specification | [Heart in a Knot] We're on the cusp of something (w/ Tony)

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[Heart in a Knot] We're on the cusp of something (w/ Tony)

The news of Maurice Fischer's death hit Arthur's radar within minutes/hours of it happening.

It didn't take long for Arthur to pack up what he had and be on the way to the warehouse to warn Cobb, getting there at the same time as Saito's driver pulled in.

After that, it was a flurry of activity. To get Eames and Yusuf to the warehouse, to make sure all documentation of the job was burned and to clean the warehouse of any fingerprints or discriminating evidence of their actions.

Saito assured them that he had the best team on it but Arthur preferred to do his own clean up. To make sure what needed to be burned was burned, etc.

Soon, they were all at the airport as they waited for the flight that would take them to Australia to meet up with Robert Fischer.

Arthur sat with a cup of airport coffee resting on a knee held onto by one hand and his phone in the other, flipping through news reports for something to catch his eye. After a few minutes, he typed out a text to Tony.

We're on the move. If all goes as planned, I'll be in LA by the weekend.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

He couldn't help himself from being playful, taking his time, just so he could watch that light in Arthur's eyes. Loving that look, how sexy it was. Sexier as he moved to curl up in bed with him, sighing as he curled in close to the other man.

He needed this. He hadn't even expect to have it again, when that phone had gone unanswered he thought that recording could be the last thing they had. But now they had one another again, they had this, and he was going to make it through it all. They both were.

Kissing him back, slow, tender, nuzzling at the corner of his mouth. "I'm glad you're here. When you didn't answer that phone..." He sighed, shaking his head.

When that call he had made right after Inception went to voicemail, there was a part of Arthur that was wondering if he was simply too late. It was as close to panicked as Arthur got and to be honest, the entire flight from California to New York felt like it had taken far too long. He exhaled a soft breath and curled in even closer to him.

He smiled softly at the nuzzle to his mouth. "I'm glad I'm here too," he said, his voice softer. He cupped Eames' cheek and looked at him. "I worried too... after I couldn't get a hold of you after we landed in LA."

But, somehow, Saito had known.

He had been out of it, the suit smashed, and he couldn't imagine what it must have been like. No. He knew. They had both been there, dealt with that, had that moment of panic when they were positive they had lost the other. Now though they were together.

"So did you just come here to make sure I was here?" He hadn't realized that somehow Saito knew. Or that he worked with the man. He definitely knew his name, the man as a legend.

There was no doubt about it. Arthur had a moment of panic when he wasn't able to reach Tony before his flight to New York took off. That panic had stayed with him until he managed to consider the thought that Tony was simply too much... Tony Stark to die like that.

His mouth twitched. "I came here because I heard that you were here and I wanted to see for myself that you were alive." He paused. "It was only when we landed that I started hearing about what happened. If it wasn't for Saito... it probably would have been tomorrow before I could get a flight in."

That made him pause, arching a brow. "So that's where Saito has been? He was with y... Oh that sneaky son of a bitch," he said, sounding more proud than he did upset. "I don't even have to ask you who the job was," he said, though he knew that he would never ask. Arthur was free to tell him things, but for the same reason he'd first had Arthur in to militarize him, he hadn't thought to invade that privacy and the things that Arthur did. Saito being on it though made it obvious.

"The old man died and..." He laughed, shaking his head. "Funny thing is? I didn't even think about it myself," he admitted, still amused. "Glad he keeps track of me like I do him," he said, sighing and pulling Arthur in for a soft kiss. He paused, midkiss. "Wait, is that why he just bought an airline?"

Now it was Arthur's turn to pause as he looked at Tony with raised eyebrows.

Of course they had known each other. Though he had suspected it, after all Saito had sent him over on a plain, this was proof that they knew each other.

He chuckled softly and shook his head as Tony took that in and talked. "I'm surprised that you didn't," he teased him with a little grin. Arthur hummed and pressed another kiss to his lips. "He thought it would be 'neater'. It has come in handy."

"Don't give me that look," he said, thinking it was about using dream share and not knowing Saito. "You have to use the advantages you have, especially when you're me and half the public adores Iron Man and the other half is mad I'm not still making weapons," he admitted, shrugging a shoulder.

"I am surprised. And hurt at myself. I'm slacking," he said with a sigh, not sounding at all upset as he held Arthur close, murring softly at the kiss they shared. He did like those small kisses as much as the deeper ones. "And he'll sell it for a profit in six months time, bet you anything. He's good for those turnovers."

"No, I agree. I'm... just more or less surprised that you know Saito. Of course you know Saito," he said with a little grin.

He hummed softly and pressed in as close to the other man as he could. He had been without the man's touch for far too long. Before Tony, he never felt that separation with another. Not like this anyway. Now he just felt as though he couldn't get enough.

