I'm not that good in English but when I started writing this in the first place, I just couldn't stop.

For the Thai version If you want to read The next day I will compose it again.

The Great Thief's Story

            Eames was a free man.

            Literallya free man.

            Hehad no responsibility, no burden, no relative he cares about, no relationship,no certain job, and no home. Yes, he had many accommodations around the worldbut there's no place he'd call home, not even his hometown. Especially hishometown, England, he still did not call his house a home. And a job? He wasgood at many things. Sometimes he wandered around, stealing, forging, gambling,lying. But he never stayed doing just one thing. When he was in his latetwenties, he was welcomed to dreamshare and made his reputation in just a fewyears. Not just as a good thief but a great forger. The job in dreamsharebusiness suited him completely. Always move around. Meet people but never stickin just one group.

            Sohe really was a free man.

            Untilhe met Arthur.

            Oh,Arthur. A young lad who was in the business not more than a year and suddenlybecame the best in the field. Jealous? No. Eames was not that type. Interested?Very. 

            Theirfirst meet was from a job, The Cobbs and Eames used to work together sometimestoo many, but this time they brought Arthur with them. The said was Arthur wastheir student, barely graduated yet and still became their point man. Therewere just 5 people in the team, Dom was the architect, Mal was the extractor,Eames was the forger, Fergus was their chemist, and Arthur was the pointman. 

            "HelloMr. Eames." Arthur said it without smiling. His hair was neatly combed.His serious face made him look older and so did his clothes, three-piece-suitand formal coat? That was not what teenagers wear these days. Although he mightbe the best, he was still young and naive. Eames read him and knew he hadeffect on Arthur more than he thought.

            "Hellodarling." And Eames did not get any reply back from him, but he saw hischeek blushed deeply, barely be seen without notice. Luckily Eames was a goodobserver.

            Inthe job, Eames noticed Arthur almost in every step he took. How his lean,almost skinny body shifted when he lifted the PASIV. How his firmed thighlooked when he sat for hours doing research. Even how his dimples showed whenthe Cobbs talked to him. Eames could easily saw how protective the Cobbs weretoward Arthur, just like Arthur was his own son, so Eames carefully butnot-subtly exposed his interest in the boy. 

            "He'stoo precious."

            Malsaid to him one afternoon when they were alone in the warehouse they use forthe job. Her words were protective but could not compare to her tone of voice.She told Eames to step away. Eames had reputation; of course it was notimpressive for a mother-like to hear about someone who's interested in her son.A thief. A great independent thief who never cares about people. Eames also hadheard the reputation of the Cobbs too, and he did step back. Just only a littleless than a half step.

            Theyfinished the job in a month. And in one month, Eames had learned some aboutArthur. He thought rationally and specifically. He was so good at details butlack of imagination. He worshiped the Cobbs, respected them just like a loyalsoldier, but sometimes he acted like a son. And he was also interested inEames. The way Arthur got annoyed easily only by Eames. The way Arthur mockedback at Eames like he could not hold his patience. It was obvious that Arthurtried to not interest in Eames. And that's what made Eames proud. 

            Afterthe job, Eames got a glare from Dominic. Not a scary, hard glare, but it stillwas a glare, but he couldn't care much. Eames got attached to the young manalready. Even he couldn't deny it. 

            Eameshadn't heard from Arthur for a year. When he met him again, he was alone. Hesaid the Cobbs were out of the field for good. Mal got pregnant. They quit anddid some study about dreamshare instead. So Arthur was alone with his newtotem, a red die which surprised Eames a little. He didn't seem to like risks.Again, Arthur was alone, working as a point man with Eames in the team. Theystill mocked at each other constantly; actually Eames flirted with him constantly.It just made Arthur lose his control.

            "Stopplaying your game Mr. Eames. It's annoying." Arthur said to him one dayduring the job after Eames kept calling him darling over and over.

            "I'mnot playing." Eames used his serious tone and that made Arthurblush. 

