#arthur is not a king because of his crown but because of his heart

[onceandfuturewarlqck]

i was talking with someone earlier and i told her, "I love you and so I know you, I know you and so I love you" and i started to think about how merlin knows arthur the best.

he knows arthur's moods and arthur's smiles. he knows what arthur doesn't say, all the hidden words, all the misplaced phrases. he knows the "i want to see your smile, i dont want you to suffer, im worried" behind his "thats better". he knows his trust and where is given, he knows the truth behind the lies, he knows the person under the crown. he knows what makes arthur brave and what makes arthur courage, because they may be similar but are also different. he knows arthur's threats and arthur's flaws and arthur's failures, he knows arthur's abilities and arthur's potential and arthur's kindness. he knows arthur and he notices arthur and he sees arthur.

merlin knows arthur the most.

and he loves arthur the most.

merlin knows arthur and so he loves him. merlin loves arthur and so he knows him.

[merrilinie]

Things I like to think would happen if the Knights and co knew about Merlin’s magic (and merthur):

• “Merlin, can you do the fire trick with the dragon again?”

• “I’m not drying your clothes, Gwaine. You chose to go in the river fully clothed, you pay the price.”

• Merlin making them flower crowns and them bullying Arthur into wearing his

• Everyone asking him if he can make them fly

• Merlin pretending he can talk to the horses and making them think him and the horses are shit talking

• Him and Gwen pretending to do chores together but really he magicked it and they’re just having a nice evening

• Merlin and Morgana having lessons in the forest while the knights what over so none one spits them

• “No, I can’t read minds.” One of the knights, “oh, okay.” *realises they didn’t ask that out loud.* “WAIT-“

• Merlin and Arthur cuddling together at night accidentally and everyone knows because Merlin’s magic is safe now and leaves a patch of flowers under him when he sleeps

• Merlin creating plants with his magic so he doesn’t have to spend so much time gathering herbs for Gaius

• the Knights and Gwen taking this a step further and making a garden of herbs for him and Gaius

• Arthur realising they should have done that years ago and putting the royal funds into it despite Uthers annoyance

• Morgana and Merlin being taught how to fight with swords (even if she already knows a fair bit) so they can protect themselves with something other than magic

• the two of them then teaching Gwen because they both think she’d be an amazing knight

• Gaius having a mini heart attack whenever he hears Merlin and the Knights talking about magic

• them realising he’s insecure about his healing magic because it’s the hardest form of magic and being sure to praise him whenever he does it or any other form of healing

• After Merlin and Arthur finally get together, his magic doesn’t want to leave him alone and so when he does his little fire show for them it instantly goes to Arthur and the others get jealous

• after an attack and Merlin nearly gets hurt, Arthur ‘forces’ his Knights to be sworn to Merlin with Merlin’s staff and so technically, they’re also his Knights and Merlin is a royal

• The druids instantly knowing this and calling him a prince

• the knights going along with it

• After a while the Knights (who know how) begin to teach the Druids things like reading and currency

• everyone teasing Merlin by saying his magic has a crush on Arthur despite the two being together already

• he blushes every time

• Merlin openly enchanting their amour to be stronger and magic proof

• him giving Gwen and Morgana matching necklaces that are also enchanted that they keep hidden

• all of them are so impressed with his power but then they are just straight dumfounded because like… how the fuck did he keep this hidden for so long?

• Growing strawberries once he sees how much Gwen loves them and they are really rare

• tricking the Knights into thinking he can talk to ghost just to laugh at their faces

• Just constantly embarrassed by the Druids cause they see him as a god or, as the knights point out, as a king and the Knights decide that means he’s Arthur’s wife and Queen of Camelot

• Arthur making this worse by saying, “Queen or Consort?”

• Merlin flicking water in his face despite none being near them

I’ll add more as I think of them :)

[regulusrules]

Ranking the best 10 Merlin episodes + a fic rec based on each one:

(absolutely not based on how gay they were) ((no order for the eps; they're all chef's kiss)) (((last two fics have a hold on me that levels the show itself; worth scrolling for)))

1. The Poisoned Chalice

Look. There is something just absolutely entrancing about introducing this episode in the first five of the entire show. Like, this hands-on was the sole reason everyone fell for those two idiots. It beautifully captured how the saving each other thing is reciprocal, because the first three episodes you just have to watch Merlin run around saving Arthur, never the reverse. Producing it early on in the show was the decision that, in my opinion, held everyone in their chokehold for eternity.

Fic rec: you are my favorite mistake (it can only be fate) by @multifandom-jess.

2. The Death Song of Uther Pendragon

I could go on and on for how this episode singlehandedly carried s5 on its shoulder. Like, okay I unfortunately love s5 with all my fucking heart, but this episode was perfect. Ghosts? Check. Banter? Check. POETRY?? Check check. A slap to Uther's face? Oh how beautifully checked.

It's so easy to recall how Arthur truly loved his father, but in this episode, the turmoil you see in his eyes from the actions of his father and how he resorts to saving the ones he loves (Merlin) over his father, is just too beautiful to be overlooked. Ever since Arthur became king, we see him struggle from his father's legacy. But in this episode, he begins to detach both consciously and subconsciously from him. Whether it's in his decision to save the old sorceress in the beginning, or to shun Uther's ghost, both the literal and the figurative, from his life any longer. This was one of the episodes that captured the true essence of King Arthur.

+1: the innuendos of this episode were 🤌. They knew what they were doing, you can't convince me otherwise. (are you threatening me with a spoon? / I'm teaching him some poetry.. he can't get enough of it! / what was that? h-horseplay. why don't I show you?)

Fic rec: My heart is readily yours by @regulusrules. (absolutely love how after all this introspection, i decided to throw it all away and made uther stab merlin in the fucking heart instead. but still it was my honourable attempt to shit on the finale and give them the happy ending everyone deserved).

3. The Sword in the Stone pt. 2

OKAY. This episode! Aside from how badass Merlin was in both pt.1&2, but here, especially in the part where us audience were impatiently waiting for the revival of the sword in the stone, there could've been nothing more perfect. Just like their adaptation of the round table scene, this was perfect in its own way for how different it was. They didn't make it so that people will finally find a king; they made it so that the people believe in their king. And more than that, for Arthur to believe in himself. With the estrangement and losing his crown, the writers gave him the best way to re-establish his inner glory. And Merlin being this guide; what more perfect culmination to their relationship?

You have to believe, Arthur.

Iconic.

Fic rec: Couldn't choose between Only Friend by @captain-ozone, and Fathom Me Out by @supercalvin. Brilliance ahead in both of them, I tell you.

4. The Eye of the Phoenix

Magic. Gwaine. Quests. Need I say more to explain that this was the show's holy trinity?

Fic rec: From Past to Present by flowersheep. (Prince Merlin. Archer Merlin. Perfection my friends).

5. A Servant of Two Masters

Look look; if there's an honourary wall of opinions for all the people who've watched Merlin, I DARE you to find just one who disliked this episode. Like, the series was so full of BS sometimes, but this episode was above all. The level of brilliance in this episode; showing Dark!Merlin, who's at the same time hilariously funny, and seeing him BAMF his way with Morgana, even when he's chained and tortured.. oh dear holy Lord. His "do me a favour, could you? let Arthur know." was able to steal all breath from my lungs the first time I saw it (and until now).

And don't get me started on the Protective!Arthur we got. Caring for Merlin, screaming for him when the rocks fell between them, silencing Agravaine immediately when he told him he's sorry for losing such a loyal servant because bullshit if he doesn't reign down hell before he loses Merlin. And ofc, Courage and Strength on their way to find Magic, which just filled my heart with an 'aaahhh!' moment, because we didn't get enough Gwaine-Arthur-Merlin shenanigans. And at last, the Hug™. Fucking screamed let me tell you.

It is an episode that truly showed everything; from comic elements to fluff and angst and everything. The only thing it lacked was, as always, giving Arthur the space to know. Because ffs what would they have lost if they made Arthur understand that Merlin's under Morgana's control? It wouldn't have exposed shit. It would've just been a plus to us to see Arthur caring for Merlin even more. They tried so hard that it completely backfired sometimes.

Fic rec: Still I Surface in Morning Light by @queerofthedagger. (I swear to you, anything written by this author, I readily throw whatever in hand to read it).

6. The Dragon's Call

Let thy gif caption speak.

No but really, that first episode was the stuff of legends. I could list down tens of tropes they did in just that episode alone. Honestly, no "family" show I've ever seen had started this powerfully. Just the music alone, the beauty of beginnings, not the CGI, was truly so gripping. Also bonus points for just Colin Morgan's sass abilities. None can compare.

Fic rec: This Time Around... series (incomplete) by Oneiric (lkdaswani). (this is a time travel AU, but the way the writer rewrote this episode was one of the best deviations I've read for an episode I already find near faultless).

7. The Sins of the Father

I might be subjecting myself to true wrath with my upcoming statement, but here we go:

S2 sucked.

From the beginning of the season, Arthur's shift in characterization from the honourable lovable prat of s1 to a letting Merlin act as a horse stool got me going wtf? It was like they deliberately ruined everything in their relationship and started out fresh just to force the Arthurian narrative of Arwen. And it's fine by me, truly, even if I'll never ship them, but they could've developed Arthur's character SO MUCH in that season beyond comic relief and romantic rendezvous.

