Merlin Holidays

Title: A man after midnight
Recipient: ambrosius pendragonns
Rating: NC-17
Pairings: Merlin/Arthur
Word Count: 25k
Content Notes/Warnings: None
Summary: Arthur works the night shift. Merlin helps him chase the shadows away.
Author's Notes: Dear ambrosius, happy holidays! I loved writing this and I hope you enjoy it too.

Fun fact: writing this fic put me in the top 1% of Abba listeners worldwide for the year. If you are one of the many people who enabled that by making me write more words, thank you.

AO3 link to fanwork: https://archiveofourown.org/works/27835576

Title: time lost, love gained
Recipient: Merlin Holidays Community
Rating: E
Pairings: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon
Word Count: ~7k
Content Notes/Warnings: n/a
Summary: Merlin isn't asking for much. He just wants one—one—patrol where nothing bad happens. He wants one, single patrol that doesn't end up with them having to face yet another group of bandits. Why does Arthur feel the need to keep putting them in these situations?

AO3 link to fanwork: https://archiveofourown.org/works/27788251

Title: And I Feel the Hand of Fate (Reaching Out to Both of Us)

Recipient: The smart blue box (Jacobeth)

Rating: M+/NC-17/Explicit

Pairings: Merlin/Arthur

Word Count: 22,000

Content Notes/Warnings: Canon Era, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Arthur Knows About Merlin's Magic, Angst with a Happy Ending, Merlin's Magic Revealed, Protective Arthur Pendragon, Oblivious Arthur Pendragon, Hurt/Comfort, Getting Together, Explicit Sexual Content, First Time, Post-Episode: s02e02 The Once and Future Queen, POV Arthur Pendragon, Merlin Angst, Sleepover at Merlin's, Caring Arthur Pendragon, Bottom Merlin

Summary: “I passed Merlin on the way up here, and he didn’t look very happy... I gather he is not looking forward to the two of you playing house?”

“Morgana, we are not playing house...”

“Pity, that. A little playing house where you and Merlin are concerned would not be remiss... Don’t look at me like that, Arthur... Just because your father is wound up like a loom, doesn’t mean you need to follow suit.”

In which Arthur has a simple, uncomplicated plan to find out more about Merlin’s life, but plans don’t always work out as we expect, do they? Occasionally, they work out perfectly. Other times, not so much. This plan just might end up with a little of both.

Author's Notes: The smart blue box (Jacobeth), it took me a while to decide which prompt to use because each of them were warring with one another to get my attention, but once I chose one, the story immediately revealed itself. I hope you like what I came up with. The happiest of Merlin Holidays to you!

The art of crafting an in-depth fic such as this does not happen alone. I do the writing, but it is my brilliant beta who wrangles my commas and suggests other wonderful ideas that help to make this what it now is. Thank you, dear beta guru!

Story title and chapter titles are lyrics from I Can't Hold Back by Survivor.


AO3 link to fanwork: https://archiveofourown.org/works/27565288

Title: Love came down at Christmas
Recipient: Glayvas
Rating: Explicit
Pairings: Merlin/Arthur
Word Count: 28,433
Content Notes/Warnings: Past abusive relationship references, Past character death references
Summary: When Merlin takes his boss, Arthur to the office Christmas party to prove to Cenred his evil ex that he’s completely over him, little does he know that he’s an unwitting party to a matchmaking scheme. And, in the days that follow, what starts off as a mutual fake relationship starts to take on a more serious note as Merlin’s feelings grow. Not only that, but he suspects that the feeling might be mutual. Or is that just wishful thinking?
Author's Notes: Glayvas, I hope that you enjoy this fic, I’m not entirely sure I fit any of your briefs, but I tried my best and then the boys ran off with the story.

Thank you also to my fantastic beta reader, S, for all their hard work and advise to make this into a readable story. I value your input so, so much! And thank you to the mods for being understanding and accommodating me with such a late posting date. Plus a special thanks to C, even with half a bottle of wine and a Bailey’s in you, you’re still a much better summary writer than I’ll ever be!

