#lucky he has eames to look after him

[valerileygreen]

Sometimes I just get blown by how much of what Arthur does is motivated by his sense of protectiveness. Even more than his loyalty, though they go fairly hand in hand.

Loyalty means he would never sell or otherwise betray his teammates, nor abandon someone he considers a friend or a job/mission/goal he has already committed to. But protectiveness is his driving force, the real motive to all his hard work behind competitiveness and perfectionism, the thing that informs and shapes how his behaviour and choices during said job. And there are so many instances of it during the movie, how he readily and kindly checked on Ariadne's well-being and tried to reassure her after she was first killed by Mal; how he was the one who tested the new compounds; how he freaking flipped when Eames got shot at even while believing there was no actual danger (though that is symptom of other feelings too); how after all cards were on the table on that first level he immediately sprang up to action to defend the fort and everyone inside; and just about everything that happened in the hotel hallway, his concerned how do I drop you without gravity? and how carefully he handled his sleeping team.

I'm willing to bet, even if it was never shown, that he does all sorts of little things to make the jobs go as smooth as possible and make sure everyone is comfortable. Just look at the warehouse he found, spacious and with a lot of light and well furnished. And he's also very attuned to when the others are flagging and need a break, even though he's crap at following his own advice.

And yes, most of it can be ascribed to his role as a pointman, but I'd argue that it's this basic trait of his, this protectiveness, that drove him to fill in those shoes. It's an extremely important job, research and security, but it's certainly the less glamorous and the most fastidious. I imagine that in normal circumstances, with other teammates, while people would end up being grateful for his thoroughness at the end of a job well done, they would also kind of resent him during the planning stages as he always has questions and finds holes in their plans.

But he took it upon himself anyway. He chose it, preferring to have teammates a little frustrated with him but healthy and safe than the alternative, needing to provide that care for them - maybe because of past trauma when he couldn't protect someone and blamed himself, maybe because he's used to take care of others and actually likes it (the mom friend), maybe because he's just wired this way.

I actually headcanon that he sort of tailored the pointman role for himself, gave it a proper shape and definition, distinguishing it fromother roles, and then it took and spread as an 'official' role after the dreamshare community saw how much smoother things went without having to split research and security among the others.

And maybe he doesn't get to indulge often in other more creative areas of dreamshare even if he has the skill (I love the quite popular headcanon that Arthur makes a fine architect too but filling both roles is too demanding, at least on the bigger jobs we saw him performing), but though he sometimes misses it, it's worth it when the sight of everyone safe and sound puts such a relieved smile on his face.

[mister-eames]

1/2 I just want to point out that we have LITERAL VISUAL evidence of JGL having a Magic Mike moment & YET there is DEARTH of fics where Arthur goes undercover as a stripper (Why does he have to do this you ask? To gather info on a mark?? Idk! That's not important!!) But I think my favourite take on this non-existent fic would be everyone else underestimating Arthur & thinking he's not gonna be able to pull it off (😏 pun intended). I think people would tend to think of him as uptight & prim

2/2 But for Arthur it's just the job & he's committed & as a result he's 100% going to put his whole arussy into it & outstrip the strippers. Plus, he's not at all the strait-laced (as much as a criminal can be strait-laced...) person that his very slicked down & suited look would suggest. I guess i just need a moment where people are gobsmacked that stripping is one of arthur's rather extensive skill set & arthur meeting their incredulity with his own 🤨 elle woods, "what, like it's hard??"

Nonnie, I read this at 6am when I woke up and let me tell you how I CHOKED when I read arussy I am crying 😂.

I'm sorry it's taken me a few days to reply to this - as a thank you (and apology), I wrote you a thing:

---

Eames doesn't even register when the jacket smacks him in the face. In a cascade of cotton and silk, Armani falls into a heap straight into his lap and Eames doesn't even care because that is Arthur up there on the podium and he is gyrating against a stripper pole.

"Oh my god," says Ariadne somewhere besides Eames. "He's actually doing it."

This gentlemans club (of the strip variety) was particularly renowned for being a sanctuary for twinks and twink-lovers alike, a veritable haven for men seeking men of the slender and the slight, sexy and sassy kind. Eames could barely fault them for their taste, the establishment was called Bottoms Up after all ---

-- the crowd cheers raucously over the music as Arthur starts to unbutton his waistcoat, hips swaying with the beat.

And just like that, amongst the strobe lights, Eames is having a moment. A crisis of faith, if you will.

He honestly had thought it would be a laugh. The intel said that the mark frequented this club. The intel said the mark had a thing for svelte brunette twinks with an ass that wouldn't quit. The most svelte-est, brunette-est twinkiest twink on the official roster at the club said I'll dance and drug your guy for fifty-grand and Arthur had snorted in his face and said it's not in the budget, I'll do it myself.

Eames bet his entire earnings for this job on this.

On Arthur. The kind of gay man who Eames envisions listens to show tunes and Striesand and enjoys a sensible chardonnay on a Sunday afternoon between ironing his ties or his handkerchiefs, or whatever, before watching a football match with another glass of chardonnay and nodding sensibly at whichever strapping young team come out of top, figuratively and literally, before settling into bed.

On... Arthur. The kind of man who never let his personality get in the way of a job. Who was a team player. Who was one the last few criminals and men who cared about integrity. Who was full of hundreds of unsuspecting surprises that Eames had unearthed one-by-one over the years, fucking of course he would pull through ---

-- Arthur's actual tie, a deep crimson, goes flying into the crowd, a round of whistles escalating as a lucky bloke catches it, waving it in the air like a lasso. On the stage Arthur drags a hand down his chest, makes direct eye contact with the man and winks at him.

Eames clutches the jacket, throat dry.

He got this one very, very wrong.

Eames had put his money on Arthur being laughed off stage (and into his arms), on being too stiff and sullen to be purposefully sexy.

Because Arthur was sexy, but in a non-purposeful way. Eames has never been a man titillated by what he could get for free and that others had proudly paid for, and beat off to those daydreams of Arthur ironing his ties, and his hankies.

But there Arthur is now, legs spread, back flushed against that pole as he dips inches from the floor as dollar bills flutter around him from eager patrons like paper snowflakes, body somehow swaying fluidly to the beat - a top forty remix that Eames doesn't recognise but feels his own feet tapping in tandem, heat zipping to his groin.

Arthurs chest, now bared for everyone in the club to see, is glistening with what looks like oil, the pale, roaming spotlights of the club gives Arthurs skin the effect of being bathed in moonlight.

Their mark, a balding fifty-something, grins lecherously, thin lips spreading over cheap veneers as Arthur makes eye contact with him as he unbuckles his belt, slipping the leather through the belt hooks like a snake through grass.

Eames very suddenly hates their mark.

The feeling intensifies when Arthur deftly hops off stage, pants slug loose around his hips, body still one with the beat as he approaches the mark, coyly draping the belt around the mans neck with one hand. The man shivers with delight as Arthur slips the sedative into his drink with the other while he is distracted.

The man places his grubby hands on Arthur's hips, completely fooled, and something burns hot and cold at the same time in Eames chest.

He's about to storm over and smack the mans hands away when Arthur slips out of his grip.

Arthur turns about then leaving the mark bug-eyed and breathing heavily as he gets back on stage.

Eames can't hear his pounding heart over the cheers of the crowd as Arthur--who Eames called a stiff pointdexter two days ago--slides his back down the stripper pole and back up again, executing some kind of manoeuvre that makes his bones look like liquid--and drops his pants, leaving himself only in his briefs.

The song ends. Blowing a kiss to the deafening crowd, Arthur gathers up his clothes and heads backstage, set finally over.

There's a flurry of activity to Eames' right where Yusuf, playing security guard, is hefting up their mark who is increasingly sleepy and incoherent.

Eames was supposed to help him take him out back but his feet are already in motion, following Arthur into the backroom. He flashes his security badge at the sensor and enters.

Wiping off the oil with a wet wipe, Arthur is waiting for him it would seem, pants slung loosely around his hips, shirt unbuttoned. Through the vanity mirror Arthur makes eye contact.

He nods in acknowledgement "Eames."

"That was quite a routine out there," he says, shutting the door behind them.

In the reflection, Arthur maintains their eye contact and chin lifts a fraction in defiance as Eames slowly approaches. "Told you I could do it."

"You did."

"How much did you bet on me failing?"

"My entire commission for the job."

Arthur snorts.

"Stupid. You deserve that."

"Very stupid," Eames agrees, nodding. "I have been very, very stupid, Arthur."

His feet are still moving and suddenly he is before Arthur. His hands are moving too, out to grip Arthur's hips before Eames realizes what he's doing. He balls them into fists and drops them to his side.

Arthur's eyes follow the movement in the mirror, turning to face Eames anyway. "Aren't you supposed to be helping Yusuf?"

Eames blurts out, "I didn't know you could move like that."

Raising an eyebrow Arthur says, completely deadpan, "What, like it's hard?"

He stalks forward then, gripping Eames' hands and placing them on his hips. "Go help Yusuf," he leans in close to whisper, eyes dark, "finish the job. Impress me now. And then I can show you how else I can move."

Eames is out of there before he needs to be asked twice. He's going to impress the hell out of Arthur.

[ladysarai]

@inception30daychallenge, Day 2: Classify each character according to the alignment chart.

Using this as reference:

Ariadne: Neutral Good. Ariadne is the audience stand-in, and she is curious and wants to know everything, immediately. She's willing to cross lines in the pursuit of knowledge--to invade Cobb's dreams, and sneak into the memories he doesn't want her to see. She wants to help him and help the team succeed, and she's willing to think outside the box to do so. Arthur: Lawful Good. HEAR ME OUT. Arthur will break rules, yes. But when he does, it's in support of someone else. He thinks outside the box--to make sure things go according to plan. He teaches and trains and he provides the structure and support to make sure things go as smoothly as possible. He pays attention to detail and keeps the rules in mind. And he clearly does respect authority--he may not LIKE it, but he listens to Cobb anyway. His entire job is to keep everyone safe, after all. Cobb: Neutral Evil. OKAY maybe this is a little harsh, but.... my man. His main and only goal is to get home to his children, and "regardless of impact" is sort of his Whole Thing. He'll lie to his own wife to get her to leave Limbo with him, he'll lie to the entire team during inception just for the chance to get home. This man knows what he wants and will do whatever the fuck he has to in order to get it, and you only get one apology if you get in his way (if you're lucky). Eames: Chaotic Good. Eames absolutely values freedom and choice, and is clearly not a fan of authority. The man is a forger, not only in dreams but in reality (or it is strongly implied--the quip about his spelling, the comment about references being his speciality, etc). When Cobb shows up, Eames is not thrilled to see him, and he's ready to quit the job when he finds out about Cobb and Yusuf's sedation gamble. He throws about terms like "anti-monopolistic tendencies" and comes up with the entire inception plan on his own, and at the same time absolutely pegs Fischer's daddy issues. ...I had reasons why this supported the fact that Eames isn't a fan of authority figures but it escapes me now, oops. Yusuf: Lawful Evil. Look. I adore Yusuf as much as the next person. But the man did take Cobb's share of the money in exchange for sedating everyone hard enough to send them to Limbo and agreed to keep it a secret, and the man runs a Dream Den where people go to dream for 12 hour chunks of time, and I highly doubt it's out of the goodness of his heart. I'm just saying. The man has skills, and he knows how to make them marketable. Saito: Lawful Evil. Like our friend Yusuf, Saito is fabulous. But he hires a dreamshare team to incept a rival to make sure his company isn't second to a global conglomerate. And he insists on joining the team to make sure it goes as planned. This man is a man who knows how to get what he wants and will do what he has to to make it happen.

[froggie-recs-fics]

Fic Roundup (up to 9/26/21)

I'm gonna start collecting fics I've read recently to recommend them, because making trope lists takes too long and many fics fall by the wayside. Let me know if you like this new format!

The fandoms in this list are as follows: Marvel (SamBucky, HTP, SpideyPool, WinterHawk, WinterIron, Stony, Stucky, SpiderShield), DCU (Bane/Blake), Inception (Arthur/Eames), Teen Wolf (Sterek).

A * signifies a particular favorite (though I love all these fics)

Marvel

Sam/Bucky

double back by flowermasters (E, 12K, Post-Endgame, Time Loop, Time Travel)

Sam gets stuck in a time loop. In 1943.

Things could be worse, but they could certainly be better.

Companion piece here: quick time

I'll explain everything to the geese by napricot (Post-Endgame, E, 50K, Sam can talk to birds)

Bucky is so competent that it hurts my feelings is not a rational complaint to have about a person, and yet, after a year of being Captain America and partnering up with Bucky for the new and improved, post-Blip Avengers, that’s kinda how Sam’s feeling.

It’s not great. It maybe leads to Sam making some rash, ill-advised decisions like claiming he has a previously undisclosed superpower, and then getting caught in a web of lies when he ends up actually developing that surprisingly inconvenient superpower. Talking to birds had seemed like a harmless superpower, but it turns out that birds have a lot of opinions, and they don’t hesitate to tell Sam about them, especially when it comes to his supposedly subpar courting skills. Which is ridiculous, because Sam isn’t courting Bucky. Right?

Rumlow/Bucky

**blueprints for a better world series by itallstartedwithdefenestration @astralhux (CATWS, Post-CATWS, Noncon, E, 115K, Dark Main Character)

When Pierce discovers the asset is no longer capable of getting himself hard during recreational use, he tells Rumlow to figure out what the problem is, and to fix it. The solution turns out to be more complicated than anyone expected.

I can't recommend this series enough

Peter/Wade

*Dead Men Walking series by doctorestranged @lazystrawberrymilkshakes (E, 235K, Identity Porn, Slow Burn)

When a series of murders take place, Peter Parker goes undercover in Sister Margaret’s to get intel on Tony Stark’s prime suspect: Deadpool. Peter goes in hoping to get enough information so that Spider-Man can save the day, but like everything in Peter’s life, it becomes a bit more complicated than that and it soon becomes apparent that he might not be the best fit for the job.

All About Chemistry by TwiceBakedPotato @sedatedkoala (No Powers AU, M, CNTW, 74K, Teacher-Student Relationship, Slow Build)

After serving his 20 years in the Marine Corps, Wade Wilson is cashing in his GI Bill and going back to college. He feels like the old man on campus, but that doesn't matter. He likes his classes. He likes learning. And he especially likes his Chemistry professor with the messy brown hair.

Clint/Bucky

Making Me A Habit by Kangofu_CB @kangofu-cb (No Powers AU, T, 20K, Pet Store, Slow Burn, Pining, Misunderstandings)

Bucky is a disabled vet struggling with reintegrating into civilian life. He has a routine and a rhythm, and he doesn't like to let anything - big or small - disrupt it. That all changes the day Bucky finds himself inside CATastrophe, the local pet rescue, recovering from a panic attack in the back room of the shop.

He’s used to walking by the place, not visiting, but the next thing Bucky knows, he’s hanging signs and being used as a climbing tree for a bunch of freshly-acquired kittens. And he just...keeps going back. First for the kittens, then for the disaster shop owner who rescues actual kittens from actual trees and teaches archery as a side-gig, and eventually because he’s hopelessly in love.

(Clint was in love before Bucky ever walked in the door.)

*Nameless by AvaKelly (Post-CATWS, M, 101K, Time Travel, Time Loop, Slow Burn)

A gun is pointed at him before he can even move from his position, the Soldier's metal arm steady in its aim. Clint sighs.

"Nemo," Clint says. "It's tattooed on your wrist, right here," he lifts his right hand and taps his left index finger where his palm ends.

The Soldier's eyes widen. "How do you know this?"

"I put it there."

Glitter, G-Strings and Other Mission Hazards by flawedamythyst @flawedamythyst (T, 16K, Undercover, Stripper Clint)

“Which is why you need me to shake my booty for cash,” said Clint.

“Precisely,” said Coulson. “You’re the only agent we have who wouldn’t need additional training in the skills of an exotic dancer to take on the mission, and we want to get someone in there as soon as possible.”

Clint nodded, shutting the file. “Okay, awesome. I’ll dig out my sequined g-string.”

“You’ll have full access to requisition any costumes you might need,” said Coulson.

A mission requires Bucky to be Clint's back-up as he goes undercover as a stripper, which gets more difficult with every new costume he comes out in.

Paternal Error by EVVS @skylarkevanson (Post-CATWS, T, 33K, Kid Fic, Established Relationship)

Bucky has never once thought of being a parent. Not since the Winter Solider happened.

Until he falls in love with Clint Barton. And that idiot just keeps collecting children for his flock.

Now Bucky has to pretend like he's good at parenting.

Bucky/Tony

Forms of Love by bear_bell (Post-CACW, E, 33K, Split Personalities)

Months after the Avengers' dispute in Germany, the team returns to the US and moves back into the tower. As always, everyone pretends that nothing happened. Tony is just fine with this. He's used to pretending, and he'll be damned if he lets any of them see him flinch.

Tony's the bad guy, after all. He's used to it. He's fine with it. He's good at it.

Only now, there's something far worse loitering around the tower - The Winter Soldier. No one notices the guy at first, but when they do, Tony figures that he should have the soldier's back.

Birds of a feather should flock together, and the bad guys should start a book club.

