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blueboxesandtrafficcones · 4 months

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The Food of Love

Day 1 of 2021′s 31 Days of Ficmas @doctorroseprompts Prompt: holiday music Rating: PG-13 Pairing: 12xRose Summary: If music be the food of love, play on. All Ian wanted was a quiet cafe where he could practice Christmas tunes for a holiday party gig - what he got was so much more. 2021 31 Days of Ficmas masterlist AO3

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Adjusting his grip on his guitar case, Ian took a deep breath in preparation before pushing open the door to the coffee house. At six o’clock they were fairly empty, as he’d expected – it was a decent place for warm drinks and baked goods, but as it was properly tea time and they didn’t serve meals, only a few customers were seated at the tables.

Swallowing in a futile effort to work up the nerve, he stepped up to the cashier. A pretty woman of about thirty, her easy smile put him at least somewhat at ease. “Hello.”

“Hi! Welcome to The Bad Wolf. What can I get for you?”

“Uh, I’d actually like to speak to the manager, please.”

The woman’s brow furrowed, in a way that made Ian’s heart thump strangely. “Of course – is something wrong?”

“No, no,” he was quick to reassure her. “I just- please?”

She looked around the shop; the handful of customers present were all seated with no indication of moving, and no one had joined him in line. The only other individual around was someone in the back, and they were washing dishes by the sound of it. “That’s me, actually. Um…” Stepping out from behind the counter, she led him to a table as far from the other guests as possible.

Hoping to make a good impression he pulled her chair out for her, waiting for her to sit and push her in before sitting across from her.

“Oh!” was all she said about it, cheeks flushing a pretty pink. “Erm- anyway, whatever it is, I’m the one to speak to. What’s on your mind?”

Ian took a moment to gather his thoughts. “I’m a musician,” he started, nodding to the guitar case beside him, “and I’m looking for somewhere to play over the holiday season. Christmas music, specifically.”

“Why?”

“Practice,” he shrugged. “I’m set to play some holiday parties, and I figured if I had to practice the songs anyway, others might as well get to hear it.”

The woman nodded, the wheels clearly turning; she hadn’t said no yet, which was the furthest he’d gotten with the other few spots he’d tried. “And are you expecting compensation?”

“I was hoping to barter, honestly. Coffee, maybe a sweet. I don’t want- nor need- any financial compensation. Just a space to practice with some human interaction – requests, possibly feedback on setlists, that sort of thing.”

“I can’t afford to pay you. I mean, a hot beverage is reasonable, and a pastry I suppose, but I can’t pay you.” Her lower lip had caught between her teeth, and it was a surprisingly distracting sight.

Pull yourself together. You’ve almost got the spot. Ian shook his head, both to clear it and in response to her words. “I don’t need it,” he repeated. “I’ve been in here before- you have a nice clientele, you’re always nicely decorated at the holiday season, and you have an unused dais. I’d be happy to play for you now, if that’s a concern.”

“All right,” she agreed, perking up a bit. “Play me something.”

With practiced ease he opened the guitar case, sliding his chair back slightly to give himself some room before settling the instrument across his lap. Giving the strings an experimental strum to check the sound, he looked up at her. “Any requests?”

“Winter Wonderland,” she challenged him, with a raised eyebrow. “You sing, right?”

“Aye.”

Winter Wonderland. Locating the music in his mind, he placed his fingers on the strings and began to play.

When Rose had first sat down at the table, she was just grateful to be sitting – though she’d been under no delusions of grandeur, running her own coffee shop/bakery required more time on her feet than she’d anticipated.

His proposal was interesting – who didn’t like live music? – but she was more intrigued by him. He had a good decade on her, and sort of a college-professor-thinks-he’s-a-rocker vibe going on, but he was handsome, with ice-blue eyes and wild, graying hair.

And then he began to sing.

His Scottish lilt gave the classic new life, his soft voice infused with warmth and something alluring, something that caught her attention and held it, and by the time he reached the bit about Parson Brown, had said parson appeared in front of them and asked the same question, she might very well have agreed.

The spell broke when the song ended, and apparently, she wasn’t the only one he’d captivated; a round of applause broke out, and she glanced around to see most of the remaining customers were clapping. At least half of them were semi-regulars, so she addressed them directly. “What d’you think – should I let him play here?”

The resounding enthusiasm for that idea had her turn back to face the man, laughing. “Well, it sounds like we have a deal.” She extended her hand towards him to shake on it. “I’m Rose.”

“Ian.” He shook it, then turned their hands and kissed her knuckles, sending a shiver up her spine.

This is going to be interesting.

A week later, on the first of December, Ian arrived early at The Bad Wolf to get set up. They’d agreed on no advertising for the first week to make sure it was a good fit, but based on Rose’s bright smile as he stepped inside, he had high hopes.

“Hello,” he greeted her warmly when he came closer, “all right if I get set up?”

“Please! I set up everything as we discussed, but if you need anything moved or changed or whatever, just say the word. I’ll bring you a cuppa once you’re ready.”

“Ta.”

Another customer came in, so he moved over the small dais, marveling at the decorations. They were well-done, defining the space without taking up room he would need, making for a festive little corner. Opposite him in the corner by the window sat a decently-sized tree, bare of any decoration but white fairy lights and candy canes.

He got set up quickly, and by the time he was tuning his guitar she’d appeared at his side with a steaming mug.

“Thank you,” he accepted it gratefully, breathing it in before taking a sip. “Wonderful.”

She smiled, and impossibly it warmed him as much, if not more, than the cuppa had. “Of course. What’s on today’s setlist?”

“Now, that would be telling,” he teased, setting the mug down on the small stand he assumed was meant for the purpose, “but today’s theme is easy listening. Background, rather than concert – I figured it might be better to ease into it, you know? Take it slow, see how it goes?”

Rose nodded. “Good idea, I don’t want to spook anyone. So, play for forty-five, fifteen minute break? Is that the plan?”

“Roughly speaking,” he agreed, smiling at her. “Thank you, again, for the opportunity.”

“Thanks for the offer. I…” her voice trailed off, and she glanced around before muttering, “to be perfectly honest, I really need this to drive traffic. I don’t mean to put any pressure on you or anything but… I really need this to go well.”

Ian was equally touched that she confided in him, and concerned about the pressure. “I’ll see what I can do,” was all he said, overly confident to try to make her smile. “And I’m open to suggestions.”

Rose smiled at that, shaking her head. A tuft of hair fell loose, and he was overcome with the urge to push it behind her ear, though he managed to resist. “Thanks, but don’t worry about it – just play, and let the music and the magic of the holiday do the rest.”

A shout of her name from the counter drew both their attention, and she sighed. “I’ve got to get back, and should let you start. And if you want to put out a tip jar or something, that’s perfectly fine.”

And then she was off, weaving her way through the small shop to help with the line, and he watched her go.

The next two weeks followed in the same vein – and while he obviously had no metrics or sales data on the business, he did have eyes, and it was clear with every passing day more people were spending longer in the shop, to the point of leaning against walls because no seats were empty; by the midpoint of the second week a new girl was helping out behind the counter, they were so busy.

And he was having fun. It had been so long since he’d had such free reign over his setlist, been able to experiment, and the customers seemed to lap it up – he played with rearrangements, taking requests, interacting with them and cracking jokes between songs. He made sure to check in with Rose after every set, make sure she was happy with what was happening in her shop, but she always was, beaming if perpetually exhausted.

With every smile, every shared break, every lingering look shared across the café he fell for her, to the point of dreading the end of the holiday season, when Christmas music was no longer appropriate.

In all honesty, it took more effort to not tell her that, than it did to perform the two sets. Especially after setlists she was particularly enthusiastic about.

“So, we didn’t talk end dates,” Rose said casually on the nineteenth, as she flopped across from him with a steaming mug for each of them. “There’s only a week until Christmas, and we’re open everyday but the 25th, but you said this was practice for a gig, right? Can I ask when that is?”

He took a long sip of his tea first, savoring the heat. “Twenty second.”

“Oh.” She deflated like a balloon, but tried to rally. “I mean, that’s great. Right?”

“I’ll be glad when it’s over – all the anxiety and anticipation for it.” He watched her nod slowly, and offered tentatively, “of course, that’s not really the end of the Christmas season now, is it? If you want, I’d be happy to play the 23rd and 24th. The actual gig is in the evening so I can’t do the 22nd, but otherwise…”

“I’d love that!” she enthused, perking right up, then flushed. “I mean, that’ll be great for business – you’ve been a big hit. We’ve gotten quite a few reviews online mentioning you- your playing, I mean. You could even- I mean, if you want- nevermind.”

“What?”

Rose licked her lips, and his eyes followed her tongue. “It’s just an idea- probably a stupid one- but… the season doesn’t really end on the 25th, does it? I know that’s the day, but it’s not like everything comes down then, not until just after New Years. If you want.”

Come in here and serenade you for an extra five nights? Sign me the fuck up. “I could do that,” he nodded, “definitely.”

“Great!”

“Great.”

They shared a smile, his heart thumping away, and something in the way her eyes lingered made him say, “You know, you’ve been so great about having me here, and listening to me play, it almost seems a shame you’ll miss the actual performance.”

“That’s true! I’ve invested a lot of time into this. Let me know when and where, I’ll sneak in,” she joked. “D’you need a roadie?”

“No, but I can bring a date.”

She abruptly stopped smiling, and his heart dropped.

“I mean- I don’t mean a date like a date date, but that I can bring a guest would be more accurate, and far less presumptive, and probably a terrible idea anyway so forget I said anything. I have lots of stupid ideas, and it’s hard to keep shit from coming out. Of my mouth. And to stop talking when I really, really should. Shit. Sorry.”

“So… not a date, then.”

Ian shook his head. “No. Very emphatically, not a date.” He looked around the café as if searching for a rescue, and caught the eye of a regular who was seated two tables away. She was watching with a strange expression, and just shook her head at him, as if disappointed.

When he looked back at Rose, she was trailing a finger along the rim of her mug, and when she spoke, her voice was soft. Vulnerable. “That’s a shame. It being a date would’ve made it more appealing.”

He blinked rapidly, baffled by her words; when he glanced at the regular again, she made a gesture like come on, already! so he offered tentatively, “I mean, it can be a date. A date-date I mean. If you want. I… I’d like that. If you did. Or that’s what you mean. Do you want it to be a date?”

“I like date-dates,” she smiled up at him from beneath her lashes. “And live music. And, well, you. So, yeah, a date would be fine with me. Be brilliant, actually?”

“It’s a date, then.”

He grinned uncontrollably, and she beamed back, and out of the corner of his eye he saw the regular do a fist pump. Maybe I’m not as alone with these feelings as I thought.

Packing up his equipment, Ian let the breath he’d been holding escape. The performance had gone well; the CEO of the company had been so happy he’d tipped an extra grand, and promised him the job again the following year. Rose had seemingly had a good time; it was no surprise she was a social butterfly, and he’d spent more time watching her than his iPad with all his music on it.