Anyway so that I don't stray so much from the topic; this episode was, by fair comparison, the best in the entire season. By now it's pretty obvious that I gravitate towards all the episodes that give Arthur a semblance of agency. Him going against Uther and his maniac murderous agenda was the start of actually seeing King Arthur in front of us. Also, him listening to Merlin when he was on the verge of committing patricide was one of the things that gave me hope in how there's still hope in them. Even if they ruined it with making Merlin lie to Arthur, but the writers practically ruined every good episode with this.

+1: Morgause's intro was badass.

Fic rec: The Sins of the Father (and how to right them) by @cupcakezys. (what we deserved. to see arthur with agency, with an ability to decide for his future without being lied and deceived to).

8. Diamond of the Fucking Day

No matter how much I hate this episode, I can't, in good conscience, deny its hold on my heart. As I wrote before, there could've been no better magic reveal than this. And for all of my bitterness over their decision to kill Arthur, I sanely admit how it was a decision that insured the immortality of this fandom. It's been ten years since that episode aired, and I bet my ass off that it will still feel the same even after countless more decades.

Fic rec: literally the entirety of the fandom's fix-it fics. We all started from there, didn't we? Choosing only one would be so undervaluing to all the brilliance I've seen. However, my tags filter for it usually include: fix-it, angst with a happy ending, court sorcerer merlin, shitting on bbc writers 101, canon era, not canon compliant, everybody lives especially king arthur you mfs.

9. The Wicked Day

Throw me from the highest tower there is because every time I remember this scene, I just want to fade into the light. The sheer level of love and understanding shimmering between those two. Sometimes I marvel at the choice of bringing Colin and Bradley together, because no two could have achieved such chemistry, platonic or not, as those two did. This whole episode of showing Arthur's grief, and Merlin's desperation to heal it, was truly unforgettable. I try not to linger on its ending, Arthur denouncing magic for the millionth of time, but other than that it was a gem served to us on a silver platter.

Also seeing Uther finally die was a plus.

Fic rec: As much as I'd love to recommend my own fic for this, but honestly, whenever I get the chance, I will always take it to scream and wail about one of my absolute favourite fics of all time, which really isn't given ANY of the goddamn credit or attention or kudos it deserves. Beauty in the Ashes of Our Lives by Fulgance. I swear to you, you will never read something as beautifully heartbreaking as this. This fic resides in my mind rent-free. Basically any work by Fulgance is amazing, but this fic— oh God, my heart cannot take it sometimes.

10. Arthur's Bane pt. 1

Fuck, that episode was a masterpiece. You know, if it was all in my hands, I would've magic revealed at this particular episode. It was just.. the perfect opportunity. King Arthur in his glory, beginning of the season, enough time for Arthur to fully understand the depth of what Merlin did for him. Also, the range Arthur was given starting from here; God it's what we deserved. I always blame the writers for being inconsistent with his characterization (s2 and all), but they beautifully crafted it in the end, and it was their perfect chance to even explore the whole extent if only they made the magic reveal earlier.

Fic rec: Our broken pieces by @aramblingjay. Okay so this fic rec isn't necessarily linked at all to the episode, but I can't, in good conscience, recommend fics and not include it. Technically context wise it fits s5, for in it you see Arthur in his grandeur as king. This shall be my only exception because it's the only fic that was able to make me cry. Truly, I never shed tears, but in this, my heart stuttered. The fact that it is so unnoticed makes my blood boil because of how much praise it deserves. I can never recommend it enough.

To conclude, BBC Merlin has a powerful hold on everyone because of the fact that they knew how to eternalise it. It is significantly unique in its interpretation of legendary figures. I think I watched nearly all adaptations of King Arthur throughout the years, but even with how great some really are, to me none compare with this sword-swishing, banter-driven, CGI-messing, emotionally-killing 2008 show.

Honorary mentions:

| The Labyrinth of Gedref | Gwaine | Le Morte D'Arthur | Lancelot | The Coming of Arthur | The Moment of Truth | The Hunter's Heart | His Father's Son | The Darkest Hour |

[Short fic recs]

[Long fic recs]

[amidnightjen]

It strikes him in the dead of night and he lurches awake with the uncomfortable realisation that he’s the heir to the throne of Camelot - Crown Prince Arthur Pendragon.

Anyone observing this moment might consider him an idiot and for once he would not disagree. He has been an idiot but an idiot in love and that he supposes, many would forgive. But just because he’s come to a rather uncomfortable truth doesn’t make it hurt any less now that he knows what he must do.

Courting Guinevere cannot continue.

Not because he loves her any less or because, as many would see it, she is a servant beneath his notice, but rather he has come to realise that the opposite is true. He cannot continue to court Gwen because he will some day be king and while he can - and has - allowed Gwen’s status as a servant to mean nothing in his endeavour to love and court her, he’s had the horrifying realisation that his status as future king means something to her.

He dwells then, on memories of their every interaction, on the stolen moments between them and how their courtship began.

He allows himself to consider Lancelot.

Lancelot who is far too noble to compete with a prince, too noble to turn away Gwen’s chance at the kind of future marrying Arthur could provide.

Lancelot who has Gwen’s heart.

Even as she makes promises to Arthur - that she means for Arthur knows Gwen could never betray him with lies even as she betrays herself. He may not understand Gwen as well as he would like, for their time is limited together, but he does understand her enough to know that she thinks of him and Camelot before she thinks of her own heart and Lancelot’s.

But Arthur is - and can be - selfish in this. He can want a love that is solely his own and in seeking it he can allow Gwen to seek one of her own, one that is distinctly separate from his.

By the time the Merlin bursts into his chambers in the morning, Arthur has made his decision.

He will marry one day for love, as he always intended, but he will not marry Guinevere. They both deserve better.

Years later, he will reflect on that moment and be glad for the choices he made as he watches Lancelot joyfully swinging around his young son.

He’ll look back at that restless night of painful truths and he’ll be glad the figure by his side is Merlin. As it should always have been.

[lovelyladyabsinthewrites]

Game of Thrones Fic List

🖤= tw:dark content

🍑= smut

📚= series/multi-part

💌= requested

For Whom the Bell Tolls (Margaery Tyrell x Baratheon!Reader)

A glance and a sassy comment. The more time you two spent alone together, the less of a sister you became to one another. It wasn’t your intention to fall in love with the wife of your brother. You had never really felt bad about it when Maragery was married to Joffrey, but now that she was wed to your sweet Tommen. . . You couldn’t do that to your sweet lion.

Between Saints and Sinners (Sandor Clegane x Reader)

It had been years since you last saw Sandor Clegane. Years since you had last been in employment at Lord Baelish’s brothel.

A Stark Bride (Aegon Targaryen i x Stark!Reader)

Aegon Targaryen reduced your father, Torrhen Stark, to a mere lord. The Targaryen conqueror had taken the title of king for himself. You wanted to depise them, those beautiful Targaryens with their lavender eyes and silver tresses. But they were beautiful. Terrifying and beautiful just like their dragons.

Promises (Oberyn Martell x Reader) 🖤

Having witnessed the brutal murder of your family, your uncle Oberyn is the only one to fend off your nightmares and the only one you could ever feel an attachment to.

Shedding Skin (Arthur Dayne x Targaryen!Reader) 

You wouldn't let your brother Rhaegar humiliate you. No. Faking your own death, you travel to Dorne and there shed your dragon skin to become a new person. A happier person.

A Touch of Gold (Margaery Tyrell x Stark!Reader)

If Renly was to have a lover, then Margaery wanted one as well. And she decided that it just had to be the visiting (y/n) Stark.

Gold and Red (Jaime Lannister x Reader) 🍑

How could you bring yourself to have sex with your child husband? Jaime, however, was a full grown man.

Stupid, Pretty Little Things 🖤

She was the only gift Joffrey wanted for his name day. And Joffrey would be damned if anyone forbade him to what was his.

Targaryen Daughters 

After so long staying safely hidden in the privacy of a Sept, you discover your younger sister Daenerys is very well alive. Alive and with three dragons.

A Good, Mean Dog (Sandor Clegane x Baratheon!Reader) 📚

The Princess and the Hound. What a story that would be

Horns That Hold A Crown (Rhaegar Targaryen x Baratheon!Reader)

The only daughter of Steffon Baratheon, and to Aerys you were th eonly suitable bride for his son Rhaegar. Your previokus engagement to Ned Stark was broken. Now you found yourself the bride of a dragon instead that of a wolf.

Ruined Hallelujah (Margaery Tyrell x Baratheon!Reader)

You had expected such a move from Robert, maybe even Stannis, but never from your brother Renly. He was well aware of your affair with Margaery, even supported it. Yet he had married you off to Robb Stark, King in the North.

Misfit (Daenerys Targaryen x Greyjoy!Reader) 🖤

Nightmares, your nightmares were filled with the blazing symbol of a kraken. As you travel with your siblings to Meereen you hope Queen Daenerys would be willing to help you in defeating Euron.

One True Queen (Rhaegar Targaryen x Targaryen!Reader)📚

What he had done was the greatest insult to you. One that you thought he would never do. You knew he loved you with all his heart, that was certain. You were his sister and his wife. However, that all changed when he took Lyanna Stark as his second wife.

Knight in Blue and Red (Rhaegar Targaryen x Tully!Reader)

You wanted to be in charge of Riverrun when your father died, but because you were the third and youngest daughter of Hoster Tully that was highly impossible. You would show him. Show him that you would be a better successor than your brother Edmure.

Belladonna  (Young Robert Baratheon x Reader)

With the death of his father, Robert Baratheon found himself the young lord of Storm's End. A new lordship requires a wife.

