undergrounds | you know i would

Arthur sleeps over more often than not now when he ends up at Eames' house. He's grown fond of the man's presence next to him in bed as of late and Eames has been leaving whenever they end up at Arthur's apartment. Arthur knows there's a lot for him to stress about so he doesn't say much but he can't help but feel a little selfish over it. That's why he groans unhappily when he wakes up on this particular morning and sees the spot next to him empty. He had trusted Eames would sleep when they settled down and maybe he did, but Arthur usually wakes up sometime before seven so he knows it's a bit early for someone who doesn't have a regular day job.

He lays there for a few minutes and readies himself for the inevitable getting out of bed situation that's about to start. On the bright side if Eames is awake there's probably coffee already made, and that's what keeps Arthur going as he wanders down the stairs with a bleary frown on his face.

There's coffee in the kitchen, along with a dog sleeping soundly in his crate and Eames at the table with a coffee and his laptop while he has a quiet disagreement with someone over the phone.

He doesn't really notice Arthur when he comes in, too busy leaning over the table with his head held up largely by the hand on his forehead while he clearly struggles not to say eveything he's thinking.

It's safe to say he didn't sleep at all.

Arthur goes straight for the coffee, eavesdropping in to hear what business Eames could possibly dealing with at this time of morning, but it's pretty obvious that either way he hasn't slept and he's probably experiencing a lot of stress right now. Arthur's too tired to function very well, so without thinking much he takes his mug of coffee over to Eames and puts his hand flat on his back, brushing back and forth between his shoulderblades in a way that's supposed to be comforting.

Eames stills a little at the touch — equivalent to a startled jump — but it's brief and he relaxes quickly. As much as he's capable of relaxing right now anyway.

It's a heated discussion seals and rituals, one that Eames seems to be pretty fed up of, but he drops his head a little at the feel of Arthur's hand on his back. Closing his eyes with a soft sigh through his nose.

The positive feedback is encouraging so Arthur keeps it up as he sips his coffee and listens curiously. He figures if Eames didn't want him overhearing the phone call he'd ask him to leave or find a way to hang up but it's nothing highly sensitive as far as he can tell. He's more focused on keeping his hand busy, moving it right across Eames' back now.

There seems to be some disagreement about what is and isn't possible, but after some more not-arguing and a sigh he rubs the bridge of his nose, a none too pleased, "just humour me and look into it? Please? Thank you." Before he hangs up and unceremoniously tosses his phone aside and puts his head in his hands with a groan.

He's so tired.

Arthur continues rubbing Eames' back, too tired to think of much else he can do. Eames is a grown man and doesn't need Arthur to tell him to relax or that sleep will make him feel better, so he settles for just this as he glances at Eames' coffee cup.

"Need a refill?"

Judging by his voice Arthur isn't completely awake yet, but he's awake enough to walk a few steps and get the coffee pot if Eames' coffee is cold.

He looks up at Arthur and then down at his mug, frowning as if the question is a little beyond him for a moment or two before he picks up the empty mug to hold it up with a nod.

"Please."

Arthur puts his own coffee mug down and takes Eames', pouring out the old coffee in the sink just in case before he picks up the pot and refills it. When he brings it back he stays standing, putting his hand on Eames' back again.

"You should come to bed for a while," he says. Yes he is fully intending on laying back down once he's taken stock of this Eames situation here.

Eames takes the mug with a soft "thanks," holding it in both hands and hefting another sigh at the the concept of 'bed.' It's a great idea, one of his favourites right now, but there's so much he needs to do.

"I don't have the time," Eames answers finally, looking up at Arthur with an apologetic frown.

That's about what he expected, but Arthur's not going to give up so quickly. If this were just for Eames' benefit he'd just go back to bed himself but he also wants company while he naps.

"Twenty minutes," he offers, rubbing his hand in small circles again like that will convince him. "It'll help you think."

Eames doesn't know that he believes Arthur, but he sighs and gives in. It wasn't going to be a hard fight for Arthur to win anyway, or much of a fight at all, not with the bone-deep exhaustion Eames is feeling and the way laying down for a while sounds like maybe the best idea he's ever heard.

"Fine," he sighs, "twenty minutes."

"Good," Arthur says, satisfied with that response. He withdraws and turns to go back upstairs. "Let's go."

Well, he would've preferred to finish his coffee downstairs but Arthur's already going so Eames gets up and follows him. Leaning in the doorway while he works on said coffee once they get to the bedroom.

Arthur just puts his coffee down on the bedside table and slips back under the covers, raising an eyebrow at Eames as if to tell him he's not getting out of this that easily if that's what he thinks he's doing.

God, he can't believe he's being harassed into laying down in his own home. Eames sighs and puts his mug down next to Arthur's and gets into bed next to him, staring up at the ceiling like he's entirely forgotten how to relax. Because he has.

Arthur turns on his side towards Eames and puts his hand on his chest, lazily rubbing back and forth again like he was doing downstairs. It has the bonus effect of alerting him if Eames decides to get back up again. "Just relax," he says.

"I can't," it's practically a hiss, and it's obvious in the way his whole body is tense. He feels like he's just waiting for something to happen, and laying here like this is just leaving him unprepared when it does.

"Eames," Arthur says, still in a sleepy mumble but more firm than before. "Whatever it is that you're worried about happening, or whatever you have to do today, you'll deal with it better if you rest first."

That was actual advice and not pure selfishness on his part. He is capable.

Well that gets a humourless laugh out of him, because if it was as easy as just switching off he'd do it. Eames turns his head to frown at Arthur.

He's not saying a word. Just frowning.

Arthur senses Eames is looking at him, so he opens his eyes to give Eames a flat look in return. "I was in the marines," he says. "I know what I'm talking about. Focus on your breathing. Count to seven in, then count to seven out."

