#acbb

[papysanzonew]

I had the honor and pleasure of working with @excited-insomniac on this ACBB 2025! This series means a great deal to me, and I hope you'll all read it, as it's truly a gem!

The NSFW part is, of course, on AO3 (We all know why) Read it here ❤️❤️❤️

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

[aftercamlann]

ACBB 2025 Masterlist

Thank you to all our wonderful writers, artists and beta readers who participated in this years After Camlann Big Bang! We hope you will consider participating again next year! If you haven't already, please check out the big bang summaries below the cut and consider reading, viewing and leaving some comments for our wonder ACBB participants! Below is the final masterlist for After Camlann 2025:

*** Title: Its Own Reward Author: Excited_Insomniac Artist: PapySanzo Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur Rating: Explicit Word count: 26,488 words Summary: Merlin and Arthur are officially together after a whirlwind day of incredible confessions (and a night of amazing sex), but have decided to keep their relationship private for now. After all, Arthur is still a world-famous actor, and Merlin has just started writing a new novel: will the stresses of their creative work drive a wedge between them, or bring them closer together? [Final installment of the actor-author AU] Story is here | Art is here | Reblog on Tumblr here *** Title: I See in the Mirror the Void I've Become Author: bumblebearr Artist: sonny_d Pairings/Characters: Merlin & Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Gwen/Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Gwen & Knights of the Round Table & Merlin & Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Gwaine & Gwen & Merlin (Merlin) Rating: Teen and Up Word count: 25,512 words Summary: Merlin saves Arthur at Camlann.

Story is here | Art is here | Reblog on Tumblr here *** Title: Flipped Coins Author: ChaoticNeutral01 Artist: Blazeshardcat Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur, Merlin, Arthur, Knights of the Round Table, Gwen, Gaius Rating: Teen and Up Word count: 25,316 words Summary: A flash of terribly familiar golden light filled the clearing, a deafening boom sent the knights flying backwards, and then, at last, a pair of blue eyes opened once more.

And they were met in return with the sight of shimmering gold eyes.

As it dawned on everyone what exactly had just happened, Arthur’s battle-proven instincts kicked in and overtook his petrified mind once more, playing out his body’s natural response to any worst-case scenario:

Grab Merlin and run. ~ Alternatively: After a ritual goes disastrously wrong, Merlin's magic has been transferred to Arthur, who is still unaware that Merlin has magic in the first place. Believing himself to be a danger to everyone around him, Arthur sets out to live the rest of his life in self-imposed exile. Suffice it to say, Merlin has some objections to Arthur's plans. Story is here | Art is here | Reblog on Tumblr here *** Title: Golden Scales, Golden Heart Author: sillydegu Artist: WistfulVulpine Pairings/Characters: Merlin, Gwaine, Aithusa Rating: General Word count: 26,728 word count Summary: In the heat of battle against Morgana and her army, Merlin discovers hereto unknown Dragonlord powers. With the army defeated Merlin flees Camelot, knowing he won't be able to return home until he figures out his to reverse his transformation into a dragon.

Gwaine last saw Merlin where the dragon appeared, he's devastated to realise Merlin is missing once the battle is over. Presumed kidnapped (and feared dead), Gwaine is only too eager to accept Arthur's orders to track down and slay the dragon, and bring Merlin home.

Realising Merlin and the dragon are one and the same, Gwaine has to unlearn his prejudices before he can accept Merlin for all he is. Story is here | Art is here | Reblog on Tumblr here *** Title: Bread & Roses Author: rosalindscotch Artist: vsrt Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur, Gwen, Uther, Gwaine, Morgana Rating: Mature Word count: 25,382 words Summary: 1984. Arthur is a coal miner from a small village in Wales, spending his days on the front lines of the ongoing national mining strike. Merlin is a member of Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM), a group of queer activists in London who offer their support to mining communities in need. They meet each other in the middle. (It's Pride (2014) with Merthur!)

Story is here | Art is here | Reblog on Tumblr here *** Title: Camlann Summer Artist: lunebris Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Gwaine Rating: General Word count: N/A Summary: Merlin and Gwaine are riding near the Camlann pass.

