#mer/lin

[groundcontrol21]

Sicktember #24

Prompt #24: “I Need You to Pull Over!”

Fandom: Merlin

Title: Stop and Go

Summary: On the road back to Camelot, Arthur gets sick. 

Notes/CW: Obviously since we are in the canon time of horses, it is the horse version of pulling over. CW: emeto. I tried my absolute best to keep all description to a minimum (bc I don’t like it either lol) so it’s generic sickfic levels of stuff, but still, that is the nature of the illness. 

Merlin sighed in contentment when he glimpsed the outline of the Camelot castle in the distance between the breaks in trees. After sleeping out in the forest for a few nights with Arthur, it was now only a small matter of time before he could return the prince to his room and be free of him for a few hours while he cleaned his armor. Arthur was in a particularly silent and sullen mood that day, and there was only so many times Merlin would ask him if everything was alright before moving on for both their sanities. 

Still, Merlin was not rid of the prince yet, and the woods were quite boring and quiet without any conversation, so he asked, “Have I told you about the girl in Ealdor who tied chickens together by their legs at night?”

“Yes.” 

“Are you lying because you think it will make me shut up and get you out of hearing this story?”

“It’s possible,” Arthur said, sounding distracted. 

Merlin clucked his tongue. “You shouldn’t do that, sire. It’s not honest, and besides, this is a good one. You’ll love it.”

“Oh, will I?”

Merlin could hear the eye-roll in Arthur’s voice, and he grinned. “Now, this girl, Morwenna, lived on a little farm on the outskirts of town and her parents had their own chicken coop. That’s where the chicken tying started, which, if you ask me, was a stroke of utter genius if she wanted to pass the blame, since you never expect a criminal to be that bold as to cause trouble in their own home right from the start. Or maybe she was just bored one day and decided to start there. Anyway, that’s how it started, on a day in midsummer, before it started to spread…”

Merlin spoke and spoke, and was so engrossed in his memories and in the very telling of this tale that he almost didn’t notice the whinny from behind him. “See,” he said, “even your horse finds it funny. Not surprising she has better taste than you.”

The only response Merlin got was another snort from the horse and the abrupt cessation of her hooves. “Arthur?” he called, looking over his shoulder. 

Merlin had turned just in time to see Arthur launch himself from his saddle and go stumbling into the brush, grasping at his stomach as though it might fall out through his chain mail. He tripped or fell or collapsed forward, but whatever the movement’s intentionality, the end result was that the branches and leaves of the shrubbery entirely obscured him. 

“Arthur!”

Merlin jumped from his horse with equivalent urgency, running to where Arthur had disappeared, ignoring the pounding of his heart as he batted aside branch after branch until at last he saw Arthur on his hands and knees. From the shakiness of Arthur’s limbs, the pallor of his skin, and the convulsiveness of his swallows, Merlin could tell the problem at once. 

He went to the prince and laid a hand across the nape of his neck, aiming to massage a bit to soothe the tight muscles there, but quickly transferred his hand to Arthur’s forehead with a prick of alarm. 

Arthur waved his hand in what was perhaps a weak and pathetic attempt to swat away his hand. “‘m fine,” he mumbled. “Leave off.”

Merlin shook his head. “You have a fever. Why didn’t you tell me you were sick?”

For the moment, Arthur must have been feeling better, for he sat back on his haunches and glared at Merlin with glassy eyes. “I’m not sick, it's just… Must be that rabbit you cooked for breakfast.”

“My rabbit?” Merlin said, offended. “That was exquisite. One of the best meals I have ever cooked, dare I say.”

Arthur gave a humorless chuckle. “The state of the bushes says otherwise.”

“If there was something wrong with it, I would be ill too,” Merlin said sensibly. “Are you finished?” 

When Arthur nodded, Merlin hauled him up to his feet, all too aware of the way the man swayed on the way up. “Come, let’s get back to Camelot.”

Arthur leaned against Merlin, letting the servant take his weight as though he had been injured, which did nothing at all to soothe Merlin’s worry. Lest the prince topple over and give himself a concussion on top of his present woes, Merlin propped Arthur against his horse while Merlin set to readying his own mount to carry two. 

