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]

Mmhmm.

[He wrinkles his nose a little bit as the recoring of him gets louder (must be getting close to that orgasm situation) and he turns the volume down.]

[falsify]

[Eames huffs a little in complaint when Arthur turns the volume down, but he doesn't interfere. He noses at the side of Arthur's neck instead while he watches.]

Even on this feed you sound amazing.

[specifiercity]

I guess it's good you think so.

[He doesn't want to dwell on how stupid he thinks he sounds and he does leave the volume on just a bit so they can still get a hint of it. As the video keeps going he notices how hard Eames was gripping his hips and he glances down to see if the bruises have formed yet (because there absolutely will be bruises.)]

[falsify]

I do.

[Eames is busy looking at how attractive he is and how attractive Arthur is and how attractive they are together. He nuzzles absently into Arthur's neck.]

Fucking hell we're an attractive pair though.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur laughs softly and lays his head down.]

We do pretty well.

[falsify]

[Eames reaches over him to stop the feed and put the tablet aside.]

You're stunning.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur turns his head to look at Eames, sleepy but unquestionably in love.]

There aren’t enough words to describe how beautiful you are.

[falsify]

It's true.

[He grins and kisses Arthur.]

I think the same thing about you all the time.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur hums, putting his hand back on Eames' forearm.]

You could have anyone in the universe.

[falsify]

[He snorts and shakes his head.]

For a night, maybe.

[specifiercity]

Anyone would be lucky to have you for even that long.

[falsify]

Stop.

[He laughs a little, like it's a joke, but it's a little uncomfortable. He doesn't really know how to process this kind of compliment right now, especially with sone of what he's learned about himself recently. He's not as sure about what a catch he is as he used to be.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur's not used to Eames asking him to stop doling out compliments, but he does fall silent for a moment.]

I just feel so lucky. It's not like I'm actually the most beautiful man in the galaxy so all I can really attribute this to is luck.

[falsify]

I think you are.

[He lays his head back down, sighing softly as he does and squeezes his arm around Arthur.]

I think you might be the most gorgeous individual I've ever laid eyes on. I think uou have an incredible mind and a level of competence that is shockingly rare. It's truly mind-boggling that you'd put up with me this long.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur melts against Eames’ chest, feeling safe with his arm around him.]

I don’t have to put up with you, Eames.

[He rubs his hand up and down Eames’ forearm.]

I love you.

[falsify]

[Eames kisses the back of Arthur's neck.]

I love you too.