Chapter Text
"And I want you to know baby-"
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Arthur was so sure that he was flirting with him that he almost asked about it aloud but in the end was too embarrassed to do that. That would seem too childish and cringe to ask, they would have thought that he is a bit slow or something. People had different ways to communicate their feelings and thoughts, maybe this was one of Eames'. And so Arthur got used to it, or so he assured himself. He was quite formal and 'professional' when it came to friends and work. He only joked when out of work and never acted so... recklessly unless it was for a woman.
So it was very weird to work with Eames in the group at first. He had met him before of course but only briefly. And they had never worked on the same project for the same contractor (which in this case was Saito for some fucking reason). It was just a huge contrast to the group. Dom was very serious and passioned about this and focused on the facts and details. Arthur himself knew his thing well and was a bit of a maniac to do it all 'according to the book'. Yes, he was used to the fact that sometimes the whole thing went from perfect to shit real quick. Like last time he was shot in the head by Dom. But he still had his policies. And this new girl Ariadne was very down to earth but in her own way. She always brought something new and interesting but kept it professional.
Eames however, was something out of his world. Okay, Arthur had to admit that Yusuf was a bit different but that wasn't the case. The man was even more annoying than he remembered. Or maybe he wasn't so annoying to anyone but he just disliked Arthur and his pettiness. But along the project Arthur got confused by the way Eames talked and interacted with others. He may have told him to shut up just a minute ago and next call him darling.
Arthur didn't know if he should tell him to cut the act or to put up with his shit. Mostly Arthur did put up with his shit 'cause there really wasn't any other option. He had made the promise to help Dom with this. Eames did not seem to care about anyone else there than himself. He always said that he will finish the job but if it came down to it, he would dip. So yeah not that didn't leave a very trustful impression on Arthur.
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But when did Arthur start to notice and doubt Eames' actions? Well, one could say always but the real deal was when Eames' started to intentionally annoy Arthur in and after work. Like that one time when Ariadne asked about the kick and Eames' showed her what the kick meant by kicking the chair leg and Arthur jumped. Eames had just laughed at his face about it and even teased him about it later that evening when they were working late.
"Your face would have fewer wrinkles if you wouldn't look so pissed all the time. Cheer up mate" Eames remarked and pointed his finger towards Arthur with his words.
"Well, that certainly makes me wanna cheer up. Thank you for your kind words Eames" Arthur said passively without raising his gaze from his notes.
Eames smiled sarcastically and went to the note board in the room. The group had used it for multiple reasons. Now it was the target of Arthur's notes from Fischer and the flight. The forger stood before the board and opened his mouth to say something but closed it when the door to the room opened. Eames and Arthur turned their heads in unison towards the door to see who it was, although Eames already knew who it was by their way of walking and opening the door. It was Yusuf surprisingly. Usually, the chemist didn't stay late or come there suddenly unless Dom asked him to.
"Good evening Yusuf. I'm, to be honest surprised to see you here at this hour." Eames spoke first.
"Ah yes hi. I am quite baffled to see you both up here at this hour... I actually left something here but wanted to discuss something with Arthur." The chemist explained and crossed the room to enter the lab in the back.
They had planned to build the lab in its own room that was accessible from the room they were in, but Dom said they needed the other room for other stuff. The room they were in now, was just called the office or planning room. Then they had their main hall with beds and everything.
Arthur preferred the office 'cause it was a lot quieter and had a comfy armchair. He was sitting on it now with his notes and a cup of liquid of some sort. Arthur followed Yusuf with his gaze and eventually rose from his seat. He saw Eames looking between the two but kept quiet. Arthur went to stand next to Yusuf and watched him gather some bottles and a tube. Yusuf placed those in a bag carefully and covered them with something that looked like a shirt to Arthur, then closed the bag, set it on the floor, and turned to look at Arthur.
"So you haven't informed Mr. Cobb about this yet?"
"No, I didn't feel the need to, this is more for personal testing. If you're not okay with that it's fine. I know I'm asking for a favor-" Arthur explained quickly in a rather hushed voice.
"Don't worry it's fine. I was just wondering... Well then, do you want us to work here or?" Yusuf assured the man and looked around.
Arthur gazed around and noticed Eames still staring at the board in complete silence and not moving at all, he was for sure listening to their conversion. The office didn't feel like a nice place to dream and the hall was too risky for this project. He decided to risk things and suggest something he never had before.
"Would it be totally out of question to ask you to come to one of my studio apartments? I rented it recently when I realized we will be working for a long time here. It seems to be the only place where we can work in private." The words sounded unsure and it was rather odd to ask a thing like that from a co-worker, but this was something Arthur had set his mind on.
Yusuf first hesitated asking all kinds of things but then agreed and nodded in thought. He said it could actually work well and they set up a time they would meet. The man chatted for a while and then went his way. It was closer to 23.00 at night already and normally people want to be home at this hour. Arthur wanted to work on the details still and Eames didn't feel at home in this country or city and didn't have anything particular to do this evening.
The forger wanted so badly to know what the two were up to but didn't want to intrude. Now the chemist being out and Arthur seemingly focused on the notes in his lap, Eames could perhaps get an answer out of him easily. He made his way closer to the lab to see if he could notice the missing bottles but honestly, he had never paid too much attention to them to notice a difference in the table and cabinet. Eames started to whistle and walk around like he was bored.
"What is it?" Came a monotone question from Arthur who had set his things down on his lap.
"Just wondering..."
"Hhh wondering what?" he looked at Eames who was digging his nails.
"If I could trust you anymore since you work behind Dom's back" Eames said and shrugged his shoulders.
It was clear he was playing around to get his way but the words still startled Arthur a little.
"Say what? Mr. Eames this has nothing to do with anyone. It's for personal purposes. In the same way, you can hire a cleaner without telling us... Quit the crap" Arthur shot back.
"And you trusted me to begin with? That is actually surprising and heartwarming to hear" That was way too genuine than Arthur would have liked to admit.
"Fine fine. But now I know you have something going on besides this project. Are you sure you are focused on this? Our lives are on the stake, my dear." Eames scoffed.
"It's about dreaming as well. Just deepening my knowledge and testing some stuff. It should actually make you feel even better if anything. For the sake of your life, I guess... Either way, I should get going now." Arthur stood up from the chair and started to collect things.
"Hmm alright then." Eames glanced at the watch on his wrist and sighed. "But Arthur tell me. If it's about dreaming can I come along with Yusuf?"
Arthur turned to look at Eames who stared at him with a serious expression. He was baffled by the question but then remembered how curious he used to be about dreaming when he was younger. Eames just hadn't lost the curiosity. And certainly, he didn't lack confidence when it came down to asking these kinds of things with a straight face. Eventually, Arthur gave him the address as well if Eames kept quiet about this little side project. He wasn't sure why Eames wanted to tag along but actually didn't mind it as much as he would have weeks ago. Arthur from there headed home well into the night and cursed himself for staying up so late. Eames himself was left to wonder what kind of experiment Yusuf and Arthur were going to do.
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