It's clear he's just reiterating all the stuff he used to use to make it through the rougher nights in the military so there's not much command in his tone, just easy suggestion. When they were hunting vampires there were nights where they knew they might be woken up to fight off an attack, but they had to sleep anyway to make sure they were ready. He's speaking from experience.

He rolls his eyes, but Eames does as he's told. Closing his eyes and taking long, deep breaths. It's the same kind of stuff you say to someone when they're panicking; focus on your breathing and don't think about anything except counting. He's said the same thing to people enough times to know it works.

Doesn't make him frown any less while he does it though.

If it helps, Arthur's breath is evening out beside him as he starts to drift back off, his hand still resting on Eames' chest. He was doomed from the beginning as far as staying awake was concerned, and Eames' body heat in the bed beside him is making things a whole lot worse.

To his credit, Eames does try. He lays there for at least an hour trying to even himself out enough to sleep, but it's just not happening. He's too highly strung to be able to just breathe and shut off, kinda thinking maybe he just needs to keep going until he can't and his body takes matters out of his hands.

Eventually, after having given up on ever experiencing the phenomenon known as 'rest' ever again, Eames tries his best to get out of bed without jostling Arthur awake and picks up his mug to go shove the remnants of his coffee in the microwave. Might as well feed the dog while he's down there too.

Edited 2017-04-02 18:31 (UTC)

It only takes Arthur a few minutes to start waking up after Eames is gone, but he feels much better than he did an hour before and could potentially function like a full human being given another minute or so. He frowns at the spot Eames was in before he finally rolls out of bed but ultimately he decides not to make a big deal out of it. Clearly the man has a lot on his mind and Arthur isn't about to start mothering him even if he truly believes some proper rest would help Eames deal.

He helps himself to Eames' shower to further wake himself up and freshen up a bit before he leaves and then he puts his clothes from last night back on to the minimum of what is acceptable. By the time he's coming downstairs he has his pants, belt, and shirt back on, the top two buttons undone, and his hair combed into something that could be called order. He comes downstairs with the rest of his stuff in his arms and dumps it one one of Eames' kitchen chairs as he looks to see what Eames is up to now.

Petting a dog mostly, it's all he has the energy for. The same dog who immediately comes over to start making a fuss over Arthur now he's downstairs, circling excitedly around him and putting his paws up on Arthur's hips for attention.

Eames, meanwhile, is gonna take this opportunity to drag himself to a seat and stare out the window at the horrible weather outside with his lukewarm coffee in his hands.

Arthur sighs as he scratches Boxer's ears, giving him a bit of attention before he turns his attention back to Eames.

"Guess I'm gonna go," he says, "unless you... need anything." He gestures vaguely, knowing the offer sounds awkward even as it's leaving his mouth. Eames just seems to be in such a state it feels wrong not to do it, and Arthur really wouldn't mind doing something small to make this whole thing a little more manageable.

Eames lifts his head to look up at Arthur tiredly, a littlw less than enthused that he's leaving but it's understandable. Arthur has better things to do than try and get Eames to stay in bed. It's nice having Arthur here, but he's not about to ask him to stay like he needs it.

Still, he stands to move over to Arthur and put his hands on Arthur's chest, smoothing out his shirt a little in a small gesture of affection and leaning in to nose a little at his jaw with a softly murmured apology.

Arthur's charmed enough that he lets out a soft, incredulous laugh. "Don't apologize," he says, bringing his hands up to Eames' waist lightly. "I get it. I'm just trying to help, that's all, but you seem like you don't need me hovering right now."

There's still a dog here, and he tries to wiggle his snout under one of Arthur's hands because nobody here is paying attention to him but they're touching eachother and that is unacceptable.

Eames huffs a small laugh at Boxer's behaviour and pulls back to look at Arthur's face, "I can't turn it off." He shakes his head, frowning a little, "believe me, I'd much rather stay in bed with you then be down here fretting about everything."

Arthur's distracted temporarily, scratching Boxer's ear again to keep him satisfied. When he looks back up at Eames his eyebrows are knit together in sympathy.

"If I knew how to help you I would."

"I know. I appreciate it," he says softly, leaning back in to nose at Arthur's face a little more and try and coax him into a kiss. Because if Arthur's going to leave he'd at least like to get some of that action in first.

Arthur's definitely here for that, melting into Eames a little bit as he brings his hands up to cup Eames' jaw.

Eames hums softly, pressing a hand to Arthur's back as he leans into the kiss, pulling Arthur closer to him for the moment.

Arthur wraps his arms around Eames' neck, happily pressing his whole body against Eames. He tends to feel extra affectionate first thing in the morning, and it's nice to indulge that once in a while. Especially with someone as comfortable as Eames.

Eames grins a little into the kiss, winding his arms around Arthur with a gently pleased noise, and nipping a little at his bottom lip when he pulls back to speak quietly.

"You sure you have to go?" He asks, because he's the worst at good timing.

Arthur sighs and scratches lightly at the base of Eames' neck. He doesn't really have anything to do immediately but he had already mentally prepared himself to leave and go start the day. Still it's nice to stay.

"I don't have to," he admits.

"Because..." Eames drawls, bringing his hands around to Arthur's hips like he's planning to try and jostle him back to bed, "I could stand to do this for a while."

"You're impossible," Arthur tells him, but the corner of his mouth is tugging into a smirk. It doesn't take long for him to say, "I'll stay," as he's leaning in for another quick kiss. It wouldn't have taken much to convince him anyway.

He grins back and uses his grip on Arthur's hips to walk him back toward the stairs with a pleased, "good."

you know i would

Eames - 04/02

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