ruffians | i see your star

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i see your star

[Eames and his mother aren't so similar at first glance. Some people might accuse him of being posh, (simply for sounding vaguely middle class, he'd wager,) but he's not gentle or delicate unless he needs to be. Something about him that's casual, that hints he's not afraid of getting in the muck and dirt. His mother, on the other hand, is refined. Poised and elegant in the way she holds herself. Really it's no wonder she's a muse when she looks like a painting come to life: Vibrant red hair that cascades in large curls even from the hasty ponytail it's pulled into, bright green eyes that glitter with knowledge and mischief. Accent just pronounced enough that the Irish lilt enhances the melodic timbre of her voice. Where Eames passes easily for human, she is ever so slightly inhuman. Not enough that it raises alarms, but enough that those in the know might see her for what she is.]

[One way they're extremely alike, however, is the way they argue. The family resemblance is uncanny in the rhythm of it, the sarcasm interspersed with sharply pointed comments. The way she raises her eyebrows and mockingly asks, "oh, should I read your mind next time?" Could easily be mistaken for having come from Eames himself if he weren't standing across from her, rolling his eyes.]

[So if someone fancied letting themself into Eames' home for whatever reason, this is what they'll be greeted with. Eames and his mother standing in the living room, arguing about god knows what.]

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[Arthur smiles at the affection and turns away, back to the coffee he's left on the coffee table. He feels a little more prepared now; maybe he'll be able to act a little more functional than a deer caught in the headlights.]

[So here she comes, a mug of tea cupped in her hands and a gentle sigh as she sits herself back on the couch. Eames did ask her to ease up, and she said she'd try, but she comes back and looks up at Arthur and then at Eames.]

"He is handsome."

[Eames immediately rubs his forehead and sighs.]

[Arthur laughs.]

I'm glad you think so.

"And such good manners!" [She leans a little closer to Arthur again.] "You wouldn't believe some of the partners he's had." [And her attention's back to Eames, though she's sticking close to Arthur.] "Remember, it must've been about fourty years ago now and you were living in Berlin with that woman? The sex must've been good, because I still can't figure out what drew you to her."

[Eames, for his part, is now just sinking into the armchair with a groan. Maybe he should've taken Arthur's offer to leave.]

[Arthur laughs again, shaking his head.]

Berlin, huh?

[He's not sure how he feels about stories about Eames' past partners, so he doesn't really investigate.]

It's a lovely city.

[Oh thank goodness Arthur isn't prying, even if his mother seems a little disappointed that Arthur isn't interested in her gossip about Eames' exes, but she's glad he appreciates Berlin at least.]

"It's beautiful." [But it's less interesting than Arthur is to her right now, and she keeps watching him thoughtfully over her mug.] "I just have to say-- You seem like a sensible man, I just can't figure out what you see in him."

[There is a distinct "hey--" from Eames, but she keeps going.]

"I don't need to be worried about you, Mr. Bounty Hunter, do I?"

[She's joking. Mostly. She clearly doesn't think there's much risk of Eames being hurt here, but it's not zero risk.]

I...

[He looks over at Eames, his stomach twisting unexpectedly at the idea of explaining what he sees in Eames. He laughs, awkward and bashful but playing it off as he looks back at Eames' mother.]

I don't think there's much to worry about. I guess I just wanted some excitement in my life.

[He has that half-smile of someone who's technically telling the truth, even if they've dialed the intensity all the way down to one.]

"Hm."

[That's not exactly a great response, but it's not terrible she supposes. Eames can be an exciting sort, and people are drawn to that. And obviously these two don't think of their relationship as serious, so digging there isn't going to illuminate much, but.]

[She puts her mug down on the coffee table and looks up at Arthur, a seriousness to her expression that isn't worn often, and a grave tone to her voice.]

"Something happened to my son, Arthur, and he won't tell me what it was, but I see the way it's affected him." [She glances at Eames, who definitely seems uncomfortable with this, but he's not trying to stop her either.] "He's been through a lot these past few years, and whatever the nature of things between the two of you, you're closer than he lets most people be."

