You know, I don't think I've ever had so many backhanded compliments at once before.
Also Barlow is shit, thanks for the secondary reminder.
[ There's a lot here he doesn't want to unpack so he deflects. Most of all, the fact that Eames trusts him to this extent; it's flattering (professionally) and horrifying (personally) at the same time. Trust in their world is hard to come back. And even more difficult to keep. ]
[ They really do know each other too well at this point. ]
Alright old man, relax. I've got a potential job lined up. Decent pay, interesting work. Not stateside, somewhere in Bermuda, actually. Do you still extract?
[ It's in the middle of a job, albeit a boring one. It's over text. It's toeing the line of some unspoken thing between them and Arthur doesn't know how ready he is for this.
It's also getting closer and closer to what Mal wanted for the two of them and Arthur is getting tired of the quiet grief he feels thinking about that. He's also tired of himself, for dodging the bullet like some coward. ]
How would you feel about taking more jobs together?
[ Because it's easier to frame this in a business sense than anything else. ]
( He's fairly certain they're going to skirt around the issue for the rest of their lives. Eames isn't a coward, but this - ? Arthur's the one constant in his life that knows as much of him as he's willing to give out. He can't fuck that up, no matter how badly his heart aches.. )
i'd like that. i do my best work with you, might as well make it more of an official arrangement.
( BUT THAT MEANS HE'LL HAVE TO LOOK AT ARTHUR MORE. FUCK. )
[ And that's it. No backing down or out now, not when Eames has given his answer. Sure, Arthur could be an ass and renege on the offer, but he isn't going to. Doesn't want to, despite the fact this closer partnership could end up ugly.
They'll be working together from now on. It'll be odd, not being seen as a solo flier or as someone attached to Dom Cobb's heels. He's looking forward to it. ]
I'd write us up a contract but it's probably just more effective to remind you that if I have to shoot you, I will.
I was going to say "hearts, only if they're bleeding" but then, that sounds a bit like a serial killer. Also who says I can't do flowers? I'll have you know my mom was a florist.
Let's not get hasty with the assumptions. Sometimes your ethic makes me want to punch you somewhere vulnerable. But not always.
( His mother was a florist. Eames has to pause long enough to recover from the spasm of delight that gives him, carefully tucking away the information in his mental Arthur folder. )
there are far easier ways to get your hands on my balls, arthur.
( IF ONLY YOU LOVED HIM. )
but i'll be on my best behaviour. wouldn't want to damage your reputation.
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( He's pining, and bored, and there's nothing but this textual conversation to keep his interest. )
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I guess more to the point: why am I the person you text when you're bored?
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( DON'T ASK HIM THAT. )
you might come across as an uptight, rule-following, stick-in-the-arse bore, arthur. but i know better.
you're the only one in this game i trust. so i know if i tell you that barlow is fucking shit, i'm not going to get stabbed in the back.
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Also Barlow is shit, thanks for the secondary reminder.
[ There's a lot here he doesn't want to unpack so he deflects. Most of all, the fact that Eames trusts him to this extent; it's flattering (professionally) and horrifying (personally) at the same time. Trust in their world is hard to come back. And even more difficult to keep. ]
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( Where's the mini-bar? )
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I still terrify you? That's news.
Flattered, though. What're you doing after this job? If it doesn't drain you of all your life force like those re-deads from Zelda.
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( WHY DOES HE LIKE THAT STUPID FACE? )
darling, i'm too old for zelda. i don't even know what zelda fucking is. but after this job? i don't know.
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[ They really do know each other too well at this point. ]
Alright old man, relax. I've got a potential job lined up. Decent pay, interesting work. Not stateside, somewhere in Bermuda, actually. Do you still extract?
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I'll email you the details.
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( Gross, gross, gross. )
you're the best. for you it's less of a promise than a fact.
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You sure you wanna have this conversation?
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[ It's in the middle of a job, albeit a boring one. It's over text. It's toeing the line of some unspoken thing between them and Arthur doesn't know how ready he is for this.
It's also getting closer and closer to what Mal wanted for the two of them and Arthur is getting tired of the quiet grief he feels thinking about that. He's also tired of himself, for dodging the bullet like some coward. ]
How would you feel about taking more jobs together?
[ Because it's easier to frame this in a business sense than anything else. ]
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i'd like that. i do my best work with you, might as well make it more of an official arrangement.
( BUT THAT MEANS HE'LL HAVE TO LOOK AT ARTHUR MORE. FUCK. )
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They'll be working together from now on. It'll be odd, not being seen as a solo flier or as someone attached to Dom Cobb's heels. He's looking forward to it. ]
I'd write us up a contract but it's probably just more effective to remind you that if I have to shoot you, I will.
[ such romance ]
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( Business wise, obviously. )
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but i'm glad my work ethic no longer turns your stomach ;)
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Let's not get hasty with the assumptions. Sometimes your ethic makes me want to punch you somewhere vulnerable. But not always.
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there are far easier ways to get your hands on my balls, arthur.
( IF ONLY YOU LOVED HIM. )
but i'll be on my best behaviour. wouldn't want to damage your reputation.
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[ this is a bad idea and he really shouldn't be opening this door but here he is. ]
Look, if we're being honest, I'm not really worried about you damaging my rep. You're good at what you do, Eames.
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( He's preening now, his ego stroked and the joy of having a back and forth with Arthur making him feel much better. )
we make a good team.
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2. Just because I shave doesn't mean I hold everyone else to the same standard.
[ TMI? Oh well. Enjoy that image. ]
Even when I want to strangle you half to death, yeah. We do.
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Well. )
i'm not a neanderthal, i do read.
( He will not get a stiffy over imagining Arthur shaving his junk. He won't. He's not that far gone. )
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