ruffians | #vampireproblems

[All things considered, Eames doesn't have the worst reaction he could to that. Probably because he heard Arthur come in, he was half prepared for his presence in one way or another. The lips on his neck make him flinch away from Arthur, fumbling a little not to drop the glass in his hands.]

[It's probably pointless, but he does try to cover it up, putting the glass down and turning so he can put his hands on Arthur's hips in return. Even if there was some reason Arthur hadn't noticed Eames flinch like temporary blindness or something, he can't have missed the way Eames' pulse spiked or the way his breathing was quicker for that moment, but maybe they can just... Ignore it.]

[Arthur certainly notices, and by the time Eames has turned around he's frowning and has let go of Eames' waist. They are definitely not going to ignore it, which Arthur makes clear by hanging his head and looking down at the floor.]

Sorry. I wasn't thinking.

It's fine, it's--

[Eames sighs, because it's not fine, but he wants it to be. He doesn't take his hands off Arthur, if only to resist the urge to put a hand over his neck, and frowns at the top of Arthur's head.]

The last time you... ["put your mouth on my neck"? Great choice Eames, well done.] I'm-- I have to get over it eventually.

There's no reason to force it.

[There's no reason that he ever has to let Arthur put his mouth anywhere near his neck again. Arthur's certainly not entitled to anything like that, and he can learn and adjust.]

[He puts his hands on Eames' upper arms lightly, lifting his head a bit.]

I won't do it again, not unless you want me to.

I do want you to.

[Eames exhales heavily, almost petulant, and steps in closer to Arthur so he can slip his arms around him. He's not used to the things he wants and the things he's comfortable with being two different things. It's been a long time since he's ever had to think about that and it's tiring.]

I want you to kiss me. Fuck-- I still want you to bite me. It's just... [He swallows, feeling a little stupid honestly.] You didn't see your face.

[Arthur's hands go up to Eames' shoulders, resting there as he finally meets Eames' gaze miserably. No, he didn't see his own face, but he's seen the same thing on many others before, and even if he wasn't afraid for his own life there's something viscerally terrifying about a person having lost all of their humanity like that.]

I'm sorry you had to see it. I never wanted you to.

[Eames chuckles quietly, kind of sad. He's so tired. He just woke up and he's already exhausted.]

It's fucked up-- I'm fucked up.

[He'd said that to Arthur, when he came to get him from Mal's. But then he'd been leveraging it against Arthur's conscience, this time it's actually like it's something he's worried about. Yet another alien feeling that Eames has quickly decided he hates.]

I forget how strong you are sometimes... You grabbed my wrist like it was nothing and looked fucking-- right through me.

[This time it's Eames' turn to drop his gaze, looking at Arthur's chest while he talks, because he knows it's gotta hurt to hear and he doesn't want to see that on his face. Now he's started he feels kind of like this needs to be said, as much as he can bring himself to.]

You know, I... I remember thinking I was about to die and the only thing I could think was, "well of course." [He lets out another soft laugh] And now I'm here, and I'll fucking fight you if you think about leaving again.

I'm not leaving.

[In the absence of feeling like he can be more forward, Arthur gently grazes his fingers across Eames' chest absently like he's trying to be soothing. It's hard, because what he did is unforgivable and in his mind the only logical response is to leave, but obviously that's not what either of them wants. Eames wants him to stay and he doesn't think he can handle leaving again, not while Eames is hurting like this.]

Maybe it was stupid that we never put any plans in place, to keep something like that from happening. I don't know if I just got too comfortable or what, but I think about how to keep you safe from me all the time and I just never considered that specific situation, which obviously was a huge mistake. I think if we're going to keep doing this we have to plan... we have to make sure I can't do that to you again.

[He brushes his thumb down Eames' cheek. He doesn't really want to talk about all that right now, and he doesn't want to go through the details of what happened when he attacked. He does want to make sure Eames feels heard, though.]

Love is fucked up by definition, Eames. I think I can safely say we're both insanely fucked up.

[Eames nods, and he swallows. Arthur's right, they should've planned, put safeguards in place. He trusts Arthur, but just by virtue of what he is he can't always be himself, and it was stupid and reckless for both of them to think nothing was going to go wrong just because Arthur wouldn't want to do that.]

[But he doesn't feel ready for that conversation. His neck's pretty much healed but the scars are still a bit angry looking, it's hard to think about the logistics with that reminder whenever he catches his reflection. Right now he thinks he still just wants Arthur close for a while, and he takes his wrist, turning his head to press a kiss to his palm. Then takes his hand to direct it to his chest, pressing Arthur's hand over his chest.]

