Between Dragon*Con and getting sick a second time, I'm about two weeks behind. I hope to use the next month or so getting caught up on Merlin Big Bang fics. I have a shit-tonne bookmarked. So, without further adieu, I give you my first BB rec. Also, I need to upload moar icons.

A Warlock's Worth - Arthur x Merlin [NC-17] by ella_bane.

I adore how Ella starts hers off. There's a dreamy fairytale quality to Arthur's nurse telling him the story of the boy king. I love how there's an immediate attachment to his nurturers. Better still, I love how Arthur's maturing leads to bigger and better things, namely Uther's mention of, you guessed it, the manservant.

Arthur and Merlin have my ideal yin-yang relationship. Merlin bumbles. Arthur chastises. Merlin apologises. Arthur looks smug. Gratuitous use of the word 'Sire' happens around a few more bobbles. Lather, rinse, repeat. But they never stop looking out for one another, each in their own way. Oh, boys!

Enter the visiting dignitaries come for a tourney. Leading the princely prats is Steffan, a well-written, original character who takes a shine to Merlin. So much that Steffan convinces Uther to let Steffan have Merlin as his bedwarmer. Did I happen to mention that Steffan and Merlin share the deadliest of secrets?

I am completely in love with how this all plays out. Arthur seethes with delicious jealousy, and Merlin pines for Arthur's royal arse, and in-between and all around are oaths sworn and lines drawn and loyalties lain. Okay, and there is mind-numbing sex that's both sweet and hot, and I have to share one of my favourite interactions between the boys, because these three lines kind of undid me.

Merlin grasped the hem of Arthur's shirt. "Let me see you first."

"You always see me.

"Not like this."

(fistbite*heart-lurch*swoon)

Just a lovely story that comes full circle at 21k with the telling of the boy king again at Merlin's playful insistence. I was thoroughly entranced from start to finish ♥

Enjoy all!

--P

A smallish con report. *g*

( MAJOR CON SQUEEAGE HERE! )

Good morning all! Hope everyone had a lovely weekend! NGDF reveals go up today, I think, but I really wanted to sneak this one in while it's still anonymous. It's the longest fic [almost 50k!] I've read since H/D Hols, but it's absolutely amazing, and I wanted to share my squee ♥

There are also a handful of fics I have not yet commented on, and I will get to those later today. My apologies to those yet unnamed authors.

A note of caution. This is a dark-fest fic. The warnings are blocked out, but I'm not going to spoil what's behind the grey. That should be the reader's choice and the reader's choice alone.

Irradiance - Albus Severus/Scorpius [R] by Mystery Author melusinahp.

You'll forgive me my incoherence, please. I've just been on a four-hour reading bender, and I haven't had my coffee yet this morning. I know the reveals are today, so luckily I'll have squeaked this by. If you have some time this morning, make this your first stop. Granted, this fic is long, but the atmosphere is just amazing.

I know a lot of people shy away from dark-themed fics. Irradiance does have its dark moments, but not unlike storm clouds, the moments pass.

Because of the story's length, the fic is broken up into five parts. Admittedly, the first part is my favourite. Al and Scorpius are sorted and eventually make each other's acquaintances. Sorted into Ravenclaw, Scorpius is a bit of an odd duck, but the two form an easy friendship. I love that Al steps in as Scorpius's protector and Scorpius helps Al with his studies. Their friendship is a natural sort of revelation that develops gradually over time, and it never ever feels forced. Some of their first and second year exchanges are so heart-warming, I was still grinning long after the moments passed. There's one in particular where Scorpius is helping Al with his Transfigurations homework, and Al's inquisitiveness is positively charming. And another scene at the Manor where Al momentarily watches Scorpius's genius at work before Al's whisked away for a heart-to-heart with Draco.

And speaking of Draco, and really all of the characters in this fic, I cannot say enough about all of the wonderful characterisations. There's no abuse. There's no dysfunction. Just two loving families that come together under two sets of circumstances. Everyone is painstakingly crafted and has his or her part to play in the fic no matter how slight or considerable the impact. And I just adored Al's circle of friends, because they complemented one another perfectly, like his father's before him.

