#Pendragon paranoia

[dudethatsmyundeaduncle]

For a guy who spends all day in the tavern Merlin is pretty fuckin high-strung.

[vixensdungeon]

You've probably asked yourself

What are psychology mechanics in tabletop roleplaying games?

Or maybe you haven't, because that's a term used by like two people because it was made up by me. But others have come up with it before me! Warhammer, for example, uses "psychology" to mean effects like Hatred and Stupidity that modify the behavior of units on the battlefield. And that's thesame basic concept we're talking about.

Psychology is a game mechanic that represents a character's inner life and modifies their behavior. Some would call such a thing a "roleplaying mechanic," but those people are silly with a limited idea of what roleplaying is.

Psychology mechanics fall broadly into three categories, or three C’s. They are:

enCourage: if you do X I’ll give you a little treat Coerce: do X or suffer the consequences Compel: you do X

Encouraging mechanics seem the most in vogue in modern design, though I think the other two have their place. (I briefly considered naming the first one Consent but that wouldn't reflect how the mechanic acts upon the character, and in truth the player consents to all three by playing a game with such mechanics in it)

One game I think is particularly famous for its psychology rules, that being Call of Cthulhu with its Sanity mechanic, and I think King Arthur Pendragon deserves a nod for its passions and such, but we’re going to talk about a different one. Paradigm shifting in its time, seen as traditional these days, it’s Vampire: The Masquerade, the cool game for sexy goths!

To help us delve into the World of Darkness, we’ll employ the guidance of Malcolm Fisher, a Lick currently operating somewhere in England. Say hi, Malcolm!

I knew the vixen was trouble the moment she walked into my life, with an air of mystery and danger, and thighs that-

Ahem, yes, thank you. I think we don’t need to hear from Malcolm anymore, wouldn’t you agree? Instead we’ll use his character sheet to explore the various psychology mechanics in Vampire.

Vampire 5th Edition doesn't actually have an example of encouraging mechanics that I can remember (correct me if I'm wrong), so we'll briefly dip into its predecessors for that. Malcolm has two archetypes, a Demeanor and a Nature. In his case both match: Enigma. Whenever Malcolm acts in accordance to his Nature, in this case by perplexing other characters through actions that turn out to make sense in hindsight, he regains spent Willpower. This encourages Malcolm to act a certain way.

V5's compulsions are, despite the name, a coercive mechanic according to the terminology I made up. When Malcolm suffers a bestial failure on a roll, he might suffer from a compulsion. We'll assume that in this case it's not the one specific to his Clan, Malkavian, but rather one of the generic ones: Paranoia (still appropriate for him). Any action not taken to disengage from any perceived threat suffers a penalty. This coerces Malcolm to act a certain way by punishing him for doing otherwise.

Finally we have the big one, Frenzy. This prevents a player from saying something to the effect of "I would simply not flee in terror from fire." I'm terribly sorry but that's not for you to decide. Unless one decides to ride the wave and not resist the frenzy, the Storyteller takes control of the character. Seeing a large bonfire after a particularly draining investigation, Malcolm fails his Willpower roll and falls into a terror frenzy. He will flee from the fire in the most expedient manner, whether the player wanted to or not. This compels Malcolm to act in a certain way, because he has no other choice.

And there you have it. That's the general gist of psychology mechanics.

[1asbrightasthestars3]

Soo... Just hearmeowt.

A while ago I had an idea to a merthur fanfiction. (It is my original idea and if this has been made before please do inform me.)

So because I am very very incredibly bored I decided to tell chat gpt my idea and have it create a summary for the fic.

Summary:

In a realm where magic and destiny intertwine, the legend of Merlin and Arthur takes a profound turn. In this world, balance is not just a concept but a law, as immutable as the stars. Merlin, the immortal sorcerer bound to the Pendragon lineage, carries a secret burden—a magical tether that binds his fate to Arthur's, the once and future king.

For every wound Merlin suffers that should have claimed his life, a mark appears on Arthur, not as a wound but as a scar, etched into his skin like a tattoo born of fire. These marks do not pain Arthur, yet they burn with the intensity of a flame, a constant reminder of battles fought and unseen forces at play.

Arthur, raised in the chivalrous life of a knight, had always believed these scars to be battle wounds, a testament to his bravery and strength. However, his father, King Uther, a man with a heart hardened by his crusade against magic, sees something more sinister in these mysterious marks. He watches, suspicion growing like a disease, as Arthur accumulates scars even when he hasn't stepped foot on the battlefield.

The pivotal moment comes during a time of plague, when Arthur is bedridden, his strength sapped by fever and illness. Merlin, ever loyal, takes up arms alongside the knights, venturing into the fray to protect the kingdom that Arthur cannot defend.

It is during this time that Uther, visiting his son, notices fresh scars blossoming on Arthur's skin—scars that could not possibly have come from his sickbed. The realization strikes Uther with the force of a thunderbolt: these are no ordinary scars, and his son, born of magic himself, might be entangled in sorcery.

Haunted by paranoia and the fear of magic, Uther confronts Merlin, demanding answers to the riddles that have plagued his reign. It is then, under the weight of accusation and the threat of death, that Merlin reveals the truth of their connection, a truth as old as time itself.

A MERTHUR SOULMATES AU (the whole show was a soulmates au but bare with me.)

Anyways if you liked the idea, do tell me. And if enough people will like it I'll write it!

Let me know! ~L

[taocc-updates]

”Oh, you like Taocc? Name every character.”

BET.

edit: I added the vague number of total characters listed. We’re at about 270, and I’m still adding characters.

(*By technicality

**formerly/no longer active/no longer acknowledged by the narrative as existing

***exist as of like ten seconds ago

I will only be including characters recognized as part of Taocc by more than one person. Characters will be vaguely grouped together however the frick I feel like and with only the vague suggestion of transitions. A character must have a tangible role that still has effects at the time of posting to be counted. I’m not counting all the deactivated characters from OG Taocc, for example. I am referencing the updates blog list as well as my following for this, because the challenge is to name them all, not to name them all by memory. Animals barely count sometimes when I feel like it.)

Gangle, Ragatha**, Pomni**, Kinger**, Zooble**, Caine*, Bubble**, S-Gangle, Shadow, Kaufmo, Sproingle, Unnamed Abtractions*, Easton West, Northa West, Lonn Gitud, Lattia Tudor, Felicia, Caleb, Zachariah Woods, Zombie anon, Simon Mallory/Silhouette/Aleksander, Isaac Brennan/Mix, Elida Doyle, Alice Mallory, Nikolai Harrison/Carbine, Artemis/Kepler, Calamity/Cassandra, Remnant, Sami Harrison, Yelena, Daniel, Artem, Charles/Plague Doctor Anon, Dialtone/Drias, Ilas/Amalgam, Trevor***, Archie***, Abigail***, Stella***, Paisley***, Espresso the Cat, Edward/Pharaoh, Abayomi, Clown Anon, Colorbine, Helpful Anon, Waffle Anon, Sparkler Anon, Kumo, Kopi, Violet, Stitch, Chance, Nightmare, Arthur Pendragon, Verie Pendragon, Mercutio, Juliet/Assassin Anon, Aokigahara, Dunite, Rocky, Rusty, Ryan, Dunite’s Parents, Deedee, Usagi/Usa, Icia/Ice anon, Fred, Odette/Odysseys, Samuel, Mytha, Celio, Basso, Vaga, Nova, Hexe, Slynn, Yume, Yume’s Mother and Father, the Protector, Ramona/Rae, Mirobelle, Ramiro, Achilles, Dime, Aklatan, Latte, Alexander (kingdom edition), Mocha, Switchboard, Ace Zeppelin, Damsel, Levi, Nathan, Myau, Nya, Mynou, Dusk, Jessy, Amelia, Jessy’s mother, Fynn, Joy, Ciana, Apollo, Virgo, Aster, Lance, Raina, Flare, Citrina, Citrina’s sisters (the only named one is “Jade”), Nymn, Nymn’s ex, Fae anon, Clara, Chip, Alpen, Unnamed Zodiac Angels, Kade, Feris, Pixel, Vanessa, Unnamed Arcade Worker 2/Mike, Conny, Shairo (deceased permanently), Hans, “John Smith”, Gun Pirate (lol), Unnamed Drunk Pirate, Unnamed Jar Lady, Unnamed third pirate with a gun, Dalia, Mikey, Anderson, Toga, Abstraction Anon, Quin, Blaze (Squiffer edition)/Zephyr, Skeleton anon, Mage Anon/Tanya, Camara, Avian, Sign Anon/Steven, Origami Anon/Octavia, Tea Anon/Kitsune/Katrina, Simon (Bookend), Seer anon/Sarah, Umbra, Arrows anon, Bow Anon, (Other) Bow Anon, Hex, Sun, Moon*, Sigil, Insanity, Dusty, Lantern/Eternal Flame, Eternity, Darkis, Infinity, Entity, Ember, Unknown, Juko, Lilo, Bob, Hammer, Mallet, Fox anon, Teleporting anon, Nuffle, Pyxel, Thanatos, Tiger, Siam, Sabrina (Sun’s daughter), Taika, Sisu, Quest, Tip, Stranger, Radio, Shelly, Astrion, Gaia, Aella, Electricity anon, Conspiracy anon, Bap Anon, Eve.chr, Phoenix*, The Dragon of Abyss, The Dragoness of Sky, Lemonade/Lewis, Reverie/Guidance anon, Unnamed Autumn Season, Unnamed Winter Season, Neb, Cardlan, Minimi, Entity (Backrooms edition), Casper, Manna, Pamela, Eden*, Grif, Trudy, Pen, Paper, Sophronius, Acacius, Milo, Drunk anon (deceased), Scissors anon, Thief Anon, Void anon, Cupcake anon, Chaos Enjoyer Anon, Thyme, Angst anon, villain anon, “Lucy”, Simp anon, Comax, Pickle gifter anon, pickle stealer anon, fish anon, deus ex machinanon, mail anon, foundation anon, lost anon, dropkick anon, Bug anon, Paranoia Anon, Rocket launcher anon, Kyubey, Mimic, Rodger, Ludvic, sunshine anon, anger anon, Frazzle, Wade, Loyal anon, Loyal Servant anon, the cookie run cookies lol, Felicia (top hat edition), Tophat, Greenie, Red(?), The Polygon Bees (TM), Eepy anon, Ethan, Dark, Void/Ollie, DJ, Star, Mercury/Marcus, Elysia/Evangeline Elizabeth Ambrosia, Blaze (Planetquest edition)/Brandon, Jasper, Callista/Leilani, Ursula, Ari, Lumiel/Lark, uhhh…I think that’s it

did I do it do I freaking win

Someone please count how many characters there are (there should be one comma per character if that helps)

Edit: Nevermind, I did it for you.

This is a vague number, the actual number is higher than this, maybe about 270-300

[thenntrewrite]

This is Part II of my list of NNT OCs for the rewrite:

Uther Pendragon: The father of Arthur and the husband of Igraine. He took a liking to Merlin around the time Arthur was born and had her appointed as his personal royal court mage. He also went along with the idea of giving up Arthur as a newborn to Sir Ector if it meant he’d prosper and would be safe. Uther was the King of Camelot until he became unfit when Arthur was sixteen. Since he was the current wielder of Excalibur, out of paranoia of being overthrown, he takes the sword and shoves it into the stone with all of his might, deeming that whoever pulls it out can be the new king (It was also a test for Arthur, who he knew to be old enough). Miraculously, when the sword was out of his possession, he became better. But a promise is a promise. He couldn’t be more proud of his own flesh and blood becoming the new king.

