my moral standing is lying down

I think this series was started just after I'd stopped shooting up with Merlin fic. But it's almost a year later and not only is it GOOD, but it's also almost 500,000 words of it. I'm only just started part 3 now, but I can't express how fucking happy I am to read really fucking well-written military fiction in ANY fandom, and even moreso in Merlin fandom!

My one gripe so far is that of Arthur's characterization in part 1, but he's gotten a lot better as the story moves forward.

I can't recommend this highly enough, and I'm not even halfway through yet! I suspect it'll take me til at least tomorrow to finish, but I can already tell that I won't want it to end.

Loaded March (series) by Footloose. Eventual Arthur/Merlin. Modern AU. The reason SAS Captain Arthur Pendragon can't keep a communications specialist in Team Excalibur because none of them are good enough. And then Lieutenant Merlin Emrys gets assigned to his squad, and Arthur does everything he can to prove that Merlin isn't good enough, either. Except he is.

ETA: So unfortunately I have to admit that there's some odd (maybe internalized?) misogyny sprinkled throughout this otherwise awesomely epic fic. It's not relegated to a specific character or two, so there really isn't an "in-character" excuse. It does make me a bit uncomfortable but the rest of the plot is so darn good it still outweighs the unfortunate parts. So there's a bit of a trigger warning for you. =/

And yes, I realize that everyone has probably already read this. But dammit, someone should've told me about it! =P

This makes me want to reread pretty much everything by David Weber, who writes the best military sci-fi EVER. But of course, that reminds me that there are a few of Weber's series I have to catch up on. \o/

Click to read!!!

List of all days.

[Poll #1776988]


So yeah, I'm.... going to Indonesia tomorrow. For six weeks. HOW WEIRD IS THAT, GUYS? I'm still sort of... I don't think it's actually set in? It probably won't til I arrive in the Jakarta airport, ahahaha. And besides that I can't wait to visit starafar in Singapore! HOW IS THIS EVEN MY LIFE?!

I'm showing my room to a friend of a friend in like, an hour, to see if she's interested in renting it for the rest of September. I'm seriously crossing my fingers on this because any little bit is going to help me pay my rent!

And randomly, a fic rec-- I'm in the middle of this awesome transgender!Merlin fic that's 93k words long and I'm just about done with the first third of. It's great. It's so great. I was trying to save it for the 16-hour flight... plus the three-hour layover in Hong Kong... plus the 5-hour flight from Hong Kong to Jakarta... but I just couldn't help myself.

Edit the Sad Parts by cruentum

All those pics of Bradley's charity football match are lovely, but what I wanted was a bit of context. Which jhava provides in her awesome recap here. BRADLEY IS PARTICULARLY BENDY AND ADORABLE. Especially with fans! (Adorable, that is... not bendy?) Looks like he really went out of his way to sign autographs and be accessible. Which is just-- really wonderful. It makes me so happy when celebs acknowledge and interact with their fans this way.

This one is my fave. (Whaaaat, I have a weakness for pretty people in this position? Ahahahaha...?) And mmmm, he looks all tired-but-relaxed.



I don't read RPF all that much, not because of any "moral" protestations or anything like that (hahah, please), but just because I don't feel like I really have a handle on, you know, their "real" personalities. Though I suppose the cast's video diaries and plethora of behind-the-scenes stuff Merlin's producers have provided us means there's a greater chance of getting the cast's personalities close(r) to reality...?

In any case, I came across this fucking amazing epic RPF fic that basically YOU NEED TO READ RIGHT NOW, if you haven't already done so (which you may have since it was posted for merlinbb_rpf in September 2010).

junkshop_disco's The Colour of Cartoon Sunshine.

I'm absolutely in love with JD's inclusion of what seem like frivolous detail but really add to the depth of the character and flesh out the character's quirks and thought processes and reflexive (panicked/under-pressure) reactions. It's so wonderful and realistic and really makes her stories a pleasure to read.

In this particular fic, I was just completely pulled in by Colin -- how self-aware he is about his own issues, and yet how blind he is to some of his own feelings; how much he recognizes Bradley's brand of charisma and yet how unfathomable Bradley's motives are to him. I love Bradley's persistence, and patience, and god, his niceness. Nice can be such a vague and sort of backhandedly-insulting way to describe someone. But really, I LIKE PEOPLE WHO ARE NICE, OKAY.

