San

20

[valkyricc]

Body-Centered Crystal Lattice (Where Everything Falls Apart)

Main Pairings: Kim Hongjoong x Park Seonghwa, Jung Wooyoung x Choi San, Kim Hongjoong & Jung Wooyoung

Updates Weekly

AO3 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/88877781/chapters/235875441

Summary: How are you supposed to get a guy who hates coffee into a cafe? I don't know.

Wooyoung, probably.

Hongjoong needs caffeine to survive. Seonghwa needs a physics tutor to pass his class. Both of them slowly start finding out they don't have to handle everything alone.

But even the strongest structures start to crack.

Chapter 1: The Initial Conditions of a Stress Concentration

“You’re gonna end up in a hospital bed if you keep drinking that crap.”

Walking out of their apartment, Hongjoong craved his fruity energy drink and a quiet morning walk to a hellish 8 a.m. Mechanical Statics lecture.

Wooyoung had other plans.

“People literally get heart attacks from drinking those, you know,” Wooyoung commented as the cool September air hit both their faces. Hongjoong adored the little college town he was in, but only a few minutes on the cracked, uneven pavement drained his energy.

“It’s just to help me get enough energy to pay attention to lecture,” Hongjoong sighed out as he messed with his beanie. “You know I was up all night working.”

“That’s only valid if it isn’t every night this semester,” Wooyoung replied, purposely slowing his pace to match Hongjoong’s lagging strides. “Jongho and I can hear you crashing out while we’re gaming at like 4 a.m.”

A dull pounding throbbed in his head either from Wooyoung’s nagging or the energy drink he was pestering him about. It didn’t help that his General Education professor assigned a group project with a senior-level workload for a 100-level Intro to Shakespeare Course.

Luckily for Hongjoong, his team members didn’t open the files he sent until 3 a.m. this morning. Clearly, celebrating Thirsty Thursday mattered more than a graduation requirement.

All of a sudden, the cold press of his can disappeared. Wooyoung had sprinted over to the nearest trash can to dispose of it, and Hongjoong barely got enough energy to turn toward him.

The can hit the bottom with a loud thunk.

“I wasn’t even halfway done with that,” Hongjoong winced as the sound reverberated in all the wrong parts of his skull.

“Drink a coffee or something,” Wooyoung snarkily retorted while wiping his wet hand on his thigh. “This isn’t healthy, Hongjoong.”

“Coffee tastes like shit.”

Hongjoong glared at Wooyoung for a beat before he shifted his gaze to the trees and buildings lining their path.

After a few silent steps, Hongjoong gave in to his guilt and dragged his eyes back to Wooyoung. He knew Wooyoung was only trying to look out for him.

“Well then, buy me a coffee before lecture,” Wooyoung pouted while shoving his extremely bright phone in Hongjoong’s face. “You owe me for keeping you humble, and we still have half an hour until our lectures start. Plus, there’s a cafe two minutes from here.”

He always found it difficult to say no to Wooyoung.

“Alright, fine. Let’s go,” Hongjoong relented, shoving his hands into his jacket pocket.

A satisfied Wooyoung hooked his arm through Hongjoong’s elbow and dragged him towards the cafe.

~

September arrived, and midterm season came with it, so Seonghwa couldn’t shake the growing pit in his stomach. His professor returned their Physics 2 exams yesterday, and he had absolutely bombed it.

Normally, his current study methods always produced flawless results, but Electricity and Magnetism just. wouldn’t. stick. Half the time he swore the professor created random words to sound smarter. Seonghwa’s neat, meaningless handwriting started to blur until the cafe entrance bell abruptly chimed from the front.

The already wrinkled papers crumpled further as he shoved them into the depths of his backpack and moved to help San work the front.

The scent of coffee beans filled the air around him as he entered the kitchen/coffee bar area. At first, spending hours at the cafe left his head pounding from the strong smell and the grating sounds, but each passing day made him grow unexpectedly fond of the cafe’s quirks.

But on days like this, the sight of the line so long it doubled back several times left him a bit more disheartened. Seonghwa quickly tied his apron into a makeshift knot and started making the orders San entered.

The interior of the cafe mirrored the chaos of exam season. Students crammed into the tiny tables to the right of the entrance. Their laptops and papers lay scattered across the surfaces, allowing only slivers of the wood underneath to peek through. Even the quiet indie music playing in the background was being drowned out by the voices of the customers waiting by the windowed walls in front of the pick up section on the short end of the L-shaped counter.

Seonghwa allowed himself to mindlessly complete the steady stream of orders flowing in until he reached the final order of the morning rush, which had the two most abysmal drinks he had ever seen.

The add-on list for the first drink was so long, San needed to tape the extra instructions on a note instead of just writing the ingredients on the cup. It was a latte with almost every single sugar modification available: extra sugar, a pump of vanilla, a pump of mocha, chocolate syrup, caramel drizzle, cocoa powder, and extra whipped cream, among other things.

The next was a triple-shot red-eye.

Seonghwa fought to keep his jaw from dropping.

Holy shit.

If someone forced him to choose between both orders, it would be equivalent to asking if he wanted to go to hell or super hell.

He tried to be subtle as he peeked over the counter.

The two remaining customers at least made it easy to match the order to the person. One was practically bouncing off the walls as he spoke in a hurried manner to the other who looked like he was fighting the urge to pass out from exhaustion.

Nevertheless, Seonghwa did his job and prepped both orders with a little help from San now that the line died down.

“Triple shot red-eye for… Hanseong?” Seonghwa shouted across the small cafe, trying to decipher what San had written on the side of the cup. He loved the man, but he thought the cafe would be better off if their manager switched their jobs.

He glanced around to see if he could spot any heads turning in recognition of the order but was ultimately met with silence.

“Hanseong?” He shouted again.

“Dude, I think that’s you,” he heard a loud voice comment from the crowd squished in front of the coffee bar counter.

“No way. I’m sure it’s someone else’s order.” Another voice grumbled.

“Hongjoong, I don’t think I know a single other person who orders that much caffeine at 7 in the fucking morning.”

A groan rippled through the crowd.

“I should’ve just used my English name.”

A high-pitched laugh bounced off the walls of the cafe.

“No way,” the voice interrupted. “That would’ve been more embarrassing.”

Seonghwa finally spotted the owners of the two voices as they shoved their way through the students to the pickup counter.

Hongjoong, he assumed, cleared his throat with an embarrassed blush on his cheeks as he glared at his friend.

“My name is cool. What are you talking about?”

“Hanseong?” Seonghwa politely interjected as the two bickered in front of him.

“Hongjoong,” the tired man finally corrected with an exhausted smirk.

