The looks have stopped, just like the conversations, and Arthur found that he not only missed the voice that always gave him sound advice and reassurance when he needed it, he also missed those eyes. The eyes that spoke of sincerity and unquestionable loyalty, that gaze that felt like it pierced his very soul, and told him silently that all would be right in the end. He found that as crazy as that seemed, he craved Merlin's approval, to make him proud, although he would've never admitted it aloud to anyone. It was hard enough to admit that to himself.