Art is here | Reblog on Tumblr here

*** Title: Love You Like You Should Be Loved Author: Tansyuduri Artist: Funkie_Moon Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur Rating: Explicit Word count: 41,167 words Summary: Born with many inherited health issues, Merlin Emrys had dedicated much of his life to environmentalism and vigilante hacking. He is hired as a token environmental adviser for Albion Enterprises LTD in the aftermath of a tell-all book published by the CEO’s daughter. There, he meets Arthur, the CEO’s son, and is swept up into a whirlwind friendship and blossoming romance. It’s something he never intended — especially since he plans to hack the company from the inside. And, most especially, because Merlin is determined to be single for his entire life. But, he is drawn to Arthur, and Arthur is drawn to Merlin. They fit together. It's almost like they are two sides of the same coin. With so many things separating them and yet so many things drawing them together, Arthur and Merlin's destiny remains uncertain. Even as, once again, the future of Albion (Enterprises) rests on both their shoulders. Story is here | Art is here | Reblog on Tumblr here *** Title: Chasing Ghosts While Pursued by Demons Author: tomatopudding, JetGirl1832 Artist: RainbowRelyea Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur Rating: Teen and Up Word count: 33,429 words Summary: It has been several months since Lena Luthor had the memories of her former life as Morgana Pendragon awakened. Now she's just trying to live her life, love her girlfriend, and learn her magic. It doesn't take long before this fairly peaceful existence is interrupted by the return of someone Lena has never expected to see again. Little does she and Merlin know, Lex Luthor is hiding a secret in his mind. An enemy Merlin hasn't had to deal with for a long time. Story is here | Art is here | Reblog on Tumblr here ***

Title: Atoms and the Void Author: Excited_Insomniac Artist: Chapollyn Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur, background Gwen/Lance Rating: Explicit Word count: 38,026 words Summary: Commander Arthur Pendragon leads the mission to Jupiter to establish a nascent colony in orbit around the gas giant. But once they arrive, a series of inexplicable accidents lead to EVA Specialist Merlin Emrys' death, and Arthur spirals into grief and guilt, jeopardizing the whole mission. Merlin, however, is not dead, but rather abducted by the draconic derkesthai aliens, who force him into changes both physical and mental. They want to send a message to humanity, and Merlin is to be the messenger. Unless he refuses to obey... Story is here | Art is here here | Reblog on Tumblr here ***

Title: Fear Unto Itself Author: thetreeofwillow Artist: SpacePolice Dude Pairings/Characters: Leon/Merlin, Leon & Arthur Pendragon, Merlin & Arthur Pendragon, Lancelot, Gwen, Elyan, Gaius Rating: Mature Word count: 95,632 words Summary: In the weeks following being revived by the Cup of Life, strange circumstances have been following Leon. The fire in his chambers seems to light and douse itself, the wind dances across his face, and water seems to caress his hands. But nothing is stranger than the root that shoots straight up from the ground to save his life from an arrow aimed at his heart. And stranger still is the answering blossom of warmth in his chest when it does.

But what does it mean? Surely, it can't be magic. Magic corrupts. It's to be reviled. He can't have magic.

Can he? And why is Merlin suddenly so interested in him? Story is here | Art is here | Reblog on Tumblr here *** Title: death to the balladeer Author: sonny_d Artist: kissme-withyour-cherrylipstick Pairings/Characters: Merlin, Arthur Pendragon, Gaius Rating: General Word count: 25,870 words Summary: Said the Sun to the Earth; “I will go, and I will return, again and again, until my light is gone.” And the Earth, certain now of the pattern, began to hope for the next arrival even before the present warmth had faded.

“I will follow you anywhere. I will always return to your side,” Merlin says quietly, not as promise but as truth. Arthur smiles, as if Merlin has said something obvious, something already known.

Said the Sun to the Earth; “Even in my absence, I will still be with you. You will carry my heat in your stone, my gold in your fields.” And the Earth, unable to speak, answered with a turn of the seasons.

“You’ve always been here,” Arthur says, and in the weight of those words is a history they have not yet spoken aloud.

