(no subject)
Revival of the Fittest, Nine/Rose, PG
Yes, he could admit to himself that he had been watching Rose a little more closely lately. But then again, he had felt her watching him, too. 2,058 w.
A/N: Best grab yourself some salty popcorn - this movie candy be sweeet.
“Rose! Hurry up, or we’re going to be late!” Jack put on his overcoat and checked his inner pocket for the tickets it held.
“I’m coming, I just need to - ” was her faint response.
“I don’t want to miss the beginning,” he shouted down the corridor and shifted to lean against the console. “She sings one of the best songs in the whole movie as the opening credits role!”
Jack looked down to the floor where the Doctor had a panel of the console lifted and was soldering wires. “Does she always take this long?”
The Doctor stood up, wiping his hands on his jeans. “You should know the answer to that question by now, Flyboy.”
“Fine, I’m ready,” Rose interrupted from the doorway, adding, “ - but jus’ so you know, Jack, you’re buying the popcorn.”
Rose wooshed into the room and did a little spin to show off her outfit to full effect. She wore lemon-yellow pedal pushers and a fitted white cardigan, with flats. Rose had styled her hair in a soft flip, tied back with a ribbon, but left it to hang free at her shoulders. The overall look should’ve been completely modest, and yet … somehow, on Rose, the cotton fabric hugged her curves in such a way that it was anything but.
Jack whistled appraisingly and the Doctor couldn’t hide the wide, silly grin that stretched across his face at the sight of her. Rose’s eyes sparkled as she smiled and tipped her head at them, in a bow of appreciation.
“Deal on the popcorn because you look very Kitten with a Whip today - Ann-Margret would be proud.” Turning his attention back to the console, Jack added, “Hey Doc, sure you don’t want to come with us?”
The Doctor realized he was still staring at Rose. He shook his head to clear his thoughts, but turned the motion into an answer for Jack. “No, I’ve got repairs to take care of here,” he said, waving a mallet as some sort of proof that he wasn’t making excuses. “Someone’s got to make sure we keep the TARDIS running. If I left things to you two, well …” He let his words trail off as he crouched down to go back to work, if only to have something to do with his hands.
“Please, Doctor, come with us!" Rose coaxed. "How can you not love a good revival flick?”
“Speakin’ of that, I don’t understand why you’d want to see a revival when I can easily take back to see the original? Time Machine, remember? Especially when you’re dressed like that.” The Doctor swept a hand toward Rose’s outfit, but didn’t look at her directly.
“Better concession stands now. You know me, Doc. It’s all about getting the right kind of candy,” Jack winked at him. Rose punched Jack in the arm lightly and laughed.
The Doctor didn’t take Jack’s bait. “I don’t like those old movies - a bit too sugary for me. Gives me a toothache just thinking about one.”
“What’s not to like? Boy meets Girl, wartime, and big, musical numbers.” Jack took Rose’s hand and twirled her around the console. The Doctor harrumphed, shrugging them off with his shoulders. He continued to hammer away at the control panel, but his eyes followed the dancing pair around the room.
Jack snapped a squealing Rose to his chest and proceeded to dip her so low, the tips of Rose’s tresses swept the metal grating. Striking a dashing pose, Jack raised his eyes to the Doctor. “Boy gets Girl - and a kiss, at the end! Spectacle! What’s not to like about that?“
"You two are the ones making a spectacle of yourselves,” the Doctor chided. Still, he found he could not look away from the sight of Rose’s head thrown back, throat exposed. The Doctor’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard; his own throat suddenly felt like sandpaper.
“And that is why,” Jack said as he swung open the TARDIS door, “you, Sir, are missing out.”
Jack stepped outside and Rose moved to follow him. Somewhat reluctantly at that, the Doctor mused.
“If you change your mind - ” Rose started.
“I won’t.” The Doctor said, not unkindly, but closing the subject. He smiled at her as he added, “Best hurry up, or Jack might sell your ticket.”
“He wouldn’t dare!” Rose snorted, and with a final wave, closed the TARDIS door behind her.
- - -
The Doctor sat on his haunches, staring after the door.
Missing out. Missing out on what exactly? Listening to Jack blather on about his supposed military experience during the war scenes? Jack still hadn’t exactly explained when and where he had earned his “captain” status.
