my son’s in love

Gaius when he sees them interact:

who’s the werewolf and who’s the hunter

Arthur got cursed because of some stupid thing his father did. Merlin is the hunter, though gatherer is probably more like it. He’s less a threat to the animals as a friend to them. Sometimes an old animal comes to him and he gives it peace but that’s about it. Anyways, Arthur got his stupid ass cursed and Merlin finds him in the forest one day, more than half feral. It takes months but he finally manages to get Arthur’s trust and help him. He can’t undo the curse but he can give Arthur control over it. Hot full moon sex ensues.

who’s the mermaid and who’s the fisherman

Merlin is the merman who was warned about going too close to the shore. But he’s too curious about the humans and ends up tangled in a fisherman’s nets. The man brings his find to the fisher king who has a liking for rare delicacies. The fisher king’s son discovers Merlin being kept in a bassin to star as the main course in the next feast. Arthur shouldn’t care but he can’t forget the beautiful but desolate creature he saw. He comes back again and again and finally manages to get Merlin to talk to him - in a way, since Merlin can only sign. His voice only works under water, which is why mermaids are thought of as animals rather than people. Nevertheless they communicate and Arthur decides he needs to stage a rescue. But the feast is already tomorrow night and the butcher is already sharpening his knives….

who’s the witch and who’s the familiar

Merlin is the witch. Arthur is a familiar but he doesn’t know it. He thinks he’s a normal human, but Igraine came from a long line of witches and familiars and Uther wed her because she had the power to turn into a dragon - which she passed into her son, but Uther had Nimue lock the ability down upon Arthur’s birth, killing his mother in the process. Once Merlin arrives in Camelot, the two feel inexplicably drawn to each other.

who’s the barista and who’s the coffee addict

Oh please, Arthur isn’t a simple barrista. He is an artist. He creates miracles from espresso beans and works wonders with steamed milk. He’s highly sought after for his exceptional skills. Which is why he’s completely thrown when one day a very absent minded man with a battered bag and smudges of paint over his nose walks into his posh high class café and orders “your biggest cuppa, mate, and I mean your very biggest, black, no sugar, to go please”.

who’s the professor and who’s the TA

Professor Pendragon feels vexed at the mere existance of TA Emrys. One of the reasons might be that Arthur is the youngest professor Albion university has ever seen, whereas TA Emrys is considered a sort of living factotum. There are a billion rumours as to why the admittedly brilliant man has never actually finished his dissertation and Arthur can’t figure out which of them is true. But the truth of the matter is, that Merlin is just a year or two older than him and manages to best him at every turn and he just can’t figure out what it is that is keeping Merlin back. But Arthur will see this man suceed, even if it's the last thing he does...

who’s the knight and who’s the prince(ss)

Prince Merlin Emrys of Ealdor has never needed protection - until now. The three high priestesses have sworn vengeance because Balinor refused their demand to have Merlin as the Beltane King. Balinor has already paid the price with his life but the priestesses are still out for blood - Merlin’s blood. Cue Arthur Pendragon, sent in from Camelot to aid their ally in this time of need - if only said ally would welcome the help. Arthur has never met anyone more obstinate and baffling than Merlin of Ealdor, but once they’re on the run together from three vengeful priestesses, Arthur has to admit that a bit of magic comes in handy now and then - and his appreciation has absolutely nothing to do with how goddamn badass Merlin looks, when he’s busy hurling fireballs at their enemies, golden eyes ablaze.

who’s the teacher and who’s the single parent

Arthur Pendragon should have become CEO of his father’s company empire. Yet here he is, bright eyed and bushy tailed and itching to put his brand new degree as a certified teacher to the test. And tested it will be because in Arthur’s first class is one Mordred Emrys, who spells trouble with a capital T and not just because of his father, who is easily the most attractive man Arthur has ever met. But it would be terribly inappropriate to hit on the parent of one of his students, especially if said student has apparently made it his goal in life to kill Arthur - or at least drive him to madness.

who’s the writer and who’s the editor

4x6 bloopers