Seonghwa pretended he wasn’t eavesdropping on their conversation and responded in his best customer service voice, “Oh, I’m sorry about the mistake. Please enjoy your coffee.”

“Ah, thank you,” Hongjoong replied shyly, taking the coffee.

Seonghwa turned to start prepping for the next influx of customers before the friend stopped him and asked, “Hey, who was the hot guy taking orders?”

Behind him, the ice scooper San was using clattered around the central island several times as it knocked one of the syrups over.

“Excuse me?” Seonghwa said, trying not to crack up in the middle of the coffee bar.

“Yeah, the cute guy with the short black hair and the pretty eyes,” he continued, emphasizing his words with his hands.

Seonghwa didn’t have a chance to reply because San gently shoved past him.

“Hi, Breve Latte for Wooyeol?” San interjected. Wooyoung definitely piqued San’s interest with the way the latter practically fell over himself to meet him, and Wooyoung gladly played along. He placed both of his hands on the counter for leverage and leaned forward next to San’s ear.

“Wooyoung, actually,” he whispered with a tilt of his head.

San turned a bright shade of red, and jumped backwards, fumbling to prevent the drink from spilling. He covered his ear with his free hand. “Ah, I’m sorry about that.”

Wooyoung looked like he was having the time of his life as he returned to his side of the counter. While he grabbed his drink from San’s hand, Wooyoung brushed his fingers over San’s and said, “Don’t worry, you can make it up to me by giving me your number.”

He dropped his eyes to San’s name tag.

“San,” Wooyoung completed with a wink, leaving San a blushing mess trying to keep himself together.

“Y-yeah, yeah. Of course,” San rambled. He led Wooyoung to the cash register on the far side of the L-shaped coffee-bar counter to scramble for the pen he had been using.

As their voices faded away, Seonghwa began to wipe down the espresso machine when he noticed Hongjoong nervously standing in front of the counter.

Hongjoong must have taken Seonghwa’s glance over to him as an ok to talk to him because he apologized as soon as they made eye contact.

“I’m sorry about Wooyoung. I know he can be a lot sometimes.”

“No, it’s okay,” Seonghwa reassured him, “That gave me a good laugh, and I’m sure San is happy about it too.”

Seonghwa turned to look at them both and he couldn’t help but smile at Wooyoung’s shenanigans that left San perpetually blushing. San messily scrawled his number onto the side of Wooyoung’s cup while the other radiated joy in waves, occasionally forgetting personal space boundaries and flustering poor San even further.

“I feel like we might be seeing each other again soon, so I want to properly introduce myself,” Hongjoong began, “I’m Hongjoong.”

Seonghwa focused his attention back on Hongjoong and gave him a puzzled look. “Nice to meet you, Hongjoong. I’m Seonghwa, but why do you say that?”

“Knowing Wooyoung, he’ll probably get San’s schedule and find a way to have us drop by as often as possible.” Hongjoong admitted with a light laugh. “When Wooyoung wants something, he usually gets it.”

~

Wooyoung excitedly skipped down the sidewalk with his sugary concoction in hand. On the side of the cup, you could see where San wrote down his number, and Wooyoung wouldn’t stop gushing about how cute the other boy was.

“Hongjoong, you don’t understand. All of his reactions were adorable! I think he even flirted back at one point,” Wooyoung rambled on next to Hongjoong.

After a brief pause, he gave Hongjoong a sideways glance. “Don’t think I didn't notice you earlier though.”

“What?” Hongjoong asked, taken aback by his friend’s comment.

A cat-like grin spread over Wooyoung’s face.

“You and that other barista.”

“Seonghwa?” Hongjoong replied.

“So you know his name?” Wooyoung said as his eyes widened with excitement.

“It was pinned to his apron,” Hongjoong retorted with a scoff.

Wooyoung stared Hongjoong down as if he knew the latter was hiding something. Hongjoong shifted uncomfortably before admitting, “Fine! We introduced ourselves to each other.”

Wooyoung let out an excited yell. “I knew it! I saw you two talking while San was writing his number. I can’t really read it, but that’s not the point.”

Wooyoung regained his train of thought and smacked his shoulder. “So how did that happen?”

Hongjoong cleared his throat. “Well, I figured we’d be going to the cafe more often so we might as well get to know each other already.”

“Riiight,” Wooyoung commented with a smug expression. “And why’s that?”

“Well, you obviously,” Hongjoong answered with a deadpan expression.

Wooyoung’s jaw dropped. He hit Hongjoong again.

“Asshole! That was all you!” Wooyoung yelled in offense.

“Ow! Stop! Are you seriously telling me you weren’t gonna visit San as soon as you possibly could?” Hongjoong questioned with raised eyebrows.

Wooyoung stopped and looked over at Hongjoong.

“Actually, you’re right, but that was so self-serving, you jerk,” Wooyoung said with a whine.

“I’m sorry for using you as an excuse, Wooyoung,” Hongjoong apologized.

“Apology accepted, but you still owe me. Maybe you should buy me a pastry after class?” Wooyoung mused with a smile on his face.

“That soon?” Hongjoong asked with an incredulous look.

“San said he would still be clocked in.” Wooyoung responded with a cocky grin.

~

Hongjoong felt it was entirely too soon to show back up again, but Wooyoung had a long list of reasons as to why they had to go.

“First of all, as cute as San was, it's not very cute to find out I texted the wrong person because I couldn’t figure out what numbers he wrote on the side of the cup. I swear I texted like four different people before I just gave up and decided to just ask him.” Wooyoung immediately argued as Hongjoong forced down a few gulps of the now stale coffee.

He only drank the coffee because his Statics professor had the most soothing voice for an 8 a.m. lecture and she loved to dim the lights so they could see the projected lecture slides. Not to mention, Wooyoung had thrown away his preferred choice of caffeine intake.

Wooyoung then grabbed Hongjoong’s arms and shook him back into reality.

“Hello? Earth to Hongjoong? At this rate, I think you should just crash in the cafe.”

Hongjoong brushed him off.

“I’ll be fine.”

“Yeah, right, I give you ten minutes tops. Actually fifteen if that other barista’s still there.”

Hongjoong weakly shoved Wooyoung back for once.

~

Hongjoong’s only plans for his Friday involved meeting with his Materials Science study group after their collective lecture at the library and going to sleep, but of course, nothing ever goes to plan for Hongjoong.

“Are you guys free tonight?” Mingi asked the group with bright eyes.

Yunho, Yeosang, and Hongjoong all looked at each other in confusion.

“Yeah, why?” Yeosang asked bluntly.

