Disclaimer: Inception does not belong to me.

Ariadne bit her lip. She hadn't meant for it to slip out. Arthur's eyes narrowed in anger, and embarrassment. He began to push back the covers, and started to get out.

"Arthur, I-"

"What?" he snapped, harshly.

"Arthur I'm only trying to help." Her voice sounded feeble. "I really want you to -"

He sat back down, and lowered his head into his hands. "I know you do," he said, his voice muffled. "Its just the idea of Eames forging my father-"

She looked at his face. A smile was playing round the corner of his lips. "Well, um-"

"I can't think of anyone more unlike my Dad." Arthur fell back down onto the bed. "Really." He stretched out, and sighed. "Dad is so - conservative, so set in his ways. Eames is, well, Eames."

Ariadne had to smile. "I didn't think-"

"No, you thought." He reached over, and took her hand. "You thought enough to want to help me, and I am grateful to you, trust me."

She wound her fingers into his, and they lay together for a while, not speaking. She felt the warmth of his skin. He turned to her.

"Ari..."

She blinked. His voice was slightly thick, with longing. She began to pull his arm towards her. Silently, he began to carefully entwine himself with her, taking care not to grab or bruise her. She felt his legs wrap around her thighs, and leaning forward, kissed his neck. He responded by pushing his hands into her hair, dragging his fingers down.

"Thank you," he whispered. He leaned in further, feeling her buck slightly beneath him. She gained in confidence, and kissed him on the mouth.

For that moment, they were the only two people in the world.

An hour later, they were in bed, side by side. Ariadne's face and skin were flushed, and Arthur, she noted with satisfaction, hd a contented look. She impulsively reached over, kissing him again.

His eyes flicked open. "That's not fair!"

She giggled. "What isn't?"

"Taking advantage." He raised his eyebrows. "I'm lying here, helpless-"

Ariadne burst out laughing. The last words she would ever apply to the Point Man were helpless. Yet, he looked oddly vulnerable, his eyes shining. She swallowed back her laughter.

"No, I mean, we're helpless when we're naked."

The simplicity of the sentence felt like a slap. She swallowed, suddenly realising what he meant. She leant back down.

"I did have other girlfriends, once."

She blinked. She wasn't sure she liked where this conversation was heading. Stung by the subtle feeling of jealousy, she turned over.

"But I didn't like them looking at me."

Her jaw dropped. "Arthur-"

"I didn't want them thinking I was...disappointing." His voice had lulled. "That underneath the clothes, they'd see this scrawny little body." He blinked.

She reached out, and began to trace her fingers down his stomach. "I always worried that they'd look at me and think I was a blob."

He raised an eyebrow. "And did you think that of me? That I would?"

She looked at him. "Yes," she confessed.

He blinked, and a look of shock settled on his face. "Ari...I would never..." he shook his head.

"Its just..." she swallowed, speaking more rapidly. "I saw you, and thought he would never-"

He shook his head. "I saw a hint of that in the dream."

She nodded. "Thought you did."

"But, I need to help myself, and then I'll feel I can-" his voice slowed, and he nodded. "So, we're not going to ask Eames to forge."

"You-"

He looked at her. "I'm going to visit my parents. Without any preparation."

Reviews are always welcome and appreciated, thank you!