weekly round-up 46
Hey guys! Thanks for bearing with me as I attempt to get my shit together >_< Things are all ironed out with the boy now, and thanks for everyone's well wishes :)
Everyone have their Thanksgiving plans penned in? I'll be dining in the city with my roommate and her mum, so I'm pretty excited :D It'll be all fahncy and prix-fixe, and at a Top Chef winner's restaurant to boot. It better be good :O
Trend of the week: BOYS BOYS. Because Arthur and Merlin (and Bradley and Colin) are original, adorable, and absolutely engaging in every iteration of them below.
Weekly Round-Up
Titles in bold are extra-recommended ♥
Merlin rec
In Want of a Wife by syllic (NC-17, 43k)
Summary: Arthur/Merlin, epic. When Merlin first hears that Arthur has been betrothed, his ribs pull inwards with an odd little hitch, and he only allows himself a second-which he needs in order to coordinate spinning in place without falling on his face-before he’s running to Arthur’s chambers.
Notes: This is one incredible story. It's long and satisfying, hitting long!fic staples such as an interesting plot, good pacing, and constant angsting. What stands out especially though, is the characterization. It's obvious the author loves the characters, seen in the way she writes: words are repeated for emphasis and the multitude of unsaid things between Arthur and Merlin are tense and full of emotion. They're selfless and tender towards each other. In fact, to read this is to follow a great big love affair with the people of Camelot; other characters such as Morgana or Gawain are given the same amount of painstaking craft that's found in Arthur and Merlin.
The author's giant lovefest with the world she's constructing bleeds back onto the reader and you're left reeling over how EPIC this whole thing was. Other notables include the structure of the narrative via seasons, which is a common enough sight but is rarely used so deftly as syllic uses it. The constant allusions to weather really underscore the passage of time, which adds to the story's sense of largeness.
My only single concern is that, despite the characterization being incredibly fleshed out and gorgeous, it does smack a bit of OOC. Arthur and Merlin spend the majority of the story either in their own heads or talking to each other about their feelings, and I don't think our boys are really that in touch with their emotional sides XD
That aside, this is a love story, and an epic one at that.
within the confines of such chemistry by freshly_ground (PG-13, 3k)
Summary: Arthur/Merlin, Camelot!AU. Merlin is locked up for being a sorceror and it's Arthur's duty to interrogate him.
Notes: Short but sweet and full of hope <3 I love their idealistic, boyish characterizations.
Pinions by vorpalblades (PG-13, 6k)
Summary: Arthur/Merlin, jealous!Arthur. Merlin adopts an owl and Arthur isn't happy about it.
Notes: This will kill you with cuteness. I have such a thing for Merlin adopting pets; he's a giant SAP on the show, it makes perfect sense! And Arther getting all jealous over a bird? SO MUCH LOVE.
RPS rec
The Gents by chibirhm (R, 700 words)
Summary: Bradley/Colin, established relationship. Colin gets back from Scotland, Bradley goes to greet him in the loo, and then they reacquaint themselves. With their mouths.
Notes: Awesome kiss scene. The boys are bantery, Colin is adorably cheeky, and Bradley is appropriately besotted.
Sweet and Lovely and Of the Devil by franticsga (NC-17, 3k)
Summary: Bradley/Colin. And oh, Colin Morgan, only he could arrange for a quickie in a loo and have it be completely and totally legitimate. He is a bloody underground tart and there is nobody else who can appreciate it.
Notes: Written as a response to chibirhm's above ficlet, we get another smexy scene taking place in a restroom. This one gets a bit pornier later on and boy, is it lovely to read :D
Looking for previous recs? Check the tag. For FAQ and list of all bolded titles, check the primer.
Everyone have their Thanksgiving plans penned in? I'll be dining in the city with my roommate and her mum, so I'm pretty excited :D It'll be all fahncy and prix-fixe, and at a Top Chef winner's restaurant to boot. It better be good :O
Trend of the week: BOYS BOYS. Because Arthur and Merlin (and Bradley and Colin) are original, adorable, and absolutely engaging in every iteration of them below.
Weekly Round-Up
Titles in bold are extra-recommended ♥
Merlin rec
In Want of a Wife by syllic (NC-17, 43k)
Summary: Arthur/Merlin, epic. When Merlin first hears that Arthur has been betrothed, his ribs pull inwards with an odd little hitch, and he only allows himself a second-which he needs in order to coordinate spinning in place without falling on his face-before he’s running to Arthur’s chambers.
Notes: This is one incredible story. It's long and satisfying, hitting long!fic staples such as an interesting plot, good pacing, and constant angsting. What stands out especially though, is the characterization. It's obvious the author loves the characters, seen in the way she writes: words are repeated for emphasis and the multitude of unsaid things between Arthur and Merlin are tense and full of emotion. They're selfless and tender towards each other. In fact, to read this is to follow a great big love affair with the people of Camelot; other characters such as Morgana or Gawain are given the same amount of painstaking craft that's found in Arthur and Merlin.
The author's giant lovefest with the world she's constructing bleeds back onto the reader and you're left reeling over how EPIC this whole thing was. Other notables include the structure of the narrative via seasons, which is a common enough sight but is rarely used so deftly as syllic uses it. The constant allusions to weather really underscore the passage of time, which adds to the story's sense of largeness.
My only single concern is that, despite the characterization being incredibly fleshed out and gorgeous, it does smack a bit of OOC. Arthur and Merlin spend the majority of the story either in their own heads or talking to each other about their feelings, and I don't think our boys are really that in touch with their emotional sides XD
That aside, this is a love story, and an epic one at that.
within the confines of such chemistry by freshly_ground (PG-13, 3k)
Summary: Arthur/Merlin, Camelot!AU. Merlin is locked up for being a sorceror and it's Arthur's duty to interrogate him.
Notes: Short but sweet and full of hope <3 I love their idealistic, boyish characterizations.
Pinions by vorpalblades (PG-13, 6k)
Summary: Arthur/Merlin, jealous!Arthur. Merlin adopts an owl and Arthur isn't happy about it.
Notes: This will kill you with cuteness. I have such a thing for Merlin adopting pets; he's a giant SAP on the show, it makes perfect sense! And Arther getting all jealous over a bird? SO MUCH LOVE.
RPS rec
The Gents by chibirhm (R, 700 words)
Summary: Bradley/Colin, established relationship. Colin gets back from Scotland, Bradley goes to greet him in the loo, and then they reacquaint themselves. With their mouths.
Notes: Awesome kiss scene. The boys are bantery, Colin is adorably cheeky, and Bradley is appropriately besotted.
Sweet and Lovely and Of the Devil by franticsga (NC-17, 3k)
Summary: Bradley/Colin. And oh, Colin Morgan, only he could arrange for a quickie in a loo and have it be completely and totally legitimate. He is a bloody underground tart and there is nobody else who can appreciate it.
Notes: Written as a response to chibirhm's above ficlet, we get another smexy scene taking place in a restroom. This one gets a bit pornier later on and boy, is it lovely to read :D
Looking for previous recs? Check the tag. For FAQ and list of all bolded titles, check the primer.