there's bullet holes where my compassion used to be

[falsify]

[Eames, for the most part, is pretty good at avoiding serious injuries, but things happen. People make mistakes, get caught out or outdone. Also weapons are a thing.]

[The upside is that Eames can take a lot of pain. The downside is that he is currently in a lot of pain. Battered and bloody with a few nasty wounds to show for it when he lets himself into Arthur's place. Arthur keeps a first aid kit, he knows that, and moreover he keeps some medical supplies he absolutely should not legally have. He tries to remember where Arthur keeps it, turning to go in his kitchen. Grabbing a sharp-looking knife in one hand as he starts looking through a cupboard he vaguely remembers as storage with little regard for the blood he's leaving everywhere. Calling Arthur's name at the same time to see if he's home.]

Comments

[specifiercity]

You want some help getting cleaned up?

[Arthur really only feels like his practical skills are useful right now. He doesn't want to ask about what happened because he knows he might veer right into trying to figure out what Eames did wrong, and that's not what anyone needs right now. A damp washcloth to get some of this dried blood off is actually helpful.]

[falsify]

Mm, yes.

[He smiles, a little relieved he doesn't have to ask.]

[specifiercity]

You think you can get to the bathroom?

[He stands either way, totally prepared to bring a washcloth and bucket in here if he has to.]

[falsify]

[Eames laughs softly, pretending that's a joke, and turns to swing his legs off the bed.]

I'll manage.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur's not going to mention the clothes he had to put in the wash this morning because they were covered in blood from helping Eames get to the bed. It's good to see Eames mobile, though. Arthur goes ahead of him and starts running the shower, checking the temperature to keep it from getting too hot.]

[falsify]

[He is slow and stiff and that bullet wound hurts every time he moves that side of his body, but Eames manages. Really he should probably drink more water before moving around, probably eat something, but he can move so he will.]

[Once he gets to the bathroom, he gets rid of his pants with careful movements, and looks at Arthur for confirmation it's good to get in.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur nods and steps out of the way. His shower stall mercifully has a seat built in, and he's angled the shower head away from it so Eames won't have to deal with the direct pressure of the water right away. As Eames gets situated, he seeks out a few washcloths and puts the extras on the counter.]

[falsify]

[He doesn't want to sit, but pride aside Eames is fully aware he needs to. He sighs and takes a cloth and sits down, draping it over his thigh while he gets on rinsing his hands first. It's pretty gross.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur leaves the shower door open and decides to wait instead of jumping right in to help. He's doing his best to balance intuiting what Eames needs and trying not to bruise his pride too badly, so here's a dry joke to lighten the mood.]

I'm assuming fae don't need tetanus shots.

[falsify]

[Eames laughs softly and nods.]

Luckily not.

[He reaches for the body wash (manually, no magic, which may say a bit) and sighs.]

Should be more worried about rabies though.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur hums.]

That's usually only trasmitted through a bite. [He glances over Eames' wounds again to make sure nothing looks like bite marks, human or otherwise.] I'd almost have to admire the overkill of biting, scratching, and shooting someone in a fight.

[falsify]

[He's fairly sure there aren't any bites, but the thought makes him laugh anyway. It's almost enough to make him forget what an uncomfortable situation this is, but the silence on his end lasts too long and Eames sighs, turning to look at Arthur and hand him the washcloth.]

Do my back?

[specifiercity]

[Arthur takes the washcloth and squeezes the excess blood out of it before he starts to wipe the blood off his back. His touch is almost tender; careful and methodical, not too light.]

Why were you fighting a werewolf?

[falsify]

[Eames hums softly, sufficiently numbed to most of the pain that Arthur's touch only registers as soothing, and he is not nearly so careful himself. Squeezing a bit of body wash into his hands and washing his arms like he would in a normal shower. Might as well take advantage of the lack of pain, right. Sure it stings when soap gets in the open wounds, but he'll live.]

Apparently the fee we agreed on was too high. Funny he only thought so when it came time to pay up.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur sighs, focusing as he brushes the washcloth closer to a deep gash.]

Did he pull the gun right away?

[falsify]

[Is he really being asked to debrief right now. Eames sighs and rolls his eyes, but he knows well even if he gets Arthur to drop it he'll still be thinking about it.]

Nah. Last ditch attempt when he realised he couldn't take me.

[He goes quiet, watching the blood in the water go down the drain, wondering if it's really as much as it looks like. No wonder he feels like shit.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur's not really trying to debrief, it's just in his nature. He's trying to keep it quick.]

Did he get away?

[falsify]

No.

[He shakes his head.]

Would've preferred not to kill him, but I didn't have many options available at the time.

[specifiercity]

Mm.

[He leans over to wring out the washcloth again before going back to Eames' shoulders. The wry smile on his face comes through in his voice as he goes on.]

At least I don't have to grill you on how you lost him on your way here.

[falsify]

[Eames snorts and turns his head to glance at Arthur.]

You know I wouldn't just bring a guest over like that.

[specifiercity]

Well, you were pretty beat up.

[He says it as if he would have excused it, even if they're both aware how furious he'd be if Eames lured an angry werewolf to his apartment.]

[falsify]

[Eames breathes another laugh and nods, opting not to get into it.]

[But also "pretty beat up," ugh. He sighs.

Yeah.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur sighs too, pausing to run his fingers through the back of Eames' hair.]

I'm glad you came here.

[falsify]

[Eames hums and tilts his head into the movement of Arthur's hand.]

Even with all the blood in your kitchen?

[specifiercity]

Even with all the blood everywhere.

[He keeps going, combing Eames' hair away from his forehead and leaning forward to look at him with an affectionate smile. There's still some rinsing off to be done but his back is as cleaned up as it's going to get.]