weekly round-up 40
Oh no, I finally got sick DDD: Took long enough though, what with everyone at work and my roommate being sick for the last few weeks. I don't think I helped my immunity by traipsing through the rain though, nor by the eardrum-busting shows and copious amounts of alcohol consumed that took place this weekend >.> For the record, the bands were eXIT cLOV and Big Digits, both enjoyable shows in different ways.
Trend of the week: AND THEN.... Lots of codas floating around this week.
Weekly Round-Up
Titles in bold are extra-recommended ♥
Arthur/Merlin recs
Coda 201b: Sit Down Child And Let Uncle Arthur Explain To You Why He's Such A World-Class A-Hole by derryere (PG, ~1k)
Summary: Arthur/Merlin, coda to 2x01. Arthur and Merlin talk about their feeelings.
Notes: This ficlet has all the ingredients for awesomeness. It's subtle and sweet, with a dash of longing mixed in for good measure :)
Everyday by phantomjam (PG, 1k)
Summary: Arthur/Merlin, fluff. Arthur catalogues all the ways he loves to kiss Merlin.
Notes: Oh man, you will have to peel yourself off the ground after reading this. The writing is very stream-of-consciousness, words unfolding as quickly as the kisses being described. The run-on sentences trip into each other in such a physical way, it positively knocks the wind out of you.
One of my favorite lines: Arthur will stumble away afterwards, pulse racing and so stupidly, stupidly in love.
As for the content of the story, the scenes are completely relatable. Most people can probably identify with Arthur's state of being "stupidly, stupidly in love", and all the dirty-fast-hot frottage in discrete corridors just smacks of young love ;_;
Gorgeous, visceral, breathtaking--and SCHMOOPY.
Overboard by shiny_starlight (NC-17, 36k)
Summary: Arthur/Merlin, modern!AU. When single father Merlin Emerson discovers that the man who denied him thousands of dollars that was his due has gotten amnesia, he seizes his chance for revenge by pretending to be his husband. Done for reel_merlin prompt: Overboard.
Notes: Let's get the iffy parts out of the way: this fic isn't going to give Shakespeare a run for his money. The writing is passable but the constant errors in setting are extremely distracting (eg the story takes place in the United States, but people say things like "rubbish" or "tyres"). The boys are out of character and their actions can be cringeworthy (though to be fair, mainly due to the original movie plot and not the author's own creations). I really missed having the females featured in any substantial way as well--Gwen and Morgana make appearances as Merlin's adopted children, but all the adults are men and the story lacks a female perspective as a result. Lastly, and probably most importantly, this fic suffers from a common ailment in long, modern AUs, where the conclusion is totally rushed and anticlimactic.
Now, as to why I'm reccing this: it's simple. YOU WILL DEVOUR THIS STORY LIKE A STARVING WOMAN. It's addictive and a total page-turner, and despite their OOC-ness, the characters will still elicit coos and awws from you. THE FIC IS LIKE CANDY. Give yourself a few hours, read this story cover to cover (top to bottom?), and you're good to go for the rest of your Sunday evening :D
Strippd to the Bone by solanyxe (vid)
Summary: Arthur/Merlin, R. Done to "Stripped" by Shiny Toy Guns.
Notes: Admittedly, I don't keep up much with fanvids. Mostly click on whatever filters through merlinxarthur, and even then, only if I think I'll like the song or summary, so yes--this rec is some months too late, and it's just a reiteration of lemonsqueezie's original rec. That being said, solanyxe is probably the best vidder this fandom sees, and this particular vid does not disappoint. In particular, there is REALLY clever editing of scenes to make it look like Arthur and Merlin are fucking. Mmmmmm yes. I don't care how recycled this link is--I don't want anyone to miss out on slashy gold this like XD
RPS rec
Stanislavski Never Said Anything About Frocks by lamardeuse (NC-17, 6k)
Summary: Bradley/Colin, uni!AU, crossdressing. While still at drama school, Colin comes to London for an important audition and gets more than he bargained for. Merlin crashes at his friend Malcolm's while auditioning at the Young Vic. Bradley is the roommate. Post is locked; must join merlinrpf to read.
Notes: The story is nice and satisfying, with just the right amount of bantery boys and fluff. The author plays around with Colin and Bradley's typical RPF characterizations, but manages to keep everything believable and couched in real life such as Bradley's cross-dressing (HEE) or Colin being at Young Vic. You're in for a good time with this one, as lamardeuse has more than once proved her capabilities as an awesome writer in this fandom.
Merlin/Morgana rec
When Fibbing, Watch Your Step by little_murmurs (R, ~1k)
Summary: Merlin/Morgana, implied Arthur/Merlin. Morgana teaches herself magic and tries to impress Merlin who, for obvious reasons that are still unbeknownst to Morgana, is difficult to impress on this front.
Notes: This is officially the first Merlin/Morgana fic I've found to be wholly believable. Since 90% of their chemistry in the show is based on magic, it only seems natural that the sexing is preceded by bouts of it. Good writing, lovely characterization, and a hurty-but-necessary ending. Don't worry, Arthur/Merlin fans--Merlin goes back to where he belongs in the end <3
Looking for previous recs? Check the tag. For FAQ and list of all bolded titles, check the primer.