Steve/Tony

While You Were Sleeping by betheflame @betheflame (No Powers AU, M, 65K, While You Were Sleeping AU)

It's been years since Steve Grant Rogers Drysdale has spoken to his twin, Ransom. So it was quite a shock when he was summoned to a hospital and found out that Ransom was in a coma.

Even more shocking? That Ransom is engaged. To Tony Stark.

Steve/Bucky

The Road Goes Ever On And On by PipGraham (Omegaverse AU, M, Noncon, Graphic Violence, 20K, Road Trip, Pre-Serum Steve, Past Domestic Violence)

When Brock's continued domestic abuse puts not only Steve's life in danger, but also that of his unborn pup, he flees into the night with just a small backpack of clothes and almost no money to his name.

Steve quickly runs into trouble as he tries to embark on a 3-day cross-country bus journey back home to New York City.

He meets a kind veteran when he most needs a helping hand.

Just Words by LadyRazzle (crimegimp) @ladyrazzle (Pre-CATFA, Soulmate AU, T, 2K, Fluff)

Inspired by that now legendary post: "soulmate AU where you wake up on your 18th birthday with the first words your soulmate will say to you tattooed on your body so you’ll know them when you meet them." Well what if they appear the moment you turn 18, rather than just the day? And what if by the time you turn 18, you'd already fallen in love?

Bucky wasn’t eager to discover what the words said. He already knew what he wanted them to say. He always had.

Peter/Steve

Forgetting It's There by spinstitcher (stygian) (NR, 8K, Crack, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Identity Porn)

“You’re Captain America,” he blurts out.

“What?” says Captain America, looking a little wide-eyed. He casts a nervous glance at the girl at the counter – he has nothing to worry about there, she’s rocking out to her iPod and could care less what they’re talking about – and says, “No, uh, Steve, it’s just, I’m Steve.”

“Right,” says Peter, and then because his brain-to-mouth filter had apparently been completely destroyed in the fight on Oscorp Tower: “Hey, your butt really is as tight as it looks on TV.”

DCU

Bane/Blake

7 Deadly Ass(as)sins by teacuphuman @teacuphuman09 (AU, E, 23K, BDSM)

Bane and Barsad own a sex shop and John needs a job.

Straws by Menirva (Bane/Blake/Barsad, AU, E, 38K, BDSM)

John works in a smoothie shop.

He has a knack, a second sense if you will, for being able to look at a person and know what they're going to order. It's not the most spectacular gift in the world but he likes being able to figure people out and he's never wrong.

Except for this scruffy asshole who is clearly just ordering the wrong thing to fuck with him.

How is he even finishing an extra-large?

Inception

Aurthur/Eames

Rough Trade by Whisky (whiskyrunner) @whiskyrunner (AU, E, 23K, Internalized Homophobia)

Arthur is an investment banker. He is professional and efficient. He's a halfway decent cook. He's totally independent and has been since the age of eighteen. Maybe he's tired all the time because he works about ninety hours a week which is twice what normal people do, but he's rich and he's competent at his job. He's almost thirty, and already a success.

And there are some things Arthur is not. For instance: Arthur is not gay.

Lucky by earlgreytea68 @earlgreytea68 (M, 37K, Kid fic)

Arthur finds a baby.

Teen Wolf

Stiles/Derek

Cut to the Bone by standinginanicedress (Omegaverse AU, E, 112K, Secret Relationship, Enemies to Lovers kinda)

“Not that it’s any of your god damn business, but my name is Stiles. Do you need something?”

The alpha grins. All teeth, shiny white, straight as an arrow. He’s got this sculpted perfection to him that Stiles is sure has worked on all the omegas he’s ever encountered before, but Stiles stands his ground and narrows his eyes. “A date.”

Stiles looks him up and down, slowly, from the black shoes on his feet, to his uniform khakis and blazer littered with pins, to his face. He frowns, makes a face, and says, “pass.”

Cornerstone by Vendelin (Human AU, E, 83K, Marine Derek, Blind Stiles, Friends to Lovers)

Suffering from PTSD, ex-Marine Derek Hale moves back to Beacon Hills to open a bookshop and find a calmer life. That’s where he meets Stiles, completely by accident. Stiles is talkative, charming and curious. Somehow, despite the fact that he’s blind, he’s able to read Derek like no one else.

Stand Fast in Your Enchantments by DevilDoll, Rahciach (AU, Graphic Violence, E, 76K, Captivity, Feral Derek)

"Stiles knew damn well what a pissed-off wolf sounded like, and every hair on the back of his neck was telling him that somewhere in this room was a very pissed-off werewolf." An AU in which Derek is feral, Stiles is magical, and they eat a lot of fast food.

The Payoff Pitch by Leslie_Knope (Sports AU, E, 83K, Coming Out, Friends to Lovers)

Derek is on the cusp of his second season with the LA Dodgers, and as the reigning runner-up Rookie of the Year, the pressure’s on him to become the team’s star pitcher and lead them to the playoffs for the first time in five years. He’s trying to deal with the burden of expectations and really has zero desire to spend any extra time or energy on anything that isn’t baseball.

But then he meets Stiles.

[earlgreytea68]

I did this on my Twitter, but I decided to also post it here because I think it’s interesting and it’s hard to be reflective on Twitter.

I decided to do one confession from each of the major fandoms I’ve written for, so starting with Doctor Who, which was largely one sprawling AU called the Chaosverse. I immediately thought of this story that was centered around the Doctor’s son Brem, and there was this moment in the story when Brem loses his temper with his father and shouts at him, and this was the moment when I realized that I was very, very angry with the Tenth Doctor and I was shouting at him through the character of Brem lol. But anyway, it’s not a love confession but it is in the context of the ‘verse an ENORMOUS moment in which Brem spills a secret the family has been keeping for SO MANY FICS, and BAM, it’s just out there, and I just immediately thought of this moment:

The story, incidentally, can be found here, if you’re interested lol

Probably my favorite bit of this is that way back when I wrote this I had Brem disdainfully mention emo bands ahahahah WHO KNEW, the future is so hard to predict lolololol

Anyway, Brem was one of those characters who was SO MUCH his own, I was always just along for the ride with Brem, from the moment he showed up he took control. His sisters were also totally awesome, but the extent to which Brem, at four years old, took control of the major defining event of this ‘verse and then I kept everything dormant until years later when he was in college and everything finally spilled out, like, I want to say I planned the whole thing but I really, really didn’t, but it’s still probably the best bit of long-term plotting I have ever done and it was satisfying to bring everything full-circle in this fic.

Okay, so next was Sherlock, and this was actually THE first moment I thought of when it said “favorite confession”

That is from Nature & Nurture, of course, and I love it so much that I’ve used this same basic set-up in fic after fic after fic after fic ever since. I just love this dynamic, and I love a confession that’s not a confession at all because everyone knew it all along, they just never put it into words.

Which carries through the rest of the confessions I chose:

This is from Lucky, which was an extremely satisfying fic to write, it had so many moments of emotional high drama, like this one, and I love to write that stuff lol.

This is really Arthur and Eames’s “we’re already married” moment in this fic, which they use a lot more words to get across but effectively boils down to “these are all the things I knew all along and should have said a long time ago, here they are, sorry I didn’t say them out loud sooner.”

And for another variation on that theme:

This is from Stumped! An Evening Out with Fall Out Boy, which was really the first major fic I ever wrote in FOB fandom. This is essentially the same moment as the Sherlock moment and the Inception moment, this moment of “here are the things we already know and don’t say out loud, well, I’m saying them out loud now.”

The reason I wanted to throw these all up here and be reflective about them is because I often think I write the same basic story over and over, and I’ve never thought there’s really anything wrong with that, I write for me and that’s what I want to write and that’s fine. But reading these I realized that, actually, that same basic story *does* look different in all these different tellings of it. Like, Sherlock was never going to speak in Arthur’s torrent of words, he has a much simpler and more succinct way to capture the same idea. Likewise, neither Sherlock nor Arthur was really going to deliver the news in quite the way Patrick does, even though they’re all characters who treat their beloved with an underlying thread of “why are you such an idiot????”

I was also happy, seeing all of these, that the characters really do all *sound* different. Brem doesn’t sound like Arthur, even though they’re both speaking in a waterfall of words. Brem and Patrick are the two angry ones but their anger comes out in completely different ways. Arthur and Sherlock are the softer emotional ones and they don’t sound alike at all. And I sometimes think that maybe Pete and Eames are similar characters and they *are* to the extent that I sometimes want to use the same words with them, like, they’re both characters who would leer (and Arthur and Patrick are both characters who would deadpan), but they’re similar in the way that they seem like relatives to me and not identical twins. Like, Pete’s reaction to Patrick in that scene doesn’t seem to me like a way Eames would really behave toward Arthur, because they *are* different somewhere in there.

Idk, it was interesting to see the ways in which these all sound like me, like something I would write, but also sound like different stories.

[chalkrevelations]

OK, Word of Honor, Episode 9, and I know last time I got deep in the weeds about symbolism, but this week, I’m getting back to basics and rambling on (and on) about what this show is really about: Zhou Zishou and Wen Kexing and their relationship.

First, though, the usual warning: SPOILERS. Not just for this episode, but potentially for the entire show, so drive past and circle back around later if you want to watch all 36.5 eps unspoiled.

Bear with me on this one, because this ep spends a LOT of time on ZZS and WKX, and I think a lot of that time is ZZS making some Monumental Life Decisions, including how he’s going to proceed in this relationship and how he’s going to approach his life moving forward. But I’m finding myself needing to work through it chronologically, and it’s. A Lot. Also, let’s face it, ZZS has been my ride-or-die at least since he dropped to his knees and started disrobing in the middle of the throne room in Ep 1, so a chance to wallow in his emotional journey is a chance I’m gonna take.

So, we do have a brief opener when we find out Dead Guy who the Yueyang disciple was shrieking about at the end of the last ep is Fang Buzhi, AKA the Nine Clawed Fox, the guy who lifted WKX’s (Danyang) Glazed Armor (along with some replicas). He got got by mysterious somebodies in the previous episode, and we find out now that he has three tiny needles in his neck, which ZZS recognizes as a Tian Chuang technique. This leads ZZS to 1) assume it must have been Han Ying who did it, so the (Danyang) Glazed Armor is now in the hands of Tian Chuang, and 2) realize that maybe this is not the best place for the former leader of Tian Chuang to be hanging out right now, so he makes their excuses, because he knows that Gao Chong must be VERY BUSY now that he’s got this corpse on his hands, so they’ll just BE GOING, thanks so much. Gao Chong hopes to see them at the Hero’s Conference, and WKX responds in a Significant Tone that of course he’ll be at the Hero’s Conference, and now ZZS has his Thinky Face on again, because WKX is not nearly as subtle as he seems to think he is when he’s making Pronouncements.

The ZZS/WKX Show really starts kicking into gear that night, at the Getting Lucky Good Luck Inn, where we open on ZZS wandering contemplatively around his room, looking beautiful in the soft light of evening (your FACE, Zhang Zhehan) and ruminating on Prince Jin’s motives for wanting the Glazed Armor, like he’s never met this power-hungry asshole before. Also, he thinks to himself, wtf was that, with Gao Chong keeping anybody from seeing Chengling in the last ep? There’s a knock on the door, which momentarily confuses him - understandably, because as we’ll see, WKX doesn’t generally get the concept of announcing yourself and waiting to be invited in by knocking first, preferring to dramatically bust open doors (at least to ZZS’s bedroom) and grace you with his presence, whatever your thoughts on the matter are. He’s accompanied by waiters and dinner, and ZZS realizes his senses are going, presumably because he can’t smell this spread that WKX has procured in an attempt to prove what a good provider he is (what did I say about food and bonding? ZZS fed him in the market, and now it’s his turn to feed ZZS). WKX tells us that life is just three hots and a cot - which gives away more about your life than you would likely be comfortable with us knowing, Lao Wen, given how close to the vest you’re holding your cards – and that everything else can wait if you can have a meal with someone you like. :coff: (Also, remember this, it will come around again.)

Cut to dinner by flickering candlelight, the better for soft lighting to caress ZZH’s exquisite face, but ZZS isn’t into it at all, staring into space instead of eating WKX’s proffered Courtship Delicacies. This earns what’s possibly WKX’s most hypocritical and amusing comment yet, which is to ask ZZS, “What is it that you can’t tell me?” ZZS - apparently - is still feeling soft about WKX’s help against Tian Chuang’s Chengling-kidnapping attempt - or maybe he’s thinking that a little bit of opening up on his part will soften up WKX - because he hardly has to have a spoon dug into his ribs at all to admit that he’s wondering if it was a mistake to bring Chengling to Five Lakes Alliance. My dude, just steal him back, then. WKX laughs at him and tells him he’s got such a handsome face (true) along with a kind and innocent heart (false, he’s a former government spook and assassin, a part-time ill-tempered gremlin, and a whole-ass troll), and therefore girls will clearly go crazy for him (true, just ask me). ANYWAY, A-Xu, (WKX continues) now that the requisite random no-homo boilerplate is out of the way, are you really thinking of taking on Chengling as a disciple, because now is apparently not too soon to have the adoption conversation about Our Son. I almost expect him to pull out the adoption papers then and there. Instead, he pulls out a story - which is awkwardly placed and kind of clunky, actually, despite being thematically important - of a dog he had once, given to him by Someone Very Important, although of course he’s not going to say who that was (:facepalm:), and his mother warning him that he’d have to take care of it for life, and then he betrayed it.

So, there’s a lot going on here. We’ll eventually find out that ZZS gave Zhen Yan a puppy, so will this story of a gift dog jog ZZS’s memory into realizing that WKX is Zhen Yan without WKX actually telling him, so that WKX can tell his Bundle of Neuroses that it’s not reeeaaallly WKX’s fault ZZS figured it out? Also, WKX sees ZZS being like this about Chengling, and in the Chengling = Zhen Yan equation we’ve already established, is it possible this will prime ZZS to remember another disciple/young boy he took responsibility for, at one point? Of course, on ZZS’s side of things, it’s possible that hearing about this dog that WKX failed is likely to remind him of the way he failed his own responsibility to all the other disciples of Siji Manor, so, excellent way to take a stab at his heart, WKX! However, ZZS breaks the miserable tone we’ve become mired in by smacking WKX, chiding him for comparing their son to a dog, and getting them drinking. See, here, Chengling is the dog. Earlier, the two sisters A-Xiang rescued were the dog. Later, A-Xiang will be the dog. Unfortunately, WKX is going to have a blind spot and never quite realize that, in the Ghost Valley schema he’s set up, the Department of the Unfaithful is also the dog, but we’ll get to that in later eps. For now, cut to later that night: After dinner and a washup, ZZS sits on his bed, and we get some special effects to indicate that his hearing is also giving him problems, so he deploys his special Nightly Nails Torment meditation pose, and then we get the second instance of WKX playing the xiao to help him meditate and rest. (Junjun, your hands on that xiao …) ANYWAY, we get a gorgeous little bit of physical acting from ZZH here that could easily have been overplayed but is nicely restrained and subtle, with just the slightest smile when ZZS realizes WKX is playing, and then his whole body visibly relaxing as he allows himself to sink into WKX’s now-familiar musical embrace the meditation. It is :chef’s kiss:

Cut to next AM, when ZZS is now a very cranky boy, and I get this, because I also am exceedingly irritated when people bust into the room where I’m sleeping with an abundance of cheerfulness and try to get me to interact and do things without at least half an hour to creep my way out of bed, two cups of coffee, and an hour of silence before any attempts to converse like a reasonable human being (I’m looking at YOU, mom), and I don’t even have the excuse of seven Nails pinning me. Also, when WKX whips off the blankets, we learn that ZZH dresses to the right. :hands: I’m just making an observation. So, WKX wants to go to Yuefan Tower like some kind of wide-eyed tourist, and despite some smacking and scowling and death threats, we then smash-cut to the Tower, where ZZS has apparently come to the conclusion that the only way to deal with the ADHD gremlin crawling into his bed is to humor him about this daytrip. I think you could have come up with some more creative ideas that didn’t involve leaving bed, but I guess you’re not the fast one in this relationship, Zhou-ge. Srsly, though, I’m sure WKX would have been happy to do all the work, my dude. (I don’t always have strong top-bottom preferences, but you probably aren’t going to have much luck convincing me that ZZS is not a pillow princess who wants to just lay back and be spoiled. “Aren’t you a very capable man?” indeed. WKX has to do ALL THE WORK, god. I don’t know if I’m swimming against the current here – god knows I was in Inception fandom, where I felt the same way about Eames - but here we are.) Also, I can’t believe WKX didn’t just sit in the bedroom and creep on A-Xu’s beautiful sleeping profile for at least the amount of time it would have taken to drink a pot of tea, another viable option if it was me in this scenario. Tch. What kind of stalker are you, Lao Wen?

