Three Times Merlin (feat. Extensive LJ-Cuts)
It seems to me that a fitting alternate title for Merlin 2x03 would have been “Multi-dimensional jealousy for the win, or: Who said the slashy subtext was dead?”
That said: Since I actually managed to read a few stories those last few days, I also think it’s time to share the wealth. I’m pretty sure that some of these are classics, but some are also fairly new and hey, you might discover something you haven’t seen before!
Canon
- magog-83: The Route to Advancement
>> It was Sir Edwin who gave him the idea. <<
This has a great dynamic between Merlin and Arthur and actually made me laugh out loud a few times. - maleyka: gone were but the winter
>> It starts in spring, on the heels of a late frost, when the air turns sweet with sunlight and warmth. <<
Beautiful imagery. - seperis: Privileges of Rank
>> Arthur's biggest problem to date, Merlin thinks darkly as he carries yet another load of suspiciously not-really-dirty clothing down the stairs, is an unaccountable fear of anyone, anywhere, suspecting he's capable of being other than a complete and utter prat. <<
A really good take on castle politics. This story draws a sharp, vivid picture of the castle and its hierarchies. - stillane: Practical Adventures and Auspicious Pursuits
>> It starts with dead goats. A dead goat morning never ends well. <<
Love the dry, quirky humour. - syllic: Three Tasks
>> Arthur is the Royal Arbiter for Suitable Suitors' Disputes. He (and his trusty companion, the golden-dragon-tasselled hat) alone can determine who is fit to woo royal servants and other assorted courtiers in Uther's court. <<
Stupidly jealous Arthur and an adorable Merlin. Fun without being superficial. - takadainmate: If Wishes Were Drunken Horses
>> Merlin has had a bad day and it's all Arthur's fault. <<
Wonderful fun! - thehoyden: Misrule
Reluctant crossdressing as part of a historical tradition. What's not to love? - zarathuse: Needlework
>> In which Merlin saves Arthur’s life. Uh. Mostly. Hijinx ensue. (More serious than it sounds, unfortunately.) <<
An unusually solemn look at Merlin's powers.
AU
- staraflur: starts when you’re around
>> Arthur is a bored, high-profile executive; Merlin runs a company which offers "executive abductions" for charge. <<
Great reversal of powers. - anna_zee: For Worse or For Better
>> The Proposal AU.<<
Lovely romantic comedy with a fake marriage. - kick_flaw: A Hard-On For Violence
>> This has been the worst day of Arthur’s life.<<
Gritty and hot and strangely sweet. - slightlytookish: Looking For Things No One Else Catches
>> It was just after midnight on a Sunday in June. Merlin’s life was about to change forever, but he didn’t know it yet.<<
An utterly delightful Amélie AU. I never thought this could be possible, but it is. - christycorr: Laws of Attraction
>> Merlin Emrys had strong convictions on the subjects of love and marriage-namely, that they should be avoided at all costs. <<
The UST is delicious, and so is the story. Especially the part where they’re lawyers trying to outdo each other. - social-retard86: Notting Hill
>> Can the most famous film star in the world fall for just an ordinary (well, kind of) guy? <<
Notting Hill AU! A lovely romance that will leave you with a stupid grin. - phreakycat: A Color For Every Desire
>> Shag bands are basically colored jelly bracelets with different sex acts corresponding to each color. If you snap someone's shag band, then that person is supposed to perform whichever sex act corresponds to the color of the bracelet. <<
Modern!AU. Hot, and comes with a good atmosphere and some sharp prose. - justthismorning: Communications In Binary
>> University AU. Merlin came whirling into Arthur's life and left everything in shambles on the floor - literally. They couldn't be less alike - Merlin with his computers and his easy, goofy grin, Arthur with his breeding and his need for everything to be in it's place.<<
Wonderfully fun, and I love how a lot is between the lines. - lamardeuse: Defenders of the Realm
>> Modern AU. Arthur and Morgana are Metropolitan police officers drawn into a strange case involving robbery of ancient artifacts. Merlin is a graduate student at Imperial College studying the healing plants of Ancient Britain under Gaius - or at least that's what he tells everyone. Soon they, along with Gwen, Lancelot and Uther, will be facing a battle for the future of the country. Can they defend the realm from those who would seek to destroy it?<<
Spectacularly well crafted, great writing. Also, bonus points for the Dragon.
