(It was a house that Arthur had discovered years ago. It was tucked away into a town that wasn't too unknown and not too known and entirely comfortable and standard in every sense of the word. It had every big name company that at most was fifteen minutes away and plenty of small businesses in between. Just enough people that you might run into a familiar face every now and then but still small enough to be cozy. Arthur had always liked that and although his job didn't afford him the luxury of genuine comfort of a common life, he'd take it where he could and this town was a slice of heaven. He liked the weather and more than that, he had loved the house.
It was a bit of a drive from the actual town itself. Roughly thirty minutes or so and a ways up a mountain where the air was a little cleaner but a little tighter. It was nestled into the woods tucked miles and miles away from the nearest house but not blatantly hidden. Just another house.
It was surprisingly modest for a man with his sort of taste. Didn't need a mansion when it was just him and a dog. He had a guest room and besides that, the rest of his house was the standard living room, dining room, kitchen, two bathrooms, a four seasons room, a study, and okay- yes- a library that may or may not take up a good chunk of the entire house. The basement was every bit as ordinary as basements went and beneath that was an entire arsenal and practical bomb shelter for any emergencies he may run into. Though the overall house was modest in size, everything was the top of the line. The best tiles in the kitchen and the bathrooms, the thickest carpets, softest bed linen, best beds, nicest television sets. He wasn't a man of excess but he did enjoy his comforts. The house was fully stocked and prepared and he had had the same exact maid for the past twenty years. Trusted her with his things almost as much as he trusted Eames with his life. This life to be more specific. The carefully tended English garden in the back. The purebred Doberman pincher he had had for - what was it now? Five years? Five years. It was completely nerve wrecking. Hadn't heard from Eames since they split up in Egypt a couple weeks back but this had been his decision. Give them some space. Let Eames make his mind up. Gave him a good date, a date that would work and....Wait.
If Eames showed up...Well, Arthur still didn't know what he would do. And if he didn't, then Arthur...He had a game plan for that too, he was sure. Day of and Arthur had gotten fresh groceries. He was restless. Kept going from project to project. Not that he had many. No jobs he was working on. Had made a dessert already. Read a book. Read two. Remade his bed. It would have felt stupid if it weren't Eames. If this weren't as big of a deal as it was. More than that, Arthur had dressed down and he had a giddy hunch that Eames might take that more seriously than the rest of this. He was dressed in a pair of worn jeans, comfortable around the hips and ripped at the cuffs. On top he wore an old, worn Harvard hoodie. Socks. Which was about as prepared as he was going to be.)
[ Eames had memorized the date and address and destroyed the paper. No use letting it fall into the wrong hands. Eames never wrote down anything that important.
He'd made arrangements to fly to the States, but he'd waffled about going at least a dozen times. It wasn't for a lack of wanting this, but this could never be casual. It could never be just sex or just... anything. It was Arthur and they had a working relationship, but more than that, Arthur mattered. He trusted Arthur and he doubted very much that he would find anyone else in dreamshare like that.
Finally, he'd boarded the plane, drunk from the airport, and landed. Of course, he hadn't gone straight to Arthur after that, either. He'd spent half the day at the airport looking for a hotel room that he hadn't wound up booking in the end.
If he didn't show up, he wouldn't be saving anything and he knew that, so he pushed on, terrified in a way he hadn't been in at least a decade.
Even walking up the drive from where the cab had dropped him off, he stopped a few times just to let his nerves settle.
This wasn't the sort of home he'd expected of Arthur. Arthur had always seemed the type to have a slick city loft, but then when Eames considered how many city hotels they all stayed in, maybe this wasn't so surprising.
(It wasn't until Arthur heard a knock at the door that he realized that this entire time he had been waiting for Eames to not show up. Had practically been expecting it above anything else. There was some portion of him that still didn't trust Eames with any of this. He didn't know what to expect of him. Wasn't sure if Eames would treat it like some sort of intense affair. Arthur liked to think Eames would know better than that. Liked to have some faith in him.
There would be no one else in the world behind that door. Not unless Arthur had stumbled into some irreversably deep shit and he knew he hadn't. Was far too good at his job to do that and so he stood up from his kitchen island and swallowed hard.
Suddenly, he wished he was wearing a suit. It'd feel more comfortable. It'd be a whole lot less vulnerable than what he was wearing. He ran his hand through his loose hair and fuck. Maybe he had time to change- no. No he didn't. Shit.
His dog was laying on the ground, staring pointedly at the door. Too well trained to bark, too smart to be wary. Arthur walked right past her and finally approached the door. One glance out the peep hole confirmed that it was indeed Eames and Arthur had to count backwards all of three times before he finally opened up the door.
