Welcome to my story 'Week In Two' :)
This will be romantic story, because I am hopeless romantic and I adore this couple. I hope you will love it.
Every feedback (good - you like this story, bad - I know that my grammar sucks) is appreciated, because then I know it is worth writing this story and also it will make me happy :)
Disclaimer: I don't own Inception.
The Accident
He had been walking back and forth half an hour. He couldn't wait to see her again. He waited in front of her class and was feeling slightly nervous. How will she react? Will she be happy?
It had been three months after the Inception. Robert Fischer had split company and the danger was over. Three months was a long time at least for him. He wasn't allowed to call or write. He wasn't allowed to made any contact with her. It had been hell for him. But he had managed it and as soon as the opportunity was he had jumped on a plane to Paris.
When he was walking there, he remembered when he had seen her the last time.
The mission was successful even though so many problems in dream Arthur hadn't experienced before. Upon arrival at the airport all had to pretend that they didn't know each other. Eames was no problem, at least he could rest for a while from his witty comments. Yusuf looked like a foreigner, resolved. Saito wasn't in the arrivals hall. He immediately took his private car to the hotel, resolved. It was worse with Cobb. He wanted to say goodbye to him. Cobb ended his career in the world of dreams and wanted to be with his children. The time which he lost while he was on the run, now he will catch up. He understood it, they were everything for him. And although he didn't say goodbye, all of those years, when they covered their backs and saved lifes, was for him proof of how much they were close. "Good luck," he said quietly and was looking at him. Sadly resolved.
And then she came. Ariadne. How much he wanted to talk with her. How much he wanted to hear her voice once more, look into her brown eyes and see her smile. Once again. The last time. No. This wasn't forever goodbye. When she found her luggage and went for her flight back to Paris, he promised something. He promised himself that this wasn't the last time he saw her. Ariadne - unresolved.
He heard from a distance light giggles. He looked hopefully that direction. Nothing. Just a bunch of local girls were staring at him. Arthur made a plan in his mind of what to say and how to behave when one the girl will go to him. How typical of him, he always had a plan. 'I am waiting for my girlfriend. Today we celebrate the first anniversary together and I want to surprise her.' Yes, this would work and moreover he was waiting here. But not to his girlfriend, only to his friend. They didn't celebrate the first anniversary together, but they will meet again after three months. He sighed. When will she come out? Every second was torturing him more and more. He wanted to be with her.
His wish came true. Suddenly she appeared before him. Arthur couldn't believe his eyes. Ariadne was wearing a black top, which had long sleeves and was exposing her left shoulder. Even though it was summer, the day wasn't the warmest. She had white and sleek pants. But his most intrigued that they were tight. Her black ballerinas were just the icing on the cake. Black and white. Day and night. She looked beautiful, elegant and sexy of course. In her hands she had textbooks and workbooks. She was leaving the class alone and looked thoughtful. But when she noticed him, smile appeared on her face.
"Oh my God Arthur what are you doing here?"
After 3 months his suffering finally ended. Every night he had imagined meeting with her and suddenly it was real. His heart was beating so fast that he feared that it will jump out of his chest. Although he tried to calm it down, he couldn't. He didn't know how to begin, didn't want to ruin everything and so he said only a single word.
"Hi."
"Hi. So good to see you."
"Me too." 'Good start,' he thought, 'just take it easy'. Damn it, what he will say next?
"What are you doing in Paris?" She asked again.
"Work," he smiled. 'Liar,' he thought to himself.
"How else. You always visit a foreign country just because the work, don't you?" It was a joke or criticism? He couldn't decide.
"Mostly, yes. But I don't wait here for you because of a job Ariadne."
"You are waiting for me?" She asked innocently.
"And who else?"
"But I wanted to go to the park. Draw, maybe little inspire. You can come with me and meanwhile tell me why you are here," she said with a smile.
"Gladly," he grinned back and they went along the corridor out of school. Being with her was such an amazing feeling. He was like a teenager again. Shy and excited. World didn't exist for Arthur. Only she was.
"You look beautiful," he said her with gentle tone.
Like every woman, Ariadne liked to hear flattery. "Thank you but you still haven't told me why you came here."
