Lost Causes
Arthur wasn't stupid.
He knew a lost cause when he saw one. And he knew, he knew, that when Ariadne walked back through the door she was gone. Far beyond any reach.
Dom, whether he knew it or not, had once again ensnared another lovely lady's heart.
The only difference, he thinks, is that she just might be the perfect person for Cobb. He thinks that this new architect; who's so much different from Mal, that there's no way the two could ever be compared; could save Cobb...from everything.
His demons, his past...himself.
Arthur knew, the minute she walked back, after Cobb had even predicted it, that he could never ever try. Because she had already fallen. She was already past the-point-of-no-return, and he knew it.
In his line of business, he's supposed to know when to walk away. He's also learned this through many relationships. With Ariadne, he knows, even when he tries that stupid peck trick, that it wouldn't work. She didn't even look phased; a little shocked maybe, but a more dazed gleam in her eyes. Like she was somewhere else, thinking of something (someone) else.
He didn't need a kick to know what, or rather, who it was.
Yes, Arthur definitely knows a lost cause when he sees one. He saw it when Cobb met Mal, and he saw it when Ariadne was with Cobb.
Funny thing was...he also saw it when Cobb was around Ariadne.
Random oneshot thing I had stuck in my head. Hope its okay. :)