pointedlook | xx. a musebox

From:

That's a little scary, frankly, that you know.

[ 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?

From:

plagiary

ooh, bermuda. let me pack my shorts. and for you? anything.

From:

pointedlook

Anything? Dangerous words. Don't make promises you can't keep.

I'll email you the details.

From:

plagiary

darling.

( Gross, gross, gross. )

you're the best. for you it's less of a promise than a fact.

From:

pointedlook

Flatterer.

You sure you wanna have this conversation?

From:

plagiary

why wouldn't i?

From:

pointedlook

Just, you know.

[ 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. ]

From:

plagiary

( 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. )

From:

pointedlook

[ 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.

[ such romance ]

From:

plagiary

it's a good thing i'm already gone for your competitance, arthur. otherwise i'd tell you to work on your wooing skills.

( Business wise, obviously. )

From:

pointedlook

Who says I've been attempting to woo you? Obviously competence matters most, otherwise I'd be offering a partnership to someone else, Mr Eames.

From:

plagiary

you're more guns and death defying outcomes than you are hearts and flowers.

but i'm glad my work ethic no longer turns your stomach ;)

From:

pointedlook

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.

From:

plagiary

( 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.

From:

pointedlook

Oh, are you offering?

[ 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.

From:

plagiary

for you? always. although you seem like a bloke who likes a little manscaping. and darling, no. i'm sorry, but no.

( 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.

From:

pointedlook

1. I can't believe you just used the word manscaping.
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.

From:

plagiary

( Well.

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. )

From:

pointedlook

I wasn't accusing you of illiteracy. Just for using the word manscaping in an unironic sentence.

[ Also hey is it weird he's now considering what Eames' dick looks like? No? He should've worn different trousers today. ]

From:

plagiary

'masculine grooming'? what's the cock version of a bikini wax? bungie smuggler tidy-up?

From:

pointedlook

I hate that I've had to read any of these words. I don't now, I guess bikini wax is an all encompassing thing.

If you really needed a phrase that matched, speedo wax, which. Ugh.

From:

plagiary

i can't picture you wearing a speedo.

( ACTUALLY, HE CAN. )

although you seem the time to burn easily.

From:

pointedlook

I wore one, once. It's not something I'd do a repeat performance for; jock straps are somehow more comfortable.

I do, actually. Usually I go for the wetsuit so there's less skin to burn. Slathering all that lotion on is a pain in the ass.

From:

plagiary

( Oh no. Oh no. Danger Will Robinson. )

i'm sure it wouldn't be hard to find someone pretty and willing to do the job for you.

what's your type? i'll keep a lookout.