That was more difficult thing. Arthur had been preparing for this moment the entire three months. He was looking for reasons to come and why not but the desire to see her had won. Before the stairs he stopped. She saw him and stopped too. Finally he found the courage to ask her.
"Ariadne, during the mission wasn't time and it wasn't appropriate," he began and she was watching him with interest. "I want to spend time with you, get to know you a little bit, so I'll be very happy, if you accept my invitation to dinner."
'Good job, Arthur. Oh my God, this speaking with myself must end.' She stared at him and he began to worry. What if she won't accept? What will he do then? Eventually her face broke into a smile.
"This was the best invitation I've ever heard from a man. Of course I'll go with you." He wanted to jump with joy, raise his hands like a winner, but he had to keep his emotions. At least in front of her. Winning dance will be in private.
"Great," was his answer and they started to go down the stairs.
"Where are we going? I want to take suitable clothing. I want to hear from you how beautiful I am." She was looking at him but it wasn't the best idea.
He laughed. "Elegant dress will be the best choice. Short one of course." He believed that this joke didn't offend her. But as he saw his sentence was a great success. She honestly laughed.
"Well in that case I will have to go som-," but she didn't finish her sentence.
She was so drowned in his eyes that she wasn't looking ahead. She stepped wrong on the last stair and because she transferred all her weight on her foot, there was an unpleasant cracking noise. She fell hard to the ground. Her stuff were around her. She dropped them when she wanted to alleviate her fall with hands. Arthur didn't catch her and couldn't. He didn't expect it. But his expression of fear and anxiety said it all. He bent down to her.
"Ariadne. Oh my God are you okay?" He carefully picked her up and looked her in the face. In her eyes he saw the tears.
"My foot." She held her right foot in the air and when she put it on the ground, felt a strong pain. She couldn't stand on it.
"Ouch." Arthur knew it was bad. The others gathered around her and a few people were picking up her stuff from the ground.
"I'll take you to the doctor," he said and took her in his arms.
A few people followed him and helped him open the car (which he already had bought because of his long stay). He sat her carefully on the passenger seat (her stuff were in back) and together they went to the hospital.
xxxxxXxxxxx
She was sitting on the bed with bandaged foot. Thanks God, it was just a slight injury. Her fall caused that her ligaments were slightly torn. But she couldn't walk for all week.
"See you next Monday Ariadne," said her doctor enthusiastically and left. She didn't know why it was so exciting.
Week. It was seven days. It was 168 hours. What she going to do? When she looked next to her on crutches, which she had received from the doctor (he had lent them actually), she shook her head.
"This can happen only to me. When such a handsome guy invites me to dinner, I can't go anywhere because I fell down the stairs and torn my ligaments."
On her tone he could heard how she was upset and Arthur wasn't surprised. Even he was sad that their dinner was canceled but the comment that he was handsome pleased him.
"Ariadne, it's okay. Things like this happen. It's just a slight injury. A week will elapse quickly and soon you'll walk again."
She just lowered her head and said quietly, "I was looking forward to our dinner."
"Me too," he told her and she looked at him.
"We can go when my foot will be okay." But he had a better idea. It was actually the best idea in his life. Although he wasn't sure if she will accept his offer, but he had nothing to lose. Now or never.
"I have a better offer. I'll take care of you all next week. I'll be cooking, shopping, all activities I will do. You will just rest and recovering. What do you think?"
He wanted to really care about her. He could spend more time with her and it would be a nice bonus for him. Actually, no bonus. That is what he was after. To be with her. He wanted it so much and this was a wonderful opportunity. She looked in his eyes, thinking. But about what? Deep down, she wanted to hear this question. She wished that he could take care of her. And she could be with him much more time than just a few hours for dinner. She could be with him all week and maybe more. So what prevented her to say yes?
"But what about your job?"
She knew that working in the world of dreams wasn't fun. Preparation, plans, build dreams, paradoxes. Everything required a lot of time. When she had worked with him on the idea, which had to be planted into the mind of Robert Fischer, she had left school. It had taken her a whole month than all things were catched up, but it was worth it. She could experience world of dreams but mainly she met him.
"I won't be a problem in your plans?" She thought that she wasn't important. She thought that she was on second place. However, Arthur reassured her.
"It can wait. You're more important to me." She smiled. She was glad to hear that he cared for her. And Ariadne didn't know how much...
