All in Black verse: For Ariadne

[loadedparadox]

It had been three years since the team had completed the Fischer case and made inception happen. Three years since Arthur had realized he was on his own. Cobb had gone back to his family, Ariadne to school and Eames had disappeared into the ether of the Mombasa underground. Mal was dead, and he'd finally seen her grave, but that didn't make it any easier to deal with. He had two choices. Find a new team, or give it all up.

His family, the family he'd had before, accepted him back without a second guess. He was the boss' son, Arthur Tossi, and no one questioned him. Especially not after he'd shot Danny Sanducci in cold blood, leaving the body to bleed all over the floor of his new office. That was three years ago. He was no longer the man he'd been, not the one that the dream share community had known. He couldn't be that man. Sweet and kind and tender yet determined. He had to be cold, distant, and the world was another place than it had been. He might not smile anymore than he had before but at least then his eyes had seemed warm.

Her name was Ashley. She'd been with him for a year the night she was killed. Smart, funny, easy to talk to. Petite and pretty and she reminded him of someone else - someone he hadn't realized he missed until he was standing over the grave site of another woman in his life.

Research still came second nature to him, finding her address and making his way there the next day. Dressed in black raw silk, his shirt blood red and the tie midnight with a tiny red pattern. Hair slicked back and a slight bulge under one arm as he knocked on the door, jaw covered in a couple days of stubble and his jaw set in a hard line.

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[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

Life was anything but typical for Ariadne, since the Fischer case. She was left to deal with things on her own, not sure whom to talk to. As they all seemed to spread out on their own. Leaving her with no form of communication, with any of whom she thought of, as her team. Which only left Ariadne, to muddle through life, trying to get back what she had during the Fischer case. She wanted that feeling, the feeling of pure creation back. And Professor Miles was always quick to tell her, he understood, but it was best to stay out of it. And anyone that knew Ariadne knew she couldn't just walk away from anything. Especially something as amazing as dreams. She couldn’t walk away the first day. And she sure couldn’t after that.

Which lead her to only explore the world of the underground dream sharing. She found herself, with any chance she had, sneaking away to unknown places. Places she would have never thought to attempt to locate before. But now she needed them. As they were the only connection to the world she so badly wanted. Which sadly, in turn, took a great tool on her life. At first she was good at hiding it. Good at seeming like the happy young girl she was looked at as. Until her grades started to slip that is. Of course she still graduated, earned her masters, made her parents proud. But that wasn't even up to Ariadne's standards. It was just getting by. She became distant from her friends. Closed off, and even at times paranoid.

Right after graduation though, Ariadne took a job with her fathers construction company. Designing speck homes, and mundane office buildings. And Ariadne hated it. It wasn't what she wanted. She wanted more. And found her self, from time to time, letting her mind wander off in thought, about the team that she grew so fond of, in such a short time. Wondering what they were doing. Sure she tried to find ways of contacting them. From time to time, she would hear rumbles of Eames, making his presence known somewhere. But that was about it, nothing of the others.

So when the door knocked that day. Ariadne didn't expect at all, who would be waiting on the other side. So making her way, bagging sweatshirt and boxer on, hair in a messed up pony tail. She swung the door open, quickly speaking her mind.

"Not interes..." She said, swinging the door open, only to stop short. Face to face with the man, her thoughts randomly went to. Not looking anything like he use to. Something colder. Something, not like the man she once knew.

"Arthur?"

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

He wasn't sure what he'd expected. She was the same and not even quite the girl he knew. He hadn't had a day in three years he hadn't thought about her, and yet never allowed himself a single look. If he'd checked, followed her, had her followed, he might have done this sooner. Maybe he should have, before he got in too deep and too far and the business was his life.

And then she was standing there in front of him, all glower and shock, he opposite of his mob boss clothes and slicked hair.

"I... Didn't think through this moment past this. Past you and here and now. Now that I'm here I'm thinking... Come back to Vegas with me."

