#I know bbc merlin is almost as old as these characters but I can pretend xx

[sexy-sapphic-sorcerer]

[badchoicesposts]

In a Land of Myth...

Chapter 15

Summary: When Selene, a young sorceress, arrived in Stormholt she had every intention of remaining anonymous. King Constantine Rys had strict rules on sorcery. The act itself was punishable by death, and she had no desire to be burnt at the stake for her “crimes”. However, it becomes increasingly difficult for her to remain unseen when she becomes Prince Liam’s personal maidservant, and it seems that it’s her job to protect him from everyone that wants to kill him.

Disclaimer: This AU is a cross between TRR, The Crown and The Flame, and BBC’s Merlin. Merlin follows the tale of King Arthur and the sorcerer Merlin. Merlin comes to Camelot where magic is outlawed and is made Prince Arthur’s servant. You do not have to watch the show to understand this fic, but it is based on the BBC show Merlin so the story line will be similar. I don’t own the plot to Merlin or any of the TRR characters.

Word Count: 3,157

Pairing: Liam x MC (Selene), Drake x MC, Platonic!Bastien x MC

Author’s Note: This chapter is a bit different since it won’t be taking place from Selene’s POV. This one takes place from multiple POV’s and we get to see Bas, Drake, and Liam’s perspective

Taglist: @flowerpowell, @bobasheebaby, @alexintheskyy, @slytherincursebreaker, @kingliam2019, @furiousherringoperatortoad, @goldenbirdcrystalcage, @burnsoslow​, @zilch3, @desireepow-1986​, @sanchita012

Let me know if you would like to be added to or removed from the taglist!

Catch Up: Masterlist

Time seemed to stand still for Bastien as he watched Selene fall to the ground. His heart shattered in his chest as he allowed himself to picture the rest of his life without the young woman who had become a daughter to him over the past few months. She had turned his life upside down. He could honestly say that he had no idea what he was getting himself into when he had decided to take in the twenty-one year old. Selene was every bit her mother’s daughter. She was strong, witty, and a force to be reckoned with. She had a big heart, one that was completely full of love for everyone she met. She was also more powerful than he had ever realized she could be. He had never seen magic so extraordinary before, but she was still young. She still needed guidance, and with it he knew she had the power to make the world a better place. But, now, in just a matter of seconds the world was about to lose her. 

He pushed Liam and Leo aside and gathered her body into his arms. Her body was completely limp against his as he began following Xinghai and Hana back to the physician’s quarters, barely registering the sound of the old man instructing someone to grab the poisoned goblet so he could figure out how to cure her. He lay her down onto the cot in the physician’s quarters gently, as if she were made of glass and pushed one of her curls out of her face. 

“She’s burning up,” he said, feeling the heat of her skin against his hand. 

Hana gave him a sympathetic smile and pushed her way past him to lay a damp cloth on Selene’s forehead. The door burst open a moment later and Drake, Leo, and Liam all crashed into the room. 

“I have the goblet,” Leo said, handing the offending item to Xinghai.

The three men crowded around Selene’s cot, and Bastien could see the pain written clearly on all of their faces. 

“Can you save her?” Liam asked the physician, his brow furrowed as he looked down at her. 

If it wasn’t for the thin layer of sweat that was covering her body, and the way she was shivering, they could almost pretend she was sleeping. Xinghai didn’t answer. He was too busy examining something on the inside of the goblet. 

“What is it?” Bastien asked, his voice thick with emotion as he finally turned away from the young girl’s body. 

Xinghai removed a flower petal from inside the goblet with a pair of forceps and examined it closely before turning to one of his books.

“A petal from the mortaeus flower,” he said. “According to this, someone poisoned by it can only be saved by a potion made from the leaf of the flower. It grows on the root of the mortaeus tree, that lies in the caves past the Blackspine Mountains.”

Bastien’s mind began to move a mile a minute. The Blackspine mountains. He knew the area well. However, it was dangerous to travel into the caves.

“The caves they’re protected by a creature, a cockatrice,” he finished. 

Xinghai nodded solemnly in his direction, before turning back to his book. “Even a single drop of the venom is deadly. Few, if any, who have travelled there have made it back alive.”

“I’ll go,” Bastien said, casting one last look to where Selene lay dying. “I’ll get the leaf.”

“It’s too dangerous,” Xinghai said, looking at him as if he were crazy.

“I refuse to let her die,” Bastien insisted as both men turned to see Hana dip her cloth into a bucket of water before resting it on Selene’s forehead once again. “I’d risk my own life before allowing hers to end without a fight.” 

“No, I’ll go,” Liam said, causing everyone to look up at him in surprise.

“Liam, I know you want to help, but you’re the heir to the throne. My life lost over this is nothing compared to yours,” Bastien said. 

“No. She did this for me. I have to be the one to make it right. She said that you were like a father to her. You should stay with her. She needs you here with her,” Liam insisted. “How much time does she have?