Guinevere Cameliard: The princess of Cameliard, and the daughter of Leodegrance. She's in an arranged marriage with Arthur Pendragon, and a student of magic. She's one of the first students of Aleron, who reluctantly takes the princess in after a few pushes from Arthur and Igraine. 

Leodegrance Cameliard: The father of Guinevere and the King of Cameliard. He's the best friend of Uther Pendragon, and one of his closest allies. He's taken a shine to Arthur and was the one to propose the arranged marriage. 

Ector: Arthur's adoptive father and Kay's biological one. Merlin gave the newborn to Ector, who took him in, not knowing that he was the prince of Camelot, and raised him as his own. He was the boy's personal trainer in swordsmanship. He was also Camelot's commander.

Vlasta: A demon that deflected from the Holy War centuries ago. Once a fierce-some warrior on the battlefield and a remarkable blacksmith, she sticks with Arne and they both decide to run a church and nunnery together. She's the head nun and one of Aleron's teachers. She and Arne eventually marry. Vlasta keeps an armory underneath the church and sharpens blades in her free time to keep herself from going rusty.

Arne: Often referred to as 'Father Arne', he's a demon that deflected from the Holy War and found comfort in a church who worshiped the Goddesses. On a whim, he decides to become a priest and speaks gospel about the Goddesses. He's one of Aleron's teachers, and enjoys drinking all the church's wine. Never drinks on the job, but after in the privacy of his home? It's all fair game.

Malvolia: Once a mage of the Kingdom of Tintagel and teacher of Aleron, after Gorlois died and Aleron abandoned the throne, she took over as ruler. Becoming powerful over time, she plots the downfall of everyone and anyone that was Gorlois' enemy. She considers Aleron an enemy of the nation as well.

Part I

[kob131]

Servant Profile: Vortigern Pendragon

(Wow, it's been a long ass time since I put forth my original concept for Vortigern. That was pre-Lostbelt 6. And due to it's release as well as seeing his depiction in a certain fanfic, I wanted to redo it.)

Class: Berserker/Saber Origin: Arthurian Myth Region: England Pseudonym(s): Berserker of Britianna/The Black Staining Tyrant Height: 8 ft, 1 in (245 cm) Weight: 450 lbs (113 kg) Alignment: Chaotic Evil Likes: Nature, Wars, All-Out Battles, Honesty Dislikes: Humanity, Civilization, Self-Delusion, King Arthur Natural Enemy: King Arthur

Parameter: STR: A+++ END: A+ AGL: D++ MANA: A LCK: B NP: -

Background: Born as the second born son to King Costantine III, known as the 'Blood Stained Beast' by the foes of the royal family. An oddly prophetic title, as he felt a certain disconnect from the rest of humanity. He fought brutally against the numerous warring tribes of Britan, often at the behest of his elder brother Aurelius. After their father was assassinated by the Picts and betrayed by his mage advisor (and Vortigern's magecraft teacher), he took his eight-year old brother Uther, joined with Aurelius and fled Britan.

While in exile, Vortigern taught the young Uther how to wield a sword, imparting a fierce and bloody swordsmanship. The two of them acted as the strike force of Aurelius as they gather supplies and allies until the time came to take back their home and throne. They engaged in an all out war against the treacherous mage, eventually leading to Uther striking down the mage as Vortigern held down the enemy soldiers. With his dying breaths, the mage prophesied a road of hardship and betrayal between the three brothers.

A warning that would come true as a while after taking the throne, Aurelius was stuck with his own prophetic visions. In confidence he confided in Vortigern that he saw their city of Londinium consumed in flames, innumerable soldiers lying dead and a single, armored figure kneeling atop that mountain of corpses. Thinking that figure to be their innocent brother Uther, Aurelius began to suspect the tribal kings under his leadership of conspiracy. His paranoia reaching a fever pitch, he begins calling for a purge of the leaders. Uther, the very brother he sought to protect, knew this was not like his brother. He was aware that such a purge would cause massive instability, not to mention his unfounded assertions. Eventually, Uther was forced to gather the outcast kings under his banner and, with Vortigern on his side, they were forced to rebel and kill their brother.

After all this bloodshed, Vortigern left Britan for his own devices. Having long since grown sick of conspiracy, politics and his own feeling of disconnect with humanity- he sought out answers for his feelings and left the throne for Uther. His journey lasted for almost two years until he finally communed with the fae of Britan, discovering that his own soul was closer in nature to them than man. As he stayed with the fae, he grew an admiration for the simplicity and purity of the wild, untamed Britan. This, along with his growing disgust with human civilization, gave him a new purpose in life.

The complete destruction of humanity in Britan.

He left the fae and sought out the corpse of the White Dragon of Britan, Albion. Climbing deep down into the earth, he found the white dragon's corpse, still pulsating with life in spite of its soul long since gone. Without a moment's hesitation, he plunged his blade into the beast and dug through its innards. Once he reached the heart, Vortigern ripped it out, crushed it in hand and poured the blood down his throat. What came next was an excruciating transformation as the white dragon's power morphed and changed his body. But Vortigern endured, coming out the other side as the avatar of Britan's will, a will that aligned with his own.

After this, he crawled from the dragon's tomb and ravaged the tribes of Britan. One by one, he decimated the land's forces, creating his own faction within Britan. He bolstered his forces with Britan's long time enemies, the Saxons, and marched towards Londinium. Before directly engaging the city, Vortigern had his men poison the nearby wells. Despite his unmatched power, Vortigern of all people knew and respected his brother's unyielding will. A well founded concern as upon the day of Lonidinum's fall, the black armored man found Uther, weary from long drawn fights and poison, felling his men one by one. The two of them met in the fires of their family's city, hatred flowing from Uther and determination from Vortigern.

The two of them clashed. Vortigern's greater strength and condition should have led to a quick and decisive victory for himself. Yet, Uther's own swordsmanship surpassed his and his will far out weighed his body's damage and allowed him to push forward. Hours passed, as dusk turned to night and then bordered on morn. The fata blow was dealt by Vortigern, a hammering strike* smashing through Uther's body. Yet the final strike was dealt by the youngest brother, scarring his brother's face in his final moments. If one asked the Saxons who spotted their leader after the fight, they would have said he wore a look of inhuman glee...and a hint of respect. A look that would only come once more- after a meeting with the former queen that ended in her death.

From there, Vortigern ruled Britan with an iron fist, slowly purging the land of mankind. However, his reign did not end as he had planned. Slowly, a resistance built up in the land against him. It was only later than he learned that it was spearheaded by the 'son' of his dead brother, 'Arthur' Pendragon.

Said prince won victory after victory against his forces until they were forced back into the ruins of Londinium. Vortigern barricaded himself in the former throne room, eagerly awaiting the final showdown. Upon seeing the doors open, the blacked tyrant blasted the knights with dragon fire, incinerating all but 'Arthur' and 'his' loyal knight, Gawain. Even their holy swords had their lights dimed by his power, the will of Britan to stay pure. Unwilling to underestimate the child of his brother, Vortigern shed his human form and became Calamity incarnate, shaped like a dragon. Against both 'Arthur' and Gawain, Vortigern fought. Once more, he had been stalled despite his overwhelming power until both knights pierced his hands. Then, in an instant, 'Arthur' drew his spear and pierced his heart.

With his dying breaths, reduced to the state he should have ended as back as a human, he glared at 'Arthur' and proclaimed 'his' folly, mocking his inhumanity and the fate destined for the wielder of the spear. Though his words were of the blood in 'his' veins, Vortigern's spirit burned with hate against the demeanor of the coming king. A human king that denied 'his' humanity. An insult to everything Vortigern fought for and a rejection of what he found in mankind.

Personality: A once quiet and uncertain man, Vortigern now bears the personality of a true tyrant. Cruel, selfish, disgustingly gleeful in the pain caused by his hands. Reveling in the death and destruction Yet...a strange sense of nobility and honor is found. He prefers straight forward combat, disliking tricks (and even the one played against his brother). He refuses to lie, always showing who and what he is. He holds utter disdain for those who lie to themselves above all.

Relationships:

Uther Pendragon His younger brother and the man he killed to conquor Britan. He holds no ill will or disdain for Uther, instead showing a level of gleeful respect for his determination and self discovery in Vortigern's absence. It can be said that he considers him his most memorable foe.

Arturia Pendragon Unlike with her father, Vortigern utterly hates Arturia. Not for killing him, as such is the way of life in Britan. No, he hates her for fighting on mankind's side...yet locking away her own humanity. He loathes this of her, seeing it as a sign of weakness as well as an insult to everything he fought for. He desires nothing more than to crush the inhuman king for her weakness. ... Or to properly lose not to 'King Arthur' but Arturia Pendragon.

Arturia Alter Finds the idea of a 'tyrant' Arturia laughable and mocks her as a 'girl playing pretend at Uncle'. Hatred is not found in him against her- for hatred to exist, one must acknowledge the target of hatred as valid in some way, after all.

Morgan (PHH) Thinks of her as an inferior successor, split between her three roles and unable to accept them in full.

Morgan (Lostbelt) Looks down on her as a failed hero. Belittles and mocks her for abandoning her ideals, saying that her father would be ashamed of her.

Merlin Finds his struggles with his inhumanity pathetic, especially as the supposedly 'inhuman' Merlin can barely disguise vitrol against him for his killing of Uther.

Melusine Loves taunting her with how he is a full manifestation of the White Dragon while she is but a rotting hunk of flesh that fell off. One of the few that can intimidate her.

Oberon-Vortigern His 'other self' from Fairy Britan. Finds his curse funny. Mocks him for succumbing to his curse and encourages him to challenge his assertion.

Skills:

Madness Enchantment - The class skill of Berserkers. Vortigern was placed in the class not because his anger or rage but rather his bloody, gleeful way of combat. Thus the skill is in effect inactive.

Magic Resistance EX Thanks to full embracing the might of Albion, magecraft is ineffective against him. Only something on par with True Magic or Rhongyminad can hurt him.

Monstrous Strength A++ One of the skills he gained from drinking Albion's blood. Having shed his humanity, Vortigern can massively boost his strength for short periods of time.

Mana Burst (Black) A Utilizing the draconic mana in his veins, Vortigern can imbue his body and weapons with great might.

Primevial Black Mana C The primordial mana of the British Isles, awoken in Vortigern's veins after consuming Albion. The skill allows him to draw mana from Britan itself, even if it is incinerated or removed from the world.

Anti-Human Order D The skill embodying his nature as a humanity destroying calamity, shared with his Lostbelt counterpart.

Noble Phantasm: The Black Stained Heart - Vortigern Class: Anti-Personnel (Anti-Fortress) Rank: EX

The act of transforming himself into the dragon that nearly took down King Arthur, wielding the full might of Britan itself. When activated, even dragonslaying Heroic Spirits would struggle to fight against him in this form. Only someone wielding Rhongyominad or bearing the name 'King Arthur' could have a chance to defeat him. Luckily, this Noble Phantasm is unusable outside Britan.

The Hammer That Marks Man's End - Vile King Vortigern Class: Anti-Personnel Rank: 'A++' A technique where Vortigern channels his mana into his self-made blade, creating a raging torrent of mana before smashing it into the opponent with an overhead strike. This is not a true Noble Phantasm but is used in place of one, emulating it in strength. The corrupted King Arthur also utilizes a similar technique, though far inferior. Perhaps her style is not suited for a move reliant on the mindset of a tyrant.