He hadn't planned on it and then the words were out of his mouth before he could stop them.

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

One hand on her hip, the other, she finds propping herself up against the door. Unsure how steady she would be, if she actually did let go. As she is still adjusting to the fact, he actually is standing in front of her. Eyes furrowed, intently focused on the man at her door. Not entirely sure how she should take all of this, and all that he just said.

"You haven't seen me in three years or so. And you show up asking me to come to Vegas? What the hell, Arthur?" She snorts, more naturally confused then anything. Pausing a brief moment, debating on if she should, let him in or not. Only to let her gut take over, slowly moving aside for him to enter. Brows rose, not saying a word. As she assumes he knows, what she is implying.

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

For a long time he watched her and didn't step inside. He took a moment, looking around as if thinking he might have been followed, careful before he nodded and stepped inside. "If I was kind to you, I'd go back." Not that he sounded the least bit regretful, nor that he had any plans to.

"Close the door and lock it. You armed here? Alarm system?" Paranoia took you a long way when you were him. "I should have called but then I went home and... And I wouldn't let myself drag you into this."

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

She rolled her eyes, torn between annoyance at the orders, and sheer confusion. Before doing as he requested and locked the door. Not wanting to mention, she know right where her 9 millimeter was. As she had learned, it came in handy when you went snooping in the underground dens.

"What the hell are you talking about Arthur."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

The door closed, close space with her and he realized her scent hadn't changed. Like honey warmed by sunlight. His shoulders shifted back a bit, chin up.

"I did what Cobb did," he said plainly. "I went home and now... I always was good and thorough in what I do." He looked around. "Some place we can sit down?"

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

"Okay." Rolling her eyes, she nodded to the couch, eyes watching his actions. Unsure what exactly he wanted. But knowing somehow, it was still Arthur. And it really didn't matter, in some far off way.

"You didn't even say, goodbye." Which hurt her, and confused her more then anything. "I don't get what you're talking about, not at all."

Curling into the end of the couch, she watched him, a faint smile trying to come out. "Is everything okay?"

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"Right. Goodbye." He settled in on the couch, undoing the top button of his jacket and revealing the leather holster beneath when he moved. "I didn't think it was. I wanted to go home, and straighten things out. Find a life that isn't dreams and risking it all. Then it sucked me back in."

There was a moment when you decided to open up and reveal the truth or lock it away and pretend everything was okay and life was fine and go back to what you knew rather than what was in front of you.

"Two years ago the man who nearly raised me died. Heart attack. Since then I've been..." He paused, because the common names, the words, they had connotations. "I've been the mob boss for two years now. Running the syndicate out of Vegas, though we're more in Miami these days." He snorted. "God, I hate Miami."

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

Another quick roll of her eyes, as he says goodbye. Only to focus in on the holster, brows furrowed, as she listens to him. Quickly doing a double take, making sure she had it correct.

"You're shitting me?" It came out, quicker then she thought it would, not thinking before she spoke. Her hand waving in some random pattern, as if she was trying to find the words she wanted. "You up and left, and became some Goodfellas sort of guy?" Pausing she looked at him, a skeptical eye on him. "Why are you here?"

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

He nearly winced but when he ducked his head, looking back up at her, there was a flash of a smile for a moment before it faded. "In this outfit, do I look like I'm shitting you," he asked, a brow arching sharply. "Sorry I don't have a business card or anything. The government would love that sort of evidence, and you should have seen me hiding the dream sharing money so I didn't end up like Capone, going to prison for tax evasion."

Again there was a hint of laughter, a bit of Arthur that had disappeared when he'd gone home.

"I didn't know why I came. I don't know. Two days ago I... I buried my first love. She came back into my life around the time I took over the syndicate. She was also an extractor. I realized, standing over that grave, that much as I cared about her... I've thought about you ever day for three years. So I got on a plane and didn't let myself walk right past and back to the airport. What I want? I don't know. I needed to see you. See... I can't walk away from it, Ariadne, but I couldn't not see you again."