He meant for the first thing he said to be smooth and clever. Or at least polite and inquisitive. Maybe even something mildly flirtatious. Instead, what he came up with was:)
[ Eames was wearing his usual clothes, light linen with a bit of color. He liked warm climates and even when he wasn't in them, he tended to dress as if he was.
He was far more nervous than he liked to admit, even with the alcohol and deep breaths in the driveway, he was still fidgeting with his bag when Arthur opened the door. He dropped the strap as soon as the lock clicked and stood up straighter again, but when Arthur spoke, he lost it.
The loud, sudden bark of laughter surprised even him, but he couldn't help it. ]
I wasn't sure, myself.
[ He leaned forward on the doorjamb, taking in the sight of Arthur in worn jeans and his smile grew along with the false confidence that he was calling back to himself. ]
Look at you.
[ Snaking out a hand, he hooked a finger in Arthur's belt loop and gave it a tug towards him. ]
(The laughter was enough to startle Arthur, making him jerk a bit and at the same time, it managed to relax him the slightest. Eames was an idiot. He'd always be a complete idiot and although the words did nothing to comfort him, he was stupidly grateful that Eames had showed up at all. They both had a grocery list of trust problems and complicated lives. He would hardly resent Eames for almost not showing up.
He then tipped his head but didn't look so much annoyed as he did quietly amused. He had anticipated commentary on his choice of clothing and Eames, as per usual, did not fail to deliver.)
I'd rather look at you.
(Comes the small quip accompanied by a bit of a smile. It was barely creative but he didn't care too much right then. He let himself be tugged forward and stepped the rest of the way into Eames' personal space.
Where everything else was difficult, touching Eames' was surprisingly....easy. He slid his hands up along Eames' arms and eventually had his arms wound around his neck, bodies tucked together and he was kissing Eames on the mouth. There was a bit of a frantic edge to the kiss but otherwise it was warm and utterly welcoming.
Yeah- it- was extremely bizarre. For all the times he had pictured greeting Eames into this house with a kiss, it was nothing on the real thing. It was also a little surreal and Arthur knew that the moment they were inside, he'd be checking his totem. Had to this time.)
[ Eames had his own questions as to the reality of this. He was still unsure if he'd dreamed up that shared bed in Egypt, because it had felt like a dream then, too.
He wasn't supposed to get this. It wasn't something that he was really allowed to have in his line of work and it wasn't something he'd ever really wanted, but he'd wanted Arthur in ways he'd never wanted anyone or anything else.
His free hand moved easily to rest on Arthur's hip and then slid to the small of his back to keep him close as they kissed.
Eames, normally so in control of his desires, couldn't help the hunger with which he kissed Arthur, bruising and desperate in a way that didn't really speak of a simple greeting. ]
I like you like this.
[ He pulled back only enough to get the words out, nose still brushing Arthur's. ]
(Arthur was in the same boat. He was a man who functioned purely on control. He felt like that control could slip right between his fingers if he kept on kissing Eames like that for even a minute longer.
And so, Arthur pushed back after the kiss was initially broken and backed up into the house.)
I'll bet you do. Come in.
(He waited until Eames was inside to close the door and when he turned back around, he noticed that his dog had finally come out to see who it was.)
I have a dog- uh. Her name is Kali. And- did you want a tour of the house?
(He felt awkward. He'd never actually had anyone over. He didn't even really know if formalities were something he should be taking with Eames either.)
[ Eames pulled his bag in carefully and rested it inside the door. There was a comment about sexual appetite and a tour of Arthur's bedroom on the tip of his tongue, but he was momentarily distracted by the dog. ]
You have a dog.
[ He repeated Arthur's words, amused and a little surprised, if he was honest. Arthur never struck him as a dog person.
Kneeling down, he reached a hand out to let her sniff him. ]
(His affection for Eames would never diminish the natural bite he had with him. Kali being the smart beast that she was was decidedly cautious about Eames, sniffing afar before trotting off completely without letting him pet her. Arthur nearly smirked.)
Why is it surprising that I have a dog? I love dogs.
(As if the fact were as obvious as him loving suits or nice buildings.)
[ He straightened, shrugging somewhat uneasily. He never liked admitting that anyone could take him by surprise, but then Arthur often did do just that. ]
So was that a tour I was promised?
[ Stepping closer, he reached a hand out for Arthur again, this time resting it on Arthur's hip. The heat from a moment ago was gone, but certainly not forgotten where it sat just under the surface. ]
(Cats were alright on their own but his mom had always been far more partial to them than he was. He was smirking only a little bit though, feeling a bit more in control.
It was always a bit satisfying to see Eames caught off guard. Even over silly things.)
Ah. Yes.
(Except he didn't get to it. A bit too distracted by that hand on his hip.)
Mr. Eames.
(Stern tone, brow quirked up and smirk only wider yet.)
A tour hardly constitutes a need to have your hands on me.
