This is a side blog dedicated to BBC Merlin, Colin Morgan, and Colin's various other projects. My avatar was made by @colinmorfan (THANK YOU, WIEKE!), and my header was made by @childliketendencies. I follow from @sopaltenbass
Read it on ao3 at https://archiveofourown.org/works/86169871
by RoseByAnyOtherName17
The first thing Arthur does when he sees Merlin again is kiss him.
It’s the wrong thing to do, he knows, especially when Merlin is too shocked (or disoriented, maybe) to kiss him back. But what else can Arthur do? He’s watched Merlin for over a millennia from behind a veil.
He’s done watching.
–
In which Merlin, after fifteen hundred years of waiting, is ready to give up and Arthur returns to him, prophecy be damned.
Note: suicidal ideation is very vague and brief, but proceed with caution if that is a concern for you
Words: 6484, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English
Fandoms: Merlin (TV)
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Categories: M/M
Characters: Merlin (Merlin), Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Freya (Merlin), Other Characters Mentioned
Relationships: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon (Merlin)
Additional Tags: Arthur Pendragon Returns (Merlin), Modern Era, Brief suicidal ideation, Lake Avalon (Merlin), Sad Merlin (Merlin), Reunions, First Kiss, Arthur Pendragon Knows About Merlin’s Magic (Merlin), Arthur Pendragon Loves Merlin (Merlin), Fluff and Angst, Prophecy Mentioned
Read it on ao3 at https://archiveofourown.org/works/86169871
there will never be anything as funny as the mutual disbelief between long form and short form fic writers about each other's style.
short form writers look at people writing 100k+ fics as though this is some sort of talent given as part of a fae bargain, that the commitment required shows some sort of ungodly mental fortitude.
meanwhile long form writers look at people writing 1000 word one shots like god I would cut off my left nipple to be able to say anything concisely. i would love to play with multiple ideas. free me from the shackles of this child I have birthed. i love them but I now must take them to t-ball and doctor's appointments and they're going to destroy everything I own.
For @merthurmicrofic EXILE + @merlinbingo Merlin & Mordred
"Da!"
"Yes Mordred, I'm in here," Merlin said as he ground the herbs with his mortar and pestle.
"We have a visitor," said his son with a cheerful lilt to his voice.
"Can you take them to head to the healer's hut kiddo, and I'll be there in a minute," he replied as he finished up his latest batch of yarrow salve.
"I'm not injured, I've come for you," said a familiar voice and Merlin whipped his head around to see the familiar and welcome face of Lancelot.
"Lancelot! How did you?! Gods never mind get over here!" he yelled placing down the salve and hurrying over to embrace his friend, when he suddenly stopped in his tracks when he saw what Lancelot was wearing.
Armour and a red cloak.
A Camelot cloak.
"Mordred come here now," he stated firmly and Mordred hurried over beside him.
"Did you bring them here? Did you come to hurt us, because I can assure you I will not allow harm to come to these people nor my son."
"Merlin no, I would never hurt you or cause you harm, we've come to bring you home. They thought I'd be best to come see you first since we left on good terms," said the knight.
"Home? You mean Camelot, that's not- I do not have a home. How'd you end up a knight I thought you were banished?"
"Arthur came and found me, and a few others on the journey, you know I think you'd like them a lot. They're here with me just outside the camp, nobody is hurting anyone we just want to bring you home, well I suppose both of you, since… what's his name? He's yours?"
"Mordred! My name is Mordred!" he said excitedly.
"Yes Mordred is my adoptive son," he said warmly, glancing down at the kid that he'd grown to love so dearly.
"Don't you see Da! You can go home now! I knew the Once and Future King would come around eventually, he did save us after all," said Mordred tugging on his hand lightly.
"I don't understand though how did-"
"Uther is dead," Lancelot interrupted.
"What?"
"It's a long story but he was slain by a wraith and now Arthur is king, you have to see it Merlin nothing is the same. He's been looking for you for months, he misses you terribly, but when he heard back from the Camelot Druids telling them that Emrys was living in deep in the Northumbria woods, he sent us," explained the knight gently.
"Does he… Does he really want me back? How does he expect, with the magic ban?" Merlin said testing the waters.
"Lifted, it's been hard they argued apparently but it was one of the first things he did, he said he did it because he had learned that magic had saved him so many times, please will you just come home now? He can explain it all much better then I. The knights and I can escort you both home safely," said Lancelot, and Merlin sighed, his nerves fluttering in his chest.
Yet… All he really wanted was to go home and now that he had the chance…
He looked at his son, leaning down and asking, "Mordred do you-"
"Yes, Da, you gave up everything for me, I want you to go home," he said warmly and Merlin knelt down placing a gentle kiss on his forehead.
