#giselleslash

I feel like this one most accurately fit the image the author originally painted in the description, so I wanted to include it.

This one most closely matched the aesthetic I had in mind, the way I interpreted the fic after reading it :)

This also fits the feeling/mood of the fic really well, especially the darker aspects of it.

To Serve and Protect by Ultrageekatlarge | 25,324k | Rating: Gen | complete

After something terrible happens, Arthur, Gwen, Gwaine, and Lancelot take their turns in protecting their protector, watching over their watcher. Merlin’s the one in trouble, now, and it’s up to them to save him.

This is one of my all time favorites. It’s not merthur but, the characterization is so on point that it’s basically merthur. you know, like the show wasn’t technicallyyyyyy merthur buttttt well, we all know it really was. 

My fave quote:  “Mighty Emrys,” Cor crowed, laying the blade across Merlin’s bared throat, “Time to die.” “Hey!” A woman’s shoe flew out, and with frightening precision, slammed the side of Cor’s head. The dagger fell to the ground with a clatter, but the sorcerer kept a tight grip on the staff, staggering back in surprise from Merlin. Arthur froze, and turned his head to his left. Gwen, clutching her other shoe in her hand, glared at Cor with murder in her eyes. “You will not touch him again,” she said.

The Game of Lying by CastleScribe | 7,262k | Rating: Gen | complete

It's just Merlin's luck to get trapped in a castle with the knights and a crazy fae who wants to see how well he can lie. Fortunately, he's very good at lying. Unfortunately, the fae isn't too pleased about that.The knights are going to have a lot of questions if they live through this.

I just love reading about Merlin being a badass and the knights + arthur realizing he has hidden depths. The sequel to this is also fucking bomb A+, 15/10 would recommend

Safekeeping by schweet_heart | 5,531k | Rating: E | complete

“There were bandits,” Arthur confirms. There is something grim in his tone which tells Merlin this is not the whole of it. “There was also a sorcerer.” Merlin sighs. “Of course there was.” As it turns out, there was also a magical beast, and there was also a sacrifice.

i have an honestly wild amount of schweet_heart’s fics bookmarked lol but they’re all really good, and most of them are relatively short so that i can binge my way through them easy! This is def one of my favorites though. 

My fave quote: He wakes up again, briefly, when Arthur breaks the shackles free from his wrists and feet. Without the cold iron to bind him, magic pours back into his body like a flood, choking and drowning, and he writhes for a moment in the dirt, fighting to keep his head above water. “For God’s sake, Merlin, be quiet,” Arthur hisses, pulling him close and clamping a hand over his mouth. “Are you trying to get yourself caught?” Merlin hadn’t even been aware that he was screaming, but the effort of holding back the sound is enough to send him under again, white-hot pain searing behind his eyelids. After that, he doesn’t resurface for a long time.

Okay, and here’s another author that like really, if you haven’t read their fics where have you been?? Astolat is bloody amazing and her fics just fucking kill me tbh. I’m going to list my top three of hers and fave quotes from them

Favorite | 13,012k | Rating: E | complete

Arthur was tipped back against the wall, his mouth open for breath and staring at the small arrow-slit window over Merlin's head, trying to work out how it could possibly be that good with Merlin, of all people.

My fave quote: Uther stared at him, for long enough that Arthur started to feel a bit anxious, and then Uther said almost warily, "What is this boy to you?" and he wasn't asking for the facile answer. "He's—I—" Arthur said, stuttering in panic. He was getting on extremely well not thinking about what Merlin was to him, and he had no desire to start now. He stopped. Uther said, "I see," with a peculiar expression on his face, a little as though he'd eaten something unpleasant. After a moment, he said, "What does he want from you?"

Emblazoning | 18,797k | Rating: M | complete

Morgana turned away from the high, barred window and rubbed her arms, chilled and bare. Arthur was sitting in the dirty straw at the very limit of his chains, which kept him a few inches too far away to touch Merlin's limp body. Outside they were putting up the stake

This one is Arthur/Merlin/Morgana/Gwen which may put some people off but it’s really good I promise. and none of them are aware that arthur and morgana are related, so there’s that. 