“That was incredible,” she appeared in the door, enthusiasm contagious. “You were so good! I really liked the way you did Winter Wonderland, by the way – so soft and romantic. I don’t think anyone’s ever slow danced to that before. Everyone I talked to loved the music – even before they knew I was here with you!” She picked up the last case as if it were natural, following him out into the hallway and out the side exit. “Did you have fun?”

“It’s such a relief that it’s over,” he agreed, “but yeah, I enjoyed it. I like when they give me such leeway; some gigs can be very specific, it’s like if you want it just so, burn a CD and a call it a day, don’t waste time and talent for that.” Loading everything into his boot he closed it and turned to her, momentarily stunned at her beauty in the moonlight.

“I couldn’t tell you the last time I enjoyed live music so much! Other than every day at the café, of course. You make it look so effortless!” Her eyes were shining, breath visible puffs, and he couldn’t help himself.

Stepping forward he cupped her cheek, leaning in until they were almost touching. “Is this okay?”

Her answer was to grab his lapels and pull him the last few inches, fusing their mouths together. She tasted like peppermint and chocolate, and her tongue sliding against his sent shivers down his spine that had nothing to do with the ambient temperature. Her arms went around his neck, his around her waist, and time ceased to exist as they melded and parted, repeating the cycle over and over until they were both panting.

“Ian?”

“Yeah?” He rolled his hips against hers, pushing her hair out of the way to kiss her neck.

“D’you wanna make me pancakes in the morning?”

It was the sweetest sound he’d ever heard.

#bbatcfic #doctorroseprompts #31 days of ficmas #Ficmas 2021 #ficandchips #Doctor Who #12xRose #12th Doctor #Rose Tyler #The Food of Love #AU

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chocolatequeennk · 1 year

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A Snowy Surprise, 3/3

After the dimension cannon landed Rose in the middle of a blizzard, she found a stranger buried in the snow. But was he trulya stranger?

Eight/Rose, Ten/Rose

Finally, the epilogue is here! For @doctorroseprompts 31 Days of Ficmas, Hope.

AO3 | FF.NET

The Doctor circled the console slowly, sliding navigational controls into place. He’d put it off as long as he could—it was time to return to Gallifrey.

A glimmer of reflection from the time rotor caught his eye, and he stopped to look at the man he’d become. The long curls and fanciful jacket had been replaced years ago as the war dragged on. The shorter hair and military coat better suited his life now… and he hated it.

He looked away from his reflection and grasped the dematerialisation lever. It was time to end the war, no matter what it took.

And then?

The question haunted him. There was only one way to end the war, and he knew it. He would have to destroy both the Time Lords and the Daleks before the Time War destroyed all the universe.

But what then? What would be left for him, if he ended it all? Could he continue on, as the last of the Time Lords?

Maybe I won’t need to.

That was the only hope he had as he threw the lever and sent his TARDIS spinning into the Time Vortex.

The TARDIS whistled and the ship pitched sharply, sending the Doctor to the floor. “What’s going on, old girl?” he murmured as he pushed himself upright.

The ship sang again, and this time he was prepared for the shift in direction. “We must be hitting some temporal turbulence.” It wasn’t overly surprising; the Time War was damaging the Web of Time more and more each day.

The TARDIS’ song evened out into her typical soft hum, then he heard the grating noise as she moved back into real time and space. With a final thud, she brought them to their destination.

The Doctor patted the console absently as he got to his feet. “Thank you, dear.”

The feeling of her warmth and affection gave him courage to pull the door open. But instead of the red-orange hues of his native planet, the world outside was velvety blue and silvery white.

The Doctor looked over his shoulder at the console. The time rotor was completely dark, and he strongly suspected that if he tried to leave this planet, she would refuse.

For a moment, the anxiety of yet another unexpected thing tightened in his gut. As much as he didn’t want to return to Gallifrey, he wasn’t sure he could handle whatever awaited him here.

He took a deep breath and pulled the door shut behind him as he stepped out onto the snow-covered street. They had landed just opposite a stone palace, decorated with garland and fairy lights. Music floated through the open windows, along with soft conversation and laughter.

The Doctor studied the palace. Ralama, unless I miss my guess.

Something buried deep in his memories awoke. A ballroom in Ralama… He was across the street and up the long stairway almost without realising it. Timelines had pulled him here, and he couldn’t wait to find out why.

“Your invitation, sir?”

The Doctor blinked at the royal guard, then smiled widely. “Yes, of course.” He pulled the psychic paper out of his pocket and showed it to the young man.

The guard took it and studied it carefully before handing it back. “Thank you, Sir Doctor. Please enjoy the royal ball.”

The Doctor kept his face clear as he took the wallet back, but as soon as his back was turned to the guard, he raised an eyebrow. Sir Doctor? That’s interesting…

The TARDIS almost seemed to giggle in his mind, and he gave her a last look before entering the palace. Apparently his ship was not above interfering with his psychic paper, but as long as it had gained him entrance, he didn’t mind.

Inside, the Doctor let his mind drift, following the timelines as best as he could. Almost without thinking, he climbed the stairs to the gallery overlooking the ballroom.

He blinked when he reached the top of the stairs. He’d been here before…

The music below called him forward, and he walked over to the railing that protected him from falling into the room below.

There were several couples on the dance floor, but one stood out. A tall man spun a beautiful blonde around the floor. She laughed as her red skirt flared around her, and her partner smiled in answer. Neither of them was aware of anyone else in the ballroom—their attention was focused solely on each other.

Timelines still teased him, and the Doctor couldn’t resist taking a peek. Gold lines swirled around the pair, twining through them like the path of a time traveller.

He narrowed his eyes and focused more intently on the man’s timelines. There was something about them… something familiar. It took him a moment to place it, but finally he traced the timelines back to a point he was familiar with.

Very familiar. This man was his future self.

And now he couldn’t resist studying the woman in his arms. Who could possibly enchant him so much?

Her timelines were incredible. They started as the single timeline of an ordinary human, but before long, they began to twist and spin around themselves—probably the moment she’d started travelling with him, he figured.

But the most captivating thing about her timelines was the way they were entwined around his own. This man was his future self, and the woman in his arms was his future wife.

The Doctor stumbled back a half step. He couldn’t… How could he possibly have a future like this, after what he was planning?

His future self whispered in his partner’s ear, and she turned her head to look at him.

Now he remembered her, the mysterious blonde who had rescued him after his foolish visit to Euripidus. He’d recognised her as his bond mate then, too, he remembered. But back then, he hadn’t known how much of a toll the War would exact on him. He hadn’t known the man he would become—a man who didn’t deserve Rose Tyler.

Don’t. Don’t you dare think of yourself that way. Her fierce voice in his head was yet another shock in a day filled with them.

Rose? He asked, reaching out tentatively for the bond he could feel echoing back across time.

This time, the telepathic communication was just a sense. The feeling of being loved, being held, her desperate wish that she could protect him from what was coming.

I love you, she told him finally.

The Doctor shook his head, feeling like he was walking through cotton wool. He’d forgotten about Rose, as he’d known he would have to, and as he would have to again. But he remembered this—her fierce protectiveness of him.

Like a wolf protecting her mate, he teased her.

Rose’s chin tilted up. Yes.

The older Doctor turned them and met his gaze. I know what you’re planning, he said soberly. It will be just as painful as you’re imagining, but when you’re done, Rose will be there. He smiled down at the woman in his arms. She doesn’t make up for the loss of our people, but she certainly makes it more bearable.

The Doctor swallowed. He could see that. He couldn’t imagine how, but somehow this older Doctor had healed from the trauma of what they were about to do.

Rose looked back at him. Go, Doctor, she told him. And no matter how bad it gets, remember that this moment is waiting for you.

The Doctor stepped away from the gallery and melted into the crowd of guests working their way downstairs. Somehow, like always, the TARDIS had shown him exactly what he’d needed to see.

#doctorroseprompts #31 days of ficmas #fic by nancy #ficandchips #ten x rose #eight x rose #reunion #hope #in which the Eighth Doctor gets a glimpse of his future that gives him hope #right when he needs it most #cq's fic: a snowy surprise

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anonymous-chicken-was-taken · 4 months

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Would y'all be mad if I kinda abandoned the spirit of Ficmas? Like not full abandoned the concept, I'd still update it, just maybe not all in order and definitely not all this winter. Ideally, I'd still finish it eventually, but I'm just. Really not digging it rn, I've been pretty unsatisfied with what I've been writing for it recently.

#im sorry i just kinda. eh.#i feel like i could have predicted this wouldn't work out lmao #anonymouschicken #31 days of ficmas

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bysaber · 4 months

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Stuck in a cabin ft. Megumi Fushiguro

Day 14 of 31 Days of Ficmas!

summary — after a ski trip with a group of friends, a snowstorm traps you and the only person in the group you barely talk with, megumi fushiguro.

word count — 1.6k

content — MDNI, smut, mutual pining, mutual masturbation, praise kink (megumi has it), megumi is a little inexperienced but it’s not explicit, finger sucking (?), yuji x reader mentioned, lowercase intended

notes — happy bday megs!! my fav boy <3

it’s been one hour and a half since you and megumi started drinking and the silence is beyond excruciating.

you both have many things to say, he and you are aware of that, but somewhat the both of you can’t push yourselves to say any of it. fear holds your words back, locking them in your throats.

after a cheerful weekend with all of your friends, you were left alone; yuta and maki took off first thing in the morning and, since you slept until 1 p.m. and nobara had an assignment to turn in, yuji drove her.

megumi rented the place so, being the one who needed to hand the keys to the renter, promised yuji he would take you home instead.

problem is – by the time you got up and packed your things, a snowstorm started, trapping you and megumi in the cabin far above some mountains.

“uh, i forgot to tell you… yuji apologized for not driving you back. he was your ride, right?” megumi finally breaks the silence, his gaze locked on his empty glass of wine.

he wonders if he should fill it again.

he is a lightweight, but the wine isn’t that strong.

“that’s fine,” you couldn’t care less about yuji. not right now. this is the closest you’ve ever been to megumi, the guy who unknowingly has you on his knees, the reason you suggest drinking together in the first place. “sorry to trouble you, though.”

the raven-haired boy can feel your eyes on him, as if you’re trying to figure him out. if the wine hadn’t tinted his cheeks red yet, you would be able to see the blush on his face.

silence engulfs you again, and it sickens him to hear you gulping down your drink. with the silence, it becomes so very easy to hear all the little sounds you make, even your breathing. he’s not sure he can handle it.

he needs to break it.

“so… you and yuji?”

megumi wants to slap himself the moment the words leave his lips. what kind of question is that? he swears at himself, but he truly wants to know.

he has liked you for so long that, when he started growing suspicious about your relationship with yuji, he didn’t have the stomach to ask about it to his best friend. he would tell himself he was better off not knowing.

but yuji isn’t here.

and you… you are.

he hears it when you laugh – a laugh so genuine it warms his heart – and turns his head to look at you. you seem really amused, but he doesn’t get what’s so funny and a little pout appears on his lips.

“uh, me and yuji are just friends, megumi,” you say when your laugh comes to an end. “just friends.”

