#merthur headcanon

[th30ra3k3n]

they

were

flirting

and

they

know

it

[inamagicalhallucination]

merlin and arthur should have planned on getting married for a really dumb and random reason and then realized that they were in love with each other on their wedding day

lemme explain

arthur is sick and tired of people throwing themselves at him while he’s trying to do his kingly duties

and also he’s sick and tired of his advisers talking about how he should marry

and he wishes he could get rid of all of this

and then he’s like “oh my fucking god im a genius”

and he goes to merlin and is like “will you marry me to get all these suitors off my back”

and merlins like ????

but then he’s like “wait itll be so much easier to do all the illegal shit i do if i don’t have to say ‘actually i have a permit to do whatever the fuck i want curtesy of king arthur’ and have them doubt me and try and get me jailed anyway and can just be like “um the king MY HUSBAND said i could”

and he’s like “yeah sure lets get married”

so they announce it to everyone and literally no one’s surprised surprised

most of them are like omg finally 

leon thinks that he’ll finally get a moment of peace now that these two arent pining

he’s wrong

no but everyones like omg called it

because merthurs so obvious

to everyone but merthur ofc

and merlin adn arthur plan their wedding and to make it “authentic” looking they both try their best 

and they go through the whole thing; they stay married

and then like 3 months in theyre like “wait our marriage as besties is turning really romantic” and confess

like it takes them a wedding, and spending months as a married couple to like realize

anyway i think its funny

[nahasketches]

Jejejjeje I saw this in tiktok and wanted to draw this

[pyjamacryptid]

I’m not sure how I got here but I’ve been thinking about the intimacy and devotion of washing another’s hair, the hair of someone you care for (how unconditional a gesture it is) and I then thought of Merlin doing it for Arthur.

It’s not in the job description (a lot of what Merlin does for Arthur is not in the job description) and it’s unlikely something that started his first day as Arthur’s servant. Nor the second or the 20th or by the 6th month. Arthur may be a prince, a prattish one at that, but when it comes to his baths he only expects of Merlin what he expects of any manservant - call for the tub, draw the water, lay out a towel, place fresh clothes close by and so on. But, naturally, he’s also a prince that commands the knights and with training comes injuries. Perhaps an arm was dislocated and he’s on strict orders from Gaius not to utilise it, and definitely not to reach above his head. Later that same day Arthur sits in the bath and realises too late he can’t tend to his own hair. But he doesn’t call Merlin over from where he’s making the bed. He tries to do it himself. He’s still got one working arm, after all.

Arthur only knows how to command things be done. He doesn’t know how to ask for things. He doesn’t yet know that asking isn’t weakness.

But he can’t hide his struggling from Merlin, who’s more mother hen than manservant.

“Here, let me,” he says, suddenly behind Arthur, “before you lose all the bathwater and your arm, both.”

“I don’t need your help, Merlin.”

“Of course not, sire. Now, pass me the hair oil.”

“Excuse me, who is it that gives the orders here?”

“You, sire. The hair oil.”

“…”

“Thank you. Right, hold still. I said hold still—“

After, Arthur will wonder why he ever thought Merlin would be anything but gentle. After, Arthur will wonder when his eyes closed and why they feel a little wet, especially as Merlin took great care to catch anything before it fell in Arthur’s face.

Over time, a stool begins to sit beside the bath, whenever it’s drawn. Over time, Arthur will notice Merlin’s fingers never grow any less gentle (even when he knows his manservant is angry with him). Over time, Arthur will want to ask why Merlin added washing his hair to his list of jobs indefinitely, long after his arm healed, but is afraid he’ll only prompt Merlin to stop because it’s not a job at all. Over time, Arthur will wonder what oils Merlin uses on his own hair, if he has access to hair oil at all, and how his cropped hair might feel to touch.

[1shadowhole]

I'd like to join in on the "_ fell first, _ fell harder" debate because I have been seeing many posts which argue that Merlin fell first and Arthur fell harder and... Ah ah ah ah. No. No that is not what happened.

Arthur fell the moment this twink with an attitude came to him and called his ass out. No one aside from Morgana has ever dared SASS him in his life and it made him find out some things about himself. Whereas Merlin saw an asshole and said: "What a bitch" and tried to punch him. Arthur liked that. Merlin didn't like Arthur sending him to the dungeons.

