Eames stood in the arrivals hall, leaning slightly on his suitcase. He would go and find a cab; there were plenty he could see, lined up, through the glass airport doors. But still he lingered. He dismissed the action; he was in no hurry, there was no reason why he should have to leave immediately.
So he remained, casually studying his fingernails and passers by. Cobb had already left. Now, there was someone with reason to hurry. This was big for him, and Eames could empathise. He wished him all the best. It would be quiet on the circuit without Cobb's well-known presence, but he deserved to have some peace and quiet. Plus, Eames had an inkling he wouldn't be quiet for long. He loved it as much as the rest of them.
Yusuf sidled up to him on his way out. "So. Nice seeing you." he said, and Eames chuckled quietly; they were still in the slightly euphoric post-job haze. All stewing adrenaline, not quite believing they'd pulled it off.
"You too, old friend. And won't be long before the next time, I suspect".
"You're probably right," Yusuf smiled, "bills needing to be paid and all. Until then." Eames nodded verification, and Yusuf carried on through the doors.
Saito and Fischer were being escorted out by their respective entourages, which looked almost ironic having the two side by side. Eames caught Fischer's eye momentarily, and the man registered him with casual recognition. Poor bloke, he really had no idea. Eames was aware that their job could be seen as abuse, but it was just the way things were. Breaking into someone's mind was as commonplace as breaking into their home, and whilst occasionally he contemplated its morality, he couldn't help but feel he was long past that famed 'point of no return'. Besides. He didn't kill people; he just considered himself somewhere between an actor, a spy and a petty thief.
Here they were. Not that Eames had been waiting for them, it was merely coincidental that he was still in the lobby when Ariadne and Arthur ambled towards the exit. They seemed lightly in conversation, but veered towards Eames nonetheless. The corner of his mouth twitched upwards. "Still here?" Ariadne stated rather than questioned.
"Well, I couldn't leave without saying goodbye, now could I".
"My my, Eames, how courteous," came the jeer.
Eames raised an eyebrow in response, with a sarcastic smile. "I think you'll find I'm the height of courtesy when I want to be Arthur. And after all. We survived another job without killing each other. A feat I personally think should be rewarded."
"I'd love to stay and celebrate your ability to restrain yourselves," Ariadne said wryly, "buy I only have a couple of hours before my flight to Paris."
"And will we be seeing you on the circuit again, do we think?" Eames said knowingly. Ariadne flashed a grin, and turned back towards departures.
Arthur and Eames watched her walk away, then turned back and regarded each other defiantly; but it was weighted. There was something about experiencing something like they just had, sharing dreams but also the thrill of the chase and ultimate success, that affects your relationship with a person. It's an intimacy of sorts.
"So, until the next time", Arthur smirked, and walked out the door. Eames stood rooted for a few moments longer, then resolved to go find that taxi.