            Afterthat, they started flirting naturally. Eames always brought Arthur lunch andsat with him. Arthur got Eames coffee every morning. Eames didn't have to tellhim how he likes. Arthur knew it all. Young and naive Arthur was in Eames' handand Eames liked it.

            Butthe job was a terrible mess. Their extractor was not as good as Mal. Theirplans were exposed in five minutes after they went under. Amateur extractor.Good things were they had the best point man and the great forger under too.Eames and Arthur seduced the mark and brought the team to topside before itwent worse. At topside, their chemist got shot immediately after they woke up.Normally Eames would fight as fast as he could and escape as soon as possible.But then he realized there was Arthur. There was Arthur he couldn't leavebehind. Eames was not the best fighter but he can fight well enough. ButArthur, young and naive Arthur, was not the best fighter either. The worse washe wouldn't escape like Eames would, not until he helped everyone. Idiot. AndEames also was one, because when he had a chance to leave, he went back to helpArthur save everyone. 

            Thatwas when Eames realized he wasn't a free man anymore. Not with Arthurexisted. 

            Hecouldn't kill Arthur. Good Lord no, he would never do that. All he could do wasto step back from Arthur completely. To not get more attached. To not care morethan he did. So he stepped back. 

            Severalmonths after that job, he got some emails from Arthur. Not about jobs. But theywere all about daily messages. Eames never replied any. Before he noticed,Arthur stopped writing too. Four years passed, Eames heard rumor that DominicCobb was in the field again, this time as an extractor. There was the word Cobband Arthur. News about Dom had Arthur's name in it. Months after that, Mal wasgone. Eames met the pair again in a job in Hong Kong, they were different.Dominic Cobb looked a little lost and he took more risk than Eames remembered.He extracted as good as Mal ever did. Reckless but exciting. Arthur had grownup and changed. A lot. It was like he lost his naive part completely. He haddead glare, firm muscles, serious looking and his baby young face was alwayscovered by frown. Arthur looked older than Eames expected. Moreover, he stoppedcaring about what Eames did too. He never blushed even when Eames mocked orteased him, he sometimes snapped back, but mostly Arthur just ignored. Eamesfelt weird about that. 

            "You'regoing to make your pretty head explode, darling."

            "Ifyou have more coffee, no somnasin could get you sleep."

            "Haveyou ever tried to grow your hair long, darling?" 

            Adead glare was all Eames got. It was good, it was what Eames had wanted, but itmade Eames' chest tighten. It didn't feel right. He promised himself to stepback, to walk out, but he couldn't stop himself to try to get Arthur'sattention. He wanted more. He craved more. Even he was the one that gave up onthem; he still needed Arthur and Arthur only. And even through his ownconfusion, Eames did well enough for the job. After the job was finished, hewent to the states. He went right to the bar he used to go with Arthur;surprisingly Arthur was there too, alone at the bar, two shots of whiskey infront of him. Eames sat beside Arthur and felt he suddenly stiffed. 

            "Hellodarling."

            "Mr.Eames." Arthur said it sounded like a grunt. 

            Eamesglanced at him. His hair was still neatly combed, but his suit was loosened. Helooked wonderful. No one had spoken for hours. They sat together, ordered moreand more drinks, until one of them reached his limit, or both. So they startedtalking, slurring with words. Some of them made no sense. 

            "Idon't understand." Eames murmured loudly.

            "Meneither." Arthur replied back.

            Bothof them talked in the same but different thing. Arthur's long, slender fingerswere near Eames’ elbow. Neither of them could sit straight without leaning tothe bar. 

            "Ithought we would go further." Eames' words didn't sound like they werefrom him at all, but Arthur didn't seem to notice.

            "Youleft." Said Arthur.

            "Youmade me insecure." Eames said bluntly and was surprised when Arthur threwhis shot at him. Eames was drunkenly confused for a second. His face was soakedbut when he saw Arthur expression, he felt slightly more awake. 

            "F*ckyou and your selfishness, Eames. F*ck. You." Arthur said angrily but notloudly. No one paid attention to them, because neither Arthur nor Eames startedpunching or nothing had broken yet. Actually they were so calm and quieter thananyone at the moment. 

