#leave the creators some love

[merlinbingo]

So let's pretend, for peach's peace of mind, that we're still in the first half of September, okay?

In August, we got 67 fills created by 22 wonderful people! Of the 55 where people chose to give us this info, 45 were fics, five are artworks, three were podfic and two were actual physical crafty things! (side note: definitely doing this bonus badge theme again next year, because I love love love the physical crafty things)

In terms of ships, we got the same increase in variety we get each year when kinkalot rolls around (pretty sure this has something to do with the larger-than-average number of fills we got this month too). The usual suspects are top of the list, with Merlin/Arthur at 18 and gen at 15. Merlin/Gwaine and the astonishingly prolific crossover rarepair Merlin/Percy Jackson both got four fills, while Arthur/Leon got three and Leon/Morgana got two. Nine other ships all got one fill each, which is really too many for me to list them all here, but you'll find them all under the cut!

As always, fills are sorted by ship and then by rating, and we encourage you to 1) check the tags and warnings before clicking on those links and 2) leave a whole lot of love for these glorious creators!

No ships/gen

The Seneschal of the King ~ Chapter 3: The Round Table by HadrianPeverellBlack Rating: General audiences Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Summary: Merlin's first formal meeting as the King's Seneschal.

“What do you have there?” by HadrianPeverellBlack Rating: General audiences Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Summary: Merlin adopts a pet and Morgana is not okay with that

Guilt and Redemption ~ Chapter 3: We aren't our fathers by HadrianPeverellBlack Rating: General audiences Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Summary:

Letters from a friend ~ Chapter 2: Second letter by HadrianPeverellBlack Rating: General audiences Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Summary:

[Podfic] Oblivious and Long Suffering by Flowerparrish Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Immortal Leon, Podfic Summary: The aftermath of The Last Dragonlord and Sir Leon's extremely close brush with death...

Plush Aithusa by garden-variety-jumo Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Summary:

Merlin in the Underground by LikeAPaperPlane Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Summary:

Why would I lie when I can tell you the truth? ~ Chapter 3: Merlin needs some comfort after Edwin by HadrianPeverellBlack Rating: General audiences Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Summary:

Merlin of The Dead by Wasp Rating: General audiences Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Zombies Summary: Needle-felted zombie Merlin

This is my favourite cute little cat ~ okay, it's a bastet by HadrianPeverellBlack Rating: General audiences Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Summary: Merlin finds a cute little kitten. Very very huge, with wings. Okay, maybe it isn't a kitten, but Merlin likes it.

(Podfic) Liar, Liar, Noble, Sire by Wander Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Podfic, Role reversal, friendship, humor, Gwaine knows about Merlin's magic Summary: Instead of Lancelot, Gwaine shows up and kills the griffin.

flowers lie in these woods by Nivelle Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: flowershop au, dragoon the great, assassination attempt Summary: Dragoon the Great runs a flower shop when Merlin needs a break from his normal jobs. It’s a mostly a relaxing hobby that allows him to tell annoying customers exactly what he thinks of them, until Morgana comes in looking for a very specific flower. Then it just becomes another complicated mess Merlin has to deal with somehow, preferably before anyone gets hurt.

[Podfic] Born from blood by flowerparrish Rating: Teen Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: God Merlin, Alternate Universe - Different First Meeting, Merlin's Magic Loves Arthur, Emotional Hurt Comfort, Past Character Death Summary: Emrys is both a warrior and a healer, a result of all those that died in the purge. He is talked with kindness and vengeance, to protect those that can only survive a magicless Camelot when Magic himself is there for them, to take the life of those who do nothing but kill. He cries.

There's always a way ~ Chapter 1: Demon Deal by HadrianPeverellBlack Rating: Teen Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Summary: Merlin is desperate to see his friends again. He cannot die, so he can only bring them back. Enters Crowley.

Destiny Quickens by s0mmerspr0ssen Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic depictions of violence Major tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Prince Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Thief Merlin (Merlin), Angst, Hurt/Comfort Summary: After a plague ravages Albion, an orphaned Merlin arrives in Camelot, where he falls in the hands of the criminal Kanen. Too afraid to use his magic, Merlin has no other choice but to join Kanen’s gang of child thieves and steal to survive. Ten months later, Prince Arthur returns from a mission to a crime-infested city and disarrayed court, with King Uther paralysed by grief over Morgana’s death. Determined to restore order, Arthur tackles the task of cleaning up the Lower Town, where he meets Merlin—only to learn that the problems in Camelot run far deeper than he had first thought…

Gwen/Morgana

mermaid au III by kairennart Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: digital art, mermaid au, pirate au Summary:

Elena/Mithian

Red silk for a happy birthday by Ace_Teagirl Rating: Explicit Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Established relationship, Cunnilingus, Shibari Summary: Elena had a terrible day. Thankfully Mithian is there to make it all better

Arthur/Gwen

In Another Lifetime by MyFairKatie Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Coffee Shop AU, Reincarnation AU, First Date Summary: There were two people Arthur Pendragon saw every Tuesday at 4:30 PM at Leah Jane’s Cafe: the attractive barista who usually worked that shift and the old man who was always sipping coffee in the corner at that time. Arthur attempts every day to guess her name, with the promise that if he ever gets it right, she'll pay for his coffee. But he's never able to guess her true name... until a part of him remembers.