Dragon (Daenerys Targaryen x Reader)📚

She had trusted her Unsullied with her life. That was why when one attacked her with a knife she doesn't have him killed. Instead Daenerys wants to get down to the problem. Only when she removes the Unsullied's helmet she is met with the face of a young girl.

A Lion’s Vow (Jaime Lannister x Stark!Reader)💌

This game the both of you played was your only real entertainment in the mess that was the Red Keep. Knowing it’s true nature, your father attempted to keep you close to his side. Reminding you not to trust anyone easily, especially those that belonged to the House of the Lion. 

A Mouse in a Lion’s Den (Rhaegar Targaryen x Lannister!Reader)📚

A little mouse surrounded by ferocious lions? It didn't look to be a good situation, even if those lions happened to be your family.

Exiled (Arthur Dayne x Reader)💌

You run into Ser Arthur Dayne in Essos. Along with a dark haired, gray eyed child.

Glow (Daenerys Targaryen x Reader)

Why she had taken a liking to you among all the others she had freed, you would never know. You had been a personal whore for one of the masters and had gotten pregnant. There were many others like you. Your story was nothing special, but Dany had found you worthy enough to be her close companion. There were even times when you thought that maybe you could be more than her companion.

The Doe That Chases the Hound (Sandor Clegane x Baratheon!Reader)

Normally in a hunt it was a hound’s duty to chase down deer. You went against the natural order of things. This time it was the doe who sought after the hound.

Crimson Lady (Ramsay Bolton x Bolton!Reader, Sansa Stark x Bolton!Reader) 🖤

Sansa should have known better. Of course she'd be every part of a Bolton as her brother Ramsay was.

Loveless (Rhaegar Targaryen x Targaryen!Reader) 🖤💌

There was nothing Rhaegar could do about your sudden engagement. Try as he might, he couldn’t persuade Aerys to marry you to him. It didn’t matter that he proclaim his undying love for you. Didn’t matter how you got on your knees in front of the iron throne and begged him to reconsider. Instead of mercy, the Mad King simply laughed at you.

Just For You (Ramsay Bolton x Reader) 🍑💌

The cruel Ramsay Bolton has an unknown side to him. Not just for anyone though. Only for the maid whom he loves to taunt. 

From the Ashes (Rhaegar Targaryen x Lannister!Reader)📚

A year has passed since (y/n) and her brother Jaime fled from King's Landing to the vast and foreign world of Essos.

Mine First, Mine Last, Mine Even in the Grave (Ramsay Bolton x Reader) 🍑

Even at such a young age, Ramsay was proving a difficult and willful child. He was somewhat twisted in nature that sometimes disturbed his mother. However once he laid eyes on the little baby, he immediately grew attached to her.

Birth of Dragons (Aegon i Targaryen x Targaryen!Reader) 📚

It wasn’t fair of him to choose a favorite between his sisters. Fearless Visenya, playful Rhaenys and loving (y/n). Above them all he secretly placed (y/n) close to his heart.

The Most Impossible Battle (Robert Baratheon x Targaryen!Reader) 🍑

Robert hated all Targaryens. Wise words from those close to him though make Robert Baratheon give in to the idea of taking (y/n) Targaryen as his bride.

Wrap Around (Oberyn Martell x Martell!Reader) 📚🖤

Oberyn was beside himself at the return of his baby sister (y/n). For a year she had been off in Essos, experiencing the rest of the world outside of the safety of Sunspear. Now she was returning to Dorne. Returning to Oberyn.

By Any Other Name (Margaery Tyrell x Reader)

Another Life (Rhaegar Targaryen x Stark!Reader)

Lyanna watches Jon from atop of the courtyard's parapet, her eyes crinkling with pride as she watches Jon best Theon Greyjoy at the dance of swords. Every victory Jon made resulted in him outgrowing the label of bastard. He was so much more than a bastard of Winterfell. Not even Catelyn saw him as such. Many were so shocked when the news came that Ned had brought back his bastard one day. In fact Cat had shown up at Winterfell by his side as he held the infant in his arms, for she was one of three that knew the truth about Jon Snow. 

What We Sow (Theon Greyjoy x Greyjoy!Reader) 🍑🖤💌

This was his home, a place where the salt of the sea and the cries of seagulls were a constant presence and where you were. Waiting so patiently as always. His queen, his sister, his wife. He'd been dreaming of the moment when he'd be reunited with you after so long. 

Omission (Theon Greyjoy x Stark!Reader)💌🍑

Robb wasn't being dramatic when he claimed your change toward Theon. From innocent children to teenagers, everything happened so fast that you weren't really able to comprehend what was going on with your own head. When Theon first arrived to your family, you were a small child. You and Robb grew attached to him immediately. For so long you saw him as a brother. Then it just stopped the moment you bled.

[extraorminary]

Okay but have you ever sat down to contemplate the possibility of Orm ever thinking—no matter how fleeting the thought—that he was partly to blame for Atlanna’s unhappiness? 

I have reasons for this. Hear me out. I’m going to focus on comics!Orm here.

This is a man who grew up witnessing horrifying fights between his parents. He had to watch his mother, who was most likely the only person to ever show him any sort of affection, get beaten by the extremely abusive man she was forced to marry (and then get beaten himself in turn). He grew up with the knowledge that he had a brother, whom he idolized and loved deeply, on the surface world, and you can’t convince me it took long for him to realize his mother had been forced to leave her surface family in order to fulfill her duty to her kingdom—to marry a cruel man she didn’t love in order to have Orm, the heir Atlantis needed.

And it doesn’t matter if Atlanna never did anything that even remotely implied she felt any sort of negative emotion towards him. Pretty sure it was the opposite: if anything, I’d say she doted on him quite a bit. Because even if she wasn’t always the best of mothers in the comics, I have no doubt she loved her son. In fact, nobody can tell me Orm wasn’t a complete mama’s boy as a child. But look me in the eyes and tell me that teenage Orm, left to be a king with no living family left in the entire ocean, never had even the vaguest feelings of shame and guilt at the sudden reminiscence of his mother, badly hurt after a rough encounter with Orvax, glancing at him and forcing a smile with her face bruised and the most exhausted look in her eyes. Tell me that, despite the memory of his mother’s warm embrace and her gentle whispers of how much she loved him and how special he was to her, there wasn’t a small voice in the back of his mind suggesting that every time Atlanna looked at him, she was forced to recall all the times she ever suffered at the hands of Orvax—that she was forced to see Orvax every single time her eyes fell upon him.

Tell me he didn’t grow to believe, and accept as pure fact, that in his mother’s heart he was always second-best. He was his mother’s biggest treasure, sure, but deep down he was convinced that Arthur had claimed ownership over the biggest part of her heart. I’m sure Atlanna would have told him, entirely honest, the complete opposite time and time again every time she mentioned his brother, but it’s also not hard to picture Orm having trouble accepting her words after hours spent ruminating. In his logical mind, it was simple enough: Arthur was the child her heart wanted, born out of love in a union of sweet passion with the love of her life, while Orm was the child her body was forced to have, out of duty and obligation to Atlantis, in a deeply unhappy marriage she’d had no choice in.

And I’m not saying it troubled him. Not always, at least. I’m sure it was difficult to come to terms with it at first; he was probably deeply hurt the first time his brain created the idea during his adolescence. However, with time Orm would have gone from viewing things emotionally to analyzing everything rationally. It is the only way for an Atlantean king to withstand the pressures of the crown without going mad, after all. As a teenager, the idea that he had a role in ruining his mother’s life was an insecurity. As a fully grown adult, it was merely one of the many ugly realities of life. His mother’s torment had begun with the monster she married, and it culminated with the child that finished tying her to Atlantis. And Orm had no choice but to learn how to adapt, to ignore the ache in his chest every time the thought popped up, because otherwise it would have broken him.

And in the end, it all played perfectly into his father’s plans: he wanted to raise a king who would not be affected by something as ridiculous as emotions, and finally he was successful.

[girlwitharabbitheart]

obsessed with the idea of a Merlin reincarnation!fic where they’re all back as long suffering millennials.

Merlin’s sense of humor is now as dry as the Sahara desert. Arthur is a grumpy golden retriever (they exist okay, I have one lol) and Morgana and Gwen have been BFFs and platonic soulmates for years. Like they are besties forever okay

So Merlin gets this hysterical idea to buy Arthur a bear for his birthday. One that has a teeny little crown and sings “I just can’t wait to be king” from the lion king when you squeeze it. Because they do have some memories, and like. Those are traumatic as fuck most of the time what with the war and the death and the betrayal and shit and like. They’ve collected decided to say fuck it to destiny and do their own thing this time. But anyway. Merlin buys this bear because it’s FUNNY AS FUCK and Gwen is like 90% of his impulse control but she and Morgana ALSO think it’s funny. So he’s like 🤷🏻‍♀️ and buys it 😂

And then they take him out to dinner, like usual, cause of course he had to be born on the shortest day of the year and it’s dark at 4pm and like. There’s not much else to do. But the three of them are totally not subtle and Merlin can barely contain himself so Arthur is immediately suspicious. (look he remembers the year that Merlin and Morgana were both really into paganism, even without magic this time around, and that birthday had been a blur of embarrassment) so he’s super cautious when he takes the gift bag. And pulls out the bear. And then. He’s just really confused.

But it starts singing, of course, and Merlin loses his tenuous hold on his composure.

And they’re all just completely overcome with laughter while Arthur pouts. “MERlin,” he hisses dramatically as he kicks Morgana half heartedly under the table, “what. The fuck.”

