ruffians | and you know me

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and you know me

[Eames doesn't know how to feel about things. He never does after this. It's... Easier than it used to be. He doesn't know why. Maybe it's just a matter of trust, but there's other issues, ones that get louder every time. Because he can't ignore that this is part of him anymore, and neither can Arthur.]

[He doesn't want to focus too much on what Arthur must think, but he can't shake it. He lays on the bed, ignoring various aches and pains, trying not to look at Arthur.]

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[Arthur shakes his head, taking a deep breath.]

I just want you to let me help you.

I'm fine.

[The emphasis is emphatic, because he's always fine, obviously. It's not like he has lingering traumas from growing up in a militarised empire or suffered anything that negatively affected the way he views himself. Ridiculous.]

Go out, have a punch-up, never see them again. It works.

[Arthur's voice drops again, miserable in his chair.]

You're not invincible. If you're getting that drunk you're gonna make a mistake at some point and get in over your head. It scares me.

[That basically goes in one ear and out the other, because Eames can't conceive of a situation he can't get out of, even drunk off his ass.]

You really don't need to worry about me.

[God he's getting tired of that. Tired of Eames deciding what he can compartmentalize to be outside of what they have.]

Well, too bad, because that's what you do when you love someone.

Then what else am I supposed to do? What's your solution?

[He's definitely reaching a tone that's just shy of actively confrontational, because at this point he feels like he's done everything he can and none of it is good enough for Arthur.]

[Back up the volume goes.]

Just... let me take care of you! Tell me what you need and I'll do it, just don't shut me out!

I did. I told you everything and you didn't want to be part of it.

[He backs up a little, clearly wanting to just leave, but Eames just about stops himself.]

It's not like I blame you, but it isn't fair to have a go at me for it.

[Arthur breathes out hard through his nose and presses his mouth into a line. This should be so fucking easy.]

The shame can't be a necessary part of this, Eames, I saw that last night.

[Eames throws a hand up in frustration, it feels like they're about to start going in circles over this and he wants to be anywhere else on this fucking ship.]

Yeah, and if you were a stranger I never had to look at again then maybe it wouldn't be.

That's you putting something on me that I don't feel. I care way more about making you feel good than judging you for something you think is fucked up. We're all fucked up, Eames, and if this is what you need to do to feel normal then I want to help you.

[He realizes that he's almost yelling but he can't stop.]

What's really fucked up is that you won't even look at me, you make me feel like I've hurt you or made things worse.

I tried to tell you, it always takes a minute or two for--

[He catches himself, not just the frustration but there's some emotion there he's not happy about. He has to take a breath, and when he goes on his voice is a lot quieter, softer. Eyes downcast.]

It takes a bit for me to be sure you're not going to leave.

[That change in demeanour certainly makes Arthur slow down, taking a deep breath before he goes on, very measured. He knows it must be complicated, whatever goes on in Eames' head whenever they've done that, whenever he goes quiet afterwards, but more and more Arthur just felt intentionally, consciously shut out of the process.]

What can I do to make you more sure of that? And don't-- [he cuts himself off to breath, to take his tone down from demanding to pleading] Don't say nothing. Please, think about it. I want you to know I'm not going to abandon you; I love you too much.

I just need you there. After...

[He swallows, still not looking at Arthur, and shakes his head. He can't say it so boldly.]

I mean, it's basic conditioning, right?

[He sighs heavily.]

I don't think it needs to be. I don't need you to be cheerful or energetic or anything, I just need to know that you're okay. I need you to look at me so I know, so it doesn't feel like you're just trying to get me to stop asking.

Yeah, okay.

[He sighs and pushes a hand through his hair.]

I'll try.

Thank you.

[He sighs again and just looks at Eames, a mixture of sadness and awkward bashfulness on his face. After a moment he holds out his hand, an invitation to come over for some affection.]

[Eames takes his hand and moves back over, planting himself in Arthur's lap with a soft sigh.]

[Arthur wraps his arms around Eames easily, pulling him with as he leans back in the chair again. He finds the closest part of Eames' face and kisses it with a hum.]

[Eames drapes his arms over Arthur's shoulders and hums happily at the attention, resting his head against Arthur's to make his face more accessible for more of that.]

[Arthur's just gonna make it his mission to get as many soft kisses on Eames' face and neck as he can. It might even get to a bit of a ridiculous point but that's okay. Eames' face is so good it deserves this.]

[That's fine by Eames. He lets out a soft laugh when he realises what Arthur's doing, but that just gets him to lift his hand to Arthur's neck to rest there, thumb brushing back and forth.]

[Arthur laughs too and finally slows to a stop by pressing a kiss to Eames' lips. Nothing hungry or demanding, just loving.]

I'm sorry for starting a fight.

[Eames brings his hand up to cup Arthur's face and he shakes his head.]

Sometimes it's what we need.

[Deep sigh.]

I wish it wasn't.

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