But Arthur was not so far-gone as to lose his knightly perception. He narrowed his eyes at Merlin.  “What are you doing?”

“You’re riding with me,” Merlin said in a tone that brooked no argument. Of course, the princely prat opened his mouth to do just that, but Merlin cut him off. “Arthur, you’re swaying. There is no way I am letting you ride alone. Gaius would have my head if you got trampled.”

As was expected, Arthur put on a show of huffing and eye rolling, but he submitted nonetheless to riding with Merlin and seemed, from the way he relaxed against Merlin’s chest as they began the ride, grateful for the development. It spurred a blossom of tenderness in Merlin’s heart to have Arthur lean against him like this, and he blushed, instantly glad both that Arthur’s eyes were closed such that he could not see his servant’s cheeks color, and that Arthur had no powers with which to read minds. 

However, they hadn’t been riding long at all when Arthur’s face grew stark white and he reached back to grab a fistful of Merlin’s sleeve. “Merlin,” he said urgently. “I need you to stop.”

“What?”

But Arthur listed to the side with a heave, and it was all Merlin could do to keep him from falling out of the saddle. “Alright, alright, Arthur,” he cried, his arm twitching from supporting his weight as he pulled the horse to a stop. “Hold on!”

They had scarcely stopped moving before Arthur slid from the horse and directly down to his hands and knees, abandoning all pretext of the bushes this time. Merlin rubbed at his shoulders while they spasmed as he was sick, and thought that Camelot had never been so close and yet so far away. 

[snezi]

My Works - a (tiny) master list

Wi/tc/her fics:

Caught (Sick) in the Woods ~ sick!Jaskier. Geralt and Jaskier are traveling in the rain, Jaskier gets sick and Geralt only panics a little bit

I Care for You ~ sick!Jaskier. Jaskier collapses as they’re walking, Geralt rushes him to an inn. Love confessions ensue <3

Sick!Geralt ficlet ~ Tiny ficlet about sick!Geralt, based off a prompt

Sick!Jaskier fic ~ Geralt could smell the illness in Jaskier, but that didn’t stop it from progressing… based off a prompt

St/ar Tr/ek:

Secret Santa ~ Academy-era McKirk fic with sick!Bones and worried!Jim

Star Trek WIP ~ Sick!Jim, will be a McKirk fic (updated with part 2!)

[lastlennonista]

Shout out to all my beautiful bisexuals! Even the ones who are coded as bi but haven’t had their explicit made for tv moment. I salute you!

[merlinemrys]

sorry but, out of everyone, merlin having the only remaining parent is honestly a flex on his part. ESPECIALLY a mother and especially HUNITH

[sqewed0722]

In one of their promotional interviews for TLOS, both Zhao Liying and Lin Gengxin were asked what kind of collaboration they would want to work on next. They both agreed that it should be different and not another historical drama. Either it would be set in modern times or at least during the Republican era of China.

It made me think they could do something along the lines of two of my favorite films “Le Silence dela Mer” or “Lust, Caution”. However, these films are very deep, tragic and heartbreaking. They’re very heavy emotionally so I’m not sure if their fans would even want LGX and ZLY to go there. Personally, I think they could pull off a similarly-themed drama or even film fantastically. And I’m sure it will be unforgettable, regardless if it will bring about another trauma similar to “Princess Agents”.

[men-in-knights]

Masterpiece~

[curestardust]

The Lost Holy Grail & Holy Grail's Guidance - Stage Girls

✰4✰ Arthur Aijo Karen ✰4✰ Lancelot Tsuyuzaki Mahiru ✰4✰ Gawain Kagura Hikari ✰4✰ Merlin Daiba Nana ✰4✰ Tristan Tendo Maya ✰4✰ Galahad Isurugi Futaba ✰4✰ Percival Saijo Claudine ✰4✰ Mordred Hanayagi Kaoruko ✰4✰ Viviane Hoshimi Junna

[sugarlookatthisdog]

@sugarcarnation

[casually-eat-my-soul]

I know how the Merlin fandom makes jokes about George, like how Merlin doesn’t like him, and he doesn’t like Merlin, especially how they dressed him to look like Merlin but picture this:

George dressed like that because because he actually likes Merlin. He thinks Merlin is an Icon. He saw Merlin talk shit about Arthur and was like “I’m going to worship this man until I die”

I just think it would be funny in fics if he and Merlin were friends. George straight up lying to Arthur, covering for Merlin when he need to do magic things.