[It's both a threat and a request. Don't hurt him, but also take care of him. One cut off by Eames abruptly clearing his throat loudly enough to indicate maybe this line of conversation should end here.]

[Arthur falls into a frozen but contemplative silence at that. What is he supposed to do? He was there, he knows, but it's not any of his business to tell Eames' mother any of that. Part of him wants to say the he'll take care of him, but that promise feels hollow and wrong somehow. They've taken care of each other, but almost entirely on unspoken terms that Arthur's not about to go vocalizing here and now.]

[He looks over at Eames, looking for help, looking for him to take the lead on this. There are so many things he'd love to say, promises he'd love to make, but his first priority is Eames and betraying him by saying too much right now isn't even remotely something he wants to do.]

I'm not a child, you know better than anyone that I can take care of myself.

[Eames pipes up finally from the armchair, and his mother looks at him like she can't understand why he's not backing her up here. She frowns and gives him a bit of a pleading look, as if she'll talk him round.]

"A thaisce, I know, but--"

[There's more she wants to say, but she looks at Arthur and thinks better of laying it all out in front of a relative stranger. Instead she nods and switches gears, a little wry this time when she speaks to Arthur again.]

"Maybe I gave him a little too much independence when he was a child. Look at him speaking back to his mother this way."

[Arthur's glad that things pivot a little, and when she looks back at him he laughs softly and shakes his head.]

Doesn't explain why he talks back to me so much.

[Wow okay everyone's a comedian all of a sudden. Eames rolls his eyes when his mother laughs, and stands.]

Mother, I'll see you tomorrow.

[She's stopped in her tracks, clearly debating whether or not to argue, but she looks from Arthur up at Eames and nods, standing too.]

"You need alone time, I see." [No she cannot resist the opportunity to be awful, pleased with herself as Eames murmurs an "oh my god" and starts ushering her towards the door.] "It was a pleasure, Arthur. The two of you have fun."

[Why is this when she decides to act like herself, Eames is going to lose bis mind.]

[Arthur follows at a safe distance, waving to her as she's corralled to the door.]

Nice to meet you.

[Alright time to give them some space to say goodbye. He still has coffee to finish, after all.]

[It takes a few minutes, mostly apologies and explanations, but eventually she departs for the day and Eames comes back to the living room. He hasn't got anything to say, he just throws himself down on the couch with a heavy exhale.]

[Arthur watches, smiling fondly as he follows him to the couch and sits on the edge by his hip. He reaches up to put his hand on Eames' cheek, brushing his thumb back and forth.]

[He leans a little into Arthur's hand and sighs softly.]

Thank god that's over.

Mm.

[He looks down at his coffee and takes a sip.]

I thought it was fun. A little terrifying, but fun.

She's not usually like that.

[He lazily drapes an arm across Arthur's lap and looks up at him.]

Usually she's a different kind of terrifying.

Well, it sounds like she's worried about you.

[He brushes Eames' hair back.]

I'm guessing you don't just call her up too often.

It's more... The past five years have been a lot that she couldn't do anything about.

[He shrugs a shoulder.]

Handsome mortals are something she can do something about, however.

What, is she worried I'm taking advantage of you somehow?

[He raises his eyebrow and brings his hand back down to Eames' jaw. What a lovely man.]

Who knows. Maybe you're just a convenient target.

[Anyway can he have a kiss now]

[He can! Arthur leans down to give Eames a kiss, just indulging in that for a moment before he pulls away to put his coffee back down. Grinning, he stretches out over Eames and gently lowers himself down onto him, nosing at his face. This is comfy, right.]

I almost told her I'd take care of you.

[Oh that's... Sweet? Eames isn't sure how he feels about that, but he's not going to overthink it. Just wrap his arms around Arthur with a hum.]

You've done more than enough for me already.

Mm, I know better than to make promises to a fae.

[He leans in to press kisses to Eames' cheek.]

Even if I want to keep them.

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