Dinner in Dubai - For Clarkie

[loadedparadox]

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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[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.

[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.

[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?"

[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."

[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."

Ohhh, I have to say - it'd be interesting to see how Inception/post-Inc plays out with these two. :D

[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."

Oh definitely!

[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?"

[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?"

[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."

[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."

[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."

[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.

[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.

[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?"

[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."

[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?"

[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.

[freebaseforger]

Eames didn't feel any better about it than Arthur did. Here they were, two men who prided themselves on keeping things close to the vest and they were spilling more than they probably intended to each other. "As do I," he admitted and finished off his drink. "Another?" he asked, nodding to the glass. He could probably use another.

[loadedparadox]

He nodded, sitting back. "Yeah. I need another one," he admitted, sighing heavily. "I think we need to set at least one ground rule," he said, knowing suddenly he sounded like the point man that Eames knew more than the boy he'd sounded like a moment before.

"No matter what happens this weekend, I don't want this to change anything. We go back to working together, no matter what happens. Agree?"

[freebaseforger]

Eames nodded his head in agreement before he looked over, caught the eye of the waiter to get two more drinks sent their way. He turned back to Arthur and breathed a silent sigh of relief. "No, I definitely agree," he said. "I agree, we go back to working together no matter what. I suspect we should keep this close to the vest too, yeah?"

[loadedparadox]

Part of Arthur did wonder if Eames was ashamed to be involved with him. Despite the dozen reasons why he could see the logic of it, that it would protect them both - especially if it ever became something - he had that momentary twinge that perhaps it was something more. Yet he nodded.

"Of course, that makes sense. Can't imagine Cobb's reaction." Which was the least of the ones he worried about."

[freebaseforger]

Eames was far from ashamed. In fact, he was proud to be at dinner with someone like Arthur who was intelligent, deadly with a weapon and his tongue and gorgeous. Still, there were reasons upon reasons why they couldn't just let it out that they were together, right? He didn't hear Arthur argue with that so he nodded.

"Right, course," he said with a nod as the waiter brought over their fresh drinks and took the empty glasses with him as he left again. If there was anyone that Eames wanted a relationship of soem kind to work out with, it would be Arthur.

[loadedparadox]

He waited for the waiter to come and go, picking up his glass and taking a drink. He settled back in his chair, crossing one leg over the other. He watched Eames with a dark gaze, definitely enjoying the beauty of the man across from him.

"To you now thinking of nothing but being inside my vest," he said with a laugh.

[freebaseforger]

Eames picked up his glass and took a drink from it before licking his lips. He allowed one side of his lips to curl up into a smirk as he looked over the man across from him. "I wouldn't so much as say only your vest, darling," he purred and allowed the insole of his shoe to slide along the other man's ankle slowly before he sat up straighter and moved his foot away.

It was amazing. The underwater ocean was just on the other side of the glass and yet, Eames found himself hardly taking his eyes off his date for the evening.

[loadedparadox]

It was Eames' tone that made Arthur chuckle and not the joke. "All of it is running around in your head, isn't it," he asked, knowing the forger had one hell of an imagination. "What I have to wonder though is if you think this was all a ploy to try and get you alone and naked."

It hadn't been Arthur's intent, yet he couldn't help but wonder if Eames had arrived expecting this, or at the very least thinking about it. Arthur hadn't allowed himself those thoughts until he'd seen the forger there in the lobby.