In the first episodes, Merlin is keeping him safe because of destiny, while Arthur is willing to trust him (ep. 2) save his life after a magic confession (ep. 3), and give his life (ep.4).

Arthur fell first.

By the time season five arrives Merlin is lost. He hasn't just fallen for Arthur. He has dug himself a hole so deep he can't see the bottom just that he can fall that much harder. He is quite simply obsessed with keeping Arthur safe and happy. Not for his destiny (which he has by now completely forgotten) but for Arthur.

There is no one else in his mind but his King, so much so that in the first episode of the last season he would not think twice before leaving all his knight friends to die, if it meant bringing Arthur to Camelot safe and away for Morgana. He gives up his and thousands of people's life and freedom for Arthur. This guy is completely gone for Arthur and can't think about anyone else.

On the other hand, Arthur CAN and does think about others... Gwen, his knights, and his people, even if he values Merlin "above all others".

So Arthur fell first. But Merlin fell harder.

Dat's how I see it anyway, feel free to disagree 💪

[splashstar01]

I feel like in a way, Aithusa was Merlin and Arthur’s semi-biological child, because they’re both made of/born of magic and so is the dragon, and Aithusa was supposed to be white to symbolize what Merlin and Arthur would make/build together. 

So... it’s not very far-fetched that he could be made out of a combo of Merlin and Arthur’s essence/energy. In which case, pieces of Merlin and Arthur’s soul/energy would have been magically combined into the egg to form a living baby that, by being the color of pure white, reflected a combo of what Merlin + Arthur would create together.

[mojofun]

Incorrect Merthur Quotes

Uther: *looking at Merlin* For the crimes of Magic and Treason, you will be burnt at the stake!

Arthur, shouting: He’s already smoking hot

Merlin: Sir, please uncuff me. I need to high five my boyfriend

[larluce]

MY MASTERLIST (I THINK?)

I've recently started writing Merlin content, Merthur specifically. I'm new to the fandom (I'm still surprised it's still alive!), so I hope my content is of your liking.

My merthur fics:

"The Dragonlord's son series" in AO3: Canon divergence/magic reveal of "The last dragonlord" episode where Kilgharrah kidnaps Merlin after Arthur discovers him doing magic and it spirals from there.

Related posts: #The Dragonlord's son series

"From the Grave to the Cradle" in AO3: Time travel AU where Merlin from 1500 years in the future kidnaps baby Arthur and gives him to a married couple in Ealdor for them to raise as their own.

Related posts: #From the Grave to the Cradle

"Merlin, Enchanted" in AO3 (co written with @tansyuduri ): A more darker turn of "A Servant of Two Masters"

"Recover By My Side" in AO3 (co written with @tansyuduri ): based on my prompt Arthur thinks Merlin was raped but he wasn't.

My merthur AU/ideas/concepts I might turn into fics in the future:

#Arthur and Merlin travel back in time without knowing the other is from the future too AU (All parts and related posts)

#Merlin as Arthur's familiar/Arthur's shapeshifter falcon AU (All parts and related posts)

#Arthur thinks Merlin was raped (but he wasn't, don't worry)

Others: #My merthur prompts

Other random merlin/merthur stuff:

#My merthur headcanons

#My continuations of others ideas

#My merlin meta (analysis of characters/series)

[pendrgnsolos]

headcannon: merlin takes arthurs old capes and cuts them up to make himself neckerchiefs

[nothankyoudear]

If Arthur has learned one thing from his father's teachings, it is to not trust.

For friends all eventually part ways, and lovers all end in tragedy. They are both nothing but human, and if there is one thing that humans do best, it is to betray. 

Arthur carries that with him for the entirety of his childhood, and by the time he is well into his teens, he is alone except for a few that his father has deemed as suitable playmates.

It all changes when he meets Merlin.

Merlin is nothing like any of the friends that Arthur has had - He insults Arthur with a glint in his eyes, and is confident as he tells the crown prince off in aid of a servant. Arthur feels a pang in his chest and reacts the only way he knows how. By taunting Merlin and throwing him off into the dungeons.

Arthur turns in his bed that night, sleepless. He thinks of Merlin’s sarcastic remarks and blue eyes, and wonders if he might’ve ruined the only chance he had at something with the resemblance of a friend.

