artfulforger | A wee bit of forgery

Between the time Arthur had arrived to his New York City apartment and found the painting and the time Eames had arrived, he had spent much of that time doing a bit of spring cleaning (regardless of the fact that it was now fall and going very quickly into winter).

It hadn't escaped his knowledge that the real version of the painting was now hanging up in MOMA for their current exhibition. It had been all over the news since the exhibition opening. This would be fun.

He walked over to the door when Eames knocked and opened it up. "Long time no see," he mused with a little smirk, stepping further away from the door to let him in. Arthur was dressed casually enough, casual for him in any case, in a pair of fitted jeans and t-shirt.

Lounging in the doorway, looking as casual and sweet as he could look, he gave Arthur a killer smile. "Hasn't it been, Darling. I was beginning to think we'd never make time for one another again. So glad work brought me back your way."

Still smiling as he strolled inside, giving it a glance around. "So like you, Darling. It really is." He looked at Arthur. "Miss me, Darling?"

He had definitely missed Arthur and wasn't going to hide that. No, he actually thought highly of the pointman. Something evidenced by the painting he'd sent a head. "Surprised my work isn't hanging up in the living room."

Arthur shut the door behind him and locked it before he faced him. "Work? I consider this more like a special hobby," he said and stepped in further.

He had missed Eames, more than he might have expected to have missed him. "Maybe - a little," he said, his tone teasing though as he watched him. "Did you miss me?"

Arthur chuckled and lead Eames further into the apartment, where the painting was setting on the dining room table. "I figured it probably needed to look well cared for if it was going to be switched out for an authentic. Besides, it didn't go with the decor."

Oh but that smile got a little more twisted then, a bit wicked. "Well, call it honing my skills," he admitted, giving him a boyish look. "When I first started in my secondary life beyond my parents, my first jobs were works such as these. When the money fell out of that, I turned to papers, and then with dreamshare it led me to forging people. Painting though was my first passion and my worst skill," he said, shaking his head. "My own works were horrid things. My master's masters though are works of true art." He could copy anything he was put to and the paintings proved that.

"Terribly, Arthur. You have no idea how much I've missed you. Tears me apart being away from you," he said, and while it was a bit over the top, it was not all that off from the truth either.

"Didn't go with the... Darling! This is a true masterpiece. It's worth millions. Or it will be," he said, winking at him.

"It's funny, my parents jobs were stealing art and selling them," Arthur admitted with little amused smirk. He liked knowing what had lead Eames into forging. It wasn't as though he didn't have his facts, he did but he liked hearing it from the source better than searching for it himself.

I'm sure it has torn you to pieces being away from me. How long has it been," he asked with a smirk.

"It will be worth millions once we do a little switch." To be honest, Arthur enjoyed jobs like these. It was like returning to his roots, a little old fashion theft.

Eames paused, considering that as he glanced at Eames. "If I asked their names, would you tell me? It's not a huge world, after all. It's entirely possible I knew them through business." Which was a thought that amused him to no end to imagine he had known Arthur's parents before he knew the pointman.

"Weeks. Months even." Nothing more than six weeks, if he was honest. Or maybe eight but that was at most. It didn't change him whining about missing him.

"It will. There's a man prepared to give me 3.4 for this little beauty when it's the real thing and not my exquisite copy. Of course, one third that is yours for now. Half if you want in on the bait and switch."

He considered that question for a long moment. "If you asked, there's a good chance that I would. At least, one of the sets of aliases that they use often enough." It was interesting and terrifying just how small the community could be at times - especially if you were just that good. Or bad.

Arthur chuckled and shook his head at Eames' response. "Pretty sure it's only been, at most, a little less than two months."

"Impressive," he said, being fully honest. "Of course. You did ask me to stick around to help you out. Thought I'd lend my skills."

That made him smile, knowing they were dancing around it because there was a chance they were now connected and that could cause issues in other ways. Or at least make life more interesting. "How about this deal. I am asking, and I'll give you one of my aliases for one of theirs. How does that sound?" Given it was all aliases, there was still the chance they knew one another, but not by those names. Of course, it was a small world, and he at least felt he wasn't asking for more than he was willing to give.