Trend of the week: AND THEN.... Lots of codas floating around this week.
Weekly Round-Up
Titles in bold are extra-recommended ♥
Arthur/Merlin recs
Coda 201b: Sit Down Child And Let Uncle Arthur Explain To You Why He's Such A World-Class A-Hole by derryere (PG, ~1k)
Summary: Arthur/Merlin, coda to 2x01. Arthur and Merlin talk about their feeelings.
Notes: This ficlet has all the ingredients for awesomeness. It's subtle and sweet, with a dash of longing mixed in for good measure :)
Everyday by phantomjam (PG, 1k)
Summary: Arthur/Merlin, fluff. Arthur catalogues all the ways he loves to kiss Merlin.
Notes: Oh man, you will have to peel yourself off the ground after reading this. The writing is very stream-of-consciousness, words unfolding as quickly as the kisses being described. The run-on sentences trip into each other in such a physical way, it positively knocks the wind out of you.
One of my favorite lines: Arthur will stumble away afterwards, pulse racing and so stupidly, stupidly in love.
As for the content of the story, the scenes are completely relatable. Most people can probably identify with Arthur's state of being "stupidly, stupidly in love", and all the dirty-fast-hot frottage in discrete corridors just smacks of young love ;_;
Gorgeous, visceral, breathtaking--and SCHMOOPY.
Overboard by shiny_starlight (NC-17, 36k)
Summary: Arthur/Merlin, modern!AU. When single father Merlin Emerson discovers that the man who denied him thousands of dollars that was his due has gotten amnesia, he seizes his chance for revenge by pretending to be his husband. Done for reel_merlin prompt: Overboard.
Notes: Let's get the iffy parts out of the way: this fic isn't going to give Shakespeare a run for his money. The writing is passable but the constant errors in setting are extremely distracting (eg the story takes place in the United States, but people say things like "rubbish" or "tyres"). The boys are out of character and their actions can be cringeworthy (though to be fair, mainly due to the original movie plot and not the author's own creations). I really missed having the females featured in any substantial way as well--Gwen and Morgana make appearances as Merlin's adopted children, but all the adults are men and the story lacks a female perspective as a result. Lastly, and probably most importantly, this fic suffers from a common ailment in long, modern AUs, where the conclusion is totally rushed and anticlimactic.
Now, as to why I'm reccing this: it's simple. YOU WILL DEVOUR THIS STORY LIKE A STARVING WOMAN. It's addictive and a total page-turner, and despite their OOC-ness, the characters will still elicit coos and awws from you. THE FIC IS LIKE CANDY. Give yourself a few hours, read this story cover to cover (top to bottom?), and you're good to go for the rest of your Sunday evening :D
Strippd to the Bone by solanyxe (vid)
Summary: Arthur/Merlin, R. Done to "Stripped" by Shiny Toy Guns.
Notes: Admittedly, I don't keep up much with fanvids. Mostly click on whatever filters through merlinxarthur, and even then, only if I think I'll like the song or summary, so yes--this rec is some months too late, and it's just a reiteration of lemonsqueezie's original rec. That being said, solanyxe is probably the best vidder this fandom sees, and this particular vid does not disappoint. In particular, there is REALLY clever editing of scenes to make it look like Arthur and Merlin are fucking. Mmmmmm yes. I don't care how recycled this link is--I don't want anyone to miss out on slashy gold this like XD
RPS rec
Stanislavski Never Said Anything About Frocks by lamardeuse (NC-17, 6k)
Summary: Bradley/Colin, uni!AU, crossdressing. While still at drama school, Colin comes to London for an important audition and gets more than he bargained for. Merlin crashes at his friend Malcolm's while auditioning at the Young Vic. Bradley is the roommate. Post is locked; must join merlinrpf to read.
Notes: The story is nice and satisfying, with just the right amount of bantery boys and fluff. The author plays around with Colin and Bradley's typical RPF characterizations, but manages to keep everything believable and couched in real life such as Bradley's cross-dressing (HEE) or Colin being at Young Vic. You're in for a good time with this one, as lamardeuse has more than once proved her capabilities as an awesome writer in this fandom.
Merlin/Morgana rec
When Fibbing, Watch Your Step by little_murmurs (R, ~1k)
Summary: Merlin/Morgana, implied Arthur/Merlin. Morgana teaches herself magic and tries to impress Merlin who, for obvious reasons that are still unbeknownst to Morgana, is difficult to impress on this front.
Notes: This is officially the first Merlin/Morgana fic I've found to be wholly believable. Since 90% of their chemistry in the show is based on magic, it only seems natural that the sexing is preceded by bouts of it. Good writing, lovely characterization, and a hurty-but-necessary ending. Don't worry, Arthur/Merlin fans--Merlin goes back to where he belongs in the end <3
Looking for previous recs? Check the tag. For FAQ and list of all bolded titles, check the primer.