AO3 link to fanwork: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22006609

Title: A Pregnant Pause
Recipient: rotrude
Rating: E
Pairings: Merlin/Arthur
Word Count: ~13k
Content Notes/Warnings: None
Summary: On their way to college, Merlin and Arthur get thrown a curveball neither of them is prepared for
Author's Notes: See AO3

AO3 link to fanwork: https://archiveofourown.org/works/21932293

Title: Falling Into Place
Recipient: Polomonkey
Rating: Explicit/NC-17
Pairings: Arthur/Gwen; Arthur/Gwen/Merlin
Word Count: ~2,500
Content Notes/Warnings: Dom/sub, oral sex, blindfolds, slight humiliation (while playing), dubcon if you squint really hard (the consent isn’t explicitly stated, though it’s there).
Summary: Gwen didn’t expect Merlin to walk in on her and Arthur, but now that he’s here…
Author's Notes: Dear Polomonkey, I hope you like your gift! You’re a treasure in this fandom and I wish you the happiest of holidays!
Thank you to T for the super quick beta and encouraging words, and to the mods for their infinite patience and encouragement. <3

AO3 link to fanwork: https://archiveofourown.org/works/21719152

Title: A Midwinter Tradition
Recipient: skitz_phenom
Rating: Explicit
Pairings: Merlin/Arthur
Word Count: 8k
Content Notes/Warnings: None
Summary: Ever since once battling a witch, Merlin and Arthur have developed a Yule tradition of their own. It's private, comforting, and it warms more than just the heart.
Author's Notes: Dear Skitz_phenom, I hope this winter gift brings you some joy and a measure of entertainment. Reading your prompts I got a sense for your love of canon and canon AUs, so I went fully medieval, and hopped back to Camelot, if only with the mind, hoping to give you a cozy read suitable for the season. This is also the place for thanking betas, and so will I. Thank you to S, this fic's thorough editor! Happy holidays to you too. And last but not least I'd like to thank the mods for running this most seasonal of fests!

AO3 link to fanwork: A Midwinter Tradition

Title: A Scottish Noel
Recipient: Clea2011
Rating: Explicit
Pairings: Merlin/Arthur
Word Count: 18k
Content Notes/Warnings: None?
Summary: Merlin, Arthur and their friends are due to spend the Christmas Holidays in Scotland. There's only one problem with that lovely prospect. Someone mismanaged their booking and now Merlin and Arthur have to share a room, with all that entails.
Author's Notes: Dear Clea, your prompts were fantastic and all so holiday geared they made me happy. Because of its fun qualities I chose the room sharing one. I hope you like it and that your holidays pass in a haze of happiness and joy! Many thanks to my secret elf betas, who helped me with this in spite of the season's rush. Happy Merliny holidays to you too!

AO3 link to fanwork: https://archiveofourown.org/works/17155991

Title: the elf prince
Recipient: VanHelsing019
Rating: Explicit
Pairings: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon
Medium: Digital Art
Content Notes/Warnings: none
Artist's Notes: The prompts you gave me were really challenging but I did my best to create something I thought you would be happy about. I hope I made it and surprised you a little bit. Merry Christmas, VanHelsing ;)

AO3 link to the fanwork: https://archiveofourown.org/works/16907394

Title: As Always
Recipient: fifty_fifty
Rating: Explicit
Pairings: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon
Word Count: 48533
Content Notes/Warnings: No warnings
Summary: It’s a birthday tradition that they play dares every year for Leon’s birthday. It’s also tradition that Arthur gets the worst dares. It isn’t tradition, however, when his ex-best friend and crush, Merlin, turns up out of the blue after five years of being out of the country.

A story of pretend relationships, coming out, flirty texting, frisky dancing, and a hell of a lot of sex toys.
Author's Notes: You can imagine my horror when I received one of my fave writers as my giftee, so Fifty I really hope this lives up to your expectations. You inspired me to read more in this fandom and you are a wonderful soul.
Merry Christmas <3

AO3 link to fanwork: https://archiveofourown.org/works/17043950