Merlin gives up on Arthur
Hey y'all :D
Today I'm looking for stories in which Merlin has been disappointed by Arthur far too many times, so he just decides to give up on him, on their Destiny, on everything.
Might be that Arthur has done something truly unforgivable (like reacting badly to a magic reveal, or trying to kill or rape Merlin, or killing someone Merlin cares about, or starting an even worse purge on magic, or doing something cruel to Merlin even if it's not about magic. The cruelty can also be done by somebody else, but Merlin needs to feel like Arthur doesn't care enough to help him escape it), or it might be that Merlin simply gets sick and tired of Arthur refusing to change his view on magic even after all these years or fed up with the way everyone is given honors and recognition at Court except him, who is still treated like a lowly servant and humiliated every day.
So Merlin should decide to leave Camelot to find a better life, or he could still remain in Arthur's service, but refuse to save him or worry about him anymore and just watch everything go to hell without his help. I need lots and lots of ANGST, please. The angstier, the better.
Bonus points if Arthur realizes his mistake and grovels for forgiveness, but Merlin doesn't accept it easily, because he doesn't want things to go back to the way they were and refuses to let Arthur/people walk all over him again.
I would prefer Merlin/Arthur slash, but well written gen is fine too. And, I suppose, if there are any modern!AUs in which Merlin is tired of Arthur always overlooking him, or not admitting his feelings for him, or treating him like crap, and he decides to walk away, you can rec some as well.
Thank you in advance, and sorry for the super long request. Please help me find something.
Today I'm looking for stories in which Merlin has been disappointed by Arthur far too many times, so he just decides to give up on him, on their Destiny, on everything.
Might be that Arthur has done something truly unforgivable (like reacting badly to a magic reveal, or trying to kill or rape Merlin, or killing someone Merlin cares about, or starting an even worse purge on magic, or doing something cruel to Merlin even if it's not about magic. The cruelty can also be done by somebody else, but Merlin needs to feel like Arthur doesn't care enough to help him escape it), or it might be that Merlin simply gets sick and tired of Arthur refusing to change his view on magic even after all these years or fed up with the way everyone is given honors and recognition at Court except him, who is still treated like a lowly servant and humiliated every day.
So Merlin should decide to leave Camelot to find a better life, or he could still remain in Arthur's service, but refuse to save him or worry about him anymore and just watch everything go to hell without his help. I need lots and lots of ANGST, please. The angstier, the better.
Bonus points if Arthur realizes his mistake and grovels for forgiveness, but Merlin doesn't accept it easily, because he doesn't want things to go back to the way they were and refuses to let Arthur/people walk all over him again.
I would prefer Merlin/Arthur slash, but well written gen is fine too. And, I suppose, if there are any modern!AUs in which Merlin is tired of Arthur always overlooking him, or not admitting his feelings for him, or treating him like crap, and he decides to walk away, you can rec some as well.
Thank you in advance, and sorry for the super long request. Please help me find something.