I originally wanted to attach this to my Dream series but I'm giving some thought to completely re-doing my series. Changing names, characters. Adding more Erotica. Just make it one big story that will be easier for everyone to read. What do you think? Good idea or bad?
First of all, I have not given up working on P&P&I.
I just had this idea for Arthur that would not go away.
An idea that was like a virus.
The term Ariadne's Thread is legitimate. It refers to the method of solving a problem.
This story is set right after Arthur's Totem. Which is set after "A Week at this Level."
You don't have to read either story to get this one. But I would love it if you did.
My story "A Week at This Level" Has recently gotten over 10k hits. So happy! Thanks you guys.
~Ariadne's Thread~
It started out with headaches. Sensitivity to light. Then, it got much worse.
He told no one on the Team. Was afraid. For once in his life, Arthur was genuinely afraid.
"Are you sure?" He asked now fully re-dressed. In the clean little French hospital, the Point Man sat looking at the doctor in bewilderment.
The Pleasant Doctor sighed and looked troubled.
"Sir, we have run all the tests. Twice in many cases." He said. His accent heavy but understandable. "Because of your age, this is unusual. You said your Mother succumbed to the same?"
"Yes." Arthur admitted. "She was about the same age I am now."
"I see. Are you married? Any children?" He asked.
Arthur's thoughts briefly roamed to Ariadne.
He blinked and she was gone.
"No, not married. No children." He told the Doctor sadly.
"Well, perhaps given the prognosis, that is for the best." The Doctor said.
Arthur looked up. He knew the Doctor meant well, but how could losing any hope of a family be for the best?
"How... how long?" He asked.
"Less then 6 months. I am truly sorry. We can arrange some counselors to come and see you. Do you have any family here in Paris?" The Doctor asked.
"Um, no. I'm here on work." Arthur said trying to sound professional. His voice calm and clear. His mind reeling against the information the Doctor had given him.
Rejecting it.
"Are you close to your work friends?" He asked.
"Very." Arthur assured the Doctor.
An intense feeling of claustrophobia was washing over him. He felt his pulse start to quicken. A sharp fluttering in his chest as his heart started to beat an erratic march. He felt the walls closing in on him.
The Point Man stood up.
"Thank you so much for your time, Sir." He said shaking the Doctors hand. "You have answered a lot of concerns."
"Sir." the Doctor said calmly. "You need to let your closets friends know what is happening to you. A brain tumor is very serious. You will have side effects that you will not able able to handle alone."
The Doctor's face was concerned.
"You will experience hallucinations, panic attacks."
"You said it was inoperable. There is noting you can do." Arthur said coldly. Indifferently.
The Doctor nodded.
Arthur shrugged.
"Then there is nothing more to say." The Point Man said calmly.
~ The taxi ride home was a long one. Summer was winding down and the cool air of fall was biting at it's heels. The tourists had gone away and left the city feeling almost empty. A calmness had breezed into Paris, along with the cool air.
Arthur thought back to the to few months he had been living in the city. Last week, Ariadne's roommate Jon had moved out. Taken a new job in Rome. Arthur had unofficially moved in. He had spent so much time with the Architect since the Fischer inception that it was illogical to have two separate residences.
If Cobb and Yuseff had any idea, they said nothing about it. Eames knew the two of them were an item but the Forger exercised a shocking amount of discretion with regards to his Team members relationship.
The Cab dropped him off at Ariadne's building. Arthur numbly paying off the driver.
The air had turned cold that day and Arthur found he was feeling it more sharply then ever before. He looked up at the elegant style of his lover's building. Such nice, quite neighborhood.
Would this really be his last fall? He would have a winter here, surely. Perhaps he would see the spring. The return of the beautiful spring. Not summer, and never again fall.
A sharp pain plunged into his chest at this thought. A knife like force hurting him. He wanted to fall to his knees and weep then. Not for himself but the idea of missing so much.
Whatever steel that the Point Man was made out of, caused him to just stand there. Made him walk up the stairs to Ariadne's door. With his own key, he let himself into the home he had been sharing with her.
"There you are." She called out musically.
Ariadne looked lovely, as always, in her "home for the day" clothes. Just simple pajama like clothing that told Arthur she had no intention of leaving the Apartment for any reason till morning.
He was smiling at he sight of her, as she went to him and gave him a swift kiss and hug. He found himself holding her slightly longer then normal. Smelling the warm clean smell of her hair. Feeling how soft it was. Ariadne pulled away.
"Are you alright?" She asked with an uncertain smile. Sensing that something was wrong.
Arthur forced himself to act casual.
"I'm fine." He lied. "Just glad to be home." He added.
She smiled and kissed him quickly on the lips before going back into the kitchen.
"I made the soup you like." She told him. "This cool weather has me all geared up to cook hot food."
"Sounds good." he said honestly. Liking the idea of her home made soup on a cold night. He followed her into the kitchen. His hand reaching for hers.
"After dinner can we go to bed early?" He asked. "I know you have work to do, but can we just make love all night?" He asked boldly.
Ariadne smiled and blushed.
"Of course." she told him with an embarrassed laugh. He nodded and pulled her body into his. His lips finding hers easily. His kiss, hungry and needful.
"Arthur, what is it? What wrong?" She asked when she broke free form him. "Did something happen?"
Now would be the time to come clean. To tell her what was wrong. He had lied to her about going to see the Doctor. Had not eve told her about the symptoms he had been having.
He didn't want to ruin this moment with her. He had only 6 more months of moments left. He refused to waste them by causing her grief. The time he had left was a precious thing. He would not lose it.
"No." He lied. "Everything is fine." He looked at her then. His lover. More then his lover. They had been living together for a while now. Spending their free time very happily.
"I love you." He told her suddenly. In the truest way he knew how.
"I love you to." She said running a hand over his face and smiling.
His lips returned to hers. His hands landing on her hips. Gently and surely guiding her body to his. Despite the trauma of the days events, a wonderful stirring was happening within him. A need that was more powerful then any other.
Ariadne was giggling as the Point Man scooped her up and carried her to the bedroom. Dinner forgotten for the moment.
