for isnt_the_same

[chesstotem]

The only good thing about being in Paris, and away from Arthur for a while, was the easy ability Ariadne had to report back to her bosses with what information she had so far.

It was also a bit of a relief to know that they didn't really have any intention of prosecuting Arthur, or anyone else from the Fischer job - at this point, her bosses were sniffing out something much bigger, and just wanted her to use them to get closer to whatever the bigger operation was, to figure out who was behind it.

She suspected it was something much worse than anything Arthur would be willing to do.

Still, aside from the regular calls to her bosses, it was exactly as boring and depressing as she'd known it would be, having to pretend to be a student again, attend classes without even the hope of Arthur on the phone in the evenings. She walked to the college most days, went to a couple of classes, walked back to her messy little apartment in the late afternoon or evening. Ate takeout for dinner, because she could barely cook for herself. At night, she would touch herself, remembering how Arthur felt on top of her, inside her.

The next day, she did it all again.

Comments

[chesstotem]

"Yes," she said, nudging him towards the bed. Then she went to her dresser and changed into her pajamas.

[isnt_the_same]

Arthur got under the covers and waited for her, watching her undress.

[chesstotem]

She slipped on a pair of drawstring pants and a T-shirt, then slid under the covers with him. "How's this?"

[isnt_the_same]

"Good," he replied, draping his arm across her waist.

[chesstotem]

"Yeah? It's not too... serious for you?" she teased lightly.

[isnt_the_same]

"We're just sleeping, Ariadne," he pointed out.

[chesstotem]

"Mm-hm," she said, relaxed and content in his arms.

[isnt_the_same]

He stiffened a little now that she had pointed it out.

[chesstotem]

She knew right away she shouldn't have said anything. "Just sleep, Arthur," she murmured, trying to keep her voice soothing. "You need to sleep."

[isnt_the_same]

"Do you think this is serious?"

[chesstotem]

"No," she said easily. "Relax. Rest."

[isnt_the_same]

He moved is arm away from her slowly. "Goodnight."

[chesstotem]

She felt a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach when he pulled away from her, but didn't move. She reminded herself firmly that she shouldn't be doing this with him in the first place, so what did it matter if he spooked and ended it? She knew very well it could never get really serious between them.

"Good night, Arthur," she finally murmured.

[isnt_the_same]

He nodded a little before letting his eyes close and his breathing even out.

[chesstotem]

Ariadne stayed awake for quite a while after Arthur dropped off to sleep, but she never moved. Just watched him, until her thoughts and worries quieted enough that she finally fell asleep.

When she woke, the sun was streaming in through the window, and she shifted, remembering Arthur showing up, reaching for him in her bed.

[isnt_the_same]

Arthur was still sounded asleep, the jet lag hitting him harder than he expected.

[chesstotem]

Hesitantly, she wrapped an arm around his middle, snuggling closer to him.

[isnt_the_same]

Arthur shifted, his arm coming to rest around her again.

[chesstotem]

Ariadne exhaled a quiet breath, and soon dozed off again like that.

[isnt_the_same]

It was a couple of hours before Arthur started stirring and his eyes opened. Slowly, he started getting out of bed.

[chesstotem]

Ariadne shifted, making a sound in the back of her throat that was sort of like "mmfle". She blinked a few times, her eyes following Arthur. "Hey. Sleep well?"

[isnt_the_same]

"Yes," he replied as he stretched.

[chesstotem]

"Good. Want some coffee or something?" she asked, sitting up and running a hand through her hair.

[isnt_the_same]

"Actually," he got bed into bed. "I just want you." Arthur leaned over and kissed her.

[chesstotem]

"Oh," she said, but it was muffled into his mouth. She was still relaxed from sleep, so her arms slid lazily around him as she pulled him closer.