Merlin/Arthur Rec List
Okay, I thought it was about time I got a Merlin/Arthur rec list up, if only because it'll stop me losing fics and spending half the afternoon searching for them. This is an odd mix of PWP, fluff, angst, crack and a few comment fics that I just keep on heading back to. I’ve probably forgotten some, I have another fifteen or so that I need to sort out and add, and I haven’t yet included the ratings, so heed the author’s warnings, y’all. :)
Classics
The Student Prince by fayjay
Summary: A Modern day Merlin AU set at the University of St Andrews, featuring teetotal kickboxers, secret wizards, magnificent bodyguards of various genders, irate fairies, imprisoned dragons, crumbling gothic architecture, arrogant princes, adorable engineering students, stolen gold, magical doorways, attempted assassination, drunken students, shaving foam fights, embarrassing mornings after, The Hammer Dance, duty, responsibility, friendship and true love…
Why you should read it: because it is long, brilliant, plotty, has excellent characterisations, it gives you every type of feeling imaginable and it is one fic that the fandom is always quoting. There is also an audiobook read by the author, which is rather addictive.
World Enough and Time (aka Fucking Beijing) by neathsunnyskies
Summary: Arthur had had it all figured out. And then Merlin shot him in Beijing.
Why you should read it: I think this one's more commonly referred to as Fucking Beijing. It's a beautiful, heart-wrenching, angsty piece of writing that tears out your heart and then stitches it back in again. You will need tissues. This one hurts.
The Good Times Are Killing Me by minor_hue
Summary: In which the boys pretend to still be together for Christmas (and there is more than one kind of charade).
Why you should read it: Another one that hurts. It’s beautifully angsty, but in a good way.
The Crown of the Summer Court by astolat
Summary: “The king sent me to get you,” Merlin said, with a tone that implied strongly that he wasn’t rolling his eyes where Arthur could see, but just wait until his back was turned. “He said you’re to get changed into formal clothes and meet him in the Great Hall, there’s a delegation coming from the Summer Court.”
Why you should read it: Because Merlin in control of his magic and actually showing everyone in Camelot the extent of his power is something that the show hasn’t yet given us, and it’s done so beautifully here.
And Some More of My Favourites:
The One Where Arthur Sells His Tongue Because Being Rich Is Hard Life by derryere
Why you should read it: Because Merlin pays Arthur to teach him how to kiss and it is the hottest of all hot things.
Pavlov Penis by derryere
Summary: In which Merlin is hot for Arthur’s bed, Arthur’s hot for the laundry and there’s this big fucking heatwave all over the place (?!)
Why you should read it: because Merlin likes Arthur’s bed and Arthur likes Merlin’s smell and there’s a lot of glorious bedporn.
Looking At You Looking At Me by lunchy_munchy
Summary: Modern AU. Arthur can’t let go. Merlin forgets.
Why you should read it: because if sad is happy for deep people then this is the happiest Merlin fic I’ve ever read.
It hurts. It hurts so good.
Arthur and Merlin’s Big Gay Vacation by giselleslash
Summary: Merlin and Arthur like to go on yearly Man Trips, a.k.a. Big Gay Vacations, where there are issues about missing socks, luggage choices and true love (when both participants are sober).
Why you should read it: Because it’s a little bit cracky and fluffy and absolutely adorable.
All I Want for Christmas (is you) by dreamdustmama
Summary: Arthur is not amused when his (probably insane) father decides to hold a Secret Santa exchange for the entirety of Pendragon Corporation. He’s even less amused (and more than a bit panicky) when he draws Merlin’s name.
Why you should read it: it’s my favourite coworkers-fall-for-each-other fic and it has secret santa and a puppy. A PUPPY.
At Our Best When It’s From The Hips by derryere
Summary: Merlin goes to a brothel to get rid of that virginity thing and runs into Arthur. From there on, it’s all madness.
Why you should read it: Because derryere writes sex like no one else, and makes it better by combining it with an angsty Arthur.
A New Low by rosemaryandrue
Summary: Merlin and Arthur get stuck in a lift.
Why you should read it: it’s got a diabetic Merlin, a protective!Arthur and it’s packed full of wonderful h/c.
The Accidental Seduction (or, De Nile ain’t just a river in Egypt, and Arthur’s drowning in it) by ras_elased
Summary: Arthur’s a bit dim and a prank goes horribly awry, but in the end this works out to the benefit of all involved.
Why you should read it: Because oblivious Arthur is my favourite kind of Arthur, especially when he’s oblivious about his own feelings. Also, he tries to seduce Merlin.
Castle (the rules by which we live) by kickflaw
Summary: Merlin knows that getting off fastest when he’s got some BDSM porno playing loud on the computer doesn’t mean he’d really like to be that bloke, gagged and bent over and bound. Right?
Why you should read it: Because it is gloriously hot and the best D/S fic I have read in any fandom.
Externality by zarathuse
Summary: because really, why wouldn’t the slash dragon’s fire create a slash sword?
Why you should read it: because it has a slash sword. It’s also one of the first Merthur fics I read. Ah, memories.
To Be Known by sometimesophie
Summary: So this is what it felt like to be normal. Merlin opens his eyes to the cool, shining metal of Arthur's unsheathed blade. "Sorcerer," Arthur spits.
