Two Merlin/Arthur recs

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Claim: Merlin (BBC), Merlin/Arthur

Prompt: #10, Fandom Cliche

Title: Overlap

Author: jad
Rating: PG-13

Length: 11,000 words

Brief summary:Merlin must think he's an idiot if he thinks Arthur doesn't know his secret. The trick will be getting Merlin to admit it. But Arthur has a plan, and as far as he's concerned, Destiny can kiss his royal arse. This is the Arthur-knows to end all Arthur-knows fics. This Arthur is perfect: smart and arrogant, and with a blind spot a mile wide as far as his feelings for Merlin are preferred. Merlin, too, is absolutely in-character, and the cameos from Kilgarrah are cryptic and satisfying. Overall, it's a great read.

"You're worse than Gaius when it comes to straight answers," Arthur mutters sourly.

"Perhaps it is not I you should seek answers from," the dragon suggests.

"Perhaps you should mind your own damn business, dragon," Arthur snaps. "Who are you, to preach to me?"

"Who are you to question Fate?" the dragon retorts. "We are not permitted to choose the frame of our destiny, young prince, only what we place inside of it."

"I'm the prince, that's who I am! I can't just – it's Merlin," Arthur explains, more or less to himself. It's not as if he has any reason to explain himself. He doesn't answer to anyone except the king, and certainly not insolent, fire-breathing lizards. "He's my servant, for pity's sake. I can't just... talk to him about it!"

With a sound like a rushing gale, the dragon's chest expands. It ruffles its wings before settling down again with much exaggeration. Arthur realises the damn thing is sighing. "Then I am afraid Albion's bright future is doomed, young prince."

"What?" Arthur asks, distracted. Damn it all, he's pacing again. "Why?"

"Because," the dragon says, levelling a look at him, "Merlin said the exact same thing about you."

Link: LJ

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Claim: Merlin (BBC), Merlin/Arthur

Prompt: #3, Angst

Title: Springes to Catch Woodcocks

Author: myashke
Rating: NC-17

Length: 74,901 words, so far (yes, it's a WIP, but it's being updated fairly regularly)

Brief summary:When Arthur pushes Merlin away to protect him, what lengths will Merlin go to to remain in his life?. I'm not even sure where to start with this fic! It's deliciously sensual h/c on an epic scale, with angst, and pining, and surprisingly refreshing bursts of humor. myashke's Merlin is poignantly young, in the same way that he so often is in the show, and her Arthur is chivalrous and bullishly stubborn at the same time, capable of moving between tenderness and cruelty in a single scene. Add in some great cameos from Gwaine, Lancelot, and even Hunith, and you've got a tremendously engaging read. This is a great story for a rainy day -- in fact, I've re-read it several times now.

Arthur pressed up to Merlin’s front, his arm wrapped around Merlin’s waist, pulling him close. He raised up to look over Merlin’s shoulder and make sure Gwaine tucked in close. He did, legs pressed flush along the backs of Merlin’s, arm laying carefully over Merlin’s injured one, hand spread wide on his chest.

Arthur nodded to Lancelot, who held the pile of four cloaks in the air, ready to lay it over them. “Cover us and build a fire. Light more than one, if you can get enough of this wood to take a flame.”

Arthur clenched his jaw to keep his teeth from chattering as Lancelot whipped the cloaks open and down onto the three of them. “I’ll manage it, Sire,” he said as he moved to begin gathering kindling.

The forest fell silent around them but for the crunch of Lancelot’s boots on dead leaves and twigs, then the clicking of the flints and finally the crackle of fire as it began burning.

When Arthur saw Gwaine’s eyes close and heard him sigh, he pulled the shroud of cloaks up over their faces. Under the smooth, soft wool, everything was instantly warmer, almost steamy. The sun dappling through the crimson cloth made them look rosy and pink, though Merlin’s skin still looked gray and his mouth took on a purplish hue.

Arthur leaned in to press his cheek to his friend’s, his own skin hot against the ice of Merlin’s. “You killed the Serket, Merlin,” he whispered. “I would never have thought of running it off a cliff.”

“It was tactical genius,” Gwaine grinned against the back of Merlin’s ear, his breath so close it touched Arthur’s lips as he spoke. “Genius, Merlin.”

Link: AO3