            Eamesstared at Arthur's eyes. He couldn't find the young and naive Arthur in them,instead he found deeply wounded Arthur and that he knew he had wounded Arthurhimself. Yes, Eames was selfish. Eames was afraid that he would lose hisfreedom if he had Arthur. Eames was a coward. He knew. It was his fault. 

            Eamessat as straight as he could and took one of Arthur's hand in his. Arthur lethim. Eames did what he hadn't expected, drunk or not, he just did what he felthe'd like to.

            Heapologized.

            "I’msorry, darling. But let me fix this. Please." 

            AndArthur believed him.

            "Howcould you fix five years bullsh*t?" 

            "I'llspend my lifetime to fix this. Let me prove it to you." 

            "Whyshould I let you?"

            "Becausethat is my promise, Arthur."

            Arthurwas silent. His walls were high, but he knew Eames. Even drunk or even as aliar, he'd never make a promise he cannot make. There're always rules in thethieves. There're always limits in the independent ones. 

(They developed their almost secretrelationship and been together for 5 years. They were on and off, meeting eachother when they were on the same job, sometimes going on a date, calling andmessaging. That was how things worked for them.)

            Afterthe Fischer job, Cobb went home to his children and offered everyone a nice dinnertogether. Ariadne explored the United States with Yusuf. Arthur and Eames hadrestless sex in Arthur's luxury apartment. Eames stayed with him for the wholemonth, having a domestic life together for the first time. They were happy.Everything was going well.

            Untilone day, Arthur left for some business he told Eames, when he came back he saidhe was leaving for a job. 

            "Dothey need a thief?" Eames asked.

            "Theydidn't mention. I'll go and do just some research. Nothinginteresting." 

            Arthursaid while packing his stuff. Eames still lied shirtless in their bed. 

            "Soyou'll come back home soon?" Eames meant back to him, not just theapartment.

            Arthurlooked and him and gave him a lovely dimples-smile. 

            "Ina blink of an eye."

            Andhe left.

            Threedays after that, Arthur sent Eames a message saying he was in Milan and will beoff the grid for about a week, so Eames let him. They were adults and Eames wasstill independent enough to need some space too. That was what Eames toldhimself to keep his pride. The fact was he trusted Arthur completely. Years ofbeing together had proved it. Arthur was good at what he did. He would comehome safely. So Eames waited. He spent the whole week in some casinos, meetingsome old mates, stealing some arts and painting a copy of the most beautifulpiece of them. Arthur would love it.

            Aweek and three days had passed, Eames started to concern. Arthur was neverlate. Eames started calling people, began with all of Arthur’s numbers. All ofthem were unavailable. He called all the teammates. The closest friend toArthur was Cobb, and he sounded almost panic through the phone. Cobb said hewould help Eames find him. Ariadne and Yusuf said the same. Eames startedtracking all of Arthur’s unavailable numbers. Their last trails were from allaround the world, almost seemed like Arthur didn’t want to be found. Eames justdidn’t understand why. They didn’t have any fight. Arthur seemed happy withhim. Or was it about the job? Was he in danger? At least he would let someoneknow. No way had Arthur decided to disappear on his own. Anything could happenin 72 hours in this business. Eames spent the whole night trying to find any ofArthur’s contact. He found Arthur’s 12 apartments in 9 countries, Eames alreadyknew 10 out of them. He checked 5 apartments by phone call and flew to the restin less than a week to make sure. Arthur was nowhere to be found.

            SoEames tracked more, he tracked from Arthur’s fake names and the real one.Nothing came up. Eames tracked the job in Milan and found the extractor namedEllis. He told Eames the job wasn’t finished yet and Arthur left them in thefirst three days saying he couldn’t do it anymore. If Eames could be more lostand confused, he surely would lose his mind.  

            Sevendays were what Arthur had to cover his trails. That was a plenty of time forhim to make himself disappear completely. That was plenty of time for him tomake sure that even Eames wouldn’t find him.

