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strawberri-blonde · 4 years ago

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Amortentia - Fred Weasley

Summary: Your classic enemies to lovers.

Warning: Curse words.

Feeling the piece of paper hit your face for what felt like the Millionth time; your tolerance was long worn down. You went to grab your wand but Hermione stopped you by resting her hands into your wrist but it didn’t stop the anger that was filling your soul as you looked over at the Weasley twins. “Y/n, no.” The twins laughed as they saw the glare upon your face.

“Merlin, I’ll gulge your eyes out with my wand, Fred!” The older twin chuckled making George share a laugh as well. Heat filled your face and reached your ears making it feel as if steam was coming out. Hermione saw the anger that resisted in your expression and slowly took your wand from your grip worried for the Weasleys.

“I’d like to see you try sweetheart.” An aggravated squeal left your lips causing the whole class to turn in the direction of the two tables earning the attention of a certain Professor. The twins kept laughing while Hermione nudge you to the front of the class where Professor McGonagall resigned with a stern look.

“If the two of you are done flirting, then it’s time to get back to the lesson.” You instantly felt your cheeks overflow in a deep red while Fred tried to cover his embarrassment with a light smirk but George didn’t fall for his tricks. He bump his shoulder against Fred’s making the boy blush before shoving his brother back somewhat harder. “Boys.”

“Sorry, Professor.” After the Weasleys apologied McGonagall stared them down for one last time before continuing.

Shaking away your insecurities, you grabbed onto the your quill and began to concentrate on today’s lesson while mumbling out, “idiots.”

You clenched your books in your hand as you glided down the halls with ease, your mind was so concentrated on the fact that lunch was going to be served soon that you didn’t notice the human being that you bumped into. “Oh, I’m sorr-”

“Watch it mugblood.”

Your breath got caught in your throat as the insult spewed from the blondes lips. Tears started to form but you wouldn’t dare let that snake see you cry. Before you could respond someone grabbed your shoulders and moved you to stand behind them. “Why don’t you shut your mouth Malfoy before I make sure you can’t speak again.”

Draco let out a laugh making his minions do the same while you looked up at Fred in confusion. Why was he helping you? “What a Weasley, trying to shield a mugblood. Makes sense.” You tensed at the harsh word again, causing the red head to fume. “Your whole family should be qualified as mugblood yourselves I mean-” Draco’s word were literally caught in his throat as Fred stepped forward with his long legs and wrapped his lanky but strong hands around the pure bloods throat.

Your eyes increased in size and worry filled your soul but not for Draco, who was getting his windpipe crushed, but surprisingly for Fred. He could get in so much trouble. When the minions saw the scary expression on his face they ran away too scared to turn up like Draco. “Fred.” You clasped his robes into your hands and tried to yank onto the fabric as hard as you could but the boy was like a rock. “Fred let him go.” What sounded like whimpers left Draco’s mouth as Fred seemed to ignore you completely. “Please.” Hearing your plea, the Weasley turned towards you and looked at your defeated expression and softened his gaze. Letting out a sigh, he dropped the boy to the floor with no hesitation.

“If you ever,” he continued as he bent down to Draco’s level. “Speak to Y/n again. I won’t stop.” Your heart raced at his words and you stood perfectly still as Fred straightened his posture and put a hand behind your back to motion you away from the mess he made. His touch was so gentle that if you weren’t paying attention, you wouldn’t feel it.

As you both turned the corner, you clenched your books towards your chest. “Thank you for that, but I had it covered.” Fred let out a laugh and bumped into you slightly to joke around.

“Oh, I bet, but I really wanted to strangle that swamp arse.” Rolling your eyes you stepped onto the staircase and before you could grab the hand rail, the motion of it moving caused you to fall into his arms. “Darn, Y/n I didn’t figure you the type of girl to fall in a boys arms.” Hearing the cockiness, you pushed off him and took a step up and gripped the rail into your hand. Once the stair was set, you walked up the top and greet the portrait of the singing fat lady. Her silk pink dress flowed as she turned to look at the two of you and her eyes widen. “Pass- bloody, you two are standing beside one another and aren’t arguing?” You blushed whiled Fred laughed out the password.

“Caput Draconis.” With confusion in her painted eyes, she opened the door to the Gryffindor common room. Comfort washed over as you took in the cinnamon scent and saw the warm fire. “Maybe I’ll save you a seat in the dining hall.” You blushed as you looked down at your feet before looking at at the handsome man. “Can’t have anyone ruffling your feathers but me.”

You smirked and nodded your head, “but you huh.”

“Yeah.” Fred stuffed his hands in his pockets to stand a little taller. “But me.”

Ever since that day you and Fred and been a little more civil with one another... Okay, a lot more civil. At first so many people thought you both were joking; that it was some big prank because after all the years of straight arguing all of a sudden you like each other?

You let the huff escape from your lips as you went over the potion you were going to do in Professor Snape’s class but Fred wasn’t doing much help as he stuffed his face with countless of chocolate frogs. Giving the boy a sharp look, Fred laughed at your expression. “What?”

“You’re making a mess.” You closed the spell book while Fred bit off the head of the chocolate figure. “You’re going to get chocolate everywhere.”

A mischievous smirk made its way to the Weasleys face as he turned to you. “Oh you mean like this.” You gasped at he wiped some milk chocolate onto your noise without thinking of the consequences. “Or this.” You mouth closed its gap and instead an ‘are you serious,’ expression took its place as he wiped a line of chocolate on your right cheek. “What about this?” You sighed as he now spread the dark sweetness to your left cheek.

“You done yet.” Fred tilted his head and squinted his eyes and clicked his tongue against his cheek. He lifted his thumb and slowly pressed it on your bottom lip, teasingly sliding it across making your breath get caught in your throat. You both seemed to be in a trance as your eyes never left his and all of his attention was on your lips.

The room grew hot as your hearts race from the need of each other. Slowly you slipped the tip of your tongue out and licked away the sweetness and took his thumb into your warm and wet mouth. Fred had to clench the couch cushions to surpress himself from pouncing on you. The way you swirled your tongue around his thumb sent him in a frenzy. Seeing his eyes darkened from hunger you let him go with a pop. “How should I get the rest off?” Fred went to reach for your waist but the door to the common room opened with Harry, Ron and George coming in. You pushed Fred away from you sending him to the floor and your cheeks were flooded red from embarrassed that you let your hormones take over your mind like that.

The three boys looked at you two in confusion and Ron was the first to speak. “Y/n, why do you have chocolate all over your face and Fred, bloody hell mate. Get off the floor.” Fred sat up with a huff and George started to laugh quickly understand his frustration and you became a blubbering mess.

“Um, I-I um...” you got chocked up and gestured towards your spell book. “We, um... I-I.” And just like that you took off disguarding your supplies and ran up to your room hoping to hide away from embarrassment.

“So Ron told me about last night.” You rolled your eyes as you added ingredients to the spell.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” You whispered back checking to make sure Professor Snape wasn’t looking because you really didn’t feel like getting yelled at by him today.

“Um, huh.” Hermione squinted her eyes and let a smirk take over as you pulled away from the spell and reached for your book but then you remembered how you left your book in the common room.

“Past.” Like as if he could read your mind Fred held your book in the air and waved it around making you giggle. You reached out to snatch it but the Weasley lifted it higher making you stick your tongue out to him.

“Freddie, give it.” This was the first time you’ve given him the nickname and it made him almost cave in.

“Come and get it.” You rolled your eyes at his words and looked to make sure Snape wasn’t looking before ever so slowly getting up from your seat to grab your book but right as you were about to snatch it, you stepped on a weak board having it squeak. In a flash Severus Snape turned in your direction having you look like a deer caught in head lights.

“What are you doing Ms. Y/l/n?”

“Um.” You mumbled not liking having everyone’s eyes on you.

“It’s my fault, Professor.” Fred stood up and gestured towards her book. “I took her book and Y/n was just trying to get it back.”

“Why is it?” He questioned stepping closer to the pair. “Every time there’s a noise or argument it’s from you two. Granger.” Hermione snapped her head up giving her attention to the older man. “Switch seats with Mr. Weasley.”

“Um which one sir?” Snape snapped a glare in Fred’s direction.

“Mr. Weasley you will sit in Ms. Granger’s seat and partner with Y/n and you two will learn to exist together and not argue.” Confusion went around the room because everyone took notice as to how great Y/n and Fred have gotten along. I guess Snape didn’t get the memo.

You shyly say back down and waved Hermione bye and internal screamed when Fred took a seat to your right. “Alright, everyone get back to the potion.”

Fred bumped you shoulder and handed you your book to which you took with a smile and opened it to the page you needed. “What are we making anyway?”

Shaking your head, you mumbled out. “Poor Hermione.” You added the last ingredient and began to stir. “It’s Amortentia it spells like whatever you’re attracted to.” You pushed Fred’s chest and laughed. “But with all of your cologne I can’t smell anything.” Fred rolled his eyes playfully and pulled you into him.

“First of all I could say the same Y/n, I mean did you broke the whole bottle on yourself and second, I was in a rush so I couldn’t put my cologne on only my deodorant.”

You two laughed at each other saying how the other is lying when Snape raisies his voice at the two. “You’re smelling each other from the Amortentia you idiots.” And just like that your smiles dropped and you both stared intimately at one another.

“If we weren’t in class right now I’d so kiss you.” Fred widen his eyes then signaled to George. Hermione looked worried as George pulled out some random vile from his robes and poured it into the potion. Green mist sprung loose and this horrible smell filled everyone’s noses. Fred grabbed you’re books along with his with one hand and grabbed your wrist with the other to pull you out the class. You couldn’t stop laughing at Fred pulled you down the halls and he dropped your books to grab your cheeks into his large hands.

As your eyes met, and heavy breathes collided you both smiled widely at one another. You were the first to make your move as you stood on your tippy toes and wrapped your arms around his neck to bring him down for the kiss. Fred caresses your skin as he felt your soft plump lips move heavenly against his thin ones. Heat pooled between the two as the kiss deepened. Fred licked the bottom of your lip for entrance and instead of accepting you pulled back with a giggle and grabbed his hands and pulled him behind you guiding him through the halls laughter filling wherever y’all went. Once when two reach the Gryffindor commons rooms laughter did appear once or twice but it was mostly filled with your sounds of passionate love.

#hogwarts imagine #hogwarts #fred weasley x reader #fred weasley imagine #fred weasley #fred and george #fred and goerge weasley #weasley imagine

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lupinlongbottom · 5 years ago

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Burning Bridges pt. 3

Neville Longbottom x Reader

Summary: Finally settling into her new role, (Y/N) has found her calling. Teaching is easier, now that she has a friend at her side. As taxing and stressful teaching can be, maybe some tea and a good chat can calm her mind.

Word Count: 3.5k

Warnings: Some swearing, slight bit talk about sex if you squint

A/N: AH! I love these two. They’re burning. Slowly, in my brain. Enjoy the pain!

Part 1 ... Part 2 ... Part 4 ... Part 5 ... Part 6 ... Part 7

It had been two months. Two months of teaching at the most prestigious wizarding school in the world. Many would argue that Ilvermorny could rival it, but many of those wizards were blind Americans, unknowing to the true superiority of the other school. Either case, to say that (Y/N) was swamped and stressed beyond her wildest dreams was an understatement.

“Can anyone tell me how many uses dragon blood has?” (Y/N) asked to her audience, doe-eyed first years. A hand shot up. “Mr. Butler.”

“Twelve,” the scrawny Slytherin retorted, looking pleased with himself.

“That’s right,” she smiled, crossing over to the blackboard. “Now, Mr. Butler, could you tell me each and every one of the magical properties it possesses? Giving it the twelve uses?”

The Slytherin sat silently, mouth slightly agape. “My mum only told me she used it to clean our oven…” he trailed, almost unsure of himself.

“Exactly! That’s one use, good job Mr. Butler,” (Y/N) scribbled in tight words ‘oven cleaner’ onto the black board. “Could anyone else help him out?” Another hand shot up, one of a Ravenclaw girl. “Yes, Ms. Hoyt?”

“I’m sorry, Professor (L/N), but are you expecting us to know all of the uses?”

(Y/N) smiled widely. “No,” Loud murmurs erupted from the classroom, confused at their professor’s response. “I don’t expect any of you to know more than one or two uses. You’re first years, barely begun reading your textbooks or learned anything about potions, so,” (Y/N) spun the blackboard around. “You should know I hate assigning papers, but I want you all to write me an essay on the twelve uses,” she pressed her wand to each bullet point. “Who discovered them, when we’re to use it and how to use it correctly,” more groans. “Be thankful you’re not in my seventh year N.E.W.Ts class right now, they’d take this assignment over the behemoth I gave them earlier today.”

“By next class?” a Hufflepuff girl inquired.

“No, two classes time,” (Y/N) said, smiling lightly. “I want you to take your time. I can imagine you have bigger fish to fry in your other classes, no?” the room grew silent. “Or perhaps not. Either case, take your time. Really comprehend the assignment, it’ll be in your best interest to do so,” the bell chimed. “Enjoy the rest of your day.”

Murmurs of ‘thank you Professor (L/N)’ fluttered around the room, filling (Y/N)’s heart with pride. She began to clear her workspace, preparing for her third year class she had next. A Slytherin boy had stayed behind. “You’re going to be late to your next class, Mr. Butler,” she said, not turning around.

“It’s just Herbology,” he shrugged. “Professor Longbottom won’t mind.”

“I highly doubt that,” (Y/N) turned around, crossing her arms. “That man cares more about his plants than you could ever comprehend.”

“Tell me about it! I can’t stand it,” he huffed, slowly packing his knapsack up. “I wish I could just take potions all day, not have to worry about plants biting me.”

“Herbology is an important class to learn,” (Y/N) said, continuing to write on the blackboard, with her wand of course. She wasn’t a buffoon. “Many skills and information you learn in that class is pertinent to potion-making. What better way to learn about your ingredients than caring for the plant itself?”

“Did you like Herbology when you were a student, professor?”

“I enjoyed my professor,” said (Y/N) truthfully, thinking of Sprout. “I don’t have the patience, or green thumb, for it,” she laughed, recalling her various dead plants over the years. “Regardless, it’s important for you to learn.”

“That’s the same sap Professor Longbottom told me,” the Slytherin groaned. “Told me that it could be beneficial to potions class and whatnot. He says stuff like that all the time, connects it to potions. He said you’d agree.”

“He’s right,” (Y/N) clicked. Of course he said that. “I do,” she began scribbling on a small square of parchment. “Give this to Professor Longbottom, seeing as you’re going to be late, he might appreciate to know why.”

“Thank you,” he mumbled, grabbing the note, finally exiting the classroom.

(Y/N) allowed herself to sigh loudly. “Never a rest for the wicked, huh?” she mumbled to herself, finally finishing her preparations for her next class. Her mind trailed, recalling her student’s words. “He can’t possibly talk me up that much, can he?” She didn’t have much time to dwell on it, as the third years finally filed in, settling in their seats. “Right, welcome class. As you’re sitting down, please open your textbooks to chapter seventeen…”

“(Y/N)!” Neville shouted down the corridor, hoping to catch her attention. She turned around. “There you are,” he smiled, catching up to her. “Been looking all over for you.”

“Could’ve checked the dungeons,” (Y/N) jested. “I never seem to leave my lair.”

“Tell me about it,” Neville groaned, stretching his arms. “Been barely out of the greenhouses. I reckon I have dirt in places a person shouldn’t ever have dirt.”

“You should bathe more, then,” (Y/N) laughed, noticing the streak of dirt that danced across the bridge of his nose. “Or at least wash your face,” she signaled to the mess on his face, a finger tracing the space on her own.

Neville felt the heat rise to his cheeks, quickly rubbing his nose with the end of his sweater. “Thanks,” he mumbled, hopefully removing all of the mess. They arrived at their chambers, their own doors respectively. “Hey,” he hesitated. “Did you want to some tea? Gran sent me some herbal tea from her last trip,” he wrung his wrist slightly. “I know you like herbal.”

“I do,” (Y/N) answered honestly. “Like herbal, I mean. It’s my favorite. What kind?”

“Not sure, I think it has roses?”

“Bring it over,” (Y/N) nodded to her door, opening it. “I have some extra biscuits from my mum. Would make a good pairing, I think.”

“Oh, you want me to come over? I was just offering—”

“Merlin, I’m so sorry,” (Y/N) felt the heat rush to her ears, burning against her ears. “I didn’t realize that you were—”

“No, it’s fine! I can come over!” Neville practically shouted. “I mean,” he coughed, trying to cover his exclaims. “If you want me to come over.”

“Of course I do,” (Y/N) smiled. “We’re friends, right?”

Neville felt a grin pull to his ears. “Yeah, we’re friends.”

(Y/N) entered her chambers, immediately realizing what a mess she had left her living space. Scrolls and books littered the table, ink pots were left open with abandoned quills, a cauldron was burbling in the corner. “I suppose it’s not as bad as it could be,” she hummed, moving to start a kettle. Edgar was preening himself on the kitchen perch, allowing his excess feathers to fall to the ground. “Honestly Eddie, preen in the Owlery,” (Y/N) sighed, bending over to pick up the feathers.

“…turns out it’s a rose and saffron blend,” Neville laughed, entering her chambers. “Gran got really fancy,” another laugh. “(Y/N)?” (Y/N) yelped, hitting her head on the countertops, rising far too quickly. “Are you okay!?” Neville rushed over to the small kitchenette, noting the witch withering on the floor, hand held to her forehead.

“Been better,” She groaned, answering honestly. “Doesn’t hurt more than a knock-back jinx,” she laughed, recalling the various times the spell was used against her.

“Is that…?” Neville glanced at the barn owl, offering his hand to assist (Y/N).

“Edgar?” (Y/N) took his hand, pulling herself up. “Yeah. He’s grown a bit more distinguished since the last time you saw him I bet, but he’s still the little clumsy Eddie you remember.”

“He was hardly clumsy,” Neville crooned, reaching a hand out hesitantly to Edgar’s face. The owl leaned to the touch. “No more than me.”

(Y/N) laughed, taking the fistful of feathers and set them in a box, closing it gently. “I keep his feathers when I can,” (Y/N) mumbled, feeling Neville’s gaze on her actions. “They make fine quills, sometimes need them for potions… or maybe I’m just a sentimental mother,” she laughed. “Probably the latter.”

“It’s sweet,” Neville beamed. “You’ve always been the sentimental type.”

“It’s true,” (Y/N) replied honestly. “I’m as close to a hoarder as they come. It takes every ounce of restraint to not keep all the letters my mum sends me. I keep a few, only to laugh,” (Y/N) removed the screaming kettle from the stove. “She’s dating a muggle, you know.”

“Your pure-blooded mother? Dating a muggle?” Neville’s eyes felt as if they were as large as saucers.

“Shocked me too,” (Y/N) shrugged, pouring the hot water into light pink cups. Neville handed her the tin, allowing her to infuse the leaves properly. “She said it was a good change of pace,” (Y/N) allowed the cups to sit, the wine-red color seeping into the hot water. “He makes her happy, so who am I to judge?”

“Would you ever date a muggle?” Neville asked, absentmindedly. “You know, being pure-blood and all…”

“I would,” (Y/N) hummed, thinking about it lightly, leaning on her counter. “I don’t care much about blood status, unlike…” she shook her head. “That stuff doesn’t matter to me. I guess I would appreciate it if he was a wizard. At least it’d be easier to explain my profession,” she shrugged, glancing at her bubbling cauldron. Felix Felicis. Been working on it since moving into the castle. “What about you? You’re a pure-blood too.”

“Never thought about it,” Neville admitted. “Don’t really think much about that stuff. Never have, really.”

“Come off it,” (Y/N) poked Neville in his side. “You’re telling me you’ve never thought about dating a muggle?”

“Honest!” he laughed, moving away from her touch. “Ever since Luna and I broke it off, I put all my energy into the plants."

(Y/N) felt her face fall, just for a moment. The tea was done steeping. She handed Neville a cup, walking over to her deep purple couch. “You and Luna?”

“Yeah,” Neville rubbed his neck, sitting on the adjacent chair. “We didn’t last much past the one year mark.”

“You two seemed great together,” she lied, allowing herself to take a sip. The warmth flooded her senses, the taste lingering on her tongue. “You guys were inseparable seventh year,” another sip.

“I wouldn’t say inseparable,” he remarked. “Just had a crush. War does crazy things to people’s perspectives. Really thought we’d work out.”

“I’m sorry…”

“Don’t be,” Neville assured, taking a sip of the tea. He scowled a bit, never really liking rose tea. “It was mutual. We were both young and confused. Didn’t really know what we wanted…” He sighed. “Sorry, I try not to think about it.”

“Don’t worry about it,” (Y/N) replied, waving her wand, a tin of biscuits landing on the table. “I know we agreed to catch up on our lives, but if it’s a sore subject, we don’t have to...”

“A lot can happen in five years,” he shrugged. “Good and bad I reckon.”

“I dated Seamus,” (Y/N) smiled into her cup, changing the subject. “Only for a month or two. Still can’t decide if it was good or bad.”

“Get out!” he exclaimed, hopping onto his hands, rising high in the chair. “You and Finnigan?”