[dr-archeville]

An A-to-Z of RPGs [RPG.net]

This A to Z of roleplaying games was originally written for the A to Z blogging challenge in April and debuted on the Designers & Dragons Facebook group. It's alphabet-focused description of 26 RPGs that were inspirational, influential, or innovative. When possible, games were also selected that might be a little less-known than the top releases for each letter. The 26 letters are being reprinted here as four different articles.

But I'm linking them all in this one post!

Article 1: A-G [link]

A is For Ars Magica

B is for Blue Rose

C is for Castle Falkenstein

D is for Delta Green: The Role-Playing Game

E is for Esoterrorists

F is for Fiasco

G is for GURPS

Article 2: H to M [link]

H is for HōL: Human Occupied Landfill

I is for Inspectres

J is for James Bond 007

K is for King Arthur Pendragon

L is for Labyrinth Lord

M is for Mutant: Year Zero

Article 3: N to T [link]

N is for Nobilis

O is for Og: The Roleplaying game

P is for Paranoia

Q is for The Quiet Year

R is for RuneQuest

S is for Savage Worlds

T is for Torg

Article 4: U to Z [link]

U is for Underground

V is for Vampire: The Masquerade

W is for Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay

X is for XXVc (Buck Rogers: XXVc: The 25th Century)

Y is for Ysgarth

Z is for The Zantabulous Zorcerer of Zo

Click links for more info!

[fruitofthemindfarm]

MSAU fic 3 (building attack, fake dating. Untitled)

Merlin cursed as he rounded the corner and a ray of light shot towards him. He ducked in time, but tripped over his own feet and sprawled out on the floor. Luckily this meant he had a plausible reason to throw a hand over his head and make sure his eyes were hidden as he murmured a luck spell. If it held true to form it would make his own clumsiness look like the reason he couldn’t be hit, rather than making him remarkable in any other, positive sense. Normally he wouldn’t risk this on the same floor as the Mayor’s office, but circumstances were definitely not normal.

Usually enemy sorcerers didn’t make it into the heart of the City Offices like this. Usually they tripped the wards Merlin had set up long before, and he was able to quietly deal with them while pretending he was locked in the executive washroom Arthur let him use (it had honestly taken two months before an offhand comment from Uther’s assistant about the inconvenience of having to go down two floors to use the facilities for Merlin to understand that it was exclusively Arthur’s despite the fact that both of them worked there. And wasn’t that a fun conversation to have with people who already didn’t think he was qualified?) rinsing a coffee stain out of his work clothes. He kept a spare set (or two) at the office for both keeping up appearances and those times he actually had spilled on himself. Or whenever there was a crisis and he pulled an all-nighter with Arthur trying to sort out the issue. Still, it was usually pretty easy to sense a tripped ward, spill on himself (usually an unintended side effect of the ward going off and part of the reason his coworkers thought he was too high strung and possibly mental), and lock himself away to “rinse the stain before it sets, Arthur, they’re dry cleaners not miracle workers. I can’t afford the high end ones you go to”. Then he could transform, gate himself to the trouble, neutralize it from the shadows, gate back, change into his spare clothes, and take the wet stuff home in his gym bag for dry cleaning (Arthur had actually tacked an extra $50 onto his by-weekly paycheque with the note “Merlin clothing disaster relief fund”. Merlin used to clean them with magic but now felt bad and actually took them to the cleaner on the corner. Spread the wealth, as it were). If the trouble was more than he could handle himself quickly and quietly, he’d trip the more traditional alarms and let The Knights deal with it. That’s what they were there for, after all.

This was different. This sorcerer had snuck up from the sewers (and eeeewwwww. Merlin didn’t blame himself for not setting wards there because it honestly never occurred to him, but even the Mayor’s paranoia hadn’t extended this far) and was right in the heart of the city. Merlin watched people he saw in the break room and put money in the birthday hat for fleeing in terror, and he was powerless to help them while the cameras were on him. He couldn’t even use his regular washroom hiding place to transform because Arthur had bodily hauled him out of the office and sent him to the staircase before turning back ‘for his father’. Though Merlin had no doubt Arthur was rushing to his father’s side, he was also pretty sure it was going to be The Dragon that actually appeared there.

Merlin had gotten three flights down before suddenly remembering that Arthur’s sister, Morgana, had actually come in to the office today. She was generally the PR face of the regime and was usually out kissing babies and making speeches, but she’d snuck back in during a free couple of hours for a nap. Merlin only knew because he’d run into her in the exec elevator while fetching Arthur’s lunch. She’d asked him to keep it a secret because her head was hurting and she didn’t want the Pendragon men to either give her work or hover over her, the only two outcomes if they knew she was there. Merlin had agreed because duh, of course he had!, but now it meant that he was the only person in the building who knew where Morgana was, or even that she was there at all. And her office was on the same floor as Arthur and Uther’s. There was a good chance she’d be caught in the crossfire.

He’d cursed and turned right back around. It was one thing to leave non-targeted, unknown civilians in the capable hands of The Knights. It was another entirely to leave a friend who likely was a personal target of the attacker behind without anyone knowing she was there. He had to get to Morgana first. That’s all there was to it.

He took the stairs two at a time, aware of but ignoring the explosions coming from above. The rubble in the staircase from a collapsing wall didn’t even cause him to blink, he just used it to propel himself faster. He was finally at the right floor when the ray came out of nowhere at his head.

He rolled himself behind a half-destroyed desk (Gwen’s, he noted absently, curious despite himself at how it had gotten out here) and took stock of the situation. The Dragon didn’t seem to be fighting the villain. Which meant either he’d been defeated (which was not an option and Merlin was not going to cry), there was more than one villain, or he’d assumed the floor was empty and was depositing his father somewhere safe. Merlin could work with either of those. If he could keep the villain busy long enough for any of The Knights to arrive he could tell them about Morgana. Even Valiant, who Merlin hated for trying to upstage The Dragon by embarrassing him and for being unreasonably vicious to those he fought, would drop anything to help the Mayor’s daughter, adopted or not. Everyone knew how Uther adored his children and that protecting them was the best thing one could do to improve their standing. Or Merlin could get to her, get her out, and be rescued like a damsel himself. It would be a blow to his ego, but that wasn’t the point when Morgana was in danger. Plus he could fend off any comments on it by pointing out that he’d gone back in for an actual helpless damsel. 

Merlin nodded to himself before throwing a piece of gyprock at the far wall. It broke apart with a satisfying noise and cloud of dust before exploding as the red ray struck it. Using that as a distraction he carefully snuck towards the entrance of his office, which was an antechamber to Arthur’s ridiculous floor space. It wasn’t on the building plans, but Merlin and Arthur had actually snuck in one long weekend and installed a secret door between the siblings’ suites so they could conspire without alerting their father. From the amount of damage to the doorway, Merlin would bet Arthur’s office had already been ransacked.

He stumbled just as he was reaching it, which meant his hand went through the weak spot rather than his foot. As if that wasn’t loud enough, he cursed in surprise. The sorcerer loomed over him suddenly, sporting a look that couldn’t decide if it was villainously dismissive or leering. “And what have we here! The Pendragon brat’s little office side piece! He seems to have escaped for now, but I’m sure he’d love to watch what all I’m going to do to you!” Magic wrapped around Merlin, pulling him off the floor. He had to bite his lip with the effort of not letting his own power fight back. “For now,” the bastard mused, obviously enjoying himself, “I think I might see if I can’t tempt him back out.” Merlin was moved steadily sideways, obviously towards a large hole that had been blasted straight through the outside wall.

Merlin finally got his magic under control, which is when his indignation caught up with him. “I am NO ONE’s side piece.” He hissed, irritated beyond belief. 

The sorcerer just laughed louder, “Do you think he’s serious about you, little assistant? He isn’t. Men like him never are. They’ll use you up and spit you out. After all, it isn’t like he keeps you around because you’re useful, now is it?”

Merlin’s mouth twisted, having been hit squarely on one of his insecurities. “My relationships are none of your business.” He insisted, unable to deny dating Arthur outright even though that was a secret even from Arthur. He didn’t even notice being forced out of the side of the building and hanging in open air, he was so furious. “And how does dropping me twenty stories work into all your big plans?” He sniped, doing his best to keep the man distracted. The Knights had to be close. They had to. Otherwise Merlin was about to blow his own secrets on this blowhard, and the guy didn’t deserve to cause that much trouble.

“Oh, I can catch you before you hit.” The man replied, waving an airy hand. “Won’t help you sleep at night after seeing the street rush up to you, but you’ll live. I…” He trailed off as a red, armoured fist caught him square on the jaw. Merlin had just enough time to see the sorcerer hit the ground and The Dragon take two steps towards him before he was falling.

He sighed and spread himself out to slow his descent. This wasn’t ideal, but it wasn’t the worst thing that could have happened, either. His luck spell still held, so there was a chance it could direct him somewhere soft. He’d probably break something, but that wouldn’t be a first. Or he could magic himself away and pretend to have been caught by Warlock. He did have a reputation for getting civilians out of sticky situations. Pretending to be two people at once would be tricky, especially with his eyes swirling gold. Much better to just be Warlock and ‘rescue’ a ‘passed out’ Merlin, then leave himself on a rooftop somewhere to be found. He’d have to go through a Cleansing, but only a mild one. Uther had long gotten used to Warlock taking various imperiled civilians or troublemaking Knights away for a bit before returning them unharmed. The Cleansing was almost a formality by now.

All of this flashed through Merlin’s mind in bare seconds, his habit of coming up with plans on the fly having gotten plenty of practice since moving to Camelot. His luck spell should twig him on the perfect moment to gate without drawing even more attention, so he kept his eyes closed.

“Merlin!” They snapped open when he heard his name called by an urgent voice he would know anywhere. Arthur, his Arthur, had dove out the window after him. He could see a tether attached, but had no clue what the man had managed to secure himself to. He raised his arms towards his saviour as The Dragon fired his boosters to get under Merlin, then scooped him up in an outward arc as he pushed off the wall. It was really embarrassing to be carried like a princess like this when he could take care of himself, but, well, it was also really sweet? Arthur didn’t even know Merlin was Warlock, but he was still being cradled so carefully…

“Brace yourself.” The Dragon murmured, angling himself so he’d hit back first when they swung back around and into the building. Merlin complied, his own magic urging him to tuck his face under The Dragon’s chin and to tuck a hand in close so he was just brushing uncovered skin. The healing spell was whispered more than spoken, but Arthur knew what he was doing and sent them through the window without causing more than a possible slight bruise to himself and no damage to Merlin. The glass was a little more dangerous, but between the luck and healing spells, they both made it out unharmed.

The Dragon continued to hold him until after they’d stopped, then gritted out a harsh, “What were you doing?” The reminder made Merlin’s eyes snap open, and he scrambled onto Arthur’s chest so he could look him in the eye and make sure he knew how important this was.

“Morgana.” Merlin implored, shaking the hero under him slightly.

The Dragon frowned. “She was at a PR event in midtown today, I believe.”

Merlin shook his head. “She had a headache and skipped the luncheon. She snuck back in to nap on the couch before the meeting later. I only knew because I ran into her in the elevator, and she made me promise not to tell anyone. Her headache meds knock her flat for an hour or so. She’d have still been on the exec floor when the attack happened.”

The Dragon went rigid, then swore briefly but fervently before toggling his comm. “Lancelot! Morgana might still be in her office.”

“On it!” The other Knight chirped back, and Merlin let himself collapse onto the strong, metal encased chest beneath him. Push to shove he really didn’t have the nerves for this heroing business, but there was no one else capable of taking his place.