"Ok. From today you live with me but I must warn you. My apartment isn't exactly tidy."
"I will be the judge."
Ariadne looked back on crutches and took them into her hands. She wanted to see how it will go with them. The idea that she will have them a full week and maybe more, frustrated her and she wanted to throw them out the window. When she tried to lean on them and transfer her body a bit further, it was very painful under her arms. She sat back on the bed and put crutches next to her. She didn't know how she will handle this for 7 days. She couldn't stand it another minute. He saw the pain in her face.
"I want to go home, I'm hungry." And especially she wanted to leave the hospital. She didn't like it here.
Arthur only nodded and got another great idea. "Wait here," and he left.
"And where would I go?" She said to herself. He returned a few minutes later.
"Ok, we can go." Ariadne stood up on her good leg and wanted to take the crutches, when he suddenly stopped her.
"They aren't necessary."
"Why not?" When she said this, Arthur took her in his arms again.
"I told the doctor that he can keep his tools. I don't want to see how they are destroying you."
How thoughtful of him. First, they carefully walked through the door and then he was carrying her down the corridor out of the hospital. People were staring at them but he didn't care. He liked it and she admitted that she liked too. When they got to the car, he gently put her down and unlocked it. Ariadne settled into the seat next to him (she didn't see why she should sit in the back) and he sat behind the wheel. But before he started the engine, he said, "I'll carry you whenever and wherever you wish," he paused for a moment, "Princess."
And again, his irresistible smile. Ariadne also smiled. She liked this nickname.
xxxxxXxxxxx
"There is no elevator," she told him when he held her in his arms.
Arthur first looked up and then looked at her. "I can manage," he said certainly.
Ariadne pulled out the keys of her left pocket (it the right one was her phone which thankfully survived her fall) and she opened the door from the house. The stairs were wide enough and in his estimation weren't so many stairs to the third floor. He held her tightly and was concentrating on the way. He didn't want to be second person today who would fall on the stairs and especially when she was in his arms. They arrived at her apartment and he wasn't even out of breath. She opened the door but then remembered something.
"My stuff. I left them in the car."
She needed them. Her project on French architecture couldn't wait. She had to finished it this week. She looked at Arthur and he knew he had to come back. Therefore he put her down and went down. He was back in a few moments with her stuff. Ariadne was standing outside, waiting for him. She took workbooks and textbooks from him and he took her right back into his arms. It was great gym for him. He went with her into apartment and closed the door with his foot. He spotted a shoe cabinet which was next to him by the left wall.
"Welcome to my home," she greeted him with enthusiasm. "I want to show you my apartment. Can you carry me?" That was a little unnecessary question.
"Sure."
Her apartment was small and at the same time very elegantly furnished. From the door he saw on the right side TV and one couch and when they went on together, he saw the second one. Both of them were bright orange and leather. They were placed by walls, next to the one of them was a flower and above the second one was located a large window. Ahead of them was small, light brown table. When Arthur turned with her, he saw the kitchen. It was associated with living room and it wasn't large. Fridge, microwave, sink, shelves. Typical kitchen. Next to it was another door. Her bedroom.
"Wait," she told him.
"For what?"
Ariadne hesitated. She wasn't used to have a man in her private room. But this was Arthur. He wasn't stranger, he was her friend. Maybe more than that. Her arm strained as a sign that she wanted open the door. He understood and went closer to it. She carefully opened and indeed, bedroom. To the left of him was her wardrobe and on the right by the wall in the middle of the room stood a bed. Above it hung four pictures, each with one season of the year (as Ariadne said, she loved them all). The nightstand was next to the bed on the right and lamp stood on it. It was small and there could be a space for digital clock. When Arthur looked at the bed again, he noticed one thing.
"Why one pillow?" This time he was curious.
"This intrigued you the most from my apartment?" she asked him with a smile.
"I've never seen it before. Even I must have two."
Ariadne looked at the single pillow, "It's just because ...," she didn't know, how she would say it "... because, when I'll be with someone in the bed, we'll be even closer to each other. One pillow makes me stay put as well as the other one." Arthur understood. She wanted to be with him as close as possible. Well, not with him. With the man she will love one day. He believed that he will be her soulmate.
