There Are Places We Can Return...

Title: Rise
Author: gwylliondream
Artist: merlocked18 - Art Masterpost
Genre: Modern au
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: None
Words: 15K
Summary: Arthur and Merlin embark on a week-long buddy road trip in Ireland and Northern Ireland to celebrate finishing uni. This is their last hurrah together before starting life for real—on separate continents.
A/N: Rise was written for the merlinreversebb. I had no intention of participating in the MRBB, except as a pinch hitter, until I saw merlocked18’s gorgeous pencil drawing of Merlin by the sea. I signed up right away and was fortunate enough to be matched with her art, my first and only choice. Her drawings for this fic are evocative and sensual, just like the landscape I was honoured to describe. Thanks to merlocked18 who was a joy to work with, to my fantastic Irish-picker camelittle, and to my wonderful beta lawgoddess.
Artist's Notes: Gwylliondream, thank you so much for picking my art prompt even though you had no intention of partaking in the fest. Thank you for matching my passion for this "Irish fic". The idea of our boys experiencing Ireland, Northern Ireland and discovering each other there just appealed to me on so many levels. Drawing Merlin in iconic Irish locations did things to me, I can tell you. Especially Giant's Causeway...I might have zoned out a bit drawing that. I am so glad you were just as enthusiastic about this whole thing as I was, and thank you for such lovely feedback, that does fuel the fire.
A massive thank you to the mods of the Merlin Reversebang Challenge. I think it's super that there is a bang for art prompts. So cool to see what pics can inspire in people. So, thank you, so much.
Disclaimer: All characters are the property of BBC/Shine and their creators.
Comments: Comments are welcome anytime! Thanks so much for reading!
Read on AO3

( Rise- Part 1 )