ANYWAY, at Yuefang Tower, ZZS tells us about the Four Sages of Anji, a senior-citizen polycule of soulmates who are, conveniently, at this very moment, on a boat in the lake beside the tower, playing music and sword-dancing. This is the first time they’ve been seen in 10+ years, after they put down their various swords and ran off together to live like hippies off-the-grid in the woods, probably skipping around naked, drinking “tea,” and having lots of sex. ZZS sighs wistfully while recounting this tale and calls them “a breath of fresh air.” There’s some discussion and poetry quoting and literary references to soulmates, and somewhere in here we get a shot of ZZS and WKX from behind which makes it super-obvious how hard they’re working the costumes to make Gong Jun look as broad as possible. He’s got the power shoulders on this set of robes, compared to Laopo ZZS’s soft, unstructured, flowing robes, and with those shoulders tapering down to the belted waist, they’ve got Junjun seriously working the Chris Evans Dorito silhouette. Meanwhile, focus back on their conversation: ZZS thinks that “the world is not important, finding a soulmate is,” giving some MAJOR FORESHADOWING for the end of the show (which we are accepting as “Ep” 37 because WE ARE), when we get that icy separation from the rest of the world but they have each other. WKX gives him a yearning look. ZZS looks back … there’s really no other way to put this … coyly, not meeting WKX’s gaze directly. This offers WKX and us a chance to admire his profile once again, thank you, Laopo. ZZS waits until WKX looks back out at the lake before looking at him directly, and his face journey, y’all. He’s thinking that it might not be bad to spend his remaining time with this soulmate, I think he’s starting to re-think the slow suicide, and he’s also thisclose to just letting WKX have him. Y’all, he seriously wants WKX so bad, here. It may be the first time we’ve seen this level of interest from him - it may be the first time, in all that we’ve seen of him, that he allows himself to even have that kind of interest. I think this is the next big step from Ep 6, when he allowed himself to enjoy being desired - now he’s allowing himself to desire, to want something again, other than a chance to drink himself to death in the gutter. This, right here, is a crucial point when he makes the decision to spend whatever time he’s got left living rather than just dying, and I’m flailing on the couch. This is the face of a man who’s ready to Make Some Declarations while getting railed within an inch of his life. SOMEONE IS GETTING SOME TONIGHT. Or he would if he wasn’t going to turn out to be such a fuckup. FFS, WKX.

But first, we cut to a scene of them back at the marketplace, wandering through as WKX mocks various sects in town for the conference – including the Mount Hua boys, who apparently look like virgins make their first trip to a brothel – and ZZS supplies background info on them. WKX asks if ZZS can tell what sect WKX is from, and ZZS calls him a messy bitch before asking if WKX can please stop making him play guessing games about everything and just tell him what WKX so clearly wants ZZS to know. (I know, right? But no, because then WKX might get what he wants, and he’s way too terrified for that, so you have to guess. That way, it’s not his fault when you figure out who he is and reject him, as anyone clearly will do because he’s unlovable and unforgiveable and not even really human, A-Xu.) WKX immediately changes the subject to ramble about the Hero’s Conference and how laughable all the sects are for wanting to be seen as heroes, blah blah blah, rinse and repeat. ZZS comments that only inexperienced people want to be heroes, that experienced people know “every character of the word hero is written in blood,” and yes, the character they’re using for hero, “ying,” is still the same character used in Han Ying’s name (which is not, by the way, the “ying” used in Wei Ying’s name, to cross streams for a moment). ZZS says he’s too old to be a hero (I and my knees feel you, my dude), now he’s just a wanderer, and he asks if WKX wants to be a hero or a wanderer, and WKX says that as a wanderer, all he needs is ZZS, and I’m telling you, someone absolutely would be getting some tonight if only he wasn’t such a fuckup, Lao Wen.

I’m’a try to wrap this up soon, because it’s gotten v. long, but we then cut to that night at the Getting Lucky Inn, ZZS drinking in his room, WKX busting in with his usual dramatic flair, with wine, inviting ZZS up to the roof to drink and look at the moon. He clearly has ulterior motives, but unfortunately for everyone, we’re going to discover they’re not the ulterior motives ZZS is expecting. As they lean back on the roof together, hands almost-but-not-quite touching, a romantic tune playing, WKX tells ZZS that he’s like, really happy! Just super happy! So happy! Ask me why I’m so happy, A-Xu! Spoiler alert: It is, unfortunately, not because he’s getting ready to get some from his laopo. This is particularly unfortunate, because ZZS chooses this moment to take another big step in this relationship, telling WKX that he’s not going to ask about things WKX doesn’t want to tell him, that he’ll wait for whatever WKX wants to tell him. On the surface, this comes off a little bit like, I’m done with asking when you’re not going to answer anyway, but in context – particularly on the back of the earlier scene when ZZS watched WKX turn on a dime and immediately change the subject to avoid exposing anything when ZZS asked WKX to stop making him guess everything – this is as good as a declaration of going all-in. ZZS is committing to this relationship on faith, without having all – or even most – of the answers about WKX, and his approach is going to be to wait until WKX is ready to reveal whatever information he feels safe and comfortable revealing. In practice, he’s going to end up being better or worse at this, depending on the day, but what it reminds me of, already, is that moment in the 20s (Ep 21? 22?) when A-Xiang and Cao Weining are arguing about her killing the beggar guy, he approaches her, she yells at him and points to the ground to indicate exactly how close he’s allowed to get to her, and his respect of that boundary she lays down is instantaneous and absolute. That’s what ZZS is saying he’s going to at least try to do, here. It also reminds me of the way he’s going to respect WKX’s decision on whether or not WKX is going to claim his place as a disciple of Siji Manor, without it affecting their relationship, so we really are starting as ZZS means to go on, here.

Unfortunately, we then find out that what WKX is actually so happy about is that his plan to burn down the jianghu is starting its next big step, and their romantic evening is interrupted by a bunch of dudes fighting and killing each other over a bunch of fake Glazed Armor. WKX mentions that he’s so happy the show’s started; he’s alternately amused, satisfied, and smug as they watch various fights; he seems to be expecting ZZS to also be amused; and I feel like the implication is that this was his real motive for inviting ZZS out onto the roof, to be able to watch this show with him. ZZS – who’s spent enough time standing ankle-deep in blood for six lifetimes and was working hard just a few weeks ago at drinking himself to death to try to forget what that feels like - is displeased and horrified, rather than very proud of what WKX has accomplished; he pushes WKX away from him when WKX approaches him to ask if he doesn’t think it’s all so very amusing; and he calls WKX crazy, then turns his back on him and walks away. To make things worse, the next morning, after WKX brings breakfast to ZZS’s room and actually knocks, only to find that ZZS has left in the middle of the night, WKX will witness an angry mob gathered outside the house in the woods where the Four Sages of Anji are staying for the Hero’s Conference, demanding a piece of the Glazed Armor the Sages are supposedly holding for Gao Chong, and eventually leading to the deaths of all four of these peaceful aging hippies whose commune in the woods was ZZS’s ultimate dream, leaving WKX horrified by the fact that his actions have consequences, including some that are going to make his boyfriend even more pissed off at him.

SO. All that happened. There were some other people in the episode, too:

We see A-Xiang and Cao Weining having lunch. She asks him why he’s not eating, calls him fat and cute, then proceeds to tell him about Ghoul, who likes to eat the faces of pretty boys. Her conversation skills could still use some work. Cao Weining vows to kill the ghosts of Ghost Valley who would do such awful things. A-Xiang actually ignores this slander about the evil of the residents of the Ghost Valley in a way that she doesn’t usually – usually she looks kind of unhappy when the Evilness of the Evil Inhabitants of the Evil Ghost Valley comes up, going all the way back to ZZS’s comments in Ep 2. Right now, she’s too busy pumping Pooh Bear for information, asking about why the Ghost Valley would have left a pile of heads on Yueyang’s doorstep if the Five Lakes Alliance is so great, so what is Five Lakes going to maybe, perhaps, do about this? Cao-dage is suspicious … that A-Xiang might be scared, but don’t worry, he’ll protect her. Oh, sweetheart. I could eat you up with a spoon, right along with Ghoul. Also, it finally registers that A-Xiang called him cute, but she has to step away for a quick confab with a henchwoman.

We also have to watch Chengling get bullied some more by a Yueyang shixiong who I think is Gao Shan, who we’ll later see bullying some prisoners in the Yueyang dungeon as he admits that he’s doing it to relieve his own frustrations and make himself feel better -  fantastic disciples you’ve got there, Gao Chong, I’m super-impressed by the morality and ethics you’re instilling as a sect. Once again, I have to consider WKX’s position on the jianghu as a hive of scum and villainy. Anyway, once Bullying Hour is over, Chengling runs into A-Xiang, and he can’t manage to prevent the waterworks as he confesses that he thought he’d never see any of them again and that ZZS didn’t want him. UGH. Zhou Zishu, come and get your child back. He’s at least somewhat mollified by Xiang-jie telling him she’s been sent to take care of him, and god knows she’s managed to keep WKX fed and clothed this long, so she has some experience as a minder, as counterintuitive as that seems.

We get a quick shot of Han Ying (My Beloved) with two identical pieces of Glazed Armor, apparently realizing that there are fakes out there.

Deng Kuan shows up, beaten and stumbling, and nearly gets turned away at the front gates of his own sect as a beggar – have I mentioned how unimpressed I am by the Yueyang disciples? Deng Kuan appears to be the only one of them worth anything – before they realize who he is. He is put to bed and tenderly nursed by Gao Xiaolian, who cries over him as he won’t wake up.

Finally, Gao Chong, Shen Shen and Zhao Jing (uh-huh) are horrified to discover that there’s fake Glazed Armor fk’n everywhere in town, making Five Lakes Alliance look ridiculous, which is just fabulous as the Hero’s Conference is coming up, guys. Shen Shen, because everything is a nail, vows to kill anyone who makes problems. Later, Hei Zi, who plays Gao Chong, has an utterly fantastic moment after the deaths of the Four Sages (wow, I did not remember that we wrapped up their entire storyline within a single ep), when he’s haranguing Beggar Gang Chief and is literally all, “You want the Glazed Armor? :pulls a piece out of his robe: HERE. You want some more? :pulls another piece out of his robe: TAKE IT.” It’s a great acting moment, his delivery is perfection.

[darlingandmreames]

@kiwitown requested an Arthur/Eames fic where Arthur has epilepsy and Eames helps him through/takes care of him after a seizure, so here it is!

*******************************************************************************************

Eames glanced over as he heard Arthur turn on the coffee machine and looked down at his watch, frowning. It was nearly nine in the evening. Not exactly prime time to be making coffee. “You planning on sleeping tonight?”

“Maybe. Probably not, though,” Arthur sighed. “I have a lot to get done.”

“You know we have a little time, right?” Eames leaned back in his chair. “Even if Maurice Fischer keeled over this very minute we’d still have at least a few days to get everything set. I think you have time for a night’s rest. You certainly look like you could use it.”

Arthur leveled a deadpan look at him. “Thank you, Eames. Your compliments are flattering, as always.”

“I’m just saying, you look like you’ve barely slept recently.” Eames paused, frowning again. Now that he thought about it, Arthur really did look exhausted. Eames could see the dark circles under his eyes even from all the way over here. “Seriously, when was the last time you got a decent amount of sleep?”

Arthur rolled his eyes. “I’m fine. Besides,” he raised an eyebrow, “you’re not one to talk, considering you’re also still here at 9pm.”

“Yeah but at least I’m not making coffee.” Eames shrugged and turned back to the documents he’d been going through. “When you’re exhausted and pissed off at everything tomorrow, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

"I'll be fine. And if I'm not, I'll even let you say I told you s-"

Arthur's voice cut off with an odd, strangled sound and a moment later Eames heard something shatter on the ground. He turned, confused. Had Arthur accidentally burnt himself or something? "Arthur?" His confusion turned to panic as he finished turning. Arthur was leaning against the counter stiffly, face slightly contorted and a shattered coffee cup on the ground by his feet. He dropped down to the ground as Eames watched, landing heavily on a few of the ceramic shards. "Shit, Arthur!"

Eames ran over. Arthur's eyes were open but they were rolled back and he was still making the odd strangling noise, back arched and body tense. "Arthur, can you hear me? Arthur?" Eames pulled off his jacket and slid it carefully under Arthur's head and neck; his best guess was that Arthur was having a seizure, and while he wasn't entirely sure what to do he knew enough to know that, whatever was happening, he should protect Arthur's head. "You're okay, it's okay." 

He swept the remainders of Arthur's mug across the floor and away from where they were; if this was a seizure and Arthur started convulsing, Eames didn't want anything even remotely sharp nearby for Arthur to hurt himself with even more than he might've already hurt himself with the fall. He kept his hands loosely on Arthur's shoulders, mind racing as he tried to recall something, anything, about what to do when someone was seizing. "It's okay, you're alright, you're fine." Fear tightened Eames' chest as Arthur started jerking slightly and he brought a hand up to the side of Arthur's face gently. "It's okay, darling, you're okay."

The convulsions probably lasted little more than a minute, if that, but it felt like an hour, panic and helplessness gripping Eames like a vice as he muttered to Arthur softly, telling him over and over again that it was alright. He didn't know if Arthur could even hear him, he probably couldn't, but it seemed wrong to stay quiet. Eventually the shaking lessened, then stopped all together, and Arthur seemed to go limp. Eames rolled him onto his side carefully, making sure to keep his head resting on the jacket and brushing away the ceramic shards he'd fallen on. Thankfully it didn't look like he'd cut himself. "Hey, there you go." Eames ran a hand through Arthur's hair as the rigidity slowly seeped out of his posture. "That's it, you're alright."

"'mes?"

Arthur's voice was muddled and disoriented, and Eames probably wouldn't have recognized the word if it hadn't been his name. "Yeah, darling, it's me." He ran his hand through Arthur's hair again, other hand rubbing gentle circles between his shoulder blades. "You back with me?"

"Mm." Arthur mumbled something that Eames couldn't quite catch, words running together incoherently.

"I think you just had a seizure, do you want me to call an ambulance?"

"No, 'm fine, I've had…" Arthur trailed off slightly for a moment. "'ve had them before."

Eames blinked, surprised. He'd known Arthur a long time, and he'd never seen him have anything like that before. If Arthur said he didn't need an ambulance though, Eames trusted him. They sat there like that for several minutes- Arthur laid on his side, Eames kneeling beside him- until Arthur finally sat up slowly. Eames kept his hand between Arthur's shoulders, steadying him as he swayed slightly. "Are you alright?"

Arthur nodded. "It's been…been a while since I had anything s’bad as that." 

He wiped at his mouth with his sleeve, wiping away the saliva that had rolled down his chin during the seizure. The movement was slightly uncoordinated and there was still disorientation in his voice, but he sounded at least a little more present. Eames helped him shift so that he was leaning back against the cabinets. "Didn't realize you had seizures."

"Don't usually. Not anymore at least." Arthur blinked slowly and took a few deep breaths. "I take meds 'nd they usually work, but I guess the stress 'nd not sleeping…"

Arthur closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, groaning slightly. Eames felt his fear spike and he readied himself in case Arthur started seizing again. "Are…are you…?"

"'m alright. Just a headache. I get them after."

Eames nodded, fear dissipating slightly, though not much. “Do you need anything?”

“Water.”

Eames nodded again and propped Arthur up against the cabinets a little more fully, waiting a moment to make sure he didn’t tip over before standing up and grabbing a glass of water from the sink by the coffee machine. Arthur accepted the glass gratefully and leaned against Eames' shoulder heavily as he sat back down, seeming to sag against him. He took small sips until the glass was empty and set it down on the ground beside him, leaning his head back against the cabinet and closing his eyes. After a moment Eames shifted to wrap his arm around Arthur's shoulders and pull him in a bit. Arthur moved with him easily, resting his head in the crook of Eames' neck. "You scared the shit out of me. Just went down with no warning. You're lucky you didn't cut yourself on the shards of your mug."

"Sorry. Didn't mean t' frighten you."

"I'm just glad you're okay." Eames went back to stroking  Arthur's hair. "Will you be okay the rest of the evening?"

Arthur nodded. "Just need to rest."

"Alright. Just let me know when you're ready, and we'll head back to the hotel. I can call us a cab." 

"Thanks."

"Of course, darling." Eames rested his cheek on the top of Arthur's head. He still had work he needed to do, but it could wait until tomorrow. They had time. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. It was alright, Arthur was alright. "Of course." 

After a few minutes Arthur sat up slightly. "I think I'm starting to fall asleep, I should get back to the hotel."

Eames nodded and helped Arthur up carefully. He was less unsteady now and the disorientation was mostly gone from his voice but he looked exhausted, even more so than he had before. Eames brushed his hair back gently from where it had fallen in front of his face. "Are you okay to sleep?"

Arthur nodded. "It's fine. I don't think I've ever had more than one seizure in a 24 hour period. Going to bed and getting some rest is the best thing I can do right now" He made his way over to his workstation and pulled his coat on slowly before heading towards the door.

Eames followed him, grabbing his own coat on the way. He caught up to Arthur quickly, resting his hand on the small of Arthur's back; he was moving mostly normally now but his gait had the slight unsteadiness of someone barely awake, and Eames didn't want to take any chances. Arthur didn't seem to mind at least, leaning against Eames as he hailed a cab from the sidewalk. His head was nodding slightly and Eames wrapped his arm around Arthur's waist, worried that Arthur might actually drift off standing up and fall again. He even took the middle seat in the cab so that Arthur could stay leaned against him the entire ride back. Sure enough, Arthur seemed to doze off on his shoulder within a minute of the cab pulling out.

