A/N: This is a songfic. The song Whispers in the Dark by Skillet is available on YouTube for listening.

Despite the lies that you're making
Your love is mine for the taking
My love is
Just waiting
To turn your tears to roses

Arthur's hands shook as he poured another cup of coffee. He was exhausted, but he couldn't let the others see that. He had work to do. His nightmares were no excuse for putting them in danger during the next extraction.

The dreamless nights he'd known when he first began dream sharing were only a distant memory now. There was something different about Yusuf's new compound. While Cobb and Eames had been thrilled to realize they could dream on their own again, Arthur was only disappointed. His nightmares were what drove him to dream sharing in the first place. The ability to fall into a dreamless slumber at night was the perfect escape.

Now the nightmares were back.

Despite the lies that you're making
Your love is mine for the taking
My love is
Just waiting
To turn your tears to roses

He sighed when the workday was done, rubbing a hand over his eyes. His vision was beginning to blur.

"All right there, darling? You look exhausted."

"Just enough to know I'm working hard, Mr. Eames." He glanced up from the files on his desk. Everyone was gathering their things to go home and rest until tomorrow morning. Lucky bastards.

"Get some sleep," Cobb was telling them. "We learn the layout of level two tomorrow."

Arthur went to stand, but his legs were unsteady. He leaned against his desk while he pretended to recheck a file.

A hand squeezed his shoulder.

"Let's go, darling. I don't want to pry you away from your work, but if that's what it takes…" Eames trailed off.

Arthur shook the hand off. "I'll sleep here tonight. Have a good one."

Eames shrugged and turned, making his way to the door.

I will be the one that's gonna hold you
I will be the one that you run to
My love is
A burning, consuming fire

Twenty minutes later, Eames was cursing as he marched back to the warehouse.

"Bloody locks," he muttered, reaching into his pocket for the warehouse key. "Locks and keys for every door in existence. Have this one, don't I?" He shoved the key into the lock and turned it. "Couldn't possibly remember the one for my apartment, could I? Of course not."

Shoving open the door, Eames was startled to see a glow emitting from the far corner. Then he remembered that Arthur said he'd sleep in the warehouse. He should have known that stick in the mud wouldn't rest until he was forced to.

Dropping his shoulder bag with a thud, Eames strolled toward the light. He was determined to remind Arthur that sleep deprivation put them all at risk in this line of work.

When he walked around the columns, he saw Arthur splayed out on the sofa, looking as though he'd collapsed.

Oh.

Eames silenced his footsteps to avoid waking him. Arthur hadn't even bothered to take his shoes off.

Fighting the urge to remove them for him, Eames slowly backed away. He was about to grab his key and leave when he noticed a sheen of sweat on Arthur's forehead. His chest was rapidly rising and falling.

Eyebrows knitting in concern, Eames moved closer.

No
You'll never be alone
When darkness comes, I'll light the night with stars
Hear the whispers in the dark

"Arthur?" he whispered, gently shaking him. "Arthur, wake up."

Arthur only murmured and tossed his head. His hands were trembling.

Eames sat on the edge of the couch and patted his chest.

No
You'll never be alone
When darkness comes, you know I'm never far
Hear the whispers in the dark

Arthur bolted upright, his heart pounding. He immediately recognized the warehouse. Fragments of his nightmare flashed through his mind.

"Arthur, calm down," he heard. "Everything's all right, love. You were dreaming."

Whispers in the dark

"Can you hear me?" the voice continued. "You're in the warehouse."

Arthur reached for his totem, but it slipped from his grasp and rolled across the floor.

"Hey, hey, hey. This isn't a dream. Calm down."

Who was speaking to him? Eames? He squeezed his eyes shut before opening them again. Hands firmly gripped his shoulders. He sagged against them, feeling his strength drain away.

You feel so lonely and ragged
You lay here broken and naked
My love is
Just waiting
To clothe you in crimson roses

Arthur tried to breathe deeply. The nightmare still haunted him, but his terror was fading.

"This is why you've been so exhausted lately, isn't it?"

Arthur wordlessly met Eames' stare. There must have been a lingering fear in his eyes, because Eames' usually smug demeanor was replaced with genuine concern.

He nodded, sinking back into the couch. "In my dreams, bad things happen to people I care about."

I will be the one that's gonna find you
I will be the one that's gonna guide you
My love is
A burning, consuming fire

Eames tilted his head. "What bad things?"

Arthur licked his lips and swallowed nervously. His hands clenched into fists. Eames gently covered them with his own hands.

"Car accident," Arthur whispered. "My brother."

No
You'll never be alone
When darkness comes, I'll light the night with stars
Hear the whispers in the dark

"He passed away when I was nine. Drunk driver."

Eames opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He squeezed Arthur's hands to let him know he was there for him. Having experienced death in his own family, he knew there was little he could say to provide comfort.

No
You'll never be alone
When darkness comes you know I'm never far
Hear the whispers in the dark

Arthur sighed. "Stay here tonight. Please. The nightmares aren't as bad when others are nearby."

He saw the internal struggle in Eames' eyes, and bit his lip. He didn't know how much longer he could battle the nightmares on his own.

Finally, Eames nodded. "Of course, darling. I'll grab one of the lounge chairs, shall I?"

Arthur exhaled in relief as Eames stood and disappeared around the corner. He felt his body begin to relax, sinking further into the couch. Everything would be okay now. His eyes fluttered closed. The nightmares wouldn't haunt him for the rest of the night.

No
You'll never be alone
When darkness comes, I'll light the night with stars
Hear the whispers in the dark

Eames returned with the lounge chair to find Arthur already asleep. He smiled sadly, placing the chair beside the couch before he removed Arthur's shoes.

There was a blanket on a folding table. He snatched it up. It would've been a cold night without it. He spread the blanket over Arthur and tucked it around him.

No
You'll never be alone
When darkness comes you know I'm never far
Hear the whispers in the dark

Settling back in the lounge chair, Eames glanced at Arthur one final time.

"Sleep tight, love."

Whispers in the dark

Whispers in the dark

Whispers in the dark