Art & Vids
- Every single drawing by aeroport_art
- solanyxe’s video to Cupid’s Chokehold - it’s like swallowing a happy pill
Now that I bombarded you with recs, I also have a question to ask you: Dear f-list-f-of-list? Whatever. Dear Anyone-Who-Reads-This-And-Is-Interested-In-Merlin, I am torn between two AU ideas that I want like burning, and I can’t make up my mind which one I should write first. (Let’s just ignore the fact that there are also three non-AU fics on my agenda, yes? Yes. Thank you. And okay, the main reason why I want both stories is because both premises are undeniably appealing in an aesthetic sense of the word, and while they might be crack, I’ll do my best to take them seriously.)
Surfer!Arthur
>> Your money stinks.
We live in a capitalist dictatorship, and you’re one of its ministers.
Your days of plenty are numbered.
…you will never…
Merlin turns away from the messages on the walls to find Uther Pendragon, owner of the vandalised house, watching him with an inscrutable expression. <<
In which Arthur decided he’s had enough of his father giving him the cold shoulder and - encouraged by hippie beach café owner Nimueh - joins a gang of surfers, quickly becoming their leader. When Uther is the third rich person to be targeted by vandals who don’t steal anything, just leave their graffiti behind after breaking into the house, he’s powerful enough for the ESS (Especially Special Squad) to be assigned to the case. Which is how Merlin ends up on the beach, working undercover to find out whether Uther’s suspicions against Nimueh are justified.
It doesn’t take long until he learns that it’s not just Nimueh who has a shared past with Uther. Suspecting Arthur and his gang is only one logical step further, and how better to find out the truth than by getting close to Arthur?
Also featuring Morgana as a special agent with a knack for research and fire, Gwen as a hippie waitress, Lancelot as Merlin’s ex-boyfriend who lives near the beach and lets Merlin stay with him after Merlin’s alleged breakdown, Sophia as a guitar-playing surfer, Myror as Arthur’s right hand and many, many more.
(Or: Point Break meets The Edukators meets Arthur/Merlin)
Stripper!Merlin
>> When Merlin graduated from school, financing university by taking his clothes off didn’t exactly occur to him. But as they say, he’s young and needs the money. <<
In which Merlin works as a stripper in a night club that belongs to the infamous Pendragon chain after Morgana, a friend and fellow chemistry student, suggests he could easily make more money in four nights in the club than by pulling twice as many shifts at a café. What Merlin doesn’t know is that Morgana is Uther’s step-daughter, who does some PR and recruiting work for the clubs.
Merlin also doesn’t know Morgana’s step-brother Arthur, who comes into the club one night to check on the crowd and the employees. After the show, Arthur wants to have a word with the new guy, strictly business and all. Merlin mistakes Arthur for a stalker and leaves the club after blowing him off.
Until they meet again, of course. And Arthur has to learn, eventually, that his employees (like Merlin, and barmaid Gwen) aren’t necessarily stupid just because they happen to work for him.
I have one vote in favour of stripper!Merlin, but more input is welcome. Stripper!fic is probably the more straightforward one - I might get this done in less than 20’000 words, while surfer!fic will be twisted and complicated and probably take longer to finish, but it will also be like a vacation, with the beach and the sun and the surfing, so… I really can’t decide. Which one to write first?
Poll Surfers vs. Strippers
...or maybe I should just take one of the three canon!fic ideas gnawing at my brain and, you know, do something about it.
Unrelated: inderpal now lives about 10 minutes away from me by bike. You should all be so, so jealous.