“The poison is slow acting and causes a long painful death. Four maybe five days at most,” Xinghai said.

~~~

“No,” Constantine said, his voice leaving no room for discussion. “She drank the poison to save your life and you want to end it anyway on a pointless rescue mission? This is why we have servants and royal tasters in the first place.”

Liam was disgusted with his father’s response. There were days when he admired the strength of the man, how fearless he always seemed to be. However, there were times when he couldn’t imagine how cruel he had become. 

“I won’t fail. I’ll get the antidote and returned unharmed,” Liam insisted. He needed to do this. He needed to do this for her.

“You are the heir to the throne. I can’t risk losing you for some serving girl,” Constantine argued.

“Why? Don’t you think that’s the least she deserves after saving my life, twice now?” he asked.

“No.”

“Her life is worth something. To me, to Leo, to Bastien, your most trusted knight.”

“Her life is worth less than yours,” Constantine argued, causing Liam to recoil at his words.

It was almost disturbing to hear his father care so little for the lives of the people he considered below them. He had made passing remarks about this topic before, but none had chilled Liam as much as hearing him say outright that they didn’t matter. He had no idea how much Selene mattered. 

“I won’t stand by and watch her die. Not for me,” Liam said.

“Then don’t look,” his father responded, his voice cold. “She’s not the first to die on your behalf, and she won’t be the last.”

“I’m going and you can’t stop me,” he said, turning away from his father and stalking down the hall. 

Liam could hear Constantine calling after him, but he paid him no mind. He was going to save her, consequences be damned. He went back to his chambers and grabbed his sword, packing a bag of a few essentials.

“I hear father forbade you from leaving the castle,” Leo’s called from behind him. 

Liam turned to see his brother standing there, dressed in his full armor and carrying a bag as well. Drake was standing next to him and both men had a look of determination on their faces.

“I’ve never been the rebellious type, but sometimes our father is wrong. Her life isn’t worth less than mine because she’s a servant,” he said.

Leo smirked at him and stalked into the room. 

“We’re coming with you,” he said.

“No, I’m going alone. It’s too dangerous. I won’t risk anymore lives,” Liam insisted.

“I’m not afraid of a little danger,” Leo said. “Are you, Drake?”

“Not at all,” Drake responded. 

Liam looked over to his best friend and sighed. 

“I can’t control either one of you, but you should stay here. He would have you executed if he knew you helped me defy him,” Liam insisted. 

Drake opened his mouth to protest, but Liam held his hand up to stop him. 

“Stay with her. Stay with Bastien. He needs you now too. I’ve never seen him so upset,” he instructed. 

Liam turned to his brother to try convincing him to stay once again, but Leo interrupted him. 

“I’m going with you. Besides, if our father wanted to have me executed he would have done it a long time ago,” he said, causing Liam to smile.

“Stay safe and come back soon,” Drake said, clapping him on the shoulder and nodding his head towards Leo before leaving them alone. 

The two brothers did their best to keep attention away from themselves as they exited the castle and made their way to the stables. After making sure their horses were prepared, they both mounted before Liam looked over to the other man nervously. 

“He’s not going to make it easy for us to leave,” he said. 

“Easy is boring. Let’s go!” Leo said, urging his horse forward. 

Liam repeated his actions and chased after his brother. As the two prepared to leave the castle courtyard, they noticed that their exit was blocked by two guards.

“Stop. By order of the king you are not permitted to leave these grounds!” one of them shouted. 

The Princes shared a look and instead of slowing down, they urged their horses to go faster, causing the two guards to jump out of the way to avoid being trampled. They had just managed to make it past one hurdle, but as the moved forward into the knight, Liam couldn’t help but feel that the battle had only just begun.

~~~

Drake sighed tiredly as the sun began to come up. He had been pacing the floor in front of Selene’s cot all night, not being able to get to sleep. Bastien was sitting in a chair next to her, falling in and out of a fitful sleep, but refusing to leave her side. He dipped the cloth from her forehead into the bucket of water before placing it back onto her skin. Hana had informed him that doing this would help keep the fever under control, but as her body continued to shiver and shake, he couldn’t help feeling that it was pointless. 

He felt useless as he looked down at her, his chest tightening at the sight that greeted him. He should be out there with Liam and Leo, helping them find the flower. He should be doing something. His mind wandered back over to the kiss they had shared. Pulling away from her that night had been one of the hardest things that he had ever done, but he told himself that it was what he needed to do. He dropped down onto the floor beside the cot and grabbed her hand in his. 

“Damn it, you need to come back. I need you to come back,” he whispered, squeezing her much smaller hand in his. 

He moved to pull his hand away from her when he noticed something strange on her forearm. He pushed her sleeve up just enough to reveal a small rash on her soft skin. 

“Xinghai!” he called over his shoulder to the man who had been dozing at his worktable. “There’s a rash on her arm.”

“What?” Xinghai called, slightly disoriented. 

He moved over to examine the newly discovered symptom as Bastien began to wake as well.

“What is it? What’s wrong?” he asked, moving towards them.

“The rash isn’t supposed to appear until the last stage of the disease. Hand me that book,” Xinghai said, pointing in the direction of worktable.

