loadedparadox | (no subject)

"It will because I've already spoken to the man in charge. He accepts I'm not coming back. He owed me for a job I did a few years back for him, so this is me letting him off the hook - all that he's doing for us while we're there. Promise, it'll go over well."

He laughed, giving her a quick hug. "I have no doubt you can defend yourself but you won't have to worry. You will be respected."

"Well as long as you are sure." She let out a small breath, nuzzling back into his side. "I just worry you know."

"And I know I will, I can hold my own with you both. Think I'll be pretty damn good, with folks like what you have told me. Not worried there."

"Worry all you want. I wouldn't let you go into that if it was the least bit dangerous. I wouldn't risk you. You know that," he said, sighing at the nuzzle.

"Most of them will be delighted by you. Trust me."

"Well then, I'm thrilled you can go back. Relax and what not. You deserve it after all." She smiled into his side, inhaling his scent she so much loved.

"You aren't worried, I would leave you, are you?" She asked, at random, now curious slightly again at what he said before.

"And I can share things with you. The desert. The lights of the Strip at night. All of it."

He shook his head, snuggling her closer. "No. I'm not worried at all. Well... I was nervous it would change things but not that you would leave. I knew you'd forgive me with time."

"Sand..." She sighed, giving him a teasing smile. "Lots and lots of sand. It's funny how you grew up there, and I grew up with snow. Just odd, how it is so different. Yet we fit so well."

"Okay, long as I know, you don't worry about silly things like that. Please don't try to keep things from me, you think will change my view on you though."

"Opposites attract?" He made a shudder though, forcing it with a grin. "Snow, huh? I suppose I can survive that."

Nodding, he took a breath, considering it all. "You know the biggest parts now. Most of my early years with dream share was working freelance. At least until I met Cobb. You're just such a... You're right. I shouldn't have worried, or kept things from you. I'm sorry."

Rolling her eyes, smiling. "Don't worry, I'll take you both in the Fall. You both are to pampered to last there in winter."

"I'm such a what, Arthur?" Her brow arched, tilting her head back. Looking at him now, a curious look on her face. "And you don't have to be sorry, Arthur. I know you and Eames keep things from me, you both share, I get that. But doing it to keep me from thinking bad of you all. Isn't really fair to me is all. I would like to make my own mind up, and I'm positive you guys could do almost anything, and it wouldn't change how I thought of you both."

"Pampered? I'm pampered," he asked, trying to look and sound stunned. "I'll have you know I've been in snow. Maybe a whole three times," he teased.

"You're precious to me. I know that isn't a word everyone likes though. I just... I love you more than I ever thought was possible," he confessed, giving her a look that showed that emotion as well. "I don't intend to keep things from you. I just... I never talked about them. Not with Cobb or Mal. Not even really with Eames. Not in detail like this."

"Fine. Thanksgiving, I'll just throw you in the snow. Then possibly have my way with you." She smirked.

Letting a faint smile play on her lips, she leaned over kissing him lightly, resting her head against his. "And I love you. And I'm serious, I'm glad you told me now. You don't have to tell me everything Arthur. We are allowed secrets. Just don't be scared of saying something to me, that's all."

"I'm fairly certain there are parts of my anatomy that might not work well when thrown into frozen rain," he said, grinning. "But I'm more than willing to try and find out."

He leaned in, lingering in the kiss. "I don't think I want to. I mean... I can't think of anything that I would feel the need to keep from you. Anything that might have been remotely... You know my life. Three years as a fugitive. Believing I killed Mal. My father. The killings." He considered all of his life. "Oh. I have a police record. I was caught breaking into corporate headquarters to a place we were hired to infiltrate. I needed information so... I got caught. In fairness, I was twenty-one."

"I will be polite and not say what I'm thinking, the snow would do to them." She said, making a small face.

"You've been arrested?" She made a mock disappointed face. Only to let it fade quickly, giving him a smile. "Honestly Arthur, you could tell me almost anything. And it wont change one thing. I will love you forever. Growing old with you, so deal with it."

"I appreciate it,' he said with a nuzzle. "I'm not sure my ego could stand it."

"Criminal mischief. I convinced them I did it for a fraternity initiation." He waggled his brows at that. "Even when I'm old and gray and you're still young and sprightly."

"You could convince people, the sky was falling, I feel. So that is nothing new." Propping up on her elbow, attempting to keep a very serious face. "Let's just hope, you stay limber. As I have plans for you many a years to come." Said, a smile now on her face, as she couldn't keep the serious face up with it, when not needed of course. "Maybe we should learn yoga. Might keep you flexible."

"I admit, if I wasn't so set in my ways, I'd have been a good extractor for that reason." But it wasn't for him, and he knew it. "I'm sure I've got a few good years left in me, but I think I could stand see you doing yoga. Can't be the only bendy one, can I?"

"I still think, you and Eames would do amazing at that." Said with a smile and nod. Firmly thinking, they both would do an amazing job extracting. And she looked forward to watching them do it.

"You do know, I have a gymnasts frame right? That alone gives me the upper hand on flexibility. I'm sure with the proper teaching, I could bend in positions, only some dreamed about."

"We will find out. I admit, I'm less set in my ways than I was. Both without Cobb directing things and because of you. Perhaps, eventually, I'll try my hand at it though I believe Eames was made for the job." He brushed a strand of her hair back, eyes moving over her features and smiling.

"And shall we begin that training," he asked with a wicked, low rumble to his voice. "I'm all for helping you."

Her eyes closed lightly at his actions, to open again, fixing on his eyes. "I just like the fact knowing, you both can step up need be. So yes, I know you can do it. Just as Eames was made for it."

Her lip quirked up at the corners, attempting yet again, a mock serious face. "You and that voice. Why must you tease me with it?" She asked, batting her eye lashes to add to the effect.

"Yeah yeah, you have all this... faith in me and all," he said with a wave of his hand. "Some people." Except it was just another thing to love, that he loved.

"Who said it was just a tease," he asked, leaning in to kiss the corner of her mouth.

"Some people." She mumbled, trailing her fingers along his hairline.

"True though." She smiled some, leaning in, kissing right below his jaw line. Only to lightly nip at the spot she kissed. "I'm the one that's suppose to tease."

"I know. Horrible beings," he said with a laugh, liking the easy way she touched him, the lightness of her fingers, and how much he himself needed contact with her.

A groan rumbled through him, shivering. "Every growl is a promise, Ariadne. You know that."

"Promises are always something you do well." She laughed slightly, trailing kisses down his neck. "But every growl, just has me wanting to do more."

"That isn't going to discourage me," he pointed out, running his fingers through her hair. He chuckled, carding his fingers through her hair. "There's something else for you to know. My first date? Honest to God date? I was eighteen."

She tilted her head back, brows raised. A look of surprise on her face. "Eighteen, really?"

That made him pause, considering his next words carefully. "Three months shy of my nineteenth birthday, actually. We dated for nearly four months but... Yeah. Eighteen."