Or, listening to Jack sing along to all of the leading male’s songs? Watch him take Rose’s hand to pantomime a parallel romantic moment onscreen?
That last thought brought the Doctor to standing, without awareness. He put his mallet on the console, and wiped his hands on his thighs, absentmindedly.
Rose would see through Jack’s innate … what did Ricky the Idiot call it? … “cheesiness.” Wouldn’t she? He knew that Rose felt a great affinity toward the ex Time Agent, but surely his girl was too clever to be sucked in by the teeth, and the hair, and the muscles, and the charm, and the -
Wait, when did he start to think of Rose as “his girl,” much less consciously acknowledge it?
He let the words tumble around in his mouth - even dared to say them out loud because he knew only the TARDIS could hear him. The words felt right, just as he knew that he and Rose felt right.
Had done for quite some time, if he was going to be in the business of admissions, now.
The Doctor tried to shake the thought, and began put his tools back in their case.
No, he was not a man who trifled with fools, and going to join them now could only serve to make him look completely foolish. Daft old man with an arm around his beautiful girl, holding her close in the dark, like a lovesick teenager. Stealing glances at each other while secretly thrilling as their greasy fingers touch in the popcorn. No, he and Rose were better than that; so much more than that. Even if it did sound a little bit fantastic ... no.
Mindlessly, the Doctor turned off the soldering gun, and closed the panel under which he had been tinkering. With arms crossed and hands stuffed into the armpits of his woolen jumper, he began to walk.
Although, getting to watch Rose’s reactions to the plot - seeing what makes her laugh and what makes her cry - that would definitely be worth chucking a bit of his pride for. Trying to make Rose laugh has become one of his favorite pastimes. Watching her run the emotional gamut throughout the course of a 90-minute film could be interesting. Educational, even.
The Doctor slowly paced around the console, picking up his jacket from the jump seat during one revolution. He thrust his arms into the sleeves on the next go ‘round.
Yes, he could admit to himself that he had been watching Rose a little more closely lately. But then again, he had felt her watching him, too.
Right.
- - -
“Jelly baby?”
Rose’s eyes trailed from the sack of sweets, thrust under her nose, up the arm of its owner to find the Doctor’s face, half lit up by the screen. “Hello!” he spouted cheerfully, all grin and ears.
Sit down! whispered an irritated person behind them. Oi! The Doctor hissed at his unseen accuser, quickly bending to a crouch as he moved to sit in the empty seat next to Rose.
“Why don’t you sit between us so we can both share your goodies, Doc?” Jack whispered salaciously, flashing his movie star teeth.
The Doctor made a point to roll his eyes as he tossed Jack the jelly babies and muttered cheekily, “They’re all yours, Valentino.”
Rose’s smile was as wide as the screen and gleamed just as brightly in the dark. “I can’t believe you came!” she breathed, giving his arm a squeeze and pressing her face into his shoulder. Trying to not appear flustered, the Doctor quickly switched topics, feigning interest in the film’s plot.
“What’d I miss?”
Speaking in a stage whisper, Rose leaned in close to catch him up. “Not much. S’jus started. The two main characters met and had a lot a fast back and forth, you know, banter? Like all these old movies have? Sorta pretending they aren’t into each other, when it’s so obvious they really are.”
“Really are what?” whispered the Doctor, nudging her shoulder with his upper arm.
“Into each other!” Rose giggled and poked him in the ribs with her elbow. Oof! The Doctor mimed as he bent to protect his side, making them both guffaw and forget their volume.
Shush! hissed the old man sitting directly behind them. Now, it was Jack who rolled his eyes and put a finger to his lips, for dramatic emphasis. Rose and the Doctor grinned sheepishly at one another and sank lower in their seats.
Crossing his arms and twisting up his face in a mock-serious expression, the Doctor nodded for her to continue. As she leaned in again, Rose’s hair dipped to graze his forearm, sending tiny shockwaves up his spine. The Doctor shook his shoulders slightly as the tickle reached the nape of his neck.
“Anyway, you could see the sparks between ‘em already, an’ you just know they’re gonna end up together in the end.” Rose looked up, her face completely open to him. The projector’s glow flickered across her skin, casting her features in blue light and shadow. Her eyes were electric.
