Disclaimer: Inception does not belong to me.

"Arthur!" Exasperated, Cobb stood in front of the younger man, shaking his head. "What do you mean, you just want to teach music?!"

"Well, what I say." Arthur folded his arms, feeling defensive and ill at ease. "I just want to teach. I've had enough of giving orders...and its not as though people want to listen to me, anyway!"

"You're being ridiculous!" Cobb countered, as though hoping to break the younger man's will. "Fischer's going to jail, Eames can't handle responsibility-"

"Thanks," Eames chipped in, scowling.

"-And I just feel - I just feel that this happened on my watch, and I was not watching." Cobb rubbed his forehead. "How can I take this proposal to district when the one person I thought I could rely on does-"

"Let's not get personal!" Arthur snapped. "Yes, you've relied on me for years - relied on me to do your dirty work whilst you sat in your office, pretending to be everyone's friend!"

"That's not true!" Cobb snapped back. His face was flushed, and he glared at Arthur. "I have never asked you to do my dirty work-"

"Bull!" Arthur practically snarled. His voice was rising, and so was his temper. "When students needed disciplining over dress code, who dealt with it? When there were rumours of students trying to hack into the system, who dealt with it? Every time there has been a problem, I've dealt with it! I am tired of being your stooge! I am tired of taking your orders! You are not Batman, and I am not Robin!"

"No." Eames deadpanned. "More he's Superman and you're General Zod!"

Arthur glared at Eames, furious. "Oh, and how about the times I've had to do your job for you?! Dealing with parents, dealing with-"

"That's enough!" Mal's voice was sharp, and sliced through the tense, almost suffocating atmosphere. "Arthur, please! You need to calm down!"

Arthur swallowed, taking a ragged breath. Cobb's face was scarlet, and Eames was subdued. Arthur ran his fingers through his hair, and swallowed. "Cobb-"

"Leave it." Turning, the older man strode out of the room. Arthur reached for his jacket. "I'd better go." Before anyone could stop him, he was walking out of the door.

"You actually said that?"

Arthur nodded, his facial expression one off bemusement, as though he could not comprehend his own actions. "Yes." Picking up his spoon, he licked the foam off it. "I did."

Ariadne blinked. Arthur had rung her, insisting that they meet. As the Golden Bean was open until late, she'd suggested it. Arthur had arrived before her, and had clearly downed a cappuccino before she'd even arrived. The tension in his face and voice had not dissipated a jot. He took another sip of coffee. "God."

Ariadne pushed her plate towards him. "Have a muffin."

Arthur looked at it, and smiled. "The way to my heart."

"Absolutely!" The both laughed, and a feeling of peace began to wash over Arthur. He put his coffee cup down. "I'm sorry. Its just...Cobb clearly wants me to do as he tells me, and I'm not prepared to live that way anymore."

"So..." She swallowed. "Shal we go?"

"Why not." Getting up, Arthur was determined to banish thoughts of Cobb, work, and students from his mind. He just wanted to enjoy being here with her. As his hand slipped into hers, they began to leave the Golden Bean.

"So what are you going to do?"

"Well, I could look for another job." He sighed. "But then, everyone would want to know why I left...and there is all this mess with Fischer..."

"Not your fault."

"We could always move, look abroad." Arthur sighed. "I could teach in London. Its an interesting city."

Ariadne raised her eyebrows. "They all wear uniforms there." She swallowed. "Not sure I could handle that."

"Well." Arthur shrugged. "Then I'm not sure. But I do know one thing..." he reached over, and took her hand. "I want to be with you."

They began to leave. As they did so, Arthur frowned. Someone was standing outside the Golden Bean. "Arthur!"

Turning, Arthur felt his face freeze. "Dom..."

"Please." Cobb's voice was firm. "I guessed you'd be here if you weren't at home. We need to talk."

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