weekly round-up 25
I know, I know. I SKIPPED A WEEK. *hangs head* I only had a few recs last week so figured I could just combine it in one post. And there's also the part where I got kind of busy too...
*ahem* Anyway. I'm back. It's been a busy! Had a friend from CA stay over and it's been hectic at work. But I don't need to get into that.
Trend of the week: SHINY-ASS AUs. Seriously, these are ALL AUs. Is there something about hiatus that makes our minds wander? Well, if they're all going to be this good I ain't gonna complain ;)
Weekly Round-Up
Titles in bold are extra-recommended ♥
Merlin recs
Collective Bed of Sin by tierfal (R, 6k)
Summary: Arthur/Merlin, college!AU. Sequel to Inevitability, but stands alone. The quest: to rope Lancelot into a threesome -- possibly literally.
Notes: This story is full of awesome, stupid!boys miscommunication, and Merlin's characterization is especially shiny. His bandannas! Then there's this one section where Arthur muses about Merlin and how he's too cool for Arthur, and it's adorable. There's something about the writing here that's so refreshingly simple and direct, yet full of personality. And don't fret about the summary, Lancelot isn't threatening to our OTP here. He's just a tool for another great jealousy plotline XD
Ink and Dragons by anevivi (NC-17, 7k)
Summary: Arthur/Merlin, modern!AU. Arthur wants a tattoo. He wants one from Merlin, no matter how many times he gets thrown out of the shop.
Notes: I don't even have a tattoo kink, and still this was one of the hottest things I've read! The plot and characterizations are solidly constructed, but what really pushes this fic to the next level is--not to be predictable--the smut. The inking scene is hot and jittery and overflowing with sexual tension. It doesn't hurt that the author goes about it so leisurely, it makes the best foreplay EVER. And I love her Merlin, all confident and mad skilled but with a big fat crush on Arthur nonetheless. In short, this story is charming and positively erotic.
Fame and Fortune by melusinahp (NC-17, ~42k)
Summary: Arthur/Merlin, Merlin/Will, Hollywood!AU. Actor!Arthur is a total party boy who needs someone to keep him out of the tabloids, and that someone is personal assistant!Merlin.
Notes: This is one dense, meaty story. Pace yourself! I won't say it's thrilling every step of the way, but it's epically constructed. The interactions between all the characters--Arthur, Merlin, Morgana, Gwen, and Will--are lovely to see, and the romance is slow and strong. There's nothing to dislike about this story! Curl up with it on a free evening and a mug of tea. My only real annoyance: what the hell is a VP? Merlin gets promoted to Arthur's VP midway through, but I had no idea actors needed "vice presidents" or "valuable players" :P I am a firm believer in spelling out acronyms at least once in a story.
RPS recs
Home Truths by lamardeuse (PG-13, 1k)
Summary: Bradley/Colin. This is what happens after the Soccer Six games back at the hotel.
Notes: This is cuteness incarnate, and the best follow-up to the whole Soccer Six event after the London Expo.
Looking for previous recs? Check the tag. For FAQ and list of all bolded titles, check the primer.
*ahem* Anyway. I'm back. It's been a busy! Had a friend from CA stay over and it's been hectic at work. But I don't need to get into that.
Trend of the week: SHINY-ASS AUs. Seriously, these are ALL AUs. Is there something about hiatus that makes our minds wander? Well, if they're all going to be this good I ain't gonna complain ;)
Weekly Round-Up
Titles in bold are extra-recommended ♥
Merlin recs
Collective Bed of Sin by tierfal (R, 6k)
Summary: Arthur/Merlin, college!AU. Sequel to Inevitability, but stands alone. The quest: to rope Lancelot into a threesome -- possibly literally.
Notes: This story is full of awesome, stupid!boys miscommunication, and Merlin's characterization is especially shiny. His bandannas! Then there's this one section where Arthur muses about Merlin and how he's too cool for Arthur, and it's adorable. There's something about the writing here that's so refreshingly simple and direct, yet full of personality. And don't fret about the summary, Lancelot isn't threatening to our OTP here. He's just a tool for another great jealousy plotline XD
Ink and Dragons by anevivi (NC-17, 7k)
Summary: Arthur/Merlin, modern!AU. Arthur wants a tattoo. He wants one from Merlin, no matter how many times he gets thrown out of the shop.
Notes: I don't even have a tattoo kink, and still this was one of the hottest things I've read! The plot and characterizations are solidly constructed, but what really pushes this fic to the next level is--not to be predictable--the smut. The inking scene is hot and jittery and overflowing with sexual tension. It doesn't hurt that the author goes about it so leisurely, it makes the best foreplay EVER. And I love her Merlin, all confident and mad skilled but with a big fat crush on Arthur nonetheless. In short, this story is charming and positively erotic.
Fame and Fortune by melusinahp (NC-17, ~42k)
Summary: Arthur/Merlin, Merlin/Will, Hollywood!AU. Actor!Arthur is a total party boy who needs someone to keep him out of the tabloids, and that someone is personal assistant!Merlin.
Notes: This is one dense, meaty story. Pace yourself! I won't say it's thrilling every step of the way, but it's epically constructed. The interactions between all the characters--Arthur, Merlin, Morgana, Gwen, and Will--are lovely to see, and the romance is slow and strong. There's nothing to dislike about this story! Curl up with it on a free evening and a mug of tea. My only real annoyance: what the hell is a VP? Merlin gets promoted to Arthur's VP midway through, but I had no idea actors needed "vice presidents" or "valuable players" :P I am a firm believer in spelling out acronyms at least once in a story.
RPS recs
Home Truths by lamardeuse (PG-13, 1k)
Summary: Bradley/Colin. This is what happens after the Soccer Six games back at the hotel.
Notes: This is cuteness incarnate, and the best follow-up to the whole Soccer Six event after the London Expo.
Looking for previous recs? Check the tag. For FAQ and list of all bolded titles, check the primer.