Yeah Mr. Darcy’s proposal was a complete turd and a half but you gotta understand. You got your life together. A good career, stable income, retirement plan, all that shit together. And you meet this girl. And she’s everything. Clever, outspoken, funny, calls you on your bullshit. Grade A cutie, right? And she doesn’t go out of her way to spend time with you but she’s nice, and sometimes you catch her looking your way in a way that makes you think you might have a shot.

But her family. Holy shit.

First off, it’s p much ALL women, and mostly UNMARRIED women, which at this time means of something happens to her dad then you’re financially responsible for like. Four grown ass adults, potentially forever

Because mom in law is DEFINITELY gonna need someone to take care of her when dad in law kicks it, and they have like. NO money. So already you’re accepting that if all goes well, you’re gonna be one random old bag’s retirement home. That’s expensive and exhausting, yeah? Imagine asking someone on a first date knowing that if they say yes and things go good her high-strung chihuahua mother is gonna move in with you. IMAGINE.

And girly’s other sisters. Well, one is a sweetheart, yeah, and she’s getting engaged so she probably won’t be an issue, but that still leaves two more, and those ones are INSUFFERABLE. Never went to school, dumb as rocks, spend cash like it’s toilet paper

And while one of ‘em’s young still and might grow out of it the OTHER one is actively torpedo’ing her entire family’s reputation by wandering off with random dudes and chasing ass. She’s never gonna work, she can’t build connections, she’s a fucking sinkhole, and she’s being led on by the same goddamn con man ass leeching tit who’s been bleeding you dry while telling anyone who’ll listen that your family is full of ratty thieving bastards.

And if he dumps her after a week- WHICH YOU KNOW HIS BITCH ASS IS GONNA- you’ve got a SECOND UNMARRIABLE GROWN ASS ADULT TO PROVIDE FOR. And you KNOW she’s gonna be a tantrum-throwing little shit about it, and it’s not like you can lock her in the basement or something, you’re gonna have to bring her fucking. Everywhere. And give her an allowance and shit while she contributes zero, because again, she NEVER GOT EDUCATED AND HAS NO MARKETABLE SKILLS. She’s not even good to TALK to. FUCK

And you’re looking at this girl’s father like “please for the love of fuck get your spawn under control, marry them off, get them working on their résumé, learning to sew or be nursemaids or manage staff or SOMETHING, yall got no money and one foot in the grave” and that old man just laughs like “haha yeah, what can you do. lol”

So you’re looking to the mom and finally it’s making sense how she got that twitch in her eye and as MUCH as she is you’re starting to realize she’s the SMART one, desperately throwing her armloads of girls at random men like they’re a bunch of fucking lifeboats bobbing around a sinking ship, like yes Jesus Christ sweetly that life boat IS old and ugly and kind of boring but for FUCKS SAKE PICK ONE

And you look back at this girl who is ALSO REFUSING THE LIFE BOATS BY THE WAY and god damn it she’s still the most radiant thing you’ve ever seen so fine, fuck it, Christ alive, you’ll do it. You’ll shoot your shot. She’s everything you’ve ever wanted in anybody abut it’s not even just about that anymore, it’s about being her best fucking shot at a future, and even if she doesn’t like you all that much she’s still gonna say yes and that might break your heart a bit knowing it’s about the money but who knows, maybe it will at least be civil, or companionable, and even if she doesn’t LOVE you at least you’ll know she’s well and cared for

And so you’ll do it. You’ll take on the neurotic stress mess mother in law, the absent father, the broke ass wingnut no brain no money no future airhead sisters, the bad mannered relatives and the embarrassing behaviour and the impending future of sharing your entire shit with a clown parade of freeloaders, you’ll risk it all and accept the absolute certainty of financial ruin and emotional exhaustion for the rest of your whole ass life and you’ll make your own family deal with it too, you’ll do it, you’ll fucking DO IT, you stupid lovesick motherfucker

And so you go to this chick like “look. Your whole family’s a shitshow. You’ve got fucking nothing and you’re gonna die on the street. But for some reason- and I don’t get it either- I’ve fallen in love with you, and I wish I didn’t, but I did, so I’m telling you that whether you like me or not, I’ll give you everything. I’ll give you everything even if it’s the dumbest shit I ever done. Fuck my stupid Baka ass, I’ll marry you.”

And she looks at you- having heard or considered absolutely none of your months-long internal debate and monologue- and goes “The fuck did you just say about my family, you son of a bitch?”

And the shock of that is enough to jolt you back into a reality where you are able to actually hear and process what just came out of your damn mouth And yeah

Yeah, I think I kinda get it

100%

I would pay good money for Pride and Prejudice from Mr. Darcy’s view.