The Dragon placed a hand on the back of his head, offering comfort. Merlin sighed.

“Safe.” Came the voice through the comms, reporting back. “Her assistant’s workspace is destroyed, but it looks like the attacker was distracted before actually getting to her. She’s groggy but unharmed.”

Merlin went totally limp with relief. Then, to his great embarrassment, began to both laugh and tear up. The Dragon shushed him soothingly, but Merlin could feel the tension ratchet up in his body as he was forced to deal with feelings. It made Merlin laugh harder, and he finally slid off to lay next to the hero, still chuckling.

He closed his eyes as the hero stood, wondering if he was going to be allowed to take a nap right here on the floor after all of that. It turns out no, as he was gently shaken, then helped to his feet. “Sorry about this,” The Dragon muttered, “But you’re going to have to be debriefed, and I’ve got perimeter security to be getting to.”

“Booooo.” Merling grumped, slumping into the hero. “Hate debriefings. Uther always yells at me.”

The Dragon threw back his head and laughed, honestly amused. “You should be fine. You did just rescue his daughter, after all.”

*

“What on earth do you think you were doing? If someone is in the building, you let the professionals know! Morgana could have been killed because you wanted to play hero!” Uther growled at Merlin, and Merlin’s high strung nerves just snapped.

“Oh, absolutely, because The Dragon and I are suuuuuch good friends that I have him on speed dial! And he totally has nothing better to do during an attack than answer his phone. You’re right, perfectly reasonable.” He sniped back, tramping hard on the impulse to gesture emphatically at Arthur to make his earlier point. He ignored the fact that he absolutely did have Arthur’s number in his speed dial, but he stood by the fact that Arthur would never answer his phone during battle.

Uther turned red and opened his mouth to yell some more when Morgana derailed them all with a laugh. “Merlin’s got a point, Father.” She said, calmly reasonable. “All he could reasonably have done would be to call you or emergency, and neither would have been helpful in time. I bet he was hoping to run into one of the responding Knights, not the villain himself. And it being stupid doesn’t make the action any less well-meaning, or brave. It did work.”

Arthur rolled his eyes at Merlin from behind his father and mouthed stupid in his direction. Merlin ignored him.

“Be that as it may,” Uther began, only to be derailed by his other child.

“Father, there will be time to go over relevant sections of the employee handbook and design an internal disaster relief plan later, when everyone is calmed down.” Arthur smoothly interrupted, his no-nonsense tone working off of Morgana’s more soothing one to redirect Uther entirely. “However, the sooner Lancelot here,” He gestured to the Knight standing next to him, who was somehow conveying support for Merlin in entirely body language, “Gets his official statement, the more precise and correct it will be.”

Uther subsided with ill grace, but he did subside. Arthur and Morgana gave Merlin twin bracing winks from out of their father’s line of sight. Merlin almost laughed at how in tune they were. Lancelot stepped forward, taking the floor with more grace than anyone wearing a mech suit should be able to.

“Can you describe what you experienced from the time of the alarm? In as much detail as possible. All questions will be held until the end, at which point I will walk you back through sections to get a better feel for exactly what happened.”

Merlin sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ll start a little earlier. About ten minutes into lunch hour I returned to the building with Arthur’s lunch. The regular elevators were full of staff exiting the building, but Arthur gave me permission to use and permanent access to the executive elevator while carrying out my duties to avoid just that situation. I called the elevator and was surprised to see Morgana in it already, having come from the parking garage. She pulled me into the elevator while shushing my instinctual greeting. She looked a little grey, so I asked how she was feeling. She admitted that she’d picked up a headache at her earlier function and had skipped out of the lunch, leaving Gwen to make her apologies and do her glad-handing. She told me she was planning on taking some medication and sleeping it off, as she had a meeting that afternoon with her father that she didn’t want to miss. I asked if there was anything I could do for her to help, and she told me that she needed me to not mention I’d seen her, as both Arther and the Mayor tend to hover when she’s indisposed. I agreed. I wished her a peaceful nap before exiting the elevator, so we wouldn’t make any noise entering the executive floor, and exuberantly presented Arthur with his lunch to cover up any small noises she might make as she settled in.

“The day continued like normal. Arthur and I both ate lunch, then returned to our duties. I was just getting back from the copier with the details of Councillor Monmouth’s zoning proposal when the alarms went off. I startled, and before I got my brain working again Arthur came barreling out of his office and hustled me to the stairs. He sent me firmly downwards before turning back, insisting he go make sure his father was fine. I got down about three flights before remembering that Morgana was still sleeping in her office, medicated and unknown. I turned right back around and went back.

“I was just exiting onto the executive floor when a ray of red light came straight for me. The floor was a mess and as I ducked I tripped, so the beam went wide. I hit the floor, then rolled behind Gwen’s destroyed desk, which was now by the elevator. I took a chunk of damaged wall and made a diversion by throwing it at another section of wall before trying to sneak past the sorcerer and into Morgana’s office. I didn’t see any of the Knights around, but figured they had evacuated the Mayor and Arthur before pulling back to secure the area and wait for backup. I stumbled and put my hand through a weak spot on the floor, which let the enemy know where I was.”

He sucked in a deep breath. Now for the embarrassing part. “He said, ‘What have we here! The Pendragon brat’s little office side piece! He seems to have escaped, but I’m sure he’d love to watch what all I’m going to do to you!’” Arthur and Morgana both jerked at this, looking furious, while Uther’s eyebrows just raised in obvious surprise. Merlin continued, “Then he wrapped me up in his magic and started moving me towards a hole in the wall while saying, ‘I think I’ll see if I can’t tempt him back out.’

“I wanted to distract him, and what he’d said infuriated me anyway, so I told him I was no one’s side piece,” He hissed the descriptor again, still angry from the implications. Morgana clapped a hand over her mouth while Arthur’s lips quirked, both seeming amused by his priorities. “The guy then started lecturing me on how I wasn’t special, Pendragons will only use me, I wasn’t actually useful, all the regular nonsense. I told him my relationships were none of his business, then asked how dropping me twenty stories factored into his ‘plans’.” Merlin made the actual air quotes here, which just caused the siblings to laugh harder while still trying to keep it quiet. He shot them a glare. “He assured me he could catch me before I hit the ground, but that it would be traumatising anyway. By this time The Dragon had snuck up behind him. He punched the bad guy right out, I fell, and he jumped after me attached to some sort of tether. He caught me and pushed off the building to make our momentum more survivable for me. We swung back and went through a window. Once we’d stopped he asked me what I was doing up there, and I remembered. I told him about Morgana, and you shortly informed us she was fine. Then I started having hysterics while The Dragon awkwardly pet me. Once I’d calmed down some he very bravely ran away from all the feelings I was emoting and dumped me on you guys for debrief.”

Morgana was outright laughing at this, and even Uther had a lip twitch. Lancelot was trembling lightly, but it was, as usual, Arthur’s face that caught Merlin’s attention. Arthur’s ever-so-slightly guilty face. Merlin gave them a wry smile. “There are worse reactions to getting dropped off the side of a building than laughter. I could have been screaming.”

*

Merlin came in to work humming the next day. Debriefings were much less stressful when Lancelot ran them than when Uther did. He’d been asked a few questions about body positioning and some clarification on the spoken words, but everything had seemed relatively straightforward. He wondered if Lancelot liked fruit baskets. He certainly deserved something for making that whole ordeal bearable.

His good mood lasted through Arther’s concern (sneakily hidden as sarcastic jibes) in the elevator, but he deflated like a popped balloon upon entering their area only to be greeted by a thin-lipped Uther.

“We have a situation.”

*

“It’s a really nice picture.” Morgana said encouragingly. Merlin glared at her.

It wasn’t even that he disagreed. It was a nice picture. He was planning to get a copy of it framed for his lair. The Dragon was holding him close and carefully. His chin was tucked down (instinctively protecting his neck from the crash about to happen) so it looked like he was gazing at his burden. Merlin himself had already tucked both his head and hand in, so he looked like he was cuddling instead of bracing. It was an incredibly sweet photo grabbed by luck with a camera phone from across the way. That was, however, not the point.

“They’re saying what?!?” Arthur demanded, looking outraged.

“Speculation on the dome-net is that they’re lovers, or at least interested.” Uther replied, just as deadpan as the first time he’d said it.

“That’s ridiculous.” Arthur snapped. “Ignoring Merlin’s spot of hero-worship, The Dragon is both a professional and an actual person. His private life is exactly that. Private. They can’t just make it up to suit themselves!”

“Actually,” Morgana broke in, “That’s exactly what they used to do. Before the Incursion it was pretty common. Pretty much anyone in the public eye would have their personal lives speculated on. Humans have always been pretty vicious gossips.” She gave Merlin a sympathetic smile. “Some actually leveraged their nortriaty in order to stay famous. It’s not common now because we don’t have the same entertainment industry they did, nor the infrastructure to spread the gossip until a few years ago. All of that was lost in the Incursion, and Camelot is the only city focussing on restoring old technology. Suddenly we have the means and the ability, we’ve just been waiting for the focus.” She stared straight at Merlin, giving her enough gravitas to make him gulp. “That would be you.”

Merlin looked away, feeling like he was on shaky footing but not sure how. “Why does this gossip constitute a ‘situation’?” He asked, not sure he wanted to know the answer.

“More and more villains are targeting the Knights specifically, and The Dragon in particular. When it was just Warlock mocking us it was infuriating, though oddly not dangerous. Now more are taking a leaf from his book, and I wish to put a stop to it. This is the perfect opportunity.” Uther responded, looking grim.

Merlin blinked. He knew he just targeted The Dragon, though he’d quit that a few weeks ago now that Lancelot knew about them, but he hadn’t noticed any other villains do the same. He wracked his brain trying to find this pattern Uther had mentioned, only getting drawn back into the conversation when he heard Arthur’s agitation and his own name.

“... And not with Merlin! Can you imagine? He’d trip over his own feet and ruin the whole sting! Besides, no one will believe it when they get a good look at him. There are plenty of other people we could use, if you’re so determined to continue this lunacy!”

That hurt. Merlin almost couldn’t breathe with how much it hurt. Especially since Arthur, and by extension The Dragon, was already dating him. He’d told Arthur he wouldn’t think Merlin so gorgeous when the cowl came off, but hearing it from Arthur’s own mouth was more awful than he’d ever imagined.

“I’ll do it.” He heard his own voice say, as if from a distance. He repeated it, words getting stronger as anger filled him, overriding the hurt. “I can do it. I will do it! I’m in.”

Uther nodded at him in approval while Arthur turned on him, mouth agape. “What?!?”

“I’m in.” Merlin repeated, looking straight at Arthur.

Arthur looked furious. “I don’t think…”

“Arthur, you have no say in this. You are being told, not asked.” Uther broke in, cutting his son off.

“The Dragon…”

“The Dragon is a professional, as you were so clear on earlier. He will do as ordered. Merlin is a civilian, and so needed to be asked.” Uther’s voice was steel, though Arthur still seemed determined to fight for a long moment before all the wind went out of him.

“So what next? Photos of them looking all lovey-dovey? I assume you’re organizing the sting for the emergency responders’ banquet next month? It’s the next plausible opportunity to dangle Merlin like a worm on a hook.” Arthur snapped his words out with a precise diction that let Merlin know he was in for a delightful rest of the day dealing with the temper.

