weekly round-up 6
Jan. 16th, 2009 11:07 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
aeroport_artHad dinner at Grey Dog with sister, brother-in-law, and his coworker. Two of them own iPhones so we shazamed half the things playing overhead. Grey Dog always has incredible music (or more likely, one employee with an incredible playlist on his iPod).
...I'm a bit of a technophobe and Marxist by nature, so it kind of disturbs me that the previous paragraph includes two inadvertant plugs for Apple products (the iPhone and iPod). Monopolies make me nervous but it goes to show how MUCH of a monopoly they have, their products have wholly permeated our culture that such a huge percentage of people own the exact same cell phone and 95% of the people in the room probably own an iPod (me included). *shivers* Scary stuff!!
On the other hand, I am nothing if not an opportunist. If you can, get ahold of 'Postcards from Italy' by Beirut for some indie folk or 'Fonce Dans le Coeur' by Frank Popp Ensemble for some chill 70s europop, and thank shazam.
In short, the goods:
Weekly Round-Up
Titles in bold are extra-recommended ♥
A Chuisle by![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
exlibris_tenisu (R, 26k)
Summary: A magically-bonded!fic. Merlin saves Arthur's life and because of it, their hearts are physically intertwined. Unfortunately, Merlin's magic gets found out and he's thrown in the slammer.
Notes: This is an incredibly well-written story which totally fell under the radar when it came out (possibly due to its being a WIP for a good chunk of time). I was totally hooked from the start and read it straight through. The pacing is deliberate and steady but remains interesting, and the blend of action, prose, and dialogue is totally seamless. It reads like a young fantasy novel because of its strong narrative voice. A warning, however; the first half of this story is SAD. It's angsty and SAD when Merlin's persecuted for his magic, so it might not be particularly fun to read those parts, but muddle through it for the happy Arthur/Merlin. It's totally worth it.
The One Where Arthur Despoils Merlin in a Cave byifyouweremine (NC-17, 2k)
Summary: “Yes I know what sex is, I’m not an idiot!” said Merlin. Arthur quietly disagreed.
Notes: This story's awesome.
Merlin’s grin froze and died a violent and immediate death.
SEE HOW FUNNY IT IS? And my heavens, the sex scene is crazy hot. What more do you need? *shoos you over*
slán sábháilte bydotfic (PG-13, 6k)
Summary: Arthur and Merlin keep saving each other. Eventually they may even admit it. Complete with Arthur-Finds-Out.
Notes: I adore this. The storytelling is wonderful--fast-paced and succinct and interesting. It reads like an episode (but with a smidge more Arthur/Merlin than in canon...though not by much!). Really, it's just a good, solid read.
Say It bytherg (NC-17, 1k)
Summary: Some fluff, some smut. Merlin needs reassurance that Arthur won't stray.
Notes: This is adorable. Merlin basically attempts to give Arthur blue balls during the middle of a feast because he's feeling jealous of a visiting princess. This is how I like my established relationship: great Arthur&Merlin dialogue and cute little UST devices. The story is short and sharp and gets right to the point--which means SEX, so no complaining from this end.
The Watermelon byxaritomene (NC-17, 4k)
Summary: Princess Lillian arrives and Arthur coerces Merlin into having sex with a watermelon. Established relationship, PWP.
Notes: What's up with all the established relationship recs this week? If you guys don't know already, the genre usually makes my eyes gloss over and my interest wander right out the door. I suppose that's just a testament to how good these stories are, then :) And this one, IT WINS AT LIFE. It's perky and shamelessly smutty (and hot). The whole thing is pretty much happy-inducing, aided by how the relationship between the boys is written as functional and couple-y and CUTE.
Merlin the Idiot's Wikipedia Page byrainchild_ai (art)
Summary: Arthur comments on Merlin's Wikipedia Page, and vice versa. Rated G, crack.
Notes: I'm always a fan of a well-done doodlefest. This one succeeds quite well--go over for a good chuckle!
Slow Burner bycharlotteschaos (NC-17, 3k)
Summary: Springs from the quote by Bradley James in the Vol. 1 DVD extras, "Getting to know Colin was a bit of a slow burner"
Notes: This story's GREAT. Bradley and Colin's characterizations are so much fun in this. It's hard to get RPS right without being vaguely creepy, but you don't have to worry about that here. One of the best Bradley/Colin I've read so far.
...I'm a bit of a technophobe and Marxist by nature, so it kind of disturbs me that the previous paragraph includes two inadvertant plugs for Apple products (the iPhone and iPod). Monopolies make me nervous but it goes to show how MUCH of a monopoly they have, their products have wholly permeated our culture that such a huge percentage of people own the exact same cell phone and 95% of the people in the room probably own an iPod (me included). *shivers* Scary stuff!!
On the other hand, I am nothing if not an opportunist. If you can, get ahold of 'Postcards from Italy' by Beirut for some indie folk or 'Fonce Dans le Coeur' by Frank Popp Ensemble for some chill 70s europop, and thank shazam.
In short, the goods:
Titles in bold are extra-recommended ♥
A Chuisle by
exlibris_tenisu (R, 26k)Summary: A magically-bonded!fic. Merlin saves Arthur's life and because of it, their hearts are physically intertwined. Unfortunately, Merlin's magic gets found out and he's thrown in the slammer.
Notes: This is an incredibly well-written story which totally fell under the radar when it came out (possibly due to its being a WIP for a good chunk of time). I was totally hooked from the start and read it straight through. The pacing is deliberate and steady but remains interesting, and the blend of action, prose, and dialogue is totally seamless. It reads like a young fantasy novel because of its strong narrative voice. A warning, however; the first half of this story is SAD. It's angsty and SAD when Merlin's persecuted for his magic, so it might not be particularly fun to read those parts, but muddle through it for the happy Arthur/Merlin. It's totally worth it.