            Feelinghurt like he had never felt, Eames moved out from Arthur’s apartment. He wentto every casino he found, carrying his latest paint with him.

            Arthurwas lying in his bed when he heard the bell ring. With some effort, he got upslowly and made his way toward the door. Lately his visitors were limited, butno one came to him without calling first. Arthur grabbed his .77 from under hissofa and opened the door carefully. 

            Itwas Eames.

            Eameslooked horrible. His clothes seemed unwashed for some time, and he hadn'tshaved his beard. More than anything else, Eames's grayish blue eyes werehooded, like a wounded dangerous animal. He stared at Arthur. His expressionwas unreadable. 

            "Eames--"Arthur's own voice sounded like a whisper. 

            "Howcould you do this to me?" Eames' voice sounded angry. Betrayed, andangry. 

            "Eames---"Arthur's voice was trembling, but then he realized that it was not just hisvoice. His hands also were trembling, his knees were shaking slightly. Eamesseemed to notice. He pushed the door open and stepped in Arthur's room withoutsaying a word. Arthur followed him to his own living room. Eames's massive bodylooked out of place, but he stood there like he had been here all thetime. 

            "Sit."Eames said sharply to Arthur. Arthur did what he was told. 

            Eamessat in front of him, eyes barely moved from Arthur's. 

            "Explainto me."

            Arthurinhaled. He didn't prepared for this, but oddly he was calmer with Eames in theroom. In the latest two months, he had plenty of panic attacks. Everything feltwrong to him, and he couldn't focus or control anything. Now it felt right.Scary but right. Eames made everything right. Suddenly, he felt so stupid thathe left Eames. 

            "I'msick." Said Arthur. Eames flinched but he kept listening. So Arthurcontinued. "I've been being sick for a while. I realized it was gettingworse when I worked in Milan and then I was scared. Not for myself. I wasscared for you. You didn't deserve this, you still don't. And I ran away,hoping you'd go on your way. Just like in the past. I--and I---" 

            Arthurdidn't know what else to say.

            "Howdare you--" Eames seemed to couldn't continue, but he did. "What didthey say?" Eames meant the doctors. Arthur bit his lips a little. 

            "Theodds are 20. I may have only months left." 

            Eamesstared at him, still angry. "How long has it been already?"

            "Twomonths." Arthur's mouth went dry. He stole Eames' two months with himaway. "I'm sorry, Eames. I'm sorry I did this to you." Then Eamesfrowned, he somehow got angrier. 

            "You'resorry? You better, you twit!" 

            "Ithought it'd be better for you..." But Eames didn't him finish thesentence. 

            "Howcould you think for me? I don't care if it's logically better for me! And don'tyou dare trying to protect me from this. Don't you dare stealing my chance totake care of you. Don't you dare, Arthur." 

            Arthurshivered when Eames said his name in his husky voice. It felt like he hadn'theard it forever, and he wanted to hear it more.

            "Iguess we were both idiots." Arthur sighed. None of them was good athandling relationship, and both of them f*cked up once or twice. 

            "Wewere."

            "Wouldyou forgive me, Mr. Eames?" Arthur looked at Eames expectedly. He didn'tknow what Eames saw in him, maybe a sickly paled skin ex-point man with thinnerhair and dark circles under his eyes. But what he saw in Eames what the mostwonderful human being he had ever met. The great great thief, Eames might sayfor himself. 

            "Ialready did." 

            ThenEames walked to Arthur and kissed him with all he had, like Arthur was theworld for him. Indeed he was. 

            Eamesnever left Arthur since. He usually stayed with him all the time, except whenArthur was asleep, which happened often, Eames went to grocery store or to findsomething interesting for Arthur. Arthur didn't like taking meds because theymade him sleepy. He said when he was asleep, Eames would do something stupid.There was once Eames bought Arthur a hundred of white and red roses. Eamescould see Arthur was impressed, but he just smirked and shoved Eames' shoulderplayfully instead and said he was not a high school girl. Later Eames found twowhite and red roses in Arthur's bedside table. 

