Cat and the Fiddle, by Cthonical / Gloriamundi, NC-17

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Fandom: INCEPTION
Title: The Cat and the Fiddle
Pairing: Arthur/Eames
Length: 10,000
Author on LJ: cthonical
Author Website: masterlist on author's LJ; AO3 profile


Fandom: INCEPTION
Title: Cat and the Fiddle (The Kitty In The Middle Remix)
Pairing: Arthur/Eames
Length: 10,000 - ish?
Author on LJ: gloriamundi
Author Website: author's AO3 profile

Why these must be read: Ah, Inception fandom. Inception fandom really, really, really loves its creature fic. We've been enjoying the prolonged surge of alpha/omega and knotting fics for a while, like other fandoms. Before that, tentacle fic was all the rage, and we've a plethora of vampires, succubi, and other supernatural beings. But through it all, one kink has reigned supreme, and that kink is: Catboy!Arthur.

Who can say why catboys and Inception fandom go together like really cheesy musical numbers? Is it because Arthur's brusque and aloof yet gravity-defying personality are so catlike already? Is it because he just looks adorable with cat ears and a tail? Is it because Eames already has the pet names stored up, so giving him an actual pet!Arthur to play with is the next natural step?

It could be all of these things, or a combination thereof. But mostly, as you will see in this ridiculously endearing fic in which smitten!Eames studies feline body language and woos irritable!Arthur with fish, it's because it's hot. So. So. So. So. Hot. :D

Bonus: this fic was remixed by gloriamundi as an incredible piece called Kitty In The Middle, and, folks, this is not just a remix, it's a choose your own adventure computer game. Yes. That's right. It's an interactive catboy!Arthur computer game. This fandom, man. This fandom. ♥

“Are those my things? I smell my things. God fucking dammit, I could never smell myself like this, not even after that month in Thailand.”

Eames turns as Arthur stalks into the room, tail twitching at the tip in a way that he now knew could mean interest or irritation, but probably meant a bit of both. “In the milk crate there. Morning.”

He gets a brief growl in response. The sound settles low in his stomach and he’s so bloody glad he wore loose pants today, especially when the tip of that silky tail brushes his wrist as Arthur walks past him to the table.

The fur really is as soft as it looks.

Arthur’s ears prick forward, and he sniffs. “There’s something else here,” he says, tail thrashing.

Yusuf shrugs, but Eames steps closer to the table and picks up the Styrofoam takeaway container on top of the blankets and toiletries in the crate. “I thought you might like some real food instead of the instant crap we keep in the cupboard here.” He holds out the container to Arthur.

He takes it, eyebrow raised, but the delicate twitch of his nose is curious rather than annoyed, and so fucking adorable Eames can barely stand it. Arthur opens the container, looks at the contents, and looks back up at Eames with narrow eyes. “I am not actually a fucking cat.”

“It’s just grilled trout,” replies mildly, as Arthur sniffs at the fish. “I made too much last night.” And sure, he made too much on purpose, but Arthur doesn’t need to know that.

The suspicious cast to his coffee-cat eyes suggest he probably has a decent idea, anyway. “Oh really.” He closes the container and sets it back on top of his things, picking up the crate. “Thanks.”Arthur heads back out to the side room where he must have chosen to bunker down, silver-black tail still flicking at the tip.

It’s hypnotising, and when Eames shakes his head and returns his attention to the whiteboard Yusuf is looking at him with a ‘really? really?’ look on his face. He doesn’t care. Yusuf knows full well how he feels about Arthur, how he’s always felt about Arthur. “Don’t even say anything.”

Yusuf holds up his hands defensively. “Nothing. I said nothing.”
*
The day proceeds pretty much like normal, or as normal as it can be when Arthur is punctuating his speech with his ears and tail and the occasional cat-like vocalisation. He doesn’t always catch himself doing it but when he does, he swears, and it’s terribly endearing.

The Cat and the Fiddle by Cthonical; Kitty In The Middle (Remix) by Gloriamundi