[Eames doesn't actually know if his heart's beating as hard as it feels like it is, could just be how aware he is of himself right now, but as far as gestures go the intent is pretty obvious, and he looks up to fix Arthur with a level gaze. Almost smirking, but not quite, with his eyebrows raised.]

It's actually stupid, the effect you have on me.

[Arthur presses his palm gently against Eames' chest like he's accepting the gesture. He can feel Eames' heartbeat right now and it feels strong and it almost makes Arthur fall in love with him all over again.]

[He should have been more confident that they'd work through this. He shouldn't have left, shouldn't have made that decision all by himself, shouldn't have done a lot of things leading up to this moment but here they are and Eames is drawing him into what feels like an infinite amount of emotion. He gazes back at Eames steadily.]

If it's anything like the effect you have on me, I can commiserate.

[Eames scoffs and shakes his head like he would at a particularly awful pun, but he's still smiling as he leans into Arthur, nosing lightly at his face for a passing moment before drawing him into a kiss. It's soft, but still passionate as he lets out a quiet sight through his nose, hand still pressed firmly over Arthur's on his chest as if it's really important right now that it stay there.]

[Arthur matches Eames' intensity, bringing his other hand back to Eames' waist as he leans forward into it. He doesn't have any intention of moving his hand, feeling for every single hint of his heartbeat jumping just a little higher through his shirt. He'll never get over how warm and solid and amazing Eames is; he could do this forever.]

[Eames closes his eyes for the moment and lets himself get caught up in this, another little pleased noise slipping out unintentionally because of how overwhelmed he is by how much he feels for Arthur. When he pulls away, it's with some regret, and he shakes his head.]

You're so distracting. [He presses another couple of quick kisses against Arthur's lips with an amused look on his face.] I came out here to get a drink and I'm still thirsty.

[He says, not moving even a hair to go back to what he was doing.]

[Arthur smiles as he rolls a few jokes about Eames being thirsty for other things around in his head before he elects to keep them to himself, still not moving either.]

I'm distracting? Out of the two of us I think we know who holds that crown.

[It's Eames there's not even a question.]

[Eames laughs, and honestly he's happy to take that honour. He grins and presses a last kiss to Arthur's cheek, speaking soft and low, close to his ear.]

Mm. And why do you think I'm always trying to get your attention?

[He disentangles himself from Arthur to get that drink. Seriously his throat is dry.]

[Arthur grins and lets him go because humans need hydration etc etc. He goes to lean on the counter and considers having a beer or something but first thing's first:]

Can I sleep in your room again tonight?

Of course.

[Eames smiles when Arthur asks, coming over to get all in his personal space once he's gotten himself some water.]

What time is it anyway?

[Arthur glances over at the clock on the wall as he slips a hand back on Eames' waist when he comes closer.]

After three. There's still a couple hours before sunrise but I'm not getting anything done tonight anyway.

[Eames nods and puts a hand on Arthur's hip.]

I should probably get a couple more hours.

[But on the other hand he could stay here and be all up in Arthur's personal space where it's comfortable and easy on the eyes.]

[Arthur grins and leans in for a brief kiss.]

Well, we better get going.

[And once again makes no move to actually go to the bedroom. It's just that Eames' face is right there.]

[Eames hums softly and leans in for another kiss, lingering a little afterward and then he sighs, slipping his fingers in Arthur's waistband and turning to drag him to the bedroom.]

Let's go then.

[Well it appears as though Arthur has no choice, not that he was going to resist, so he keeps up with Eames as they go to the bedroom with absolutely no complaints.]

[When they get there, Eames peels out of his clothes and crawls into bed, apparently actually planning on just sleeping for once. Not that he'd object to any funny business, but he's not planning to start any, and he just pulls the covers back when he's laying down and looks up at Arthur, waiting for him to get in too. He would very much like to have this man in his arms as soon as possible.]

[Arthur follows right after him. He doesn't have any funny business in mind, although like Eames he wouldn't object if it went that direction, so he slips in under the covers and shuffles right up to him.]

[Eames turns on his side and drapes an arm over Arthur, palm moving up his chest to his shoulder in a light caress, and he has a ridiculous smile on his face. Almost content. One of those moments where he feels something swell in his chest and it's hard for him to stop himself making grand statements about the depth of his feelings.]

[He does stop himself though, and instead he worms himself a little closer to Arthur and sighs.]

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