When Arthur awoke, Merlin had left a note on his pillow.

Gone to work. Remember you start work at 2 x M

Arthur groaned, rubbing his head a little. Wow, modern people really partied a lot harder than Camelot. He rolled over and misjudged and slid right out of bed, landing with a thump on the floor.

He grunted and then considered staying there for the rest of eternity, before remembering about work. He was about to move when he noticed something tucked under Merlin's bed.

He reached for it and brought out a battered brown notebook that looked real old. He started to open it and then paused.

This was Merlin's diary.

He really shouldn't look.

However, Arthur's curiosity overtook him and he opened the cover.

The pages were thick and tinted yellow. Written on the first page in black ink was Merlin, Son of Hunith, Dragon lord of Camelot.

Like he didn't want to forget.

The next page was handwritten in the same ink. Arthur started to read.

and you left. I felt you leave.

I looked away

just for a second

and when I looked back,

you weren't there no more.

Empty eyes.

Empty hands.

Empty promises.

I told you

I told myself

that I would keep you alive.

that

your heartbeat would never stop

until mine couldn't beat no more.

Destiny.

A whole destiny that I didn't fulfill.

A whole future that I ruined for you.

Empty eyes

Empty hands

Empty promises

Arthur felt his heart begin to ache. This couldn't... Merlin didn't really believe this right? It wasn't his fault, Arthur thought. He turned the page.

I miss you.

my prince

my king.

I've heard talk of soulmates but

I never knew I met mine

until I lost mine.

my prince

my king

my soulmate.

Arthur snapped the book shut and sat still as a stone, with his back against the bed, breathing fast. His head and heart were pounding and his blood was pumping in his veins.

..... empty promises....

soulmate....

Merlin loves me, Arthur thought.

And goddammit.

I love him too.

At 2 o'clock on the dot, the former king skidded into the bakery.

"Heya," Mandy grinned. "Dump your things out back and wait for me. There aren't any customers so I'll come and teach you how to make sourdough out back."

Arthur smiled at her but he was distracted. I love Merlin, I love Merlin, I love Merlin, I -

"You okay?" She asked, rolling up her sleeves as she walked in the door to the kitchen. Arthur rolled his own sleeves and looked at her.

"I love him." He sighed. "I'm in love with him."

Mandy started to beam. "Merlin? I knew it!"

Arthur nodded and groaned frustratedly, tying his apron around his front.

"But..I just.. it's complicated." He groaned.

Mandy stopped smiling and got the ingredients for bread out. She had her business look on.

"Right. Okay. Talk to me. Why's it complicated." She said.

Arthur blushed and started to regret ever opening his mouth. But because she was sort of a friend and because he was slightly scared of her, he started to talk.

"Well firstly, he feels really guilty. The... accident that he told you about." Arthur said, (remembering Merlin had told her he had what was it, am-nee-shaa or something). Mandy nodded understandingly, and he continued.

"Well the accident wasn't his fault at all. I don't blame him one bit. But he thinks it was his fault-"

-empty hands, empty promises-

"and he really believes that." Arthur said.

-my soulmate-

"and secondly, I am really bad at talking about my feelings. I just can't do it. I clam up and feel stupid and don't know what to say." Arthur said.

Mandy handed him the flour and directed how to lay it out.

"Well you need to tell him somehow." She said. "Tell him that it isn't his fault. Show him you mean it. Use puppy-dog eyes." She demonstrated.

That makes a lot more sense, Arthur thought.

"And tell him how you feel. Take him somewhere special."

Arthur began to knead his dough. "Like where?" He asked.

Mandy thought. "It's hot so maybe somewhere outside. The beach?"

Arthur shook his head.

"How about a board games night?"

Arthur shook his head again. These were nice ideas but they weren't perfect.

Then Mandy clapped her hands together.

"I know!"

She walked over to her laptop and started tapping.

"There's a hiking trail not too long from here. Only the locals really know it but it's truly beautiful." She started to show him some photos. "You could drive up here, and then there are these grassy meadows and hills and there's a forest with a waterfall and a spring. You could take a picnic." she suggested.

Like I did with Gwen, Arthur remembered.

"That sounds perfect." He said. She laughed excitedly.

She printed out a bundle of maps for him, a list of picnic recipes and a list she wrote of things he needed to remember to take.

"Oh go on, take him away for a few days. Go camping!" Mandy grinned.

Arthur nodded, grinning back.

ARTHUR'S SEDUCTION CAMPING TRIP

Sleeping bags

Tent

Food

Swimsuits & towels

Clothing for 2

Toiletries

Courage to confess your fucking love

Arthur stuffed it in his pocket. Then his phone bleeped. Good, that was Merlin getting back to his text.

Yeah, I just checked. I've taken my leave so I have 5 days off. Want to tell me what this is about? x M

Arthur grinned.

Everything was falling into place.