Arthur: “MER LIN — George have you seen my manservant anywhere”

*cue explosion in the background”

George, who help Merlin sneak out: who is Merlin, never heard of a Merlin

I just think it would be funny

[reecewykes]

Wainscoting in Le Havre An illustration of a medium-sized guest bedroom in the beach style, featuring a beige floor, wainscoting, and white walls without a fireplace.

[moronkombat]

Can I request bi-han,tomas and kuai Liang with a pregnant s/o? PLEASEEE 🙏

yes yes yes yes YES YES YES YOU CAN I LOVE WRITING THIS STUFF YES YOU CAN ALWAYS REQUEST THIS

Kuai Liang:

He is so soft and gentle with you. While he has always been affectionate he is more forward with it

This often looks like him embracing you in a manner that seems just so delicate and careful. Normally when he wraps his arms around you it is with strength and conviction but this time it much more gentle

When you are ailing, he stays right by your side. His duties as head of the Shirai Ryu go second. He has Tomas take charge then while he dedicates his time to you

Often times, Kuai Liang wishes to lay in bed with you, his head near the life that grows within you and then he sings and hums soft lullabies

When his partner begins to show, his hands are constantly laid atop your abdomen. The first kick he feels has his eyes welling with tears and he thanks you. For what you aren't exactly sure but you're not about to ask him when there is such a look of tranquility about him

Overall he is calm and very collected throughout it all. Your emotions rule you while his are there to help you. He loves you and he loves your baby. It's almost as if he's waited his entire life to have a moment like this

If you baby is a boy, he names the child after his father. You do not protest this as you know how important that is for him

Tomas:

Tomas is excited, over the moon with joy and elation. He picks up you, twirls you around. He's wanted this for so long. A family, his family, he's going to have a family

He is very catering to your needs and will do whatever he cans to help his partner through his experience.

He still very aware of his duties to the Shirai Ryu and takes them very seriously but there's this understanding between him and Kuai Liang so his responsibilities conveniently seem to lessen when his partner is pregnant

Tomas' favorite thing to do is lay his head so very gently against your stomach and just close his eyes and imagine the future of his little family

When he sleeps next to you, his hand is always draped across your abdomen, never once does it waver

Before the two of you fall asleep, he talks to you about all he wants to do with you and the baby once they are born. He's so starry eyed about it and he talks about it until he ends up falling asleep

He would name the baby after his either his sister, mother or father

Bi-Han

Nervous. Scared, shaken and petrified. He has not the first idea of what it means to be a father. His own relationship with his father was so strained, will it be that way for him to?

He doesn't want it to be but his thoughts are consumed with all the what ifs even when your baby is not yet born

Not only is he nervous of becoming a father, he is nervous that something may happen to you. What if something goes wrong? what if you get sick?

Bi-Han is very firm with having you stay well rested and practically not lifting a finger during your pregnancy

Even when stepping up and down the stairs, he needs someone walking with you. What if you trip?

He is involved as much as he can be but Bi-Han does not pull himself away from his duties of being the Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei. If you are pregnant after the split between him and his brothers, he has even less time with you

You keep him up to date with everything though and he appreciates it. He wants to know how all the doctor appointments went and is often seeking second opinions just to ensure you are truly healthy and that your baby is too

During those moments when you and him have that time together, he is usually quiet and reserved. He prefers to sit next to you and hear your voice while he occasionally touches your growing stomach. He thinks then what it would be like to hold your baby. How small would they be? Would they cry? Would they smile? He doesn't know but he wants to

He would name the baby something proud and regal. A strong sounding name that carries weight and merit

[tansyuduri]

Art by @gyrhs for Chapter 5 of We are Bruised but whole Together

Merlin woke with a start and, before even thinking about it, ripped the oxygen tube out from under his nose. He could feel the familiar hospital garments against his skin, as well as the bed behind him propping him up halfway to a sitting position. 

He was in a hospital. Merlin hated hospitals. He had been in them watching people die too many times. Either that or he was trying to find a way to explain how he had survived something that would have killed anyone else. 

