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crack_van2012-05-11 01:12 pm
bookshop.livejournal.com) wrote in crack_van2012-05-11 01:12 pm
t on the timeline, by battleofhydaspe (PG-13)
Fandom: Inception
Title: t on the timeline
Pairing: Arthur/Eames
Length: 13,000
Author on LJ:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
battleofhydaspe
Author Website: masterlist of fics on author's journal
Why this must be read: This quiet fic sneaks past you quickly because of its smooth writing style and near-vignette format, but it gradually spreads out into something heart-stopping and gorgeous and love-filled. Arthur and Eames have a dynamic that's almost effortless and unstated, with levels of understanding that get communicated here so effectively, in muted moments and unspoken mutual silences. And simultaneously, the two of them carry on being absolute total badasses who rely completely on one another's competency and expertise and basically being the most skilled and scary two motherfuckers in illegal international dreamshare.
This fic is also one of the better-handled instances of the ever-popular Rogue Projection trope. Battleofhydaspe subverts it by making the projection into a manifestation, not of unconscious desire, but rather unconscious trust, which is a whole different level of intimacy. The result is brilliant and beautiful. It's not often in fics you get chemistry this off-the-chart without sacrificing any of the subtlety and the slow burn of true love, but these two, Arthur and Eames, are 100% perfect for this type of portrayal. It all translates into Mutual BAMFery and Awkward Feelings and it's all so good I want to die.
t on the timeline
Title: t on the timeline
Pairing: Arthur/Eames
Length: 13,000
Author on LJ:
battleofhydaspeAuthor Website: masterlist of fics on author's journal
Why this must be read: This quiet fic sneaks past you quickly because of its smooth writing style and near-vignette format, but it gradually spreads out into something heart-stopping and gorgeous and love-filled. Arthur and Eames have a dynamic that's almost effortless and unstated, with levels of understanding that get communicated here so effectively, in muted moments and unspoken mutual silences. And simultaneously, the two of them carry on being absolute total badasses who rely completely on one another's competency and expertise and basically being the most skilled and scary two motherfuckers in illegal international dreamshare.
This fic is also one of the better-handled instances of the ever-popular Rogue Projection trope. Battleofhydaspe subverts it by making the projection into a manifestation, not of unconscious desire, but rather unconscious trust, which is a whole different level of intimacy. The result is brilliant and beautiful. It's not often in fics you get chemistry this off-the-chart without sacrificing any of the subtlety and the slow burn of true love, but these two, Arthur and Eames, are 100% perfect for this type of portrayal. It all translates into Mutual BAMFery and Awkward Feelings and it's all so good I want to die.
The movement of the ink becomes more and more insistent. It pours out from under the fabric in a languid swirl, shifting and changing with every second.
“Are they supposed to do that?” Arthur asks finally, unable to tear his eyes off of the constant motion.
Eames looks down, as the ink swivels around his forearm. “I haven’t got a clue,” he says. “It’s never happened before.”
The urge to touch is becoming unbearable, and so Arthur reaches out, presses his fingertips against the pool of black on the inside of Eames’ elbow. It sends the ink running in all directions.
Eames’ skin is warm underneath Arthur’s touch and all Arthur wants to do is splay his fingers wide, wider, touch everywhere he can reach.
He doesn’t even notice he’s moving, but when he looks up, Eames is just mere inches away from him, radiating heat. Arthur can feel his pulse in his veins, right under the skin he’s touching.
“You know what I miss when I’m dreaming?” Arthur asks, running his hand over the fabric of Eames’ shirt – a slight coarseness of cotton, but well worn out. “The smell. It’s what I miss the most.”
The letters on Eames’ chest blur together and trickle down, towards Arthur’s palm. Arthur can feel Eames’ breath against his jaw. His hand is on Arthur’s hip again, a spot of warmth that centers him for a bit before he gets distracted again.
He opens his mouth, and it brushes against Eames jaw, catching a hint of stubble. It leaves Arthur’s lips prickling.
Eames curls his hand against the side of Arthur’s neck, his thumb fitting neatly under his jaw. Neither of them move for a long while.
Finally, Eames sighs.
“It’s not really you, you know,” he says, his lips almost touching Arthur’s as he speaks. “All this. It’s the compound, it’s supposed to do exactly that. Basically, it’s a giant dream roofie.”
Arthur can feel it as his breath bounces off of Eames’ lips, warm and slightly ticklish. It’s really fucking hard to focus on what Eames is saying. But as it finally registers, the weird haze dissolves a little.
Not a projection, then.
Eames huffs a laugh, and very delicately nuzzles his jaw. “Sorry.”
Arthur lets out a long breath, leaning his forehead against Eames’ collar bone. “I’m going to kill Yusuf.”
“Does it mean I’m off the hook?”
“No, it just means sometimes I have to prioritize.”
“Do you want me to --”
“Well, all the fun is gone now, isn’t it?”
Arthur doesn’t pull back. He just closes his eyes and waits, until he feels the cold barrell of the gun press against his temple. He curls his hand over Eames’ hip and lets him pull the trigger.
t on the timeline