“That could hardly be a surprise,” (Y/N) scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Considering we snogged a fair bit in the Room of Requirement seventh year.”

“I guess,” he admitted, recalling catching the two practically sucking their faces off the other. “How was it? Dating Finnigan?”

“Slobbery,” she recalled. “We barely ever just sat down to talk. We usually just…” her face grew three shades darker. “Well, didn’t talk,” she coughed, noticing the redness in Neville’s face as well. “Like you said, we didn’t know what we wanted. Or needed, I guess.”

“Was he good? In bed?” Neville boldly asked, somewhat unashamed.

“Look at Longbottom, asking the naughty questions,” (Y/N) smirked, teasing the dark haired man further. “I don’t have anything else to compare it to. It was fine,” another shrug. “I mean, I guess it wasn’t sometimes. Would have to polish myself off rather often after if you catch my drift.”

“I do,” Neville sputtered. “Well, not like that. I’ve never had a problem with… that,” he set his cup down. “On my end though, I guess I never asked Luna if she… oh no. What if she—”

“Neville, you’re going to hurt yourself, just breathe,” she laughed. “I’m sure you were more than satisfactory in bed,” Neville took a deep breath. “Look at us, chatting about our sexual escapades like real adults.”

“Who would’ve thought?” Neville chuckled.

“Not me, that’s for sure,” (Y/N) smiled, enjoying the gentle company. “I’m glad we’re friends again.”

“Me too,” he smiled back, closing his eyes for a moment. “A bit different than before.”

“No kidding,” she took a bite of the tan biscuit. Sweet. “Instead of essays and exams to prepare for, we’re the ones writing the exams and stressing about lesson plans.”

“A bit over our heads, I reckon,” he laughed. “From what I can tell, the students like you.”

“Yeah?”

“Hear a lot from the first year class, especially Noah Butler. I think he has a crush on you.”

“Stop it,” (Y/N) said, rolling her eyes. “He’s just really into potions. I was that student at one point, you know.”

“Yeah,” Neville clicked. “But you never said Snape ever had ‘beautifully wonderful hair’ or ‘nice eyes’, did you?“

“Merlin’s beard. My student fancies me! He’s eleven!” (Y/N) roared, amused at the thought. “If anyone were to fancy me, he wouldn’t be at the top of the list.”

“Who would be? Professor Knight?” Neville slanted his eyes, cocking an eyebrow. (Y/N) was silent. “So it’s true. You two’ve been spending loads of time together, no?”

“Lance and I are just friends—”

“But you want to be more than that right?”

“It’s not wise to date a co-worker,” (Y/N) said, trying to convince Neville. Maybe herself. “He’s smart enough, sure. But…”

“Ask him out,” Neville said, shoving another biscuit in his mouth. “He’s not going to say no. I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”

“Looks at me? Lance?”

“Practically undresses you with his eyes,” he laughed. “You two would be good together. You said so yourself, you’d date a muggle. He’s muggle-born, best of both worlds, right?”

“I suppose…” (Y/N) exhaled, thinking it over. “I just can’t believe Neville Longbottom is giving me dating advice.”

“I can be useful sometimes,” he smirked, finishing his cup of tea. “Say, is your bathroom connected to your room too?”

“Yeah, door next to the bed if you need it,” she pointed a thumb at her bedroom door. “Feel free.”

The Gryffindor excused himself, allowing himself to enter her bedroom. (Y/N) had decorated lightly, ivy dangling from nearly every corner of the room, just like her classroom. Moving photos dotted the walls, some of their friends, some of what Neville guessed was her family. Her room was orderly, less so than the living area in the room prior, work and private life separate it seemed. Her dresser, dark oak, had trinkets from her past littering the surface.

“Sentimental indeed,” Neville chuckled, noting the old Honeydukes box. He had gifted her that on her 15th birthday, it was filled with chocolate fudge. Not terribly magical, but she loved it none the less. His eyes glanced at the pile next to the box. “She kept a jumper from school?” He lifted the jumper. “Always loved wearing…” his eyes noted the stitching under the tag. His stitching. “Jumpers.”

“Find it okay?” (Y/N) called from the other room, slightly worried about her friend.

Neville shook his head, rapidly folding back up the cardigan. “Yeah, of course. I’m not that thick,” he called back. Quickly using the bathroom, he made one last check to make sure nothing seemed out of place.

“Had me worried for a minute,” (Y/N) mused, already on her second cup of tea.

“Got distracted by that photo of you, Harry and Ginny,” he lied. “When’d you take that?”

“At their engagement party. Gin practically begged me to take it,” she hummed. “But I’ve grown rather fond of that one. Ginny just looked so happy.”

“When do you think they’re planning to have the ceremony?”

“Ginny said something along the lines of February or March,” (Y/N) recalled, memories filtering through the various letters they had sent back and forth. “I wouldn’t be surprised to get an invite soon.”

“Me either,” Neville guessed. “Well, it’s getting late, got exams to grade and whatnot…”

“By all means, don’t let me keep you,” (Y/N) forced herself to finish her cup, standing up. “The company was nice while it lasted.”

“Yeah,” Neville retorted, practically scrabbling for the door. “Have a goodnight!” Just like that, he was gone.

“Odd,” said (Y/N), putting her china in the sink. “Guess he was always a bit odd, right Edgar?” The owl cooed, not paying attention.

It took exactly three glasses of firewhisky for Neville to calm down. He hated turning to alcohol, but he felt like there was no other choice.

“Why’d she keep the cardigan?” he mumbled, playing with his fingers. “I knew she never gave it back, but after all this time?” He shook his head, trying to read the answers on the exam in front of him. “It just doesn’t make sense!” Neville slammed a fist onto the table, rattling it. “Trevor, give me some advice.” He turned to his oldest friend, a bumpy toad sitting in a cage across from the table.

The toad croaked, eyes glossed over.

“I dunno,” Neville mumbled. “After today, the way she was talking about Seamus… Professor Knight…”

Trevor croaked again.

“Shut it!” Neville exclaimed, accidentally pouring his inkwell onto the parchment below. “Shit,” he quickly recited a spell, cleaning the ink off the paper. All of the ink, including his student’s answers. “Great.” He seethed, reluctantly giving the student full marks. What else was he to do?

“I thought I was over it,” Neville shook his head again, almost reaching for the bottle of booze sitting far too close to him. “Thought I could ignore it forever. Blimey, Trevor! We’re just becoming mates again and all I can think about is—is—damnit!”

The ruin around the grounds was massive. Boulders that used to be ceilings, bodies that used to be students, all littered around him. Neville’s head was reeling. Voldemort was gone for good. Dead. Never had the Gryffindor’s head pounded the way it was. Was it adrenaline? The fear finally leaving his body?

“Neville!”

He turned around, his shoulders relaxing at the sight of her. A cut was dripping across her forehead, flowing onto her pink cheeks. Her hair was down, her pink ribbon lost in the wreck. “(Y/N),” he mumbled, practically falling over the rubble to meet her halfway. Without thinking, his arms wrapped around the girl, pulling her in tight.

“I’m so glad you’re alive!” (Y/N) sobbed into his blood-stained jumper, hugging him tighter. “I got caught up… my mum’s here. I-I don’t know why, she wouldn’t tell me,” she shook her head. “But I can talk to her later. They’re saying you killed a snake? Helped defeat Voldemort?”

“I guess, yeah,” he responded sheepishly, eyes darting between hers. As he was about to open his mouth to continue, he couldn’t. A somewhat wet pair of lips was stopping him. (Y/N)’s lips. They were soft, supple, in comparison to his cracked and bleeding ones. Without thinking, he ran a hand up to her hair, feeling the locks tangle around his fingers, deepening the kiss.

She pulled away, expecting Neville to say something, anything. He looked down at her, confused, eyebrows furrowed.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have—”

“(Y/N),” he pleaded, begging her to not let go.

“No, I don’t know what came over me. You and Luna…”

“What?” his eyebrows drew together harder, almost touching. “(Y/N) I don’t—”

“Forget it,” she released herself from his grip. “I—I have to go find my mum.” (Y/N) ran away, mumbling something else Neville didn’t quite catch. He stood still, body paralyzed to the one spot, hardly noticing the streak of pink that rested by his boot.

He decided that the exams could wait until morning, the third year class not meeting again until the day after next. He needed sleep like he needed to breathe, mull over his thoughts. Falling flat on his face amongst his covers, Neville tried to fall asleep, ignoring the scent of her bleeding from his clothes.

General Tag List: @maralisa124 , @leighxlover , @hey-its-me-rai , @missihart23 , @biatheintrovert , @chocolaterumble, @why-am-i-sad-and-sleepy , @steve-thotgers

want to be added to a tag list? hmu in the replies or ask box with what characters you’d like to be tagged with!

#neville longbottom #neville longbottom x reader #harry potter #harry potter x reader #neville longbottom x you #blimey i love this man #why must he hurt #plant boy #can't help it #hope it works out #lol

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immclate · 4 years ago

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✧･ﾟ: * ( cis man / he/him / alexander dreymon ) — welcome to ireyne, [ ICARIUS VYNORAN ] of [ ETILLE ]. when the doom came, you were [ UNALTERED ]. at [ THIRTY SIX ] years of age, the world around you changed. the act of [ TRAVELLING PAINTER ] suits you; after all, the whispers always said you were [ ADROIT ] but also [ DUPLICITOUS ]. you are [ NEUTRAL TO ] the doom. ( nova / 24 / cst / she/her / n/a )

hello my fellow hellbeings, i’m nova & i’m so stoked to be here tbh i’ve been wanting to join a good fantasy rp for SO LONG !! between (re)watching shit like the last kingdom & the witcher & merlin i have neeeeeeeded this ... anyways this intro is probably going to be a mess but ! pls bear with me .

born & raised in etille on a small farm, by a kind stranger who took him in after finding him abandoned as a child along the side of the road. he doesn’t remember his parents, or know what happened to them. he assumes that they’re dead, although they could still be out there somewhere

he worked on the farm growing up, until he was old enough to venture out on his own. as soon as he started discovering all of the wonders of the world, he hardly ever returned home. he was grateful to the woman that raised him, but he always felt trapped on that small little farm. it was too far away from anything and everyone.

he never stayed in one place for long, his curiosity leading him to want to see more and more. he was insatiable.

it wasn’t until he traveled to arella that he found a passion for the arts. he always loved seeing beautiful places, and he’d always wished he could somehow encapsulate them forever. painting allowed him to do just that. it took a lot of practice, but after a while he excelled at painting just about anything. and since he didn’t like sitting still for long periods of time, he got pretty fast at it too.

word travelled across the kingdoms and soon he had many offers. it suited him perfectly, being able to venture out to different places, taking in all of the different culture and people. oh, the people. growing up with little to no interaction with people, it was always a kind of relief to be surrounded by so many now. especially the pretty ones.

he often found someone to lay with in each city he visited, always charming his way into someone’s bed, both women and men alike. he didn’t much have a preference, but he had to admit it was easier to find women as it was more ‘socially acceptable’. he doesn’t give a shit, but there are many men who would rather keep it secret.

the more paintings he finished, the greater his reputation became and he was able to charge more and more for his services. he rarely had time to paint the things he truly desired, but the temptation of riches got the better of the young man.

after a few years, he grew bored of jumping from city to city just to paint for rotten nobles who never truly appreciated his art. he hated having to put up a polite facade whenever around them when all he wanted to do was tell them how pathetic he thought their lives must be, stuck in such a repetitive & controlled environment. the thought of being any kind of royalty sent shivers down his spine. he knew he would hate it, as he was starting to hate just working with/for them.

upon returning to arella to gather his bearings and pick up some art supplies for personal use, he met a quite enchanting woman named francys at a shop he’d wandered into. they bonded over a shared interest in painting, and as he often did, he charmed his way into her bed. then, as always, he would leave just as abruptly as he would arrive. something about her always had him coming back, though, every time he returned to arella. was it her warm bed or something more ? --- eh, likely just the bed.

currently . . .

he still travels frequently, craving adventure & never able to sit still, despite having a daughter in arella that he barely knows. he likes to blame francys’ sister for banishing him, when in reality he just doesn’t want the responsibility of being a father.

spoiler alert he is 100% a shithead

he still paints occasionally but never for money. instead he hustles, placing bets that are rigged to his advantage, or convincing people to buy things from him at a higher value than they’re worth. he’s got a silver tongue so it’s hard to dispute the things he says, especially when you don’t know him.

will sleep with ANYONE and everyone ,,, hit it & quit it type of mans

a certified MESS like seriously

someone pls kick his ass . im begging

although he DOES ... know how to fight since he’s travelled so much ,, learned how to defend himself after getting his shit absolutely ROCKED one time (lots of times lbr) but he never starts fights for no reason ... unless he’s drunk then there’s no telling wtf he’s gonna do .

very indifferent to this whole doom thing since it didn’t alter him in any way, bc he’s a selfish prick so like ??? what ?? this horrible thing happened but it didn’t effect me in any way .. oh well ! doesn’t concern me ! (or so he thinks)

alright ! that’s all i have for now but i’ll probs add to it or make an actual lil bio eventually BUT !! please feel free to slide into these DMs if you’d like to plot, here or on disco ! i’ll probably throw out a little connections page soon as well :)

#thedoomintro #THIS IS A MESS BUT LIKE ... ALEXANDER #*eyes emoji*

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babywarg · 5 years ago

Note

For the title this “the sorcerer and the crown” and “the flow of the currents” :p

Hi! These ones ran on a little long. Imma cut to spare everyone’s feeds XD

1. The Sorcerer and the Crown - This title reminded me of The King and the Clown, a South Korean historical drama that I fell hard for when I was younger. But what I’m inclined to write about for it has nothing to do with that movie 😆

The fic I would write is going to be a Once and Future King-type alternative timeline. It starts with an aged Stephen, now Sorcerer Supreme, making a deal with interdimensional powers.

Said powers have decided that this reality has been well and thoroughly screwed over by humans. Therefore, they declare, humans must be eradicated by their indestructible agent, Thanos, so that this reality can start over.

Stephen argues that humans are good by nature and deserve to live longer. Thus, the interdimensional powers allow him to choose a champion for the Earth, upon whom he will bestow a metaphysical “crown”, and who will go up against Thanos in a final battle to decide the fate of this reality.

The powers are betting that any champion whom Stephen selects would fall into despair, considering how shitty humans have become. This champion wouldn’t even face Thanos in the final battle - and worse, may even side with him for personal gain.

But Stephen places all his bets on his champion, on the thought that his champion will choose hope and save the world.

Stephen spends some time looking into Earth’s past for a possible champion. Then, like Merlin, he goes backwards in time, to find one Anthony Edward Stark.

The first time they meet is when Tony is a child and Stephen is very old. Little Tony thinks the ancient guy with the cool red coat is weird - why would he go out of his way to take an abused little rich kid around and show him how good other people are? - but somehow, the old guy’s lessons find their way into his heart.

Then, as a less old person, Stephen meets Tony in a party in the year 2000, where he calls himself Yinsen: a talented scientist whose family died in a war (the real Yinsen had in fact died with his family. Stephen stole his identity in order to insert himself into Tony’s life).

He meets Tony again in the same form, when he is being held by terrorist kidnappers inside a cave. Stephen sacrifices his “Yinsen” disguise in a show of dying, so that Tony will be driven to escape.

Some years later, he meets Tony again as a much younger man - a doctor around Tony’s age. Tony doesn’t recognize him as the old man from his childhood OR as Yinsen, but thinks he is very, very familiar.

They spend a lot of time together, with Stephen subtly teaching Tony that the majority of people are good, and that privileged people like him need to protect them (even says vague things like “heavy is the head that wears the crown”).

In the process of being subtly and secretly mentored, Tony finds himself falling for Stephen. This is unexpected, Stephen notes…but then he finds himself falling for Tony, too.

…which is bad, because if he fails, Tony will end up losing to Thanos, and dying. The best case scenario is Tony sacrificing himself in order to win against Thanos - and dying, all the same.

The powers that be are amused. They tell Stephen, “You found someone to whom your own soul called out. And then you saved him from death, only so he could die.”

Stephen shakes his head. “No,” he answers. “I saved him from death so he can live forever.”

As it turns out, Tony’s way to defeat Thanos is to build a device (an Infinity Crown) that will encase both him and Thanos in a stasis field for eternity. Thanos can’t die, he’s learned, but he can be trapped - even if Tony has to be trapped with him.

This means neither Tony nor Thanos ever really dies. Stephen doesn’t just win by placing his faith in Tony - he gets one up on the interdimensional beings that had wanted all humans dead, by taking their reaper out of commission.

…and because I can’t resist a good Merlin parallel, Stephen puts himself in stasis along with Tony. After all, humanity has been saved: the interdimensional powers will never bother them again, and a Sorcerer Supreme isn’t necessary for a good while. (Maybe he trains a successor: it could be part of his backwards-living plan.)

Tony will always be the one wearing the crown that saved humanity. If and when Tony is revived to save reality again, his lover would be right there alongside him.

(BTW, if you like this and are in the mood for other fantasy AUs, I’d like to direct you to two that I’ve previously written: The Prince and the Clocksmith, and Saying Your Names [drpepperony, but with Tony as a monarch and Stephen as a wizard, too])

***

2. The Flow of the Currents - Ah…this one makes me think of a sad story about Stephen being confused about timelines.

I’m thinking - Sanctum Master Stephen takes it upon himself to test a new spell he learned, one which allows him to look at how time flows out in many different directions.

In the process of peering into alternative timelines, he inadvertently falls in love with Tony Stark.

Stephen used to be able to easily organize which memories belong to which timelines…but since accidentally developing feelings for Tony, it’s become significantly harder for him to process things.

For one thing, he wrestles with memories of things that never happened, or things that will never happen. He repeats to himself, over and over, that Tony is going to die to save the universe in this reality, and that Tony is never going to return his feelings. At the same time, having to remind himself of this constantly leaves him feeling sad and helpless.

At one point he becomes so unbalanced that he can’t eat or sleep. Tony visits him at the Sanctum out of concern. He finally learns the truth: that Stephen has feelings for him, but Tony is bound to meet a terrible fate (Stephen won’t say which) and Stephen is beaten up by the fact that he can’t do anything about it.

As Tony processes all of this, he goes home and builds a machine that could quite possibly help him ride the currents of time, and see what Stephen saw.

The machine works, and two things happen to Tony:

1. He falls for Stephen, as well, seeing as it’s crazy how many alternative futures they spend together and in love; and

2. He learns that Stephen has been looking at the WRONG TIMELINE.

That is, in Stephen’s confused state, he’s been thinking all along that THIS is the one where Tony dies to kill an interstellar conqueror and save the universe.

Tony knows what to do now. He goes back to the Sanctum, to the depressed-to-the-point-of-catatonia Stephen, brings him back to his senses with a kiss, and sets his dumb ass straight:

“The universe doesn’t even come close to ending in this one. So this isn’t the one where you lose me, you moron. This is the one where we live happily ever after.”

#ironstrange #tony stark #stephen strange #iron man #doctor strange #answered asks #meme

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singingisfun · 6 years ago

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Changing Tides - Chapter 22

link to cover art by @otpapprovedbythegods

And here’s a link to an adorable pic of Dopey as a pirate by @clockadile

ff.net: From the beginning - Current Chapter

AO3: From the beginning - Current Chapter

Tumblr: Prologue - Ch 1 - Ch 2 - Ch 3 - Ch 4 - Ch 5 - Ch 6 - Ch 7 - Ch 8 - Ch 9-Ch 10 - Ch 11- Ch 12 - Ch 13 - Ch 14 - Ch 15 - Ch 16 - Ch 17 - Ch18 - Ch19 - Ch 20 - Ch 21

Chapter 21: The Confession & The Declaration

Hello everyone! No, you're not seeing things. I've finally finished the next chapter! Thanks for all of the encouraging messages. Sorry it took so long. Hopefully, the last few chapters will go faster. Lots of love for sticking with me! Hope you enjoy!

Rachel

And, as always, thank you @optomisticgirl for your beta services!

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Dopey has always prided himself on his ability to see the best in every situation. And he’s always endeavored to encourage others to see it as well. Life can be stressful. It can be fraught with danger. And in the case of those closest to him, stress and danger are a regular occurrence which, at times, has made his goal nearly impossible to accomplish.

And it certainly has been impossible for the past week. The blanket of anxiety that has settled over the Jolly Roger since the night they escaped Regina’s warship has been nearly suffocating. Everyone is tense. Everyone on edge. And no amount of distraction is helping.

The Spark of Prometheus is still unlit. Regardless of how many times Emma and Killian try to light it, it continues to lay stubbornly in its case, dull and black. And with each failed attempt, the peace the two of them had forged since finding each other again has deteriorated. In fact, it’s gotten so bad, they are barely speaking.

For instance, right now. There they are at the helm with Merlin while he holds the case and murmurs encouragement. Killian’s hand is resting on Emma’s waist, but that’s the only point of contact between the two of them. Emma’s hands are balled into fists at her sides, her brow glistening with perspiration and her eyes clamped shut in concentration.

No one else is on deck and Dopey can’t blame them. During the first few attempts, everyone had been gathered around, watching expectantly, but now they intentionally make themselves scarce. Even Merlin looks like he wishes he could be anywhere else.

