#utherus

Uther/Gaius - When Did You Get Hot?

Prompt: "I am half agony, half hope..." from Jane Austen's Persuasion

Below, please find a 1000 % authentic film poster and, under the cut, Uther's extremely romantic letter to Gaius, which absolutely is a direct quote from the book, I promise (I'm lying).

my very first uther/gaius fic! Posted for the Merlin Prequel Fest by @the-heartofcamelot !! 🥳 it also has some ygraine/nimueh including some mild smut ✨

wc: 7.5k

prompt used: "I am half agony, half hope…"

summary:

The whole Camelot is celebrating the engagement between Uther and Ygraine de Bois. There is music, food and entertainment, the great hall filled to the brim. Yet the only ones not celebrating are the king himself, his court physician, his future wife, and the court sorceress caught in the midst of the unfortunate love square. That is until Ygraine notices that just like her eyes are glued to Nimueh across the table, so are her future husband’s eyes glued to Gaius. With that in mind, she makes Uther an offer he cannot refuse.

propaganda:

Cherry Wine by troubleshootsback

Ship: Gaius/Uther Pendragon (Merlin)

Main Characters: Gaius (Merlin), Uther Pendragon (Merlin)

Rating: Teen and Up Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Major Tags: Angst, Canonical Character Death, The Great Purge (Merlin), POV Gaius

That evening, as they walk through the camp as usual, talking, Uther mentions he is glad Gaius is alright again. He does not say he was scared; he does not say he is relieved. But Gaius can read that in his words.

As they reach a hidden nook, Gaius makes a joke. “Well, at least you will not have to find another healer, sire.”

And out of nowhere, Uther presses his lips to Gaius’s.

Gaius is stunned. Beyond stunned, but kisses Uther back in the covering darkness. 

Uther's lips are warm and soft. Heat radiates through Gaius' body. The kiss is a clumsy one. But very welcome. Gaius relishes it; he will always relish it.

Uther pulls back, and Gaius sees the shame in his eyes. “It would be best if we don’t talk about this.” His king says.

Gaius’s heart hurts; he is to be a secret, then? “As you wish, sire.”

More kisses come. Always in the darkness, always in secret, always bringing both joy and pain. 

A secret shame for Uther. A private agony for Gaius.

One day, he hopes, one day they will not have to keep this secret. But even if that day never comes, he is glad this happened. 

It's not healthy. He knows it's not healthy to be kept as secret shame. But as usual, he cannot resist his king.

It doesn't stick to just kisses. Uther's desires go beyond that. They make love where no one can see them. They delight in each other's bodies. And each time, Uther avoids Gaius the following day.

Gaius should end this. He knows that. But he can’t. They are drawn together constantly, but Gaius never dares to initiate a conversation. Never asks Uther to talk about what happens between them. They are a toxic secret in the night. A love that burns hot but can never give off light. 

READ IT HERE

Chapters: 1/? Fandom: Merlin (TV) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Relationships: Balinor/Hunith (Merlin), Ygraine de Bois/Uther Pendragon (Merlin), Gaius & Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Gaius & Hunith (Merlin), Past Uther Pendragon/Gaius, Balinor & Kilgharrah (Merlin), Ygraine de Bois & Nimueh (Merlin), Minor or Background Relationship(s)

Characters: Hunith (Merlin), Uther Pendragon (Merlin), Gaius (Merlin), Balinor (Merlin), Gorlois (Merlin), Ygraine de Bois (Merlin), Morgana (Merlin), Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Nimueh (Merlin), Agravaine (Merlin), Merlin (Merlin), Kilgharrah (Merlin) Additional Tags: Protective Gaius (Merlin), BAMF Hunith (Merlin), Protective Balinor (Merlin), Long-Suffering Gorlois, The Great Purge (Merlin), Nimueh is fed up, Medieval CPR because I said so, Hunith is Gaius' younger sister, Protective Kilgharrah (Merlin), Helpful Kilgharrah, i'm shocked, Dragonlord rituals, Magical Shenanigans, Inconvenience at first sight, Canon Era, Canon Divergence, POV Hunith (Merlin), POV Balinor (Merlin), POV Gaius (Merlin), POV Kilgharrah, Magic loves Hunith, Pregnant Hunith, baby merlin, Baby Arthur Pendragon, playing fast and loose with the timeline, Falling In Love, Grief/Mourning, Nimueh isn't that bad, Slow Burn, ish, Merlin Prequel Fest 2025

Title: Sheer Rage & Love

Summary:

One hand clutched the fabric around her shoulders, while the other held up the missive. “This is from my brother.” It wasn’t a question, but that dark head bobbed once in answer. “My brother who is in Camelot. And you…” She trailed off, finally taking in the man in front of her. Broad shoulders hidden under a heavy riding cloak hinted at his physique; a warrior's stature. She spared a look back up into those eyes that seemed darker than pitch, unable to place why they seemed so familiar. It took just a moment longer for the realization to make itself clear; this was no stranger.

“Balinor,” her voice was once again quiet.

His answering smile was a small, wan thing. Even so, the lines around his eyes came forward with it. “Hunith.”

Here's my first EVER fic! Posted for the #merlinprequelfest2025 by @the-heartofcamelot! Thank you for inspiring this monster, and as I haven't gotten to publish the #utherus content I humbly add on a little playlist I've created. Enjoy!