GWAINE, MEDIEVAL KNIGHTS ON FACEBOOK AND WATERSPORTS - #mymerlinrecs #13
I didn't have much time over the summer, so I'm only catching up with all the reading. This week - 2 old stories and 1 fresh + 2 little kinky ones! ;)
A Fistful of Infinity and Starlight by junkshop-disco
Gwaine/Merlin | Words: 64K | Explicit | Canon AU
Summary: Uther’s insane, Morgana’s plotting a new assault on Camelot, and Arthur and his knights are clueless but supposedly in charge. In the midst of it, Gwaine finds himself harbouring feelings for a man who apparently has a destiny, and learns something new about magic: it doesn’t play fair, and serving it shakes everything you hold dear - whether you’re a sorcerer or not. (Gwaine/Merlin, with Arthur/Gwen, Gwen/Lancelot, Leon/mead on the side)
Why I rec: This story is a bliss. This is the episode that should have happened, this is the Merlin we want. It starts with a spell that went slightly wrong and everyone in Camelot spilling their heart's desires in a song, and then slowly feels creep in and gush, I loved this! I love that this is Gwaine-centric. I love Gwaine in it. I love Merlin, being so Merlin. And GOD - I love ARTHUR in this one. If by some weird chance you haven't read it (beacause you read only Merthur) - give this one a try. It's beautiful and so canon!
Any Road Will Take You There by tuesdaymidnight
Gwaine/Arthur | Words: 36325 | Explicit | Modern AU | written for Paperlegends 2013
Summary: By the time Gwaine is 17, Uther Pendragon has destroyed both his family's financial stability and his burgeoning relationship with Arthur. So Gwaine leaves England and lives all over the world for the next eleven years, until he gets a call from his sister that their father is dying. Gwaine returns to make amends for his abrupt absence, but he doesn't want anything to do with Arthur, despite his family and friends speaking highly of him. Eventually Gwaine and Arthur have to interact. Can Gwaine accept the man Arthur has become? Or will he let bitterness take over his heart? Modern AU.
Why I rec: I remembered this story while reading the one above, because I love Gwaine-centric tales. This was a beautiful, hurtful and very sweet story. It felt so real! I loved this Gwaine, so stupidly in love for years and trying to escape it, so full of regrets. There's this underlining of melancholy, maybe even bitterness to all this story that made my heart ache. Gwaine felt as real as can be with his guilt, believe that one has to pay for happiness. And Arthur was perfect, gentle and patient, waiting for Gwaine. This fic has a great Merlin, too: easygoing, understanding, and warm. I also loved how sex wasn't the culmination but a way to get there, a solace, a stupid one maybe, but why not? Why shouldn't two adults have this consolation?
This story felt personal and calm in a way even if there was that bittersweet sadness to it. And WHAT an amazing paring!
A Medieval King Arthur in Cameron's Court by tuesdaymidnight
Merlin/Arthur | Words: 26382 | Mature| Modern Reinacarnation AU | written for After Camlann Big Bang
Summary: The legends all say that King Arthur will return when Britain needs him most. That's why Merlin is confused when Arthur is awoken in the twenty-first century. The country isn't under attack, the pound remains strong, British artists are topping the Billboard charts, really, the only thing amiss is Merlin's magic. At first, Merlin thinks it's technology interfering with the balance of magic in the world, but with the arrival of Arthur, he's not so sure. When Gwaine and Percival also reappear, together the four men try to find the cause of the magical failure. Eventually they track the problem down to a CEO of an energy industry giant who looks suspiciously like Morgana, and the four old friends are forced to stop her. All the while, Merlin has his hands full with three medieval knights trying to adjust to life in the twenty-first century.
Why I rec: Another one by Tuesday but this one took me by surprise! I expected something more angsty but this, people, is FUN and FLUFF and PUNS and generally joy! :D When I saw the summary I thought OMG "Le visiteours!" and I just had to read it. This was warm and funny and bordearlining on cracky but in a good way :) Merlin and Arthur in this one are like the Lilybells' Chibis with modern Arthur!
I think it'll be enough when I say that this is the story in which Killgharah owns a Facebook page, plays Farmville and provides resurected Gwaine and Percy with lube and access to porn online!
This month's Tavern-Tales has already brought some amazing entries, a totally insane comment-fic fight and freaking 2 (TWO!) watersports fills. Excuse me when I indulge myself and rec the hell out of them beacuse there is not enough watersports in this fandom!!!
Cascade by anon
Merlin/Arthur | Words: n/a but it's a short o/s | Explicit | Modern AU | written for Tavern Tales
Summary: n/a
Why I rec: OH MY GOD. This is. I have no words, it was just impossibly good and hot. The anticipation, then the turns both Merlin and Arthur took (whoa, it's a double watersports play!). And the ending scene just made me gasp. This is my kink and it's been done in a way that makes my head swim ;) Magnificent fill!
Beautiful Relief by ZairaA (zairaalbereo)
Merlin/Arthur | Words:1739 | Explicit | Modern AU | written for Tavern Tales
Summary: Merlin likes to hold it. Arthur makes him let go.
Why I rec: Another watersports fill and so totally different than the first one but just as much gloriously hot! Merlin plays sax and after all day of playing he just needs to pee and Arthur catches him do it at his door and well...it leads to other things. I loved all the holding, slight d/s and the promise of more later. This was so UNF!
If you don't see me next week it means I've been sucked into xmen Cherik fandom, but I'll try to do my best and read more ACBB entries in bewteen new feeeeeelz ;)
EDIT: I've forgotten to ad that Merlin RPF Mini Bang Sign-Ups Are Open! GO GO GO AND SIGN UP!!!