[ There was an easy smirk playing at his lips, but in reality it was anything but. How long had he wanted this? He was still half-expecting Arthur to deem the whole thing a mistake and ask him to leave before Eames could even think of running out first. ]
From mine, I don't see how a tour couldn't involve touching you.
[ Pretending, thankfully, was what Eames did best and he moved closer. ]
Really, darling, one day you're going to have to stop underestimating me.
Your perspective of me has always been incredibly skewed.
(Says Arthur in a mildly lecturing tone. Except it wasn't his usual snark, his usual bite. The kind he'd use to get Eames to leave him alone. It was nearly playful.
This was all still so delicate. He could sense that. Between him wanting to pull out, he had no doubt in his mind that Eames probably was just as hesitant. He didn't even know how to handle this in general.
Except parts of it were easier, like walking closer to Eames, a grin still hooked on his mouth.)
Should I just skip the tour and let you focus on the touching?
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keepcruising2015-07-07 06:49 pm
no subject
It was a bit of a drive from the actual town itself. Roughly thirty minutes or so and a ways up a mountain where the air was a little cleaner but a little tighter. It was nestled into the woods tucked miles and miles away from the nearest house but not blatantly hidden. Just another house.
It was surprisingly modest for a man with his sort of taste. Didn't need a mansion when it was just him and a dog. He had a guest room and besides that, the rest of his house was the standard living room, dining room, kitchen, two bathrooms, a four seasons room, a study, and okay- yes- a library that may or may not take up a good chunk of the entire house. The basement was every bit as ordinary as basements went and beneath that was an entire arsenal and practical bomb shelter for any emergencies he may run into. Though the overall house was modest in size, everything was the top of the line. The best tiles in the kitchen and the bathrooms, the thickest carpets, softest bed linen, best beds, nicest television sets. He wasn't a man of excess but he did enjoy his comforts. The house was fully stocked and prepared and he had had the same exact maid for the past twenty years. Trusted her with his things almost as much as he trusted Eames with his life. This life to be more specific. The carefully tended English garden in the back. The purebred Doberman pincher he had had for - what was it now? Five years? Five years. It was completely nerve wrecking. Hadn't heard from Eames since they split up in Egypt a couple weeks back but this had been his decision. Give them some space. Let Eames make his mind up. Gave him a good date, a date that would work and....Wait.
If Eames showed up...Well, Arthur still didn't know what he would do. And if he didn't, then Arthur...He had a game plan for that too, he was sure. Day of and Arthur had gotten fresh groceries. He was restless. Kept going from project to project. Not that he had many. No jobs he was working on. Had made a dessert already. Read a book. Read two. Remade his bed. It would have felt stupid if it weren't Eames. If this weren't as big of a deal as it was. More than that, Arthur had dressed down and he had a giddy hunch that Eames might take that more seriously than the rest of this. He was dressed in a pair of worn jeans, comfortable around the hips and ripped at the cuffs. On top he wore an old, worn Harvard hoodie. Socks. Which was about as prepared as he was going to be.)
no subject
He'd made arrangements to fly to the States, but he'd waffled about going at least a dozen times. It wasn't for a lack of wanting this, but this could never be casual. It could never be just sex or just... anything. It was Arthur and they had a working relationship, but more than that, Arthur mattered. He trusted Arthur and he doubted very much that he would find anyone else in dreamshare like that.
Finally, he'd boarded the plane, drunk from the airport, and landed. Of course, he hadn't gone straight to Arthur after that, either. He'd spent half the day at the airport looking for a hotel room that he hadn't wound up booking in the end.
If he didn't show up, he wouldn't be saving anything and he knew that, so he pushed on, terrified in a way he hadn't been in at least a decade.
Even walking up the drive from where the cab had dropped him off, he stopped a few times just to let his nerves settle.
This wasn't the sort of home he'd expected of Arthur. Arthur had always seemed the type to have a slick city loft, but then when Eames considered how many city hotels they all stayed in, maybe this wasn't so surprising.
Finally in late afternoon, he knocked. ]
no subject
There would be no one else in the world behind that door. Not unless Arthur had stumbled into some irreversably deep shit and he knew he hadn't. Was far too good at his job to do that and so he stood up from his kitchen island and swallowed hard.
Suddenly, he wished he was wearing a suit. It'd feel more comfortable. It'd be a whole lot less vulnerable than what he was wearing. He ran his hand through his loose hair and fuck. Maybe he had time to change- no. No he didn't. Shit.
His dog was laying on the ground, staring pointedly at the door. Too well trained to bark, too smart to be wary. Arthur walked right past her and finally approached the door. One glance out the peep hole confirmed that it was indeed Eames and Arthur had to count backwards all of three times before he finally opened up the door.
