Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/ works/189878. Rating: Explicit Archive Warning: Underage Category: M/M Fandom: Inception_(2010) Relationship: Arthur/Eames_(Inception) Character: Arthur_(Inception), Eames_(Inception) Additional Tags: High_School, Alternate_Universe, Romance, First_Time Series: Part 4 of Glycerine Stats: Published: 2011-04-24 Words: 4528 ****** A Movie Script Ending ****** by cherryvanilla Summary “Now we all know the words were true in the sappiest songs.” Or, a day trip filled with music, pizza, and another first for Arthur. Notes Title and Summary by Deathcab for Cutie. Arthur is 16, Eames is 18. See the end of the work for more notes Arthur’s had crushes before but they’ve never felt like this. With Robert Fischer, it was weird because they’d been friends since grade school and suddenly Arthur was 13 and realizing he wasn’t interested in the way Sally Kendrickson was sucking on her lollipop. Instead, he was intently focused on the way Robert would randomly chew on the ends of his long hair during class. With Robert, he felt exhilarated because they actually talked and Arthur cherished those stolen moments. Then one afternoon after school when Arthur had perhaps been sitting a bit too close, Robert had leaned over and said, “It’s cool, you know... but I’m not like you, Arthur. I kinda like Sally.” And so Arthur maybe had cried a little to Ariadne that night who, in turn, cried with him upon discovering she wasn’t the object of Robert’s affections either. Things had been weird for a little while but eventually they were cool and now Arthur can’t even remember having those feelings for Robert; at the time they felt heightened and real but it was obviously nothing more than a passing fad. Then he met Dom and this crush was more lovesick puppy than anything else. At first he’d admired him from afar but soon, since Ariadne had made friends with Mal, Arthur had found himself on the receiving end of little nods in the hallway that would cause him to go wide-eyed and goofy. Yet he found the more he hung out with Dom, actually got to know him, the less he objectified him. Dom ended up becoming real; not just a thought in his head after months of watching him from his open locker. Dom was smart and didn’t fall into any type of jock stereotype you could think of and most of all, he genuinely liked Arthur. As crushes go, it all ended up being rather pathetically anticlimactic but Arthur hadn’t really cared in the end, especially since Mal was rather terrific. With Eames, it’s completely different. Eames makes his pulse race just by smiling at him. Arthur doesn’t just want to be with him constantly but, in addition, wonders what he’s doing when he’s not. Eames makes Arthur think about life after high school, trips to England and upcoming planned concerts. Eames looks at Arthur in ways Arthur’s only seen in movies or read about in classic novels. Eames, Arthur recognizes, is no crush. Arthur understands things are all that more severe in high school. He’s heard the tales; everything seems more dramatic, more important, and more significant than it really is. With Eames, Arthur fails to think this statistic applies. ________________________________________ They make out a lot. It’s better than Arthur ever imagined while in his room at night, jerking himself off to pictures of Gavin Rossdale and Eddie Vedder. Eames can’t seem to get enough of Arthur’s mouth. Arthur, in turn, is rather partial to Eames’ thighs and the way they feel against his palms, warm and firm. Arthur likes it even more when Eames is naked against him. Each time they’ve seen each other since That Saturday, Arthur wonders if this day will be “The Day”. Eames keeps the stuff in his drawer near his bed and Arthur could easily reach over and open it; he’s thought about it a countless number of times. Instead, on a Saturday afternoon in which they’re both completely free of obligations, Eames takes him on a day trip to a record store in downtown Chicago; Arthur’s never seen him so giddy just at the mere prospect. They drive in Eames’ Saturn, Eames popping in a cassette blindly, which is obviously in the middle of its playback. One song ends and Arthur recognizes the one that begins. Eames starts humming along to Why’d You Want You, while Jim from The Jesus and Mary Chain sings that he gave himself to drink and drugs and filth. “Now this is definitely on The Sound of Speed.” Eames shoots him a quick, toothy grin. “Still love that you know it. And them in general.” Arthur smiles and can’t help but duck his head a little. Eames