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]

[He takes Eames' hand and squeezes it affectionately, leading him to the galley and sitting down on the bench.]

Is there anything I can do?

[falsify]

I don't know, I think I just...

[He gestures helplessly.]

I probably just need to take my mind off it.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur puts his free hand on Eames' knee.]

Well, we can take off whenever you want or we can just stay here. I'm happy to do whatever you want.

[falsify]

[He frowns a little, because he doesn't really know what he wants. Except to be fine, but obviously that's not happening.]

I don't... I don't know.

[He needs someone to make the decision for him. He can't think straight, he can feel his hands shaking now the surge of adrenaline has worn off.]

[specifiercity]

Hey, it's okay.

[He brings his hand to Eames' cheek.]

We'll stay here a little longer then. The ship's locked up, even if someone was coming for us they wouldn't be able to get in.

[falsify]

Okay.

[Eames leans into Arthur's touch and steps a little closer to him, resting his hand on Arthur's hip.]

Thank you.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur leans in to give Eames a kiss on his forehead. This is worrying, but he knows Eames has made progress and the fact that he's talking about his feelings now means he's not falling back on his bad old habits.]

You want some water?

[falsify]

[He's trying. It's hard but he's really, really trying not to just go back to bottling it up and repressing it until it's too much. And that's probably good. Because he gets moments like this where Arthur takes care of him without judging or being frustrated and angry like before.]

[He just wishes he didn't still need these moments.]

Yeah, thanks.

[Eames tilts his head up to try and get a quick kiss first.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur kisses him, lingering a little longer than what might be considered quick. He leaves after that to get a glass of water, bringing it back and handing it to Eames with another kiss on his cheek.]

[falsify]

[Eames immediately puts his hand on Arthur's hip and steps in close to him as soon as he's back, taking the glass with a soft thanks and taking a few slow sips.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur wraps an arm loosely around Eames' waist and rests his hand on his back.]

[falsify]

[Eames sighs softly, leaning a little of his weight on Arthur.]

I'm sorry.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur shakes his head and rubs Eames’ back.]

You don’t have to apologize for this.

[falsify]

[Eames disagrees, but he's not going to fight about it. Instead he tries to gently nudge Arthur to go somewhere they can sit or lay down.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur hums and turns to lead Eames back to bed. They could sit, but laying down would be more comfortable.]

[falsify]

[That's fine by Eames, he'll just wait for Arthur to get into bed and then cuddle up.]

[He'll take his shirt off first this time too.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur’s shirt comes off as well before he lays down and waits for Eames to join him. He wraps both arms around him immediately and kisses the nearest part of his head as he gives him a squeeze.]

[falsify]

[Eames grins and lays with his head next to Arthur's, he brings up a hand to play with Arthur's hair and sighs softly.]

Maybe if I feel better later we can head back out, get something to eat.

[He's getting better with his words, 'if' instead of 'when'. It's hard to acknowledge the problem, but he's doing it and it seems like it's making things a little easier.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur smiles serenely at him.]

Yeah, whenever you're feeling up to it.

[He rubs his thumb back and forth where it's sitting on Eames' back.]

Is it a little bit better now?

[falsify]

Yeah.

[He smiles and noses at Arthur's facr.]

Thank you.

[specifiercity]

Mm.

[Arthur cranes his neck a little bit to give Eames a proper kiss, feeling pretty nice and cozy right now.]

[falsify]

[Eames cups Arthur's face and leans into the kiss, shifting his whole body closer to press against him with a quiet hum.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur grins and pulls away just enough to speak.]

You're unbearably attractive, do you know that?

[falsify]

[Eames laughs softly and lifts a leg to nudge it between Arthur's.]

Funny. I was about to say the same thing to you.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur laughs too, leaning in to kiss him a little more, slow but a little more intense. He really feels like he could spend hours just doing this sometimes.]