“ah,” should he believe you? you aren’t even close. why would you tell him? “i just thought…”

“what did you think, megs?” you’re fast to approach him, now sitting so close together your thighs touch and your breath fans over his jaw. you wear a playful, almost wicked, smile as you press further, “did you think i was fucking yuji?”

the dirty word in your voice makes megumi’s cock twitch. he tries to keep his breathing steady, putting his glass on the table before turning completely to you, although avoiding your eyes. does it matter if he lies? “yes.”

“why do you care?” your ambush has him almost collapsing in front of you. megumi can feel his blood running cold as he tries to think of an answer to give you, a decent one that won’t put him into further trouble. “do you want to fuck me instead, megumi?”

it is so hard to think when your face is so close. are you testing him? have you found out about his crush on you? about his perverted fantasies? are you trying to catch him red-handed?

megumi lifts his eyes to meet yours, a ‘sorry’ on the tip of his tongue when he catches on how you seem to be drowned in lust. your pupils dilated, shining bright, and a silent request you never make.

he kisses you with utter desperation, his hand grabbing the back of your neck to pull you closer and guide you through it. you straight up mewl against his lips, the sound making his blood run straight down to his dick.

as his tongue invades your mouth, you grab his shirt tight and lay down, pulling him with you. megumi doesn’t even know where to put his hands, shaking slightly as he runs them over your sides; grabbing, squeezing, making sure you are really there.

as soon as you part the kiss, your lips are on his neck and he groans, rutting his hips against your legs. he can feel his entire body growing hotter, his cheeks flushing, but you give him no time to doubt himself as you part your legs to accommodate him.

“shit…” he hisses, thrusting in a desperate attempt to have some relief. “can i… can i take these off? is this okay?”

you nod and he immediately retreats, just enough to take your sweatpants off you. too many clothes, he thinks. everything suddenly became so hot.

“take yours off, too,” you say. “please.”

you watch, lust and adoration filling you, as he stands and pulls his pants down with trembling hands. you can see the bulge on his underwear, your mouth salivating at the sight.

but megumi doesn’t wait another second before he’s on the couch again, kneeling in front of you. his hands are cold when they touch your knees, silently asking for you to open your legs again – and you do.

“kiss me again,” you notice he’s nervous so you ask, and when megumi presses his weight down on you and connects your lips again, you become a mess. “megumi…” you whisper between a kiss, moaning softly when he thrusts against you, the wetness in your panties making it feel so damn good. “are you sure you want this?”

megumi knows you can see his anxiety, but you erase it with each kiss. you erase it when you roll your hips on him, making him whimper. “yes. yes.”

you’re not sure he’s answering your question, and he buries his face on your neck as his right hand goes straight to your core. “megumi.”

“want this… want you so bad,” he whines close to your ear, pulling your panties down a little and cupping your pussy. you both moan, “shit– you’re so wet. i did this?”

his question is genuine, taking his face off your neck to look at you. he looks so fucked up and it drives you insane, knowing he was on cloud nine for touching you alone.

“y–yeah. you did,” you can barely express yourself as he massages your lower lips, his eyes locked on your face to gather every bit of your reactions. when he presses his thumb on your clit, it’s your turn to whimper, “fuck, fuck, –gumi.”

“feels good?” he’s so desperate for confirmation you’d find it cute if you weren’t so lost in yourself already.

“yeah, so good,” he hums happily with your answer, playing with your clit and circling your entrance with one of his fingers. you cry out when he pushes it inside, pumping a few times before pushing in another, “‘s so good. so good to me, megumi,” you’re out of your mind, moving your hips with him.

his chest fills with pride as he watches you squirm underneath him, hearing you praise him. he doesn’t even see you moving your hand to grab his cock, making him falter for a bit.

you push his underwear down just enough to free him, almost automatically smearing the pre-cum leaking from his tip as much as you can before wrapping your hand around him, “wanna make you– feel good too.”

he sighs in pleasure, curling his fingers inside you as he thrusts them and massages your clit. you stop pumping him for a second to collect your own wetness before enveloping him again, “fuck, fuck.” he doesn’t know for how long he can last, knowing damn well he looks like a dog in heat as he matches your movements and speed.

your orgasm comes crashing down and megumi eats the sounds you make by kissing you, the way your walls clench around his fingers and you make a mess on them being the last straw for him to cum as well.

you gasp, still coming down from your high as you feel his seed dripping on your sensitive pussy, painting it white. almost as if claiming you.

when you open your eyes to see there’s cum everywhere, you notice it wasn’t intentional. “shit, megumi, you’re so hot.”

he’s still shaking, so you motion for him to lay on top of you, “sorry, i didn’t want to–”

you shut him by taking your hand to your mouth, licking his cum off it with adoration. megumi feels his cock stir, but copies your movements, licking you off his fingers as well.

you don’t even have to think before you put your fingers on his mouth and he puts his on yours. you feel synchronized, eyes locked on each other and mind filled with dirty thoughts as you suck each other’s fingers off.

and then megumi kisses you again, your mouth filled with the taste of you both combined and you sigh, “you’re so good.”

you don’t mind how many times you’ve said it, you want to keep saying it over and over again. especially when his eyes light up like that.

megumi waited for you for a long time and now he truly is going to be good.

to you.

#s23ficmas #wbysaber #thirsty saber #megumi fushiguro x reader #fushiguro megumi x reader #megumi x reader #megumi fushiguro #fushiguro megumi #megumi #x reader #jujutsu kaisen #jjk #megumi fushiguro smut #fanfic #smut

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neowinestainedress · 1 year

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© neowinestaindress; all rights reserved. do NOT repost, modify, or translate any work from this blog on any other platform and claim it as yours. you can find my works on ao3 (neowinestaindress) and wattpad (winestaintedress_; currently inactive).

LONG FICS

under summer sky ; 10k — poly johnjaetaeyu [s] — a stressful week of work leads johnny, yuta, taeyong and their girlfriend to have some fun. But Jaehyun doesn’t like to be left out at all, especially when he had been working all day, so when he finds out what happened a hot night of passion takes place under the summer sky of London.

wrapped in red ; 15k — poly johnjaetaeyu ficmas [s] [f] — Johnny and Jaehyun have been far from home for a month now. And the distance starts to feel unbearable when they announce to the others that they won’t make it home before Christmas Eve. But little do they know that to make up for the lost time, a lot of unexpected gifts are waiting for them at home. They’re probably not going to make them end up on the good list, but they’re surely going to give them a good time.

la dolce vita ; 16k — poly johnjaetaeyu sub!jaehyun [s] [f] — Jaehyun had a plan; a romantic night together during their romantic summer trip to Procida… but the night took a wild, unexpected, turn. Or where Jade’s dream finally comes true.

State of grace ; 12k — part of the “loving him was red” series — Happy endings are only for the heroes of stories, the brokenhearted. Heartbreakers rarely find happiness in the last pages of their book. But life’s unexpected, and it happens that sinners and heartbreakers might get their happy endings. She never expected to find love, she never tried to make it happen, especially with the person she could barely stand, but when Johnny came around and her armor fell, there was nothing else she could do.

rock, paper, scissors ; 11k — johnjaenomin fivesome [s] — five friends rent a house together for a few weeks to enjoy summer like they used to do when they were younger, thinking that nothing could change their friendship. But teasing leads to pent-up tension and tension leads to problems. Problems that can’t be fixed by playing ‘rock, paper, scissors’ like when they were young.

can you handle it? ; 12k — johnjaenomin fivesome part 2 [s] — Johnny drags her wildest fantasies out of her mouth, or to be more precise, out of her phone. But can she handle it?

into the woods ; 11k — inferno event | werewolves (feat kun, jaehyun, jeno, yangyang) [s] — ‘don’t go in the woods, past the first two rows of trees.’ It’s a simple rule, planted in every kid’s mind in the village since they are born. Nobody knows why, but nobody dares to question why. But pride leads to do dangerous things and what’s supposed to be a silly bet to prove something, gets you lost a bit too far into the scary forest. And those who seem to be polite strangers turn out to be something they’re not.

sweet deception ; 19k — inferno event | x reader | various monsters, multiple members [s] — on Halloween, nothing is as it seems. You end up in a room with six guys thinking they have amazing costumes only to be struck by reality when it’s too late; those are not costumes at all. But remember, on October 31, nothing is as it seems.

any time, any place ; 9k — poly johnjaetaeyu smutmas | free use [s] — the hectic rhythm before the holidays is stressful, but nothing that a lot of sex can’t fix.

push and pull ; 5k — poly johnjaetaeyu smutmas | power play [s] — fighting for dominance with johnny is not a smart idea, jade knows, but she doesn’t seem to care.

between us ; 16k — mxfxf [s] — you find yourself tangled in the life of the Suhs after Mr. Suh starts working as an English professor at your father’s university. You don’t understand why they float around you so much, but soon enough, you can’t get enough of that secret, dirty game anymore.

do you want to play a game, detective? ; 10k — ghostface/scream!au [s] — in these past months your only goal is to find the killer that is terrorizing the town of Woodsboro, but when you get close to him and feel like you finally have the upper hand, Ghostface turns the game around again. Or, Ghostface wants to play with you but not like he does with his victims, and you let him.

SERIES

all’s well that ends well to end up with you (you don't need to read this to read the other poly johnjaetaeyou one shots) ixora , 27k — jaehyun + johnny [s] [f] [a] — it was supposed to be just a fun night together. It was never supposed to end like this. daffodil ; 33k — jaehyun + johnny + taeyong [s] [f] [a] — sometimes it takes a miracle to bring light into somebody’s life, but other times it only takes three amazing strangers to show that love is not as terrifying as it seems and that somewhere on earth there’s a place to call home. And surprisingly, home can be found in the arms of the people you never expected to fall in love with. anemone ; 39k — jaehyun + johnny + taeyong + yuta [s] [f] [a] — good things start coming, new starts, new possibilities, and it looks like the sun never shined so much in the sky. But the sun sets even in paradise. tulip ; 65k — jaehyun + johnny + taeyong + yuta [s] [f] [a] — putting back what’s broken is not easy, but with time, love and patience, you can mend the wounds, and find out that no night is too dark if you have your stars shining on you. After everything, all’s well that ends well.

DRABBLES

size kink — requested | x reader [s]

subspace — requested | x reader [s]

car sex — requested | x reader [s]

BLURBS / HARD HOURS

₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆. fireplace ashes ₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆.

#nct fanfiction #johnny masterlist #johnny smut #johnny fluff #johnny angst

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callsign-phoenix · 6 months

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Hello everyone 💛✨

The falltober celebration is coming to an end and I thoroughly enjoyed it, so I have a tiny poll for you:

Thank you so much for your help!

~ Sophie 💛✨

#top gun #top gun maverick #callsign phoenix

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doctorroseprompts · 5 months

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Happy Ficmas, everyone! Doctorroseprompts' 31 Days of Ficmas begins today! Are you ready for all the festive, wintery, holiday fun?

Today's word is: Shopping

If you aren't inspired by today's word be sure to check out the full list because words don't have to be used in order (or at all) as long as you are writing and having fun.

I can't wait to see your fics this week! Remember to mention @doctorroseprompts and also tag us. Include #31 Days of Ficmas too. (Reminder that all fandoms are welcome to use the prompts, but we will only be reblogging doctor x rose content.)

