loadedparadox | Dinner in Dubai

The idea of even asking him to dinner had come out of nowhere. Then, while in Dubai doing some militarization for a sheik, he had made the dinner plans. Part of Arthur realized that by making the selection of Ossiano at Atlantis he was making this a date. Yet he wouldn't let himself think about that as he sent the text.

Friday. Atlantis on Palm Jumeirah island. 8 pm seating.

Arthur waited for Eames in the lobby though. Dressed to the nine in a tuxedo by his favourite Savile Row tailor. He had gone overboard and he had no idea why except he could. And he wanted to.

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From:

loadedparadox

"Shame there aren't any of those around here," he said, actually looking smug as he said it. The same could be said for him. But it could also be said for Eames, something he had never thought he might say about the forger.

"Let me guess, your shadow," he asked, smiling as he moved to his own seat, undoing the buttons of his jacket for ease and comfort. "And no, I didn't have to. Doesn't stop that I did."

From:

freebaseforger

"Isn't it though," he asked with a teasing tone in his voice. He flashed the point man a dashing grin in response to the smug look.

He hummed in agreement. "Yes, Terry is one of them," he chuckled. The man can be a bit protective. "You might be interested to note that. to note that he is not in the country."

Eames watched Arthur with all the skill of a forger and man interested. "No, indeed it doesn't." He paused. "What are you having to drink?"

From:

loadedparadox

He settled in, considering Eames and not the menu. Damn but that smile was a thing of beauty. How had he let himself get into this? He needed to be careful or he was going to hurt himself, or someone else.

"He isn't? I feel honoured," he said, and despite his light tones, he truly was. It was a sign of trust. "Does it help knowing Cobb doesn't know where I am," he offered in return.

Sitting back, he considered that. "Depends. Are we being gentlemen or daring?"

From:

freebaseforger

For all intents and purposes, Eames appeared relaxed and at east. On the inside however, he couldn't feel more nervous, more on edge. It was a little surreal to be here with Arthur, like this. He'd have to be careful. Plenty could go wrong if they weren't. Least of all, he didn't want to lose one of few people in the dream share business that he could truly count on.

His lips curled up. Arthur should feel honoured. While Terry didn't join him any dream share job, it was still a large sign of trust on Eames' part. His eyebrows rose at that but he was pleased hearing that. "It does," he said.

Eames chuckled. "Well, we are being daring so far, aren't we? I suggest we continue doing so."

From:

loadedparadox

It shouldn't matter that they were all alone there. Surrounded by so many and yet alone in the ways that could only matter to criminals and married men. Alone. No one casing them. No one that knew what they were doing. Just alone. It was intoxicating and frightening for someone that worked hard to stay safe and be anonymous to open himself up to being just that. Himself.

"Then we'll skip the wine and go with a good single malt," he asked, pushing things because it seemed fun. "Though we should end with real absinthe then."

Maybe he was trying to get drunk. Or maybe he liked the idea of seeing where they could end up and how wild things could get. Either way, he was eager to see just where things could go.
"Unless you want to keep this sober," he teased.

From:

freebaseforger

Eames sent him a smirk. "Now you're speaking my language, darling," he practically purred. He much preferred a good single malt over wine any day of the week. Eames arched a brow at the mention of absinthe. "That can be arranged."

He didn't mind getting drunk or at least drinking enough to see where the night ends up. Where they end up. It all had to do with the fact that they could, dare he ~~say~~ think it, be themselves here, where no one knew where they were and weren't watching them from afar.

"What's the fun in staying sober in a place like this," he asked with a smirk. "Least we're bound to end up in one of our rooms."

Eames looked up when their waiter came over to take their drink orders and ordered a single malt scotch for himself, the best they had.

From:

loadedparadox

In truth, Arthur wasn't much of a scotch drink as much as a smooth bourbon but he could hold his own. He arched a brow. "Have you ever had absinthe outside of America? Do they still allow it in England," he asked, enjoying this between them.

