This is very little to go on, but I remember a story I wanted to reread where when Eames first meets Arthur he's covered in mud and he looks younger/different from normal. I think Eames is surprised to learn Arthur's older than he looks (but it's not eleveninches story where Eames wonders why Dom brought his son along).
There might be something about Arthur rescuing or helping Eames out, but I'm really not sure. Mostly I've got mud, which has somehow become sexy in my head. Help?
FOUND: Thanks to
jasmasson for identifying the story as:
Towards Zero by Mirabella.