Rewatching Merlin S1E2, When Merlin Is Dressing Arthur For His Duel And Just Generally Being Incompetent

I did in fact start drafting a full fic for this… (but I am SLOW, so I make no promises)

but anyway, one scene that’s going around in my brain:

[All the contestants on the plane going to the Farmer’s Dinner or smth idk]

“Erm, why is Merlin on the plane with us?”

“He’s my plus one.”

“Arthur, this is literally a dating show.”

ok i have a dumb Merthur fic idea: Farmer Wants a Wife AU

hear me out:

Arthur is a rich bachelor who owns a farm

Merlin is his farm hand who lives in the local town

He’s been working for Arthur for 3 years- they got off on the wrong foot by insulting each other but since then have become close friends (not that either of them would admit it)

Morgana secretly signs Arthur up to the TV show Farmer Wants a Wife

Arthur has to host 4 beautiful women on his farm and take them on dates (and everything is being filmed)

Arthur starts to realise he misses Merlin- that he would rather be mucking out the stables with him, than on a boring picnic date

Maybe he kisses one of the women and realises he’s not attracted to her and he’s like Oh Shit: Sexuality Crisis

Of course some fun banter between Merlin and Arthur around the farm when they’ve stopped filming for the day- Merlin teases Arthur about the whole Wife thing

Maybe one of the women is Gwen and she Notices how much Arthur talks about Merlin, and she Notices how awful it was when Arthur kissed her, and she puts the pieces together

Maybe Arthur and Gwen become close as friends, and at some point he confides in her (off camera) and she’s like “I know.”

MAYBE ALL THE GIRLS HAVE INDEPENDENTLY FIGURED IT OUT- and they compare notes “yeah, he was SUCH a bad kisser” “definitely gay for his farm hand” AND THEY WORK TOGETHER TO COME UP WITH A PLAN TO GET ARTHUR AND MERLIN TOGETHER

Arthur doesn’t know what’s going on, but the girls keep calling in “sick” and he keeps ending up on romantic dates with Merlin???

Don’t really know how to end this, but of course they end up together, Arthur’s a good kisser when it’s Merlin he’s kissing, he remains good friends with Gwen and the girls, and they make television history

happy valentine’s 💞

I was minding my own goddamn business only to suddenly remember this scene exists

I don't know how to explain it, but it's addressing something so visceral in me.

Like. Did anyone ever expand on how Arthur literally didn't even blink before getting up to save Merlin from the onslaught he would have faced for his outrage? He just got up immediately and took Merlin away, held and handled his anger, and even gave him the respite (visiting Gaius) that he needed.

Wtf. Like boy no you're not supposed to be this fucking in sync with your manservant's reactions. But it's as if he predicted it even, because he saw in Merlin the exact same reaction he wanted to do, but had the tact not to because he grew up with boundaries. So he goes on to save his boy instead.

Sick of how much these two loved each other

(recs)

Chapter 3: Of Farmers and Wives

it's *finally* up

“So,” said Merlin not thirty minutes later as they were refilling the ewe’s feeders. “How was your night?” Arthur’s state of calm immediately shattered. “It was fine,” he said quickly– but he probably should have picked a more enthusiastic descriptor because Merlin, who’d been slumping about dejectedly over the feed mill, suddenly straightened up and twisted towards him with great interest. “Just fine?” he asked, eyes glinting.

read it here!

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and then Arthur decides to teach him, and Merlin just goes along with it (because Arthur is being so patient and gentle, and finding every excuse to hold Merlin’s hand, and Merlin doesn’t want to tell him. because honestly these tutoring sessions are the highlight of his day. and seeing Arthur patiently explaining things is hot)

Merlin, who can, in fact, read: I can't read

concept: Arthur dies at Camlann and Merlin’s magic goes feral and resurrects him right then and there. like, he doesn’t heal him, Arthur is actually dead and Merlin is just like “nope” and bends the laws of life and death for him.

and what if Arthur comes back changed? like maybe he takes something back with him (an ability, some sort of magic?) and Merlin has to help him adjust

I’m sure there are probably fics like this- please drop any recs!

fanfics are one of the best things that humanity has come up with. i fucking love reading stories about my favorite characters from people who have the same brainrot as me

My new headcannon is that before Merlin became Arthurs man servant he used to brush his own hair, dress himself, and wash himself in the bath. But Merlin, not knowing any better, assumed that was his job, so he did those things. Then you have Arthur who, as a prince, everyone holds themselves apart from him. Then along comes Merlin giving him the contact that he craves. Arthur refuses to tell him otherwise, because he doesn't want to lose the intimacy of Merlins touch so freely given.

Merlin discovers these tasks aren't part of his duties after a casual conversation with Gwen shortly after arriving, but does not say a word.

After they are in a relationship, and another servant has taken his place so that he can attend to his court sourcerer duties, Merlin continues to brush Arthurs hair, and tie his tunics. Sometimes saving Arthur doesn't involve a sword or magic.