I love this richly detailed, fascinating world and the people who inhabit it. I love this stoic, buttoned up Arthur and this nurturing, loving Merlin he's keeping at arm's length.
Arthur and Merlin's friendship was well drawn and when Merlin finally confessed he has magic, I was as tied up in knots as he was, waiting for another angry outburst from Arthur. Instead, Arthur's reaction was a wonderful surprise. This scene sang: He was kneeling almost between Merlin’s legs, and Merlin removed his mittens and put a hand to his cheek. Merlin suddenly remembered that only a scant fifteen minutes before he had been certain he’d never touch Arthur’s face, his beloved face with the blond stubble he denied trying to grow out every year, the funny eyebrows, the pointed nose, the chapped lips, the sharp jaw Merlin adored. The very belovedness of him and the wave of love that hit Merlin when he brushed his fingertips over Arthur’s eyelashes made him brave, and he smiled when he kissed him. Finally, Merlin's no longer at arm's length, he's in Arthur's arms and it seems he's finally there to stay.
Lance just swooping in and collecting Gwen on the way out of town was another wonderful surprise. It all made for a fantastic read.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2012-01-12 10:35 pm (UTC)Arthur and Merlin's friendship was well drawn and when Merlin finally confessed he has magic, I was as tied up in knots as he was, waiting for another angry outburst from Arthur. Instead, Arthur's reaction was a wonderful surprise. This scene sang: He was kneeling almost between Merlin’s legs, and Merlin removed his mittens and put a hand to his cheek. Merlin suddenly remembered that only a scant fifteen minutes before he had been certain he’d never touch Arthur’s face, his beloved face with the blond stubble he denied trying to grow out every year, the funny eyebrows, the pointed nose, the chapped lips, the sharp jaw Merlin adored. The very belovedness of him and the wave of love that hit Merlin when he brushed his fingertips over Arthur’s eyelashes made him brave, and he smiled when he kissed him. Finally, Merlin's no longer at arm's length, he's in Arthur's arms and it seems he's finally there to stay.
Lance just swooping in and collecting Gwen on the way out of town was another wonderful surprise. It all made for a fantastic read.