hahaha what is this, I don't even know. T___T I was expecting for my next update to be for you don't do it on purpose but you make me shake, but I have been terribly stuck on that fic (and fic in general, really) for a while. I suppose this is an exercise in writing? clearly I am very out of practice though, because this short thing took far too much time and I deleted way more than I actually kept, ):. writing is hard sometimes, ;~~;. thank you to mei and ivy for listening to me whine about this all day.

we were born and raised in a summer haze
inception: arthur/eames [preslash]
g, 700 words
in which Eames is a photographer and Arthur is his new model.

The first time Eames meets Arthur, he's having a horrible day.

The main model for the Ferragamo shoot is running late, the stylists have somehow misplaced half the clothing, and Eames has two more appointments back-to-back after this that he can't be late for but he can't start the shoot because there is no model.

He has someone call HQ to complain about this, and it turns out that no, the model isn't just late, the model isn't coming at all because they've somehow double-booked and Fischer is probably on a plane to Milan as they speak.

So when Dom Cobb shoves a young man in front of Eames and says they can use him as the model instead, Eames doesn't ask too many questions.

"Arthur Dunhill," the man says, his eyes dark and serious. He holds out a hand, and Eames grasps it distractedly, too busy running appraising eyes over him. He's younger than Eames expected, but he's tall with angular features and a slim, almost delicate figure. He's no Fischer, but he'll do, Eames thinks critically, before shoving him at wardrobe and makeup.

He comes out fifteen minutes later with hair teased into a voluminous mess and dressed to perfection in a striped ensemble, finished off with a dark grey trenchcoat.

"Lights a little more to the center please," he says, waiting as the girl hovering by the edge of the shoot does as he asks.

Arthur's inexperience is quite obvious to a seasoned photographer like Eames - and Eames vaguely wonders how he ended up as a backup for a company like Ferragamo - but he follows instructions to a T and is easy to direct. "A little more intensity, darling, and less tension at the mouth, there we go," Eames says, keeping his voice coaxing as he snaps a few dozen shots.

It all wraps up soon enough, and Eames notes with relief that he still has twenty-something minutes left until he's due across the city for the Cartier shoot. Grabbing his equipment, he steps out of the building while pulling on his coat, and is trying to see if there's a free taxi anywhere when he becomes aware of the figure standing beside him, probably waiting for the same.

Eames has no idea how Arthur had managed to get out as quickly as he had, but he has regular clothing on again and his face is once more makeup-free. "It was a pleasure working with you, Mr. Eames," Arthur says, smiling a little, and there's a dimple tucked high in his left cheek. Eames has seen too many beautiful people in his line of work and he hadn't thought Arthur particularly remarkable earlier, but out here away from the studio, he looks different somehow, all frayed hoodies and loose limbs. His expression is relaxed - natural - and it's cliché but Eames suddenly wishes he hadn't packed his equipment way so that he can capture the way the afternoon sunlight hits Arthur's hair, turning it a golden-brown.

Realizing that he'd been staring, Eames looks away. "You as well," he says quickly. "I've never seen you around before though."

"I've mostly been modeling part-time," Arthur replies with an easy shrug, then motions to the yellow cab that had just pulled up to the pavement. "Taxi's here - you can go first."

"Thanks," Eames says gratefully, checking his watch again - fifteen minutes left - as he pulls open the back door and puts his equipment in first. He's getting in himself when Arthur suddenly steps forward.

"Wait," he says with a crooked smile, then holds out a small white business card. "Please, take this."

Eames does so with a nod, and then he's stuffing it into his pocket and slamming the door shut while he gives the address to the driver, and Eames will tip him triple if they could get there within the next fifteen minutes, please.




It's not until he's digging out his pockets so that he can send his clothing to the dry cleaner's over the weekend that he takes out the card again and sees the personal number scrawled on the back in black sharpie.

Eames laughs and picks up his phone.



032711

also, just wanted to relink to my [livejournal.com profile] help_japan thread over HERE, where I'm offering fic for inception and merlin fandom. ♥. I think bidding is open for a few more days, so if you haven't had a chance to check out everyone's offers yet, please do head on over. thanks so much, guys.

From: [identity profile] meiface.livejournal.com


YOUR MOOD THEME!!!

What happened to the shadows and fairies?! (Yes, clearly I am irreplaceable with my usefulness. ♥)

From: [identity profile] purple-spock.livejournal.com


This is really great. It's very in character and I loved the ending. Well done you. : D

From: [identity profile] iri-descent.livejournal.com


I loved the contrast between Arthur's inexperience in the studio vs. natural looseness outside. And the fact that Arthur was straightforward and made the first move, as it were, was just awesome ♥
This is a great way to start my Tuesday, so thank you very much :)
Edited Date: 2011-03-28 08:25 pm (UTC)

From: [identity profile] jibrailis.livejournal.com


This is so lovely. I adore the way you write the characters and set up the scene, and how every word you choose is so precise and elegant and perfect. *____*

From: [identity profile] epistolic.livejournal.com


Love this, love how you set this world up and keep it concise and - brilliant. ♥

From: [identity profile] atratuslupin.livejournal.com


All I can picture now is Arthur standing on some curb in a city with the sunlight hitting him just perfectly and it's like he's glowing. Guh, brilliant little piece. :)

From: [identity profile] wanderlight.livejournal.com


This is a lovely, elegant little scene, as precise as a beautiful photograph. ♥
epithalamium: (Default)

From: [personal profile] epithalamium


Hee, sneaky Arthur is too cute! <3
And this part He's no Fischer, but he'll do, Eames thinks critically, made me giggle a bit. Poor Eames. At least he had Arthur's number to make up for such a hassling day. :D

From: [identity profile] heureviolet.livejournal.com


AWW. This is adorable, Liz. I can totally just see how fly amateur!model Arthur looks posing for his photoshoot in y head *___*

From: [identity profile] weatherfront.livejournal.com


AND THEN THEY BECAME BOYFRANDS ♥ ♥ ♥ smooth and sweet as a vanilla milkshake, ohhhh. :')

From: [identity profile] peperima.livejournal.com


omg this is so cuteeee, I love how forward (but still subtle! classy) arthur is in this. :) thank you!

From: [identity profile] just-jane-doe.livejournal.com


love to see more in this series - this is a really lovely take on them!
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