“Well fine I can return it if you don’t want it.” Merlin grins, reaching for the bear and narrowly avoiding a disaster with the table centerpiece.

Arthur immediately snatches it back with a haughty frown. “…I didn’t say I don’t want it.”

And then Merlin is wheezing too, leaning on Gwen for support, and Morgana looks like she might faint from oxygen deprivation at any moment.

Arthur roles his eyes, tucks the bear into his side and drops his head into his hands. “I literally cannot take you three anywhere.”

When Merlin finally makes it to bed that night, after they’d taken the girls home and Arthur had stumbled upstairs with his spoils and Merlin had wandered into the kitchen for a cup of tea, the bear is perched between their pillows. Arthur is already asleep, curled on his side with the blanket drawn up to his shoulders. Something unbearably fond takes root in Merlin’s chest then, blooming out from his heart. And he he’s careful not to disturb the bear as he climbs under the covers and fits himself to Arthur’s side.

[karistiltskin]

what if i said "but I would die for you in secret" but imagine merlin and arthur.

peace lyric analysis as merthur:

"Our coming-of-age has come and gone

Suddenly the summer, it's clear

I never had the courage of my convictions

As long as danger is near

And it's just around the corner, darling

'Cause it lives in me

No, I could never give you peace"

OUR COMING-OF-AGE?? okay, listen. as we know, arthur's coming-of-age moment is linked to his coronation. He literally has an episode called "The Coming of Arthur" parts one and two (S03 E12-E13). it's arthur becoming king and merlin starting to finally feel like he's getting somewhere with their destiny because of arthur's crowning. this is our setting. we're now in the after.

"I never had the courage of my convictions as long as danger is near" SHUT UPPPP SHUT UPPPP like actually oh my god. as long as danger is near is so so sick and speaks so loud. merlin absolutely does have the courage of his convictions and just to clarify, collins dictionary [colin morgan ;) ] states it as the confidence to do what you believe is right, even though other people may not agree or approve. BUT when arthur is in danger he does not do the "right" thing. he listens to the giant lizard instead or gaius (still love him) and does anything, anything, to make sure arthur doesn't get harmed no matter what.

rip morgana and getting poisoned.

rip mordred's entire existence.

although arthur attracts danger, merlin attracts just as much. and merlin is magic. (ugh, I'm getting sad and the only reason i won't cry is cause i'm in the middle of a lecture. a nighttime lecture). merlin can never give arthur peace because he is everything arthur was conditioned to hate. arthur can never give merlin peace because he's a king with expectations from Camelot and neighboring kingdoms. aka they can never be peacefully together without the threat of danger from them both and towards their relationship.

"But I'm a fire, and I'll keep your brittle heart warm

If your cascade ocean wave blues comes

All these people think love's for show

But I would die for you in secret

The devil's in the details, but you got a friend in me

Would it be enough if I could never give you peace?"

merlin lights arthur fires. that's it. that's the tweet.

merlin is also arthur's closest friend and confidant. he definitely gets arthur to see other perspectives on a situation and makes sure he remains compassionate and fair. for example, that look arthur gave merlin in S05 E11 during kara's trial?? my god. or the episode where arthur killed that one king's son under the influence of his uncle, the sleaze.

THEY WOULD DIE FOR EACH OTHER IN SECRET. NO ARGUMENTS. they've proved episode after episode again that they would no questions asked. people who don't know them just go "he's just a servant" or "you would choose him over your kind?" (ouch) not knowing the depth of their relationship. but yes. yes they would. and they would not have a single regret. they would deny the hell out of it but the proof is in their actions.

but you got a friend in me yes ma'am they do.

and it would be enough. it would. do they need a reminder that they were both born in mind of each other? that it was written since the beginning of time? that both of them have their own personal demons that instead of running away they'd take care of each other instead? that they're the most important person for each other and nothing can split them apart because they've grown to trust each other so much that their souls have intertwined? two sides of the same coin? other half of my soul, as the poets say???

"Your integrity makes me seem small

You paint dreamscapes on the wall

I talk shit with my friends

It's like I'm wasting your honor"

from arthur's pov he knows merlin is better than him. the way he interacts with people, his morals and values, his humbleness, just everything really. he pretends to be mad and upset about it but there's such deep admiration in it that he's actually self-aware.

dreamscape (google) definition: a landscape or scene with the strangeness or mystery characteristic of dreams

arthur finds merlin so strange!! so strange and mysterious.

the walls: i read this one fanfic on ao3 called "The Tragedy of Godhood" by Lilmia_Casand (read it!! it's so good. short, but beautiful) and the summary states:

"Merlin had gotten better at controlling his magic over the years, but it still spilled over, as if he were the source instead of someone calling upon it. It seeped into the castle walls, into the stone floors..."

This was the first thing I thought of (this quote stuck with me, it got bookmarked) and i couldn't have said it better. here's a play by play: arthur lives in a castle. the castle has walls. a lot of walls. he sees these walls everyday. the walls are familiar. the walls stay. the walls are forever. he can't imagine the castle without his walls.

walls = life/the future

magic is part of merlin's mystery because he's essentially hiding HIMSELF.

(does this make sense? no, prob not but bear with me)

there's an air about merlin where when you think about him, you realize you actually don't know much about him. he's a mystery. you know his jokes, you know where he's gonna be at whatever time of day (not the tavern, contrary to what arthur thinks), you know his favourite food. you don't know about his parents, you don't know why he saved arthur at his first feast, you don't know why he stays around.

arthur reflects on this and realizes it one day when merlin starts to become unavoidable in his mind. then he thinks, 'i really know nothing about this boy.' over time, merlin stays by his side, always, and arthur is so dependent on him that he starts worrying if he'll ever leave and if not him, camelot (he has abandonment issues 100%).

also see: S01 E10

hence, "you paint dreamscapes on the wall" is arthur saying, "you're the biggest mystery i've ever met and you make me wonder what every day will be like with you. will you be here tomorrow? and the day after that? until I'm married and have children who will favour you over me? will you be here to see them? to see me? i can't see it through the haze. i can't see you through the haze."

moving on—fuck that was so much longer than it needed to be—arthur and merlin talk shit about each other ALL THE TIME it's hilarious. and they know the one "bad" thing they talk about doesn't define their entire character because they hold each other in such high regard but... well...

(they definitely have regrets after)

"And you know that I'd swing with you for the fences

Sit with you in the trenches

Give you my wild, give you a child

Give you the silence that only comes when two people understand each other

Family that I chose, now that I see your brother as my brother

Is it enough?"

they both go all out for each other but with a focus on merlin, he goes ALL. OUT. it's war with him. nothing is half-assed. he fights, and fights, and never takes it less than seriously. but he also is there at arthurs lowest moments. when they're losing and when arthur is feeling too much or has too much on his shoulders. he's there. through it all.

merlin will give arthur anything he asks. he's already given him the purpose of his life and has hidden his magic until arthur's dying day because he thought that's what arthur needed and thought he would never accept him as he is so he gave it up.

but he's also given arthur the best thing he has. a friend. understanding. communication without words. souls recognizing souls, so much that the silence may be quiet but words are being exchanged through that same silence.

also, speechless eye conversations that range near the line of sexual tens—

then in the last line, merlin is saying: your people are my people. your burdens are my burdens.

"But there's robbers to the east, clowns to the west

I'd give you my sunshine, give you my best

But the rain is always gonna come if you're standing with me"

this goes both ways!! the only difference is that arthur's is visible and merlin's is hidden. explanation: arthur no doubt has enemies, it's not a secret. being a king and a target from the magic community, that man is almost getting killed everyday. it is not a peaceful life. he knows that. but nonetheless, he has shown merlin his best before—merlin is literally the reason he reaches the best person he can be, like the growth omg—so he knows he can give it but he knows there's a lot of baggage (external and internal) that comes with being with him.

as for merlin, his enemies are a secret. and they're dangerous. arthur faces some of those same enemies but from the product of what they've created, not them personally. no, merlin goes head-to-head with the people who curse/try to kill arthur. and he gives arthur a version of his best (he still has to keep many many secrets) but even if it's limited it's still genuine. although his secrets, his late nights, and his pure exhaustion are a part of him as well. and you can't have sunshine without rain.

okay ,WOW, i'm wrung out. it feels incomplete so i might add additional things later on but for now, enjoy.

once again, thank you if you read this, thank you bbc merlin, and thank you taylor swift.

(notice how i didn't use the word love once)

[nonunsnonunsnone]

- Uther, Merlin, and Arthur are trapped and alone somewhere (literally anywhere)

- Uther, upon closer inspection of merlin decides he’s sure merlin is a sorcerer. Like he has the time to examine him and connect the dots from the last several years. He doesn’t say anything until they’re out and on their way to Camelot again.

- Adventure Happens. They are all freed. Uther, upon arrival at the court, immediately orders Merlin’s arrest and puts him to death row for sorcery.

- Arthur goes ballistic. Where is this coming from??? Cmon it’s Merlin !

- Uther recalls the many, many times merlin was conveniently somewhere where magic was used.

- Arthur, dumb of fuck, lovesick of heart, looks back at Merlin with a panicked and betrayed look. He realises his father is right.

- Arthur saying that Merlin is not a sorcerer. That he himself is one. He was also there at every one of the examples Uther gave for Merlin’s usage of magic. He could never tell Uther but it’s not something he can control - it came out of nowhere but it’s been growing stronger and he can’t live without magic. (I should’ve gone to sleep an hour ago is the Merlin is magic metaphor thick enough in this paragraph?)