He couldn't stand over her grave like he had Mal's and never say goodbye like he'd avoided.

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

"Oh you're funny, Arthur." She said, almost cracking her standard smile, that was so common with him, back then. But things had changed. He obviously had, and so had she.

Resting her elbow resting against the end of the couch, only to support her head. As her mind was racing a mile a minute with all that he said. "I'm sorry about your friend, girlfriend, wife, I don't know, I'm sorry though." She stated, a sympathetic smile on her face. Pausing a few moments, just wanting to watch him. Say she had missed him, say that she was pissed he left, say all she thought about in her head many times. If she was only given the chance to say them. And now having the chance, she couldn't. All she could do was stare, watching him. Thinking back on all that happened to them in the past.

"Three years, Arthur. A lots changed. I just..." She sighs, running her hand down her face. "It's nice to see you."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"You think I'm kidding about the money and Capone,' he asked, smirking then. Almost a smile. "Wasn't giving it up. Of course, most of it is now in your name or Eames' so... You could ruin me fairly easily."

He hadn't meant to admit that but then it came out and was there.

"She was a friend. I think you would have liked her." He ran his fingers through his hair but it didn't muss very much. "You two together could have made my life miserable." Yet he said it fondly, without heat or concern. Just thinking about everything he never let himself think about.

"I'm sorry. I should have said something. Anything. Then the inception was over and I confronted Dom there in the airport and..." And he'd learned the truth. "I had to think and then I was gone and you were in a life where I realized you were safer than if I came to see you."

Except he was here. Now. "I missed you." The words came slowly, nervous to say them. "But I'm not who you knew and I shouldn't be here. Not with Mal and the business and everything that comes with it."

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

Her eyes widened at that, not sure if she hear him right. "You're really not serious, are you? You haven't seen me, in three damn years. Do you actually think, putting money in my name, is going to change the fact; I've had no contact with you since then. Or even that, I was made to try to forget about you?" She snapped out, eyes not taking there focus off of him. "Arthur. I just don't get it."

Her hands running over her face, she let out a small frustrated groan. Focusing her attention back on him, unable to speak a moment. Just looking at him. Still wrapping her head around the idea of it, knowing it wasn't a dream. She knew that much. Or she figured that much.

"I'm sure I would have. Liked her, that is." She replied softly, closing her eyes a brief moment. "No one is the same. Not anymore."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"I did it years ago. When Mike died and then I was there and they voted me in and...' And he looked away then because her voice actually hurt him. "No one else I could trust. Still isn't." Never would be. Not with the life he was leading. "Dammit, Ariadne. Life snowballed on me. I was trying to deal with shit that I bottled up for three years and then I was in charge and you were gone and Eames was a damn ghost and Dom... Dom's happy and last I knew planning a wedding and it was like I was trapped in this world and outside of it was what I wanted and I just..."

He pushed to his feet, suddenly antsy, pacing like a wild animal with the scent of blood. Only it was his own that he was scenting and it made him nervous. Anyone else saw him like this and he'd be dead within a week.

Moving suddenly, leaning down over her with one hand on the arm of the couch. "Tell me you didn't miss me, Ariadne. Tell me you didn't think about me every goddamn day like I thought about you?" It was asking too much, demanding, and he couldn't stop himself. "Even haunted by that damn..." He shook his head, staring down at her and knowing any minute she could attack. 'Tell me you didn't and I'll go."

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

Her eyes focused on him, torn between sheer confusion, and wanting to run to him, and tell him all she could. Not sure why, she was so conflicted. But knowing her stubborn side was getting the best of her. As part of her, always felt cheated out of something amazing. "I don't know what to say." She said flatly. Eyes not leaving his.

