Disclaimer: As always I own nothing but the original characters and the situations all characters find themselves in. Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoy this latest chapter.

What An Evening

In the grand scheme of things Eames knew their present predicament could be worse, especially since there was nothing he wanted more than to get naked with Arthur, but still…this was not a good way to end the evening or meet his boyfriend's dad. Listening to those feet stomp up the stairs, knowing that odds were Arthur was going to get it as soon as he came back from dropping him off…yeah, not the way he'd wanted the night to end at all. Not to mention…talk about a mood killer. He'd been on full alert before but now, not even a naked Arthur could have gotten him up.

Well…maybe if Arthur was completely naked, but that was beside the point as they were both fully dressed at the moment and doomed to stay that way.

And belatedly realizing that he should probably say something, but having no idea really what to say having never been in this situation before, Eames opted to cover a lot of ground and just say that he was sorry.

"Sorry for what?"

Crap. "I mean sorry for…for the fact that your dad is going to be all over you once I'm gone. Maybe you should get him to come down, that way he can tear into both of us instead of just you. I mean we're both responsible for uhm…what he walked in on."

Making an amused sound Arthur glided a hand over Eames's hair in a gesture Eames's instinctively nuzzled into. "There's no need. Really. If we weren't fighting about this it would be about something else entirely. Fighting is what we do. Plus the kids will be home by the time I get back and he'll behave as long as they're around to hear him. He'll wait until they're asleep or off somewhere with friends."

"I don't know…if I don't take my licks then he's not going to think much of me, is he?" And he wanted to get along with Arthur's dad even if the two didn't get along at all from the sounds of it. He just didn't want to risk being banned from seeing the man's oldest son while Arthur's father was in town.

"Eames, he was just being an ass. Remembered how much older my last boyfriend was? He didn't care. He probably only said something now because we're fighting and because he knows a real dad would comment on what we were doing and wants you to see him that way. It's fine, I promise." So saying Arthur leaned in to brush their lips together. "Now do you want to continue what we were doing, eat more pizza, or I could take you home now instead of fifteen minutes from now since he's damaged the mood?"

"You…while your dad is in the house?" In some corner of his mind Eames knew he sounded downright priggish, but he was too stunned to really care.

"Have I said something to make you think I give a damn what he thinks?"

"No, but…nevermind. Let's finish eating then." That at least wouldn't get them into any trouble. And hopefully wouldn't make him seem like an absolute twit.

But he wasn't hungry anymore either, and that was obvious, so when Arthur nipped the barely nibbled on slice Eames had been holding for a good five minutes out of his hand and suggested that they head out Eames didn't see the point in arguing. Instead he was sort of relieved, though he felt bad about that even though Arthur had said there was nothing to worry about. He couldn't help worry, it was just genetically encoded in him since fights with his own father, however rare, were the stuff of nightmares for him. He couldn't stand disappointing him, though ironically enough Eames imagined that most parents would kill to have a son as smart, good looking, and well behaved as Arthur. Of course Arthur wasn't at all fond of his father either so that probably didn't help matters.

Either way he slid back into his chair and helped Arthur clean up as best he could before following him out of the house, noting but saying nothing about the fact that Arthur didn't bother to tell his father that they were leaving.

The ride home was spent discussing the movie they hadn't really been watching, both having seen it enough times to comment on the acting and plot. Eames was well aware that Arthur was sticking to the topic for his sake and had no real interest, and while he appreciated that it just made him feel more juvenile. That being the case…

"I could come by tomorrow, talk to him, your dad, man to man."

Since they'd been talking about the curiosity that someone who looked like Jon Voight could have a daughter as gorgeous as Angelina Jolie Arthur blinked once in confusion before stating that his father was not a man. Not a real one. And talking to him wouldn't do him any good. Though it was sweet of him to offer.

"I just…"

"You don't want me to think less of you, and I don't. He's my cross to bear so to speak."

"Well I think less of me."

A long pause greeted that statement, then a chuckle. "I've never had a protector before."

Horrified that that might be true, though he believed it which was even worse, Eames reached over and placed a hand over Arthur's nearest hand on the steering wheel. Giving it a brief squeeze Eames parlayed the girlie action by stating that he was a pretty useless as a protector at the moment, but he'd give it his best shot in this case.

"I know you would. You're the type."

Not quite sure what to think about that, though he was pretty sure Arthur meant it in a positive way, Eames opted not to ask, the last few streets passed in companionable silence before they were pulling into his driveway, Arthur parking as close to the house as possible before turning off the engine and undoing his seatbelt.