Long minutes pass, and Emma’s breathing becomes harsh. Her eyes squeeze tighter and her head bows. Then, with a sound of frustration, she stomps her foot and opens her eyes.

Killian’s hand drops from her waist and Emma mumbles something Dopey can’t hear. Then she turns and walks to the hatch, disappearing from view. Killian shakes his head and walks to the opposite hatch.

Dopey sighs and goes back to polishing the Jolly’s bell.

The way Dopey sees it, there are two obstacles standing in their way.

First, David. As much as he loves his king, the man is hell bent on keeping Killian and the princess from having more than a few minutes alone. His protective nature was a bit comical at first, but as time has passed, it’s become clear the king is hindering more than the couple’s… um… romantic tendencies.

The second reason is less obvious. At least to most. But Dopey can see it plain as day. Killian is keeping something from Emma. A secret that weighs heavily on him. And he’s been keeping it from her since the first day she awoke on the Jolly Roger.

“Do you know what it is?”

The sound of Merlin’s voice startles Dopey so thoroughly that he drops the scrub brush to the deck with a clatter.

Turning, he faces the wizard with wide eyes.

“Do you know what he’s keeping from her?” the wizard asks again.

Confused, Dopey turns to scan the deck behind him to see who on earth Merlin is addressing. Finding no one in the vicinity, he looks to the other man and points to his chest. Me? he thinks.

“Yes, you, Dopey,” the man confirms.

I… I don’t… You can hear me?

“Yes, I can.”

That takes a minute to process. Dopey has never had a full conversation with anyone. He’s always been limited to hand gestures and the occasional nod, so the thought that Merlin can understand him is a bit awe-inspiring.

A grin breaks across Dopey’s face. This is amazing!

Merlin mirrors his smile. “No more amazing than your innate skill of observation. I’d be willing to bet you know more about the goings on in this kingdom than anyone, even the king himself.”

Dopey didn’t think his eyes could get any wider, but now they feel like they’re ready to burst from their sockets.

The wizard is right, though. He does know more than anyone. People tend to disregard his presence most of the time. It’s almost like his inability to speak renders him invisible, which has made it very simple for him to learn a great many things. Of course, his knowledge is all for naught since he can’t communicate it, but…

“You can now,” the wizard says.

Right. Wow.

Dopey bows his head, his brow wrinkling. Now, what’s the one thing I’ve always wanted to - Oh! He looks up to Merlin as the thought gushes out. Doc and Granny have been having an affair for almost five years now but they’ve kept it secret because, when we were young, the seven of us swore we would always put our brotherhood first which included never getting involved with a woman. Whew! It feels good to get that off my chest. But – you can’t tell anyone. Doc will have my head if you do.

Merlin laughs outright. “How long have you been holding that one in?”

A long time.

“Well, their secret is safe with me.”

Thanks.

“What about Killian? Do you know what he’s keeping from Emma?”

Sorry, no. I just know he’s keeping it from her. Something catches his eye and he points over the water. Oh, look! A baby dolphin! Isn’t she sweet! I wonder where her mother is…

“Dopey, focus,” Merlin says, bringing Dopey’s attention back to him. “Are you sure he hasn’t mentioned anything?”

Nope. But can’t you see it? I mean, you can see things, right? Things you weren’t actually there to witness?

“Yes, but not everything. I can’t pick and choose what to look at.”

Dopey eyes scan the water as he replies, Well, I’m not sure it makes a differ – Oh there she is! Look! He points over the rail to the mama dolphin who has just emerged next to her calf.

This time, Merlin spares a glance over the rail and a grin flitters across his face. “Yes, the mama won’t let her get too far. But back to Killian and Emma?”

Oh, right, well, I’m not sure it matters what the secret is. Only that he won’t tell her.

“Fair enough. But why wouldn’t he?”

Dopey thinks back to the first day Emma awoke and tells Merlin about the whole ‘pirate’ issue.

“Ah, I see,” Merlin replies.

And… Well…

“Well, what?”

Well, I’m not sure having the king here is helping matters.

“You’re right about that,” Merlin says. “We need to figure out a way to get him to go back to Camelot.”

Any ideas?

“Usually the simplest way is the best one.”

And that is?

“Tell him the truth,” Merlin replies.

Predictably, the king is none too happy about the suggestion.

“You can’t be serious!” David bursts.

“Unfortunately, I am, Your Majesty,” Merlin replies.

The king’s arms are crossed over his chest but he drops them to his sides. “I’m not leaving my daughter!”

“David – ” the wizard tries again.

“No. I’m not going back to Camelot without her!”

“But they need time alone.”

“They can have time alone.”

Dopey can’t stop the pfft that comes out of his mouth but when David turns his fury on him, he sidesteps to stand behind Merlin.

“Your Majesty, please,” Merlin says in a calm voice, “I know you can see Emma’s frustration growing. She and Killian need to talk. And it’s not the type of discussion either of them can have if they’re worried about you hovering around.”

"I don't 'hover'!"

Merlin lets his silence answer.

"Okay, fine. Maybe I hover a little. But if I didn't..."

"If you didn't, what?"

"Don't treat me like a fool, wizard. I know damn well they were sharing a cabin before I showed up."

"And I feel certain they'll share one after you leave."

David’s voice takes on a dangerous edge. “If that’s your way of trying to talk me into going, I can assure you it’s not helping.”

This from the man who snuck into Snow White’s room every night for a solid week before their wedding, Dopey thinks.

“Did he?” Merlin asks, turning to Dopey with interest, “Did he really?”

“’Did he really,’ what?” David asks.

Merlin smiles at Dopey. “You really are a font of information, aren’t you?”

Dopey shrugs and Merlin shakes his head in wonder.

“You and I are going to have to have a little sit down later to see what else you know.”

“What the hell are you two talking about?” David growls.

Merlin turns back to David but amusement still lights his face. “We were just discussing a castle wall you figured out how to scale in your youth.”

David’s eyes widen then land on Dopey.

“You knew about that?”

Dopey tilts his head and gives David a sardonic look.

“It doesn’t matter,” David declares, “This is a completely different situation. Snow and I were – ”

“True Loves?” Merlin interrupts.

David grits his teeth.

“Look, there’s more to this than just giving them time. Think of all the things you could do in Camelot. You could prepare for our arrival, find out if Arthur has found the other half of the dagger, coordinate with the other kingdoms. There’s not much time left and a great deal that still needs to be done.”

David remains steadfast, shaking his head. “Then, you go,” he says to Merlin, “Check in with Lance and come back and give us a full report.”

Merlin rolls his eyes. “You think if I return to Camelot without you, Lancelot will answer a single one of my questions? If you’ll recall, he wasn’t too keen on you joining me in the first place.”

“I can write him a letter. Explain everything.”

“And he’ll think I forged it or forced you to write it.”

“Then we’ll wait,” David asserts, “We’ll be there in two days, anyway.”

Merlin lets out a long-suffering sigh. “Okay,” he says, “You don’t want to leave your daughter. I understand that and I sympathize. But they’re further from lighting it today than they were the day after we escaped the Regina’s warship.”

“That can’t be…”

“It is,” Merlin insists. “If you don’t believe me, watch our next attempt. We’ll be trying again after dinner.”

“Fine.”

K&EK&EK&E

Three hours later, David has to admit Merlin might be right. He’s standing on deck, subtly observing the lesson.

Tension radiates from the couple standing at the bow. Killian stands behind Emma, his hand on her hip but keeping an obvious and awkward distance between their bodies.

As David watches, Emma releases a frustrated growl and opens her eyes.

Killian drops his hand from her waist. “Emma…” he says gently.

“If you tell me I need rest again… “

Killian’s mouth snaps shut.

Looking back to Merlin, Emma adds, “I think we’re done for the day.” Then stalks away and disappears into the ship.

Killian stands immobile as he watches her go, an indecipherable emotion crossing his face that causes David’s brow to wrinkle. It’s not anger. It’s not frustration. It’s something else… Defeat, maybe? No. Not with the way his eyes cloud and his jaw tightens.

Killian mumbles something to Merlin and goes off in the opposite direction Emma had taken, stopping at the rail to look out over the water. David stays where he is, apprehensive curiosity holding him frozen.

What the hell is going on?

He watches the pirate run his hand through his hair and lean over, bracing his elbows on the rail. His shoulders are slumped, his head bowed and realization slams into David’s chest.

Guilt.

David’s not sure how he knows, but that’s what the indecipherable emotion had been. Guilt.

Guilt and fear.

Over what? David wonders.

“He’s keeping something from her,” Merlin says in a low voice, having crossed the deck to stand beside him.

“Do you know what it is?” David asks.

“I have my suspicions.”

David continues to study the pirate’s defeated posture and things start falling into place. This is the reason for that look they shared when they read the prophecy, when they found out they were True Loves. Apparently, it was an issue before he even showed up on this ship, he’s just been too distracted by other things to see it until now.

“Something that happened while they were separated?”

“Yes.”

While they were separated… which the prophecy said they should never be.

“Now do you understand why you need to give them space?”

Resigned, David bows his head. “Yes,” he replies, “I guess I do.”

“Good,” Merlin says. “So, you’ll go back to Camelot?”

It’s a struggle to be sure. He doesn’t want to leave Emma. He’s just gotten her back and the thought of willing saying goodbye to her makes his stomach churn. It’s not just about the thought of her and Killian sharing a bed. She’s his little girl. His family.

He’s waited years… Years of solitude in Camelot. Years of being cooped up while others were out doing. And the past week, while he’s been on this ship, he finally feels like he’s contributing.

The end of this is near and his patience is thin. He’s always been a man of action. And the thought of going back to the virtual prison of Camelot, grates under his skin.

“Couldn’t I just stay out of their way?”

Merlin’s voice is sympathetic. “I don’t think that will work. They need privacy. The kind of privacy that excludes parental supervision.”

David’s thoughts take a dark turn at Merlin’s phrasing.

“Not like that,” Merlin adds quickly.

David huffs out a breath. “Fine. But I’m going to have a talk with a certain pirate before I go.”

K&EK&EK&E

After staring at the ocean for what feels like an eternity, Killian turns and heads below. Hesitating on the bottom step, his eyes dart toward his cabin where he knows Emma is but he goes in the opposite direction toward the galley.

Despite his somber mood, amusement tickles at his lips when he enters the room. He’s never seen the galley look so warm and inviting. Ruby has put her unique staple on it. The spices are lined up on the counter in pristine order, a plate of cookies made to look like different animals sits on the table, and where on earth she managed to find a cloth to cover the scarred wood, he’ll never know, but the room looks more suited to royalty than a rowdy pirate crew. Smiling, he chooses a cookie that was obviously made by Grace, a line of sugar used to draw what would usually be a menacing tiger’s snarl now a happy grin.

Rolling his shoulders, he pops the cookie into his mouth and sits down to reach for the scroll still sitting in the middle of the table. He’s read it enough times over the past few days that he could recite it by memory, but he opens it anyway.

He’d been right. It will be Emma against Regina – every one of his greatest fears confirmed – the now certain fate that the woman he loves is the only hope for the realm.

His True Love.

She’s his True Love.

It’s the most powerful magic of all. Or at least it’s supposed to be. And yet, when they faced Regina it wasn’t enough. And that’s his fault…

Stuffing another cookie in his mouth, he leans back and stares at the ceiling.

“Do you have a minute?”

Killian’s eyes swing to the door to find King David on the threshold.

Standing, he nods and David enters the room.

“Please sit.” David says, crossing to take the empty chair on the opposite side of the table.

David leans forward to study the plate of cookies, taking his time making his choice.

He holds one up. “What is this one supposed to be, do you think?”

It’s an odd opening for the king. David is usually the type to get right to the point but for whatever reason, he’s taking his time today.

Killian examines the cookie. “My guess would be a dragon.”

David nods, still considering the cookie. “You may be right.”

At long last, he breaks a piece off and pops it into his mouth, then he sits back in his chair, eyeing Killian while he chews.

“I’m going back to Camelot tonight.”

It’s the last thing Killian expected to hear and his mouth drops open.

“I don’t really want to leave Emma, but it would be better for me to return ahead of the rest of you so that we can prepare for your arrival.”

He pushes a map across the table and Killian sees an ‘X’ that has been added since the last time they spoke.

“This is where I want you to dock. It’s remote but the cliffs are easily defended and the cove will provide privacy for us.”

Killian looks more closely at the map, examining the area to see if he can identify any potential danger.

The king drums his fingers on the table while he waits, and after a few minutes of study, Killian drops the map.

“It’s an excellent choice, Your Majesty.”

David doesn’t respond, he just keeps drumming his fingers, his eyes narrowed and on Killian’s face.

After a few tense moments, during which Killian has to resist the urge to squirm, David finally speaks. “Are you still planning to marry my daughter, Captain?”

Killian can feel his eyes widen, but before he can reply, the king continues.

“Because your engagement is still official to my mind.”

“I… well… I hadn’t really…”

“Don’t tell me you haven’t thought about it,” David says with a touch of derision.

“I – I mean, we – we haven’t really discussed…”

“You love her,” David says, reaching for the prophecy. “You can’t say you don’t. The proof is right here.”

“It’s not a question of love. It’s…”

“It’s what, exactly?”

It’s a question of whether she’ll still want me when this is over, Killian thinks. But he can’t say that, so instead he bites at his lip and lowers his gaze to his lap, idly twirling the ring on his thumb.

Several heartbeats pass in silence before the king speaks again.

“You want to marry her, don’t you?”

“Of course, I do,” he replies instantly, “But…”

“But, what?”

Sucking in a harsh breath, he regards his king. David isn’t going to let this go. And Killian can’t blame him. The king isn’t a fool and he’s surely aware that Emma and he have already… consummated their relationship. But the thought of voicing the doubts plaguing him makes his stomach churn.

His silence prompts David to sit back in his chair and let out a small sigh.

“I’ve heard a lot of stories about you, you know. Stories of the ruthless pirate, Captain Hook. Some were brutal, some were impressive, and some were simply outlandish. I imagine the truth lies somewhere in the middle.”

It’s doesn’t surprise Killian that David has honed in on the real issue. He’s intuitive and smart and misses very little.

“I’m not asking what you did,” the king continues, “but you need to talk to Emma about it. If you’re afraid she won’t understand – ”

“That’s not what I’m afraid of,” Killian interrupts, but then sucks in a deep breath. “No, that’s a lie. I am afraid she won’t understand. But that’s not… all. It’s…” He picks the scroll up and holds it out. “I love her. She loves me. Like you said, the proof is right here but…”

“But what?” David prompts.

“What if that’s not enough?”

“How do you mean?”

“Merlin told us that our magic is light magic. Its power is fueled by good. So what if I tell her and our magic still isn’t powerful enough? What if that power has been diminished because I’m… dark?”

“But you’re not. Not anymore.”

“Maybe. But I lived in darkness for a long time. I’ve done some terrible things. And I do regret some of them. But others I don’t.”

David regards him in silence for a long moment before speaking. “Everything you did – every choice you made – brought you here. It brought you back to my daughter.”

“Yes. It did. But you don’t understand. That darkness, it’s… it’s still there. I can feel it inside me. So if I tell her. And if she forgives me… What if that’s not enough?”

“You’ll never know until you try.” The soft feminine voice has both of their heads swinging toward the threshold where Emma is standing, silently watching them.

Both he and David freeze, but the king recovers quickly.

“I’d say that’s my cue,” he says, standing and crossing to his daughter. “I’ll see you in a few days, pumpkin.”

“A few days?” she asks.

“Yes, I’m going back to Camelot tonight. Merlin is taking me. I’ll ensure everything is ready for your arrival.”

“But I don’t want you to – ”

“Merlin – and Dopey – think it’s better this way, and as much as I don’t want to agree with them, I do.”

Emma’s smile is a bit sheepish but she nods her head.

The two embrace before David crosses back to Killian and extends his hand. Killian takes it and nearly winces at the strength of the king’s grip.

“You will marry her,” he says in a voice low enough that Emma won’t hear. “Do you understand me, pirate?”

When Killian nods his agreement, David releases his hand and Killian immediately shakes it out to allow the blood to flow again.

“Good,” David says, then raises his voice back to a normal level. “I’ll see you both in Camelot.”

K&EK&EK&E

Regina is sitting in her storeroom, pouring over her books when the door swings open. She snaps her head up in annoyance at the interruption but before she can react, Claude steps in, his pace urgent.

“Sorry to interrupt, Your Majesty, but there’s someone here to see you.”

“Who?”

“I think it’s better if you see for yourself, my queen.”

Regina’s brow wrinkles. It’s not like Claude to speak in riddles so whoever it is must have substantially flustered him. With a long-suffering sigh, she lays the book down and stands.

Claude follows her out and half-way down the corridor motions to four other knights to flank her. His concern piques her curiosity. It’s not usual for her to have bodyguards. She doesn’t really need them and Claude knows that and yet, for some reason, today he feels she does.

Who on earth would warrant such a display?

The doors in front of her swing open and she stutters to a halt, her eyes widening.

Well, that answers that question.

Of all the people in the world, this would have been one of the last people she would have expected to show up on her doorstep.

Her guest turns, eyes meeting hers. They size each other up for a heartbeat then her guest inclines their head with a quirk of a smile, “Your Majesty.”

Regina raises a brow. “What do you want?” she asks, refusing to deal with pleasantries.

Their smile spreads into a full-fledged grin. “A great many things. But let’s start with what I can offer.”

K&EK&EK&E

Emma follows behind Killian as he leads her to his quarters. He hasn’t said a word since her father left them in the galley and his shoulders are stiff and set.

He holds the door open and lets her proceed him into the room. Once she reaches the center she turns to see him leaning against the now closed door, watching her.

A distant ‘whooshing’ sound has her glancing to the deck above them, and she tries to smile.

“Alone at last,” she comments in an attempt to lighten the mood.

But Killian doesn’t smile, his expression doesn’t change at all.

“I think, perhaps, you should sit down, love.”

His voice is flat but not harsh and she complies, taking a seat at the table and folding her hands.

Crossing to his desk, he pulls out a bottle of rum and two glasses. He pours both, then drinks one and refills it before crossing back to the table to hand one to her. She stays silent, worried that any word from her would only make his anxiety worse, so she simply throws her head back and downs the contents of her glass, laying it gently on the table when she’s done. He’s already turned away again, studying the amber liquid in his own glass as he swirls it around, then with a long exhale, he lifts the glass to his lips and swallows.

Keeping his eyes on the empty glass, he begins, his words slow and controlled, “The news came of your death while we were still in the Evil Queen’s dungeon. The guards celebrated it, cheering in the corridors and rattling their swords along the bars – taking immense pleasure in taunting all of us. Our kingdom was lost. Our beloved queen was cursed, our brave king on the run and our beautiful princess dead and…”

He trails off, dropping his chin to his chest and squeezing his eyes shut as though trying to fend off the pain rising in him. After taking a moment to gather himself, he lifts his head, his gaze unfocused somewhere on the wall in front of him.

“I nearly died in that cell. My wrist was infected and I was burning with fever, and losing you took away all the will I had left to live. But I hallucinated, you see…. vivid hallucinations of you galloping across an open field of flowers, of walking through the woods, and I… I just…” his voice starts to rise, “I thought I’d know it if you were gone. I thought I’d feel it and I… I didn’t.”

He enunciates the ‘t’ on the last word, practically spitting it out, then takes a deep breath.

“After we escaped, I convinced Jeff to help me search for you. Liam had told both he and Graham about an inn where we were supposed to meet you and he made them swear that if anything happened to him, they’d try to get me there. So that’s where we went. The innkeeper denied having ever seen you but I didn’t believe him. He’d obviously been paid off to keep your whereabouts a secret, so we searched the area, looking for any clue and… and that’s where we found August.”

His voice breaks and he stops again to take several deep breaths.

“I knew August would protect you with his life and it seemed that, if he were dead, there was no hope… But even after that, I kept hoping. I didn’t tell Jeff. He always thought it was a slim chance and finding August was enough to convince him. And since there was no trail to follow, we couldn’t continue the search anyway but… But I held onto that hope. I lived off that hope until… Until I found something that, in my mind at least, proved you were gone.”

His eyes flick to the chest and Emma has to fight the urge to stand and go to him.

He angles his body away from her, his voice rough and dripping with self-loathing when he tells her what he did. He tells her about the ship they came across. He tells her how he’d felt when he found the proof of her death. He tells her how he’d wanted to die himself. He tells her about the venom that had run through his veins when he’d stood at the bow and given the order to sink the ship, the need to make someone pay for stealing his life. He even tells her about the satisfaction he’d felt when the ship disappeared beneath the waves…

Then he tells her about the fall out. He tells her about the instant he’d realized what he’d done and the grief that rained down on him.

Emma almost wishes he’d stop speaking, not because she doesn’t want to hear anymore, but because she can see how much it hurts him, how badly he’s tortured himself over this. He made a terrible mistake, a mistake that, yes, was horrendous, but it was a mistake.

