I love a canon fic where the boys are on tour and pining away. If you’re a regular reader, you’ll know I just did canon fics in July for the 1D anniversary, but since August is a Summer Concert themed issue, I thought it might be fun to explore fics with touring and concerts in the spotlight.
Canon and canon-divergent fics take place in a universe where the boys met and fell in love on The X Factor and in One Direction.
Note that some AO3 fics are available publicly on the server, while some require an Archive of Our Own account/membership to access. If you don’t currently have access, you’ll need to sit on a waitlist – typically for a week or two – to gain access. Get yourself on that list ASAP as some of these require that access to read.
The “Summary” is taken from the author’s own AO3 summary. “Why I Liked It” is my opinion (and only mine).
These are NOT in ranked order.
- So Much (For) Us by NiallinJapan2013
Summary: It’s 2022, The boys are not friends. Realistically, they all hate each other. None of them are okay. Now, they have an album to make. They should probably talk about it.
Why I liked It: This is a relatively new canon fic but it’s robust and you can really dig your teeth into it. It revolves around an imagined post-hiatus ID in 2022 coming back together for a reunion tour. Beware of triggers, it’s not fluffy.
Summary: He knew what he needed, and it was a harsh realisation to think that maybe he’d never have it again, that maybe he was about to ruin everything by admitting, live to thousands of people, that they’d been right all along. Well, almost. Their fans had gotten a substantial amount correct; the relationships that were faked, the two of them being kept apart by their management for being too close, too affectionate, the social media control and all the stories planted in the papers in their attempts to ruin them. Most of all though, there had been people who had always known that the overwhelming feeling of love, passion, commitment, and home was there all along. They just hadn’t known it was one sided. Or, the five times Louis had to hold back his feelings, and the one time he didn’t. Inspired by Fireproof
Why I liked It: Just a lovely little canon love story, and I adore Fireproof.
- Close Enough to Touch by YesIsaWorld by Let_Us_Be_Weird
Summary: There had been chart topping singles and sold out arenas when Louis Tomlinson was one fifth of the world’s most successful boyband. Embarking on his first solo tour was stressful enough without his closest friends encouraging him to push even further outside of his comfort zone. Louis definitely did not need a masseuse on tour. Not even if that masseuse turned out to be gorgeous, kind, and lovely. It was the last thing Louis thought he needed. He was wrong.
Why I liked It: Not exactly canon since Harry isn’t in the band in this one, but it’s a lovely FITF tour fic w/ Harry along on the tour as Louis’ massage therapist.
- I Hope You Choke on Those Words by ImogenLee
Summary: Harry Styles had been head of security for concert venues for over eight years. Never in his career had he seen a musician as reckless when it came to personal safety as Louis Tomlinson. After making his job a living nightmare, Harry decided he needs to talk some sense into Louis. If only there were some way to shut him up.
Why I liked It: This is a filthy little one-shot, GREAT usage of current events (Louis jumping into the barricade). Harry is a security guard with a talent for choking.
- Tie Your Heart by ArcadianMaggie
Summary: Harry grows wings.
Why I liked It: I’ve mentioned this one before, but it fits so perfectly into this theme, I had to mention it again. Harry grows wings – no one ever talks about this one, but it’s one of my favorites. It is set in 2012 just before the second album. As the summary says, Harry grows wings. It’s a metaphor and I won’t give away the goods, but it’s super well done and just lovely to read. The absolute adoration on the page between Harry and Louis (and all of OT5) is palpable and feels so real, despite the fantasy element of the wings.
- Before/After Tour Story by HelloAmHere
Summary: Looking back on it, Louis could divide the whole tour into before and after.
Why I liked It: This is the prequel for one of my favorite A/B/O fics, one I recommend often – Just Let Me. It’s the beginning of Louis’ touch deprivation that really explodes in JLM.
- With Love Comes Strange Currencies by mediaville
Summary: One day One Direction will be over and Louis won’t be around Harry every waking moment. He’ll be able to finally get some space, let their bond dissipate as it’s bound to do, if they don’t mess up again. He can move to Costa Rica and forget that Harry Styles popped his first knot inside him. Until then, he’s going to have to deal with this. or, They’re Accidentally Mated and Dealing With It Rather Badly.
Why I liked It: This is another short one, but I really liked it. Full of sexual tension, it’s from 2014, and it’s A/B/O & life on the road. Harry (alpha) and Louis (omega) accidentally mate during their first time together and have to deal with the aftermath of what that means to them and to the whole band. It’s different. Canon-esque.
- Your Reason to Be by KellanCougar
Summary: The X Factor was only the start. With their management willing to do anything for headlines, including manipulation that could threaten Harry’s very life, Louis fears he will lose everything he loves and be powerless to stop it.
Why I liked It: The beginning of this fic is more like the overview/backstory of the X-Factor days and their early whirlwind relationship. The meat of the story comes in the second half. From 2015, it gets a bit dark in how H&L must deal with stunts/beards but their deep love gets them through. Read trigger warnings, as there is a disturbing incident that happens to Harry.
- FallingforYou by gayilystrong
Summary: Harry’s sick on Tour, which leads to naps in Louis’ bunk. Louis of course needs to take care of his baby.
Why I liked It: Short and sweet one shot on the tour bus, circa 2014. Harry’s not feeling well, and Louis cares for him.
- Baby, you were the love of my life by therogueeskimo
Summary: Harry needs a place to record one more song for the album, and London has him too in his head. He asks Liam if he can use his country house and set up a studio in his front room, and Liam agrees. Little does Harry know that Liam has an unplanned guest staying in that house – someone who saved him and ruined him in equal measure. __ Louis finds out that the last six years of his life have all been a lie, and he runs to the one person he thinks will understand – Liam. He does not expect to run into the person whose heart he broke, especially when the truths about his past that have recently come to light have the potential to break that heart even more
Why I liked It: This is a cute/short canon-ish post hiatus fic, Harry’s House era. Beware, there is mention of stunts.
Xoxo – Rosann
Happy reading and thanks for checking out my recommendations. I’d love to hear from you and what you think of my suggestions! Let me know if you have any thoughts for future themes!
