[01] Well, hello -- Criminal Minds for noc

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Inception.

Arthur had said it couldn't be done and yet here he was, boarding a plane to Prague just hours after completing the unfathomable.

They had just barely scraped through, what with all of the last minute plan changes, and they wouldn't know for weeks whether the seed would take but so far it looked like it had and they were all alive. To be honest, it had been one of the most difficult jobs of Arthur's career and also the most eye opening experience he's had in a long time.

Once Cobb and Fischer Jr had left with their respective parties, Arthur had seen their forger and chemist off. They were a pair who defied the expectations of their profession openly admitted to being together and never working without the other to wherever it was that they would spend their fourth - fifth honeymoon. ("Cabo." "God no, remember last time?" "Nepal? You liked Nepal." "It wasn't Nepal that I liked so much as --" Anyway, you get the picture.)

Once he had seen them off, he watched Ariadne buy her ticket for her return trip to Paris (she did have classes to return to after all) and would be sure to keep in contact with the architect. She had promise and if she chose to continue in dream share, she should work with some of the best.

As for Arthur himself, he booked the first flight he could to Prague. He had a safe house there and he could take a little time off to relax, study what Fischer did and check in with Cobb to see how he and the children were adjusting. He would never work with the extractor again unless in dire circumstances but the whole point was getting him back home to his children. As far as Arthur saw it, he had done just that.

He didn't normally indulge in first class seating when leaving a job - it could draw too much attention but for a fourteen hour flight, after just getting off of a long flight, he didn't feel like sitting in cramped corners with a child on one side and one behind him kicking his chair. At least in first class, that was bound to happen less. For now, it appeared that the chair next to him was empty and he was a little thankful for that. Perhaps he'd get a little sleep after all - well, eventually. Once the adrenaline of what he just helped accomplished wore off.

Comments

I know, right?! So would love that.

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The thing was, Tuck didn't even ask. He knew better. Even if everyone else's life was not like his own, he didn't push for that. He'd learned over the years to offer and see how things worked out.

He smiled then, moving to stand up. "Only if you'..." And that made things sure. Blushing, he nodded. "Oh good. We're on the same page."

Me. Too!

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Arthur stood and moved out into the alley and stretched his arms above his head. He quickly opened up the compartment above their heads and took down his bag before giving him a grin - still finding the blush to be charming. "Definitely on the same page, Mr. Tuck," he said and gave a nod to the men who had sent them the champagne early on in the flight.

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Staring up at Arthur, he found himself unable to stop smiling. There was plans for dinner. This wasn't just being cute and drunk on a plane maybe. He knew it wouldn't last and yet the desire for just that was more than he could let go of suddenly.

"Good. I'm glad."

He rose, winking at Arthur as he went to introduce himself to the couple, thanking them and then he was blushing darker when he came back, reaching for his bag.

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He stood and watched Tuck talk to the couple then return with a darker red. "What did they say," he asked with a little smile on his lips, out of curiosity. Arthur adjusted the back over his shoulder and waited till Tuck had everything he brought with him.

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He shook his head, glancing at Arthur and grinning. "They told me that we were adorable, but they were disappointed we didn't take advantage of the larger loo on transcontinental flights," he admitted, shaking his head again.

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Arthur could feel a flush creeping up his neck as he laughed. "Well, someone didn't want to be arrested for public indecency," he sent a, what he would defend as fond, smirk in Tuck's direction as they made their way off of the plane with their belongings.

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Tuck considered that for a long moment and then laughed. "Yeah, don't think my boss would be real pleased with that." God, he couldn't even get help given he was on his own on this job.

"Oh, you meant you, didn't you?"

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He chuckled a little and shook his head. "No, I can imagine that he wouldn't be too pleased," Arthur mused. He wasn't exactly too worried about himself. He was using a different identity currently according to the flight's manifesto and if he did get into a spot of trouble, he knew a few people who could get him out of said trouble. That wasn't to say they wouldn't make a snide remark or two about it but he was thankful that they landed safely with no handcuffs in sight.

"Mm, I was thinking you specifically."

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"Course, then I would have extra time," he pointed out. "You know, for dating or whatever" It was a bad joke, trying to make things light hearted and silly. "I wouldn't have any money but I would have time."

Following alongside Arthur, smiling and more than content with the time they were sharing. "Well, someone worrying out for me. That's new."

...the icon is staying. LOL! I adore you random icon.

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Arthur raised an eyebrow as they walked, his lips curling up on the side. "Sounds to me that it would be awfully boring," he teased back as he glanced over at him. Though it was a joke, Arthur knew he would go nuts and often times, he did when he was off of a job for more than a few weeks.

"Will wonders never cease," he said, his tone fond. "Considering how we met that is." They joined the line at customs. Arthur wasn't too worried about getting through customs and immigration at the airport so his posture was relaxed and confident as he stood with Tuck.

Heheh. One of my fave things is random icon

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"You know, some days I think I could do with what people call boring. Some picnics, maybe take in a movie, not work work work all the time," he admitted, chuckling and more than amused with himself if his rolling gait and bright words were any indication.