Leon/Morgana

Share This Dance by Wander Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: First meeting, pre-relationship, banter Summary: A first meeting and a dance between Leon and Morgana.

Carnage by Viviriki Rating: Mature Warnings: Major character death, Graphic depictions of violence Major tags: Revenge, Fix-It, Character Death, Magic Revealed, Hurt/Comfort. Summary: Leon survives an ambush and is saved by a group of druids using the cup of life. When he returns to Camelot he tells this to the first person he sees, Morgana. After convincing him to keep this their little secret she constructs a plan to take over Camelot.

Merlin/Arthur/Gwen

Triad by SauraUnderscore Rating: Explicit Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Polyamory; Established Relationship; Vaginal Sex; Anal Sex; Bottom Arthur Summary: Gwen nurtured a kingdom blessed by Merlin’s magic, and Arthur’s rule had never been more faithful or stronger. That doesn’t mean it isn’t stressful.

Leon/Arthur/Gwen

A Few Minutes More by Wander Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Canon divergence, Worried Arthur, Supportive Gwen, Competent Leon, Holding Hands, Frantic kisses Summary: Leon’s patrol was late returning. Gwen worried but she did not panic. Arthur was a different story.

Merlin/Gwaine/Leon

Trust Exercise by Wander Rating: Explicit Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Sensory deprivation, Hand jobs, praise kink, Merlin is a little shit, Caring Leon Summary: Somehow, Merlin talks Gwaine into a rather unique "trust exercise".

Merlin/Lancelot

the rest of my life by kairennart Rating: General audiences Warnings: Major character death Major tags: digital art, negative space Summary:

Arthur/Mordred

Diligence (Mordred in a Skirt) by ravenwilds Rating: Explicit Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: smut, boys in skirts, lingerie, sugar-daddy!Arthur, age difference Summary: Arthur likes to try to distract Mordred from his studies, and Mordred likes to pretend he’s above being distracted …

Arthur/Lancelot

Sunlight by kairennart Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: microfic, betrayal Summary: There are things about the King that Lancelot tells his Lady. There are things he doesn't.

Arthur/Leon

Just For Them by Wander Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Secret Relationship, Hand kisses, Traditions, Teasing Summary: Leon and Arthur have a tradition of helping one another prepare for tournaments.

Le Petit Morte D'Arthur by BeBraveDearHeart Rating: Explicit Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Fisting, dom/sub, spanking, sub!Arthur, Dom!Leon Summary: "Please!" Arthur’s voice was wheedling, the single syllable drawn out. "You know I can't abide whining, Arthur," Leon tutted. "Sorry. I'm sorry." "I know you are. But this is a lesson you must learn: not to disobey me."

All He Had To Do by Wander Rating: Explicit Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Secret relationship, Submissive Arthur, Dominant Leon, Multiple Orgasms, Praise Kink Summary: All Arthur had to do, here in the safety of their hideaway, was trust in Leon.

Merlin/Percy Jackson

If you agree with me that Percy is everyone's type, choose the role by HadrianPeverellBlack Rating: General audiences Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Chaos, Humor, Crack, , Pining Merlin (Merlin, Merlin Is In Love (Merlin) Summary: Percival enters the chat!

Merlin/Percy Jackson

Did you send the head where? by HadrianPeverellBlack Rating: General audiences Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Summary:

Merlin/Percy Jackson

Funny. I wasn't aware of that. by HadrianPeverellBlack Rating: General audiences Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Summary:

Merlin/Percy Jackson

It takes a lot more than that to impress me by HadrianPeverellBlack Rating: General audiences Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Summary: Merlin finally meets reborn Gwaine. Percy is amused, Leo is amused, Merlin is amused. Leon is not amused.

Merlin/Gwaine

I will always protect Merlin by HadrianPeverellBlack Rating: General audiences Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Summary: Gwaine decides to reveal his heritage to Uther

This isn't the proper purpose! by HadrianPeverellBlack Rating: Teen Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Queen Gwen (Merlin), Protective Merlin (Merlin), Merlin is So Done (Merlin), Gwaine Being Gwaine (Merlin) Summary: Gwaine manages to transform the purpose of one method of communication into another. Which is absolutely not the correct one. Merlin begins to doubt his own choices (as well as Gwen's)

A Million Pages For Just Three Words by Mogsby Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Love letters, 5+1, pining, confessions, getting together Summary: A series of love letters Gwaine has drafted but never sent, verses when Merlin finally gets to read them

Sky High by ravenwilds Rating: Explicit Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: airplane sex, Grindr hook up, smut, Mile High Club Summary: Merlin gets a Grindr notification as he’s waiting to board yet another tedious flight, and decides it’s time to discover the joy of sex in small spaces

Merlin/Arthur

Fatal Unions ~ Chapter 3: Merlin by HadrianPeverellBlack Rating: General audiences Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Summary:

In dreams you return by Nivelle Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: kissing, dreams Summary: Merlin and Arthur having a private moment in a forest.

