ext_1675 (![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png)
laceymcbain.livejournal.com) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
crack_van2011-12-28 09:15 am
laceymcbain.livejournal.com) wrote in crack_van2011-12-28 09:15 am
The French Drop by CyanideBreathmint (PG-13)
This story is actually part of an ongoing series, but honestly, I read it by itself before I realized it was part of something larger and I thought it worked well as a stand alone.
Fandom: INCEPTION
Pairing: Gen - het and slash undertones in equal quantity, but nothing realized or explicit
Length: ~ 27,660 words
Author on LJ:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
chn_breathmint
Author Website: Fic on AO3; Master Fic List on LJ profile page or at Fic Masterlist
Why this must be read: The story summary calls it the "Arthur and Eames Executive Protection Hour," and that's a fairly accurate description. Someone wants the members of the Inception team dead, so Arthur and Eames come to Paris to teach Ariadne how to look after herself. (Cue the training montage and music!)
There's something about being protected (and trained) by hot, competent guys that's very, very satisfying. But it's not only the protectiveness. Arthur and Eames believe Ariadne can take care of herself with training, so they're willing to teach her what they know. It's clear in the story that the two men have known each other a long time, and their relationship is close and companionable, even as they snark at one another. But they also both care for Ariadne and their wanting to help her isn't condescending or patronizing--it's genuine, which is lovely to see.
Even lovelier is how they all deal with being in a small space together in Ariadne's Paris apartment, working physically on training, and dealing with high emotions and sexual tension. No threesomes here (although the series does eventually promise that), but there's still a subtle thread of want floating between the characters, making their interactions that much more fraught.
If you like the dynamic here, you'll probably want to read the before and after parts of the series, but this story is fairly self-contained. You might miss a few subtle references to the previous story, but nothing essential.
"I guess you two are pretty used to being on the run while your lives are in danger, but I'm pretty pissed-off," she said, her voice shaking with a volatile blend of rage and terror. She stood up and began to pace out of a physical urge to move that was so strong it hurt. "Neither you nor Cobb were entirely honest about the consequences when you offered me this job," she said, jabbing a finger in Arthur's direction.
Eames gave her a look, cool and appraising, as he sat down on the edge of her bed. "I know you're upset, love," he said, "but we're not going to let anything happen to you."
"I – Okay," she said, slumping a little as she sat back down in her chair. "So what happens now? I have a bunch of angry people after my life, and you two bodyguard me?"
"In a nutshell, yes," Eames said. "One of us is going to be with you 24 hours a day."
"Like how Arthur walked me home from school. What were you going to do if someone had taken a shot at me then?" she asked, looking from Eames to Arthur, and back again. Arthur picked the briefcase up off the floor and popped its latches with the faintest hint of a smile on his face. Strapped into it was a submachine gun, and Ariadne realized belatedly that the briefcase had a trigger built into its grip.
"I call her Pandora," he said, brushing a bit of lint off the receiver with a fingertip.
"Isn't that a bit much?" she asked, looking at the briefcase doubtfully.
"Silly Ariadne," Eames said with a slow grin. "There is no such thing as overkill, only how you employ it."
On LJ: The French Drop
On AO3: The French Drop
It doesn't matter how old or new or (how popular) a story is, authors love feedback!
Fandom: INCEPTION
Pairing: Gen - het and slash undertones in equal quantity, but nothing realized or explicit
Length: ~ 27,660 words
Author on LJ:
chn_breathmintAuthor Website: Fic on AO3; Master Fic List on LJ profile page or at Fic Masterlist
Why this must be read: The story summary calls it the "Arthur and Eames Executive Protection Hour," and that's a fairly accurate description. Someone wants the members of the Inception team dead, so Arthur and Eames come to Paris to teach Ariadne how to look after herself. (Cue the training montage and music!)
There's something about being protected (and trained) by hot, competent guys that's very, very satisfying. But it's not only the protectiveness. Arthur and Eames believe Ariadne can take care of herself with training, so they're willing to teach her what they know. It's clear in the story that the two men have known each other a long time, and their relationship is close and companionable, even as they snark at one another. But they also both care for Ariadne and their wanting to help her isn't condescending or patronizing--it's genuine, which is lovely to see.
Even lovelier is how they all deal with being in a small space together in Ariadne's Paris apartment, working physically on training, and dealing with high emotions and sexual tension. No threesomes here (although the series does eventually promise that), but there's still a subtle thread of want floating between the characters, making their interactions that much more fraught.
If you like the dynamic here, you'll probably want to read the before and after parts of the series, but this story is fairly self-contained. You might miss a few subtle references to the previous story, but nothing essential.
"I guess you two are pretty used to being on the run while your lives are in danger, but I'm pretty pissed-off," she said, her voice shaking with a volatile blend of rage and terror. She stood up and began to pace out of a physical urge to move that was so strong it hurt. "Neither you nor Cobb were entirely honest about the consequences when you offered me this job," she said, jabbing a finger in Arthur's direction.
Eames gave her a look, cool and appraising, as he sat down on the edge of her bed. "I know you're upset, love," he said, "but we're not going to let anything happen to you."
"I – Okay," she said, slumping a little as she sat back down in her chair. "So what happens now? I have a bunch of angry people after my life, and you two bodyguard me?"
"In a nutshell, yes," Eames said. "One of us is going to be with you 24 hours a day."
"Like how Arthur walked me home from school. What were you going to do if someone had taken a shot at me then?" she asked, looking from Eames to Arthur, and back again. Arthur picked the briefcase up off the floor and popped its latches with the faintest hint of a smile on his face. Strapped into it was a submachine gun, and Ariadne realized belatedly that the briefcase had a trigger built into its grip.
"I call her Pandora," he said, brushing a bit of lint off the receiver with a fingertip.
"Isn't that a bit much?" she asked, looking at the briefcase doubtfully.
"Silly Ariadne," Eames said with a slow grin. "There is no such thing as overkill, only how you employ it."
On LJ: The French Drop
On AO3: The French Drop
It doesn't matter how old or new or (how popular) a story is, authors love feedback!