Well, yeah, like I keep saying, I think they're definitely going to have to deal with all the lying. I don't mean to brush that off as insignificant. I think Arthur is going to be hurt and shaken when he realizes the sheer magnitude of how Merlin has deceived him all these years.

But I think he'll get past that, and it's moments like his chat with Gaius this week that are building the foundation of understanding that he's going to need for it. At the very least, I am hoping it will let us avoid any exiling or things of that nature that tend to pop up in those fics. *g*

You're right that Merlin can never look at Arthur when he cries. Does he look at anyone? I do think he doesn't want Arthur to think he's weak for it, and of course, Arthur has never been able to deal with it (though he's getting better!) He just wants to comfort Merlin, but comfort isn't something he has much experience with.