The Crown of the Summer Court | 24,339k | Rating: E | completed

"The king sent me to get you," Merlin said, with a tone that implied strongly that he wasn't rolling his eyes where Arthur could see, but just wait until his back was turned. "He said you're to get changed into formal clothes and meet him in the Great Hall, there's a delegation coming from the Summer Court."

My fave quote: "Your mortal-forged blade would not be able to enter the ring," Eldren said contemptuously. Merlin dragged himself straight and said, golden eyed, "Try this one, then," and grabbed Arthur's hand. He took it and plunged it into the wash-water basin Gwen was holding, the water still pink with blood. "What are you doing—" Arthur said, but Merlin was shoving his hand deeper—deeper than the basin was, and Arthur's hand was brushing something cold and hard. He put his hand around the hilt, and slowly drew the sword out, water spilling from the cross-brace and running down the blade like rain. Gwen stared wide-eyed at it, and down into the basin, which was looking just like a basin again.

a king of infinite space by schweet_heart | 1069k | Rating: E | complete

When they bring Arthur home, he is silent. Written for Pornalot 2017 Challenge #4 (Bound).

It’s really short but holy shit there’s so much emotion packed into this. 

My fave quote: “Merlin.” And this time, Arthur is smiling, no longer silent, something whole and real behind his eyes. “You reckless little idiot. You tore apart an entire castle to get to me – did you really believe I wouldn't know that it was you?”

Broken Days, A Guide and How To Manual by arsenicandsunshine | 20,653k | Rating: E | complete

In which if Merlin has to see the cracked gray of his bedroom ceiling one more time, he’s gonna scream. Or punch someone. Maybe the wall. Definitely Arthur, who can’t seem to find the words to say what he wants to, but after the morning Merlin’s had, whatever it was can’t possible help.

It’s a groundhog day fic, what’s not to love? honestly why don’t we have more of these in the fandom i love them so much

Winning the Battle by Prattery | 5,498k | Rating: T+ | complete

This husk of a man wears Merlin’s face and has Merlin’s magic, but he’s not Merlin. Merlin’s gone. Albion has claimed him as the price for Arthur’s victory at the battlefield.

listen....this fic will destroy you and then put you back together. It’s short but holy shit there’s a lot packed in and it’s so damn good. def one of my fave fics

Nine Weddings and a Funeral by giselleslash | 11,322k | Rating: E | complete

Merlin and Arthur keep meeting at a series of weddings.

This is a modern AU, which I don’t rec a lot of but this one was really good and the writing was fantastic

My fave quote: “Do you think we’d be here now if we’d gotten together then? Be honest. Think about what you feel about me right now, the way it burns, and tell me you would’ve been ready for that at nineteen.”

"Let’s Start the New Year Right” (NR, 1k) by Scout924

“People don’t go to parties to talk, Stevie,” Bucky says, leaning forward, his hands on his knees and a gleam of mischief in his eyes. “They go to neck in the closet in the back bedroom.”

A good ol' fashioned tale of friends teaching friends how to kiss a girl.

+ Pre War. Bucky and Steve dance at home and have a first kiss

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“Truths Written on Our Skin” (T, 1k) by giselleslash

Steve and Bucky spend a quiet New Year's Eve together in bed making resolutions to one another.

+ Post WS. New Years Resolutions and a whole lot of love. 

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“New Year, New You” (T, 2k) by vulcansmirk

A lot can change in a year (or eighty), but some things never do.

+ Pre War and Post WS. Bucky is so in love with Steve. A first kiss pre-war and another kiss after he remembers.

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“Slainte mhaith” (M, 1k) by Speranza

Musesfool asked for Dec 31st: "Any New Year's Eve traditions for Steve and Bucky? Then? Now?" This ficlet is for her! Unbetaed and speed-written but from the heart. Happy 2019!

+ Pre-War to Post WS. Bucky spends all his New Year Eves with Steve. After Project Insight, that doesn’t change. 

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“Final Countdown” (G, 4k) by orphan_account

Bucky's quiet break didn't include chatty neighbours in the warnings- but maybe that's because there's nothing to be warned about.

+ Modern AU. Bucky is taking it easy and spends New Year’s on a lake by himself (with a surprise guest). Atmospheric and calming after this hectic year. 

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