Happy writing!

#31 days of ficmas #daily prompt #holiday prompt #doctor x rose

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soulless-angel25 · 5 months

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31 days of Ficmas - Doctorrose, day 4. Prompt: Ugly Jumper/Sweater @doctorroseprompts

Rose sat on the couch, grateful that Amy and Rory were letting them stay with them for the moment. The Doctor really wanted to know what was the deal with those boxes and she had just nodded along. She thought that maybe they'd stay in the TARDIS, but nope! Apparently he was really dedicated to spending the entire time- or almost the entire time in the Ponds' house.

She looked at the calendar hung on the wall, December 24th, Christmas Eve. Shaking her head she pulled out her phone, and just as she was about to open it her husband came bounding out of the TARDIS in what might just be the ugliest thing she has ever seen.

Of course, her first reaction is laughter. Because her husband is standing there, very proud in a jumper that is just covered in mismatching patterns and colors. She raises on hand to her face to at least try and hide her laughter, not very successfully but she tries.

Amy peaks her head in when she hears Roses' laughter and the Doctor's indignant squawking. Her eyes land on the Doctor before she lets out an incredulous laugh as she calls for Rory, one hand pulling out her phone to take a picture of the Doctor.

#doctor who #dr who #rose tyler #the doctor #eleventh doctor #elevenrose #doctorrose #31 Days of Ficmas #amy pond #amelia pond #amy williams #amelia williams #rory pond #rory williams #...it's a lot shorter then the previous ones- so sorry!#31 days of ficmas 2023

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ialwayscomewhenyoucall · 5 months

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Damsel, with or without Distress

“I have to say, this is much better than the first time we were in a shop together,” Rose tells the Doctor with a wink.

“What, you don’t enjoy being attacked by shop dummies and consequently rescued by tall, mysterious aliens?” the Doctor says, feigning surprise.

Rose laughs and rises to her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “You forgot handsome.”

“It was implied,” Jack says, stepping between Rose and the Doctor, slinging his arms across their shoulders. “You can rescue me anytime, Doctor.” Jack waggles his eyebrows.

“I have. More than once. It’s becoming tiresome.” He makes a show of trying to shrug off Jack’s arm, but it’s not very convincing.

“Oh Doctor, you can’t fool me. You’d miss me if I was gone.” Jack flutters his eyelashes at the Doctor, who groans.

Who knew a groan could be fond, Rose thinks. She turns to the books on the nearest shelf to hide her smile.

The Doctor scans a shelf, pulls out a book, and slaps it against Jack’s chest. “Read this, since you seem to enjoy fantasy.” Rose looks, it’s The Fellowship of the Ring.

“Not quite the kind of fantasy I had in mind,” Jack says…but he holds onto the book. Changing direction, he adds, “You could rescue Rosie for a change.”

“Leave me out of this,” Rose says, throwing up her hands. “I won’t come between you two lovebirds.”

The Doctor scoffs, but it’s halfhearted.

“Besides, we all know Jack’s the damsel in this relationship,” Rose says with a giggle.

Jack snorts, but does not disagree. The Doctor smirks.

“You can’t deny you love me,” Jack says. Before the Doctor can protest—again—Jack kisses him on the mouth.

And the Doctor kisses back.

Rose’s insides warm. She loves these two.

And they love her, too.

31 days of ficmas, day 1 - shopping

@doctorroseprompts

#31 days of ficmas #doctor who #nine x rose x jack #fluff #ficlet

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ghostofafruit · 4 months

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Ficmas Day 30: Hope @doctorroseprompts

Who would have thought a mysterious Christmas card hitting the Doctor in the face would have lead to this?

Elevenrose, reunion, fluff, 1018 words

#31 days of ficmas #31 days of ficmas 2023 #ficmas #doctorrose #elevenrose #timepetals #reunion #fluff #rose tyler #eleventh doctor #ao3 link #dr who #doctor who #fanfic

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blueboxesandtrafficcones · 4 months

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So This is Love

Day 15 of 2019′s 31 Days of Ficmas Thanks to @doctorroseprompts for the prompt list! Prompt: love Rating: M (nsfw) Pairing: 10xRose (AU) Summary: A Cosier With You fic. A year after taking their relationship from mutual pining to madly in love, Rose and James discuss next steps. Based on this: https://www.tumblr.com/memeuplift/728565011847544832 2019 31 Days of Ficmas masterlist Cosier With You Masterlist AO3

“So, is this our first or second Christmas together?" Rose asked from her spot on the couch, curled beneath a soft throw with a mug of cocoa, relaxing after hanging most of the ornaments on his tree and enjoying the Winter Wonderland they’d transformed his flat into.

Stretching to put the star on top of the tree, James shot her a look. “When’s our anniversary?”

“Good question.” She licked her lips, focusing on the sliver of skin revealed as his shirt rode up. “I mean, Christmas Eve, I guess. First date, said I love you, shagged. Pretty much hit all the benchmarks on day one, right?”

“Fair.” He stepped back from the tree towards her as he studied it, hands on his hips. “What d’you think, is it good?”

She took a snap of him with her mobile, enchanted with the way the lights of the tree framed him before focusing on his question. “Yeah, good from here.”

“Good.” He threw himself onto the couch next to her, laughing when she yelped. “As for the anniversary question… we could say the twentieth, as that’s when I actually asked you out. Gives it a little breathing room from the holiday.” Stealing a sip of her cocoa, he waggled his eyebrows.

“It’s only December 3rd, so we’ve got some time to decide,” Rose shrugged, smiling and wiping away a bit of whipped cream that stuck to his lip. With the fire crackling merrily, and most of the light coming from it and the tree, it was a properly cozy and romantic setting. “Maybe the twentieth is a good idea – we’d never be able to celebrate day-of if we said Christmas Eve.”

They met in the middle for a sweet kiss, and she liked how he tasted of peppermint and chocolate.

“Just let me know what you prefer,” he murmured when they separated. “So I can plan accordingly. For now, though, how’s takeaway sound?”

“Perfect. Your turn to pay, though.”

James made a face but acquiesced, passing over his mobile with doordash already open. “Pizza or curry?”

“Mhmm… pizza,” she quickly found their favorite place, ordering their usual. “I like that we can just say ‘pizza’ and we already know exactly what to order and from where.”

“Me too- oh, can you add on extra cheesy bread?”

Grinning Rose just turned the screen to face him, showing she’d already done just that. “Get out of my head.”

He laughed, digging his fingers into her side and making her squeal. “C’mere.”

She fell into him, still holding the mobile. “Hang on, let me make sure you got the confirmation – I’m still annoyed about last time, that it didn’t go through. Nothing worse than waiting on food that’s not coming.” They looked at the screen together as she navigated to his email, clicking somewhat blindly on the first message with a subject of Order Confirmation.

And then froze when instead of the expected receipt, a generic graphic of a diamond ring turning came up under a banner reading Congratulations, your order has shipped!

Holy shit. That’s an engagement ring.

James had gone very still next to her; she wasn’t sure he was even breathing, and in a split-second decision, she backed out to his inbox and found the right email.

“Looks like forty minutes until delivery,” she commented, tone deliberately light. “We should try to straighten up before that – it looks like a Christmas bomb went off in here.”

“Okay.”

She pressed her lips to his cheek, lingering a moment too long to be a peck, before getting to work.

They managed to get the unused lights back into the storage bins before catching each other’s eye, and a shared smile quickly grew into giggles until she was leaning against him.

“Why are we laughing?” he asked, chuckling all the while, and she started dumping the extra decorations on top of the lights.

“I don’t know.”

She looked up to find him smiling widely. “But you do know.”

Rose beamed back at him, tears pricking at her eyes as they just looked at each other with soft smiles.

The doorbell interrupted their moony eyes, James breaking for the door while Rose set the table, and they were soon seated quietly side by side, pressed together from ankle to hip with the food arrayed in front of them.

“So…” Rose focused on separating her slice from the rest of the pizza, carefully pulling apart the stubborn bits of cheese. “Is it here?”

He went still for a moment, before wiping his mouth. “Yep.”

“Is it hidden?” She looked over at him, nibbling on the end of the slice, heart thumping as he nodded, holding her gaze. “Can we play hot or cold with it?”

“Absolutely fucking not,” he said firmly, making her laugh. “Do- should- I mean… is this something we need to… have a conversation about?”

Rose gave an overexaggerated shrug. “I mean, I haven’t run screaming…” she teased, nudging him with her elbow. “Well, where should my expectations be? Is this part of the anniversary conversation?”

He shifted in his chair, an uncomfortable expression on his face, making her heart fall slightly. “Uh, to be perfectly honest, I don’t know if we’re there yet.”

Her brow furrowed, back straightening as she put the pizza down. “You bought the ring, have it hidden as we speak, but you don’t know if we’re there yet?” It took effort to keep her tone even. “I mean, I don’t necessarily disagree, but… you bought the ring.”

“Rose-” James pushed back from the table a bit, turning to face her and taking her hand. “That’s where this is going. For me, at least, it has from the beginning. I want to be ready for when we’re ready, but… we don’t even live together yet. And… I was gonna ask you at Christmas, but to be honest, that’s all I was going to ask you. To move in with me. Or I move in with you. Or we move in together in a brand-new place, if that’s what you want.” He exhaled. “To me, we’re still laying the foundation. But I’ve got designs clear up to the sky.”

“Me too,” she said softly, caressing his face with her free hand, memorizing it in this moment. “I want everything with you, and this last year has only confirmed that. I want to savor these steps, and when you ask me, I’m going to say yes. You know that, don’t you?”

He nodded, leaning in for a kiss but hesitating at the last moment. “When I ask you to move in, or-”

“Both.” Sliding her hand around his neck she pulled him close, and they kissed softly, broken by shared giggles.

When they finally pulled apart and returned to their now-cold pizza, Rose grinned at him. “I think it’s so cool that it’s here. It’s literally in the flat with us and I have no idea where. Does feel a little unfair that I don’t get to wear it, though,” she stuck out her bottom lip in an exaggerated pout. “Don’t you want me to try it on at least, make sure it fits?”

“Who says you haven’t?” he challenged, taking a long sip of his wine. “You sleep like the dead, and it’s been here for a few weeks. Can you be sure it hasn’t been on your finger, yet?”

The idea was thrilling, and her cheeks were starting to hurt from smiling so much. “You got any proof?”

He just shrugged, eyes mischievous. “You know, when you first found that email I was so mad that the surprise is ruined, but thinking about it, this could be a lot of fun. You’ll never know if it’s the moment or not. Every time I take your hand, or stop to tie my shoe, or tell you I love you… just for a second, you won’t know if it’s the moment or not. I think I’m going to enjoy this.”

“So you want to spend the holidays waging psychological warfare on me?” she asked, amused. “Nice.”

“Warfare? No. The occasional skirmish… maybe,” he teased. “And since you already know I’m not going to ask for real yet, it would be more accurate to say it was against our families, wouldn’t you?”

