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 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.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur does his best to find spots on Eames' sides that aren't cut up where he can help pull him up, turning away to grab the towel once Eames is standing. He'll leave the drying off part to Eames unless he asks for help, grabbing Eames' pants from the floor.]

I'll wash these for you.

[falsify]

[Eames smiles and nods in thanks and takes the towel to start the tedious process of drying while injured. Once Arthur's gone, Eames moves to look at how bad it is in the mirror, but the sight shocks him. He feels like most of his body is some shade of red, purple, or yellow (it's not really, but it feels like it,) and he's just... So much more beat up than he thought.]

[He curses softly, checking this all out, looking at the injuries that are slowly oozing blood and trying to resist the urge to start poking at them. He hadn't even realised he had a busted lip and a cut over his eye, and they're far from bad but it's still a surprise. That one Eames pauses and touches with a deep frown.]

[specifiercity]

[Throwing Eames' clothes in the washer is a quick process, and Arthur's on his way back to the bathroom soon with another towel just in case the first one gets a little too saturated with blood. He sees Eames inspecting himself in the mirror and wonders if the image comes as a shock.]

It's a good thing you can't scar.

[falsify]

It's a perk.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur puts the clean towel down on the counter for Eames if he wants it, tilting his head at Eames' wounds.]

I can go get the bandages and help you them on if you want. I know you're going to heal but some of these are still bleeding.

[falsify]

[He nods and takes the towel to dry his hair and his face.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur leaves one more time to get his first aid kit from the kitchen, sighing when he sees there's still a couple smudged bloody fingerprints on it. He'll deal with that later. Right now he's going to bring it back to the bathroom and start digging around for the gauze and medical tape.]

[falsify]

[Eames is mostly, at this point, resisting how badly he wants to poke and prod at his injuries. He's definitely fussing with those stitches when Arthur gets back.]

[specifiercity]

[Well that's an awfully good reason to start with the bullet wound then. Arthur's just going to start dressing all these wounds as economically as he can so that Eames' entire torso isn't covered in gauze and tape. He's as methodical and careful as ever, really getting into the zone as he works his way around Eames' back.]

[falsify]

[Well then. Eames doesn't have much to do except stand there and accept that this is happening.]

[specifiercity]

[It takes him a little while but eventually he has Eames as bandaged up as it seems like he needs standing up when he finishes the last one and looking at Eames in the mirror. There's a wry smirk at the corner of his lips when he speaks.]

There, looking better already.

[falsify]

[Eames feels a little uncomfortable, but he's so appreciative of Arthur right now. He smiles and turns to face him properly, putting a hand on his hip and leaning in for a kiss.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur leans in with a smile, gingerly putting his hands on Eames' waist as he kisses him. What a handsome man, even when he's all messed up like this.]

[falsify]

[Eames hums and brings his other hand up to Arthur's jaw, he's so desperate for some good affection right now.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur takes some time here and then pulls away, speaking softly.]

We should sit down or something.

[falsify]

Yeah.

[Maybe he should put pants on too. But Eames is making no move to do either.]

[specifiercity]

[As much as Arthur likes this, he has some very rational worries.]

Come on, it's gotta be tiring being upright right now.

[falsify]

[It really is. Eames sighs and nods, slowly moving as far as the bedroom and then he stops, looking at the bloody towels on the bed with a frown.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur moves past Eames to clear the towels off the bed, dumping them in the hamper nonchalantly.]

[falsify]

[Well, okay. He knows Arthur patched him up, but he's still apprehensive about bleeding on the bed. Still, the allure of laying down is too much to ignore and Eames crawls onto the bed with a groan of effort, struggling to find a way to get comfortable.]