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crack_van2011-12-26 10:59 pm
laceymcbain.livejournal.com) wrote in crack_van2011-12-26 10:59 pm
Dogs Days Are Over by foxxcub (NC-17)
Fandom: INCEPTION
Pairing: Arthur/Eames
Length: ~ 10,600 words
Author on LJ:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
foxxcub
Author Website: Fic Listed in Memories; Fic on AO3
Why this must be read: There's an entire sub-set of crack fics devoted to Yusuf's chemical formulas gone wrong, and this story is one of my favourites. Not only does it feature a formula gone wrong, there's a job on the line, and the added bonus of Arthur and Eames' backstory.
While getting ready for a job involving a spelling bee champion, Arthur and Eames wake up from a test run ... younger. Much younger. They retain all their skills and memories, but their sixteen-year-old selves are ruled by hormones, emotions, and all the insecurities that go with being a teenager. While Eames takes the unexpected changes in stride, Arthur hates the way it makes him feel, and he hates Eames a little for being young and hot and cocky.
The story is funny, but also doesn't shy away from honest insights about the characters. The tension between the two men isn't simply because they're very different people; something happened between them the last time they were together, and both have made assumptions about the other person's behavior since then.
There are parts of this story I unabashedly adore: Ariadne taking Arthur and Eames clothes shopping; Eames trying to get into a bar and buy smokes; Arthur and Eames having to work out their adult problems while still their teenaged selves. There's a sweetness here--an acknowledgment that somewhere inside, even as adults, we're still in part those insecure uncertain people we were when we were younger, and sometimes it's hard to remember that people could actually love us in spite of ourselves ...even if we have evidence to the contrary.
When Arthur glances up, he finds Eames watching him with a familiar focused concentration.
“It’s not that bad, you know,” he says quietly.
“What is?”
“This. You.” Eames takes a step closer, and in the tiny confines of the dressing room Arthur doesn’t have anywhere to hide. He presses his back tight against the wall, hands fisted at his sides.
“I’m sorry I’m not enjoying myself as much as you,” Arthur says. “But some of us prefer being an adult and doing adult things.”
Eames shakes his head. Then, very slowly, he reaches up with two fingers and brushes Arthur’s hair out of his eyes. “What happened to you?” he asks softly. “You’re so...emotional. Touchy.”
“I’m always touchy with you.”
“No. This is different.” He smiles, and it’s oddly reminiscent of the smile he gave Chelsea earlier.
The dressing room is suddenly very stuffy. Arthur can’t breathe very well.
“Whatever, better not keep your new girlfriend waiting,” he says dismissively. The adult in him is appalled, but right now Arthur is all about being irrational.
And apparently, Eames feels the same. His flirty smile quickly changes into something darker, and he mutters, “Oh, fuck off,” before slamming the door closed behind him.
Later, Arthur throws a pair of jeans and a couple of long-sleeved t-shirts at Ariadne. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”
“Do you mind telling me what the hell just happened?” she asks, sounding more perplexed than angry. “Eames just threw a wad of cash at the cute little sales girl and stomped out. Did you guys fight or something?”
On LJ: Dogs Days Are Over
On AO3: Dogs Days Are Over
It doesn't matter how old or new or (how popular) a story is, authors love feedback!
Pairing: Arthur/Eames
Length: ~ 10,600 words
Author on LJ:
foxxcubAuthor Website: Fic Listed in Memories; Fic on AO3
Why this must be read: There's an entire sub-set of crack fics devoted to Yusuf's chemical formulas gone wrong, and this story is one of my favourites. Not only does it feature a formula gone wrong, there's a job on the line, and the added bonus of Arthur and Eames' backstory.
While getting ready for a job involving a spelling bee champion, Arthur and Eames wake up from a test run ... younger. Much younger. They retain all their skills and memories, but their sixteen-year-old selves are ruled by hormones, emotions, and all the insecurities that go with being a teenager. While Eames takes the unexpected changes in stride, Arthur hates the way it makes him feel, and he hates Eames a little for being young and hot and cocky.
The story is funny, but also doesn't shy away from honest insights about the characters. The tension between the two men isn't simply because they're very different people; something happened between them the last time they were together, and both have made assumptions about the other person's behavior since then.
There are parts of this story I unabashedly adore: Ariadne taking Arthur and Eames clothes shopping; Eames trying to get into a bar and buy smokes; Arthur and Eames having to work out their adult problems while still their teenaged selves. There's a sweetness here--an acknowledgment that somewhere inside, even as adults, we're still in part those insecure uncertain people we were when we were younger, and sometimes it's hard to remember that people could actually love us in spite of ourselves ...even if we have evidence to the contrary.
When Arthur glances up, he finds Eames watching him with a familiar focused concentration.
“It’s not that bad, you know,” he says quietly.
“What is?”
“This. You.” Eames takes a step closer, and in the tiny confines of the dressing room Arthur doesn’t have anywhere to hide. He presses his back tight against the wall, hands fisted at his sides.
“I’m sorry I’m not enjoying myself as much as you,” Arthur says. “But some of us prefer being an adult and doing adult things.”
Eames shakes his head. Then, very slowly, he reaches up with two fingers and brushes Arthur’s hair out of his eyes. “What happened to you?” he asks softly. “You’re so...emotional. Touchy.”
“I’m always touchy with you.”
“No. This is different.” He smiles, and it’s oddly reminiscent of the smile he gave Chelsea earlier.
The dressing room is suddenly very stuffy. Arthur can’t breathe very well.
“Whatever, better not keep your new girlfriend waiting,” he says dismissively. The adult in him is appalled, but right now Arthur is all about being irrational.
And apparently, Eames feels the same. His flirty smile quickly changes into something darker, and he mutters, “Oh, fuck off,” before slamming the door closed behind him.
Later, Arthur throws a pair of jeans and a couple of long-sleeved t-shirts at Ariadne. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”
“Do you mind telling me what the hell just happened?” she asks, sounding more perplexed than angry. “Eames just threw a wad of cash at the cute little sales girl and stomped out. Did you guys fight or something?”
On LJ: Dogs Days Are Over
On AO3: Dogs Days Are Over
It doesn't matter how old or new or (how popular) a story is, authors love feedback!
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