In No Particular Order, Here Are A Few Of My Faves I've Read In The Last 6 Months Or So (as Someone Relatively

sorry yeah we queer coded your boyfriend. he’s arguing with his brash and emotionally reserved rival over something trivial for comedic effect. they have a special, vaguely suggestive bond that sets them apart. hm? oh uhh. yes they are blue and red

This week my nostalgic brainwaves took me here, of all places

Merlin loves Arthur how he needs to be loved. His whole life everyone in his life has love him how they wanted too, on their own terms. But not Merlin.

Where Uther would give him extravagant gifts and parties, Merlin gives him an extra roll with dinner, because he noticed he skipped lunch.

Where Leon and the knights congratulate him on a tournament well fought, Merlin asks if he'd like for him to get the healing balms tonight. He noticed he got hit pretty good in the left shoulder during the match.

Where Gwen, during their brief courting, would steal kisses, Merlin holds his hand, sitting with his back to the head of the bed while Arthur lays his head in his lap, and runs his fingers through his hair.

All his life he's craved the simple act of being known. The simple touches and the little things that mean the most. Without even trying Merlin gives him that and more. Almost like magic ✨

i want to have a little chat with whoever decided to get rid of this slutty red shirt and necklace

and then Arthur decides to teach him, and Merlin just goes along with it (because Arthur is being so patient and gentle, and finding every excuse to hold Merlin’s hand, and Merlin doesn’t want to tell him. because honestly these tutoring sessions are the highlight of his day. and seeing Arthur patiently explaining things is hot)

Merlin, who can, in fact, read: I can't read

The way Arthur says: “You can’t address me like that!” to Merlin in the pilot. The suppressed laughter, the delighted surprise at his audacity, the hint of fondness already there.

You can tell that apart from the possible exception of Morgana, no one has spoken to him so freely in his life. 

Bradley James!!! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

concept: Arthur dies at Camlann and Merlin’s magic goes feral and resurrects him right then and there. like, he doesn’t heal him, Arthur is actually dead and Merlin is just like “nope” and bends the laws of life and death for him.

and what if Arthur comes back changed? like maybe he takes something back with him (an ability, some sort of magic?) and Merlin has to help him adjust

I’m sure there are probably fics like this- please drop any recs!

I was minding my own goddamn business only to suddenly remember this scene exists

I don't know how to explain it, but it's addressing something so visceral in me.

Like. Did anyone ever expand on how Arthur literally didn't even blink before getting up to save Merlin from the onslaught he would have faced for his outrage? He just got up immediately and took Merlin away, held and handled his anger, and even gave him the respite (visiting Gaius) that he needed.

Wtf. Like boy no you're not supposed to be this fucking in sync with your manservant's reactions. But it's as if he predicted it even, because he saw in Merlin the exact same reaction he wanted to do, but had the tact not to because he grew up with boundaries. So he goes on to save his boy instead.

Sick of how much these two loved each other

(recs)

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

Headcanon- Merlin tells Arthur he loves him in acts of service, constant and reassuring service to him yet Arthur overlooks it because of how he’s been raised. Arthur tells Merlin he loves him in touch, Arthur has never acknowledged how touch starved he is but he’s constantly running his hand over Merlin’s arm or shoulder, just a fond ruffle of his head or a clap on the back. Merlin doesn’t acknowledge it because he’s always being touched. He grew up with affection.