weekly round-up 23

[aeroport_art]

Thanks for the birthday wishes guys!!! *GROUP HUG*

Also. WHY DID THIS ROUND-UP TAKE ME ALL EVENING TO DRAFT?? Am I really that out of practice, what with the slimmer round-ups as of late?? *pops knuckles* Next week, I'll be ready for you. BRING IT.

Trend of the week: MYSTERIES, COOOOL

Weekly Round-Up
Titles in bold are extra-recommended ♥



Merlin recs

gone were but the winter by maleyka (PG-13, 8k)
Summary: Arthur/Merlin, First Time, H/C. Arthur's acting totally pissy, making everyone's lives miserable, and Merlin is the ONLY ONE who doesn't know why.
Notes: This fic is SO FUZZY. The first thing that'll grab you is the mystery of why Arthur's being a jerk, and the author does a good job fleshing it out through great pacing and smooth characterization. This is a total page-turner.

The Natural Progression of Such Things by marzilla (NC-17, 6k)
Summary: Arthur/Merlin, PWP. Somewhat by accident, Merlin finds his duty roster expanding.
Notes: Holy hell, this fic is SMOKIN'. I do love a good blowjob scene. Everything's detailed and hot without being cheeseball, and Merlin's quite cute as the backwater servant head over heels for his prince XD Also...6k words of PWP? That is stamina, dude. Sweet, sweet stamina.

four seasons, five years, and too many farewells by lefcadio (PG-13, 6k)
Summary: Arthur/Merlin, Arthur/Gwen in a not-gross way, Gwen/Lancelot, Future!fic, First Time. Morgana leaves, then Merlin leaves, and Arthur and Gwen are left in the dust.
Notes: Before you guys run away from the summary, THERE IS A HAPPY ENDING. This story's a total gem. It's ethereal. I loved the writing style--simple yet lyrical, tale-like with its omniscient narrator. The author whips up a very compelling mystery as to where Morgana and Merlin have gotten off to. The relationships are solidly crafted, backed by anecdotes instead of cumbersome narration, and it makes all the characters really believable. And the last scene? Pretty much doubles the awesomeness of this story in one go. THIS IS QUALITY STUFF, GUISE.

Princess!Arthur and maid!Merlin by newkidfan (art)
Summary: Arthur&Merlin, rated G, manip, CRACK
Notes: HA HA HA OH GOD. YOUR EYES WILL BURN, BUT YOU WILL KEEP LOOKING. And crack aside, I'm seriously impressed with the technical skillz involved in this manip.

Underwater Love by solanyxe (vid)
Summary: Arthur/Merlin, PG. Arthur works out his attraction towards Merlin in his dreams. Done to "Underwater Love" by Smoke City.
Notes: solanyxe always comes up with solid vids. For this one, the kiss scene put it over top for me. It's so damned clever, what with all the creative editing. Non-Merlin footage is worked in seamlessly throughout the entire video via smart color manipulation. The only comment I have is that I wish she worked from HQ source videos. It makes a huge difference in presentation, and I don't want her talent and editing prowess to be brought down by something avoidable like low-res video. Then again, what do I know? I am no vidder D:

RPS recs

Don't Look Down by anna_zee (PG, ~2k)
Summary: Bradley/Colin. Colin's afraid of heights. Bradley wants to change this.
Notes: Fluffy, well-written. The romance is subtle but ADORABLE.

Let me be the street by spiny (NC-17, ~2k)
Summary: Bradley/Colin, UST. Sequel to Rain Wakes Me, NOW WITH HAPPY ENDING. Colin breaks it off, but Bradley begs to differ.
Notes: spiny kills me with her CRAZY WRITING SKILLZ. This two-parter is positively brimming with clever, evocatives lines that smack of originality. For example,

[Bradley] lets his mind drift with his fingers touching the braille of Colin's spine.

There's so much meaning packed into each sentence. It isn't just the occasional smart phrase, either; she works with every element in a scene for maximum impact, whether its setting or timing or wtv. Anyway, shoo already, I can't do this story justice by blathering.

A recap of my own (NOT recced) stuff this week:

ART: wake up + arthur + sketch

Looking for previous recs? Check the tag. For FAQ and list of all bolded titles, check the primer.

