Disclaimer: I cry at night because I don't own Merlin, but who knows, maybe one day I will.

A/N: Dear faithful readers, the time has come for me to say fairwell to this story as this is the final chapter. I know it's a bit short, but I hope that you love it nevertheless and how I ended it. Either way, I'm so glad that many of you have stuck with me through to the end, even with my evil angst side commiting acts that had you all scared at some point. But as I'm a nice person, here is that happy ending I promise you all, and I hope you are content with it. Oh, and I forgot to mention this in the previous chapter, but during the time I didn't have my glasses, I made a Merlin/Arthur video, and It'd be great to know what you guys think of that also. The link is: www(dot)vimeo(dot com)/8235219 But you don't have to look at it if you don't want to. Anyway, enjoy, and I love you all as I'm about to reach my first 200 review mark ever. =)

Hours turned into days quicker than Merlin had even the chance to blink, and before he knew what was going on, it was the final morning. Already people were beginning to pack their belongings into bags, shoving them in the undercarriage of the bus before heading to the dining hall to have their last meal together.

Well, that's what it felt like to Merlin anyway. His final meal with Arthur and he most likely wouldn't see him very often, and it felt terrible.

"If you don't eat your breakfast, I'll have to force feed you," Arthur said with a distinct tone of seriousness, and almost immediately Merlin began shoving fruit loops into his mouth until the bowl was spotless.

"Good boy," Arthur mocked, running his fingers through Merlin's hair before ruffling it until hair stuck up in every direction possible, and some not.

"I am not a dog," Merlin said, not able to contain his laughter. This was unfortunate for Arthur as a fruit loop left Merlin's mouth and flew directly into Arthur's face.

"I believe this is yours," Arthur grabbed the fruit loop and chucked it back at him. With precise accuracy, Merlin manoeuvred himself in the direct line of fire to the projectile object. Opening his mouth, he caught the fruit loop in midflight and swallowed, licking his lips in triumphant.

"Delicious," Merlin rubbed his belly, taking pleasure in the stunned Arthur who quickly looked away, muttering something along the lines of 'show off' under his breath.

Once everyone had finished their 'last meal' as Merlin liked to put it, Uther and the other teachers started going through all the cabins, making sure they were perfectly clean before locking them.

Not many people spoke as the slumped onto the bus in a single file, having their names ticked off to make sure everyone was accounted for.

Merlin found a good spot against the window somewhere between the front and the middle of the bus, far away from everyone else who had thankfully seated themselves all the way down the back.

It was embarrassing at first, but Arthur had seated himself next to Merlin – well, it was more like on top of him, but Merlin honestly wasn't going to complain about that – while Gwen and Morgana sat directly opposite them on the other side of the bus.

"Can I please get your attention," Uther cleared his throat as he stood up at the front of the bus. "May I take this opportunity to say that your stay here was an interesting experience for many of us, I can assure you," his emphasis on 'interesting' seemed to be directed towards Merlin, but only for a second. "I hope you've enjoyed the time you spent here, and made many lifelong friends. Also..."

Arthur groaned beside him, right before leaning forward and resting his head on the back of the chair in front.

"Every year it's the same damn speech," was what Merlin thought Arthur said, but he had his face buried in the chair, which muffled his voice slightly.

Sighing, Merlin closed his eyes and listened to Uther's speech for the next five minutes until the bus roared into life.

As the bus slowly rolled down the never ending road, twisting and turning through the forest, they eventually passed under the wooden sign and onto the highway. It was both a blessing, and a sad thought to Merlin as in half an hour or less, he wouldn't see Arthur for who knows how long.

Something solid squeezed his thigh and, looking down, Merlin realised it was Arthur's hand lightly squeezing it as he smiled gently at the dark haired boy.

"Aren't you worried someone might see you?" Merlin whispered, trying to prevent himself from moaning as Arthur's hand slowly moved up his thigh.

"Not really," Arthur responded before moving his hand away, taking a quick glance over the seats towards his father, then the back of the bus before leaning in and brushing his lips ever so tenderly against Merlin's.

Morgana and Gwen, who must have been watching at the time, squealed as Arthur moved away and pretended that nothing had happened. Arthur glared at his stepsister.

'You two are so cute,' Morgana mouthed at them as a blush crawled up Merlin's neck and on instinct, he turned and looked out the window so no one would notice.

Besides that, the bus trip was relatively quiet, even after Merlin discreetly interlocked his right hand with Arthur's between the seats and fell asleep on the blonde, only furthering his embarrassment once he woke up.

"We're here..." Arthur spoke softly, much to Merlin's relief as everything seemed to be amplified to the power of ten.

As everyone alighted from the bus, Merlin spotted his mother waiting patiently outside, jangling her car keys until he walked down the steps carefully and into her arms for a hug.

"Oh my god, what in the world happened to you?" she asked, examining the bump on his head.

"Long story," Merlin admitted, smiling slightly before going over to help remove the bags from the undercarriage. Once he managed to grab his own bag, he waited for Arthur to get his and they walked away from the group and ducked down a side street where they wouldn't be seen by anyone.

