sophinisba: Gwen looking sexy from Merlin season 2 promo pics (gwen orly by visualwit)
Sophinisba Solis ([personal profile] sophinisba) wrote2012-02-24 03:17 pm

Gwen/Merlin drabble set: falcon and a dove

Title: falcon and a dove
Fandom: Merlin
Wordcount: 500 (set of five drabbles)
Ship: Gwen/Merlin
Rating: PG-13
Contains: fluffy, awkward kink
Summary: "Merlin, which part of my dream about freedom and lightness and sailing through the air made you think what I really wanted was bondage?"
Notes: The January mini-challenge at [community profile] kink_bingo was to make a remix of another work, and I really liked that it meant remix in a very broad sense was open to all kinds of media, including podfic. But then I felt like sort of a cheater when what I turned in for the challenge was a set of podfics, because that's no different from what I normally do. I had meant to write this ficlet, but then I didn't because writing is hard.

But then this week I was having some "oh noes what if I never write fic again" anxiety along with some "oh noes everyone is leaving the fandom" sadness, so I decided to write this to reassure myself. I probably wouldn't have finished it (or gone ahead and written another ficlet yesterday) without cheerleading from [livejournal.com profile] flammablehat, so thanks to her for that and for looking it over for me!

Inspired by [personal profile] yue_ix's amazing drawing rosebud with a flush; can be read as a sequel to [personal profile] isabear's beautiful commentfic inspired by the same piece. For the "suspension" square on my [community profile] kink_bingo card. Read it at the AO3 if you prefer!


Sweaty, spent, and sweetly sore, Gwen stretches on the bed. Her gaze drifts out the window while Merlin's fingers wander along the inside of her forearm, and she hears birdsong.

"Whatcha thinkin'?" he says, and Gwen sighs, remembers being single and keeping private thoughts to herself. She's not sure whether she misses it.

"It was a dream I had, I think. And now it's just a daydream."

"Tell me about it."

"I can't." It's mine. "It's too silly."

"So tell me," he insists. "I make your dreams come true, you know. That's what I do. It's what I'm good at."

*

Merlin's good at a lot of things, like physics and computers, cooking and gardening.

Like striking up conversations with strangers, smiling and waving. Like making Gwen believe she's never been, never will be too strange.

He knows how to draw out her thoughts and draw her out of dark moods. Knows when to hold her close and when to leave her alone in comfortable silence.

He knows how to draw out her sighs and sobs, make her desperate and moaning or blissful and calm.

He's not any good at dressing himself though, and should never be allowed to design costumes.

*

"What do you think?"

"Merlin, which part of my dream about freedom and lightness and sailing through the air made you think what I really wanted was bondage?" At his crestfallen look she adds, "No, it's good! Thank you, it just… needs a little more lace, I think," and gets to work with the sewing machine. "Or a lot more lace."

"Lace is not actually going to help you fly."

"Shows what you know."

"I'm the one with the engineering degree."

"I'm the one with the stupid fantasy though!"

Merlin clears his throat. "I think that's both of us now."

*

"Is this close? Like in your dream?"

"Not remotely."

He hesitates. "It's good though?"

It would be nice to reassure him, but kind words are difficult right now, with the handlebars turning under her feet and the lurching strain between her shoulders. It would be nice to collapse into a hug.

But he's so proud of the damn harness.

"I don't feel light and airy."

"Bet you real birds and angels don't either. Not on the first try anyway."

"Right." Gwen smiles determinedly.

"Is this the part where I kiss you?" he asks.

"I think this is where we try."

*

Turns out that's the part where her toes slip off the bars, and between the panic of falling and the jolt of ropes and canvas under her arms, Gwen can't help but scream. But Merlin's got his feet on the ground and his arms wrapped around her, and she doesn't fall. Once they get the contraption off he laughs, picks her up again, and spins her around. And Gwen is flying then, high on his excitement and just a little dizzy. It's not the physics and it's not the lace. It's the will to make it happen. It's the company.

jelazakazone: (Merlin)

[personal profile] jelazakazone 2012-02-24 10:12 pm (UTC)(link)
So sweet. I read this on AO3, but have been thinking about it since. It reminds me of a Miyazaki movie.
livrelibre: DW barcode (Default)

[personal profile] livrelibre 2012-02-25 12:19 am (UTC)(link)
This is utterly adorable and sweet!
significantowl: gwen in front of a window (merlin:gwen)

[personal profile] significantowl 2012-02-25 04:54 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'm the one with the stupid fantasy though!"

Merlin clears his throat. "I think that's both of us now."


AW

and

It's the will to make it happen. It's the company.

Aw. :D So lovely!
capriccio: ("Go Faster!" magic)

[personal profile] capriccio 2012-02-25 09:28 pm (UTC)(link)
I love how they complement each other, and how they grow more like each other while retaining their own uniqueness.

Merlin clears his throat. "I think that's both of us now."

Awww! <333
briar_pipe: Gwen and Merlin with wings (Gwen and Merlin - wings)

[personal profile] briar_pipe 2012-02-27 12:14 am (UTC)(link)
Aw, this is so perfect. I love that they still share a dream. And Merlin as an engineer is so spot on!

(psst, bb, could you swap the names out in your intro?)