just does things to him. Eames starts chattering on about Jim’s voice and how awesome he is. “You have a bit of a crush on him, don’t you?” Arthur asks, barely a question. Eames’ grin is lopsided. “I’ll never tell.” “You so do,” Arthur pokes at him. “Have you ever seen them in concert?” And seriously, how has he never asked this before? “Yeah, saw them play Shepherd’s Bush a couple years back. Oh my god, they were bloody incredible, Arthur.” Arthur smiles; he’s been doing that an awful lot lately. His sister rolls her eyes at him on a near daily basis before saying, “Seriously, Arthur I’m going to puke if you don’t stop.” “Sounds like it was great,” Arthur says to Eames. “Mmm,” says Eames, reaching over to run his fingers down Arthur’s shoulder. Even through his flannel and Hole t-shirt the touch is like fire. The drive is a rather lengthy one so after a few songs Eames tells Arthur to put on whatever he wants. Arthur digs through the mess of tapes in the glove compartment and finds something that is literally labeled “random mix.” He shakes his head and pops it in. The distant electric shrill of Mr. Freeze by K’s Choice fills the speakers around them and Arthur smiles brightly, looking over at Eames. As soon as the lyrics begin they start singing, loud and emphatic. They collapse into giggles after a few seconds. “I love them,” Arthur says “Sarah’s voice is awesome.” “Yeah it is,” Eames agrees. “Would you wanna see them if they come around?” he asks Eames, tentatively. “Fuck yes,” Eames says and Arthur feels himself flush. One of these days he’ll stop getting so excited over the prospect of future plans. One of these days he’ll realize Eames isn’t about to walk out of his life any moment. But then “Wait” comes on and Arthur remembers that was essentially his life before Eames; hopeless crushes and unattainable boys. The song used to make him wistful, but, now looking at Eames all it does is make him realize how much that uncertainty no longer exists. ________________________________________________ When they walk into the record store Arthur cannot suppress an incredulous laugh. He looks at Eames, who shrugs in return, grinning. Cherry Came Too is playing over the speakers and Eames immediately starts singing to himself. “Cherry takes me to the place above, with barbed wire kisses...” Arthur loves Eames’ singing voice; it’s a higher register, soft and lilting. Eames is practically bobbing his head as he falls in step in front of Arthur, navigating the narrow aisle. Eames walks with a near bounce in his step and Arthur smiles so hard his dimples hurt. He’s wearing his damn Ride t-shirt (“It’s my favorite, love,” he’d said one day) which is far too loose fitting and Arthur again spares a thought to tearing it off him so he can see all that is underneath. Once Eames takes off his denim jacket later, though, Arthur knows he’ll be able to see muscles straining under the cuffs of his shirt. Arthur just wants to lick him. “This reminds me of the record store in Before Sunrise,” Arthur muses. “Have you seen it?” “No.” “I’ll have to show it to you sometime,” Arthur says absently. “Anyway, there were listening booths in that store and this amazing scene in which the two characters are sitting in one.” Arthur doesn’t add that he wishes to reenact that scene with Eames. Eames looks back and smiles at him, fondly. “We have those in London. I’d love to take you.” Arthur flushes when Eames’ hand inches backward, his fingers casually brushing Arthur’s thigh. Arthur wonders if he’ll ever get used to this, used to Eames, who is warm and inviting yet fiercely passionate and opinionated. And sometimes he looks at Arthur, like he is right now, as though no one else in the world exists. They split up at the end of the row, Eames heading immediately toward the vinyl while Arthur ties to hunt down Mazzy Star’s first CD which has been eluding him for years; his damn CD club doesn’t carry it and neither does The Wiz. They catch one another’s eyes across the store and hold their arms up in victory at the same time. Eames is grinning with a soft look in his eyes as they make their ways over to one another. Eames asks what Arthur’s buying and wrinkles his nose when Arthur shows him; not at the content but Arthur’s preferred method of playback. “One day I’ll break you of the habit of those evil shiny circles,” Eames laments. “One day you will succumb to their power,” Arthur replies. “Never! I shall prevail!’ Eames says emphatically, raising his fist in some kind of vinyl solidarity. Arthur laughs and shoves at him playfully. A girl looking in the ‘rock’ section catches Arthur’s eye and gives him a sly yet soft smile like she knows a secret. Perhaps she does. “Whatcha got?” says Arthur. Eames holds his conquest proudly in front of him. Arthur quirks an eyebrow. “Bowie? Thought for sure you’d be leaving here with something that starts with ‘Jesus’ and ends with ‘Chain’.” Eames grins like a shark. “Serves you right for assuming, darling. Not so predicable as you thought, am I now?” Arthur feels his face heat up at the endearment. “Have you ever heard Ziggy?” Arthur shakes his head and feels his blush spread high on his cheekbones. Eames is murmuring now, voice all liquidly smooth and deep. Arthur has a flash of them in bed together, roving hands and his own lips trailing down the column of Eames’ throat. Eames’ grin grows impossibly wider, as though he knows Arthur’s exact thoughts. “Ready?” he asks, completely innocent. Arthur licks his lips. “As ever.” He leaves his tone suggestive and walks to the front of the store, fully aware if he looked back Eames would be staring at his ass with his mouth slightly open. When they exit, Eames suggests a restaurant with some fantastic deep dish. Their hands bump occasionally as they walk, and Arthur finds himself wanting to lean into the contact. They talk about school while they eat; Eames has an upcoming art history exam that he’s worried about and Arthur… well, Arthur always feels uncomfortable talking about school because high school must seem so trivial to Eames. Regardless, Eames always appears interested and completely empathetic to whatever Arthur says. After they’ve both devoured their meals, Arthur notices a few stray crumbs at the corner of his mouth. Impulsively, he leans over to brush them off. Eames captures his fingers, curling the digits around his own, fitting them against his knuckles. Arthur looks at their hands on the table and swallows. “Um,” Arthur starts. “What’s wrong?” asks Eames, voice warm and fond. Arthur’s staring at their hands and then he casts a furtive look around the restaurant. “Just.. guys don’t normally. Hold hands, in public. Right?” Eames shrugs and looks around them, then back at Arthur. “I don’t care. Why, do you?” His voice is a little hard and Arthur stares at their fingers again before slowly rubbing his thumb against the back of Eames’ hand. “No, I just never thought you wouldn’t.’ Eames squeezes Arthur’s hand. “Well, you don’t know me as well as thought then, do you?” Eames says quietly and then raises their entwined hands to his lips and kisses them just as the waitress comes over. Arthur vaguely sees her double take but Eames never releases Arthur’s hand, just smiles at her brightly and thanks her for the check. Eames holds Arthur’s hand all the way back to the car. Arthur’s full aware of the random stares and head shakes they’re receiving but he can’t bring himself to care about other people’s hate and ignorance; not when Eames’ hand is warm and dry in his and Eames is looking at him like he’s the only person who exists. There’s only one train of thought racing through Arthur’s mind and it scares the hell out of him: I love him I love him I fucking love him. Back in the car Arthur falls silent, somewhat reeling from the strength of his feelings. It isn’t like he only just realized this could be love. To be honest, he’s been feeling it since their first official date but it’s more acute now, inescapable. Eames doesn’t push him to talk, understands that sometimes Arthur gets weird and quiet. He hums along to Slowdive, his hand resting on Arthur’s thigh. Arthur leans his head back against the seat and sighs contentedly, mind suddenly turning towards what will happen when they get back to Eames’ room. He shivers in anticipation; Eames’ fingers tighten around his thigh in response.   _______________________________________________ “You wanna listen to Ziggy?” Eames asks, pushing his way through the door to his dorm room. He immediately slings his jacket over the desk chair; Arthur wants to pounce on him. “Yeah, sure,” Arthur says and sits down on the bed, toeing off his converse. Eames follows suit, then hesitates at the foot of the bed. Arthur pushes backwards onto it, looking up at Eames in invitation. “Um..” Eames stammers and Arthur thinks, oh shit, this is it. “Do you.. I bought some.. pot off Nash and uh, Ziggy’s really good to listen to stoned.” Arthur begins to open his mouth because this was not what he expected but Eames continues in a rush, “I don’t normally do it, Arthur, just.. sometimes. I hope you, I mean..” Eames trails off and Arthur reaches