Drake grabbed the book from the table and handed it to the physician. He watched with anxiety rolling over him as he read over the page on the mortaeus flower. 

“This says the effects of the poison can be accelerated if an enchantment is used with it,” Xinghai read. 

“But, Eirik isn’t a sorcerer. He may be annoying and self righteous, but he’s not smart enough to pull off an assassination attempt with sorcerery,” Drake mused.

“Did you see who it was? The person who told her the goblet was poisoned?” Bastien asked urgently. 

“I only saw her from across the room, but she was dressed as a servant. She had red hair, looked kind of old,” Drake said, straining to remember anything about the woman. “What? What is it?” 

“I can’t believe she would come here,” Bastien muttered to himself. 

“Who?” Drake pressed, frustrated that he wasn’t getting an answer. 

“How much longer does she have?” Bastien asked, instead of answering his questions. “Now that the progression has sped up?”

“Two days at most,” Xinghai answered. 

~~~

“What are you thinking about, brother?” Leo asked.

He turned his head to look at Liam, whose face had been screwed up in concentration since they had left Stormholt the night before. They were almost to the caves behind the Blackspine Mountains, having already made the bulk of the journey.

“Something father said about Selene’s life being worth less than mine. It didn’t sit well with me,” Liam confessed, causing Leo to smirk at him. 

“I’m sure her life means quite a bit to you,” he teased, relishing in the blush that appeared on his brother’s cheeks.

“No- I mean yes, but that’s not what I mean,” he stumbled over his words. “He’s always said things like that. He believes the lives of anyone not born of noble blood is worth less and that isn’t right. A king should be able to acknowledge that people of a lower station are just as important as people born with a title.”

“The fact that you believe that already makes you a better leader than our father,” Leo said simply. 

It was no secret that he and Constantine didn’t have the best relationship. But, if the king wanted to view him as a disappointment, so be it. He was done fighting with him. He had done so all his life, but Constantine liked to believe that anyone who disagreed with him was wrong. There was no reasoning with a man like that. However, instead of being comforted by these words Liam seemed more troubled than he was before. 

“For so long I’ve viewed him as a strong leader, as a man who I should aspire to be like. But, I don’t want to become someone so hateful,” Liam mused, and Leo could tell that it pained him to speak ill of their father.

“It’s okay to disagree with him, you know. It’s not the end of the world,” he said, trying to ease his mind.

Instead of responding, Liam simply nodded his head, still looking troubled as they continued to ride on. It didn’t take long for them to make the rest of the journey and entrance to the caves were soon within sight. 

“Be on guard. Xinghai said the cockatrice guarded the caves,” Leo instructed as the two dismounted their horses, intent on making the rest of the journey on foot. 

Both men moved forward, but stopped only a few moments later when they heard a soft rustling up ahead of them. They each reached for their swords, Leo motioning for his brother to go left as he went right. They both inched forward slowly, but when they closed in on the sound, instead of finding a monster they found a woman lying on the ground. There was a large scratch on her arm, and she was whimpering softly. Her brown eyes were filled with tears, and her red hair was matted and in knots. Leo thought there was something familiar about her, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. 

“Are you alright?” Liam asked, placing his sword back into his scabbard and approaching her. 

The woman flinched as he came closer, and Leo kept his distance, looking over his shoulder nervously. He had a bad feeling about this, he had a bad feeling about all of it, and none of it had anything to do with getting the flower. 

“What happened to you?” Liam asked, in a gentle voice. 

The woman looked up at him and began to answer. However, before any words were able to leave her mouth, she let out a loud scream. Leo turned to see the large beast they were worried about slowly approaching them, it’s teeth bared. The cockatrice was an almost lizard like creature with four dragon-like legs, and a rooster shaped head. A low growling was coming from deep in its throat, and the sound was chilling.

Leo took a deep breath and bounced a few times on the balls of his feet, psyching himself up for the fight that was about to take place. The cockatrice began to bound towards him, and he ran to the left, dodging the attack. The creature let out a loud roar and ran towards him once again.

“Damn it, the things I do for these people,” he grumbled to himself, knowing full well that as annoyed as he was right now there was no way he would let an innocent girl die. “A little help here, brother!” 

Suddenly, the cockatrice let out a shriek of pain before falling to the ground, Liam’s sword plunged deeply into it’s back. Leo scoffed while his brother smirked at him, moving forward to retrieve the weapon from the creature’s body. 

“You wouldn’t have been able to do that if I hadn’t been distracting it,” he said, folding his arms across his chest.

“Whatever you say, Leo,” the man responded, moving back over to the woman’s side and kneeling down in front of her.

“What happened to you?” Liam asked her once again. 

“My master is a cruel man. I was running from him when the creature lunged at me. I fell to the ground and scraped my arm. I kept waiting for it to attack, but it never did,” she said, her voice full of fear. “Can you help me? Can you get me out of here?”