Together by TrebleMaker07 Rating: Teen Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: POV Arthur Pendragon, Teeth-Rotting Fluff, Domestic Fluff, Established Relationship, Birthday Dinner Summary: It’s Merlin’s birthday. What better way to celebrate than with a home-cooked meal?? However, things don’t quite go according to plan…

Resurrecting Magic by Sage_Owl Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Minor character death, ghosts, pining, prophecy, minor injuries Summary: Thirty years ago, magic disappeared. Now, a whole generation- including best friends Merlin and Arthur- have grown up without it, only hearing the occasional rumor. Merlin decides to put his film degree to good use by starting a ghost-hunting show with Arthur, but things quickly go awry. An attempt on Arthur's life leads to Merlin reading a spell that slows down time...but magic is gone, isn't it?

The Princess And The Frog by Viviriki Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Reading together, fluff, surprise kissing, teasing, bathing/washing Summary: Arthur teases Merlin for his girly choice in books and after Merlin misspeaks Arthur decides to kiss him. or Arthur gets compared to a damn frog and Merlin is his wifey.

Unthinkable by tansyuduri Rating: Mature Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Whump, Hurt/Confort, Hurt Arthur, Worried Merlin Summary: Newly-made Court Wizard Merlin is a bit worried about the constant assassination attempts on himself - But only because his rooms are closer to the king he loves now. None of the assassins so far have actually stood a chance against him. Merlin's magic is powerful afterall. But it turns out his efficiency in getting rid of assassins is exactly what causes the unthinkable to happen.

Make It Flow (Everything In the Afterglow) by thesongistheriver Rating: Explicit Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: sex, feelings, falling in love, soulmates Summary: Merlin finds out more about Arthur's father as the boys navigate the doubters.

Playing With Fire by cynthia1314 Rating: Explicit Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: PWP, Extremely Dubious Consent, Frottage, Possessive Arthur, Semi-Public Sex Summary: Merlin knew it was a bad idea not to tell Arthur he was coming back to London. Why did he agree to show Gwaine his college anyway? And what is Arthur doing here?

We are bruised yet whole together by tansyuduri Rating: Explicit Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: merthur, Arthur returns, Arthur self doubt, Banter, Pining Summary: The second chapter of an arthur returns fic featuring arthur exploring the modern world and questioning himself

Between You and Me by SauraUnderscore Rating: Explicit Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Self-Cest; Magically Cloned Merlin; Explicit Sexual Content; Summary: Everything had been Arthur’s fault, really. He shouldn’t have left Merlin alone in his rooms with such a hard-on.

Just Can't Get Enough by ravenwilds Rating: Explicit Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Mob/mafia AU, Hate Sex, enemies to fucking, Merthur Summary: There’s only one person who might put the heir of the Pendragon mob empire on his knees, so of course that’s the person Arthur Pendragon can’t seem to stay away from

Take Your Fears and Let Them Go (Yeah We're Just Getting Started) by thesongistheriver Rating: Explicit Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: angst with a happy ending, mutual pining, merlin's magic revealed, canon-divergent, eventual smut Summary: Everyone Arthur has ever trusted has let him down. Except Merlin. Until Merlin does, too. ~*~*~ It turns out destiny works in mysterious ways.

bad little girl by ravenwilds Rating: Explicit Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: smut, fandom references, celebrity crush, boys in skirts, merlin & gwen share arthur Summary: Best friends Merlin and Gwen spot Merlin's biggest crush and subject of his fanfic, celebrity Arthur Pendragon, in a bar. Gwen dares Merlin to talk to him...

Let Me Please You by Viviriki Rating: Explicit Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Drunk Merlin, Master/Servant, Fluff, Smut, Aftercare Summary: After finding Merlin in the Tavern with Gwaine, Arthur is forced to explain Courtesan's to the servant.

Those Who Win (Bronze Medals) by SauraUnderscore Rating: Explicit Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Homophobia in Sports; Angst with a Happy Ending; Olympic Games 2024; Football AU; Explicit Sexual Content; Summary: It was a very difficult road to be part of Great Britain’s Olympic football team. Arthur wouldn’t wish it on his worst enemy. But for the sake of the “liberté, equalité, fraternité” slogan in the games with more women and queer representation than ever, Arthur was invited to play. Or: the Olympic Games Football game Arthur Pendragon never thought he would play.

Arms Around Me (Let ‘em Drown Me) by SauraUnderscore Rating: Explicit Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Established Relationship; Cursed Merlin; Breathplay; Clothed Sex; Praise Kink; Summary: As soon as Arthur saw Merlin’s eyes—shining red instead of golden—he knew something was wrong. More than the hands tightening on his throat, more than the angry face and the “I’m going to kill you.” Merlin commanded his magic to pin him down while he choked Arthur to death as if he didn’t know who Arthur was, but his magic was revealed against the command.

[magnusbae]

To illustrate this post by @mayahawkse I would like to visualize to you the difference:

A post in 2023:

A post in 2014:

A zoom out of the same post:

This is what a community looks like.

