i think i'm losing my grip

[falsify]

[Eames is not unaware of the pattern that's started emerging over these last months. The way the tension and the anger in him starts to build like a pressure cooker left unattended until he's ready to fight with anyone at the drop of a hat. It's almost easy to forget he's not like this after a couple of weeks pass, he's never been an angry person. Never been particularly combative outside specific situations. As the time ticks over, it's about all he can do not to start a fistfight with anyone who looks at him.]

[But then they do a job, and Eames gets an outlet for that violence coiled up inside him, and when they get back he's calm again. Serene. Back to himself. It's not something Eames is oblivious to, he just feels like at this point it's a state of being he has to accept. Every conversation he and Arthur have had gets filed away in his mind as something else to be ashamed of, something else that's off-limits, so this is just what it is now until Arthur gets sick of putting up with him and they part ways.]

[At least they're at the good part of things right now, a few days out from a successful job. Eames, at least, is pretty relaxed. Idly going over a few law enforcement transcripts while he eats to check if there's anything out here they should be aware of.]

Comments

[specifiercity]

[Arthur hums as he digests this information. It's not that he didn't know it, it's just... difficult to swallow.]

Do we need some kind of safe word? It's hard not to feel like I'm hurting you.

[falsify]

[Something about the idea of a safe word puts him immediately on edge and Eames has to take another moment to reason with himself that he's being irrational. It's a sensible thing to have.]

I guess it's not a bad idea.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur senses the hesitation, even if it's slight.]

It's more for me, honestly... I just need to know.

[falsify]

I know.

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

Even if it wasn't, it's still a good idea.

[specifiercity]

[He nods solemnly.]

Any ideas?

[falsify]

[Hm. He puffs out a breath.]

Some Earth nonsense? Something you'd recognise quick that I'd have no cause to say otherwise.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur thinks on that a moment and then lets out a soft, amused huff.]

What about Florida?

[falsify]

Florida. [Hm.] That works.

[He feels like there's a joke here he's not getting though.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur smirks, a little amused at hearing Eames just say it.]

It's the worst place I can think of.

[falsify]

Wow. [He snorts.] Must be pretty bad.

[specifiercity]

Definitely not my kind of place.

[They've stopped in a few spaceports that reminded him of it. Eames has already heard the complaining. But anyway.]

You think you can remember that?

[falsify]

[There's a part of him that instantly wants to remind Arthur that his memory is impeccable but... Maybe it's not the time.]

Yeah. I can do that.

[specifiercity]

Okay.

[He figured Eames could, it's just that he's also aware that these Earth words are just random sounds to everyone else and everyone forgets things sometimes. Even if Florida is the worst.]

[Anyway onto more important things.]

So, um, obviously you don't want me checking in or anything...

[falsify]

No.

[He says it instantly and then makes a thoughtful noise, head tilted a moment as he actually considers it.]

... Actually I don't know. I've never... [Hm.] I've tended to avoid people who might actually care, so really who can say?

[God does that feel like something to be ashamed of, hearing it out loud. Eames swallows and looks down at the remnants of coffee in the bottom of his mug with a frown.]

[specifiercity]

[Arthur looks at Eames and brings his hand up to brush back his hair, thinking carefully about what to say next.]

Well, if it's going to ruin it for you, I can save all the caring for afterwards. I wanna get this right.

[falsify]

[He tilts his head into Arthur's hand with a soft sigh.]

I don't know if it would, is the thing.

[specifiercity]

[He keeps brushing his fingers through Eames' hair. That seems to be helping.]

Well, you seemed a little impatient with it.

[falsify]

Yeah. I guess.

[He shrugs and sighs. He's really not sure what to say to this.]

[specifiercity]

[Well they're not going to get anywhere on that front, in any case.]

We'll figure it out.

[He keeps brushing Eames' hair.]

But to be clear, you want me to be rougher.

[falsify]

Yeah.

[He unravels himself a little from the duvet so he can tuck himself at Arthur's side and put his head on his shoulder with a sigh.]

More, ah... Forceful.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur accommodates him with a soft hum.]

Like, you want me to push you around?

[falsify]

[He drapes some of the covers over Arthur as he cuddles in and makes a soft noise to the affirmative.]

Like... When you pushed my head down at the end there.

[God it feels awkward to talk about. Eames sucks in a breath and shakes his head.]

If it helps, remember the alternative for me is a real nasty fight. That's the kind of energy I need.

[specifiercity]

Okay.

[Arthur doesn't sound too sure of himself.]

Might take a bit of practice before I'm really... there.

[falsify]

I know.

[He's still not even sure this is something Arthur can do. Rough, maybe a little harsh, that's one thing, but Eames is asking a lot and he knows it. It's why he tried so hard to keep this away from him.]

[Eames sighs and looks down at his hands.]

Thank you.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur looks at Eames, pensive, and then he bows his head to press a kiss to his head.]

I love you. I want you to feel okay.