            Theirroutine was quite simple. They woke up, had breakfast, read or watched tv.Somedays when the weather was nice, they went out, to the park nearby, or droveto somewhere they want. Then they had lunch, and Arthur would take a nap orjust read quietly when Eames painted or read to Arthur. Arthur loved Eames'accent, and sometimes he was too tired to read himself. Arthur usually madedinner, he was good at cooking, with Eames helped. Almost every night theywatched movie together, almost every night Arthur fell asleep in Eames's arm.They lived simply. Except when Arthur had to go for the chemo, Eames drove himand waited for four hours to take him home. Those days Arthur wouldn't do somuch. He threw up, always had fever, and too tired to stay awake. Those daysEames tried his best not to cry. 

            However,there was something new Eames had learned, Arthur's older brother called everyday. Eames had learned that maybe the Cobbs were not the most protective one toArthur. And when the brother called, mostly he left Arthur some privacy whenthey talked, sometimes they put him on speaker and talked together, andsometimes Eames talked to Arthur’s brother alone because Arthur was too tired.Eames and Arthur's brother got to know each other a bit. At least Eames knewArthur was not the only serious man in his family. Maybe his brother was evenworse. 

            "Howdid you know him?" Arthur asked when he waited for Eames to makebreakfast. 

            "Ididn't. Apparently he knew me first. He let Cobb track him and Cobb told mewhat he knew."

            "Remindme to smack my brother when I see him next time." Arthur almost growledand Eames chuckled. 

            Therewere bad days and good days. Bad days were when Arthur was too weak to behimself. But good days were when Arthur could stay awake most of the time. Itwas rare when Arthur had energy like that, but when something special like Domand children came to visit, Arthur's enthusiasm always gave him a good day. Hedrew with the children. Eames called it dimples day, everyone can see Arthur'sdimples often that day. He was happy and looked healthier. However, Arthur'sdrawing was terrible, but the kids loved it. They kept his drawing with them.Dom said they hung it in their bedroom. And Arthur loved the kids' drawings; hehung them on the fridge. With Dom, Arthur would talk and talk, smile and laugh.He never cried. On good days if they were alone, he was regularly himself asEames saw when they were working, only more relaxed and casual. 

            "Doyou miss it?" Asked Eames when he was painting his latest art copy. Arthurwasn't allowed to see it yet. 

            "Thejob? Sometimes." Arthur replied while typing something on his laptop. Whenhe could stay awake and wasn't be in so much pain, he always made sure to makethem stay disappear, even Eames kept telling Arthur that he did it already,Arthur still rechecked again and again. He just needed to. So Eames let him.

            "That'swhy you can't stay away from your device, can you darling?" Eames teased.

            "Justto make sure." When Arthur checked their trail, he looked like thestick-in-the-mud Arthur except this Arthur wore sweat pants and plain tee, andhe couldn't stop complaining every now and then because he missed his suits,but Eames wouldn't let him wear them. Keeping Arthur warm and comfortable was important;Arthur just kept being childish about it. He also was skinnier, paler, and hadno hair anymore. Arthur shaved his head in a month after Eames moved in. Helooked much younger with the clothes and his hat that Eames knitted forhim. 

            "I'moffended." 

            "Iknow you have some tricks in your pocket, Mr. Eames." 

            Eameslooked up at him, dropping his brush. "Would you stop calling me Mr.Eames? You make me feel so old." 

            "Youare old." Arthur said back. Eames stood up and went to stand behind Arthur.His massive body covered all Arthur's small frame. Eames' eyes lingered on him,remembering every inch of his skin.

            "Howyoung could you be huh, darling?" Eames only said sarcastically, but hewas curious too. Eames often forgot that Arthur was still so young, he alwayslooked older with his behavior and taste. When they first met, Arthur lookedlike 15 no matter how old he was back then.

            "I'm29, Mr. Eames." 

            Arthurtook a break from his laptop, leaning his bony back on Eames. He rubbed Arthur'sback slowly, feeling the fragile body in his hands. Twenty-nine was so young,so young to even get sick. And then despite how good that good day can be,Eames still wanted to cry, because this wasn't f*cking fair. 