Mingi clapped his hands together. “I’m glad you asked,” Mingi said, as his excitement rolled off him in waves. “I’m throwing my first party of the semester. 10 p.m. Don’t miss it.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea with midterms and everything?” Yunho asked with a cautious tone.

“That’s exactly why it’s happening today! It gives everyone a break before exams begin,” Mingi clarified with a tone that suggested his reasoning was obviously flawless.

“And why did you wait until 6 p.m. to tell us, Mingi?” Hongjoong inquired, but he was sure he already knew why.

“Because I decided to throw it while I was bored during our Statics lecture,” Mingi answered with a shrug.

“Right,” Hongjoong responded with an exhausted nod.

“Anyways, you guys are coming right?” Mingi asked in an expectant tone.

They all looked to one another before Yunho replied, “Yeah, I can go.”

Mingi jumped out of his seat to wrap an arm around Yunho.

“Nice, man!” he exclaimed. “What about you guys?”

Mingi’s eyes were sparkling with joy at this point, and Hongjoong couldn’tt bring himself to ruin that. Reluctantly, Hongjoong added, “Yeah, me too.”

“Yeosang?” Mingi turned to look at the final group mate with pleading eyes.

Yeosang shifted to look at Hongjoong. “Are you gonna bring Wooyoung?”

“Wooyoung wouldn’t give me a choice,” Hongjoong easily responded.

“Yeah, I’ll go,” Yeosang concluded with a nod.

“Three for three. Let’s go!” Mingi shouted with a fist pump.

“QUIET!” a voice yelled from the depths of the library.

Mingi caved in on himself and grimaced.

“Oh shit, my bad,” he whispered as he sat back down.

~

As soon as Wooyoung heard Mingi was throwing a party, all his previous Friday night plans were tossed out the proverbial window. If there was one thing Mingi knew how to do better than any of them, it was throwing a party. Even if it was “same day” last minute, Hongjoong was sure the place was still going to be packed.

“You sure you wanna go, hyung?” Wooyoung asked as they were both styling their hair in front of their shared bathroom mirror.

“Yeah, it’s Mingi’s party. How could I not?” Hongjoong stated.

“I don’t know? Maybe because you’ve been on the verge of passing out all day?” Wooyoung pointed out, moving his attention from the stray strands of hair he was fixing to Hongjoong.

“I’ll be fine, Woo,” the latter assured, not moving his gaze from the mirror.

Wooyoung would never understand. The only times Hongjoong saw him stay up past two were to go to a party or play Super Smash Bros in the living room with their other roommate. He never had to sacrifice his sanity just to turn in an assignment.

Wooyoung placed a firm hand on the older’s shoulder. With a sigh, he began, “Hongjoong, I’m getting worried about you.”

Hongjoong met Wooyoung’s eyes in the mirror and finally stilled his hands in his hair. He knew what this was, and he’d be damned if he let Wooyoung continue to believe Hongjoong couldn’t take care of himself.

“I keep seeing you in a perpetual state of exhaustion, and I don’t know what to do about it.”

“Wooyoung, I–” Hongjoong turned to face the other, but Wooyoung cut him off before he could defend himself.

“No more of this self-sacrificial bullshit, Hongjoong. I guarantee you, your grades will be fine if you figure out how to handle your shit.”

Wooyoung jabbed his other finger roughly into Hongjoong’s chest.

Hongjoong flicked his gaze away as he roughly shut the toiletries drawer. The violent rattle of the bottles and the sharp slam of the drawer made him wince in regret.

“This works, Wooyoung. It’s only two years and it’ll be over,” Hongjoong responded, throwing the words over his shoulder as he pushed past him out of the bathroom.

For three years they had been living together, and for three years Hongjoong had been the responsible one. Wooyoung coming in and suddenly pretending he knew what was best for him thoroughly pissed him off.

“No! It doesn’t!” Wooyoung yelled with a sardonic laugh as he stormed out behind Hongjoong. “That’s the point, Hongjoong, forcing your eyes open with caffeine every single fucking day is going to kill you!”

Hongjoong abruptly spun back to face Wooyoung, his voice shattering any peace left in their apartment, “Enough, Wooyoung! I don’t need your fucking opinion! I’m fine!”

Wooyoung took a wary step back at Hongjoong’s outburst. His eyes were filled with hurt and he let out a humorless laugh.

“Wow.”

Hongjoong immediately moved to try and fix his mistake.

“Wooyoung, I’m sorry. I just–” Hongjoong began with guilt laced into his voice.

“No. Forget it.”

Wooyoung paced to his room while ignoring all of Hongjoong’s words. Hongjoong looked away as he silently crammed the last of his stuff into a backpack.

“Wooyoung, please. I think–,” Hongjoong pleaded, but Wooyoung shouldered past him with his bag already slung around his back.

As Wooyoung grabbed a jacket from the entrance rack, he turned to Hongjoong and seethed, “You’re lucky Jongho wasn’t here to see you act like a dick.”

Hongjoong couldn’t react before he slammed the door behind him. The sound rang out in their empty apartment for several heavy moments after Wooyoung exited. His feet stayed glued to the ground where he stood and the light throbbing in his head returned.

Once Hongjoong found the energy and will to move, he collapsed onto their couch. He buried his head in his hands and let himself replay their conversation in his mind.

“Shit.”

~

Mingi’s parties tended to be just as loud as he was. Extremely. Hongjoong was lucky enough that Yunho offered him and Yeosang a ride to the party after their study session. Yeosang declined since he lived just close enough to Mingi to walk over, but Hongjoong gladly took the other’s offer.

By the time they both arrived, the party was already flooding through the front door. You could feel the heavy bass pounding through the ground from the speakers a block away, and several colorful lights illuminated the front of the house. As the two stepped into the crowd at the entrance to Mingi’s house, they immediately spotted Mingi having the time of his life on the makeshift stage he made in front of the stairs through the open front door. Yunho and Hongjoong had to shove their way into the mess of rowdy college students to get to Mingi’s turntable, avoiding elbows and drinks being flung left and right.

“Yo! Guys, I’m sooo glad you made it,” Mingi slurred with a drink in his hand. He stumbled off the stage to join Hongjoong and Yunho. The bass from the speakers physically thrummed through Hongjoong as he and Yunho caught a clearly drunk Mingi.

“You doing alright, man?” Hongjoong yelled over the blaring next to them.

“What?!” Mingi shouted in his ear as he draped himself over the two.

It was obvious Mingi was too far gone. Yunho gave Hongjoong a serious stare before he yelled into Mingi’s ear, “Dude! Do you wanna take a shot with us?”

Mingi quickly straightened up.

“Fuck yeah!” Mingi beamed at them.