up, rubbing at Eames’ bare forearm. “Eames, it’s cool. And um, yeah, sure.. we can.” Eames lets out a rush of air and the tension in his shoulders dissipates. Eames walks to the desk and Arthur watches as he packs a bowl and then loads up the record. Arthur notes he locks the door on his way back to the bed and a tremor of anticipation surges through him once more. “One day we’ll have to do this while watching The Wizard of Oz and listening to Dark Side,” Eames says. Arthur’s certain there’s a story there but he’s not interested at the moment. He just nods absently and shifts over, scooting back against the pillows while the bed dips from Eames’ weight. Eames leans over and kisses Arthur shallowly before sucking in a hit. Arthur watches, ready to mimic Eames’ movements but soon Eames’ lips are on his and he’s breathing into Arthur’s mouth, lips slightly parted. Arthur inhales, taking in the tendrils of smoke and the soft press of Eames’ mouth. Eames kisses him then; tongue brushes Arthur’s in hello. Arthur smiles against Eames’ lips; he fits here. Arthur blows out the smoke as they part, feeling a little loose. Eames takes another hit. Arthur’s noticed the music around them, and falls into its dreamy rhythm. Bowie is singing about five years and Arthur thinks he’s love with both the sound and the man next to him. Eames sets the bowl down on the nightstand and curls around Arthur, diving straight in for his lips while pressing a hand to the small of his back. Arthur throws his leg over Eames’ calf and cants his hips forward. Eames’ hands are trailing over his ass with intent and Arthur breaks away, gasping, “Is um…will someone..?” Eames shakes his head, eyes stunningly dark, lips red and swollen. “Nash is away for the weekend.” Arthur nods, shakily, and surges forward again. Eames slides his hand beneath Arthur’s clothes, fingers brushing the skin at the waistband of his jeans while his other hand slowly slides down the zipper to his hoodie. Arthur finds the move beyond hot and presses back into Eames’ hand, which is now traveling up his spine, palm flat and fingers splayed wide. Arthur begins to lose himself in Eames’ touches and the music filling the room. He loves what he’s hearing but he wants Eames naked against him even more. He tugs at Eames’ shirt, pulling it up and off before capturing Eames’ lips with his again, kissing him harder, a clash of tongue and teeth. Eames moans softly against Arthur’s mouth and it still thrills him that he can coax those sounds of Eames. He slides his hands down to the front of Eames’ jeans, popping upon the button and fingering the zipper. Eames groans deep in his throat and starts fumbling for Arthur’s own fly. Eames’ mouth breaks away to suck kisses down Arthur’s neck, pausing right above his shirt collar before latching on, scraping his teeth slightly amidst the suction. Arthur jerks in his arms while Eames sucks what will undoubtedly be a dark bruise into Arthur’s skin. He can’t be bothered to care; just slides Eames’ zipper down carefully, feeling the thick bulge beneath his knuckles. “Arthur,” Eames sighs against his throat. He gets Arthur’s own zipper down and then pulls back to sit on his haunches, slipping between Arthur’s spread thighs. Arthur grins lazily up at him, the little bit of pot he inhaled taking effect, making him feel light and giddy. Eames’ own eyes are red and his pupils are blown. He licks his lips lewdly and tugs Arthur’s pants down. Arthur shimmies his hips and arches upward. His jeans get tangled around Eames’ body and he kicks them off, one leg at a time. Eames laughs and runs his fingers over Arthur’s boxers, teasing the length of him. Arthur’s head falls back against the pillow and he reaches for Eames blindly. Eames, however, is already scrambling off the bed, shedding his jeans as he goes before settling between Arthur’s thighs, biting at the first the left then the right. Arthur’s hands immediately fall to Eames’ shoulders, stroking the broad expanse as his eyes drift closed again. Eames slowly eases Arthur’s boxers off, pushing them down around his thighs. Arthur’s hips surge forward when he feels the warm heat of Eames’ mouth suckling lazily at the head of his dick. Eames swallows him deeper and Arthur cries out, gasping Eames’ name while tight, wet heat surrounds him. Eames traces Arthur’s lips with the pads of his fingers. Arthur opens beneath him, as if on automatic, sucking two fingers deep into his mouth, rolling his tongue around the soft skin. Heat pools behind Arthur’s eyes when Eames moans in appreciation, the rumbling sound vibrating