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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[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

Picking up his glass, Arthur watched her over the rim as he took a drink. Slow, tongue playing against the rim for a moment. "The truth? Probably not, though I suspect I might forget it. Eventually. Especially should it ever happen," he added, watching her closely for her reaction.

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

Stifling her giggles more, as she shook her head, looking back down at her meal a moment. "Should it happen." She started, tone as calm as she could make it. Before looking back up, a sly smile now on her lips. "We're using that shower."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

The smile widened. "It is only appropriate to have naked time in the shower. What with it being the shower and all," he said with a grin. "Natural to be naked in the shower, right?"

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

"Exactly. Naked time is a must in a shower." Her smile bright and her eyes filled with amusement over this all. "Especially with your shower. It's a extreme must. Let's just hope it can handle our naked time."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

He smiled, putting down his glass. "Would you like to see the shower in question," he asked, holding out his hand.

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

Her brow arched, glancing down at the food a moment then to him, a smile on her face. "I suppose that would be a good idea." She said, taking his hand with a quick laugh. "Lead on, good sir."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"The food will wait,' he said, turning to head for the hallway. Past one door, into a another. The bathroom was attached to the master bedroom with a door to the hallway. It was massive with glass tiles set into the wall to allow sunlight, a clawed tub and a massive shower. Three walls were stone and one glass, like it had been carved out of a cave. It had ceiling jets, as well as those in the walls.

"Well?"

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

"Well.." Her hand tracing along the sink, eyes looking all around. Obviously impressed with the layout and design. And it was evident in her face when she looked at him, she loved the space.


"Pretty sure I can squeeze a bed in here."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

The toilet was hidden behind a wall, the sink free standing with a waterfall pouring down into it when turned on. All the accessories were in muted bronze, the colors in chocolate and navy to match the house and stones.

"I'll get one made for you. Fold down. Save space."

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

"You're too good to me, Arthur." She said, her tone filled with play. Turning to inspect the room more she smiled. "- "I love how the lines seem to flow. And the balance of natural light and fluorescent, it's amazing." She stated, her hand running along the tub with an appreciative smile.

"Brown and Blue." She started, her attention turning toward him. "Favorite colors? Or just something else?"

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"Someone has to be," he said, mostly serious. "I spend a lot of time around architects. Something must have worn off on me,' he said, tones a bit lighter.

He looked around, considering that. "Favorite, I suppose. Feels... grounding and centered to me. Always was attracted to them. Sky and earth type thing,' he said with a shrug, never really having put thought into why he liked them.

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

"And what's that suppose to mean, my good sir?" She asked her tone full of amusement still. Glad she could be herself in this moment. "Are you saying other architects lack the spunk and natural grace I have?"

Her eyes still glancing around, she nodded in understanding. "I like it, Arthur. It fits you well."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"I wasn't saying that but I will say it is true. I've never known one with your vibrancy. Perhaps why I was so glad when you returned to the warehouse," he pointed out, once more serious in the face of her teasing smiles.

"Good. I'm glad. I admit, I put a bit of time and thought into it and was concerned I was presenting an image and not myself."

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

Her brow knitted together at that, a slightly embarrassed, or more flattered smile settling over her face with that statement. "Um maybe? I don't know. I'm sure there is someone. I mean, I maybe almost perfect. And a bit too stubborn for my own good. But thanks." It was said a bit more with a fluster to her words then anything. As she could take compliments well, but coming from him, they tended to make her suddenly act like a nervous schoolgirl with a crush.

"And seriously, Arthur. It's you. You're levelheaded, and very clean and to the point. I like that about you. Always have. And it shows in your taste."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"I'm sure you're closer to perfect than most," he said, closing the gap between them. Smiling, his fingers brushed a strand back from her cheek. "And stubborn isn't a bad thing. You know that, don't you?" Smiling down at her still, fingers brushing over her hair before he made himself step back.

"And now that I've been utterly stalkerish, perhaps we should return to our dinner. Where the alcohol is," he teased.

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

Her eyes closing briefly at the touch, finding how oddly calming that little action, could truly be to her. Even if her insides wanted to jump around at his words. She was happy, contently happy. And it was evident on her face. "Yes I know its a good thing. Makes things more a challenge for some. But I like it." She said as her eye focused up on him.

"But yes," She sighed, nose wriggling as she traced her hand along the outside of the shower again. "I suppose we could eat, your fake cooking attempt."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"I've never been one to back down from a challenge. You have to know that," he murmured softly, taking a breath. Then he took his chance.

Both hands catching her face, leaning in and kissing her. Sudden, needful and yet not hard, no roughness to it as if she were as precious as he found her.

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

It was in that instant, she realized, just how much of an impact his touch had on her. Causing her heart to skip a beat, stomach to flip, and head spin. Pretty much whatever those cheesy movies (Which she would never admit she watched.) said would happen, when someone kissed you the way he did. And it was all she could think about. How much she wanted it, and didn't want to stop.


Murmuring something undistinguished, in a form of an agreement into his lips. She traced her hands up along the small of his back, to the bottom on his shoulder blades. Letting her lips linger on his, pressing one last soft kiss to them. Before she hesitantly pulled away, giving him a soft smile.


"Took you long enough."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

It wasn't where he would have planned it, not standing in the bathroom. Not even one like his. He just hadn't been able to stop himself, wanting that moment with her, to touch and hold and finally kiss her like he'd wanted to since the Fischer job. Since even before then.

"Well... I was trying to be a gentleman," he said with a laugh. "Forgive me?"

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

She laughed at that, sending a playful smile his way. "Debatable." She teased, only to lean up an place yet another kiss on his lips. One more light and calm, and a filled with content happiness.

"It will take a lot of convincing to forgive you. We'll see how it goes."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"I had planned on it happening out there, by the view, not in the bathroom," he pointed out with a soft laugh, his fingers twining with hers. "I am sorry for that."

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

She hummed slightly, pleased at the idea of that. "Really?" She started, her fingers brushing against his knuckles, as she pulled him back out towards the window.

"Can you really, honestly, plan for that sort of thing?" Her eyes glancing up towards him with a curious smile. "Because if you can. I would love to see what you planned."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"I actually had," he admitted. "A little wine, talking and then maybe out by the window, looking at the view. Not the bathroom," he teased.