Exactly 20 minutes after Eames called there was a knock at the door. Eames was never one to be on time so Arthur knew that this conversation meant as much to Eames as it did to him. Arthur was wearing a tracksuit something he wouldn't normally be caught dead in but after days of moping it seemed to appropriate to the situation.
Arthur opened the door with a shaky hand and took a step back in order to see Eames clearly in the light. Eames looked like he hadn't slept in days, hadn't shaved in days or hadn't even showered in days. And all of a sudden a wave of guilt passed over Arthur. This is what he had done to Eames! The man he loved.
"Hello Eames" Arthur said when the guilt subsided a bit.
"Darling are you okay you look like you have been crying"
Arthur was shocked Eames should be mad at him for all he put him through, Eames should be angry and cold and not want to hear from Arthur but here Eames was concerned about Arthur and Arthur knew at that moment that he was going to tell Eames everything and answer all his questions no matter how hard that might be for him.
"Eames I am so sorry for all I have done to you and now if you will listen I will tell you everything you want to know about who I am"
"Pet I always listen to you and now will be no different, just take your time and now I'm hear for you"
Arthur was suddenly nervous to have all 100 per cent of Eames attention on anything he said but Arthur knew Eames loved him and that made it a lot easier to face up to his demons for what he hoped would be the last time.
Arthur started his story recounting the events that led up to his rape by his little league couch, his call boy years and eventually the beating that had made him pick himself up and start over as Arthur Piaf in the dream share business, where he inevitably met Mal and Dom the dream duo as they were known in the business.
Eames listened attentively and even offered the occasional "hmm" that told Arthur he was fully engaged in what he was saying. About half way through the story about his past Eames got up from the single chair he was sitting on and engulfed Arthur in a warm affectionate hug. They remained like that until the story was over and Arthur was sobbing breathlessly against Eames chest. Arthur was relieved Eames was still her whispering sweet nothings into his ear and telling him that everything is all right.
Looking back now Arthur realised he should have been straight with Eames in the first place, deep down he knew that Eames would never have left him because of his past and it was silly of Arthur to think otherwise. Lying beside him now in bed while they laughed like they hadn't a care in the world Arthur truly couldn't think of a place he would rather be.