See how in 2023 almost all of the reblogs come from the OP, from their few hours/days in the tag search. Meanwhile in 2014 the % of reblogs from OP is insignificant, because most of the reblogs come from the reblogs within the fandom, within the micro-communities formed there. You didn't need to rely on tags, or search, or being featured. Because the community took care of you, made sure to pass the work between themselves and onto their blog and exposed their followers to it. It kept works alive for years.

It's not JUST the reblog/like ratio that causing this issue, it's the type of interaction people have. They're content with scrolling and liking the search engine, instead of actually having a reblogging relationship with other blogs in their community.

Anyways, if you want to see more content you like, the only true way to make it happen is to reblog it. Likes do not forward content in no way but making OP feel nice. Reblogs on the other hand make content eternal. They make it relevant, they make it exist outside of a fickle tumblr search that hardly works on the best of days.

If you want more of something, reblog it.

[klaine-word-scramble]

Click through to the [original post] to see the most recent version. (Titles in bold have been added in the last 24 hours)

MULTI-CHAPTER STORIES: WIP •The Collector by @antisocialmastermind Now updated to: Chapter 13 •No Place to Go by Anonymous Now updated to: Chapter 2

MULTI-CHAPTER STORIES: COMPLETE •Leaps and Dives by @annepi-blog •A Door to Nowhere & A Door to Somewhere by @gleefulpoppet ONE-SHOTS •Day One Drabble by @myheadcannonismymuse •Day Two Drabble by @myheadcannonismymuse

ARTWORK [@esilher] •Earbuds •Bashful •Hornier •Darkens •Wistful •Upstage •Harmony •Radiant •Zipping •Inhaled •Lounges •Airport •Gawking •Keycard

[@myheadcanonismymuse] •Bard •Bashful •Horn •Sand •Fist •Pets •Harmony

Last updated 09/08/2024

To be included on the list, make sure you tag us or use the collection on AO3. If we missed your story or other fanworks, let us know, and we'll add you as soon as possible.

[triglycercule]

idea. since askdusttale answered an ask about where dust got his determination from (because dust has SOME determination just so he can remember the timelines and keep going against the human) and said it was totally up to personal interpretation on how he got his determination. so so so like what if what if dusttale's player did something similar to something new's player and changed dust's code to give him determination??? so dust and killer COULD BOTH had their codes tampered with??? the parallels would be INSANE. they both started off as sans and got their codes tampered with by the player but dust and killer went on two opposite paths. dust out of his own voalition decided to go against the human but killer had to team up with the human no choice at all. the opposite parallels go CRAZY oh god im tweaking

killer doesn't know exactly (since i forgot whether or not he can see codes or something like that. i swear there was an image of him describing fell and swap's code and then his own) but he can SENSE that something's off. something's different about dust that he doesn't quite know about. maybe it gets him to ask a bunch of questions that dust is definitely not open to answering because jesus man mind your own damn business but the question that really sets killer off is the way dust answers when he asks "so if you have determination then how did you get it?" and dust just shrugs his shoulders and said that one day he suddenly remembered the resets and then that's when he got it (and then goes back to mumbling to phantom paps or wtvr) and killer's just like. zomg. a sudden change in behavior or mentality that seemingly has no apparent reason related to the human???? like like like when he suddenly had to agree with the player despite literally never wanting to????? killer is over thinking the implications behind this

meanwhile dust is just annoyed now because killer keeps on following him. he keeps asking him strange questions. wtf why is the guy asking to see his SOUL that's incredibly personal???? he just wants to be left alone man he has no idea what's going on

[puppyeared]

who up seeing their disorder in a fictional character but feel like its not their place to put a name on it

[sharedink]

Concept Art [1]┊deep in my soul I feel that toons have special connections to their gloves (if they're drawn w/ them.) It's a never-changing piece of themselves when everything around them will change. (Immortality core 😏🫶🏼)

Unless you're the Warner siblings -- pop off then‼️

some silly art for my Animaniacs Next Gen AU!! 📢📢

[afterlife-2004]

Reminds me of “The World Was Wide Enough”, a song from the musical, Hamilton!

[ziskeyt]

i'm thinking about love and enjoyment and being a part of a vast community so large i will never meet many of the people who made things that brought me joy and a moment of diversion. the other month my aunt came for a visit and gave me a puzzle, 1000 pieces of a cover of the New Yorker. On the lip of the box that's hidden until you open it is a little area to make notes if you'd like while you puzzle and then a note from them saying "We hope you enjoyed this puzzle!" and i find that sentiment so lovely. Sure, this is touched by dozens of hands, and I do not know how puzzles are made or what the labour practices are for the company that made this puzzle in particular so it's unfortunately likely it was made by people who work long hours and aren't paid nearly enough -- and of course, many things that I enjoy from books to shows to video games to even the threads I used to make embroidery art, are all decided upon to sell for the most profit and some are unlisted for sale due to that same motivation. And yes, it's important to be aware of the vastness of the world that we live in and the unfairness of labour and living conditions. However, i think it's really easy to be cynical. I can look at that little note on the box and think oh some marketing manager decided to include that to try and humanize the company and endear them to me so I purchase more from them. They don't mean it and no one who made this cares at all if I enjoyed the puzzle or not. They only want all the money I can feasibly give them. I can do that, and that may be exactly what's going on. But, what a miserable world to live in to always look for the upsetting, dehumanizing reason for something.

