#acbb 2024

We Are Bruised But Whole Together

words by tansyuduri, art by GYRHS Summary: 

Arthur wakes up in modern Glastonbury and to his unfathomable relief finds Merlin. But nothing is simple. Everything he knew is gone, for one. He wonders what of his achievements were actually his own, and not just Merlin's magic, for another. Arthur also has to face the fact that he kept the ban on magic going. Was he ever truly a good king?

There is also the “I love you” he mouthed to Merlin before dying. Something he cannot afford to focus on, because, as Merlin tells him, Albion’s time of greatest need is upon them.

Then comes the unthinkable. Merlin’s magic, which has been growing over the last thousand years, is suddenly too strong for the sorcerer's human body to handle. Faced with the prospect of losing Merlin, feelings suddenly come out and Arthur realizes that if he can save the man he loves and the land of Albion, he might be able to forgive himself for his mistakes and everything he is not.

The question is, can he?

Expect fluff, angst, humor, banter, hurt/comfort, whump, and lots of Merthur!

Art made for ACBB this year for @/egeria's story!! I unfortunately couldn't make as much art as I wanted, but the story premise had me hooked from the start and it was very fun to try out a different style for the header

Thank you to my writer for being amazingly patient and for also bringing this wonderful creation to life!!

Summary: When Nimueh saves Ygraine's life, she couldn't have imagined the far-reaching consequences. Really, the consequences might've been worse, if only a little peasant boy hadn't been born.

or: Merlin is raised knowing who he is and all of Albion looks a bit different as a result.

my artistic contribution to the amazing story written by kettleknight titled "Whatever Keeps You Around" written for this year's ACBB! Check it out!

Let me see you stripped down to the bone

Leeds, March 1986.

They're off to a strip night, and Gwaine has no idea how much it will change his life.

He falls head over heels for one of the dancers, and a random encounter lets them meet properly, and Gwaine realises it isn't just Percival's body he likes. Slowly, they become an irreplaceable part of each other's lives. However, Percival's job starts to get in between them, and Gwaine's insecurities grow.

Will they make it together?

Weclome to my After Camlann Big Bang piece! I have absolutely loved writing this, and I am so excited to finally share it with the world!

Please feel free to leave any comments or messages, I would love to hear from you.

Huge thank you to @pkrosche for being an absolutely incredible beta reader, I can't thank them enough!

And the amazing icebreak1010 on deviantart who created a gorgeous piece of art to accompany this work! I am so grateful! Link to their work is here!

This fest has been so brilliant to be a part of, I have really enjoyed being a part of the community on discord and can't wait already to get back to writing!

Here is the @aftercamlann account and here is the livejournal to check out the other pieces completed for this wonderful fest. So happy to have been a part of it!

This ACBB was recommended by PapySanzo and Clea2011:

Title: In Spite of Everything, The Stars Writer: Polomonkey Artist: mushroomtale Ship(s): Merlin/Arthur Rating: Mature Word Count: 82,243

Summary: London. 2015. The government is set to vote on ending the microchipping of magic users, and Arthur Pendragon has been tasked with kidnapping prominent Magical activist Merlin Emrys to influence the outcome.

Locked away in a house on the North York Moors, tensions rise and confrontation ensues as Arthur is forced to re-evaluate everything he’s been taught about magic, and Merlin finds himself in a struggle for his life. And the fact that they’re falling for each other doesn’t help…

Link: FIC: https://archiveofourown.org/works/4647243/chapters/10599906 | ART: https://archiveofourown.org/works/4647402

Why PapySanzo recommends this ACBB: One of the first ACBBs I read and it has remained in my heart forever. The way Polomonkey describes the violence Merlin suffered, the way she talks about Merlin and his always being worried and looking over his shoulder, and the way the one time he decides to trust he is kidnapped is perfect. 

Arthur's characterization is one of the things I like most in this story, how he always tries to keep his head down because Uther is right, how his spirit is somehow broken but not completely, how being close to Merlin helps him and how he finally sees how much of a villain his father is and tired to make the right thing.

This ACBB was recced by Caethes:

Title: A Song From Far Away Writer: Polomonkey Artist: Mushroomtale Ship(s): Merlin/Arthur Pendragon Rating: Mature Word Count: 71,842

Summary: When Arthur is captured by an enemy king intent on conquering Camelot, his future looks bleak. For Cenred commands not only a clutch of sorcerers but a fearsome dragon trained to do battle and wreak destruction.

Then Arthur meets Merlin, a fellow captive whose magic has been bound to Cenred's will. But can Merlin resist Cenred's control long enough to help Arthur save Camelot?

Link: FIC: https://archiveofourown.org/works/8191642/chapters/18768382 | ART: https://archiveofourown.org/works/8192170

Our first rec comes from chaosgenes, shana-rosee & paintedpigeon!

Title: Evil Overlord, Inc. Writer: Footloose Artist: mushroomtale Ship(s): Merlin/Arthur Rating: Mature Word Count: 137,922

Summary: Merlin is a recent graduate with a double doctorate in metaphysics and physics. Arthur is a low-level paper pusher with a desk in the sub-basement of MI5. They live in a world with ridiculous laws and restrictions against anyone who might be supernatural in any way, shape, or design.

Merlin has huge debts looming over this head, a few quid left in his bank account, and no job prospects. Arthur is pushing thirty, in a dead-end job with no chances of promotion to fieldwork agent, and is thoroughly bored with his life.

One ill-advised Craigslist advert, five pushy mates, one nosy all-knowing sister, and a hacked email account later, Merlin and Arthur take the world by storm.

(Or, more precisely, they take over the world.)

Link: FIC & ART: https://archiveofourown.org/works/11774844/chapters/26547306

the beginning & what follows

words by egeria, art by Myoonmii Summary: 

When Nimueh saves Ygraine's life, she couldn't have imagined the far-reaching consequences. Really, the consequences might've been worse, if only a little peasant boy hadn't been born.