#but he’s still merlin

[fluffypotatey]

I said once and I'll say it again, I don't really think late season merlin is a villain, but I do think season 1 and pre canon merlin would think his future self is a villain

agreed, anon, s1 merlin would be horrified at the decision and choices he made by s4-5

but yeah merlin isn’t a “villain” by s5. he falls into more of a gray area in my opinion. like, he is still a hero to me but just with a narrower view on his priorities and 10 years of dealing with your classic episodic enemies who want to kill Arthur

[sabellart]

i still don’t think i’m over the implications of this scene

[amirmeavid]

One of the funniest things about merlin fanfic is when they write magical fight scenes and its so fucking difficult to do because merlin doesn't fight in a normal way.

Like with other fandoms there's like a technique. Like there are spells to cast, techniques to use, difficulties and simple approaches. But merlin doesn't subscribe to any of that.

Like this is basically a god with the skill of a toddler.

He just tanks shit.

He doesn't even know that many spells. Like his opponents are doing all this magical techniques and hand-wavey stuff and he just... stands there. Like maybe he stumbles back sometimes, but most of the time he just takes it.

Like his opponents will be doing the magical equivalent of tornado kicks, flips, and somersaults and then he gets like a papercut. Then he lopsidedly punches with the worst form ever seen and his opponent gets flung back 200m.

He's the singular most annoying person to ever have to fight, cause you're out here pulling out your best moves, then he flicks you on the forehead and you die.

EDIT: IF YOU HAVE READ THIS FAR YOU OWE ME A BOOP. BY LAW. I EARNED IT.

EDIT2: You may comment the word instead, however it is no longer legally required.

[irishyuri]

please get a lock on that damn door

[justaz]

merlin who uses his magic everyday in ways that he doesn’t realize isn’t normal. magic helping him see in the dark so he can find his way in the woods or dark rooms with no problem. connecting with the woods around him so he always knows where he is and whats in the general vicinity which allows him to sense bandits just before they attack. using magic to keep warm in the cold or to cool down in the heat. confident and willing to go toe to toe with anyone bc he knows that regardless of what they throw at him, he could always win bc he could just use magic.

then somehow someway (post magic reveal) a sorcerer takes away merlin’s magic. or well just locks it away ig. but anyways merlin doesn’t have this part of him anymore and is left feeling empty, exposed, and vulnerable. arthur, the knights, and merlin going on a quest for answers to their problem and a way to get merlins magic back. but. but. but merlin is all jumpy and he’s rambling more than ever and is often reaching out to grab onto someone (usually arthur) and everyone’s confused and then they get ambushed and merlin freezes in the middle of the path like a deer. he’s watching everything go down around him with wide eyes until he’s targeted and one of the knights have to rush in to save him. afterward merlin is constantly holding someone and his grip is rather tight. he keeps looking around, his eyes scanning the trees around them over and over. when they try and settle down for the night, merlin wont leave the camp without an escort or two and when they’re trying to go to sleep, merlin is flinching at every noise in the woods around them and ends up shuffling over toward the person closest to him and laying pressed up against them.

arthur opening his mouth to tease and call him a coward when the word registers in his mind and he realizes that that’s what he’s actually seeing, merlin scared and defenseless. he ofc doesn’t realize the true depth of it all, i mean he knows merlin is missing his magic but he doesn't know that magic has always been a part of merlin, it makes him him. he’s had magic since he was born, he’s never known life without it. as he is now, he feels bare and exposed and blind and deaf and terrified. the knights are his defense rn and for the past few years, merlins been their protector so its a complete reversal of everything he’s ever known. he’s scared. arthur bites his tongue and lets merlin hold onto his arm and snuggle up close at night for some form of comfort and security. he doesn’t tease or mock and responds to his ramblings of fear with a level of gentleness the knights weren’t aware he even possessed. merlin slowly relaxing as arthur subtly comforts him without addressing it

[theroundbartable]

Modern au:

Arthur: holy shit, I was reborn gay

Merlin: wait, you weren't gay back then?

Arthur: ... No?

Merlin: then what was all that about?

Arthur: ... What are you talking about?

Merlin: You... Me... *Air quotes* do you know how to walk on your Knees*

Arthur: I married Gwen!!!!

Merlin: WE married Gwen, Arthur. WE did!!!

[daritskaya]

I want an AU where merlin, like arthur, doesn't know about the prophecy.

I want an AU where he follows his heart without a sense of fear.

I want an AU where he gradually gets to know arthur without the weight of those expectations and the prophecy doesn't hang over them like the sword of damocles

I want an AU where he still finds his place alongside arthur, but doesn't lose himself by turning himself into a weapon in the hands of the "king of the past and to come"

I want an AU where trying to follow or avoid the prophecy doesn't form a chasm between them.

I want an AU where arthur doesn't think about the fact that merlin stayed by his side because he saw him as a fulfillment of prophecy, not a friend.

I want an AU where they learn of the prophecy together, years later when albion is prosperous, and have a long talk about what fate means to them.

[abisalli]

If canon won't let them hug, I will make them hug

[forecast0ctopus]

why’d he do arthurs belt like that 🤨 unnecessary

[myoonmii]

Someone on twt said you can see how red Merlin’s eyes are and that he’s probably been crying all night.

And I’m thinking how he obviously never left Arthur’s side after the magic reveal, so he probably would’ve been a few feet away and Arthur definitely would’ve heard him sobbing quietly through the night but he felt too betrayed to even look at him, let alone comfort him.

[that-nerd-who-writes-fanfiction]

Leon: The next person that says "weird flex but okay" is going to get punched in the face.

Gwaine, dramatically: Preposterous boast but alas, my good bitch.

[gaspodegirl-blog]

Thinkin' about how Merlin accidentally unintentionally turned Freya into a water goddess by the magnitude of his grief.

And how he might have accidentally unintentionally turned Arthur into the Once and Future King for the same reason.

[interstellarsystem]

Has this been done yet? Probably.

Tried to use language that's inclusive of alterhumans who are still human.

[chronicowboy]

we as a collective do Not talk about this line delivery nearly enough and for good fucking reason, i'll kill bradley james for this one line alone. he's just a little boy :'((

[justaz]

magic reveal where arthur doesn't say a word and starts walking away and then merlin is at his heel calling for him, pleading with him to talk, to let him explain everything, begging for him to turn around and look at him, his voice breaking with grief. arthur has never been able to deny merlin anything and turns but he is still hurt and angry and merlin can see it in his eyes before he even opens his mouth to spew accusations. merlin stands, demure, as he shakes his head yet he doesn't say anything - fallen silent under arthur's rage. arthur walks away and around a corner, merlin doesn't follow. merlin breaks down into heartbroken tears and sobs and arthur is just around the corner, leaning on the wall for support, and listening to merlin fall apart.

[thatgaywizardoverthere]

Arthur “Disaster Bi” Pendragon learning about true loves kiss as a cure like:

Gwaine: For fuck’s sake, he’s not enchanted every time he smiles at someone else, Arthur! He was literally just laughing at my joke!

Arthur, aggressively frenching Merlin on the council room floor: YOU CAN NEVER BE TOO CAREFUL OKAY-