flop era

hands were shaking at the speed with which i drew this — inspired heavily by this post and obviously recent events

No I feel you bro it's like every time I refresh there's 50 new fics like god bless but also WOW. I don't have a proper rec list like but here are some I have enjoyed this week (it's Tuesday). These aren't like THEE Definitive fics or anything just the ones I've read most recently

1. Cute short flirty married Hollanov

2. Immensely enjoyable College AU ugh I cannot overstate how much I enjoy a low stakes College AU

3. Soulmates!!!!!

4. I just read this it's mostly smut and well. Yes!

And these are just some v fun social media AUs because I love epistolary fic

One / two / three

these twitter accounts upload the episodes on multiple platforms to download: account 1 | account 2 | account 3 | account 4

(note: "account 3" & "account 4" have the crave version)

Since we’re trending, AGAIN, this fic rec is one of The Basics ™️ to those who finish the series now. Personally I remember desperately navigating ao3 (with tears and snot) when I first finished the show, looking for a happy continuation. So here’s a list you will absolutely need

1. My breaths are run by your compass by @regulusrules. 75K, M.

If I wasn’t the one who wrote it, I desperately would’ve wanted this fic to be the first thing I read after the finale. Because holy fucking hell this fic healed all what dotd did to me. It has a plot that matches the angst of s5, yet the ending we deserved. Sometimes when I’m wallowing in bed, I remember that certain scene of them in the epilogue, and my frantic heart calms. Also when I remember Arthur kneeling there. Holy lord above.

2. The Patter of Tiny Feet on Cold Stone Floors by @theavalonian. 79K, M.

This fic is the definition of perfection. From its perfection, I’ve only read it once (five years ago) and still recall every single detail about it. Which is insane if you know me irl. But it was just simply amazing. A fic bestowed from above. My heart hurt for days while reading it, but at the same time it showed me love I can never forget. I’d sell my kidney for the sequel if dear author is still interested.

3. Winning the battle, losing the war series by @prattery. 27K, T.

“He doesn’t beg again—not out loud, anyway.” This line, and this fic in general, sometimes ring in my ears in a way none do. There is something just so hauntingly beautiful with how Merlin’s journey to recovery here was written. A lifetime of disaster finally resolved, not shrugged. Golden love remaining. Would sell my other kidney if dear author still wishes to bless us.

4. Golden As I Open My Eyes by @queerofthedagger. 2K, E.

Only queerofthedagger could write a 2k fic and stun us all with it. I mean; what was it all worth indeed if we do not get an alcove scene of desperate yearning? We cannot expect canon AUs of dotd to be immediately happy. That goes against the essence of the whole show. But when they work for it— when they consciously choose to leave destiny behind for love’s sake, that’s what makes fics more telling.

5. Something More by @captain-ozone. 5K, G.

If, like me, you finished the show and you were like oh I’d love to read a fic about Arthur’s side of the journey and torment myself even more! then this is the best fic you could possibly read for that. Leave the MCD aside, it is genuinely so good. And the actual proof of that is that I absolutely hate first POV books, but this one was an exception. Bring tissues next to you though.

~merlin being a cool guy and ppl are like 👀

~so silly, i love this one, merlin just gaslights a child (don’t worry it’s not bad)

~a classic (some of it’s their points of view, some times others, either, you’re watching other people be confused abt the two silly idiots)

~silly, delightful, go read it

1. Once upon a time, there was a prince by @anonymintea. 2K, G.

Please. The sweetness of this. I legitimately can't. It's the mental image I want to go to sleep to every night. It's what they deserved, we deserved, everyone deserved. You guys we need more fics like this.

2. My breaths are run by your compass by @regulusrules. 75K, M.

Now that it’s completed, I am out here screaming my lungs out about how much insanity there is in this fic. You think you've read before a fic that has obsessive, devouring, all-consuming love between those two? A fic that its plot twist will keep you staring at the ceiling and what’s beyond it for a good sum of days? Think twice.

3. I'll die if it makes you love me by @giacarem. 7K, T.

There are so many magic reveals out there you guys, but trust me, none are like this one. The way I was entranced as if I was right in the middle of it. The way it just awed me with lines that got me staring at the void. Absolutely beautiful.

4. Agate by @ironfamjam, @papysanzo. 24K, T.

What are you even doing in life if not obsessively reading ironfamjam's fics and gazing in awe at papysanzo's art? Just. Just go. You will thank me later, because this fic will turn your mind to mush.

5. a stranger beneath my face by @lancelotofthelake. 16K, N/R.

You guys need to understand that I am positively insane about this fic. More than amazing fic with perfect in-character writing. At times I wonder what would've happened if the bbcm writers just checked ao3 while writing the show. They should've read this one and incorporated it.

[For more recs]