"None at all," he agreed, nodding. "Usually I'm here only on business but..." He paused, considering. "Let's just say I informed Cobb, and another who wanted me for a job, that I wasn't available until next week. So now, with the letter delivered and all well, I have a week to myself with no one knowing where I am. Let's be honest. The man they would hire to find me, is me," he said, sounding smug and content, and delivering the news of how things had gone.

Arthur nodded at the waiter. "Make that two."

From:

freebaseforger

"I'm hurt, Arthur," he said with mock shock. "You act as though I'd let something that insignificant stop me if I wanted it." Eames was enjoying this greatly.

Eames raised an eyebrow and allowed his lips to curl up. "I assume the job you just performed that gave you this lovely perk, was just completed?" Still, there was something absolutely decadent about having a week with the point man. Eames himself had at least a week to two weeks before he needed to go on a job, unless he was called on another kind of job.

He was glad to hear that the product had worked to the level that Eames had intended and thought it would. Course, he had no doubt but it was nice to know. "So, a week, hm?" he asked with a smirk. Oh, he was starting to really like this smug and wicked side of Arthur. It was refreshing.

Eames didn't watch the waiter leave to grab their drinks, instead, he kept his gaze on the man sitting across from him and studied him silently. He was a beautiful man; clean and sharp lines and yet a hint of something more sinister underneath. By that, he only meant that the man could be practically ruthless as their past meeting indicated. "No one can find a person quite like you, darling," he said, giving the compliment fairly easily.

From:

loadedparadox

"Well, you have such regard for the law," he teased, knowing so much better. More so now more than ever. Same as Eames knew about him.

"It is. Finished last night, actually. I have a room here, compliments of my host, and time to myself. I think it's my first vacation in nearly five years," he admitted.

A brow arched at that, head tilting slightly. "And just what is that smile for," he asked, knowing perfectly well. In truth he missed being playful, flirting and teasing. As the point man though, it fit the persona that got the job done. Here he wasn't that man. "A whole week. Wonder what I'll do with myself," he mused.

He blinked at that, not having expected the compliment. "I do think that is one of the most lovely things anyone has ever said to me," he said, glancing away and then back. "Thank you. Unless of course you meant that in the way that insinuates it's a good thing there aren't more of me," he said, definitely teasing.

From:

freebaseforger

Eames chuckled and nodded. "Course, because the law an' I go way back," he sent Arthur an amused smirk. They certainly both knew better now just how far that regard for the law went on both sides.

"Then you must take advantage of your little vacation. Who knows when you'll be allowed to have another, yeah?" Despite the snark and underlying meaning regarding the leash Cobb seemed to have on the point man on occasion, Eames truly only meant it in jest. Besides, he also knew it wasn't only the Cobbs. From what Eames knew, Arthur was, if nothing, but always on the job going from here to there.

In response to the question regarding his smile, Eames full blown grinned at him. "Oh you know perfectly well, darling," he purred. It was refreshing to be able to flirt and tease and be playful. For the last several weeks, he had been 'on' as Clarkie and while it was as natural as breathing, he also enjoyed the freedom that came from being playful and to flirt. Especially with a handsome man such as Arthur. "Well, you must go snorking, of course. Isn't that what the tourist Americans do?" he teased. Course, he knew what he'd want to do with him and it didn't have to do with swimming with marine life.

He couldn't help but chuckle. "Only a man such as us would find my compliment 'lovely'," he mused. "Well," Eames said slowly, tilting his head. "It is much easier to hide if only one man knows how to find me and locate me." Course, Eames knew as well that if he didn't want to be located, he wouldn't be.

From:

loadedparadox

"I can imagine you're just about as good with the law as I am." He grinned then. "Of course, I used to be a lot closer with them." Mostly working things out so that things went under the table and ignored.

"I think it's less about me finding the time and actually taking it," he admitted. "You know me and my devotion to work." Which was part of the nature he had, and the one that most knew of with him. "Of course, when you see another side to me tonight, we'll see what you expect later." Or what could end up happening tonight because he couldn't stop thinking about things he most certainly shouldn't be.

"Do you think I should go snorkling, or you just thinking about me in a swim suit," he asked, arched a brow. "I kind of suspect you mean the latter." And there it was, putting it out there and not regretting it as their drinks were delivered.

