King of Queens by pickitup (NC-17)

[valderys.livejournal.com]

Fandom: MERLIN
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur
Length: 45,000
Author on LJ: pickitup
Author Website: On lj
Warnings: Some homophobia
Why this must be read:

This is a modern AU set in the first year of university. The university in this case is Queens College, Cambridge, written by someone who is very familiar with all its little rituals. I live in Oxford myself so I caught shades of things I recognise, but if you know Cambridge then there is definitely that extra layer of enjoyment. What I really like about it is it makes the place feel incredibly real, and by extension the characters - Merlin is gay and not out at the beginning but struggling with it. And he meets Arthur who is a complete lad's lad - and an arse, but a cheerful one. They become great friends until Arthur can't cope with Merlin being gay and drops him like a hot potato. But don't worry there is a happy ending, I promise, but not until there is lashings of angst (and ginger beer, but mainly angst :)

King of Queens