Arthur knew Eames better than anyone. Absolutely better than anyone else. It was frightening on so many levels, scary to know none that well, and yet he wouldn't want it to be any other way. He wanted all that they shared, even if it was the dark and the bad. Like this.

His fingers brushed against Arthur's shoulder before he reached for the alcohol, medical not and not liquor. "I know you do, and you know I'll always be here," he said, tones hard and serious and the absolute truth.

"I won't lie. We both know this is going to hurt. Please, know. I'm not trying to hurt you." He didn't want to, but it would get worse if he didn't do this now. "Lean over a bit so I can clean the wound."