"Are you telling me I have you all to myself for... tonight?"

From:

freebaseforger

"In that case, I would say you're a tad bit closer to them than I am." Eames chuckled and felt himself relax in his seat. He was so caught up in their conversation, he hadn't paid any mind to the menus sat before them.

Now that was exactly what Eames had always expected from the point man. To be quite honest, Eames couldn't remember the last time he truly had a vacation when he just relaxed for relaxations sake and wasn't doing business of some kind. He nodded. "I can relate to that," he admitted. "Can't remember the last time I truly had a vacation myself."

Eames smirked. Oh, he did like the idea of seeing another side to the point man, a side that he saw glimpses of in the Netherlands last month. "Looks like we have much to learn about each other, darling."

He chuckled and picked up his glass. "I'd say more so the latter than the former," he mused before taking a drink from his glass. "Though, I would not give up the chance of seeing you in swim trunks and wet. I'm sure it is a fantastic sight." And there was his stance on the situation at hand.

"Tonight...tomorrow," he kept his eyes on the man before him. "Until next week. If you're interested."

From:

loadedparadox

"Only because I had to," he said with a snort, showing how much he didn't really like the whole idea of it. And for Arthur too, the menu was forgotten, though he took a sip of his drink.

"Then you should have one, as should I," he noted, head cocking to one side. "I would say now but that would make it sound like I had dastardly designs on you." And they weren't all that dastardly but there might have been designs.

Arthur couldn't help but laugh, a soft and amused sound. "I'm not nearly as well... developed as some at this table. Not without my strengths but I have been called scrawny in my day," he admitted, thinking about Eames' physique and how he would certainly never be called that.

"Well well," he said, watching Eames over the rim of his glass. "I can't deny that I am quite interested."

From:

freebaseforger

The waiter seemed to grasp the idea that they hadn't at all looked at the menu and left them to it for a few more minutes.

Eames couldn't help it. He took a sip of his drink then casually said, "I should hope that you would have designs on me." He sent the point man a flirtatious wink, smirked and glanced briefly over the menu. They had a full experience menu they could split...

Then he heard what Arthur said and chuckled. Oh he remembered being called scrawny at one period of his life until he started to work out. "Ah, but I'm certain there's something developed underneath those tailored bespoke suits of yours."

Eames arched an eyebrow and allowed his lips to curve up into a smirk. "Then we are in agreement? It will be a relaxing vacation for the both of us."

From:

loadedparadox

Arthur laughed at that comment, opening his menu though his gaze was more on Eames than on the printed words. "You would hope? Is your ego showing again," he asked with a grin. "Or is that wishful thinking for a mutual reciprocity on your part," he said, pushing buttons because he was finding it definitely enjoyable on this date.

And despite himself, or perhaps because of his plans, he couldn't deny that was what it was.

A brow arched and Arthur took another sip of his drink. "Whatever is or isn't under the suit is for you to find out and not be told," he said, almost primly.

A coy smile curved his lips as he looked down at his menu. "Begs the question, do you have accomodations?"

From:

freebaseforger

"What are your thoughts on the full experience menu?" It was relatively steep in price but they would get to try a bit of everything and could be worth it. Besides, they were here together and he was fairly sure neither of them were exactly hurting for money. If they could concentrate long enough of food and not each other. Still, sampling Arthur was certainly something he wanted to do.

He looked across at him and smirked. "Why can't it be both, darling? My ego is a fickle thing," he teased. He had to admit, there was nothing quite like teasing and trading quips on a first date. It certainly wasn't boring.

"I look forward to finding out what is underneath those suits, I admit. Anyway, seeing is much better than being told," he said, glancing him over slowly from his seat.

He hummed. He always came prepared for any situation and this wasn't any different. "Nothing that can't be changed for more preferable accommodations. Are you offering?"

From:

loadedparadox

"I think we should make sure that we have a full experience in everything while we're here," he said with a wicked smile, staring intently at Eames. He just wanted to watch him for his reaction, to see what it was that made him react. A desire for specifics meant in all things, even if it didn't always show.