What I love most about this fic is that there are two plots moving parallel that eventually intersect. A terrorist group's explosions rock wizarding Britain, and Harry, Al and Scorpius are all caught up in the resulting maelstrom, each in their own ways. And this is where Scorpius really just wins and breaks my heart with his perseverance to the point of obsession to cure the world's ills.

Gosh, I could just ramble on and on about the wonderfulness of this fic. There's so much to behold. Harry Potter action figures made to duel. A book that gauges truth by touch. Baoding Spheres similar to Chinese Meditation Balls. A Professor Smith that rivals Snape in nastiness. And sweet, tender scenes in which Al and Scorpius express their affections believably, like teenaged boys with temperamental bits and no self-control. It's Monday, it's the start of a busy workweek, I know. But make the time if you can. They say that the journey is what matters most, but I was just as amazed with the final destination.

Enjoy all!

--P

Oh, Lucius loving people?

Portrait of Lucius Malfoy [WS] by foxestacado.

GOOD GOD MY OVARIES JUST EXPLODED! CLEANUP IN AISLE SEVEN!

--P

Merlin Prompt Fest @ merlin_muses

merlin_muses, a brand new community focused on inspiring Merlin fanworks, is hosting its first fest, and we would like to invite YOU to join in.

Round 1 of the Merlin Prompt Fest is open to all genres and pairings – including RPF. ANYONE can submit a prompt, even if you don't plan to write or draw in the fest, and all prompts can be claimed for both fic and art.

Prompting opens 10th July
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

Oooh, now this looks fun!

--P

serpentinelion's Summer Kink Fest is now open for posting! Let the smutting and smexxing begin!


Banner art by the one and only heathen_archive. Prompting starts 11th June!

I am ridiculously excited for this fest ♥

--P

Good afternoon all! It's been a very busy month for me. Stage II of home improvements has begun, and I've just been crazy stressed. Who knew owning a home was this much work? *collapses*

I've a few recs in honour of Draco's big day. Just had a lovely morning of reading and coffee and biscotti to filter out the noise of jackhammers and cement trucks. LOL! So, without further adieu...

Oh, I guess I should mention that hd_birthdaybash and DRACO BIG BANG both went live today. Plenty of Draco delectables for grabby hands. *g*

Harmony (Left-Handed Melody Remix) - Harry/Draco [NC-17] by mindabbles.

Watch your step, please. Detour if you must. You see that's me in the corner, that little puddle of goo. Min's gone and melted my brain (along with the rest of me :P) with her latest fic. Being somewhat of a misfit bassist/guitarist/skin basher, I've always had a serious love of musicians. Admittedly, my first love is for violinists. But Min gently reminds me that pianists are a close second.

In 'Harmony', Minister Shacklebolt asks Draco to play piano at a function commemorating the Dark Lord's fall. Reluctantly, Draco agrees. Min gives us lots of lovely, little snippets recalling Draco's interest and background in music, and at this point, I'm just floating on a fluffy, white cloud waving to passers-by below.

Potter's there, of course, but so is Madam Puddifoot with a job offer, and I love that Draco's so conflicted with the particulars that he pretends not to be.

One of the things I relish most about post-war Draco is his continued desire to please his father. Here, that's certainly a consideration, and I adore the struggle therein. Lucius is really only here peripherally, but there's a line in here about how Lucius thinks there's a problem with the post, because the society invitations have dwindled, and that really struck a chord with me.

But yes, this is a Harry/Draco story. Forgive me my love of ivories and poised fingers. Harry is there at Madam Puddifoot's, and he's a perfunctory three-pot and coconut teacake kind of bloke. And Harry and Draco have this watching-you-watching-me sort of thing going on. Yes, I am just a little bit in love with them and this and Min right now.

My favourite bit of this fic, though, comes at the very end. Harry gets his wish, and I sense that there's a much deeper connection in listening.

Through music.

That Look - Harry/Draco [NC-17] by ella_bane.

This is the first Harry/Draco fic Ella's written in five years. 'Hall of Mirrors' is one of my most favourite H/D fics ever, so you can just imagine how happy I was to see her slide back into her H/D routine. Fabulous, fabulous banter, my lovelies, that is abso-fucking-lutely my H/D bread and butter.

Truth - Harry/Draco [R] by chantefable.