---

Merlin is pushed much too far in his secret keeping, so far that he's driven into a comatose state that reveals his magic to Arthur. While Arthur grapples with this devastating news and tries to figure what he's to do, Merlin rots in his strange dreams built up over years of secrets and guilt, striving against himself to tell Arthur the truth. Story is here | Art is here | Reblog on Tumblr here ***

Title: turn back the hands of fate Author: Dendral Artist: samwinjester Pairings/Characters: Arthur Pendragon/Merlin, Uther Pendragon, Kilgharrah Rating: Mature Word count: 32,027 words Summary: He was cursed, he knew, by his own actions. Had he listened to his own heart, Arthur wouldn't be stuck, repeating the same day again and again. But while time looped itself, Arthur's mind did not. Merlin couldn't help him this time. He would solve it on his own; he had to.

Arthur's terrible no good very bad Groundhog Day. Story is here | Art is here | Reblog on Tumblr here ***

Title: A Prat for Christmas (I Think I Must be an Owl Because I Have a Twit to Woo) Author: Camelittle Artist: LFB72 Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur, side Gwen/Lancelot, side Gwaine/Elyan Rating: Teen and Up Word count: 68,170 words Summary: Jobbing actor Merlin is despairing of ever getting his big break. With the acting world seemingly set against him, he takes a job as far away from London's glitzy theatreland as he can think of – at a down-at-heel castle in the far north of Scotland. There, he encounters a gruff, kilt-wearing shepherd with sturdy knees and the sort of Viking beard that Merlin would just love to bury his face in. But both men are hiding secrets that could blow the whole thing wide open.

In which BBC Merlin's characters get the Hallmark movie treatment. In Scotland. Because Arthur obviously needs to wear a kilt and strut around the highlands looking pretty. Story is here | Art is here | Reblog on Tumblr here *** Title: a kingdom, or this (the same coin) Author: fictified Artist: feuxx Pairings/Characters: merlin/arthur, gwen & arthur, morgana & arthur, mordred & arthur Rating: Explicit Word count: 80,971 words Summary: “There’s something about you, Merlin. If my uncle knew… if he’d even guessed at it, he would never have let you live. He would never have let me have you.” An ACBB 2025 fic. In this fusion of BBC Merlin and C. S. Pacat's Captive Price trilogy, Agravaine De Bois is Regent of Camelot, formerly Vere, until Arthur Pendragon comes of age. Hardship and famine have struck the land, making it easy for Agravaine's ambition to take hold; a young Akielon dragonlord - the King-Killer - is betrayed and sold into his new slave trade. Arthur and Merlin do what they must both to survive and to meet their destinies. Story and Art is here | Reblog on Tumblr here ***

Title: windows to the soul Author: iJoke Artist: K62256 Pairings/Characters: Merlin & Arthur Pendragon Rating: General Word count: 28,502 words Summary: “This is the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to me by far, and if anyone finds out about it, they will find that their life expectancy is dropping remarkably quickly,” Merlin says under his breath, flexing and unflexing his shiny new claws. It’s not that the claws are embarrassing, nor that the wings or the horns are even an issue, easily hidden by an illusion spell as they are, but rather this small, simple fact:

Merlin is 20 years old and going through fucking puberty, this time of the dragonlord variety. Story is here | Art are here | Reblog on Tumblr here *** Title: A World Without Arthur Author: chaosgenes Artist: clotpole Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur Rating: Mature Word count: 33,291 words Summary: In a universe with a singular beginning and multiple endings, there are, too, multiple Merlins. But, there is only one Arthur Pendragon. And he dies in every ending, leaving immortal Merlin broken every time. To save his best friend from witnessing one tragedy after another, Arthur takes matters into his own hands—and denounces the destiny between them for good. Or:

Merlin grows up in a world where Arthur is never born and tries to cope with a never-ending longing.