The two brothers shared a look. 

“We can, but there’s something we must do first,” Liam said. 

“What is it? Perhaps I can help,” the woman said. 

“We’re searching for something in the caves. A flower,” Leo answered hesitantly.

“The mortaeus flower?” 

“Yes,” he said, slightly suspicious. 

“I can help you. I’m from this area. I know where it grows,” she said. 

Leo grabbed onto Leo’s arm and pulled him away. 

“I have a bad feeling about this. It isn’t a good idea,” he said, glancing back over at the woman. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he knew her from somewhere. 

“If she can help us get to the flower faster then we should bring her along. Selene doesn’t have much time left.”

Leo sighed and glanced back over to the woman. 

“Okay.”

The woman began to lead them into the caves, stopping momentarily to grab a torch. Leo wondered silently how the item was light, but didn’t voice this as he followed closely behind his brother. They walked through the caves for a while until they came to a narrow ledge. 

“There,” the woman said, pointing to the stone wall across the ledge. 

There was a small gap between the ledge and the wall, but other than that the only way to get to the flower was to climb up the wall. The caves extended for miles both up and down, and it wouldn’t be an easy climb. If a person fell there was no way they were going to survive. 

“So, you or me?” Leo turned to his brother with a half smile.

[fishoutofcamelot]

(for the ask thing) any book/tv show/movie/song recommendations?

BRO! I heckin got you man! Now, I’m gonna skip the song and book recommendation bit because that sorta thing isn’t really my scene. BUT! In terms of TV? My rec list is like a mile long. I’m gonna include a read-more line, actually. 

BBC Merlin: You know I had to put this on the list. But the fact that you’re on my blog means you’ve probably watched this one, so I won’t go into detail about it. Available on Netflix

Mob Psycho 100: Just a cute, sweet story about a bunch of psychic kids trying to kill each other. A story with this much fighting has no right to be so wholesome. Mob is just a good boy, he doesn’t deserve all this! Fair warning, its messages about identity, self love, and growth WILL make you feel Emotions. Available on various anime pirating websites

Red vs Blue: The found family game is SO strong in this one. By far the best found family plot/dynamic I have ever and will ever experience. The characters are all so solid, yknow? Like it took me three rewatches to understand the plot, but I didn’t even care because I loved the characters SO MUCH. It’s also really, really funny (although some of the jokes have aged a bit poorly tbh). Basically about a bunch of space marines who goof off and accidentally dismantle corrupt governments along the way. Available on Youtube

Supernatural: Is it cringey? Yeah. Does the fandom suck? Also yeah. Is Destiel overrated? BIG yeah. But it’s got monsters, magic, family, and a plot that doesn’t revolve around romance - and really, what more could you ask for? And sure, a lot of people don’t really like the later seasons, but idk I actually prefer them. Season 15 has me THRIVING. I mean come on - character vs author?! Fighting the guy who literally wrote you into existence because he doesn’t want to give your story a happy ending?! Say what you will about Supernatural, but it’s one of the most imaginative shows I’ve ever seen. Available on Netflix

Avatar the Last Airbender: You like stellar animation, intricate worldbuilding/magicbuilding, and a perspective on war that is surprisingly mature for a kids show? Check it out. This show is without a doubt one of the best animated series of all time. Go on. Watch it. It’ll change your life. Available on Netflix

The Umbrella Academy: Time-travelling assassins. Superheroes. Ghosts. Talking monkeys. Murder mysteries. Baller soundtracks. This show will never give you what you expect. I don’t even think I could properly describe it to you. Available on Netflix

Detective Conan: An anime. It’s about a teen detective - think Nancy Drew but bloodier - who witnesses a crime and is fed an experimental poison in order to keep him from telling anyone. But instead of killing him, the poison turns him into a 6-year-old. So now he’s got to solve crimes and take down a criminal organization while in the body of a child. Naturally, shenanigans ensue. Fair warning, the main character becomes a bit of a Mary Sue in later episodes, but the first 300 or so are pretty fun. A few episodes are available on Netflix, but not any of the good ones. You’ll need an anime pirating website for that

Knives Out: My favourite movie ever, of all time. It’s a murder mystery that both subverts and pays homage to its parent genre in all the right places. It’s funny, it’s intelligent, and has a spectacular ending! Although I do wish the fandom would stop being so horny for Ransom, I mean he’s literally racist...No clue where you can find this tbh, I saw it in theatres

Derry Girls: Now I’m not normally a big fan of realistic fiction/sitcom stuff. Despite how funny they are, I’ve not even watched The Office or Parks and Rec because that normal daily life stuff just doesn’t peak my interest. And yet, somehow this story about a group of Irish high schoolers just has me enthralled. Very funny, very well-written, give it a watch. Available on Netflix

Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood: Another anime. Phenomenal animation? Check. Fascinating plot and characters? Check. Detailed magic system that gets my lore-obsessed heart fluttering? Big heckin check. So basically two kids try to use Fantasy Science to bring their mom back to life, only the experiment fails and has some pretty nasty consequences - one boy loses his arm and leg, while the other loses his entire body and has his soul bound to a suit of armour. Now they gotta go through government conspiracies, ethical dilemmas, and Daddy Issues to try and get their bodies back. Available on Netflix

