Fandom: ONE DIRECTION
Pairing: OT5 (Harry/Liam/Louis/Niall/Zayn)
Length: ~17,500 words
Author on LJ: cyclogenesis
Author on AO3: cyclogenesis (addictedkitten)
Why this must be read:

My first rec is a canon-compliant fic set during the Judge's Houses' portion of The X-Factor, when the boys are preparing for the audition that will determine if they advance to the live performance shows. It has a sweet end-of-the-world quality, as Niall and the others begin to acknowledge the unique bond that they're forming, and that getting through isn't just about competing...but about staying together, and about what they could be to each other.

Who knew what secret gay feelings might be lurking about in the hearts of boys?

(l-r: Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles)

In the summer of 2010, five boys from across the U.K. tried out as solo artists for the 7th series of The X Factor. All five advanced to Boot Camp, but were eliminated prior to the Judges' Houses and live performance segments of the show. They were still drying their tears backstage when producers called them back out; the judges had reconsidered and they now had a choice: go home as solo artists, or join together and advance in the group category. They retreated to a bungalow in the English countryside for some quality bonding time & came back in the fall to compete as One Direction. They didn’t win The X Factor (they finished third in the series finale), but by mid-season they were already inspiring the kind of mania that's been a hallmark of only the most beloved boybands in history.

In the two years since they released their first chart-topping album, Up All Night, One Direction's list of accomplishments has become too long to detail…but let me sum up. They've sold over 12 million records worldwide; debuted at #1 in 30-plus countries; won a host of awards, including two BRITS, four MTV Music Awards, two AMA's, and three Billboard Music Awards; broken several Guinness world records; performed for the Queen of England, and at the 2012 Olympics Closing Ceremonies; sold out the largest venue in the world, Madison Square Garden, in under 10 minutes; and headlined two sold-out world tours. They've just released their third album, an eclectic mix of pop ballads, indie sounds, and 80's-inspired power rock throwbacks co-written by the boys. Midnight Memories is on track to become the fastest selling album of the year, and has made them the first band in history to debut at #1 on US Billboard charts with their first three albums.

What is the secret to their success? ( PROTIP: IT'S CERTAINLY NOT THEIR DANCE MOVES. )