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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[freebaseforger]

Eames nodded in understanding and agreement. His lips curled up. Oh but he knew what that must have meant. "You were taken by my presence," he couldn't help but tease the other man. "Approve of the suit then, darling?"

He placed his arms on the table as he leaned closer toward Arthur, keeping his eyes on him. "Then we're in agreement. A week then we figure out what to do from there," he said, lifting a hand to brush over Arthur's cheek - touching as he had wanted to since he met the man in the lobby.

He couldn't help but think that they had a lot of similarities. They both had two sides to them that not many people were privy to and that alone gave them the biggest connection, he would say.

[loadedparadox]

"The suit is nice," he agreed, rolling his eyes playfully at the rest of it. "But it wasn't the suit that caught my eye. Something about you since I started learning more about the real you," he admitted, knowing that Eames would know what he meant.

He blinked at that, leaning into the touch before he could stop himself. Damn but it was gentle and intimate and not at all common for him. "Just look towards this week," he nodded, knowing he couldn't let himself think past it or too much logic would get in the way.

[freebaseforger]

And Eames did know what Arthur meant. It was how he was feeling regarding the point man and his other side as well. "I think that's the most romantic thing anyone has ever said to me," his lips curled up. He liked the fact that Arthur enjoyed the real him and not merely the facade that he put on.

He watched as Arthur tilted his head into his hand and smiled. "I look forward to it," he said, softer than normal before he settled in his seat and rest his hand back on the table in front of them.

[loadedparadox]

He grinned as their food arrived. "You need to spend time with a better quality of criminal then," he said with a smile. "You deserve to hear more romantic things."

And he honestly believed that. He wasn't laying down lines but being sincere.

[freebaseforger]

He was silent as their food was placed in front of him and couldn't help but send Arthur a smile. "Is that right," he asked. Eames knew that Arthur was telling the truth though - at least with him and where they were now.

"Enlighten me, darling, a better quality of criminal would include...you?" Oh, but he hoped so. He didn't need compliments or romantic things but sometimes...well, sometimes it was nice to hear regardless if you needed them or not.

[loadedparadox]

He was digging himself into a hole, but the truth was that Arthur couldn’t stop himself. It was much more amusing than it should have been to tease and play like this.

“I am the best quality of criminal you can find,” he said with a snort, lifting his chin and smiling. “And a better romantic than I’m sure those that claim I have no imagination could believe,” he said, definitely teasing then.

[freebaseforger]

Eames started on an oyster and choked back a laugh. Once he finished his bite, he wiped off his mouth and sent a grin across the table. "Touche, darling," he said. "I do have to say that so far, it has been a very romantic evening." They were here after all and all around them were couples and perhaps business men with their mistresses or business partners.

He was having far too much fun with the teasing and the playful banter that hadn't disappeared after learning about each other's secret identities.

[loadedparadox]

He should have felt bad about making him choke but the truth was, it was another level of enjoyment. Oh but how amused he was, watching the other man with a bright grin and a raised brow as he reached for an oyster.

“I’m trying, without a single plan for it. Though I may have to slip away at some point during dinner so that I might be able to arrange for much more romantic things back in the room. Wouldn’t do to let it die after we eat, no would it?”

[freebaseforger]

"No, indeed it wouldn't," he agreed with a wicked little wink. "And tomorrow I will arrange to pick up my things at my previous accommodation."

Oh, but he was looking forward to whatever they would come up with after dinner. "Is skinny dipping involved at all," he asked with a teasing tone.

[loadedparadox]

At that Arthur smiled, but it wasn't even impish. It was wicked and wild. He was definitely enjoying himself. "So you're already planning to sleep in the nude tonight," he asked at the comment about his items not being picked up until the next day. "Certainly not going to complain. Not as if I've gotten the best of looks at that ink."

Arthur shook his head. "I won't tell."

[freebaseforger]

"Now, whoever said that I would be sleeping in the nude tonight?" Oh but Eames did look positively wicked. An apt way of putting it is like the cat that ate the canary. "I do have something on underneath my slacks, darling and you do have two bedrooms." He sent Arthur a teasing wink before nudging one of Arthur's feet with his foot.

He chuckled. "Keep your secrets then," he smirked.

[loadedparadox]

"I believe I did," he said with a smirk. "Didn't you hear me say it?" Definitely pushing his luck but enjoying himself more than he had in years. "But take the second bedroom, and try and not sleep walk out of desire," he said.

Yet his smile only grew. "You'll learn them in due time."

[freebaseforger]

"Wicked man," Eames said with a smirk, looking over at Arthur with a heated gaze. "But, I do think you must have me confused with yourself, darling." He was very much enjoying himself more than he had in a long time. It was needless to say that he was very open to seeing where the night took them and whether or not that lead to one bed or two beds...or a wall.

He chuckled. "Is that right," he asked, musingly. "I look forward to it," he purred.

It was freeing to let his guard down a little in front of this man. They had both done it over the course of the evening so far and they were only at dinner. Had it been anyone else, he wouldn't be nearly this comfortable nor open. But it was Arthur and that made the whole situation different.

