some more merlin_holidays recs!
I haven't read a few more that I wanted to, yet, but here are some recs before reveals go live.
FIC
Threads by corilannam (Arthur/Merlin, 5.7k, NC-17, canon AU, soulbonds)
Canon AU. When a visitor to Camelot tries to bind Arthur's heart for eternity, Merlin stops her--but ends up bound himself.
♥♥♥ I loved the old-school feeling of this. Spells gone awry! Soulbonds! Pining! I loved that the thread they were joined by was actually the weakest of everything that bound them together. THEIR LOVE IS CANON OK /sobbing
Christmas May Come a Little Late This Year by doctoraicha (Arthur/Merlin, 8.5k, G, modern AU, Hannukah!fic)
Arthur is a barrister, Merlin is a shopkeeper. Can they make it through flat building works, tough cases, and Hannukah gift misunderstandings to find love? And will Arthur ever stop lurking behind newspaper racks?
♥♥♥ Adorable in so many ways. So heart-warming, with Arthur just trying to be nice but it coming off wrong. I loved this.
What If I Told You? by cassie_black12 (Arthur/Merlin, 9.2k, PG-13, modern AU, closeted!fic)
Merlin's dreams of university life don't turn out quite the way he wanted.
♥♥♥ This is so heartbreaking. I really felt for the both of them here. I love the ache of break-up fics, and this is worse since to everyone else there was never a relationship. And ok, I just re-read this to rec it and it made me have tears in my eyes.
It Didn’t Mean Anything by xfortytwo (Arthur/Merlin, 9k, NC-17, modern AU, temporary bonding)
Merlin Emrys: receptionist at Camelot Inn and magic user in training, not yet certified. When something unexpected happens, Merlin has to use his magic to save Arthur. It has rather impractical consequences. To say the least. Merlin’s not entirely sure how they’re both going to get through this with their sanities intact.
♥♥♥ ALL THE PINING! (Today's recs have an unintended theme lol) I loved that Merlin's crush was already out, but it's not until they get forced to stay together that things change. :)) This was really nice.
ART
fly like great birds by fuckyeah (R, Arthur/Merlin, canon)
♥♥♥ So did you know the animal transformation trope is one of my fave? It is! And the story that goes with the manips really complements it.
A Christmas Tale by spacealtie (G, Arthur/Merlin, modern AU, Christmas trees)
♥♥♥ This is so adorable :333 And Arthur in glasses! I really love the colour palette as well.
Good Clean Fun by alby_mangroves (NSFW!!!!, Arthur/Merlin, canon, baths)
♥♥♥ ARTHUR AND MERLIN IN A BATHTUB RUBBA DUB DUB. Nuff said. Well, extra commentary: I really love the technical details of this, the shadows, the water, the expression. It's amazingly done.
FIC
Threads by corilannam (Arthur/Merlin, 5.7k, NC-17, canon AU, soulbonds)
Canon AU. When a visitor to Camelot tries to bind Arthur's heart for eternity, Merlin stops her--but ends up bound himself.
♥♥♥ I loved the old-school feeling of this. Spells gone awry! Soulbonds! Pining! I loved that the thread they were joined by was actually the weakest of everything that bound them together. THEIR LOVE IS CANON OK /sobbing
Christmas May Come a Little Late This Year by doctoraicha (Arthur/Merlin, 8.5k, G, modern AU, Hannukah!fic)
Arthur is a barrister, Merlin is a shopkeeper. Can they make it through flat building works, tough cases, and Hannukah gift misunderstandings to find love? And will Arthur ever stop lurking behind newspaper racks?
♥♥♥ Adorable in so many ways. So heart-warming, with Arthur just trying to be nice but it coming off wrong. I loved this.
What If I Told You? by cassie_black12 (Arthur/Merlin, 9.2k, PG-13, modern AU, closeted!fic)
Merlin's dreams of university life don't turn out quite the way he wanted.
♥♥♥ This is so heartbreaking. I really felt for the both of them here. I love the ache of break-up fics, and this is worse since to everyone else there was never a relationship. And ok, I just re-read this to rec it and it made me have tears in my eyes.
It Didn’t Mean Anything by xfortytwo (Arthur/Merlin, 9k, NC-17, modern AU, temporary bonding)
Merlin Emrys: receptionist at Camelot Inn and magic user in training, not yet certified. When something unexpected happens, Merlin has to use his magic to save Arthur. It has rather impractical consequences. To say the least. Merlin’s not entirely sure how they’re both going to get through this with their sanities intact.
♥♥♥ ALL THE PINING! (Today's recs have an unintended theme lol) I loved that Merlin's crush was already out, but it's not until they get forced to stay together that things change. :)) This was really nice.
ART
fly like great birds by fuckyeah (R, Arthur/Merlin, canon)
♥♥♥ So did you know the animal transformation trope is one of my fave? It is! And the story that goes with the manips really complements it.
A Christmas Tale by spacealtie (G, Arthur/Merlin, modern AU, Christmas trees)
♥♥♥ This is so adorable :333 And Arthur in glasses! I really love the colour palette as well.
Good Clean Fun by alby_mangroves (NSFW!!!!, Arthur/Merlin, canon, baths)
♥♥♥ ARTHUR AND MERLIN IN A BATHTUB RUBBA DUB DUB. Nuff said. Well, extra commentary: I really love the technical details of this, the shadows, the water, the expression. It's amazingly done.