keepcruising | Eames and puppies

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Eames and puppies

[ They were holed up in their shared safehouse, for once not because either of them was a victim of a manhunt but because they'd actually gotten warning that they should both lay low for a few weeks while something blew over. The place was small and not really intended for the both of them to be there at the same time, but it wasn't entirely uncomfortable. They'd shared tighter spaces in a pinch and Arthur found that he didn't mind Eames being in his space as much as he'd expected.

He was in the kitchen making himself some tea when he heard the door slam and without asking, he pulled down a second mug and prepared another cup for Eames before he walked out into the living room, leaving the tea to steep.

That was when he saw it. ]

That's what you got for dinner?

[ He gestured to the puppy. ]

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_{[ Little growls filled the silence as Eames calmly enjoyed several
more sips of his tea. There were many things he could find to criticize
about Arthur, but his tea was not one of them. It almost galled him that
someone not of British birth could prepare tea so well, but he was wise
enough not to question the good fortune of having a temporary house mate
and sometimes partner that understood the fine nuances of the drink. ]}

In a box half swallowed by a snow drift.

_{[ Shivering and whining, and even with the weather as it was, Eames
wasn't cold enough to leave the poor creature. ]}

[ It was moments like this that reminded Arthur what he liked about Eames. He was dangerous and sure, but he was also the kind of person who took home a freezing puppy even when his own life was at risk. In short, he was incredibly stupid, but the sort of stupid that Arthur found reluctantly attractive. Not that that was anything Eames needed to know. ]

And you just brought it here instead of bringing it to the authorities for animal control.

[ It could have been a question, except for how it wasn't. It would have been rhetorical anyway. ]

We don't have dog food or anything for it to sleep on.

You know how I dislike paperwork.

_{[ He would have been stuck there forever if he had gone to proper
authorities, and besides - who could resist such a cute face? He smiled as
the pup knocked away the ball and hurtled after it, tumbling end up over
end as it crashed into the ball, butt bumping into the glass. It yelped
meeting the cold glass, bounding away and towards Eames.}

The forger smiled softly, leaning down to gather up the baby and settle him in his lap. ]

I'm sure Roger will do fine in a box with towels and a bit of table scraps.

[ With a sigh, Arthur sat on the couch next to Eames, but not too close. He didn't make a habit of touching Eames all that much when their clothes were staying on or really inhabiting his personal space at all. ]

You can't name a dog you found in a box, Eames. That's how you get attached to it.

[ He looked down at the dog, refusing to smile in the face of its cuteness. This probably meant that he was stuck making dinner with whatever they had lying around and he wasn't sure who he pitied more, himself or the dog. Eames deserved whatever food he wound up with. ]

_{[ Ah, Arthur, with his professional distance. Eames couldn't say he
disagreed, though the nature of his own job required him to be far more
comfortable in people's personal spaces. Best not to confuse whatever it
was that passed between them. Their lives were complicated enough. ]}

The poor fellow got abandoned. It seems cruel to spend the night calling him "dog" or "hey you". It's not good for his development.

_{[ He held up the puppy to his face, the soft gray muzzle reaching out,
a bright pink tongue flashing as he licked at Eames' face, tail wagging a
mile a minute. ]}

Besides, he's clearly a Roger.

[ There was a hint of a smile on Arthur's face. He tried to hide it, but there was a moment where he wasn't quite able to clamp down on it. ]

Clearly.

[ He leaned in a little and then clapped Eames on the shoulder. ]

Well, if he's sleeping out here, you can sleep on the couch with him. You don't want him to be alone, do you?

[ And then he pushed himself up and padded into the kitchen to figure out dinner. ]

_{[ Eames leaned over the back of the couch and set Roger down, the
puppy scampering after Arthur with bright yips. He danced around his
ankles, pawing at his legs and tugging at his pants with little teeth.
Eames watched the whole exchange with an internal smirk. ]}

You would make him use those sratchy blanket we have on his first night? Where's your heart gone, Arthur?

[ Arthur did his best not to smile down at the puppy, but his best wasn't good enough and he smiled anyway. He was stiff, but he wasn't heartless. ]

He'll be fine. I'm sure he's just happy to be warm.

[ He bent down to scratch Roger behind the ears. ]

_{[ A small flush of victory warmed Eames' chest seeing the other smile.
It was always delightful discovering a new weapon to use against Arthur in
their little games. Why had he never thought of puppies before? ]}

He would be much warmer at your feet than out here in the living room.

_{[ Roger whiner and turned his head, little pink tongue lapping at
Arthur's fingers before he flopped and rolled onto his belly. ]}

[ Temporarily abandoning what he'd been trying to do in the kitchen, Arthur sat on the floor to play with Roger, petting him and smiling wider. ]

You're warmer than I am. He'll be fine with you.

[ Eames' warmth was something Arthur had come to appreciate about him, especially in colder countries. ]

I don't think there's room for him and me on the couch. He might kick me off in the middle of the night.

_{[ Just facts, Arthur. The couch was only so wide and Eames as a big
man. He continued to watch the pair, Roger making puppy sounds of delight,
paws kicking at the air. ]}

And I'm sure that will suck for you.

