Bonus rec! \o/ I admit, I have been just waiting for Pru to finish this fic so that I could run off to rec it to all and sundry.

Title: Drastically Redefining Protocol
Author: rageprufrock
Fandom: Merlin
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur (brief Arthur/OFC before things are really settled with Merlin)
Categories: Romance, Harlequin, AU, Drama, Fluff, Humor
Length: Epic
Warnings: none
Author on LJ: rageprufrock
Website: glitterati

Author’s Summary: In which Prince Arthur meets Merlin and all hell breaks loose.

Review:
Pru’s summary does not really do justice as a teaser for this wonderful story. My version: Uther is still King Uther, Arthur is still Prince Arthur, and Merlin is still magical. The difference is that this takes place in London, 2008.

This is my favorite modern!AU so far – and considering how I adore it, it’s likely to stay that way. Arthur and Merlin are still very much themselves as individuals but the transplant to modern London makes a huge difference. The paparazzi are virtually a character in and of themselves, and it’s fascinating to see an Arthur who is still very tied to his duty but in an era where that duty depressingly consists of publicity appearances and security details. Merlin is a sweetheart, a bit spazzier than usual (but that fits considering he's not in immediate danger for his life by Uther's law).

Without all the dangerous magical plotlines of the show, the story focuses primarily on Arthur and Merlin’s relationship and the spotlight that Arthur lives in, and it does a tremendous job of it. The boys are incredibly sweet together without sacrificing their teasing snark. Plus, Pru with the help of various collaborators has made the story a multimedia one – don’t skip going through the embedded images and links! They’re part of the story (and feature some great impersonation of celebrity news writing; for instance, Drudge Report and Gawker Media).

Truly fantastic story (I don’t want to admit how many times I’ve reread it already).

Drastically Redefining Protocol
And if you need more incentive, as a bonus: Video Trailer by zoetrope