undergrounds | you know i would

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

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