Title: Blue Would Still Be Blue
Fandom: Merlin
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin
Categories: Age difference, angst, romance, drama, harlequin, modern AU
Length: Long (32,376 words)
Warnings: Unsafe sex

Author on LJ: winterstorrm
Author Website: Winterstorrm

Author's Summary:
When widower Arthur Pendragon finds out that his three children have conspired to help him find 'someone to kiss' by placing an ad on an internet dating site, he allows his guilt to push him into agreeing to go on a succession of dates even though he's determined that he's not lonely and doesn't believe in 'love'. However, someone does set his heart racing, but it's not one of the endless parade of beautiful women he has to choose from, it's the children's new babysitter, Merlin.

Review:
I have a deep, abiding love for romance novels, and Harlequin-themed fanfiction is like the perfect intersection between my favorite book genre and the fandom(s) I love. There is no better example of this than Blue Would Still Be Blue.

This is a story about second chances. Arthur has never felt that spark, that feeling of being deeply in love. He loved the mother of his children, but not in that passionate, all-consuming way. "Love is just nature's illusion," Arthur says. He doesn't believe in romantic love because he's never experienced it.

While the attraction between Arthur and Merlin is immediate, the obstacles to their future happiness (which are mostly Arthur’s doing) result in a slow build with longing looks and lovely pining and UST. The feelings between them are so intense, and so beautifully drawn. I was really moved by how desperately they wanted each other, how they ached for one another and how miserable they were not to have the kind of relationship they both so obviously wanted.

While Arthur, Merlin and their Happily Ever After (the required ending to any Harlequin style story, of course) is the main focus here, the supporting characters were charming and funny. From the parade of women to Arthur's children to Morgana, there were lighthearted moments aplenty to serve as the perfect foil to the slow burn between Arthur and Merlin.

Blue Would Still Be Blue