Forging Feelings

The characters don't belong to me, Christopher Nolan owns them.

Thanks to everyone who read/reviewed/favourited 'Stealing Glances' you made my week :)

This was intended to be an EamesxAriadne fic but the ArthurxAriadne is still prominent, I can't help but love the pairing. So really its a bit of both, although more EamesxAriadne sided.

Well, enjoy!

Summary: "He tries to tell himself it's no skin off his nose what they get up to, but every day he wakes up to find it really does bother him." Eames can't let Ariadne go after the Inception job, but it seems neither can she.

He's had enough of it, it's the end of the day and Eames just wants to go under. He wants escape the bad day he's been having and it's their entire fault. It is most days he's in a bad mood.

It's been going on for months now, Arthur and Ariadne's thing. Their relationship, fuck buddy agreement, whatever you want to call it. He tries to tell himself it's no skin off his nose what they get up to, but every day he wakes up to find it really does bother him. How did Mr Boring win over the beautiful and creative Ariadne? He can't fathom it, and doesn't really want to try and work it out either; it'll only make his mood even worse.

When they'd first met Eames didn't take a whole lot of notice of her, she was practically a schoolgirl, and he liked his women with a bit more experience, politely speaking. But as he got to know her a little bit more he found there was more to the schoolgirl than met the eye. As they worked together on the models for Fischer's dreams he found out more about her and he became interested. Usually he didn't bother getting to know a woman, it was unlikely he'd see them again the next day, but it was different with her. He and Ariadne had to work together, closely too, and it was inevitable he should take an interest in her, or was it?

Ariadne had lived in the U.S. but visited her grandparents in Paris during the holidays while growing up; they were the ones who'd suggested the architecture course at the university to her. Miles, the professor, was a very old friend and the best teacher they could think of to get the best out of Ariadne's abilities. It seems the old people were right, so Cobb tells him, Ariadne's architecture is amazing.

Her grandparents had brought her a studio flat close to the university, which she was always grateful for, once the Inception job is over she'll send some money back to them, she'd confided in him, it was the least she could do for all the help they'd given her over the last two years. She had reminisced about that flat of hers a lot; describing it as small, but it had spectacular views of the city. It had been her favourite place to be, until she'd been seduced by the dream world. Eames remembers the fondness in her voice when she talks about her past; it makes him a little jealous, he's never been attached to anything or anyone in such a way he'd want to reminisce about it, he's curious what it'd feel like.

Just like that the Fischer job was over. Cobb had finally gone home to play daddy, Yusuf had gone back to playing with chemicals in Mombasa, and then there were the three of them. Eames tagged along with Ariadne and Arthur because he didn't want to leave her just yet. He cared for the girl, a lot more than he liked to admit, but it also gave him pleasure to know that it irritated Arthur immensely, that was the fun side of it.

A month later they'd declared themselves together, it came as no surprise to him as Ariadne had already indicated her feelings for the Point Man two weeks before the big announcement. But even before then Eames had caught the secret smiles, the lingering touches, and on more than one occasion heard the evidence that they were more than 'just friends'. Although part of him disapproved thoroughly that Arthur was nowhere near good enough for her, the other side reasoned she could do worse, she could've got caught up with a guy like him.

The next two months it'd all gone down hill. The more they fell in love, the moodier Eames became. Alcohol was the only thing that perked him up apart from alone time with Ariadne. Liquor got him to focus on other women; he was picking up a new brunette every night, which was ironic, because he used to prefer blondes. Some nights he returned to the apartment and passed out wherever was convenient at the time. Other nights he didn't return till early morning. He'd try to sneak in but Ariadne would be up waiting for him, she'd pull the face and lecture him about the danger he could've been in. He'd smile and apologise, sometimes even squeeze her hand, but he'd always assure her that he was a big boy and could look after himself. Arthur usually put in his two cents in but Eames couldn't care less, Ariadne was all her cared about.

Today had been the worst day ever, she'd run up to him eyes bright with excitement and announced they were engaged. She and the Point Man were to get married in the summer, in August, six months away. It was Valentine's Day, Arthur had proposed on the sappiest day of the year in Eames opinion, you couldn't get any more cliché, but all that really mattered was she'd accepted Arthur's proposal. He didn't have long left with her now, after the honeymoon they'd either want to move out or he'd have to. He had to be the better man and move without asking, he couldn't invade forever.

Three months to go to the big day and she comes to him crying. He moved out of the apartment a couple of weeks ago to give her and Arthur space, but he misses her so much it hurts. She turns up at his flat which is half hour away and says it's moving too fast. Arthur's talking about kids and settling down, retiring from extraction and moving back stateside. Ariadne explains she's barely lived this life, she can't give it up yet, she wants to travel and explore further for at least another five years, ten if she pushes it. Eames holds her close, strokes her hair and listens as she gets it all off of her chest, he's never really been this physically close to her and he finds its so much better than when he's dreamt it on the very rare occasion. Her hair smells like apricots, his favourite fruit, and even though her eyes are red and her cheeks are tearstained he still thinks she's beautiful. After a while she calms down a little, the tears have stopped and she curls next to him on the sofa with her head on his shoulder while she sleeps. He couldn't be happier even if he were dreaming.

