Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

A prompt that I've seen in otpprompts on tumblr. Just a little warning that Arthur might be a little OOC here. This one is dedicated to Kellouka2 for sticking with me and making me feel like a queen more than once. I hope you enjoy it!


The One Time Arthur Was Stood Up

Arthur wonders why out of all the people he's working with right now, Eames has to annoy him. He doesn't mind Ariadne's company, oh no he doesn't, but Eames makes it difficult for him to ask her out to dinner, especially now that they're talking about dates.

"I bet you never get stood up, Arthur," Ariadne says, looking at him with a small smile.

"I'm sure he doesn't," Eames says, "I'm sure he's the one who leaves their dates hanging."

Ariadne's mouth turns into a small 'o'. "Really?"

'Damn Eames and his mouth,' he thinks. He wants to tell her that he has never left a girl hanging only because when he asks her out, he wants her to know that he will be there, but he can't lie to her. Especially with the Forger just inches away. "I've only done it...a couple of times. But only because of emergencies!"

"Yeah, he's done some extensive researches and the emergency is that he doesn't like the woman who'd be sitting across from him for an hour or more."

"That's not true!" he yells.

"Ah, I forgot, you would send messages to tell them that you're being called for work and that you would call them for a rain check, which you would never do. I'm sure about twenty...make it sixty percent of the female population who has asked you out to dinner are still waiting for that damn phone call."

Ariadne raises her eyebrows. "Sixty percent?"

"That's not true," he mutters. 'Okay, maybe it is.' "But I...I…"

She frowns. "You're good looking. You're a charmer. You make women fall for you in a snap. You ask them out and then do a no-show, you say you'll call them but you never do. Arthur, you're a great friend but you're an awful date. That is really mean."

"Arthur's a very mean man, love. Did you only notice now?"

"Shut up," he murmurs. "Eames I'm going to kill you."

Ariadne shrugs and checks her watch. "I think I deserve a break. I'm going to head down to the bakery for some snacks. I'll get you two the usual, is that alright?"

"I'll go with you," Arthur volunteers, standing up.

"It's fine," she says, shaking her head, "I'm sure Eames and I distracted you enough. You have to finish your work."

"But…" But she's already out the warehouse when he can finally think of something to say. So he turns to the grinning Forger and says, "I'm going to fucking murder you, Eames, when I get the chance. I swear to you, even if it's the last thing I do."

Eames chuckles. "It's too late to save yourself, Arthur. I think you should lighten up. Why don't you go on a date?"

"I was going to ask her out for dinner tomorrow until you showed up."

He rolls his eyes. "You're always too slow, Arthur. Anyway. I'll set you up on a blind date. You've got no chance with Ariadne now that she knows what kind of man you really are."

Most of the time, Arthur never lets his insecurities get in the way. But this is Ariadne and he never really thinks when it comes to her. "You think so?"

"I know so."

"And whose fault is that?" he mutters bitterly as he sits down.

"She would've canceled the date even if you did get a chance to ask her out; don't be such a grouch." Eames shrugs. "So, blind date tomorrow evening?"

"No."

"Come on, just once. Let's see what happens."

"No."

"I'll buy you lunch every day."

"No."

"I'll keep your seat warm for you."

Arthur makes a face. "Everyone will refuse that offer, Eames."

"Then give me something to work with," Eames say, giving up. "You think of what I should do to let you go on that date."

He looks up at him with a raised eyebrow. "Will you shut up for at least a day?"

Eames smirks. "Just for one day?"

"Just for one day," Arthur repeats.

The Forger shrugs. "Okay. Sure. I'll do that for you. Can I set it tonight?"

"Tonight?" Arthur raises his eyebrows. "Why so quickly?"

"Because that lady friend of mine really likes you and I'm very sure she's excited to meet you, darling. You don't mind, do you?" But he's already out the door before Arthur could reply. "Thanks, darling. Seven tonight at Italianis, you're paying."


He tries to talk to Ariadne again, get her to know that he wouldn't ever stand her up if she goes on a date with him. But Eames continues to get her time. And the Forger knows that he is, even giving the Point Man sly looks.

"Darling, you're going on a date tonight, you shouldn't be pining over what could have been," Eames says.

"What could have been hasn't even happened yet," he mutters to him. "Can you at least ask her if she's still interested?" I can't believe I'm asking Eames to do me a favor.

Eames rolls his eyes. "Go on this date tonight, if you're still interested then I'll ask her, okay?"

Arthur purses his lips. "Okay, fine."


