The Years Slipped Past, Time Fast Forwarded, Moments of You Faded
Yay for safely hydroplaning on icy roads! Also is it me, or has connection to LJ been wonky lately? And I can't wait for Friday because---day off! Which hopefully equates to finishing a couple things--lots of housework and some writing.
There seems to be an upswing on post 5.13 Merlin fics yeah?
Round and Round We Go Again Tripping Across the Stars by giselleslash (Merlin/Arthur, 3710, R, scif!AU)
What a powerful and gut-wrenchingly beautiful story about grieving and not being able to let go--about what we would be driven to do for that love (this fic also really cements my belief in how versatile giselleslash is as a writer, especially when you look at her writing this past year and the various different themes tackled). There are so many amazing things about this fic---there's a strong element of co-dependency that despite this being a scifi!AU rang true to me as canon. And the details and just the poignant lines---it's powerfully moving and completely heartbreaking. I have always loved the way she writes Merlin/Arthur and this story is a great example of why. For a moment I forgot he wasn't "real"---but then again what is real anyway? Please note the warnings on this, or like me forget to read the warnings so the last part is even more heartbreaking.
Breaking the Circle by riventhorn (Merlin/Arthur, 16076, R, canon/post 5.13)
This is a great look at how Arthur's death and all the years of waiting for Arthur has affected Merlin---you can feel the sharp anger and despair that cloaks around Merlin as seen through Arthur's eyes. There is a feeling that Merlin might snap if Arthur pushes too hard---an interesting take on Merlin's immortality and it's toll on Merlin. But also this fic does a great job of detailing how Arthur would navigate waking in the lake and adapting to the modern world. The ending is beautifully bittersweet and hopeful--yet that's oddly fitting---but bring tissues because the lead up is pretty angsty.
I Imagine the Gods Saying, We'll Make it up to You by hells_half_acre (Merlin/Arthur, 22841, NC-17, canon/post 5.13)
I really enjoyed this, especially Arthur's characterization and his grief of his past life and coming to terms to this new alien world. But more so I loved how the author explored the idea of whether Arthur returning was a good thing, for either Merlin or Arthur and the idea of destiny being both a blessing and a burden---which is so rare in post 5.13 stories. Arthur's grieving process as well as him adapting to this new world and navigating his relationship with Merlin---whatever it may be is melancholic and painful at times but rings true. And I really loved the nods to Arthurian myth, particularly to Merlin's fate in the legends.
The Ivory Tunic of Copulation by sorrylatenew (Merlin/Arthur, 944, NC-17, canon/canon!AU)
Ever since the white shirt showed up on a comment fest for a prompt, I've wanted a fic about it. And this is everything I wanted and more. Scorching hot and just some amazing imagery and details--and this line "he is not the only possessive one in this pairing"--yeah that definitely pressed all my buttons. Also I really liked the characterizations---both Merlin's voice and Arthur seen through Merlin's eyes. Seriously, the title tells you everything you need to know :)
These Small Hours by sorrylatenew (gen: Merlin & Hunith, 629, G, canon)
Lovely, lovely glance at Merlin as a young child with Hunith---all the mother and son feelings abound. This is just lovely with wonderful details and just there needs to be more fic like this in fandom okay?
There seems to be an upswing on post 5.13 Merlin fics yeah?
Round and Round We Go Again Tripping Across the Stars by giselleslash (Merlin/Arthur, 3710, R, scif!AU)
What a powerful and gut-wrenchingly beautiful story about grieving and not being able to let go--about what we would be driven to do for that love (this fic also really cements my belief in how versatile giselleslash is as a writer, especially when you look at her writing this past year and the various different themes tackled). There are so many amazing things about this fic---there's a strong element of co-dependency that despite this being a scifi!AU rang true to me as canon. And the details and just the poignant lines---it's powerfully moving and completely heartbreaking. I have always loved the way she writes Merlin/Arthur and this story is a great example of why. For a moment I forgot he wasn't "real"---but then again what is real anyway? Please note the warnings on this, or like me forget to read the warnings so the last part is even more heartbreaking.
Breaking the Circle by riventhorn (Merlin/Arthur, 16076, R, canon/post 5.13)
This is a great look at how Arthur's death and all the years of waiting for Arthur has affected Merlin---you can feel the sharp anger and despair that cloaks around Merlin as seen through Arthur's eyes. There is a feeling that Merlin might snap if Arthur pushes too hard---an interesting take on Merlin's immortality and it's toll on Merlin. But also this fic does a great job of detailing how Arthur would navigate waking in the lake and adapting to the modern world. The ending is beautifully bittersweet and hopeful--yet that's oddly fitting---but bring tissues because the lead up is pretty angsty.
I Imagine the Gods Saying, We'll Make it up to You by hells_half_acre (Merlin/Arthur, 22841, NC-17, canon/post 5.13)
I really enjoyed this, especially Arthur's characterization and his grief of his past life and coming to terms to this new alien world. But more so I loved how the author explored the idea of whether Arthur returning was a good thing, for either Merlin or Arthur and the idea of destiny being both a blessing and a burden---which is so rare in post 5.13 stories. Arthur's grieving process as well as him adapting to this new world and navigating his relationship with Merlin---whatever it may be is melancholic and painful at times but rings true. And I really loved the nods to Arthurian myth, particularly to Merlin's fate in the legends.
The Ivory Tunic of Copulation by sorrylatenew (Merlin/Arthur, 944, NC-17, canon/canon!AU)
Ever since the white shirt showed up on a comment fest for a prompt, I've wanted a fic about it. And this is everything I wanted and more. Scorching hot and just some amazing imagery and details--and this line "he is not the only possessive one in this pairing"--yeah that definitely pressed all my buttons. Also I really liked the characterizations---both Merlin's voice and Arthur seen through Merlin's eyes. Seriously, the title tells you everything you need to know :)
These Small Hours by sorrylatenew (gen: Merlin & Hunith, 629, G, canon)
Lovely, lovely glance at Merlin as a young child with Hunith---all the mother and son feelings abound. This is just lovely with wonderful details and just there needs to be more fic like this in fandom okay?