ext_1675 (
laceymcbain.livejournal.com) wrote in
crack_van2011-12-27 12:14 am
and the doors are open by guns_and_butter (NC-17)
Fandom: INCEPTION
Pairing: Arthur/Eames, very brief Eames/other (non-explicit), Yusuf/OFC (non-explicit)
Length: ~ 14,900 words
Author on LJ:
guns_and_butter
Author Website: Master Fic List; Fic on AO3
Why this must be read: The Love Potion trope - is there anything better? And in Inception fandom, it's remarkably easy to believe that chemists would be working away at trying to create and refine compounds to affect the dream-state. In this story, Yusuf is at work on trying to lower inhibitions in the dream in order to make the projections more docile and the mark more willing to talk. Arthur is the testing guinea pig, but the formula has an unexpected effect on him that carries over into reality: Arthur seems smitten with Eames, and it's clear to Eames that Arthur's been dosed with some sort of love potion. After all, Arthur couldn't possibly feel something for Eames, could he?
Eames tries his best to be sympathetic and understanding (not always easy) and works hard at not exploiting Arthur's new uncharacteristic openness. But when the job is over, Eames has fallen a little bit (or a lot) for Arthur, and is trying to convince himself there's no hope for them ... after all, Arthur's feelings are because of a love potion that's since worn off and it's not fair to expect anything of him.
Except as everyone knows there are no such things as love potions ...
“Did something happen?” Yusuf asks, sounding concerned. “You think something’s gone wrong with the sedative?”
Eames is suddenly struck by a terrible thought. “Wait,” he says, “wait, Arthur, you’re not still – “
Arthur’s face darkens – he’s flushing, Arthur is flushing – and he looks away.
“But that’s impossible,” Eames says dumbly. “That’s, you’re awake, it shouldn’t – “
“What happened?” Yusuf demands.
Arthur lurches abruptly to his feet, surprisingly graceless, and jerks the line from his arm with a careless yank. A sharp flare of pain twists his mouth, clenches his jaw, and that vulnerability is so out of place on Arthur’s normally impassive face that Eames reaches out instinctively, fingers closing round Arthur’s wrist.
Arthur freezes at the touch, head whipping round so quickly Eames half expects to hear a snap. The pain has vanished from his face, leaving behind a helpless sort of – something, something Eames’s brain recognizes but categorically refuses to associate with Arthur. His eyes are very, very dark.
“Arthur,” Eames says.
“Let go of me,” Arthur says, but he doesn’t pull away, doesn’t do anything but stand there with his pulse hammering rabbit-fast under Eames’s thumb and his eyes fixed on Eames’s mouth.
Eames licks his lips, unthinking, and Arthur makes a small, pained sound.
Keisha has been observing this exchange with narrowed eyes.
“Yusuf,” she says, dangerously, “did you give my point man a love potion?”
“Er,” says Yusuf.
On LJ: and the doors are open
On AO3: and the doors are open
It doesn't matter how old or new or (how popular) a story is, authors love feedback!
Pairing: Arthur/Eames, very brief Eames/other (non-explicit), Yusuf/OFC (non-explicit)
Length: ~ 14,900 words
Author on LJ:
Author Website: Master Fic List; Fic on AO3
Why this must be read: The Love Potion trope - is there anything better? And in Inception fandom, it's remarkably easy to believe that chemists would be working away at trying to create and refine compounds to affect the dream-state. In this story, Yusuf is at work on trying to lower inhibitions in the dream in order to make the projections more docile and the mark more willing to talk. Arthur is the testing guinea pig, but the formula has an unexpected effect on him that carries over into reality: Arthur seems smitten with Eames, and it's clear to Eames that Arthur's been dosed with some sort of love potion. After all, Arthur couldn't possibly feel something for Eames, could he?
Eames tries his best to be sympathetic and understanding (not always easy) and works hard at not exploiting Arthur's new uncharacteristic openness. But when the job is over, Eames has fallen a little bit (or a lot) for Arthur, and is trying to convince himself there's no hope for them ... after all, Arthur's feelings are because of a love potion that's since worn off and it's not fair to expect anything of him.
Except as everyone knows there are no such things as love potions ...
“Did something happen?” Yusuf asks, sounding concerned. “You think something’s gone wrong with the sedative?”
Eames is suddenly struck by a terrible thought. “Wait,” he says, “wait, Arthur, you’re not still – “
Arthur’s face darkens – he’s flushing, Arthur is flushing – and he looks away.
“But that’s impossible,” Eames says dumbly. “That’s, you’re awake, it shouldn’t – “
“What happened?” Yusuf demands.
Arthur lurches abruptly to his feet, surprisingly graceless, and jerks the line from his arm with a careless yank. A sharp flare of pain twists his mouth, clenches his jaw, and that vulnerability is so out of place on Arthur’s normally impassive face that Eames reaches out instinctively, fingers closing round Arthur’s wrist.
Arthur freezes at the touch, head whipping round so quickly Eames half expects to hear a snap. The pain has vanished from his face, leaving behind a helpless sort of – something, something Eames’s brain recognizes but categorically refuses to associate with Arthur. His eyes are very, very dark.
“Arthur,” Eames says.
“Let go of me,” Arthur says, but he doesn’t pull away, doesn’t do anything but stand there with his pulse hammering rabbit-fast under Eames’s thumb and his eyes fixed on Eames’s mouth.
Eames licks his lips, unthinking, and Arthur makes a small, pained sound.
Keisha has been observing this exchange with narrowed eyes.
“Yusuf,” she says, dangerously, “did you give my point man a love potion?”
“Er,” says Yusuf.
On LJ: and the doors are open
On AO3: and the doors are open
It doesn't matter how old or new or (how popular) a story is, authors love feedback!
