i'm gonna leave you

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[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

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[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.]

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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.]

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

I know.

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[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.]

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[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.]

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[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.]

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[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?

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[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.

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I thought I should get started on my penance.

[It's maybe 50% a joke that he delivers with a smile, presenting the tray and waiting for Arthur to make space so he can set it down.]

Plus I thought you could do with a decent breakfast.

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[Arthur sits up, putting the shirt aside and shuffling back against the headboard. He looks so serenely happy as he scans the meal and then he turns to smile up at Eames.]

Thank you, this is wonderful.

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Of course.

[He smiles back and sits next to Arthur, content to just sit quietly and soak up his presence for a while.]

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[Arthur starts eating slowly, happy to savour every bite.]

I think I've only eaten cereal and takeout for the past two weeks.

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Guess I'm making us dinner too then, huh?

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[He laughs, feeling a little giddiness rise in his chest at the prospect of Eames still being here for dinner.]

I can still cook, you know.

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Uh-huh.

[He laughs too and leans over to kiss Arthur on the cheek.]

Why don't you let me take care of you today? Whatever you want.

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[Arthur looks up at Eames and smiles.]

Okay.

[He takes another bite and thinks about the rest of the day. This seems to cause him a little pain and he reaches for the aspirin - turns out he's not as hangover free as he thought he was.]

Guess I should shower first

[He really hasn't taken care of himself, and groooming was kind of the first to go. His shaving routine has been irregular, resulting in some significant stubble right now. He doesn't know if Eames likes it or not, but he's not super fond of it so he's eager to get rid of it now that he has someone else to look at him.]

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[Arthur's awful facial hair is really the last thing on his mind, Eames reaches over to give Arthur's arm a squeeze and slides down so he can rest his head on Arthur's shoulder. He's got no real thoughts on whether Arthur should shower or not beyond the fact that he doesn't smell bad?]

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[Mostly Arthur just thinks they should have sex at some point today and he'd like to feel a little cleaner than he does to do that. It's not that he's particularly horny or anything, it just seems like an inevitability. Maybe once this low hum of a hangover headache has faded away.]

[Once he's finished eating he sets the tray aside so he can lean back, resting his cheek on Eames' head. This is nice.]

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[Eames immediately takes the opportunity to cuddle up more, curling against Arthur's side and wrapping his arms around him. Honestly this part of things was probably last on his mind over the last few weeks but god did he miss it.]

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Guess we should actually talk at some point too.

[A totally neutral observation.]

[falsify]

Later.

[Right now he just wants to keep doing this.]

After your shower, maybe.

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[He takes a deep breath.]

I'm glad you came back.

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So am I.

[He brings his hand up to rest on Arthur's chest and takes a deep breath of his own.]

I missed you.

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[It probably helps that Eames isn't looking at him right now, or else Arthur might not be able to let out a soft laugh and say what he's about to say.]

I didn't even know I could miss someone that much.