2nd paperlegends rec

[wickedcherub]

A Beacon in the Dark by zairaalbereo

Summary:

In a society where people with magic are persecuted, Arthur is a lawyer who takes on a prominent murder case. The suspect is a sorcerer: Merlin, Arthur's former childhood friend, who vanished at sixteen when his magic was discovered. Now, ten years later, Merlin is a prostitute, and Arthur has to solve more than Merlin's secrets to save the man he still loves from execution.

A story about two friends, who after losing their hope, their innocence and their way, finally find each other again.

So Merlin was forced into prostitution. Either you know that's your thing or it's not. I will say that Merlin was forced into it prior to the story starting, and the icky sex that ensues happens at the start of this very long fic, so you're not yet attached to his character. I really dislike non-con and this did not bother me at all. There's also a rape scene that happens in a jail, but it's telegraphed and you can skip that whole bit if you like.

I liked this fic, and I read the whole thing in one go, as I'm a sucker for the prostitute trope, as well as 'Arthur and Merlin were childhood friends and they grew up and met each other again' trope. This is also kid fic... I love kid fic.

I have reservations about the characterisation of Gwen, the sticky sweetness of the kid, and the dragged out ending.. as well as the ending in general, but all in all it was enjoyable.