The Disastrous Life of Saiki K: Yet another anime. I know, I know, I’m a nerd, get over it. This show doesn’t have a complex plot or even complex characters, tbh, but what it does have is some amazing humour. It’s extremely funny, and it’s also just a nice show to kick back and relax to. Basically this guy who’s so op that he could rewrite the laws of reality on a whim is stuck dealing with relationship drama in high school despite being very, very asexual and very, very tired. Mostly he just uses his powers to avoid people and eat junk food, which is honestly a mood. Available on Netflix

Scooby Doo! Mystery Incorporated: Honestly I’d recommend almost anything that’s Scooby Doo-related because that was my childhood obsession. I used to have like 20 of the movies on DVD before my mom gave them all away. To this day I still love Scooby Doo, and watch it whenever I get the chance. But if you ask any SD fan, they’ll probably tell you that Mystery Incorporated is the best, most intelligent, most creative installment in the franchise. And they’re right (although I do wish there was less relationship drama...) Available on Netflix

Evil Genius: This is a documentary series about the Collar Bomb Robbery. Now, despite what the above list might indicate, I actually watch a LOT of documentaries, and if I were here to recommend all of them then we would be here all day. Not really ‘funny’ like the other entries on this list, it’s actually rather tragic, but definitely a cerebral viewing experience. Available on Netflix

Screwball: Now this is a documentary that IS funny. It’s about drug scandals in baseball. But the dramatic scene re-enactments are done with child actors that are all wearing fake beards and pretending to be drug dealers. It’s not only a fascinating subject, but it’s got amazing editing and visuals that have me in awe. Available on Netflix

Behind the Curve: Yet another documentary. This one’s about the rise of the Flat Earth movement. You’ll spend most of the time on the verge of having a stroke because of how stupid it all is. Available on Netflix

The Movies That Made Us: Okay okay okay last documentary on the list I swear. This one’s exactly what it says on the tin. It’s a series talking about the behind-the-scenes production of iconic movies like Home Alone and Ghostbusters. I eagerly await the second season. Available on Netflix

Monster Factory: If you’re familiar with the McElroy brothers and their brand of humour, you’ll love this. Griffin and Justin team up to make the most disturbing avatars they can create using video game character creators. The origins of the Final Pam meme. If I had a shirt with a quote from Monster Factory on it, I’d die a happy man. Available on Youtube

Baman Piderman: The dumbest show I have ever watched, but it’s so adorable and stupid and I love it so much. It doesn’t really have a plot, but later episodes allude to the presence of one and I’m upset because there are so many mysteries/questions hinted at and we’ll never get answers because it’s been abandoned. PLEASE watch it. Available on Youtube

Stranger Things: Okay, season 2 was a bit of a let-down imo, but season 1 was ICONIC and the Scoops Troop subplot in season 3 deserved its own freakin spinoff. I’m not joking. I didn’t even like s3 all that much, but the only reason it’s my favourite is because the Scoops Troop plot was so great. People call this show ‘horror’ but I don’t think it’s scary enough for that, although it is admittedly kinda spooky. If you like 80s nostalgia and the horror aesthetic, then I’d give it a watch (Do it for Scoops Troop. Do it for Robin). Available on Netflix

Jack and the Cuckoo-Clock Heart: Despite my overwhelming love for this film, I’ll be the first to admit it’s kinda mediocre. The plot is weird and the romance feels forced, but despite its flaws it manages to be one of my favourite movies. Mostly I just like it for the unique concept and beautiful ending. Also the music is off the par man. Probably because the writer/producer of the movie was the lead singer for a French band called Dionysus (what? I do my research). Available on Netflix

Wakfu: I haven’t seen past season 3, but so far it’s pretty good. You go in thinking it’s just a wholesome action/adventure show about a kid who can create portals - but then it just. Sucks you in. From its bopping theme song to its fantastic found family to the unique worldbuilding, you very quickly fall in love with it. It’s got a cool plot and also talking dragons, and it doesn’t get better than that. Available on Netflix

Mystery Skulls Animated: Technically not a TV show so much as it is a series of animated music videos with a plot, but I’ll be damned if this isn’t one of the greatest things of all time. It’s basically Scooby Doo but if Shaggy got possessed by a demon and killed Fred, causing Fred to become a ghost hellbent on revenge-killing Shaggy in return. And if Scooby was an ancient Japanese spirit that bit off Shaggy’s arm, forcing him to wear a metal prosthetic. Yeah, MSA is wild. It’s only got three videos out so far, with a fourth one coming out this October, but there’s already so much lore! Available on Youtube

Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared: Ah yes, yet another cringey entry on this list. But you know what? Cringe culture is dead!!! And despite its fandom being...like that...DHMIS really is a cool show. Think if Sesame Street was like haunted or something. The episodes about creativity and telling time remain the most unsettling, imo. Definitely worth a watch. Available on Youtube