Merlin was starting to breathe quickly, looking around frantically, when he noticed Arthur sitting in a chair near the bed, his head tilted back and eyes closed. Everything came back in a rush.

“Arthur.” Merlin's voice was slightly hoarse.

His king opened his eyes. “Merlin!” He jumped out of the chair before seeming to catch himself and moving over to Merlin's side with quick, purposeful strides. “You’re alright! They said—”

“You kissed me.”

Arthur froze and flushed bright red.

“You said you loved me,” Merlin continued softly. 

Arthur hesitated, then, “I mouthed it once, near the lake, before I died. I didn’t know what I meant back then.”

Merlin captured the other man’s eyes with his own. There was a pounding sense of urgency deep in his chest.  “And now?”

Arthur looked back at him. There was love in his eyes, Merlin could see it!  

“Do you really need me to say it?” Arthur asked.

“Yes,” Merlin told him. “Yes.”

Arthur looked down at him, shook his head, and then smiled.  “I love you, you absolute idiot of a sorcerer.”

“Love me how?”  Merlin asked, scarcely daring to breathe.

Arthur gave him an incredulous, slightly outraged look. “How do you think, Mer lin!?”

“I think you love me like I love you,” Merlin answered after a moment, “deeply, romantically, physically, down to your very soul?”

“Well, it seems for once, Merlin, you’re right,” Arthur’s voice was rough with emotion. When he moved closer, Merlin could see the sun in his hair and the relief in his eyes.

Merlin reached out his arms and Arthur fell into them.

Read it Here

[quinnoliver]

It's my day off and I'm rotting

Heath: *asleep*

Wilfred: *admires*

Arthur: you are a lovestruck fool. Right? Mer-

Merlin: *asleep*

Arthur: -lin............*smiles*

[caniruineverything]

you can’t choose what stays and what fades away

an angsty merlin fanfic inspired by dbda 1x04

Summary: Merlin and Arthur are on patrol when they come across a cliff overlooking a lake that wasn’t on any maps. Still, it seems just like a normal lake. So Merlin really isn’t expecting it when Arthur tries to throw himself off the cliff, yelling for his mother.

read below or on ao3

It was supposed to be a normal patrol. But then, Merlin really shouldn’t have been surprised when things went wrong. Troubles seemed to follow him and Arthur around.

Everything was fine for the first few days. Uther had gotten wind that Cenred’s forces were advancing from the east, and had sent Arthur and his men out to investigate. Which of course meant that Merlin had to go too.

The patrol had actually been relatively peaceful, which Merlin greatly appreciated. Arthur happened to be in good spirits, which meant more playful teasing and less unreasonable demands. Merlin also had to admit that seeing Arthur laughing around with his knights made Merlin happy too.

The calm that had defined the first two days was sadly not present on the third. When Merlin woke up, he was startled by the quiet. He had awoken before the knights, so the air was free of the noises of armor clinking and overlapping voices. But more than that, there were no crickets or birds chirping, no rustle in the undergrowth from squirrels or chipmunks.

As the sound of the knights waking up reached his ears, Merlin tried to push away his unease. By the time they had saddled up, he had managed to push that unnerved feeling to the back of his mind. It was all but forgotten as they rode. Arthur still joked around, but Merlin knew him well enough to know that he was slightly less relaxed than he had been in the previous days.

It seemed as though everyone had caught onto the silence Merlin had noticed. All the knights were a bit more reserved, and noticeably more on edge, constantly casting wary looks at the dense forest on either side of them.

The party rode until midday, when Arthur held up a hand to signal to the riders to stop their horses. Merlin wasn’t sure what had prompted Arthur to stop, but he obeyed nonetheless.

Quietly, but not silently, Arthur directed the knights to split off in pairs to survey the area. As he finished, he turned to Merlin, who could see that Arthur had slipped out of his lighter mood, now becoming more serious.

“Merlin, with me. Knights, fan out. Report back here when you’re done.” With that final command, he turned around, starting into the forest. Merlin trailed after him, cautious but still confused.

“Arthur, why have we stopped here? No one else sensed anything,” he reasoned. Arthur turned back to him, brows furrowed. He opened his mouth to speak, but paused. He turned back around again before replying.