            Onbad days, Arthur usually had low fever and slept through the day. One eveningwhen Arthur was sleeping, Eames went out for grocery shopping. When he cameback, he went to check on Arthur in their bedroom first, but Arthur wasn'tthere. 

            "Arthur?"Eames looked in the bathroom. Still no sign of Arthur. Until he went to dropthe stuff in the kitchen, he found Arthur lying flat on the floor. Eamesdropped the bags and rushed to help Arthur get up.

            "Didyou fell?" Arthur looked at Eames, he looked confused andfrustrated. 

            "No,I was preparing dinner. Then I was tired and I needed to lie down, Eames. Ijust wanted to make us dinner-I just wanted--I thought--" And Arthur brokedown. He started to cry, couldn't stop even when Eames lifted him up andcarried him to sofa. He cried so hard, his body was shivering. Eames held himto his chest, rubbed his back softly.

            "OhArthur, darling--" 

            Eameskept calling Arthur because he had nothing else to say. He wouldn't say it wasokay because it was not. Eames held Arthur until he sobbed and fell asleep inhis own tears. The great and the best point man cried like a child because hejust wanted to make dinner.

            Eames looked at hisdarling's face, seeing peace and calm when he was asleep. Eames' tears startedto come up, but he didn't let them. He swallowed hard, the great thief like himnever cried. It wasn't about being a thief, it was about being him. He didn'tcry. Because if he did, who else would be Arthur's strength? Because if he did,Arthur would be sad and sorry again. So Eames didn't cry. He just held Arthurtightly and thought that this wasn't f*cking fair at all. 

            Arthurupdated him about every appointment with the doctor. He never told Eames thedetails specifically. He just told Eames something simple, mostly some bullsh*tEames wanted to hear.

            "Theysaid I would get worse before I get better."

            Heknew even Arthur didn't believe this. But Eames just played along, living intheir peaceful fantasy. 

            "Iknow."

            AndEames kissed him.

            "Youknow when we worked; I always thought something's gonna happen."

            Arthursaid one night when he was lying on top of Eames' half body. Eames' both handstouched Arthur, one held Arthur's smaller hand in his, and one touched Arthur'sside. He couldn't stop touching Arthur to feel him, to remember him and heloved when Arthur talked. He loved hearing Arthur's voice. It assured him thatthe man was alive by side him. Especially lately, Arthur barely went out. Hewas too tired; it started with him walking slowly, getting up slowly, untilfinally he just lied in their bed. He said he didn't want to burden Eames whenhe wanted to go somewhere. Eames didn't agree that he was a burden, but Arthurcouldn't keep his eyes open for long enough anyway. So lately they just watchedmovies and read together. Every paint Eames did was hung in their bedroomwalls. Arthur was the one who insisted, he didn't care if they look organized.He just wanted to see what Eames had painted for him when he woke up and beforehe slept. These paints sometimes helped Arthur calm when he was in agony fromjoint pain or any pain. Eames was glad he had painted plenty. 

            Eameshummed in response, listening to Arthur's voice and breath. He loved it and wasafraid of losing it at the same time. 

            "Inthe field, we all know we can't expect a normal life to live." Arthur'svoice was soft and Eames gently patted his arms.

            "Ialways thought a bullet would take me down--" And Eames knew where thiswould go. Arthur was tired, too tired to keep fighting, and it hurt him somuch.

            "Shhh.It's been a long day darling. I'm tired, aren't you? Let's get somesleep." Eames tried to sooth him, or to not let him continue what Eameswas afraid to hear.

            "Ialways thought a bullet would take me down, Eames, not this." 

            Arthur'svoice was steady but Eames knew from his breathing, Arthur was about to cryalready. Eames shut his eyes for a second, wiping away his own tears. 

            "Youknow what I thought? I always thought we would be cat and dog till our hairturn gray. You’d be wearing your best suit and insulting mine, telling me evenI'm sixty two, my fashion still hasn't improved. We would retire and explorethe world together. I'd take you to my favorite places, to England." Eameskept saying.

