I love how Merlin’s way of showing affection is what he got used to while growing up: easy smiles, hugs, words of love and affirmations.
Meanwhile, Arthur’s way of showing affection is punches on the shoulders, gifts, sparring and taking people outside.
But when these two clashes, Arthur is not used to Merlin’s way of showing care, and Merlin doesn’t know what Arthur likes, and what he can do to make him feel better, because Arthur cannot articulate it, since he never had to do it in the first place.
So they’re left with nothing, with a mixture of the two, and they end up not doing anything about what they feel.
Suddenly, Merlin’s typical ways don’t seem to work with Arthur. Viceversa, Arthur’s perhaps harsher ways don’t work with Merlin.
And they’re there, asking themselves what could be done, and whatever is left to do. (fucking)