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.

Comments

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

"Yes. How could I forget the crazy Brit." She laughed slightly, shaking her head amused. "Remind me to tell him, you called him that." She teased, bottle raised slightly toward him. "To us"

The bottle to her lips, she trained her eyes on him in thought. Surprised just how easy this was. And how her bitterness was set aside easily, just with him around.

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"I'm sorry, what would you call him," he asked, arching a brow. "He once told me that me threatening him with a gun was his goal. Why would someone want that," he asked, rolling his eyes. He went quiet a moment, watching her for a moment. "I'm surprised he didn't stay in touch with you. After the Fischer job, things in the warehouse and all, I thought he was interested in you. Why he did all those things to make you smile."

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

"I don't know. Eames. You know him better then I do." She stated, rolling her eyes with a shrug. Only to stop, looking him in the eyes, debating on her words.

"Yeah. I would have thought the same about you. But look how that went."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"You don't... Dammit, Ariadne, that's why I left. You know me. Would I ask for a kiss on a job from just anyone? But then Dom was going back to his kids and you could have a life. A real one. With kids and the possibility of so much more. Things I never thought you could have with me."

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

"Yeah. I know you wouldn't do what you did, to just anyone. You did it to me." She paused, her eyes shutting, as she took a long sip of her beer.

"Sorry. I'm trying to drop it. Just.." She shrugged, shaking her head. "Yeah."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

He set down his beer, not thinking as he moved suddenly, pulling her into his arms. "Ariadne, I'm a dick. I fucked up." The words came out rough, the look on her face in that moment striking him deep. "I'm trying to make up for that."

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

"I know." She mumbled, shrugging into his chest. Letting a small groan out to herself, over the whole situation. "And I'm trying not to hold it against you."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"I wouldn't blame you," he murmured, kissing the top of her head. "I accept what I did."

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

"Damn it, Arthur." She groaned, clenching her hands, while resting her head back against his chest. "Why is it so damn hard, to stay completely pissed off at you, like I obviously should?"

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"Charm and good looks," he said with a small laugh. "Maybe the fact that I'm the first one saying I'm an ass."

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

"Maybe." She snorted honestly amused by that. "Or I'm just rather fond of you." She said, a small shrug.

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"I plan to take advantage of both of these facts," he admitted, fingers lightly toying along the curve of her spine.

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

She hummed lightly at that simple touch, eyes training in on his. "What that you are an ass? Or that I might be fond of you? Because I can, play up you're an ass part, if you would like." She said, honestly teasing with him again.

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"You're thinking about my ass now, aren't you," he asked, hearing the tone in her voice, seeing the look she gave him.

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

Her brow raised, a sly smile on her face. "Would I tell you, if I was?" She stated, obviously trying not to show signs, that she now, in fact was. Though it didn't help any, he still had no shirt on.

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"Because you don't think that look says a million things,' he asked, arching a brow. "You have such a wicked, beautiful smile," he admitted, kissing her tenderly.

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

"Glad you see it that way." Smiling into the kiss, she hummed out a content sigh. Letting her hands, trace along the back of his shoulders. As she let herself forget all that was eating at her, just a few moments ago.

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

Arthur was determined to erase what he had done, especiaslly because he had the concern of what sort of memories the future would bring her. She seemed to be forgiving the dumbest act he'd ever made. Could she handle seeing him not as Arthur but as Arthur Tossi, all gun and suit and encouraging the fear around him.

"How upset are your parents going to be if you leave?"

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

Her brow furrowed at that, focusing on a spot on the wall as she thought that question through. She knew her parents wouldn't be happy. Honestly what parents would be happy, having their daughter, just up and leave. Especially one with the track record, Ariadne seemed to have, as of late. But she was her own person. She would always firmly think that. (Even if she would have guilt.)

"Well." She started, blowing a puff of hair into her hair. "They sort of are use to me just up and leaving, from time to time now. So that won't be a shock." Rolling her eyes, she let out a groan of annoyance at the idea. "I'm sadly not the perfect little daughter I use to be. So I say I'm leaving for a bit. I'll get grief, same as always. I've learned to deal." Pausing she nodding, a small sigh in her tone. "I'll just have to keep in contact."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

Arthur nodded as she spoke, considering options. "Would it help at all if I presented the right image as a friend and possible employer? I can not look like a goodfellow," he offered, smiling, trying to bring that smile back to her lips. "I might even be able to manage no tie, maybe even jeans if I'm feeling daring."

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

Her brow raised, as she smirked out a small laugh. "You telling me, you would be willing to charm my parents?" She asked, head tilted to the side, as curious as ever.

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"If it would help make things easier for you, then yes I would. For you and for your parents," he said, deadly serious.

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

She shrugged, thinking the idea over. Honestly impressed he would be willing to do that. "I guess if you don't mind. I'll be able to think on my feet better with you around."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

Nodding, taking another drink even as he sat back slightly, starting to put things together in his head. "You'd have to let me know what would work best. Friend. Job. Both. What image. I'm used to wearing masks so it shouldn't be that hard to do whatever it takes to make this easiest on you."

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

"Honestly." Her eyebrow cocked, nose crinkling, as she debated on the right words. "You can just be Arthur. They've heard the name in passing." She admits, giving a ghost of a sheepish smile. Knowing it wasn't the best idea, to mention them in the past. But things were different then. And it was just her excitement getting the best of her. "They thought you were a friend from Paris, that's all. No criminal. No dream whatever. Just Arthur."