He's in his good suit. He wants to make a good impression, just in case he will be interested. He's early and already sitting by the window, facing the door, so that he could see the mystery woman. Eames says she's wearing something green and has her hair up.

"Anything else significant?"

"She's very beautiful. You'll know who it is, Arthur. Have faith in me for once."

And so he waits. And waits. And waits. The server has continued to serve him water and complimentary bread. "I'm going to get into trouble, sir," the server says after his sixth time with a new tray of bread and water, "don't you want to order for yourself while you wait for your date?"

"Do you think I'll be stood up?" he asks suddenly.

"Sir?"

"It's a blind date. I haven't seen anyone with the description my friend gave me. Maybe she wore something else and saw me and decided no."

"Sir…"

"I think this is karma hitting me in the face."

"Sir."

"Ariadne would never go on a date with me now."

The server sighs. "Sir, I really doubt you'll be stood up unless one of your friends played a trick on you. Honestly, sir, you're very handsome. I don't think anyone would want to stand you up. Relax, sir, why not try calling her?"

"Playing a trick on me…" Arthur mutters and clutches his phone. "Thank you," he looks at the tag, "Kris," he takes out a bill from his front pocket and gives it to him, "here's an early tip. Get me a beer." Kris nods but Arthur takes him back, "Make it two."

"Right away, sir," Kris says, nodding as he folds the fifty in surprise.

Arthur calls Eames; he's got him on speed dial. And when Eames cheerily answers Arthur and asks, "Are you not having fun on your date, darling?"

"I've been waiting for an hour and a half, Eames. Is she even coming?"

"I heard it takes people like her awhile but she's been wanting you so you might make her come in less than an hour and a half," Eames replies with humor.

"Eames I'm serious!"

"Okay, okay," the Forger sighs, "she told me that she had an emergency to go to but she didn't tell me if she's coming or not."

"So should I just wait here?" Arthur asks.

"I don't know Arthur, she didn't tell me. Be a gentleman and wait."

"Can't you ask her?" he asks, his annoyance getting the better of him. He listens to Eames grabbing another phone when he sees a familiar face coming in. "Eames?"

"What is it, darling?"

"Ariadne's here."

"Oh, wonderful!"

"She's wearing a green dress and her hair is up."

"There she is," he chuckles. "Is she looking for someone?"

"Yes."

"Raise up your arm, call her out."

He raises his arm and tries to say her name but she spots him and walks quickly towards him. "I'm so sorry, Arthur," she starts and he quickly stands, leaving his phone on the table to pull out her chair and let her sit on it before pushing it back and sitting on his seat, "Valeria had a small accident and I was the only one available since her parents are in Germany. I know you waited long and I'm so sorry."

"Are you my date?" he blurts.

"Yes, darling, she is," Eames answers for him. Arthur looks down and forgets that he hasn't ended the call. Quickly, he shuts his phone and puts it in his pocket.

"Eames didn't tell me that it's you."

She shrugs. "I don't know what his play is but he didn't tell me until I told him that I was with Valeria in the hospital. He slipped."

Kris returns and holds out the menus. "I told you, sir. Do you still want your beers?"

Arthur shakes his head. "I'm good. Thanks, Kris."

Kris tells him that he'll bring out their finest bottle of champagne and smiles at Ariadne before leaving. "What was he talking about?" she asks.

"I thought my date stood me up," he admits, "that karma had hit me in the face. I took it out on him until I called Eames and then I saw you."

"Arthur Brandon being stood up?" Ariadne giggles. "That will only happen when an apple grows from a mango tree on the thirtieth of February!"

Arthur smiles. "That boosts up my ego." She smiles back at him. "I've been wanting to ask you to go on a date with me for a long time."

"Really? Then why didn't you?"

"Work always gets in the way. And Eames. And with what happened this morning...he also said that I didn't have a chance with you anymore?"

"I was a little upset," she admits, "but I was willing to try."

"So Eames set us up?"

"I guess so." She shrugs.

"I can't believe I have to thank that bastard."

Ariadne laughs. "He brought us together, I'm willing to thank him. Shall we call him now?"

Arthur takes out his phone and calls Eames. When the man answers, Eames is still cheery. "Arthur, darling, did you like my surprise?"

"Yeah," he answers with a smile, "thanks."

"Thanks, Eames," Ariadne says.

"Does that mean I our deal earlier this morning is invalid and I can talk to you freely tomorrow?" Eames asks.

Ariadne tilts her head and Arthur just smirks. "No."


There we go! Hope you enjoyed it! Please tell me what you think! I also updated A Reality Unknown if you're interested. And I made a (500) Days of Summer fanfic called (Infinity) Days of Snow. :]