and the fact they cannot stand each other.
Why I Liked It: At first glance, Dance to the Distortion looks like any other enemies-to-lovers fic, but the reason they decide to fake date is a unique take on the trope. I enjoyed how domesticharry approached their relationship development and how the situations they found themselves in organically led to having feelings for each other. Not too plot-heavy – a lovely read and a great example of this author’s talent!
Content Warning: Homophobia
8. After Hours by Velvetoscar
Summary: Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson are the bane of each other’s existences. Unfortunately, they’re already in love–even if they aren’t completely aware of this minor detail.
Why I Liked It: After Hours is a short story, but it’s a superb demonstration of how Velvetoscar can create a beautiful fic with few words. As a You’ve Got Mail AU, we see Harry and Louis fall in love over the internet while hating each other in real life. Watching them become soft and loving is so satisfying, and the way it finishes left me screaming! One of the best one-shots out there.
Content Warning: No major triggers
9. Wild And Unruly by 100percentsassy and gloria_andrews
Summary: Harry is a cowboy sitting on the biggest oil reservoir in Wyoming, and Louis is the paralegal assigned to pressure him into selling his land.
Why I Liked It: 100percentsassy and gloria_andrews are an absolute power pair! The authors of Love is a Rebellious Bird did it again with cowboyrry and emotional cow births. Wild And Unruly would make a fantastic Rom-Com movie, full of humor without sacrificing the heart. Louis coming to understand Harry’s way of life and beginning to enjoy it himself is so sweet to watch! This story is well-balanced and will hook you early on, so get ready for a wild ride. Yee-haw!
Content Warning: No major triggers
10. Nothing But You On My Mind by nonsensedarling
Summary: Louis Tomlinson is a PR manager hired to improve the image of royal bad-boy Prince Harry Styles. Unfortunately for him, that means being faced with the Prince’s constant innuendos, incessant dirty jokes, and relentless flirting. Louis just wants to make it to Princess Gemma’s coronation; once she’s crowned Queen, his contract is up and he never has to see the Prince again.
Why I Liked It: Talk about a plot twist. You’ll have to trust me here as there’s more to Nothing But You On My Mind than it seems. As you read, you’ll start to have questions – all of them will get resolved in one of the most iconic chapters you’ll ever read. Royal AU if you’re into that, but it isn’t overbearing if you’re not. Out of all the fics I’ve read, this is probably the one I think about most frequently. Dive in and hold on tight!
Content Warning: No major triggers
If you have questions or are seeking additional recommendations, you can find me on Twitter at @FitzandLarry – happy reading. This is Mary informally signing off!
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