Comments

[halfshellvenus.livejournal.com]

Is there nothing I can write you for your birthday? You seem to have bailed out of SPN entirely, and I don't watch this fandom.

How WAS the birthday? It was scorching here (you may remember), so I hope New York was more spring-like and less horrific than here. Did you and your sister do something? Take in a movie, grab some ice cream?

*hugs*

[aeroport_art.livejournal.com]

Hey Karen! Yeeeah Sam/Dean isn't doing it for me anymore, with canon being so dark and all :/ I'm still watching the show though! Just a couple episodes behind, but I'll catch up.

The birthday was sort of a non-event. I ran some errands, did some work at home. Tried to fix up my bike that I haven't ridden yet! That failed though D: Gonna have to wait for my friend to come take a look, buh.

Thanks for the bday wishes, you're always so sweet about that >__< ILU DEAR.

[halfshellvenus.livejournal.com]

I'll write earlier Sam/Dean for you if it helps, or something from another fandom we share. You know I will!!!

I'm sorry there wasn't more celebration in your birthday (hope the bike is working now, though!). Take some time to cake yourself at least. And I hope the coming year is good to you. :D

[aeroport_art.livejournal.com]

you are the nicest person ever ;___; *snuggles you* It's crazy how much I love having you in my LJ life <3

As for early Sam/Dean, you say? YIS PLZ.

[halfshellvenus.livejournal.com]

Just doing my part to make you feel as special as you are!

And early Sam/Dean? Oh, yes indeed.

Hope that pushes some really good buttons for you. :D

*smooches*

[adelagia.livejournal.com]

Eep. Happy belated!

Arthur/Gwen in a not-gross way -- thank you for clarifying; my brain does not compute that pairing when it's done for serious.

[aeroport_art.livejournal.com]

Heh, thanks! As for the Arthur/Gwen, when I saw that in the author notes it totally made me dread their scenes together. I kept waiting for some sordid het to come up, it was horrible! It never arose though, so I figured I should save the rest of you the same dread XD

[tabularassa.livejournal.com]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! <33333 Epic fail for LJ not notifying me. Hope you had a good day.

[aeroport_art.livejournal.com]

Hey sweetie! No worries, I'm totally MIA when it comes to lj birthdays (as I'm sure you've noticed >.>) I dunno, I just haven't set up the notifications so it never comes up! But thanks for saying hiii. And what a cute icon!

[tabularassa.livejournal.com]

Aww, no worries;) You'll always be my homegirl. LOL <3

Thanks!

[the-muppet.livejournal.com]

Thanks as always for the recs =)

[aeroport_art.livejournal.com]

Of course! Thanks for saying hi <3

[timetraveled.livejournal.com]

askgdhjfjk I missed your birthday? D: Fail. I hope you had a good day! ♥

[aeroport_art.livejournal.com]

Haha, no worries. I did have a nice day, thank you!

[betsyli.livejournal.com]

Spiny's RPS series just makes my heart BLEED. *sniffles* It's so wonderfully written, incredibly touching and overall just flail-inducing.

I loved the first too, Gone Were But the Winter.

So how was your birthday, hmm?

[aeroport_art.livejournal.com]

My bday was a total non-event, which would've been sad and pathetic but I had a lovely day so whatever :) Ran some errands, sat in a coffee shop for a bit. Watched some due south <3 Besides, over in CA it was keith's dad's funeral, so it was kind of a sober day anyway. I mean gosh, when my oldest sister called to say happy birthday she started CRYING o_o So yes, 24 is not the one to remember for me. Maybe next year!

[betsyli.livejournal.com]

Ah, bad timing. And life got in the way.
I'm glad that you got to hang out and be chill at least. And that you watched some Due South, LOL.

[willow-m-w.livejournal.com]

I love the theme this week, makes for some excellent recs. :)

Also, happy belated birthday! Sorry, I didn't know.

[aeroport_art.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the bday wishes!

And btw, the theme of the week is something i pick after doing all the recs and seeing what's trending D: Oh nooo now that you mention it, it seems sorta unclear. *goes to explain in the primer*

[riserva.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the lovely, lovely rec. :D

And belated happy birthday!

[aeroport_art.livejournal.com]

Uh, HELLO. THANK YOU YOU SCARILY TALENTED WOMAN.

and thanks for the bday wishes XD