Archived fic rec - For Your Information

[sakura_no_miko]

Sadly, this fic has been deleted, but the podfic lives on.

Title: For Your Information

Author: reni_days

Fandom: Merlin

Rating: PG-13

Pairing: Arthur/Merlin

Warnings: homophobic/ignorant behavior, secondhand embarrassment, discussion of bullying

Other notes: AU, modern day AU, dating, family, crack, matchmaking

Length: 10k

Summary: Merlin sighs. “After your…announcement,” he explains, “your father decided he needed a bit more information. Which is apparently where I come in. I’m sort of like his gay tutor, it’s hard to explain.”

 

This is a pretty amusing fic. Apparently a fairly well-known one, if the kudos are anything to go by. But, hey, it’s my first time reading it.

You know, this is one of those things I would never think of writing: those moments when you’re caught in the unfortunate position of schooling other people on Important Topics. I’ve been on both sides–it’s good to be on both sides. But the author gets that perfect mixture of shock at just how ignorant people can be, and that sad sort of acceptance of how hard it’s going to be to explain, and the frustration.

Ah, come to think of it, this would have sufficed for a Thanksgiving rec, in a dark, twisted sort of way.

This is an excellent story for conversation. I’ve always been more conversation and character-driven in my stories. Never quite got the hang of setting a scene or working out a long, plotty thing. There is an art to conversations, though–making characters seem genuine, rather than just having them speak in exposition constantly. Even when we only see a fragment of a conversation, we get a good idea of the characters.

And, hey, added bonus of an adorable romantic pairing, with only the mildest angst added for a bit of spice. It’s also pretty nice to see another reminder of how Uther can be a good father, while still pointing out all of the flaws that made him so unlikeable in canon. This is still very in line with canon characterization, but without most of the heartbreaking parts.

 

(Looking for more fic recs?)
Originally posted on tumblr on 12/02/14