We Are All Diamonds
Title: We Are All Diamonds
Author: loaded_march (Footloose on AO3)
Artist: greenclove
Pairings/characters: Arthur/Merlin, Gwen/Lance, Leon/Morgana
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: >130K
Warnings: Off-stage character death, angst, disability, discrimination
Summary:
As the precocious heir of a diamond magnate and a famous designer, Arthur lived his entire life sheltered, protected, nurtured and spoiled. He always knew that he would have to step out from behind the scenes and into the limelight to run the family business some day, but he never expected that it would happen so soon or that he would encounter resistance from a board of directors who believe that his disability makes him unfit to lead.
Merlin has stood on every stage in every city in the world, performing to critical acclaim, but after years of globetrotting, he's well and truly burnt out. He didn't quit -- he ran away from stardom, dropping to obscurity in the blink of an eye, forgotten, just another face in the crowd. He's aimless and without purpose until a friend asks him to fill in on a job.
Neither Arthur nor Merlin are looking for salvation. They don't think there's any for them, that things are just too rotten, too far gone. But in the end, Arthur's quiet strength will be a balm to Merlin's broken soul, and it will be in Merlin's steadfast faith that Arthur finds courage.
Author's notes: This is a modern AU with magic, because everyone needs a little magic in their lives, and it's made up of a proverbial cast of thousands, because no matter who they are, they've had an impact on someone's life.
My betas dimanchemieux and etharei did a fantastic job catching me out on a lot of mistakes, and it was the combined cheerleading from dimanchemieux and greenclove that kept me from (multiple) meltdowns when the story wouldn't behave. But most of all, I have to give massive thanks and love to my braintwin greenclove for her artwork and her support, all of which makes me squeak with unspeakable joy.
I'd like to thank all the folks in the paperpushers chat for putting up with me (and, boy, did they ever put up with me -- they deserve more than just thanks) and the_muppet for making my first Big Bang painless.
Artist's notes: in progress
Story link: On AO3 | On LJ
Art link: Coming soon to a theatre near you (Stay tuned)
Disclaimer: We do not own Merlin (BBC) and we are not profiting from this fic/art.
Author: loaded_march (Footloose on AO3)
Artist: greenclove
Pairings/characters: Arthur/Merlin, Gwen/Lance, Leon/Morgana
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: >130K
Warnings: Off-stage character death, angst, disability, discrimination
Summary:
As the precocious heir of a diamond magnate and a famous designer, Arthur lived his entire life sheltered, protected, nurtured and spoiled. He always knew that he would have to step out from behind the scenes and into the limelight to run the family business some day, but he never expected that it would happen so soon or that he would encounter resistance from a board of directors who believe that his disability makes him unfit to lead.
Merlin has stood on every stage in every city in the world, performing to critical acclaim, but after years of globetrotting, he's well and truly burnt out. He didn't quit -- he ran away from stardom, dropping to obscurity in the blink of an eye, forgotten, just another face in the crowd. He's aimless and without purpose until a friend asks him to fill in on a job.
Neither Arthur nor Merlin are looking for salvation. They don't think there's any for them, that things are just too rotten, too far gone. But in the end, Arthur's quiet strength will be a balm to Merlin's broken soul, and it will be in Merlin's steadfast faith that Arthur finds courage.
Author's notes: This is a modern AU with magic, because everyone needs a little magic in their lives, and it's made up of a proverbial cast of thousands, because no matter who they are, they've had an impact on someone's life.
My betas dimanchemieux and etharei did a fantastic job catching me out on a lot of mistakes, and it was the combined cheerleading from dimanchemieux and greenclove that kept me from (multiple) meltdowns when the story wouldn't behave. But most of all, I have to give massive thanks and love to my braintwin greenclove for her artwork and her support, all of which makes me squeak with unspeakable joy.
I'd like to thank all the folks in the paperpushers chat for putting up with me (and, boy, did they ever put up with me -- they deserve more than just thanks) and the_muppet for making my first Big Bang painless.
Artist's notes: in progress
Story link: On AO3 | On LJ
Art link: Coming soon to a theatre near you (Stay tuned)
Disclaimer: We do not own Merlin (BBC) and we are not profiting from this fic/art.