The next time they meet, Merlin shoves past Arthur at the market, and Arthur panics. He wants to reach out and apologize and offer Merlin gifts in sincerity, yet his mouth and pride act before his mind, and once again he goes back to taunting.

Arthur doesn’t sleep that night, for fate has given him another chance at befriending this strange boy, and he has failed her twice. Arthur has lost the privilege of being someone other than his title.

But she is continuously merciful, as by a strange series of events, Merlin is assigned as his manservant. 

Arthur cannot stop himself from smiling when he is insulted once more.

As the years pass, Arthur gets closer and closer to Merlin. And when he finds himself comforted by Merlin's presence as he is laying down logs in the fireplace one night, he is terrified.

Because Merlin treats him as Arthur, the royal prat and downright pain in Merlin's arse, and not Arthur Pendragon, the prince of Camelot. Arthur is treated like a human for what is possibly the first time in his life, and he reacts like one.

Arthur has broken the one rule given to him by his father, and with every time he sleeps next to Merlin or eats whatever Merlin has cooked for him, Arthur has silently and unknowingly placed his life into the palms of Merlin's hands.

Arthur trusts Merlin, and he is terrified.

He knows that Merlin doesn’t have it in his blood to be unkind (he stood up to a prince for a servant, for gods’ sake), yet he cannot resolve the thoughts of Merlin leaving him behind now that he has Arthur between his fingers. The idea of betrayal and sorrow drives itself into Arthur’s mind to the point of madness, and he knows it’s because he’ll be rendered helpless if Merlin really does turn his back on him.

Arthur thinks of distancing himself from Merlin, but even the thought pains him too much. So instead, he resigns to his fate and leans into Merlin like a moth to fire.

Merlin tells Arthur about his magic one cold night.

His voice is soft and his hands are shaking. His eyes never stray from Arthur’s expression. 

Arthur’s mind is muddled and although he knows he should be feeling a sense of betrayal, of how his father was and always had been right in his judgement not to trust, a raw feeling of elation dances across his skin instead.

Because Merlin trusts him back.

Arthur has handed his life over to Merlin through sips of stew and naps during hunting trips, and Merlin has handed it right back.

Merlin is a sorcerer, and instead of executing him, Arthur kisses him.

They lay in bed together that night, huddled underneath the thick red blanket in Arthur’s chambers. Arthur tells Merlin about his fear of betrayal and his father’s teachings. He tells Merlin about how he’s wanted nothing more than to be seen as a real, living person with something else other than his surname, and about the sleepless nights Arthur’s spent thinking about him.

Arthur tells Merlin he loves him, and Merlin says it back.

Merlin sleeps before him, and in the silence Arthur can’t help but think of his father’s teachings. He can't help but think of stories of anguish and sorrow and pain.

Yet it all dissipates as he takes one look at Merlin’s lips, and hears the soft inhale from his sleeping figure. And as Arthur lays besides Merlin, he wonders how his father had ever thought betrayal was the thing that humans did best, when it had always clearly been love. 

[rosekiller-addict]

BBC Merlin Headcanons:

Arthur would have panic attacks, which were normally caused by built up stress from ruling the kingdom, his dad's expectations and never talking about his feelings.

No matter what Merlin would always be there for him, even if it was in the middle of the night.

Merlin walked in on Arthur having one of these panic attacks which then led to them becoming a lot closer and it was then, crying into Merlin shoulder, his arms wrapped around him that he realized he was in love.

[th30ra3k3n]

“yes, i’m afraid to fall in love, okay?

you make me feel like i’m on top of the world,

and that’s a very long way to fall.”