Written for raitala's Renaissance Prince Draco. Which is just beautiful, I might add.

Let me quote you a line from Chante's fic that left me breathless.

And yet, no matter how wild the wind or how blinding the pain, Draco did not break. Like jasmine, he bent and arched and touched the ground; he kissed the dirt, but he did not break.

*flails a little*

Is there more art you ask? To which I reply, of course!!!

The Fine Art of Getting Away With It - Draco [WS] by raitala.

The way Draco should look at 30! *nods emphatically*

Expose That Wretch - Draco [WS] by pink_mint.

Nnnggghhh! Smoking!Draco FTW ♥ ♥ ♥

Kissy Kiss - Harry/Draco [PG-13] by quimvaa.

quimvaa is totally my pick for best new artist. I love her style so much ♥

Every Time is Like the First Time - Harry/Draco [NWS] by Mystery Artist.

Hot like burning, and I fucking L♥VE the perspective. *g*

Enjoy all!

Writing hiatus for me. Back soon!

--P

[FIC] The Conjugal State - Snape/Filch [NC-17] by Mystery Author.

I'm usually not this amenable to forced-bonding fics. Too easy to me. Half the fun is getting there, y/y? But every now and again, someone puts a new spin on an old trope, and I cave like a kid's sandcastle washed out by a high tide.

On Albus's insistence, Snape agrees to the Juris Vestae, a binding ritual in which Snape is bound to Albus by loyalty. Only things go horribly awry and Snape finds himself married to Filch. Why, you ask? Because Dumbles fucking boo-booed and doesn't own up to his mistake.

Pitch perfect characterisations for both Snape and Filch, and I am oddly amused by Filch's desire to follow the advice of a magical marriage self-help guru, who's somewhat of a June Cleaver-ish extremist, to please Severus. There's plenty of laughs and charming anecdotes, and because the Snape/Filch cache of writers is so small and distinctive, I have an inkling as to the author. Positively loved this!

[ART] Post-Coital - Snape/Viktor [PG-13] by Mystery Artist.

asdfjkl;asdfjkl; asdfjkl;asdfjkl; asdfjkl;asdfjkl; asdfjkl;asdfjkl;

Enjoy all!

--P

so, cinnatart asked me in her latest meme why i always post recs on mondays. mostly because i'm lazy during the rest of the week. so, to be different, i posted my art recs on tuesday :P

[harry potter]

my two picks of the week

[1.] snape x black [nws] by kimadourden.

*kerTHUD*

[2.] the slytherin commonroom - snape & regulus [ws] by lilyhbp on deviant art.

*kerTHUD x 2*

commissioned by shyfoxling, and i want to thank her profusely for doing so. hogod, sexy, smoking!regulus is sexy and smoking.

snape's worst memory - snape & marauders [ws] by frizzy hermione on deviant art.

first snow - harry x draco [ws] by thewickednix.

okay, this is a bit old, but it warms the cockles of my little black heart. nuff said.

bitten - harry x draco [pg-13] by mystery artist.

grace and beauty of youth - scorpius [ws] by leochi.

sympathy for the devil - draco malfoy [ws] by o_k_go.

sidetracked - snape x harry [nws] by mystery artist.

when duty's done - snape x harry [ws] by mystery artist.

love, pet and (or) master? - snape x harry [pg-13] by mystery artist.

not a huge fan of bottom!snape, but i love this artist's style.

vampires - snape x harry [ws] by snaples.

unfinished and will probably remain so. let me show you my sad face :-(

[bbc merlin]

i will follow you into the dark - merlin x arthur [pg-13] - warning for character death] by itzcoatl.

[sherlock holmes]

vigorous exertions - holmes x implied watson [nws] and hold still - holmes x watson [nws] by lizardspots.

[star trek reboot]

engineering 101 - kirk x scotty [pg-13] by latenightarting.

[beatles]

a hard day's meme - john, paul, george and ringo + yoko [ws] by glockgal.

is it possible, you ask, to warm the cockles of tmp's little black heart twice in one night? to which i reply: why yes, yes it is possible. *g*

[how to train your dragon]

toothless [ws] by littlemute.

two permutations of toothless, including his gajinka (or anthromorph form).

Oh, snarkyscorp? *g*

enjoy all!

--p