Not Quite Mary Poppins/Not Quite Mrs. Banks Either (PG-13) by Claire_debonair

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

Last day of the month and it's been a treat to be able to showcase these terrific Merlin stories all month long. Don't forget, you can take a turn doing this too! Just sign up here.

Fandom: MERLIN
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur
Length: ~ 7564 / ~ 7864
Author on LJ: claire_debonair
Author Website: Merlin fic on LJ
Why this must be read: I'm not a fan of kid stories, but I adore this one. The author has a light touch and a great sense of humour, the other characters (especially Morgana) are wonderful, and there's something so charming about this Arthur and his five-year old precocious son, Gawain, that even hardened kid-fic fearing souls like me can't resist. Arthur needs a nanny for his child; Merlin is hired. It's love and humour and just plain delightful, old-fashioned romantic fun. The perfect note to end the month.


"The only reason I'm still here, and I mean that, is because I think your sister would disembowel me if I ran away." Merlin waves a piece of paper detailing times for Gawain's summer fencing lessons at Arthur and glares. Arthur glares back, arms folded in a way he probably thinks is menacing. "And, also, how much stuff did you sign your kid up for?"

"Step-sister, not that it's ever really mattered." Arthur shifts, looking the faintest bit uncomfortable. "And he needs stuff to do, when I'm not around."

Merlin raises his eyebrows. "There's got to be at least seven clubs here. Are you planning to be around at all?"

"Yes," Arthur snaps, "I'm not going to abandon him with you."

"But you'd abandon him with some woman?"

Arthur splutters in the face of such logic. "Well, yes, I mean, no, but, look, you're a man!"

"And you're a prat. Are we done stating the obvious?"

"I'm your employer, technically you can't talk to me like that!"

"Do you want to fire me and have Morgana after you?" Merlin takes a grim satisfaction at the look of abject horror on Arthur's face and returns to his heap of papers. "Horse riding? Piano? Archery? Ballroom dancing? Do you want him to be bullied or be the bully?!"

"I don't know what he likes," says Arthur, and Merlin would swear he sounds defensive. Deciding, in an obviously saintly moment, to let it go, he sighs.

"I'm going to need to make a proper schedule for him at this rate. Is there anything else you've got planned for him, like seeing any friends, or his mother-"

"No," interrupts Arthur, "that won't be an issue."

Read the story and feedback the author: Not Quite Mary Poppins

And the sequel: Not Quite Mrs. Banks Either

Comments

[lantean-drift.livejournal.com]

Lacey, just wanted to say thank you for the recs this month, I have thoroughly enjoyed the stories you've selected. Umm...does that sound really big headed seeing as Winter in Their Cry was one of them? I don't mean it to be, I just wanted to thank you for the recs.
..I'm gonna go now.
*g*

.xx.

thank you

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much, and no, it's not big-headed of you! *hugs* I'm glad you've enjoyed the stories. I have to say that this was one of the easiest, and most pleasant tasks I've had. Sometimes my crack_van turns have fallen when I'm no longer in fandom actively or when most of my favourites have been rec'ced, but the timing to do this was perfect for me. Also, as I've had an insane month at work it was nice to sort of take this as a diversionary task where I felt I'd accomplished something.

So, all that by way of saying, thanks. I appreciate knowing you liked my choices.

Re: thank you

[lantean-drift.livejournal.com]

I totally loved the choices. It was great knowing some of them already and thinking 'oh yes, I loved that one' and re-reading them and then getting excited about the ones you rec'ced that I hadn't read.
I appreciate the time and effort that goes into driving the van for the month. I mean, I know it's not necessarily an unpleasant task, sifting through favourite stories, but it's time consuming in its own way, so thank you for sharing your time.
*hugs*

.xx.

[cupidsbow.livejournal.com]

You rock!

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

Right back at you. Looking forward to your month of recs, although I might not have much time to read till August - that's the great thing, though. I know where to come looking when I need a hit of Merlin!