Work for a cause, not applause. Live life to express, not impress

Title: Stepping Up
Pairing(s): Merlin/Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Arthur/Gwen (Merlin), Gwen/Lancelot (Merlin)
Character(s): Merlin, Arthur Pendragon, Uther Pendragon, Hunith (Merlin), Gaius (Merlin), Morgana (Merlin), Gwen (Merlin), Gwaine (Merlin), Leon (Merlin), Elyan (Merlin), Will (Merlin)
Word Count: 48,272
Rating: Explicit
Summary: Arthur is a closeted Olympic snowboarder who has only just started to come out to his close friends and family. To the rest of the world, he’s Arthur Pendragon, Team GB’s Golden Boy and best hope of getting a gold medal in the Olympics after coming home with the silver in Sochi (and fuck wasn’t that an experience, worrying about being outed in homophobic-central Russia. To be honest, Arthur feels guilty he even attended those games).

The pressure on Arthur is immense, but as long as he can keep his head down and get on with things, he’ll be fine. Cue Merlin Emrys, a newcomer to Team GB and up-and-coming figure skater who is determined to make his mark on the scene. And he’s fucking hot.
Notes: A huge, huge thank you to Schweet_Heart my beta reader (and a fantastic writer!), who has been so, so wonderful and helpful with this fic. I wouldn't be anywhere near as good as it is with her! And thank you to Kitty for hosting the Merlin Olympics again. Merlin Olympics was my first Merln fest, so it will always have a special space in my heart. This started out as an idea that I thought would run up to 10K, almost ended up at 37K and now is almost 49K. I also want to thank everyone who listened to me talk about this fic endless in the Merlin Chat.

With regards to warnings for the fic, please do be aware that there are some parts where homophobia and homophobic slurs are mentioned, as well as flashbacks to events where they are used.

I also wanted to add that this fic was inspired by Gus Kenworthy, an American freestyle skier and an interview he did with the BBC here.

On AO3 here.

( Stepping Up )