She's been here a week and Eames isn't entirely sure why. She could've stayed with her grandparents but instead she chose to stay with him, not that he minds. When she'd woken up from the crying incident she'd called Arthur and told him she needs some space to think, she still loves him and wants to marry him but she needs some separation for now. They've been together six months and its all going too fast for her to process; she'll come back to him when she's ready. Eames is secretly happy about this turn of events; he thinks that she must've missed him as much as he's missed her. He won't ask, just in case he's wrong, he doesn't want to ruin what they have. They've had a good time together while she's been there, they've been out a few times to her favourite restaurant, he treated her to the cinema, and one evening she'd even cooked. Every day it's becoming harder not to kiss her, whenever she smiles at him she lights up and he wants nothing more than to lean in and press a soft kiss to her lips, but what holds him back is Arthur. She loves Arthur, she said so herself. This period of separation is because she's supposed to be sorting her head out; it doesn't mean she's officially called the relationship off, much to Eames dismay. But for now he's ecstatic that she's here, he never wants her to leave, but he knows it can't last forever.

It's the second week when something happens between them. He takes her out to a bar and they end up consuming a bottle of wine each. Eames knows how to handle it but Ariadne really doesn't. He teases her that she's drunk and she slurs she isn't in return. It makes him laugh as he has to put and arm around her waist to hold her steady as they walk back in the moonlight. They have to stop once or twice because she thinks she's going to be sick but thankfully her stomach holds out. They get through the door and she flops onto the sofa giggling for no apparent reason, Eames is a bit wobbly himself and sits on the floor in front of her laughing too because he's never seen her in this state before. Her laughter dies down and he thinks she must've passed out. He turns to check if she's sleeping and is surprised to find she's watching him in silence. Her chocolate brown eyes are a shade darker than normal as she stares at him intently, her hand stretches out to stroke his cheek and he's not sure whether to stop this or not, she's drunk and clearly doesn't know what she's doing, but on the other hand he's been waiting for this moment since he'd met her. But he's drunk as well; his inhibitions are down too, although he doesn't have much to begin with, if he was sober he'd be stronger he'd walk away and leave Ariadne be, but he can't, he fears he'll never have this moment again, knows it really. He leans his cheek into her hand and smells the tang of her breath as her face is closer than it ever has been. His will has now been broken as he presses his lips against hers and its heaven, they both let out a moan, and he knows she's been waiting for this too, even if she'll never admit it. He stands up, not breaking their kiss and leans slowly on top of her on the sofa as her hands slide up his back and rest on his shoulders; they make their way into his hair as she pulls him even closer. He can feel the heat between them and he has to touch her skin, his hand moves down her side and stops at the hem of her shirt, almost as if he's waiting for permission. She breaks away from him just to nod her head before she starts placing kisses on his neck which sends shivers down his spine. Eames doesn't need telling twice as his hand slides under the material and rests his palm on her ribcage, Ariadne takes a sharp intake of breath and he chuckles. She smiles sweetly as she sits up so they're now eye to eye and moves away from him to stand, then holds out a hand. Her hair is dishevelled, her lips are swollen and she's oozing sexiness. His jeans are starting to feel uncomfortable and he knows what's coming if he takes her hand. Eames wants it so bad but he knows it'll change their relationship for good, but she asks him if he's coming and he can't say no. He picks her up, throws her over his shoulder and she giggles loudly as he makes his way to the bedroom. Will she regret it in the morning? He doesn't know, but he's got to make it special so he'll never forget, not that he ever will.

She wakes up the next morning with a headache. Ariadne's in Eames' bed but she's not alone. She becomes aware she's naked and pulls the covers closer to her body, guilt coursing through her whole body. Deep, deep down she'd wanted last night to happen, but that was before she and Arthur were together. She loves Eames, but it's not even a tenth of the love she has for Arthur. She knows for certain now she wants to be with Arthur, she's ready for the future he's got planned for them. She realises it's more of an adventure than she's ever thought of, if family life was good enough for Cobb, it'd be good enough for them. Eames wakes up beside her and it's clear in his cerulean blue eyes that he's sorry for last night. She explains its time she should go and he nods replying it's for the best. He says loved every minute she's been here and he hopes she'll be happy with Arthur. He's making it sound like goodbye but she reassures him that it'll still be the same between them. He knows it won't be.