The cab ride and walk up to Arthur's hotel room was thankfully uneventful and by the time they were outside Arthur's door he seemed nothing more concerning than just very, very tired. Eames couldn't help the pang of concern in his chest, though, as they paused in the hall, the image of Arthur convulsing on the workshop floor still fresh in his mind. "You sure you'll be alright tonight?"

Arthur gave him a tired smile. "I'm okay now, Eames, really. Thanks for helping me." He started to unlock the door but hesitated, turning back to Eames with an unsure look. "I'd, um, I'd prefer if this just stayed between us. No one else knows about this and I'm…not exactly keen on that changing."

"Of course, love. Not a word." Eames rested his hand on Arthur's arm, shoving down his worry as best he could. "You'll text me if you need anything?"

Arthur nodded, opening the door and heading into his room. "Thanks again."

"Don't mention it." Eames watched Arthur's door a moment longer even after he'd closed it behind him before finally heading down the hall to where his own room was. He pulled his phone out of his pocket as he walked, turning the volume up; he usually kept it on silent, but not tonight. He trusted Arthur when he said he was fine now, but if that changed Eames fully intended to be there to help.

[jerakeenc]

many kidfics i’ve read and loved

look who’s reccing a million year old fics now. kidfics, very many. posted to dw for snowflake, thought I’d copy here as well. will be reading most, if not all. if you don’t hear from me again, this list is the culprit.

101 Ways To Get Lucky (In Love) by lenore

18,200 words | SGA, McKay/Sheppard

Rodney McKay is rich, gorgeous and at the top of his game—except someone just moved the goalposts! Now Rodney realizes he is sorely lacking the one status symbol that everybody seems to have…the perfect family. Rodney needs help, so he hires a relationship coach. Single-dad John Sheppard may be an expert, but not when it comes to his own relationships! And every day he spends with Rodney makes him wish that he could be the one to fill the vacancy in Rodney's life…

A Beautiful Lifetime Event by astolat

29,000 words | SGA, McKay/Sheppard

Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans.

An Earlier Heaven by regann

67,400 words | X-Men, Erik/Charles

In the wake of Cuba, Charles and his students are ready to pick up the pieces and work toward achieving Charles's dream of a safe haven for young mutants. Those plans, however, take a surprising turn thanks to a very unexpected complication. As he slowly builds a future for his students and for his child, Charles struggles with the loss of Erik and the secrets he's willing to keep to protect his family, but those strides are shattered when Erik makes a startling reappearance into his life. [mpreg, kidfic, ensemble]

And everything nice by noelia_g

30,200 words | Social Network, Mark/Eduardo

The one where Mark somehow ends up with a child and of course needs a nanny for the amount of time he spends at the office. Only problem is a string of nannys keep trying to get into his pants for what he assumes is his money. Cue Mark's assistant hiring a male nanny, enter Eduardo.

asking to be born by longtime_lurker

26,500 words | Bandom, Pete/Patrick

"Don't worry, it's probably just his big gay freakout," Andy yells cheerfully and unhelpfully into Patrick's ear as they're hustling Pete over to the nearest private clinic.

Better with You by harriet_vane

38,100 words | 1D, Liam/Louis

Based on this prompt at the kinkmeme:

Single parent and solo artist Liam Payne hires Louis Tomlinson to be a full time nanny to his four year old son Sammy. Although the two men don't quite click from the start it's love at first sight between Sammy and Louis. Eventually Louis and Liam warm up to each other and get on like a house on fire, in fact the two become a little too fond of each other.

I refuse to apologize for how sweet this ended up, okay? It's kidfic, I am forever writing kidfic, and this one is even kid-fic-ier than usual.

Can't Get Enough of You (Baby) by eternalbreath

22,100 words | Inception, Arthur/Eames

Eames vanishes from dreamshare and Arthur goes a little crazy looking for him until he stumbles across him -- with a baby.

Chelsea, Chelsea, I Believe by empathapathique

300,800 words | Hockey, Kane/Toews

Patrick meets a girl his rookie year.

Don't You Shake Alone by dsudis

62,180 words | Generation Kill, Brad/Nate

Nate looked exactly like Brad always pictured him: exhausted in the full life-in-a-combat-zone sense of the word.

Dude, what's a bulwark? by kellifer_fic

12,150 words | Teen Wolf, Derek/Stiles

Beacon Hills is the kind of small town where everybody knows everybody, and what everybody knows is that surly diner owner Derek Hale and free spirited single dad Stiles Stilinski have been in love with each other for years. If only they knew it too.

Every Other Beautiful World by rhiannonhero

43,280 words | SGA, McKay/Sheppard

Some things are unexpected but still inevitable in every beautiful world.

Forever, Now by harriet_vane

227,100 words | Bandom, Frank/Gerard, Jon/Spencer, Brendon/Ryan, Brian/Greta

Brian rescues kid!Gerard and Mikey from life on the streets, and eventually everyone finds a family.

here comes the sun by oflights

56,600 words | Social Network, Mark/Eduardo

This is a story about growing up, sad 70's rock songs, too much hair gel, "Maxwell's Silver Hammer", a baby with curly hair, a Geiger counter, a dog that isn't named Max, the Chicken Dance, Cheerios, pepper-spray, drugs, sex, and a stuffed chicken named Cluckerberg, nicknamed Cluck. or: Mark raises Sean's accidental baby, and I write the fluffiest thing ever.

I Got a Love (That Keeps Me Waiting) by svmadelyn

163,700 words | Hockey, Kane/Toews

There's a lot of different ways this summary could go, like:

Patrick Kane gets more than a gold medal in Sochi.

Or, the classic: It's too late to pull out now.

Or: Patrick Kane continues to thrive in high pressure situations.

Or: Patrick Kane gets knocked up, goes to White Castle, and finds love, not necessarily in that order.

But, ultimately, all that really matters is this: Patrick Kane is keeping his baby.

I Would Be by cathalin

20,290 words | American Idol, Kris/Adam

AU. Adam and Kris meet a few years down the road, when down-on-his-luck Kris and his young daughter Katherine show up to rent a room from Adam, who never made it to an Idol audition.

Ice Ice Baby by uraneia

51,340 words | Hockey, Claude/Danny

A gold medal isn't the only souvenir Claude brings home from Prague.

OR: The one where Claude gets drunk, gets pregnant, and gets convinced to move in with Danny, whom he's been secretly in love with for years. What could possibly go wrong?

my heart is bigger than the distance in between us by estrella30

15,000 words | 1D, Nick/Harry

Nick chuckles quietly but grabs the remote and follows Emma, Aimee coming up close behind him. It’s indeed Harry on the telly, singing along to his latest radio hit and smiling slowly into the camera far too seductively for half eight on a Friday morning, if you ask Nick. He presses the volume just in time to catch the crowd’s roaring applause and see the pink flush Harry’s cheeks. Nick watches him duck his head as he gives a small wave to the audience, and it hits Nick that Harry is still the most humble and appreciative billionaire Nick’s ever met.

Good job, popstar, Nick thinks to himself.

or, Nick is a single dad and Harry is his bff and it's a bunch of years into the future and they fall in love

Once Upon a Furry Octopus by skoosiepants

11,270 words | SGA, McKay/Sheppard

He was an intelligent, intuitive pet, but he wasn’t going to start sniffing out ZPMs or hidden Ancient weaponry or detailed instructions on how to kill a Wraith with a common household item. A pen, for instance.

Reconcilable Differences by astolat

40,000 words | Smallville, Clark/Lex

Luthor Family Values.

Shelter by harriet_vane

63,500 words | Social Network, Jesse/Andrew

From the kinkmeme prompt: Some sort of AU vaguely based on Shelter! For whatever reason, Jesse has to take care of Hallie and give up his dream of being an actor. He ends up working in a dead end job when former, now successful friend (Andrew) returns home. They fall in love, etc, only Jesse can't go away with him because he has a responsibility to his family. CUE ANGST.

Show Me The Way Back Home Baby by stilinskisparkles

15,000 words | Teen Wolf, Derek/Stiles

In which Lydia and Jackson produce the world's cutest baby, and the pack goes crazy-- the good kind of crazy. Except for Derek, who is afraid of tiny cute babies and Stiles who plans to be the best Uncle ever. Even if Danny called dibs on Godfather.

Skybird by windsweptfic

33,785 words | Inception/White Collar, Arthur/Eames

Arthur and Eames adopt a kid and raise that kid into Neal Caffrey.

Small Cells and Fibers by sevenfists

7,830 words | Bandom, Frank/Gerard

Tuesdays were finger-painting days. Frank made sure to wear his oldest pair of jeans, because even with his full-length apron and his constant reminders that paint belongs on paper and not on clothing, he always ended up with tiny, multi-colored handprints all over his clothes. There wasn't a thing he could do about it, so he just wore pants from 1995.

Small Primes and Square Roots by liviapenn

12,500 words | SGA, McKay/Sheppard

"I hope you picked someone really intelligent, otherwise it seems like it would be kind of a waste. Of incubation time, if nothing else."

So Wise We Grow by deastar

81,250 words | Star Trek Reboot, Kirk/Spock

"Commander Spock, we have located your son," the Vulcan lady on the screen says, which would be great, except Jim can tell by the look on Spock's face that he's never heard of this kid before in his life. "If it is expedient, the child will be sent to join you on the Enterprise within the week."

Something Better by lovelypoet

18,350 words | Bandom, Frank/Gerard

"We all have to take jobs we don't like sometimes, you know?"

The Next Time You Say Forever by Thistlerose

27,300 words | Star Trek Reboot, Kirk/McCoy

After his ex-wife's death, McCoy is forced to leave the Enterprise to look after his teenage daughter. Under normal circumstances, this would be the end of…whatever it is he has with Kirk that's more than friendship, but less than what he wants. But the universe has other intentions.

The Reeducation of Misters Kane and Toews by jezziejay

15,900 words | Hockey, Kane/Toews

In which Kaner sort of has a kid, and Mr. Toews doesn't know which of them is the bigger brat.

AU featuring teacher!Jon and hockey-player!Kaner. With bonus 'Hawks characters, love notes, pasta jewelry, Be Better Pizzas, pirouettes, a sprinke of angst and guest appearance by Derek Jeter.

The Road Delivered Us Home by keelywolfe

117,430 words | Hobbit, Thorin/Bilbo

In the years since Bilbo left Erebor, he has lost his respectability, gained a nephew, and gotten on with life at Bag End.

He'd left aside adventure for the comforts and peace of his little Hobbit hole, and for the love of a child who needed him. Though perhaps, adventures can yet find him.

This Story Was Brought to You by Our Sponsors by scaramouche

29,500 words | Supernatural, Dean/Castiel

Dean's post-apocalyptic life is a friggin' soap opera. Romance! Angst! Separations! Reunions! Pizza Dinners! A Child Dean Never Knew He Had! It's all very dramatic.

throw a little sparkle all over it by etben

26,000 words | Bandom, Frank/Gerard

"Hey, Ma," Mikey says. "No, everything's fine—well, I mean, Gerard accidentally adopted a baby—no, he's changing her now, he can't talk."

Tiny Houses by ohmyjetsabel

77,130 words | Teen Wolf, Derek/Stiles

"So this is what Stiles does. He lies in Scott’s bed and waits for Melissa to say she’s found someone to get it out of him, to cure him of the wrongness and the bad, and he dreams.

God, he dreams.

He dreams of fire and swollen bellies and that scene in Alien, of giving birth to jackals through his urethra, the whole horrific nine yards. His head is a terrible place to be, he can’t imagine his stomach is much better, why anyone would want to put a thing inside of it."

Tip, Slide, Tumble by j_s_cavalcante

42,900 words | due South, Fraser/Kowalski

Ray knew when he found the body in the alley it was going to change someone's life. He just didn't expect that life would be his.

Turn by saras_girl

306,000 words | Harry Potter, Harry/Draco

One good turn always deserves another. Apparently.

Unless it's lies or it's love by sprat

25,300 words | American Idol, Kris/Adam

In which Adam (a rock star) meets Kris (a single dad) at an Emergency Room in Arkansas at the end of a particularly shitty night. Also features: San Francisco, fresh starts, baked goods, OCs, cameo appearances by Matt and Megan, pirates, monsters with garbage heads and a recording studio.

What Child Is This by lamardeuse

30,150 words | Merlin, Arthur/Merlin

A modern AU with Merlin, Arthur, mayhem, a baby and a jingly elf hat.

What to Expect by arsenic

29,200 words | Bandom, Bob/Mikey

Mikey has his band, and his little girl, and that's enough. Really, it is.

Winter's Children by neery

66,890 words | Marvel, Bucky/Steve

When their attempts to recreate the super soldier serum failed, Hydra started trying to breed Captain America clones from his genetic samples. Unfortunately, the serum's effects aren't passed down genetically, so instead of an army of tiny Captain Americas, they get a bunch of tow-headed, asthmatic, allergic, immuno-compromised little Steves.

And then the Winter Soldier stumbles across Hydra's failed experiment...

With Six You Get Eggroll by speranza

31,000 words | due South, Fraser/Kowalski

"Kick 'em In The Head: A Guide To Parenting."

ETA: Bonus! Because I apparently lost my bookmark for this one but have the memory of an elephant for kidfic, so it came to me eventually. :D

A Farm in Iowa 'Verse by sheafrotherdon

166,000 words | SGA, McKay/Sheppard

John inherits a farm, Rodney ends up entirely out of his element, and there is much ado about baseball.

[hazelestelle]

Hi love! 17 or 18 for dream husbands?💙

Thanks sweetheart! ♥

17. “I remember kissing you, why do I remember kissing you?” 18. “are you that desperate?” “for you, yes.”

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Arthur had been shooting him glances all day, like he was puzzling over something that he couldn’t quite figure out. And it wasn’t like Eames minded being the focus of Arthur’s attention, of course he didn’t, but he had a feeling what this might be about, and that was a bit unnerving.

He tried to go about his work pretending that he didn’t notice Arthur looking at him repeatedly, trying to stay calm and not let on what he knew.

It was only after everyone had left that Arthur finally approached him, coming to stand next to his desk.

“Something I can help you with, darling?”, he asked, his voice betraying nothing of his nerves, despite the rather impressive frown on Arthur’s face.

“I remember kissing you. Why do I remember kissing you?”, he said without preamble, and Eames had about a second to decide how to go about this.

In the end, he decided that he just couldn’t lie to Arthur, or rather, that he didn’t want to.

“Right. You see, that lady you kissed for distraction on our last trail run? The projection?”, he began, and Arthur nodded, his eyebrows still drawn together.

“Wasn’t exactly a lady. Nor a projection.” He knew that he could loose everything by admitting that, but then again, he had always been a gambler.

“You...” Arthur blinked, looking shocked for a moment, then that frown was back. “Really? Are you that desperate?”

He somehow managed to sound surprised and disapproving at the same time, and Eames sighed.

“For you?” He shrugged. “Yeah.”

“Hm.” At least Arthur didn’t look angry or disgusted, just thoughtful. “I’m not sure if I find that flattering or just plain sad.”

At that, Eames had to laugh. “A bit of both, I guess. Although I’d be delighted if you found my attentions flattering, of course.”

When the corners of Arthur’s mouth quirked up slightly, he counted that as a win.

“I’d say dream on, but you already did that”, he shot back, and Eames grinned.

“A man can dream. Literally.”

“Seriously?” Arthur rolled his eyes, and Eames shrugged.

“You started it.”

“Okay, fine. What I don’t understand is though, why it has never occurred to you to just ask?”

“To kiss you?” Now it was Eames’ turn to be shocked. “I don’t want to be decked in the face, thank you very much.”

He knew he didn’t have any chance whatsoever with Arthur. That he was still talking to him after learning about the stunt he had pulled in the dream was a miracle in and of itself, he certainly wasn’t about to ruin that.

What he hadn’t expected was Arthur to look surprised at that.

“If you think that, I obviously haven’t made myself clear enough.”

Before Eames could question what that meant exactly, Arthur had come closer, surprising Eames even further by sitting down in his lap, straddling his thighs.

Eames instinctively wrapped his arms around him to keep him from falling, and when Arthur gently lifted his chin to make him look at him, the intensity in his eyes took his breath away.

“Ask me”, he whispered, and Eames had to clear his suddenly dry throat before he could get the words out, his voice already hoarse.

“Please kiss me?”

The smile on Arthur’s face was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen, before he leaned down and captured his lips with his own, and Eames would deny the desperate little noise he made for the rest of his life. He was immediately lost in the feeling, Arthur so close to him, his lips and his hands and his warmth, it was altogether perfect, maybe too perfect, he couldn’t be so lucky, he couldn’t…

With a start, he pulled back, breathing hard, the desperate need to check his totem forming.

“It’s real”, Arthur reassured him earnestly, somehow attuned exactly to what he was thinking. “I want this. Want you.”

And with the way he was looking at him, Eames couldn’t help but trust him, knew that he would always trust him, and with that thought, he pulled him back down into another passionate kiss.

[norabrice1701]

Too Good to be True

An “Inception” fanfic 

Pairing: Arthur x Eames

Summary: It’s just like heaven, being here with you. Arthur’s like an angel, too good to be true. 

