Arthur looked towards the door as a knock sounded, he frowned in confusion. It was Christmas Eve and 10 pm, who would be knocking now?

He walked over to the door and opened it. Eames.

"Hello love."

"What are you doing here?"

"Nice to see you too darling."

"Eames…."

"I just wanted to see you. Cobb said you were all alone this Christmas. Thought you might like some company."

Arthur paused before sighing, shutting the door, taking the chain off and opened the door again.

"Come in then."

Eames entered his apartment and looked around. He seemed slightly surprised at the décor.

"Well I must say, I'm a little shocked at the décor. It's rather colorful."

"What did you expect? Everything to be dull?"

"If you want me to be truthful…yes."

Arthur rolled his eyes and went into the kitchen. "Want coffee?"

"Yes please, can you put milk and sugar in it? I don't know how you can stand drinking it black." Eames shuddered, remembering the time he had tried it for a dare. It had been so bitter.

"I like it. Simple enough." The Point man came back in with the coffee and put it on the table in front of the sofa.

"Thanks." Eames sat down at took a sip of the hot drink. Yet another shock. Arthur was quite good at making coffee.

"Is this instant?"

"No, I make it from scratch."

"Hm, no wonder it tastes so good then. It's way better than that crap Ariadne attempts to make on your days off." He smirked. "So, how come you're alone?"

"I don't have any family left to see. Cobb offered to come down, but he needs to be with his kids. They've gone without him long enough and it's their first Christmas together for a few years."

"It's a shame."

"You with anyone?"

"No, my family is around the other side of the world. My parents and my sister. They can't afford to fly down here and vise versa."

They stayed talking for another hour and then started watching TV. When it hit midnight, Eames glanced down at Arthur. His head was resting on his shoulder and he was sleeping peaceful. He looked far more vulnerable without the cool and indestructible mask on.

He smiled softly and switched the TV off, picking the younger man up and going into the bedroom, putting him on the bed and then laying down next to him, pulling the covers over them both.

The digital clock beside the bed glowed in the dark, saying that it was past Midnight. Eames kissed Arthur lightly on the forehead and smiled.

"Merry Christmas love."