FAMILY DINNER

[falsify]

[Having Nancy over isn't as common as it used to be, life is busy and whatnot, but Eames sometimes makes an effort. He's even gone so far as to make something to eat that he knows Nancy loves, and he is well stocked with wine for the two of them.]

[Arthur's off visiting a friend or something, so it's just the two of them for tonight. The two of them and a dog who is always happy for familiar company and spends a good chunk of time sat by Nancy's feet, only slightly hoping maybe she'll share some food even if it's against the rules.]

Comments

[stauncherhearted]

[Yes it is. Gosh.]

[Nancy swirls her wine in her glass and leans back.] Y'ever think you'll get married?

[falsify]

Maybe if Arthur decides he needs citizenship.

[Romantic.]

[stauncherhearted]

Wow, for a man who one owned lace collars, you're not very romantic.

[falsify]

You have no proof I ever owned a single lace collar.

[So there.]

[stauncherhearted]

I have your word, and you can't lie.

[check-mate]

[falsify]

[Whatever. Lace collars are dumb.]

I could spend hours talking about how brilliant he is, how every stupid fight over condiments is worth it to wake up next to him and the way it kills me knowing his life is so, so short.

[Despite the weight of what he's saying, Eames says it conversationally, like discussing the weather or travel plans.]

Marriage is a romanticised contract, it doesn't mean anything.

[stauncherhearted]

You fight over condiments?

[She raises an eyebrow, but drinks with a grin.] Is there a way to turn him immortal? [Other than to vamp him, of course. But there had to be some sort of charm that could grant him a long happy life.]

Oh come on! It means everything! It's a symbol to you and everyone that you're in it together, that you have found the one person you'd do anything for. It's beautiful.

[falsify]

Making somebody immortal usually requires taking something from them, something core to who they are. Besides that, mortals aren't wired for it, it's half the reason vampires are such a mess.

[He waves off the comments about symbols. It might be nice, truthfully it has been in the past, but that's a conversation for him to have with Arthur much further down the line.]

[He also thinks Nancy needs to lower her marriage expectations a little, but she's always had an almost childlike heart when it comes to love and romance.]

[stauncherhearted]

[Look, marriage is one of the few things she's ever wanted in life. Let the girl have a few dreams that aren't going to get violently decapitated.]

I always said I never wanted to be immortal. [Cooper had wanted to turn her, but had respected her enough to let her have her mortal life. Cesare had offered, as well.]

[falsify]

There's really no way to know how it'll change you. Or to prepare for the way it changes your life.

[It's something he thinks mortals struggle to understand, and how could they? How can you account for how it alters your perspective and changes your priorities.]

[But anyway.]

And Arthur's already a prick, I don't need to deal with what immortality would do to him too.

[stauncherhearted]

[She nearly snorts with laughter]

A prick- but you love him.

And his prick.

[falsify]

[It's a truly awful joke, but the addition catches Eames by surprise and he laughs.]

You're not wrong, I do love that prick. [...] And Arthur's not bad either, I suppose.

[stauncherhearted]

[Nancy's jokes are flawless.]

I mean, if you had to choose... [She giggles, not actually asking Eames at all. She knows Arthur comes as a full package.]

Y'know, I can't believe you didn't tell me the second it started happening. Especially with how happy he seems to be making you. I mean, I told you about Cooper right away, didn't I?

[falsify]

There's no way you could've kept up the charade if I had.

[aND ANOTHER THING.] And I don't have to tell you who I'm fucking just because you know them. I didn't tell you when I was sleeping with Jean-Claude, and that started on a much friendlier note.

[stauncherhearted]

Oh come on! I'm a damn good actress and we both know it.

[Nancy blinks at Eames.] You were fucking J-C? WHEN!

[This is important. Tell her everything.]

[falsify]

[He opens his mouth to answer, and tgen pauses when he realises he can't pinpoint it. It's easy with Arthur, it had been a shock and right after something significant, but Eames and Jean-Claude are both so habitually flirtatious that it makes every non-business interaction into a blur.]

Was it before or after we killed Harris...?

[It's more of a murmur to himself than any response to Nancy while he thinks that over.]

[stauncherhearted]

Tell me right now: Is there anyone in any position of power here that you haven't slept with?

[She's joking. Mostly.]

[falsify]

I don't think I've slept with anyone on the Night Council, actually.

[A shame in at least one case. He's pretty sure Yasmin would be something.]

[stauncherhearted]

really! I would have expected you to have at least once.

Roslin's quite pretty. [Now she's just teasing him.]

[falsify]

Oh... I forgot she's the werewolf rep.

[Okay well there's one.]

[stauncherhearted]

...You've slept with the president?

[Then again, she'd slept with the previous president.]

Jesus, Eames.

[falsify]

[Christ, she is the president isn't she? He's pretty sure he even backed her campaign. Eames rubs the bridge of his nose.]

I really enjoy sex, what do you want from me?

[stauncherhearted]

[Nancy giggles so completely and totally, turning bright red.]

Oh my god- you're amazing. I love it, I really, really love it. [She's looking at him with a great fondness.]

[falsify]

[Well that's a new take.]

Well I'm glad someone appreciates me.

[stauncherhearted]

I didn’t say I appreciated you! Now you’re getting ahead of yourself!