They stumbled along with Mingi into the kitchen where they dropped him off on one of the stools. Yunho continued to support Mingi on the stool while Hongjoong moved to the other side of the kitchen counter.

Mingi started giggling uncontrollably on the stool, and Yunho tried his best to keep the other’s balance.

“Hongjoong! Hit me!” Mingi yelled, shoving an empty red solo cup forward. Hongjoong sneakily filled all three of their cups with water and set them on the counter.

Mingi excitedly reached for his cup and gulped down the entire thing in one go. He dramatically sighed and wiped his mouth before slamming his cup back on the table.

“Give me another!”

Hongjoong and Yunho kept playing into Mingi’s drunken shenanigans while slowly sobering him up. Suddenly, Mingi tried to lay his head down on the counter to try and sleep, but both of his friends clamored to catch him before his head hit the surface.

“Alright! Time for bed, big guy,” Yunho strained as he caught Mingi mid-fall.

Somehow the two of them managed to maneuver Mingi into his bedroom and put him to bed. Hongjoong sighed out and crashed onto the bed as soon as Mingi was safely asleep.

“He’s heavier than I remember,” Yunho commented as he watched over Mingi’s sleeping frame. Mingi’s chest was slowly rising and falling despite the pounding music still flowing in from downstairs.

“I can watch over him. Try and enjoy the rest of the party,” Yunho told Hongjoong.

“Are you sure? I don’t want to just leave you,” Hongjoong relented.

“No, go, I know you need a break,” Yunho insisted.

“So do you, Yunho,” Hongjoong challenged.

“Yeah, but not as much as you, Captain,” Yunho playfully added. Hongjoong got embarrassed by the sudden nickname. The group came up with it during a group assignment a few semesters ago where Hongjoong had been assigned as team leader and it sort of just…stuck.

“Alright, stay safe. I’ll be back to check up on you guys later.”

Yunho shooed Hongjoong back into the party and closed the door behind him.

Left alone in front of the door, Hongjoong had no idea where to go, so he just let himself wander. He bumped into a few friendly faces as he made his way down the stairs and traversed through the crowd. He spotted Wooyoung happily dancing with Yeosang and considered heading over to apologize, but he figured he would let the other keep dancing blissfully.

Eventually, Hongjoong made his way to the backyard where the music was a bit softer and the clear night air allowed his muddled mind to clear a bit. It wasn’t a big, open space, just a few measly feet of grass in front of him with a tall fence blocking out the outside world, but it was enough to bring him peace in that moment.

“Rough night?” He hears a quiet voice call out next to him. The space was small enough where they could speak normally and still be heard over the music.

He glanced down to see Seonghwa sat with his knee pulled into his chest and a red solo cup in his hand.

“Yeah, a bit,” Hongjoong admitted as he took a step toward the other and sat down next to him.

“What are you doing out here?” Seonghwa asked, his words slightly slurred now that Hongjoong could hear him more clearly.

“I just felt a bit overstimulated by all the chaos going on inside. You?”

“Same,” Seonghwa exhaled while throwing his head back carelessly.

“You wanna talk about it?” Seonghwa asked as he turned his face toward Hongjoong.

“Not really. Do you?” Hongjoong replied.

“Yeah,” Seonghwa quickly responded. He adjusted himself to face Hongjoong and began rambling.

“I’ve been sooo stressed out recently because of this stupid Physics exam I had last week. I mean, normally, I wouldn’t be worried because I would just lock myself in the library and study my ass off, but this time I didn’t get it.”

Hongjoong thought the other was so endearing while he was rambling. He let out a laugh at the other’s spiel, but Seonghwa suddenly smacked both of his hands down in the small space in between the two of them.

“No! I’m serious!” Seonghwa cried out.

“I bet you he doesn’t even know half the words he’s saying either,” Seonghwa added as he leaned forward, crowding into Hongjoong’s face. He dropped his forehead onto Hongjoong’s shoulder.

“I fucking failed and now my Physics grade is fucked. What am I supposed to dooo?” Seonghwa muttered.

Hongjoong, thoroughly flustered by this point, somehow stumbled out, “I could help you?”

“You don’t even know what class it is,” Seonghwa pouted as he shifted back to his original position.

“Well, what class is it?” Hongjoong asked.

“Electricity and Magnetism,” Seonghwa said with an edge in his voice.

Hongjoong stifled a laugh before mentioning, “I actually took that class last semester.”

Seonghwa’s eyes widened as he turned sharply towards Hongjoong.

“Seriously?” He asked in disbelief.

“Seriously,” Hongjoong affirmed. “I got an A in it.”

Seonghwa fully stood at this point.

“No way.”

“Yeah, I can show you the grade on my transcript if you want proof.” Hongjoong reaffirmed as he got up to join the other.

“And you mean it? You’ll seriously help me?” Seonghwa questioned him worriedly. “The exam is next Friday.”

“I offered my help, and I meant it. I can give you my number so you can text me so we can set up a time,” Hongjoong insisted as he held out his phone to Seonghwa.

“Holy shit, you’re a life saver,” Seonghwa sighed gratefully as he grabbed Hongjoong’s phone.

Hongjoong couldn’t help but notice the slight flush of the alcohol left on Seonghwa’s cheeks as he typed in his number into Hongjoong’s phone. He finally looked away when it seemed Seonghwa was finishing up.

“Here let me get your—“ Seonghwa asked as he got cut off by a knock at the window. The two turned their attention to the loud pounding and saw a disheveled San fumble with the handle. When he finally managed to open the door, he stumbled a few steps forward onto the porch.

Breathlessly, San said, “Come on, Seonghwa. We gotta go.”

“Did something happen?” Seonghwa asked with a worried tone.

“Uh, no!” San exclaimed.

“I’m fine,” he said again awkwardly after he somewhat regained his composure.

Seonghwa glanced at Hongjoong as San reached for his hand.

“Text me tomorrow!” He exclaimed as San pulled him back into the throes of the party, leaving Hongjoong alone on the small, empty porch in Mingi’s backyard.

[depsidase]

[hylianane]

functionally suicidal character saying “I would die for you” to their significant other and its like. I get the sentiment, honey, but if a hot dog vendor told me he’d sell hot dogs for me, I wouldn’t feel very moved now would I

[thecryptkeeper]

the substance sisters

[bearsockz]

home cooked meal

[kirschechergrimm]

PRIVATE FILE.

Subject: Group known as Ateez

Classification: Maximum danger level — Black Code

Access: Restricted to senior-level personnel only. Disclosure strictly prohibited.

The group known as Ateez does not represent a collection of independent criminals, but rather a collective organism, capable of acting with abnormal, almost unnatural coordination.