It could very well be that someone decided to put that statement on there because they got into working there because they love puzzles, and they really do hope that people who buy them and do them also find enjoyment out of the simple act of putting an image together piece by piece. This isn't to say I don't think of the realities of the world I live in. Nor that I'm not critical of the things I'm doing, reading, watching, or playing, only that it's so, so easy to turn to cynicism. And we do truly live in a community regardless of the spaces between us, so why not approach things with hope? It is delightful that someone, somewhere, who I will never meet, took the time to make something that I found entertaining for a number of hours and left a note wishing that I'll enjoy their work. And isn't that, however removed, an act of love?

[fennthetalkingdog]

I'm just figuring out how important music is in my life! This is coming from a long while trying to cut down on my music use, mostly because I was listening to it so much that it felt more like I couldn't do anything without popping in some earbuds, and partially because of other personal reasons. Some of my routines changed, forcing me to not listen to music while doing certain things, and it ended up becoming that besides working on homework or drawing, I didn't listen to music at all. But I've given myself a break today since I have nothing to do and since, for reasons, I'm feeling just a lil crappy today—and boy, I'm starting to realize again just why I love music!!

I love the diverse music taste I've developed over the years! My family is not only big about music but big about listening to it loud, so the majority of my music taste for most of my life has just been Christian hiphop (Lecrae, KB, Andy Mineo, Trip Lee, and ironically Tonex, whose album where he was struggling hard with his gayness has been my favorite concert movie since I was 5) and gospel music (Kirk Franklin, Tye Tribbett, etc.). And music was one of the few connections between me and my race (I grew up feeling pretty estranged from my blackness as a kid, but the popular songs they played at the YMCA in the 2010s were some of the few things I could use to feel more connected) and between me and my classmates/friends at the Y (I still have fond memories of playing FNAF songs in mat forts and reciting lyrics at pool parties). But I got tired of knowing I could never bond with anyone besides family friends music taste-wise when I was in high school, and so I started listening to secular music on my own time. And that's how I first found Ghost and Pals, a vocaloid artist and one of the first secular music folks I listened to as a kid (can you smell the religious trauma yet? Lol), and that's how I bonded with one of my best friends in early college (ironically, also my first time being publically queer). Now I listen to Kpop, anime songs, songs from warriors MAPs, songs from musicals (Hamilton and In the Heights <3), latin songs, metal songs, and even some secular songs young me would've been too scared to listen to.

And music has always been one of my biggest sources of stimming! I can't dance to save my life, but music will sure get me to flick my fingers and hit my fist against my shoulder furiously. Music was one of the first clues that I like stimming with vibration too (since I love laying against the car door and turning up the music loud enough to feel the world shake around me). And music was one of the first things that made me look into ADHD or autism (specifically, listening to Ghost and Pals songs for a month straight and getting my friend at early college [who also has ADHD] to start looking at me funny when I was discovered doing chores and listening to one of three songs for the fifth time). Music is so cool it'll get me to wax poetically. It was one of the things that kept me together during my roughest times and soothed me during my best. I listen to it while I write, while I cry, while I hang out with my friends and family and while I chill by myself. It's how I relax after a long day, and it's how I feel safe. I feel kinda emotional finally having music hit that spot in me without feeling like I need it to do stuff.

[fischiee]

at the end of the day church and tex are pygmalion and galatea and we just have to accept that. like the story of the sculptor who fell in love with his own art

bc she really is just his own creation that he loves and wants to love him back and wants to be whole but she’s.. not. she’ll never be anything outside of him, she’d never exist if it weren’t for his imagination (since she isn’t truly allison she is his concocted version of her) and because of that she can’t be human

he loves her as some fucked of version of loving himself (he loves who he was when he was with her and loves that he created her and that she is wholly his)

the difference is that alpha is no god, no aphrodite, and he cannot create life, he can only fragment himself which is why they do not get the happy ending of pygmalion and galatea, they instead are doomed to repeat and echo the agonies of the people they mimic

[fifthpilot]

So About the New Asra Tale by Dorian...

The plot was, not great. It was pretty boring, but it did touch up on a few interesting points from Asra's main story; like how much of his memory did he loose, his past before MC's death, and what extremes he had to go through because of MC's death like erasing his own memories of certain spells, which in my opinion is a very interesting scenario. Things did seem rushed considering the fact that the story had two endings depending on whether you chose to use the spell or not; and how the supposedly "bad ending" kind of implied that you and Asra somehow may have brought back the plague? or Lucio i.e the plague? It was left up to interpretation. The writing was, not good. I think they did try their best to stay true to Asra's tone even if it was a bit too on the nose at times and a little overbaord. But it was mainly the MC and the Magician that felt most off note to me.

