specifythepoint | (no subject)

The offer stands.

[ he says the words, but it's shaky ground.

the difference between arthur and eames is that eames wouldn't have stuck around through dom's tailspin--wouldn't and hadn't. whether or not this would have held true in arthur's case remains to be seen. ]

I'll remember.

[He takes a moment]

What did I miss?

The usual foolishness.

[ it's hard to say whether or not eames is being close-mouthed deliberately or whether he truly thinks there's nothing worth telling.

he also runs a red light to punctuate the statement. ]

[Arthur sits up]

The usual foolishness like Eddie becoming Deputy Mayor or the usual foolishness like you breaking the law?

Both.

[ and azrael, but eames isn't going to speak of that at all. that little game is private, thus far. ]

I'm afraid my explanations would pale in comparison to what you'll have at your fingertips when you turn on your communicator.

If I live long enough to do it.

[Snort. There's the apartment building coming up]

And...Zatanna?

My driving is impeccable.

[ and terrifying. he waits until he's parked--atrociously, by the by--to answer arthur's question. ]

We've not spoken recently. I've been lying low.

[Arthur is so tired he lets this go. It's not his car, after all.]

Have you been here?

Yes and no.

[ eames puts the heels back on before getting out of the car. the illusions must be maintained, as always. ]

A friend of hers arrived. I'm sure you'll see it in there as well.

[He puts his hand on the base of Eames' back, as if they're dating - again.]

Of course.

You look exhausted.

[ this is said matter of factly, possibly to preface eames taking arthur's suitcase from the backseat and carrying it inside. ]

I flew economy, I haven't slept right in a month.

[ eames pauses in his fussing with the key to raise an eyebrow at arthur. ]

Working on a budget?

Full flight, I needed to get back.

[That's desperate]

Of course I sat next to the the woman with a baby on one side and the teenage girl who wouldn't stop looking at me on the other.

What in the world was so urgent?

[ eames is transparently amused. not even trying to hide it. there is no sympathy here, sorry arthur. ]

The need for real coffee.

[A lie, but an obvious one]

You never have appreciated tea properly.

[ eames is letting it lie, more preoccupied with getting the door to the flat open so he can ripple back into his own body. the clothing that hung loose on his forgery strains at the seams, and he gives a sigh.

someday he'll learn to forge clothing into the bargain. ]

[A smirk]

You need to get out of those.

Do I? I thought I'd keep them on.

[ irritably. do you even know how many outfits he's ruined trying to perfect this arthur? some poor bastard's bank account will never be the same. ]

[Arthur seems amused but he goes to the deliveries and pulls out a suit - it is larger than Arthur, it is intended for Eames]

Here.

[It's not his usual custom suit; it's something a little less formal. The material is funny, slightly, like it has a different sort of drape]

Did you bring me back something?

[ eames does sound vaguely surprised. this wasn't expected. ]

Merry Christmas.

[Said flatly.]

I extracted for a man who told me about a tailor who was working on fabric that was suited for shapeshifter. Your name didn't come up, don't worry.

[ there's obvious pleasure on eames face as he runs a hand over the fabric. eames may never take this suit off. ]

And I haven't gotten you a thing. How rude of me.

You can owe me.

[Arthur doesn't quite smile but then he is very serious]

I thought you might need something.

I do.

[ there's no point in lying about that. how many times has he been stuck in a forge because he couldn't navigate the clothing issue? ]

Thank you, Arthur.

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