"Happy Birthday" (Inception A/E gift drabble)
Written as a birthday gift for lorichelle213. I hope you have a fantastic day, darling! <3
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Happy Birthday
Arthur went into work expecting to leave with a headache. Based on the research he did for every co-worker he ever encountered, Arthur knew that it was Eames’ birthday. His thirtieth, to be exact. Arthur never paid much attention to that sort of thing but he knew someone’s thirtieth birthday was supposed to be special. Therefore, he was expecting a very loud and unproductive day at the warehouse.
It wasn’t that he was against celebrating or letting Eames enjoy his day. It was just that their mark was flying out of the country in three days and if they didn’t grab the lowly businessman-turned-millionaire in his hotel outside the airport then he would be difficult to track down again. And if they missed their mark then they would definitely have no chance of completing their job on time.
Arthur told himself that a little celebration wouldn’t hurt. They already had everyone’s schedules planned out, details re-checked, documents forged. Ariadne had the dreamscape designed and beautiful, and Cobb had spent the last two days going over all the research Arthur had pulled, ensuring he knew everything there was to know about their mark. Arthur himself only had so much more work he could do in advance, and Eames merely had to practice a simple forgery and brush up on his rusty French.
As he walked towards the warehouse, collar turned up against the heavy downpour, Arthur told himself again that one day of celebration wouldn’t hinder them. In fact, it might even help everyone relax and make them perform better. So Arthur pocketed a small bottle of painkillers, made sure he had some money in his wallet, cast aside any work expectations for the day, and stepped into the warehouse.
He was shocked when he found the interior of the warehouse so silent that he could hear the rain pattering against the windows. Ariadne and Eames were both asleep, hooked up to the PASIV, and Dom was skimming through the files Arthur had left on his desk. Dom looked up and gave him an acknowledging wave before dropping his gaze back down to the documents.
Arthur walked over to his desk and dropped his bag, taking a moment to shake the rain from his coat before hanging it up. He wondered if everyone had already said their birthday wishes, celebrated with Eames for a few excitable moments, and then switched back to work mode. Arthur didn’t exactly feel disappointed that he missed out on the festivities – he hadn’t bought a gift and he didn’t know what to say anyway. But he hoped the others hadn’t cut the celebration short because they thought he would disapprove.
He was happy that everything seemed to be sorted though, the celebrating acknowledged and passed and everyone back to work. Arthur had been trying to figure out what he should say to Eames since ‘happy birthday’ didn’t seem like enough after all they had been through; ‘happy birthday’ was for acquaintances and friends, not for those who watched your back as you watched theirs on every job. He hadn’t been able to come up with anything more suitable and it had made him nervous, so now he felt more at ease.
The Point Man let himself slip into his work as time passed, pulling up more information on the mark and confirming that hotel and flight plans were still unchanged. He glanced over when he heard the PASIV timer, sending Eames a small smile that he hoped would convey the fact that he wished Eames well even if he had missed the celebrations. He would have said more but Ariadne trotted over then with her sketchpad, asking him for a few final suggestions on the dream.
The day passed quickly and when no one made any suggestion about lunch, Arthur opted to grab something to treat everyone. He placed the food on the centre desk when he returned but frowned in confusion when everyone grabbed their orders and returned to their respective desks. Arthur was all for being productive and focused but it was Eames’ birthday and it seemed a bit rude to leave the man eating alone.
A little uncertain but determined, Arthur took his box of food and sat down beside Eames, who was twirling a small pocket mirror around on the desk top while munching on his food with little interest. Eames glanced up at him with obvious surprise when Arthur sat down, but turned back to the mirror after a moment. Arthur could already see the beginning spider-webbing crack across the reflective surface from the abuse.
“Are you alright?” he asked, voice quiet. He wasn’t exactly hiding anything from the others, but he felt a little silly asking.
Eames sighed, letting the mirror clatter to the desk and fall still. Arthur watched him pick up his food with both hands and eat with a little more vigour. “I dislike the rain,” Eames informed him, looking past Arthur to the windows and dark skies beyond.