around Arthur’s cock. Arthur’s so distracted by the feel of Eames’ mouth and the quick flicks of his incredible tongue that he doesn’t register at first when a slick finger circles his hole. Not until Eames is slowly pushing in does Arthur jerk. Eames pulls off, his cheek rubbing against the underside of Arthur’s cock. “Shhh, relax, love. This okay?” Arthur breathes deeply. “Yes, yeah.” And god, it is. Eames’ fingers are blunter than his own and the burn is delicious. Arthur spreads his legs a little wider. Eames is slow and careful, going back to lick at Arthur’s cock before swallowing him down again. His finger barely presses forward, just shallowly breaching him over and over until Arthur loosens around him. Eames presses deeper while sucking Arthur down to the root and Arthur’s never been more thankful for Eames’ multitasking skills or his fanfuckingtastic fingers. Arthur nearly comes when Eames’ finger brushes over a particular spot and his hips jolt forward. Eames doesn’t even choke, just sucks him harder and twists his finger slightly. Eames has two fingers in Arthur before he realizes it, mouth now nuzzling at his balls, rolling them against his tongue. Arthur slowly rolls his hips in time with Eames’ thrusts, his mouth suddenly dry and his eyes thick with sweat. Then Eames is gone and reaching over Arthur to The Drawer and yes, fucking yes. Eames says nothing, just returns to kissing him, letting Arthur taste his own pre-come. They kiss without urgency and somehow, Arthur knew it would be like this; that once they finally got here it’d be slow and unhurried; like they’re afraid something will shatter. Somehow, Eames lost his briefs and is pressed naked against him, tugging Arthur into his arms and reaching behind him to press a now even slicker finger against his hole. Arthur tugs Eames’ bottom lip into his mouth, his hands running up Eames’ thighs and down over his ass, squeezing him close so their dicks bump and glide together. Eames slides two fingers in and groans against Arthur’s open mouth, their panting breaths mingling together. When Eames tries for three, Arthur stutters out a sharp cry. “I’m sorry,” Eames says, voice low and soft. Arthur melts against him, mouth angling lower to bite along Eames’ jaw. “It’s okay,” Arthur reassures, willing his body to relax. “I want you so much,” Eames breathes. Arthur tightens his hold on Eames’ ass and groans when their cocks come further into contact. “Please,” is all Arthur can say and when Eames presses in deeper, spreads him wider, his head falls back and he comes, cursing as he does because fuck, no. “Oh, god, Arthur,” Arthur can hear Eames saying through the rush of blood in his ears. “Oh christ, you’re beautiful.” Arthur’s biting his own lip and Eames’ mouth is hot and parted against his throat. Arthur’s cock jerks between them, splashing their bodies with come and Arthur can’t bother to care about going off early when Eames is saying things like that. Eames fingers are still inside him, and Arthur feels so full. Before he can so much as blink down at Eames, he’s gone again, fingers sliding out and mouth dipping down to lap at Arthur’s stomach. Arthur quivers beneath his touch, aftershocks still coursing through his body. Eames is murmuring things Arthur can’t make out against his belly before maneuvering Arthur onto his side, facing away from him. Arthur feels Eames’ body fitting tightly against his and he decides he could stay like this forever. He’s about to tell Eames this, But then he hears something being ripped open and Arthur knows what it is, knows what is about to happen and saying those words aloud suddenly don’t seem as important. Eames lifts Arthur’s leg, holding it beneath his knee and stroking ever so slightly. Arthur feels him nudge his hips closer, feels the latex covered head of Eames’ cock brushes against his opening. Eames starts to push in, telling Arthur to “breathe out, easy now.” Arthur feels sweat drip down the sides of his face and worries at his bottom lip. Eames pushes in another inch and Arthur feels stretched impossibly wide around him. “Is this okay?” Eames asks, voice low and tentative. Arthur didn’t even realize his eyes were squeezed shut until his forehead begins to hurt. His chest is heaving and one of Eames’ arms is curled beneath his ribs, stroking his abdomen over and over. “Is this okay?” whispers Eames. He covers Eames' hand where it's on his knee, squeezes his fingers and says, “Yeah, just.. go slow.” Eames kisses behind Arthur’s ear, lips brushing his dampened hair more than anything else. “As slow as you