"Alright kiddo go pack your things, I guess this exile is finally over…"
Arthur clapped his hand over Merlin's mouth, the callused fingers rough against Merlin's skin, and Merlin tried to slow his breathing, understanding the need to be silent. They must not be caught.
There was movement somewhere nearby, and Arthur pressed their bodies closer together. Merlin could feel both of their hearts beating fast from their exertions.
Merlin knew he should be looking out to see if he could tell who was there, and how close he and Arthur were to being caught, but he could not tear his eyes away from Arthur. In the quiet, Merlin's eyes roamed his prince's face. His gaze lingered on the bright flush gracing Arthur's high cheekbones, and raked hungrily over Arthur's lips, parted to allow for heavy breathing despite the need for silence. Arthur's eyes were wide as he looked over his own shoulder, their beautiful blue the barest halo around large, dark pupils. As Merlin watched, Arthur's tongue peeked out, moistening his lips, then Arthur turned his attention back to his servant, and Merlin felt lightheaded at the glory of Arthur's eyes watching Merlin watching him.
Arthur's hand dropped away, and Merlin felt a pang at the loss of contact, but that did not last long as Arthur put his hand back on Merlin, rather further south, where it had been when they'd first been interrupted.
Merlin breathed in sharply, his teeth clenched. There was another sound from the armoury, somewhere behind where he and Arthur were tucked out of sight in an alcove. Arthur, concentrating on the task at hand, nevertheless leaned in and whispered in Merlin's ear.
"Be quiet."
Merlin, letting his head fall back as Arthur applied his whispering lips to Merlin's neck, tried his very, very best.
"Quieter than that," someone laughed from across the armoury as the door closed loudly and left the two lovers alone, with no further need to whisper.
In the end, Arthur will blame it on being out so late in the evening.
Normally not one to overly indulge, he had been persuaded by Leon to join the little group at The Rising Sun to celebrate Sir Bors' birthday. While he didn't get roaring drunk like the man of the hour, Arthur did have a slight stumble in his step as he made his way back to the castle.
His best attempt at a casual stride down the corridor is rudely interrupted by stone colliding with his shoulder. Huh. Perhaps that last drink had been stronger than first thought. Well, never mind, nobody was around to see Camelot's Prince compose himself.
A loud gasp cuts through Arthur's growing stupor and he snaps back to an upright position; his arms flailing out slightly while the world reorients itself. The sound had come from the windowed alcove up ahead and Arthur ambles toward it as lightly as his drunken feet will allow. The torch in the bracket opposite the opening is casting just enough light across the hallway for Arthur to look in and find—
"Merlin?"
His manservant's head swivels so quickly that Arthur's surprised he doesn't hear a pop. Large, blue eyes stare at the Prince in horror and, in turn, the Prince takes in the somewhat dishevelled state of both Merlin and his now-visible companion.
"Gwaine?!" Both men wince as the name echoes around them.
With all the practice of someone frequently caught in compromising positions, his knight simply tucks his—oh gods, annoyingly impressive—manhood away. He nods and, with a murmured Sire, slips past the stunned Prince.
Merlin, however, hasn't moved a muscle. He still looks like a deer caught in the cross-hairs, although, Arthur notes with some relief, everything that should be covered still is.
Heart pounding and head swirling, Arthur turns on his heel and heads to his chambers in quick march. As he approaches the entry, Merlin's rapid footsteps reach his ears and he rolls his eyes before leaving the door open. If anything, denying his manservant the pleasure of barging in makes Arthur feel slightly better.
Thud.
Ah. Slamming the door shut is an option, too.
Arthur looks over his shoulder to find one red-faced, huffing, idiot.
"And just what is your problem?" Merlin pants. "Sire," he begrudgingly tacks on.
Arthur finally turns himself around. "I shouldn't have to see you doing," he waves his hand vaguely at Merlin's crotch, "all that."
"What, so I'm not allowed to have a personal life? We were hidden, you utter berk!"
"Obviously not well enough, since I found you!" Arthur pinches the bridge of his nose. "Although, somehow, I feel like that might come down to Gwaine's lack of sensibilities." He gives Merlin a flat stare. "Honestly, Merlin, him?"
A dark expression rolls across Merlin's features. "Why not him? It's not like I've got people banging down my door for some action, especially when they know who I work for."
"And what's that supposed to mean?" Arthur crosses his arms over his chest.
"You're prattish and possessive." Merlin ticks off on his fingers. "Bit of a turn-off for potential suitors, I've found."
"Well maybe that's their problem, then. I don't see why I should have anything to do with it. You don't need my blessing, Merlin."
