marguerite_26 | merlin recs - paper legends (Reply)

roamercorridors Merlin/Arthur [NC-17] (35k)
Warnings: Infidelity, angst, dub-con, some slight non-con, sex magic, addiction, lots and lots of sex.
Summary: Modern AU with magic. Sex or die curse. They've had this arrangement for years now and it works. For Arthur, it's a duty, one he used to enjoy but doesn't anymore, and for Merlin, it's just something he has to do, like eating reasonably healthy food and getting enough sleep. The sex is part of their routines, a secret neither of them admits to anyone else, especially not to their partners. But maybe there is someone out there who can help them. And maybe, when faced with losing their connection, Merlin and Arthur start to rekindle a latent flame.

This is one of the hottest fics I’ve read in a long time. It totally worked for me. All of it. Mind the warnings on this fic, they are all very true. Especially the ‘lots and lots of sex’ part. ;) But seriously, this fic is not for everyone as both Merlin and Arthur are cheating on their significant others throughout this fic, though they have little choice about it because if they stop Merlin will die. The concept is treated realistically, with both of them steeped in guilt because of the cheating and all the sex that they have no choice but to have and the guilt only increases because they enjoy it. It’s a wonderful balance of lust and guilt and need. They were happy together before the curse but the curse itself (and the power imbalance in their relationship... essentially Arthur holding Merlin’s life in the balance) drove them apart. The whole fic is achey beautiful as they dance around each other, jealous and full of secrets and a love that never quite left despite the strain of the curse. It’s pretty amazing that essentially 35k of sex managed to remain tense and hot. I couldn’t put it down.

(NWS) art by

xarenna is fabulous!