Oh! So this is a Merthur AU fic that’s set in the universe of Gideon the Ninth, by Tamsyn Muir*. No spoilers, but there’s a big deal in that universe about necromancers and their -- servants? other halves? right-hand men? -- the cavaliers, who are trained in the rapier and are there to physically protect their necromancers. The oath that binds them is “one flesh, one end,” which is pretty much exactly as gay as it sounds. At least it is for the main characters, who have a pretty awesome slow burn enemies-to-lovers thing going on. 

Anyway, my brain wanted to do a Merthur AU with Merlin as a necromancer and Arthur as his cav. The necro/cav bond has very similar duality & protective vibes as the canon relationship, but since the necro is “in charge” you’d get a reversal in some ways of the Merthur dynamic, which could be fun.

I have no idea if there would be an audience for such a thing, but I do know that this fanart of the exact opposite concept exists on Twitter...

*General plug for everyone to read Gideon the Ninth and its sequel, cause like.... lesbian necromancers in space. Fantastic characters, worldbuilding, plot and humor. Seriously, one of the best books I’ve read in years.

T h a n k you sm for the idea.

Also, if you'd like to, 🌹

Heheheh glad I could help!

And from “A Familiar Stranger:”