weekly round-up 31

[aeroport_art]

I'm in St. Louis, Missouri.

I kind of love this city a lot. The people are so nice. It's like...you just ask for stuff and PEOPLE GIVE IT TO YOU. I got the cover waived at the club last night for my friend and I, plus paid-for drinks. This morning at brunch, asked for a coffee refill and got a free americano. This evening walked up to the drive-thru window at Taco Bell (in a ghetto neighborhood, no less) with no problems ordering, while unlikely strangers in separate cars offered friendly advice before they knew I'd been helped already. Passersby pepper your day with harmless "hello"s and "how are you doing?"s.

So um, yeah. I KIND OF LOVE YOU, ST. LOUIS. This entire weekend, including shopping purchases and going out all day, every day, has cost less than brunch and a coffee stop would've back in New York City. *sigh* Cost of living is depressingly high at home and made more depressing when juxtaposed with the rest of the country. The city is unbeatable when you have cash, but unlivable when it dries up. You can probably guess which boat I'm currently in :P

Buuuut enough TMI, I'm getting maudlin. Trend of the week: CLICHED KINKS DONE RIGHT. Because we looooove our cliches and we loooooove our porn. What's keeping us from looooooooving this two-for-one?


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

Merlin recs

It was kind of sad, really. by scifijunkie (photo)
Summary: Arthur/Merlin, G, screenshot + caption.
Notes: SO CUTE IT HURTS

Quid Pro Quo by allothi (NC-17, 1k)
Summary: Arthur/Merlin, modern!AU, dub-con. Arthur is a minister and Merlin wants some legislation passed. Merlin will bribe him any way, to make him do the right thing.
Notes: This is some grade-A office!sex. Insidiously hot, which makes it all the hotter.

One Take by freudian_fuckup (NC-17, ~1k)
Summary: Arthur/Merlin, pornstar!AU. Arthur and Merlin are pornstars who hate each other, but they can't complain about the sex.
Notes: Not as much of a PWP as it sounds, this actually has a lot of characterization thrown in. With Morgana behind the camera the story gets a dash of humor, but to boil it down, I'd have to call this fic simply cute. The gratuitous sex never hurts though ;)

Forgiven, But Not Quite by dh_chan (NC-17, 2k)
Summary: Arthur/Merlin, football!AU. Merlin loses the game for the team and Arthurs waits after the rest leave to punish him properly. Smut, oral, anal, language
Notes: Rough!sex will push my buttons every single time. And the ending? Priceless (and HOT).

Older and Far Away by shinybug (R, 9k)
Summary: Arthur/Merlin, future!fic. Merlin leaves Camelot, and Merlin returns.
Notes: Normally a longer story like this will get more commentary from me, but all I can say is that this is a good, solid romance. The narrative is spun like a bard's tale of longing and destiny: plain, old-fashioned romance. You'll sigh and smile.

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

Comments

[virginhuntress.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for these! I had a crazy, shit week and knowing that I can pop by and get some of the best Merlin stories just makes my whole week sometimes.

::Hugs::

Hope all is well for you lately.

[aeroport_art.livejournal.com]

Your comment totally made me smile ;_; Thanks hon. *smish*

[deadbeat-nymph.livejournal.com]

I so understand about the cost of living in the too-cool-for-school cities. It's why I will never live in Toronto. Even if I ever really want to, I'll just never be able to afford it. *snuggles Montreal*

[aeroport_art.livejournal.com]

But montreal is awesome!! is it affordable as well? jealous jealous.

[deadbeat-nymph.livejournal.com]

*cackles*

Let's just say: top floor of a brownstone-type building, 2 bedrooms, separate living room and large kitchen, 2 balconies, and 2 blocks from a metro station that is 3 stops from right downtown, in an old neighbourhood with lots of trees, green spaces, a major bicycle trail, a fantastic market, a microbrewery, decent restaurants, all needs within easy walking distance = $650/month.

Also, a metro/bus pass is 68$/month with taxes at the highest price (i.e. non-student, non-senior, etc.). And all the public swimming pools in the city are free.

[aeroport_art.livejournal.com]

:P

[deadbeat-nymph.livejournal.com]

Sorry. Gloating is bad. It's something that we who have moved to Montreal do to our friends who've moved to Toronto or Vancouver. We're poopy. :(

[heartofoshun.livejournal.com]

Great fic recs. I should have commented weeks ago about how I look forward to seeing your picks.

