Hi! Your Fic Recs Are Amazing And I Was Wondering If You Could Think Of Any Fics That Have This Like

Hi! Your fic recs are amazing and I was wondering if you could think of any fics that have this like hazy quality to them, kinda like Etched in Salt? I hope that makes sense haha

Oooh. That fic is wonderful! Ok…I think I know what you mean. There’s something kind of gritty and dreamy about that one. Let me see if I can suggest anything that works for you:

Let’s start with the fic that prompted this request:

Etched in Salt (is a cathedral of the world) by @helloamhere (E, 24K) You all know I love this author’s writing –– this time they give us a dark, American, thriller with a bit of psychic goodness. Bonus points for Harry taking care of Louis in a very deep way. 

our little corner of the world by brownheadedstranger (E, 30K) This one is just slow and wistful and filled with beautifully written passages. This is one I read very early on when I entered the fandom and I still think about it from time to time. I’m actually annoyed at myself for not reading the rest of this author’s fics (I plan to remedy that). 

These Roads We Stumble Down by onewasturning (E, 18K) I adore this author’s writing and I’ve read this particular one multiple times. It’s just a little melancholy and very sexy and one of those fics that reminds me why I can read about the same two people falling in love 46372 times and never tire of it. 

another hazy may by deLILah (M, 41K) Another author who writes great fic after great fic. This one has that dreamy quality I love and there’s also something about it that, at times, reminds me of a little bit of a Raymond Chandler novel. I know that’s weird…but, yeah, it does. Anyway, I love this one. Such a good read. 

Whether Clouds or Clear Skies by onewasturning (E, 26K) I love everything I’ve read by this author – their fics are always full of beautifully crafted sentences and dreamy melancholy. This one is just slow and sweet and achingly pretty. 

Dream Awake by protagonist_m (M, 31K) This fic…I just….the writing is so lovely. It’s just one of those fics where I had to slow down and really savor the writing. And “hazy” is really the perfect descriptor as it drifts between memories and current moments. 

six feet beneath the moon by starseas (NR, 25K) Ugh I wish I could remember more of this besides that I loved it. My notes simply say “Beautiful. Dreamy” (thanks old me, super helpful). But I do think my dim memory is that it will fit in with these others and, at the very least, that it’s a very well written fic!

A Red-Dusted Planet by onewasturning (E, 38K) Hey look! Another fic by this author. Can you tell I love their writing? It’s all SO GOOD! This one is so dreamy and sexy and this is one of those fics where the the smut (especially in the final scenes) is so emotional and revealing and I just really love this fic. 

Three Days Underwater by theteapirate (E, 10K) This is really a beautiful fic but I’m warning you, it’s got an open ending so if you can’t deal with that, don’t read it. But if you can….wow, it’s lovely. 

Coup de Foudre by angelwarm (M, 15K) The characters (particularly Louis) are pretty OOC, but god this fic is gorgeous. After I read it I just sat there not knowing what to do with myself. It’s sad and hopeful and just gorgeously written.

Little Technicolor Things by scary_crow (M, 72K) This is truly one of the most beautiful pieces of writing I have ever read and it is an absolutely travesty that it’s not being talked about every day. This fic is gorgeous and poetic and romantic and heartbreaking and an explosion of metaphoric images and everything I never knew I needed but now that I have it I want to read it over and over and over. 

reeling through the midnight streets by vashtaneradas (NR, 8K) This author writes melancholy in the most perfect way. It’s poetic and dreamy and tinged with pain, but there’s also a thread of hopefulness. It’s just beautiful. 

Into the Deep Below by writeivywrite (E, 19K) 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. (Harry/Louis/Zayn)

rivers ‘til i reach you by embodied / @crossnecklace (E, 29K) I’m going to copy what @thenewlarryclassics said about this fic because they really summed up exactly my thoughts: The writing is poetic and a sparse in a way that makes it feel moody, heavy, significant somehow. The characters are fascinating and the author really captures that uncertainty that comes with falling for someone and not knowing how they feel too. The scenery and atmosphere feels like a third character, but what I really love is how the most is said through the dialogue–and it’s not a lot–it shows so much with so few words. 

kiwi by fondleeds (M, 24K) honestly I have trouble putting down anything this author writes…they just build a setting and detail characters in a way that I find really compelling. This one maybe feels slightly OOC, but it’s such a good read I didn’t care at all.

caught by the sun by metal-eye / @metal-eye (M, 19K) Sometimes you just stumble on a fic that moves you deeply and makes you feel a lot and sits with you after you’ve finished it. This was one of those fics for me. It’s beautifully written in a quiet, poetic way. It’s thoughtful, and intimate, and full of memories that are both melancholy and beautiful in all the right ways and at all the right times. And it’s a fic that’s not been read nearly enough.

Take Care Down By The Water by shyserious (M, 37K) Oh my goodness I loved this fic. Magical realism, mythical creatures, dreamy/moody atmosphere, beautiful writing. Sadly, it’s been deleted, but the link is to a download.

i was at an all night diner by @yoursongonmyheart  (6K, NR). This is more of a prose poem, and i really enjoyed the way the author built such an intimate portrait of the 5 boys in so few words. It’s beautiful and dreamy and I think about it still. 

a prayer for which no words exist by eliane (M, 34K) A dystopian fic with gorgeous, deep, layered writing that really made me slow down and think. At times the story felt like a metaphor for the “war” these boys have been through irl.

Close to Nowhere by @angelichl (E, 35K) I don’t know if I’d say this fic has exactly the same storytelling quality as the one you mention, but it’s similar in many ways and it’s such a good fic, I decided to include it. I really enjoyed the unique story and the way Harry and Louis relate to each other in this one (again, similar to Etched in Salt with Louis being a bit of a renegade and Harry wanting to care for him). It’s fun and quirky and sexy and keeps you on the edge until the end. Definitely worth checking out.