And just like that, he felt them: sparks that skittered just under the surface of his skin, raising goose bumps and quickening his pulse. The Doctor’s large hands quivered slightly with the sensation.
Being a bit impressive and knowing a thing or two about electrical impulses, the Doctor knew the fastest way to ground the current - to ground him - would be to reach over and take Rose’s hand. Being a Man of Science, he listened to that impulse; the Doctor’s fingers scaled the armrest to capture hers.
“Sparks are good,” he said as he gave her warm hand a gentle squeeze and twined his fingers through hers.
“Very good,” Rose agreed with a small smile, her eyes traveling down to his mouth before coming back up to meet his transfixed stare. Just then, the Doctor was glad for the cover of darkness; his face felt hot and he just knew the tips of his burning pink ears would have betrayed him in sunlight.
Jack snorted and whispered with a smirk, “Get a booth!” as he got up and slid down one seat, to give the rest of his party some space. He kept the jelly babies.
Neither one of them acknowledged Jack’s comment or seat change because both went unnoticed - so wrapped up were they in the other scene now playing out, hunkered down in torn velvet seats.
“Sorry I’m a bit late getting here,” the Doctor whispered, looking at her pointedly.
Rose snuggled down into his arm, burrowing her nose in his sleeve for a moment. Suddenly, she looked up at him, resting her chin on his shoulder. “Here now, yeah?” Her smile slowly grew to beaming, and he beamed one right back at her.
“Yeah.”
Linking her arm through his, Rose exhaled a small sigh as she settled in against leather and turned her eyes back up to the screen. Once she had gone still, the Doctor leaned in to press his cheek to the part of her hair. Rose’s hair tickled his nose, but he didn’t move. The whole bloody theater could’ve fallen down around them, and he wouldn’t have moved a single muscle. Rock of Gibraltar, me, he thought to himself.
Because this was his girl, their spectacle - and he’d be damned if he was going to flub the ending. The Doctor imagined what it would be like to take Rose in his arms, dipping her head back to give her a proper, movie-style snog - all soft-focus and golden light behind them.
Yes, he thought. That’s exactly how our first kiss should be.
Yes, he could admit to himself that he had been watching Rose a little more closely lately. But then again, he had felt her watching him, too. 2,058 w.
A/N: Best grab yourself some salty popcorn - this movie candy be sweeet.
“Rose! Hurry up, or we’re going to be late!” Jack put on his overcoat and checked his inner pocket for the tickets it held.
“I’m coming, I just need to - ” was her faint response.
“I don’t want to miss the beginning,” he shouted down the corridor and shifted to lean against the console. “She sings one of the best songs in the whole movie as the opening credits role!”
Jack looked down to the floor where the Doctor had a panel of the console lifted and was soldering wires. “Does she always take this long?”
The Doctor stood up, wiping his hands on his jeans. “You should know the answer to that question by now, Flyboy.”
“Fine, I’m ready,” Rose interrupted from the doorway, adding, “ - but jus’ so you know, Jack, you’re buying the popcorn.”
Rose wooshed into the room and did a little spin to show off her outfit to full effect. She wore lemon-yellow pedal pushers and a fitted white cardigan, with flats. Rose had styled her hair in a soft flip, tied back with a ribbon, but left it to hang free at her shoulders. The overall look should’ve been completely modest, and yet … somehow, on Rose, the cotton fabric hugged her curves in such a way that it was anything but.
Jack whistled appraisingly and the Doctor couldn’t hide the wide, silly grin that stretched across his face at the sight of her. Rose’s eyes sparkled as she smiled and tipped her head at them, in a bow of appreciation.
“Deal on the popcorn because you look very Kitten with a Whip today - Ann-Margret would be proud.” Turning his attention back to the console, Jack added, “Hey Doc, sure you don’t want to come with us?”
The Doctor realized he was still staring at Rose. He shook his head to clear his thoughts, but turned the motion into an answer for Jack. “No, I’ve got repairs to take care of here,” he said, waving a mallet as some sort of proof that he wasn’t making excuses. “Someone’s got to make sure we keep the TARDIS running. If I left things to you two, well …” He let his words trail off as he crouched down to go back to work, if only to have something to do with his hands.