@ quitethefallacy (if i start loving you now, i’ll never stop)

[inamagicalhallucination]

i love merlin fics where merlin is trying to confess his attraction to arthur but arthur thinks he's confessing his magic

merlin: i have to tell you something

arthur, who's been waiting for this, putting on his most reassuring smile: don't worry

merlin: ...what?

arthur: i already know

merlin: YOU ALREADY WHAT

arthur: i know. don't worry about it.

merlin:

merlin: so ur not... upset

arthur: merlin you are... my best friend. my closest companian - how could i be upset.

merlin:

merlin, blushing: does... does that mean that you... you...

arthur, thinking he means 'you accept me': yea

merlin, suddenly laughing and reaching forward to hug arthur: this is- this is great

arthur, pleased by merlin's happiness, hugging back a little awkwardly: :)

merlin: i understand if we have to keep it lowkey

arthur: once i'm king tho

merlin: really?

arthur: of course merlin

merlin: oh- um arthur... i was really worried you would hate me-

arthur: -i could never-

merlin: -when you found out i was in love with you

arthur: :)

arthur, confused as hell, blushing: um what

//

or the opposite where merlin's confessing his magic but arthur thinks its his feelings but yea

[nahasketches]

I made my first landscape😝😝😝

[whatyousyeiswhatyouget]

I was listening to Mr Brightside the other day and somehow got to the point of imagining it as a title sequence for Arthur. Mainly the bit where it goes: But it's just the price I pay. Destiny is calling me because I remembered destiny and chicken. My mind kept going with this so like some sitcom or cartoon it goes I'm a clotpole cause Merlin changed it and he has to fix it.

[remarcely]

(Headcanon where Merlin sews up Arthurs torn clothes and sneakily embroiders flowers into the material)

With his childhood mishaps leading to many falls from trees, Merlin was no stranger to tears in his clothes. He was not a noble, howbeit, and money did not come easily to the family of two, so his clothes were supposed to last a long time. Luckily though, Hunith was a talented seamstress and armed with a well-stocked wicker basket of materials.

For the larger spots, they would have to be patched, and if the clothes truly were in tatters they would be reused as neckerchiefs and rags- there was no room for unnecessary waste. For the lesser rips, however, she would sew them closed with small embroidery. It was a trade she had perfected when she worked as a handmaiden to a kind lady in her youth.

One late afternoon, when she was sat back in her chair by the fireplace with a torn shirt in her lap, a young Merlin had stood up on the tips of his toes and rested his chin on the arm of the chair. With wide and wonderous eyes, he’d watched her needle move in gentle dips, and a threaded pale purple freesia flower appear.

Hunith glanced down at her son with a soft smile “Would you like to learn how to sew, my dear?”

Merlin grinned, showing off the gap in his front teeth, and nodded. Hunith patted her knee and, while one hand moved the needle out of the way, the other reached down to help him climb up to sit on her lap. She pressed a gentle kiss into his hair and began to show him, starting with a simple stitch.

-

Years later, in the chambers of the crown prince, Merlin rustled through Arthur’s clothing cupboards with a continuous sigh. Despite having countless tailers at his beck and call, Arthur insisted holding onto his old shirts, insisting they were too comfy to part with. That didn’t mean he was particularly careful with them though and each were riddled with holes. Merlin tossed the worst of them on the floor, organising the rest neatly, and carried the floor-shirts back to his own room. There were three in total, two of them red and the third egg-white, with their holes in unnoticeable places- which, it dawned on Merlin, was probably the only reason Arthur hadn’t thrown them at his head already.

Merlin laid flat on the floor and rooted around under his bed, dragging out a small hand-sized wooden box which his mother had pressed into his hands the day before he’d left. Inside were small spools of threads, in various colours and most half-used up, along with a single slightly-bent needle.

Leaning against the frame of his bed, still sat on the floor, Merlin draped a red shirt over his knee and adjusted it so the rip under the armpit was showing. It wasn’t too bad, mostly following the seam which had begun to fray, and well within his realm of skills to fix up.

He ladder stitched the seam, tugging at it a little to test out his sewing, and begun to put his embellishments in place. A small, half the size of his little fingers nail, red stock flower pulled the rest of the hole shut. It wasn’t fancy and Merlin was far from perfecting the skill, but it would do. He did the same on the other red shirt, though its hole was near the hemming at the bottom, and on the white shirt, on the back at the very low edge of the fabric, sewed three white daisies. None of the flowers stood out too much, Merlin hadn’t bothered adding extra colours, and they blended in nicely.

Once it was finished, he did doubt himself for a brief second, knowing if Arthur ever found the flowers, he’d scold Merlin for being so ‘girly’. He shrugged it off quickly. If he hadn’t realised his servant was a warlock, Arthur probably wouldn’t notice something so insignificant.

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