"So am I getting a kiss good night, Mr. Eames? Now would be the time given the difference in height when you're in your chair."

Looking over Eames grinned, undoing his own belt as he leaned in to give Arthur that kiss, enjoying it quite a lot since there was no chance of them being seen given how dark it was in the car and outside. Of course there was a small voice in the back of his mind that said his mum and possibly Mimi were currently timing how long they were spending in the parked car, but Eames mentally bitchslapped that voice quiet for the time being. Concentrating on what Arthur's tongue was doing inside his mouth, and returning the favor, those were far more important thoughts to be having.

)

Pulling into his own driveway twenty minutes after seeing Eames to his door like a proper gentleman, Arthur thought that he couldn't have timed his arrival home any better as he watched a familiar car pull in behind him. Getting out of his own car Arthur could see through the other vehicle's windshield that his brother and a boy named Luke were passed out in the back, his sister not yet in view but sure to either be asleep already or well on her way to getting there given the time. Exchanging greetings with Mrs. Holden, the mother of the kids his siblings were friends with, Arthur walked over to the door she'd just opened, Phillipa jumping out though she wobbled a little when her feet hit the ground.

"Did you enjoy the show?"

"Uh huh." Big yawn. "Arthur, I'm really tired."

"I can see that. Dad's here, he came early. Why don't you head inside and get him to tuck you in. I'll being James in and take care of him."

"Papa's here? Inside?" Eyes widening a little Phillipa looked from him to the house, too tired to really think clearly about the trouble her father's early visit would bring. Instead she headed towards the house to go see what her father had brought her while Arthur turned his attention to taking his thoroughly unconscious brother from Mrs. Holden.

"Thank you. From the sounds of it they had a great time."

"Oh the kids definitely did." Was her wry response. "I on the other hand need an ibuprofen like you wouldn't believe."

Wincing in sympathy Arthur offered to run in and get her one.

"Thanks, but I'll survive the two blocks home. Good night, Arthur."

"Good night, Mrs. Holden. Good luck with the headache."

"Thanks, I'll need it."

Waving her off as she got back into the car and then drove away Arthur headed back towards the house with James slung over his shoulder in a fireman's hold. Opening the door he let them in and then locked up behind them, from there heading up the stairs while ignoring the sounds of his sister and father talking in Phillipa's room as he headed straight for James's. Once there he settled the boy on the bed and then retrieved some pajamas to put him in. James didn't stir as he was undressed and put into the pajamas decorated with characters from SpongeBob Squarepants, Arthur getting him under the covers in record time before heading out towards his sister's room to say good night to her before he either turned in for the night or was pulled off to the side to get lectured or yelled at.

But as soon as he'd reached Phillipa's doorway he saw that his sister was already passed out under her covers, clutching a new stuffed animal and looking like an angel as she always did in her sleep. Their father was just sitting on the side of the bed, stroking her hair, and the poignancy of it all had Arthur choosing to slip away unnoticed rather than draw attention to himself.

Changing into his own sleeping attire once in his room, Arthur picked up his copy of 'Les Miserables' in its original French and then stretched out on his bed to read a bit before turning in for the night. He didn't get far into the chapter when he sensed his father's presence.

Reaching for the bookmark he'd left at his side Arthur marked his place and then twisted over to place the book back on his nightstand before turning to give his father his full attention with a raised eyebrow that wordless inquired as to the reason behind the interruption.

"Exactly why are you dating some alcoholic, frat boy in the making soccer player?"

"He's not an alcoholic, and last time I checked fraternities aren't generally friendly towards gay men, even athletic ones. And he plays football, not soccer. We've been over that already. Or is your memory already going?"

The twitch under his eye was the only indication of Dom Cobb's annoyance. For the moment. "No sex in the house, understood?"

"No deal. Unless we spring for a hotel room, which wouldn't be logical and decidedly costly on his end since he'd insist on paying as well, here would be the most ideal location. I will however give you my word that if Phillipa and James are also on the premises said sex will take place in here with the door locked. That's the best you're getting." Arthur added, pointing a finger in his father's direction for emphasis.

"I'm the parent here, you will do as I say."

"One, you aren't around enough to inforce that rule, two, you've never been my parent and we both know it. Above and beyond that you can't tell me you and Maman didn't have sexual relations while Phillipa and James were in the same household, and as for cause for 'parental' concern, we're both clean and it's not like either of us can follow our present family tradition and knock the other up before we hit twenty."

Watching the blow hit Arthur was pleased, though didn't show it. "We'll use protection regardless."