Each of its members possesses specific abilities, apparently incompatible with one another, yet in the field these abilities merge into a perfectly synchronized unit.

Already dangerous as individuals, together they become a lethal and virtually indestructible force. Their capacity to anticipate the movements of others, adapt to any circumstance, and transform even one member’s weakness into another’s strength makes them comparable to a living chessboard.

Preliminary observation note: The internal dynamic of the group suggests that the subjects do not merely cooperate: they compensate for one another, complete one another, and amplify one another. Eliminating only one of them does not reduce the risk; on the contrary, it increases the danger posed by the others.

It is therefore imperative to consider Ateez as a single entity: a plural mind moving through eight bodies.

Prolonged close contact is strongly discouraged. The subjects do not merely observe; they tend to study and replicate the behaviors of those around them, creating a dangerous reversal of roles between observer and observed.

CLINICAL FILES

Hongjoong, The King

Name: Kim Hongjoong

Age: 25

Psychological profile: Extremely intelligent, with pronounced leadership abilities. Tends to manipulate the environment to his advantage. Calm, reflective, rarely impulsive. Shows no remorse for his actions.

Primary offense/s: Planned murders, executed with meticulous precision. Always at the center of the organization of the crimes, never on the front line without a strategy.

Risk: Maximum level. The entire group appears to orbit around him.

Clinical note: Defined as “King” because of his role as the central axis: vulnerable only if isolated.

Seonghwa, The Queen.

Name: Park Seonghwa

Age: 26

Psychological profile: Elegant, cold, controlled. Pronounced planning abilities and strong emotional influence over the others. Considered the most dangerous in terms of unpredictability.

Primary offense/s: Multiple murders carried out through varying methods; extremely adaptable.

Risk: Maximum level. He can strike from any position.

Clinical note: Nicknamed “Queen” for his ability to move in every direction: lethal and versatile.

Yeosang, The Bishop.

Name: Kang Yeosang

Age: 24

Psychological profile: Introverted, a silent observer. Gathers information and tends to study everyone around him. Often considered “invisible” until he strikes.

Primary offense/s: Targeted eliminations, carried out at a distance or with surgical precision.

Risk: Medium-high. Dangerous because he leaves neither traces nor obvious warning signs.

Clinical note: “Bishop” because he advances diagonally: he always acts from an unexpected angle.

Wooyoung, The Promoted Pawn.

Name: Jung Wooyoung

Age: 24

Psychological profile: Sarcastic, extroverted, apparently superficial. Uses irony and charm to destabilize. Beneath the jovial façade, he hides fierce determination.

Primary offense/s: Social and psychological manipulations culminating in targeted murders.

Risk: Medium, with extreme peaks. His ability to transform makes him unpredictable.

Clinical note: “Promoted Pawn” because, from an apparently weak element, he proves capable of overturning the entire game.

San, The White Rook.

Name: Choi San

Age: 25

Psychological profile: Charismatic, intensely emotional, unstable. Capable of forming strong bonds and manipulating them for his own purposes. Violent and sudden reactions.

Primary offense/s: Crimes of passion and bloody acts of revenge.

Risk: Very high. His impulsiveness makes him potentially explosive.

Clinical note: “Rook” because of his linear and devastating advance: once he decides to act, nothing stops him.

Jongho, The Black Rook.

Name: Choi Jongho

Age: 23

Psychological profile: Physically imposing, yet surprisingly lucid and rational. Disinclined to dialogue, but deeply reflective. Tends to react only when provoked.

Primary offense/s: Brutal executions, often linked to physical strength.

Risk: High. The combination of calm and strength makes him a formidable enemy.

Clinical note: “Rook II” because of his solidity and his ability to withstand impact without falling.

Yunho, The Black Knight

Name: Jeong Yunho

Age: 25

Psychological profile: Apparently kind, sociable, with an almost reassuring manner. However, his actions reveal an unpredictable and surprisingly calculating character.

Primary offense/s: Assaults and murders committed through non-linear methods, difficult to predict.

Risk: High. His unpredictability makes him particularly difficult to contain.

Clinical note: “Knight” because of his unexpected movements, never frontal, which confuse and destabilize.

Mingi, The White Knight

Name: Song Mingi

Age: 24

Psychological profile: Impulsive, apparently chaotic. Does not follow common logical patterns, yet is surprisingly gifted with intuition and unexpected cunning.

Primary offense/s: Brutal acts of violence, often sudden and without warning.

Risk: Very high. His unstable energy is difficult to contain.

Clinical note: “Knight II” because, like Yunho, he escapes the rules. His irregularity makes him even more dangerous.

SUPPLEMENTARY NOTE — “White and Black” Classification

For subjects belonging to the category of Doubles — Rooks and Knights — it was deemed necessary to introduce a chromatic distinction, intended to define not only the type of behavior, but also their level of danger and the way in which they manifest their impulses.

* Black Knight — Yunho: deceptive movement, insidious danger. Strikes from the shadows, exploiting trust and apparent empathy.

* White Knight — Mingi: irrational movement, but less calculated. His unpredictability is dictated by pure impulse, more chaotic than malicious.

* Black Rook — San: devastating, frontal, and uncontrollable advance. Maximum danger level, no mediation.

* White Rook — Jongho: stable and measured advance. He does not act without apparent cause, but once he decides to move, he becomes unstoppable.

Concluding note:

The color “Black” indicates targeted and conscious destructiveness, often aimed at dominance or manipulation.

The color “White” indicates instinctive and primitive force, no less dangerous, but at times less corrupted by intentionality.

GENERAL WARNINGS — Access to the ATEEZ Group

Recipients: Medical and psychological interns, prison guards and surveillance personnel, authorized members of the upper levels.

1. Never treat the subjects as isolated individuals.

Every action carried out by one member of the group must be interpreted as part of a broader strategy. The interconnection between the subjects is constant and invisible.

2. Avoid unauthorized physical contact.

Even an apparently harmless gesture — a handshake, accidental contact — may be exploited as psychological leverage or as an act of dominance.

3. Continuous surveillance.

Individual sessions must always be monitored from multiple observation points. Never trust what the camera does not show: the group is skilled at using blind spots.

4. Do not respond to verbal provocations.

The subjects constantly test the psychological resistance of those around them. Never engage in personal dialogue: even the smallest response can become a weapon against the operator.

5. Never reveal personal information.

Any private detail provided — age, family, studies, opinions — will be used against the operator. Do not underestimate their memory or their capacity to connect information.

6. Isolation is impossible.

Although they are detained separately, the group continues to maintain cohesion and mutual influence. Unknown methods of internal communication are suspected, but have not yet been explained.

