#40k50k

Author: moonboymin

Rating: explicit

Setting: college/university

Wordcount: 42,656

Summary:

jimin allows himself this self-indulgence. the worst, most lovesick parts of himself, that feel exhausted, feel worn and harrowed with carrying it all the time— he indulges them, feeds them. slides his hand into jungkook’s hair and brushes a thumb across his forehead, stares. it’s ugly, what he feels. ugly, ugly. the greed. of wanting more, of calling their friendship not enough. of pushing them to more. of asking, first, because he couldn’t bear it— taking more and more from jungkook. and still, still. not enough. (or; jungkook is in jimin's heart. jimin is not in jungkook's. now what?)

Author: arthurandhisswordbros

Rating: M

Setting: Modern AU, Post 5x13

Word Count: 41,938

Summary: 

“Oh, I don’t know who he really is—no one does,” she says. “Although, some people think he’s probably a grad student doing some avant-garde project for a thesis or something. Others think the whole account is just an elaborate advertisement for Budweiser.”

Arthur doesn’t understand most of what she just said but nods anyway.

Squinting her eyes, she gauges his confusion regardlessly. “It’s someone pretending to be the famous sorcerer. See here, this is his most recent tweet.” At Arthur’s odd look, she clarifies, “It’s like a message that everyone can see.”

@asorcerersays: Guys why did he have to be so hot and like,,,funny? Like it’s been forever and I still miss him. He was pretty dumb though.

Arthur knows his face must look disgusted. “For everyone to see?”

Or, Immortal!Merlin goes on Twitter to complain about his dead king. Unrelatedly, Arthur joins Twitter.

Matters of the Heart by a_written_dream

T | 12,387 | Canon | Summary: “You must find the person Arthur truly loves,” the Dragon says, and this time it’s Merlin who wants to laugh.

“Arthur doesn’t love anyone, not since Gwen,” he says, certain of it.

The air rumbles with the Dragon’s laughter. “It seems you do not know your prince quite as well as you thought, young warlock.”

-

A 2x10 Sweet Dreams rewrite. After the ordeal with Hengist, Gwen and Arthur decide they are better suited as friends. Arthur still gets enchanted to fall in love with Lady Vivian, Merlin still tries to save his royal ass, and True Loves' Kiss is still the cure. But if Gwen isn't Arthur's true love, then who could it possibly be?

Maybe You Could Be Mine by ingberry

E | 11,345 | Modern AU, High School | WARNINGS: Homophobia | Summary: Merlin is busy with school, work, and a mom who wants him to go to prom. He doesn’t have time for dating any of the rich kids at school, but he hadn’t considered that Arthur Pendragon isn’t quite what he expected. The differences between them threaten to keep them apart, but maybe they can find a way.

Or the Pretty in Pink AU where everyone is queer

Not Some Blushing Prude by vintagelilacs

E | 18,552 | Modern AU | Summary: Arthur gets dared to purchase from a sex shop to prove he isn't some delicate, blushing prude, thank you very much, Morgana.

He finds he’d much rather take the sales associate home with him than any of the vast assortment of vibrators and dildos. Even if Merlin is the most insufferable person he's ever met.

And None But Fools by horsecrazy

E | 42,994 | Modern AU | Summary: “Anyway, I was thinking, I’ve got loads of attractive friends, and not a single one I can actually sleep with. Gwaine: not into blokes. Percival: same problem. Gwen: with Lance. Lance: see Gwen. Morgana: I totally would, but you’d kill me.” Arthur scowled at him. “What about me?” “What about you?” “You didn’t even list me!” “Of course I didn’t list you, you tit, you’re my best mate; it would be weird.” “But it wouldn’t be weird for you to sleep with your best mate’s sister, who is a murderous harpy? She’d probably poison you.” “Yeah, but she’s really hot.” Merlin dropped a tidily rolled pair of socks into the luggage. “And I’m not?” Arthur demanded.

In which Merlin will not consider Arthur for a friends with benefits scenario, and Arthur is fine with it. Perfectly fine. And in which they go on holiday together, and Merlin changes his mind. It's not an astronomically stupid idea at all.

Baby Driver by mother_of_lions

E | 13,447 | Modern AU | Summary: Looking up, Merlin caught sight of the billboard and almost crashed into the divider. The center of the ad had featured a gorgeous, cherry red Aston Martin DBS with the hottest model he'd ever seen leaned casually against the side. Merlin had to meet that guy.

Fake it 'til you make it by platonic_boner

G | 5,749 | Modern AU | Summary: In which Gwen’s sage advice like, “Not to rain on your parade, but is fake dating your straight crush really a great idea?” is completely ignored.

Next to You (It's the Rule) by LunaMyLove

T | 47,307 | Canon AU | Summary: Arthur and Merlin have a special relationship. They always have, even when they were prince and servant. While many question it when first noticing, eventually it becomes an understanding in Camelot—and even among some other countries—that where there is Arthur, there is Merlin. And, where there is Merlin, there is Arthur.

Or

Arthur and Merlin's relationship as witnessed and explained by others.

Also, or

Five times someone realizes that Merlin is the Queen, one time Merlin realizes it himself, and one time he owns it.

Author: 221B_Marauder, sushishin

Rating: M

Setting: Canon AU

Word Count: 46,428

Summary: 

There have been rumors of Prince Merlin’s powers throughout the five kingdoms since his birth. Uther is one who covets Merlin’s power for both Camelot and Arthur’s reign, going as far as inviting Merlin to Camelot when he presents as Omega.

When Merlin travels to Camelot on behalf of his father's kingdom, he finds an arrogant and unlikable Arthur yet inexplicably finds himself saving both Camelot and Arthur anyway before finally returning to Essetir. It is only when his younger brother Mordred supersedes him as heir presumptive due to presenting as an Alpha that Merlin returns to Camelot.

Once again, Merlin and Arthur work together to save Camelot and then to get through the consequences of their fathers' enemies seeking revenge.

Reader’s Comments: it’s an omegaverse, and has merlin as a dragonlord and royalty (which kinda brings in the arranged marriage trope)! definitely interesting to see how politics and prophecy play out in this one :)

Author: Itsrainingcats

Rating: T

Setting: Modern Royalty, Modern with Magic

Word Count: 44296

Summary:

Merlin is a beekeeper who lives in a cottage just outside Camelot with his cat. He also just so happens to be a plant nymph with magic that blossoms in tune with his emotions. Prince Arthur pops by unexpectedly for some honey and things escalate from there.

Reader's comments: I absolutely adored this fic! I am a sucker for anxious!Merlin, and modern royalty aus, and the author managed to incorporate both of them along with magic beautifully in this little masterpiece. I've probably read it more often than it is probably recommended, but I just can't get enough of this one. It has part plant nymph! Merlin, Bamf Morgana, and the characterization of Arthur is also on point. Definitely worth reading!

Author: hermanthejanitor

Rating: M

Setting: Modern AU

Word Count: 49,575

Summary: 

The first first time Merlin met Arthur, they were best friends within five minutes and never wanted to let each other go. Unfortunately, they were three at the time and he would never remember it. The next time did not go as well.

Author: dreamlittleyo

Rating: E

Setting: Canon AU

Word Count: 42,379

WARNINGS: Rape/Non-Con

Summary: 

In which Arthur inadvertently triggers an ancient magic, but he does not face the consequences alone.

Reader’s Comments: The warnings are there but it's all very soft and sweet and guilty Arthur. Just a wonderful get together soul bond fic.