"He is but for what it's worth, it was helpful. Though, now I'm wondering what he'll want in return," he said, though he was partly teasing. They had just completed Inception. He was pretty sure it was an extended thank you if anything.

"There's a rich bastards club, didn't you know that?" Which might or might not be true. Who knew. Maybe it was just a joke, but given Tony Stark and Saito, it might totally be true. They were the sort to have exactly like that.

His hands stroked over his side, the line of Arthur's back. Just wanting to touch, to hold him close, to pet him and show him how thankful he was for Peter to have him home, to have him close to him.

"You got him what he wanted. It may be enough at that. Unless you mean about the airlines. I may actually offer to buy it from him, and give it to you for a gift."

Arthur chuckled and looked at him. "If there was, I am undoubtedly sure that you'd be president of this club." Considering Tony Stark and Saito - it may be unofficial, but they'd have some kind of club. They were the type.

As Tony slide his hand over his back, Arthur made another sound from the back of his throat. He was simply content, right this second, to be with him. To just touch and hold onto him without something pressing needing to be done just then.

"I was mostly thinking in return of sending me on my flight here," he mused with a smile. "Oh?" Arthur's gaze went to Tony's. "To me?" Arthur was well off on his own but not nearly as well off as Tony was and the mere indication of buying an airline... well that was something else entirely.

He laughed but nodded. "I am, though Saito and I trade off. Mostly to ensure that Emma Frost never gets it," he added. Maybe he was kidding. Maybe it was a joke. Maybe it was the truth and the Hellfire Club was alive and well and Tony, like his father, was a member.

"He likely did it for me," He admitted. "And for what you did for him. Yes you were likely paid, but you gave him our world by the reins," he pointed out. "Sure. Why not. Wouldn't it be useful for business to have an airline at your beck and call with an ability to bypass most security?"

He watched Tony's face as he talked with his mouth curled up. "I bet, you're proving correct a few dozen conspiracy theorists out there," he teased him. When it came down to it though? Arthur felt there was probably a club out there just like that, that both Saito and Tony Stark belonged to. After all, if Nordic mythology was seen to be true, why not the Hellfire Club?

"Then it makes me wonder how he found out about us in the first place," he said. They tried to keep their relationship off the radar and they usually succeeded. Though, for a man like Saito, and even Arthur himself, he probably had his means of finding out information if he wanted it hard enough.

Arthur tilted his head and smiled at him. "It would be very useful."

He looked entirely wide eyed and innocent, trying his best to smile innocently. With his 'evil goatee" he failed greatly. "Who do you think feeds them the information they get," he asked, slowly beginning to smile.

He fell quiet, considering that. "That is an important question, and I may have to ask him about it. I admit, now that you've said it that way, I'm curious." Yet he trusted their gentleman's agreements through life to not worry about it as a bad thing. Just a curious one. "I would say we're not as circumspect as we think we are, but the media doesn't know. I'll ask him," he said with a smirk, leaning in to kiss Arthur softly. "If he wanted to out us, he wouldn't have helped you. It's not how he does things."

"Well then. There's going to be your welcome home present," he offered.

Arthur chuckled, shaking his head. "Wouldn't surprise me in the least, Mr. Stark," he said with an amused look.

It could have been worse. In that, the person who found out about them could have been worse. At least it wasn't the media or any enemies Arthur had out there - or even those that Tony may have. He nodded. "No, that's true. If he wanted to out us, doubt he would have flown me here."

Arthur smiled and leaned in, pressing a slow and deep kiss to Tony's mouth. He loved the scratch of Tony's goatee and mustache against his skin.

"That's because you know me almost better than most." Because he knew the only one who knew him more was Pepper, and they both knew that.

"It would have hit the media already. Likely he's sucking up for good will in the future, and maybe to make sure we both stay hush about how he managed to obtain what he will own sooner than later," he pointed out. "Whichever it is, I don't think we have to worry about it."

That was good, and he liked it, kissing him back. Slow. Deep. Enjoying that taste, knowing he was there and safe. That was what mattered.

It was true. Over the years since they'd met through Mal, he had grown to know Tony very well. Better than anyone other than Pepper. He smiled. "I do at that," he agreed.

He nodded. His speculation regarding Saito and his motivations did seem pretty spot on considering what he knew about the man and what he had observed over the months they had worked together. Arthur hoped they didn't have to worry about it but until they talked to him (or Tony talked to him), he'd still wonder.

Arthur smiled and deepened the kiss slowly, simply enjoying the taste of him and that closeness that he had missed over the last several months. He slowly pulled away and exhaled a soft breath. Fuck, he had missed him.

In truth it stunned him that he had someone in his life like Arthur. He had been lucky to have Pepper in his life. Now he had someone else. Someone that he welcomed into his bed. Someone that he loved. That meant the world to him, and he hadn't realized exactly when it was coming to this. Not until that moment when he had been about to die, and his only thought had been to say goodbye to Arthur.