Tears stream down his cheeks, and hers, too, the image of him blurring as the words drip like acid from his tongue. “They didn’t deserve to die,” he says fervently, finally swinging his eyes to hers, “They were simple tradesmen who happened upon something of value. They had no idea what they had. They had no idea it was ever yours. They were innocent men trying to provide for their families and I murdered them. And for what? Vengeance? They hadn’t done anything wrong!”

The blue of his eyes bore into hers like he’s trying to convince her to hate him as much as he hates himself and her stomach drops to the floor. She starts to rise but the step back he takes stops her.

“But it didn’t matter to me who they were,” he goes on with venom in his voice, “They did business with Regina and that was enough to justify it in my mind. I made widows and orphans out of their wives and children – wives and children who, to this day, don’t know what happened to them because I couldn’t see past the hatred in my heart!”

He stops there, his confession complete, viciously swiping at the tears on his cheeks, like he realizes he doesn’t even deserve to mourn those men. Shaking his head, he sniffles and crosses the room to stand in front of the chest.

When he speaks again, his voice is clogged but his tone is calm and detached. “Every time I’d find something of yours or your family’s, I’d put it in here. Other than a few things of Liam’s, everything in here belongs to you.”

Slowly, he lifts the chest and carries it to the table, setting it gently down right in front of her without meeting her eyes. The click his hook makes when he removes it echoes through the quiet room before he lays it on top of the chest. Instinctively, she covers his hand with hers before he can draw it back and he sucks in a breath, his fingers contracting around hers. They stay like that for several seconds while he watches his thumb traces circles on the back of her hand but then he shakes his head and steps away, pulling his hand from hers.

The message is clear: This isn’t over yet. It’s not over until she sees what’s in the chest. But more than that, he’s not ready to accept her forgiveness no matter how badly she wants to give it. He doesn’t trust yet that this isn’t a snap judgment. He wants her to take some time alone to process everything he’s said.

He looks raw and broken when he meets her eyes one last time. Then, without another word, he turns and walks out of the room.

She keeps her eyes on the closed door, almost tempted to chase after him without even looking in the box. She even takes a step in that direction but stops herself. Because he’s right. She needs to see what’s in there. She needs some time to gather herself – not because there’s a chance she’ll change her mind but because she needs to take a minute to let everything sink in.

With shaky hands, she reaches for the key, twisting it in the lock until it clicks. Slowly, she lifts the lid and her eyes widen, amazed at the number of treasures he’s found. Her father’s crown is on top, her mother’s rubies, her pearl necklace, her mother’s ring… She looks through every piece, memory after memory blooming with each new item but then… Then she sees what he found and her eyes gloss over, her heart contracting.

Her jade necklace. The necklace she was wearing the night they were separated.

With slow movements, she reaches in and curls her fingers around the jewels. Tears stream down her cheeks and she cradles them to her chest, misery crawling up her throat until she sinks into the chair and sobs.

K&EK&EK&E

The night is starless and still as he stands at the helm and surveys the ocean. There’s nothing, absolutely nothing, to see but pitch black in every direction; there aren’t even any waves being illuminated by the Jolly’s lanterns, the calm eerie and desolate.

He doesn’t hear her approach, which is surprising given the utter silence of the night, and he startles when a plank only a few feet behind him creaks.

Turning to face her, he finds her cheeks dry, but her red-rimmed eyes tell him they haven’t been dry long. His own eyes are gritty and burning and it takes a great deal of concentration to keep them from filling. She stands speechless for a moment, the diamonds and jades on the necklace in her hand glittering even in the near black night.

At long last, she looks down to the necklace, fingering at the jewels. “I had to sell them to pay for a new roof for The Gold Mine,” she starts, “Leroy wanted to sell it because we couldn’t afford the wood, so I offered to sell these to make up the difference. I didn’t want to move again. I’d finally found a place where I could have a little peace and the thought of giving that up was agonizing to me.”

She sniffles lightly, finally looking up to him and he’s surprised to see how tortured her expression is.

“Do you know what brought me that peace?” she asks quietly and he shakes his head, his lungs burning from his attempt to hold the tears at bay. “Naval ships used to dock there and, occasionally, the officers would come in and it…” she pauses to swallow and swipe at a tear that escapes, “It was the only thing I had left of you. The only connection I could find and… And I would have done anything to keep it. This necklace… It meant nothing to me but… Being near the sea… Being near anything that kept you close to me… I – ”

She cuts off and turns away, struggling to find words once again. He aches to hold her, so much so that his arm twitches at his side, but he stays where he is, knowing there’s more she wants to say.

“It never occurred to me that you might still be alive. Graham told me he saw you die and I had no reason not to believe him. I never had any hope, so I don’t know what it must have been like to have it crushed. But I do remember what it felt like when Graham told me you were dead… the way every muscle in my body turned to stone, the way my lungs squeezed into an icy cold weight that pressed on my heart…”

She pauses for several more deep breaths and then her demeanor changes, her shoulders straightening and her head lifting as she looks out at the blackness of the night. When she speaks again, he’s surprised by the malice in her words. “The next night, black knights caught up with us on the road and I was… I was glad to see them. I wanted them to catch us. I wanted an excuse to draw my sword. And I wanted them dead. I charged into them before August could stop me and... and…”

She shakes her head to cover the crack in her voice, “He chased after me. He was standing right next to me when he died. And I can’t help but wonder… If I’d been more retrained… If I’d waited like I should have but…” She clears her throat and tightens her hands into fists. “But I was so angry that I… I couldn’t stop. I wouldn’t stop until either they were all dead or I was. I can still remember that rage racing through my bloodstream. I was consumed by it. I enjoyed killing them. Every single one that fell made satisfaction rise up in my chest, every drop of blood was gratifying to watch as it spilled to the earth.”

Killian’s feet feel rooted to the ground, his heart hammering to the point of pain as her confession settles cold and hard in his stomach.

Turning only far enough to see him out of the corner of her eye, she takes a deep breath. “I know it’s not the same as what happened to you. But my point is, I know how what it feels like when fury blocks out everything else and twists you into another person for a time. I remember it with perfect clarity.”

The last words come out as nearly a whisper and he forces his feet to work, crossing to her and spinning her into his arms. Cupping her chin, he lifts her eyes to his, smoothing his thumb over her temple as he takes in the dark emerald.

She does understand. She does remember. And she’s just as tortured and repentant for her mistake as he is.

His heart aches for both of them, but there’s a cleansing quality underneath it that surprises him, realizing this is something they’d both been in need of. They’d both needed to make these confessions. And now that they have, they can bear the burden of them together. It’s an astoundingly profound feeling, this feeling of being completely exposed, of breaking down the remainder of the walls that had been between them.

They stand silently for some time, slowly allowing the guilt and sadness to release itself, both seemingly content to simply hold the other. A breeze begins to blow, soft and warm, and Killian feels a sudden peace settle into his heart. He hears Emma release a long sigh and snuggles further into his chest.

He lifts her chin to find her eyes soft and smoky and he smiles.

“I love you, Emma,” he whispers.

Her chest expands against his on a sharp breath.

“I love you, too.”

The moment she says it, he feels an overpowering crackle of magic rush through him but he ignores it in favor of lowering his lips to hers. They meet softly, light grazes filled with reverence and love while the world around them brightens. He doesn’t notice at first and she doesn’t either, too distracted by the shimmering peace that settles more firmly with each brush of lips, too caught up in the relief and joy of finally having no barriers left between them. Eventually, though, the light amplifies so much that it can’t be ignored and they turn in unison to see the Spark of Prometheus burning brightly in its case.

#changing tides #cs ff #captain swan #captain swan ff #cs au ff

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fanfic-ebooker · 6 years ago

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Title List - Merlin

The second part of the list of titles I published in my Dropbox a couple days back. Again, organized by fandom, then by genre/pairing if applicable (which in the case of “Merlin” is not--I really only read Merlin and Arthur bromance), then by series, then by title.

A Reunion by amz1e - (It's been years since Arthur's death, but he's still waiting, still catching glimpses of golden-blonde hair and a muscled physique. When he trips on a paving stone, he remembers a fondly mocking voice in his ear and grins unnaturally wide to keep from frowning, deliberately puts an extra spring to his step to keep from crumbling.) Post 5x13, Merlin/Arthur Gen

A Sparkle of Starlight series by carinims01

A Sparkle of Starlight - Collection of one-shots that could contain anything from angst to friendship, whump to comfort, and/or anything in between with any or all characters. No slash.

One Step at a Time - Continuation of 'A Sparkle of Starlight,' Chapter 4 - When Merlin gets home later that night, Arthur confronts Merlin about the letters Gwen found, in addition to the other letters addressed to them. Things quickly unravel and now it's Arthur's turn to be there for Merlin. Post 5x13, future fic! No slash; bromance only.

Achilles Heels by Ocean Mint Leaves - 'Prophecies do not lie.' And there is but one way to submit a man that is all powerful. BAMF! Merlin. Big Reveal Fic. No Slash.

Admittance by FlyingMachine1 - When Arthur's punishment for losing a bet leads to a fight between Arthur and Merlin, the knights of the Round Table take it upon themselves to fix their broken friendship. Arthur and Merlin bromance with a healthy dose of the knights! Two-shot.

All That Is Left by Winter Blake - Merlin has tried and tried to kill himself. But now he finds Arthur reincarnated. ((Terrible) summary by Amy de l’ABC, as I can’t find the story posted anywhere anymore)

Another Ghost by Sydelle Rein - season 2 spoilers Morgause is at it again. But this time, it's not Arthur she's after. There's one way to Merlin's heart and she intends to exploit it. But Arthur's confused. Why would Morgause want to recruit Merlin? Merlin/Freya

Another’s Crime - When a set of important documents goes missing Merlin takes the blame, but the punishment is much harsher than anyone expected. Set early in the 2nd season

Arthur’s Silent Guardian series by Sydelle Rein

Arthur’s Silent Guardian - A powerful sorcerer named Emrys resides in Camelot, a silent guardian to Prince Arthur. But why would any sorcerer protect a Pendragon? Candun intends to find out, even if it means kidnapping the prince of Camelot as bait. No Slash!

On Shaky Ground - Sequel to Arthur's Silent Guardian! With the unknown identity of his sorcerer-protector plaguing him, Arthur is unsure how to deal with this new knowledge. Meanwhile, a series of mysterious earthquakes is threatening the safety of Camelot. No Slash.

3rd ebook coming soon!

Cast Me Gently Into Morning by BeyondTheStorm - It starts with a choice. After promising that when the time came he would choose wisely, Arthur never once thought that he would make the wrong choice, but the choices that matter most aren't always what we think. *Post season 3* Oneshot, 2 parts.

Consequences by EmrysTheMerlin - There are always consequences for our actions. Even small actions not to mention those as large as rewriting the laws on magic. But King Arthur Pendragon is about to discover that those consequences don't always hurt the one who acted. Sometimes the fires we start burn those closest to us. Violence and pain... not a lot but enough for the rating.

Curiosity Killed the Knight by Ultra-Geek - Or, How to Drive Merlin Completely and Utterly Mad. Gwaine finds out about Merlin's magic and Merlin ponders the moral implications of turning friends into toads.

Defense by FlyingMachine1 - Merlin defends Arthur and Arthur defends Merlin. A two-shot. Lots of bromance feels! Now with a third chapter!

Don’t you dare think otherwise by That Gryffindor Flame - Post-reveal--what will Arthur’s reaction be to knowing that Merlin has magic? (Summary by Amy de l’ABC as I can no longer find this story posted)

Each Step series by Fyoex

Each Step - Prequel to The Same Stars. Even though he was now blind, Merlin was not broken. He never lost hope, hope that he would return home to Camelot, and be with Arthur once again. One-shot with a sequel? Slightly whumpish Blind!Merlin, slight angst, slavery, no slash (sorry). Oh and Merlin can sing.

The Same Stars - Sequel to Each Step. After so long as a 'pet' to King Lucan, being back home in Camelot felt like a true blessing. But it seems the tricky dragon has an everlasting gift to give. Sequel one-shot? Previous slavery, slight angst, humour. Platonic love only! (Unless you squint)

Exaggerations and Overreactions by Ultra-Geek - Merlin and the Knights of the Round Table are led to believe that Arthur is dead. Merlin doesn't take it very well. BAMF!Merlin

Father’s Tale by Autumndragon - "Merlin. What was your Father like?" There was no denying the crack in Merlin's voice. Arthur was stunned when a wave of realization and dread washed over him. oneshot.

Harmony by sarajm - Only those of the nobility have ever been considered for musical apprenticeships. When Camelot's Master Musician comes on a search, he discovers that unknown to everyone, including Merlin, the servant is a prodigy.

Hell Hath No Fury - During season 2 episode 2 when Gwen is telling Arthur off for the horrible way he treats people. She scolds him for the way that he treats Merlin, and fluff and confessions ensue. For Arthur and Merlin's friendship and bromance.

How Not to Conduct a Manhunt by kriadydragon - In which a criminal is quite good at hide and seek, Arthur is at his wits end, and as much as he would like to think Merlin is drunk, he's starting to suspect that he most decidedly isn't.

I Still Need You by safijo - A missing scene from 4x4 'Aithusa' in which Merlin remembers his father and he needs Arthur even though he can't talk to him about what is troubling him.

Immortality is Worse - Arthur comes to comfort Merlin on the shore of the lake, and Merlin learns that he won't get to follow him into death. He doesn't want immortality. It's terrifying to know you'll be left alone in the end. Post 5x13. Spoilers

Just Like You by Saber Wing - When Arthur is caught commissioning a birthday present for Merlin, Uther is predictably displeased. This time, however, Arthur just doesn't want to take it anymore.

Leon and the Servant by sarajm - As he watches Merlin go through a difficult time, Leon is forced to question everything he knows about duty and responsibility and the places of servants and nobles in society. Set very early in season 1 canon. Rated T for some abuse.

Machinations of a Puddle by pingipenguin - An alternate take on your typical whump!/reveal!fic. Set just after S3.

Meet Me In This Broken Place by Bundibird - Arthurian Legend spoilers. It's centuries since Camelot fell to dust, and now Merlin waits, lying in the grass where her castle stood tall and proud so many years ago. Once has past and the Future is now, and it's time for Arthur to rise again. Oneshot. No slash. No Season 5 spoilers.

Northumbrian Culinary Assassins by Literaria - Because one never knows when someone might poison the prince's meals... or maybe Arthur has an ulterior motive for having Merlin eat half his breakfast.

Of Hunith, Hugs, and Horrendous Hats by Literaria - Hunith’s first reaction, upon seeing her son ride into Ealdor at a full gallop, was to panic. "He knows!" Merlin shouted, and her heart stuttered to a halt. Then he turned, and she saw the grin that encompassed every feature of his face.

Of Knights and Neckerchiefs by FlyingMachine1 - "Suddenly, a shadow fell across the servant and he looked up to see the three knights looming over him. Sir Hector knelt down and said in a sickly sweet voice. 'Because you're not a knight, so stop pretending to be one.'" In which Merlin is bullied, a neckerchief is lost, and Arthur is protective of his servant. No slash. Two shot.

Often So Much by Ultra-Geek - Freya gets sick of Arthur and boots him back into the world a decade ahead of schedule. Post 5x13.

On the Right - Arthur always sleeps on the right. But this night is cold, and Arthur realizes that he might have to keep the man on the left warm. Inspired by the deleted scene for series 5. Not slash. Merlin and Arthur friendship.

Overlooked by sarajm - Arthur is well on the way to becoming the type of leader Merlin had always hoped he'd be - one who cares for all of his people. But even so, preparations for Yule festivities along with some unforeseen circumstances result in Merlin taking on too much work. Unfortunately nobody notices until it's almost too late.

Pieces series by MockJayPhoenix12

Pieces - Short prequel to 'Laughlines.' Shortly after Arthur's return, Merlin realizes how broken he is. One-shot, non-slash.

Laughlines - After a fifteen-hundred year wait, Arthur has finally returned. All Merlin has to do is overcome the fear that it's somehow too good to be true. EmotionalWhump!Merlin, Worried!Arthur. Non-slash.

Looking Back - Merlin and Arthur have a long, much needed discussion concerning the past, and together, face the present. One-shot. Non-slash.

Guilt - Few things deeply affect Arthur, as Merlin well knows, but there's one feeling that's too strong to be ignored. Drabble, one-shot, non-slash.

Drencan - After waking in the middle of the night, a worried Arthur searches for Merlin. One-shot, non-slash.

Se Forhtung - The only clear thought in my head is that I must get to Arthur- but where is he? Non-slash.

Protecting Merlin by FlyingMachine1 - Arthur doesn't want Merlin to have to witness something this horrible. Merlin shoudn't have to watch this. Not slash, just strong friendship!

Sincerity by Alligates - "'I'm sorry,' he said again, with so much sincerity it brought tears to Arthur's eyes as the warlock burrowed his head into his neck." Merlin, in defeating an enemy, has revealed himself to all the nobles in the throne room—including Arthur. But will the King hold his friend's life below his father's laws? Oneshot, optional slash. Warning; fluff and hair stroking.

Sit In by Literaria - Not entirely surprisingly, Merlin ends up in the dungeons again... but the Knights of the Round Table never abandon one of their own.

Someone Called Freya by DiaDuitCluaiste - Arthur finds out about Merlin and Freya. Merlin/Freya, Arthur/Merlin friendship. Some touching bromance. Very bad summary. One-shot.

Teasing and Repentance by Laree England - Merlin is ticklish. Arthur naturally takes full advantage of this. He soon discovers his rough-housing has gone too far. A story told in three parts. Merlin and Arthur friendship.

The Boundless Day by Ocean Mint Leaves - Merlin's endless night is finally over. Birthday Gift! fic for Captain Ozone. Reunion! fic. No slash.

The Hurt and the Healer by sing.us.a.song.21 - "I, Arthur Pendragon, find you guilty of treason and must sentence you to death." And when Merlin looks up to glare at the sick king and he sees that look his heart plummets and his throat constricts and his eyes prick with tears already cause he'd sworn the first time he saw the ice creep over those blue eyes that he never wanted to see that look again. No slash, after 4.03.

The Stage is Set for the Drama by TruffleHead - Merlin falls asleep somewhere he’s not supposed to be. (Summary by Amy de l’ABC, as I can no longer find this fic posted anywhere.)

The Trouble with String by OneDarkandStormyNight - Arthur was a dog-lover. He had five of them, big ones, each one more slobbery than the next, and he didn't think it was possible for any species of animal to be better-suited for him...until his trouble-prone manservant gets turned into a cat. Pure fluff

The Voice in the Dream by OneDarkandStormyNight - Merlin, calling himself Colin James in this lifetime, has been lost, alone, and searching for purpose since the death of Arthur a thousand years ago. When Mordred and Morgana suddenly appear, reborn, his loneliness and despair draw him to the bargain they offer: the end of his immortality for Excalibur. Little does he know, Arthur Gregory is a young London heir with strange dreams.

The Welshire Quest by Felicity P - Arthur, Merlin, & the knights, depart on a quest to rid the northern villages of some magical beasts. The journey takes a turn when Merlin is injured. To far from Camelot to turn back, the group must press forward in order to save both Merlin and the outlying villages. Their journey is fraught with peril, alliances are made, and secrets are revealed. Story is fully illustrated.

They Say It’s Your Birthday by 96 Hubbles - Stuff happens. Some funny and some terrible. I cordially invite you to read and find out. Warnings: some language and a spoiler for episode 4x03 in the first chapter.

Together Again by Laree England - It has been a thousand years since Arthur's death, and Merlin is still waiting for him. Until he wakes with a renewed sense of purpose, which could only mean one thing: Arthur has returned. A reuniting fic for Merlin and Arthur's friendship.

Travel Sized for Your Convenience by Ultra-Geek - Merlin gets cursed and shrunk down to only four inches tall. But the important bit to remember was that it was not Arthur's fault.

Try, Try Again by Ultra-Geek - In which Arthur tries, several times, to name Merlin as Court Sorcerer, and things just keep going wrong. Expanded 'Fractions' 95 by llLethell.

Twisted Heartstrings by outfaircandle - Arthur always knew Merlin had the emotional stability of a girl's petticoat. Their most recent incident proves it. Magic reveal. No slash.

What Is It? by Laree England - Merlin and Arthur return to Ealdor, and Arthur can't help but notice how much Merlin hugs the people there. And he can't help but wonder... Why doesn't Merlin ever hug him? Merlin and Arthur friendship.

When I Least Deserve It by Literaria - Merlin is convinced he has to die for Arthur again. Arthur gets wind of it and is having none of it. Desperate times do as such times are often wont to do, and produce desperate measures. Spoilers for S4. Very light T.

Windows to the Past by Winter Blake - Arthur remembers. (Summary by Amy de l’ABC, as I cannot find the fic posted anywhere anymore.)

#merlin #ebooks #kindle #kindle ebook #bromance

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soledadgeek · 8 years ago

Text

Masterlist of Awesome - Part 3 (Other Fandoms)

Hello everyone! It’s been a while! But here’s a new rec list ;) Although, for the Sterek fans following me, this is strictly other fandoms, sorry. Been away from Sterek in a while and that’s the result! Here’s a listing of what you’ll find!

