Merlin Recs

[marguerite_26]

[ART]
Blind Submission by amphigoury Arthur/Percival [WS]

First Light by reni_m Arthur, Merlin [WS]

[VID]
U + Me > by shan_3414 Gwaine, Merlin [WS]

[FIC]
Wait by eldee Arthur/Merlin [NC-17] (10k)
Warnings/Contents: established bedroom D/s relationship (dom Arthur, sub Merlin), bondage and sex toys but no painplay.
Summary: It’s been a couple of weeks since Merlin and Arthur have had the chance to get together for a night of play.

This was so much of everything I love about D/s play. Dom!Arthur with his quiet authority, and sub!Merlin with his struggles to give over control warring with his desire to please... yeah. This was delicious. They are established, but still new enough to each other and their roles that it’s practiced but still fresh, Merlin knows what’s expected but it’s still an effort to comply at times. I loved the choices the author made in both the play and the characterisation. Hit all my buttons just right.

Painting By Numbers by junkshop_disco Gwaine/Merlin [NC-17] (18k)
Summary: Since he fell out with a Painting By Numbers kit at eight, Gwaine has been incapable of painting within other people’s lines. Luckily he’s about to meet Merlin, an art student, who’s equally keen on making a splodgy mess of life.

I read this fic like this --> ♥_♥ the whole time. It’s incredibly romantic with nice touch of humour and yummy sex. Incredibly heart warming for a cold winter’s day.

The Hunt by novemberlite Arthur/Merlin [NC-17] (12k)
Warnings: knotting, rimming, rough sex
Summary: “Those Pendragons, they’re a different sort. Beastly, but clever. It’s said they’re drawn to magic--to power--and that’s how they find their... mate.”

I adore canon AU and this one is fascinating. I’ve never read knotting in Merlin fandom before but.. yeah. It’s totally going on my kink list. That said, the actual knotting is fairly short so certainly skimmable if it’s not your thing. But the plot is nicely done and something I haven’t read before and the sex (rough and feral) was everything I could ask for.

A Heavy Heart to Carry by xthursdaynextx Arthur/Merlin [R] (12k)
Summary: When Merlin is captured and injured, Arthur must face up to his own feelings for his manservant as well as the many secrets he discovers are being kept from him.

When I first got into fandom, Arthur taking care of injured Merlin and ~discovering his worth is the first type of fic I sought out. Funny thing? A bazillion fics later – I still cannot get enough of this trope. This was a lovely read that satisfies that spot that canon always pokes at and leave me wanting – that part of me that screams: “Arthur, look at what is right in front of you and TRULY appreciate it and see Merlin for who he is.” Loved it, lovely h/c.

Reminder: List of Merlin Holidays Recs. If you are reccing for the fest, send me a link.