- Arthur, being the one and true prince and future king, cannot be killed by his father for using magic. Arthur, who will be the person who will rule Camelot cannot be swayed away from legalising sorcery. Uther will die, and there is nothing he can do about it.

- Uther vowing to only release Merlin if Arthur swears to adhere to his magic ban, after his death, as well.

- Arthur swears by the crown. Merlin is devastated.

- Merlin and Arthur have a huge fight - “how could you not tell me about this??” “how could you doom all sorcerers in Camelot for as long as you live??? Doom me???”

- Arthur says he’s not going to keep the laws of his father. Merlin doesn’t believe him. He swears to Merlin by his mother’s sigil and gives it to him. He asks for Merlin to trust him on this.

- Merlin and Arthur practice magic in the woods, Arthur is in awe and in love and they sneak outside of Camelot’s borders often, because Arthur loves seeing Merlin show him so many different things, from moving twigs and making trees disappear to slowing down time.

- Uther dies (rest in disgrace) - Arthur orders for the crown to be broken, scrapped and replaced. Camelot is filled with magic :”) Merlin teaches Arthur magic and I sob in the corner as Merlin is appointed court sorcerer :”))))

[theroundbartable]

I know we often joke about how similar Merlin and Guinevere are. In terms of their status as servants, their feelings for Arthur and the kingdom, their clumsiness, their bluntness, all that.

But what are the differences? Why did Guinevere become queen and not Merlin, based on the lore?

While I'm working on the clockroom, which makes me focus a lot on canon, I'm starting to think that I understand.

Look, this is not to dipute any of these ships. I am mainly a Merthur shipper myself, yet I understand quite well why they chose Arwen in canon and I love their dynamic too. I respect all the ships, this is a personal observation.

First of, this has nothing to do with honesty. If Merlin had confessed his magic before the final episode, I'd still stand behind this opinion, from a writers point of view.

Gwen and Merlin stand, for the most part, for the same things. They stand for the rights of the people (Merlin represents the druids, Guinevere the common people), they talk against Arthur, when Arthur doesn't realize how inconsiderate he is and they tease him to their hearts content.

But when you look at the episode, where Arthur fights as a simple knight (sir William) in the tournament, you will notice main differences.

The episode starts with Arthur being told by Leon that none of the knights would want to harm Arthur, because he was crown prince.

When Arthur then asks Merlin, if Merlin thinks that Arthur could win, Merlin answers: what do you want me to say?

Which is unchractaristic for Merlin in the way that he's not clear about his opinion, but characteritic in the way he doesn't outright lie to him.

When Arthur is getting ridiculed by Guinevere later in that episode, she does this when Arthur asks, but she doesn't hold back. She calls him rude, she questions his morals, while Merlin does, against popular belief, not. Merlin indulges Arthur's lies. His choices. Everything he does. The whole cooking idea. He provides wise intakes on things when asked, but he does never question Arthur's morales, because he believes in him. His actions, not quite as much, but Arthur's heart he is certain in. It's why he was the one to convince anhora in the unicorn episode to give Arthur another chance. Because Arthur is "pure at heart".

And herein lies the difference. Gwen speaks to Arthur as future king. She speaks to Arthur on his virtues, his values, his morale, the reason for his choices. All of which she shares.

It's why she falls for Lancelot and why she falls for Merlin. Because they are noble. Because they care for the people of Camelot. They love Camelot. As Guinevere loves Camelot. And I think she stops loving them the moment she realizes that they both have more selfish reasons for that.

Lancelot does it all to be noble for the sake of being noble. For doing the right thing. Not for doing this for the people. He wants to fight and protect people, but he would do that anywhere he is. Because Lancelot believes in the cause. He does not love the people.

Merlin speaks to Arthur as the person behind the crown. Merlin, too, speaks for the people. But he does not do it with the same passion that Gwen does. Merlin does it, as he does everything, for Arthur's sake. Because Merlin loves Arthur.

And that is the difference. Arthur and Guinevere are on the same wavelength, because they share the same goals for Camelot. The same heart, so to speak. The same legacy.

Merlin on the other hand, wants Arthur to succeed. To be happy. To be a bit silly. To be himself.

That's why Arthur loves Guinevere with all his heart and vice versa.

It's why Merlin and Arthur love each other, too. But also why their love doesn't translate to marriage.

That's why Merlin losing Arthur is much more tragic. Because Gwen can rule in Arthur's stead. Can take on the kingdom, can keep the legacy and the heart of Camelot with her; she has Arthur's heart with her, while Merlin loses everything he believed in.

Because Arthur and Guinevere love Camelot and love each other for it.

Arthur and Merlin simply love each other.

That doesn't make either ship superior, mind you. Arthur's and Gwen's relationship is stronger in their fundamentals, in my opinion.

While Merlin and Arthur's feelings for one another are stronger, as Bradley James would say. Their feelings are, in my opinion, more chaotic and bold and have little to do with Camelot, despite their shared destiny.

In other words, I don't think Merlin would make a good queen.

[babygirldilf]

Merlin is... the most iconic and complex and interesting character. He is the good hearted -never had the privilege of being naive- young man, he goes through so much pain and suffering and insane decisions he has to make, and gets tasks with responsibility and destiny and fate from such a young age. He never gets a choice and yet still chooses it, chooses to be a savior and an unknown and unrecognized hero. No one knows, and even those who do, do not understand and could never understand him fully. He constantly faces countless moral dilemmas where he has to choose between two unthinkable possibilities, and it kills him more and more every time he buries a friend. Every time he lies to a loved one. Every time he understands, yet again, that he is alone. Really, truly, alone. No one understands. No one sees everything he goes through.

No one but us.

We are the only ones who know, and see, and feel, and even we have no choice but to stand on the sidelines and watch as his heart grows colder and his walls are built higher and his smile falters as he struggles against everything that is thrown at him and pulls him in different directions and eventually becomes a stronger, yet colder, sort of hero. He never got the privilege that Arthur got, to be truly gold hearted for the rest of his life, because the only reason Arthur even got the opportunities to make choices that paint him as the hero is that Merlin had to make the rougher, more ugly decisions that paint him as the villain.

He never had the chance to stand in the light side of things because he kept being dragged into the darkness.

And there, everything is not pretty and pink, and he doesn't get a crown for his hard choices. No. He is standing on ancient ground, roots growing into it without his knowledge, and his skin is damp, the air is crisp, there is blood dripping from his hands, and everything smells of earth and rain and is unavoidably real. This is real. The pain he feels in his bones and has been feeling for years now, the thick, warm blood, the pouring rain, the green wilderness, and the ugly, painful truth that this is his reality. This was always going to be his reality. Here, buried knee deep in the dead bodies of his enemies and his loved ones, watching Arthur rise up while he guards him from behind his back.

And then, even years into his journey, he is forced to remember again how it felt like to first save someone using his magic. How it feels like to create the image of butterflies and strawberries out of thin air. To feel the gold shines in his eyes while he creates a path for his love, for his king, to walk upon, towards what is supposed to be a new Era, one where he himself doesn't have to hold his breath anymore. One where he doesn't have to constantly hide.

And then, after everything he sacrificed for this future, and even more importantly to him, for this man, even that gets brutally taken away from him, and he is left alone again. Only this time, he is cradling the love of his life in his arms, one last time, knowing he has to be the one to bury his dead body, too.

Insane, crazy story. I hope they bring him back.

[wolfiery]

i'm at the end of the world with you

fill for @merlinmicrofic ; prompt: masquerade merlin/arthur, teen+, ~mysterious came out at exactly 500 words lol ~~~ It’s hidden here, marooned from morality. He’s underneath a guise like every other, parading castle grounds, with wolfish grins and panther masks. His father insisted on the dragon, insisted on carrying their name with pride everywhere they went. Arthur eventually found it was best to do as told.

But tonight his father won’t recognize him, and the sycophantic lords that had daughters, who had daughters that wanted daughters, would leave him to his cage in silence. Music bleats with the same whine that eventually grates on him, the chord striking through a chasm he exists through. Where he walks with an air of indifference, of royalty and shame, as they are meant to live.

His blond hair reveals him and the crowd still parts as he makes way to the drinks. Except for a boot, leathered and worn, sticking out from a lounging attendee, on a chair that he’d only ever seen as decor. 

The man doesn’t move his leg out of the way, but he turns his head to smirk, blue eyes meeting Arthur’s with a sparkle. He’s got a black mask with gold lining, fitted so well it seemed painted, and sleek raven feathers that curled over his head, almost like a crown.

Their gazes flit and linger for the night, passing guests and watching the actions of the other with growing curiosity. 

At last, Arthur finds him in the garden, far from viewing eyes, escaping his personal guards.

“Something tells me you’re ready to follow me out the gates,” he remarks, still smiling and Arthur is no less enamored than when he realized this man fully intended to trip him at the party.

“Follow you? I don’t even know you,” Arthur scoffs, but lies have always spilled so easily. This is no different. He’s beautiful, and it’s obvious he’s powerful, uninvited and unafraid. He traces the railing with a hand, walking along the planted path with inherited care, “I suppose you’ll whisk me away to spill the kingdom’s secrets?”

“You’ve got it all wrong already.” Arthur looks up to see his smile is devastating; sincere and playful, and out of place. Arthur loves anything that’s out of this place. “I’m here for you.”

And he loves the way it sounds already, if his tight grip on the railing says anything. He also knows that it’s madness, that he is the prodigal son with a prince’s duty. He couldn’t be swept away without dire consequences, even on innocent people knowing his father’s wrath.

