This fic will forever more be known in my head as the fic that made me de-lurk from the Merlin fandom. I've no real idea whats quite tipped the balance given i've read hundreds of amazing fics now by so many writers, but given so many of those amazing fics were found through your brilliant rec lists, I guess its kinda appropriate that I de-lurked on your journal.
what I do know is that, for a fic i so nearly didn't read when it was still anon on Ao3 (and i can't for the life of me remember why i wasn't going to read it, i think the merlin/merlin + bestality may have just sounded a little wierd, even for my tastes, especially when you don't know who the writer is and whether it will be handled with any skill and taste, or whether it will just be crack), i was so so so very glad i did read it. Because its beautiful. Hot, angsty, romantic, kinky, fun, and heart wrenching. I so loved following merlins' (and excuse my nerdy editer/writer head, but it is a little odd that that is the correct place for that appostrophy!) journey. The brokenness of older Merlin, yet his determination to make things right. The innocence and curiosity of younger merlin and the vulnerability of Arthur. Theres a part of me that hates older Arthur for not giving his Merlin a second chance and understanding Merlin's reaction, but it is so in character for Arthur and least we know its a mistake that will not be repeated.
But mostly, I love how you just get the kink; how it's not about power but instead love and tenderness and giving and trust and protecting that vulnerability in the other person whilst giving the strenght and space that they need to give in. its so rare to find fic that really gets that and expresses it as well as this does.
If there is ever a fic begging for a sequel/expansion of that final scene it's this one! And not for the hot sex (which it undoubtably would be!), but because of how beautifully and tender I know you would write that connection between the two of them, just the sort of connection i've been craving post-final; Authur with his kingly persona finally down, no secrets between them and the pair of them just truely open and loving and trusting each other.
*cough* so yes, apparently when i de-lurk, i do so with an essay! But thank you for this lovely piece of writing
no subject
what I do know is that, for a fic i so nearly didn't read when it was still anon on Ao3 (and i can't for the life of me remember why i wasn't going to read it, i think the merlin/merlin + bestality may have just sounded a little wierd, even for my tastes, especially when you don't know who the writer is and whether it will be handled with any skill and taste, or whether it will just be crack), i was so so so very glad i did read it. Because its beautiful. Hot, angsty, romantic, kinky, fun, and heart wrenching. I so loved following merlins' (and excuse my nerdy editer/writer head, but it is a little odd that that is the correct place for that appostrophy!) journey. The brokenness of older Merlin, yet his determination to make things right. The innocence and curiosity of younger merlin and the vulnerability of Arthur. Theres a part of me that hates older Arthur for not giving his Merlin a second chance and understanding Merlin's reaction, but it is so in character for Arthur and least we know its a mistake that will not be repeated.
But mostly, I love how you just get the kink; how it's not about power but instead love and tenderness and giving and trust and protecting that vulnerability in the other person whilst giving the strenght and space that they need to give in. its so rare to find fic that really gets that and expresses it as well as this does.
If there is ever a fic begging for a sequel/expansion of that final scene it's this one! And not for the hot sex (which it undoubtably would be!), but because of how beautifully and tender I know you would write that connection between the two of them, just the sort of connection i've been craving post-final; Authur with his kingly persona finally down, no secrets between them and the pair of them just truely open and loving and trusting each other.
*cough* so yes, apparently when i de-lurk, i do so with an essay! But thank you for this lovely piece of writing
xx