The stuff about the collections management system in London Museum is 100% true.
"Merlin, I can't sleep." Arthur whispered.
They were together in their own tent, snuggled in a sleeping bag. Freya and Gwaine were in the tent next door. Gwen and Lancelot were in another tent. And because they'd told scary stories and were scared of the forest, Morgana and Percival were sharing a tent (much to Arthur's annoyance).
Arthur had his arm rested on Merlin's waist and his head was nuzzled into his neck. Merlin had his eyes closed.
"Why?" He asked quietly.
"Because what if she's there?" Arthur asked in a mock frightened voice.
"What if who's there?" Merlin asked, rolling over to face Arthur.
Arthur kissed his forehead when he turned around.
"The woman. The woman from Gwaine's story." Arthur clarified, trying to look scared.
"I'll check." Merlin said, rolling over to face the top of the tent again.
"No, Merlin, your eyes!" Arthur laughed, covering Merlin's eyes.
"Arthur!" Merlin laughed, trying to pry Arthur's hand off his eyes.
"I think we should escape." Arthur whispered, "I'll protect you. Come on."
Arthur wriggled out of the sleeping bag and offered his hand to Merlin. Merlin stared at him.
"No. It's the middle of the night, I'm not going out in that forest!" He protested.
Arthur sat down on top of his stomach, causing Merlin to grunt and glare at him.
"Come on, Merlin. It'll be fun. If we get murdered at least we'll have a story to tell." Arthur offered, gently bouncing up and down on Merlin's stomach.
Merlin grimaced and pushed Arthur backwards, laughing, "We won't be able to tell the story, we'll be dead."
Merlin sat up. Arthur crossed his legs and sat opposite him, pulling his jacket on.
"Well fine, only one of us should die."
"But who?" Merlin asked.
"Me. I don't want you to die."
"But I don't want you to die." Merlin said.
"I guess we're stuck." Arthur shrugged.
"Then we should stay, goodnight!" Merlin said, lying back down.
"Nope!" Arthur said.
He stood over Merlin and grasped his hand. In one quick, skilled motion he had lifted Merlin off the ground and over his shoulder.
"Put. Me. Down." Merlin ordered.
"Shh, Merlin, people are sleeping."
Merlin rolled his eyes, remembering that familiar line from their very first night out. Arthur carried Merlin out of the tent and passed the dead campfire. They wandered aimlessly into the darkness until Arthur lowered Merlin to his feet.
"What are we doing here?" Merlin asked.
He could barely see in front of him. He could see the outlines of trees, and he could just about see the features of Arthur's face, but he couldn't see anything else. Merlin shivered slightly, it wasn't exactly cold outside but it definitely wasn't as warm as it was in the sleeping bag. He regretted not grabbing his own jacket. And shoes, he could really use some shoes right about now.
"Listen we need to talk." Arthur said, suddenly falling serious.
"Sounds... serious." Merlin said, wandering around the clearing. A nervous feeling fluttered in his chest, and he got the feeling he really didn't want to hear what Arthur was saying. Some fluttered in the trees, and an owl hooted nearby.
"I know..." Arthur said.
He didn't say anything else for a long time. Merlin turned around to look at him.
"Arthur, what's up?" He asked, worriedly.
Arthur looked serious for a moment longer before a smile broke out on his face.
"The trees." Arthur said, running off towards one of the trees.
Merlin couldn't help but laugh and run after Arthur. Maybe Arthur was still drunk.
"I thought we needed to talk." Merlin called as he saw the silhouette of Arthur shimmying up the tree.
"We can talk in a tree." Arthur shouted back.
Merlin hesitated, before reaching for the nearest branch and following Arthur. His barefeet scraped against the bark painfully, but he kept climbing, feeling a childish thrill. Finally, he caught up to Arthur sat on a high up branch. From here, Merlin could see his house and he knew, rather than saw, the tents were between them and the cottage.
They weren't too high, but they weren't close to the ground either.
He looked over at Arthur, the moon illuminated him here and he glowed an ethereal silver. Merlin sat on a branch that was relatively close to him. Arthur smiled and his teeth gleamed in the darkness.
"How do you know how to climb trees so well?" Merlin asked.
"How do you?" Arthur countered.
"I live next to a forest." Merlin said, "You go."
"I don't know." He shrugged, "I liked climbing trees as a kid."
He seemed distracted, looking up at the stars. Merlin felt the laughter from before fade, replaced by worry. Arthur was never quiet, it just wasn't who he was. Something was bothering him, and Merlin frowned. A million scenarios ran through his head, each worse than the last.
"What's wrong, Arthur?" Merlin asked.
Arthur looked over at him. He sighed.
"Are you cold?" He asked.
"A little, but that's-"
"Here." Arthur said, he shrugged out of his jacket and offered it.
Merlin knew why Arthur had brought his jacket. It was solely so he could give it to Merlin when he got cold. Merlin rolled his eyes and accepted the jacket, zipping it up to his chin. It was a couple of sizes too big, but it was warm from Arthur wearing it. Merlin snuggled into it.
"Now, what's wrong?" Merlin asked, determined to not let Arthur distract him.
Arthur licked his lips, and reluctantly, he said, "Look in the pocket."
Merlin drew his brows together and reached into the pocket. He felt a piece of paper. It looked like a letter. Unfolding it, he read it:
Dear Mr. Pendragon,
Thank you for your recent job application for the role of Imaging and Documentation Assistant. I am pleased to announce, you have passed the interview process and we would like to offer you a full-time job.
Merlin stopped reading and smiled at Arthur, "Arthur, that's amazing!"
Arthur didn't smile back, he bit his lip.
"Do you want to know why I picked that one?" He asked, still seeming quite sad.
"Sure." Merlin said.
Arthur smiled briefly, "Their collections management system... They call it Merlin."
Merlin laughed, "You chose it for that?"
"Yes." Arthur said, smiling at Merlin. His smile fell away, "Keep reading."
Merlin did,
If you choose to take this job, you will receive a booklet listing all of your job responsibilities, who to phone when you have a day off, and any other information you may require.
The letter went on to explain more details related to Arthur's new job, (it even mentioned the collections management system, Merlin) so Merlin decided to skip to the last few lines.
Once again, we thank you for your application and congratulate you on your acceptance. I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours Sincerely,
Dr. Green.
Great Russel Street
London
"Wait." Merlin said, his heart freezing, "London?"
Arthur looked away.
"London?" Merlin repeated incredulously.
"I know. It's far." Arthur said quietly.
"Far? It's not just far. It's ages away, Arthur! I'd never see you..." Merlin said.
Arthur said, "But it's such a good job and for a starter job, the pay is so good."
"But..." Merlin trailed off. Words were failing him.
"I don't want to leave you." Arthur said, moving so he was sat on the branch facing Merlin, "But it's my future."
"And I'm not?" Merlin asked.
He could hear how irrational his argument was. He knew this was Arthur's career, not just some University relationship. But he could feel the tears in his eyes, and he couldn't just let Arthur go. Not again. This summer had been bad enough. If Arthur took this job, they'd break up.
Again.
"When?" Merlin whispered.
"What?" Arthur asked, moving on his branch, causing it to sway dangerously.
"When do you leave?"
Arthur bit his lip, "I leave-"
Arthur was cut off by a loud cracking sound. They both had less than a second to realise what that sound was before Arthur was falling, his arms stretching out to break his fall. He landed face-first with a thud.
"ARTHUR!" Merlin screamed.