Upon hearing that, and it wasn't until he heard it from Eames' lips, Arthur realized that what he had been wanting to hear, wasn't what he had wanted at all. The thought of not hearing from Eames again - after seeing him again and remembering that year together - he realized, with a violent twist in his chest, goddammit, that's not what he wanted. He cursed the universe's cosmic irony once again. With every fucking cuss he could think of (and even then he didn't think it was enough).

He could feel a lump in his throat. He hadn't even really wanted to leave the first time. He just didn't want to be the one left. Again. He had been so sure, or at least convinced himself so thoroughly that Eames would leave him first... God, he was such shit when it came to relationships if this was one of his "better" ones.

"I don't want that." He doesn't even realize he's said it until he recognizes the voice, just barely; it sounded strained, almost pained. That wasn't too far off if he allowed himself to dwell on what he was feeling inside. But he honestly didn't like to do that.