"I can live with fickle," he said, taking that for a lot, including a warning. Perhaps when this week was over, it would be completely over and done. What stayed in Dubai, perhaps?

Arthur smiled then, winking at Eames. "Maybe you'll get your chance later," he said with a nod, taking a drink.

"Well, don't get your hopes too up. I have a two bedroom suite."

From:

freebaseforger

Eames looked up from the menu and sent Arthur a wicked smile in return. "I'm glad we're in agreement, darling." He has said just what Eames had been thinking.

He nodded. He couldn't say one way or the other what would happen after Dubai but he did know one thing, he wasn't going to waste any time that they had together. Relationships weren't exactly his strong suit. He couldn't even remember when the last time he had a relationship was. But this -- he wasn't sure what this was. This was a date and a lot of hints at more than just a date.

"I do hope so," he said, sending a wink in his direction. Eames sat down the menu again and relaxed in his seat, keeping his eyes on Arthur. Oh but it was easy to keep his eyes on the point man.

"Shame," Eames sighed but the grin that curled on his lips betrayed him. "Might be a lot more fun to share a suite though -- if you're offering."

From:

loadedparadox

Arthur had no idea where they were going, but that didn't stop him or slow him down. He wanted to dive into this, to not back down from it. He wanted this, as much as he had wanted anything in his life, especially in this new life where he had kept himself so closed off from the world.

Oh this was playful and fun and more than Arthur had expected the night to be. Part of him was worried it was spiraling out of control and yet, at the same time, he didn't want it to stop. Not right now. Later, then he'd deal with the fallout. Maybe never if he handled it right.

"Wicked boy," he murmured, sipping and staring at Eames.

"Play nice and who knows where you'll end up though," he said after that single word. "And I am. Offering that is."

From:

freebaseforger

It was the fact that it was Arthur he was flirting with and teasing with that made it comfortable for Eames to truly not care where the night took them - where the week took them and further down the line. Usually, while he teased, snarked and flirted with people easily as Eames, he didn't typically mean it. He used his looks and his charm as a facade to hide the true person that he was underneath that. It was Arthur though and that changed the game. He wanted to see where this went. See where it could go.

His eyebrows rose at the murmured words and a smirk to curl on his lips. "Very," he said with a rakish wink. Oh but Arthur was a minx.

"Taking care of my previous accommodations will not be a problem then," he said and stretched a leg out, his foot perhaps touching one of Arthur's.

The waiter returned then to ask if they were ready to order or if they needed a little longer.

From:

loadedparadox

It was the first time in a long time that Arthur found himself getting in deep and realizing that he liked it. He liked being himself, the man he had been before he'd run and hide, before he became more point man than person. Now though, now he wasn't hiding, he was just being himself and he hadn't realized how much he missed it until then.

His foot shifted, insole brushing Eames' ankle as he looked up, placing their order with a smile. It was only when the waiter left that he returned his gaze to Eames.

"And you don't mention if you plan to be good or not,' he noted, a wicked smile curving his lips.

From:

freebaseforger

The fact that Arthur returned his footsie actions made a crooked smile to bloom on his lips. When Arthur ordered for them, he didn't mind in the least and only handed the menu back off to the waiter. He attention and gaze returned to Arthur as he brought his glass up to his lips and took a drink.

"Oh, what would be the fun in that, darling," he asked with a smirk. "Did you expect me to reveal my hand too soon?"

From:

loadedparadox

He continued that gentle touch, playing and toying with him because he could. And yet, he leaned a bit toward Eames, focusing his gaze on the other man's eyes.

"I think you already have, Darling," he said with a slow drawl. "You've revealed a lot."

From:

freebaseforger

Eames could truly say he didn't mind Arthur playing and toying with him. It was another side to the point man that he was quickly becoming enraptured with. He slid his foot up and along the other man's calf, watching him with an intense gaze.

"Ah, of course," he said. "I think we've both revealed a good deal, don't you?"

From:

loadedparadox

He nodded, unwilling to lie about it at this point. He knew he had shown most of his hand and can't deny that he had shown as much as he had. It worried him a little that he'd shown as much as he had.

"I suspect it is only the beginning," he admitted, downing the rest of his drink.