Hey Everyone! Sorry for the long wait. I have been busy with moving and Thanksgiving and all that and I just couldn't really get motivated to write. This chapter was sort of difficult for me to write, so sorry in advance if it sucks.
But I learned that I cannot write fight scenes to save my life. So, just a warning. I tried.
Anywho. regardless of all that, I hope you all enjoy and hopefully I can get the next chapter up a lot sooner than I have been.
Once again, I don't own anything.
Chapter 7: Apologies
Arthur just watched as the door slammed shut right in front of his face. He knew what he had said was wrong. He instantly regretted saying those things to Eames. Sometimes his brain didn't work as fast as his mouth did. It was one thing to think those things, but to actually say them. Even Arthur wasn't that cruel.
But Eames had made him so mad that he couldn't help but explode on him. Eames had hurt him so Arthur felt obligated to hurt him back.
"Arthur?" That was Ariadne. Arthur glanced over and saw that she looked a little bit terrified. She must have heard him shouting. "Is everything alright? I heard you screaming."
"Everything is just fine."
"Arthur…" Arthur let out a small growl as he turned and made his way back upstairs. He did not want to talk to her right now. He didn't want to talk to anybody. As he approached the top he saw that Dom was waiting for him. He let out a small sigh once he reached the top.
"I am not talking about it." Arthur said curtly.
"Arthur, what just happened was something you need to discuss. You can't keep it all bottled up."
"Well, I don't want to talk about. Bottling it up is the next best option." Arthur replied as he walked to his room and kicked the door open. "So drop it." He walked in and kicked the door close. He looked up and saw the red rose staring back at him. He had picked that rose a days ago. It looked so beautiful he had to pick it.
Now it looked disgusting. Arthur stormed over and grabbed the vase and threw it against the wall.
As the glass shattered against the wall, Arthur felt this soaring pain shoot across his arm and into his chest.
"Arrugh!" He hissed out as he fell to the floor. "Fuck." He could feel his chest burning. It felt like someone was cutting a knife through his skin very slowly. He ripped open his shirt and glanced down at his chest.
His eyes widened.
There, right in the middle of his chest in between the two big scars, another scar was forming.
"What the hell?" He whispered out as he took deep breaths. The scar was deeper than the others. He remembered the pain he went through when the others formed. This one was different.
Arthur slowly backed himself up so that he was leaning against the bed. He closed his eyes and started counting to 100 to help the time go by and to help him to not focus on the pain.
Because he was in a shit ton of pain at the moment. If he didn't focus on the pain, maybe it would stop.
But he needed to be quiet so Ariadne and Dom didn't hear him. He did not need them to come in here and be worried for him again. He did not need that at the moment. Now all he wanted was the pain to go away.
Arthur wasn't aware of how long he stayed there. He didn't even know if the pain had gone away before he passed out.
The main point is that he passed out sometime. And when he woke up, he was in his bed.
He slowly sat up and looked around. The shades over his windows pulled back, the glass from where he had broken the vase and the rose were all picked up, and there was music playing. This was all just weird and had Dom written all over it.
"You have a new scar." Arthur jumped and looked over to find that Dom was sitting in a chair right next to the bed. So his assumption had been right. It had been Dom.
"Dom." Arthur said as he relaxed back in the bed. "What are you doing in here?"
"I came in to check up on you and saw you passed out on the floor. That's when I noticed the new scar." Arthur didn't look at him.
"You opened my window." Dom let out a small sigh.
"Arthur. I know what your scars mean. So, getting a new one must mean you hurt someone new. And I can only guess that it was Eames since you two were yelling at each other earlier." Arthur turned and glared at him.
"Just leave me alone."
"Arthur, come on. You need to talk about this."
"No, I don't Dom." Arthur said, getting off the bed. "I made a mistake and I want to dwell on it in peace. I don't need you or Ariadne asking me about my feelings all the fucking time." Dom stood up and they just stared at each other for a bit before Dom nodded and walked towards the door. Dom couldn't force Arthur to talk if he didn't want to. It was as simple as that.