That all being said, I like many others don't consider this a part of canon, it does ultimately give off a very wattpad feel. But in all honesty so did some of the main content after probably halfway through the main 3's routes. I think many people forgot just how erratic and disorganized the Nix Hydra Team was and how many people who came up with the original storyline had left the company before the end of the M3 routes. But a lot of people don't seem to notice that because all the content was in one place, the arcana app. Which brings me to my next point.

I think a good portion of the hate Dorian is getting is mainly due to the fact that their app is terrible. The UI is confusing, the app lags a lot and it's very slow. The game looks different on the dorian app, the font is wrong, there's no music, the character sprite animation is messed up, and the LI never says your name. And a lot of people have demanded that Dorian uploads the new conent to the Arcana app. But after thinking about it I personally think it's a good thing that the Dorian content and the "original" content stay physically seperated, so we know where one starts from where one ends. And I know a lot of people would disagree because using the Dorian app is a hassle, but like I mentioned before. Dorian is making fanfiction (but worse). They're using whatever's left of the arcana fandom to make some cash. This whole thing with Dorian creating new routes and new content is just another marvel-like tactic of beating a dead horse with a stick. And, they're even using the same Nix Hydra trick of placing the best content behind a paywall.

I'm personally not even upset at how terrible the app is, or how rushed and boring and generally just bad the tale was, I think I'm more upset that we won't put the Arcana Game to rest. And instead we have to watch as corporation after corporation uses the story for whatever means it wants to make money. I'm more upset that things can't just end and be celebrated for being. And how the way we engage with media has mutated into something more greedy and gluttonous.

What I'm saying is, we had a beginning and ending, we had prologues and epilogues and hidden scenes. We had plenty. We don't need more. Sometimes enough is enough.

[merlinbingo]

One day I will write this without being surprised that yet another month has flown by, but it ain't this one...

April was a wee bit slower in terms of fills, but that's okay! We still got 40 beautiful works to peruse from 13 marvellous creators. Of those, the vast majority (38) were fics, and the remaining two were art (though, I have to say, it still feels not-quite-right applying that word to something I've drawn).

In terms of ships, well, once you get past the 14 gen works it seems to be (almost) all about Merlin this time - of the 36 fills where people chose to give us information, 17 were Merlin/Arthur, two were Merlin/Knights, and Lancelot and Gwaine both got a single fill where they had Merlin to themselves! In fact, the only non-Merlin ship this month was a single Arthur/Mithian fic, made even more wonderful by its uniqueness!

As for the fills themselves, you'll find them below the cut, sorted by ship and then by rating! Remember to heed the warnings, practice self-care before clicking on anything that might perturb you, and leave a whole load of love to the people who've created such wonders!

No ships/gen

I thought I knew you by HadrianPeverellBlack Rating: General audiences Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Episode: s03e03 Goblin's Gold (Merlin), Deleted Scenes, Hurt Merlin (Merlin), POV Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Hurt Arthur Pendragon (Merlin) Summary: After Gaius exposed Merlin as a sorcerer, Arthur needs to talk with him.

Drylic and scamu by HadrianPeverellBlack Rating: General audiences Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Deleted Scenes, Episode: s04e01-02 The Darkest Hour (Merlin), Merlin Needs a Hug (Merlin), Supportive Lancelot (Merlin), Hurt/Comfort Summary: Merlin and Lancelot deleted scene in the Darkest hour. Merlin talks about his magic, and Lancelot sees him

Immortal Knights, Old Sorcerers and Demigods by HadrianPeverellBlack Rating: General audiences Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: POV Merlin (Merlin), Chaotic Percy Jackson, Chaotic Thalia Grace (Percy Jackson), Tired Leon (Merlin), Discord server Summary: Percy makes a discord server for their group.

Protecting the youngest by HadrianPeverellBlack Rating: General audiences Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Episode: s02e01 The Curse of Cornelius Sigan (Merlin), Protective Gwen (Merlin), Protective Morgana (Merlin), Protective Servants (Merlin) Summary: After Merlin is fired and Cedric takes his place, the servants and Morgana has something to say.

How it should have gone by HadrianPeverellBlack Rating: General audiences Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Merlin Leaves Camelot (Merlin), Merlin's Magic Revealed (Merlin), Time Travel Fix-It, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Happy Ending Summary: But that was not their destiny, and Arianrhod decided to give them a new one. What do you do when you have a second chance to fix everything? Trust your friends

The Seer by HadrianPeverellBlack Rating: General audiences Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Protective Leon (Merlin), Guilty Merlin (Merlin), Smart Percy Jackson, Reborn Morgana (Merlin), Hurt Morgana (Merlin) Summary: Merlin finds the first reborn soul.

My most loyal friend by HadrianPeverellBlack Rating: General audiences Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, King Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Good Friend Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Lancelot Lives (Merlin), Isolde Lives (Merlin) Summary: After reclaiming Camelot from Morgana, Arthur rewards his most loyal friend.