Actually, you forced my lazy hand this time with this remark: The city is unbeatable when you have cash, but unlivable when it dries up.

Thanks again for the lovely recs.

Signed--
Broke in Brooklyn at the Moment

[aeroport_art.livejournal.com]

Signed--Broke in Brooklyn at the Moment

That makes you and me both, babe. Thanks for your comments, they totally brightened me up!

[aossi.livejournal.com]

I live in St. Louis, actually. Its not really the best thing ever, but people are generally friendly. We don't really have much going for us, so we try to be nice to make up for the rest of the crap.
I don't know how long you'll be in town, but I tell everyone who comes here to check out The City Museum (http://www.citymuseum.org/home.asp). Its pretty much the best thing ever. Its 10 bucks I think, and its like a giant jungle gym made out of awesome stuff. Like a plane. And a two story slide. Go. Be amazed.

[aeroport_art.livejournal.com]

Oh no, I totally missed out on the city museum! I'm back in NY now but man, I had a great time in your city. No joke.

[puckling.livejournal.com]

You know, I always forget to comment, but I just have to say, I read the weekly round up every week and I always enjoy the stuff that you rec.

[aeroport_art.livejournal.com]

Aww, thank you dearie!! btw staraflur is always raving about you so imma friend you if you don't mind gaining a new stalker.

[puckling.livejournal.com]

I love new friends! *stalks you back*

[staraflur.livejournal.com]

BEE TEE DUBS

I DO NOT KNOW HOW YOU CAN BE ON THE FENCE ABOUT THIS

[aeroport_art.livejournal.com]

BECAUSE I'VE BEEN SPOILED. If Bradley and Colin wind up doing any of the below, then you can ask me again if I think there's something between them.

I hope you're not on dial-up.











And for the denouement, start from 1:10...

[staraflur.livejournal.com]

Well you know, imo the helpless helpless eye contact is worth way more than this jumping on each other in front of the camera.

I AM JUST SAYING

ALSO MY LADY PAD HAS A POOL JSYK.

[aeroport_art.livejournal.com]

EYE CONTACT (http://a2j2.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/growyourwings1.jpg)
EYE CONTACT (http://media.photobucket.com/image/jensen%20jared%20j2/BeeLikeJ/Fandoms%20BLJ/JaredJensenSPARKLE.jpg)

Their love is canon.

A POOL??? STOP TEMPTING ME, TEMPTRESS. (so when would be a good time to go?? you got school now!)

[staraflur.livejournal.com]

THAT EYE CONTACT IS PRETTY ACCEPTABLE.

BUT THIS WINS

I AM NOT TRYING TO DENY J AND J THEIR LOVE.

I AM JUST SAYING.

I GUESS YOU ARE RIGHT :\\\\\\\\ BUT I WILL BE THERE NEXT SUMMER TOO

[aeroport_art.livejournal.com]

OF COURSE IT WINS.

i like how colin's all of three years old and limp-wristed in that photo. *HUGS HIS FACE*

[staraflur.livejournal.com]

JUST TRY TO THINK OF THAT LAST TIME YOU SAW TWO PEOPLE LOOK AT EACH OTHER LIKE THAT.

JUST THINK.

hahahah he is so poorly dressed and poorly postured, it is true

[puckling.livejournal.com]

Dude, they are from the British Isles. They don't do unseemly public displays of emotion. All of their snogging is done in private. :P

okay, J2 is totes canon though

[aeroport_art.livejournal.com]

but david tennant! making out with john barrowman! he's from those parts, ain't he?

[staraflur.livejournal.com]

BUT THAT WAS FOR LULZ.

[puckling.livejournal.com]

From what I have heard of John Barrowman he is an exception to all rules ever. Possibly by being excessively awesome.

Colin, however, is just not that sort of boy, no matter what suggestions Bradley makes about video cameras.

[betsyli.livejournal.com]

I WANNA GO VISIT ST-LOUIS TOO!!
(Wedding? Is Lulu(?) getting married?)

Ya know, Montreal is pretty damn affordable too. XD

SHINY RECS, YAY!

[aeroport_art.livejournal.com]

hahaha st louis was awesome. that was just to visit my friend lulu though, who actually just broke up with her long-term boyfriend D:

the wedding is end of this month! cape cod.

yes i have heard aaaall about how affordable montreal is from deadbeat_nymph. You guys are killing me, here =_=