One Thing I Love About Merlin Is That When Arthur Finds Out About His Magic, One Of His First Thoughts

AND IT’S ONLY THE 4TH EPISODE!

Arthur is literally standing in a jail cell, jailed, because of his love for Merlin. How did Uther not know his son was gay, “why do you care so much? the boy’s just a servant.” MAYBE he did know fuck. ARTHUR GOT ARRESTED BECAUSE OF HIS LOVE FOR MERLIN. LET THAT SINK IN. 

i simply NEED this fic

Idk if i read this in a fic or my delusional sick ass made this up, but can you guys imagine like Merlin with canonical curls and Arthur having a serious thing for them. Like his hair is always too short to see, but then one day Merlin just like was soo incredibly busy that he just forgot about his hair for weeks and then Arthur notices and like

short-circuits.

Bonus points if merlin is kind of insecure about his hair, because lets be real most curly kids are at some point, and we get fluff. Like just cotton flufff. Because turns out people like his hair??? Which makes merlin really happy but a little awkward, and then we get to see the nice side of arthur because Arthur can make fun of merlin, but god forbid merlin actually thinks something bad about himself.

Because god merlin is so cute. And arthur will be damned if he lets that cute, gorgeous, handsome- wait what? Nm he'll analyse that later. He'll feel bad if merlin is insecure, because then he can't insult him properly. Yep, thats what he's going with.. Nothing further.

Of course, its not a merlin fic without emotionally-repressed!arthur pretending to not be a simp.

My new headcannon is that before Merlin became Arthurs man servant he used to brush his own hair, dress himself, and wash himself in the bath. But Merlin, not knowing any better, assumed that was his job, so he did those things. Then you have Arthur who, as a prince, everyone holds themselves apart from him. Then along comes Merlin giving him the contact that he craves. Arthur refuses to tell him otherwise, because he doesn't want to lose the intimacy of Merlins touch so freely given.

Merlin discovers these tasks aren't part of his duties after a casual conversation with Gwen shortly after arriving, but does not say a word.

After they are in a relationship, and another servant has taken his place so that he can attend to his court sourcerer duties, Merlin continues to brush Arthurs hair, and tie his tunics. Sometimes saving Arthur doesn't involve a sword or magic.

ok, i did in fact scour the internet for fics like this (and sadly there is not many! @ fic writers please feed us) but here is a list of ones i found:

Kissing Lessons by objectlesson [6k words | Rating: E]

Summary: Arthur is a shitty kisser. Merlin offers instructional assistance.

This fic is AMAZING and it is a CRIME that it's still incomplete! (but still reads well as a standalone piece)

People Should Marry for Love, Not Convenience by Fantasy_lalaland [6k words | Rating: M]

"So you don't know a lot about women." Arthur stands, strides over to his bed and flops ungracefully onto the mattress. "But you do know lots about men. Well I'm a man. Show me." Merlin's definitely hallucinating. There'd been something in the wine because this was impossible. Arthur waiting for him to come to his bed and fool around with him. He doesn't move from his spot on the floor. He only peers curiously at Arthur from beneath his heavy eyelids. "How will that help you know how to bed your wife?"

That Awkward Age by i_know_its_0ver [3k words | Rating: M]

Arthur is secretly in love with Merlin but can't tell him, so he comes up with a plan to get Merlin to help him "practice" his kissing.

Only Incidentally Homosexual by itsspanner [6k words | Rating: T]

“Merlin, would you be willing to kiss me?” Arthur asks nonchalantly, sounding perfectly monotone as if that was an acceptable thing to ask Merlin first thing in the morning, or at any time really. Merlin and Arthur kiss for the first time, never intending for a repeat. But who were they kidding really by thinking that they could stop once that they had a taste of what they wanted most? Or 5 times Merlin and Arthur kiss and one time they actually do anything about it

These probably exist, perhaps I even read them, but that's only more reason to ask for recs:

Arthur has never been kissed. As prince, it's hard for him to go out and try these things, and he mentions it to Merlin.

Merlin may or may not opens up the idea that he and Arthur could... You know...

Practice

y’all weren’t lying when you said this fic was god-tier, i am HOOKED

was completely unprepared for this military fic to have a whole fake dating plotline… absolutely screaming and kicking my feet rn this is the best

celebrating the season by reading Loaded March for the very first time, wish me luck

It’s always either or

this is the BEST way for them to fulfil their destiny and unite the lands and get the happy ending they deserved! I NEED A FIC LIKE THIS!!!!

Idea for an alternate ending:

Merlin gets Arthur to the lake in time and manage to save him.

They spend the night by the lake just talking, like they have been for the past few days, and realise that neither of them is ready to return to Camelot. For various reasons. They decide to take to the roads instead, just disappear, together.

Eventually their (few remaining) friends start to worry and the queen sends out her knights searching for them. Maybe Gaius points them towards the lake and maybe the knights find a neat pile of Arthurs belongings nearby, like his armour and cape (To heavy to carry and to easy to identify) and just assumes the worst. They knew Arthur was injured, and now presumably dead, but where is Merlin? Perhaps the grief was just to much for him? Perhaps he went home? But Hunith hasn't seen him either.

They are both gone. And life moves on.

Until a few months later when rumors start reaching the castle, about two heroes helping people throughout the realm. A fighter and a sorcerer working together using their skills to take out different threats from low life bandits to magical creatures attacking people.

No one really suspects anythingat first, but Gwen sends out her knights to find these two heroes. To confirm the rumors and if so offer a reward for their bravery. And maybe see if they would be willing to join forces?

