I decided to scrap the other version and try again. I hope this is at least moderately better.
Some things you may need to know:
Arthur and Ariadne have been "together" for about two months now.
Arthur can still dream, and does so frequently.
You can wake up by killing yourself in a real dream, not just a PASIV-induced dream.
Arthur was standing in their current workshop, looking over his notes when he felt small arms wrap around his chest. "Hello, Arthur," Ariadne said. Arthur loosened up and slightly leaned back against her. He brought his arms up and put his hands over hers, which were resting on his heart. "Hello."
Ariadne smiled as he turned and wrapped her in his arms, coming closer to lay a small kiss on her forehead. "And what are we doing today?" she asked, her voice slightly muffled by his tie.
"We've got a Mark, so – work," Arthur said as he traced her jaw with the tip of his nose.
Ariadne looked up and brought her hand to his face. "Hmm. Sounds boring." She ran her finger along the line of his eyebrow, and then slowly, finally, made it come to rest cupping his smooth cheek. "Let's go to breakfast," she added, her voice lightening a bit. "I want some pancakes."
"Okay," Arthur said, in between placing gentle kisses along her neck. He leaned back. "Let's go." She smiled.
Then, Arthur leaned down, and, ever so slowly, captured Ariadne's lips with his own.
She let out a fragile-sounding gasp. Arthur loved it when she made that noise. One small hand came up to cup his face, while the other was placed on the back of his neck, bringing him closer to her. Arthur wrapped his arms around her tiny waist and deepened the kiss. He broke away for air, placing his forehead to hers. Arthur leaned down and gently kissed each of Ariadne's eyelids. Looking up, Ariadne saw him. Arthur - without the veil of hidden emotions, everything he was feeling written out plainly on his face.
Everything was perfectly still. Arthur loved the peace he felt with her. How he always felt wanted, felt at home. He now understood what he had heard Mal mention to Cobb when the dreams got out of hand. He knew what it was to be half of a whole.
"Alright, I'll get my bag," Ariadne said, taking a breath and backing out of Arthur's arms, making her way across the floor.
Arthur stayed where he was, leaned back against the desk, and watched as she clumsily wandered across the room. He stood there, just gazing, pondering in silence.
The serine moment exploded into a loud string of gunfire.
The windows blew out and Arthur brought his hands up to shield his face from the glass. He didn't think twice as he started running across the room, screaming Ariadne's name.
He made it to her amazingly fast and Arthur quickly caught her falling body and heard her make a small noise of pain, and it cut him through and through. She should not have to make that noise. It wasn't right.
He heard her wince in pain as he dragged her behind a desk. Ariadne smiled up at him as he cradled her to his form. Arthur looked down and noticed the vast amount of blood pouring out of the different holes in her sweater. "Oh, no, no, no, no, no…"
Ariadne brought her hands to his face. Arthur looked back at her, noticing the red around her mouth when she smiled up at him.
And she died.
Arthur kept looking at her. Just looked at her. He was empty.
Silently laying her down, he again became aware of the chaos around them. The far windows were shot through and he could see masked men on the roof of the opposite building.
He looked back down at Ariadne. Arthur slowly drew his gun, placed it to his temple and pulled the trigger.
~vOvOvOvOvOv~
Arthur woke with a start. He grabbed his totem of the side table. Squeezing the small dye, he looked around him and remembered where he was – Araidne's apartment.
He calmed his breathing and - setting his totem back on the table – lay back down, wrapping his arms around Ariadne's small form. He buried his face in her hair and brought his legs behind hers, his body completely lining Ariadne's.
Ariadne stirred. "Is everything alright?" she said, groggily, picking up and then placing her head back on the pillow.
Arthur pulled her hair away from her neck, fanning it across the pillow above them. "Yes. Everything's alright." He kissed the exposed skin.
Feeling Ariadne drift back to sleep in his arms, he sighed into her neck. This was the third night he'd had that dream.
This is a multi-chapter fic, so tell me what you guys think! I've pretty much got the story worked out in my head but ideas are always appreciated! Please comment – I need all the help I can get right now.