7. Order from the upper levels:

In the event of anomalous behavior from the subjects, no low-level staff member is authorized to intervene on their own initiative. Every corrective action is reserved for the upper levels.

8. Ateez are not to be “corrected,” but contained.

PLOT

Aurora Brown is a fifth-year psychiatry student, brilliant to the point of being almost irritating to anyone observing her. She is not merely good: she is lucid, precise, capable of reading people far too quickly and using that reading to survive. She is beautiful in a composed, delicate way, almost fragile in appearance, but inside her there is something hard, contracted, a ferocious discipline that never allows her weakness.

Every year, her academy selects its best students and sends them to elite institutions for their final internship. Aurora is assigned to the most prestigious one of all: the Saint Orpheus Institute.

Publicly, it is known as an advanced clinical academy, but in reality, within its walls, it contains a maximum-security prison for extremely dangerous criminal and psychiatric subjects.

One doesn’t go there merely to learn. One goes there to be observed.

Those who endure, those who are promoted, those who earn the favor of their superiors, secure their careers. Publications, appointments, professorships, fame. But the price is entering a system where care, punishment, and experimentation resemble one another far too closely.

[ceruleanheaven]

brought nothing to the gun fight. whatever man

[hijkio]

Zuko

[cattoonxd]

Never give up without a fight

[vanyamire]

some quick morgana x gwen studies i did while experimenting with new brushes :]

[sabage101]

Guys go follow me on TikTok @sketchsoda nd insta @sketchs0da

I found the inspi for this art on Pinterest so I don’t know who the editor is, but if you do please let me know and I’ll tag them

[sabage101]

Guys go follow me on TikTok @sketchsoda nd insta @sketchs0da

I found the inspi for this art on Pinterest so I don’t know who the editor is, but if you do please let me know and I’ll tag them

[derinthescarletpescatarian]

[importantcatpics]

[drtanner]

The whole photo is gold but I especially like that the automated feeder is taped to the fucking floor.

[unfortunatelymerlin]

Here are five (+2...) Merthur fics that might be missed — especially by some newer fans — because they are not in the usual tags on A03. All are canon era.

~~~

Onfindan | Rated: M | 15,827 words

Arthur didn't speak to him for a week after he found out.

A fandom classic. It's unlikely you haven't read this yet, but just in case. A must read fic from a must-read author. Starts as an Arthur Finds Out fic, slides into a monster hunt, and ends with a hint at the start of the Golden Age. Tiny little E-rated epilogue here.

~~~

The Very Important Quest | Rated: E | 24,506 words

On a Very Important Quest, Arthur and Merlin share clothes, beds, bathwater and secrets.

Set in an alternative post s3. The perfect fic for me honestly. The dialogue is especially excellent.

~~~

You're a Mile Away and You Have Their Shoes | No rating | 22,103 words

Arthur sometimes wished he understood what was going on in Merlin's head. He just hadn't meant literally.

A spell causes Arthur and Merlin to switch lives — Merlin is the Prince, Arthur is the servant — and Arthur ends up with Merlin's magic. The magic helps Arthur to remember, but the world starts crumbling apart around them.

~~~

Little Thief | Rated: E | 30,984 words

When Leon's still suffering from the dragon's attack several months later, Merlin is anxious to help. Meanwhile Arthur goes hunting, Merlin dabbles in things that he shouldn't, and they find themselves on a quest with an unusual companion....

