Disclaimer: Inception does not belong to me.
Arthur let his mother rub his back, soothingly. He choked, the tears still coming. Ariadne felt like an intruder, and tactfully kept herself to one side.
"Arthur, Arthur...its all right," his mother soothed. "Come on, your father will want to see you."
The Point Man straightened up, and his mother took his hand. Ariadne bit her lip - his face was slightly blotchy, and tear streaked. He mother pulled him into another embrace.
"Mom," Arthur swallowed. "I need you to meet Ariadne-"
His mother looked at him, then turned to her. Before Ariadne could move, she had pulled her into a tight embrace, that filled the younger woman with a sense of calm. Arthur's mother, she realised, was desperate for her husband and son to make amends. She pulled back, and smiled.
"Pleased to meet you, Mrs Ogilvie," she said, politely. His mother smiled.
"Gwen. Please. Its Gwen."
Nodding, Ariadne watched as she turned back to Arthur. Before either of them could say anything else, they were being ushered indoors.
As they entered the house, Ariadne noticed that it was clean, and modern, decorated in light pastel colours. As they walked into the lounge, a man was getting up. He had the same dark eyes as his son, and a worried, slightly pained expression. As he came forward, the Architect noticed he was leaning on a stick.
"Well..."
A silence fell. Arthur looked at his father, but his face did not betray a flicker of emotion. The older man reached out, a hand. Hesitantly, Arthur clasped it, and they shook, albeit uneasily.
Ariadne bit her lip. It was as though she were watching a tableaux between father and son. Finally, the silence was broken.
Arthur spoke. "How are you Dad?"
The older man looked at him, and nodded. "Been better. At least I can walk now."
Arthur didn't flinch. "Your surgery? You-"
"Well, I'm still here." His father had clearly meant it as a light hearted quip, but it fell heavily. Ariadne coughed, politely. Arthur's father turned to her.
"Well, Arthur! Who is this?" He walked over, and extended a hand. "You're-"
"I'm Ariadne." She blushed slightly. "Arthur's-"
"Girlfriend?" He looked at her, hopefully. "Well, Arthur. Glad to see you've got good taste, son."
Arthur flushed slightly. "Dad. Ariadne is- she and I met through work. She's brilliant at what she does."
It was Ariadne's turn to blush scarlet. "Arthur-"
"Well, if you've met someone, at least she'll get you to take care of yourself." Ariadne watched Arthur flinched, and bit her lip. "You need to, son, you're as thin as a straw!"
"Its the way I'm built," Arthur said, hoarsely. "Dad, please-"
"Let me show you to your room," his mother interrupted. "Ariadne?"
Duitfully, Ariadne followed Gwen Ogilvie, fighting a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.
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