Rating: T for couple of f-bombs, sensuality, hints of knife play, and so much domestic dream husbands fluff 

A/N: This came about because it’s the 10th anniversary of “Inception”, and...the world just needs more love right now. So, here’s a small contribution. 

Eames is so fucking lucky. 

Even after all these years, he still doesn’t know why. Maybe after years of conning and forging, the universe decided to be gracious. Maybe after years of transient living, the stars aligned for a permanent home. Maybe it just took a chance meeting on a chance job, and another seven years for him to crash-land into just the right man. 

The right man who has currently filled their flat with 60′s jazzy lounge tunes. The right man who sips idly from a wine glass as he stirs a pot on the stove. The right man who still - these years later - dresses immaculately with sinful, lethal beauty. 

His Arthur. His darling. 

It strikes Eames at the oddest times. After nine years married, he thought he would get over these little moments, stop questioning the life that had inexplicably become his - but, alas. 

Today wasn’t even anything remarkable. Just a Thursday. He’d parted from Arthur in the morning, as usual, with a farewell kiss and best wishes for the day. Arthur had meetings with clients, and Eames had his marks to study. Ever since they went into business for themselves, operating in various shades of grey – nothing so hot as to require the international upheaval of their pre-Inception days, but nothing so dull as a straight 9-to-5 – work had been steady and lucrative. It proved a truth that Eames had known since that first fateful job – they were a dream team awake or asleep.

And now, now he’s home to a most welcome sight. Arthur’s hips sway to the rhythm of some Julie London number that begs a proper dance as he sets the spoon back in the rest. The kitchen smells heavenly, and Eames can’t stop staring. He hasn’t even made it fully into the kitchen yet, struck as he is.

With disbelief. With the realization that for fuck’s sake. How had anything in his life made him remotely deserving of this?

Arthur has to know he’s there. Sure, the younger man will be forty this year, but only a fool would mistake the greying at his temples as any sign of senility. That gorgeous, frightening tactical mind had lost none of its razor-sharp edge, and Eames intimately knew the body concealed beneath the tailored suit had lost none of its lithe, capable grace.

“You’re being awfully quiet.” Arthur turns from the stove, the frown line between his eyes winking into view. “You okay?”

“Can I not just stare at such a perfect angel in my kitchen?”

Arthur arches an elegant brow, staring back as if Eames had grown two heads. “What is it this time, hm? Another Lisbon? Another Monte Carlo?”

Oh, Monte Carlo. How grand that had been. A honeymoon suite – actually for their honeymoon; premier seats for the Monaco Grand Prix; tuxedoed nights at the high stakes tables; lazy days in a luxurious bed. And that gorgeous diamond bracelet Eames had lifted with every intent of reworking into cufflinks and button studs for his new husband that ended up belonging to the Duchess of Suffolk.

Such a lovely woman, really.

Eames’ face pinches with mock objection. “You wound me, darling. Is that really your first thought when you think of Monte Carlo?”

The lift of Arthur’s lips speaks to a smile he isn’t invested in suppressing. A sign of his trust and love if Eames had ever known one. “It did nearly land my newly-minted husband in prison.”

“And I never doubted you for a minute.”

Soft beeping issues from the oven, and Arthur turns to tend to the task at hand – but not before he shoots Eames a look that clearly indicates the conversation is far from over. Well. It may not be over, but Eames has other ideas for its trajectory. 

It’s a lovely sight as Arthur bends over to pull a roasting pan from the oven. The food in the pan is even more welcome as Eames’ stomach gives a low growl. It’s nothing fancy, only roast chicken - he’s supposed to watch his cholesterol - but Arthur handles it with practiced skill, setting it on the counter to rest. 

Arthur sets about retrieving a cutting board and a chef’s knife, not bothering to glance back at Eames. “You still haven’t answered my question, you know.” 

“I know.” Eames deposits his keys, phone and wallet on the end of the island, crossing around to his husband. The scrape of the chef’s knife against the sharpener punctuates the music as Eames wraps his arms around Arthur’s waist, pressing against the fine fabric of his waistcoat, breathing deep the scent of day-worn cologne and exertion on Arthur’s skin. 

Arthur’s throaty chuckle is warm against his lips. “You’re a brave man to accost me while I’m armed.” The knife drags against the sharpener with intent.

Eames only hugs him tighter, skimming his lips against Arthur’s pulse. “You’re always armed, you just don’t want anyone to know. But you forget,” he nips gently, teasing a gasp from Arthur’s lips, “no one knows you like I do.” 

Arthur turns his cheek into Eames’ nuzzling, muscles shifting to indicate a smile. “Maybe you haven’t done anything, after all. You’re not so handsy when you’re contrite.” 

He chuckles against Arthur’s smooth skin. “Correct on all accounts, love.” 

The knife schnicks against metal again and Eames presses closer, swaying to the alluring melody in the air. Arousal flares as Arthur’s hips fall into a matching rhythm. How mad would his point man get if he swept the slender man up in his arms and left the chicken to the empty kitchen?

Arthur turns his head back to the task at hand. “You’re going to make the pilaf burn.” 

It proved a constant marvel that Arthur never fails to know his thoughts. “Then you shouldn’t tempt me with dessert before the main course.” 

Arthur turns easily, swiftly in Eames’ embrace, knife bared, the sharp tip just kissing the underside of Eames’ jaw. His trousers fit uncomfortably tight now, and the wicked tilt of Arthur’s mouth leaves no doubt that he knows exactly what he’s done. 

Eames gusts a heavy breath. “Darling, you play so unfair.” 

“I’m not letting you ruin dinner again just because you have no self-restraint.” The knife presses a fraction deeper, drawing a delightful hiss. Arthur has always known how to stimulate the most pleasurable sensations. “Besides,” the knife falls away and Arthur leans close, tongue laving against the superficial divot, “wouldn’t you rather me kiss it better later? After all, anticipation is the greatest joy.” 

Actually, Eames’ greatest joy was hearing Arthur say ‘yes’ to his proposal, to hearing his vows flow strong and steady, and taking his husband completely apart against the bedsheets. But yes...in this moment - staring deep into those perceptive brown eyes that had known him from day one, sharing the promise of the rest of their lives, with only a chicken and pilaf between them and a night of blissful passion. Well, Eames could give his husband that much. 

He leans forward, placing a chaste peck to Arthur’s cheek. “Don’t let the pilaf burn now.” 

Arthur gives a rueful shake of his head. “Just go pour a glass of wine.” 

Eames pulls away, glancing back as he moves for the wet bar. “And you’ll fetch my slippers, too?” 

He pays for the slippers comment after dinner when Arthur’s nails rake down his back. But Eames gives as good as he gets, branding Arthur’s skin with his teeth. Arthur has never sounded sweeter as Eames drives them both skyward, surrendering to all they give and take. 

But he thinks that every time. 

He knows he still will when Arthur turns sixty. 

Perhaps, by then, they can go back to Monte Carlo.

[kate2kat]

5 fics

I was tagged by @earlgreytea68 (waves from way over here)

Rules: It’s time to love yourselves! Choose your 5(ish) favorite works you created in the past year (fics, art, edits, etc.) and link them below to reflect on the amazing things you brought into the world in 2020. Tag as many writers/artists/etc. as you want (fan or original) so we can spread the love and link each other to awesome works!

When I first read this, I thought, oh well, I haven’t written 5 things this year, because I have been very consumed with 2 long fics, but then I checked, and it turns out I have posted 7 things this year.

1. I think my favourite -- for just how fizzy it made me feel, and because it was this gorgeous chain reaction sparked by a comment by @amysnotdeadyet  on a tumblr post and resulting in the gift of some lovely art -- is Red in which Eames gives Arthur a fabulous Alexander McQueen suit to wear to their wedding.

He had known from the moment he saw the name on the box, that it would be spectacular. But he hadn’t known exactly how.

He has some astonishing suits from Alexander McQueen, but this one is beyond his imagining.

Suitp*rn (TM) is my absolute favourite thing to write for Arthur and Eames, and I think clothes can tell a lot about a person, not just the one wearing them, and a lot about a relationship.

2. I posted two longish instalments in my Good Omens series: Now we both together I think has some lovely moments during the time when Crowley and Aziraphale have to try to imagine what their lives can be like now that they are out of their old jobs, and also have to rethink (Crowley especially) their understanding of their places in the grand scheme of things. 

And of course, the taking off of many layers of clothes features too (it’s a pretty bulletproof thing of mine):

Crowley pushes Aziraphale — gently, firmly, relentlessly — back into the mound of them and leans down over him and kisses him intently. And then he straightens up and undoes Aziraphale’s many buttons: his waistcoat and his shirt and his old-fashioned trouser flies. “So many buttons,” he grumbles, but Aziraphale just smiles, he knows Crowley likes the fact that the many buttons draw this part out and out and out, filling them both with delicious shivery anticipation.

3. Inception’s many challenges are a great way to write things you might not of thought of yourself, and for Eames Stupid Cupid I was lucky enough to get a prompt from @oceaxe-ifdawn, giver of the very best prompts, that really make me think. This one was no exception: “distemper” -- an illness and an old-fashioned kind of paint. I imagined Eames (in particular) growing sick of dreamshare and wanting A new life, which I pictured in the sort of sleepy French village that I have dreamed of living in. I am not nearly good enough at investing to afford such a thing, but Arthur is.

“What are we doing, Eames?” says Arthur as he drives back down the track, concentrating on the ruts.

“Thinking of buying a farm?”

Arthur laughs. “Well, we are retired.”

“You’d consider it? It’s not just the sort of holiday dream you allow yourself after a bit too much wine?”

“Not bad wine, either,” says Arthur.

Eames looks over at him and Arthur takes his eyes off the track long enough to meet his smile.

4. I wrote a little thing on New Year’s day, partly because few years ago I spent Christmas day writing a really good Christmas for Bob, who hadn’t until then had many really good Christmases. Rainy day isn’t a seasonal fic at all, just a bit of quiet reflection on how things change and get better.

Much later, after they’ve been and done the shopping and they’re on the sofa watching football, Bob lying with his head in Dave’s lap, not really watching, he was never that interested in football, really, he says: “When I woke up early this morning, the rain was hitting the window and it reminded me of the first time I stayed here. I was so bloody scared, when you asked me to stay, did you know how scared I was?”

Dave says, his hands on Bob, in his hair, on his shoulder, keeping his eyes on the screen like Bob is: “I think I guessed a bit.”

“I’m glad you made me stay, imagine if you hadn’t?”

“We’d still have worked it out, I think.”

“Yeah, probably. But I’m glad I took the second chance then.” He turns his face up to look at Dave, and Dave’s looking down at him. “We know each other so well now, I know what you like, and you know me. I love that. I love it.”

5. Which brings me to the fic that has consumed me for the last six months to the exclusion of everything else. I have never posted a WIP and god, the stress! I don’t think I’ll do it again in a hurry.

Nocturnal Creatures sprung out of the mood that Bastille’s album Doom Days gave me, listening to it in the car driving home form the office (when we still went to offices) late at night. It’s got nothing to do with the story that the album is telling, but the idea of Eames as a vampire who hates being one, meeting Arthur, who is in dreamshare, and daring to hope he could escape his dark existence took hold and wouldn’t let go. So when the Big Bang came around I proposed it. But I hadn’t actually outlined much of it at the time, and it grew a mind of its own and the posting date came and the story was (I thought) not finished but maybe nearly done? Haha, I’m still writing it. I promise it really is nearly finished, anyone who is still interested (but I have said that several times before, I admit). Anyway, here’s a bit from the last chapter I’ve written, which is not posted yet, but will be soon. I’ll put it under a cut.

Arthur sits up, placing a hand on Eames’ chest, keeping him on his back. A frown flits across his face, as if he is debating something with himself. Eames relaxes his hands at his sides, palms up, quiescent, and Arthur smiles, bending down and kissing him. “I’m in your hands,” Eames says. 

Arthur nods, and positions Eames’ arms above his head, spanning both wrists with one strong hand as he leans in again, biting softly at Eames’ mouth, and then harder, pushing in as his other hand moves down, pressing at his throat just hard enough to make Eames swallow, feeling the resistance. And then Arthur’s hand has moved on, down his chest, brushing across his nipples, tweaking one, and when Eames arches into the touch, pinching the other harder. He chases Arthur’s mouth when he ends the kiss, sitting up.

He leans over to the nightstand and Eames lifts his head, trying to see if he is retrieving the lubricant, but in Arthur’s hand is his dark red tie, the tie he gave to Eames. 

“May I?” he asks.

So there we have it, for anyone who is still reading. A year of writing in a very weird time. The pandemic doesn’t feature at all. 

I will tag @amysnotdeadyet, and @oceaxe-ifdawn (I don’t know if you have written anything this year but you have made some fabulous videos), and @my-citrus-pocket

[thepurplebutterflythings]

Coffee (Part 1) - Arthur

Gif: Unknown on Giphy

Word Count: 3.7K

Paring: Arthur x (f)Reader

Summary: Arthur never lets a job get personal, but something about Y/N gets to him.

Warnings: N/A

Masterlist

________________________________________________________________

Mr Saito had to contact Dom Cobbs and his team again, it was his last resort, he didn’t want to after what happened when they went against Fischer, that was how all of the team ended up sitting in his office, Dom was fiddling with his spindle totem and Arthur was rolling his loaded dice in his palm while Ariadne was running her thumb over her chess piece whereas Eames and Yusuf leant against the back wall.

“What’s this about?” Dom asked the businessman “it isn’t about Fischer is it?”

“I am not going through that again!” Eames spoke up, shuddering at the thought the three-level dream.

“No, Fischer is not the problem” Saito sighed and shook his head as he sat behind his desk.

“Then what is it?” Ariadne asked him curiously “another competitor we have to take down” she scoffed under her breath, Saito pulled a stack of files out, all with the same name on the front.

Y/N Y/M/N Y/L/N

Arthur raised an eyebrow in confusion as he took a file and opened it to find basic information and surveillance pictures of a woman, his own age, with Y/H/C hair that framed her face and piercing Y/E/C eyes, which were glazed over in thought, the main image was of the girl on the train station platform at Kings Cross Station in London, standing next to a poll and leaning one shoulder against it, tucking her hair behind her ear and biting her lip as her free hand was lightly on her shoulder bag as if she was scared of being mugged.

“Who is she?” Eames spoke up, everyone had a file now.

“Y/N Y/M/N Y/L/N,” Saito told them “daughter of Y/L/N Corp.’s CEO Y/F/N Y/L/N” he explained as they all scanned the images of the girl “and my God-daughter” the team darted their eyes up to him as he sighed “she has moved to London after a dispute with her parents and is unreachable, that picture of Kings Cross was taken 6 months ago, and was the last image we managed to find, I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t need to, but Mr and Mrs Y/L/N are terrified about what happened and… so am I” Saito confessed, “she is the closest the thing I have to a daughter, and I don’t trust anyone else to go and find her.”

“That’s not what we do, Saito” Cobbs sighed.

“I know that” Saito nodded “but that’s not all.”

“What else is there?” Ariadne asked.

“Y/N was an informant for the FBI briefly,” Saito told them “which was the cause of her parent’s argument with her.”

“An informant?”

“She told them about White Collar Crimes, corporate espionage and embezzlements, things like that” Saito told them “and then she just… disappeared one night.”

“And you're worried she knows about what we did to Fischer” Arthur concluded as he lowered the file to his lap as Saito nodded ashamedly.

“Which is where you come in” Saito sighed “go into her mind and find out, it’s simpler than planting a thought, correct?”

“We’d only need two levels” Yusuf nodded “maybe even one, if we’re lucky.”

“We can do it, but we need to find Y/N first,” Dom told Saito with a nod.

“But, I don’t want you thinking this is selfish,” Saito said, “I do miss her as well.”

 _______________________________________________________________

The Team were trying to decide who to have in the dream, all of them arguing, Dom was hard setting on having a reunion between Y/N and her parents while Ariadne and Arthur were challenging that idea with the research they had gathered.

“She doesn’t trust them!” Arthur told him “she became an informant because of them, why Y/N would want to trust them?”

“Arthur’s Right” Eames sighed, Arthur looked at him in confusion “don’t be surprised, Art.”

“Hard not to be” Arthur muttered.

“What about Saito?” Ariadne suggested as she sat herself on a table “Eames can impersonate him.”

“The reason we're doing this is to know whether or not she knows about his involvement in Fischer dissolving his Father’s empire” Dom reminded the young girl “him being there would entirely implode it.”

“Who does she trust?” Eames asked.

“Y/N wouldn’t trust someone unless she committed to them” Saito told the group.

“Like a husband?” Ariadne questioned. Everyone perked up and thought, it was so simple, yet elegant.

“Exactly” Saito nodded “but, her Relationship Status isn’t known.”

“She’s Single” Arthur filled in the blank “any men which are in the pictures with her are seemingly in relationships with other people, or she views them purely platonic.”

“Now the massive question” Eames coughed as he leant against the wall. “Which of us are gonna make an Honest Woman out of her?”

“Definitely not you” Saito insisted “she is the closest thing I have to a daughter, and even though it’s a dream, you aren’t not going near her!” Eames pulled an offended face while the other members hid a chuckle.

“You’re goanna decide for her then?”

“Better than someone who does know the target decides than one of us” Arthur said as he strolled to the table Ariadne was sitting on to pick up a file “If Y/N suspects something is off, she might realize that she’d dreaming.”