Merlin / Merthur

Suits / Marvey

Supernatural / Destiel / SamxDean / SamxDeanxCas

White Collar / Peter/Neal/Elizabeth

James Bond (Daniel Craig’s) / 00Q

London Spy / Alex/Danny

Fandom: James Bond (Daniel Craig’s) Pairing : 00Q

Temeraire by professorfangirl (lizeckhart) / 8858 w. / E

"At Bond’s age anything like love was trapped and walled away, a scorpion under a glass; what he felt now was like the fire at Skyfall, filtered through icewater light. And yet it was there, it was possible: one more reckless leap, one more deadshot fall, one more defiance of loss. It was there, waiting in the way Q’s eyes lingered on him, the intelligent desire in their depths, patient, saying, 'we have almost all the time in the world'."

Does Your Mother Know? by sorion / 17561 w. / M

“He told me… that he’d loved and trusted people with his life before, and that it didn’t end well. And he told me… that he would trust me with his life… and his death.”

“Wow. Now I don’t know which one of you to warn off of breaking the other’s heart, anymore.”

The Inevitability of Time by dhampir72 for missMHO / 27055 w. / M

When they meet for the first time at the National Gallery, Bond has a strange sense of deja vu.

For the 00QNewYearParty as a gift for missMHO.

Mister Kiss Kiss Bang Bang by sorion / 31571 w. / M

Despite Bond making a kind of running joke out of Q’s “exploding pen” remark by requesting one at every opportunity… it was Q who mentioned it first. The reason behind it is quite simple. They both like to blow shit up. And then they realise that that's not the only thing they have in common.

Denominations by WriteThroughTheNight/ 33299 w. / Series / T

Part 1: Denominations by WriteThroughTheNight

"Q confirms that he's an Empath three months before his first day of primary school, and the deciding of Denominations that comes with it."

OR Q is smarter than anyone gives him credit for, and an Empath to boot.

The Haunting of Skyfall Lodge by BootsnBlossoms, Kryptaria for shipimpala / 36522 w. / E

All his life, Q has seen ghosts. For years, he's searched for scientific proof to back up what he knows to be true. Finally, he starts a YouTube channel to chronicle his adventures of exploring haunted sites. His latest location: Skyfall Lodge.

Yours, J by swtalmnd / 41104 w. / Series / G to E

Part 1 : Yours, J by swtalmnd

Bond sends letters. Q is vexed. Q-branch starts a betting pool. There are an appalling amount of sweets. Also, 002 is a bit of an arse.

Alley-Cat Quartermaster by Only_1_Truth for MinMu / 41274 w. / M

This all started with a conversation with my Queen of Plotbunnies and Paladin of Writer's-Block Slaying, MinMu: So many fics include Bond breaking into Q's flat. What if it was the other way around?

Summary: After the death of M, everything is in shambles. MI6 is trying to stay afloat and not let its enemies scent blood in the water; the new Quartermaster is orchestrating a flurry of activity to keep his branch at pique efficiency and therefore his agents alive; 007, the agent hit hardest by the death of the old M, is going through the motions and throwing himself into his work. Everyone is a little bit broken, and a lot exhausted. So when Bond and Q end up together in unexpected circumstances, perhaps the outcome should not be so unexpected...

Ordinary Numbers by BootsnBlossoms, Kryptaria / 44 175 w. / T

More than anything, Mike Taylor wanted to be ordinary. Being a genius, he learned early in life, meant people expected too much. A career at the MI6 Help Desk seemed the perfect way to guarantee a lifetime of obscurity, until he got a very unusual tech support call.

Bewitched by BootsnBlossoms, Kryptaria for Jennybel75 / 51888 w. / M

A few months after the Skyfall incident, Q's sister gives him the excuse he needs to finally take a last-minute holiday at her cottage in Wales, but a priority two security threat means Q can't go alone. For James Bond, the choice between a visit to Psych to discuss overwork or two weeks in the countryside is no choice at all — especially not with the lure of his enigmatic young Quartermaster as a companion. Then again, 'enigmatic' doesn't even begin to cover the truth of who the Quartermaster really is.

Perfect Fit by saturn_in_retrograde / 53189 w. / E

Two men. Three continents. Ten cities. Twelve months. Time and trouble enough to fall in love. In which Q sweeps James off his feet with his awkward flirting, genius intellect, smart mouth, sexy librarian cardigans, raunchy sense of humor...and those red, red lips like cherries.

Mercenary by BootsnBlossoms, Kryptaria / 66075 w. / E

Five years ago, Commander James Bond of Her Majesty's Royal Navy left England in disgrace, escaping a court martial -- and what should have been a promising career in MI6 with Alec Trevelyan, his oldest friend. He becomes a mercenary, selling his military expertise to the highest bidder, though not once does he act against England or her interests. Now, new intelligence has possibly located Bond in the United States, and Alec is tasked with the mission to bring him back to MI6. But to do so will require a very unique type of field operative -- one Bond will never suspect. Enter Aidan Green, codename Q.

Brave New World by ForzaDelDestino / 70581 w. / No Rating

After the events at Skyfall, life was different for Agent 007. M was gone—no, there was a new M. There was a new Headquarters. He had a new flat, in which he was still unpacking boxes of belongings. And--bloody hell!--an associate of Raoul Silva had materialised. Then there was the matter of that new, young Q…a lanky, bespectacled boy with a mop of dark hair, who was in serious need of an attitude adjustment...and far too wary when it came to what Bond had in mind for him.

[References to quotes from Skyfall and one or two much earlier James Bond films.]

Quriosity by dr_girlfriend/ 82391 w. / Series / 82391 / E

Part 1 : Quriosity by dr_girlfriend

COMPLETE! Bond finds himself increasingly curious about his enigmatic Quartermaster.

Excerpt: "Your prior hotel is no longer secure, I will direct you to a new location. Your luggage has already been transferred. A field agent and medic from the Diréction Générale de la Sécurité d'État will be waiting at the side entrance. I have cleared them both personally." In contrast to his crisp dry English, Q's pronunciation of the French words was fluid and flawless, the throaty tone of the fricatives sending a surprising jolt of awareness straight to Bond's cock — all the more remarkable given his degree of blood loss. "You're wasted on Q-branch, you have the voice for a phone-sex call-in line." The words slipped out of Bond's mouth without forethought, although he had plenty of time to think in the sudden pause that came afterward and stretched on for endless moments. Bond hadn't realized until now how Q was always there, with an immediate reply. In all their banter Q had never before been at a loss for words. Ever.

Red Queen to Overwatch by BootsnBlossoms, Kryptaria / 86175 w. / M

After returning from the dead, James Bond moves into a new secure flat, only to find that his new neighbour is either: a scruffy teenager, a brilliant computer geek, a mad scientist, or the sexiest genius he's ever met. Two of these things turn out to be true. Well, three, once the Red Queen gets involved.

Blue-Eyed Monster by Only_1_Truth / 118361 w. / M

Yes, this version of 007 was a terrifyingly smart agent, and M wondered long and often whether it had been a good idea to promote him to the position. Usually, the title was the dangerous part - being 007 meant deadliness - but this time, M feared that a certain man with ice-blue eyes and scruffy blonde hair had dragged in more danger to the title than it had previously possessed.

Enter MI6's new Quartermaster: an unassuming, bespectacled genius with no mind for subterfuge but plenty of genius behind a dry smile. Curious 00-agents and young boffins don't always mix in predictable ways...

The Love Song of James Bond by Fightyourdragon / 204 407 w. / Series / E

Part 1 : The Love Song of James Bond by Fightyourdragon

“Knowing your history, and adding to it the fact that I am not entirely unaffected by sharing a bed with you, I think it would be pointless to pretend that we are going to able to share this house for the next two weeks without fucking over every available surface.” Q smiles at the look of shock on James’ face. Clearly he hadn’t been expecting such a direct approach and Q presses on before he has a chance to recover. “However, when it happens it will happen on my terms.” There was definitely a significant gap between the time Bond was breaking down over M's death in the chapel to the time a confident Bond walked into Mallory's office to accept his newest assignment. What, or more importantly, who, put him back together again? Basically, lots of porn with plot.

Fandom: James Bond (Daniel Craig’s) and Sherlock Pairing : 00Q, Sherlock/John Watson

The Love Affair of Willoughby Holmes and James Bond by LadyRa / 31057 w. / Series / G to T

Part 1 : Why Mycroft Worries Constantly About His Youngest Brother or How Willoughby Holmes Wooed and Won the Heart of James Bond by LadyRa

The youngest Holmes holds a minor position at MI6, but somehow still manages to do more damage than Mycroft at his worst.

Post Skyfall AU, Q is a little younger and a tad more innocent, and Alec is a good guy and still alive.

Reichenbach Falls didn't (and won't) happen.

Fandom: James Bond (Daniel Craig’s) and London Spy Pairing : 00Q, Danny Holt/Alex Turner

*If you don’t know London Spy, please go watch it, if only because Ben Wishaw’s in it and awesome as usual!!!

Face of Innocence by FaerieChild / 6268 w. / T

During difficult times, James Bond retreats to the Mediterranean island of Corsica and the home built for his late wife Theresa di Vicenzo. Onto his private beach stumbles a young man who is clearly a lost soul. Both have known loss, both know what it is to feel alone and in that first moment, something nameless sparks between them.

The Truth of Truths by blackidyll / 8747 w. / No Rating

For weeks, Q has no idea who the man with a permanent bed in MI6 Medical is. Well. More that he doesn’t quite understand the significance of Alistair Turner, why MI6 decides to keep him within headquarters instead of transporting him to another facility, one more suited to caring for a coma patient. Then M gives Q orders to find a program created by a certain MI6 cryptanalyst, a program now in the Security Service’s possession, with strictly worded instructions to scour it from existence. And Q understands.

A London Spy/James Bond crossover where Q and Danny are entirely separate people and they lead their lives as they did in the series and the movies. The key here is that Alex works for Bond and Q's MI6 - the one portrayed in Spectre and headed by M(allory).

Secrets, Spies, and Family Ties by Brihna / 37778 w. / M (Series but I only liked part 1)

When Danny Holt shows up on Q's doorstep, he is unprepared for the tale he has to tell. Is MI6 really responsible for the death of Danny's partner, or is there more to these strange happenings than meets the eye? Q must decide just how far he is willing to go to help his brother find the truth.

Fandom: London Spy Pairing : Danny Holt/Alex Turner

*If you don’t know London Spy, please go watch it, if only because Ben Wishaw’s in it and awesome as usual!!!

It's more than what it cost you by Teatrolley / 1916 w. / No Rating

Alex loves Danny’s sweaters, but he also loves Danny in the suits, and the secretiveness of the bee-printed socks and sunflower-printed pants he’s wearing underneath them. Danny wears the sweaters less, but it’s all right, because Alex learns to love this new side of him, too.

__ What Alex means, during the soulmate conversation, is that love has to be adaptive to last. His is, but is Danny's too? Alex isn't sure.

Supersymmetry by drinkbloodlikewine, whiskeyandspite for GulliverJ / 24335 w. / M

Alex holds his hands in Danny’s hair, placing a kiss against his brow. It will have to suffice as apology for now, surely the first of many. He doesn’t wait a moment more than that, however, despite how badly he wants to feel Danny close to him, despite the frequency at which they vibrate together. Their waves must propagate faster, first, rising in pitch before they can settle to low and comfortable quiet. Alex fakes his own death and he and Danny leave London to finish his work elsewhere.

A story of a scientist and a romantic, speaking different languages and saying the exact same thing.

Fandom: James Bond (Daniel Craig’s) and White Collar Pairing : 00Q, Peter/Elizabeth/Neal

Whoever Fights Monsters by circ_bamboo, feelslikefire / 107327 w. / E / (Series but I preferred this part)

"Should I start, or would you like to?" Neal asked Q.

"Are you going to draw this out?" Q said. "It's really quite simple. Some years ago, before MI6, before Neal's little bond mishap—"

"Alleged bond mishap," Neal said—mostly out of reflex, Q thought.

"You were convicted by a jury of your peers," Q said. "It's somewhat less alleged at this point. Nonetheless, before . . . that, Neal and I . . . were acquainted."

Or: When Q hears that the FBI is bringing one Neal Caffrey to British soil for an investigation, he's fully expecting trouble with a capital T.

Naturally, what he gets is much worse: par for the course when you're dating James Bond and you're old friends with an international art thief.

Fandom: White Collar Pairing : Peter/Elizabeth/Neal

your favorite old-fashioned fairytale romance by sinead / 12443 w. / E

Such a small touch, that whisper of skin against skin.

Perfect Beautiful Good by OnYourMark / 16201 w. / E

Neal Caffrey doesn't know it, but he's probably the best thing that ever happened to Peter and Elizabeth's sex life.

Never Leave A Trace by copperbadge/ 16664 w. / E

Neal Caffrey can steal souls. Peter Burke has two shadows. Everything's normal...except when it isn't.

The Love Nest by china_shop / 17488 w. / E

Neal came into Peter's office and closed the door after him. He seemed pensive.

"Um, Peter?"

"What?" Peter looked up, caught himself blushing, and looked back down at his paperwork. "What is it?"

"Your wife just asked me out on a date," said Neal.

Fandom: Supernatural Pairing : Destiel

Famil(iarit)y by Niitza / 14914 w. / G

Deep down Dean always knew, from the moment that skinwalker bit him all those years ago, that this is how he'd end up: a stray, unwanted by dad - who stopped seeing him as anything else than a watchdog for Sam a long time ago -, and unwanted by Sam - who wanted him to be anything but.

So here he is, with nothing but his own senses and fangs to keep himself safe and fed, with nothing but his own hide to keep himself warm. And winter's just getting started. Fortunately, he's found the right kind of town to get through it, the right neighborhood to pilfer until the worst is past. Even, maybe, the right house.

Skazka - A Woodland Fairytale by Angrysouffle, Nishka / 17786 w. / E

Satyr Dean's seemingly idyllic existence of getting drunk and debauching virgins is chanllenged when he meets Dryad Cas. Friction and embarassing leaf munching ensues. Throw in a half-Demonling brother who is keen to look up tree sex in the lore and Cas' suspiciously sexy sensing root, Dean is about to take phallic worship to a new level. Will this unlikely couple find their happily ever after?

The Lonely Sea and The Sky by whelvenwings / 23212 w. / G

When Dean, a little lost and a little lonely, finds himself wishing on a star one night, he doesn't expect anything to come of it, and certainly not for the star in question to fall right out of the sky.

The very last thing that he could have possibly anticipated is Castiel - winged, angry and looking for the grace that he lost in the fall, so that he can get back to Heaven. Dean's a little fascinated by Castiel, and Castiel is intrigued by Dean and his seafaring life. But Castiel has to go back to Heaven, and finding the grace has to be his first priority, even though it often seems he would rather put Dean first.

But Dean knows it's foolish to hope. After all, a bird may fall in love with a fish - but where would they live?

The Mirror by cloudyjenn / 24568 w. / M

When Dean touches a strange mirror, he's whisked away to one alternate reality after another and it doesn't take him long to realize the universe is trying to tell him something.

When Charlie Met Cas by riseofthefallenone / 24666 w. / M

Charlie is back in all her glory. The Winchesters have showed up on her doorstep and she’s making the best of it the only way she knows how. By being the little sister Dean never wanted and shipping the shit out of Destiel.

There Might Have Been a Time by SailorChibi for Mirenithil / 24692 w. / E

Like everyone else Dean has always looked forward to his 21st birthday, when his countdown timer would appear and tell him how much longer he had until he met his soul mate. And at least then he would know whether or not he was an alpha like John always wanted, even though the name of his soul mate was written in a weird language he couldn't read.

But then it actually happened, and Dean was positive he actually met his soul mate... unless that was a dream.

On the other hand, as the years go by and his countdown ticks away, the increased strength and vision, lack of a need for food or sleep, and weird new growths on his back that seem to be growing feathers(?!) suggest otherwise...

The Request by cloudyjenn / 36770 w. / M

When Sam Winchester prays for his brother, Castiel is finally sent on his very first assignment. But what should be a simple love match turns into much more and Castiel finds himself risking everything to ensure the happiness of his extremely frustrating charge.

An Accidental Incubus by jupiter_james / 39969 w. / E

On a hunt gone wrong, Dean finds himself cursed to be an incubus. While Sam and Charlie rush to find a cure before the change is permanent, Castiel decides to become Dean's "offering" when the hunter begins to deteriorate under the effects of the change.

The Souls of Men by nagapdragon/ 40641 w. / E (Also Sabriel)

Sam hates that moment in an exorcism, right after the demon leaves, when the daemon explodes into a puff of gold and they know they’ve failed one more person. Every time they finish a job where someone doesn’t make it, Aurora curls around Machaera in a silent reminder that far too soon, they’ll have to watch Machaera turn to a pile of gold dust, too.

Starting in Season 3 and moving on through the timeline.

Try-Something Tuesday by almaasi / 48284 w. / E

Human AU. Dean Winchester teaches a third-grade class. He's new to this whole ‘bisexual’ thing - but by pure happenstance, he meets Castiel: a particularly dapper male librarian who moonlights as a substitute teacher. Dean's curious and Castiel is willing, so why the hellnot?

Except, fate never intended it to be one-time-only... (with art by valiantparadox)

The Prophet Must Die by imogenbynight / 54455 w. / M

"What about Castiel? He seems helpful... and dreamy."

Something about the comment just isn't sitting right, and Dean's jaw twitches. He stares at the wall in the dark, and at a quarter past four in the morning, it hits him.

"Asshole," Dean hisses under his breath, sitting up straight, "that sonofabitch kept publishing."

In All Your Borrowed Finery by vanishingact / 67950 w. / E (Equal part Sabriel!!)

Dean finds an interesting symbol in Kevin's angel tablet notes and, against Sam's counselling, uses it in the heat of battle with a pair of angelic assassins. Side effects include pain, disorientation, and uncontrollable new appendages for the Winchesters. A disgruntled Castiel and a delighted Gabriel show up to help. Hunting (and life) gets interesting when wings are involved.

Includes artwork! (Both relationships are featured in detail, but the plot happens to be *slightly* more Sabriel-driven.)

Forget-Me-Not Blues by noangelsinthegarrison / 68689 w. / E

Sam and Jess are getting married and Dean couldn’t be any happier for them. Honestly, they’re kind of disgustingly perfect for each other and Dean’s pretty damn excited about staying with them the week before the wedding. He’s Sam’s best man, of course, and he doesn’t even mind that Jess has her own best man to share in all the organisational duties. The more the merrier, right?

Except Dean must have done something to epically piss off the universe because Jess’s best man just happens to be Castiel friggin’ Novak. He’s got even hotter since High School, but apparently no friendlier and if Cas wants to spend the week pretending like they’ve never met before? Fine. Two can play at that game.

How (thanks to Gabriel) Dean and Castiel (accidentally) raised each other (and Sam). by Vera (Vera_DragonMuse) / 69693 w. / E (Also Sabriel)

In which, Gabriel meddles with the time line and Castiel becomes Dean's angel rather sooner than intended.

How (thanks to Gabriel) Dean and Castiel (accidentally) raised each other (and Sam). by Vera (Vera_DragonMuse) / 69693 w. / E (Also Sabriel)

In which, Gabriel meddles with the time line and Castiel becomes Dean's angel rather sooner than intended.

All the Way by cadignan, Guu / 80919 w. / E

Castiel spends the first two weeks of college in much the same way he spent the previous years: alone with his books. He’s fine with it—he enrolled in college to learn, after all. Then in his first chemistry lab, he has the bad luck of being paired with snide, good-for-nothing Ruby, and the further misfortune of sitting behind Dean Winchester, the world’s most beautiful distraction.

Ruby catches Castiel staring at Dean and makes him an offer.

Have Love, Will Travel by squeemonster/ 94054 w. / E

Castiel Novak is a reclusive writer with a childhood so tragic it's left him terrified to leave his home—until his overbearing brother, Gabriel, drags him out for a night on the town full of booze and strip clubs, and he encounters Dean Winchester, a mesmerizing and mysterious stripper with secrets of his own. Both men find themselves inexplicably drawn to each other, and soon Dean's private dances for Castiel become much more, as both men confess their troubles and find solace in each other's company. But neither can seem to find the courage to take their relationship further than the intimacy of the club's VIP Room—and just when Dean's own brother gives him the excuse he needs to finally admit his feelings, Dean discovers something that brings it all crumbling down. Will they find a way past their demons and their trust issues, and back to each other?

The Best Years of Our Lives, My Ass by ireallyhatecornnuts (CharleyFoxtrot) / 110801 w. / E

AU after Season 8, episode 6, "Southern Comfort."

Dean goes to sleep in a motel room in Texarkana, and he wakes up 17 years old, in his childhood bedroom in Lawrence, Kansas, 1996. He has no idea how he got there, why his parents are still alive, why his brother is an adorable freshman with no memory of his adult life, and why the only ally he has in this place is the angel he left behind in Purgatory – somehow also 17 years old. They have to get out, that's the important thing. Only, falling in love with his angel wasn't a part of the plan....