“Mer-lin, I am the prince. I hardly need to explain myself to you simply because you have the instincts of a deaf mole-rat.” Merlin scoffed quietly, affronted by Arthur’s insult. Yet Arthur’s tone seemed off, less annoyed and more stressed.

“Alright, fine. I just figured I should know what we’re walking into.” Arthur didn’t answer, just continued pushing through the overgrown trees and bushes. He almost seemed to be following an invisible map, though Merlin was sure Arthur had never been here before.

Soon enough, they came across a cliff overlooking a large lake, so big Merlin couldn’t see where it ended, even from up so high. It seemed impossible, as a body of water this big would surely have been on the map of the region they had studied before embarking. Yet the map had showed no water anywhere near where they were headed.

Had they just gotten that badly lost? Merlin wouldn’t say it out loud, but he considered Arthur a pretty good navigator. So was it magic? If so, Merlin wasn’t sure it was malicious. By all accounts, the lake seemed normal.

“Arthur, why are we just standing here looking at this lake?” Merlin asked, genuinely at a loss for why Arthur was still just staring at the water, not moving. Arthur didn’t seem to hear Merlin’s voice, despite how quiet the forest was, so Merlin nudged him gently, tensing in preparation for the retaliation that was sure to come.

But it didn’t. Arthur simply jumped slightly, as if Merlin had snuck up behind him instead of having been by his side the whole time.

“Merlin?” He said it as a question, before apparently catching himself and speaking more decisively. “You dare question your prince?” Now, Merlin was used to Arthur brushing off his questions, but he usually gave Merlin some information, especially if he suspected a threat.

“Fine, clotpole,” he muttered, “be that way. What bug crawled up your a-”

“Mer-lin!” was all Arthur said. Merlin shut up. Arthur still hadn’t moved, still standing on the cliff’s edge and staring at the water. Merlin was slightly unnerved now, so he moved closer to Arthur.

“There’s nothing here, Arthur. Shouldn’t we head back to the horses?” To Merlin’s surprise, Arthur nodded slowly. Then he turned away from the ledge, and Merlin let out a breath, releasing tension he hadn’t noticed was there.

The pair had only walked a few feet, however, before Arthur stopped suddenly. Merlin looked at him with a mix of annoyance and apprehension. Arthur’s lips parted and whispered softly enough that Merlin likely wouldn’t have heard if he had been any further away.

“Mom?”

And then he was moving, before Merlin would even blink. Arthur’s pace was slow at first, allowing Merlin to process what was happening. As if in a trance, Arthur walked slowly over to the edge of the cliff. Merlin trailed behind him, unsure as to what was going on.

When Arthur didn’t stop walking, still moving towards the ledge, Merlin knew something was wrong.

“Arthur! What are you doing?” No reply, just the sound of Arthur’s chainmail shifting against itself. Merlin ran up behind Arthur, grabbing him gently. “Come on, snap out of it!” At this, Arthur slowly turned to Merlin, eyes slightly clouded.

“But she wants me to come,” he said softly, a heartbreaking confusion lacing every word.

“Who? There’s no one here.”

“My. . . mother. She’s here.” Merlin’s heart sank.

“Arthur, your mother isn’t here. She’s. . . gone. I’m sorry.” Arthur looked somehow more confused, but as Merlin carefully watched his friend’s face, Arthur’s expression hardened, becoming determined. He began to move closer to the edge, faster this time. Heart pounding, Merlin grabbed Arthur’s shoulder, trying to stop him.

“Unhand me, Merlin!” Arthur roared, the shock of such a loud noise nearly causing Merlin to do exactly as Arthur had ordered. He caught himself and grabbed Arthur more firmly. Arthur struggled hard, wrenching himself out of Merlin’s grasp.

“Arthur, no!” Merlin shouted, desperate. He lunged forward and grabbed Arthur around the waist, stopping him from moving any closer to the ledge. Arthur struggled wildly, thrashing about, and Merlin could feel his grip slipping. He knew that if Arthur jumped, he wouldn’t be able to stop himself.

