i'm gonna leave you

[falsify]

[The last few months with Arthur have been... Nice. Really, really, nice. In some ways he's been happy that he convinced Arthur to take that day off, because it's opened them up to spending more time together for reasons other than sex, (though the sex, as always, has been outstanding,) and Eames has enjoyed it. A lot. It's something he hadn't ever thought of as missing in his life, but he could get used to it.]

[That's a problem.]

[He's seen relationships undo enough people in his line of work that that alone makes him hesitant, but with Arthur, well. Sleeping with a cop is fun, and mutually beneficial, but there's no long-term to something like that and Eames can't let himself get attached. He respects Arthur enough too, to at least do him the decency of talking to him and explaining himself instead of just vanishing. Arthur's more than good enough to track him down and shoot him if he did anyway.]

[He's been going over it again and again, and eventually he just decides to let himself in one night, waiting for Arthur to get home in his living room so they can just get this over with.]

Comments

[specifiercity]

[Arthur puts his beer down on the coffee table and leans back with a sigh, tilting his body towards Eames. He can't meet his eyes when he says what he says.]

I would relocate. It'd be easy enough to make it seem like a temporary thing, just in case.

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Okay.

[He makes another noise of discomfort, this time because he's about to be genuinely considerate and he doesn't like the way that feels.]

I can go pretty much anywhere, that's fine. I just want to be sure this is what's best for you.

[specifiercity]

[He throws his hand up.]

My family's not even here, and I don't really have any friends I'd miss. A lot of private sector work can be done remotely and even then I have enough saved up to take a break and ease into it with a part-time schedule.

[He looks down, a hand settling between them on the couch.]

What about you? I don't want you to drag yourself out of here if you don't want to go. Just because I'm ready to pick up and leave doesn't mean you have to consider it.

[falsify]

I'm always ready to leave.

[It's only a little flippant, and Eames exhales, thumb rubbing over the side of his finger in the absence of anything to fiddle with.]

I've never really felt attached to any particular place. I like it here, but you're about the only thing that makes it a place worth staying in.

[specifiercity]

[That makes something tighten in his chest and he finally puts his hand on Eames' knee.]

I, uh... I made a list of countries where extradition's at least a pain in the ass.

[He leans over and shuffles some papers out of the way to get a list of scribbled names to hold it out to Eames.]

I've had a lot of time on my hands.

[falsify]

[That's endearing in a way Eames doesn't even know how to put words to and he smiles as he takes the papers, but he doesn't look them over just yet.]

Why don't we go over these tomorrow. When you're sober?

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[Arthur scans Eames' face.]

Does that mean you'll stay the night?

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If you'll have me.

[Please say yes.]

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[Arthur barely hesitates to lean in and kiss Eames a little clumsily, just desperate to be in his space. They'll get to the bed eventually.]

[falsify]

[Eames kisses him back, relieved for it, and turns a little to face Arthur. He lifts both hands to cup Arthur's face and sighs into it. He thought he knew how much he missed this, but it was a lot more.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur makes a desperate noise, shuffling a bit closer. He's aware he must taste strongly of beer but he wants to be on Eames or for Eames to be on him even though he's much too tired and a little to drunk to do any good sex tonight.]

[After a little more clumsy kissing he pulls away just far enough to speak.]

Come to bed.

[falsify]

[Eames is so relieved he doesn't care about how much Arthur smells and tastes like beer right now, he just wants to curl up with this beautiful man and wrap his arms around him. When he mentions bed, Eames just nods and goes in for another kiss before he stands, waiting for Arthur to do the same so they can go to the bedroom.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur takes Eames' hand, squeezing a little harder than necessary like he's afraid he's about to bolt, and turns to go to the bedroom. Once they're there he throws back the covers and slips in, turning to wait for Eames to join him.]

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[The second Arthur's laying down, Eames follows, not wasting any time to get as close as possible and noses at his face for a kiss.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur presses himself to Eames as much as he can, wrapping an arm around him and kissing him desperately to make up for all this lost time.]

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[Eames mirrors him, slipping an arm around Arthur tightly, keeping him close. Part of him feels like he should say something, but he can't bring himself to stop kissing Arthur long enough to do it.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur doesn't have this trouble, or really he doesn't have the foresight to see how much he's going to miss kissing Eames when he stops kissing him to breathlessly tell him:]

Don't leave.

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I won't.

[He shakes his head, repeating himself softly as he tries to get another kiss.]

[specifiercity]

Good, 'cause I'll fucking find you.

[It doesn't come off very successfully as a threat. Not that it's really meant to be. Arthur's just tipsy and really doesn't want Eames to leave in the night - the thought terrifies him a little.]

[falsify]

[Despite himself, Eames lets out a soft laugh and lifts his hand to comb his fingers through Arthur's hair.]

I know.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur sleepily watches Eames' face and then closes his eyes, shifting a little and then settling in for sleep. Being in Eames' arms again, pressed up against his chest, he suspects he'll have one of the best sleeps of his life.]

[falsify]

[Eames falls asleep easily not long after Arthur, having him in his arms is familiar and comforting and he nuzzles into Arthur's hair with a gentle sigh.]

[When he wakes up, he stays still for a while, just enjoying Arthur's presence in his arms again, but at some point he carefully gets out of bed with a sigh. He doesn't know if Arthur drank enough for a hangover, but who doesn't like breakfast in bed with a side of coffee and aspirin? He takes off his shirt and dumps it on the bed in the hopes that if Arthur wakes up while he's in the kitchen, he'll realise Eames hasn't left, and goes to rummage around and make him a decently greasy breakfast.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur wakes up groggy about 20 minutes after Eames gets out of bed, groaning as he tries to press his face into the pillow and then realizing that he's alone with a frown. He sits up, chest aching already, but then he sees the shirt on his bed and hears some noise from the kitchen and he sighs with relief. He reaches down to pick it up delicately - it's hideous but the fabric is nice, and if Arthur had a little less dignity (even alone in his room), he might press his nose to it just to get that familiar Eames smell. Instead he holds it in his lap, brushing his thumb over the fabric and studying the pattern.]

[Another few minutes goes by and he lays back down, the hand holding the shirt resting on his stomach as he looks out the window and considers the weather. Overcast, but not in the dull and depressing way Arthur usually thinks of it.]

[falsify]

[The hardest thing to find in the kitchen is a tray, and Eames very nearly gives up and considers the most efficient way to ferry everything into the bedroom when he finally finds one. It's quick work to get everything on the tray and soon enough he's coming back with a cheesy omelette, some bacon and toast, and like 3 different drinks because he couldn't decide.]

Arthur? [He calls softly as he comes back into the bedroom.] You awake?

[specifiercity]

[Arthur's still gazing out the window when Eames comes back, Eames' shirt loosely clutched to his stomach, having almost fallen into a meditative state as he considers what a turning point this moment is about to be in his life. He turns his head to look up at Eames, taking a deep breath and smiling.]

Hey.