He gets an invitation in the post a month later, the wedding is back on, and they're having it in New York. He guesses they'll be moving back to the US soon, although the envelope shows they're still in Paris for now. There's no way she'll come back to him now, he hasn't helped matters by ignoring her calls, but what can he say? There is nothing to say, what happened, happened. He doesn't want to talk it over, he knows she was frightened of the 'foreverness' of her and Arthur's relationship and that night was a wakeup call, he doesn't need her to explain it, it'll just hurt more than it does now. He's stopped with the one night stands. The sex is just empty, it's not harmless fun anymore, he feels like it should mean something but it doesn't, it means nothing. He knows he's got to move away from Paris, the flat is a constant reminder of her, he walks down the street past the cinema and he's reminded of her, he picks up his favourite jacket and it still smells like Ariadne the night she was cold and he offered it to her. He needs a fresh start, he's tempted to go home back to the U.K but he fears it isn't far enough, but nowhere will ever be.

It's a fortnight before the wedding and he's staying with Cobb and the kids. Eames has been moving around a lot since he left Paris. He's worked in Tokyo, Sydney, London, Johannesburg, and Buenos Aeries to name a few places. He's gone back to being a thief for his day job, he knows if he goes back to extraction jobs he'll be bringing in Ariadne like Cobb brought Mal in, he can't put himself through that, he'll be back to square one. The reason he's here is because he got a call from Arthur. Arthur explained that Ariadne had been worried about him, she hadn't seen him in months and they still hadn't had an RSVP for the wedding. Arthur had sounded strained when he told Eames that Ariadne would be heartbroken if he didn't show up, he's still her best friend despite the fact that they haven't seen each other in a while, if he couldn't be there for Arthur the least he could do was be there for Ariadne. Eames had crumbled and agreed he'd be there, Ariadne deserved better he joked, and he swore he could hear a smile in Arthur's voice; Arthur thanked him and hung up.

Eames watches Ariadne glide down the aisle toward Arthur; she looks absolutely stunning in the simple white dress. Her smile is the brightest he's ever seen and he's ready to let go, she's happiest with Arthur there's nothing he could do to change that. Eames catches her eye as she passes his pew and her eyes begin to shine with tears, he knows he made the right decision to come; he's made her day perfect. Cobb squeezes his shoulder and he realises his feelings for Ariadne couldn't have been as secret as he thought.

It's later in the night and they're at the reception. Eames is at the bar watching Ariadne on the dance floor laughing as her father dances with her. Yusuf stands next to him and asks if he's ok. Eames looks over the rim of his beer and gives a quick nod and Yusuf understands. He'll be ok so long as she is. Ariadne catches Eames eye and she makes her way to the bar, she asks him to dance and he can't say no. She leads him to the dance floor and I Still Care for You by Ray Lamontagne starts up. He places his left hand on her waist as her right hand is on his shoulder; they hold hands the dancer's way and sway on the spot. She comments that he scrubs up well in a suit and he retorts she doesn't look so bad herself. She laughs and they remain in silence as he twirls her and brings her back to his body. Ariadne bites her lip and then looks up at him not sure whether she should bring that night up or not. He second guesses her and tells her what's in the past stays in the past, it's not an issue for him anymore, she smiles gratefully and then apologises. She loves him, but she loves Arthur more she explains. She goes on to say that night wasn't a mistake but it made her realise what she really wanted out of life, he stops her there, he doesn't want to hear anymore but he's glad it wasn't a mistake. They fall into silence again and Ariadne tells him she's missed him, when she's back from the honeymoon she wants to see more of him. Eames says he'll try but he can't promise anything, he's so in demand he barely has time for social calls. She knows he really means he's still in love with her and it's just too hard for the time being, but what they have is special she knows he'll come back into her life when he's ready. The song ends too soon and he steps away from her, although he's still holding her hand, he kisses it, then her cheek and makes his way into the shadows. Once the day is over Ariadne isn't sure if he left then or if he'd just stayed inconspicuous for the rest of the night, but that was the last time she saw him on her wedding day.

He appears a year and a half later to celebrate her baby boy's birthday. Ariadne's been thinking about him every day since he disappeared. She still loves Arthur more but a little piece of her heart will belong to the Forger. She spies Eames out of the kitchen window leaning against the wall talking with Cobb like nothing has changed; she smiles when she spots Arthur playing with Thomas. He looks just like his dad, although he's got the same colour hair as her, not that he has a lot of it. She brings the cake out and they all sing happy birthday. As she leans over and blows the candle out for her son, she catches Eames eye and she smiles, she can't help it, and he smiles back which is a good sign. She hopes he's moved on now, so they can be friends again, she knows she'll have to wait and see.

Eames still loves her, but he's ready to be friends again. He looks at her life here and she's happy, she's made the right choice. He could never have given her this, he wasn't the type. When she smiles at him over the birthday cake he knows she's glad he's back and that's what makes it worthwhile.

Because he'll be anything for her, he can't stay away any more.

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