“So, that leaves Me, Arthur and Yusuf” Dom coughed awkwardly as Saito placed the three men under his critical gaze, sizing them up.

To Saito, all the men seemed quite Distant, and even though it had been some time since he had seen his missing God-daughter, Y/N enjoyed conversing about deep topics, however, Dom was still caught up with Mal’s death, despite how long ago it was, and Saito didn’t blame him, he didn’t want to put the man into a situation which might resemble his former life, Yusuf was too arrogant at times, He was smart and knew he was, which made him insufferable, which he knew his God-daughter would never tolerate, but Arthur, Arthur was smart, stable and can be smooth at times, he was charming, good a breaking rules and knew what he wanted, and how to get it, to be honest, he was everything that Y/N’s Mother had warned her about, and Y/N hated her mother’s warning’s about life and love.

“Arthur,” Saito told him, Arthur, who was leaning against the table, stood up and stared at Saito in shock, he never considered himself a part of the idea to be Y/N’s husband. “He’s perfect for the role.”

“Okay” Dom nodded, quite shocked himself, he’d never seen Arthur in a relationship, and not even a one night stand “Arthur it is.”

“Like he’d be better than me” Eames scoffed.

“What are we doing? Date? Wedding? Holiday?” Ariadne asked as she wrote it all down.

“Honeymoon” Dom told them.

_______________________________________________________________ 

Arthur was still in Shock as they started planning the layout of the level, Saito never explained why he was perfect for the role, which left him in the dark, but however he had to focus as he had to build the place where he’d be with Y/N.

“She Loves swimming,” Saito told the team, they managed to convince him to use the shared dream but only for building the levels, Arthur nodded at his statement and started to build an outdoor pool in the Hotel, around the pool were lounge chairs with umbrellas and tables, he also built an outside bar which was modern with chrome stalls and a crisp white bar top.

“Nice taste” Dom stated as he walked around with a nod of approval.

“Thanks” he smirked as he added a little green patch to the left, behind the lounge chairs, which had little shrubs and flowers around the edge.

“Better hope the Mrs’s likes it” Eames chuckled as he stretched out on a lounge chair.

“Don’t push your luck” Arthur warned Eames with a firm tone.

“Is she taking your name?” Eames hard-pressed him.

“Eames!” Dom snapped, prompting the English man to quiet down, eventually, the team wandered into the Hotel to create a setting for them to walk around.

“Y/N likes a modern style, she grew up in very old fashioned homes and layouts, always said that when she moved out she’d find the most modern looking apartment she could and buy it immediately” Saito told Arthur.

“She sounds like your kinda gal Arthur” Dom laughed lightly. Arthur smiled a little as he let his mind focus on a beautifully modern lobby with a set of marble stairs going upwards, the group moved up the stairs, letting the formation of the modern Hotel take place.

“You go set up your suite, we’ll take care of the rest” Ariadne told Arthur as the team split up into separate mini-groups, leaving Arthur and Dom alone, he sighed and shook his head.

“What was that about?” Dom asked as he followed Arthur to an empty room.

“What was what about?”

“That Sigh.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about” Arthur looked at Dom out of the corner of his eye as he watched his friend’s movement, hoping he’d believe the statement.

“You know what I mean Arthur” Dom rolled his eyes and turning to look at him “You’re afraid” he chuckled with a shake of his head “of Y/N and what she’ll be like.”

“You’re insane” Arthur chuckled as he paused and looked around, wondering what to add in for the woman he was having to pretend to marry.

“Saito said she likes balconies,” Dom told him “if you want to impress her” he added with a chuckle, Arthur glared at Dom as he added in a large balcony with glass around the edge in place of fencing, which had a large metal bar on the top as a railing, to get into the balcony Arthur added French doors with white chiffon curtains which flowed in the wind, the view of the crisp blue sea with fluffy white clouds in the sky and small yachts on the horizon, Dom let a low and impressed whistle out. “Y/N is going to be impressed with this”, he told Arthur.

“I just wanna convince her that it isn’t a dream, she’ll freak if she knew what Saito was doing to her” Arthur huffed as he started constructing the rest of the room, everything was crisp white with silver decorations, a large king-sized mattress with soft silk sheets on a bed frame which had a canopy with chiffon sheets dangling from the top, which were also flowing in the light breeze, Dom raised an eyebrow as he ran his hand over the silk sheets in question.

“Silk sheet?” Dom chuckled, raising his eyebrow.

“Fuck off,” Arthur snapped, “what type of sheets were in your honeymoon suite?”

“Point taken.”

________________________________________________________________

Tracking Saito’s god-daughter was harder than they thought, however, Eames managed to track her down, finding her to be booked on a train back from Scotland to London, and managed to get tickets for all the team after Saito brought out all the other tickets, so they could remain in peace, Saito deciding to remain in Second class, so he could watch over the situation and linger out of Y/N’s sight, and then the day had come, they had just over 10 hours on the train, meaning in dream time they had 55 hours, little over two days, it had to be enough time for them to find out what Y/N knew, While Arthur romantically clung to Y/N and distracted her, Dom would try and find the safe within her and crack it, and the other team members would make sure Y/N didn’t grow suspicious.

Dom, Ariadne, Eames and Yusuf boarded the Train while Arthur went to the Station café to grab a coffee, as he waited in line he looked around him, searching for any sign of Y/N, hoping she wouldn’t miss her train.

The woman two people ahead of him was thanking them for her coffee as she turned and nearly crashed into the distracted Arthur, as they both stumbled the woman’s travel cup of coffee fell to the floor and the Styrofoam cup split open, both the woman and Arthur checked that the hot drink didn’t spill and scolded them, when they were satisfied that it didn’t the pair looked up to look at who they crashed into, Arthur found himself staring into bright Y/E/C eyes, he blinked a couple of times and focused on the woman’s face, sucking in slight air when he saw who it was, Y/N Y/L/N, in the flesh.

“Are you okay?!” Y/N gasped as she realized that she nearly crashed into Arthur.

“Yeah… yeah, all good, are you?” Arthur asked her quickly.

“Yes, thank you” Y/N smiled and nodded.

“Good, sorry about your coffee” he smiled.

“No, it's fine, I’m not that thirsty anyway” she chuckled, they remained quiet for a second before Arthur spoke up.

“Are you catching a train or getting off?” he asked, pretending he hadn’t spent the last 9 weeks looking for her.

“Catching a train, Aberdeen to London,” she told him.

“That leaves soon, you better get there, I don’t wanna be the reason you miss your train” Arthur coughed as Y/N nodded and smiled.

“See you around,” she said softly before walking off, Arthur watched her leave, sighing slightly under his breath as he trailed his eyes over her figure, indulgent Y/H/C hair which the station lights bounced off and a spring in her step, a soft smile came over him as he chuckled and shook his head a little, walking up to the counter to order.

_______________________________________________________________ 

Arthur strolled onto the carriage, it was a large with clusters of chairs in fours, with a table between each of them, there were about 10 of these, and the other 4 were in pairs with a table between them, and at the end of the carriage was a single rouge leather sofa with a side table next to it.

Dom had a seat opposite him, so Arthur took that seat and placed the to-go cup of coffee on the table and smiled at Dom, who was smirking, Arthur frowned in confusion as Dom gestured his head behind himself and to the left, Arthur followed the direction, looking down the aisle behind Dom and to the left to see that, sitting alone on a table of four with a book on the table, was Y/N, who was gazing out of the window.

“So she did catch the train” Arthur murmured.

“Not left at the Alter then mate” Eames whispered as he walked past with a trolley.

“Eames, don’t push it” Dom warned him as Arthur glanced over to Y/N, who was starting to read Hamlet “now how to get the sleeping pill to her?” he questioned, Arthur bit his lip in thought as he looked at the trolley which Eames had.

“Can you make a coffee?” he asked Eames, who raised an Eyebrow, yet regardless made a coffee with a splash of milk and placed a sugar packet on the saucer then placed it on the little table in front of Arthur, who took the pill from Dom’s hand and dropped it into the coffee, taking a spoon and stirring the drink to dissolve the pill, once he was certain he placed the spoon on the trolley and stood up, holding the coffee and strolled over to Y/N, placing it in front of her.

Y/N, who was engrossed in Hamlet, gasped and jumped at the little noise the cup made, she lowered her book and stared at the cup in front of her, blinking as she followed Arthur’s arm up to his charming grin.

“Hello Again!” she smiled at him.

“Hey” he purred to her, Y/N felt her cheeks blush slightly as she felt his eyes on her “To make up for the one I ruined for you” Arthur hummed as he winked and turned to walk off.

“Thank you,” she said softly as he looked over his shoulder and moved back to Dom and Eames, who was slightly impressed at watching the effect Arthur had on Y/N, she blushed as she lifted the drink to her lips and started drinking, Arthur watched her as he sat down, waiting for the pill to take effect.

________________________________________________________________

Y/N heard a distant call of seagulls and the feel of the cool, but warm, breeze brush past her, letting her Y/H/C tickle her neck, she opened her eyes to be greeted with a spotlessly clean room, which was majorly white and with little silver accents, she sat up to realize she was in a bed, a huge king-sized bed, an extremely soft mattress too, she ran her hand over the sheets which covered her, soft silk sheets which caressed her skin and felt nice against her cotton pyjama shorts and a thin tank top.

The young woman was overcome with confusion for a second, everything disorientated her, she climbed out of the bed and felt a soft fluffy rug which tickled her feet, but Y/N didn’t stop to admire the rug as she walked over to the balcony, drifting through the chiffon curtains which covered the open French doors, placing her hands on the railing and looking at the view which greeted her, a huge outdoor pool with lounge chairs and a bar, which had a handful of children darting about and laughing as their parents chuckled and talked to those around them, behind that was a crystal blue ocean with yachts and snow-white clouds, she was so caught up with the view that she didn’t notice Arthur coming out of the En-suite, Arthur was expecting to find her in the bed, frowning in confusion when he didn’t see her, so he walked further into the room, spotting her figure on the balcony.

“Morning” he called, Y/N gasped and turned around to see his figure but not clearly, so she gingerly walked back into the room, looking at Arthur, he seemed familiar to her, but she couldn’t pin where from, He was wearing tracksuit trousers and no top, showing his muscular figure, his hair was slightly damp, as if he’d had a shower.

“Hello?” she said in a small voice, Arthur chuckled and started to slowly walk over to her.

“I thought you’d be asleep,” he told her “After all the wedding planning, and the wedding itself, you’re allowed to rest” Y/N frowned in confusion “Remember what we said?”

“Not really…” she trailed off as Arthur reached her and wrapped his arms around her waist, Y/N blushed at the closeness.

“We’re Husband and Wife, and if one of us isn’t up for it, then the other takes care of the other” he said tenderly in her ear as he pulled back, Y/N placed her left hand on his bare chest and frowned softly as she looked at her hand, on her ring finger there were two rings, one engagement ring, simple yet elegant, and a silver wedding band, Arthur took her hand in his, revealing a matching ring, and lifted her hand to his lips, gently pressing a kiss on her fingers.

Wedding… Matching rings… Fancy Hotel Suite, Honeymoon! She smiled as he lowered her hand to her side and brushed her soft Y/H/C hair behind her ear.

“Don’t worry” she said softly “I’m fine.”

“Your friends warned me ‘Arthur, take care of her’!” Arthur chuckled as Y/N walked over to the cream leather sofa and sat down in her Pyjamas.

“They aren’t here” Y/N smiled as she looked at him, her mind still fuzzy, but it felt like it was fading, Arthur walked over and sat on the sofa, gingerly placing an arm around her shoulders.

“Wanna go to the pool?” he purred into her ear, Y/N bit her lip and nodded.

“Just let me get ready,” she told him as she stood up.

“I’ll get ready and save some lounge chairs,” Arthur said as he watched her walk into the bathroom.

[midnightswithdearkatytspb]

Written In The Stars CH 1: Star Crossed Lovers Meet Again (B.B. x OFC!Estella)

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x OFC! Estella (Reincarnation AU) 

Rating: PG-13 (To Be Safe)

Warning: Angst, Fluff (Beta Read but not Beta Corrected) 

Word Count: 1834

Info: So excited when @marvelfulxbabes listed Reincarnation AU as one of her Writing Challenge Prompts. Loosely based off of a musical written by Tim Rice and Elton John called Aida. 

Synopsis: Bucky has lived 24 lives and this life is the longest one he's lived as well as mentally overbearing. Almost every lifetime he's found his soulmate the same one, sometimes she remembers him and sometimes she doesn't.  The last time Bucky saw her in his past life, it was a cold night, now she's learning to control her skills and aide others. 

If he closes his eyes and he thinks back hard enough about his time with Aislinn, running along the Scottish coastline, he thinks he can almost smell the ocean breeze again, as well as hear her laughter again. He can remember Aislinn carrying his baby sister Eberlyn on her back as they walked in the woods, their voices carrying in the wind. He was Eames back then, that was before Caledonia became Scotland. 

That was just one of the many lives he has lived. Now he went by Bucky, or more recently White Wolf. He remembered Hattie when he had been on the run from Steve and Hydra, when he had been at a Persian market he saw a postcard of the Eiffel Tower. Suddenly he was transferred back to 1912, loading on to the infamous what was supposed to be unsinkable Titanic with Hattie coming off their honeymoon. Young lovers, they were, going back home to the real world, where he would help manage his father's company and Hattie, she would paint, she was a wonderful artist. 

Every life he had lived he has since remembered his soulmate and every life how they would meet and fall in love. Some lifetimes she would remember, some she would remember their past together, some she would not be as lucky. When he had first seen Estella, he felt a pull to her and the many tattoos that lined her arms along with the many rings that adored her fingers, she wore eyeliner on the waterline, oversized sweaters, with her hair in a bun on top of her head. The moment though when Estella stopped a tall stack of wooden crates with a flick of her wrist, he knew it was her. 

Amaris who was a few lifetimes ago now had been born able to talk and to do magic. Estella was not only able to do magic but she had the same smile that Hattie had, along with the stride that Rune walked with. So badly he wanted to go up to her and hug her and beg her to forgive him for leaving her that cold April night. He couldn't though because he was too scared for the longest time, afraid of the rejection, the pain it may cause, but he knew deep down they belonged together. 

That’s how Bucky found himself in the middle of a soft summer night in Wakanda taking a walk out on the terrace of the palace, when he saw her back facing him, along with Wanda’s. He has stepped out to get a breath of fresh air, but he felt like he was suddenly intruding on a private moment. Wanda’s hand was placed reassuringly on Estella’s shoulder whispering to her. When Wanda had turned back to gaze at him, she gave him a smile before she left the two of them alone. 

It was almost as if time had stood still for a moment, giving the two long lost lovers a moment to reconnect. Bucky felt what he could almost feel like a magnet pulling at his chest, just pulling his soul towards the one he had longed for, for so long. Before he had a chance to speak or even move, Estella was the one to make the first one to break the stillness in the air. 

“They said I fell from the sky on a cold winter's night, hurtling into my family's arms with great unexpectedness. I did not cry and when I opened my eyes right away, it was as if I could see right away into their souls. It was as if I was born a master of telepathy, something that greatly baffled them. I was talking to them by the time I was 6 months and walking at 9 months.” Estella had yet to look at Bucky, yet she continued to speak as she leaned forward in her arms looking down at the waters below. 

“I was born to parents who were quite eccentric, who had me pretty late in life, but I was the perfect baby. I only cried when I had nightmares, sadly they came often, and it was almost like they were memories.” Her voice cracked for a second, James came forward a few steps, that magnetic feeling had him reaching out to see if she was okay, but the tone of her voice gave it away, she clearly wasn't okay. 

“The thing is that they were in different languages and I could understand what was being said. How can a 3 year old child understand, Coptic, spoken in Ancient Egypt? How does she understand Gaulish, Latin, Greek, Syriac, Hebrew, Gaelic, there’s so many languages and I can understand as well as speak it. I was always conversing with a man or boy, we were deeply in love and something tragic would happen.”  When she did finally turn around there were tears welled up in her eyes, but she still didn’t look at him.

“Tell me I’m not crazy, tell me what you know, what I'm talking about. Every time you come near me it's like my skin is buzzing and I feel so alive but I, I don't know you. How can I? I’m just a witch born in California, to a huge family, we’ve never crossed paths.” Estella looked at Bucky and it felt as if everything he had been waiting for the past 106 years, she was finally within arms reach, it was taking the breath out of his lungs. His flesh hand reached out to touch her but he pulled it back, remembering she had been avoiding his touch. 

“The first time we met, I was just a little boy and our mothers were childhood friends. Not that they had much of a choice, we lived in such a small village and our clan mostly kept to themselves. We lived such peaceful lives, our clan was peaceful. You and I, we became best friends and we fell in love.” this time it was Bucky’s turn to look away now, the stories of their lives were always filled with love but also so much pain. 

“My father was killed on a hunting trip by a neighboring clan, my mother, she died of a broken heart. It left me to raise my little sister Eberlyn alone, but you wouldn't let me. Before we knew it, we were married and we were so happy. It all changed in an instance, while we were sleeping our clan was attacked by Vikings. We didn't have a chance to fight back.” his stomach hurt it was almost as if he felt the stab wound that killed him that night. 