Inanimate Insanity: Oh boy. Am I seriously recommending you dip your little fingies into the object fandom? Yes. Yes I am. This show is so obscure it makes freakin Detective Conan look popular. At its core it’s a parody of Total Drama Island and Survivor but with anthropomorphized inanimate objects as characters (hence the name). Season 2 is actually really, really good and surprisingly competent. You just gotta get through season 1 first. Available on Youtube

The X-Files: Wow, a live action series on this list? Who woulda thought??? But seriously, this show is really fun. Memes and jokes aside, I love it. Scully and Mulder are fun characters with great chemistry (both platonic and romantic), the Lone Horsemen are hilarious, and every episode is a unique adventure into the most creative acid trips the human mind could conceive of. Phenomenal from start to finish (if you ignore the last season). I have no clue where you would watch this. Pirate it, probably

Buzzfeed Unsolved: Two idiots investigate cold cases and haunted locales while being utter dumbasses about it. You know the “hey demons it’s be ya boi” meme? That came from these guys. Available on Youtube

Kingdom: Ngl, I didn’t go into this expecting zombies. Or for it to take place during Korean feudalism, for that matter. But mediocre dubbing aside, this show has such a clever concept. It takes the zombie apocalypse genre and gives refreshing, unique twists to old tropes that they feel like something new. Seo-bi is my wife and she deserves all the love and appreciation in the world, and those are just Facts. Available on Netflix

My Hero Academia: Superhero high school anime. I personally am not a fan of later episodes/arcs, but the first three seasons are pretty dang good. Diverse, colourful ensemble cast that you easily grow to adore, interesting commentary on disability (although I’m not qualified to give any actual takes on that), and a school curriculum that makes me very, very concerned for the wellbeing of these children. Plus all the superpowers - aka ‘quirks’ - are super imaginative and, well, quirky! I just wish people would stop shipping the main character with his childhood bully...You’ll need to pirate this one too lmao

Danny Phantom: The highlight of this show is its ‘phandom’, because unlike someone (*cough* Butch Hartman), we’re not a bunch of cowards. It’s about a guy who messes around with his parents’ lab stuff and accidentally acquires the ability to die! Well, half-die. He can turn into a ghost and fight other ghosts. Although the show never explores the existential, traumatic fallout of being kinda-sorta-dead, the potential for something deep and emotional is there. Plus there is a LOT of accidental subtext for a Big LGBT+ Metaphor. So much so that the Trans Danny theory is basically canon. Uhhh not available on Netflix anymore so it’s time to whip out your pirate hat, matey

And there you have it! Like I said, I have a lot of TV recommendations. And I just KNOW I’m forgetting a ton, but this is already really long so we’ll have to cut off here. 

Thanks for the ask! <3

[randomfandomimagine]

Things Magic Can’t Fix (Merlin x Reader)

Character: Merlin

Fandom: BBC Merlin

Categories: Reader Insert, Female!Reader, Fluff

Title: Things Magic Can’t Fix

  Summary: Merlin can’t stop thinking about Y/N, and although she definitely reciprocates his feelings, there’s something holding her back. Merlin then decides to disguise himself in order to talk to her and find the truth.

  The young man absently stirred his soup, hardly realizing what he was doing.

“Is everything alright, Merlin?” Gaius asked him, concerned.

The young warlock looked up at his mentor and nodded, even though his mind remained far away from the room they were sitting in.

“Of course” Merlin tried to pretend like nothing was on his mind despite it all.

“Are you sure? You look distracted”

“I can’t stop thinking about her, Gaius” He let out a happy and dreamy sigh. “Her beautiful smile and her tender glance”

Gaius didn’t really have to ask to know his young apprentice was talking about Y/N. She was a lovely girl indeed, everyone thought so, including the physician.

“It seems you’re in love” The man smiled fondly at the boy, who blushed slightly.

“Do you believe I should confess my feelings to her, Gaius?” Merlin sought his advice, hoping his wisdom could guide him.

“She clearly has feelings for you as well, Merlin” The old man responded. “Everyone can see that”

Those words gladdened the young man’s heart. He wondered if he was being foolish and naive for believing so himself, but hearing Gaius say it too brought him hope.

His smile faltered, however, when he imagined himself confronting Y/N about it.

“I thought so, but every time I try to get closer she somehow pushes me away” There was something keeping her back, as thought Merlin.

“Perhaps you should approach the situation knowing that” Gaius paused for a moment. “Analyze her situation and her reasons”

“I wouldn’t want to overwhelm her” He shook his head, casting the idea aside. Merlin was about to ask Gaius what else he could do when an idea stopped him, changing the course of the conversation. “Wait”

“What is it?”

“Perhaps I should ask her… without her knowing it’s me”

“What are you on about, Merlin?”

“She won’t know it’s me if I’m ninety years old” Satisfied with his idea, the boy grinned and stood up, leaving Gaius there alone.

Merlin rushed into his bedroom, eager to proceed with his plan. The physician wondered what was that boy up to this time. He just hoped he didn’t get in trouble.

*

Walking along the hallways of the palace, Merlin encountered Y/N like he did every day. And like every single day, her face lit up upon seeing him.