“That had occurred to me, yes. It will work out well. He’ll be assigned a few Knights as an undercover security detail. We encourage this for a few weeks, then announce after our triumph that it was for a mission, which Merlin bravely agreed to, and it’ll all die down naturally.” Uther’s voice was still cool, letting Arthur know he had no patience for the tantrum brewing.

Merlin would have to practice that voice. He could do with a way to leash Arthur’s temper.

“What about accommodations?” Morgana broke in, distracting both men. “Merlin’s place isn’t ideal. He can be looked up, he’s got too many neighbours that might get caught in the crossfire, and there’s no reasonable place to keep surveillance on it. He’d be vulnerable. Priestess would prefer the flair of the banquet, but others would be more likely to strike in the dark.”

The talk was starting to make Merlin nervous. Growing up in a farming community connected to Essetir had already made him wary of the night.

“He stays with me.” Arthur replied, crossing his arms and just daring anyone to argue the point. “It’s already one of the most secure places in the city, there’s plenty of room, and I’ll be there to make sure he sets all the alarms and locks all the doors.”

Screw second thoughts. Merlin’s anger was back in full force. He was Warlock, for crying out loud! The dark should be scared of him!

“Then we’re agreed.” Uther said, gathering up the photo that started all the trouble and rising. “Morgana, go organize a minor disaster of some sort in Merlin’s home. A small flood or something. Just enough to explain him staying with a friend for a few weeks. Arthur, get yourself under control before someone asks you about the situation. Merlin, I’ll have more information for you by the end of the day. And provide Gwen with your measurements. We’ll supply you with new clothes rather than risk them getting a march on us. Dismissed.” And with that he strode off, every inch as certain as a king of old.

Morgana was having an entirely silent conversation with her brother, but eventually she huffed out a sigh and left as well, shooting Merlin a sympathetic grimace as she did.

Then it was just Merlin and Arthur.

There was still so much anger and hurt circling Merlin that he couldn’t move. He didn’t know what he might do if he did.

Finally Arthur broke the silence. “Well, I hope you liked getting dropped off the side of a building. You’re going to get a lot of practice with that in the upcoming weeks.” His voice was heavy with sarcasm and regret, and Merlin jumped at the unexpected tone.

“What?” He asked, then winced. That sort of inanity was why Arthur had such a low opinion of him.

“You have just, quite literally, I pointed it out twice, volunteered to play supervillain bait for the next four weeks. I cannot even count the number of times I’ve been attacked or kidnapped in my life, and I’ve got an obvious security detail. I’m sure you’ll be rescued, but it won’t be fun.”

Merlin bit his lip. Maybe he’d been a bit hasty…

Arthur sighed and ran his hand through his hair. “Why on earth did you cut me off there? I was trying to get you out of this insane idea! What made you…”

“You said I was unlovable.” Merlin replied, voice small. There was, maybe, just a little, the slightest chance he’d overreacted. Once he’d heard Arthur say what an unbelievable boyfriend he’d make he just hadn’t been able to think.

Arthur threw his hands up in the air in exasperation. “To keep you safe! You know it’s not true! Half the zoning department is crushing on you, and the other half are jealous of it. Evelyn at the library coos at you! Last week an intern walked into a wall because you smiled at him in passing and he got all flustered! And any of them would be safer than a fake relationship with The Dragon! He’s probably the most dangerous person in the city to be linked to besides me and my family! You had a taste of that yesterday! And it’s only going to get worse, Merlin. You don’t know it now, but it’s going to get so much worse.”

Merlin ducked his head to hide his smile. It certainly didn’t sound like Arthur thought he was hideous. He could work with that. He probably looked contrite to Arthur, but that was fine. He was, kind of. Now that he knew the rest of it.

“I’ll be okay.” He soothed. He reached out to touch Arthur’s arm, but Arthur jerked it back. He frowned, but went on. “I’ll have The Dragon looking out for me and you to guide me. I’ll be fine. And things will be a little safer after.”

“Don’t touch me right now. Don’t come near me. Go find something to do for Morgana or something. I’m still far too pissed to have you near me right now. I’m angry enough I might say something as monumentally stupid as you did.”

Merlin’s face fell further, but he got up to do as requested. It was progress for Arthur to say this to him rather than just be a dick, but that didn’t make it hurt less. Still. Arthur wouldn’t stay mad. Surely he wouldn’t stay mad?

*

“I am so mad at him.” Arthur growled, pulling his helmet off and tossing it at the corner. Merlin caught it with his magic. It wouldn’t do for there to be unexplained dents in Arthur’s armour. Besides, it might weaken it. Merlin wasn’t very up-to-date on his mech suits, but it seemed like it would weaken it. Better not to take chances.

“Awww, but you make such a cute couple!” Merlin cooed, holding out the photo. He totally had gotten a copy framed for his lair. He loved it. Arthur hated it. Win-win.

“Not a couple.” Arthur grumped, coming over to hide his face in Merlin’s neck and just breathe. Merlin let him.

“That’s not what social media says.” He teased, rubbing gently through Arthur’s hair to calm him.

“I hate social media.” The words were still harsh, but the line of his shoulders was relaxing under Merlin’s touch. He’d count this as a win. Arthur had been like a freshly-woken bear that day, and Merlin was really hoping that some time with his favourite villain would calm him. He didn’t want to be walking on eggshells the whole month.

“I know you do.” Merlin soothed, making his voice as soft as he could. “You have reason. It’s got to be pretty embarrassing, having a relationship be the center of everyone’s attention like that.”

“Hmmm,” Arthur hummed noncommittally, then smirked. Merlin could feel his lips curling against his neck. “Good practice. There’s going to be even more attention when my real relationship comes out.”

Merlin grinned. If Arthur could tease, he was well on his way to being centered again. “There you go. Always a bright side.”

*

“You really don’t mind?” Arthur asked, turning the helmet he’d just picked up over in his hands in an uncharacteristic show of nerves.

“Mind what?” Merlin replied, frowning and reaching for the leg armour. It wasn’t lying quite right, and he never wanted Arthur to have any weak points other than his wonderful, loving heart.

“The whole… fake dating thing.” Arthur replied, his voice still disgusted. Merlin felt a twinge of hurt at that still, but knew it wasn’t warranted.

“Sweetheart, you’re a lot of things, but fickle is not one of them.” Merlin draped his arms over Arthur’s shoulders and nuzzled into the back of his neck. “What’s bothering you so much about this? It’s annoying to you, I get that, but it’s not going to hurt us or you or end in disaster, so what’s the trouble?”

Arthur continued to turn his helmet over and over in his hands. Merlin waited. “I… ah, invited Merlin to stay with me for the month. Well, demanded it, really. To keep him safe. So my time as The Dragon is going to be limited, and my time with you almost non-existent. So. Well. So.”

Merlin kissed the back of his neck before Arthur could hurt himself with his emotional constipation. “We’ll survive. I might actually finish knitting my Mum her Christmas jumper, even.”

Arthur went still. Merlin waited. Whatever it was, this was going to be the actual problem.

“What if it does end in disaster?”

His voice was so soft Merlin almost didn’t catch it. He blinked. “What do you mean?”

“What if it does end in disaster? What if… What if I can’t protect him? He’s so important to me. There isn’t anyone else like him in the world, I’m sure of it. If I hadn’t already been in love with you when I met him I’d have been in trouble. I’m so glad you’re not threatened by him because you never need to be, but now he’s going to be putting himself in so much danger that he doesn’t even comprehend and I just… I want to know he’ll be safe. I was so terrified when he fell the other day. I never knew how much of a struggle my daily life and double identity was until he was there with his silly grin and adorably goofy ears and inefficiency and impertinence and it was suddenly like I could breathe after a life under the water. I don’t have to guard myself around him and it’s just such a fucking relief to just be me. It’s because he thinks I’m worth believing in just as Arthur that I was able to face my feelings for you. And I don’t… If something happens… I know you’ll be here for me but he’ll still leave a pretty giant hole.” Arthur was getting more and more worked up, so Merlin hushed him soothingly as he nuzzled in, offering all the comfort he could. He desperately wanted to tell his boyfriend his secret identity right now, but he knew he couldn’t. Fake-dating his beloved as his own alter-ego would be difficult for him, but it would be almost impossible for Arthur. And if he was already this worried about Merlin, letting him know he was also Warlock and got into deadly peril fairly often was an even worse choice while he was still on edge.

Forgive me, he thought at his love, before reaching for something, anything, else to reassure him. “Nothing’s going to happen to him.” He murmured in Arthur’s ear, pulling him tight. “He’ll have you right there, and the Knights close by. But you’ll have a secret weapon, too. You’ll have me.” Merlin butted his head against Arthur’s, offering comfort and distraction both. “You’ll be hanging around more often than normal, so of course I’ll be in the neighbourhood as well. Between us he’ll be safer than he’s ever been. We can do this. Together.”

Arthur took a deep, shuddery breath, and Merlin knew the storm was at least mostly over. “Giving up on the jumper already?” He teased, obviously trying to move past the issue.

Merlin shrugged. “She can always tell when I give up and just use my magic. Every year I swear I’m going to do it by hand this year and every year she unerringly finds the part where I ran out of time and just did it. It won’t surprise her if I do it again this year.”

Arthur laughed, then grew still. Merlin suppressed the urge to sigh, though his voice was a little sharp when he snapped out, “What now?”

“It’s just…” He drummed nervously on his helmet, which meant this wasn’t as serious as the last one, thank magic, “He’s already got a crush on The Dragon. What if this makes it… more? What if that’s why he agreed? How can I be his commiserating best friend when I was secretly the one that turned him down? What if…”

“Tell him about us.” Merlin replied flatly, so done with Arthur’s mood and catastrophising.

Arthur grew still. “What?”

“Not necessarily me,” Merlin replied, waving his hand dismissively. “Just about us. Tell him it’s awkward for you because you have a significant other in your life, it’s just private. Because your identity is private. I’m sure he’ll be respectful.”

Arthur took a deep breath and all the tension drained out of him in a second. Merlin squawked and tried to brace against all the weight now pushing at him. “How are you so smart and wonderful?” Arthur asked rhetorically, his voice reverential and wondering.

“Practice.” Merlin replied, tweaking his ear. “I’ve got to think one step ahead and roll with the punches to do what I do right under the Mayor’s nose. I’ve gotten good at knowing what lies need to be kept, even if they break your heart, and which you can let go. This one you can let go. Just to him, but you can let go.”

“Do you have those?” Arthur was back to serious now, but it was all about Warlock this time. Merlin could live with that. “Secrets that break your heart to keep?”

Merlin ducked his head as Arthur turned to give him a proper hug. “I wish… I just really wish I could hear you say my name the way you say my pseudonym. Not telling my Mum about you. That sort of thing.”

“I’m sorry.” Arthur replied, immediately taking all the blame like Uther had taught him to. “I didn’t know I was hurting you that much.”

“You’re not.” Merlin disagreed swiftly. “It’s just the circumstances. It’s such a giant fucking relief that you understand my reasons and support me keeping my identity secret, but I can still wish we could meet in the daylight, with no masks. You’re worth it, though. You’d be worth more than this. I love you.”

“I love you too.” Arthur cupped his cheek and kissed him softly. “We’ll have our day in the sun. And then we’ll have all the days after it. I swear it. One day I’ll make this world safe for you, and we’ll walk into the light hand in hand.”

“Oh, beloved, you’ll do so much more than just that.” Merlin pecked him back. “You’ll make it safe for everyone. I’m sure of it. And I’ll be right beside you as you do.”