[loadedparadox]

"Myself? Are you saying I'll become so stricken with desire for you that I'll forgo modesty and manners to molest you in your room," he asked, drawling out the words while watching Eames intently. "Is that the accusation you're making?" One brow arched as he bit the inside of his lip to try and keep himself from grinning.

"As you should. Despite the beliefs held by some, I'm amazing versatile and more delightful than I suspect even you can imagine," he said, pushing those buttons one more time.

He leaned a bit closer, smiling conspiratorially. "How nervous does this make you," he asked. "Because I'm practically shaking."

[freebaseforger]

Eames tilted his head. "That was what I insinuated. Do keep up now," he said, not holding back his grin at all. "After all, you were the one that suggested that I would be naked by the end of the night, were you not?"

"Watch it - may have to throw your skinny arse in the ocean for all your lip," Eames sent him a smirk, taking a sip of his scotch. "With with your suit on."

He leaned a bit closer toward Arthur. "A bit -- quite a bit." But it wasn't a bad nervous. It was a good nervous. A very good nervous.

[loadedparadox]

"Oh, you're the one that will have to keep up," he said, definitely willing to twist Eames' words now. "And I do think you're capable of it," he said, smirk growing to a full on grin. "If you try hard enough. And don't think I don't see that threat for what it's for. Trying to get me naked first," he teased.

He nodded at that admission. "Good. Glad I'm not the only one."

One course was traded for the next and fresh drinks brought without them asking.

[freebaseforger]

"I'm glad you have so much faith in me, Arthur," Eames said, not keeping in his chuckle. He raised an eyebrow. "Shame and here I was being subtle," he teased. "I did say with the suit, yeah?" Course, that meant afterward, Arthur would want to undress -- or so Eames would hope.

Eames was equally glad that he wasn't the only one nervous. "Same," he agreed. He fell quiet as the dishes were exchanged for new dishes and their drinks were brought over. It was nice to not have to ask for that. He sent Arthur a smirk before he started taking a bite of his food.

"I have the strangest feeling that we'll both get what we want tonight."

[loadedparadox]

"More than you think," said while still smiling and yet deadly serious. "You? Subtle? your wardrobe speaks better than that." He paused, looking him over slowly. "Well, your traditional dress, not this."

For a moment he was quiet, enjoying the meal. His gaze slipped to the tank, then back to Eames with a faint smile as he considered that statement.

"I believe that is definitely the goal. Now we just hope we both can keep compromising," he teased, thinking back to their past.

[freebaseforger]

The smile remained on Eames' lips while he studied Arthur silently. "You wouldn't have given me that last job if you didn't," he said, confidently and smoothly. He raised an eyebrow with a smirk. "I have my reasons to dress the way I do when I'm on a job in the community but this, this I would like to say is my normal wardrobe style."

Even the moments of silence was nice and comfortable between them but honestly, Eames didn't expect it being anything less. His lips curled up as he sent Arthur a smirk. "Here's to that," he said, picking up his glass to tap against Arthur's. He thought they could do it. They had done it so far anyway.

[loadedparadox]

Eames had him there and Arthur was willing to say so. "All right then. You can be utterly subtle in the job. In your clothes... only when it is the job," he said with a laugh. He looked at him. "So this is you normally," he asked. "I think we definitely will need more time outside of work then, hmmm?"

He lifted his glass in toast and then took a drink. "We should make sure to order breakfast soon as we get back to my suite," he added with a smirk.

[freebaseforger]

Eames laughed and nodded. He would certainly agree with that. "This is me normally," he agreed then raised an eyebrow. "Like what you see then, darling? Not going to be disappointed when we meet on a job and I'm dressed as the forger?" His tone was playful of course. He fully expected for things to not have changed in the workplace - they did have reputations to uphold after all. "You're in luck however, I agree that we will definitely need more time outside of the work place."

He took a drink from his glass before he sat it down. "So long as waffles are included, I think that is a brilliant plan."

[loadedparadox]

Arthur went silent, not saying anything for a long time. Instead he shifted in his seat, looking Eames over for a long time. A slow, wicked smile curved his lips. "I won't mind at all," he admitted. "I'll just think about you naked and that will solve the problem and then I can ignore those clothes you tend to wear," he teased, sounding pleased with himself.

"I'm sure we can arrange for that, Mr Eames."

[freebaseforger]

Arthur certainly had him there and he couldn't resist the urge to smile, his eyes darkening a shade. "Now, that is something I will have to keep in mind on future jobs. You imagining me naked - when you pull your eyes away from your research of course."

[loadedparadox]

"What makes you think I'm incapable of doing both," he asked, arching a brow in challenge. "I am a very talented man with skills you can't even begin to imagine."

All of it said in that same low, dark rumble as he watched Eames intently.

[freebaseforger]

Eames arched an eyebrow, slowly smirking. "Oh, but I am looking forward to learning about these...talents, Arthur." His voice had a purring quality to it as he looked at the other man with his own intense gaze.