"So, do we know him?"

The blush on Arthur's cheeks deepened even more at this whole conversation.

After admitting he was gay, his mum and dad brought up the case of the mysterious package sending business that Arthur seemed to be in the past few weeks not much time after. Both of them were now staring back at him, looking quite content if he might add.

"I don't think so." He mumbled back to his parents.

"So where did you two met?" His mother asked and Arthur bit his lip at that question.

"I actually never did?" He admitted finally.

He heard his mother gasp. "But how?"

"We sorta met online. His name is Merlin."

Uther was immediately ready to lecture his son about it. "Arthur, you must know that meeting people online is –"

"Yes, dad, I know." Arthur interrupted. "But this is different, trust me. And for what it's worth, he doesn't actually know it's me he's talking to, he just knows that my name is Arthur. But when I'm getting an e-mail from him it's, it's… I get…" Arthur sighs. "I can't explain."

Little to his own knowledge, his whole face lit up as he talked about Merlin, and his parents shared a knowing smirk. A smirk Arthur caught.

"What? What's that secret smirk about?"

"I think it's time you tell me everything you know about the man," Uther said, still eyeing his wife before actually turning back to his son, "Because, son, I think it's time you finally meet him."

And so Arthur told everything there was to know about Merlin with a big smile.

~oOoOo~

Merlin switched on the coffee machine, and stretched his arms far above his head with an accompanied yawn. Starting work at 4:30 in the morning was normal for him these past years, but he'd still admit that he'd rather lie in for just a couple more hours. But that won't do, there are breads to bake and cakes to make.

Will should be here around five, and the girls won't come in until eight. He kind of liked of having those first thirty minutes to himself, made him wake up properly and get his thoughts together. Sometimes he'd even take a pic to send to Arthur, but after what he'd learnt from Will, he wasn't so sure if he could continue their e-mailing… let alone meeting each other! What would a Prince (if it was really true, that is) want with someone like him? He had nothing to offer apart from some sweets and pastries.

With a shake of his head, he pushed those thoughts aside and got himself a nice steaming hot cup of coffee that he enjoyed while reading the morning newspaper. He had to snigger to himself when he read his horoscope.

Something surprising will happen today, don't be surprised.

Horoscopes, always so bloody cryptic and frankly don't making any sense.

Merlin chuckled again when he heard a knock on the door. Will had either forgot or lose his key once again. With a shit-eating grin he opened the back door. "Lost your key again? – oh." His grin fell instantly off his face when it wasn't Will at the door but somebody else.

"Err, hi?"

Merlin looked around him. He certainly didn't like the other two guys staring back at him.

"I can explain?" Arthur offered.

Merlin gave a sarcastically snort. "Yes, I think that would be best." He stepped away from the door to open it a little more. "On one, condition." Merlin interrupted when Arthur set one foot forward. "Ben and Jerry will stand outside."

Arthur turned around and gave a nod to the two men, even though both seemed rather reluctant to let their Prince get in alone.

"Okay," Merlin waved to the couple of stools around his workbench. "Say what you want to say."

Arthur sat down and for the first time got a real good look at the man he spent over two months chatting with. His picture did him no justice, he was bloody gorgeous in real life.

He knew he was drifting off, he had come here because he wanted to explain himself, so that's what he should do. "You don't seemed… surprised?

"No," Merlin answered and crossed his arms. "My horoscope told me not to. Want some coffee?"

Arthur frowned, "What?"

Merlin turned away from the coffee machine. "I asked if you want some coffee."

Arthur was a bit thrown off. "Oh, sure. Just a dash of milk, please."

Merlin sighed deeply as he prepared the coffee. "Just, don't be so formal." Merlin came walking back to the workbench and planted the coffee in front of Arthur and sat down on the free stool.

"So you're really him." Merlin murmured, eyeing Arthur intensely.

"Err, yes." Arthur said, lifting his cup to keep himself busy. "How did you know?"

"It wasn't me that figured it out, it was Will. He's quite the master hacker." Merlin's eyes widened. "Forget that I've said that! Please, don't throw my friend in the Tower!"

Arthur gave a loud snort, almost choking himself on the coffee. "We don't throw people in the Tower anymore!"

"Oh, well, that's good. For Will, I mean."

"It seems so."

There fell a heavy silence in the room. Arthur was trying to find ways to start their conversation on a lighter ground, while Merlin was looking down to his mug and silently stirring it with his spoon.

"I wanted to tell you," Arthur finally said and Merlin looked up to him. "I wanted to tell you a long time ago, but I was afraid that you wouldn't believe me, or even worse not wanting to write me again. I didn't want to lose what we had."

"Had?" Merlin asked.

"Hm?"

"You said, had." Merlin said again. "Does this mean we're already through?"

"No!" Arthur coughed. "I mean, I certainly don't want that, but I don't think it's up to me now."

"I don't want that either." Merlin began to stir his coffee again, more as a distraction than to anything else, "But seriously, how would this even work? I'm sure I can't just call the Palace and ask to speak to you."

"There is something that's called a smarthphone, Merlin. We're living in the twenty-first century after all. And only the closest of friends will get my personal number, so there will be no interferences from other people required."

"Ugh, those posh words." Merlin teased. "Stooo-op."

Arthur just offered a smile for a second before turning more serious once again. "But, honestly. I want to know where you stand with this. If you don't want to go on, I'll respect that, but I want to know for sure. And if you do, than we can just figure the rest out."

"I need some time to think, Arthur. I can't decide right now."

"Oh, okay" Arthur stood up and grabbed a small rectangular card out of his pocket. "This is my number, call or text me when you have decided and then I'll take care of the rest."

Arthur began to move towards the door, but Merlin caught him by the elbow. "Why don't I just e-mail you?"

The smile Arthur got from Merlin was pretty much all the answer he needed.

~oOoOo~

A YEAR LATER
"Are you really ready for this, Merlin?" Arthur looked worried. "After we go out, there's no way back."

"I think I am." Merlin nodded. How they managed to shield him off from the press and paparazzi's radar this year was a mystery to him. But he wanted the secrecy so he and Arthur could see how their friendship would go and possibly even go further than that. The moment that he met Arthur's parents was scaring the shit out of him, but after being introduced to them he learnt that there was nothing to be scared off. He'd never thought that the King would be so welcoming, but then again he had only some news articles to form that opinion on.

The girls had, of course, gone absolute bat-shit crazy after finding out that it was not only Arthur that sent him those mysterious packages, but that that Arthur was Prince Arthur at that.

Yes, this past year was a lot to take in to but he wouldn't wanted to miss it for the world, and now he wanted the world to know what a great boyfriend he had.

Arthur's face was lit up with relief that Merlin hadn't changed his mind. "Okay than. Here we go." He opened the door from the car and got out, Merlin soon followed.

A number of paparazzi cluttered around the pair. Pictures were taken from all sides. "Your highness! Who's your friend?"

Arthur smiled. "This is my boyfriend, Merlin."

THE END