[ 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 had had a quip in mind for the first response but the second one made him say something that surprised even himself on some level and yet... he knew it should be said (there wasn't any "maybe" about it now, he felt) : "I meant it when I said I was sorry."

Voice soft but sincere, "You... you've never done anything to deserve those things I said. I have my own... issues, obviously, but I shouldn't hold you accountable for them." And he let his voice trail off as he finished, looking down at the floor as it was really sinking into him how unfair he had always been with the forger.

And, really, Eames offering to give up his bed to Arthur if he didn't want to share it... it was so simple but also so selfless an offer that it was just another example of Eames showing Arthur what he was really like and Arthur was...

He was ashamed of himself for his behavior and words - such angry words - towards a person that, despite all of that, was still being kind, considerate to him. Arthur knew he didn't deserve that kind of treatment after the way he had been acting but... if Eames still wanted him, the point man would try to deserve it from now on. (It was automatic, that realization, as his train of thought continued. If he didn't deserve it now, he would make sure from this point on that that would be different.)

Opening up would be difficult, yes, but Arthur was starting to genuinely feel that the forger was worth the effort.

Especially since Eames had obviously felt Arthur was, following after him like he had and not letting him leave (or giving up on him).

Yes, he could make the effort.

[triedinception]

They're at the door when Eames speaks, and he pauses, keys in hand. The expression he gives Arthur is - well, it's quite clearly surprise.

He steps forward and reaches out to take one of Arthur's hands, gingerly.

"Darling, I know you meant it. And it's okay. It's not as if I don't come with my full set of issues and baggage as well. I always have to pay for a second carry-on when I fly," he teases, and then tugs.

"Come on, we can talk about it inside."

[littlspecificty]

Arthur nods and goes willingly at Eames' tug, walking through the doorway when it is open. He doesn't make any move to pull his hand away from the forger's, though, water still dripping off of his face and clothes onto the floor.

[triedinception]

Eames pauses when they get inside, noting how Arthur's dripping, and curls his fingers around Arthur's and continues to lead him in, closing the door behind him and then heading for the bathroom with point man in tow.

"Actually, lets get you dried off and then we can talk about it, hm?"

[littlspecificty]

Again, he nods silently and follows, not pulling his hand away but watching their two joined hands as they walk. He looks up again when they reach the bathroom, brows going up a little at how large it is.

Eames wasn't exaggerating when he alluded to the room being spacious.

[triedinception]

Eames lets go of Arthur's hand but stays within visual range, opening the bathroom cupboards to retrieve a towel and a bathrobe.

He hesitates then. "You can just change out if you want, or you're welcome to take a bath as well."

[littlspecificty]

The corners of his mouth quirking a little, "Pretty sure I had my "shower" out there."

"But thank you for the offer."

[triedinception]

"Well, I was wondering if you were cold. A shower would warm you right up." Still, he handed over the robe and the towel, fingers brushing Arthur's.

"I'll give you some privacy, see if I can scrounge up some sleepwear for you."

[littlspecificty]

The idea of being naked in Eames' shower was enough to warm him up, in all truth (the flush hot against the cold drops of water still clinging to his skin). He wasn't exactly sure why but it did; just as the brush of fingers left tingles behind that seemed to go straight to his lower gut.

He took the robe and towel, nodding and eyes going down to the floor, "Thanks."

[triedinception]

Eames smiled slightly. "No problem, darling. Go get warmed up," he said, turning and leaving the room for now, heading first to the kitchen to start up some tea (for himself, he had no coffee right now, and he could only offer tea to the point man.)

[littlspecificty]

Arthur closed the door softly after Eames left, leaning against the door for a moment before slowly pushing himself off and setting the robe and towel on the counter.

He was slow in removing his clothes, the wet fabric wanting to stick to his still moist skin and he, in that moment, cared so little for the suit, carelessly dumping the soaked remnants in the sink. He was shaking by the time he finally stepped into the shower and then took his time in getting the water right before standing under it.

Letting the hot water run over his naked body, eventually taking the chill away, he slowly allowed himself to rest his forehead against the smooth wet wall of the shower stall. His cheek pressing against the surface followed and then his chest along with the palms of both hands, shoulders resting on their backs.

Eyes closed, he silently admitted to himself that he didn't know what he was doing here anymore, head swimming in warmth and slowly building arousal. He knew Eames deserved better treatment and to be given a chance... no matter how scared he was to open himself to another person again.

The forger seemed so earnest in his desire and wanting to prove it that Arthur, once seeing it (and the pain he inflicted by refusing and flinging his own accusations and assumptions at the other), didn't... feel right in denying him the chance further.

There was a part of him that didn't want to waste the chance to be happy again while another part didn't feel he deserved that chance (and furthermore, still didn't understand why Eames wanted to give him that chance).

With this kind of mulling going on, the last thing he was keeping track of was the time.

[triedinception]

Once the tea was started, Eames shuffled off to his bedroom again to gather a pair of flannel pants with a tie in the waist and an old turquoise shirt, setting them just outside the bathroom door for Arthur, and then went to wait with his tea.

He poured two cups on impulse and then settled down on his couch to drink it.

[littlspecificty]

When Arthur finally felt like he could exit the shower (also having jerked himself off under the water seemed to take some of the edge away as well as turn him on to a ridiculous degree because he had done that in Eames' shower), he came out mostly dried off and wearing the robe.

He had looked at the clothes left out for him but didn't put them on.

Instead, he walked into the sitting room area like that and sat down in the chair by the couch, not bothering to pull the robe back up from where it was revealing part of his [very bare] collarbone and right shoulder.

Softly, "Thank you for letting me use your shower."

[triedinception]

Eames was surprised when he looked up and saw Arthur only in the robe, knowing he couldn't have missed those clothes; but he didn't say anything (perhaps Arthur was comfortable in the robe for now) and swished his tea around in the cup.

"Of course, darling," he said, nodding to the cup on the table near Arthur. "That one's yours and warm, if you want it. Plain black tea."

[littlspecificty]

Arthur, however, didn't pick the tea up, just stared at it without really seeing it.

"When did it start for you?"

When did the feeling of wanting more from Arthur really start to form inside of Eames?

[triedinception]

Eames looked at Arthur, eyebrows raised. "When did what start, darling?"