Larry Stylinson: the romantic pairing of Louis Tomlinson and Harry Styles from One Direction. It’s a pair that some may assume to be purely fictional. But is it really? My answer to that will come in a future article. But, for now, please enjoy some fictionalized accounts of the Larry Stylinson relationship.

Picking only twelve stories was difficult, as there are so many beautiful pieces out there. Fan fiction tends to get a bad rap in the media with many people simply assuming it’s all over-sexualized fantasies of teenage girls. While, yes, these do exist, there are so many that are better than any book available for purchase currently.

I encourage you all not only to check out these twelve incredible stories but also to do some research of fanfiction on your own. Don’t let your prior expectations determine your future behavior.

1. Fanfiction: “Fading” by tothemoonmydear

Platform: Archive of Our Own

Word Count: 202,393

Summary: “Louis knows about beauty; the combination of qualities that pleases the aesthetic senses. He creates that combination every day in the garments he designs while studying fashion at uni. The cut of the design, the color of the fabric, the intricacy of the stitching; it all comes together to create something beautiful. When the science student with the long legs and dimpled smile agrees to model for him, Louis decides he’s found beauty personified. Harry just thinks Louis needs someone to show him how beautiful he is.”

Link: http://archiveofourown.org/works/629683/chapters/1138549

Note: The fic I reread every September, “Fading” is by far the most beautiful and emotionally draining one on this list. It will leave an everlasting impact on you; that I can guarantee. Cuddle up in a blanket and get the tissues ready. You’re going to need them for sure.

2. Fanfiction: “These Inconvenient Fireworks” by wontsitstill

Platform: Livejournal

Word Count: 190,000

Summary: “Future AU in which nobody tries out for X Factor but the boys end up finding one other eventually anyway. Louis is a jaded bastard who owns a cat named Duchess and teaches drama to teenagers, Harry is an idealistic aspiring photographer/part-time footy coach, Zayn teaches English lit and wears leather jackets, Liam saves people from burning buildings, and Niall is Niall.”

Link: http://wontsitstill.livejournal.com/

Note: For this one, you have to make an account and join the community but it is SO worth it.

3. Fanfiction: “Escapade” by dolce_piccante

Platform: Archive of Our Own

Word Count: 146,241

Summary: In the grand scheme of things, finding a date for a wedding should be no problem for Louis Tomlinson. He's rich. He's handsome. He's reasonably well behaved. But when the wedding is for his lifelong best friend (and former boyfriend), and is happening in under a month, finding a date for the ceremony and accompanying festivities becomes more of an adventure than he ever could have planned for.

Link: http://archiveofourown.org/works/4034197/chapters/9071932

Note: Not only can you read the fanfiction version of this for free online, but you can also buy the PUBLISHED version from Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Escapade-Dolce/dp/1634770579.

4. Fanfiction: “Relief Next To Me” by dolce_piccante

Platform: Archive of Our Own

Word Count: 333,703

Summary: “AU. What happens when a baker and a graphic designer meet via a very specific Craigslist post? Fate, friendship, food, and maybe more.”

Link: http://archiveofourown.org/works/1117942/chapters/2251923

5. Fanfiction: “Wanted Most” by LarryWriting

Platform: Wattpad

Word Count: Unknown

Summary: “Louis Tomlinson is a thief, and a damn good one at that. Most have heard of him. Most don't understand him. And Harry Styles is the FBI agent who can never seem to catch him.”

Link: https://www.wattpad.com/story/8671443-wanted-most-larry-stylinson-au

6. Fanfiction: “I Don’t Want To Need You” by tothemoonmydear

Platform: Archive of Our Own

Word Count: 231,421

Summary: “After the car accident that leaves Harry paralyzed from the waist down, the boys of One Direction come together to try and help pick up the pieces. With so much changed, Harry can’t help but question every aspect of his life; including his feelings for his best friend.”

Link: http://archiveofourown.org/works/629625/chapters/1138403

Note: I made the mistake of reading the majority of this while in public. PLEASE DO NOT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE I DID. You will cry. A lot.

7. Fanfiction: “Young & Beautiful” by Velvetoscar

Platform: Archive of Our Own

Word Count: 227,417

Summary: “Louis, to his horror, attends an elitist university in which the name Zayn Malik means something, Niall Horan doesn't stop talking, there are pianos everywhere, and Harry Styles, only son of a drug-addled, clinically insane ex-rocker, has a perfect smile and empty eyes.”

Link: http://archiveofourown.org/works/838537/chapters/1597776

8. Fanfiction: “Room 317” by Lellsy

Platform: Wattpad

Word Count: Unknown

Summary: “Louis has a habit of not complaining. Harry hates it because, sometimes if you don’t complain, bad things happen; like ending up in the ICU.”

Link: https://www.wattpad.com/story/3574721-room-317

Note: Another one you should not read in public. Trust me.

9. Fanfiction: “Wild And Unruly”

Platform: Archive of Our Own

Word Count: 123,655

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.”

Link: http://archiveofourown.org/works/2723093/chapters/6099611

10. Fanfiction: “Pull Me Under” by zarah5

Platform: Archive of Our Own

Word Count: 140,140

Summary: “AU. As the first British footballer to come out at the prime of his career, it helps that Louis Tomlinson is in a long-term, committed relationship. Even if that relationship is fake. (Featuring Niall as Louis' favourite teammate, Liam as Louis' agent, and Zayn as Liam's boyfriend, who just happens to be good friends with one Harry Styles.)”

Link: http://archiveofourown.org/works/870766/chapters/1672104

11. Fanfiction: “To Live On The Moon With You” by toastghost

Platform: Archive of Our Own

Word Count: 26,201

Summary: “In which Louis is a struggling writer who gets sad sometimes and Harry works in an ice cream shop. Zayn is the best friend in the world and Liam is shy and Niall thinks they're all definitely a clique.”

Link: http://archiveofourown.org/works/1250038

12. Fanfiction: “And Then A Bit” by infinitelymint

Platform: Archive of Our Own

Word Count: 158,824

Summary: “‘We’d like to give the fans what they want.’ Magee states, placing his hand on the table in front of him and leaning forward. ‘We want to give them Larry Stylinson.’ Or, take a parallel universe where Louis and Harry were never together, mix in a two year hiatus and an impending comeback, pour in a dash of lost fans, two tablespoons of strong friendship and a Modest! employee with a good idea. Add a squeeze of pretending to be a couple, lots of kisses and a tattoo or two. Stir. Serve: the mother of all publicity stunts.(Aka Harry and Louis fake a relationship for publicity. Eventually it becomes a lot less fake and a lot more real.)”

Link: http://archiveofourown.org/works/1415272/chapters/2972746