I apologize for how long it took for me to update :( But I hope you enjoy! As always, I own nothing except the plot. And your reviews are like sprinkles on the boring cupcake that is my life. Haha ignore that lame metaphor :p
"Ariadne, I could really use your help," Eames yelled over his shoulder with his pleading voice that Ariadne knew enough to see right through.
She glanced up and saw him leaning against a counter facing Arthur, who had looked up with a face as confused as her own. With a curious tilt of her head, she walked over and tried to peer over his shoulders, but she was too short to be successful.
"What is it?" she asked impatiently, hands on her hips.
Eames turned around, a secret hidden between his smiling lips. "Go stand next to Arthur. I'm trying to figure something out."
She frowned, but stood a foot from Arthur, folding her arms against her chest. Arthur stood up and put his hands straight into his linen pockets. He had his cool, indifferent expression on; the one that always tortured Ariadne because it made him look callous when she knew he wasn't. Also, it made deciphering what he was thinking much more difficult. Ariadne on the other hand was an open book; her round, almost child-like face told the whole world what she was feeling.
"Oh," Eames said slyly, "what happened here?"
"Nothing," Arthur and Ariadne snapped simultaneously. They shyly stole glimpses of each other, only making it harder for Arthur to hold his indifference, and Ariadne's face became a new shade of red. They hadn't spoken since the night before. After this kiss, Arthur had left and when they came to work earlier, neither knew what to say to one another.
"What do you mean?" Ariadne asked, forcing patience into her voice.
"Don't play coy with me darling; it's written all over your face and in his more-rigid-than-usual body language that gets on my nerves all the time. I mean loosen up mate," he said, and Arthur glared at him. Eames waved his hand as if brushing the interruption aside and added, "Anyway, I've only been here a day and I can feel the tension between you even when you're on opposite sides of the room. It's quite pathetic actually. I feel like I should leave the room."
"Don't be ridiculous," Arthur retorted. His hands twitched unconsciously.
"Right," Eames countered sarcastically. "Can you honestly look me in my gorgeous, sparkly eyes and tell me you don't want to kiss her right now? Wait, if you're looking in my eyes, you'll only want to kiss me, and though I'd totally understand, I don't roll like that. So look in her less attractive, but still pretty of course," he said with a wink and smirk to Ariadne, "eyes and tell her that you don't want to kiss her."
Arthur wasn't normally one to play Eames' games, but he sighed and faced Ariadne, who gave him a questioning look but followed suit. When they just stood studying each others' faces, Eames coughed obnoxiously.
Without so much as a glance at Eames, Arthur grabbed Ariadne's face and pulled her into a kiss. It didn't take long for her to respond, and all thoughts were driven from their minds.
"There ya go; now you can focus on work again," Eames said brightly, as if they were pawns in his game of chess. "Now get a room."
Arthur reluctantly pulled away, but kept his gentle hands upon her face, unwilling to let go completely. He smiled his rare smile; the one when he wasn't afraid to let his teeth show; the one Ariadne knew he only used when everything around him had disappeared except her.
Ariadne grinned widely up at him, her brown eyes aglow. Arthur's hands trailed down her arms slowly until their hands were interlaced. Eames rolled his eyes.
"By the way, darling," Arthur mocked, "you had no part in making this relationship. That happened last night. You only made it easier for me to do what I've wanted to do all day, so yes, I will be able to focus on work again. Happy?"
Eames cocked an eyebrow and looked at them cunningly. "I missed the best part! What a shame."
"Yes you did," Ariadne said smugly, giving Arthur a small smile. "It's too bad you weren't there," she said sarcastically.
There was a mischievous glint in his eyes as he said matter-of-factly, "I have a hard time believing there would've been room for me, but if you think so, I'm game for next time."