#ynnealay

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"Merlin & the Lake" on AO3 // a contrapuntal poem

[illogicalvulcans]

[Fic Book Covers 10/?] A Leap of Faith by Misery_C_Epicaricacy and Ynnealay

Merlin confesses his magic, upending the trust between him and Arthur; when he goes missing from Camelot, a conflicted Arthur must reckon with his fears and prejudices as Merlin’s life is put at stake. “You were never going to renounce magic, really, were you?” “I was going to try,” Merlin said. “Were you? Or are you lying again?”

Image via Dale McCready

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"Untitled" (Assurance)

Merlin ~ Arthur ● G ● WC: 200 ● No Warnings // Written for @merlinmicrofic 2025, for the prompt, 'Queerplatonic'.

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“When you return to Camelot,” Arthur did not say, “it will be important that you have this. And that my uncle sees. So that he knows.”

This belonged to my mother. It bears her sigil. Here. The weight of Ygraine’s medallion settled in Merlin’s hand; he was disarmed: eyes suddenly dark, and alert.

“What will he know?” Merlin replied, in Arthur’s imagination.

“Merlin, listen to me—the council cannot touch my knights, now. It would disrespect my memory, and that they will not do, but—” he yearned to press it into Merlin’s palm. Fold his skinny fingers around it. Make him promise that he understood. “After I’m gone, you must make it known that this was a gift. That I trusted you to keep it.” They would understand the significance of a de Bois sigil in his servant’s possession.

There was nothing Arthur could do to ensure that the court honoured what Merlin was to him—something he couldn’t name. He couldn’t arrange for Merlin’s comfort in what would surely be a bleak, and politically fragile aftermath.

This, only. Arthur cursed for not making preparations; Merlin deserved more.

Arthur, Merlin said, I can’t—

Aching, words failed him.

Just—take it.

[thefollow-spot]

"int. a modern bedroom - sunrise" on AO3

Merlin/Arthur | G | WC: 150 | No warnings

Written for @merlinmicrofic 2026, for the prompts, 'Come here,' and 'Dawn.'

Inspired by this post by @dollopheadedmerlin <3

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After the War, Merlin and Arthur Discuss Fortune Over a Game of Chess on AO3

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"Untitled" (Heat)

Lancelot/Merlin ● G ● WC: 100 ● No Warnings // Written for @merlinmicrofic 2025, for the prompt 'Fading Light'.

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[thefollow-spot]

Secrets and Shrouds (w/ @whoawhataconcept)

|| Merlin & Arthur ● T+ ● WC: 47K ● Warning: Violence ||

Summary:

 “I want you,” Merlin said, “to continue thinking of me as your friend.”  “Are there things that would make me change my mind about that?”  “I don’t know. I hope not.”  “Alright,” Arthur said. “Why don’t you start with the worst thing.”

Merlin is determined to convince Arthur—by any means necessary—that his magic can be a force for good. Amidst their friendship undergoing rapid change, Arthur struggles to balance leadership, trust, and personal loyalty. When Mithian arrives seeking their help, Merlin and Arthur embark on a quest to confront difficult pasts, choices, and truths.

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Additional Tags:

Canon Era, Alternate Season/Series 05, Episode: s05e04 Another's Sorrow, Plot, Arthur Pendragon Knows About Merlin's Magic, Mordred, Arthur Pendragon Has Trust Issues, Kingmaker Merlin, Politics, Hilda Morgana, Minor Gwen/Arthur Pendragon, Questing, Canon-Typical Morgana Shenanigans, Minor Injuries, Canon-Typical Homoeroticism, Odin, Rodor, Action/Adventure, Teamwork, BAMF Arthur Pendragon, Good King Arthur Pendragon, Merlin Has Secrets, Angry Merlin, Conflict, Arguing, Some Angst, Platonic Relationship Issues, Conflict Resolution, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Merlin and Arthur Make a Good Team

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(Source: Cover Photo by Cereza)

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"Untitled" (Something Divine)

Lancelot/Merlin ● T+ ● WC: 300 ● No Warnings // Posted for @merlinmicrofic 2025, for the prompt, 'Guilt'. // Medieval Christianity AU

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“Did you ever pray?” Lancelot asked, one green spring in the woods. A petal floated down, and caught in Merlin’s hair as he hummed, thoughtful, the river glinting light across his nose.

“Used to beg God to take my magic,” Merlin said. “I don’t, anymore.”

“No?”

“No. I don’t think I was… made for it.” Merlin was perilous: brave, beautiful, honourable—in perpetual service to God’s chosen king. What did it mean, for someone like him to be abandoned by Heaven?

“I think you were, though,” Merlin added, and Lancelot could find no reprieve from the longing in his chest.

~

Then, he was sinking to his knees. Then, in the wake of his proper knighting ceremony, Lancelot couldn’t help himself. Then, they were in his chambers: Lancelot clutching the backs of Merlin’s knees, Merlin holding the nape of his neck, trembling like he wasn’t allowed to touch.

“Aren’t you…?” Merlin gasped. “Isn’t this…?”

“Let me, please.” Lancelot begged, wanting him bare. “You’re… you’re something…”

“Divine?” Merlin teased, laughing.

“Oh, God. Yes.”

Lancelot dragged his tongue over the promise of Merlin’s hipbone: his rough, warmed skin. Now he was weak, so made his mouth full before he could swear something blasphemous.

~

Merlin finds Lancelot in the chapel again: kneeling alone, pressed hands, soaking in stained-glass light. This place doesn’t love him, vessel of Old magic. Merlin should be unwelcome before the cross: a carved man perpetually martyring. But the scene has always been beautiful.

He slips behind Lancelot. “What are you praying for?”

“Forgiveness.”

Whispers, echoing. Lancelot trembles backwards; Merlin slides a hand over his chest.

This: the most selfish thing he does. He should retreat from the eyes of Lancelot’s God. Instead, he fits against Lancelot’s spine, bending for a sweet, open-mouthed kiss. Lancelot’s surrender is a shaking, needful sigh.