Kiss the Baker by Ltleflrt/ 115159 w. / Series / M and E (ltleflrt.tumblr.com)

Part 1 : Kiss the Baker by Ltleflrt

Jo is pregnant and craving something a little bit unusual. When she sends Dean on a mission to find her some chocolate cake donuts with bacon sprinkles, he's sure that he'll fail. Luckily his partner Benny comes to his rescue and introduces him to a quirky little bakery that sells all kinds of weird (and delicious!) baked goods. And they do special orders! Dean finds excuses to keep going back, and Castiel finds excuses to keep giving him special treats.

Cursed Or Not by Ltleflrt / 115223 w. / E (ltleflrt.tumblr.com)

While experimenting with magic when he was a kid, Sam accidentally cursed Dean. Now, Dean is forced to wear a spelled amulet constantly, or he'll turn into a random animal. For a little over a decade, he's learned to live with the curse, and has even found it useful in some cases, but he sure would be happier without it.

When he meets a witch named Castiel, he's offered a deal. Instead of assuming all witches are bad, Dean can spend a season getting to know him. If at the end of the season, Dean still thinks he's evil Castiel will send him away with his memory wiped of the whole experience. But if he learns that Castiel is not the monster Dean assumes he is, he'll lift Dean's curse. It's an offer Dean can't bring himself to pass up.

Hooked On Your Love by Ltleflrt/ 122217 w. / Series / E (ltleflrt.tumblr.com)

Part 1: Addicted To You by Ltleflrt

Dean is a Warlock. A very very drunk Warlock. Oh, and a horny Warlock. Hey, he knows how to summon a succubus! He should totally do that. Hell yeah! Guaranteed hot sex! Except that spellcasting while drunk is a Very Bad Idea. He's just too drunk to remember that.

Painted Angels 'verse by WinJennster / 133969 w. / Series / All Ratings

Part 1 : Painted Angels by WinJennster for ANobleCompanion

Author Castiel Novak has finally hit the big time, with a book based on his failed college relationship with a brilliant painter. He's put all his pain behind him, but at a book signing, he comes face to face with Dean Winchester for the first time in twelve years, and the reunion doesn't go like Cas hoped.

Dean's a broken man, with a lot of scars and secrets, shoulders weighed down by his demons and self loathing. Cas sees a second chance with the man he's never stopped loving, but Dean's moved on, and is about to get married. Sam launches a "brilliant" plan to reunite his brother and his best friend, but Cas is worried it will all blow up in their faces, and he'll go through the agony of losing Dean a second time.

Satin and Sawdust by Ltleflrt / 159594 w. / E (ltleflrt.tumblr.com)

When Castiel moves out of Jimmy's house and into his own place for the first time, he saves money on buying a home by investing in a Fixer-Upper. He knows nothing about how to fix the many problems the house has, but he figures he's smart enough to figure it out. Unfortunately it's not too long before he learns that he's way in over his head.

Thankfully his new neighbor Dean is a handyman, and agrees to help him out. He knows Dean has a bit of a crush on him, but he's not taking advantage of it, really. Dean's a great guy, and quickly becomes a good friend. But a flash of satin under Dean's toolbelt changes everything.

Like Cats and Dogs by sweetdean / 188749 w. / E

Dean Winchester, Alpha, lead Hunter for the Pack, is in need of a mate. His wolf is out of control, he's on edge, and nothing seems to be doing the trick. Dean is convinced that he'll never find a mate, but when the Pack's Council forces him to figure it out before he ends up going rogue, Dean doesn't have much of a choice.

Problem is, Dean isn't interested in what the members of his pack have to offer; and that means looking elsewhere. Dean knew his mate would have to be different. He just didn't know what "different" would really mean, and how "different" would bring his whole world crashing down on top of him.

Angel's Wild by LimonadeGaby, riseofthefallenone / 389271 w. / E

But that’s the whole reason he’s here, isn’t it? He’s not out here hunting Humans. He’s not even hunting deer, or bears, or anything else that featured in Bambi. He’s out here, freezing his nuts off every night, because he’s hunting Angels.

Sometimes Dean wishes that Angels were like how they’re described in the Bible. How people from time too old for him to care much about thought Angels were messengers and warriors of God,protectors of Humans. He knows that how they’re really described in the Bible is actually pretty terrifying, but at least they were told by God that they’re supposed to love Humans, right? That’s a thousand times better than what Angels really turned out to be.

Writtenby:riseofthefallenone Artist and co-author: limonadegaby

Out of the Deep by riseofthefallenone / 909874 w. / Series / T and E (this takes serious dedication but so worth it... don’t be scared ;))

Part 1 : Out of the Deep by riseofthefallenone

Stay away from the light-beds. Stay in the deep. It is the first thing hatchlings are taught the moment their fans unfurl and they can swim without their parents to buoy them along. It is the first rule, the first law. It is the beginning of every boogey-monster bedtime story told when they settle against the cliffs to sleep. Castiel should have listened better.

Fandom: Supernatural Pairing : SamxDean (no rude comments plz!)

Stay The Distance by lazy_daze / 23934 w. / E

"You know why. I'm not leaving my brother alone out there."

Sam is dependent on Dean's touch and closeness after the wall falls - Dean's presence reminds him of why he chose to wake up, and keeps the memories at bay, allowing Sam to function.

The brothers have to face up to what happens when their Winchester codependency becomes literal, and the physical, spatial and temporal boundaries of their bond blur the line between familiar and suffocating, comforting and limiting.

Hit the Ground Crawling by jonny_vrm (elmo_loves_me) / 28122 w. / E

After Sam pulls Dean out of Hell, Dean stops talking. It takes a week for Sam to convince Dean to open his mouth so Sam can check that his tongue hasn't been cut out. It takes two weeks for Sam to accept that Dean really isn't talking. Then it takes a week of silence, the two of them sitting in the Impala like ventriloquist dummies, sitting in motel rooms like human taxidermy, before Sam decides to start talking for the both of them.

Old Country by astolat / 40639 w. / E (crossover Harry Potter)

Sam and Dean go to Hogwarts.

(spoilers for All Hell Breaks Loose, Deathly Hallows)

Courting Death by theproblematique / 50723 w. / E

Sam Winchester lived the first six months of his life in a happy family; the next twelve years as John Winchester's only son, and the last decade as an orphan. He's supposed to die at twenty-two trying to save the woman he loves from a fire, because he doesn't have a brother to pull him back. But the night Sam meets his Reaper he discovers that Death is overly fond of pop-culture references, too beautiful to be real, and reluctant to kill him.

Fandom: Supernatural Pairing : SamxDeanxCas (no rude comments plz!)

Not a bird by zation / 11100 w. / E

Castiel finds himself alone in the Winchesters’ motel room and as he waits for the brothers he feels the need to groom his wings. Sam and Dean eventually arrive and things get out of Castiel’s somewhat confused hands.

Or, The one where Sam just couldn’t let that opportunity pass him by.

Share Each Other Like An Island by TheGeminiSage / 27576 w. / E

Dean never expected to see his amulet again, much less with Sam's soul inside. But after a century in Hell, Sam's soul is broken so badly that Castiel says it'll take a lifetime to heal, and that's a lifetime they don't have, not with Sam's body still hellbent on killing Bobby.

Together, Dean and Castiel set themselves the task of learning the amulet's complicated history, and just what Sam did on his last night on earth.

Enfleurage by saltandbyrne / 29155 w. / E

Castiel is a struggling perfumer with a rare gift. When a handsome new customer orders a custom scent for his husband, Castiel is drawn into a world he never imagined. Dean and Sam have secrets, and Castiel might be the only person who can share them.

CollegeAngels.com by tiptoe39 / 33540 w. / E

AU. Dean and Sam have always been a little too close, and Dean knows it's wrong -- so he heads to college, hoping that he'll meet someone there who will keep his mind off his little brother. He meets Castiel, who has a business proposal for him --- join Cas in bed, and online, for live webcam site CollegeAngels.com. Through Castiel, Dean learns about sex, kink, and freedom, and he finally feels pride instead of shame for who he is.

But then Sam gets accepted to the same school, and he wants to live with Dean...

Fandom: Supernatural Pairing : None

Into This Wild Abyss by jacyevans / 17809 w. / T

A year after Sam jumps into the cage, Dean finds him alive, but missing an integral piece of himself - his daemon, Astrid. Dean knows she isn't lost, and he and his own daemon, Saskia, embark on a quest to find a way to bring her home. Their search brings them to Lyra Belacqua, a mysterious hunter who tells them that the only way to find Astrid is to speak with Death. Death offers Dean an ultimatum: become Death for a day, and he will do everything in his power to bring Astrid back. However, this means doing the unthinkable - Dean must leave Saskia behind.

Fandom: Suits Pairing : Marvey

In The Middle (Before I Knew I Had Begun) by PanBoleyn / 4398 w. / M

It's an accident, when Mike touches Lyla. But everything follows from there.

(Or maybe everything follows from the moment Rhi saw the golden tiger and all she could think was how beautiful she was.)

love will come through (it's just waiting for you) by tattooedsiren / 7113 w. / M

"I just need more time," Harvey says, almost begs.

Because he's not ready for this, not yet. He knows, the way he's certain Mike does too, that if they do this then that's it. For better or worse, this will either make them or completely ruin them.

They are standing at the crossroad of that, but he's not yet ready to choose his path.

The Cat That Walked By Himself by Xanthe / 8737 w. / T

Everyone has a soul animal, but the ability to see them has faded. Harvey Specter possesses not only the ability to see them but also to transform into his own soul animal. Harvey likes to think of himself as the cat that walks by himself, but that changes when he meets Mike Ross, and comes face to face with the rarest soul animal of all…

Extract: If Harvey hadn’t had the Specter gift for seeing into a person’s soul and glimpsing the true self within, then he would have sent Mike Ross packing the minute he showed up for a job interview carrying a suitcase full of weed. The reason he didn’t was because he looked into Mike’s soul and saw something he’d never seen before - and it shocked him to his core.

Second Spin by machtaholic (cinderella81) / 12999 w. / M

It all started when Kyle broke one of Harvey's records. Kyle knew a guy who knew a guy. In comes Mike Ross, owner of the record shop Second Spin.

There are sparks, but both men are fairly stubborn ... but don't worry, this is me. It has a happy ending. :D

a life sentence (in your arms) by tattooedsiren / 13086 w. / T

Harvey doesn't know why the following words come out of his mouth. It's the lawyer in him, he supposes, always trying to get to the truth of the matter. And besides, he's been accused of many things over the years, and tact is rarely one of them.

"So, are you a prostitute?" Mike bursts out laughing.

"No, no I'm not. But it's a common misconception. I'm a professional cuddler."

something inevitable by tattooedsiren / 14853 w. / E

He would be lying if he said he wasn't tempted. Because he has known Mike for a grand total of twenty minutes and already knows that Mike would work hard, could excel if given the chance. And more than that, he likes this kid, his bravado and cheek, the way he can give back as good as he gets. And Harvey only expected to find someone he could tolerate; he never anticipated finding someone he actually liked. But he can't do it. There are bigger things at play here. He would be betraying Jessica - she’s done so much for him, more than he could ever enumerate, and hiring someone with no degree is not a fine way to repay her.

So as much as he wants to go back, to say, "You're hired, you start on Monday," he can't. He won't.

Instead he says, "The coast is clear."

[AU in which Harvey doesn't hire Mike in the pilot episode.]

Crescendo by smartalli for starskeeper / 26334 w. / E

Music & Lyrics inspired AU. Harvey Specter was on top of the world and on top of the charts – until his father died and his partner betrayed him, abandoning Harvey to launch his own solo career. Without him, without a partner to compose the music, Harvey’s career is in jeopardy. And with just a month left until his album is due, the clock is ticking. He thinks he’s done for, until he passes by a storefront and sees a man in a gray hoodie, hunched over in front of a piano, fingers flying over the keys.

Grande Soy Triple Dirty Chai by friskaz / 38301 w. / M

Every fandom needs a barista au.

Original prompt on the kink meme: "Harvey is (still) a lawyer. Mike is the only barista that gets his coffee order right, and isn't afraid of a bit of intelligent and snarky banter."

I don't feel right (when you're gone away) by IDreamOnlyOfYou (lauren3210) / 47575 w. / E

Harvey loves his suits. But there maybe something else he loves more. He just needs a little something to help him realise it before it's too late.

Better Days by turnyourankle / 58520 w. / E

June, 1999.

Mike Ross has just graduated high school, and is about to enjoy one last carefree summer before attending Columbia University. With two part-time jobs, demanding friends, and having to prep for college, Mike thinks his summer is set.

What he doesn’t expect is developing a crush on his friend’s older brother.

Pizza-Verse by Closer / 65613 w. / Series / T to E

In an alternate universe, Harvey's still the best closer in New York but Mike's not a runner for Trevor: he's a pizza deliveryman, Harvey's favorite pizza deliveryman. And Harvey's discovery that Mike's more than he lets on will change everyone's lives...

Told and retold through Mike, Donna, and Harvey's point of view, with new scenes and reactions each time.

Part 1 : Pizza And A Movie by Closer

Fandom: Suits and Teen Wolf Pairing : Marvey and Sterek

Uneven Odds by Dark_K / 93273 w. / M

Harvey is having a tough time adjusting to the way things are at the firm right now. Mike doesn't know if he'll ever have Harvey's trust back. Derek is afraid he's made all the wrong choices, and Stiles... well, Stiles may be a little too broken to know what to do anymore.

The one where they are brothers - they just have no idea what that means.

Fandom: Merlin (BBC) Pairing : Merthur

The Wall of Arthur by supercalvin / 4557 w. / M

In a surprisingly good David Attenborough impression, Gwaine said, “Here you see the remarkable mating ritual of the Merlin and the Arthur. Which involves mostly insults and swearing.”

Or: How Merlin and Arthur Met and Why There is a Restroom Wall Dedicated to Arthur’s Ass

Strike of Lightning by helloearthlings / 4830 w. / T

Uther's commandment was very simple: If there should come a day when Arthur met his soulmate, he would drive a sword through their chest and kill them on sight.

All's Well That Ends Well by StormDancer / 6298 w. / E

Merlin spent the week and a half that Arthur was gone splitting his time between crafting careful explanations that never ended up explaining the important things, the things that would make Arthur listen, and making half-baked plans to escape to Ealdor.

He found a number of fire-proofing spells that would have no effect if they decided to cut his head off, and figured out how to adapt an invulnerability spell he had been trying to find a way to cast on Arthur without him noticing so that it would protect him from being decapitated, but it would have no effect on anything but metal.

Despite all his frantic searching, he did not find a teleportation spell, because that would have been too simple and if there was one thing Merlin had learned in his years at Camelot, it was that nothing was ever simple.

The Pact by Cori Lannam (corilannam) for vissy / 17700 w. / E

The ancient Albion Pact demands that the Prince of Wales must take someone magic born as his soul-bonded consort by the time he is 30 or face death. Before he was a Detective Inspector Warlock, Merlin Emrys was young and in love and made a promise to Prince Arthur -- and now Arthur is calling it in.

The Crown of the Summer Court by astolat / 24339 w. / E

"The king sent me to get you," Merlin said, with a tone that implied strongly that he wasn't rolling his eyes where Arthur could see, but just wait until his back was turned.

"He said you're to get changed into formal clothes and meet him in the Great Hall, there's a delegation coming from the Summer Court."

The Practice Boyfriend by giselleslash / 24495 w. / M

Merlin’s been in love with Lance for years, but he hasn’t had much experience dating and he wants to figure out the ins and outs of dating before Lance comes back into his life.

Cue Arthur and his manwhoring ways, ready and willing to show Merlin the ropes.

Stars Above, Stones Below by Destina / 46843 w. / E

After the disastrous end of his betrothal to Gwen and the regret of his offer to Princess Mithian, Arthur swears off finding a wife until he's ready to wed. When Merlin offers himself to Arthur as bedmate, Arthur suggests they hand-fast in secret for a single year of mutual pleasure without obligation.

As their year together unfolds, and secrets and betrayals unravel around them, Arthur and Merlin learn there is no such thing as uncomplicated pleasure. Everything they thought they knew can change in the span of a single year.

Emrys Ascending by tricksterity / 110864 w. / T (crossover Harry Potter)

In the depths of the Crystal of Neahtid, Merlin sees the resurrection of Lord Voldemort, an event that will tip the balance of the world so far out that only he has the power to intervene and set it right, or stop it from ever happening. For that, he'll have to pose as a student and attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The only problem is, he's been chosen instead of Cedric Diggory as a Triwizard Champion, and there's a recently reborn Arthur Pendragon in Gryffindor House.

A Modern Manservant by Mamalazzer / 112645 w. / E

A modern magical comedy very loosely based on Ugly Betty.

Publishing king Uther Pendragon has had enough of his playboy son seducing every female assistant he has ever had so he hires Merlin, a man he is sure Arthur will never sleep with. Merlin would be more insulted by this fact if he wasn’t so busy trying to juggle his duties, save Arthur's skin from ruthless fashionistas and keep his magic a secret at the same time.

Expect appearances by oil-lathered knights, the occasional mad druid, a perverted Will and a mental caretaker who lives in the basement and keeps harping on about coins and destiny.

The Student Prince by FayJay / 145222 w. / M

A Modern day Merlin AU set at the University of St Andrews, featuring teetotal kickboxers, secret wizards, magnificent bodyguards of various genders, irate fairies, imprisoned dragons, crumbling gothic architecture, arrogant princes, adorable engineering students, stolen gold, magical doorways, attempted assassination, drunken students, shaving foam fights, embarrassing mornings after, The Hammer Dance, duty, responsibility, friendship and true love...

This story was inspired by the thought of Prince William of Wales (and indeed the current Max von Hapsburg) studying at the University of St Andrews; it is also, as the title suggests, at least a little inspired by the operetta 'The Student Prince'.

And that’s it lovelies!! Hope you enjoyed the rec ;)

#supernatural #destiel #samxdean #samxdeanxcas #marvey #suits #merthur #merlin #white collar #nealxelizabethxpeter #london spy #alex x danny #rec list #my rec list #other fandoms #00Q #james bond

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izanaginookami10 · 8 years ago

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Now let’s talk about Seikaisuru Kado or KADO: The Right Answer. This also was a quite surprising finding. I believe this is really too underrated.

Firstly, I completely understand being put off by the CGI. I personally quite like it, but I would also like to remember to not always judge something from its cover, and well… it can’t be worse than reality now, can it?

Furthermore, just look at him! Isn’t he just wonderful? I do have a certain particular preference for white-haired and red-eyes characters, but our manalien? God? here also reminds me of Merlin from Fate/Grand Order! As a Fate/ fanboi, this really please me and well, it already constitutes a reason to watch it.

But objectively speaking (or at least trying to do that), I think it’s really good as a sci-fi genre. It builds up quite well the “Kado” and the related techonologies and concepts: anisotropic (kind like the fourth dimension?), wam (MUGEN NO ENERGYY), Kado, etc.

I really like the Opening theme. I think it really fit the tone of the show.

Not really from the anime, but just wanted to share.

See, you should trust the white-haired-self-proclamed-outer-superior-being. He kept the promise and released 2 people. Ok, that’s nice and all, but how did negotiations go? I’m really curious. It should be quite clear that the right answer is to accept, the point is how?

Whoa! Equibalent decision-making powers to the prime minister?! (in national security, political and economic fields) That’s insane, or at least, I think getting so much power is a lot. And Shindou refuses? Oh, right. My inferior brain couldn’t think about the actual facts: you would be really chained by the Japanese government in that case.

We need your abilities, Shindo.

Lol. Nope, give that hassle to Hanamori.

Cuuuutee!

Have I already said how I find her cute? I liked her character from the beginning, and although I was expecting a more heated confrontation during last episode (like Light Yagami VS L, I suppose? Well, this wasn’t really the time to do that though) between the two of them. Hope to see in the future some high level negotiations in a more… intense way.

Yeah, Wams are simply incredible. Just thinking about the possibilities, the unlimited possibilities of their usage make me shiver. Hm? Why would be the most common opinion neutral? I would agree immediately. Umu, what about overseas? That’s really important to know.

…Sasuga humanity! You never stop to confirm my image of you! I understand that having one sole country managing the Wams, but seriously, for some illogical reasons I just can’t stand it. They were given by Yaha-kui zaShunina to the japanese, so it should be up to them to choose. Not to be forced by someone else. Or at least, request to simply share them, what’s the need to secure them and just make the UN manage them?

By the way, I really liked the reason zaShunina used for giving them to the japanese, the “bread”. What a beautiful concept, too bad it doesn’t really apply here. Also, isn’t the UN worried about having a super-advanced God/alien, who used as first coin bet a freaking unlimited source of energy, as enemy. I suggest reconsidering the choice of getting on his bad side.

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Cute. CUTE. Seriously CUTE! My GodYaha-kui zaShunina, how can she be so cute? See? Screw CGI, cuteness is justice whatever the animation type.

Hm… I suppose you’re against it because mankind is still too unprepared. There isn’t enough “bread”, huh. That’s a good point too. Still, my greed make me want to disagree, strongly disagree, but your cuteness is too strong for me.

JijiOld Man, you don’t understand? Don’t worry, I and many others don’t understand either. NO CO2? Clean energy?! Holy, this is seriously a gift form God. Just… just how many problems would it resolve? Sure, it would bring more problems, but I think the former far outweight the latter, as conflicts are often caused by lack of resources, which could be produced somehow with infinite energy.