Love every part of this. My only complaint is you forgot Mary

you know how in 5.13 arthurs like “i tried to take your head off with a mace” and merlins like “and i stopped you, using magic” and arthurs immediate reply to that is “you cheated” … and i guess i was just thinking about the breathy little laugh merlin lets out in response to that. bc like i just noticed how maybe it was a little bit of relief and awe. because like. he just talked to arthur. about magic. about using magic From The Beginning. against him in a fight. and arthurs immediate response, his most natural reaction to that, was to comment on merlins poor sportsmanship. out of anything he couldve said something about. the first thing that came to mind was merlin not playing fair. which. idk. IDK!!!

still!! thinking about this!!!!!!

teehee merlin sketch

Sometimes my head just spirals out of control and I think about how Merlin & Arthur are truly two halves of a whole.

They both struggled with people seeing them for who they really are, Arthur because of his status because his riches and title are blinding others and Merlin has to keep so much in the shadows.

Ygraines life was taken so Arthur could live, Balinor willingly gave his for Merlin.

Arthur was raised to be strong and brave, Merlin was raised to love and be kind.

Arthur was trained to be a knight, Merlin is a healers apprentice

Arthur is heir to the throne, Merlin the bastard son of someone who's considered a criminal

Arthur struggles his entire life with being good enough while Merlin was told he was too much

Arthur starts out as unhappy and lonely and becomes a good man who has friends and Merlin starts out as a cheeky happy guy and ended alone and miserable

ARTHURS NAME MEANING LITERALLY "CHIEF DRAGON", MERLIN BEING A DRAGONLORD

i could go on but i need to sit down and calm down for a sec excuse me

The " Man " worthy of his tears .

Babe wake up new Vulgate chapter just dropped

btw it is sexy and cool to uplift and admire people who have skills you wish you had without using their ability as a stick to beat yourself with. even and especially if you are jealous of them.

Broke: Merlin is a royalist because he is a class traitor boot licker

Woke: Merlin is a royalist because he was raised a peasant in the sixth century and he has the perspective and values typical of that time period on top of his personal experiences with Arthur to give him faith in the enlightened despotism favored by Catherine the Great and Frederick of Prussia.

Bespoke: Merlin is a royalist because anyone who had to live through both the English Civil War and Voltaire's exile to Britain would come out the other side thinking democracy is stupid.

Transcendent: Merlin is not a royalist. He is the divine right of kings in human form. The avatar of Albion and its magic. He does not believe in kings because of Arthur. He believes in Arthur so Arthur gets to be king.

Sir Leon casually mentioning that he threw some noble in the dungeon in his report.

Arthur: Wait what did he do??

Leon: Oh right. He gifted Merlin sweets and asked if he wanted to have a picnic with him, Sire. But his family is an important ally, so I had to refrain from executing him.

Arthur, now very confused and trying hard not to let his jealousy show because he wants to be a good, just king: Leon courting Merlin is not a crime

Leon confused as well: Well of course it's not written down like that. But courting the kings... Uhm *clearing his throat and staring at the floor awkwardly* lover is quite disrespectful.

Arthur now blushing furiously sputters: Merlin?! My lover?!

Leon: Uh Sorry I didn't mean to offend you... Or him! I just thought you wanted the marriage to stay secret. I mean yes he always is carrying Queen Ygraines sigil with him but I just-

Arthur: LEON! Merlin is my servant. I'd never- I can't- He's just my servant nothing more. Please tell me you haven't told anyone of this crazy assumption of yours

Leon, disbelieving after a loooong moment of silence: My CRAZY assumption!?!? Wha- YOU'VE BEEN UNDRESSING HIM WITH YOUR EYES EVERY TIME YOU TWO ARE IN THE SAME ROOM!!! I didn't have to tell anyone!!!

Arthur: So who else thinks-

Leon: EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Op what do you mean Leon has executed ppl before?! 🤣🤣

Well Leon knows Arthur would simply not function without Merlin and if Arthur stops functioning the whole kingdom will suffer so when he was approached by some lady asking him about Merlin and his role in the castle and stuff he was suspicious. Of course he let her know Merlin was off the market but it didn't deter her and so he kept an eye on her. She sent him flowers and sweets and a new neckerchief. That's clearly where Leon had to draw the line. He burned the scarf so Arthur wouldn't suspect anything and was about to confront the woman when he saw her enchanting a bottle of wine.

Leon obviously knew about Merlin’s magic and that it wasn't evil per se but enchanting a wine bottle? That didn't sit right with him so he brought it to Gaius.

The physician confirmed his suspicion that it had been a love spell. So it was clear he had do to something. Together with the rest of the knights he arrested her and made sure she would never endanger Camelot ever again

Friend gave me a story prompt and I had to draw it. Merlin goes into battle dressed as Arthur and is hurt (based around Achilles story).

Also melon soup is the goat for art references!

Merlin: Remember that time Gwen tried to kill Arthur and framed me for it?

Arthur: What?

Gwen: *Ignoring Arthur* Remember the time you spent like two days ACTUALLY trying to kill Arthur, and Gaius and I had to keep knocking you out?!

Arthur: I'M SORRY?!?!

just remembered shows used to have 20-25 eps per season

Words from On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

Did this a little while ago while my mates and I were watching Merlin :D

Once again inspired by Philip Sue Art on YouTube!