“Please, Doctor, come with us!" Rose coaxed. "How can you not love a good revival flick?”
“Speakin’ of that, I don’t understand why you’d want to see a revival when I can easily take back to see the original? Time Machine, remember? Especially when you’re dressed like that.” The Doctor swept a hand toward Rose’s outfit, but didn’t look at her directly.
“Better concession stands now. You know me, Doc. It’s all about getting the right kind of candy,” Jack winked at him. Rose punched Jack in the arm lightly and laughed.
The Doctor didn’t take Jack’s bait. “I don’t like those old movies - a bit too sugary for me. Gives me a toothache just thinking about one.”
“What’s not to like? Boy meets Girl, wartime, and big, musical numbers.” Jack took Rose’s hand and twirled her around the console. The Doctor harrumphed, shrugging them off with his shoulders. He continued to hammer away at the control panel, but his eyes followed the dancing pair around the room.
Jack snapped a squealing Rose to his chest and proceeded to dip her so low, the tips of Rose’s tresses swept the metal grating. Striking a dashing pose, Jack raised his eyes to the Doctor. “Boy gets Girl - and a kiss, at the end! Spectacle! What’s not to like about that?“
"You two are the ones making a spectacle of yourselves,” the Doctor chided. Still, he found he could not look away from the sight of Rose’s head thrown back, throat exposed. The Doctor’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard; his own throat suddenly felt like sandpaper.
“And that is why,” Jack said as he swung open the TARDIS door, “you, Sir, are missing out.”
Jack stepped outside and Rose moved to follow him. Somewhat reluctantly at that, the Doctor mused.
“If you change your mind - ” Rose started.
“I won’t.” The Doctor said, not unkindly, but closing the subject. He smiled at her as he added, “Best hurry up, or Jack might sell your ticket.”
“He wouldn’t dare!” Rose snorted, and with a final wave, closed the TARDIS door behind her.
- - -
The Doctor sat on his haunches, staring after the door.
Missing out. Missing out on what exactly? Listening to Jack blather on about his supposed military experience during the war scenes? Jack still hadn’t exactly explained when and where he had earned his “captain” status.
Or, listening to Jack sing along to all of the leading male’s songs? Watch him take Rose’s hand to pantomime a parallel romantic moment onscreen?
That last thought brought the Doctor to standing, without awareness. He put his mallet on the console, and wiped his hands on his thighs, absentmindedly.
Rose would see through Jack’s innate … what did Ricky the Idiot call it? … “cheesiness.” Wouldn’t she? He knew that Rose felt a great affinity toward the ex Time Agent, but surely his girl was too clever to be sucked in by the teeth, and the hair, and the muscles, and the charm, and the -
Wait, when did he start to think of Rose as “his girl,” much less consciously acknowledge it?
He let the words tumble around in his mouth - even dared to say them out loud because he knew only the TARDIS could hear him. The words felt right, just as he knew that he and Rose felt right.
Had done for quite some time, if he was going to be in the business of admissions, now.
The Doctor tried to shake the thought, and began put his tools back in their case.
No, he was not a man who trifled with fools, and going to join them now could only serve to make him look completely foolish. Daft old man with an arm around his beautiful girl, holding her close in the dark, like a lovesick teenager. Stealing glances at each other while secretly thrilling as their greasy fingers touch in the popcorn. No, he and Rose were better than that; so much more than that. Even if it did sound a little bit fantastic ... no.
Mindlessly, the Doctor turned off the soldering gun, and closed the panel under which he had been tinkering. With arms crossed and hands stuffed into the armpits of his woolen jumper, he began to walk.
Although, getting to watch Rose’s reactions to the plot - seeing what makes her laugh and what makes her cry - that would definitely be worth chucking a bit of his pride for. Trying to make Rose laugh has become one of his favorite pastimes. Watching her run the emotional gamut throughout the course of a 90-minute film could be interesting. Educational, even.
The Doctor slowly paced around the console, picking up his jacket from the jump seat during one revolution. He thrust his arms into the sleeves on the next go ‘round.
Yes, he could admit to himself that he had been watching Rose a little more closely lately. But then again, he had felt her watching him, too.
Right.
- - -
“Jelly baby?”