need,” Eames responds. Eames’ hips stutter and Arthur hears him take a deep, shuddering breath. Eames holds himself still, so still, while curving his fingers down around Arthur’s waist. Arthur takes in the feel of Eames' cock, wistfully wishing he could be bare against his insides. He feels his cock begin to stir again, feels Eames’ fingers now slippery against his knee, lifting his leg a little higher. Arthur hears Eames take a gulping breath, fingers raising to brush along the too strained muscles of Arthur’s stomach. “You're fantastic.,” whispers Eames. “So tight. God, Arthur you're unreal.” Arthur's chest seizes at the words and then he reaches back, awkwardly, sliding his fingers along Eames' torso, curling against Eames' skin and pulling him in. "I'm ready.. come on..” Arthur urges, head dropping back against Eames' shoulder. Eames shuffles, attempting to raise his trapped arm. He manages to crook it so he can swipe Arthur’s hair off his forehead. He leans forward and kisses Arthur's temple. Arthur feels him push slowly out and then back in; he cries out in painful pleasure while Eames finds a rhythm, all the while Eames asking him, “How does this feel? This okay, baby?” Arthur’s dick is full now, pressing against his stomach and he’s never felt such a mix of sensations in his life. Eames fucks into him slowly, so slow, bending Arthur’s leg up and back, widening the angle of his thrusts until Arthur is loose and pliant around him. Eames’ lips stay firmly planted to his neck, licking and suckling fervently. Arthur pushes back against each thrust, their movements becoming more kinetic and ungraceful. “Touch yourself,” Eames begs, mouth brushing along Arthur’s jaw. Arthur does; grips his now leaking cock and pushes back harder against Eames, grinding back against him, neck craning, and stretching into a clumsy kiss. Eames groans softly against his lips, biting and tugging until Arthur can do nothing but gasp. “I’m gonna come,” Eames says, “Arthur, oh.” and Arthur clenches around him, lets himself feel the pulsing of Eames’ cock inside him. He bucks up into his own hand and goes off a few seconds later, with Eames whispering his name over and over. They breathe heavily and Eames drops Arthur’s leg slowly, pulling back a little and easing himself out. Arthur sighs as he slips out, body instinctively moving backward. Eames strokes his hair, tucking some unruly strands behind his ear before kissing Arthur’s cheek, his jaw, anywhere he can reach, it seems. Arthur snuggles back against him, feeling achy and sore but loving every minute of it. “How are you?” Eames asks. “Mmm, good,” Arthur sighs, stretching and turning, his arms slipping around Eames’ waist. Arthur settles himself against Eames and tucks his neck beneath Eames’ chin. “After this… I may never be able to stop now, Arthur,” Eames says, laughing a little. Arthur looks up at him. “I don’t want you to stop,” he says, with all the honesty he has in him. Eames’ head jerks down, his eyes turning serious. He searches Arthur’s face for a moment and then says, “I won’t.” This is the moment when you say I love you. Arthur knows it. Just like he knows he and Eames are mirror images of one another right now. Eames’ lips part but no sound emits. His eyes drift away from Arthur’s face and he looks lost for a moment. Arthur cups Eames’ cheek with the palm of his hand. “Me too.” When Eames meets his gaze his eyes are wide with surprise. Then Arthur is being hugged so tightly that all of the air sweeps out of his lungs. “God,” Eames says shakily. “Arthur,” he laughs, a little wildly. “You’re right stuck with me, you know that, yeah?” Arthur closes his eyes and lets a wide grin spread across his face. “Good.” He squeezes Eames tighter to him, pressing his face into the juncture of Eames’ neck. Good. [end] End Notes This is most likely the last story in this series and I do hope you’ve enjoyed reading it as much as I have writing it. this is Eames’ Ride shirt This is Arthur’s Hole shirt The_Sound_of_Speed is a compilation of rare tracks/b-sides/singles from The Jesus and Mary Chain. Mazzy_Star ’s first CD is She Hangs Brightly. Eames_bought_David_Bowie’s_The_Rise_and_Fall_of_Ziggy_Stardust_and the_Spiders_From_Mars,_one_of_the_greatest_albums_to_ever_exist. In case you don’t know, if you sync up The Wizard of Oz (after the MGM lion’s third roar) to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon you’ll be in for quite a treat This scene in Before Sunrise is cinematic perfection. Please drop_by_the_archive_and_comment to let the author know if you enjoyed their work!