Leon took Arthur to one side on the second Tuesday of Merlin's trip to Edinburgh. He had picked Arthur up for their usual pub meeting. "Look mate you need to sort yourself out. The guys know you're missing Merlin but you can't come to work in such a strop every day. Just calm down."

Arthur looked at Leon a bit sheepishly "Sorry about that it's just I know he isn't telling the truth and I'm worried about him."

"He's a grown man Arthur, he can look after himself. We need you on top form or not at all, why don't you go and see him on your days off?" Leon asked his brother in law.

"There's not much point he's working most of the time. His job is worse than ours for unsocial working. I might see if I can get the Sunday and Monday off then I can collect him from the airport and take him to London. At least that way I'll get to see something of him."

"You do that and give the boys a break!" Leon was worried about Arthur he had never got this involved with anyone before and he didn't seem to be coping well.

That evening the others all tried to take Arthurs mind off his missing boyfriend, but this time they didn't get him drunk. Arthur ran work and managed to get the two days off he wanted, but was having problems trying to contact Merlin. In the end he left a text on the Sunday hoping Merlin would pick it up before he got home. He knew more or less what flight Merlin was getting back so made sure he was at the airport in plenty of time. He hoped that Merlin would come home to his flat for the night.

Merlin was only too pleased to be packing to go home. He packed his suitcases on the Saturday evening as he had been on the breakfast to seven in the evening shift. He would be please to see the back of his room. The people he had worked with had been ok once he got used to their accents but they weren't the same as his group of friends. He had found it hard living as he had and hoped he had better accommodation in London. Nimueh had contacted him to say he was working a short shift on the Monday Evening from six till midnight but would be finished there by late Friday night. He had started to tell Arthur but the idiot had slammed the phone down. He didn't ring him back he would have to wait now. It was him that was having to be away from home, and if the prat was going to sulk that was his fault.

On the Sunday Merlin got up and went to work doing the breakfasts for the guests in the hotel, then went back to grab something to eat before going back for the second part of this shift. He was due to finish at three so he would have plenty of time to catch the plane. The staff was all sad to see him go and the head chef Jimmy took him to the airport. He also helped him carry his cases down from the top floor.

Once he got on the plane he soon dozed off. He was so relieved the two weeks was over, just one more week to go. The stewardess woke him up as they were going in to land and he wished Arthur hadn't been working. Although the last time they spoke they had had a row Merlin understood why Arthur had been upset. But there was nothing he could do about it. He got off the plane and collected his bags before walking through the gate and down toward the exit. He would get a taxi and soon be home. Then he would try to get hold of Arthur. He knew he would be working but he would at least leave a text. He didn't look up as he wasn't expecting to be met by anyone, after all most of the others were still in Bristol. So he was surprised when his bags were taken from him and he was pulled into a hug.

"Hello Darling I got the day off so I could collect you." Arthur whispered into his neck as he hugged and kissed Merlin. "It's so good to see you."

"Arthur!" Merlin couldn't believe it. He hugged Arthur back and they stood there looking at each other. Merlin notice Arthur was in a suit, and boy did he look good in it. Good enough to eat in fact, especially with no tie and the top few buttons left undone. He wished he wasn't in a t shirt and joggers. But he'd dressed for comfort not effect.

"Come on love let's get home I've got some food on the go for you. I thought we'd go to my flat as its warm and yours has been empty for awhile." Then he smirked "and I've got a bigger bed." There last phone call forgotten as soon as they saw each other.

Merlin allowed himself to be led to Arthur's car and they were soon back at Arthur flat. Sure enough Arthur had put a meal in his slow cooker so it was ready to be eaten as soon as they got back. But somehow it wasn't touched for a couple of hours as the two men caught up for lost time.

By ten they were finally eating and having a drink. Arthur explained he also had the next day off so he could drive Merlin to London. Arthur explained that his crew had got fed up with him with Merlin away. Then Arthur tried to get Merlin to tell him what Scotland had been like but Merlin didn't say a lot. Arthur was please to hear that Merlin would be back on the Saturday.

"I finish at twelve on Friday night so I'll catch the first train in the morning. Then I'm on nine till five Monday to Friday at Camelot until reopening."

"Well at least I'm off on the Saturday you get back, are you sure you don't want me to pick you up?" Arthur asked.

"No don't be daft. But can you get me some milk and bread and bring it over. I'll let you know what time I'll get back."

Before they went to bed Merlin chucked his whites in the washing machine to be done overnight. He could get them dry in the morning. They went to bed and stayed there until about ten when they got up and just spent the time together until it was time to leave for London. Merlin tried to get Arthur to let him go up on the train but Arthur insisted on driving.

At least this time Merlin's room was better; it even had an on suite. The only drawback was that it was a ten minute walk away. The Restaurant had no rooms for staff. Arthur made sure he was settled, before they said their goodbyes once more. The other good thing was Merlin could get a mobile signal so they could have private conversations. Arthur drove back to Essetir happier than he thought he would have been. They would both have a lot of catching up to do once Merlin finally got home. Arthur was determined that they would move in together soon, he couldn't stand being away from the other man and was sure Merlin felt the same way. Once he was back home he decided to look around for a place they could share, near Merlin's work so he wouldn't have to go far once he finished work. In fact Arthur was beginning to have an idea that might be even better. He hated Merlin working for Nimueh Lake. The woman was without a doubt a bitch, and didn't deserve to have someone like Merlin working his guts out for her. He would need to speak to his sister when he got the chance.