baby come back

[falsify]

[It's been some time since Eames has made the trip to Arthur's place, he's forgotten how long the walk from the station is. He kind of regrets not getting a cab or at least waiting for a bus because it is pissing it down with rain and Eames doesn't typically feel the cold that much, but he's soaked to the bone and his clothes are sticking to him and the wind cuts through him something awful. His hair is plastered to his forehead and he's pretty sure these shoes are ruined, to the point he doesn't even think about walking through puddles because it's not like his feet can get any more cold and wet at this point.]

[It's awful. He feels awful. He's cold and soaked and he can't feel his fingers and he just feels so guilty that it's almost scary. It's not like Eames has never been rude or said something uncalled for, but sometimes Eames is cruel and he's never been like that toward Arthur before. At first because he never cared enough, and then because he cared too much, and it's easy to forget how fucking easy it is for him. How he can target what upsets someone so easily and just twist it like a knife, make it into a weapon because he's angry and someone else is a convenient target to take it out on.]

[The worst part, maybe, is that Arthur was trying to help. He was just trying to be helpful and there's a million ways Eames could've told him he couldn't without being an asshole about it, but instead he pushed and he pushed and Arthur left and god he hates it. He's so fucking mad at himself. Spent days alone in the house waiting like it was just gonna blow over and Arthur would just come home as if it was some dumb little spat he needed an hour to cool off from.]

[Arthur's not gone forever, he's relatively sure. At some point he'd come home and be the bigger man about it, but wouldn't that just be another insult on top of everything? To make Arthur be the one to make the peace when Eames is the one who fucked things up to begin with? So here he is, sodden and freezing and miserable, knocking on Arthur's door like he basically never did before.]

Comments

[specifiercity]

[Arthur hums in agreement with this plan, lingering on Eames' lips for a few soft kisses as he rests his hand on Eames' cheek. The bruise on his wrist catches his eye but he doesn't pause to inspect it - it's par for the course, especially after an emotionally taxing night.]

[falsify]

[Eames' eyes fall closed and he smiles, nuzzling into Arthur's cheek after the kisses.]

You know, I couldn't stand you when we met.

[He says it softly, pressing a kiss to Arthur's cheek.]

I remember how often I'd think, "he's so rude and patronising and boring, but he's smart as fuck and willing to to work with you so just deal with it."

[specifiercity]

Really?

[Arthur's voice is drier than dirt.]

I wanted to get into your pants right away.

[falsify]

[Eames snorts a laugh and shakes his head, still with his face pressed against Arthur's cheek.]

You know I hate it when you lie.

[specifiercity]

I have to be allowed some sarcasm.

[He digresses.]

I remember thinking, "I can't believe this guy thinks he's charming enough to get whatever he wants."

[Arthur's thumb brushes back and forth on Eames' back.]

I was pretty determined not to let you pull any of that on me.

[falsify]

Seeing as I can still taste you, let's call that a mixed success.

[See, he's so charming.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur brushes his knuckles affectionately across Eames' cheek.]

It didn't happen all on your terms.

[falsify]

That's why it's mixed.

[He shakes his head again.]

Not just anyone could get me to kowtow to their spice organising tyranny.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur won't dignify that with a response because how are you even supposed to find things quickly when you need them if they don't have a specific place? Ugh.]

[This moment is not about that.]

I'm glad I let myself want you.

[falsify]

We'd never have gotten here if you didn't.

[He's never thought about it like that before, that if Arthur hadn't gone for it that time none of this would've happened. He feels a rush of... Not exactly gratitude, but something not far off. Something that makes him incredibly glad for Arthur's unfortunate attraction to danger.]

[specifiercity]

I'd have given in eventually.

[The corner of his mouth quirks ever so slightly.]

I would have needed to find out if your dick really was so pretty that you could use it to get your way.

[falsify]

[Eames shifts a little so he can rest his head on Arthur's shoulder, breathing a small laugh as he does.]

And the verdict?

[specifiercity]

[Arthur lifts up his head a touch like he's trying to glance down at said dick.]

It's fucking gorgeous I don't know how you aren't King of the Unseelie.

[falsify]

[It's safe to say that's not even close to the response he expected and Eames laughs pretty hard at that, lifting his hand to lightly smack Arthur's chest in the closest approximation of "stop" he can convey without his words.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur grins, always proud to make Eames laugh like that. He noses at Eames' hair and sighs.]

Honestly I can't imagine ending up anywhere other than here.

[falsify]

Good.

[He watches his hand as he rests it back on Arthur's chest, watching his fingers trace circles thoughtfully.]