Rose’s eyebrows shot up. “Are you planning on fake-proposing to me in front of either of our families? I don’t think that’s going to end well for you. Your Mum and Donna are still extremely salty that you lied to them about us, and God help you if you toy with my mum like that, because I certainly won’t.”

She loved many things about his face, but the expression he wore now (stumped befuddlement) only came when she outfoxed him and was a particular favorite of hers. It was also extremely kissable, so she gave into the urge, leaning forward to nip at his pouting bottom lip, smiling against his mouth when he kissed back.

As the food cooled on the plates the heat between them grew until she was in his lap, the desire for food replaced by a need for a different kind of sustenance until he stood carefully, her legs wrapping around him as he carried her to bed.

Flopping back onto the mattress she watched with interest as he pulled his shirt off, before glancing around the room. “Is it in here?”

“Is what here?” James started on his belt, before pausing. “I told you, we’re not doing hot and cold, or anything similar. And if I’m honest – playing cat and mouse about this is not going to encourage me to give it to you faster. Possibly the opposite.”

Her offense at the implication only lasted a moment. “I’m only teasing,” Rose said softly, coming up on her knees to meet him at the end of the bed. “I’m excited and anxious, but there’s no pressure. I won’t go digging, I promise.”

His eyes narrowed as they held each other’s gaze. “Promise?”

“Cross my heart. In fact, if there’s anywhere I should stay away from, you could tell me.”

Her innocent look didn’t fool him; he just rolled his eyes and reached for the hem of her dress, tugging it up. “Note to self, rent a safety deposit box in the morning.”

“No, no,” she protested once the dress was over her head, resting her hands on his chest. “I triple promise that I won’t go looking. But if you get to pretend you’re going to propose, I get to pretend I’m gonna dig through your drawers at every possible opportunity. ‘S only fair.”

“I can live with that,” he agreed with a shrug. “Really, you’d only be ruining it for yourself, after all. But if you want to dig through drawers, I have a place you can start,” he guided her hands towards the zip of his jeans.

“Funny man,” she murmured, leaning up to kiss him as she freed him from the heavy fabric, pushing the jeans and his boxers down over his hips.

They didn’t need words after that.

Limbs deliciously heavy Rose relaxed into the mattress, pleasure still humming through her veins as James panted into her neck.

“Yes.”

“Hmm?” She trailed her fingernails along his spine, delighting in the way he shivered against her at the touch.

He raised his head to meet her gaze, eyes still heavy-lidded. “Yes, it’s in this room.”

A giddy smile spread across her face, and they giggled together for a moment before she stopped abruptly.

“Just, do me one favor.”

“Name it.” He dipped his head to press kisses along her collar bone and top of her breasts.

“Oi.” She guided his chin up so their eyes met again. “I don’t need a fancy proposal. I don’t need the Eiffel Tower at midnight, or something overly orchestrated. I just want it to be you, and me, and genuine. My only requirement is – if we took a picture of us three seconds after you ask and I say yes, I want to be able to show that picture to people.”

James’ brow furrowed. “Huh?”

“I mean, don’t ask me in bed. Or when we’re in pajamas and look a mess. Or immediately before, during, or after sex. It doesn’t have to picture perfect, but when people ask how’d he pop the question, I want to be able to tell the story without blushing. I don’t care if it’s… I dunno, out on a walk, or some great romantic jaunt that you’ve planned. I just care that you’re ready to ask, and that we’re fully dressed.”

He pushed himself upright and she followed so they were sitting almost nose to nose, James back on his haunches between her legs. “I’m not sure how to feel about your standards being so low,” he said dryly. “Look, I can’t promise the question won’t slip out occasionally- I’m actually really proud of myself that it hasn’t yet- but I can promise that when I give you the ring, it will be under respectable circumstances.”

“You can ask me as many times as you like,” she grinned, cupping his cheek with her palm. “Under any circumstances. How about this – when it’s the real one, you take a knee. If you ask and you’re not on one knee, I’ll know not to expect a ring – this way there’s no misunderstandings about whether it’s it or not.”

“I can do that.” His eyes were shining, and he pushed her hair back behind her ears before moving back over her, forcing her onto her back again. One hand bracing himself he slid the other down her side to her knee, guiding it up to wrap around her hip. “Rose?”

“Yeah?” She didn’t dare close her eyes but savored his touch until he looked up at her again.

“Will you marry me?”

They went still, the words hanging in the air as tears pricked at her eyes. “Yes.”

“Yeah?”

“Of course.” They met in a bruising kiss, joyous laughter forcing them apart.

“God, that felt good to say,” he sighed, beaming down at her. “I’ve been holding that in for… a while.”

She matched his grin, running her hands over his shoulders and arms. “It was good to hear, and better to answer. I’m looking forward to the real thing.”

“Me too.”

They shared another lingering kiss, instinct taking over as their bodies began to move, wiping away all thoughts in Rose’s head but one.

I love this man, and can’t wait to marry him.

#bbatcfic #doctorroseprompts #31 days of ficmas #ficandchips #doctor who #10xRose #10!AUxRose #10th Doctor #Rose Tyler #So This is Love #Cosier With You

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chocolatequeennk · 1 year

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Forever Timeless, 10/24

Summary: Two months after the Dalek Crucible, the Doctor and Rose are getting used to having the biggest family on Earth. As they visit Leadworth in 1996, Victorian England, a mysterious desert planet, and Elizabethan England, those family and friends often help in unexpected ways. But no matter where they go or who they’re with, it’s always the Doctor in the TARDIS with Rose Tyler–just as it should be.

Ten x Rose, Donna x Lee

Betaed by @rudennotgingr, @pellaaearien, and @jabber-who-key

Tagging @doctorroseprompts for 31 Days of Ficmas. This uses the Gift prompt, and probably others.

Part 7 of Being to Timelessness

AO3 | FF.NET | TSP

Ch 1 | Ch 2 | Ch 3 | Ch 4 | Ch 5 | Ch 6 | Ch 7 | Ch 8 | Ch 9

Chapter 10: Merry and Bright

The biscuits were still warm on the table when everyone started getting ready to go into town. Mickey patted his coat pockets, then pointed at the stairs. “I forgot that I left my gloves drying in our room. I’ll be right back.”

“Bring Tony with you when you come,” Jackie said. “He wanted to play with his toys while we cleaned up, but it’s time to go now.”

“I don’t think he’ll argue,” Mickey called back over his shoulder.

The room he shared with Martha was on the first storey at the end of the hallway. He was about halfway down the hallway when the door swung open. Mickey leaned against the wall and watched Tony tiptoe out of the room.

The boy closed the door softly, then turned to leave. He froze when he saw Mickey, then clasped his hands behind his back and smiled at him.

Mickey pointed at the door, and Tony slunk back into the room. Once he was inside with the door shut, Mickey looked at the boy.

“What were you up to?” he asked, though he was pretty sure he knew.

Tony opened his mouth and closed it a few times. Mickey raised an eyebrow, and he slumped. “Looking for presents.”

“Presents you’re not supposed to open until tomorrow morning?” Mickey pressed.

Tony looked down and heaved a big sigh. “Yeah.”

“Do you think your mum and dad would take you to Santa’s workshop if they knew I’d found you in my room?”

“No.” Tony’s voice wobbled a little, and Mickey crouched down so he could look him in the eye.

“I won’t tell her I caught you if you promise not to do it again.”

Tony lurched forward and wrapped his arms around Mickey’s neck. “I promise!” he swore.

“All right, then let’s go back downstairs.”

oOoOoOo

Rose took the Doctor’s hand as they left the house. “I was going to ask how far we’ll have to walk, but I can already hear the music,” she observed.

“We’re right at the centre of the action,” he said, swinging their hands between them. They stopped by the skating pond and he pointed at the large wooden lodge with a sleigh parked in front. “I bet you can’t guess what that is,” he told Tony.

“Santa’s workshop!”

Pete grabbed Tony’s hand before he could run off. “We’ll see everyone back at the house at 4:00,” he said, then he, Jackie, and Tony made their way to the workshop.

The Doctor spun around and looked at the remaining bunch. “Right! I think the rest of us can find something to do. There’s skating, obviously, a snowman building contest over in the park, and you can even hire a sleigh and go for a ride.” He pointed in the general direction of each attraction as he spoke.

Rose took his hand. “We’ll meet you back at the house at 4:00, like Pete said. Have fun, everyone.”

She tugged the Doctor away from the group towards some shops she’d noticed flanking Santa’s workshop. “I was thinking we could get everyone an ornament,” she said. “It’s a special holiday, celebrating our first Christmas all together as a family. Plus it would be nice to have some ornaments on the tree that actually belong to us.”

“Excellent idea,” he agreed.

A young salesperson dressed in a candy cane striped uniform greeted them at the door of the quaint shop. “Welcome to the North Pole Depot,” they said. “May I offer you a basket?”

Rose looked around at the shop, her mouth falling open when she realised how large it was. “It’s like it’s bigger on the inside,” she said under her breath.

The salesperson heard, though, and a grin stretched across their face. “I know, isn’t it incredible?” they asked. “I don’t know how they get everything in here.”

The Doctor turned slowly, his eyes narrowing. “This is…” He bit his tongue. Even if he was right and someone had used dimensionally transcendent technology to make this shop bigger on the inside, it didn’t really matter.

He took the proffered basket. “Thank you.”

“Do you remember the last time we browsed a Christmas shop?” Rose asked as they started down the central aisle.

Before he could answer, she pointed at an ornament on a nearby tree. “Oh look! For Mum and Pete.”

The Doctor took the “New Home” ornament and put it in the basket. Then he considered her question, looking around the shop as he did. “I don’t see any other Doctors this time.”

“I still wonder what you decided to give future me for Christmas,” she said. She cast a sideways glance at him. “I mean… what kind of present do you think you might give?”

The Doctor raised an eyebrow. “As far as fishing goes, that wasn’t even remotely subtle,” he said dryly. “You’ll find out what I have for you in the morning, just like everyone else.”

He shifted his hand and rubbed his thumb over the remembrance band. Besides, I already gave you your real Christmas present, he reminded her.

Rose shivered. Every time the bracelet activated, it sent a charge over the bond.

An’ I love it, she agreed.

The Doctor hummed happily in the back of his throat, and Rose leaned against his arm. “Let’s finish shopping and then go see what other adventures we can find.”

oOoOo

When they got back to the house, the Doctor held up their shopping bag and shook it gently. “We got a surprise for everyone,” he said, quickly handing out the ornaments.

“Since it’s our first Christmas together as a family, we thought it would be nice if everyone had an ornament to hang on the tree,” Rose added.

Martha placed her miniature stethoscope on a branch at eye level, then gave Rose a hug. “Thanks for always remembering,” she whispered.

She didn’t have to finish the sentence; Rose knew. “Thanks for always remembering I’m not just a soldier.”

Rose returned the hug, then accepted thanks and hugs from everyone else. Tony wrapped his arms around her legs and gave her a big kiss when she bent down.

The Doctor pointed out a perfect spot for the Santa they’d gotten him. While everyone was occupied, Rose quietly went upstairs for some solitude.