It felt like a lot of the advancements of plot were actually staggered with emotional realizations/advancements -- which made it fell all the more realistic because you know, life happens, even when you're not emotionally ready for it. I never wanted the fic to end, but I love how when it did-- I didn't feel like it was too soon; I didn't feel like it was all wrapped up neatly.

One of the reasons this fic struck me so hard is because, in so many ways I AM EXACTLY LIKE COLIN, the way he is, here.

Please go read it.

Ahahaha, Judy and I were talking over gchat about how people think she's insane, but I reassured her that some people don't mind insanity and she agreed it must be true since I still live with her. Then I said how I think I've gotten more insane as I've gotten older (yes, Sunday was my 30th) -- but also that I care less about hiding my insanity.

Then there was a pause while I checked my flist and saw that onelittlesleep had posted another fic.

Then there was this explosion:

me: onelittlesleep is fucking amazing, she posts fic A LOT
and all her porn is hot and filthy and WRONG
and delicious
like arthur/igraine
OMG I LOVE HER SO MUCH

judy: hahaha, oh gosh sara
its a wonder why I still live with you
30 and completely insane

me: ahahahahah wow, i didn't even think about how insane that sounded, but yes it's clearly true
Yeah, I'm that sort of talented person who clearly exemplifies, in the next breath, those characteristics which she had just identified about herself.

Please consider the above chatlog a recommendation to read all of onelittlesleep's fics, btw. I cannot describe enough how much I absolutely love her writing. She's one of those people who can effortlessly include fucking hot sexytiems into seriously mood-rich, setting-rich writing. She gets dialogue and description and emotion across in a way that... you don't even need plot. They can fucking be cooking a fry-up. I can't get enough of her canon-era Merlin fic; it's replete with scents and sounds and filth and all I want is to roll around in her writing and press her words into my skin forever and ever.

My favorites?
1. The Merlin Le Fay 'verse where Merlin is Morgana's (and therefore Arthur's) younger brother;
2. The girl!Merlin/Arthur 'verse which started out as PWP but then grew a gorgeous plot in the last couple of parts;
3. The Arthur-centric, introspective Prince Regent of Camelot (complete in 2 parts).

And then just go read all the rest of her deliciously hot, filthy, delightfully wrong fic.

I'm a little swamped at work, but I wanted to do rec a few things I've read recently.

yanethyrael's Only in the Storms, written for i_reversebang and fae_boleyn's art. I had the pleasure of betaing for the lovely yanethyrael and totally got caught up in the off-the-grid lives of Ariadne, Arthur and Eames. It's mostly gen, though there are hints of interest. Most significantly, I'm not really a fan of Ariadne in canon or fanon, but this Ariadne is pretty darn cool -- I actually like her. All three of them are interesting characters and my only complaint is that there isn't more! It feels like the start of a story, and I'm shamelessly demanding some sequel ficlets! Go forth and read, and don't forget to comment!

ION, I'm relatively new to the Merlin fandom so for the last month I've been feverishly reading ALL THE FIC. (There is no end in sight, just yet.) There have been SO MANY great, epic fic and I haven't been keeping track of them as well as I should be, but since I've got a moment just now, I'm reccing a few (all Arthur/Merlin):

1. ardent's Break Like Time: The Fifth Column. JESUS FUCK. This is an epically and amazingly plotted canon-era AU which re-appropriates the events of the show and turns it all on its side while keeping the main themes and relationship dynamics intact. This reads like an epic fantasy, rife with secrets, betrayal, split loyalties, hidden plots, and well-timed revelations -- I don't even think the author would have to change names in order to get this published because it's just another take on the Arthurian legends (though clearly taking inspiration from the BBC show). 30k words AND YET IT IS ONLY THE FIRST ARC! I'm desperately hoping the author continues because reading this was satisfying in ways so much of the canon-era fic out there are not.
   
   
2. seperis's Privileges of Rank (but really basically ALL of her Merlin fanfic) because her Arthur is my headcanon!Arthur. All the interaction he has with other characters is SO in character with the canon, and yet we get to see how he tries to hide his compassion and dedication to justice, and god, how much he cares. And the dialogue! Dialogue can be SO difficult to write -- it's absolutely the bane of my own attempts -- but she nails it. So basically, go read everything she's written. PoR in particular, though, has a touch of dark to it -- a nod to the power dynamics in the show; in a completely self-indulgent way, I wish there had been more, but what was included REALLY worked for the story itself.
   
   
3. riventhorn's Knights of the Air, a ridiculously well-written, well-researched story about Arthur and Merlin as RAF pilots during World War II. The atmosphere of this was SO well done, I felt like I was watching a WWII movie. This was heartbreakingly lovely.
   