"I'm..." Merlin couldn't help but cry a tear as he embraced Arthur tightly, burying his face into the blondes shoulder, inhaling as much of his scent as possible. "I'm going to miss you."

"Don't cry, it makes you look like a girl," Arthur commented, before raising Merlin's face away from his shoulder, and pressing their lips together sloppy and awkwardly. Eventually Merlin found his tongue being sucked into Arthur's open mouth, memorising every nock and cranny until they broke apart, foreheads resting against one another.

"I know it's hard that we go to different schools, but we can always get together on the weekends if you'd like," Arthur said, gently brushing his lips up against Merlin's for a final time.

"I'd... I'd like that," Merlin's mouth curved upwards until it hurt, but to be honest, he didn't care in the slightest.

Opening his bag, he searched for Lancelot's notebook and pen which he realised he still had. Scribbling his phone number and address on a blank page, he gave it to Arthur.

"I promise to call as soon as I get home," Arthur said, folding the paper and depositing it into his jeans pocket.

Hugging Arthur for the final time, they returned back around the corner where everyone was still grabbing their bags, and or, talking to their parents.

"Could you look after my bag for a moment while I give this back to Lancelot?" Merlin asked, showing the notebook to Arthur.

"Sure," Arthur grabbed the bag from Merlin, and quickly rushed over to Lancelot who was now chatting – or flirting, take your pick – with Gwen.

"I believe this is yours," Merlin passed the notebook to Lancelot who took it, looked at it briefly, and passed it back to him.

"You keep it, there's plenty more where that came from," he stated, securing his bag around his shoulder.

"Really?" Merlin asked somewhat confused.

"Yep. It now belongs to you," Lancelot answered. "See you around, Merlin." With that, Lancelot wandered away with his hand placed around Gwen's waist, chatting the entire way until they reached Gwen's father's car. Merlin was quite surprised to see Lancelot hop into the car after Gwen, but shrugged at the thought and walked back over to Arthur to collect his bag.

For a moment, Merlin could have sworn he'd seen Arthur close his bag rather quickly, but decided it was just his imagination running wild and grabbed it back off Arthur.

"Weren't you supposed to be giving Lancelot back that thing?" Arthur asked curiously, indicating the notebook which he was still holding.

"He said I could have it," Merlin replied with a shrug.

"Arthur!" Uther shouted over the top of everyone. "Hurry up! If you're not over here in two minutes we're leaving without you!"

"Sorry, I better get going," Arthur said rolling his eyes, giving Merlin a quick hug before dashing after his father, who was hopping inside a taxi.

Wandering over towards Hunith, Merlin couldn't help but feel as if half of himself was missing, but ignored it as much as possible.

"Maybe I should have listened to you after all," Hunith said, obviously noticing the slight limp Merlin had from his leg wound. It wasn't as bad now, and it already had healed pretty well, but it still was fairly painful to walk.

"Nah," Merlin said with a slightly chuckle, following his mother towards their car. "I actually thoroughly enjoyed myself," he continued, smiling excessively as he saw Nimueh walking past, her nose covered with a strip of plaster to stop it from breaking any further.

Placing his bag next to him in the back seat, Merlin buckled his seatbelt up and waited for Hunith to start up the engine.

"Well, I'm glad you had a good time," Hunith said, as the car rolled forward and onto the road.

Suddenly realising he still had the notebook in his hand, Merlin decided to shove in into his bag until they got home. Opening it up, he couldn't help but scratch his head at the small piece of paper that happened to be lying on the very top.

Unfolding it, Merlin realised it was a note, and suddenly he found himself reading every word with equal intensity.

Merlin,

So, I'm writing this while you're asleep beside me, sorry, I borrowed a page out of the notebook you had on the floor. It was kind of Lancelot to swap cabins so I could be with you, and I'm glad he did because I can't help but feel lost without you by my side.

I realise that, once camp's over, who knows when I'll get the opportunity to see you again, so if I was sneaky enough, there should be a little present for you in your bag.

Present? Merlin quickly looked in his bag to find a red neckerchief lying on the very top, directly underneath from where the letter had been. With the neckerchief in one hand, Merlin continued reading the letter.

It's not much, and it certainly isn't new, as I bought it ages ago, but only wore it once because it just didn't seem to suit me. That's why I'd like you to have it. I think it'd suit you.

Just as you asked me to remember you, there's one thing I'd like you to do for me until the next time we meet. When, or if, you wear it, remember me also.

With you always,

Arthur

Putting down the letter, Merlin ran the red neckerchief between his fingers, before placing it around his neck and tying it off at the back.

Struggling to see his reflection in the rear-view mirror, Merlin couldn't help but admit Arthur was right, it did suit him.

Lowering himself down into the seat, Merlin's body relaxed as a smile spread across his face at the thought that, no matter where he went, a piece of Arthur would always be with him.

Even when they were apart.

fin.

A/N: See! Happy ending, I promised you that It'd be happy! Okay, so I would like to do a sequel in the future, but currently I have a damn plot bunny involving reincarnation; but not the typical modern day one, it actually has a plot line that hasn't been done before! Which I look forward to writing it, so in the near future, if you're interested, keep an eye out for it. Until then, reviews are loved and I hope you enjoyed this story. =)