Paris in Springtime

[loadedparadox]

((Rp for dreamsofmazes for Iris verse))

They had been back in Paris for two weeks. Despite returning with her, Arthur had given her space. Assuring the warehouse was clean, he released the rental and then set about finding his own place. Settling in, he made himself do what might have made him nervous otherwise. Furniture, his clothes shipped in, even plants in the kitchen and bathroom, offering a hint of hominess to it all.

Only after it was all done did he send the invitation to Ariadne, inviting her over for dinner. Preparing, he set the table, ordered the food and then moved it all to pots and pans to make the pretense that he might know how to cook more than the handful of meals he tended to make for himself the few times he had kitchens in his hotel rooms.

Dressed careful, button down shirt, tucked in but sleeves rolled and collar unbuttoned, slacks and loafers. Lighting the candles on the table, going all out, including pastries waiting for dessert.

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[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

Ariadne wouldn't deny, she was more then surprised (or flattered) when Arthur did join her on the trip back. She always assumed, (Or more told herself) he had things to get back to. So when he did, her heart skipped a beat, thrilled with how things were going, or more the possibility of what could come.

Back in Paris though, Ariadne found herself wrapped back up in school. Finishing all she needed, and honestly whatever was needed to catch up on. So it sadly didn't leave much contact with Arthur. Though what she was able to get, (Phone calls, texts, coffee.) she appreciated more then anything.

So when Arthur finally did invite her over to his place. She found herself jumping at the chance, excited and possibly more curious then anything. Honestly wanting to see, all the little details about his life, she wasn't able to as of yet. Only in hopes of learning all she could about him.

Dressed in her ever standard skinny-jeans, blouse and scarf, (Though it took her four times changing, to finally like how she looked enough.) she knocked on the door. Shifting the small house plant she had picked up for him between her hands. Only in attempt to hide her nerves. Mentally telling herself not to look the fool, or more or less, she needed to breath, waiting for him to answer.

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

Perhaps he'd gone too far, pushed for too much. Not that he'd been aggressive, not in the least. A text here, a call there. Checking up on her classwork, offering to help if need be. He'd spoken with Miles a few times, and still called Dom to check up on him and the children but he was working on making his life now. A life that was without Cobb as his extractor and starting over again without being on the run.

Starting over again with Ariadne here and see where it might go.

Opening the door, he smiled. The scent of olive oil and seasonings was light on the air, mingling with the light jasmine scent of the candles.

"Hey. I... I'm glad you came,' he said, stepping aside and gesturing her to come in.

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

The moment he opened the door, her smile crept up a bit wider when she saw him. "Hey." She said, taking a few steps in, her eyes glancing around some. Taking what she could in, without being overly nosy.

"House warming gift." Holding the plant up slightly to, a small shrug and smile following. "Would have baked something. But I fail at that." She said, inhaling lightly with a smile. "Apparently you can cook though?" She asked, eyes looking up at him. "Smells good."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

Closing the door, he tried not to look too proud. Everything was in shades of taupe and navy, sleek and professional and yet hints of warm tones in rich chocolate and small hints of sky blue. Modern and yet earthy. "Take a look around. I tried to do most of it myself without a designer. Only had one in for the bathroom redesign."

Taking the plant, he leaned in and kissed her cheek. "Thank you. It'll go great in the bedroom. No worries. I have dessert as well." Arthur pondered not telling but he couldn't do it. "Or I'm very good at image and hiding the truth,' he pointed out.

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

"Bathroom design?" Her brow perked at that, head tilting slightly past him to look a bit more. An impressed look spreading on her face, smiling at the way she could see his taste showing in things. "If it has a shower, that keeps a constant stream of hot water." She paused, a smirk on her face looking back up to him. "I'm moving in with you then." she teased, though obviously she would be jealous, as she seemed to not be able to give up her loft yet. It may be small and cramp, but it was hers and she did have a soft spot for it.

