The most iconic fics to ever grace the halls of the Merthur fandom. part two
There Are No Gays in Football by Malu_3 (212k) Explicit
Modern!AU: When a deeply-closeted Arthur Pendragon finally earns a spot in Camelot’s first XI, he’s dead set on breaking records, not one of sport’s last taboos. But life, like football, is a funny old game, and sometimes the only way up is out. Especially once he realises he’s arse over tit for the new physio.
A queer Arthurian tale of courage, love, and football.
The Student Prince by FayJay (145k) M
A Modern day Merlin AU set at the University of St Andrews, featuring teetotal kickboxers, secret wizards, magnificent bodyguards of various genders, irate fairies, imprisoned dragons, crumbling gothic architecture, arrogant princes, adorable engineering students, stolen gold, magical doorways, attempted assassination, drunken students, shaving foam fights, embarrassing mornings after, The Hammer Dance, duty, responsibility, friendship, and true love…
Comment: Swear to god, *places hand on heart* I have nothing but good things to say. This would have to be my favourite fic of all time jesusfuckingchristonapogosick
A Binding Contract by eldee (99k) NC-17
Modern!AU: In a society where people with magic are considered to be dangerous, are labelled as freaks, and have their powers cut off from them, Merlin does whatever he can to survive the hard life he’s faced with. When he’s in desperate need of money, Merlin’s landlord Aredian arranges and offers a magically binding contract in which Merlin is to become a ‘companion’ to Uther Pendragon’s son, Arthur. And when Merlin feels compelled to accept it, he never would have imagined that one man could change his life so completely.
The Meat Feast by intobedlam (60k) NC-17
Modern AU: Looking to alleviate some pent-up sexual tension, Merlin turns to the internet and discovers the pornographic exploits of Excalibur, an arrogant, bothersome exhibitionist. When Excalibur stops putting videos up, Merlin sends him a private message requesting a little 1:1 action over Skype.
Drastically Redefining Protocol by rageprufrock (46k) Explicit
Modern AU: In which Prince Arthur meets Merlin and all hell promptly breaks loose.
Champagne From a Paper Cup (Is Never Quite the Same) by anna-zee (38k) NC-17
Modern AU: Arthur is a professional footballer on the verge of making history. Merlin is a medical student with special powers who’s just been hired to work for Arthur’s club.
Keep Calm and Carry On by tongueincheeky (30k) R
Modern AU: How Arthur Pendragon, Director of Communications for Prime Minister Gaius, and his assistant, Merlin Emrys, fell in love - a story in goldfish, cats, webcomics, cups of tea, and sharpies.
World Enough And Time by neathsunnyskies (19k) NC-17
Arthur had had it all figured out. And then Merlin shot him in Beijing.
Comment: Also known among the fandom as fucking Beijing.
Castle (The Rules by Which We Live) by kick-flaw (16k) NC-17
Modern AU: Merlin knows that getting off fastest when he’s got some BDSM porno playing lound on the computer doesn’t mean he’d really like to be that bloke, gagged and bent over and bound. Right?
The Good Times Are Killing Me by Minor_Hue (15k) NC-17
Modern AU: In which the boys pretend to still be together for Christmas (and there is more than one kind of charade)
Comment: Angst everywhere. BE WARNED.
Coffeeshop Muffins by skellerbvvt (15k) M
Modern AU: Wherein Arthur And Merlin Are Dating, Save For The Part Where They Aren’t.
Pianos Are Made For Falling by fishwrites (10k) M
*Warning: Prepare some tissues before you read this one oh god
Modern AU: Arthur is a world class violinist, trapped in Sydney, Australia, by his fear of flying. In the wake of a mediocre concert, vicious critics and with barely a month to go before his next (hopefully reputation-saving) recital, Arthur is almost at breaking point. When his accompanist, Morgana, breaks her wrist in a car accident, Arthur is more or less doomed. And the story begins, when the Maestro at the conservatoire, Gaius Stresemann, recommends his protege Merlin Emrys to step in. Merlin, who plays by ear, as he pleases and really just wants to be a kindergarten teacher.
