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]

I don't think it's a matter of opinion after that.

[He lifts his hand up to lazily brush his fingers through Eames' hair.]

[falsify]

[He hums at the attention and turns his head up to nuzzle at Arthur's jaw.]

Having a good partner helps.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur makes an amused noise and sighs, enjoying the post-coital bliss. After a moment of silence he decides maybe they should move. Eames is probably tired and the cabinet isn't exactly comfortable.]

You wanna go back to bed?

[falsify]

I think I need a shower now too.

[He says it with a laugh and carefully pulls out, putting his hands on Arthur's hips to help him down.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur very gingerly slips off the counter, making sure his legs work before he lets go of it. He picks up the towel and wipes off his stomach before he sets off toward the bedroom.]

Yeah, I'll lay down while you do that if you want.

[falsify]

[Eames steals a quick kiss when Arthur's standing next to him before he starts off to the bathroom.]

I'll be quick anyway.

[specifiercity]

Sure.

[Arthur goes to bed but grabs a couple papers and his laptop on the way. The towel goes in the laundry hamper and Arthur gets into bed. He's going to start making notes about all the things they really should get around to talking about.]

[falsify]

[True to his word, Eames only takes about ten minutes. He comes back in his underwear with his pants slung over his arm, because why bother with pants honestly, and sits at the foot of the bed with a sigh.]

So it's time to get serious, right?

[specifiercity]

[Arthur looks down at the papers on his lap, an indescernible frown on his face.]

Yeah, if you still want to.

[falsify]

Of course.

[He crawls up the bed to sit next to Arthur with a sigh.]

As long as you don't mind taking the lead.

[specifiercity]

I don't mind.

[He glances up at Eames with an attempt at a smile and then reaches for that list of countries he pulled out him last night.]

Europe is the easiest, I think, but it's also the most expensive. I've been looking at cost of living but there are cheap spots in every country and... well, I don't know what you're willing to budget. If that's part of the plan.

[falsify]

At the risk of sounding like a prick, money isn't much of a concern for me.

[Saying it definitely makes him feel like an asshole, and he sighs with a briefly uncomfortable expression, but he shakes his head and forces himself to elaborate.]

I have a lot put away, and I can find work fairly easily in most places.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur nods and takes a deep breath.]

Well, in the interest of fairness I'll look for places where I can afford half of everything. I've got some put away too, so we should be able to find somewhere nice.

[He frowns up at Eames.]

Are you sure you want to do this?

[falsify]

Yeah.

[He puts a hand on Arthur's leg and gives it a light squeeze.]

It's not going to be simple or easy, but I can handle that.

[specifiercity]

[He smiles softly.]

Okay. Just tell me if things change, alright? This is a big deal.

[falsify]

Yeah, of course.

[Oh wait, there is one thing.]

Just, ah... Not France, okay?

[specifiercity]

[France wasn't really an option anyway, but now Arthur's curious. An absent kind of curious as he shuffles through his papers, mind you, but curious nonetheless.]

Why not France?

[falsify]

[He shakes his head with a frown.]

Just not a fan.

[specifiercity]

It wasn't on the list anyway. Too friendly with the States.

[He sighs as he looks at a spreadsheet.]

I guess I kind of assumed you'd either still have business back here or at least have some outstanding crimes that someone could try and extradite you for. Might as well make it harder for them.

[Yes he's still technically a cop.]

[falsify]

I think the only person who hates me enough to go to that effort is your partner.

[He tries to get a little closer so he can see that spreadsheet and sighs.]

Guess you never know though. It only takes one annoyingly smart and handsome detective connecting a few dots to ruin your plans.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur laughs softly, shuffling closer.]

What do you think about the Mediterranean Sea?

[falsify]

Great weather, great food.

[He hums thoughtfully, trying to consider it in terms of work rather than just somewhere to live.]

I might have to travel a lot though.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur hums.]

I assume that's a given wherever we go, isn't it?

[falsify]

[Wow he hadn't thought about it like that at all.]

I suppose so.

[What garbage.]

[specifiercity]

I'll have to travel too sometimes, once I start working.

[He turns his head, nosing a little for a kiss.]

Who knows, we might find out we don't even like spending every waking minute in each other's company.