"You're welcome." Her heart skipping a beat, at the light touch from his lips, letting a smile was tug at the corner of her lips. "Almost got you a fish. But then realized, I had no idea your thoughts on pets." She teased, only to purse her lips together, eyes turning to the kitchen. "Explain, please? You caught my interest, as always."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"I can show you. I had a custom shower put in, and a tub. Just wanted it special. You spend a lot of time in the bathroom. Most people don't think about it," he said with a shrug. "And the shower does, and there's a guest room," he said before he could stop himself. "Or, you know, you could come and borrow the shower whenever you might want."

Arthur chuckled. "With work I would fear the fish might starve, though I'm more than willing to have you come in and take care of it so long as we're not on a job together."

Grinning, he nodded for her to come to the kitchen. It was all stainless steel and white, and when he opened the trash bin, the take out containers were there. "I cheat."

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

"And they're separate. I'm jealous, Arthur." A small scoff of envy came out, only to smile up to him, a quick wiggle of her eyebrows. "I'll keep that in mind though, the shower and room that is. You never know, might never get rid of me, if you're so willing to cater to my needs." She teased, following him into the kitchen.

"As far as house sitting, you know I will. And when we are...well...I'll just get those self feeder thingys." Teasing before eying the trash, quickly giving him a mock surprised look.

"Totally cheating. Now I can't gush over how a cute guy cooked for me."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"I shouldn't tell you about the sauna off the bathroom then," he asked, arching a brow and smirking a bit. "Because I can pretend it's a closet. It is me and all." For a moment he watched her and then he smiled. "If I was looking to get of you, would I have followed you to Paris?"

Being completely honest as he set the plant on the counter in the kitchen. "Come on. I'll give you the tour before you go on about me trying to lie, and then failing because I revealed my secret. So this is the kitchen and it has all the bells and whistles, though I don't really know how to cook, but I've made a promise to myself to learn."

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

Stopping in her tracks, brow arched in thought. "Yeah. Can I live in your bathroom?" She teased, only to give him a playful smirk. Her eyes widening just slightly, as a tinge of blush settled over her cheeks. "You got me on the whole, following me back part. Maybe you just have a soft spot for nervous girls not sure what to do after they just helped with the impossible." She teased, lightly chewing on her lower lip, as she tucked her hair behind her ear. "Honestly? I'm glad you did though. Came back with me and all."


Her hand tracing along the counter, admiring all the beauty in it all. "You wanting to learn. That mean, you'll ask me out and cook for me many a times?" She asked, eyes focused on him. Debating if she was pushing too much.

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"Then you'd be there to watch me shower," he said, making a small gasping sound but eyes twinkling as he grinned at her. "Yeah, that was... I didn't even think about it. I had spent three years with Cobb and he was going home and you were heading here and all I could think was follow her. I was worried you were going to laugh at me," he admitted, leading her into the living room.
 
It was subtle and sedate, almost formal and obviously rarely used but for the oversized rolltop desk in the corner that sported a laptop and papers neatly stacked around it. "And the room I only use for business," he said, but it has one advantage. Moving to the corner, he pulled back the curtains, revealing the city view. "So next time I'll actually cook and we can sit on the balcony. That way we can toss it over if it is that bad."

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

She hummed in thought to that, her eyes sparkling in amusement. "And that would be a bad thing?" Shrugging as she moved past him, a smile tugging on her lips. "I can find worse things out there, then watching you shower" She stated, glancing over to him gauging his reaction.

Only to stop short when the view appeared. "God Arthur." She happily sighed, eyes focused out on the city. "This view. This is why I love Paris."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"I'm meticulous, like everything else," he teased. "I can't imagine how easily you would get bored. Or distracted. Or flush the toilet to send me a rush of scalding water," he said with a laugh.

Grinning, he pushed the curtains all the way open. "That's why I took this place. Had to do a bit of work but I think it was worth it for that view."

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

"Guess we'll just have to find out one day." She laughed, her attention still on the city. More awe struck by the beauty of it then anything.