"Just know that if you ever need to talk, we are here for you." Arthur just gave him a small nod before looking out the window. When Dom had left, Arthur closed the shades and went back to bed.
After three days, Arthur is in total agony. He can't move. He can't eat. He can't sleep. He can't do anything. He just lies in bed and screams because he is in so much pain.
Ariadne and Dom have tried to get his permission to call Yusuf or even Eames. But Arthur had refused. Arthur was still in control here. He may be in pain, but still, he did not need help. He had too much pride for that.
He would not let Eames win this. He couldn't.
Eames had to be the one to realize how much pain he was putting Arthur through and come back. Beg for Arthur's forgiveness and say that he was in the wrong. And then Arthur would forgive him. That was how everything was going to work.
But after three days, Arthur lost hope of that plan actually happening. Eames was not going to come crawling back to him. He really wanted Arthur to suffer and die.
But Arthur wouldn't die until Mal came back. He still had six months left to endure this pain. And every day it got worse.
Ariadne and Dom had told him to get over his pride and to go and apologize to Eames. But Arthur refused. He was not going to be the one to say he was wrong. Sure he may have crossed the line, but Eames crossed it first. Eames needed to apologize to him.
It was going on the fourth day and Arthur needed to do something. He was tired of lying in bed all day. He was tired of not being able to do anything without being in pain. He hissed out as he pulled himself out of bed and walked over to his closet very slowly. The slower he walked, the less pain he was in. He had figured that out yesterday.
He pulled on a button up shirt and buttoned up as many buttons as he could without feeling like he was going to die. He didn't realize how painful buttoning buttons could be. He kept his sweatpants on. There was no way in hell he was going to try and put his nice pants on. Too much pain involved in that. He tried to put pants on the first day and well, he was in bed screaming for a good hour before the pain went down again.
Arthur wanted to go outside. He needed to get out of this house and try and do something. Anything to take his mind off the pain.
Ariadne and Dom had already left the house. Ariadne couldn't stand listening to Arthur screaming at night so she left for Robert's for the weekend. Dom, not wanting his kids to lose sleep over this, packed up and was staying at the nearest hotel. Arthur didn't fight for them to stay. He didn't want them to be bothered with him so it was really their choice on what they did.
Arthur walked outside and let out a small smile as the light breeze hit his face. It was a beautiful night. He walked over to one of his cars and got in slowly so that he wasn't in much pain. He really wanted to walk, but he knew that it would be too painful and by the time he got to town, it would most likely be morning. Then he would have to walk back home. It would be easier just to drive to town, park, and then walk around wherever he wanted.
It was late enough so no one would really see him and he wouldn't be noticed. He had forgotten his beanie so he really hoped that no one saw him. He didn't know if he really wanted to explain the ears.
Arthur decided the park would be the perfect place to get some alone time. No one really was at the park at night besides stoners and criminals. Arthur was sure they probably wouldn't mess with him.
He had been walking for at least 10 minutes when he got a small whiff of Eames' scent. Eames was close by. Arthur knew he should just ignore it, but something felt off. Why would Eames be out this late? And he wasn't alone. Arthur was too curious about it. He wanted to know what Eames was doing. He quickly walked off in the direction of Eames' scent.
As he got closer, he realized that he was in the older part of the city, the part that you didn't want to be at in this time of night. Why would Eames be here? It was mostly full of underground gambling places, prostitution rings, and drug dens. This was the area that most of the people who were cursed were from. Arthur had made it his goal to never come to this part of town. He should just turn around right now. But Eames' scent was getting stronger. Eames was for sure in this area.
"Come on guys, I am sure we can work something out." Arthur paused at the sound of Eames' voice. He didn't sound his normal cocky self. He sounded scared.