“An Englishman who hates rain,” Arthur raised an eyebrow, munching on his food slowly.
“Why do you think I moved to Mombasa?” Eames sent him a small smirk, though Arthur could see the corners of his mouth being weighed down again.
Arthur gave a weak smile in return and fidgeted with his fork. “So... do you have any plans for tonight?” he asked awkwardly, feeling very out of his comfort zone. Eames’ head snapped up as he quirked an eyebrow up. Arthur cleared his throat, feeling even more self-conscious now. “You know, for your birthday.” Eames was blinking at him silently, not uttering a sound, which made Arthur feel even more uncomfortable and put on the spot. “Happy birthday, by the way. Sorry I missed the celebrating earlier.”
“What celebrating?” Eames asked, confused and dull.
Arthur’s heart clenched in his chest. “Didn’t the others...?” he began to ask but trailed off, already reading the answer in Eames’ face. Eames was a master at hiding his feelings in dreams, but this was reality and Arthur had been around him long enough to recognize the way his face lengthened with disappointment. “They forgot,” he answered himself, voice hushed.
Eames gave a shrug that wasn’t as nonchalant as he probably intended. “I don’t blame them,” Eames said, voice quiet to keep it from carrying. “They weren’t the ones I was expecting to remember.” Arthur gave him an expectant look, knowing it wasn’t his place but curious anyway. “Just a few living relatives and very old friends,” Eames offered, though he didn’t seem to have the energy to elaborate. “It’s not likely I could have them over for dinner or anything, but a call would have been nice.”
Arthur watched Eames attempt another smile and then let it crumble. They both picked at their food for a few moments in silence, appetite gone. Arthur felt a heavy ache in his heart as he watched Eames attempt to hide his lonely disappointment, though he couldn’t help but remember the genuine smile that briefly emerged when Arthur made an effort to come over and talk to Eames.
No one would ever say that Arthur had much skill when it came to social interaction or celebration planning, but Arthur knew that he wanted to do whatever he could to make Eames’ day a special one. “Let me take you out tonight,” he requested, trying to keep his nerves out of his voice. He was aware of how out of character this was for him and could only imagine what Eames was thinking, but it all seemed worth it when Eames nodded and gave him a grin that could outshine the sun.
#
“Make a wish,” Arthur told Eames as he set the two cupcakes down, one with a single lit candle shoved through the icing. When he had asked Eames where he wanted to go, or what he wanted to do, he had been expecting the man to request a bar or some other form of nightlife. Instead, Eames had requested a quiet dinner out and then dragged Arthur into a hole-in-the-wall bakery they passed on their way back to the hotel.
Eames had picked out the cupcake he wanted and insisted that Arthur get a matching one. The Forger was looking his over, watching the flame flicker with his breath. Arthur recognized that familiar look of concentration and smiled at knowing Eames was thinking about his wish so seriously. There were certain childlike qualities Eames possessed – never-ending curiosity and excitement – that Arthur found endearing. Eames took a deep breath and raised his eyes to meet Arthur’s as he blew out the candle. “I wish you would kiss me.”
Arthur choked on nothing at his surprise. “You’re not supposed to say your wish aloud,” Arthur croaked, trying to ignore the way his heart was racing. He knew his cheeks were red; he could feel it.
“I guess I’ll take my chances,” Eames smiled at him, a look of understanding in his eyes. He looked nervous with his own boldness but it was clear that he wasn’t going to pressure Arthur.
This somehow made Arthur feel more confident and, before he could lose his nerve, he leaned over and kissed Eames on the cheek. He sat back hurriedly and began picking at the sprinkles on his own cupcake. “For good luck,” he explained softly.
Eames was silent and Arthur felt his stomach twisting with nerves. He snuck a glance at the Forger and couldn’t stop his smile when he noticed Eames staring at his cupcake with a dazed, blissful smile on his lips. Eames looked up and their eyes locked. “I’ll take it,” Eames beamed at him. “Thank you for making my birthday.”
“Anytime,” Arthur smiled in return and together they bit into their respective cupcakes.