You were supposed to be dead by HadrianPeverellBlack Rating: General audiences Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Fix It, Canon Divergence - Episode: s04e01-02 The Darkest Hour (Merlin), Lancelot Lives (Merlin), Will Re-Lives (Merlin), Merlin & Will Friendship (Merlin) Summary: After the Veil, Merlin finds an old friend. The only problem: he shouldn't be alive. Merlin is happy, the knights curios and Arthur just tired.

Forged Allegiance by HadrianPeverellBlack Rating: General audiences Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Deleted Scenes, Episode: s03e12-13 The Coming of Arthur (Merlin), Supportive Lancelot (Merlin), Lancelot & Merlin Friendship (Merlin), Merlin & Arthur Pendragon Friendship (Merlin) Summary: Lancelot and Merlin talk. And then, they find the Round Table. It's the start of a new Era

The Druid by HadrianPeverellBlack Rating: General audiences Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Redeemed Morgana (Merlin), Reborn Morgana (Merlin), POV Merlin (Merlin), Redeemed Mordred (Merlin), Reborn Mordred (Merlin) Summary: Thalia and Merlin give memories back to the first reborn soul.

Guilt and Redemption , chapter 1: Punishment and new life by HadrianPeverellBlack Rating: General audiences Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Prince Merlin (Merlin), Role Reversal, King Balinor (Merlin), Queen Hunith (Merlin), Canon Divergence Summary: Finally, after some delays, King Balinor had managed to conquer Camelot, and to demand his revenge for Uther's bloodthirsty pursuit of magic and all its believers. Uther Pendragon was dead, and with him, the Purge was over.

The Omega and the Alpha - Partners in crime by HadrianPeverellBlack Rating: General audiences Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Episode: s01e12 To Kill the King (Merlin), Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Crack Treated Seriously, Alpha Morgana (Merlin), Everyone Loves Merlin (Merlin) Summary: "So, my lady," Merlin leaned in, under the guise of fixing her dress, "shall we overthrow the king together?" Morgana's eyes sparkled. "Why, Merlin, I thought you'd never ask."

Fake nobles and revelations by HadrianPeverellBlack Rating: General audiences Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Comfort, Transgender Merlin (Merlin), Protective Knights (Merlin), Everyone Loves Merlin (Merlin) Summary: "Oh, no, just strange." Percival shrugged. "There were these girls with very thick and sturdy leather strips and they were like taking measurements?" Leon blinked. "What do girls need leather strips for?" Merlin's sudden laughter drew their attention. "Something amusing, Merlin?" Arthur called him out. "They're binders." Merlin said, amidst laughter. "They're used to bind their chest."

Reforged (excerpt) by VikingSong Rating: Teen Warnings: Graphic depictions of violence Major tags: Fighting aliens with swords; alien invasion; modern with magic; reincarnation; crack treated very seriously Summary: Arthur had spent years trying to “find his calling,” as his thesis advisor described it. ‘This wasn’t quite what I had in mind,’ the reincarnated Once and Future King thought as he gave his sword a twirl and launched himself at the alien before it could breathe another blistering spurt of flames. Or: When Albion’s greatest need arrives in the form of an alien invasion, the reincarnated figures of legend must deal with the consequences of their shared past even as they fight for humanity’s future.

Arthur/Mithian

The Hunter's Heart by cynthia1314 Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: canon divergence, arranged marriage Summary: Arthur went through with the marriage with Mithian and repaired relationship with Merlin and Gwen.

Merlin/Lancelot

Late for Breakfast by eachpeachpearplum Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Fluff, canon AU, humour, Summary: Arthur’s grown used to getting himself out of bed, shouting for a passing servant to fetch water for his morning wash. He's accustomed to selecting his own clothing when Merlin is particularly unpunctual, and on occasion he’s even been required to dress himself. Breakfast, though. Merlin is always here before breakfast, if only so he can help himself to Arthur's meal. Where is his manservant, and where the hell is his breakfast?

Merlin/Gwaine

How can you not be attracted to me? by HadrianPeverellBlack Rating: General audiences Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Humor, POV Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Jealous Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Bisexual Merlin (Merlin), BAMF Merlin (Merlin) Summary: Arthur finds out that Merlin is attracted to men and women. This isn't a problem, no. The problem is that Merlin isn't attracted to Arthur!

Merlin/Knights

What kind of love do you have? by HadrianPeverellBlack Rating: General audiences Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: BAMF Gwen (Merlin), Good Morgana (Merlin), BAMF Merlin (Merlin), Everyone Loves Merlin (Merlin), Gwen & Merlin Friendship (Merlin) Summary: The love life of Gwen and Merlin. Or: the two servants that made fall in love the most powerful people in Camelot

A broken bond - Chapter 1: Breaking the chains by HadrianPeverellBlack Rating: General audiences Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Hurt Merlin (Merlin), Angst, Soulmate-Identifying Marks, Protective Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Guilty Knights of the Round Table (Merlin) Summary: Merlin was rejected another time by one of his soulmates. Arthur wants to help his friend.

Merlin/Arthur

Clover and Confessions by HadrianPeverellBlack Rating: General audiences Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Hurt/Comfort, Found Family, Court Sorcerer Merlin (Merlin), Pining, Canon Era Summary: In the midst of a hunting trip, Merlin and the Knights of the Round Table embark on a quest to find healing herbs for Merlin's toothache.