A beautiful smile spread across her lips as her eyes lingered on him – she was definitely delighted to see him. Soon after, however, her expression fell and her eyes sadly lowered to the ground before looking up again at him.

Her brief joy was replaced by sorrow, as though a certain painful memory broke her heart as soon as the happiness tried to surface.

“Good morning, Merlin” She told him with a gloomy grin.

“Good morning” He replied in shock, treasuring her touch when her hand delicately fell on his arm, squeezing it fondly.

Before she could walk away once they passed by each other, Merlin gently held her hand. Y/N stopped walking, but didn’t look back at him.

“May I ask you something?” His voice quivered with doubt and fear of rejection.

“Anything” The lady nodded, daring to look into his beautiful blue eyes,as she always did.

Her fondness for the boy waas like any other, as she always allowed him so much more closeness than anyone else. Almost wishing to grant him any wish he had despite her occasional reluctancy.

“Did I upset you in any way?” Merlin asked slowly. “I apologize if I have”

She observed him, surprised and hurt by his insinuations. Not because she believed he was accusing her of being offended, but because it troubled her to think that Merlin was aching because of her.

After all, she knew his secret. Merlin had opened his heart to her, he had showed himself truly because he trusted her. And even if he was frightened to lose her because of his magic, he was relieved to see that Y/N stayed.

And not only did she stay by his side, strengthening the friendship even further upon sharing a secret, but it fascinated her. The girl was beyond amazed by the beauty of Merlin’s talents and by the way he used them to court her.

After sharing such a heavy burden, Merlin and Y/N became closer with each passing day. They were nearly as close as lovers, that was until Y/N began to distance herself.

“You have been nothing but lovely and charming, Merlin” The girl placed a hand upon his cheek, fondly and sweetly. “It is I who is upsetting you, and I’m sorry”

Looking into her eyes and watching the great affection she felt toward him reflected in them, Merlin knew. He needed not to confess his feelings, and neither did she. For their love for each other was rather obvious.

“Could you tell me why…?” He trailed off, still not wanting to overwhelm her.

“I’m not ready yet” Was her answer before she walked away, head hanging low and heart heavy.

The young man let her, aware that she needed some space. But Merlin was determined, he needed to use the ace up his sleeve. So he hid to take the potion and proceeded to walk the direction that Y/N had taken.

The young warlock needed to find out why she was so reluctant, what went through her head when her heartfelt smile turned into a saddened one.

Why she wouldn’t refuse him yet wouldn’t accept him either. The indifference and silence pained Merlin deeply.

*

The old man watched the young lady, sitting in the stairs with an absent gaze that looked at the crowd but didn’t see it.

After giving her a few more minutes of tranquil and solitude, he decided to approach her. He was nervous, for she could always see Merlin through his disguise. Also, he didn’t mean to upset her yet he needed to talk to her about it.

He passed by with energetic determination, swaying around and causing his red tunic to fly behind him as he walked. However, he traced back when passing by the sad sitting girl.

“Is something troubling you, child?” His squeaky voice asked her.

The young maiden, surprised by the sudden voice that spoke, looked up to him.

“Yes, my lord” Y/N replied politely. “But it is not something I must trouble you with”

He smiled, warmed by her sweetness and kindness. As per usual.

“You can trust me to help you” The old man walked down a few steps to stand in the same one she was sitting at. “I’m quite wise, mind you”

“And honest as well as modest, might I add” She friendly smiled, appreciating his offer.

The old man took his time to sit down beside her, groaning and complaining about his achy back and bones. Instead of finding the situation uncomfortable, Y/N looked fondly at the old man when realizing the tenderness he transmitted her.

“Is it a boy? Love, although a great reason for happiness, can be a great reason for suffering”

The girl nodded, pleasantly surprised by his true words of wisdom. He was absolutely right.

Taking a few seconds to think, she observed the man. She was about to confess something extremely personal, but felt no shame on sharing those thoughts with him.

There was something familiar about that man, almost as though she knew him. As though they had known each other for a very long time. She could see it in his surprisingly young and spry blue eyes, there was something warm and familiar in them. She reminded him of Merlin, which probably explained it.

Whatever the case, she trusted him.

“I’m in love with a wonderful man” Y/N let out a dreamy sigh. “He’s kind and caring, loving and sweet. And incredibly loyal and selfless”

“Aaaand?” The old man urged her with his fast and impatient movements.

“Well, I believe he loves me back”

“Aaaaaaand?”

“That is all”

“Why haven’t you told him?!”

“But I can’t!” She blushed a bit, flustered by the mere idea.

“Blargh!” The old man shouted, startling her. “Today’s youth!”

“Beg your pardon?” Her hand fell upon her chest, shocked.

“You make it so complicated, just tell him!” The man exaggeratedly waved his hands around with his characteristic energetic movements. “And if he truly loves you, which I’m sure he does, you’ll live happily ever after!”

“It’s not so simple, my lord!”

“Why is that?!”

“My heart is broken” Even though her voice was loud, it was also tense and strangled.

