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

[specifiercity]

[It goes on for a little while, Arthur's moans coming out stuttered and broken. As it finally passes through him he just whimpers and hums and runs his fingers through Eames' hair.]

[falsify]

[When it seems like Arthur's done, Eames relaxes against him with a happy sigh. He noses fondly at Arthur's cheek while he catches his breath, he's feeling pretty pleased with how that went, thoroughly satisfied by it.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur basically goes limp against the bed, bringing his hands back down to Eames' face so he can gently hold him still for a kiss. It's a very soft and gentle kiss, so much less urgent now.]

[falsify]

[Eames carefully pulls off Arthur so as to properly just lay on him, humming happily at the kiss and Arthur's hands on his face.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur puts his hand on Eames' lower back, rubbing back and forth gently.]

You could have kept going for a little while.

[falsify]

[He shakes his head with a soft noise disagreeing, but he doesn't say anything. He got what he wanted, he's happy.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur's not about to argue with Eames about whether or not he should get off, so he just sighs and lays his head down, lips curling into a smile.]

You were amazing.

[falsify]

I am.

[He smiles and kisses Arthur's cheek.]

So are you.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur grins, happy for the affection.]

I can't believe with all the sleeping we've been doing I'm ready to go back to sleep now.

[falsify]

You just came pretty hard.

[A fact Eames is obviously pleased with himself about.]

[specifiercity]

I did.

[Arthur traces wandering lines on Eames' lower back.]

[falsify]

[He shifts his hips a little.]

It was a lot, by the way.

[Not that he's complaining.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur laughs.]

I've been saving it up.

[falsify]

[Eames snorts and shakes his head.]

Well don't I feel special?

[specifiercity]

[Arthur turns his head to grin at Eames affectionately.]

You are special.

[falsify]

Shut up.

[He shakes his head, but he's still grinning.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur laughs and noses at Eames.]

I thought you loved the flattery.

[falsify]

I do.

[He sighs softly and rolls off Arthur to cuddle up a little more comfortably, draping an arm over him and resting his head on Arthur's shoulder.]

"Special" seems like a bit more than flattery though, don't you think?

[Which is to say it felt too close to a genuine compliment for Eames to be comfortable with right now.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur accommodates Eames with a sigh.]

I guess.

[falsify]

[Eames hums and nuzzles in at Arthur's jaw.]

You're pretty special too.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur feels a flush of warmth in his face as he grins, eyes falling closed again as he gets comfortable enough to start sleeping soon.]

[falsify]

I meant it, you know.

[He cups Arthur's face, thumb rubbing back and forth over his cheek fondly.]

I really don't know what I did to deserve you.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur opens his eyes to look at Eames with a sober expression on his face, not quite serious but not quite smiling, bringing a hand up to cover Eames'.]

I meant what I said too. Just putting up with me is enough in my books.

[falsify]

[Eames shakes his head.]

You're amazing. Putting up with you is more than worth it.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur smiles wryly up at him, blinking sleepily despite his best efforts to keep this going.]

You're just saying that because I saved your life.