Yes yes, I know what you mean about the subtext goggles! I get that with Gaius especially, who is the doddering old sketchball of my heart. His ethics are questionable to say the least, but he seems to be at least aware of his selfishness and practical cowardice, more than Uther and Merlin seem are aware of their failings. And he was complicit in wizard purges but still occasionally does magic covertly sort of! Gaiussss.

I am reading that Merlin/Will Big Bang fic! It's, uh, not my usual fare when it comes to fic, but I'm just such a sucker for Will.