She took a deep breath after she closed the door behind herself. She wasn’t used to constantly being with this many people—not ones she actually knew, at any rate. Growing up in London had meant there were always people nearby, but it was easy to ignore strangers.

“You can’t really ignore a house full of people, especially not when you all want to use the loo at the same time,” she murmured, remembering the line and the good-natured bickering that morning as they’d gotten ready.

She’d just settled in with her book when the door inched open. She could tell the Doctor was still downstairs, so she leaned to the side to see who was on the other side of the door.

“Tony?” she said in surprise when she saw his big eyes peering up at her. “I thought you were decorating biscuits.”

His small hand was still wrapped around the doorknob. “Um… Mummy wanted to know… if you want a star cookie or a snowman cookie?”

It was obviously a fib, and Rose raised her eyebrow. “Did she?” she asked, gesturing for Tony to come inside.

He nodded enthusiastically, a bright smile on his face. Rose would almost have believed him if his eyes weren’t darting back and forth. “Yeah!” he said. “And if you want green or red frosting. And sprinkles!”

Rose pursed her lips, pretending to think about it. Then she levelled a gaze at her little brother. “Or maybe you’re trying to find the prezzies?” she suggested.

Tony bit his lip. “No?” he said, his tone making it a question.

Rose wanted to laugh, but she managed to keep a straight face. “You know Mum and Dad have those hidden so you get surprises tomorrow morning,” she reminded him. “If you find them and open them early, you’ll make them sad.”

“But I want to know!” Tony said.

“And you will. Tomorrow.”

He huffed and flopped onto the floor. “Too long.”

Rose looked down at him. “Do you want me to tell Mum you were trying to find your gifts?”

“No!” Tony covered his face with his hands, like that would keep him from getting caught.

“Then promise me you won’t do this again.”

Tony groaned, but he rolled over and stood up. “Promise,” he said grumpily.

“Good. Now go back down there and decorate cookies before she wonders where you’ve been.”

oOoOo

The night of Christmas Eve was almost exactly like what Rose remembered from her childhood. They had shepherd’s pie for dinner, then some of them played board games while others watched movies.

Around half eight, Jackie led a protesting Tony upstairs. “Santa won’t come until you’re asleep,” she reminded him, making Rose shake her head.

Just like when I was a kid.

Jackie didn’t return until after nine, and she looked exhausted when she did. “I thought you were a handful with Christmas,” she told Rose, “but Tony…”

Jenny leaned forward slightly. “What was Mum like, Gran?”

Jackie smirked. “Well, she was a champion at seeking out any presents I’d hidden away, for a start. It was a challenge every year to find new places to hide them.”

“I wasn’t that bad,” Rose protested.

Mickey snorted. “Right, and that’s why Jackie asked us to hide them in our flat one year.”

“You were like that until you were 12,” Jackie agreed. “But that year… that red bicycle showing up on Christmas morning… Either you enjoyed the surprise so much that you stopped looking, or you just grew out of it.”

A different Doctor twirled through Rose’s memory, spinning around the console with a manic smile on his face. “Who says I’m not—red bicycle when you were twelve.”

Behind her, her current Doctor took a big gulp of tea, probably to hide his smug smirk. Rose leaned back against him and squeezed his hand. “The bike was special,” she agreed.

“I hope Tony grows out of it,” Jackie said fervently.

“You should be like my dad,” Donna said. “He always forgot to buy presents until Christmas Eve, so there was no chance for me to poke around looking for ‘em.”

“Oh, but you can’t shop the sales that way!” Jackie protested. She sighed and looked at the tree. “I’m not looking forward to staying up late to put the presents under the tree. That’s always the hardest part of Christmas Eve.”

“We can do that,” Rose offered. “We don’t sleep as much as the rest of you—no reason for you to lose sleep when we can do it just as well.”

“Are you sure?”

The Doctor nodded. “Rose is right. We don’t sleep as much as the rest of you.”

“Thank you, sweetheart.” Jackie yawned and looked over at Pete. “If they’re going to take care of the presents, I’m going to bed.”

Pete set down his mug and stood up. “If having a three year old has taught me anything, it’s to grab onto any chance at more sleep.” His dry remark drew chuckles from everyone.

At the foot of the stairs, Jackie looked at the Doctor and Rose. “Tony takes forever to fall asleep,” she warned. “You’ll have to wait another hour yet before you can put the presents out.”

The Doctor pulled his sonic screwdriver out of his pocket. “Or I could just sonic him into his room,” he suggested jokingly.

Jackie narrowed her eyes. “I think you’re joking, but if not, no.”

“Of course not,” he agreed. “It’s not safe to lock people in their rooms.”

“I have a feeling Christmas morning is going to come a little earlier than I’d like,” Martha said after Pete and Jackie went to bed. “I don’t think Tony is going to wait until a decent hour to open all of his gifts.”

Jenny laughed. “Definitely not. I caught him in my room yesterday, trying to find where Gran had hidden them. I told him I’d tell her he’d been looking unless he promised not to do it again.”

“Wait a minute,” Mickey said. “That’s the same thing I made him promise when I caught him in our room this afternoon.”

Rose’s shoulders shook with repressed laughter. “And me,” she added.

The three of them exchanged looks before everyone broke into muffled laughter. “That little sneak,” Donna said. “Promising the same thing to all of you, and then going out and doing it again anyway.”

Rose tilted her head. “Maybe, maybe not,” she said, thinking about the exact wording of the promise she’d gotten from Tony. “Did you ask him not to sneak into any more rooms, or did you ask him not to do it again?”

When Jenny and Mickey exchanged a glance, she knew what the answer was. “Yeah, me too,” she said. “So technically, he kept his promise. He never went into Jenny’s room again, or yours or ours.”

Mickey shook his head, then he stood up and held out a hand for Martha. “Well, if he’s that determined, we know he’s going to be up at the crack of dawn. And in that case, we’re going to bed.”

“Yeah, us too,” Donna said as she and Lee stood up.

“And me,” Jenny agreed. “I’ll put the milk and cookies out before I go upstairs.”

“We’re not telling Mum, right?” Rose clarified as Jenny walked into the kitchen.

Mickey snorted. “Definitely not.”

After everyone else went upstairs, the Doctor and Rose quietly left the house and walked back to the TARDIS. “Maybe we should have offered to stash everyone’s gifts for them,” the Doctor mused as he opened the door.

“And take away all the fun Tony had trying to figure out where Mum had stashed them?” Rose replied.

“True… but we wouldn’t have had to tell Tony they were here.”

Rose laughed and opened the storage cupboard just off the console room. “We can do it that way next year,” she said as she handed the Doctor the box of unwrapped gifts.

Her phone buzzed as she was reaching for the wrapping paper. “Oh, I hope that’s Jack finally ready to come join us,” she said as she pulled it out.

“Finally free,” she read aloud. “Come on, let’s get him the coordinates.” They dropped the gifts and paper off in the library, then continued on to the console room.

The Doctor leaned against a strut and watched Rose work. She moved around the console with a surety that most Time Lords with twice her experience wouldn’t possess.

“Bad Wolf makes it easy,” she said absently as she swung the monitor around.

The Doctor shook his head, but Rose held up a finger. “Let me get this right first.”

She looked at the monitor, then her phone, and back again before she finally hit send. “There, that’s done,” she said, sliding the phone into her pocket.

“There, you see,” the Doctor said, taking her hand as they walked back to the library. “It’s complicated—it doesn’t take much to send someone to the wrong planet, or the wrong century.”

“Yeah, it’s a complex system,” Rose agreed. She tugged on his arm, and glancing down, he caught her teasing smile. “But you’ve been using it for centuries—I’m not sure that’s really a good excuse for you.”

The Doctor pushed the library door open. “I think she sends us off course on purpose,” he retorted as Rose walked past him. The TARDIS chimed, and they both laughed.

Rose hip checked him. “No matter where we go, I love it. Now let’s get these presents wrapped.”

Nearly an hour later, they crossed the snow-covered garden and carefully opened the back door. With everyone in bed, the house was almost completely silent.

“T’was the night before Christmas,” the Doctor whispered, “and all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.”

“Exactly,” Rose agreed. “But this time, we’re St. Nick.”

The Doctor set the box down just outside the living room and pointed his sonic at the closet where Jackie had hidden her gifts. He heard Rose shuffle carefully into the dark living room, and then saw the light when she turned a lamp on.

A sudden wave of amusement caught him by surprise. He turned and stuck his head into the room, wondering what had tickled her.

He raised his eyebrows when he saw the empty plate that was supposed to have cookies left for Santa. Rose put her finger over her lips, then pointed at the floor under the table.

Two little feet stuck out, and the Doctor had to press his lips together to hide his laughter. He bent down, and sure enough, his little brother-in-law was passed out under the table, probably from the sugar crash after eating the entire plateful of cookies.

You start getting out the gifts, he told Rose as he scooped Tony up. I’ll take this guy to bed.

The Doctor had just disappeared around the corner at the top of the stairs when Rose heard a quiet pop behind her and felt a shift in the air. “Hi Jack,” she said, shooting him a quick smile over her shoulder. “Help me get the presents out?”

Jack grinned back at her. “Anything for you, Rosie.”

Rose rolled her eyes but didn’t respond to Jack’s flirting. It was just Jack—something she’d known for years. “Come on, let’s get this done. Then we can talk for a bit.”

They were just putting the last gift out when the Doctor finally returned. “One toddler finally back in bed,” he half-whispered. His gaze shifted to Jack. “And one Torchwood operative finally with us.”

Rose sat down on the love seat and the Doctor joined her. “It did take you a bit to get here,” she said to Jack, seated on a plush chair across from them. “With space-time coordinates, I thought you’d arrive right after we sent them.”

Jack ran his hand through his hair. “Yeah, the Vortex felt off tonight—it was a bit of a bumpy ride. I’m just glad I got here within the hour.”

“Space hopper,” the Doctor said under his breath.

“One that you tuned up,” Jack rejoined.

“Oi, you can’t blame this on me. If you start with a scooter, not even the world’s best mechanic could turn it into a Ferrari.”

Rose had only been half-listening to their bickering. Jack’s comment about the Vortex seeming off had sent a shiver down her spine; she had a feeling that was important somehow.

She shook herself out of the pensive mood when she felt the Doctor’s question over the bond. “Come on then,” she said to Jack. “What have you been up to?”

The TARDIS hummed around her as they settled in for a long winter’s chat.

oOoOo

After staying up until three in the morning talking to Jack, Tony’s excited shout and the pounding of his footsteps down the hallway came early even for Rose. She rolled over and pulled the duvet over her head, hanging onto it when the Doctor tried to pull it back.

“It’s too bloody early to be awake,” she grumbled when she finally gave in and sat up.

“Rose, I am a Time Lord. I understand more about time and how it works than almost anyone else in the universe. Even I know there is no convincing young children that Christmas morning can be too early.”

The gravity with which he gave that little speech made Rose laugh. “All right, fine,” she said.

“Besides, once we get downstairs we can open presents.”

Rose swung her legs out of bed and grabbed her dressing gown. “Oh yes!” she said, purposely sounding just like him. “I can’t wait for you to see what I got you.”