He would talk to Saito though, and he would work it out and solve the issue so that they could feel safe once more. He suspected it wasn't going to be a problem.

Yeah, that was good. Those kisses, being together, that was what he needed. "Some days," he whispered. "I think about begging you to stay. I don't even know if I can beg," he admitted.

To be frank? Arthur had never even considered that this relationship with Tony would even turn into a relationship in the first place. He had thought he'd militarize Tony Stark, they'd sleep together and that would be that. Afterward, they'd go their separate ways and he would never hear from the billionaire again. Now? They were years into this and somewhere over time, he had fallen in love with him. Couldn't really imagine what his life would be like without this man.

He smiled softly and slid his hand over his neck. "I can't imagine you begging for anything...," he admitted and leaned in, rubbing his nose against Tony's. He didn't really care how sentimental that was or corny. After Inception, he truly couldn't think of doing another job for another few weeks. He needed some time off. He leaned in and pressed another soft kiss to his lips.

"I love you," he whispered very softly. With the danger of limbo during that job, it really made things extra clear for him about what was important. His job was important, no doubt about it, but this man was just as important if not more so.

It was supposed to be work that became damn good sex. That was all it was supposed to be. So he thought. Now it was a man he wanted in his life, a relationship they were keeping from the press. For the first time ever, it was keeping it secret not for his own sake but for another. For Arthur's privacy, and Tony was okay with that.

Yet it had gone to something new, something that Tony had never really known. Something he didn't want to lose.

It was sweet, and he liked it. "You know, you're pretty damn cute if you think you can make me beg," he teased, winking at him. "But that's okay. For you, who knows. It might just happen." And he would not fight it. Not if it happened with Arthur.

He stopped though at that, trying to make himself speak. He took a breath. "You know I feel the same, right? I mean, it's why I was calling." He was going to die, and he had been willing to say it because his life was going to be over. Except he had his life back. He had Arthur. Now he just had to do one thing.

"I love you too," he managed, sounding breathless.

Arthur's mouth curled up in amusement. "Now, I'm not sure if I could make you beg, Mr. Stark but I would be interested to see what it takes to get you there." Though, only in a pleasurable way, of course. Though, when it came to their sex life before Inception and before this alien invasion, it was Tony who liked to keep the upper hand. Not that Arthur was complaining, mind you - the man was devastatingly sexy when he did.

His mouth opened then closed as a flush crept up his neck and into his cheeks. "I know," he admitted. If Tony didn't care for him, he wouldn't have received that voicemail on his phone when he woke up. Then Tony said those words out loud and he couldn't help but smile before leaning in and pressing a slow kiss to his mouth.

"Now that is an interesting experiment," he admitted. "No one has ever gotten me there before, but I could imagine you might be the one." And not only because he wouldn't be walking away from Arthur to find someone else. It was because his love for Arthur had changed how good it felt being with him, all they shared.

"Yeah, I guess when you're the guy I call when I'm dying that says a lot,' he murmured against Arthur's mouth, sharing the kiss and then taking another one.

"Maybe we should test this hypothesis one day," he said with a little grin. Everything in his life changed when they became more serious. The day Tony offered him space in his closet in Malibu and today when he gave him a call that went unanswered -- there wasn't any walking away from this.

Arthur smiled and hummed against his mouth, slowly deepening the kiss as he slid his hand over Tony's cheek. "I missed you," he murmured and nipped playfully on his bottom lip. He wasn't sure if he would ever be able to sleep tonight but just laying in bed with Tony was relaxing.

"Would that make you hard, Arthur?" He couldn't help but ask. "You want to see if you can make me beg? Would you like that," he asked, voice a low and rumbling purr like few heard, but always came out when things turned lustful with Arthur.

"Just... glad you're here," he said, fighting back wanting to say that he needed him. "I need you here," he sighed, holding him tight, kissing him suddenly, fiercely.

He loved it when Tony's voice lowered like that and although it had been months, he knew all too well what it meant. He hummed low, his eyes darkening a little. "Admittedly, there's a part of me that does want to see if I can make you beg," he said, his voice lowering as he pressed in closer. "But right now, that's not what's on my mind."

That kiss was what had been on his mind.

Arthur smiled against his mouth and returned the fierce and hard kiss with a low moan, sliding his hand into Tony's hair. "Need you too," he mumbled against his lips before licking at his bottom lip.

Tony was an impatient man that tended to act like a child. Give him what he wanted. Give it to him now. Don't make him wait. He had waited for this though. He hadn't strayed since things with Arthur turned what he couldn't call anything but serious. And it was serious, and Tony Stark was actually being monogamous in the relationship that they shared. It was scary but he wanted this.

He wanted to know that in his last moments, it was Arthur he sought out. He liked knowing Arthur would come back here, no matter what happened. That meant the world to him.

He held him close, stroking Arthur's back as he pushed him back against the bed, leaning over him to not break the kiss.

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