            ThenArthur laughed "You hate England."

            "Ido." His lips lifted up to a smirk. Arthur laughed a little more. His bodyshaking on Eames', and Eames continued.

            "ButI would take you there, showing you why I hate it, and showing you why I alsolove it." 

            Theywere in comfortable silence for a moment.

            "Yeah,I'd love that."

            Arthursaid back. And Eames started to tell him stories; he told him everything heknew. He told him about every beauties he had met before, things that Arthurhardly seen. Because Eames didn't know when could Arthur go out and see theworld again.

            Theyare in the park, on a bench they used to sit when there were good days. TodayArthur looks beautiful, healthier and happier. Eames took him here, sitting andadmiring the view of green. The weather is nice with clearly blue blue sky.Everything is perfect today.

            "Yousee the man over there?" Eames pointed to a man who looks like he's inglee, beaming and hovering beside a woman. 

            "Yes,why?" Arthur looks at the couple curiously. He is active and energized.This is the best day of good days for Eames.

            "He'sexcited. I think it's because his girl said something to him." Watchingpeople was Eames' life, still is. So Eames sometimes brings this topic up, let theyobserve other's life together, trying to distract Arthur from thinking about hisown. 

            "Iguess it's something good." Arthur smiles, showing his lovingly dimples.Eames loved seeing him like that. 

            "Well,I'd like to hear it too. Shall you tell me something good?" Eames turns toArthur.

            "Me?"

            Eameshums and stared sweetly at him. "You look like you have something to tellme all day. What is it, darling?" 

            Arthurleans to Eames slowly. Their noses are a few inches close. Arthur's young faceand beautiful brown eyes pins Eames completely. Arthur is his gravity, pinninghim to the ground, making him whole. 

            "I'min remission, Mr. Eames." 

            Eames'eyes are wide and his mouth is open in shock. He sees Arthur starts laughingwhen he sees his reaction. God, that laughing, is like a bell ring from heavento his ears. 

            "Bloodyhell! Really?"

            "Really." 

            TheEames beams. He can't stop smiling and his cheek starts to hurt, but he doesn'tcare. He pulls Arthur in his arms. He kisses his forehead, his temple, hischeeks, and his smiley mouth. Eames kisses Arthur desperately, pouring everyfeeling he has for him, hoping Arthur understands. They laugh and laugh, danceand trip, talk and kiss. The great thief and the best point man are happily inlove. 

            Eames wakes up in thehouse he lived with Arthur. His arm's still connected to the PASIV. He blinksand sees Dom standing over him. His face looks concern and almost angry.

            "Cobb?"Eames' voice sounds confused. He just doesn't know why Dom is here.

            "Comewith me, Eames." 

            Cobbsounds sad and a bit angry, but in his eyes, Eames can see understanding. ThenEames remembers why. He regrets immediately that he woke up. He turns to hisside and finds a half bottle whiskey, he drinks down what he left off, wishinghe never woke up.

            Todayis Arthur's funeral. 

            They'regoing to bury him tomorrow.  

            They'regoing to bury his darling. And Eames couldn't see it happen.

            He just couldn't.

            "No.You know I won't." He pretends to be drunk, but his mind is so clear. Hishand is in his pocket, feeling the totem. Reality hurts so badly. 

            "Comeon, Eames!" Dom pulled the line of his arm and hold him up angrily. Hiseyes look hurt just like Eames. He lost Arthur too, just like Eames. 

            "Arthurdeserved more than this!" 

            Domyanks him to the door. Eames knows there's a car waiting outside. Arthur'sbrother sent it every day, and Eames never got in that car. But Dom is right,Arthur deserved more than this. Hell, he deserved a grand funeral. Hundreds ofpeople come and give him their last salutes. He deserved all the best in the world,including a long life. He was just 29. Eames heart skips a beat thinking aboutthis. Arthur was just 29, young and full of life. He deserved a chance to live.His beautiful darling deserved everything. The least Eames can do is to givehim his last goodbye.

