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]

What?

[He grins against Arthur's neck. He knows exactly what it is.]

[specifiercity]

You're just too much.

[He's all bashful and amused though.]

[falsify]

[He grins and tilts his head up to kiss Arthur's jaw.]

I'm just being honest.

[specifiercity]

I know; you can't lie.

[Something he is highly aware of at all times.]

[falsify]

So take the compliment.

[specifiercity]

[He lets out a laugh and shakes his head.]

[falsify]

[He's enjoying his time just nosing affectionately at Arthur's throat and along his jaw, occasionally leaving a little kiss. He's just so fond of this man.]

It's something you're going to hear a lot from me, so honestly you should get used to it.

[specifiercity]

Am I?

[That sounds dangerously like future talk, which Arthur isn't opposed to. It's just something they tend to avoid.]

[falsify]

[Eames wasn't thinking capital F 'future' when he said it, but he doesn't expect things between them to end within the next couple of months either. So for at least the next few months, Arthur's gonna have to deal with it.]

Well, you could also continue being uncomfortable, but I don't plan to stop telling you how beautiful you are.

[He leaves another kiss up under Arthur's jaw, a bit of a teasing lilt to his voice when he goes on.]

Honestly I'm a little surprised it's still an issue for you now.

[specifiercity]

I wouldn't call it an issue.

[As far as he's concerned, the inability to take compliments is just part of his personality.]

[falsify]

[Eames laughs and puts his head back down on Arthur's shoulder.]

Good.

[specifiercity]

[Alright if that's the end of them talking about how gorgeous he is then everything is cool. He's just going to cuddle in and wait for their dinner to be delivered.]

[falsify]

[Eames relents, content to stay like this and gently doze off on Arthur's shoulder until the food comes. Eames definitely doesn't want to move, complaining when Arthur gets up to answer the door, but then he remembers that means food and quickly changes his mind about Arthur getting up.]

[He hopes Arthur doesn't expect him to get out of this bed to eat though.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur certainly does not expect that, coming back with the food, some utensils and a couple serving trays to keep as much off the blankets as possible. It smells really fucking good so he's just gonna dig right in.]

[falsify]

[Eames eats what he can, but the thing about a gut wound is it makes it very difficult to fill one's stomach much at all. He is, at least, sensible enough to recognise the discomfort for what it is and stops eating, even if it's well before he'd like to, and puts the tray aside.]

[It does unfortunately mean he's done well before Arthur and has nothing to do, so Eames opts to be just a bit of a nuisance by shifting close and nosing at Arthur's shoulder and neck.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur's content to slowly pick his way through his food. He hums when Eames starts paying him attention, smiling warmly and a little bashfully at the man as he keeps eating.]

[falsify]

[He's careful to control himself this time, keeping things purely affectionate as he brushes his lips over patches of Arthur's skin and and eventually settles for resting against Arthur's shoulder while he waits for him to finish and pay attention to him. He's very bored.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur smiles and mumbles something about how nice that is while Eames is kissing him, wrapping up with the food and patiently starting to set the leftovers aside.]

[falsify]

[Eames murmurs back between kisses and watches with a lazy gaze, trying not to get in the way but also wanting to just rest his head on Arthur's shoulder for a bit already. He sighs softly, waiting until it seems like Arthur's done to properly rest against him.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur turns his head to nuzzle affectionately at Eames.]

I should put all this food away.

[He makes no move to do so.]

[falsify]

Probably.

[Eames isn't helping. He's hurt and tired and he wants affection, taking this as a sign that he should shift a little closer to lean his weight on Arthur.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur accommodates more weight easily, gazing at Eames with deep thought and affection for a quiet, still moment.]

How do you feel?

[falsify]

Awful.

[He turns his head to kiss Arthur's shoulder.]

Better though. Thank you.

[specifiercity]

That's good.

[This feeling is so quiet and intimate that Arthur doesn't want to disrupt it, but a few different nagging thoughts can't be ignored.]

If you let me put the food away we can lay down.

[falsify]

[He hums softly as if he's considering it.]

I don't want to though.