They were the first adults downstairs. Rose went into the kitchen to start the coffee, letting the Doctor keep Tony company—and keep him out of the gifts.

It might have been the aroma of coffee floating up the stairs that brought the rest of the adults downstairs, more than the sound of Tony’s excited chatter. They all filed through the kitchen for a cup before making their way into the living room.

“Mr. Jack!” Tony shouted when Jack made his appearance. “You came!”

Jack laughed and swung Tony up for a hug. “You bet I did, kiddo. I wouldn’t miss a family Christmas.”

“We’re glad you could make it, Jack,” Pete said. He scanned the room quickly, then smiled. “It looks like everyone’s here. Shall we get started?”

“Yeah!” Tony darted around his father and grabbed the first package he reached. “Presents!”

Pete read over his shoulder. “That one is for Martha. Can you take it to her?” The little boy’s shoulders slumped, but he dutifully walked it across the room to Martha.

“Thank you, Tony!” she exclaimed as she took the gift in bright red and green striped paper. She pulled the bow off the top and handed it to him. “I think you deserve a prize for being so helpful.”

Tony grinned and put the bow on top of his head. “You’re welcome!” he said, then darted back to the tree and the pile of presents his father had made for him.

The Doctor shook his head as he enjoyed Tony’s antics. It had been a very long time since he’d been around children that young.

He had his own pile of presents to open, another thing he hadn’t experienced… well, ever. He and Rose enjoyed their small Christmas celebrations with one meaningful gift each. This was a whole different level.

“The shirt boxes wrapped in the snowman paper are from me and Pete,” Jackie said. “We’ll open those last.”

The Doctor picked up the box and shook it gently, but outside of a soft rustle, there was no indication at all of what it was.

“We’ll open them last,” Jackie repeated firmly.

Rose took the box from him and set it on the coffee table in front of them, and then set another package down next to it. Open that one next to last, she told him.

The Doctor couldn’t resist. He picked that gift up too, turning it over in his hands.

“It’s in a box, love,” Rose told him, rolling her eyes. “You’re not going to figure it out unless you have x-ray vision.”

She watched for a moment, until he picked up a different gift and started unwrapping. Then she turned to her own pile, starting with the one from Martha.

Rose had opened half her gifts when the Doctor nudged her over the bond. She looked up and smiled when she saw Jenny had their gift in her hand. He’d shown her what he’d gotten for Jenny at the jeweller, and she’d approved completely.

Jenny stuck her finger under the flap of paper and slid slowly, releasing the tape. Rose shifted in her seat, and the Doctor wrapped an arm around her shoulders and smirked down at her. Be patient. Not everyone rips wrapping paper off like you do.

Rose sighed and leaned back into the couch to watch. Jenny finally peeled back the festive red and green paper. She looked at the long, white box for a few moments, then looked up at Rose and the Doctor.

“Well, open it!” the Doctor said, making Rose laugh and poke him gently in the ribs.

“Be patient,” she said, sticking her tongue out at him.

“I’ll open it now, if you want.”

Rose and the Doctor both turned to look at Jenny, and she laughed at them.

Jenny pulled off the lid and her eyes widened.

“What is it, sweetheart?” Jackie asked.

Jenny lifted the watch out of the box and held it up. “It’s gorgeous! Thanks, Mum and Dad.”

The Doctor bounced lightly in his seat. “We thought… time was the perfect gift.”

It was symbolic in more ways than one, and when tears welled up in Jenny’s eyes, he knew she understood everything he was saying. The watch represented her heritage as a Time Lord, but it was also the gift of time. The time to decide what she wanted out of life, without him peering over her shoulder trying to get her to choose what he thought was best for her.

Jenny set the watch down carefully and crossed the room to hug him. “Thank you,” she whispered.

The Doctor held her tight. “I’m proud of you,” he told her. “I am so very proud to call you my daughter.”

Jenny squeezed him even tighter, then she sighed and let him go. She gave Rose a quick hug, then went back to her own seat.

The Doctor tried not to watch Rose when she finally got to his present. She opened the paper slowly, far more slowly than her usual zealousness. He knitted his brows together and then rolled his eyes. Of course she was dragging out the process. She wouldn’t get to the actual gift for years at the rate she was going.

Rose smiled at him when he finally focused his attention on her. Finally, she ripped off the paper with a satisfying shhhh noise.

Rose raised her eyebrows when she saw the standard box meant for clothing. “What did you get me?” she asked the Doctor under her breath.

“Why don’t you open it and find out,” he suggested, keeping his voice equally low. Not that anyone was going to overhear them—the entire room was a cacophony of happy noise as everyone opened gifts and thanked the givers.

Rose pursed her lips, but she dutifully lifted the lid on the box and pulled back the tissue paper.

The Doctor’s hearts raced when she picked up the burgundy jumper and shook it out. One of yours? she asked, though they both knew the answer.

One of yours, he corrected. Because I’m that Doctor too, and I loved you then. He paused. Also, it’s possible I like seeing you in my clothes.

Rose blushed and folded the jumper back up. I still need to get a suit like yours, don’t I?

The Doctor had just taken a drink of his coffee and he started choking when some of it went down the wrong pipe. The vision of Rose wearing his suit was just as appealing now as it had been the year before.

Rose pounded him on the back. Once he quit coughing, she pointed at the package he still held, the one from her. “Open that next!” she insisted.

The Doctor looked at the gift, then at Rose’s irrepressible smile. “How do you always manage to outdo my gifts?” he asked as he tore the paper open. “Every year, I think I’ve given you the best gift, that it can’t be topped… and yet you manage it.”

She giggled madly. “Oh, I wouldn’t necessarily say I topped your gift this year. But I can definitely say it’s not something you’ve ever gotten before.”

He raised an eyebrow, then opened the box. At first all he could see was a flash of red gold. He reached into the box and as soon as he touched it, he knew.

“You didn’t,” he said, his voice flat.

“What is it, Doc?” Jack asked.

“Yeah, come on Doctor,” Mickey chimed in. “We’ve all been showing off our gifts.” He paused, and his face turned a little green. “Unless she’s given you some kind of sexy underwear or… something. I don’t think any of us want to see that.”

“No thank you!” Jackie said vehemently, making everyone laugh.

The Doctor rolled his eyes. “It’s nothing like that. Just… Just Rose ribbing me, as usual.”

He pulled the gift out, draping it over his fist so everyone could see what it was. There was a moment of silence, then howls of laughter burst out of everyone.

“Put it on!” Martha insisted after wiping tears from her eyes.

“I will do no such thing!” the Doctor protested.

“Oh, come on Doctor,” Pete said. “I don’t know the story behind this, but I have to admit I’m curious to see what it looks like.”

The Doctor looked at Rose, and that was his mistake. She had that smile on her face, the same one that always convinced him to do whatever she wanted.

He groaned. “All right, but I’d better not hear any cameras,” he warned.

He sighed again and then put the wig on.

Rose doubled up laughing. “I don’t know why you’re so upset,” she said, gasping for air. “You always said you wanted to be ginger. I just made it possible.”

The fringe draped into the Doctor’s eyes and he flung it back over his forehead. “I said I wanted to actually be ginger,” he said. “Not wear some monstrosity of a wig.”

“Well at least now you can decide if you think it’s a good look for you,” Donna suggested.

Finally, all the gifts were opened except for the mysterious gifts from Jackie and Pete. Mickey was the first to rip into his, but as soon as they heard one piece of paper tear, everyone else started.

“Mum, what did you do?” Rose asked when she saw blue knit fabric.

“Just pull it out and you’ll see.”

Everyone took their gift out of the wrapping and shook it out. Rose stared at her jumper in the box for a little longer. She’d always managed to avoid ugly Christmas jumpers before, but it seemed her luck had run out.

She finally lifted the jumper out of the box to take in its ugly glory. The blue and white badly designed Fair Isle pattern depicted the Bumble from Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer.

Looking around the room, she realised everyone had a Christmas jumper. She thought maybe she knew what was going on then, and she looked back at her mum.

Jackie was beaming, holding her own ugly jumper—hers was Mrs. Claus in the bathtub. Rose glanced at Pete’s and wasn’t surprised that his was Santa having a beer.

“We wanted to do something to make us feel… like a family,” Jackie said. “So when you get ready for dinner, I want everyone to put your jumper on—and no complaining,” she added, glaring at Jack.

“Would I complain? Did anyone hear me complain?”

“You’ll have to keep it on, too,” Mickey retorted.

“Well now you’re just taking the fun out of it,” Jack complained. He must have caught the look on Jackie’s face, because he quickly held up his hands. “Kidding, kidding!” he insisted. “I’ll wear the jumper.”

“I think it’s breakfast time,” Lee said, making everyone laugh. But they left behind the pile of presents and discarded wrapping paper and took their seats around the dining table.

After breakfast, Mickey and Martha slipped out the front door. Rose nodded as she saw them disappear—they were the only couple who hadn’t had an hour to explore the town, just the two of them.

“Who’s going to help me with the turkey and all the fixings?” Jackie asked.

Jenny grimaced. “I would, but…”

Jackie shook her head. “Thank you, sweetheart, but…”

“But we’d rather Christmas dinner wasn’t served charbroiled,” Jack finished.

Rose felt a little pang in her heart as she watched the Cardiff members of their family laugh at a shared joke, one she wasn’t privy to. “It’s all right, Jenny,” she said. “Mum probably won’t tell you, but she used to burn everything, too.”

“Here now,” Jackie protested. “I’m not out here telling everyone your secrets. For that, you can work on the stuffing. There’s an onion that needs to be chopped up”

In the end, it was Jackie, Rose, Donna, and Lee working on dinner while everyone else found other ways to spend the morning. As Rose cut the veg for the stuffing, she could hear a movie going in the living room and a toy car racing up and down the hallway. It was the kind of holiday family gathering she’d always seen in movies but never actually experienced.

She’d just finished sautéing the ingredients when her mum called her name. “What is that alien of yours up to, Rose?”

Rose turned so fast she nearly knocked the pan off the stove. “Where is he?” she asked, then she realised that her mum was standing at the kitchen window.

Rose crossed the kitchen and looked outside. Jenny and Jack had started a snowman, and it looked like Mickey and Martha were just getting back from their walk and were joining in.

So far she didn’t see… Then she found him. He was sitting on a bench on the opposite side of the garden, and he had something metal caught between his teeth as he used the sonic on the device he was holding. A device that looked an awful lot like…

“Oh lord,” Donna muttered. “He’s built a snowball catapult.”

“Or slingshot,” Rose agreed. She left the window and walked over to where the coats hung by the door.

“But there’s not a snowball fight going on,” Jackie protested.

“Not yet,” Lee said, making both Rose and Donna laugh.

“What are you doing, Rose?”

Rose finished pulling on her winter boots and looked up at her mum. “I’m not staying in here if there’s going to be a snowball fight,” she said.

Donna and Lee were both reaching for their coats, too, and Jackie shook her head. “You’re all mad,” she said, a repeat of the declaration she’d uttered many Christmases ago. But this time it was said with affection instead of derision.

“Yeah.” Rose crossed the room and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “And you love us.”