Why you should read it: It's a beautifully written magic reveal.
This list will probably grow as I start making my way through the enormous pile of fics I have in my To Read list. This summer is going to be delightful. :D
Classics
The Student Prince by fayjay
Summary: A Modern day Merlin AU set at the University of St Andrews, featuring teetotal kickboxers, secret wizards, magnificent bodyguards of various genders, irate fairies, imprisoned dragons, crumbling gothic architecture, arrogant princes, adorable engineering students, stolen gold, magical doorways, attempted assassination, drunken students, shaving foam fights, embarrassing mornings after, The Hammer Dance, duty, responsibility, friendship and true love…
Why you should read it: because it is long, brilliant, plotty, has excellent characterisations, it gives you every type of feeling imaginable and it is one fic that the fandom is always quoting. There is also an audiobook read by the author, which is rather addictive.
World Enough and Time (aka Fucking Beijing) by neathsunnyskies
Summary: Arthur had had it all figured out. And then Merlin shot him in Beijing.
Why you should read it: I think this one's more commonly referred to as Fucking Beijing. It's a beautiful, heart-wrenching, angsty piece of writing that tears out your heart and then stitches it back in again. You will need tissues. This one hurts.
The Good Times Are Killing Me by minor_hue
Summary: In which the boys pretend to still be together for Christmas (and there is more than one kind of charade).
Why you should read it: Another one that hurts. It’s beautifully angsty, but in a good way.
The Crown of the Summer Court by astolat
Summary: “The king sent me to get you,” Merlin said, with a tone that implied strongly that he wasn’t rolling his eyes where Arthur could see, but just wait until his back was turned. “He said you’re to get changed into formal clothes and meet him in the Great Hall, there’s a delegation coming from the Summer Court.”
Why you should read it: Because Merlin in control of his magic and actually showing everyone in Camelot the extent of his power is something that the show hasn’t yet given us, and it’s done so beautifully here.
And Some More of My Favourites:
The One Where Arthur Sells His Tongue Because Being Rich Is Hard Life by derryere
Why you should read it: Because Merlin pays Arthur to teach him how to kiss and it is the hottest of all hot things.
Pavlov Penis by derryere
Summary: In which Merlin is hot for Arthur’s bed, Arthur’s hot for the laundry and there’s this big fucking heatwave all over the place (?!)
Why you should read it: because Merlin likes Arthur’s bed and Arthur likes Merlin’s smell and there’s a lot of glorious bedporn.
Looking At You Looking At Me by lunchy_munchy
Summary: Modern AU. Arthur can’t let go. Merlin forgets.
Why you should read it: because if sad is happy for deep people then this is the happiest Merlin fic I’ve ever read.
It hurts. It hurts so good.
Arthur and Merlin’s Big Gay Vacation by giselleslash
Summary: Merlin and Arthur like to go on yearly Man Trips, a.k.a. Big Gay Vacations, where there are issues about missing socks, luggage choices and true love (when both participants are sober).
Why you should read it: Because it’s a little bit cracky and fluffy and absolutely adorable.
All I Want for Christmas (is you) by dreamdustmama
Summary: Arthur is not amused when his (probably insane) father decides to hold a Secret Santa exchange for the entirety of Pendragon Corporation. He’s even less amused (and more than a bit panicky) when he draws Merlin’s name.
Why you should read it: it’s my favourite coworkers-fall-for-each-other fic and it has secret santa and a puppy. A PUPPY.
At Our Best When It’s From The Hips by derryere
Summary: Merlin goes to a brothel to get rid of that virginity thing and runs into Arthur. From there on, it’s all madness.
Why you should read it: Because derryere writes sex like no one else, and makes it better by combining it with an angsty Arthur.
A New Low by rosemaryandrue
Summary: Merlin and Arthur get stuck in a lift.
Why you should read it: it’s got a diabetic Merlin, a protective!Arthur and it’s packed full of wonderful h/c.
The Accidental Seduction (or, De Nile ain’t just a river in Egypt, and Arthur’s drowning in it) by ras_elased
Summary: Arthur’s a bit dim and a prank goes horribly awry, but in the end this works out to the benefit of all involved.
Why you should read it: Because oblivious Arthur is my favourite kind of Arthur, especially when he’s oblivious about his own feelings. Also, he tries to seduce Merlin.
Castle (the rules by which we live) by kickflaw
Summary: Merlin knows that getting off fastest when he’s got some BDSM porno playing loud on the computer doesn’t mean he’d really like to be that bloke, gagged and bent over and bound. Right?
Why you should read it: Because it is gloriously hot and the best D/S fic I have read in any fandom.
Externality by zarathuse
Summary: because really, why wouldn’t the slash dragon’s fire create a slash sword?
Why you should read it: because it has a slash sword. It’s also one of the first Merthur fics I read. Ah, memories.
To Be Known by sometimesophie
Summary: So this is what it felt like to be normal. Merlin opens his eyes to the cool, shining metal of Arthur's unsheathed blade. "Sorcerer," Arthur spits.
Why you should read it: It's a beautifully written magic reveal.
This list will probably grow as I start making my way through the enormous pile of fics I have in my To Read list. This summer is going to be delightful. :D