It's not until Sir Leon hears a description of the two that he start to wonder.. A blond sword fighter with blue eyes and a regal nose who talks like a noble? A dark haired sorcerer also with blue eyes and a wide infectious smile? And they are constantly bickering and insulting each other? It couldn't be? Could it?

Trying not to get his hopes up Leon still doubles the search efforts.

No matter what they do though the knights seems to always be one step behind the two. Always gone before the knights reach the village or town they just saved. Missed them by a few days, a few hours down to mere minutes.

Somewhere along the way Leon hears about The Kiss. Told by an eye witness who saw the blond grab the warlock by the front of his tunic, haul him in and kiss him fiercely for almost getting himself killed (again, the idiot <- Arthurs note).

And suddenly things are making alot more sense. Why they never came back. Why they are staying away and don't want to be found.

He never tells Gwen. Or anyone. But that is the day Leon starts pulling back, cutting down on the search. Telling everyone it's not worth it, it has been over a year ( several years?) and there are more important things for the knights of Camelot to do then chasing ghosts. It's better if people start moving on with their lives instead. They are not coming back.

An undecided amount of time later Leon finds himself drinking alone in some random tavern in some random town, in an unknown part of the kingdom. When two cloaked strangers sit down uninvited at his table. And as he looks up their hoods fall back to reveal two very familiar and very dear faces.

Merlin grins widely. 'We heard you were looking for us?'

Merlin The Curse of Cornelius Sigan | 2.01

real #merthur

“you just find gay subtext in everything” no the fuck i dont the gay subtext was presented to me on an ornate silver platter

Arthur repeals the magic ban! Yay! Druids, Catha, and all others come to Camelot to live peacefully under the reign of the Once And Future King! Yay! The Golden Age is starting! Yay! Merlin still hasn’t told Arthur about magic! …He’s just waiting for the right time. Things have just happened so fast and he just doesn’t know how to bring it all up.

Well, as Arthur and the rest of Camelot get more comfortable with magic, Arthur makes a decision. He’s tried teaching Merlin every type of weapon out there, and he’s hopeless with every one of them. But, Merlin still insists on coming with him on dangerous quests. So, Arthur decides to have Merlin try his hand at magic so he has some sort of self defense.

Merlin: ...You want me to what?

Arthur: I know! I know, Merlin! Magic can be dangerous! But I found a wonderful teacher for you. Say hello, Wallace.

Wallace: Hello

Arthur: He's perfectly trustworthy! And, it'll all be perfectly safe!

Merlin: Arthur, there's something you need to know. About me and magic--

Arthur: I know what you're going to say, Merlin, and--

Merlin: I really don't think you know--

Arthur: --please, for me, just try this. I know you don't really like magic. But please, Merlin. And, you know, even if you're crap at it--which you likely are like everything else--you could probably at least get your eyes to do the gold thing. That'll probably scare off some people from hurting you. Like a rattle snake.

Merlin: Arthur, really, you need to listen to me--

Arthur: I'll even do it with you!

Merlin: Arthur, really...Wait what?

Arthur: I'll do it with you! To show you how not dangerous it is! You have no reason to be scared of learning it, Merlin. It'll be easy.

Merlin: ...You're going to try to learn magic?

Arthur: Yes. How hard could it be. You're going to learn it.

Merlin, crossing his arms: Okay, then. I'd like to see this. Let's see you do magic, Once And Future Prat, Mr. Magic King

Arthur, smug at getting Merlin to agree: Good. Our first lesson starts now.

They both look to Wallace. Arthur happy, Merlin raising a judgmental eyebrow. Wallace starts with the history of magic and the theories behind using it. They don't get to the actually magic using part of the lesson day. Wallace does give them both some texts to study.

Their next lesson does get to the magic part.

Wallace: You want to really feel into the magic of the world around you. Feel the earth. Feel the connection you have to that earth. Feel the power that runs through it.

Merlin's enjoying it, letting the magic wash over him, and also peeking at Arthur who seems to be struggling with it. When asked, Merlin says he doesn't feel anything either. He wants to keep watching Arthur struggle.

Their next lesson, Wallace tries to teach them some basic spells. Lighting a candle. Moving a small object. Merlin laughs at all of Arthur's attempts.

Arthur: Well let's see you do better, Merlin!

Merlin just keeps laughing.

Their lessons keep getting interrupted by this or that. Merlin also has a very busy job. One would think that he'd have less work now that magic was legalized, but no. Now he just has more magic beasts roaming the lands, and people freaking out and attacking those magic beasts, leading to fights and stuff. He's always having to slip away to resolve the matter. He has gotten very good at calming dangerous magic beasts and relocating them. But, relocating takes longer than just killing, so he's still just as busy and gone just as much as he was when dealing with vengeful sorcerers.

Every single start of magic lesson:

Wallace: Did you do the homework I assigned?

Arthur, proud: Yes, I did. I did all the reading, but I did have some trouble with the spellwork.

Merlin, who was up all night settling a griffin family into a new nest on a tall mountain: Uh. No. Didn't have time.

Arthur: Merlin, this is your lesson!

Eventually, Merlin has his fill of watching Arthur struggling with magic, and decides that this time is better spent doing other things. So, during one of the lesson, when Wallace tells them to make the flower bloom, without looking up from the report he's going over, he waves his hand and his pot explodes with the force of plants that grow out of it instantly.

Wallace: ...

Arthur: ...