The One Where Arthur Despoils Merlin in a Cave by
ifyouweremine (NC-17, 2k)Summary: “Yes I know what sex is, I’m not an idiot!” said Merlin. Arthur quietly disagreed.
Notes: This story's awesome.
Merlin’s grin froze and died a violent and immediate death.
SEE HOW FUNNY IT IS? And my heavens, the sex scene is crazy hot. What more do you need? *shoos you over*
slán sábháilte by
dotfic (PG-13, 6k)Summary: Arthur and Merlin keep saving each other. Eventually they may even admit it. Complete with Arthur-Finds-Out.
Notes: I adore this. The storytelling is wonderful--fast-paced and succinct and interesting. It reads like an episode (but with a smidge more Arthur/Merlin than in canon...though not by much!). Really, it's just a good, solid read.
Say It by
therg (NC-17, 1k)Summary: Some fluff, some smut. Merlin needs reassurance that Arthur won't stray.
Notes: This is adorable. Merlin basically attempts to give Arthur blue balls during the middle of a feast because he's feeling jealous of a visiting princess. This is how I like my established relationship: great Arthur&Merlin dialogue and cute little UST devices. The story is short and sharp and gets right to the point--which means SEX, so no complaining from this end.
The Watermelon by
xaritomene (NC-17, 4k)Summary: Princess Lillian arrives and Arthur coerces Merlin into having sex with a watermelon. Established relationship, PWP.
Notes: What's up with all the established relationship recs this week? If you guys don't know already, the genre usually makes my eyes gloss over and my interest wander right out the door. I suppose that's just a testament to how good these stories are, then :) And this one, IT WINS AT LIFE. It's perky and shamelessly smutty (and hot). The whole thing is pretty much happy-inducing, aided by how the relationship between the boys is written as functional and couple-y and CUTE.
Merlin the Idiot's Wikipedia Page by
rainchild_ai (art)Summary: Arthur comments on Merlin's Wikipedia Page, and vice versa. Rated G, crack.
Notes: I'm always a fan of a well-done doodlefest. This one succeeds quite well--go over for a good chuckle!
Slow Burner by
charlotteschaos (NC-17, 3k)Summary: Springs from the quote by Bradley James in the Vol. 1 DVD extras, "Getting to know Colin was a bit of a slow burner"
Notes: This story's GREAT. Bradley and Colin's characterizations are so much fun in this. It's hard to get RPS right without being vaguely creepy, but you don't have to worry about that here. One of the best Bradley/Colin I've read so far.
Looking for previous recs? Check the tag. For FAQ and list of all bolded titles, check the primer.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2009-01-17 05:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-17 07:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-17 07:48 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-17 07:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-17 08:24 pm (UTC)How about you?? Anything fun?
no subject
Date: 2009-01-17 09:11 pm (UTC)I'm having a good day! On a whim I decided to get a haircut. it's a layered bob again, my favorite hairstyle <3 It looks hot. (for $62, it better look hot!!). Then I sat at a cafe and read about architecture like a total geek. On the way home i bought vintage clothes, including an oscar de la renta blouse *__*
Now i'm spending the rest of the day making a dress. drafting a paper pattern right now, don't know if i'll actually get to the fabric part today but its fun nonetheless :D
no subject
Date: 2009-01-17 09:13 pm (UTC)Oh wow. That's great, you can make dresses? I made a t-shirt once. And tried a dress, but I kept sewing my fingers together so I gave up. I'm very clumsy and the needle was fast.
no subject
Date: 2009-01-17 09:16 pm (UTC)I'm gonna make some baked ziti now.
Ughggghhh I totally suck at making clothes. It's what I studied at uni tho, so by the nature of you know, graduating, I had to pick up some rudimentary skills. And I've been so antsy about not doing anything creative lately, due to not having any freelance graphic design work (which is usually how i direct my nervous energy), so I was like "I'M POOR AND NEED MORE CLOTHES. I shall make something." We'll see how it turns out _ _
YES TAKE PICTURES OF YOUR CAKE. I will look at it and drool on my keyboard, you evil woman you.
no subject
Date: 2009-01-17 09:33 pm (UTC)Hehe, it sounds like it's a little more productive than my degree. I can grow and ID MRSA by smell. ;p
no subject
Date: 2009-01-18 04:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-18 05:25 pm (UTC)But yes, there are certain bacteria that you can identify by smell. It's how useful I am. ;p
no subject
Date: 2009-01-20 02:44 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-20 11:24 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-17 08:16 pm (UTC)I love rps! do you have a link or something for me where I can find more?
Ö.Ö
no subject
Date: 2009-01-17 09:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-17 09:18 pm (UTC)somehow lj didn't show me this com when I searched for stuff like that o,O
no subject
Date: 2009-01-17 09:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-17 09:14 pm (UTC)Yeah, I have no idea why A Chuisle fell under the radar (it took me a couple weeks to get to it as well), but I hope more people take a look :O It's good!
no subject
Date: 2009-01-17 11:46 pm (UTC)You absolutely made my 2009! :D
And all those other fics are so fantastic.
no subject
Date: 2009-01-18 01:51 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-18 04:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-19 02:31 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-19 03:39 am (UTC)this might be awkward
Date: 2009-01-23 09:09 pm (UTC)Re: this might be awkward
Date: 2009-01-24 12:39 am (UTC)