Plate Tectonics, by Indysaur (PG)

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Fandom: INCEPTION
Title: Plate Tectonics
Pairing: Arthur/Eames
Length: 5,637
Author on LJ: indysaur
Author Website: masterlist of fics on author's journal
Why this must be read: I know I've already recced one Indysaur fic this month, but honestly I couldn't *not* rec this, especially since there are Inception fans out there who still haven't read it, and that's just totally unacceptable. :D This is one of those fics, and Indysaur is one of those writers, who unfailingly makes my heart swell a few sizes and keep the feeling with me ever afterwards. In this fic, Arthur has to hide out in Mombasa for a while, so naturally he crashes at Eames' place--with charming, not-quite predictable results. Indysaur's writing features pitch-perfect characterization, smart, wry humor, heart-swelling A/E interaction, superb dialogue, and a hilarious ensemble dynamic between Arthur, Eames, and Yusuf. Eames & Arthur discover each other and themselves, and if you're like me, you'll fall even more in love with this pairing as a result.

Eames briefly considers foisting Arthur off on Yusuf, but Yusuf has been a good and kind friend. Besides, Eames and Arthur are forming a sort of rapport.

Eames has a job of his own that he's working, tailing a poacher who's exporting hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of ivory and rhinoceros horn, but perhaps it isn't of the most vital importance. There are pachyderms at stake, true, but Arthur's life is of some value, too, Eames is sure. He sips his tea, staring at Arthur's suspect board in the morning. For a fairly lethal man, he has one too many living enemies.

He waits until Arthur stirs on the couch, blinks awake. He gestures at the board with his mug, says, "Want help with all this?"

Arthur sits up and runs two hands through his hair. He grunts.

"Speak up, Arthur."

Arthur glares up at Eames. "I'll manage," he says. Then, sighing: "I'll come to you when I hit a wall."

"My breath is bated," Eames says.

****

Eames comes home late one night that week, near four, but Arthur is still awake. He's all askew, stripped down to his undershirt and slacks, barefoot, ink on his lip from the pen he's gnawing down to a nub.

"You're a vision," Eames says. He can't help it.

"Fuck," Arthur says. "Fuck this fucking shit to hell." He pulls a hand over his face.

"Amen," Eames says.

"This is embarrassing." Arthur has his hands on his hips.

"You know," Eames says, stripping the linen shirt off his back as he heads to his bedroom, "I begin to wonder whether this is all an elaborate ploy for you to bask in my admittedly charming presence."

"Yes," Arthur calls after him. "Because it's long been my dream to cohabitate with a man who subsists on a diet of cigarettes and meat pies."

"Ha," Eames says. "I see into the dark recesses of your heart."

Plate Tectonics