#aro merlin

[gwen-cheers-me-up]

BBC Merlin Characters + Aromantic Tumblr Posts

@merlin-aro-fest​ Day 5: “Free Choice”

[little-batty-boo-boo]

its decided, i’m writing aromantic merlin fanfic

[gwen-cheers-me-up]

What is your dream aromantic themed fanfic?

Tysm for this ask!

Okay this is super niche, but my dream aro fanfic is a BBC merlin cyborg/android AU where the Pendragons run a company that build AI robots. Uther has put all sorts of laws in place that limit the production of robots by anyone outside of the Pendragons' company (allowing for uncertified robots to be dismantled if uncovered), and the robots are known to be different from humans in certain ways in order to prevent them from having certain rights. Most relevant to the plot: they are not capable of feeling love.

Emrys is the latest model, and Morgana is tasked with determining whether or not Emrys can feel love. As she interacts with Emrys Ex-Machina-style, however, anxiety builds inside her as she realizes she doesn't feel love. And in her world, that means she's barely human.

Interspersed between these scenes, we have an Arthur/Gwen plotline unfolding. Gwen works at the Pendragon's company building AI robots, and she and Arthur fall in love, but when she holds him close, she notices something: there's a...ticking in his chest rather than a heartbeat.

As it turns out, when Nimueh worked at the company, she helped Uther and Ygraine build a son, but it was essential to their business model that the truth about AI robots (that they are no less human than people born from a womb) stay secret, so Arthur's true origin had to likewise be kept from both Arthur and the rest of the world.

While Gwen deals with this new information, Morgana continues her tests on Emrys. Morgana's dread builds as Emrys reveals signs that perhaps he does feel love. She starts listening to her heartbeat regularly, afraid that one day she'll hear a ticking. After all, even this robot is more human than she is.

Emrys, however, cannot feel love. He is simply adapting to the information he is given, and the only way he can see himself becoming free is by proving to them he is human enough to feel love. So he pretends to fall in love with Morgana, using the love stories that have been fed into his algorithm as a guide.

I think this fic would be a fun way to explore the whole "love is what makes us human" myth, and it could go in so many fun directions, like Gwen and Emrys teaming up to fight for the rights of robotic folks or Arthur going public about his mechanical heart, forcing Uther to choose between his son and his business interests.

[gwen-cheers-me-up]

i feel like as a fandom we’re really sleeping on aromantic merlin

just look at this romance-oblivious warlock

and remember this scene?

most relatable aro moment i’ve ever seen

not to mention the way he does things for his friends but everyone always assumes his motivations are romantic. such as:

and:

and let’s not forget the flower scene:

merlin is plagued by people misinterpreting his actions as romantic, and he’s just constantly??? so??? confused???

throughout the show, the most important relationships in merlin’s life are with his friends, his mother, and gaius. in 5 seasons, we get one (1) episode where merlin expresses romantic interest in someone. the rest of the time we get:

a) the aforementioned obliviousness and confusion

b) awkwardly standing next to people who have obvious romantic tension

c) interrupting romantic moments by bursting into the room with bad news

d) third wheeling while hardcore judging a friend’s romantic choices

and, of course, e) teasing a certain royal clotpole for being a lovesick mess

like y’all...just think of the possibilities when it comes to hcs and fics. for example:

merlin when arthur asks if he’s seeing anyone: my lord, i was there when you fell for gwen. you were a Disaster. i don’t need that kind of stress, thanks

arthur, indignant and smug: well, it all paid off because now i get to sleep with guinevere in my arms every night

merlin: idk how it slipped your notice, but we have a steady stream of injured future knights coming to share my bed, no romance necessary

arthur: ?????

anyway, i just think it’d be neat

[gwen-cheers-me-up]

Camelove 2022 Master Post

💖 OTP Day: “Dancing on the Razor’s Edge”

After finding Aithusa in Ismere and learning she can’t speak, Merlin decides to help her instead of returning to Camelot with Arthur and the knights. But first, he must convince Morgana to trust him enough to let him try--which might turn out to be harder than healing a dragon. Especially since the first step is telling her the truth. (Aithusa & Merlin & Morgana, Merlin/Morgana)

💜 Rarepair Day: “All Glamours Away”

Merlin doesn’t find the Fomorroh in Morgana’s hut. Worse, the severed head wriggling around in his neck has discovered his magic, which means it’s only a matter of time before one of his assassination attempts succeeds. Luckily for him, Gwen has no intention of letting him deal with this alone. (Gwen/Merlin, 7k)

💙 Non-ship Day: “Deliverance I Lack”

Morgana hadn’t meant to use him this way when she first made her plan. She had wanted to keep Gwen from the throne and break Arthur’s heart. That was all. But then Lancelot was there—in the flesh, merely a shell of his former self, but oh-so-willing—and she wanted nothing more than to claim him completely. The real Lancelot was perfect, untouchable, and Merlin’s. But this one could be hers. (Shade Lancelot/Morgana, 4k)