[arthur-rex]

Arthur pleads with Uther for the life of Gwen

UTHER: I have witnessed what witchcraft can do. I have suffered at its hand. I cannot take that chance. If there is the slightest doubt about this girl she must die or the whole kingdom may perish!

ARTHUR: I understand that- 

UTHER: One day you may become king. Then you will understand. Such decisions MUST be made. There are dark forces that threaten this kingdom-

ARTHUR: I know... witchcraft is an evil, father. So is injustice. 

ARTHUR: Yes, I am yet to be King and I don’t know what kind of King I will be, but… I do have a sense of the kind of Camelot I wish to live in. It would be where the punishment fits the crime. ***

( I just love this exchange because I feel it (the ominous music helps) as Uther’s talking to Arthur he’s resorting to teasing out the fear that he put into his son as a young boy. See my meta on Pendragon paranoia. Uther wanted Arthur to fear magic as much as he did. He wanted Arthur to learn to hate those with magic in order to continue his legacy of the Purges after he died. But Arthur was ultimately too kind-hearted to hate. And Arthur clings onto the idea that there is good in everyone (even the ‘evil’ sorcerers) to refute Uther’s arguments. )

P.S. Uther is an alcoholic.

[merlinpetpeeves]

[your-mom-friend]

Has anyone considered the weeks, the months, the Years that immediately followed the Great Purge? I always found it pretty weird that Uther decided to kill every living sorcerer because of Nimueh. But what if it happened in levels?

At first, after Nimueh, he decided that no one deserves that kind of terrible power, and killed the High Priests and Priestesses of the Old Religion. After that, those who were most loyal, or closest to them came after Uther, seeking revenge and justice, and targetted Arthur? He would’ve been a mere toddler at best. Then those followers were persecuted. So on and so forth. Until Uther decided that anyone with magic was a threat. Anyone with the power to do so could and WOULD came after his son or his kingdom. I think that makes a lot more sense. 

In a world where magic was usually accepted, where it was the norm, there would’ve been threats to royalty in the past also. That couldn’t have been the reason. Even loss at the hands of a sorcerer wouldn’t have been rare. So the bad actions of one priestess wouldn’t have lead to a full eradication.

And can you imagine Arthur growing up like that? A threat against the young prince’s life every other week, from a sorcerer looking for revenge? Imagine the Paranoia both father and son felt, with Arthur facing threats from people who he didn’t know, being scared enough that he’d been convinced to start training to kill, practically since birth. And Uther, having to deal with vengeful sorcerers threatening the only family he had left; slowly going from punishing powerful sorcerers to those who simply had magic, convinced that they were trying to ruin him, to kill his son. With how paranoid we see Uther in the show, I’m honestly not surprised that he became the way he did. Imagine having to protect your child for over 20 years, thinking anyone could betray him, as Nimueh once did. That anyone with magic was capable of killing his family, and he’d be damned if they took away the one thing he had left

[arthur-rex]

Arthur + Morgana = vampire children of the Night. until the Sun granted Arthur his blessing once more.  Headcanon: About 900 years into his vampiric existence (so around 1400s roughly speaking), Arthur grew strong enough to walk in the daylight. The blood he shared amongst his followers (thralls + vampires alike) gave them this ability also. I think a particular unintentionally noble act granted Arthur this power. 

MERLIN ARO WEEK day 3: parental ➛ the pendragons

[forthechubbies]

The Handsome Bandit

Steal from the rich and give to poor, does this include wives? While holding a evil billionaire’s wife for ransom, Our man of the hour begins to fall for the beautiful captive.

Bandit! Kim Taehyung x Housewife! Chubby reader

Harsh Language, Cheeky Taehyung, Sassy Reader, Stealing hearts , Kidnapping, Mild Violence, Angst, Betrayal and Slight Humor.

It's pushing midnight. Ugh! He promised me He wouldn't be late.

Aw! It's gorgeous tonight too. So much for "Date Night." Is it too much to ask for an adventure under the stars with the one you love? Apparently, It's as if I'm asking my celebrity crush to marry me and He's been dead for years so that's out the window. Guess It's the basic trio again; Me, Myself, and I...Oh, look who just arrived my special friend, Food-

" No, I must hold out until He gets home." but honestly who knows when He will show his face again. One time, He come back until mid-morning two days later.

"Yea, Screw it."

Crash!

Immediately, You took shelter under the kitchen island. You can't focus on hearing the intruder's footsteps, Your heart was beating too fast...As matter of a fact, It was dead silent,

Maybe it was just a stupid kid who ball scattered the window and not a creep coming to collect my organs.

You had a hunch the paranoia wasn't unnecessary yet you proceeded out of your hiding spot...and remarkably your insinuations were proven wrong with the visible evidence of a simple accident. A baseball, Glass, Giant footprint- Wait?!

"I'm sorry about this, Love."

You let a blood-curdling cry as your vision was reduced to pitch-black. A couple of minutes later, You woke up to the same emptiness-However two new additions emerged to your list of problems; You were bound and gagged.

“ I thought you said you only take expensive valuables! You know diamonds, Gems-not a woman!” The voice sound like an older gentleman; He spoke with a British accent that of the blue blood ages. “ Out of all the treasures in that devil’s mansion, You took this wife?! For god sake’s, man, What were you thinking!?”

Though your eyesight is constricted, the person to whom the man was fussing burned a hole through the blank fold.

“Listen, I have no intentions of harming her but I don’t know how else to take this bastard down-My only decision was to play dirty.”

The man huffed still not convinced. “ Well, Whatever your planing ensure not a hair is out of place on Mrs. Pendragon’s head! Or it’s your head!”

Slam!

“Alright, Mrs. Pendragon, like I said no harm will come to you if.. you behave.” His titter was a slap in the face along with a minty scent but nothing prepared you for the unveiling of your kidnapper.

You're eyes met a handsome young man probably edging in his late twenties. He smirked at your expression. " Remember you're married.”

He earned a scoffed out of you.

Choosing to not acknowledge his over self-flattery, instead, you asked. “ Why are you doing this?.. What do you expect to gain?”

“I want leverage-it’s playing dirty but it’s fair when it comes to men like your husband.” He explained, popping your personal space bubble. “ Mrs. Pendragon, You might not have the slightest clue as to who your husband really is-Hell, I’ll put money on you not even knowing his line of work.”

He got you there. You could only assume your hubby works in an office environment by his suit and tie uniform.

“You’re cute speechless.” He grinned.

“I wish I could say the same for you-“

Your sassy remark was cut short when his large hand squeezed your cheeks quite unpleasantly. “ Watch your mouth or I’ll-.” He bared in his teeth at you.

“ What do you think you're doing?!” The round man has returned this time with a gray briefcase. “Get your filthy hands off her.” He was quick to snatch the man by the collar. “ Do you not understand if there is a scratch on her we are as good as dead?! An eyelash from her cost more than the two of us combined!”

The bastard rolled his eyes as the round man rushed to your aid. " I'm very sorry about Mr. Kim, I guess where he comes from people lack in manners."

Kim?

"Listen, Mr.-?"

"Jonathan. Miss, Jonathan Clementine." Jonathan gently laid a kiss on your knuckles.

"Mr.Jonathan, Like I told the brute- I don't know what your taking to gain? My hubby hardly ever comes home he usually stays at the hotel across the street from his work. If you think I'm his main priority you would be wrong." You confessed yet you didn't seem upset by the truth this fact rubbed Mr.Kim the wrong way.

"Are you telling me He wouldn't give a damn if you were gone?!"

"No, More like he wouldn't notice right away."

"You got to be kidding me?! If I had a plump gorgeous lover at home like you, I would be running home."

Your face can't help but heat up at his forward remarks.

[merlinbingo]

Come one, come all, it’s peach’s stat time again!

Things slowed down a bit in March, but you’re still doing amazing! So far, 39 people have created at least one fill, two people have got a bingo, and one utter lunatic (affectionate) has already blacked out their first card and signed up for a second one!

Of the 41 fills submitted during March, the majority were fics (34), three were art, two beautiful overachievers created fills that were both fic and art, and finally there was one playlist and one manip. Merlin/Arthur came out top of the ships again with 18 works, followed by 11 gen works, and then a handful of other ships with only one or two fills. In terms of ratings, 27 works were suitable for work, ten were a little more racy, and for four of them people opted out of the rating system all together.

Now, enough of my nonsense, and on to the main event:

March Fills

As per usual, fills are sorted by ship and then by rating. Please pay attention to the rating and any warnings, and practice self-care before clicking on those links.

Gen

Shoulders by devotedwaywardangel1 Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Trust Issues, Paranoia, Campfires, Protective Elyan (Merlin), Angst Summary: Merlin is incapable of trusting anyone and its hurting him.

Stuck. by That-One-Annoying-Fox Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Crack, magic, magic revealed, idiots Summary: The dungeons, Merlin thinks, are ridiculous. They’re so utterly easy to escape from that a jester could do it, with nothing but the clothes on his back. Coincidentally, he cannot escape them.

How Many Are There?! by Camelots_Daffodil Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Friendship, Leon Learns About Merlin’s Magic, Merlin’s Magic Revealed, Happy, Secrets Summary: Heart Attack (noun): What Leon's going to get if people (read: Merlin) keeps revealing these huge ass secrets. A collection of times Leon got more than what he came for.

Scared I Might Be Too by magicinavalon Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Morgana Pendragon, Mirrors, Something Better, Lyrics, Merlin Summary: A photoset of Morgana Pendragon to the lyrics of Taylor Janzen's "Something Better"

Morgana in black armor by kairennart Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Summary:

No One Hurts Merlin by Camelots_Daffodil Rating: Teen Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Hurt/Comfort, Leon Knows About Merlin’s Magic, Merlin’s Magic Revealed, Gentle Arthur Pendragon, Canon-Typical Violence Summary: Merlin, Arthur, and Leon are captured while on a quest, by a woman claiming to have a way to identify Emrys. The way? Poison

Gwainenapped by That-One-Annoying-Fox Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: angst, suicidal thoughts, crack, kidnapping, Summary: Gwaine is kidnapped. Well, no. Not kidnapped. He's not a kid.

The Queen has Spoken by devotedwaywardangel1 Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: discription of injury, Implied/Referenced Torture, BAMF Gwen (Merlin), Hurt Merlin (Merlin), Blood and Injury Summary: Get on the wrong side of the Queen of Camelot may God help the fool.

at the center of our own universe by stanzas Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: AU - Star Trek Fusion, Sickfic, Alien Biology, Alien Culture, Friendship Summary: Exploring space is not without risks. Captain Pendragon and his crew experience a modest range of awe-inspiring, mind-boggling, marvelous scientific and cultural milestones on a good day. And on a bad day, it's terribly, unfairly, awfully tragic. —— Or; 5 times it seemingly paid to be Human on the U.S.S. Camelot and 1 time it didn't.

Hallucinations and Other Such Nonsense by demitimelord42 Rating: Not rated Warnings: No archive warnings apply, Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Summary: Merlin stumbles across a magical glade in the forest, and gets high on magical energy. Arthur thinks Merlin got drunk at the tavern again, and tries to stage an intervention. Emphasis on tries.

BBC Merlin Strip Club by MerthurAllure Rating: Not rated Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Playlist, music, striptease Summary: A playlist of the songs I think the ladies of BBC Merlin would strip/give lap dances to

Gwen/Morgana

Insufferable (gorgeous) by That-One-Annoying-Fox Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: fluff, minimal angst, period typical homophobia, plotting Summary: Morgana and Gwen imagine future suitors.