[ With a low chuckle, Arthur pat Roger's head and straightened up again to figure out dinner for all three of them. What did you feed a dog when you barely had suitable food for yourself? ]

_{[ Eames pushed off the couch and came over to pick up the puppy,
rubbing his big hand along the small, warm back. ]}

It really would. My hips are not made to rest against hard objects for long. I think I'll go wash Roger before dinner. You need to start the manners early.

_{[ He patted the little fat ball in his arms, turning to make for the
bathroom since Arthur had the kitchen sink. ]}

[ Arthur laughed, just barely stopping himself from making one of a half dozen obvious sexual jokes. ]

Should be ready as soon as I figure out what we're eating.

[ He was already rifling through the fridge to see what he could scrounge together. ]

_{[ He had said it that way on purpose, of course, and he just smiled to
himself as he went to the bathroom to fill the sink and bathe their new
charge. It turned out to be quite the ordeal, as Roger was not inclined to
sit quietly for bath time.}

Eames came out some time later, in a new shirt and his sweat pants, Roger at least looking happy and smelling like apples (along with Eames, but he wasn't going to admit that). ]

So, do we have a meal or should I be looking up the take out menu for Liu's Garden across the way?

I think we're going to want take out for us, but I made Roger something with my leftovers from yesterday.

[ He'd had a little bit of meat left, not enough for a meal, but enough for a little dog. There was an old plastic bowl on the counter and when he caught site of the dog, he moved it to the floor and grabbed another bowl for water. ]

He's eating better than either of us tonight.

_{[ Eames shook his head and dropped Roger in front of the bowl. The
puppy looked at the two plastic bowls curiously before moving in to gnaw on
the plastic. ]}

He'll get it eventually. And I'm sure we have a menu for Liu's in one of the drawers... Do you think we could simply write it on a piece of paper and sail it over like an aeroplane?

[ Arthur's face softened as he watched Roger chew the bowl. How could that not melt anyone's heart a little? ]

You can get it since you brought home a dog.

[ He gave Eames a wry look, hoping that that would actually fly. ]

If I come back and Roger isn't here...

_{[ He warned as he took out the menu and laid it out on the table,
pulling out his cellphone to make notes of their order. So yes, it seemed
it was going to fly, for the moment. ]}

I really hope you're not implying that I'm going to do anything to hurt a puppy.

[ Arthur crossed his arm, looking more than a little offended. ]

I wasn't implying anything. I was merely giving friendly advice.

Now, what do you want? Otherwise I'm ordering for you.

_{[ And you wouldn't want that Arthur. ]}

[ Arthur leaned over Eames' shoulder to read the menu and did his level best not to notice that Eames still smelled good, even after a day of wandering in the rain and bringing home stray dogs. ]

Dinner combo B.

[ If he lingered longer than might have been normal, he didn't say anything about it before he stepped away and turned back to watch Roger finally nibble at the food. ]

_{[ He didn't miss the near weight of the other against his shoulder and
his back, kept the shiver down and was proud of himself for that. Another
foray into the rain, and he hardly looked forward to it, not with Arthur
right there, warm and close.}

He made a note of the order and straightened, running a hand through his hair. ]

You'd better appreciate this meal I'm about to fetch. Maybe Roger will have a playmate when I come back...

No more dogs.

[ It was a sharp, quick answer, but the bite was probably drowned in how he was smiling down at the hungry little puppy. ]

Or anything else. Just food.

_{[ He chuckled, seeing the fall of Arthur's expression and rather
pleased with himself. ]}

We'll see what the rain washes in.

_{[ And with those parting, perhaps warning, words he headed out of
their loft to face the rain and the dubious nutritional content of a
Chinese meal. ]}

[ Arthur rolled his eyes and settled on the floor with Roger.

By the time he heard Eames pushing the door open again, he was still sitting on the kitchen floor, dress pants rumbled with Roger climbing around on his lap and stomach. The bowl Arthur had left for him was long empty, but he was still full of puppy energy. ]

We're in here.

_{[ Rain and more rain. He had practically been soaked on the way over,
and no less on the way back. Through the miracle of... well, chaos theory
probably the bag with their food remained mostly dry save for the food
grease that muddied the bottom. But that was the mark of good Chinese food.
He shook himself off at the door before coming around to walk into the
kitchen, smiling softly when he took in the image laid out in front of him.
]}

Well, look at you two - all cozy. And here I am getting soaked to the bone.

_{[ He waggled the bag before heading past them to set it on the counter
and pull down plates. ]}

[ Arthur watched him, amusement clear on his face. ]

I had the very important job of keeping Roger warm and entertained. I think I did a great job, don't you?

[ He ducked his head as he asked the dog, but Roger was already leaving him for greener pastures that smelled more like food, jumping excitedly around Eames's ankles. ]

I see how it is.

Well, he's still here and not in a pot on the stove, so yes. Excellent job.

_{[ He chuckled, bending down to pick up Roger, setting him on the
counter. The puppy nosed at the bags, whining. ]}

A child's belly - never full.

Well I'm sure that smells better than what he just had, too.

[ With a smile, Arthur pushed himself up and followed Eames to get plates and utensils out. ]

He's a sweet dog. I guess I can see why you brought him home.

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Eames and puppies

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