Issue #8
eos_rose is out of town (in London *iz jealous*), so it's just me this week. ^_^ The classic is a mutual rec, and I'll be adding eos_rose's comments when she gets back.
Pick of the Week from katerina_black
[fic] Cast Me Away by waldorph | PG-13 | ~6,300 words
Summary: The fight for Arthur's soul, and the destiny of Albion, ends in a choice.
katerina-black says: This is a wonderfully surreal look at a what if scenario. Merlin and Arthur's connection is tangible even when Arthur can't remember anything.
Themes: era - camelot, established relationship, hurt/comfort, amnesia, character death (minor), old religion/druids, excalibur, archimedes
[fic] The Soft Option by freudian_fuckup | NC-17 | ~12,000 words
Summary: (Modern AU) In which Arthur is busy and Important, Merlin is just plain busy, and everyone is perfectly content with the situation (except for when they aren't).
katerina-black says: Although this fic begins with the two of them moving in together, and acting as if they are a couple, Arthur and Merlin are just friends. Who are in love with each other, but both think the other doesn't return the feelings. There's lots of wonderful UST, and then brilliant sex. ^_^
Themes: era - modern, au - no magic, first kiss, first time, friendship, bottom!Merlin, drunkenness
[fic] Rivalry on Ice by rotrude | NC-17 | ~13,900 words
Summary: Arthur and Merlin are rivals. Merlin and Arthur are figure skaters. Fact is, there are two rivals and only one Olympic gold medal.
katerina-black says: I went into this one ready to hate it. I just didn't think I would be able to believe Merlin and especially Arthur as figure skaters. But this was completely believable, and wonderful besides. A nice dose of fluff to brighten your day. :D
Themes: era - modern, au - no magic, first time, first kiss, insecure!arthur
[fic] Of Frogs, Wizards, and Kings by eos_rose | PG-13 | ~6,400 words
Summary: Merlin finds his exile somewhat lonesome. One day he brings home a friend from the nearby pond.
katerina-black says: I swear this isn't nepotism, and eos_rose isn't here to tell me otherwise, lol. I love that the relationship is still about snark, that Morgana accidentally turned Arthur into a frog, and best of all, this had tons of squeeful moments of Sword in the Stone references.
Themes: era - camelot, arthur knows, first time, first kiss, archimedes, king arthur, magical accident, fairytale
[fic] Minor Adjustments by arclights | NC-17 | 6,100 words
Summary: For the kinkme_merlin prompt: Merlin tests new products for a sex toy company. Arthur is the head designer. It is his job to observe these tests, ask questions and take notes. It's all very professional and clinical, until Arthur gets hard during a session.
katerina-black says: Unmitigated porn. With a ridiculous, cracky premise (as all good porn should be), and plenty of humour besides. ^_^
Themes: era - modern, au - no magic, experienced!merlin, experienced!arthur, bottom!merlin, first time, first kiss, voyeurism Classic of the Week
[fic] We're a Storm in Somebody Else's Teacup by paperclipbitch | PG-13 | ~90,000 words
Summary: In which Gwen’s passive-aggressive revenge leads to, amongst other things, Merlin making a new friend.
eos-rose says:The Teacup 'verse is possibly the Modern AU that trumps all others. The build is slow, the characters well-developed, and the story only gets better the second time around. I keep the podfic of this story on my iPod and listen to it whenever I have some lazy hours to spare.
katerina-black says: I think I was hooked on this fic when Gwen made Merlin go to "a support group for People With Freaky Unnatural Powers." Arthur, Lance and Gwen all have very realistic reactions to their friends'/relatives' powers, and the whole dynamic within the group is touching. Merlin and Arthur's relationship gets off to a rocky start, a rocky middle, and even in the end they bicker like the old married couple we all love and adore.
Themes: era - modern, au - with magic, arthur finds out, first kiss, character death (canon)
[fic] Cast Me Away by waldorph | PG-13 | ~6,300 words
Summary: The fight for Arthur's soul, and the destiny of Albion, ends in a choice.
katerina-black says: This is a wonderfully surreal look at a what if scenario. Merlin and Arthur's connection is tangible even when Arthur can't remember anything.
Themes: era - camelot, established relationship, hurt/comfort, amnesia, character death (minor), old religion/druids, excalibur, archimedes
[fic] The Soft Option by freudian_fuckup | NC-17 | ~12,000 words
Summary: (Modern AU) In which Arthur is busy and Important, Merlin is just plain busy, and everyone is perfectly content with the situation (except for when they aren't).
katerina-black says: Although this fic begins with the two of them moving in together, and acting as if they are a couple, Arthur and Merlin are just friends. Who are in love with each other, but both think the other doesn't return the feelings. There's lots of wonderful UST, and then brilliant sex. ^_^
Themes: era - modern, au - no magic, first kiss, first time, friendship, bottom!Merlin, drunkenness
[fic] Rivalry on Ice by rotrude | NC-17 | ~13,900 words
Summary: Arthur and Merlin are rivals. Merlin and Arthur are figure skaters. Fact is, there are two rivals and only one Olympic gold medal.
katerina-black says: I went into this one ready to hate it. I just didn't think I would be able to believe Merlin and especially Arthur as figure skaters. But this was completely believable, and wonderful besides. A nice dose of fluff to brighten your day. :D
Themes: era - modern, au - no magic, first time, first kiss, insecure!arthur
[fic] Of Frogs, Wizards, and Kings by eos_rose | PG-13 | ~6,400 words
Summary: Merlin finds his exile somewhat lonesome. One day he brings home a friend from the nearby pond.
katerina-black says: I swear this isn't nepotism, and eos_rose isn't here to tell me otherwise, lol. I love that the relationship is still about snark, that Morgana accidentally turned Arthur into a frog, and best of all, this had tons of squeeful moments of Sword in the Stone references.
Themes: era - camelot, arthur knows, first time, first kiss, archimedes, king arthur, magical accident, fairytale
[fic] Minor Adjustments by arclights | NC-17 | 6,100 words
Summary: For the kinkme_merlin prompt: Merlin tests new products for a sex toy company. Arthur is the head designer. It is his job to observe these tests, ask questions and take notes. It's all very professional and clinical, until Arthur gets hard during a session.
katerina-black says: Unmitigated porn. With a ridiculous, cracky premise (as all good porn should be), and plenty of humour besides. ^_^
Themes: era - modern, au - no magic, experienced!merlin, experienced!arthur, bottom!merlin, first time, first kiss, voyeurism Classic of the Week
[fic] We're a Storm in Somebody Else's Teacup by paperclipbitch | PG-13 | ~90,000 words
Summary: In which Gwen’s passive-aggressive revenge leads to, amongst other things, Merlin making a new friend.
eos-rose says:The Teacup 'verse is possibly the Modern AU that trumps all others. The build is slow, the characters well-developed, and the story only gets better the second time around. I keep the podfic of this story on my iPod and listen to it whenever I have some lazy hours to spare.
katerina-black says: I think I was hooked on this fic when Gwen made Merlin go to "a support group for People With Freaky Unnatural Powers." Arthur, Lance and Gwen all have very realistic reactions to their friends'/relatives' powers, and the whole dynamic within the group is touching. Merlin and Arthur's relationship gets off to a rocky start, a rocky middle, and even in the end they bicker like the old married couple we all love and adore.
Themes: era - modern, au - with magic, arthur finds out, first kiss, character death (canon)