Up Pendragon Creek Without an Oar (art) by eachpeachpearplum Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Modern with magic, fluff, art Summary: When Agravaine betrays the Pendragons, they lose everything- their money, their property, their status, it's all gone. With nothing to their name, they are forced to relocate to the sleepy town of Ealdor, living in the rundown Camelot Bed and Breakfast. It's nothing like any of them were prepared for, but it may just be exactly what Arthur and Morgana need.

This Heart of Mine by sugareey-makes-stuff Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Developing Relationship, Comfort, Stolen Moments, Language of Flowers, Hugs Summary: It takes a lot to run a kingdom like Camelot, but as long as Arthur has Merlin by his side, he wouldn't have it any other way.

The Poutdragon Just Wants to Be Pampered by TrebleMaker07 Rating: Teen Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, POV Arthur Pendragon, Domestic Fluff, Banter Summary: It's their anniversary!! However, Merlin is nowhere to be found. Where could he be, and why hasn't he contacted his worrywart of a husband??

I Can't Live Without You by TrebleMaker07 Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, POV Arthur Pendragon, Hurt/Comfort, Happy Ending, Arthur Pendragon Needs a Hug Summary: Arthur comes home after a particularly stressful day at work wanting nothing more than to just forget about it; however, Merlin has other plans. Without meaning to, old wounds are reopened. Will they be able to work through this new hurdle life has decided to throw at them?

To Kill A King by euoniatz Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Soulmates Arthur/Merlin, Dragons, Assassin Merlin, King Arthur Summary:

Golden and Glowing (and everything in between) by Camelots-Daffodil Rating: Mature Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Hurt Merlin, Protective Arthur Pendragon, Kidnapped Merlin, Arthur knows about Merlin’s magic, BAMF Merlin Summary: Merlin's been kidnapped, and everything hurts. Held against his will and without his magic by Camelot's enemies, Merlin has no idea how he'll escape this one. But he does know one thing - Arthur will come. Arthur is coming. WRITTEN FOR MERTHUR GLOMPFEST 2024

If It's Inconsequential Then There's Infinite Potential by thesongistheriver Rating: Explicit Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Getting Together, Friends to Lovers, Hurt/Comfort, Geek References, Banter Summary: Merlin's got no flatmate, no stipend, and nowhere else to turn. Enter Arthur, who's a bit of a mess himself. Who knows ... it just might work.

Our Stars Still Shine Together: Chapter 1 by tansyuduri Rating: Explicit Warnings: Graphic depictions of violence Major tags: Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Fluff, Violance, Beginings, Summary: After saving the modern world, Arthur and Merlin realize Magic has returned to it.

Into the Inward Places of Our Souls by thesongistheriver Rating: Explicit Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: fluff, smut, anal sex, bottom Arthur, humor Summary: With the new flick getting more positive buzz than Arthur had expected, it's starting to look like he just might write his own ticket into a high-visibility West End role, even as he tries to rework his treatment for the stage. Merlin, meanwhile, is adapting to the increased popularity that comes with being married to a Hollywood megastar, even as his own star is on the rise, with the Proms and a new world tour. Of course, all of this comes with the new challenge of being apart more than they have since they got together. Still, they've always been good for each other ... so maybe this is just the beginning of something even better.

The Totality of Partial Impressions by s0mmerspr0ssen Rating: Explicit Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Alternate Universe - College/University, Alternate Universe - Roommates/Housemates, Alternate Universe - 1990s, Top Merlin, Bottom Arthur Pendragon Summary: Arthur starts his first year at Camelot University hoping to elude his father’s influence. But Uther’s control persists and Arthur soon faces the same pressures he had hoped to escape. To make matters worse, his roommate proves to be a complete pain in the arse, though Merlin thinks the same about Arthur. Unfortunately, Arthur is not only infuriating but infuriatingly attractive, and Merlin cannot help but wonder if Arthur’s guarded looks convey a deeper meaning – one he’s too afraid to admit to.

don't make a mess by Sage_Owl Rating: Explicit Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Wet & Messy, teenagers, established relationship, clothed sex, hotel sex Summary: Merlin, Arthur, and Uther are in America for one of Uther’s business trips. While Uther’s away, Merlin gets bored, overheated, and horny.

[citrine-elephant]

grabbing leon by the hair and dragging him around like my security blanket <3

[tawneybee]

I actually really like the theory that Six and The Lady are the same person.

Maybe it's the idea that both Mono and Six fight and defeat their adult selves, just to experience that same fate themselves. Maybe I want to see Six and Mono reunite as adults. Maybe I want some sort of idea of what happens to Six after LN1. I don't know. I still like the idea and it's one of my favorite headcanons.

[23and05]

Logging onto MotoGP Tumblr today. What is going on in the house of commons ???

[kittykatinabag]

The vtuber enjoyer community is currently learning why multi-channel networks didn't work back in the old days of YouTube, except in the present day it's somehow even more fucked because the companies also own their channels and revenue sources and IP.