Disclaimer: Inception does not belong to me.
"Are you really sure you want to do this?"
Adam nodded, looking at Arthur. "Absolutely. Its the only way."
"Its a short term fix," Arthur said, slowly. "Its not going to really help you in the long term-"
"So why are you agreeing to doing this then?" Adam snapped, suddenly. "Why are you agreeing to doing this?"
"Because - I want to help you, and Ariadne." Arthur looked at him, his eyes kind. "She really-" he swallowed. "Loves you."
Adam sank back in his seat. "You really think so?" His voice sounded timid and uncertain, and he bit his lip. Arthur nodded.
"Yes. I do. You don't have to prove anything."
Adam shook his head. "No. I want to do this. Please."
Arthur nodded. "All right." He pulled up in front of the warehouse. "We'll collect what we need, and then head back to your place. Ok?"
Ariadne hurried to Adam's house, puzzled by the message he had left. Her voicemail had informed her of an urgent request to hurry to his as soon as she could that evening, as he had "something for her." The tantalising vagueness was enough to make her start to wonder - wonder exactly what it was she was letting herself in for.
As the bus slowed to a halt, she prepared to get off. It was raining, and she walked quickly from the stop to the one-level rental. As she approached the door, it swung open.
"Arthur?" Ariadne blinked, astonished to see the Point Man standing in front of her. "Where's Adam?"
"Freshening up", Arthur explained. "I gave him a lift back from town, and he invited me in." He looked at her. "Are you coming in?" he asked, with a ghost of a smile.
Nodding, she entered. As she walked into the lounge, her eyes widened. The PASIV lay in the centre of the room, with two pillows next to it. She turned her gaze to Arthur. "What-"
"Ari!" Adam entered the room, and hurried over to her. She allowed herself to be pulled into his embrace. "Ari, so glad you're here!"
She looked at him, bewildered. "Adam, what's-" she swallowed, and tried to compose herself. "What's going on?"
He took her hand, and led her to the couch. Arthur nodded, and tactfully disappeared into the kitchen. "Ari," Adam began, "Arthur's introduced me into dreaming." His eyes fixed upon hers. "Which I believe was your idea."
She nodded. "It was." She looked at him, clasping both his hands in hers. "I want you to feel more confident, better in yourself. You're still you."
He nodded. "That's what my therapist says." She blinked at the bitterness of his voice. "Everyone tells me not to worry, and that I'll be fine. But I need to-"
He looked at her. "I need to show you what I was like before I became sick." His voice was low, and she could see he was struggling to hold back tears. "Show you that I wasn't always this weak. Or helpless."
She touched his cheek with her hand. "I don't think of you as weak, Adam. You're fighting a disease. You're the bravest person I've ever met."
In the kitchen, Arthur guiltily tried not to eavesdrop. He knew he shouldn't. It was a private conversation, and one that was highly emotional. But as he saw her touch Adam's face, regret began to well up inside him.
He's dying. Let him be happy.
Swallowing, Arthur walked into the lounge. The two figures on the couch hardly noticed him. Finally, he cleared his throat.
"Ready to go under?"
Adam held Ariadne's hand, and she nodded. "Ready."
Arthur swallowed. "OK. Lie down."
Both complied, resting their heads on the pillows. Quickly, Ariadne inserted her IV, and Adam followed suit. Arthur paused, his fingers hovering over the PASIV button. He watched as the two of them reached out, and linked fingers.
Fighting a lump in his throat, Arthur pushed down the centre button. "Sweet dreams."
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