Arthur was his other half, in every sense; if he were gone, half of Merlin would go with him. Merlin was prepared to give him everything. The world would go dark without the golden prince, and he knew the coldness of that loss would be unbearable.

“Arthur, stop! I’m trying to help you!”

“But she’s right there, she needs me!” Merlin looked around, once again seeing no one.

“Who, Arthur?”

“My mother,” he answered again, “She’s calling for me; she’s right there!” The desperation and hope in Arthur’s voice made Merlin’s heart clench painfully.

“Arthur, your mother isn’t here. Whatever you’re hearing, it isn’t real. Listen to me, please.” Merlin hated how close to pleading he was, and the audible desperation in his voice would have made him cringe in any other circumstance.

“No, no, she’s right there! Can’t you hear her? She’s calling for me. I need to go, let me go!” Arthur pulled against Merlin’s grip harder, nearly breaking free.

“I can’t hear anything, Arthur. Your mother isn’t here. Please stop struggling!” Merlin was genuinely pleading now, to hell with appearances. Arthur’s face took on that sad, confused look again.

“But she’s calling for me. She’s my mo- my- I have to- Mom!” Merlin’s heart cracked more with every break in Arthur’s voice. Arthur stopped struggling, slipping out of Merlin’s shaking hands and onto the stony ground.

Merlin could feel Arthur’s shoulders shaking with silent sobs as the sound of Arthur desperately crying for his mother rang in his ears, even away from the palace trying to avoid being seen as weak. He crouched down, wrapping an arm around Arthur’s shoulders and pulling him closer. Arthur shifted, burying his face in Merlin’s shoulder, still choking out small cries for Ygraine.

They sat there in silence for a while, before Arthur composed himself a bit. He cleared his throat, pulling away from Merlin.

“Merlin, I, um. . .” he trailed off, clearly embarrassed. “Thank you. I don’t know what came over me.” He averted his eyes, avoiding looking at Merlin or the ledge.

“Arthur, it’s not your fault. It was magic, you couldn’t have stopped it.” Merlin hoped Arthur would listen. The prince had a tendency to blame himself when things went wrong, despite the fact that he always did everything he could to help.

“I suppose,” Arthur conceded, too drained to argue.

“Great. Come on, then, your men are probably waiting.” Merlin grabbed one of Arthur’s arms, gently pulling him up so he was standing. Arthur still looked pained, and a bit confused. “Arthur, I know you really wanted it to be your mother. I’m sorry it wasn’t.”

Arthur nodded at him, the gesture almost imperceptible, but Merlin knew every single one of Arthur’s mannerisms. This was a nod of acknowledgement and gratitude, and Merlin smiled warmly back at him.

“Now, come on, clotpole. The knights are waiting!” Arthur narrowed his eyes at Merlin before grinning conspiratorially.

“Oh, eager to set up camp and cook dinner, huh? Maybe you really do know how to be a manservant after all, Merlin.” He turned and began walking back into the forest, leaving Merlin scoffing behind him.

“Oh- you- Arthur!” Merlin sprinted to catch up, but not before taking another glance at the lake. Later, after he had indeed set up all the tents and cooked dinner for all the knights, he could have sworn he’d seen something glowing deep down in those dark waters.

[agvarina]

They do end up running into a few Lin Kuei but Kuai Liang recognizes Takeda as the swordfish Hanzo raised and immediately comes to their defense. Also Frost mer perhaps?

Its how they met.

Their group swam into two members of The Lin kuei school and Hanzo Toke a deffencive position to shield The others from a possible attack, but he also had to wrestle with his instict to try and court The gorgeous Seal in front of him.

Kuai needed to focuse on trying to calm The sintuation and keep his daughter from lunging at The group, trying not to get distracted by The Handsome strong squid.

[onceandfuturemoron]

Arthur: *dreaming of leaving Camelot and "of course I'd take merlin with me" but not mentioning the woman he's on a date with

Gwen:

Arthur: *forgets their anniversary but notices merlin hasn't smiled in three days

Gwen:

Arthur: *clearly jealous when he thinks merlin's seeing someone

Gwen:

Arthur: Oh Guinevere you're my true love

Gwen: dude you're gay and you're in love with Merlin.

Arthur: mer-lin? What makes you say that?

All of the Albion: *face palm*