But… why the heck am I thinking so hard about it when it doesn’t exist in reality? Oh, well. Just another otaku’s rambling. Daydreaming is a skill we usually develop quite fast.

Umu, staying there for a month without anime, manga, light novels or visual novels. Oh, God. i would die from boredom, or at least go into vegetative state.

Hanamori-kun… you’re easily convinced, huh.

The Wam are not gifts to countries.

They are gifts to humanity.

I can’t stop liking Yaha-kui’s character. I just love how he evolves, and now he’s analyzing countries in a really… how to say it, convincing way? Anyways, I just like his explanation, all of his explanation. When he talks, it almost seems to create a solemn atmosphere, though this is also the result of a perfect combination between Voices, Visuals and Sounds/OSTs I suppose. Well in the end, you get it: I just really like him.

Another way? Japanese’s resolve? I wonder what’s the new method, it must be quite inconvenient compared to the first.

I can’t stand it.

UN being unreasonably realistic.

The whole reason zaShuina chose Japan was for the “bread”, and look how mankind lives up to your great expectations: “you either give us all the Wams, or the World will crush you”.

I seriously hate that kind of thing, be it your parents, be it your friends (yours, not mine as I don’t really have any), be it your classroom, be it society, be it the world; I truly hate those that force their views and beliefs on others, while trying to crush the minority and being able to do that because you are the majority. Let me quote what a woman said in a Light Novel I really like:

The world is narrow-minded. It is arrogant. It is cruel. The world does not acknowledge people who do not act according to its point of view. The world is not kind to us. It laughs at us, sneers at us, denies us. It dunks us into the coal tar and the bottom of the sea. In this world, we, who deviate only slightly from the conventions of others, are utterly alone. – Chigusa Yuu, Kuzu to Kinka no Qualidea (LN)

But my illogical rage towards the (human) world, which can go and explode, aside.

Let us return to the episode. No, wait. Something else came to mind: regarding the UN, I now wonder what was it actually doing in Gate: Thus the JDSF fought, I may have a short-term memory, but I believe it didn’t really do anything at all? Well, I suppose having the whole UN against is far worse than what actually happened in Gate.

Ok, let us continue.

Financial restrictions? Travel prohibitions? Ending diplomatic resolution? INTERNATIONAL MILITARY ACTION?!

Sure. Bring it on, World. I’m getting excited, excited to see how Japan destroy you (with zaShunina’s aid though).

Sorry for being naive, but I seriously hope, that Japan can stand against the UN. Please zaShunina, learn about their lack of “bread” and show them your superiority. Wait, now that I think about it, WAM ISN’T YOUR ONLY CARD RIGHT? AND TO THINK YOU USED IT FIRST… WHAT THE HELL DO YOU STILL HAVE? A TENGEN TOPPA GURREN LAGANN!?

Yeah, please let us know Shindou. Let us know the way around this.

…her? The a little-too-excited-scientist? (though I’m far more excited than her…). I’m curious about the criteria now. Sadly, Endingh theme already started…. Hm, ED is also really nice.

And I’m really excited by the preview. Can’t wait for next episode!

I’m seriously enjoying this show. It’s just so interesting, and the atmosphere it generates is great. The sci-fi elements are perfectly on point in my humble opinon. I have great expectation.

Great show! Strongly recommended! Izanagi’s score is: 8/9!

Regarding Seikaisuru Kado Episode 4 “And Thus War(?)” Now let's talk about Seikaisuru Kado or KADO: The Right Answer. This also was a quite surprising finding.

#Anime #Kado: The right answer #Seikasuru Kado

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fasterthanyouvidia-blog · 8 years ago

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Going Out is Not Training || Self Para

Quidditch. School. Studying. Initiation training. Work. Gym. Vidia's schedule was jam packed. She didn't have time to sit and bullshit. She didn't even get to see her roommates long enough to say hello. She didn't mind the lack of social interaction but she didn't even get time to trash talk the little putos she enjoyed messing with.

“Vidia! You're here!” Helen was a cute little thing. Her sweet disposition reminded her of her best friend. Maybe that was why she showed up. Vidia missed Felicity and Helen was the next best thing.

“Yup. Why are we here? What kind of lesson could be learned here?” The two young women stood outside of a wizarding nightclub as the music thumped from inside.

“Your first lesson on balance,” Helen grinned.

“Clubbing isn't balance.”

“Your balance issue isn't physical, it's mental,” She waved for Vidia to follow her. “You're so intense. You don't have time to relax. You don't have time to make friends. So, tonight, you'll be hanging out with us.”

“Are you kidding?” Vidia’s eyebrow peaked to one side.

“Nope.”

“I have friends.”

“We both know that's a lie. You have people you drink with and people you bully.” Vidia's jaw dropped as the sweet young girl spoke so candidly to her. “So, no alcohol. You need to socialize sober. Have fun. That's your training for tonight.”

“And if I can't do that?”

“We'll repeat the lesson,” Helen flashed a sweet smile and linked arms with Vidia as they were let through the velvet ropes.

The flashing lights and hum of chatter gave Vidia the urge to order a drink. She looked around and exhaled. She was there for some stupid lesson on balancing her life. It was bullshit but she agreed to all of the crap. She wasn't about to turn around now and give up.

The light danced around the rows of liquor bottles behind the bar as she followed Helen to the group sitting in the V.I.P. section. “Here you go,” Helen stepped up on the platform where everyone sat.

Claire, Graham, and Rodney greeted Vidia as Trina scoffed and ignored the new addition to their party. “Hey, Vid!” Graham was a little too close for comfort. “Let's go dance.”

“No,” she hissed into his ear.

“You're supposed to be training. Finding your balance.” His grin was wicked and Vidia wanted to punch him for it. However, she knew Helen wouldn't be too thrilled about that.

“Whatever,” she nudged past him and made her way to the dance floor.

It was a different feeling to be on a dance floor sober. It didn't bring the same pleasure or satisfaction as it did in the past. Even Graham’s arm that slid around her waist sent a wave of different feelings than what she was used to. “Hands off,” she tried to move forward but he pulled her back. “Let go, Graham.”

“We’re just dancing,” he spoke closely to her ear so he could be heard over the music.

“You don't need to have your grubby hands all over me,” Vidia pulled his hand off her hips and took a large step forward.

“Come on, Vid,” he closed the distance between them again. “It'll be fun.”

“I can't hit you but just know, I want to,” then she left the dance floor.

Vidia was having a shitty time. She used to love going out. One night of sober socializing didn't seem like it would be a struggle. It was. It was a major struggle.

Claire and Helen were off doing Merlin knows what over at the bar. Trina and Rodney were off talking to one another. Graham quickly recovered from Vidia's rejection and moved on to some other female.

“You shouldn't look so down,” Vidia rolled her eyes as she heard a man speak to her. When her eyes ventured a look it was Alf March, Guild Commander. “Isn't Helen’s lesson supposed to have you looking like you're enjoying yourself?”

“Guess it's not a good lesson.”

“It's a great lesson. You're just a sucky student.”

“Excuse me?” Vidia couldn't believe her ears. He barely knew her.

“You heard me. You want to join the guild and these people are taking time out of their schedules to train you. Appreciate the gift that is their knowledge and at least try.” Alf leaned against his elbow against the small table between the two of them.

“This is not how I enjoy myself,” she said begrudgingly.

“Well, how do you enjoy yourself?”

“Lots and lots of alcohol,” She said with a grin.

“Then let's start you off with a shot or two,” Alf held his hand out for Vidia to take. She wasn't going to tell him that Helen said no alcohol. What Helen didn't know wouldn't hurt her.

“Cheers,” Vidia raised the glass then knocked it back as quickly as possible.

Alf and Vidia had a few rounds before she felt happy enough to be looser and more sociable. “Are you ready to play nice?” His whiskers tickled her ear as he leaned over to ask the question. Vidia simply nodded. “Good.”

His hand laced with hers and guided her to the dance floor. Alf and Vidia moved together and she was in her happy place.

“See you can have a good time,” Alf whispered as his arm held Vidia around the waist.

“You like being right, don't you?”

“Yeah. Who doesn't?”

“Not many people, I suppose,” Vidia turned to face him as they danced.

“How is your training going?” Alf asked making small talk.

“It's alright. It's better now that I've had a few drinks.”

“Graham and Rodney both seem pretty interested in what's happening over here.”

“And?” Vidia peeked over her shoulder. Graham looked angry but Rodney seemed concerned. Graham was just upset because Vidia turned him down. She knew that would happen. Although, Rodney’s concern was more of a mystery to her.

“Just an observation.”

“Is being observant a Guild requirement?”

“Not entirely. It doesn't hurt to be, though.”

Vidia ran her finger down the center of his shirt, her finger gliding over the buttons as the past. “Why are you here? Just to check on my training?”

A cockeyed grin curled on his face. The thick whiskers on his face concealed much of the deviousness but Vidia knew it was there. “I was curious what all the fuss was over the bet.”

Vidia rolled her eyes and pushed herself away from his embrace and headed over to the bar. She was tired of the bet. Why did it even matter? She wasn't there for sex or anything in the realm of sex. She wasn't brought to the Guild for her sexual ability. She was offended that the bet was a huge topic of conversation among the members.

“Vidia,” Alf followed her. “We're having a good time, aren't we?”

She snapped around, “if I was a man would this bet even exist? Is what's in my pants all that matters? Or who for that matter? I may not have been the most chaste of girls. I slept with a lot of people. But fuck all of you who think it's okay to bet on when I would sleep with Graham.” Her chest heaved with anger.

“Relax, Vidia,” Alf called for a water from the bartender. “I didn't mean to make you upset. I was just seeing what was up.”

“Well, you've seen. So, you can go.”

“Want me to make sure you get back okay?” Alf asked as he handed her the water.

“I'm fine,” Vidia's reply was short as she sipped the ice water. “Bye, Alf.”

“Goodbye, Vidia.”

Vidia sat at the bar staring at the glass as the ice slowly melted. She slowly cursed Graham for even existing. She cursed Rodney for telling her. She cursed everyone who made the bet.

Her thoughts drifted to wonder why they never made ice that didn't melt. Witches and wizards could do spectacular things but they still have ice that melted and watered down drinks.

“That looks like some deep thought,” Vidia wanted to swing her fist around and hit whoever pulled her from her mind but she stopped. It was Rodney. “Are you okay?”

“I will be.”

“What happened with Alf?” He took the stool next to her.

“That stupid bet,” she muttered.

“Oh,” Rodney tried not to laugh as he ran his hand through his ash brown hair. “Yeah, Alf isn't exactly the most tactful of men.”

“Really?”

“You're the one who said he was your type.”

“Shut up,” she swatted his arm.

“No way. I came over to see if you were okay. I should get praised not swatted!” He rubbed his arm and pretended to whimper.

“You'll be fine,” Vidia said as she rolled her eyes.

“I might need a kiss to make it better,” he leaned his arm close to her.

“No.”

“Come on, Vidia. I won't tell,” his frown pulled downward even more.

“You're pathetic,” she rolled her eyes as she kissed the spot where she hit him. “There.”

“Thank you,” he sat back in his seat. “You kissed my boo-boo.”

“Oh good merciful Merlin!” She swung her seat around to face him. “If I knew you were going to talk about it I would have let you sit there begging me for one.”

“What if I asked you for a real kiss?” His eyebrows bounced with his question.

“Nothing. Trina would kill you,” Vidia said with a laugh.

“But you'd be the one to kiss me. Why wouldn't she kill you?”

“Because you asked.”

“If Trina wasn't a factor, then would you?” He leaned in close enough to smell the hint of vodka on his breath.

Vidia leaned in and whispered, “No.” she flashed a grin and swung her feet around. With a bounce, she was off the stool and fading into the crowd.

She spotted Helen, Claire and Trina laughing with each other like the merry band they were. Vidia had zero desire to be the fourth woman in their little clique. As annoying as the men were, Vidia was better suited to keep up with them.

“Alone, finally.” Vidia turned toward the bathroom and ran into Graham, again.

“Go away, Graham. I'm not nearly as drunk as I need to be to tolerate you.” Vidia ducked under his arm and kept walking.

“You'd rather sleep with Alf than with me?”

Vidia whipped around to face him, “I didn't sleep with him. I danced with him. Big difference. And I'll probably never sleep with you. So, get over it.”

“Why not?”

“Why does it even matter? Get over it. Not everyone wants to sleep with you.” She pursed her lips as her arms met her sides.

“Because,” he didn't have much of a reason. He took a step forward and relied on his looks to make her change her mind.

“Get over it, Graham. Your life will be easier if you do.”

“I don't lose bets,” he hissed.

“Everyone has new experiences,” she patted him on the shoulder and side stepped around him.

His hand came around and grabbed her. Vidia was stunned as her back hit the wall, “Trina is right about you. You're nothing. Not even worth the seconds it takes to piss.”

His breath mixed with hers and he hungrily scanned her body, “whatever, Graham. Stop eye fucking me and let me go.” She tried to keep her usual demeanor but she was worried what he was thinking about.

“Everyone has new experiences, right?” Before his grubby hands could manage their way up her leg, Vidia’s palm met his nose. A gush of red flow and he screamed.

“I'm sure you've had your nose broken before,” she gave him a shot to the kidney for good measure. “Now you can piss blood and think of me for an extra few seconds.”

Vidia was done. Socializing with the other members wasn't going to work out. She had to accept that they didn't respect her enough for it to work. If they weren't going to respect her then she was done. She was leaving.

“Vid!” She heard Rodney’s voice once she hit the street. She really hated how he was so quiet when he didn't want to be heard. “Wait!”

“Just wipe my memories and leave me alone,” Vidia shouted as she walked.

“No,” Rodney caught up quickly. “What happened in there?”

“It was a failed lesson. That’s what it was. I don’t fit in with you guys. You don’t want me around.” She stopped and looked up at him. “So, go back to your friends.”

“We do want you around but you’re not the easiest person to talk to. You’re always so guarded with your snippy comments and foul language. Drop that guard of yours and you can fit in with us. You can fit in with anyone if you just stop acting like a bitch all the time.” Vidia’s jaw dropped. “So, get back in there and become our friend.”

“No,” Vidia was going to stand her ground. “You think you know me. Following me around for a few months doesn’t mean you know me. I like keeping people at an arm’s length. I actively avoid relationships. It’s not some sort of accident. I did this. I made myself like this.”

“Stop being so stubborn. Stop just fucking stop. You’re throwing this opportunity away because you’re afraid of being our friend? Do you hear how ridiculous that sounds? You’re willing to throw away an opportunity to be one of the greatest flyers of all time because you don’t have to like us?” Rodney held her by the shoulders. “Listen to yourself!”

“I don’t even know why I’m still standing here.” With a crack, Vidia apparated to her room at her parents’ house.

“Ah, shit!” Rodney was there with her. “I got splinched!”

Vidia grumbled as she took a look at the part of his arm where he had a large gash. “Here,” She tossed a shirt at him, “for the blood.”

“Thanks.”

“Wait here,” Vidia opened the door to her room and let the stairs glide downward. She was lucky enough to have parents that were magibotanists who kept all sorts of healing herbs in the house. She rummaged through their stores and yanked a few things out that would aid in the healing.

Rodney jumped when Vidia pulled the hatch door shut and spilled the herbs on the floor. “You’re an idiot. Hasn’t anyone ever told you not to do that? You don’t surprise side apparate with someone.” Vidia yanked the shirt from the gash and studied his wound. “I’ve had to patch up a few quidditch injuries over the years.”

“Have you ever lost a patient?” Rodney joked.

“Nope but you seem to have a death wish. So, does it really matter?”

“Nah, I just wanted to finish our conversation.” Rodney winced as Vidia pulled his arm closer for a better view. “You've got some bedside manner.”

“Our conversation was over. That's why I was leaving,” She said while pouring a salve on his splinched arm.

“I didn't say it was over.”

“Oh, really? And who said you were the boss of me, cadelo?” Vidia laughed as she examined her work as the gash began to vanish.

“No one. I just want to be your friend.” Rodney glanced at his splinched arm and nodded. “Look at you. If flying ever fails you, healing seems like something you can do.”

“Nah. That would mean I have to like people. That kind of gets in the way of my hate the world initiative.”

“Why are you like that? You're not a bad person. You can be nice.” Rodney shifted on the small seat Vidia had for her vanity.

“That's really none of your business.” Vidia began cleaning up the mess from doctoring his injury.

“I'm just trying to understand, Vid. Can you blame me?”

“There's nothing to understand. I don't want friends. Plain and simple.” The agitation was growing in her voice.

“But-”

“But nothing. Just drop it. You're all fixed up. You can leave now.” Vidia let the door drop back down for Rodney to leave.

“Vidia,” he stood up and almost hit his head on the slanted ceiling in the attic, “just talk to me. I'm here trying to be your friend. You say you don't fit in with us by how do you know if you don't try?”

“Rodney, if you say my name one more time,”

“What? You'll do what? You're too short to slap me. Can't break my nose like you did to Graham. Cut the big bad girl routine for like five minutes and be real with me. I'm just here trying to be your friend.”

“My best friend died. We were just kids and she died. I spent a day hiding in an old oak tree crying. I vowed to myself that I'd never feel that pain again. I wouldn't love or care for someone like I did for Lorena. So, if you don't mind, leave.” Her words were cold and distant. It had been a while since she said Lorena’s name.

“It's damn near impossible to do that,” Rodney took a step closer to Vidia.

“I do a pretty good job. I'm not going to say it again, leave.” She tapped her foot angrily as she waited next to the door.

“Come on. We just got going. Helen’s training lesson could still be somewhat of a success.”

“Go.”

“Fine. I'm leaving. I can apparate from here.” He said looking around.

“Doesn't matter. My parents left for some plant expo in Germany this weekend. They took the puppies with them, too.” Rodney laughed at the notion of Vidia having puppies.

“Walk me out then?”

“Fine.”

Rodney went down the ladder and Vidia followed. They walked in silence through her house. “You have a big family. I always thought Ridgewell was joking when he said Alberto had thirteen children.”

“Don't talk about my grandfather like you knew him,” she scowled up at him as they got closer to the front door.

“I've heard so much about him. It feels like I do know him.”

“Well, just shut up about it, okay?” Vidia felt a small twinge of jealousy. She knew very little about her grandfather. Since she decided to join the Guild, she felt like she didn't know anyone she was related to. Between her grandfather, Alberto, her mother’s parents, her uncle and mother’s betrothal and subsequently her parents falling in love, everything seemed to be so much more than what she was told.

“Can I get a list of what I can talk about with you? I have a feeling it's a much easier list to remember.”

“Quidditch. Alcohol. Girls. That's about it. Unless you're also into guys, that's something we can talk about, too,” she flashed a cheeky grin as she reached for the door.

“Sadly, I'm not into guys. So, just the three topics. I think I can do that. What if the girl is Trina?”

“Then keep it to alcohol or quidditch,” they both let out a chuckle. “She's probably going to be pissed at you for leaving.”

“She's not my girlfriend or my keeper,” Rodney’s tone was less playful than before.

“You sleep with her.”

“Do you answer to everyone you sleep with?”

“Touché,” Vidia opened the door and motioned for him to leave.

“Well, I guess I'll be going.”

“Night, Rodney.”

“Good night, Vidia.” Rodney hesitated in the doorway. “Give us a chance. You said we don't respect you. If you want us to respect you, then you need to give us a chance to.”

“I don't want your respect. I just want you out of my house and my life.” She shrugged and started to close the door.

“I'm not buying it. Somewhere deep down, you want to befriend us,” Rodney held the door open as he talked. “Just a chance. Please?”

“If I say I'll think about it, will you finally leave?” Rodney nodded. “Fine, I'll think about it but don't hold your breath, puto.”

#fhogself #selfpara #hc:guildofthewind #guildofthewind #guild5 #tw:pushyguysagegapvidiastuff

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merlinficreview · 8 years ago

Text

The Student Prince: Chapter 1-5 Review!

Sorry it’s been 84 years since Romeo or I have posted anything. Romeo is back to school for the semester so her time is limited and work has been really draining on me recently. Never fear, we are still here though and I’ve got a review!

The Student Prince by FayJay

Word Count: 145222

Ok guys, this is it. The infamous Student Prince fic. I have read this one before and I liked it because it seems to be the closest fic I’ve found to a modernized version of the BBC show. Plus, as I’ve already said before, I am a sucker for Modern Royalty AUs. This fic also takes place at the University of St. Andrews, which I know nothing about. So google will be my trusty friend throughout this review.

Here we go!

Chapter 1

We begin with Merlin getting hit in the face with some luggage and falling onto some poor elderly lady. Merlin has to maintain an extra sense of control when objects are flying towards his face because he has magic and doesn’t want to out himself. Yay Modern Day Magic Fic!

So it turns out the luggage situation was someone else’s fault. “She glanced from Merlin to the lady and then back again, her face the picture of mortification, and Merlin – who had been feeling a little disgruntled about the whole unexpected-rain-of-luggage scenario – took one look at her huge brown eyes and immediately wanted to reassure her that he had thoroughly enjoyed being knocked half unconscious.” Haha, aww.

