Expert snuggler wrote:A lot of control, but the water polo scene means The Creator wanted us to know that it has some human-typical limits.
From how he and his... partner? immediate host? - recounted the experience, I would not take it that the encounter was nothing but distressed, uncomfortable acting on Merlin's part.
Certainly he started off as a (best described as) heterosexual female in a male PICA, but over time, I'd say his sexual and gender identities have wandered a bit. They're not ones now that we're likely to have categories for that really nail it. Goodness knows there are a whole lot of sexual, gender, romantic, and other categories people in need of nailing it in their own cases have come up with - most of which most people will not know - but Merlin's experience just isn't one real life humans have had to accommodate so we shouldn't expect to have good words for it. Gender fluidity and situational sexuality may be gestures in appropriate general directions.
It must be attracting attention and comment that Merlin doesn't have anyone in his life. Maybe it fits into the seijin stories for him to be isolated and celibate.
I think it does, yes, and that it also really convenient for him personally. Much as wet naked young men can draw a salute, and much as he can have a genuinely enjoyable time with the ladies at Madame Angelyk's, I don't believe Merlin is really comfortable with the way his feelings, attractions, body, and social surroundings all combine for romance right now.
Come to think of it, every social climber in the Empire with a marriageable daughter must be scheming to make a family connection that close to the royal family.
Oh dear. Yeah, best to play up seijin celibacy there. (Celibacy, not chastity - although inviting people to think Merlin is chaste too would likely provide much more relief than harm too.)