Giving his son a look that suggested he'd really, really like to hit him, Dom took several calming breaths before he lashed out with what he intended to be an equal blow.

"Sometimes I think you must have been switched at birth, seriously."

Arthur watched his father wait for a reaction, not giving him one both because he'd often felt like maybe he had been switched at birth, and because this was far from the first time one of his parents had expressed that sentiment. Instead he simply returned the other man's gaze until his father gave up and grabbing the door handle slammed the door closed behind him. Only then did Arthur say anything.

"If only, if only, the woodpecker sighs."

And so saying Arthur picked up his book again and went back to reading, refusing to think of anything besides the story the book told.

If only, if only.

)

Eames spent most of the morning wondering if he should either call or drop by Arthur's place to make sure that everything was okay and that he'd been right to let Arthur convince him to go home without talking to his boyfriend's dad. Plus if he were to drop by he could bring something from the downtown bakery to try and bribe Arthur's father into thinking better of him, though that might piss Arthur off royally since it was plain as day the two didn't get along. Hell, the way it had looked to him, he might be more attractive to Arthur simply because his dad didn't like him.

Opting for middle ground Eames forced himself to wait until after lunch before texting Arthur a message asking how his day was going. That should be okay.

'My day would get significantly better if you're not busy for the next few hours'

Smiling automatically Eames quickly typed back that no, he wasn't busy.

'I'll be by to get you in twenty minutes if that works for you.'

'It most definitely does, Darling.'

Grinning as he sent the return message Eames pocketed his phone and then steered his chair in the direction of the living room where Mimi was currently working on piecing together a quilt she was making for one of his second cousins' upcoming wedding.

Mimi took one look at him and smirked. "Well you're in a good mood now, Mr. Worrywort. Arthur text you?"

"Yeah. He's coming by in twenty minutes to get me. Not sure where we're going exactly but I'll have my phone on me if you need me to come home early."

"Are the kids going with you two?"

"Don't know, but I doubt it since Arthur would have probably mentioned that. I'm guessing that the little ones are hanging out with their berk of a father and Arthur isn't being included. Not that that's probably not for the best given their relationship or lack thereof." He'd filled his grandmother in on some of what had happened the night before, wanting her opinion on whether he should call Arthur's house or not. She'd told him to hold off on that, which had turned out to be good advice.

Shaking her head Mimi made a face. "With most teenagers I'd just assume that it's the normal drama boys Arthur's age have with their parents when hormones run high and the kid start's chaffing at the bit to be in control of his life. But Arthur acts as old as me most of the time, and he's got a better head on his shoulders than most. Seems his daddy doesn't know what he has with those kids he can't seem to find any time for. Least not that anyone in this town's noticed with Arthur being the only one taking care of the little ones."

"Well I'll be sure to tell him you think he's a level-headed bloke."

"Sure, and while you're at it see if you can't remind the boy that he is in fact a boy still. It would do him good, I bet, to act like a teenager too. Consider that part of your job as his boyfriend."

With a wink Eames gave his grandmother a snappy salute before heading out to change his shirt and make sure that he looked as dashing handsome as he could before Arthur arrived. He didn't doubt for one moment that Arthur would arrive exactly when he said he would, and when he did Eames wanted to be outside and waiting so that he too would look far more prompt than he normally was.

And just as he'd thought Eames had only just wheeled himself out and onto the porch to wait when Arthur pulled up, the other teenager alone in the car which Eames took to mean that he'd been correct thinking that the kids wouldn't be joining them. Waving in greeting Eames headed down and steered over to the passenger side, Arthur having come around to help him maneuver the chair into the backseat.

"No sprogs today?"

"Sprogs? Oh right, you mean Phil and James. I'd forgotten that English expression for a moment. And no, they won't be joining us today. My father's taking them to the zoo and then dinner in the city." Arthur's lips quirked a little as he closed the back door once the chair was in place. "Apparently I'm getting a break."

Wondering if Arthur had even been asked if he wanted to go with his family to the city, he doubted it, Eames opted to change the subject and ask what they'd be doing instead.

Arthur shrugged at him. "I thought you might have a suggestion, which I'm open to. If I'd known I'd have the time free I would have planned something in advance, but I didn't. You also know the area better than I do, so I thought you might be aware of a worthwhile activity or place to visit that I wasn't aware existed. Though I did research the area thoroughly before we moved here so that Phillipa and James would get the most out of their time here."

"I'll bet you did." Settling into the passenger seat Eames waited until Arthur had settled into the driver's spot before suggesting what they could do with their afternoon.

)

So…suggestions on what they should do?