Forgetting and forever and having it all

[loadedparadox]

Arthur was nearly asleep, Ariadne tucked in snugly against him, when he remembered that they had left a mess in the kitchen. Another man might have left it, left the eggs to congeal and the cat to get into the flour but Arthur couldn't bring himself to do it. Not just because they had a roommate but because he couldn't let himself leave that mess.


Carefully untangling himself from that sweet, gorgeous perfect form, he tucked the blanket in around Ariadne and waited a moment to be sure she was asleep. Certain, he grabbed his boxers and slid into them. His robe was in his own room and, for a moment, it would be fine. Just run out, clean up and then crawl back into bed with Ariadne and ponder what he could do to wake her up in the morning.

Running a hand over the stubble on his chin, bleary eyed and pleasantly worn, Arthur made his way to the kitchen, not thinking about the fact that their third may well have made his way home.

Comments

[plagiary]

Eames is already in the kitchen, running water from the sink into the bowl, cleaning it all out. He turns when he hears footsteps and for a moment he thinks maybe he's seeing a mirage. His gaze slides over Arthur even as his eyebrow raises.

"I had thought," Eames comments with enough humour in his voice to convey that he's amused, finds the whole situation delightful before Arthur even has a chance to panic, "That the Apocalypse had come. Now I see you were distracted by something much different."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

It is there though. That moment of wide eyes, of straightening to that formality he so often had. One that failed when you wore only silk boxers in midnight blue and nothing more. He opened his mouth, closed it, tried to ignore the heat creeping up his neck. She was his girlfriend, after all, and not as if Eames didn't know and yet...

"I'm sorry," he murmured, smothering a yawn with a look away and covering his mouth as if hiding his embarrassment. "I hadn't meant to leave this for you." Because it only made him more nervous. They were in bed together and he was leaving this mess for Eames, or how it seemed. "I can do that. I... I hadn't meant to leave it like this. I'm sorry."

He had thought of a million scenarios where this could all go wrong, and now he was standing in the middle of one of them, knowing there were crescent moon marks on his shoulders and he looked as worn and rumpled, replete, as he felt.

[plagiary]

"You didn't leave it here for me to clean up, darling. I just thought I would, mm? I know how scary the idea of dirty dishes are for you."

Eames watches him, searches himself for any hint of jealousy and finds none, finds himself devoid of anything except for a wealth of affection for him, for Ariadne too. He turns the faucet off and turns to Arthur properly, leaning back against the cabinet.

"You're panicking, stop that. Do I look like I'm bothered, hm?"

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"I was nearly asleep," he admitted softly. "When I remembered I'd left them and then I couldn't keep from being restless so..."

And with that he started moving around. Putting away the flour, looking at the carton of eggs he'd left out. He couldn't remember how long you could leave them and still have them be okay.

He looked at Eames, straight and standing carefully and he reached for his cuffs without thinking. He winced. "I ... I'm glad you're not. We just never discussed all this, that's all."

[plagiary]

"Did we have to?" he asks, blinking like it hadn't occured to him that they should, that he should be bothered by the idea. He still lets his gaze wander, because it's not like he'd waste the opportunity of a semi-nude Arthur, but when he looks at his face, Eames is smiling, "I think I might have to talk to her about hiding your wardrobe, love. That's an image I could get used to seeing."

He pauses, because maybe Arthur doesn't want his flirtyness right this second, softens around the eyes and mouth, is absolutely pleased for Arthur that he can't even look any different, "You looked happy, pet. Why would that ever be a bad thing?"

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"I... I don't know." Which didn't sit any better with him. He didn't like not having answers and this, all that they were sharing, came without answers and them just working it out between them all as it happened. It wasn't how Arthur did things but it was how he could operate to be with them.

Blinking at that comment, looking down at himself. He smirked a little, folding his arms over his chest. "My robe was in my room and, well, I wasn't." He shrugged slightly, almost self conscious. "I can't exactly conduct business like this," he added, deflecting to try and get past his own nerves about this.

"I guess not. That it isn't a bad thing," he said, ducking his head with a smile. "Just... you know that in all of this I never want anyone to be uncomfortable. I care about you both too much so I don't want to do anything to make it awkward."

Work. Work he could handle, moving to the sink to start on the dishes. "You could get a towel and dry," he said, voice soft, not wanting Eames to feel he had to stay but not wanting to chase him off either.

[plagiary]

"So demanding," Eames murmurs fondly, rolling his eyes in Arthur's direction. He pushes off from the counter to find a towel, but doesn't move until he leans over, bestows a kiss to Arthur's ruffled head. Then he does, grabbing the nearest and started to dry.

"You don't have to worry, Arthur. She's your girlfriend, you two are both consenting adults, why should I be bothered? Hm? I'm not, I'm really very not."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

All of his life Arthur has known what he wanted and how to get it. Until now. Until this with the two of them and what it means and where he should take it and how to handle it. He knows he can't withdraw, except he can't seem to stop himself but he works hard not to.

"Because you're my boyfriend," he said softly, glancing at Eames. "Because you're part of my life and my heart too."

[plagiary]

"Darling, I know what I signed up for. I'm very much aware that you and Ariadne have a physical relationship, I wouldn't blame either of you for that, the same as I know she won't blame me for having my wicked way with you eventually. I am not distressed over this, you needn't be. I'm glad, in a way, you looked happier."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

He chuckled. "So what? Have I looked dour up until this point? Is that how it is," he asked with a grin. Yet he knew Eames was right. He was grinning and unable to stop himself. "I just.... I didn't expect to run into you, not dressed, and looking like this."

He leaned into Eames for a moment. "I don't want anyone uncomfortable."

[plagiary]

"We live together darling, I do hope running into you while you're in various states of undress becomes a done thing, mm?"

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

Arthur made a point of pausing, glancing at Eames as if considering. He made a soft sounding, looking over Eames slowly. "Is this going to be a mutual thing," he challenged.

[plagiary]

"Arthur, believe me. Nobody's more surprised that I've managed to keep my decency intact this long. I've been behaving myself, usually no - clothes are a superfluos chore."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"Trust me. I'm not going to complain about your nudity. Not given how many times is look at that picture." His voice was a low rumble before he cleared his throat.

[plagiary]

Eames turns then, dropping the towel on the draining board and leans in, hooking his chin on Arthur's shoulder. He slides his hands to Arthur's hips, thumb brushing the curve of his bone absentmindedly.

"Know that you're the most delightful thing to happen to me in a good long time, Arthur. Mm?"

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

Dark eyes closed, leaning back against Eames as he reached up, stroking his cheek before turning his head to kiss him, long and deep. "Good. Hate to have to still take out the competition."

[plagiary]

"Save your bullets for something a little more worthy, darling," Eames murmurs, taking a moment to just enjoy this, this closeness, "You should go back to bed, I can clear up."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

Arthur gave him a look. "Do you truly expect me to leave you to clean up, all things considered," he asked softly. "I...' He glanced towards Ariadne's room and sighed. "Are you sure?"

[plagiary]

"Go," Eames replies, stepping back and away from Arthur, nudging him slightly with his elbow, "Let me do this and go and get some rest with your girlfriend, hm?"

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

He paused, considering the options and then leaned in, stealing a quick, chaste kiss. "Thank you," he murmured, lingering only a moment before heading for Ariadne's room.