   ETA:
   
4. Just read everything by syllic.

PLEASE, don't hesitate to rec some more Merlin fics to me -- I've been on a spree and I still can't get enough. I feel vaguely guilty as there are some Inception fic (WIPs and others) that I haven't kept up with, but I know I'll get back to them soon. Oddly enough I've gone back to listening to my Inception-related playlist full of french music from the 60s and random emo-rock (yeah, don't ask).

OH MY GOD PEOPLE, sorry this list is so long! This is stuff I've been meaning to rec from like, 1-2 weeks ago (in no particular order):

SHERLOCK (John/Sherlock)

lasjdflsjalfjslfjdlsjfsld I happened to refresh my flist right as wordstrings was posting A Thousand Threads of What-Might-Have-Beens, so I was like Part 1! ASLDFJASLJFLSDJF YAY! Where's part 2? *waits a few minutes* *refreshes* OMG THERE'S PART TWO AND THREEEEEE!

And then I punched myself and died because I realized I wouldn't be able to read it until I got back from Toronto. But as usual, it is amazing. In some ways slightly angstier than the others in the series, but also somehow more lighthearted. I don't know how, but that's the impression I left with.

If you haven't already read the rest of the stories in this series, start working your way through her master post.

MERLIN (all Arthur/Merlin)

1. A New Low by Anon. Full of humor! The OP asked for diabetic!Merlin and anon delivered so sweetly (pun intended). Lighthearted and delightful. <3
   
   
2. IF YOU DON'T READ Anon's Pairing Pendragon/Merlin YOU JUST MIGHT REGRET IT FOR THE REST OF YOUR FANNISH LIFE. Arthur is a BNF and Merlin is his beloved beta. Basically, this is so fucking meta that the comments on the original kinkmeme format felt like they were part of the fic itself. I just about bust a fucking gut laughing at this, people, so just go read it.
   
   
3. skellerbvvt's 8x12x8 (Parts 1 2 3 4 5 6). Not so much an AU as a what if -- What if Arthur had been imprisoned (from birth, practically) by Uther as a response to his guilt over Igraine, rather than raising him to be his successor? This is more about the journey of Arthur's development into what he was destined to become than anything else. I don't know how Skeller does it; she's just amazing.

INCEPTION (all Arthur/Eames except #1)

1. Here In Spain I Am A Spaniard by soda_and_capes. So. This isn't Arthur/Eames. It's Eames/Yusuf and multiple other pairings I would normally not necessarily read. There's a little unrealized-A/E, but... you know, it's unrealized. But you should read this because it's the most realistic I've seen all these characters written, with their flaws and faults and insights. Arthur in particular.
   
   
2. Maybe You and I Will Fall in Love by traincar. This is edgy and it hurts; it's sharp and jagged and beautiful. Not a pleasant read, but one that's moving and SO worth it.
   
   
3. Tales From Liberty City by butterflythread. Delightful, sexy and hot with a real 80s movie atmosphere -- you know, like forbidden and wild and adventurous (and yet somehow without porn)! How does that even happen?
   
   
4. Existentialism on Prom Night by sometimesalways. OMFG This fic just somehow worked itself into my brain and hasn't left me alone! Arthur and Eames are teenagers in 1996 and GODDAMN it's like she went to high school with me or something. Music plays a big role in this and basically I was having flashbacks of junior and high school throughout. Ah, nostalgia. I won't mention how for a week or two after I read this, my iPhone/playlist consisted of Bush and Jesus and Mary Chain (both featured in the fic) and other examples of post-grunge 90s rock. Ahahaha.
   
   
5. Under the Steinway (series) by toomuchplor. The series is listed in chronological order, rather than published order, though I prefered having read it in published order. Pianist!Arthur and Baritone!Eames meet in music college. If you don't know anything about music (that is, reading, playing, studying, etc.) -- and I don't -- don't worry, this is still fucking amazing. Descriptions are written in such a way that you get a feel for what's going on even if you don't quite understand. If you do know music, clearly you will have transcended to another level with this fic. The shorter fics that follow take place years later, when they're "grown up".
   
   
6. whiskyrunner's The Running Play (Part 1 2, 3, 4, part 5 will be the last part). OH GOD THE LOVELY LOVELY ANGST. Footballer!Eames and Serious Student!Arthur are kind of dumb, kind of willing to be oblivious to certain things, and are both in serious denial of some serious stuff) -- basically, very much like teenagers/early 20-somethings can genuinely be (and often are). This fic tackles (oh god, I didn't even mean to make that pun) serious issues and includes noncon and gaybashing. It illustrates a tragic situation that's probably all too real for some.
   
