Merlin Recs

I wasn't going to post recs until I was public again, but I just hate sitting on recs! So I'll be business as usual, and when I open my flist up - I'll link back to stuff people might have missed.

Prime Numbers by nympha_alba Bradley/Colin [PG-13] (3.5k)
Summary: Up there on stage, Colin is a stranger, and Bradley can't make himself leave. Not until Colin is familiar again.

To me, B/C is a hard sell at the moment – but this does an amazing job of making it feel real. The author references Colin’s role in OPL and lets us see that through Bradley’s eyes. It’s something very realistic without meta. (not sure if that makes any sense) It was romantic but subtle and I love that. I love that they are still quirky, awkward boys but underneath the lack of spoken words their genuine emotion shines through.

World Enough and Time by neathsunnyskies Formerly: The Assassin AU on KMM Merlin/Arthur [NC-17] (19k)
Summary: Arthur had had it all figured out. And then Merlin shot him in Beijing.

This is going to be rambling... Last year, I tried to write an international!spy type of fic in HP fandom. It didn’t turn out quite like I wanted but this fic? This is the fic I wanted my fic to smell like. *seethes in jealousy* I love the way the reader is drenched in each location. Not OTT details that scream ‘I researched!!!’ but just peppered with sentences the make you feel, smell, taste the exoticness of the city until you are pulled along to the next. Also (surprisingly) I love the Merlin and Arthur we are given here. While they are not exactly ‘in character’ – as Merlin and Arthur will always be at the end of the day be honourable and it would be impossible for them to be assassins (imo) – they are complex and three dimensional and likable. They made me feel for them and want to understand them. They are also hot like burning together. The whole James Bond feel of ‘I could fuck you, or shoot you – I haven’t decided yet. Possibly both.’ just hits all my buttons. And the ending – yeah – HEARTS IN MY EYES so damn perfect. I don’t think a lesser author could have pulled this off. Amazing bit of writing. *seethes with more jealousy*