The funny thing is that he felt he knew this stranger more than his own family.

“How do you plan on evading the king’s search? Because he will come looking for me.”

“I didn’t hear a refusal,” he responds instead, taking a step closer. Brazen, bold. Arthur felt his heart stutter. 

“My name is Merlin,” he says, with a flash of gold sparking in his eyes. Merlin. It fills in the crevice of his throat where fear used to lie.

“Well, Merlin? Are we going?”

[anthemofgvf]

THEORY TIME EVERYONE!!!

a big question a lot of us are wondering is WHO IS THE WOMAN IN THE VIDEO. i have a theory for it. although a lot of people believe her to be the master, i have to disagree. she closely resembles Vivien from the King Arthur legend.

strap in folks, this one is going to be a bit long.

also, if you haven't read @oliverreedmasterass 's theory, PLEASE DO! here it is.

so, while i do see how the mv brought in resemblances to other pieces of history such as the painting of Ophelia and Guinevere, i think it’s possible she can be more closely related to Vivien.

Vivien, also known as the “Lady of The Lake”, is the one who handed King Arthur, the first monarch of England, the Excalibur (as legend has it), which is the sword she pulls out of the water and tells him "hey you're the king of England now bud."

music video reference^

two depictions of the Lady of The Lake^

Now who is the only person that has a sword in the music video?

JAKE. KISZKA. I think he resembles King Arthur, since he was a warrior before becoming king.

I believe Jake to become the leader, POSSIBLY the Master, since he is the heart of the band and technically the one who started it all. He can also be seen as the warrior, or a knight, and more often than not knights become kings (masters, monarchs, etc.) He, along with Josh, has the most time on screen and seems to play a very important role.

Now, how does this tie into the King Arthur legend?

King Arthur said that he was sent by God to protect the Holy Land, Israel, for the pilgrims (people who are on a religious quest) from the Muslims who murdered them once they tried to enter. Some people say he said God sent him to give himself an excuse for all of the killing he did, but anyways.

So, we see Josh being the most affected, in my opinion, by this battle. At the end, delusional to the madness, is still devoted to this Master and whatnot. I think Jake is the one sent “by God” to save him and relieve him of his delusions.

Vivien is also depicted to try and save Lancelot “from the madness”. That’s a side note, btw. Not super important, but I figured I’d include it since Josh sings “And I’m taken, by the madness.”

Sammy plays an interesting role, barely having ANY screen time. We all collectively agree that he is the sorcerer, and in the legend, Merlin underwent a spell by Vivien because he just wasn’t strong enough and ends up dying. She was referred to as “a creature to bewitch a sorcerer”. With the red gloves resembling blood imo, that could be from his “fight” with her and trying to stay alive but loses the battle in the end. Therefore, I think Sammy resembles Merlin the most.

The Master could resemble God, or some sort of God, which is why we never see his face and he is only in a hooded cloak because his face itself is too “powerful” for the naked eye. In the Bible, God is depicted as such- his whole being is too powerful for the naked eye and the mortal, which is why you see him after death. The Master could be someone completely different, but yeah.

A slight side note, but all the forest and green imagery is very resemblant to what England looked like at the time this legend takes place.

Josh’s character to this legend has been hard to pick, but I might’ve found a match: Mordred. Now, although the legend and other depictions say he is Arthur’s son or nephew, we aren’t talking about relationships. This is just who they resemble in the music video. Anyways, I picked Mordred to be Josh because he ends up going crazy and wanting power after Arthur (Jake) recruits him to be a part of his round table, basically trying to overrule Arthur of his kingship after he leaves for battle and lets Mordred rule while he's away. So, when we see Josh going crazy at the end, it’s him being consumed with power and thinking “hey i can take over since they’re all gone i’m left with the crown and throne.” In legend aspects, in almost all of the stories where Mordred is depicted, he betrays Arthur, which is why Josh is the only one in the end saying “burn it up to give him all of our love” because he wants to tarnish Jake’s kingship so he can rule and give the master "all of our love" because he thinks killing everyone will show how devoted he is and will try to recruit everyone he can. He’s also a womanizer in some stories, and we all know Josh is one himself. (Galahad was another close choice, bc he is a pure knight and we see Josh in white and his outfit resembles closely to a statue of him, but I chose to go a different route specifically because of the ending of the video where it seems Josh has betrayed everyone and is on a whole different path).

Danny was also hard to pick, and I have yet to find a match for him. All we know is that he is the archer of the story, but he’s the only one that I haven’t found a good match for in the legend since we don’t know much about him other than the fact he went to battle (has blood on his hands represented by the gloves) and he uses his bow and arrow for battle rather than a sword. So, I think he is someone a part of Arthur’s round table who eventually dies, since him and Sam only have red gloves and I think with Sam and Danny having the least amount of screen time they both died in the battle. I don't know, just a thought. I think Danny has more meaning than we think, so I'd like to say he is one of the more profound knights of the round table.

Some possible matches to Danny (most of them didn't die in battle but still):

-Bedivere, who throws the Excalibur after Arthur's last battle to the Lady of The Lake and is known as "one-handed great warrior".

-Brunor, who was terrible at jousting but "near invincible on foot", which would explain why he has a bow and arrow? i think that only because jousters used swords so I think agility would fit w/ a bow and arrow.

-Galehaut, he is a noble enemy turned an ally of King Arthur as well as an inseparable friend to Lancelot, who is King Arthur's closest companion. Also, possible lover of Lancelot.

-Lancelot, who is Arthur's closest companion, is a hero of many battles and known as one of the greatest Knights of the Round Table. He was raised in a fairy realm by the Lady of the Lake, which could explain how they know of her in the music video and such. He was an unrivalled swordsman and jouster.

-Percival, best known for being the original hero in the quest for the Holy Grail. I say this because, well, I think Danny has a more prominent role to begin with and I believe he is able to use a bow and arrow because he is more skilled than the rest.

(Also TBAGG ties into this bc I think it was happening while they were on the search for the Holy Grail, but I haven’t done enough research for that to know if that makes sense).

I also think the woman could be a "disciple" sent by the master, if we are keeping up with this seemingly religious theme they've got going on. The Master could be a being of the dark arts, perhaps the devil...I'm not sure OR a figure of God. I don't feel like I know enough to make a strong statement. I just can say with positivity that the Master is a higher power that requires devotion from his followers. Josh is willing to give it to him, whilst I believe the rest of them realize the destruction done and are trying to steer away from the past of their battle and go back to their lives of purity and the woman is able to take them there but with a price. A possible trick, which is why the video seems to go dark, and they realize there is no escape, and they now are a part of some sort of cult and Josh is the only one that's like "hell yeah cult shit!". This doesn't have much to do with my theory stated above, rather it is a "side theory".

Whew, alright. That was a lot. Let me know what you guys think! I’m not an expert so idk if I got anything factually wrong or right, but I hope this was interesting!!

Edit: I think I might explain why I think TBAGG resembles the Holy Grail and other Arthurian battles another time. AOTM in my opinion is the making of King Arthur's Round Table, and then the TBAGG is the quest to find the Holy Grail. Then, Starcatcher is the aftermath of it all, where we see betrayal, death, trickery, and a hope to find peace from the madness.

[namelessalessandra]

The prince of my heart

Arthur Pendragon x reader

Plot: you were forced to marry Arthur Pendragon but not everything goes according to plan until…

Angst with happy ending

Warnings: none I think but if you find any, tell me and I’ll add them

Plus English is not my first language so there could be some mistakes

P.S. if you know Italian you can preorder my book here:

When I was told that I would marry Prince Arthur Pendragon I was so happy, I had heard so many good stories about him, his courage, his loyalty, and I was sure that mine would be a happy marriage, that I would be envied by every lady in the realm. Then came the wedding day, I was woken up at dawn so I could prepare myself perfectly, to match the beauty of my soon to be husband. I crossed the aisle to reach him in front of all the imported members of the kingdom with trembling legs and an excited smile, and for a few moments, as they made us husband and wife, Arthur smiled at me sweetly. For a moment I really believed I had realised my dream. Until, immediately after the ceremony, during the banquet, I realised the looks he directed at his half-sister's servant. Gwen, over time I had learned that to be her name. Arthur spent only a few nights with me, to carry out his task as a husband, and the rest of the time he took refuge in his royal tasks, ignoring me altogether. I had learned not to let it hurt me, I had become friends with Morgana and we spent a lot of time together, chatting, reading, walking. She had the foresight not to put me and her servant in the same room at the same time, not because I could do something unpleasant, but because she cared about my suffering, and had the sensibility of not throwing in my face that my husband was in love with another. A woman who had nothing in common with me and whom I could never replace. No matter how hard I try, bringing him food when I know he doesn't have time to reach the room to sit at the table with us, no matter how hard I try to understand him, help him, to take away the burden that weighs on his shoulders, due to having to carry the crown one day. The only answer I get, in return, is the humiliation of seeing him smile and chattering amiably in public with Gwen. The same Gwen who now pours wine to him, blushing at something he's telling her, but that I, despite being by her side, can't hear.

-Do you like the party, dear husband?- I decide to ask, when the brunette walks away from him. Arthur turns to look at me for a single moment before returning to enjoy the show of the dancers in front of us while nodding his head

-A lot, wife. Thank you. Although I have to admit that I don't understand why you may have organised all this, when in the village many complain that they don't have enough food to feed themselves- his words hit me like blades. Merlin, who had approached us perhaps to say something to his master, freezes on the spot and takes a worried look at me. Sometimes it happened that he found me in some secluded corner of the castle, so as not to be seen while I was crying, and tried to console me. I sketch a smile at him looking at me with pity, holding back my tears and clearing my voice.

