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

[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.]

[falsify]

[Eames smiles fondly at Arthur, enjoying the hands in his hair with another soft sigh.]

Thank you.

[specifiercity]

Of course.

[He feels so much affection for this man, he actually has to shake himself out of it and pull away. He withdraws his hand and wrings out the washcloth again with a sigh.]

[falsify]

[He's a little disappointed when Arthur pulls away, but fine. Eames sighs too and follows suit, wringing out his cloth and carefully cleaning up his front, hissing when some soap gets in that bullet wound, but it's fine. He's fine.]

[specifiercity]

Careful.

[He says it before he can really stop himself.]

[falsify]

[Arthur please. Eames rolls his eyes, trying very hard not to scoff.]

Mmhm. I'll try.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur sighs and withdraws from the shower so he can go get a towel. He feels a little like he ruined something but he's not sure what or why or how.]

[falsify]

[Oh. Now he's gone. Eames sighs and focuses on cleaning himself as best he can. Feeling a little bit abandoned honestly.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur's back with a towel shortly, and seeing Eames miseraby sitting in his shower makes his stomach twist again. It's not any louder, but it's harder to ignore as he runs out of things to do and other things to feel. Eames could be gone; he could have lost him, lost this, whatever this is.]

[Arthur leaves the towel on the counter and goes back to the shower, reaching out to brush a few specks of blood off of Eames' beard. He very desperately wants to be close to him, but now he's almost afraid that Eames is mad at him somehow.]

[falsify]

[Eames would probably laugh if he knew Arthur thought he was upset with him, he couldn't possibly be, not when he's so thankful for Arthur's presence. He lifts his hand to cover Arthur's, taking advantage of the moment to turn his head and press a kiss to his palm, and then looks up at him.]

How am I? All clean?

[specifiercity]

[Arthur smiles and gives him a brief once-over as he bends down to be level with him.]

Cleaner than before.

[He just feels so much affection for this man and relief that he's okay. It makes it almost impossible not to lean in and kiss him.]

[falsify]

[He had a joke about how that's a low bar, but then he's being kissed and that is vastly preferable. Eames' eyes fall closed with a soft sigh and he leans up into the kiss.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur brings his other hand to Eames' jaw, gently holding his face as he kisses him. It's not intense or anything, but it is indulgent and it's a long moment before he's pulling away to just rest his forehead against Eames'.]

We should get you dried off.

[falsify]

[Eames' eyes stay closed and he focuses in on the feeling of Arthur's lips against his. He's a little disappointed when Arthur stops kissing him, but he's right, they should get out of the shower.]

[He nods and puts a hand on Arthur's arm, looking for a little support in standing up.]