The old man remained silent, observing her in a daze. He felt bad for having insisted, he felt sorry that she felt that way. He wanted to heal her, but had no way to.

“There are some things that even the most powerful magic can’t fix” Y/N said sadly, averting her eyes and dwelling on her sorrow.

No matter how wonderful magic could be, even in the hands of the powerful sorcerer that Merlin was. She wished he could use his magic to mend her broken heart, yet it was not so easy.

“Perhaps so” The mysterious old man added after a brief pause. “But that doesn’t mean you must give up on true love so easily, does it?”

“I don’t understand…”

“Magic may not heal your broken heart” He showed a cryptic grin. “But it can still be mended if you let him”

“Let him?” The maiden repeated, astonished. “Let Merlin?”

“So that is his name” His enigmatic grin turned into a fond one, unexpectedly and much to her confusion. “That Merlin is one lucky boy”

“I don’t know if I can do it... I’m... frightened...”

“Do you love him?” He exclaimed, extremely loudly again.

“I do, but-“

“If you love him, then what are you waiting for?!”

Before the girl could reply to him, the old man had already stood up and proceeded to walk away.

“Wait!” She urged him, still seeking his counsel. But he was gone.

Y/N remained in the spot, thoughtful. Perhaps the man had been right – it was time to let Merlin in, give him the chance to mend her broken heart.

But she needed to let herself love him first, despite how much it frightened her.

The maiden sat in the spot for hours, confused and reflective as she tried to make up her mind about what to do about Merlin.

*

She waited until the next day.

After sleeping on it, the maiden had made a decision about it. She considered everything, she analyzed her own emotions as well as his, and she realized how much she loved Merlin. And the young man loved her back as well.

Y/N wanted to let him in at last, to accept his love and take a risk. Because Merlin was worth it, because he was special and unique.

Even if it was merely fond love at first until she felt strong enough to accept his romantic love. 

However, it was easier said than done. It was far more comfortable to keep isolating herself and pushing everyone away rather than show herself being vulnerable.

Upon bumping into him, like every day, the girl felt guilty. She felt ashamed because he had shown nothing but love and yet she refused it.

When their glances met, they realized how much pain they held. How Merlin’s blue eyes, overall, were filled with hope and sadness at the same time.

“I’m sorry, Merlin” She began to say to start the conversation.

“What is it?”

“I shouldn’t treat you like this, you don’t deserve it”

“Does that mean...?”

 Y/N took a deep breath, suddenly wishing she had thought of a few words to express herself. Her mind was rendered blank at the thought of confessing all her emotions at that precise moment.

“I feel something for you, and I think... hope... you do too”

“I-I do” A cautious smile was slowly forming on Merlin’s lips, but he waited to hear what else she ahd to say.

“And nothing would make me happier than to be with you, but...” 

His tender blue eyes settled on the ground, unable to lock with her anymore. He frowned slightly, sad, and nodded.

“I know, there are things magic can’t fix” He replied in a low voice.

“Merlin?” Surprised by those words, she analyzed the boy standing in front of her.

Somehow she knew the encounter with the elder man was not a coincidence. Neither was the fact that they talked about Merlin. Y/N, however, didn’t mention the encounter to Merlin. Yet she was glad that he was aware of the situation.

She explained herself to the familiar old man, whether consciously or not that he had something to do with Merlin himself. 

With the sound of his name, he slowly looked up. He was received by one of her bright and warm smiles, like the ones she used to dedicate him and not only him at first. When they started to become friends.

It was heartwarming to be transported back to such a simple and happy time. Yet perhaps they could still be joyful again.

“Take your own time, Y/N” Merlin nodded vehemently, trying to be patient and understanding. “Healing needs time” 

Moved by his caring behavior,the girl leaned closer to him and left an ever so gentle peck on his cheek. Immediately, his skin turned a bright shade of pink.

“I would still like to keep you by my side until I... heal” She confessed, realizing then how much she needed him.

Perhaps she was hurting, perhaps her heart was broken. Yet Merlin made her happy, and there was no need to hurry. There was no need to be anything they didn’t want to be.

Merlin grinned, his eyes finally lighting up with that glint that usually adorned them.

“I’m glad to hear that” He held his hands close to his chest and closed them for a moment, just to open them again and reveal a beautiful red rose.”I will try my best to make you happy again”

Her eyes widened in panic, then glancing around to make sure no one witnessed it. It deeply frightened her to think someone might discover his secret.

Relieved that no one seemed to be paying attention to their interaction, she laughed a bit in response to his lovely yet silly gesture as she held the flower in her hand. 

Merlin chuckled as well, extremely happy. It was the first time he heard her laugh in weeks, perhaps even months. 

Y/N then started walking, but looked over her shoulder to make sure that Merlin followed after her. The young man did, and dared to brush his fingers against hers. Their hands closed together, their fingers tenderly intertwined.

As a silent promise that for now they would remain friends. Ever at the other’s side.

Perhaps Merlin’s magic couldn’t mend her broken heart, but he could. Not as a sorcerer, but as a friend. With his kindness and friendship.