-This is why I asked for a party to be held in the village as well, so that everyone can celebrate the endeavours and successes of their future king, and can eat as they deserve. Now if you will excuse me I'm very tired, I think I'll go to rest- I just answer, I move the chair away and, without him deigning me of a look, I leave the room. One of the first things I asked, after understanding Arthur's feelings towards Gwen, was to have a bedroom of my own. My husband did not discuss my application at all and had me prepare rooms where I could stay, and where he comes to visit me when he has to fulfil his task. Over time, this room has become my refuge, and days happen when I don't go out at all, letting Elizabeth, my personal servant, bring me food. When I close the door behind me and lean against it to take deep breaths, I hear the sound of footsteps and then a hand knocking.

-(Y/N), it's me, dear. Open the door- Morgana's voice comes to me muffled by the wood, I hurry to dry my cheeks moistened by the few tears that escaped me and effort a smile as I open the door. She hugs me, right after closing the door behind her.

-Arthur is an ungrateful fool. Tomorrow I'll talk to him and you'll see if he won't bring you more respect soon. All the ladies have heard his answer and are doing nothing but comment- she whispers to me angrily, as she passes a hand through my hair to untie them from the hairstyle I had prepared specifically for him.

-It's all right, Morgana. There is no need for you to talk to him- I murmur away from his arms, before finding myself bent in two by pain, with broken breath.

-(Y/N), what's going on? I call someone right away, I'm going to call Gaius- exclaims the alarmed brunette, I try to tell her that there is no need, that in my condition it is normal, my mother always told me, to prepare me and not be scared, but from my mouth comes nothing but a moan of pain. Morgana, therefore, helps me sit on the bed and runs out. A few minutes later he returns followed by Gaius, but my pain is waning.

-I would still like to carry out checks, if it's okay with you- proposes the old man, and although I try to refuse, the princess insists that my health be checked and so some time later Gaius is confirming what until now for me was a hypothesis that I was hiding behind wider skirts.

-You are pregnant, my lady- her words are followed by a shocked verse of Morgana looking at me excitedly. With my heart in my throat I sit down

-I ask you, please, not to tell anyone. Not yet. I'll think about making the announcement. Please- I ask letting my gaze swing from one to the other. They both nod, understanding, and let me rest.

The next day I decide to stay in the room all morning, Elizabeth brings me food and Morgana comes to visit me to keep some company. She asks me to join them for dinner and I don't want to disappoint her. So I get ready, wearing one of my most beautiful dresses and, slowly, I walk to the room where we will eat. As soon as I enter I have just enough time to hear voices arguing before hiding so I can listen. The parlour is still empty, except for Arthur, Merlin and Morgana.

-What do you want me to tell you, Morgana? We are married and I do my best with her, but I still don't know her so well- Arthur's voice is annoyed, I hear the sound of wine being poured and then Morgana talking.

-You could at least stop the rumours that are going around, you are the prince and she is your wife. You should bring her more respect- scolds him -if you knew how sad she was last night for how you addressed her, after spending the whole week organising that stupid banquet, also taking care that the people received part of the food so as not to upset them- she continues, stubborn. Arthur sighs and, before things can degenerate, I decide to fake my arrival as if I hadn't listened to anything.

-(Y/N), what a nice thing to see you. Tonight you look great! - exclaims Morgana, the first to see me. Merlin gives me a smile as Arthur turns to look at me and stands up coming towards me.

-I apologise for my behaviour last night, (Y/N), I should have been nicer to you- he turns to me as he moves my chair to make me sit down. I smile at him, pretending not to know that his words are only due to the half-sister' request, and I take a seat. When Uther also reaches us, we eat in silence. Morgana, sitting in front of me, throws looks at me smiling. She wants me to make my announcement but I don't feel ready yet.

-I think (Y/N) wants to announce something- she says out of the blue, I incinerate her with my eyes when everyone's eyes are on me. With my heart in my throat I rest my cutlery next to the plate and clear my voice, but when I open my mouth to speak my head starts spinning quickly and, when I try to get up, I lose my balance and fall. Arthur grabs me in time, preventing me from hurting myself and everything becomes very confusing.

I open my eyes again to find myself in a room that is not mine. I look around confused. I remember my head spinning like crazy and then everything went dark. I try to get up, recognising Arthur's room.

-Easy, you're still not strong enough to get up, Gaius said to be careful. That in your condition you shouldn't get tired- it's my husband's voice the first thing I hear, a few seconds later it appears in my field of view. Between his hands he has a tray full of food and puts it on my legs before arranging my pillow and asking me how I feel. As an answer I move the head up and down, scrutinising what's on the tray.

-I asked the cook to prepare your favourite dishes and brought them to you so you don't have to get out of bed- explains noticing my obvious confusion. I mention a smile before murmuring a thank you and drink some orange juice. Silence reigns for a few moments.

-Why didn't you tell me, (Y/N)?- Arthur asks while I'm chewing some meat. Judging by the sunlight it must be early afternoon. I feel disoriented and I would like to burst into tears in front of his disappointed look, so I down mine.

-I wasn't sure until the night of the party. When I returned to my room, an illness struck me while talking to Morgana and Gaius came to check my health. He gave me the confirmation and... I was thinking about the right way to tell you, the perfect opportunity. I didn't want to bother you as with the party- I murmur in a low voice, Arthur doesn't answer me right away, in fact he takes his place by my side, on the free side of the bed. Hunger has passed so I move the tray away but he puts it back on my legs.

-I'm sorry, I was insensitive. Ever since we got married, I've done everything to keep you away from me, hiding behind my duties, because I was afraid. I remember my father's suffering when my mother died, she accompanied him for much of my childhood, and even now when someone appoints her, sadness can be seen in his eyes. I didn't want us to bond sentimentally because I'm terrified that what happened to them could happen to us, I was convinced that if I kept you away... we could become friends and nothing more- he confides and when I look up, in the middle of his speech, I meet his gaze full of regret and sadness.

-But with Gwen you don't seem to be so terrified- I comment, playing with a piece of bread next to the meat still almost completely intact. Arthur watches me confused, for a few moments.

-Gwen?- he questions, in fact, before he widens his eyes as if he just understood and bursts out laughing. Is he making fun of me? With red cheeks from humiliation I take the tray off my legs again and get up, but he immediately stops the laughter, gets out of bed and runs to my side to stop me. When I try to push him away he grabs me by the arms and, taking advantage of my momentary weakness, imprisons me against his body.

-Please don't leave. There is nothing between me and Gwen. Believe me- he talks with his face a few centimetres from mine, my breath breaks, I look him in the eyes and I would like to believe him. With all my heart. But I can't.

-Don't make fun of me, Arthur, I see the complicity between you, and I hear how the women of the realm talk about you when they think I'm not listening. It's already quite humiliating like that, I don't need you to lie to me shamelessly- furious comment, I try to squirm again, but Arthur blocks my arms behind my back and, in doing so, our faces come even closer. I hold my breath, feeling my stomach upside down.

-There is nothing between me and Gwen, (Y/N)- he repeats, without taking his eyes off mine. I feel the mattress pressing against the back of my legs but I don't fall on it because Arthur is holding me against his chest. The intense look chained to mine, his fresh scent enters my nostrils, while the sun coming in through the window surrounds him almost as if he were an angel.

-So why are you always with her? You talk, laugh, why do you do with her what I would like you to do with me so much? Why do you let them talk about me in the realm like the unsuspecting stupid and betrayed wife? - I ask, breathless for the discussion but also for the closeness. Arthur breathes deeply before answering.

-I didn't think you listened to the rumours- he just murmur, with a bitter laugh I take advantage of his loosening his grip on me and forcefully push him away so I can leave, but he grabs me from behind, clutching me from the waist. My back against his chest, as he shakes my hands to hold me steady and weaves our fingers over my belly, where right now our baby is forming. He puts his forehead against my neck.

-Believe me, there is nothing between me and Gwen. She feels something for Merlin and I'm helping her conquering him- he murmurs against my skin, his warm breath gives me chills -and she helps me, because it's since you became my wife a month ago that I've been constantly torn between keeping you away to protect you and running to you to hold you in my arms, even if only to breathe your scent, which is so good. When you asked to have your private rooms I was about to deny it, I didn't understand why you wanted to stay away from me. Gwen explained to me that it was my behaviour that hurt you and, despite asking me to talk to you and clarify with you, I didn't listen to her and I was a fool. Please believe me if I tell you that there is nothing between me and her- add slightly tightening the grip around my body. I let myself go slightly against him, leaning my head back against his shoulder. I close my eyes, holding back tears of relief. It's not true that he loves Gwen.

-Can you forgive me? I promise that from now on I will spend all my time winning you back- he whispers moving his face from my neck and starting to leave kisses along my cheek and on my temple. I turn around in his arms and open my eyes to look at him. He is already looking at me, full of hope.

-You will put an end to the rumours that go around about us- I start talking, he nods. -And when we are in public you will never talk to me again like at the party- I add, he nods leaning his forehead against mine, murmuring a series of "I promise you". I place one hand on his chest.

-When I do something for the palace, I always strive to help the people as well. I would never have let them starve while we were feasting- I still talk, he squeezes me from the hips and inhales my scent

-I'm sorry, I was a fool- he murmurs against my ear, then leaves me a little kiss. -Will you go back to share the room with me?- he asks right after, a trembling breath escapes from my mouth.