Great fun read, feels very like an (explicit) episode, with a Big Bad to defeat, quippy dialogue, and general shenanigans. There's also an equally good sequel that is well worth a read here.

~~~

These Castle Walls Bleed Lies | Rated: M | 12,132 words

With his father unfit to rule and Camelot decimated, Arthur must assume the role of King. But the truths he discovers shake the foundation of all he holds dear.

So much story packed into very few words. Best just to read this one, summaries don't do it justice.

[according2thelore]

20 fanfic author questions

i love things like this! thank you sm @seanwinchester for the tag!

1. How many works on AO3?

32! so since i started in january 2023 i've averaged about 1.23 fics a month, which is fun, because that's the month and year i started! (1 & 23)

2. Total AO3 Word Count?

386,336 😳

3. Top 5 fics by Kudos

1. love potion no. 9 (811) 2. there's no such thing as a clean break, when your heart starts bleeding out (726) 3. and it's you that i want (671) 4. keep me in a daydream (662) 5. with hearts that are guilty, not remorseful (655)

4. What fandoms do you write for?

on here? just supernatural. but in the past, i've written for merlin, star trek, teen wolf, haikyuu, doctor who, MCU, free!, the witcher, mystic messenger (lmao), percy jackson, and i could continue forever.

5. Do you respond to comments?

i want to!!! so badly!!!! due to my current workload, i'm feeling so burnt out and busy that i've barely mustered up the energy to write anything legible (including fics). so the goal is soon!!!! i love comments, and reread them often. so i want to respond!

6. Angstiest Ending?

i fantasize to feel you like a bullet; it's the only explicitly unhappy ending that i have written, as i'm a sucker for an angst with a happy ending. although my habit of breaking hearts as soon as i have them is an ambiguous ending, it could be read as angsty.

7. Fic with the Happiest Ending?

uhhhhhh...a lot of them do... love potion no. 9? it's you i hold onto? keep me in a daydream? and it's you that i want? we didn't get it right, but love we did our best? house song? wait for tomorrow? i still need you, but what's that gonna do?

8. Do you get hate?

not really! i've been really lucky! early on, charlotte and i got a few messages from destiel-centric accounts that were being mean (my favourite was someone calling us "hags," very bog-coded). recently i think someone was subtweeting us (sub-blogging us?) and being exceptionally rude, but they didn't mention names, so 🤷 oh well!

9. Do you write smut?

hell yeah; 11 of 32 are rated Explicit; 33.4% so basically a third of all of my fics! big smut fan, me.

10. Do you write crossovers?

i'm open to it, but i never have!

11. Ever had a fic stolen?

not that i'm aware?

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

gosh i wish 😔 what a compliment!

13. Have you ever co-written a fic?

i have not! and i honestly don't know if i'd be a very good co-writer. my way of writing is a little peculiar, and i like things a certain way. but i'm absolutely open to the experience! i love the community co-writing of things like the ES/LS verse that we've done, same with ageswap & adam verses! so i think it would be fun & pray i don't drive my co-writer crazy.

14. All time favourite ship?

ALL TIME?!?! ...merthur, but these incest brothers come CLOSE

15. WIPs you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

i wrote a 7.2k truth spell fic that i wasn't happy with, so i don't think i'll ever finish it. if you all ever want an excerpt or something, let me know! i have a million others, but off the top of my dome, i wrote a few paragraphs of soulless!sam deciding to kill cas because he's in love with dean, and it would "distract" dean from the task at hand. but it's really hard to write from soulless POV, because i'm such a feelings-forward writer that for someone to have nothing to feel kinda stumped me.

16. Writing strengths?

hmm i think i'm good at a Yearn. i love a dramatic confrontation, but i think i'm best at those quiet moments of introspection/yearning.

17. Writing Weaknesses?

action/fight scenes. it always ends up "he punches...he moves...he jumps..."

18. Thoughts on mixed language dialogue?

sure! although it does drive me a little nuts when there's not a translation at the bottom in the notes, or easily highlightable, so i can move the mixed lines into a translate window. i read a fic recently where one of the two main characters/all of his group could only speak a central european language (vague for anonymity), and all of the c. european bits were underlined like a hyperlink which sent you right back to the top of the fic, so trying to highlight the passages and figure out dialogue was very difficult.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

if we're talking FIRST-first, then high school musical when i was seven years old. if we're talking first knowledge that what i was doing was fanfiction, then percy jackson and the olympians.

20. Favourite fic you’ve ever written?

favourite EVER? i've gotta go "house song," just because how proud i am of it. i worked really hard, and i think it comes across. i really love a lot of my fics, though, and am really proud of them!

tagging: @majordemonblockpartyy @sixtysevenautomatic @incesthemes @fictionallemons

no pressure to do this, as always! thanks again for the tag--i always think these are so fun, and i had a good time filling it out! <3

-lizzy

[closetsof-backlogged-dreams]

merthur fic recs: sof's masterlist

(inspired and encouraged by the ever-lovely @dreamingthroughtokyoskies <33 ilysm babes)

hello, there! these are fifteen fics that i've collected over the years as my favorite merthur fics of all time. they come in all sorts of genres and lengths and vibes, so buckle up!!

Sorcerers & Knights, and their long-lost Prince by DracoWillHearAboutThis [30k, 9/9]

"Can't you watch where you're going?!" Arthur snapped. 

"You ran into me!" the other man exclaimed, incredulous, and Arthur stilled because he knew that voice. And that accent.

He looked up and found himself face to face with a flushed, indignant Merlin Emrys, tour shirt drenched with coffee. Bloody hell.

"That shirt is Dior," was all that came out of Arthur's mouth, without his permission, and the singer's face hardened.

"Well, bugger for you," Merlin snapped. "Might have to wear off the rack, for a change, like the rest of us. Maybe the money you saved with that could go to your precious charity."

Arthur blinked, the blow of the other man's words not even hitting him before he heard Gwen Smith shriek from down the corridor.

"Merlin! You can't say that to the Prince of Wales, oh my God!"

Merlin is the lead singer of the popular British band called Sorcerers & Knights. Arthur is the Prince of Wales. Their paths cross and destiny unfolds.

fellow merthur/rwrb fans rejoice, this is practically a rwrb AU! except Merlin is the lead singer of a rock band, Sorcerers & Knights, and Arthur is the prince of Wales. the romance between the two of them is so insanely sweet, and i love all the outside commentary from the rest of the cast:)) i also recommend literally anything else by DracoWillHearAboutThis !!

Caesura by StormDancer [52k, 1/1]

Merlin is a writing prodigy with the world's most angsty case of writer's block; Arthur is an overachieving Econ major struggling to escape his father's shadow. Together, they fight crime!

Well, no, they don't. But they do fall in love.

College AU where Merlin is an undiagnosed unmedicated ADHD anonymous prodigy author who takes a course on his own work, meets Arthur, a fan, and they fall in love?? omg. on another note, Merlin's characterization in this fic is INSANE! he's giving deranged thought daughter and im obsessed

all ye faithful by schweet_heart [26k, 1/1]

After an eight and a half year absence, Arthur returns to his father’s house for Christmas, determined to find some closure and finally let go of the past. Merlin, as ever, gives him a reason to hold on.

wow. this fic. there's just so many good things to say about it, but i'll start with the beautiful depiction of parental abuse. Uther isn't physical, and he never does anything too obviously harmful, but it's the little things he says and the overall toxicity of his presence. and then the way he acts with Mordred, Morgana's son, while Arthur watches and wonders why his father never treated him like that?? it's brilliant. absolutely brilliant. the whole fic is a small town AU where Merlin and Arthur were together in secret and broke up as teenagers, and meet again when Arthur comes home. everything about this fic, from the breaking-up-and-making-up to the beautiful depiction of abuse, is so amazing.

Of Lemon Drops and Lizard-Cats by supercalvin [26k, 2/2]

When Inspector Arthur Pendragon went into work that morning he didn’t expect to get on the bad side of an attractive paramedic whose dessert-related insults were surprisingly scathing. Then the same man turned up at the police station, with a clever glint in his eye and his daughter in his arms.

When Merlin Emrys became a single father he made one simple rule: he wouldn’t date until Aithusa was old enough to understand. Merlin had always had his hands full with his daughter and never had a problem with this rule until Arthur stepped into his life. Then everyone he knew started conspiring against him.