"Two months and two days to be exact," he corrected, proving he had been keeping track of those days and suddenly not trying to hide it.

"Good then. I would much rather your time and company than the money for the job."

Arthur found himself smiling. It was all too likely that they were connected in more ways than one. He considered it before nodding his head in agreement. "One of their more well known aliases is Douglas and Rosalin Adams." Their real names were Nathan and Julia but hardly went by them unless for legal reasons.

So it had been over two months. Arthur felt himself grin. He liked knowing that Eames had been keeping track as much as Arthur had been.

"Good because I declined a job in Mexico to help you out," he said. Not to just help him out but to spend time with him.

Eames laughed. It was a sharp, amused sound. "Doug and Rose were in Italy about two years ago. She was a delightful art dealer and he her muse," he said, shaking his head. He stared at Arthur for a long time. "You look more like her than your dad," he pointed out. Not that he wasn't likely to know that. "And ask them what they remember of Daniel Laheen. If I'm thinking the same pair."

Of course he was admitting so much that he knew about them and their time apart if he knew it to the moment.

"Did you now? All for me," he asked, smiling widely. "I feel honored."

Arthur didn't even try to hide it, he laughed. He wish he could say he was surprised but truthfully, he wasn't. "That would be them," he said with a little smirk. "I've also been told I've inherited my Mom's looks."

"Next time I talk to them, I'll be sure to ask."

Arthur walked into the kitchen and took out a couple of glasses, not asking if Eames would want a drink - figuring he probably would. "You should. It was a good pay out." He poured them each an amount before walking over and hands over a glass.

"I believe you mentioned a present," he said, giving Eames a teasing look. He didn't truly expect a present. Arthur just enjoyed giving the forger shit.

"Not that talking after your Da would be bad, handsome block too, but not the same as you look. I like the sharp lines and foxish good looks,' he admitted. And he knew now Arthur had more ways to check on him, and he was okay with that.

He took his glass, taking a sip. "Thank you."

He smiled then, considering. Then his hand dipped into his inner pocket, pulling out an envelope and a small box. He handed them over.

The envelope had invitations to a very prestigious party at the museum. Inside the small box was a tiny, exquisite crystal and gold car. A Phantom.

"That may be missing from someone's Egg."

"Nice save," Arthur mused with a teasing look passed his way. He nodded and took a sip from his glass before holding it between his fingers at his side.

He was maybe a little surprised when Eames pulled the envelope and small box and passed them over. Yeah, there had been mention of a gift but he hadn't actually thought Eames would follow through on the gift portion.

"And did you bring a tux for the evening," Arthur asked, pulling the invitations out of the envelope for the very exclusive gala, looking at him. "Or will we be needing to go shopping?" He did enjoy going shopping, especially for suits.

As if that was of any surprise.

When he opened the box and took a look inside, his eyebrows rose and he opened his mouth. "Someone will not be happy about missing this," he said, gently taking the crystal form from the box.

"Think you can charm your way with crystals and gold, Eames?" He was absolutely teasing and it was given away by the glint in his eye as he held the car in his hand.

He watched him, curious and amused by his expression.

"I will actually need a tux. Even though I had one before, I have bulked a bit and figured it was just time for a new one." He turned, making a presentation of himself just to make Sure Arthur hadn't missed those changes.

"Someone shouldn't leave Royal Faberge eggs just laying about like baubles," he said with a shrug of his shoulders, smiling widely at the point man. "Call it a lesson for them. Everyone should learn one or two like that in their lifetime.

"And I think I can chanrm you without them, that was just because it made me think of you. And diamonds, Love. Platinum and diamonds with crystals."

Arthur took the moment, as Eames presented himself, to look him over. He had noticed the changes in the forger's physique as soon as he had opened the door to let him in. He wouldn't deny that it suited him and he very much appreciated the view. "I noticed," he said, finally. "We'll have to do a bit of shopping."

He cleared his throat a little and felt himself grin. "Yes, they should," Arthur agreed and ran his finger over the figure resting safely in his hand.

There was no doubt in his mind that Eames was right, he could charm him with or without them but he would admit, he liked that it made Eames think of him. "Thank you, Mr. Eames." He meant it too. It was beautiful and he knew just the place for it for the time being. Arthur walked toward the mantle and sat it down in a good place.