Rose’s eyes trailed from the sack of sweets, thrust under her nose, up the arm of its owner to find the Doctor’s face, half lit up by the screen. “Hello!” he spouted cheerfully, all grin and ears.
Sit down! whispered an irritated person behind them. Oi! The Doctor hissed at his unseen accuser, quickly bending to a crouch as he moved to sit in the empty seat next to Rose.
“Why don’t you sit between us so we can both share your goodies, Doc?” Jack whispered salaciously, flashing his movie star teeth.
The Doctor made a point to roll his eyes as he tossed Jack the jelly babies and muttered cheekily, “They’re all yours, Valentino.”
Rose’s smile was as wide as the screen and gleamed just as brightly in the dark. “I can’t believe you came!” she breathed, giving his arm a squeeze and pressing her face into his shoulder. Trying to not appear flustered, the Doctor quickly switched topics, feigning interest in the film’s plot.
“What’d I miss?”
Speaking in a stage whisper, Rose leaned in close to catch him up. “Not much. S’jus started. The two main characters met and had a lot a fast back and forth, you know, banter? Like all these old movies have? Sorta pretending they aren’t into each other, when it’s so obvious they really are.”
“Really are what?” whispered the Doctor, nudging her shoulder with his upper arm.
“Into each other!” Rose giggled and poked him in the ribs with her elbow. Oof! The Doctor mimed as he bent to protect his side, making them both guffaw and forget their volume.
Shush! hissed the old man sitting directly behind them. Now, it was Jack who rolled his eyes and put a finger to his lips, for dramatic emphasis. Rose and the Doctor grinned sheepishly at one another and sank lower in their seats.
Crossing his arms and twisting up his face in a mock-serious expression, the Doctor nodded for her to continue. As she leaned in again, Rose’s hair dipped to graze his forearm, sending tiny shockwaves up his spine. The Doctor shook his shoulders slightly as the tickle reached the nape of his neck.
“Anyway, you could see the sparks between ‘em already, an’ you just know they’re gonna end up together in the end.” Rose looked up, her face completely open to him. The projector’s glow flickered across her skin, casting her features in blue light and shadow. Her eyes were electric.
And just like that, he felt them: sparks that skittered just under the surface of his skin, raising goose bumps and quickening his pulse. The Doctor’s large hands quivered slightly with the sensation.
Being a bit impressive and knowing a thing or two about electrical impulses, the Doctor knew the fastest way to ground the current - to ground him - would be to reach over and take Rose’s hand. Being a Man of Science, he listened to that impulse; the Doctor’s fingers scaled the armrest to capture hers.
“Sparks are good,” he said as he gave her warm hand a gentle squeeze and twined his fingers through hers.
“Very good,” Rose agreed with a small smile, her eyes traveling down to his mouth before coming back up to meet his transfixed stare. Just then, the Doctor was glad for the cover of darkness; his face felt hot and he just knew the tips of his burning pink ears would have betrayed him in sunlight.
Jack snorted and whispered with a smirk, “Get a booth!” as he got up and slid down one seat, to give the rest of his party some space. He kept the jelly babies.
Neither one of them acknowledged Jack’s comment or seat change because both went unnoticed - so wrapped up were they in the other scene now playing out, hunkered down in torn velvet seats.
“Sorry I’m a bit late getting here,” the Doctor whispered, looking at her pointedly.
Rose snuggled down into his arm, burrowing her nose in his sleeve for a moment. Suddenly, she looked up at him, resting her chin on his shoulder. “Here now, yeah?” Her smile slowly grew to beaming, and he beamed one right back at her.
“Yeah.”
Linking her arm through his, Rose exhaled a small sigh as she settled in against leather and turned her eyes back up to the screen. Once she had gone still, the Doctor leaned in to press his cheek to the part of her hair. Rose’s hair tickled his nose, but he didn’t move. The whole bloody theater could’ve fallen down around them, and he wouldn’t have moved a single muscle. Rock of Gibraltar, me, he thought to himself.
Because this was his girl, their spectacle - and he’d be damned if he was going to flub the ending. The Doctor imagined what it would be like to take Rose in his arms, dipping her head back to give her a proper, movie-style snog - all soft-focus and golden light behind them.
Yes, he thought. That’s exactly how our first kiss should be.