"We tried that. But Belden, it has been five years. You are very clever and have avoided us for this long, but you just weren't clever enough."
The voices were coming from a dark alley. Arthur glanced over and saw that Eames was being held by two men while a third was standing in front of him. There were also about four others just standing around keeping guard.
"We have waited long enough. You owe us big time."
"We can come up with a payment plan. I can afford it now. I have a good job. I'm not where I was back then. I can give you some money."
"I don't want your money anymore. Maybe if you were to come up with this repayment plan five years ago, I would have accepted, but not now. I have waited long enough and have grown bored with waiting. "
"Are you going to kill me?" Eames whispered.
"Of course. But you know, I wouldn't have to kill you, if you joined us. Faking your death a few years back, that was clever. We could use someone with your abilities. Your debt would be settled and you could live." Arthur paused.
Eames' true colors were showing now. Eames was exactly the man Arthur thought he was. He just played the act so well. Arthur would be able to leave this scene because Eames would agree to work with them and then he would never see him again.
"I can't." Eames whispered out. Arthur's eyes widened. "You will just have to kill me." Arthur heard the man pull out his gun. This was not how this was supposed to happen.
He couldn't let Eames die. He would never forgive himself if he did. He already had enough guilt. He did not need to add more.
Arthur took a deep breath and walked into the alley. He was still in pain but he would push past it. He could be strong for a few minutes.
"Did you hear that?" One of the men asked.
"What?" Arthur was thankful that the alley was dark, so he could take out the four men guarding the area easily. He merely just threw them into the wall and knocked them out.
Arthur was pretty sure that had it been daylight he would have never gotten away with this. They would have killed him for sure.
"What's going on over there?" The main guy shouted. Arthur slowly approached them, still staying in the shadows. The two men let go of Eames.
Arthur let out a small growl and appeared in the light. The men just stopped and stared at him. He was sure that they stopped breathing for a few seconds. Eames just looked at him like he had seen a ghost.
"Please release Mr. Eames and you won't get hurt." Arthur said calmly. He really didn't want to cause much trouble. His hands were shaking by the pain he was trying to suppress. Mal had said that he was not able to die until she said so, but he didn't really know how that held up with guns.
It would probably hurt like hell regardless.
"Now, why would I do what you say?" The man in charge replied as he turned to face Arthur. He seemed to have gained some courage again.
"Suit yourself." Arthur said as he ran forward and shoved the man backwards into the wall. The gun went off, but luckily, it fired away from Arthur. The other two men ran forward and attacked Arthur from behind. Arthur reached behind and stuck his nails into their backs and flipped them over. He sure was thankful for his enhanced strength, otherwise there was no way he would be able to do this. Of course, the enhanced strength didn't help with the pain.
"Are you alright?" Arthur said as he turned to look at Eames. Eames was just leaning against the wall in shock. "Eames!" He shouted.
"Yes." Eames whispered out. "I'm fine." Eames looked up at him and gave him a small smile. Arthur couldn't help but smile back.
"Good, we need to…" He was stopped short by the feeling of a knife being jabbed into his side. He let out a small growl as he turned around and saw the main man pointing a gun in his face.
"You really shouldn't get involved in other people's business." Arthur just let out a small growl as he smacked the gun out of the guy's hand. The man looked up at Arthur in pure shock as he grabbed the man by the throat and shoved him into the wall.
"You should really learn when to just give up." Arthur hissed out as he squeezed the man's neck tighter. Arthur could feel the man gasping for breath. Arthur could feel the air leaving the man's body.
Arthur then dropped the man when he became unconscious. All of the other men were slowly getting to their feet. Arthur glared at them.
"Get out." Arthur hissed. The men did not hesitate before running off. Arthur made sure the men were gone before reaching behind and pulling the knife out. He let out a small hiss as he just looked at the knife.