“It was a summer night and the stars, they were vivid, it was almost as if you could touch them. Eberlyn wanted to sleep under them, and I convinced you. Eberlyn left to sleep with my sister Narah.” Estella’s voice drew off at the end, staring off in a daze.

“You always loved naming the stars and you named the brightest one after me.” smiling at the memory, but it turned out to be too painful, it would always turn out to be too painful. 

“Eames, I named it Eames. We fell asleep after a shooting star and I said, ‘I’ll always find you no matter where we are, my love will guide us.’ and you corrected me and told me. ‘Our love will guide us to each other Aislinn always.” she was piecing it together, she wasn't insane, after all, he was fitting the puzzle pieces together. 

“We fell asleep side by side Stella, and just like that, I woke to your scream and suddenly there was pain in my stomach. A domino effect of screams came through the village, as I looked over you had been stabbed in the chest and you were staring at me crying. I just remember pulling you to me and the next thing I remember is being a little boy whose mother called him Atticus.” Bucky vividly remembered the day in his second life, that the memories of his first one came flashing before his very eyes. It haunted him for weeks, his mother worried about him when he woke himself screaming in the night. 

Estella went to grab Bucky’s hand but she wasn't sure he wanted her to touch his metal appendage, she also wasn't sure if she was ready to go there yet. Before either of them could say anything, Queen Ramonda walked out, making her presence known to them. Estella lowered her head to the right, as Bucky simply shook his head in her direction. 

“Stella, I can’t find Shuri and I have a feeling she is in her cave again if you could do me a favor, just check on her, I need to have a talk with James.” Estella smiled as the Queen gave her a smile and her hand a quick squeeze as she strolled on by. 

Bucky watched on till Queen Ramonda stood before him a smile on her face, dressed in lavish purples from head to toe, silver and gold medallions adorned her chest and neck. She gracefully reached out to him taking his hand in hers, making sure she had his attention. 

“You know they say if you pray hard enough to the stars they will listen and guide you to what you seek, I for one believe that.” The Queen pulled Bucky along towards the edge of the terrace where it was darker and the stars shined brighter than ever before. Silver illuminated them making things around them come to life like never before. The waters below them glittered as if precious jewels lay in its depths, everything just looked at peace, the world in those moments seemed to be at peace.

“James, I know you and Estella are meant to be, you have waited many lifetimes to have your forever, I cannot say if it is this one, but I ask you give her time. I know it’s a lot to ask, as it’s been awhile since you’ve held her in your arms but, I do believe for Estella it’s opening an old wound. She’ll come to you, she has before, the stars and gods have guided you together before, they’ll do it again.” Queen Ramonda placed a kiss on the crown of his forehead letting his hand go, and allowing him to let her advice to sink in. 

Once alone Bucky looked out into the stars, the sounds of the Wakanda night keeping him company, with the low murmurs of people's voices inside. Thoughts of the past took over his mind, not of Hydra but those of before this very life. Ones where he held the one who held his heart in her hands, ones where they laughed, cried and worshiped each other. Bucky found himself pleading to the stars to bring them together sooner rather than later, for he wished to fill the empty hole in his heart and hold her once again. 

[bubblyani]

Freed- Part 2 (Eames x Reader)

Part 2 of an Eames Two Shot

Summary: A mysterious yet well known Architect was being being held captive by a Millionaire, and Cobb and the others are assigned to extract information from you, who is the  closest lead.

Genre: Drama, Smut (18+)

Author’s Note: This took a while but I’m glad how it all came together. Wanted to give this a proper finish with more Inception flavor aaaand...of course some sexy Eames (who can forget). I hope you all enjoy!

Part 1 HERE

You were not the biggest believer in faith, but the moment you heard those words leave Eames’ lips, you wondered whether angels or saviors really existed among people, for it was simply unbelievable.

The door suddenly bursted open, startling you as two women entered. Looks of disgust filled their faces as they caught glimpse of you still sitting on the sink top, while Eames had your legs wrapped around him. As if he heard your concerns, you felt Eames back away, taking you by the hand to help you get down easy. At this unexpected moment you felt an admiration for his act of chivalry. As you nodded apologetically, you watched the two women pass by, impatient to ask Eames the one thing that you've been extremely curious about.

“So the telegram actually worked?” You asked.

With raised eyebrows, he merely chuckled, surprised by your question. As soon as the door opened once again , with another woman entering, Eames straightened his jacket. This was not the place to linger any longer.  

“We will find you ...Nova” he smiled, backing further. With a forced smile of assurance, you heard the pull and release of the wooden door with his image disappearing from your view.

Turning to face the mirror, you noticed the smudged lipstick on your swollen lips, a reminder of your passionate encounter from earlier.

“Sexy rendezvous huh? Lucky....” said The woman who just entered, whilst fixing her hair next to you, unaware of your widened eyes of disbelief.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Every bite, you took it with much focus of your surroundings, as you ate your lunch alone at the Hotel restaurant. You hoped he would be there, you hoped he would stop by, but given the fact their place of conversation was at a secret location, you were sure your chances were thin. And surely, the hours went by by reading or sketching by the pool till it was time for dinner. You ate very little, for impatience remained strong in you. For after all this time, your life was not monotonous anymore.

Swiping the door open with your card, you finally entered your hotel room. You paced around to familiarize oneself, running your fingers along whatever you could find, lost in thought. The moment you peeped into the bathroom, the doorbell rang, echoing loudly in your ears as you rushed over to open.  

You could not help but smile by the sight of Eames, standing there in front of you.

“Did you check through the peephole?” He asked, a question that was least expected.

“Uhhh...no” you said, embarrassment creeping over you as you realized your carelessness. Eames shook his head.

“A woman of your importance ...” Eames began, as you allowed him in, “...should be more careful...”.

You merely clicked your tongue by that remark, “ I highly doubt I’m considered important to anyone...”

“You are to us ...” Eames turned back to you with a serious expression. You were halfway considering to blush in response.  

“Eames is right” a voice called out from the hallway. And before you knew it, three men appeared before your door in an instant. One stepping forward to extend his hand.

“Dominic Cobb, it’s a pleasure to meet you Y/N”

Your eyes widened with wonder.

“The same ...” you replied, shaking his hand, “Professor Mills has spoken so highly of you and-“ you paused, sighing, “I...I’m very sorry about Mal” you said, reminded of that horrible memory. Dom nodded in acknowledgment.

“Please...come in gentlemen” you said, ushering them in.

Introductions were made, including your surprising realization of Yusuf’s Bartender stint, which you were thoroughly impressed by. Finally it came down to the important matter at hand.

“As you all may or may not know, Paul Harper is here on business for several conferences and whatnot ...” you said, as you slowly sat on the bed next to Arthur, “...the final conference is tomorrow morning, and it’s highly likely we will leave the premises soon after. I hope you know that smuggling me out of here will not be as effective” you added with a laugh.

Dom smiled in response, “We are aware that your problem cannot be solved that easily” he said, “Given our strengths, I was thinking we somehow convince Harper to let you go”

“And how exactly do we do that?” You asked, intrigued by the idea.

“By birthing the concept in his head...” Eames replied out of the sudden, as he stood by the table, leaning against it.  

“Exactly..” Dom said, “If that can be done through a dream, it would appear more natural”

“During meeting breaks, Harper has a habit of taking a small nap. Maybe that’ll be our chance” you said.

“Do you have any other information that would seem useful ?” Arthur turned to you, “...something he can’t say no to?”

This discussion seemed versatile enough to awaken your logic, as your brain searched far and wide for answers. And you were successful.

“I thought of one...” you said, sounding relieved.

All eyes were on you as you revealed your idea. Everyone seemed to welcome your input with genuine interest. Dom, Arthur and Yusuf kept nodding whilst listening to you. However , Eames did not. Instead a soft smile of admiration lingered in his face, and it warmed your heart involuntarily.

“That seems solid...” Dom said, “But what about the location? We need an architect-“

“We already have one” Eames said with confidence, as he looked at you with a serious expression.

“Point made Eames” Arthur joined in, “But we need enough experience to make sure this works”

“And I can assure you she has enough to get this done..” Eames said, “The bar and the building I was at in her dream, was of original design and her imagination was more than...vivid. I’m sure she can provide us with what we need”

You did not need anyone to fight your battles for you, but when someone realized of your potential even before you yourself did, you could not help but feel moved by it.

“Yes...” you began, “You guys can trust me” After all, you were fighting for your life.

Nodding, Dom took everything in. “Alright, then that’s settled. We’ll assemble at the lobby tomorrow morning” he said, walking over to you, indicating the time to wrap it all up. “Get some sleep Y/N, you deserve it” he said, shaking hands with you once more.

Parting greetings were exchanged. You waved as you watched them exit the room, including Eames who merely nodded. The moment you closed the door, you were alone again. Loneliness was never an issue for you all this time, but the meeting of a group such as this one, reminded you of the joys of great company and challenging conversations. It was oddly comforting.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

A gape was left in you  by the way Eames left tonight. For some reason you would have appreciated his company much longer than that. Could it be that this man has claimed a soft spot in your heart? Did those kisses affect you much deeper than anticipated? Or was this all sheer over thinking?

A ring of the doorbell  woke you from your thoughts again. After careful examination, your face filled with disbelief as you opened the door.

“Hey” you smiled.

“Hello again ...” Eames smiled back, as he stood there, again.

“Just so you know...I checked...” you continued” ...the peephole I mean ” you said, pointing at the door. He looked amused. “Good...good” he said, pausing for a few seconds, “Just came to check on you…How are you feeling?” He asked. You exhaled heavily.

“Not gonna lie..I am nervous..just a bit”

“Of course…understandable”

“I mean...” you began, “When there’s finally a way to get out of all this...it’s only natural to feel that right?... I just hope it all works out” you said, with your fingers crossed.

“It will ...I’m sure of it” Eames’ gaze on yours confirmed his words without hesitation. You felt convinced.

“Thank you”

He chuckled,“So, what did you make of the team?”

“Oh...”you laughed in surprise “They’re great ...amazing really...you included” pointing at him, you replied. Eames leaned in closer,

“Are you saying I’m amazing?” He asked with a mild flirtatious tone.

“I mean you did find me so...”you continued, joining in “no take backs” playfulness exuded as you replied. Looking into each other’s eyes, you didn’t know what else to say.

“Right then...”Eames said, with his hands on his waist, “I shall let you rest for the big day, sorry to disturb you-“

“No” your reply was prompt “no disturbance at all” you exaggerated  “...not at all” you wished he’d understood what you were really trying to say.

“Brilliant” he nodded, seemingly debating himself about this moment.

“Well…Goodnight” you said, deciding to make it easy for him, for you seemed to have failed.

A part of you hated for him to leave, but you were afraid of being too forward. You wished for that new found courage you wielded in your dream. You exhaled heavily but quietly as his back faced you to take a step away from the door. .But one step was that he took, till he suddenly snapped his fingers.

“Ah…Silly me…I actually forgot something” he said. You looked on both sides with confusion.

“Hm? Wha-?”

His lips crashing on to yours was clearly his answer. Surprised as you were at first, you more than happy with his decision. You finally had him where you wanted him to be. This time it was not work, it was no distraction. It was merely the want and need of the simple pleasures your new found chemistry could provide tonight.

Doors properly locked, lips were quite busy as Eames backed you over to the edge of bed. With his hands firmly resting on your waist, you realized how they have slithered back, undoing the zipper of your high waisted flower print skirt, allowing it to freely drop to the floor in the midst of your gasp. Lips smacked loudly when Eames slowly lowered himself to the ground in front of you, helping you step out of the skirt that pooled around your feet. You were startled, quickly grabbing on to railing when you felt his kisses rest on your calves. The sounds of his kisses, the way those soft lips touched your skin, sent waves of pleasure through you. Eyes closed, he seemed to be relishing the process.

“You certainly like to take your time, don’t you Mr.Eames?” You asked, breath quickening when he moved over to your thighs, kisses transitioning from the outer to the inner more sensitive thigh area. “With someone as beautiful as you are?” Eames spoke into your skin, “With pleasure” You would be lying if you did not feel like you were practically being worshipped.

For a second, you wondered whether every woman bedded by Eames ever heard those words. Maybe they did, maybe not, you just took the wise road of not debating about that for the moment.

Eames held on to your thighs with determination, his kisses never stopping as they moved upward. As he moved in further, you flinched suddenly by his nose accidentally brushing against your panties, tickling your pubic area. A whimper left your lips, motivating him to repeat, but this time on purpose, as he watched you with sharp, lustful eyes.

You did not resist at all when he pushed you into the bed, and you certainly did not protest as your body automatically raised your hips in order for him to slide  your panties down off your legs. Resting on your elbows, you waited with bated breath when Eames held on to your knees, gingerly opening them wide.

“Been having quite the stressful time these days…haven’t you?” He asked breathlessly to your surprise. Talking was the last option you had in mind at the moment, especially when his eyes kept afixed on your gaping, moistened slit with intrigue.

“You need to relax...Nova” he said, his breath tickling your inner thigh, clearly teasing you.

Every inch surrounding your throbbing slit felt noticed as his pillowy lips were generous with kisses, and so were your cries of pleasure. A mass of energy was created within you, causing your head to fall on the bed, shudder with vulnerability when his tongue made an appearance, each slow lick and thrust inside you earned a vocal response, and they certainly grew louder when he increased in speed. Clean white sheets crumpled with ease as your hands gripped on, fisting them tightly when Eames took his time savoring you. As you finally hit your climax, a sense of relaxation overcame you. He was right.

Sitting up slowly, you found him still kneeling before you, wearing a subtle yet proud grin on his face.

“Been working hard recently...haven’t you?” You asked in return, pulling him by the collar close to you.

“I’ve yet to thank you ...Mr. Eames” you whispered seductively, commencing your expression of gratitude with a kiss.  

Pushing yourself up, you pulled him along with you as he helped you stand. Completely bare below your waist, excluding your heels, you clearly felt the ends of your shirt brushing over your buttocks, exposing them. You suddenly felt confident, he made you confident. And your gratitude was far from over. Pushing his jacket off his shoulders, you grabbed his welcoming hands, placing them on your buttocks. Chuckling with delight, Eames groped them tightly as you pushed him back, until finally he bumped against the door.  

“Clearly you’re enjoying this...” Eames said, his tone laced with amusement, while his hands unmoved from their previous position.

“Well...aren’t you?” You purred, surprising him by bringing your knee up, rubbing it gently against his clothed erection. Grunting to suppress his satisfaction, he exhaled softly as he watched you unbutton your shirt. You felt his hungry gaze wash over you as each button was loosened, hinting your exposed cleavage along with your black balconette bra. Patience clearly was moot here as Eames rushed to unbutton the rest of your shirt, struggling to liberate you out of it. You wished to say something clever or alluring, but he made it easy when he distracted you with another kiss. Hands on your back, you felt the centimeter distance between you two close off completely when he pulled you closer, your lingerie clad chest brushing against his shirt clad one. Tongue sliding into finding yours, his kiss suddenly felt deeper with more intent, as if he has a serious conversation in mind with your lips. Quite the multi tasker he was, for you felt your body loosen as he skillfully unhooked your bra. Butterflies were frantic in your stomach when those kisses transferred over to your jawline, slowly moving down your neck. He certainly knew how to keep you on your toes, for the teasing smothered you greatly as the kisses landed on your collarbone, whilst the piece of lingerie vanished out of your body.

You felt lifted with his hands on your upper waist, causing you to hold on to his neatly combed hair, making a mess out of it as his lips moved down to relish on your now exposed chest. The grip on his hair tightened, you even felt your stomach clench as he held on to each breast, enclosing his irresistible lips on each nipple, suckling on them with such passion, your moans even confirmed you’ve never felt them to be this erect before. Fully naked, with only your high heels on, Eames watched you in awe as your fingers worked its way to unbutton his shirt.

“Bloody hell..I feel like I’m dreaming..” his tone sounded genuine, which motivated you even more as you removed his shirt slowly.

“Well ...You’re definitely not.. Mr. Eames...” you replied softly, reminding him so by placing his palms on your buttocks, a place he clearly felt at home to. You were startled when that led him to lift you up in a flash, only to guide you to the bed. Clearly foreplay was over.

Sitting on the bed, feeling the crisp sheets brushing on your naked form, your hands moved to your shoes.

“Leave the heels on...” Eames breathed, and you certainly didn’t mind. The most mundane sounds of his trousers unbuckling to the sounds of a plastic condom packet being torn were unexpectedly heavenly to you. There you were, freed from all clothing, freed from all concerns for tonight. You really missed this.

All these thoughts interrupted suddenly by his blue green eyes hovering over you, mesmerizing you completely as you felt his tip graze over your dripping slit, entering you with ease, for your body welcomed it.

“Y/N” he breathed with longing, for he was no longer teasing you.

“Say it again...” you said, as you moved along with him.

“Y/N” he said with devotion as he began to move faster.

An important mission awaited tomorrow. But tonight, you’ll both forget about it, and get lost in each other instead. cause you simply could.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Next day morning, the Intermission was as expected. You watched Harper exit the conference hall, walking briskly across the lobby. While he walked, he extended his hand out to his bodyguard, who handed him a  bottle of water. Once you spotted him gulp down the bottle whilst entering his private waiting room, you knew it was time.

