relationships are a tricky business

[falsify]

[Eames perhaps doesn't give things the amount of thought they deserve all the time. To one degree or another, he's always been at least a little impulsive, but his habit of looking at things in terms of what's practical instead of what they mean is an oversight that seems to be specific to dealing with Arthur.]

[Case in point: Arthur has a change of clothes at his place, because it only makes sense. If he's going to spend the night so regularly, he should have clean clothes to leave in the next day. The fact that Eames spent a good while rearranging his drawers when he got back to clear one out for Arthur is obviously only a logical continuation of that. Who really wants their only choice of clothing to be "whatever I wore when I was here last"? It doesn't mean anything except that Eames is wonderfully considerate and deserves a gift for his altruism.]

[Either way, it's done now and Eames is busying himself heating some leftover chilli for dinner. Arthur's supposed to be over at some point, but he has no idea when and he is a hungry man who missed lunch because of business reasons.]

Comments

[specifiercity]

[Arthur has figured out he needs to take Eames at his word and he can tell he's trying to diffuse the situation, so he nods.]

No, I'm just... over reacting.

[He doesn't really think he is but he can tell he's over reacting to the intent and that's what's important.]

I can take a look after dinner.

[A reassuring smile.]

[falsify]

[He's not entirely reassured, but he's not going to push it. He just wants Arthur to be comfortable in his home, that's hardly pushing for something or trying to execute some hidden agenda. There's nothing wrong with wanting somebody to spend more time with you instead of hurrying home for different clothes.]

[But whatever. Eames just eats his food, looking at Arthur every now and then to watch his his expression and gauge how he's feeling.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur takes a few bites in silence, doing his best to search for something to talk about that isn't this. It occurs to him food could be the new discourse.]

Mm, this is just as good as it was last night.

[falsify]

Good. [He'll bite.] I'm glad you're not bored of it.

[specifiercity]

[He smiles.]

Of course not.

[He takes a sip of wine.]

So why was your day so shitty?

[falsify]

Had someone trying to avoid paying what they owe.

[Eames sighs, it is what it is.]

How about you? I didn't even ask about your day.

[specifiercity]

Good.

[Kind of better now because of the drawer thing but he's still unsure about that.]

Pretty busy, but just with the regular stuff.

[falsify]

[Eames nods in understanding,]

No undue disasters then.

[specifiercity]

No.

[Arthur smiles down at his food.]

It's been pretty quiet recently, in fact.

[falsify]

[He takes a moment that time, chewing thoughtfully for a moment and giving Arthur a light frown.]

Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

[specifiercity]

It's a good thing. I have enough saved and you kind of get worn out after a while.

[He sighs and sits back a little, enjoying a sip of wine.]

I'm thinking about taking a couple weeks off completely.

[falsify]

Yeah?

[Eames obviously thinks it's a good thing, especially given the amount of knots he's qorked out of Arthur's back, and he smiles.]

Any idea what you'd do with all that free time?

[specifiercity]

[Arthur smiles slyly at Eames over the edge of his wine glass.]

I can think of a few things, but no concrete plans.

[falsify]

[Eames snorts.] So not much other than me?

[specifiercity]

[Arthur shrugs.]

I might spend a couple days in France, but other than that I wouldn't mind spending some time here until you get sick of me.

[falsify]

I'm sure I could tolerate you for a few days at least.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur grins, shaking his head as he leans forward again to go about finishing his food. A little while and a glass of wine later and he's clearing up.]

Alright, show me this drawer.

[That's actually a ploy to get Eames to take him up to the bedroom.]

[falsify]

[Eames clears the plates away to the sink and retrieves his wine to take it upstairs with him, gesturing for Arthur to come with.]

[The drawer itself is nothing fancy, it's an empty at the bottom of his chest of drawers, but he spreads his arms with a "voila" anyway.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur laughs softly, bending down to look at the drawer as if he needs to survey it before he nods and stands back up straight. He puts his hand on Eames' chest, smoothing down the front of his shirt while he takes a sip of wine.]

I didn't think you'd want me taking up so much of your space.

[He offers this as an explanation and apology for why he didn't react with immediate gratitude.]

[falsify]

[Eames hums softly and puts a hand on Arthur's hip, thumb brushing light circles as he shakes his head.]

I want you to be comfortable when you're here.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur regards Eames softly as he raises an eyebrow.]

Comfortable enough to stay longer and more often?

[falsify]

If you want.

[He shrugs a shoulder. It certainly wasn't at the forefront of his mind, but he can't say he'd object either.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur nods, falling into silence for a beat or so and looking down at his hand on Eames' chest. It always feels really nice to just be in Eames' presence like this and he doesn't want to pull away despite the fact that he still needs a better handle on the situation right now. He gets the sense that Eames really didn't think much of clearing out this drawer for Arthur but that leads to another set of questions entirely - questions that they've done a really good job dancing around.]

What do you mean when you say we're not most people?

[falsify]

[Eames is busy putting his glass on the dresser so he can put both hands on Arthur's hips, so the question catches him by surprise. Eames frowns and furrows his brow as he considers the question.]

Most people are boring, not too smart. Do things because they're "supposed to" instead of because it's what they want.

[He raises an eyebrow and tilts his head a little.]

You're better than that.

[and so is he]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur smiles and tilts his head with Eames, happy for the flattery but...]

I think it's still fair for me to wonder what it means when you make room for me in your house. Would it be wrong for me to assume you don't do that very often?