maybe we show some mercy

[falsify]

[Usually, facing your fears means discovering they're not as bad as they seemed in your head. That your mind catastrophises and exaggerates and the reality is nowhere near what it seemed. Eames certainly wishes that were the case here, but it turns out the reality is far worse than anything that crossed his mind. He'd long since come to terms with the idea that getting caught meant death, but the captain of this discreet little crew made a point of talking about "re-education" with such conviction that it seems like a very real possibility. A real possibility that terrifies Eames in ways he didn't even know he could feel.]

[It's hard not to be mad at himself, and in fact he is. He's fucking furious. Years of being meticulous about hiding from the Empire rendered obsolete because some asshole wanted to make some quick money and Eames hadn't spotted the signs even though that's exactly the kind of thing he's supposed to be good at. And now here he is, bound in a cell on a ship, no idea how long he's been here or where they are — no idea about much of anything outside this room, actually — pumped full of power inhibitors to make doubly sure he can't escape.]

[Fucking hell but it hurts. Hands cuffed behind his back, made to stay on his knees for... A long time. Simultaneously can't feel his legs and yet the muscles burn and ache. All of him a mess of cuts and bruises, a mix of injuries from fighting back and some from cruelty passed off as discipline. He thinks his nose might be broken and one of his eyes is swollen into a semi-permanant squint. The longer he kneels here, the more Eames thinks the inhibitor injections were less about preventing escape and more about making sure he couldn't heal away the beatings; making sure he'd suffer through every moment of the trip "home."]

Comments

[falsify]

All this drama.

[He rubs his thumb back and forth affectionately.]

I kind of thought they'd never catch me.

[specifiercity]

Never’s a big word. We’ll just have to be more careful.

[falsify]

[He sighs and mumbles a quiet "yeah", but he doesn't want to talk about 6right now. He just wants Arthur to hold him while he sleeps.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur doesn’t quite get that message, gently rubbing Eames’ back.]

I killed the guy that sold you out, so that loose end is taken care of.

[falsify]

Oh.

[He sounds a little disappointed, but in the "I was saving that" sort of way rather than actual upset.]

I was quite looking forward to that.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur hums in sympathy.]

Sorry. There are a few more along the chain that I never got to.

[falsify]

[Eames sighs and nuzzles in a little to get comfortable for sleep.]

Later.

[specifiercity]

Mm, later.

[Arthur hums and noses at the top of Eames’ head briefly again before he settles in for sleep as well.]

[falsify]

[Eames falls asleep quickly, but it's not like before. He'd been so exhausted that his body shut down in some effort to recover some of that energy. This time is more normal and it lets his subconscious run wild.]

[It's a fitful sleep, dreams-- nightmares of all sorts. Of being turned into the perfect soldier, of Arthur dead, of beatings and more creative tortures. Eames doesn't toss or turn much, but he makes a lot of noises of distress in his sleep, groans and almost growls, face pulled into an expression of pain.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur isn't sleeping that deeply so the noise wakes him up eventually. It's not exactly shocking but it is cause for concern, so when it doesn't stop after a couple minutes Arthur gently shakes Eames' shoulders, trying not to hurt him but definitely trying to wake him up as he softly says his name.]

[falsify]

[It takes a bit to wake him, and when he does it's with a gasp, eyes wide as he struggles to register what's happening. Eames stares at Arthur, confused and worried all at once.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur rubs Eames’ back, frowning with concern.]

You were having a nightmare.

[falsify]

Shit.

[He's out of breath, he realises, and he presses his forehead against Arthur's shoulder for a long few moments with another uttered curse.]

[specifiercity]

You’re fine, it’s okay.

[He rubs Eames’ back and shoulders.]

[falsify]

[Eames groans and cuddles in a little, to use Arthur's presence to ground and comfort himself, beyond grateful for the man beside him right now. He can't conceive of a life without him, the way his just being there is keeping Eames just about sane right now is making that much clearer to him than it's ever been.]

Thank you.

[For more tjan just this, though he's not sure Arthur will realise.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur's tone and expression are gentle, relaxing a little bit but keeping his arm firm around Eames.]

It's nothing.

[falsify]

It's not.

[He sighs.]

I'd be going crazy right now without you here. [...] Crazier.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur thinks on that for a moment, still rubbing Eames’ shoulder.]

There’s nowhere I’d rather be right now.

[falsify]

[He thinks that's stupid, but he won't say it. Eames just cosies in with a soft sigh and wraps an arm around him.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur noses in with a sigh. It’s true, given the circumstances, that he’d feel guilty being anywhere else.]

D’you know how long the inhibitor’s supposed to last? If it’s going to be a few more days we should probably give you some actual medical attention.

[falsify]

It was supposed to be until we got to Tarnax IV, so... Another day maybe?

[Given he has no idea where they werr when Arthur broke him out or how long he'd been on the ship already, it's his best guess.]

[specifiercity]

[Another sigh as he looks up at the ceiling, mulling over this information.]

You should take some painkillers at least.

[falsify]

If you bring some to me I will.

[Eames tilts his head up to look at Arthur with a tired smile.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur smiles softly back at him.]

I guess that would mean you'd have to move.

[falsify]

Oh.

[Hm.]

Never mind then.