for isnt_the_same

[chesstotem]

Arthur had been in London for the past two weeks, and Ariadne had been hiding out in Paris, dodging her friends and her handler. But Miles was CIA, too, and he'd been at this a lot longer than she - she'd never be able to keep everything from him.

"That you're sleeping with him isn't what has me concerned," he said, his voice low and gruff-sounding over the phone. "If that's what you needed to do to gain his complete trust, then that's your job. But I know you. You have feelings for him."

"No, it's not like that," she said, frustrated. "He's not the big fish here, Miles. There's something else going on. I think we should extend him an offer of immunity - I think he'd be willing to help."

"There is no evidence of any grand dreamshare conspiracies, despite your unpleasant experience at the hands of this... Quentin's goons. He's probably just a rival. Keep your eye on Arthur, that's your job. And be careful. You're already in this up to your neck. Remember who you are and why you're there. You know how charming he can be."

Ariadne frowned. "I know. I'll be okay. Don't worry."

Comments

[chesstotem]

"I... Sure, yeah," she said, tamping down her confusion. Spending more time with him - just the two of them - was just what she wanted. Right?

[isnt_the_same]

"Good," he said. "Would you like dessert?"

[chesstotem]

"Sure, if you do. Something chocolate?"

[isnt_the_same]

"Sure. I think they have some sort of gourmet chocolate ice cream here," he said before gesturing for the waiter.

[chesstotem]

"Sounds perfect," she murmured with a small smile.

[isnt_the_same]

Arthur asked for it and five minutes later the waiter came back with a bowl of ice cream and two spoons.

[chesstotem]

She tried a bite and smiled. "Well, this is definitely the best ice cream I've ever tasted."

[isnt_the_same]

Arthur tried a spoonful and nodded.

[chesstotem]

She reached across and swiped a drip of ice cream off his lower lip playfully.

[isnt_the_same]

"Thanks," he said with a smile.

[chesstotem]

She glanced down. "Are you happy? With... more than one?"

[isnt_the_same]

"It's more out of convenience," he answered honestly.

[chesstotem]

She tilted her head. "I guess I... don't really understand. Am I not enough?"

[isnt_the_same]

"You live here," he said. "And while we work together, I like to not think about it all the time."

[chesstotem]

"I could live somewhere else?" she suggested immediately.

[isnt_the_same]

"Would you?" He asked.

[chesstotem]

"Well... yeah. If it's Paris that bothers you, then...We'll go somewhere else," she said quietly. "I was here for school, but I'm done with that. We're partners, so we can decide where to live."

She hesitated. "Would... Would that..." She trailed off, shaking her head.

[isnt_the_same]

"So you'd move basically anywhere just to be closer to me?"

[chesstotem]

"We're partners," she repeated. "Can't we... choose someplace to live? Together? I mean, not together together, but..."

[isnt_the_same]

"You can stay in Paris, don't worry," he said.

[chesstotem]

"But what would be... convenient for you?"

[isnt_the_same]

"Why are you asking?"

[chesstotem]

"Well, I mean... If we live in the same city, that would be more convenient for both of us, right?"

[isnt_the_same]

"Convenient in what terms?"

[chesstotem]

"For work, of course."