rec50 | Merlin/Arthur recs: "Something Known" and "Deluge"

Here is my table.

Claim: Merlin (BBC), Merlin/Arthur
Prompt: #39, Break-Up
Title: Something Known
Author:

hermette
Rating: PG-13
Length: Medium (9,200)
Brief summary:Three years after their break-up, Merlin and Arthur unexpectedly meet again in a London pub. I'm a sucker for non-linear stories, and this one does a great job exploring the rise and fall of their relationship through a series of poignant flashbacks. The dialogue is especially fantastic, leaving just enough unsaid.

Arthur, at least, seems unaffected. A slight widening of his eyes is the only sign that he recognizes Merlin at all. His perfect features slide back into place quickly though, and he resumes the lazy expression that Merlin recognizes as his default.

"Gwen," he says, when he reaches their table. "How are you?"

"I'm good, thank you. How are you?"

"Fine."

She smiles beautifully. "Arthur, this is Merlin. He's a friend of Lance's."

"Well," says Arthur, "any friend of Lance's."

"Merlin, this is Arthur Pendragon."

"Yes," he says, and he holds out his hand. "Yes, I think we've met before."

Link:LJ

Claim: Merlin (BBC), Merlin/Arthur
Prompt: #07, Love
Title: Deluge
Author: Suaine
Rating: R
Length: Long (50,638)
Brief summary:After Merlin defeats Nimueh, the rain begins to fall in Albion. It doesn't stop. The characterization in this is just fantastic. Suaine's Arthur is so believably devoted to Merlin that the force of his love takes on an almost tangible presence in this story. It's absolutely one of the best Merlin/Arthur fics out there.

"Gaius is back," Arthur says instead. "I was going to pick up some salve for my shoulder, if you-" and he stalls again, because there are things one says to a king, and in case your scars bother you in this weather, I could have some ointment sent up for you is not one of them.

His father rubs his arm where a blade once ran him through and seems to understand without words, or perhaps Arthur is simply seeing what he wants to see. So much of their relationship is made of reflections. "Ah, that's good to hear. I had only heard today that he'd ridden out - some important business, no doubt."

Arthur catches himself clenching his teeth and forces his jaw to relax. "Perhaps he went out for exotic herbs, it seems they can work quite a miracle."

Their conversation continues, stilted and awkward, until Arthur realises just how tired he is and allows himself to use his recent near-death experience as an excuse. A shadow crosses his father's face, but there is also a warmth there that Arthur will never grow tired of and hasn't seen nearly enough in his life. As he walks out, he feels bone-weary and ready to drop, and it's both a curse and a blessing. He wants to see Merlin, but he doesn't want to talk to Merlin. He wants to touch him, but he can't.

Link:Box of Magic