My Golden Crown of Sorrow, My Bloody Sword to Swing by queerofthedagger Rating: Teen Warnings: Major character death Major tags: Post-Diamond of the Day, Grief/Mourning, Lovers to Enemies, Closure, Angst Summary: Gwen finds Morgana just before she dies. Morgana has taken almost everything from her, and there are things Gwen has left to say.

Leon/Morgana

Self Medication. by That-One-Annoying-Fox Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Dark, Angst, Immortal Leon, twisted love dynamics Summary: Morgana is a salve for the pain of Camelot. Leon is tired.

Lancelot/Morgause

Abuse by Mask Rating: Not rated Warnings: Domestic abuse Major tags: Summary:

Arthur/Gwen

Break up by Mask Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Summary:

Merlin/Gwen

dreams of red dusk dragons by stanzas Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: AU - Modern Setting, Fairy Tale Elements, Dragon Merlin, Amnesia, Slow Burn Summary: It's a normal holiday for Gwen and Morgana at a remote village in Gwynedd. The people are pleasantly eager to greet their visitors, the local legends and lore are fascinating, the rustic views are stunning, the food is delicious, and it's all very delightfully normal. At least it seems so, up until Gwen finds a dragon.

Gwen/Leon

All those I've loved before by Clea2011 Rating: General audiences Warnings: Major character death Major tags: Post-Canon, Loss, Moving On, Marriage proposal, canon deaths Summary: Gwen had lost every single person that she’d ever loved. More than anyone, Gwen deserved a happy ever after.

Merlin/Gwen/Arthur

Camelot Customs by That-One-Annoying-Fox Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Confusion, infidelity, polyamory Summary: Rufus is not an expert at customs in Camelot, but the king and his Servant are a lot closer than they should be.

spellbound by insane-ohwhyfandoms Rating: Explicit Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: modern au, detective merlin, undercover mission, threesome Summary: Merlin is in over his head at a dinner party with Arthur and Gwen, his two childhood friends he hasn't seen in nearly a decade.

Merlin/Lancelot

Pack of rats by Mask Rating: General audiences Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Summary: Cornelius Sigan kidnaps Lancelot to get back at Merlin

Merlin/Leon

Love and Knights by paintedpigeon Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Royal Merlin Summary: Merlin, Prince of Deira and Arthur, King of Camelot negotiate an exchange of knights (one totally free of ulterior motives) as part of a peace treaty.

Gwaine/Leon

It is always the quiet ones by SandySins Rating: Explicit Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Friends to lovers, dom/sub undertones, spanking Summary: Gwaine is a little shit and gets what he deserves, discovering a hidden side of himself in the process.

Merlin/Arthur

Homesick by That-One-Annoying-Fox Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: modern era, post canon, angst, emotional hurt/comfort Summary: Merlin cooks stew.

The Perils (Pros) of Undelivered Messages by heartsocold Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Modern setting, get together, misunderstandings, fluff Summary: Merlin pulled out his phone, the blood draining from his face as he looks at the chat. “The message didn’t send. Shit.” Arthur stared at him in terror. He felt himself flush from head to toe, which was curious because he was pretty sure all the blood in his veins had turned to ice. He couldn’t believe this was happening; couldn’t believe he’d completely embarrassed himself like this. He briefly wondered if the mortification would hurry up and kill him, if only so that he didn’t have to deal with whatever came next.

Fever Pitch by archaeologist_d Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: crack, canon era, AU, silly, it went sideways Summary: Kilgharrah has a fever. Never get near a dragon with a fever. Ever.

The depth of life will dim my temptation to live for you by Just_another_shipper Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Alternate Universe - Canon, Merlin's Magic Revealed, Angst with a Happy Ending, Whump, First Kiss Summary: After realizing he’s immortal, Merlin becomes cavalier about dying. He doesn’t really bother to eat or take care of himself because he’ll simply die and wake back up totally alive and fine - and anyway, who’s got time when you need to protect Arthur and Camelot, right? And surely the food is better off with someone who actually needs it, right? And then cue a completely unaware Arthur coming across a temporarily dead Merlin

Pilates, Pets and Pining in a Pandemic by Camelittle Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Fluff, Pets, Pilates, Pining Summary: Temporarily weakened by the combination of exercise and two really cute puppies, Arthur accidentally blurts out his embarrassing feelings during Merlin’s weekly online Pilates class and therefore runs away. It’s obviously Morgana’s fault. Most things are.

remember how i said i'd die for you by atlanta_black Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: arthur knows about merlin's magic, first kiss, getting together, purple prose Summary: Sometimes, Arthur looks at Merlin and feels so goddamn furious he thinks he’ll burn up from it. Thinks, there’s an irony in that. Burning for a secret he doesn’t know I’m keeping.

Problems by archaeologist_d Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: fluff, banter, merlin learns to dance, arthur is gorgeous Summary: Merlin needed to learn the Camelot dances for the servant’s ball. After tripping over Gwen a few too many times, Arthur helps.

And Nothing Could Ever Change That by Mischel Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: hurt/comfort, fluff, hugs, established relationship, canon era Summary: A month ago, Uther found out about Merlin's magic. A month ago, Arthur saved his boyfriend from the pyre and got awfully scarred in the face because of it. A month ago, they both escaped the castle and started living with the druids while Arthur healed. And in all that time, Arthur hadn't let Merlin see his face for fear that Merlin would leave him. But Merlin is stubborn and won't let Arthur chase him away. He'll be there for him, always. Arthur just needs to realize that.

If Wishes Were - chapter 17 by archaeologist_d Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: angst, modern AU, arguments, merlin is trying, arthur is a prat Summary: Arthur isn't reacting well to his return into the world. Too much noise, too much confusion, just too much.

The One Wherein Merlin Has His Cake (And Eats It Too) by idyllic_idioms Rating: Mature Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Cakeverse, Crack Treated Seriously, Soulmate AU Summary: Imagine a world with three types of people: Cakes, who taste like cake to Forks. Forks, who cannot taste any food and drink except for when they kiss a Cake. And lastly, Plates, who are just normal people.

If Wishes were, chapter 12 by archaeologist_d Rating: Mature Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: angst, modern era, arthur comes back, camelot in ruins Summary: Merlin makes a wish list, casting a spell on it, hoping against hope that it would bring Arthur back from the dead.

if Wishes were, chapter 14 by archaeologist_d Rating: Mature Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: angst, arthur comes back, modern, arthur isn't happy about it Summary: Merlin makes a wish list, casting a spell on it, hoping against hope that it would bring Arthur back from the dead.

If Wishes were, chapter 15 by archaeologist_d Rating: Mature Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: angst, arthur isn't happy to be back, modern, grief Summary: Merlin makes a wish list, casting a spell on it, hoping against hope that it would bring Arthur back from the dead.

Blank Spaces by archaeologist_d Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic depictions of violence Major tags: angst, memory loss, hurt Merlin, slavery Summary: He didn’t remember his village or his family or, worst of all, his name. Nothing but blank spaces where memories should be.

The colour suits you, Merlin by archaeologistd Rating: Explicit Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: silly, merlin in a dress, morgana plots rom-con, arthur likes merlin in purple Summary: Morgana was using Merlin as a dress-maker’s model. Merlin wasn’t having any of it.

Golden As I Open My Eyes by queerofthedagger Rating: Explicit Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Post-Diamond of the Day, Arthur Lives, Court Sorcerer Merlin, Frottage, Angst with a Happy Ending Summary: Sometimes, the unravelling of secrets is the easy part. Sometimes, what is most difficult comes after; how do you relearn something that you thought you knew better than yourself?

The Sight of You by MerthurAllure Rating: Explicit Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: PWP, roommates, blow jobs, come marking, glasses Summary: Merlin had spent a lot of time and energy avoiding his feelings for Arthur. Who would’ve guessed it would only take something so small to ruin all that.

It's Not Stalking if It's in Your Job Description by mooonwaffle Rating: Not rated Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: PI Merlin (Merlin), Strangers to Lovers, Misunderstandings, Stakeout Summary: Mithian's mother hires Merlin, a private investigator, to look into her daughter's relationship after she suspects Arthur of having an affair. Merlin begins looking into the allegations, but when he blows his cover in front of Arthur, the truth comes spilling out. The man Merlin thought was a cheating bastard turns out to be the complete opposite, and Merlin can't contain the butterflies fluttering around in his stomach.

[arthur-rex]

@sorceress-queen​

Oh boy, this is deep. Thanks for tagging me in this lovely, because this triggers thoughts. Yes, like it or not, we are to some extent our parents. Arthur is the sum of Uther and Ygraine. 

Yet he chooses to follow the example of his mother.

It’s a hard path to walk.

Ygraine married Uther because she loved the good she saw in him. No man is born wholly evil. That goodness never completely left, but it got lost in the Pendragon rage that took hold after Ygraine (Uther’s personal angel) died in childbirth damn that fucking magic... and now Arthur, subconsciously perhaps, but for his mother’s sake, will always try to resurrect that better side of his father. That’s why he never gives up on Uther, why he works so hard for Uther’s favour. It’s because he wants his father to be reminded of those happier days & to be for him what Ygraine once was. A source of joy that triggers a change in the mad king and brings Uther back to being the good man that Ygraine loved.

In short, Arthur longs for a healthy relationship with his father.

But like Ygraine died to satisfy Uther’s wish for a male heir, so Arthur must suffer in his compassion for the devil his father became.

In other words, my interpretation of Arthur is ridiculously tender and forgiving. It’s just in his nature.

Well, I know there can come fire from the sky to refine the purest of Kings. Requested by Anonymous

[make-me-imagine]

Always and Forever

Oneshot Alphabet; Part One: A: “Always and Forever”; Arthur Pendragon. 

First Part of a 26 part series.

Premise: Arthur and the reader are in love; but Uther disapproves, thinking the reader can bring nothing to Camelot as a future ruler with Arthur. After sending Arthur on business in another kingdom; Uther banishes the reader from Camelot. When Arthur comes back and finds out; he fights with his father to prove your worth. After seeking the reader out, he finds them in the midst of a battle with bandits. But, is he too late to save the love of his life?

Genre: Fluff and Angst

Pairing: Arthur Pendragon x Gen!Neutral Reader

Triggers: Kissing. Mentions of fighting and stabbing (not graphic)

Word Count: 2.9k

~~~ ~~~ ~~~

You closed your eyes in contentment as the cool breeze blew through the valley, sunlight shining on you as your hands brushed threw the grass at your sides. Hearing footsteps approaching, you open your eyes to see Arthur approaching, small smile on his face as he stared at you. You smile at him in return as he grows closer, your eyes falling to the basket in his hands. 

“Did you get out easily?” you asked as he crouched down next to you.

“Of course” he smiled before leaning forward and pressing a soft kiss to your head before kissing your lips quickly. You smiled fondly at him as he sat fully next to you opening up the basket and pulling out bread, cheese and fruit, as well as some drinks. 

Once a week you and Arthur would sneak off to spend some time together, a picnic, a horseback ride, a walk through the woods, anything to just be alone. You had been in a secret relationship for near three months now, and you were completely in love with the Prince. No matter how aware you were that you should not be. Merlin, Gaius and Morgana were the only ones who knew. Well, you suspecting some of the knights as well, but none of them made it obvious they knew. 

As you stared up at the clouds, your head resting on his shoulder your mind wavered between happiness and anxiety “Are you sure we should keep doing this Arthur?” 

Arthur remained silent for a moment as he brushed his hand down your arm before he moved his body out from under you to turn and face you. You stared into his eyes as he gently stroked your face, a small smile on his own “I know there is a chance that it could backfire on us. I am unsure if I can convince my father to let us be together, so until I know for sure that I can, I want to continue doing this. I can’t stand the idea of us not being together, because I want to be with you... always and forever.”

A smile spread across your face at his genuine and soft words. Reaching up you brought your hand to his face, cupping it slightly “I want that too Arthur.” 

His smile widened as he leaned down and pressed another kiss to your lips, cherishing this moment as much as he could. 