Tuck was actually more turned to focus on Arthur and not the line. Anything he needed was already in the country. It was how it worked. He had an address and there would be a drop box there, waiting for him.

Me too!!!!

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"Yeah," Arthur asked, glancing over at him with a little smile. He supposed if he had someone to do those sorts of things with, he may not mind it so much. He remembered the days that Mal would get onto him about how he worked too much and still, that hadn't changed much. If anything, while he was on the run with Cobb, it grew exponentially. Now, he was taking a little R & R -- or as much of one as Arthur could considering who he was and his worth ethic. "Suppose if there was someone to do those things with, I wouldn't mind either," he admitted.

It didn't take long before they were through customs and walking toward baggage claim together.

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"Of course, that fun sensation would last like... maybe two days," he admitted. "And then I would go batshit nuts with boredom. I mean, seriously, nuts," he said, finding that humourous. "I've been working since I was a teenager, not sure I could go to doing nothing."

He glanced at Arthur. "See, you say it like that though and sounds like we should have a vacation plan in the future," he teased. "When we can both find the time. I'm going to assume that will be about never," he admitted, more than amused with himself and it showed.

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Arthur found himself chuckling and nodded. "No, I would go nuts in a matter of days," he admitted with a rather large grin. "I've been working since I was sixteen and honestly, I couldn't go long doing nothing either."

His eyebrows rose in amusement. "Now, I never said that," he teased him in return. "From what it sounds like - I doubt either of us will be off at the same time," he grinned. "Least, long enough for a vacation."

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"I was on my own then," he admitted. "Honestly, ended up on the streets and then met someone and he got my life turned around," he admitted, smiling. It was obvious who he was talking about. "Then he dragged me into his life and I never looked back. We both had lost people young."

He grinned wider. "I think we should look into making plans for that if things with our going out and not calling it dating works out."

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He hadn't expected that admission from his companion. They had talked a lot over the last several hours of course but still, he hadn't fully expected him to tell him that. Still, Arthur found himself liking the fact that Tuck told him something so personal. "It helps to find someone who knows and understands where you've been," he said, knowingly.

Arthur grinned and looked at him in a considering manner. "Mm, I think if our dating-non-dating pans out, we could consider a shared vacation."

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"And to entirely dump too much onto a bloke you barely know," he admitted with a sigh. "Thanks for listening, and next time it'll be all smiles and cheerfulness," he vowed, meaning he would definitely try.

"Well well, this flight has been the best I've ever had," he admitted.

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"You're welcome," Arthur said with an amused little smile, watching him. Tuck was the first man that he could say was refreshingly open to him. In his line of business, that pretty much never happened for all the right reasons, of course. "Life isn't always just about the smiles and cheerfulness - I don't expect it," he said, being completely honest. He wasn't always cheerful or happy. He had been over the last several hours mostly because of three reasons: he just completed the hardest job of his career with his life in tact, he had several free drinks and he sat next to a charming and handsome man like Tuck.

He chuckled and ducked his head a little. "Have to agree with that. Certainly the most interesting."

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Tuck ached to take Arthur's hand, just to hold it while they walked. Except they were too close to baggage claim and it was taking too many chances. He could accept that but it didn't stop the desire he had.

"I don't need cheerful and smiles. All I ask for is fun and a delight. You are definitely those things." He didn't ask for honesty, because he knew he couldn't offer it in return.

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"I think I can manage fun and delight if that's all you're asking for," Arthur mused, sending him a bit of a flirtatious look. Though, it was a subtler flirtatious look than what was normal but still, there was no mistaking it. They were drawing closer to the baggage claim and he knew that once they grabbed their bags, they would be going their separate ways. It was the nature of it. At least until tomorrow evening when they would meet for dinner.

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"Oh wait,' he said, smiling at him as he moved to head into a small alcove. He gestured for Arthur with a nod of his head. "Come here and I'll tell you what I'm thinking about else that I need."

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Arthur arched an eyebrow when Tuck started in another direction then noticed the little alcove. A little smile curled onto his lips as he walked over and stepped into the alcove with him. "You know, I think I may know what you may need," he mused with a little smile.

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“Good. Makes this easier.”

He pulled him into his arms, hands splayed over the small of his back as he pulled him into his arms. The kiss was soft, not needy and drink fueled though he’d been drinking. It was needing something to hold to in case he didn’t see him again.

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The kiss was a much different kiss than the needy, alcohol fueled kiss they had shared on the plane but it was just as good, if not better than that one had been. Arthur stepped in closer and returned the kiss, slowly taking it a step further and deepening it, resting a hand on his waist.

Unless something came up between now and the next twenty four hours, there was no way Arthur was going to turn down a dinner with Tuck. He'd be at that hotel restaurant at the time they had discussed.

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There was a heat there, one that hadn't been there before. Something changed when there wasn't a worry about being watched from others on the plane, or risking being kicked off for public displays that were over the top.

This was something different though, sensual and soft and Tuck sighed as he made himself break the kiss.

"I suppose that is our goodbye, isn't it," he murmured softly. "At least until tomorrow?"