specification | [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.

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Steve let himself be rolled over, hands settling on Arthur's hips and looking up at him. He chuckled at that, leaning up into the kiss, letting it be slow and deep as he leaned into that touch.

"I have to admit," he murmured against his mouth. "Kind of happy myself. You okay though?"

Arthur hummed softly against his mouth and slowly pulled away, looking at him with a softer look. A look that only Tony got to see from the point man. "Yeah, I'm okay," he said, sliding his hand over his neck. It had been a rough ride - Inception - but at the end of the day, everyone had gotten off that plane in L.A. and he was here, with Tony Stark.

He couldn't be better.

"Glad I'm here," he said before sliding his mouth over the other man's again, humming softly.

"If you ever weren't okay, tell me," he said, meaning it. Not a single hesitation in that, despite the fact that Tony rarely made friends or connected with others in this way. It was others he turned to. Instead he came to Arthur, wanting to help him instead of facing what he was going through with his own encounter.

"And you will always be welcome here, Arthur. Always."

He nodded and slid his hand over his neck slowly. "I will," he said and looked at him. He didn't go to many - he didn't trust many - but over the years since they started this relationship of theirs, Arthur felt a closeness to Stark that he didn't feel toward anyone.

"Well, I should hope so - you did ask me to move in," he teased him with a soft smile, looking at him. He appreciated it though - more than any words could say. That wouldn't change the fact that he had safe houses in many cities and countries around the world but it helped knowing... he had someone to come back to.

"And if you don't, I will hunt you down and harass you until you tell me," Tony said, sounding serious and solemn. It was Tony. Maybe he meant it. Maybe it was him being silly. It was never a known sentiment with Stark. Especially learning to accept this that they were sharing and that he hadn't really known before.

"Even if you had said otherwise, I mean it. No matter what happens."

Tony had faced his mortality and he knew there was a chance he wouldn't come home one day. He wanted Arthur to know then he still had a home there.

Arthur felt himself smile at Tony's solemn and serious tone. One thing he learned over the years was to never put anything past Tony Stark. He wouldn't be too surprised if he did hunt him down and harass him.

"I know," he said with a soft smile, nodding. He felt welcome here. Wanted. Loved (though they'd never use that word -- often).

Arthur leaned in and pressed another kiss to the man's mouth, cupping his cheek in his hand. It had been longer than he could admit where he simply felt content, laying here and talking with him. Although the building had sustained a lot of damage, it was still more comfortable than when they were stuck in that cabin during the blizzard.

At least they weren't freezing their asses off.

"Do you feel tired?" He was pretty certain he wasn't the only one who hadn't truly slept in a while.

Tony wasn't a subtle man. If he wanted something, he got it. If that was Arthur, who knew what kind of insanity he might commit, just to show Arthur how much he cared about him.

The tenderness of those kisses made him sigh, loving that Arthur treated him that way. So many were rough with Tony, treating him as he treated the world. That Arthur showed such gentleness though meant so much to Tony when he was used to nothing but harsh behavior, both given and received.

"Maybe, yeah." Which made him fall quiet, nervous but he felt he needed to make an admission. "I'm having nightmares, Arthur. I might have one." and the panic attack to go with it.

His gaze softened when Tony admitted to being exhausted and having nightmares. "I'm here, if you do. I'm not going anywhere," he said, his voice soft.

Anyone who knew Arthur (or knew of him) would probably never suspect him to act or be capable of being tender and loving like he was showing Tony. It was simply because of Tony, being Tony, that Arthur acted this way.

He leaned down and nuzzled his nose against Tony's. "Honestly, I'm a little tired myself." He had been up for a bit over twenty four hours.. give or take.

He wanted to believe that, to hold faith in him that this would not change things. He didn't know how to even explain how he was feeling, had been since Arthur walked in that door.

Sleep. The very idea of it left him nearly shaking.

"I'd like that nap," he said in a low voice, knowing he was admitting a lot and not being entirely easy with making this admission. It felt like weakness and he knew how that would have gone with his father, all through his life. "We should make this a thing."

Arthur watched him with a soft gaze, sliding his fingers through Tony's hair. "Nap then," he said, softly and low. It wasn't in his mind to judge him or think of him any less. The man, superhero or not, needed the rest.

"Make what a thing - me helping you take a nap," he asked with a soft teasing smile. He leaned down to press a soft kiss to the man's lips then shifted so he could lay down next to him. "Or simply taking a nap together after long days?"

He was worried about falling asleep. Worried he would end up having a nightmare, to have those nightterrors that had already started. Maybe though, with Arthur there, he would be able to sleep and not worry about them.

"You here. Sleeping with me." He didn't mean it sexually. Not as he might have once. Not at this time. "You. Here."

He felt a smile curl on his mouth and nodded. "Agreed. I know I sleep much better with you too," he said, softly.

There was no doubt about it, they both loved the sexual elements of their relationship. Still, Arthur loved the rest of their relationship too. The way they understood each other and balanced the other out. The way he felt in Tony's arms and simply being in the other's presence.

"I'll be here. Sleep," he said softly and rest his head on Tony's shoulder, his arm resting on the man's chest.

"Jarvis, will you get the lights, please?"

Life was changing for Tony, and not just because Arthur was in his life. That had been an initial change. Now though, after what had happened, he knew things were changing again, and he was suddenly just very glad to have Arthur there as well as Pepper. He suspected after that fall, he was going to need them both.

Settling in close to Arthur, wrapping his arms around him and pulling him in close.

"Good night, Gentlemen," Jarvis said as the lights went out.

"Good night, Arthur," he murmured softly.

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

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