He meant for the first thing he said to be smooth and clever. Or at least polite and inquisitive. Maybe even something mildly flirtatious. Instead, what he came up with was:)
Surprised you came.
no subject
He was far more nervous than he liked to admit, even with the alcohol and deep breaths in the driveway, he was still fidgeting with his bag when Arthur opened the door. He dropped the strap as soon as the lock clicked and stood up straighter again, but when Arthur spoke, he lost it.
The loud, sudden bark of laughter surprised even him, but he couldn't help it. ]
I wasn't sure, myself.
[ He leaned forward on the doorjamb, taking in the sight of Arthur in worn jeans and his smile grew along with the false confidence that he was calling back to himself. ]
Look at you.
[ Snaking out a hand, he hooked a finger in Arthur's belt loop and gave it a tug towards him. ]
no subject
He then tipped his head but didn't look so much annoyed as he did quietly amused. He had anticipated commentary on his choice of clothing and Eames, as per usual, did not fail to deliver.)
I'd rather look at you.
(Comes the small quip accompanied by a bit of a smile. It was barely creative but he didn't care too much right then. He let himself be tugged forward and stepped the rest of the way into Eames' personal space.
Where everything else was difficult, touching Eames' was surprisingly....easy. He slid his hands up along Eames' arms and eventually had his arms wound around his neck, bodies tucked together and he was kissing Eames on the mouth. There was a bit of a frantic edge to the kiss but otherwise it was warm and utterly welcoming.
Yeah- it- was extremely bizarre. For all the times he had pictured greeting Eames into this house with a kiss, it was nothing on the real thing. It was also a little surreal and Arthur knew that the moment they were inside, he'd be checking his totem. Had to this time.)
no subject
He wasn't supposed to get this. It wasn't something that he was really allowed to have in his line of work and it wasn't something he'd ever really wanted, but he'd wanted Arthur in ways he'd never wanted anyone or anything else.
His free hand moved easily to rest on Arthur's hip and then slid to the small of his back to keep him close as they kissed.
Eames, normally so in control of his desires, couldn't help the hunger with which he kissed Arthur, bruising and desperate in a way that didn't really speak of a simple greeting. ]
I like you like this.
[ He pulled back only enough to get the words out, nose still brushing Arthur's. ]
no subject
And so, Arthur pushed back after the kiss was initially broken and backed up into the house.)
I'll bet you do. Come in.
(He waited until Eames was inside to close the door and when he turned back around, he noticed that his dog had finally come out to see who it was.)
I have a dog- uh. Her name is Kali. And- did you want a tour of the house?
(He felt awkward. He'd never actually had anyone over. He didn't even really know if formalities were something he should be taking with Eames either.)
Are you hungry?
no subject
You have a dog.
[ He repeated Arthur's words, amused and a little surprised, if he was honest. Arthur never struck him as a dog person.
Kneeling down, he reached a hand out to let her sniff him. ]
You're just full of surprises, darling.
no subject
(His affection for Eames would never diminish the natural bite he had with him. Kali being the smart beast that she was was decidedly cautious about Eames, sniffing afar before trotting off completely without letting him pet her. Arthur nearly smirked.)
Why is it surprising that I have a dog? I love dogs.
(As if the fact were as obvious as him loving suits or nice buildings.)
no subject
[ He straightened, shrugging somewhat uneasily. He never liked admitting that anyone could take him by surprise, but then Arthur often did do just that. ]
So was that a tour I was promised?
[ Stepping closer, he reached a hand out for Arthur again, this time resting it on Arthur's hip. The heat from a moment ago was gone, but certainly not forgotten where it sat just under the surface. ]
no subject
(Cats were alright on their own but his mom had always been far more partial to them than he was. He was smirking only a little bit though, feeling a bit more in control.
It was always a bit satisfying to see Eames caught off guard. Even over silly things.)
Ah. Yes.
(Except he didn't get to it. A bit too distracted by that hand on his hip.)
Mr. Eames.
(Stern tone, brow quirked up and smirk only wider yet.)
A tour hardly constitutes a need to have your hands on me.
no subject
[ There was an easy smirk playing at his lips, but in reality it was anything but. How long had he wanted this? He was still half-expecting Arthur to deem the whole thing a mistake and ask him to leave before Eames could even think of running out first. ]
From mine, I don't see how a tour couldn't involve touching you.
[ Pretending, thankfully, was what Eames did best and he moved closer. ]
Really, darling, one day you're going to have to stop underestimating me.
no subject
(Says Arthur in a mildly lecturing tone. Except it wasn't his usual snark, his usual bite. The kind he'd use to get Eames to leave him alone. It was nearly playful.
This was all still so delicate. He could sense that. Between him wanting to pull out, he had no doubt in his mind that Eames probably was just as hesitant. He didn't even know how to handle this in general.
Except parts of it were easier, like walking closer to Eames, a grin still hooked on his mouth.)
Should I just skip the tour and let you focus on the touching?