-Yes, I'll be back to share the room with you. But until the baby is born, you will never leave me alone. I'm terrified- I whisper letting my fingers slip through his hair. He raises his face to look at me again and smiles.

-I will never leave you again, even when the baby is born. I promise- he whispers and waits for me to give him consent before kissing me. For the first time, since the wedding day, our lips meet in a sweet, delicate way, full of feeling, instead of hasty, during a relationship that once concluded will take us even further away. Arthur squeezes me against him, moaning in my mouth, and smiling in the kiss.

-But now eat, we don't want what happened last night to happen again, don't we?- he asks when he gets away from me and helps me get back to bed. I see him walking towards the door and I frown.

-Where are you going?- I ask when he is on the threshold, he turns to me without stopping smiling

-I’ll order to prepare your things to come back here. Then I will come to you and help you eat, you're still weak. And I will warn my father that for the rest of the day I will be here to take care of my wife and our future baby- his words warm my heart, and my stomach fills with warmth especially because he really does. He orders the servants to prepare my things, talks to his father and then comes back to me, letting me lean against his chest and feeding me slowly, until I eat everything he had brought. Since then the rumours circulating in court have ceased, and Arthur and I make up for lost time by being together every moment when he is not committed to his duties. Finally everything is fine.

[the-pen-pot]

Tier Spotlight: Artificer - $5/month (7 day free trial available!)

What's included: Access to drafts of many of my current WiP longer stories are available in this tier, including the next five chapters of Hiraeth (Merlin) before they go up on AO3.

There are also drafts of several other in-progress Merthur WiPs that haven't been posted elsewhere yet, as well as Sherlock and the Hobbit.

Additionally, you get to vote in polls to help me choose what to focus on writing in a particular month!

Note: All the first chapters of these drafts are available to read for non-patrons as well.

🌟See below the "keep reading" for WiP info and summaries!🌟

Merlin

King & Court (22 draft chapters available)

Summary: Loneliness is an insidious thing. When Merlin looks at Arthur, he sees not just a prince waiting for his time to rule, but a young man struggling to find his place in the world, with little help from anyone else.

The truth is, Arthur needs more than the friendship Merlin can offer. He needs people he can trust: men and women who will become his court and his confidants, and if he is going to survive to take the throne and lead Camelot into its golden age, he needs them sooner rather than later.

Finding loopholes in Uther’s laws is no easy feat. Court life is a dangerous game, but it’s one Merlin has every intention of winning so that Arthur can have knights of his choosing by his side.

And then there is the matter of his magic…

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Love Is Never Lost (12 draft chapters available

Summary: Uther Pendragon has never approved of Arthur’s friendship with Merlin. There had been disappointed sighs and whispered warnings, but Arthur had never thought it would come to this: scars on Merlin’s back and a manservant made hollow and thin by cruelty.

Yet Uther’s efforts to drive a wedge between them instead bring Merlin’s greatest secret to light, and once the wound of secrecy has been purged, their healing brings them closer together than ever before.

Much to Uther Pendragon’s horror.

When Merlin disappears, Arthur is left questioning the true honour of the crown and the value of a kingdom forever stained by his father’s tyranny. Will he answer the call of duty, or will he sacrifice everything to chase the cries of his heart?

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Sigh No More (5 draft chapters available)

Summary: Prince Arthur Pendragon, Captain of the Llamrei, would far rather spend his days patrolling Camelot's Waters than assume his place on the throne. Yet when he finds the wreckage of a vast ship and one lone survivor on board, nothing can prepare him for the path his life will lead.

Nor the demands his heart will make.

(Feral world-building Camelot with sailing ships AU)

The Hobbit

Quarantine (11 draft chapters available)

Erebor is saved from the dragon and beginning to rebuild, but Thorin, newly healed from the injuries of the battle, suddenly takes ill.

The sickness is a dwarf's worst fear: highly contagious and always fatal. Thorin locks himself away to die a slow death, alone. Of he would, if not for the persistence of a certain hobbit. Bilbo breaks into the royal chambers, effectively locking himself away with Thorin.

Except as the disease progresses, he begins to think it looks rather familiar. In fact, it's a common childhood illness, one hobbits have been able to cure for years.

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Where The Heart Is (11 draft chapters available)

'There was an attack. Raiders. There was no warning of their coming.'  Gandalf sighed: the broken sound of someone who has failed in  their duty of care.  'They took everything they could carry, and  burned everything they could not. Many of the fallen were impossible to  recognise.' Gandalf leant on his staff, and the wizard looked more tired than Thorin had ever seen him. He swallowed, and Thorin wanted to  put his hands over his ears, because he knew, sick and certain, why there had been no more letters from Bag End.

'Bilbo is not among those who live.'

(Bilbo's presumed dead, but has actually been taken by raiders. Thorin must rebuild his kingdom with a broken heart, while Bilbo fights his way across the wild north, broken and bleeding, to make his way back to the mountain that has become his home. With bonus hobbits re-homing in Erebor.)

Sherlock

Guard of Diocletian (14 drafts chapters available)

'What's his Shift?' John asked, frowning to himself. Sherlock had not mentioned anything about another form. That in itself was not unusual. A lot of people were rather private about their alternative shapes. It was frowned upon to ask someone outright what creature they were when changed, but Mike was like him, baseline, and if he was going to live with this man then he needed to know what he could wake up to find one morning. Shedding on the furniture was one thing, but he had no real desire to find a strange, threatening animal in the living room one day.

'He isn’t one, is he?' Mike's eyebrows were up, his honest face truly puzzled. 'I've never seen him change, and he's been coming here for years. I mean, I suppose he could be, but...' Mike trailed off with a shrug. 'I think he's like us.'

John pursed his lips, tapping his cane on the floor as he shook his head. 'No, Mike, he is nothing like us.'

L'Appel Du Vide (Six Draft Chapters Available)

Hunters were a rarity. In fact, there was really only one family that  knew what they were doing and became a name to fear, but the last Van  Helsing had died in 1886. Well, the last male Van Helsing,  anyway. Still, that did not mean their unique genetic gifts had not been  passed down the female line, holding steady and sure even as the name  faded into memory. 'If I confirm your suspicion, what will you do?' 'You don't need to confirm it. I saw!' 'And yet you did nothing to stop me.'

Sherlock is a vampire, John is a Van Helsing. What could possibly go wrong?

[crowned-clown-rising]

Today, as I am 23 years old in 2022, I will be watching for the first time the show Merlin. I was there watching your fandom from the skirts when I was a teenager, and I promised myself that I wouldn't fall to this. Superwholock had enough power over me as it was.

But the BBC queerbait, Katie McGrath and my irrevocable random hyperfixation habits have gotten the best of me, so I will be sharing my thoughts on this show as I watch.

Part 2 | Part 3

• First of all, why does the script look like a fanfic. Guys you can literally just write what it's happening onscreen and publish it on ao3, it would fit.

• Wow okay Morgana and Gwen very nice very caring very loving pair of lesbians

• It's episode FOUR and Merlin and Arthur have already risked their lives for each other multiple times. Episode four and we have Arthur going against his father, the king, the one authority that rules over his existance, to adventure into a suicide mission for his disastrous servant.

• Don't worry, Gwen. I'm sure Merlin constantly calling out to Arthur in his sleep is completely platonic. Oops and that's not him doing magic while unconscious to save him, either.

• Morgana. You, me, a wedding. Think about it.

• Lancelot just pulled the entirety of the court, didn't he? Arthur specially, that man was left 3 times more devastated than anyone else

I am gonna say this now: I know how the show ends. You all better do your job as veterans and share your fanfic recs with alternative endings with me because it hurts already.

• "I am your friend" "No, Merlin, you are my servant" I gasped. And omg is he breaking through the spell like that??

• I know Morgana's future, but if she is done dirty I will kill everyone in this room and then myself.

• Merlin looks so proud during Arthur's prince coronation this is so cute. Gwen bless your heart for noticing.

• "How does it feel being the crowned prince servant?" Girl just wait for it you have a big surprise in your way.

• Uther is not being antagonised enough. His motives are still too reasonable and I don't have time for morals I want a plain bad guy to hate in peace.

• The Camelot team free will following Merlin to his hometown in a suicide mission makes me soft. This episode is serving. There is so much to unpack here. Merlin's mother talking about Arthur I'm sobbing. Arthur asking about Merlin's life in the night conversation 🥺

• OmG Arthur shared his armour and HE JUST TIGHTENED THE FOREARM ARMOUR PIECE FROM MERLIN THIS IS TOO MUCH PRIDE AND PREJUDICE'S HAND FLEX COULD NEVER

• Not to sound like a broken record but Yess Morgana go queen slayy!!

• Merlin: I can't stand by and not save Uther, that's murder!

also Merlin: *runs away and kills several people*

• No you don't understand. Morgana and Gwen are not girlfriends, they are married. I was there, I officiated the wedding. They are in love your honor.

• Can we please as a society stop killing hot evil women? she wasn't even that evil Merlin you didn't have to ka-chau her like that.

• The merthur in the second season has been turned down so much I do not agree with this narrative. This is rude.

• Gwen and Arthur are a little cute, it starts to feel a little rushed right now, but okay. My concern is that it kinda feels like a "oh, look here a shiny m/f pairing! what do you mean m/m? I've never heard of that."

Okay this post is getting too long so I am going to make one for each season and link them... as soon as I learn how to.