His pacing had her, straightening in her spot. Unsure how to react. As it sent a wave of emotions through her. All of which were battling for top position. But once he was over her, and all her senses were surrounded by him, her response was clear. "I can't say, I didn't think about you.". She paused, eyes fixed on him. Seeing something else in them, something she didn't recall. Something that sent a shiver down her spine. "I spent three years, trying to stay close to what we all had. You. Eames. Everyone. I thought about you all the god dam time. Is that what you want to hear?" She finished, a slight pained look to it. Knowing she hadn't admitted that to anyone.

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, that's exactly what I wanted to hear."

His hand curled into the fabric of her sweatshirt, pulling her to him even as he kissed her. Hard. Fierce. Three years of trying to forget and being unwilling to forget. A man used to taking what he wanted and not being refused. Not by anyone.

"I wrote you out of everything I owned. I never wanted them to be able to find you. I wanted you protected, safe from me and everything I've become. Except my advisers, my enemies, all of them have been looking for the Bishop," he admitted softly, still over her. "I think they believe you to be an assassin."

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

The kiss was a mix of need, anger and lust. She wanted it, she thought about it, over and over. But she was angry, bitter, over how life was now. And it was all coming out in one kiss. Breaking the kiss, her eyes closed a moment, gathering her emotions. Wanting to be the Ariadne he use to know. The one he left, with no word, three years ago.
"You're shitting me?" She asked, catching her breath. Eyes focusing back on him. "I didn't do anything. Hell, you just admitted, you wrote me out of your life." Her brow furrowing, jaw tensing, as she watched him.

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

For a moment his eyes focused on her mouth, aching to push her down onto the couch and take everything he wanted. Seeing that anger in her eyes and knowing what it would be like, how much of a wildcat she'd be in his arms. It took every ounce of self control to drag his gaze back to her eyes, to swallow down that need and focus on telling her everything.

Hand dipping beneath his jacket, he pulled out the pistol he carried. Letting it slide down so the muzzle is in his palm, he showed her the side of the butt. Inlaid was the outline of a bishop done in brass. "A form of one of the tattoos I have," he admitted. "Rumor started I took this off a woman who tried to kill me."

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

The look she gave Arthur, was one of more disbelief then anything. How could someone, obviously keep her in his thoughts, yet, never once contact her. Check to see if she was okay. When obviously she wasn't okay, at least in her opinion.

Focusing on the butt of the gun, she shook her head. Not sure what to make of it. Knowing full well, it referenced her. Unless there was someone else, with a gold bishop running around, Arthur's apparently new life. And that was highly unlikely. "Is this your slick attempt, at saying; sorry, I ditched you, left you to figure everything out on your own. Only to turn the memories of you, into something unlike, anything you could have thought?" Pausing she looked him over, a slight smirk appearing on her face. "You have a bishop tattoo? Seriously?"

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"If that's all I was doing, I'd show you the ink first,' he said, voice a bit gruffer. "Hurt a helluva lot more." Yet he dropped the gun on the side table with a thunk, his fingers brushing her cheek if she lets him. "I'm sorry, Ariadne. I screwed you over and then convinced myself it was a favor to you. I was an ass and that hasn't gotten any better. You deserved better than what I did," he whispered, staring into those beautiful eyes of hers.

He nearly smiled. "One of several I have, yeah. First one I got." He took her hand. "I swear, if you laugh, I may leave." Said even as he placed her fingers to the left side of his chest. "It's nearly three years old. I need to get it touched up."

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

Not even a second thought was given to the firearm, finding a home on her table. It was becoming second nature now, having them around from time to time. So his was nothing new to her. Though, she did note, his was a high quality one. And found her self, oddly jealous of that fact.

"Yeah, you did. And you were." She sorted out, as she shook her head lightly. Her eyes closing at his touch, not moving towards it, or away from it. Just. Remaining. Still. As if she was debating, if she wanted to slug him, or do things, she has only thought about in dreams. "Don't try to tell me, I deserved better, Arthur. I know I did, but it didn't happen. None of you gave me a second thought. I was just something you all used. You got what you wanted, and then you left. Can't change that. I just found ways to deal with it." She said, her eyes opening again, focusing back on his.

