Eames has been with Arthur from the beginning. Cobb hired Eames with surprising swiftness, considering he hadn't yet done a proper job. He supposed Cobb leaned heavily on the recommendation from his esteemed mentor. But Eames was no slouch-he was charming, enthusiastic, and talented. He lightened the mood. He expected to have fun.
He hadn't expected Arthur. Considering that the profession was of dubious legality, he had expected someone more like himself-someone with a bit of derring-do. Instead, he got a stuffy risk-manager with all the spontaneity of a coat rack. (But he had to admit, the coats themselves were quite stylish, in a prissy way.)
The first practical joke had not been well-received.
Arthur wipes the lipstick from his mouth and stalks away to wait for the kick in private. The brunette reverts back to Eames, who calls after him. "Oh, come now, darling!" The brunette was a barista he'd seen Arthur chat up once or twice, but it was merely a formality. Arthur had seen right through the disguise-he's too damn good at his job, if Eames has anything to say about it-but he couldn't dodge the kiss quickly enough.
Eames watches Arther's back and purses his lips thoughtfully.
He'd do it again, too.