The luggage canon introduces herself as Gwen. Yay, Gwen! She is studying engineering at St. Andrews. I think it’s weird that Gwen already has all her textbooks. Have they already signed up for their classes? How would she know what to buy?

Gwen tells Merlin she also has a hammer in her bag. "’Of course there is,’ nodded Merlin, gravely. ‘Who travels without a hammer in their luggage these days? One never knows when a spot of joinery might be in order.’ The corner of his mouth twitched. ‘Stop!’ he said, raising one hand in front of him. Gwen blinked, and after a beat Merlin added: ‘Hammer Time! Dooo doodoodoo! Doodoo! Doo! Hammer Time!’ as he improvised a quick, and truly terrible, attempt at the Hammer Dance in the cramped confines of the aisle.’”

Oh my God. How embarrassing. Stop it, Merlin. Then Gwen tells Merlin that she makes her own jewelry and Merlin is super impressed. Merlin even does the dance a second time and I want to crawl in a hole and die from secondhand embarrassment. Merlin, you JUST met Gwen. Calm yourself.

“’Hey, it's not really Merlin, is it?’ Gwen asked, looking at him sidelong. ‘I mean – really really? You're pulling my leg, right? I mean – nobody's called Merlin. Why would any woman name her baby after an old man with a long white beard and a pointy hat? It's like calling your baby Gandalf.’” This is the second time Gwen has awkwardly expressed disbelief about Merlin’s name. Stop being weirdly obsessed with his name, Gwen. How fucking rude. Poor Merlin. Getting assaulted by luggage and then getting his name made fun of. Good start to college, Merlin. Good start.

Then Gwen points out that Prince Arthur is also going to be attending St. Andrews and she says Merlin and Arthur will become besties. Merlin points out that her name is Guinevere and that she’ll be future queen.

"’That isn't why I applied there,’ she insisted. ‘I mean, I know that there must be thousands of girls who filled in their UCAS forms with St Andrews just because they're living some kind of stupid “Princess Diaries” fantasy and they think they're going to meet him and he'll fall for them and they'll end up with a tiara and a load of corgis, but I'm serious about my career. St Andrews has an excellent engineering department. I was going to apply there long before I heard that's where Arthur was going.’”

But that’s not the plot of The Princess Diaries at all?

I also have the St. Andrews website pulled up because like I said, I know nothing about it, or going to school in the UK, to be honest, and it doesn’t even look like St. Andrews has an engineering department. Man, Gwen is going to be pissed when she finds out she spent all her money on textbooks for a degree her school doesn’t offer.

Then Gwen tells us how King Uther met his wife while they were at Oxford once upon a time. "It's such a beautiful story, isn't it? The way they met at Oxford when she borrowed his jar of Gold Blend, not even realising he was the Prince of Wales at first because he was in the middle of shaving and she was distracted by her friend's dog...oh, they were so in love!" Gold Blend is coffee, by the way. I had to google it too. In what situation would a man be shaving his face next to a container of instant coffee while a random dog is nearby? That’s such an odd scene to imagine. Maybe she knocked in his door to borrow the coffee and she had the dog with her? Were there co-ed dormitories back then?

Merlin is just as suspicious about this story as I am and pops Gwen’s bubble, telling her it was most likely PR. I agree.

"Merlin shook his head mutely, and carefully didn't mention any of the books or magazines he might possibly have read about Prince Arthur and his family. Especially not the outrageously hot photoshoot in GQ magazine that he'd been hiding under his bed for the past three months, and frantically jerking off to most nights. Nope, definitely not mentioning that. Gwen rolled her eyes. ‘Uther and Igraine – it's like a modern day Romeo and Juliet!’" First of all, 100% do not mention that to Gwen. Good decision. Second of all, Gwen has a really hard time grasping plots, doesn’t she? No wonder she decided to major in a non-existent department at her university. She’s not a very bright girl.

We then learn that Merlin is planning to major in physics. That is a department at St. Andrews, good job, Merlin! Then Gwen compares their journey to Hogwarts. “He found himself wishing he could explain about Professor Gaius and Doctor Nimueh, and about the kind of text books he had stuffed into the bottom of his rucksack – but that wasn't going to happen. Magic was secret, and secret it should stay. Nobody wanted to go back to the days of witchburnings.” Poor Merlin. It’s always so sad that he has to hide himself. I will also give him a pass for already having magic books because that’s different.

Gwen and Merlin talk a little more about Harry Potter and then go right back to talking about Arthur and how they’ll probably never meet him. Well…

Then Merlin gets real depressing real fast. "Whatever. All those posh interbred types with more rooms than they know what to do with and flocks of sheep wandering around on their enormous ancient estates - that's who he'll be hanging out with. Not with a physics student from a grotty little council estate in Cardiff, or an engineering student – however lovely – who lives above her dad's garage in Wembley. Face it – we don't have our own flocks of sheep." Brutal Honesty Hour! It’s my favorite time of day!

Merlin then shares some chocolate with Gwen and they enjoy the rest of their train ride.

Chapter 2

“The door was open a crack when Merlin reached his room in St Salvator's Hall, and he could hear voices inside, and what sounded rather a lot like The Rolling Stones.” I looked up St. Salvator’s Hall and holy crap those rooms are nice. According to the photos, the rooms are like twice as big as the dorm rooms of the university I went to. I also decided to compare prices, for funsies, and also to sit and cry about how much more ridiculously expensive it is to go to university here than in other countries. The fee for a shared room at St. Salvator’s Hall is £5,837 which includes a meal plan. That’s 6292.55 USD for comparison. At the University that I went to, a shared room with communal bath is 6,795 USD. This does not include a meal plan which could add up to around 800 USD if you pick the one with the most meals. Those rates are also per semester and not for the entire academic year. Now, St. Salvator’s rate does not state whether the fee is per semester or for the whole year but either way, it’s still way more expensive here in the US. It also looks like St. Salvator Hall doesn’t have communal bathrooms like the one located here that I looked up. Yay not affordable education here in the US!

Anyways, Merlin enters the room and his roommate is none other than the Prince of Wales himself, Arthur. Oh my god. I NEVER saw that one coming!

“’Only – I thought – well, I pretty much assumed that you'd be staying over at New Hall. Where they have single rooms. And ensuites with all the mod cons,’ blurted Merlin. ‘Not sharing a room in Sally's. Why are you sharing a room in Sally's?’ Arthur frowned. ‘Because I lost a bet, if you must know. With my father.’ He stared at Merlin, looking puzzled and a touch irritated. ‘You weren't expecting this, then? They didn't get you to sign things – Official Secrets Act, all that?’” I think that’s a fair question Merlin is asking and I also want to know what sort of bet Arthur lost. How fucking awkward that no one alerted Merlin to who his roommate was supposed to be. Don’t they give out roommate names before the semester starts?

So then Arthur gets bitchy that Merlin hasn’t signed a non-disclosure agreement. “Well – sorry if this sounds, you know, rude, but basically if you touch any of my stuff, or take photos of me or my friends, or tape conversations, or sell your story to the press, or – basically, if you act like a dick, right? Well, we're talking Tower of London, pretty much. That's the Cliff Notes version.”

Calm the fuck down, Arthur. Throwing Merlin in the tower for borrowing your history book is way too excessive. So then Merlin asks if he can make a citizen’s arrest if Arthur does any the aforementioned things to Merlin. Good job, Merlin. Arthur is a complete asshole about that, acting like Merlin’s stuff is grosser than the stuff on the bottom on Arthur’s shoes and tells Merlin he will replace anything he ruins with something of “equal value.” "’Like a stick of gum,’ murmured Kay, sniggering.” Yeah, be prepared to really really fucking hate Kay in this. "’I can see why you have to swear people to secrecy, if this is how you act when you're not around a reporter,’ blurted out Merlin, feeling cheated. ‘You really are a massive prat, aren't you? A smug, self-entitled, patronising git.’” Yassssss. You tell him, Merlin.

Arthur and his friends leave and then Merlin goes to find Gaius. We learn a little about the School of Sorcery. This School can be found in every single building on campus, one just has to find the special door with a dragon on it. Merlin finds the door located in his residence hall. Of course the dragon on the door talks to Merlin, "’Young Merlin!’ it said, in a voice like a rusty gate, blinking sulphurous eyes impossibly as it writhed through the wood like an eel in water. ‘Back so soon?’ ‘What?’ Merlin stared at it. ‘I haven't – this is my first time here, Master Dragon.’” So we get a little hint of reincarnation.

Merlin finds Gaius who tries to shoo him away until Merlin gives him his name. Gaius changes his tune after that and tells Merlin he knew his father. The first thing Merlin does is complain about sharing a room with Prince Arthur. He says it will make it too hard to hide his magic. “Gaius blinked at him owlishly. ‘Then I suggest that you learn some discretion, young man, and quickly,’ he said.’” That is such an annoying adult thing to say. What a non-answer. Poor Merlin. Gaius tells Merlin he is supposed to be rooming with Arthur so he can protect him and that wizards have always protected kings and queens. Merlin is unhappy with this news.

Chapter 3

This chapter opens with:

“Hey, Gwen – how's McIntosh Hall?

Brilliant! How's Sallies?

View good, mattress soft, roommate total plonker. Yours?

She seems OK. Sorry you got plonker. Want to meet later & go to Union together?

God, yes please!” It’s written just like that (italics represent direct quotes and bold represents italics within the fic. You know the drill). I assume they are texting.

Anyways: “It was the tail-end of summer, but apparently that meant something rather different on the East coast of Scotland than it did in Wales, and by the time Merlin got to Gwen's Hall of Residence he was wishing he'd brought a coat, rather than just pulling on a black v-neck jumper.” Does Merlin not know how to read a map, or?

Like… I know the UK is small compared to the US but he can’t really be that surprised that the Northern part of the UK is colder than the Southern part. There’s almost 500 miles in between Cardiff and St. Andrews. I’m glad Merlin isn’t majoring in geography.

So Merlin meets up with Gwen outside her residence hall where she has acquired a gentleman caller. It’s probably Lance. Merlin and Gwen hug. “’Hey, you,’ he said into her hair, feeling something in his chest tighten unexpectedly. ‘I missed you.’”

Calm down, Merlin. You’ve known her for thirty seconds and only been away for her for three of those.

Lance is not happy with Merlin’s presence. “’Hi, Lance,’ he said, ducking his head in Lance's general direction. Lance smiled back – or at least, he bared his teeth, which was almost the same thing. Merlin had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. ‘Hi,’ said Lance reaching out a hand that Merlin rather suspected was going to be bone-crushing. He let go of Gwen and accepted the handshake, and managed not to buckle under the pressure of Lance's Very Manly Indeed deathgrip of macho posturing.” LOL HOW HILARIOUS. Men treating women like objects and prizes to be won. Real knee slapper, that joke.

Gwen tells Merlin that Lance is going to be her Academic Dad and then informs us that there’s only 8 weeks until Raisin Weekend. Thanks, Exposition Gwen! So I also googled this Academic Family business since that’s not a thing we have here. So, basically an Academic Mum and Academic Dad are like mentors for first year students and freshmen are allowed to ask for someone to be their Academic Mother but the Academic Dad has to do the asking to the freshmen. So it makes no sense that Gwen was so shocked about Lance asking her. Whatever. Raisin Weekend is basically just an excuse to drink excessively with your Academic Parents and dress up in costumes that Monday and have shaving cream fights. Typical college nonsense.

“’Well, if I'd known they were giving away hot blokes with every room, I'd definitely have put my name down for McIntosh Hall.’ Lance made a startled noise, and his territorial expression shifted rather quickly into something entirely different and almost maiden auntish as Gwen punched Merlin's arm.” Get it, because Gay Merlin is no longer a threat to Lance chasing after Gwen. No one tell Lance bisexual people exist. I think his head would explode. No, you know what? Someone should tell him. He’s an asshole.

“Lance gave her a slightly sheepish grin. ‘It's okay,’ he said. ‘I'll be your designated driver – I'm not big on the alcohol.’ ‘I don't need a designated driver,’ said Gwen, looking at him sidelong. ‘It's a three minute walk! It would take longer to get a car started than it would to get there!’ ‘Right – well, designated guard dog, then. Or knight in shining armour, or guardian angel, or overprotective Dad – whatever you want to call it. I don't drink, so, you know – I'll make sure you're okay. Promise.’”

Oh my God. Slow your fucking roll and let her do what she wants. She’s not some poor defenseless damsel in distress.

Lance gives off an extreme sense of superiority in this fic. He’s a Buddhist, doesn’t drink, volunteers all over the fucking place as Professional Knight in Shining armor and he’s vegan. “’My Dad disapproves of the veganism,’ he admitted, sheepishly. ‘But it's not so hard, really. It feels good, knowing who I am, and what I want out of life. Being mindful in all things.’” Be more pretentious, Lance. Really, I want to see if you can top all of that.

“Merlin studied Lance, trying not to be too damned obvious about it. He wasn't at all sure if this guy was for real, or if he was playing some kind of elaborate joke, with all this holier-than-thou schtick. There was a disconcerting intensity to the man. Merlin wanted to like him, but he wasn't at all sure what to make of him. He did seem a bit too good to be true.” See, Merlin knows.

Oh and Lance is going to teach Gwen kickboxing. He has classes on Wednesday. Of course he does. Merlin is not into it, especially after meeting one of Lance’s students, Elaine. “Merlin looked at her biceps and swallowed. ‘Yeah – no thanks,’ he said, with a watery grin. ‘I've got a suspicion she'd crush me like a bug.’” Mostly I just included this because I wanted to talk about the phrase, “watery grin.” I see this ALL THE TIME in fanfic and it drives me crazy. What the fuck is a “watery grin?” If your smile is “watery,” swallow your fucking spit. That’s disgusting.

“Gwen bit her lip and glanced up at them. ‘Would you hate me forever if I left you for five minutes?’ she asked. ‘I need the ladies' room. I know I should have gone before we left, but I was caught up talking, and I didn't get around to it. Can you wait for me?’ ‘Until the stars fall from the sky,’ said Lance, bowing with an elaborate flourish that made Gwen roll her eyes.”

I don’t even have a response to this bullshit.

So Gwen goes to the bathroom and Merlin does his, “hurt her and I’ll kill you,” speech to Lance and afterwards they become friends and Lance offers to be Merlin’s Academic Dad.

When Gwen comes back she is absolutely flipping her shit because she saw Arthur. “’ComeOnComeOnComeOnComeOn!’ she said in a singsong voice. ‘You should see him! He's sitting at a table! Drinking a beer!’” Yes, let’s all go and gawk at him like an animal in the zoo. Gwen and Lance are being really annoying so far.

So Merlin tells Gwen that Arthur is his roommate and that he’s an asshole. He then requests that they not go stare at him like total creepers. Gwen is not happy. “He looked at Gwen and sighed. ‘Look, I promise that you'll get to see him again. In fact I'll text you when he's in the room, so you'll know when's a good time to swing by and visit me in Sally's and meet him properly. I'm sure he'd love to pose for a photo with you, and give you his signature, and all that kind of meet'n'greet thing.’” Ok, Merlin. This shit is why Arthur already doesn’t like you. No inviting people over to stalk your roommate and make promises on his behalf. Stop it.

They all go dance and Merlin makes a fool of himself doing the hammer dance, covered in glitter, wearing DIY hammer dance pants (I don’t know) that he got from… somewhere. Arthur stares at him and Merlin falls off the stage.

Chapter 4

Merlin wonders how many other sorcerers are at St. Andrews and we learn that he is there on scholarship. Must be nice. My poor loan debt ass is going to be paying for the two years I spent in nursing school for like ten years. Cheers.

Merlin hears Gwen laughing, “He spotted her over on the other side of the room, in front of a table advertising the St Andrews Fencing Society.” Gwen? Fencing? I mean, I guess. Why not? She’ll have a lot of time on her hands when she realizes the major she’s chosen doesn’t exist at that school. Gwen is with her roommate, Sophia.

“With that thought in mind, he marched purposefully over to the rainbow-festooned table advertising the St Andrews LGBT Society in cheery glittering letters. ‘Sign me up,’ he said, firmly, grinning at a bald girl with enough silver in her various cavities to sink a small ship. ‘I'm a card-carrying friend of Dorothy, and I'm gagging for a shag.’” What a colorful way to introduce yourself, Merlin.

Merlin stops in the middle of registering for his LGBT club to fantasize about Arthur. As you do. “’Oh, marvellous,’ said a faintly familiar voice behind him, rippling with laughter. ‘Oh, that's just perfect. Does Arthur know yet?’” The person is Morgana, “’Er...?’ he said, trying to think where he knew her from. ‘Sorry, are you talking to me?’ ‘He doesn't, does he? There'd have been even more bitching and whining if he did,’ she said, decisively. ‘Oh, this is going to be good.’” Get it? Because Arthur’s homophobia is such a hilarious joke and it’s going to be SO LAUGHABLE when he finds out his roommate is gay.

Merlin goes out for coffee with Morgana, who I do like in this fic minus her laughing at Merlin’s sexual orientation in the previous scene. Morgana asks Merlin if he is in to Arthur. “He's an insufferable, rude, arrogant, overprivileged berk, and I wouldn't suck his cock if he was the last man on earth and he was paying me, so there!” Me thinks the man doth protest too much.

“Fine. We won't talk about how much you want to get into my cousin's royal boxer shorts. So – magic!” Morgana gives no fucks. I like that about her. Merlin freaks out because you can’t just go talking about magic all willy nilly like that. Merlin insists on calling magic “macramé,” but Morgana is having none of it. They decided that their cover story for being so familiar with one another is that they have played World of Warcraft for years and are finally meeting in person. Sure. We also learn that Morgana is studying Art History. Good job, Morgana. That is also a subject that St. Andrews provides.

“’Now then – word on the street is that you might actually be worthy of that remarkable name.’ She took a long, thoughtful drag, and Merlin watched blue curls of smoke snake out of her nostrils like she was some kind of very small, elegant dragon. ‘Is it true that you changed the seasons?’ she asked. ‘No!’ Merlin said. ‘Or at least – well, not on purpose.’” Yikes, Merlin. I guess Merlin was 10 and throwing a tantrum about cherries not being in season so he changed the season from winter to summer. He also summoned a kracken when he was 12 years old on a school field trip. Poor Hunith having to deal with Merlin. He sounds like an insufferable child.

They then proceed to get drunk and Morgana becomes Merlin’s Academic Mother thingy. Merlin gets Morgana to be Gwen’s as well.

Chapter 5

Merlin gets back to his dorm and Arthur is there. Arthur apologizes to Merlin and suggests they start over. Arthur then realizes that Merlin is drunk. Merlin drunkenly tells Arthur that he is friends with Morgana and they were drinking together and that she is now Merlin’s Academic Mother. Turns out she is also Arthur’s. Who didn’t see that one coming? Arthur admits that he looked Merlin up and knows a lot of stuff about him. Merlin says stuff he shouldn’t say, basically admitting he is a sorcerer and he finds Arthur hot and Arthur doesn’t pick up on any of it. Arthur is stupid.

Merlin starts to fall asleep on the floor and Arthur can’t have that, for platonic friend reasons, and so he gets Merlin into bed and decides to help him drink water and take some pain killers. “There was an uncertain space of time, and then Merlin was being manhandled upright by someone warm and shirtless, who smelled good. Merlin knew he smelled good because he was slumped bonelessly with his nose pressed into the hollow of a freshly-washed collarbone. Because it seemed like a good idea, he licked it, and made a small appreciative sound, and then tried a gentle bite. The owner of the collarbone gave a startled hiss, and flinched away, but didn't drop him; and the voice, when it came again, was decidedly hoarse.”

See, Arthur is fucking stupid. If a friend/someone I wasn’t into randomly bit and licked my chest, drunk or not, I would be like, “yo, that’s not cool.” Because that’s not something someone does with their platonic friend.

When Merlin wakes up, “Another thought wandered idly through his brain, and he was faintly aware that it was significant: he wasn't alone. He was, in fact, wrapped around somebody else in the manner of an affectionate baby octopus, one leg tangled between theirs, one arm hooked firmly around a neat naked waist and his mouth pressed damply into the warm, soft-sharp curve of a shoulder blade.” Arthur is awake too, “Do you have any idea of how much fun and frivolity I could have been having last night, while you were busy cutting off the circulation in my limbs? I'll have you know I was going to have a fantastic evening.”

Umm… you made the choice to stay behind and spend the night cuddling your roommate, Arthur. You could have shoved him over if you wanted to.

Merlin and Arthur go get breakfast together. Merlin texts Gwen to tell her about Morgana being their Academic Mother and that she is also Arthur’s. Gwen freaks the fuck out.

That’s it for this review. It’s a decent set-up to the fic. We get to know a little bit about Merlin and how powerful he is. We also have a rough start to the Arthur/Merlin friendship but then it’s nice to see Arthur actually own up to his shit and apologize to Merlin. Arthur is stupid for not realizing how into him Merlin is. Gwen and Lance have been pretty annoying so far and if I remember correctly, they continue to be insufferable for the majority of this fic because their “will they won’t they” cliché set-up is stupid.

Until next time

#merlin #bbc merlin #merlin fic #review #the student prince #modern royalty au #Merlin has magic #arthur is dumb #gwen and lance are annoying

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