"And there's the door to the bathroom," she showed him and together they went on the left.
The door to the bathroom were next to her wardrobe. As they entered (to his surprise) the bathroom was huge. It was the only room in the apartment which was orange. Shower was in the corner on the right. Next to it was the washing machine and the basket for laundry. Arthur was closest to the bathtub. Big enough for both of them. He saw the toilet and next to it was a sink with small mirror. Bath towels and other things were in cabinet, which was furthest away in the corner.
"And that door will take us back to the beginning." It was truth. She opened it and they were, where they had started.
"In the case that you will rush," she added. Arthur smiled and took her to one of couches. He carefully put her on it and then he sat down next to her.
"Your apartment isn't very large."
"For me it is ideal. It took a long time before I found it. I live here alone all the time and I fell in love with it at first sight." He was glad that she said 'alone'. Finally he found out that no important man was in her life. Except him.
"I am not surprised," and he was looking around. "You got really great mess here." However, he didn't see one speck of dust and the entire apartment smelled pleasantly. How and where Ariadne saw the mess he will never understand.
"I told you so."
"You have amazing apartment," he told her honestly.
"Thank you." Then her stomach made a noise. He understood what it meant. He smiled and took off his jacket and tie.
"I'll go cook something," and he walked to the kitchen.
She stared at him. She couldn't help it. He showed up in her life, when he was most needed. She had a feeling that this week won't be ordinary.
xxxxxXxxxxx
The only table, which was in her apartment was the one in the living room. But it was too low and so that they both was sitting on the ground and could eat. Neither one of them cared. Ariadne loved it. He is an amazing chef. His chicken kung-pao was delicious. When they had empty plates and talked, Arthur suddenly asked.
"Do you have a blanket, which I can use for the night? I don't want to sleep on the couch half-naked."
She felt bad about his sleeping space. Her leather couches weren't too comfortable, she already knew that from her own experience. But he would never accept her offer to sleep with her in the bedroom and in the same bed. He was and still is a gentleman. Even though it was one of her most secret wishes.
"I have two blankets in storage space, so then you can pick one." He nodded.
"And by the way, what happened during that time, when we didn't see?" His life was always interesting for her.
"I worked on only one job with Eames. We had to steal the idea from one lawyer. We had to find out if a will, which our client had, was the official one. It was a huge heritage, which had to be divided. It turned out that no. The official will was hidden in a safe in a bank in Italy. Simple."
"And how is Eames?"
"For your information, he didn't change. He's still the same womanizer and even tried several times to drag me into it. Idiot. But otherwise he's doing good," he said.
When they were talking about him, Arthur remembered his last conversation with him.
"What?! Are you serious?" Eames couldn't believe his ears.
"That's right. I'm done," said Arthur simply.
He had been thinking about it for a long time and he wanted to told this to someone. But because he didn't want to compromise the safety of Cobb and his peaceful life with children, he had to make do with him. Even so, it was a nice feeling to say it out loud.
"But why? You're the best at what you're doing, even though I hate to admit it. I always thought that the work is the only thing what you love, so why you suddenly changed your mind?" But he didn't say anything, he just looked at him. Eames smiled after a moment and shook his head. Well of course. He knew the reason. Why he didn't think of it before?
"It is because of her?" Arthur bowed his head and played with his totem in hand.
"I want a normal life Eames. I always wanted it so much, but I couldn't find the one. But now..." he looked at him, "...now it's different. I want to spend my life with her. I think on her all the time. At breakfast, before I fall asleep. I love her and I will do everything to be with her." He never experienced Arthur so in love. But everything is for the first time.
"I'm glad you found her. She is truly amazing."
"I'm so madly in love with her Eames. And because I want to start a new life with her, my old one must end." He was sure more than ever before.
Ariadne looked at the clock, which was hanging above the TV. It was 11 at night. He also looked at it and was confused. How could time run so fast? Yet a little while ago they had had dinner together and then were talking. How 6 changed to 11? Didn't he notice that the sun had set? The truth was that he didn't. He had eyes only for her. He couldn't stop look at her. He couldn't tear himself away from her.
"Time to go to bed," and he stood up.
She replied wittily, "Ok, Dad," and she also carefully stood up.