Suddenly, Arthur felt a bit dizzy. He leaned forward and gripped the wall. He closed his eyes and tried to keep himself in check. He still had to go home. Hell, he had to drive home.
"Are you alright?" Eames asked from behind him. Arthur could have swore that Eames had a hold on him, but he wasn't really sure.
"Um, yeah…" Arthur said, turning around. His world was spinning. He didn't think the knife wound was that serious, but he could have been wrong.
"You're bleeding. Arthur, we need to get you to a hospital. That wound looks serious."
"I'll be fine." Arthur growled out before taking a step forward and falling onto the ground. He remembered Eames rolling him over before his world went black.
Arthur woke up to the sound of Mozart playing in the background. He glanced around and realized that he wasn't in his house. He was in a house, but he had no idea whose house it was.
He slowly sat up and took in his surroundings. The room was small. It was very neutral and gave off the vibe that it was some sort of guest room. There were no pictures on the wall. There was just a bed, a few dressers and a closet.
Arthur looked around and saw that the window was open. It was light outside meaning that it was morning. He had spent the night here. He did not remember how he got here. He knew he passed out in the alley with Eames.
Wait. Eames. Eames was the last thing he remembered. He had saved Eames' life and then he passed out.
So, was this Eames' house? Had Eames brought him back here for some reason?
Arthur slowly got off the bed with a little growl, expecting to be in a lot of pain. But he wasn't. His side hurt, but not his entire body like yesterday. He looked down and saw that his side was all bandaged up. He glanced over and saw some medical supplies along with the silver briefcase. The briefcase was open and the supplies were all laid out.
Eames must have given him the medicine while he was passed out. Eames had stitched up his wound and given him his medicine. That was the only explanation. He needed to find Eames.
Arthur grabbed his shirt that was lying on the back of a chair and pulled it on as he walked out of the room. It was so nice to be able to walk like a normal human being again.
The house was pretty cozy. It was the type of house that Arthur always envisioned himself living in after college. It looked like Eames was still in the process of moving in. There was nothing on the walls. It was all very bare, like Eames was prepared to move at anytime if he needed to.
After last night, Arthur is no surprised.
Arthur heard some noise coming from what he assumed was the kitchen and headed in that direction. He walked in and saw Eames standing by the stove, and he was dancing. Not like, major dancing, but he was swaying back in forth. Arthur was positive that Eames may have been singing lightly as well, but he was too far away to tell what. But what was he dancing too? Arthur didn't hear any music.
"Eames?" Arthur asked. Eames didn't move. Arthur let out a sigh. "Eames?" Still nothing. Arthur took a few steps forward and clasped Eames on the shoulder. "Belden." Eames jumped so high Arthur was sure he almost hit the ceiling.
"What?" Arthur took a step back and saw Eames rip ear buds out of his ears. Oh. Well that explains it.
"Sorry, I was calling your name but you didn't hear me."
"Oh. Sorry. I didn't know when you would wake up. I was just making some tea. Want some?"
"Sure." Arthur said quietly.
"Alright. Well, why don't you have a seat in the living room and I will be there in a second." Arthur gave a small nod and walked towards where he assumed the living room was.
The living room was small. There was just a loveseat and a chair and a small TV. Arthur chose the chair and sat down. The living room did have some pictures hanging up though. That was different.
Since Arthur had done some research on Eames, he knew that the pictures were of Eames' family. Arthur really did feel bad about Eames' family. Arthur knew from experience. His family hated him. There really was no particular reason; he just never got along with them. They only gave him the mansion because he was the only family they had.
Eames walked in with two mugs and handed one to Arthur. Arthur took it with a small smile.
"Thank you."
"No problem." Eames said, sitting down in the loveseat. There were a few moments of silence before Eames spoke again. "So, how are you feeling?"
"Good. Much better. Thank you for taking care of me."
"Well, I had some help. Yusuf came over."
"Yusuf?"
