Title: In a world called catastrophe
Fandom: Merlin
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin
Categories: Established Relationship, Angst, Drama, Hurt/Comfort
Length: Epic (43,632)
Warnings: Violence, non-graphic description of a serious injury, medical situations, PTSD and Gwaine being Gwaine (as per the author, some of his comments may feel inappropriate.)

Author on LJ: leviathans_moon
Author Website: Leviathans_moon

Author’s Summary:
While on duty in Afghanistan with the Royal Irish Regiment, Merlin is injured by a chlorine gas bomb. He returns home blind in his left eye and suffering from asthma attacks and neither he nor his boyfriend Arthur really know how to cope with this severe change in their relationship.

Review:
For me, it’s the mark of a good story when I am really affected by it, and find myself thinking about it even when I’m not actively reading it. I had this experience when reading In a world called catastrophe…it stayed with me even when I stepped away to work on other things, and long after I finished reading it.

The author tackles some serious subject matter in this story, and does so deftly, treating Merlin’s PTSD and the lingering effects of his injuries with the gravity they deserve. His pain is so palpable that you ache for him, just as you ache for Arthur as he struggles to come to terms with the changes in his partner and to find a way to support him. No punches are pulled as we see the extent to which Merlin has been deeply, profoundly affected by his experiences.

While both Arthur and Merlin are excellently characterized, and I felt for both of them, I found myself really sympathizing with Arthur. To be shut out by the man he loves, as that man suffers something Arthur cannot truly understand, to be avoided, ignored and rendered powerless in the face of Merlin’s anguish is agonizing for a man of action such as Arthur. For all that Merlin pushes Arthur away, he still wants him near. The incident which occurs when Arthur tries to sleep alone illustrates this well — Merlin’s anger and Arthur’s frustration are so clear, honest, and raw.

There’s no quick fix here, and the author doesn’t rush it, allowing Arthur and Merlin to work through things in a way that is both realistic and perfectly paced. This is not a happy story, and that's not bad thing. I loved it because it is so real, and does such justice to a real problem that some returning soldiers face, even if they've not suffered physical injuries. For all that this is a serious story, it is not without hope and fortunately we are rewarded with a sweet, promising ending after going on this journey with Arthur and Merlin. In a world called catastrophe is well worth reading and highly recommended.

In a world called catastrophe