His manservant only stares, letting his gaze shift across Arthur's face. "You really don't see it, do you?" Merlin's tone softens considerably. "People think— Arthur, do you know how others see us?"
The sudden shift leaves Arthur unable to fully follow this new direction. He shrugs his shoulders, arms still folded tightly.
"They think that you own me." Arthur opens his mouth but Merlin is faster. "No, I know you don't; not in that way. But people see us together—attached at the hip, as it were—and they talk." Merlin takes a few steps closer. "They think that I… service you."
The Prince feels his face heat to the point that he must look as Merlin did when he entered the room moments ago. His mouth drops slightly, as do his arms, and his stomach gives a lurch at the implication. The citizens think that his and Merlin's relationship is sexual? Or, no, do they just mean that Merlin is the one doing the work? Do they think Arthur is forcing himself upon his manservant? This was becoming all too much to ponder under the influence of the evening's drinking, but he needed to get it sorted out.
"Do you want to?" Wait, shit, that wasn't what he'd wanted to say. Oh, he was going to murder Leon for making him go to the tavern.
"What?!" There was no other description for it, Merlin definitely squeaked.
Arthur licks his lips—noticing that Merlin tracked the action—while thinking as quickly as his state allowed. "Do you… want to? If I'm supposedly in your way and you're looking to have, uh, amorous relations, wouldn't being with me fix both of those problems?" Arthur scrubs at the back of his head. "You don’t have to, of course," he mumbles.
The expression on the opposing face is incredulous, to say the least. Merlin moves closer again and angles in to sniff at Arthur. "Just how much did you drink tonight, Sire?"
"Oh, please, Merlin. Even on my worst day, I can hold my cups better than you." He offers what he hopes is a devilish smirk.
It must miss its mark, since his manservant is still using those brilliant blue eyes to assess Arthur's face. The moment drags on, with Arthur holding his breath, until Merlin must reach some oh-so-grand internal decision.
The kiss, when it comes, is nowhere near the realm of sweetness—it's two warring factions colliding and Arthur intends to be victorious. Teeth nip at lips, noses mash into opposite faces, tongues press and slide together; hot and wet, exploring and claiming. He wraps his arms around Merlin's back as he gets pushed into the bedpost and lets out a groan when Merlin's leg slides between his own, allowing him to seek out glorious cloth-covered friction.
Far, far too soon, the torturous little wretch pulls away just enough to make Arthur strain forward for more. The Prince is quietly pleased with himself when the next words that reach his ears are delivered breathlessly.
"To bed with you, then." Merlin rolls his eyes as he palms at Arthur's chest, cajoling him backward.
He frowns. "You should—" Perhaps he can word it a little bit better. "Will you join me?"
"All you ever had to do was ask." Merlin's smile is blinding and it fills Arthur up with something that he might not be quite ready to name, despite the alcohol's best efforts.
The moment breaks as Arthur is tackled to the mattress but he really doesn't mind at all.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Except by agapantoblu
Ship: No ships/gen
Main Characters: Merlin, Arthur, Percival
Rating: Teen
Warnings: No archive warnings apply
Major tags: Scars; Self-Doubt; Past Torture; Whipping; Percival-centric
Summary: There is a reason why Percival makes sure to change last after training, and that none of the other knights be around to see him. This night, he has failed to consider that Merlin might still be up and about, doing Arthur’s chores. In the armoury, stories and scars are traded quietly, and a few steps are taken to get closer to a Golden Albion.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
I Thought You Knew by huniths-muse
Ship: Benjamin Balinor Pendragon Emrys/Aerek the Druid (Heirs of Albion OCs), Merlin/Arthur
Main Characters: Merlin, Arthur, Benjamin Balinor Pendragon Emrys (Heirs of Albion OC), Aerek the Druid (Heirs of Albion OC)
Rating: General audiences
Warnings: No archive warnings apply
Major tags: Love Confessions, Idiots in Love
Summary: Ben realizes he should tell Aerek how he really feels while watching his parents reunite when Merlin finally wakes up again after the birth of the twins.
Merlin goes home for a little while, determined to enjoy a well-earned vacation;
Camelot immediately falls apart, with the sole exceptions of Guinevere and Gaius.
Merlin knows Arthur really well.
Which just means he knows exactly how to get him to let his servant go home for two weeks to visit his mother and relax a little:
“You just don’t want me to go because you know you can’t cope without me! Look, if you want to come with me, that’s fine, but you’ll struggle just as much there as you would here because I refuse to act as your servant in my own home.”
Arthur turns red, looking outraged as he loses the ability to speak. Merlin turns around before The King can see his satisfied smirk, tidying around the prat’s chambers with exaggerated annoyance as he just waits for the inevitable-