single dad paramedic Merlin?? smitten detective Arthur?? mutual pining but self-forbidden romance?? it's amazing. and the domesticity of this fic... let's just say i finished it and couldn't stop thinking about families for the next week. the outside commentary from the rest of the cast in the department is top tier, and Aithusa as Merlin's daughter is the absolute cutest thing

wanna be your end game (my youth is yours) by ladililn [63k, series]

Merlin grows up in Buckingham Palace. Unfortunately, so does Arthur.

this fic is actually a series, and it's genuinely so adorable i have no words. them?? growing up together?? badgering and arguing and teasing?? but truly being there for one another, always, when it came down to it?? elite. the absolute greatest. and their completely oblivious mutual pining never fails to make me giggle <3

after the storm (are you leaving) by Imagined, Scarlet_Ribbons [60k, 6/6]

“Gorwin is my King,” Merlin says, golden eyes fixed flatly on Arthur. “And I work for him. That’s what it says.”

“That’s what what says?” Arthur all but roars, wishing he had a sword just so that he could swing it at something. He needs to let all of this anger at something, anything, he’s just not sure at what and he doesn’t really care anymore.

“The treaty you signed."

Or:

Arthur lends Merlin's aid as a sorcerer to an allied kingdom. He doesn't expect to find Merlin, two years later, in shackles, and only a mere echo of the person he used to be.

this fic is beyond devastating. a warning that it is extremely dark, with a lot of addiction and (non-sexual) slavery. overall, though, it's so beautiful. the way that Arthur forces himself to allow Merlin to leave, and then finds him absolutely destroyed?? then stands by his side through all of it and never gives up on him?? such a beautiful fic, as well as everything else written by these two authors

secrets i have held in my heart by arthur_pendragon [20k, 8/8]

Merlin carves himself into Arthur’s soul while the song of summer trails behind them in the sultry air; while the trees haggle with the sun over the price of autumn — separation. Arthur will forever remember this week in which he obtained his heart’s desire and had it ripped away from him.

wow ok so i'm really not exaggerating when i say this is the best fic i've ever read in my life—it's so heart-stoppingly beautiful and painful and the writing is gorgeous and genuinely i don't even know how to communicate how good this fic is. it's friends-with-benefits but also secret-mutual-pining and angsty and hurtful and ahhhh. so so so good.

Next to You (It's the Rule) by LunaMyLove [62k, 8/8]

Arthur and Merlin have a special relationship. They always have, even when they were prince and servant. While many question it when first noticing, eventually it becomes an understanding in Camelot—and even among some other countries—that where there is Arthur, there is Merlin. And, where there is Merlin, there is Arthur.

Or

Arthur and Merlin's relationship as witnessed and explained by others.

Also, or

Five times someone realizes that Merlin is the Queen, one time Merlin realizes it himself, and one time he owns it.

this is one of the funniest fics i've ever read! if you're familiar, it's very reminiscent of CaffeinatedFlumadiddle's writing. Merlin and Arthur's relationship is hilarious, very mischievous-cat and cat-owner. i also adore Mordred in this fic—he's so squishy and adorable idkidk

since we're alone, you can show me your heart by isolationqueen [7k, 1/1]

Going on a month long road trip though Europe with Arthur is probably a terrible idea. Only, Merlin has never been able to say no to Arthur.

modern road trip AU my beloved!! ughh i love the bitchy pining in this fic, and how protective and jealous Arthur gets. just them going from club to club in all these different places.... so good!! always recommend <3

More than I bargained for by follow_your_fire [27k, 3/3]

Arthur's had enough of hearing about Merlin's unsurpassed bedroom skills from his friends.

There's no way Merlin is better than him, is there?

Well, only one way to find out.

this one is for my porn-with-plot girlies!! Arthur being gay for Merlin is the funniest thing ever, and watching him be so bewildered and confused the entire fic but covering it up so that Merlin doesn't suspect a thing is top tier. and then Merlin being soft?? and loving?? and fluffy?? and then Arthur just doesn't know what to do..... SO GOOD!!

A Collapsing Star With Tunnel Vision by objectlesson [8k, 1/1]

“Perhaps we are doing her a favor then,” he says, pausing to chew the inside of his cheek before adding in a measured, careful voice. “I wouldn’t want to live without my love, either.”

Arthur whips around in the saddle to stare at him, eyes hard and dark, like the storm clouds building on the distant horizon. “What love? You haven’t got a love,” he snaps, like he’s the sole keeper of all Merlin’s secrets.

'Arthur acting different with Merlin alone than he does with the knights' my beloved!! this fic is so poetic and beautiful, with Arthur being ugly and mean but so in love and Merlin is equally so ahhhhh. so insanely good. lots of monster hunting and metaphorical discussions. im obsessed with this fic you don't even understand

Nicest Thing by idlestories [19k, 1/1]

Arthur has been best friends with Merlin since they were eleven, and in love with him since they were sixteen and he realised what that was. Too afraid to risk the friendship, he's resigned himself to never telling him how he feels.

Now, high school has just ended, it's their last summer together before university, and Arthur? Arthur is just trying not to think about it.

Featuring: loneliness, pining, drunk Merlin, driving lessons, and more than a few poorly-executed teen movie clichés. Covers June-December the year they start university.

this fic is so criminally underrated it makes me homicidal. one of my top three favorite fics of all time, do you understand me? it's so. it's so good. the pining?? the yearning?? the split as they go to different unis?? the summery poeticism of the writing?? i'll never get over this fic. i think about it every day. amazing.

time, mystical time by andiwriteordie [17k, 1/1]

Finally, the man tears his gaze away and meets Arthur’s eyes once more. “I seek the aid of your Camelot,” he says, but his voice sounds more hesitant now, as if he’s had to change his response for some strange reason.

Merlin can’t help but believe that reason is him.

“As for who I am,” the man says with a bit of a chuckle, and he glances around the room again at familiar faces, at his friends. “I am Arthur Pendragon, King of Camelot.”

Or:

When a mysterious stranger shows up to Camelot claiming to be Arthur from the future and seeking help for his sick consort, Merlin learns some things about himself, about Arthur, and about a future he never dreamed was possible.

Arthur from the future time travels back in time to find Merlin, the only person powerful enough to save his cursed consort, an older Merlin?? i physically cannot. this fic is so good. shows two sides of the same coin (ha): Merlin and Arthur, established with Merlin's magic out and proud, and then Merlin and Arthur, unestablished and Merlin's magic still a careful secret. and Morgana in this fic is elite!! she's absolutely hilarious and completely done with merthur's bullshit

For Want of a Nail by 0hHeyThereBigBadWolf [235k, 44/44]

Fleeing from Essetir in the bloody beginnings of the Purge, Hunith finds herself on the doorstep of old friends. That's all it takes to untangle the skeins of destiny and weave a new tapestry.

long fic alert!! but oh my god i love this fic. Leon being Merlin's older brother?? elite. Arthur and Merlin going through angsty mutual pining?? top tier. and then later on, this fic features probably my favorite OC of all time: Bellegere, Arthur's cousin and Agravaine's daughter. i love her so much and you can pry her out of my cold dead fingers. just such a good fic!!

what is this feeling by redkay [13k, 1/1]

“Get out of my sight, and don’t come back until you can prove to me why I should allow you to remain in my service.”

Merlin stares at Arthur, confused. His tone was ominous, and it certainly sounded like a threat, but Merlin can’t quite work out what part is supposed to have him shaking in his boots. He’s halfway back to Gauis’ chambers when it dawns on him: Arthur actually thinks this stupid, degrading job is something he would be willing to fight for - as though Merlin’s life wouldn’t be complete without the honor of scrubbing the sheets Arthur manages to soil on a disturbingly regular basis.

In which it takes Merlin a bit longer to warm up to Arthur than it does in canon, but he gets there in the end.

we deserve more of Merlin being genuinely bitchy and pissy at Arthur!! the show really did make him Arthur's #1 fangirl wayyy too quickly, but this fic fixes that right up. it's so funny, but so heart-touching at the same time. a classic <3

wow, this list is so long overdue it's insane, but i think this was the right time to finally put it out there. i hope you like these fics!!