Details: Drama & Romance, Modern Era, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Modern AU, Alternate Universe - College/University, College/University AU, Student AU, Food As A Metaphor For Love, Food Porn, Food Kink, Food Sex, Neurodivergesrsity, Neurodivergent Arthur Pendragon, Vlogger Merlin Emrys, Food Vlogging, Vegan Merlin, Past Drug Use, Past Drug Addiction, Recovery, Recovery From Addiction, Fluff & Angst, Fluff & Smut, Filmmaker Arthur Pendragon, Making Films, Bottom Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Merlin Is A Little Shit (Merlin), Mutual Pining, Enemies To Friends To Lovers, Tattoos, Tattooed Merlin (Merlin), Tattoo Kink, Angst With A Happy Ending, Misunderstandings.
Summary: After a toxic relationship, Arthur is afraid of getting hurt again, but then he meets Gwen, a scriptwriter he collaborates with in one of his film classes. To win her heart, he plans to cook her the best vegan food she has ever had. The idea would be brilliant, but Arthur is neither vegan, nor can he cook. In a desperate move, he enlists the help of Merlin, the obnoxious barista who works at his favourite coffee shop by day, and is a vegan food vlogger by night.
With his past as a young offender, and a history of addiction, Merlin can’t find a job as a chef, and his dream of opening his own restaurant someday seems unreachable. He pours all his passion into his food videos, but while his recipes and personality have what it takes, his video making skills are subpar at best.
Arthur and Merlin put their animosity aside and strike a deal: Merlin will cook for Gwen, and Arthur will claim he made the food, while in exchange, Arthur will help Merlin make better food videos.