“Eames ...let me do this, let me talk to him” you said, sitting next to him on the armchair, as Yusuf prepared the necessary dose. After much contemplation, Eames gaze on yours was full of faith.

“But then how can he help you?” Dom asked, standing there. Taking out a photo from your trouser pocket, you showed it to Eames.

“By becoming this..” you said. Observing it for a few seconds, he sighed. “Well I hope you’re right on this” he said. Before you could answer, the drowsiness overcame you in an instant, along with a complete blackout.  

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The peaceful sounds of the countryside called for you, opening your eyes to a beautiful but grand bungalow surrounded by a colorful garden.

And by the entrance, you saw him.

Paul Harper sat on his favorite reclining chair, reading a newspaper as you slowly approached him. Did not take a few seconds before he was startled by your sudden appearance.

Sighing heavily, he flashed  you a look of pure disgust.

“It’s you...” he said, “ How did you find me?” By that he actually meant this place.

“Well..” you began, “ You’ve kept me so close all this time, you didn’t expect me to find out all about your secret home? I am an architect after all”

To your surprise, he did not appear to look so shocked. You did not let it bother you.

“Paul...You above all others know I’m never gonna say yes to your little project” you said, folding your hands, ”So why don’t we solve this rationally? Just let me go...”

The middle aged man merely scoffed. Laying his newspaper down, he pointed at you, “Do you know why I chose to keep you? Huh? ...Cause you’re weak..” he said with confidence, “You’re weak...and I know you’ll never be strong enough to defy me. Eventually you’ll say yes for sure”

Your first clenched as you attempted to suppress your anger with all your might. For you were not a fool to risk it all for these petty emotions.

Your lack of response caused Harper to laugh in victory, picking up the newspaper once again.

“Well...in that case...I bet the world would love to know all about you and Catherine” you said casually. Harper froze.

“Yeah ...that’s right” you took a step closer, “And i know...you’ll probably say it’s my word against yours, and having a mistress isn’t such a major issue for a millionaire such as yourself” you continued, “But thanks to your entrapment...I was lucky enough to get to know both your wife Diane and your mistress. And what a shock to know that ...Catherine is actually the wife of the CEO of your Rival Company...Imagine the damage that could be done to your own business and both marriages...Whew! What an escalation right??” You said, with no regret, courage built up fully as you finished.

You’ve never seen Harper this pale and speechless with shock with all the information that was placed before him.

“Yeah...” you scoffed, “ So think twice before calling me weak ...”

“Paul!”

You both turned to find Catherine, his beautiful mistress wave at them from the gate. Turning back to face Harper, you noticed how his expression had gotten worse.

“You know what to do Paul...” arms still folded, you made your statement.

And suddenly your knees felt weak, for you faced nothing but a complete blackout.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

“Y/N wake up”

Fluttering your eyes open, Dom was first face you saw.

“Hurry ...Paul is about to wake up soon” he said, helping you up. You nodded, watching Eames slowly wake up as well.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

As planned, you bumped into Harper by “mere accident” as he exited the waiting room. Your nonchalant expression was quite the contrast to his shocked one the moment he laid eyes on you. And coincidence would have it when Catherine would be at the hotel at that very moment, casually running over to you to greet hello in front of Harper himself. It seemed like a nightmare scenario come to life. You saw him swiftly move into the conference hall with discretion.

As Catherine left after some small talk, you could not help but remember Eames’ accurate portrayal of Harper’s mistress in the dream, and how similar it was to the real deal. The Mission was complete.

“Ma’am...we’ll be leaving in half an hour. Please have your things ready “ one of Harper’s bodyguards walked up to speak to you, “And…this time, another car will come to pick you up”

“Noted, Thank you”

As he left, you spotted Dom and team making their way to the exit, in an inconspicuous fashion to assure their own safety.

A nod and a plain smile was all you could offer them from afar, but your gratitude was filled in millions.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The sound of the ocean waves was what you’ve always enjoyed without a doubt. But you clearly enjoyed it more today, sitting on the bench. It had been a few days since Paul Harper miraculously announced how he had found a 'more suitable architect' for his project, furthermore congratulating you on the fact your so-called financial debt had been dissolved “to your luck” as he phrased it.

And suddenly, you were free as a bird to walk out of that door, as if nothing happened.

“You sure you’re not chilly?”

You chuckled by the soothing voice of Eames, as you found him standing next to the bench.

“I think I can manage thanks” you replied, ushering him to sit next to you. You turned back forward, resuming to watch the people go on about their day at the beach that late afternoon.

“I got an offer from Dom…by the way” you said, “...to be a part of the team…he was quite impressed”

From the corner of your eye, you waited for Eames to react.

“So...am I to understand... that we’re teammates now?” He asked casually. You smiled, “It appears we are...” you replied, heart filled with hope for new adventures to come. You felt him nod cooly, “Right then ...” getting up, he turned to leave. You nodded, understanding of the his possibly busy schedule.

Though it was short, it warmed your heart by the mere sight of the man.  

“Oh!” You watched him turn back, “Almost forgot” he said. You stood up in response.

“Forgot wha-?”

Eames’ kiss interrupted you once more. You should have known, but you didn’t care. Pulling you closer by the waist, he fed you the sweetness he could provide, and that you enjoyed.

“I believe we’re going to have plenty of fun...being teammates” he breathed, hands moving further south, gripping tightly. You bit your lip with a smile, savoring this splendid feeling of freedom you were offered, and which you earned.

———————————————————————

A/N: Hope you all enjoyed it. Want more Eames?

Check my MASTERLIST for more.

[mercurialkitty]

Multi-fandom fic recs

Yeah, so it probably looks like a purely Supernatural, mostly Destiel blog here, but I actually have other fandoms and ships. I hit “exclude” instead of include on my three big fandoms (SPN, The Hobbit and BBC Sherlock) in AO3 bookmarks, and got to see some stories that I don’t read as often. Really glad I did that. Wanted to post some faves. Watch the tags -- they vary greatly in tone and smut levels!

The Eagle - Esca/Marcus - Time for Family they bring along a boy from the Seal People

Harry Potter

Drarry - Atonement and its sequel Heart of Glass  - “life and atonement and friendship in the most unlikely places” - magic and cancer

Dramione - The Politician's Wife - “set twenty-three years after the fall of Voldemort. Our main characters are Ministry employees, middle-aged, and the majority of them not very happy.”

Inception - ArthurEames

Lucky - Arthur finds a baby

Go to this Round-Up - Arthur and Eames as birds and then pick the Bower bird story linked to LJ -- yes, LJ. It’s short, adorbs, and somehow so right.

Mad Max: Fury Road -Max/Furiosa-  Orbit  - Max returns to the Citadel. Slow burn with a lot of healing and world building along the way.

MCU Stucky

Stop Trolling Me! - Not exactly crack, but take your typical clueless!Steve and multiply the clueless level by 1,000. Almost painful laughing guaranteed. Russian!Bucky AU - he’s not the Winter Soldier, but what is this mysterious bingo player? Yes, BINGO.

Bucky Barnes Has His Shit Together (and Other Lies He Tells Himself) - Bucky is a veteran. Steve is an artist/bakery owner. Some fluff, and some sadness and tears. Just a really warm-feeling fic with a happy ending.

Effects of Obliteration - Much more fluff than the title would leave you to believe. Bucky was brought to the US at the fall of the Soviet Union, but the cryo tube malfunctioned. He was never activated in the 90′s, and the tube was abandoned. The Avengers find him after the fall of Hydra.

Marvel Stony

The Twice-Told Tale - I can’t describe much about it without giving the plot away. Some people are really good at waiting. Serious drama and coming home.

Got the Cream - Tony used to be Steve’s cat. This seems like a plausible AU.

Merlin - Merthur

Would You Be Mine, Could You Be Mine  AU fic - Merlin is a kid’s tv show star and Arthur has a crush on him.

Stars Above, Stones Below  - canon divergence fic

Star Wars - Skysolo

Life while there’s hope - An AU where Han finds Luke in a different situation before Obi-wan finds him

Bloodfire -  - sort of a sex pollen vibe

Music  - it’s by berlynn_wohl, so you know it’s good.           

Teen Wolf - Sterek - Cupboard Love - - the fluffiest, non-smutty fic ever with recipes no less!

X-Men Cherik - Paper Monsters - AU fic Erik is a writer, Charles is an English professor

[youngbradford]

Xmas Message For 2019

And here we go, my 19th annual year-end love letter online …Georgi Balinov and I rang in the new year at a giant party in Bangkok, halfway around the world. That foreign location, its beauty and tastes, set the tone for my 2019, a year of seeing the world, while stabilizing my life. Though often in flux or movement, 2019 was a year many things normalized over the year.

In January, almost immediately after arriving stateside, I crossed the pond and saw Michelle Visage perform in the West End with Peter Wish. Afterward, I played with her wigs backstage and walked her towards the queer kids lining up for selfies and autographs. I am very lucky to have Peter and Michelle in my life, kindred spirits both. One reminding me that fame, fortune, ebb, and flow, but that being real is what matters most. The other, a reminder to stay forever young. I visited Berlin yet again and did the usual, working, and playing, hard.

February appeared and I traveled to Philadelphia with Sandra Hansel, Georgi, George Sapio, and Anthony DeFilippis. We toured Lisa Roberts’ house, saw a Dieter Rams exhibit, dined with George Alley. In Lambertville, that Sunday, I bought vinyl and vintage hats. Later that month, I got a swallow tattooed on my hand, a symbol of flight and travel, and Warhol’s knives, blackened into my shin. An Eames exhibit in Oakland was a sweet way to end the month.

In March with my crew, Georgi, Khadyon Reid, Luis Urribarri, Anthony, and George, descended upon Salvador for Carnival. It was insane! I watched Anitta live, and danced in a sea of pushing, fighting, kissing Brazilians for days upon days. I felt unsafe and alive, threatened and excited. It was intense. Back home I got my other hand tattooed, again honoring my love of seeing the world. I traveled to Portland, came back to NYC at the end of the month, finally moving into our apartment, the one we bought 1.5 years before, that I designed, and had renovated head to toe. Finally, we had our dream home. The weekend we moved in, the place was still not ready, but we were sick of living without our things and in other people’s beds. Peg Kendall and Georgi’s mom came, and we worked our asses off unpacking and starting to make the 2800 square foot loft on west 13th street a home. We’d lived in Airbnbs and friends’ places for 19 months and it was tiring not having a home, not having most of our things. My art! My toys! My shoes!. Those months taught me how important a home, a safe place, and the oasis of my collections is to my mental health. From March on I felt more on solid ground and dedicated more energy to my career and friendships as a result.

In April we went to Coachella, seeing Ian and Jose Seronni, JJ and Andrey Lunin, and dancing in the desert of California. Multiple trips to San Francisco, catching glimpse of old friends, scaling my team at work, as I took on more and more responsibility.

In May, George Sapio and I celebrated (me a little early) a shared, fun birthday weekend at Soho Farmhouse. Joined by Matthew Kelleher, Mark Silver, Jaime Tanner, Matt Lynch, and others, we went shooting and feasted on pheasant in the English countryside.June was really busy, insanely so. 

For my 43rd in early June, I had a 30-person dinner party in our new place! We ended up at Club Cumming after, but before friends, new, and old, showered me with a vinyl record, the admission fee I’d set for my party. Lauren Foster, who has shared her home with us, was, appropriately, our first overnight guest. London, again, Berlin, too. Then home for Pride. Willam Ralphie hosted Bingo at eBay, Zach Augustine, David Mason Chlopecki, other loves attended. That weekend danced to both Madonna and Grace Jones on the pier and danced with 15K others at Javitz, where my favorite singer, Cyndi Lauper, belted “I Drove All Night,” her best song, at midnight. I stayed until the sun came up. NYC was electric that weekend. Parties, icons, friends from the world over … the city has an energy you could literally see and taste. I caught a few moments of the parade, overtaking lower Manhattan, and I smiled really big. God, it can feel good being gay! God, the world has improved for gay people (and yes, I know, we still have ways to go, especially for more marginalized LGBTQ groups). But I still took a moment to acknowledge the things that are better, that I have seen in my very gay lifetime. NYC that weekend was the ultimate place to reflect.

July 4th I went to Hamptons, with Ricardo, Brian, Felipe L. Mollica, others, guests of Anthony. Hosted Fab.com reunion, walked the Brooklyn Bridge, and took my team to Korea (where I shared a traditional Korean meal with Jae Hah), China (where I ate bird’s nests, jellyfish, sea snails, saw a Yves Klein show with Adnan Abbasi, and danced to 90s pop in a packed gay club), and Moscow (where I was amazed at how clean the city was and where I went to a traditional sauna and was whipped, naked, with tree leaves in front of dozens of Russian dudes in the nude). While in Russia a protest erupted, literally below the rooftop bar I dined in. Russia seemed freer than I’d expected, way more Western, up until this moment. I ended the weekend at a club at 3 AM, Russian women in high, high heels, dancing on the bar, vodka flowing like water. 2020 saw me traveling to places I romanticized as a child. Russia, one such place. I thoroughly enjoyed the friendships formed in Moscow, the food, and history. I want to return.

August, I was back in San Jose and Portland for work, then off again to Europe for vacation. We started our trip in Croatia, where Georgi and I kayaked around Dbruvnik’s harbor. Croatia’s cliffs and turquoise water did not disappoint, as we boated to islands and swam in caves. Driving south into Montenegro, the architecture reminded me more of Polish, Bulgarian trips, the water, greener. At the Amman we laid out next to The Beckhams, watching David kick a soccer ball with workers of the hotel, and watching Victoria read a book. Georgi and I then ventured to Mykonos, sunning til sunset and dancing til sunrise. A weekend trip upstate with our besties (including a guest appearance by Eric Lee, riding rides at the Colombia County fair, cooking pies, and grilling meats, ended our summer.

In September I went to Berlin and did Folsom and a speaking gig in front of 1K eBay sellers. I went again to Tel Aviv, meeting gay Israeli technology workers and a bevy fo Israeli start-ups. In Jerusalem, I returned to the wonderful Machneyuda with Gilad Ayalon, where they remembered me from my birthday the year before.

October saw us hosting my mother and my niece for a visit. We fell in love with Company XVI, a dance/burlesque/performance art troupe in Brooklyn. I took my mother to see Madonna, a night I will cherish forever. And we saw Dear Evan Hanson. A weekend in Miami with Lauren Foster and K was needed warmth. I took Georgi to see both acts of The Inheritance (so good!).  Then off to Berlin, again, and Paris, where I looked at art and went shopping for fall clothes. Halloween, in NYC, was brilliant and over the top; I went as white Pierrot clown. In Brooklyn, to Honey Dijon, we danced all night. Ralph Rucci, the American couturier reposted our photo on Instagram, calling it high-fashion, however, it was Georgi who won the night as Spock.

November I was in NYC early on, shopping with Thomas Cawson (who hooked me up with pink denim Helmut Lang), eating Christmas cookies, and being interviewed by Buzzfeed, a segment on 90s toys. I imitated a Furby. Then a week in Portland (I glow-in-the-dark-miniature-golfed), and off to Helsinki, catching up with former friends from Fab, One Nordic, Hem. Then to Lapland, with Georgi, George, and Anthony, lapping up wine, winter wonderlands, and dining on reindeer and elk. Dog sledding, snowmobiling, Northen lights! Another childhood desire checked from the list. Dinner with Michelle Case in London closed the month.

In December I went back to Berlin (my second home) and hosted a fundraiser for Single Step in our home. In one night Georgi and I helped raise $50K to help build Bulgaria’s first LGBTI center. It was also an impromptu holiday party: so many old friends together again in one room. And now Georgi and I sit in an airport lounge, awaiting our flight to Baltra, in the Galapagos. Once we land, we’ll board a 7-day cruise on a mega-yacht/small cruise ship. This, I feel, I have been waiting my entire life for.

I often write about how I was lonely as a kid. I was gay, I had a drug-addicted father, I grew up very poor. I oftentimes say music saved my life. But, I don’t write enough about the joy animals gave me too. I had so many pets: newts, turtles, tortoises, tree frogs, geckos, crabs, salamanders, etc. Caring for them, feeding them, gave me peace and allowed me to love. One turtle I had had a cracked shell. He lived in my room for many, many years. I always preferred him, with his defects, to the others. I think I feel the same about people.

As a child, I became obsessed with the Galapagos Islands, and mostly the tortoises. I would read about them in encyclopedias and race to see them at zoos. I always felt connected to turtles. They were my spirit animal. Later in life, I’d bloom, my feathers growing, my pride, alive. I’d no longer consider myself a turtle, my spirit animal changed. I told this story to my colleague Eben Sermon, who runs eBay’s German business: I always wanted to be a turtle. But I ended up a cockatoo. Eben brought this up last week in Berlin and it made me think a bit more about affinities for animals and how I have not had that connection as often as I probably should.

So this week, before we ring in New Years in Rio, I will honor the old me, the kid, the quieter Bradford, the sadder Bradford, by visiting those turtles, finally.

And I’ll marvel at the wonder of nature and evolution, both the evolution of animals and this world, and also the very real and dramatic evolution of my spirit and happiness.

Happy Holidays, Peace & Big Love