Story is here | Art is here | Reblog on Tumblr here *** Title: Poor Devils Like Us Author: BeBraveDearHeart Artist: Poffefish Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur, Merlin, Arthur Pendragon, Gwaine, Percival, Gwen, Lancelot, Morgana Pendragon, Uther Pendragon, Freya, Mithian, Leon. Rating: Explicit Word count: 26,595 words Summary: Merlin was part way through his degree in medicine when war broke out in 1914. Not meeting the criteria to join up he became a doctor for the soldiers with injuries severe enough to be sent home with little hope—the stately home he inherited from his late uncle Gaius serving as a hospital. It’s here he meets a grievously wounded Arthur Pendragon whose scars are not all physical. As Arthur heals bit by bit in both mind and body, learning to walk on his prosthetic leg and all the frustration that comes with it, Merlin sees the good, the bad, and the downright ugly sides of him. Despite this—or perhaps because of it—they grow closer. Story and Art is here | Reblog on Tumblr here *** Title: (I'll be) Home, safe and tucked away Author: thelastpendragon Artist: count-pudding Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur Rating: Teen and Up Word count: 36,532 words Summary: When Hunith foresees the dreadful future that awaits her son in Camelot, she twists fate by not sending Merlin to the legendary city. Unfortunately, destiny cares little for concerned mothers, and a certain injured blond prince ends up finding his way in Ealdor. Or: a Different First Meeting AU where Hunith is a Seer and tries to protect Merlin from the tragedy of canon by not sending him to Gaius, but that doesn’t stop him from finding Arthur injured in the woods the next day. Story and Art is here | Reblog on Tumblr here ***

[kairennart]

Re-rendering of my pieces for last year's acbb: Requiem of a Forgotten Prince by @queerofthedagger

[sonny-d]

acbb season again guys!!

ART IS BY @kissme-withyour-cherrylipstick

omg guys this was so fire i love working with other people and like collabing n shit this was soooooo much freaking fun bruh

link for me fic;

https://archiveofourown.org/works/70046086

summary for me fic;

Said the Sun to the Earth; “I will go, and I will return, again and again, until my light is gone.” And the Earth, certain now of the pattern, began to hope for the next arrival even before the present warmth had faded.

“I will follow you anywhere. I will always return to your side,” Merlin says quietly, not as promise but as truth. Arthur smiles, as if Merlin has said something obvious, something already known.

Said the Sun to the Earth; “Even in my absence, I will still be with you. You will carry my heat in your stone, my gold in your fields.” And the Earth, unable to speak, answered with a turn of the seasons.

“You’ve always been here,” Arthur says, and in the weight of those words is a history they have not yet spoken aloud.

---

Merlin is pushed much too far in his secret keeping, so far that he's driven into a comatose state that reveals his magic to Arthur. While Arthur grapples with this devastating news and tries to figure what he's to do, Merlin rots in his strange dreams built up over years of secrets and guilt, striving against himself to tell Arthur the truth.

[samwinjester]

Turn Back the Hands of Fate by @dendral

Summary: He was cursed, he knew, by his own actions. Had he listened to his own heart, Arthur wouldn't be stuck, repeating the same day again and again. But while time looped itself, Arthur's mind did not. Merlin couldn't help him this time. He would solve it on his own; he had to. Arthur's terrible no good very bad Groundhog Day.

I had the pleasure to work with the amazing @dendral on this beautiful and heartfelt story. I drew out my two favorite scenes here. I hope everyone goes and reads this amazing gem! For the @aftercamlann

[bebravedearheart]

Poor Devils Like Us, my ACBB with the wonderful Poffefish is up! Their art is under the cut, header is by me :)

This has been a hard road, but I have loved every moment, and I have finally done the WW1 AU I have been thinking of for years!

[kokoshka67]

EVERYBODY CHECK THIS FIC NOW

Once again workin on another BB with amazing @sourw0lfs gotta be my fav author at this point uwu

[feuxx]

All Winding Paths Lead Back by @burglarhobbit and @feuxx for @aftercamlann

We finally made it!!! After rvbb which was a breeze, this was hard on both of us.... (karma????)

Liz wrote this gorgeous story of young merlin coming to camelot with an older arthur and how he matures and comes into his role as emrys <3 idk how liz does but each one of her stories changes me !!!! truly one of my favourite writers of all time aaaa <3<3<3

I'm not satisfied with how my art came out for this acbb but i hope that you'll still check out the fic! i couldn't be more blessed and honoured to be working with liz. thank you beloved for being so understanding and patient and loving with me!!!! <3