[ tap that meme/pumped up kicks verse ] better run better run outrun my gun

[triedinception]

( from here. )

Listening to Arthur say that, in such a soft tone, makes Eames pause, staring at him as he knocks back the rest of his drink. And then Eames speaks, quietly.

"Darling, how could anyone not be? Who wouldn't want to discover the man behind that inscrutable mask, the one that makes those sarcastic quips and threatens to shoot people

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[littlspecificty]

Arthur could already tell he was going to have bruises around his wrists tomorrow if Eames kept that grip up. But he didn't try to get away. At least not at the moment.

Head still bowed, not able to look at the other man, "For what I said."

And then he did look up, feeling something in him will him to, something inside him refusing to roll over in the face of Eames' [justified] anger, "But I have every right to have doubts - of everyone, including you."

Rain is still coming down but it might as well have been clear for all Arthur could care as he continued, looking right at Eames, "In our profession we have to carry fucking totems to make sure where we are is real; excuse the fuck out of me for wanting some goddamn proof of people. Especially those saying they want something a lot of people don't even believe is there - including myself."

"People see me and think I'm suppose to be empty, Eames. I'm just some asshole with the personality of a stick wrapped up in a suit. That's all I am to most people so, yeah, you come to me saying you want more, that you see more than that, I am going to question it. So if you can't deal with that, then yes, you should leave me. Right now."

And it was the challenge, the dare, and ultimatum it sounded like. Because if Eames couldn't handle Arthur questioning it now, there would be no way they'd get past this point.

[triedinception]

Grip loosening a bit, meeting Arthur's gaze and expression going sad, "You are so much more than that, Arthur. And I wish you could see that.

"I don't care if you question me. But don't question how I feel. I'm not subhuman or an animal, and I know my feelings."

He finally let go od Arthur's hands, letting the rain patter him as he held Arthur's gaze. "And I'll do anything to prove them."

[littlspecificty]

Arthur let his hands fall back to his sides, the wrists vaguely throbbing but he ignored them, holding Eames' gaze and finding himself disturbingly uncertain about what to do in the present situation. He never used to feel this way around Eames, like he didn't know how to move around him or what to say, and now, all of sudden, it was completely different.

It was like the forger, who had always worn such a cool, aloof mask, had removed it to reveal someone Arthur never would have anticipated was underneath. It was startling and... it was enough to make Arthur realize that he did have to reevaluate his stance on Eames. Again.

Breaking the eye contact, looking around them and then downward for a moment before looking back to the other. Somewhat sheepishly because he knew he was stating the obvious, "I'm really not very good with people."

"At all."

[triedinception]

In a way, that's what the forger had done. Niceness had gotten him nowhere, aloofness had gotten him even less. And Eames was tired of being alone, of the (few times that he'd tried it) emptiness of one night stands.

And certainly, he couldn't keep a civilian lover (and found them ever so boring anyway). No, Arthur was the one he fixated on; his last one night stand had been a slim, dark-haired man, and he had been wrong, so wrong, no biting wit like Arthur's.

Arthur knew what he was, what he did, did it as well. And he had hoped that taking off that mask would give him that chance. Elsewise he would have to finally give up, and he didn't know what he'd do after that.

At the sheepish tone, Eames closes his eyes and breathes out. "I've noticed," he said hoarsely, but there was a hint of a smile on his mouth. "It's oddly endearing when not turned on me, darling."

[littlspecificty]

The niceness had been suspicious and seemed fake while the aloofness only seemed to prove his point that Eames didn't care.

Arthur had had his own share of one night stands and while they did feel empty afterward (Arthur never stayed the whole night), it usually fulfilled his needs and only when he felt he couldn't just go back to his hotel room or apartment and shrug it off. Granted, it was a lonely way to live but it wasn't anything the point man wasn't used to by now.

Anything had always seemed... too much to want or expect. So, when faced with it now, Arthur didn't know how to really respond. (Except to question how sincere the intent was because Arthur refused to buy into it only to have it be some cruel joke later on.)

He snorted softly, looking away again (and surprisingly open under the rain), tone still sheepish but more flat, "If it's any consolation, I turn it on virtually everyone."

[triedinception]

"Nice to know I'm not garnering the extra acidic treatment," Eames replied tiredly, reaching a hand up to push his wet hair out of his face.

"I'm sorry about your wrists, darling."

He wasn't sure where they were going from here. They had reached some kind of an impasse but... did he ask to take Arthur out to dinner? Home? What was the protocol for having broken under the point man's skin?

[littlspecificty]

Arthur simply shrugs, because he has had worse before, still looking away.

"I'm sorry for what I said." Feeling his cheeks grow hot again, voice going softer, "I-I don't like it when people do it to me, either. I shouldn't do it to you."

[triedinception]

"We're not exactly good or perfect people," Eames points out wryly, then steps closer to Arthur, reaching out a hand gently to cup his chin.

"We are, however, completely soaked. Let me at least walk you home?"

[littlspecificty]

Arthur doesn't resist Eames' touch, his eyes going back to his, "You mean my apartment?"

Because it wasn't a "home"; it was just a place Arthur lived.

[triedinception]

"Your apartment, your flat, my flat, the diner two blocks from here; as long as we can get out of the rain," Eames stated plainly. Then again, he didn't have a flat here, just an executive suite he could afford to pay out the nose for.

[littlspecificty]

The response came automatically, the surprise not really hitting Arthur until a moment later, "Your place, then."

[triedinception]

Even Eames looked a little surprised. "You sure? It's just one of those fat cat rooms." Which meant it was spacious but there was only one bed if Arthur decided to crash (Eames didn't expect him to want to jump into bed with him right off.)

[littlspecificty]

After recovering from his own internal surprise he shrugged again, taking a half step away, "Or I can go back to my place." His tone clearly stated it wasn't a "big deal" to him but he also didn't really want Eames at his apartment.

At least not right now.

[triedinception]

Eames didn't take offense to the implication, reaching out to catch Arthur's shoulder. "No, no, my place is closer and I promise I'll be a gentleman," he said with a faint smile.

[littlspecificty]

Arthur snorts again and a corner of his mouth twitches as if he might smirk, flatly saying, "I'll make sure you do."

But he hasn't shrugged off Eames' hand so, it's testament enough that he believes Eames in that much (even if he doesn't sound like he does).

[triedinception]

"Of course," Eames agreed, his hand slipping down Arthur's shoulder to his arm, his wrist; hooking two fingers into his sleeve and tugging him towards his house.

"This way, then, darling."