            SoEames gets in the car and Dom follows close behind. They ride in silence,drowning in their thoughts. Forty-five minutes ride is too short to prepare forthis, but Eames goes out of the car eventually. It's Arthur's house, the one hewas born and raised in. Now this three stories luxury house is Arthur'sbrother, the only relative Arthur had. The house stands tall and proud,presenting how rich and arrogant the family is. Arthur must be so proud of allthis. Eames can see where he got his taste from. Then they go inside.

            Standingthere is the coffin, Eames can see it the first thing when he steps in thehouse. It makes his knees weak. The house is crowded but not by too manypeople, maybe some neighbors, some old college friends, some from the olderbrother's work, and some from Arthur's. 

            Ariadneand Yusuf are already there, not far from the coffin, guarding Arthur. EvenSaito is with them, holding a glass of red wine. And there's Arthur's olderbrother, he stands with a heavily pregnant woman. He doesn't have baby facelike Arthur had. But they still painfully looked alike. 

            Lookingat him makes Eames feel sick. Arthur's brother is in his late thirties,surrounded by people who respect him, with a family that soon to have moremembers, when Arthur had none of them. Eames seems to lose in his mind becausehe doesn't see when the brother steps closer to him.

            "HelloMr. Eames." He offers me his hand and Eames takes it firmly. Their sadnesslinks in harmony. The lost breaks them completely.

            "Mr.Cohen." Eames replied, and Edward Cohen leads him to the coffin. Hisbeautiful wife leads other people to another room, leaves Ariadne, Yusuf,Saito, Dom, Edward and Eames in the coffin room. Eames steps closer to thecoffin. The white noise of the others is left behind. Eames doesn't blink, notuntil he stands beside the coffin, which Arthur lays in it. 

            Arthur,Arthur, his beautiful Arthur, he looks so peaceful like he is sleeping. Histhin lips lift up slightly. He looks so young in the coffin. Eames touches hisface, and it's so cold. 

            "He'snot in pain anymore." Eames hears his voice saying it but he doesn't knowhe did. He also hears Ariadne's soft sobbing, but Eames still focuses onArthur. 

            "Yes,he's not." Edward whispers. 

            ThenEames sees what Arthur is wearing. It's his light brown chino pants and plainwhite oxford shirt. 

            "Whodressed him like this?" Eames' voice sounds pissed even to his own ears."Who dressed him like this? He preferred three-piece-suit than chinos. Heliked it with a coat. Who the hell chose this for him? No. Not like this. Heshouldn't go like this." 

            Heshouldn't go like this.

            Hefeels Edward's hand on his shoulder, and Eames starts murmuring to himself."He liked wearing his suit. He said it felt right and he liked to be justlike his brother."

            Eamestraced his finger from Arthur's neck to his chest, cupping Arthur's hand inhis. Then Eames feels the bright red die in Arthur's right hand. Arthur's notgoing to need his totem anymore. He's not dreaming, never going to wake up.Arthur doesn't have to be careful to not get lost between dreams and reality.Because he is dead.

            Arthuris f*cking dead.

            Eamesfeels tears running down on his cheek. "He was an early bird, unless hewas too tired. He--he used to wake up much earlier than me just to make mecoffee, to thank me for taking care of him. That little twit." Eameschuckles a little, tears run down on his face.

            "Hewas so smart, so beautiful. I wish I could have him forever. I wish I had achance to grow old with him. I wish he had a chance to see what we couldbe--" 

            Eamesfell on his knees, his forehead touches Arthur's coffin. Everyone in the roomis silent, letting their tears mourn for Arthur.  

            "Ilove you." 

            Eameswhispers and gets up to give Arthur one last kiss on his cold lifelesslips. 

            Andthat is it. That is the story of the great thief named Eames. 

            The Great Thief who is now cryingbecause he lost his greatest charm, love. 

             And he would never get him back.

Notes

Hope you guys enjoy.

๦Forgive me for all the wrongdoing. Both language and learning skills Always recommend and recommend.