"I may need to at that. I do need a bit more clothing to fill out like myself." He smiled then, playing and enjoying himself. Given what he was asking Arthur to help him with, he couldn't help but to be more than a bit jovial about it all. "Would you help me? Maybe do a bit of hands on work to see what fits best?"

"You're welcome. I truly wanted you to have it. I can imagine you driving a car like that, after all. Smokey grey and a bit as elegant and old fashioned as you can be. No offense meant by the term," he assured him.

"You do, don't you," he said, his lips curling up in amusement as he looked Eames over again. "If I can attempt to persuade you from buying paisley, of course I will help." He was mostly teasing, he would make sarcastic remarks about Eames' affinity for paisley with tweed but it worked for the forger.

"No offense taken."

Fact was, he could see himself driving something like it as well.

He walks back over to the forger and smiled. "Do you have a plan for the switch?"

"I can't promise that," he said with a smile. "I do like my paisley and it looks charming on me, Darling. You can't say it doesn't." He could and might, and he knew it. That didn't change he'd keep wearing it. "You'll help me, won't you?"

He actually went so far as to bat lashes at him, smirking.

"Oh I have it all plotted out, Darling, though I wouldn't mind if you took a look over them tonight. Maybe over a bottle of wine?"

"Paisley or no paisley, I suppose I can help," he said, shaking his head slowly with a chuckle as Eames batted his eyelashes at him.

"I wouldn't mind looking them over tonight. I do a bottle or two of wine we can share." Arthur liked knowing the plan and knowing what he was getting into.

To be honest, he was excited for a little old fashion thievery.

"Yes paisley," he said, not letting that go. Not because he had to insist on paisley but that he felt the need to push and push Arthur, just for his own amusement.

"See, that sounds wonderful. And if you ask nicely, I can remove the shirt. All for your sake," he offered with a grin. "I mean, whatever I can do to make things easier on you with your help and all," he teased.

"All for my sake," he repeated with an arched eyebrow and an amused smirk. "May need to take you up on that, after all, your shirt is offending every single sense I have."

Which wasn't at all the truth but just as Eames had to push, Arthur had to push right back. "Are you hungry? I can order something for us or, you may be happy to know, there is actual food in the fridge that we can cook up."

He figured Eames had just gotten off the plane not long ago and may be hungry after a long plane ride. Arthur picked up his glass again and took a drink of it before making his way into the kitchen.

Eames arched a brow at that, unable to hold back a smile. Especially as his fingers toyed with the top button of his shirt that was still done, popping it open. "So do tell. Do you want it removed here and now?" He wasn't sure what Arthur might say but he was definitely curious how far they would push this game.

"Wait, you cook?" Oh that was definitely interesting. He was learning things every day it would seem.

"Well, what would you rather do, since I'm invading and all."

Arthur couldn't help but watch Eames' fingers and hummed in response. His lips quirked up a little bit as he moved his gaze back to Eames'. "It can wait but I wouldn't say no if you wanted to take it off now." He was, after all, a big fan of Eames without a shirt. Having touched and kissed that skin several times before.

"Not very well," he admitted with a chuckle. "But I can make salad and other simple things."

Arthur sat his glass down on the counter before looking at the forger. "What do you feel up to having? You were the one to get off of a long flight after all." Arthur was flexible when it came to it.

Well, if he was going to put it that way, why wouldn't he give in to that mutual desire? Slowly his fingers began undoing the buttons on his shirt, revealing the tattooed skin beneath.

"Always willing to do things for you," he said, letting it hang open as he stepped closer to Arthur.

"Something light is good. Not starving. I'm good with whatever we have in house. Maybe we could work on it together," he offered, considering that options.

Arthur didn't have a single doubt about that and honestly, the feeling was mutual. He did a lot, in his own way, for Eames. He took the moment as Eames stepped in closer to look his fill and hummed.

"Light is good," he agreed after lifting his gaze to look at Eames. He nodded with a bit of a smile. It sounded very domestic but he liked the idea of working on something together for them to both eat. "Let's do that." But he didn't step away yet and instead stepped in closer to Eames. It had been months since they last saw each other after all.

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