Breaking the Rules

Coming Together

Eames had heard from others that Cobb's point man was a perfect postured, no nonsense, sick in the mud. So he is surprised when the first thought through his head when he meets the man is, I'm going to need to see him naked.

It takes Eames three long weeks to make that happen.

Half way through the first day he walks over to where Arthur is tapping away on a laptop. Leaning in far too close he whispers, "You are gorgeous."

"Thank you," Arthur says sharply never looking up from the screen, "Go away."

Right, Eames though, not going to be that easy. As he walks back to his own desk he sees a thrown away starbucks cup in the bin. The barista was lovely enough to leave him the coffee order written on the side. Smiling Eames begins his new 'seduce Arthur' plan.

He brings Arthur coffee every morning. When Arthur asks how he knew how he liked his coffee Eames says, "You look like a mocha latte kind of guy." Which was a lie, he had him pegged as having his coffee black and bitter. He had a sweet tooth. This contradiction in nature made Eames that much more determined to succeed. Clearly there was more to Arthur than meets the eye.

He makes sure to accidently touch him as much as possible. When he hands him the coffee, when Arthur brings him papers, he always makes their hands connect, fingers sliding over wrists. When he says goodbye at the end of the night Eames gives Arthur a pat on the back, his hand lingering a moment too long. Unfortunately Arthur appears completely unfazed and oblivious to his actions.

Straight foreword didn't work, too subtle didn't work either. Time to shoot for the middle ground.

"This is really excellent work," he says after Arthur hands him the latest findings.

Arthur just stares at him then walks away.

"That tie is excellent, really brings out your eyes," he says the next day as he hands him the coffee.

Arthur looks down at the tie then back up at him. "Thank you," he says softly.

Eames savours his first victory a few days later when he mentions "how nice it is to work with people as attractive as myself," giving a wink in Arthur's direction. Arthur looks away but not before Eames catches a smile crossing his face.

After two weeks working together and a few more small victories Eames feels confident enough to step up the game. He waits for Cobb to go home for the day, leaving them alone. Walking up to Arthur, whose packing up the equipment for the night, Eames holds up two bottles of beer.

"Fancy a drink?" He says with a smile he knows is charming.

"I don't drink beer," Arthur replies as he closes up the his case. Picking it up off the desk he walks towards the door, "See you tomorrow Mr. Eames."

Eames is left to drink both beers alone.

He doesn't let this rejection deter his efforts though. He starts being more obvious with his flirting. A couple of times a day he'll lean in close to him with the pretence of fixing Arthur's tie, which is never out of place. Arthur never stops him, one time going so far as to smooth out Eames shirt at the same time.

He asks Cobb seemingly innocent questions about Arthur's preferred drinking tastes before approaching the man again three nights later.

"I bought wine this time," He says holding up the red wine in one hand and two wine glasses in the other, "I have it on good authority that this is your favourite."

Arthur glances at the wine, "No," he says.

"Cobb says you drink this all the time," Eames states frustrated.

"Yes I like the wine, but no I won't have a drink with you."

"Why not, it's just a drink."

Arthur scoffs at him, "No it's not. You've been trying to woo me or whatever since you got here."

So you have been paying attention, he thinks.

"You've caught me," Eames takes a step forward so there's only inches separating them, "I like you Arthur. I think you're gorgeous, smart and sexy. I think you have the most beautiful eyes and what I want, is to stare into them as I have my wicked way with you."

He tries to move in closer before Arthur puts up his hands and forces Eames back a step.

"I don't get involved with people I'm working with," says Arthur, "My job requires a lot of focus and commitment. I can't afford to be distracted. By anything... or anyone" He looks at Eames, "Even if I am interested."

Eames stares at Arthur for a moment, "So you're saying that despite my best efforts, you and I are off limits while we're working together?"

Arthur nods, "That's correct."

Eames leans forward, "What if we weren't working together?"

"That's irrelevant," Arthur says moving back putting space between them, "We are on this job together, therefore nothing can happen."

"And when the job's finished?"

Arthur smiles, "Ask me again then."

After that Eames stops flirting with him and the small touches disappear, although he still brings Arthur his coffee every morning.

The final day of the job approaches and the extraction goes off without a hitch. Cobb delivers the information to the buyers and comes back with everybody's share of the payment. Eames has never been so glad to see a job come to an end.

Arthur is packing up his bag when he hears the knock. Standing straight he stares at the door. He knows who it is, and he's surprised at the flutter in his stomach. He's not sure how it happened, but somehow Eames has worked his way in. Despite knowing it was for the best he had missed Eames' attention the last few days. He opens the hotel door to see him standing on the other side.

"Job's over," Eames states simply.

"Yes it is."

"So we don't work together anymore."

He smiles, "No we don't."

Eames leans against the door frame, "Can I come in and distract you?"

Arthur doesn't say anything, he simply moves aside, letting Eames into his room.

Once he's shut the door he turns around, puts his hands on Eames' shoulders and gently pushes him against the wall. Arthur looks into his eyes, giving himself this moment to see them properly for the first time. He then cups the back of Eames' head and brings himself in close.

Eames pulls back before their mouths connect.

"I don't do kissing," He explains seeing Arthur's confused look, "It just complicates things."

Arthur pauses, then lowers his eyes, "Okay".

He moves his hand and places it on Eames' chest, feeling his body's heat through the thin shirt. He slowly moves it downwards and starts to undo the buttons, gradually revealing more and more skin with each one. Arthur wants to take his time undressing Eames, wants them to be able to discover and explore each other's bodies. But he can feel Eames starting to fidget, can sense him getting impatient. He knows why Eames is here.

It doesn't take much longer before they are both shirtless, breathing heaving, and hands down each other's pants. The sex is fast and desperate and hot as all hell.

Afterwards Eames is lying on the hotel carpet, a sweaty naked Arthur lying next to him, looking as delicious as he thought he would. That had been exactly what Eames wanted and more.

"We are defiantly going to have to do that again," he states.

Arthur gives the ceiling a smug smile, "Give me thirty minutes."

He is careful not to make direct eye contact again. That would make this too personal.