"Seriously?" Said in a hushed tone, tracing her finger lightly over the area her hand now was. "Arthur. Why are you doing this?" She asked, a slightly pained tone. Now suddenly worried, she was going to let herself get hurt, before all of this was over.

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"No."

He said it in a suddenly pained voice, sinking to one knee there on the floor before her. His hand stayed over hers, unwilling to lose that contact, not until she shoved him away.

"I never meant to use you." He wouldn't deny they had, but he had never meant to, no matter what Dom's goals might have been. "You're right. I can't changed I fucked up, and I did. I know that. What I can do though is not keep screwing it up. Or at least try not to."

He looked down, considering his words, her words, watching her fingers move against his shirt. Raising his head, staring into those eyes so rich with emotion, and all ones he'd caused. "I buried one of the few people in this world I care about two days ago. I stood over an open grave and all I could think about was you." He winced. "Which wounds wrong. I just... How long before I was standing by your grave like I had Mal's and never the right words to you? So... so I got on a plane. You throw me out, I accept that. Tell me to go to hell? Hit me? I deserve it all. Give me a chance to get to know you, Ariadne. Not the girl we... we abandoned, but the woman you've become. Come to Las Vegas.

"The syndicate is all dreams now. So much of it is the dens and the secrets and it's why I'm who I am. I'm the best, Ariadne. No, I'm one of the best. Even if you tell me to fuck off and die, come be with me as my architect, at my side, as something more than the next shade to haunt my dreams," he whispered.

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

Running her hands down her face, a faint groan coming out. Trying to figure out how she wanted to attack this. "I have a life here, Arthur." She stated, running her hand through the top of her hairline. "Not that I like it." She admitted for the first time out loud.

"I want to trust you. I do. Hell. I keep telling myself, there is not reason not to. Just because it is you." Pausing, her brow furrowed, intently focused on him. Trying to find a flick of the old Arthur, she once knew. "How do I know, you aren't just saying all of this? Saying shit, just to get me to follow you, like you know I would. How do I know, you wont just leave me to fend for myself?" She asked, her tone filled with doubt and nerves she wanted to so fight away.

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"So make a life you would like, Ariadne. With me. Without me. Don't settle for a life you aren't happy with." He'd seen it too often. Was living it. Maybe Eames was too. They had for enough years before they ever met her. "Whatever you need, make it happen."

Sitting back on his heel, giving her the most open look he could, honest. "I can't tell you to trust me. I can't say believe me now because I know my actions speak a million times louder than my words. I didn't know you would though. I was... I was fairly certain you wouldn't let me past the door," he admitted. "Give me a chance to give you back what we took from you. Even if you never come to Vegas. What can I do to fix it? How can I set this right," he asked, knowing one thing. How to fix problems and make everything run smoothly.

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

Her brow pinched in a tight line, watching him. "You can't fix something, already broken, Arthur. There is nothing you can do that can fix that. You can only start over." She said, admitting in her own way, she would do what he asked.

"I wanna kick your ass so bad Arthur." Shaking her head, she pushed her self back into the couch more. Eyes not wanting to leave his. Just wanting to burn them into her memory. "Do you have any idea, how many times, I've wanted to check if this was a dream already?" She shook her head, pulling out her totem. Only to wave it in front of him, a frustrated look on her face. "I never had to do that, till I went to the those damn dens. Hoping one day, I would come across one of you." She sighed, tossing her totem to the side. "And now you want me to go back to that?"

Her hands rubbing over her face again, she groaned to herself. "Damn it, Arthur. "I know I shouldn't do this, it's utterly crazy. But I can't not do it. Hence why I wanna kick your ass more." She finished, somehow letting a ghost of a smile show.