"Yeah, I couldn't do stitches, so I called him and he came over and did those. But I gave you your medicine."
"Thanks. I really do appreciate it."
"Sorry about that by the way. I shouldn't have been so selfish about that. I let my hurt feelings get in the way and I caused you a lot of pain. So I am sorry."
"Well, um, I would like to sort of apologize as well. I was a bit out of line. I am not going to apologize for everything, but it was obvious I hurt you. That was not my intention. Well, that is a lie. I did want to hurt you, but I shouldn't have." Eames gave a small laugh.
"I think we are both at fault here. Which, since we are being all honest here. Thank you for saving me tonight. I didn't deserve to be saved but you did anyways."
"I didn't come looking for you."
"Really? Then how did you know where I was?"
"Smell." Arthur said with a smile as he set his mug down. "I was out, trying to focus on not being in pain and to just get out, and I smelt you."
"What made you come for me?" Arthur didn't answer that. He just leaned back and scratched at his ears. Eames laughed. "Okay. Well, again, I appreciate it. I don't think I could have handled Vince and his thugs by myself. I was sure they were going to kill me."
"Shouldn't get into gambling debt." Arthur replied. Now that Eames said the name, Arthur knew who it was. Vince Matthews was a major crime boss in the city. No one messed with him. Arthur had no idea why Eames decided to mess with him in the first place.
"I know. Believe me. But I was at a bad spot then and thought I could get away with stealing from them. Lesson learned."
"Good."
"Look, I know that you can't really talk about this curse that you have." Arthur looked up at him. He wasn't really sure if he wanted to know where this is going. But Eames looked a bit nervous. "But, I know that your scars are part of it, and I couldn't help but notice that you have a new one."
"I do. It hurt like hell too." Arthur replied curtly. There was no way that he was telling Eames that the scar was due to Arthur hurting him, that his new scar was Eames' scar.
"Why did you get a new one?"
"I do not want to talk about it." Arthur said quietly.
"Okay." Arthur stood up. He had overstayed his welcome here. And he needed to get back. He needed to talk with Ariadne and Dom.
"I really appreciate what you did for me. But I need to get back."
"Okay, well." Eames said, standing up. "I can drive you home if you want."
"I can walk back to my car. I feel fine now."
"I insist." Eames said, already walking over to grab his keys.
"My car is at the park." Arthur said.
"Alright, let's go." Eames said as he and Arthur made their way outside towards Eames' car.
The ride to the park was awkward. It was quiet and just weird. Arthur didn't know what to say and it seemed that Eames didn't know either. And Arthur had even noticed a few blood stains in the back of Eames' car. Arthur was sure that those were due to him.
Eames parked next to Arthur's car and turned off the car. Arthur suddenly had the feeling like this was a date. Oh god. He did not need this right now. He did not need to remember that he had wanted that way back when.
"Well, I will see you tomorrow." Eames said with a smile.
"What? Tomorrow?"
"Yeah. I have to give you your medicine. Is that okay?" Arthur took a few quick breaths.
"Um, yeah, that is okay." Eames just smiled.
"Good. Drive safe." Arthur gave a small nod before getting out of the car. He quickly turned and bent down back into the car.
"If you send me a bill, I can pay to have those stains removed." Eames gave him a confused look and Arthur motioned to the back seat. Eames just laughed.
"Nah, it is no big deal. It gives the car more character."
"Right." Arthur replied nervously before shutting the door and going to his own car.
The drive home Arthur felt pathetic. He felt like a teenager again who had his crush drive him home after practice or something. Seriously, Arthur was better than this.
Then why was he suddenly getting all nervous? Eames was still Eames. He still didn't like him. But the idea of Eames coming back tomorrow made him happy.
For the first time since the curse, he was actually looking forward to tomorrow.
So, there you have it. This chapter was again, filler, but we are getting somewhere! Next chapter will involve another time gap I believe and things should move along quickly after that. Thanks for reading! =)