Arthur took her in his arms again (it was the most favourite activity, which he was doing with her. Well, almost...) and carried her into the bedroom. He put her next to the bed and didn't realize that he forgot something.
"My sleepwear." Of course. She couldn't sleep in her dark blue pants and grey T-shirt, which she wore at home.
"I'll find it." She didn't say a word and he was already in her wardrobe.
"I can find i-"
"I took you there and I don't want you to unnecessarily jump here and there. Trust me, jumping on one leg is pretty tiring," and he added smile. She didn't want to argue with him, it was already too late.
And so he opened the wardrobe and began the search. The wardrobe was huge, but what he saw, there wasn't already much space. It was divided in two sections. To the right was a space for bigger things, which couldn't be crushed. There were hanging the dress (he most adored yellow one), blouses (where he saw already known black one) and trousers. At the very bottom was her blue suitcase on wheels (which he also knew). To the left were the individual small sections of the cabinets. There was probably her sleepwear and therefore he focused on cabinets. He started first at the top. It was a mistake or a blessing? Her underwear. Panties and thongs in all colors. He said to himself that it was just lingerie, but his red cheeks said otherwise. Ariadne, when she saw where he was looking, was also blushing. She knew very well what he saw. She didn't have a chance to tell him where to search and now it was too late. Arthur quickly moved on to the next section below, but it didn't help too much. Bras, and to made it even worse, lacy. He swallowed and began to blush even more. Fast forward. T-shirts. First with short sleeve and below them were the ones with the long sleeve. Shorts. Made of denim, short and medium-length and in the next section below were made from cotton, short and medium-length. He began to see in her closet system and he liked it. He wish he knew about it earlier... How he correctly predicted, next were the sweatpants and socks, which he quickly passed. At the bottom was what he was looking for. Sleepwear. There was only one. He didn't know why, but he liked it. Blue and gentle to the touch. Satin top, whose hem was lacy and shorts which had a slit on the side for a more comfortable sleep. Sleek and sexy, as he thought. He brought it to her. They were both blushing, but he was more than she.
"Thank you."
"I... I'm gonna go to the bathroom and you can change in the meantime," he said and quickly left. Ariadne just watched the door closed behind him.
In the shower the sight of her underwear showed up in his mind. 'Stop it,' he shouted to himself in the head. The shower is the best place to organise thoughts, but not for fantasizing about her and her wardrobe. The consequences could be know... When he climbed out of the shower, he dried into a towel, which he had lent. He wore his pants and white shirt again. But he forgot something. Again. A blanket. He had to go back to her bedroom. He wanted to go there anyway, check her and say good night.
He carefully and quietly opened the door. He felt like a thief, who didn't want to wake up his victim. No, he couldn't think like that. He had another idea. He was like a boyfriend who wanted to surprise his girlfriend. Yes, that was better. The lamp was still lit, but she was asleep. She had waited for him, but sleep had overpowered her. She was covered so that only her head was sticking out. The night was cold (which was unusual for August) and her apartment wasn't the warmest.
He went slowly towards her and then noticed that red blanket was lying on the bed. She had thought of him and she had taken it out. Arthur smiled, not only because she had done that, but because he saw her like this. She was so adorable. Eyes closed, calm breath. He could watch her like this forever. He yawned. Sleep was falling on him and therefore he bypassed her bed and turned off the lamp. Darkness. He didn't see anything at all. However he remembered that in the living room was light on. He carefully went to the door (he didn't want to wake her up and didn't want to hurt himself) and opened it. Once again he looked at her. So beautiful.
"Goodnight Ari," he said softly and closed the door behind him.
But what he didn't know that she didn't sleep. She pretended it. She couldn't sleep because of excitement, that Arthur will be sleeping in her apartment. Although on the couch. She knew he had stared at her when he had come out of the bathroom. She knew he had turned off the lamp and she also heard how he had wished her goodnight. He had said Ari. She thought of him. She thought of how he lay on the couch and covered himself. How he wanted to find a suitable position for sleep. She wished so much to lay in bed with him. She wished so much his body next to hers. Maybe one day...
Ariadne's injury is based on my own experience. I know I'm stupid :) It was in grade school and my foot has never fully recovered. It isn't as flexible as my other one.
Thank you so much for reading my story. I appreciate it :3