~~~ ~~~ ~~~

You smiled at Arthur as he took your hand in his, helping you down from your horse. He kept his hand in yours as you began walking through the familiar path to the small river you would often sit at together. Looking around the area, you had an uneasy feeling that you were being watched, but let it go as Arthur began talking to you, distracting you from the paranoia. 

As you sat at the river side laughing with Arthur, you felt the unease again. “Are you alright?” Arthur asked as he watched you carefully. 

“Oh, yes” you smiled, convincing yourself that it was nothing. 

Arthur reached out, stroking the side of your face before leaning forward and kissing you. You felt a warmth flow through you at the affection. But it was replaced with panic only a moment later.

“So this is what you’ve been sneaking off to do?” 

You and Arthur both jumped in surprise and King Uther stepped out of the trees, a few Knights behind him.

Arthur rose quickly “Father, what are you doing here?” 

“What, you think I had not noticed that you would disappear every week?” Uther scoffed as his eyes fell to you.

You stood and curtsied, unable to speak as you felt his cold eyes on you. You had known Uther for a long time, he was often kind to you, but this was the first time you felt that he genuinely hated you. 

After being forced back to Camelot, and separated from Arthur, you paced back and fourth in your chambers for hours worrying about what would happen next. When your door swung open without a knock and the King walked in alone, you felt your heart drop as he closed the door behind him and stared at you in silence. 

You curtsied again and cautiously looked up at him, unsure of what to do “Your highness-” you began, but could not finish.

“What is your relationship with my son?” 

You rose fully as you hesitated for a moment before you tried to gather all the courage you could “I love him.” was all you said. That was enough to you.

Uther sighed as he turned and faced out the window “That is what he said as well.” 

You felt our heart hammer in your chest as you waited for him to continue “I sent Arthur two days early to Gawant for his meeting with Godwyn. While he is gone...I expect you to pack your belongings at leave” your eyes widened at his words as he turned and began to leave “From this moment, you are banished from Camelot.” 

“King Uther, please, wait!” you called to him as he stopped in the door and turned to you, his sharp gaze silencing you.

“I have cared for you since you were a child, but I cannot believe that you would do well to stand by Arthur’s side and rule Camelot.” his face seemed to soften slightly as he saw the tears forming in your eyes “You will go.” he said before leaving you behind.

Your heart was hammering so hard in your chest you could hear nothing else as the tears began to stream down your face “But this is my home.” you said in a whisper as you felt a sense of desperation fill you. 

~~~ ~~~ ~~~

Arthur could not get rid of the anger and nervousness filling his being the entire time he was in Gawant. And he rode quickly back to Camelot, the only thing on his mind was you. What had his father done while he was gone. How were you punished. 

The first thing he did upon his return, was go to your chambers. As he knocked and knocked and there was no reply, he hurried to his fathers room, entering quickly and giving his father no greeting “Where is Y/n?” he asked, his voice laced with anger and fear. 

Uther stared at his son for a moment before sighing and standing “Y/n, is gone.” 

“Gone? What do you mean, what have you done?”  he asked, his anger growing as he approached his father. 

“I banished them.”

Arthur halted in his step as his heart seemed to drop “W-What? Father, why? You’ve known Y/n since we were both children, this is the only home Y/n had how could you do that?!” 

“It was not an easy decision for me to make Arthur! But it was the only one I could do for you to lessen your bond with them.”

“The bond we had will not lessen, I love Y/n, and no distance can change that. Why are you against us marrying? It is not as though Y/n comes from nothing!”

“I do not think Y/n would make a good enough ruler to stand by your side!”

“You’re wrong! Y/n has been there the whole time. Most of the decisions that I made that you said were the right ones were influenced by Y/n! I could see no one else doing a better job at taking care of Camelot as them!” 

Uther stared at Arthur with a sense of unease and shock as tears formed in his sons eyes. “Are you lying to me?”

Arthur shook his head “No. I can tell you of countless times that Y/n helped me to make the best possible decisions, decisions that helped save Camelot, helped save you! But Y/n insisted that I never say they had anything to do with it.”

Uther felt a tightness form in his chest as he thought of you. You had been like a child to him, and the realizing that he sent you off on your own in a world you did not know, simply because of his pride. He sunk down into his chair as he sighed “What have I done?” 

Arthur moved to his fathers side and crouched down “I love Y/n father, with everything I have. If you want me to be happy, let me go to them, bring them back. We will prove to you that we can rule Camelot together. Please.”

Uther placed his hand on Arthur’s “You’re right. But-”

“But?” 

“I do not know where Y/n went. If you wish to find them, you will have to do it on your own.”

Arthur stood and turned “Nothing could stop me.” He said as he left his fathers room, leaving him behind to think over the decisions he had made, and the guilt he felt filling his usually cold and distant heart. 

~~~ ~~~ ~~~

Your heart was heavy in your chest as you looked around our surroundings. This was the furthest you had ever been from Camelot, and you had no idea where you would end up. A part of you did not care either way, no place would be home again. Not without Arthur. 

When you left Camelot a few days prior, it was the hardest thing you ever did. Saying goodbye to Gwen and Gauis, and being unable to say goodbye to everyone else. But what hurt the most was that you could not say goodbye to Arthur. You tried to convince Uther to let you stay until he returned, but he did not allow this. So you left just a day before he would return. 

You found out that he had no idea you were being banished, and part of your was terrified Uther would not tell him so when he returned. That instead, he would tell Arthur that you left of your own accord. Could Uther really be that cruel? 

You had gotten too lost in your thoughts that you had not been aware of the men watching you from the treeline. Hearing a sudden shout, you looked up to see multiple people rushing at you from the trees. 

You called to your horse as you began to speed forward, hearing the sound of horses behind you as more men came after you. As you began to panic, you reached down and pulled your dagger out, just as a body clashed with yours, knocking you off your horse and roughly onto the ground. 

As you rolled onto your feet, your eyes met with the grinning face of a man who quickly lunged at you. Jumping back to doge him you kicked out and hit him in the chest as you threw yourself towards the dagger you had dropped as you fell. 

Just as your hand clasped the handle, you felt hands grip your ankles as the man dragged you towards him. Spinning onto your back, you slashed out your arm, managing to cut the man across his chest, sending him falling back with a cry of pain. Standing you began to run, but were cut off by two more men, seeing more surrounding you, a total of eight of them. As they ran at you, you used what strength and skill you had to fight them off, your dagger clutched tightly in your hand. 

- - - 

As Arthur road over the hillsides, his eyes grazing over every area, he wished desperately for you to appear in his view. He had learned from Gwen which way you went, and he was not too far behind you. He should have found you by now. 

Merlin, Gwaine and Leon road with him, helping to find you. He was going to come alone, but he learned from them that there had been bandit sightings in this area. Only adding to the worry Arthur felt. 

As the rode into a densely wooded area Arthur stopped when he heard a distant shout. Listening he heard more shouts and an eerie feelings fell over Arthur as he quickly rode in the direction of the noise. 

Entering onto a path, his eyes landed on the men ahead, seemingly chasing after someone, as he road closer, he saw multiple men lying motionless on the ground, as one of the living ones was carrying another person. As a shout came from them and the man swayed trying to hold them down, his eyes widened as he saw your frightened face appear as you kicked and fought back. 

“Y/n!”

Your eyes widened at the familiar voice, your eyes moving to see Arthur riding towards you on his horse. You felt relief rush over you as you tried to push yourself away from the man holding onto you “Arthur!”

“It’s the Prince!” One of the men yelled as the began to flee.

The man holding you, seemed to let go of you as you you tried to pull yourself away from him. But as you did so, you suddenly felt a sharp pain in your lower back. You staggered as you realizes the man had just stabbed you with your own dagger. 

As Arthur approached and threw himself off his horse, Gwaine and Leon went after the fleeing bandits as Arthur ran to you. His heart seemed to break as he saw your eyes widen as the man behind you thrust a dagger into your back. 

Time seemed to slow as you began to fall to your knees, the man fleeing as Arthur ran to you, catching you in his arms just as you fell forward. 

“No” he gasped out as he cradled you, turning to to him, his eyes grazing over the familiar dagger on the ground, the one he gave you himself, now covered in your blood. 

As your tired eyes met his you smiled lightly at him “Arthur.”

“Y/n” He said with a sad voice as he pulled you closer, his hand resting on your face, he looked up and called out “Merlin!”

Merlin appeared at your side as he began to look at your wound, Arthur holding you to his chest as you rested your head against him “I didn’t think I’d see you again” you whispered. 

Arthur pressed his face to yours “You didn’t think I’d come for you?” 

“I didn’t know what your father would have told you.” You admitted wincing from the pain as Merlin began to apply something to your back. 

“It’s alright Y/n. I convinced my father, he told me to come get you. We can be together, you just have to hold on okay.” 

You could barely focus on his words as you seemed to get cold “I fought them as best I could. Just like you taught me.” 

“You did good.” He said as he pressed a kiss to your cheek, trying to control his emotions as your voice grew softer. 

“You came to find me” You muttered, your thoughts warping as you began to feel exhaustion take over. 

“Of course I did” he whispered in your ear “I will always come for you. We’re meant to be together remember? Always and forever.”

As his words echoed in your mind, your eyes closed, everything going foggy as you tried to speak once more “Always..and..fo-” 

~~~ ~~~ ~~~

Arthur stood still as he stared down at his hands, his father standing next to him, watching him closely. He could feel the eyes of everyone else around him as well as he stood at the front of the room. There were whispers he could not understand, his thoughts to messy and jumbled together. 

The room was covered in flowers, he made sure they were your favorite. Candles were lit in various areas to light up the room as well. 

Arthur took a deep breath as he tried to steady himself, but he jumped ever-so-slightly when a heavy hand landed on his shoulder. “Arthur.” Peaking up, he met his fathers eyes, who only motioned towards the door. 

Arthur straightened as he moved to follow his fathers gaze. Turning, his heart seemed to stop in his chest as you stood in the doorway, dressed up more beautifully than he had ever seen. 

He felt a grin spread across his face as you were escorted into the room, all eyes falling on you as you walked closer to him, as the musicians began to play an elegant melody. Your eyes never straying from his as you approached. As you finally stood in front of him he took your hands in his as you faced each other. 

Uther straightened his posture as everyone quieted down their whispers as he began speaking, reading out the wedding vows. All the while you and Arthur stared into each others eyes, barely able to pay attention to Uther’s words, until he spoke directly to Arthur. 

“Do you, Prince Arthur Pendragon, take Y/n L/n to be your spouse. To be their constant friend, Their partner in life, and their true love? To love them without reservation, Honor and respect them, Protect them from harm, Comfort them in times of distress, and to grow with them in mind and spirit?”

Arthur smiled widely at you as he squeezed your hands slightly. 

“Always and forever” 

Uther smiled at his son before turning to look at you.

“And do you, Y/n L/n, take Arthur Pendragon to be your husband. To be his constant friend, His partner in life, and his true love? To love him without reservation, honor and respect him, protect him from harm, comfort him in times of distress, and to grow with him in mind and spirit?”

You stared into Arthur’s eyes as your smile reflected his.

“Always and forever” 

xx xx END xx xx

((Wedding vows referenced from this))

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