"God, Arthur." She attention now turned towards him. A bright smile spreading across her face. "It's perfect. You did well. As always, I'm impressed with you. Even if you had to fake that you could cook."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"Well, if you're living in there, we definitely will," he teased, leaning against the wall by the window.

He laughed, shaking his head. "I could have not told you," he pointed out with a shrug. "I couldn't lie to you though, even though I had planned to. Right until I saw that face."

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

Her expression now showing how young she could be, eyes widening slightly, as she attempted to hide her smile. "So the pure curiously innocent act, that works on you?" She asked, pursing her lips together, as she folded her arms in front of her.

"Honestly? It's cute. Don't think I've met anyone willing to try to impress me with fake cooking."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

For a long time he didn't answer, watching her. The look in her eyes, the smile curving her lips, the sway of her body. "Actually you work on me," he said with a small smile.

"You haven't seen the paper plates and silver because I never remembered dishes."

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

Her smile grew a bit wider at that, her nose wrinkling at it. As she tried like hell to hide the blush the was now showing. And finding herself speechless a moment, turning her attention back onto Paris, chewing on her lower lip, attempting to hide the nonstop smile plaguing her now.

"You telling me, you hate doing dishes?" She finally said, sending a side long glance his way.

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

Arthur laughed, not looking at the view but at her. Noting the smile, the flush to her cheeks. It was easy to remember why he got on that plane for France. "I'm saying I never eat at home so I forgot dishes," he admitted.

"Though I do have the world's fluffiest bath towels," he teased.

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

"It's cute Arthur." Her attention finally turning back towards him. That smile now more calm, though you could see it still in her eyes. "I like that about you."

"Though, I'm serious, if you find me living in there. Feel free to cozy up. I don't bite."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"What you like about me is that I'm cute and eat poorly," he asked, a small smile still curving his lips.

"You don't?" He pushed away from the wall, walking over until he was parallel to her, back to the window. "Shame. Come on then. Dinner will burn." And he head to the kitchen, hiding a smile.

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

"Yes, you figured me out." She said, a light tease in her tone. Only to scrunch her features together at his comment, again finding herself flustered.

Standing there a moment as he went into the kitchen, only in hopes of buying her a quick recovery time, hoping not to embarrass herself any. "Sounds like something I would say, the burning part." She called towards him, as she finally turned on her heels towards the kitchen. Propping her elbows against the counter to watch him. "Anything I can do? Well..at least try to do?"

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"So you don't cook either? Sounds like we'd starve pretty quickly if not for take away," he teased, stirring one pot and then checking on another. "I took a chance you didn't have any food allergies, though not much of a chance. Nothing in your file, and you never mentioned it during the Fischer case so..."

"There's a bottle of wine on the counter over there," he said with a nod. "Corkscrew is in the drawer below it if you don't mind opening it."

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

"God no." She snorts, eyes watching him curiously, a smile playing on her lips. "I burn toast. Fairly sure we'll starve if we have to rely on our culinary skills."

Shaking her head, an amused smile on her face as she went to dig in the said drawer for the corkscrew. "It's odd you know so much about me. Yet I know so little about you." She stated, her eyes glancing over to him. "Not that I mind of course. Just find it funny." Her eyes back on the task at hand then, as she went about opening the bottle.

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"Mmmm, burnt toast," he said with a grin. "I'm sure I'd love it." Getting out the heavy duty paper plates, he started serving up the food. "Maybe later we can go online and you can help me pick out dishes," he suggested, turning to look at her.

"Well, I'll make you a deal. You can ask questions but I reserve the right not to answer, but if I answer, I'm telling the truth and not going to try and hide from it. Deal?"

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

Her smile grew a bit wider at that, a fond smile on her face as she went searching for stemware. "Or I could just take you on a date to IKEA." Pausing, eyes turning back on him. "Less that's not your sorta thing." She asked, more teased then anything.

"Suppose thats fair, Arthur." Nodding as she pulled the glasses down. "Where you from?"