💚 Aromantic Day: “A (Different) Sort of Fairytale Ending”

When Arthur confronts Morgana about Merlin being in her room all the time, Morgana tells him she's courting Merlin to cover for the fact that they’re practicing magic together. There are a few problems with this plan that she didn't account for. (Fake Dating AU, ft. Aro Merlin & Aro Morgana, 10k)

💜 Aplatonic Day: “Fortress of the Heart”

The magic ban has been lifted, the war has come to an end, and Camelot appears to be on the cusp of its prophesied Golden Age. There are rumors, however, that Morgana is still plotting against Camelot. Arthur doesn’t want to believe them. He's noticed that Morgana keeps to herself and that she's hardly ever in Camelot except to attend council meetings and pick up magic supplies. But surely there's another explanation? (Gen, ft. Aplatonic Morgana, 5k)

Thank you so much @camelove mods for putting on such a wonderful event! And a big thanks to everyone who made and reblogged content for this fest 💚🤍🖤 Heroes, all of you 😌

[gwen-cheers-me-up]

Fandom: Merlin (TV)

A (Different) Sort Of Fairytale Ending (10k)

Rating: Mature

Relationships: Merlin & Morgana, Merlin/Morgana, Gwen & Merlin & Morgana & Arthur Pendragon

Characters: Merlin, Morgana, Gwen, Arthur, Gaius, Leon

Additional Tags: Canon Era, Canon Divergence, Fake/Pretend Relationship, Mild Sexual Content, Aromantic Merlin, Aromantic Morgana, AlloAro Merlin, AlloAro Morgana, Kissing-Repulsed Merlin, Good Morgana, Morgana Knows about Merlin's Magic, Minor Gwen/Arthur Pendragon, Relationship Negotiation, Friends With Benefits, Humor, Angst, Internalized Arophobia, Romance Repulsion, Slutty Merlin (implied), Happy Ending, or: an aromantic fake dating au, with alloaro rep bc the world needs more of it, POV Merlin, POV Morgana

Summary:

Fear settled around Morgana like an icy shroud. They had been careful, yes, but how careful could they be as two magic users practicing in Camelot? If Arthur had found out somehow, then this could be the end of everything. This could be—

“Areyoucourtingmymanservant?”

Morgana stared. Blinked. “I beg your pardon?”

In which Morgana tells Arthur she's courting Merlin to explain why he's in her chambers all the time, but there are a few problems with this plan that she didn't account for.

@camelove Day 4: “Aromantic Day”

[gwen-cheers-me-up]

Fandom: Merlin (TV)

Fortress of the Heart (5k)

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Relationships: Morgana & Arthur, Merlin & Arthur, Elyan & Arthur, Gwen/Arthur

Characters: Arthur, Morgana, Merlin, Gwen, Elyan

Additional Tags: Canon Era, Canon Divergence, Camelot's Golden Age, Magic Ban Lifted, Redeemed Morgana, i thought tagging qprs and friends with benefits was hard, but aplatonic fics are in a whole different ballpark, how does one tag a relationship that's not sexual platonic or romantic, and is only one-sidedly familial, dear lord, Aplatonic Morgana, Aplatonic Elyan, Aplatonic Leon, Confused Arthur Pendragon, BAMF Morgana, Some Humor, Angst, Bittersweet Ending, Aromantic Merlin, Aromantic Morgana, AlloAro Merlin, AlloAro Morgana, background Merlin/Morgana in a benefits w/o friendship type scenario, Arthur Knows About Merlin's Magic, Court Physician Merlin, Vulnerability, Unrequited Platonic Feelings, Queen Gwen, Conversations, Diplomacy, Isle of the Blessed, POV Arthur Pendragon

Summary:

The magic ban has been lifted, the war has come to an end, and Camelot appears to be on the cusp of its prophesied Golden Age. There are rumors, however, that Morgana is still plotting against Camelot.

Arthur doesn’t want to believe them. He's noticed that Morgana keeps to herself and that she's hardly ever in Camelot except to attend council meetings and pick up magic supplies. But surely there's another explanation?

@camelove Day 6: “Aplatonic Day”

[gwen-cheers-me-up]

Merlin Aro Fest Masterpost

💚 Day 1: Queerplatonic - The One Who Stayed (2k)

🤍 Day 2: Sibling - Always A Choice (3k)

🖤 Day 3: Parental - Cast Me To The Wayside (6k)

💚 Day 4: Friendship - All We Have Left To Learn (3k)

🤍 Day 5: Free Choice - BBC Merlin Characters + Aro Tumblr Posts

🖤 Day 6: Aplatonic - Hard Feelings (4k)

Many thanks to the mods of the @merlin-aro-fest for putting on such an amazing and much-needed event, and to all the incredible folks who created content, y’all are heroes, truly!!!