   
7. skellerbvvt's Rule Ten (WIP, part 111/? but comment-length, and updated daily!). JESUS FUCKING CHRIST. Started out as Arthur/Jailbait!Eames, but as it turned out to have a BDSM slant to it, and Skeller could not in good conscience let a 16-yr old Eames get into an intense BDSM relationship with Arthur without any other supports in his life, this turned into a monster of a WIP. YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW AWESOME IT IS TO HAVE SOMEONE WRITING THIS SORT OF BDSM RELATIONSHIP. I AM SUCH A SUCKER FOR ALL THE FUMBLING ATTEMPTS AT COMMUNICATION AND ARTHUR'S GUILTY CONSCIENCE. AND JFC, THEY HAVEN'T EVEN DONE ANYTHING MORE THAN KISS (YET). IT'S SO FUCKING GORGEOUS I CAN'T EVEN TALK ABOUT IT WITHOUT RESORTING TO CAPSLOCK. (SORRY.)
   
   
8. delires's We Can Do This Until We Pass Out, aka the chav!verse (WIP, part 6/7). Eames is a total chav but Arthur loves it. Yeah, that's basically it. There's plot and it's good, but it's mostly secondary to their relationship and the fact that what they like about each other is how they're so different, and their differences can sometimes be huge points of contention. EAMES SPEAKS SLANG AND IT IS BRILLIANT AND AWESOME AND I WOULD GO AROUND TALKING LIKE THAT IF I WOULDN'T SOUND LIKE AN IDIOT, BRUV. ALSO THIS HAS RENEWED MY (previously mild) INTEREST IN GRIME AND DUBSTEP WTF. I won't mention how I have a playlist called big up the chav on my iTunes (and if you're interested in what's on it I will gladly send you the list/link) and how I may be going to a dubstep event at Terminal 5 next month. =D

And yes, there are a bunch of other fics that have been posted recently (including some big bangs) that I will rec soon! (So you should hurry and read these before I rec again!)

ETA: Link to my playlist and grime/dubstep/indie (hip)hop recs in the comments. If you check it out, please comment, I'd love to know what you think and/or if you have any recs of your own.

But I spent all day today reading rageprufrock's epic Merlin 6-part modern-day!AU series, which starts with Drastically Redefining Protocol. You should read it even if you've never seen Merlin -- and you don't really need to have in order to read this fic. Because JFC. I never thought I'd care much, BUT MERLIN GAGGING FOR ARTHUR'S COCK IS FUCKING HOT WTF?! (And now I'm gagging for more good Merlin fic, dammit.)

So, there have been adorable gifs of behind-the-scenes stuff for Merlin going around everywhere -- I suppose now that the season 3 finale has just passed. It makes me want to try and watch the show again, but I don't know if I can actually bring myself to do it. Does anyone maybe have a list of good episodes to watch for seasons 2 and 3? Or conversely, a list of episodes I can/should skip?

And do you know how annoying it is to love another character named Arthur? *rolls eyes at self*

Also, a book rec for everyone, but especially fredericks! Almost Like Being In Love by Steve Kluger. Not your usual romance, gay or otherwise. But this was probably THE MOST HILARIOUS LOVE STORY I'VE EVER READ -- and I'm not really a huge fan of comedy. But it had me laughing out loud everywhere. What's even better is that the characters are wonderful! Amazingly developed; they're not stereotypes; they have real stories to tell you. Even the secondary characters! Kluger introduces them and you think they're going to be these minor background characters, but somehow they become more and more involved, or just have a stronger voice, and before you know it you've gone and invested in them, too. This is a mainstream published book, which means no sexytiems or anything, which was possibly my only disappointment. But more importantly I give it the highest praise I can give any book: I was absolutely unsure what the ending would be. There were several possibilities, all of them equally plausible, and all almost as equally desirable in my mind.

Travis and Craig's story is ABSOLUTELY worth reading. <3

ETA: Forgot to mention that the format is as unusual as it is interesting; epistolary-style, I suppose you'd say, though it's not solely letters. My one peeve with this book is the usage of interoffice memorandums (in 1998) between two coworkers who are also best friends. I felt the use of email would've been much more appropriate here and it bugged me enough to jar me out of the story every so often.