“God help me, I do.” She pointed at the three of them. “You make sure that alien gets hit at least once, you hear me?”

“Yes ma’am!” they chorused as they stepped outside.

Donna squeezed Lee’s hand, then tilted her head to the right when he glanced over at her. He nodded subtly, and she left his side to sneak behind the garden shed.

When she was safely hidden, she peered around the corner at the Doctor. He was still facing Jenny and Jack, that bloody catapult in his hand. Donna grinned as she collected a handful of snow and carefully patted it into a snowball.

A moment later, she pumped her fist victoriously when her snowball hit the Doctor square in the back. He jumped, then spun around wildly looking for where the attack had come from.

Donna ducked back behind the corner of the shed just in time to avoid being caught. A moment later, she heard another splat. The Doctor’s loud squawk of protest told her he’d been the target again.

“Why are you all ganging up on me?” he whinged.

She jumped back out into the open and threw another snowball. “Don’t try acting innocent,” she told him. “We saw you making that catapult thing—we just thought we’d beat you to the punch.”

Faster than Donna had expected, he scooped up snow in his gadget and spun around to fire it at her. The cold snow hitting her in the chest shocked the air out of her, but then she narrowed her eyes at him. “Oh, it is on now, Space Man.”

The lines were quickly drawn. Mickey and Martha joined her and Lee. Rose sided with the Doctor, of course, and Jack and Jenny joined on their side to keep the numbers even.

Donna lost track of time as she pelted snowballs across the lawn. Everyone was shrieking and laughing and yelling threats at each other.

“Oi, you lot!” Jackie hollered from the back door an untold amount of time later. “Get in here and get cleaned up. Dinner will be ready in half an hour. And don’t forget to wear your jumpers.”

Rose shivered as she shrugged out of her winter coat and left it in the kitchen with everyone else’s. “I don’t think anyone will mind wearing your jumpers,” she told her mum. “I know I won’t.”

“Me either,” Martha agreed, followed by Jenny and Mickey.

“Oh fine,” Jack grumbled, drawling out the sound. “I suppose a warm jumper might be nice right about now.”

“Who won the snowball contest, by the way?” Jackie asked as they all headed for the stairs.

Mickey was the first to start laughing, but they all joined in quickly. “There was too much chaos to settle a winner,” he said.

“But we all got the Doctor at least once,” Donna added.

“Then I think I won,” Jackie said. “I got exactly what I wanted and didn’t have to get wet.”

Everyone laughed again as they walked up the stairs, even the Doctor.

Twenty minutes later, they all returned to the dining room. Pete and Jack helped Jackie get all the food on the table, and when it was ready, she nodded and they all sat down.

After all the food had been passed and the plates were full, Pete stood up, his wine glass in hand. “I think a toast is in order,” he said. “To new beginnings and a family found.”

“To new beginnings,” Donna said, looking at Lee.

“To a past remembered,” he added.

The Doctor watched the exchange, a lump in his throat. Watching the two of them was bittersweet. He hadn’t had anyone to hold him up after he’d lost his family—his entire planet.

Rose rested her hand on his knee, and he relaxed. He hadn’t had anyone right away, but the TARDIS had made sure he’d found the perfect person pretty quickly.

He took her hand and laced their fingers together. Thank you, he told her.

Always.

oOoOo

Once the Christmas pudding was demolished and the dishes had been moved into the kitchen, everyone moved into the living room. The Doctor smiled at the crowd of them lounging on the couches and the floor, all wearing the ugly Christmas jumpers from Pete and Jackie. Before he could say anything, he heard a shutter click.

He looked behind him and saw a camera resting on the mantel. “I set it on a timer,” Mickey explained. “Come on, join us for the next one.”

The Doctor darted into the group and laid down on the floor in front of all of them. He posed in what Rose called the “Titanic Pose,” then he used the sonic to trigger the timer on the camera.

A second later, the flash nearly blinded him. As soon as he could see again, he jumped up and grabbed the camera.

“My turn,” he said. “But first…” He pulled out his sonic screwdriver and fiddled with it for a moment, then pointed it at the camera. “Now you should all get copies of all the photos on your phones.”

He snapped a few quick candids as people pulled out their phones to check, then let Martha snag the camera from him.

“Come on, Tony,” the Doctor said, gesturing to the boy. “I bet we could run your new toy cars up and down the hallway, what do you think?”

“Yeah!”

Behind him, the Doctor heard the clicks of pictures being taken and knew their holiday memories would be well recorded.

oOoOo

Rose took her turn with the camera last, and she wandered the house, trying to catch everything. The glittering tree, the table with leftovers and remains of Christmas crackers scattered over it, Tony stretched out on his stomach trying to put together a puzzle… She didn’t want to miss any of it.

But finally she set the camera down on the table and leaned against the doorframe between the living room and the dining room. Everyone had moved into the living room, all stretched out comfortably on the couches and floor. It’s a Wonderful Life was playing on the telly, though she wasn’t sure anyone was really awake enough to be paying attention.

She felt that tug again, the same one she’d felt earlier while helping with dinner. It was the family holiday scene she’d always wanted when she was a kid… and she’d had to go flying through time and space to make it happen.

She felt the Doctor behind her before he tapped her on the shoulder. I have a surprise for you, he told her. Let’s go outside.

He already had his coat on, and he handed her hers. The familiar, almost giddy light of adventure lit his eyes, and Rose’s heart beat faster in response. She quickly pulled her coat on and followed him outside.

A gust of winter wind blew over the snow, and Rose shivered. The Doctor wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close, and Rose smiled up at him.

She’d been waiting for him to do something to acknowledge that it was Valentine’s Day, in their timeline. Keeping track of two timelines was always a bit tricky, and it was particularly confusing to be celebrating two different holiday seasons at the same time—one of which they had already celebrated a few weeks before.

The Doctor squeezed her hand. “Time travel does make life complicated at times,” he agreed.

“Yeah, but if the only complication is that I get two Christmases, I’ll take it,” Rose countered. “Where are we going, Doctor?”

He put a finger to his lips, then pointed at his ear. Rose cocked her head and listened, and a moment later, she heard it—the distant jingle of sleigh bells.

“Oh my god,” she whispered. In the dim light of twilight, she saw a sleigh turn the corner at the end of the street and start towards them.

The driver pulled the reins and the sleigh glided to a stop right in front of them. “All ready for you, sir,” he said.

“I tried to think of something romantic to do on a planet focused on Christmas and winter, and finally I decided that there was nothing more romantic than a sleigh ride for two.”

The Doctor offered Rose his hand and held her steady as she climbed up first. Then he jumped straight into the sleigh, not even using the step.

With a click of his tongue, the driver got the horses moving again. “There’s a blanket for you, and a thermos of hot mulled wine.” He glanced over his shoulder and winked. “And you can pretend I’m not here,” he added.

Rose giggled. “I was going to say that this felt familiar—the moonlit drive, cuddled up under a blanket with a hot drink to share. But he’s nothing like Ricard.”

The Doctor shook the blanket out and tucked it carefully over their laps. “I think Ricard was one of a kind,” he said dryly. “I’ve never met someone so intent on keeping even the most innocent of kisses from happening.”

Rose put her hand on the Doctor’s knee and leaned in. And were you thinking of innocent kisses when we were on that hayride? she asked.

He tugged on his tie. Wellllll…

Rose laughed and rested her head on his shoulder. I love that you stretch that out, even in your thoughts, she said. Does that mean that my first you would have sounded all Northern and gruff?

The Doctor pressed a kiss to her temple. Yep.

As they drove, what little light remained disappeared. Rose leaned back in the seat and watched as the stars came out, one by one. The Doctor listed them off as they appeared, occasionally adding a comment about a world in that system.

Rose waited, and finally her own Sun appeared. It was always one of the last, since it wasn’t very bright.

“There you go,” the Doctor murmured in her ear. “Earth. The old home.”

“Yeah.” Rose stuck her tongue out slightly in thought.

“What is it?”

“Well… I just realised that even though we’ve spent more time on Earth this year helping Mum and Pete get settled in, it still doesn’t feel like home. Or it doesn’t anymore, I should say.”

She paused, trying to put her thoughts together.

“It’s weird, is all,” she said after a moment. “Or maybe normal? Is this what it’s like when you move out? After a few years it almost feels like you never lived there?”

The Doctor shrugged. “Well, in a manner of speaking you haven’t ever lived there. This you, the one who’s had seven years of adventures with me, has never lived on Earth. You’re not the same Rose Tyler now as you were back then, and the person you are today…”

“Never lived on Earth,” Rose concluded. It brought up a memory that she and her mum had never really hashed out, and she resolved to talk to her about it soon. But for now…

“This is gorgeous, Doctor.”

He grinned down at her, and Rose’s eyes widened. “What?” she asked, knowing what that smile meant.

“It’s possible there’s a reason I wanted to take you on this drive.”

The sleigh pulled out of the wooded lane they’d been travelling and into an open meadow. Looking around her, Rose realised they’d also climbed a fair bit. She could see the lights of the town below them.

And if they’d climbed and were in an open place, he wanted them to have a view.

Rose leaned forward a little, eager to see whatever it was he had arranged. When the first glimmer appeared, she thought maybe she’d imagined it. Then a second joined it, clearer than the first.

The light in the sky seemed to be shifting. She blinked, and when she opened her eyes again, she gasped in wonder.

“Do you like it?” the Doctor whispered.

Flames of colour danced across the night sky, painting it shades of pink, purple, and blue. As the sky lit up in vibrant flashes of colour, the light caught on the fresh snow and reflected back onto the trees surrounding the meadow, turning them all shades of blue and purple as well.

“It’s gorgeous.” Rose tugged on the Doctor’s tie, and when he leaned down, she caught his mouth in a kiss that would definitely have upset old Ricard.

oOoOo

Two days later, their holiday was at an end. Rose checked the room one last time before she zipped up her bag and went downstairs.

Jack was sitting on the couch when Rose entered the living room. “Ready to go?” he asked. “Hang on,” he said before she could answer.

Rose glanced over at him and realised he was studying her intently. She looked down at herself, and it only took a second for her to know what he was thinking. “Jack—”

“I’ve seen that jumper before,” he said, ignoring her. His eyes were dancing as he stood up and circled her. “Yep, I definitely recognise this particular jumper.”

Rose rolled up the sleeve and pushed it up on her arm. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Now I’m wondering if you have a suit, too.”

On impulse, Rose decided to call his bluff. “I might, but you’ll never know,” she told him.

Jack’s jaw dropped, and Rose pushed past him to carry her suitcase out to the TARDIS.

She met Donna and Lee outside. “We just put our bags inside,” Donna said. “I think almost everyone is ready to go.”

Rose nodded. “So, back to the 51st century for you?”

Donna looked at Lee, and they both shook their heads. “We’d actually like to stay on Earth for a bit,” she said. “Contemporary Earth. Contemporary to my time,” she said finally, rolling her eyes. “Time travel gives me a headache.”

Rose arched an eyebrow. “Really?”

Donna nodded. “We got to talk to Jack yesterday. Lee really likes him—they have a lot in common, after all.”

Rose nodded. This was making more sense.

“Are you going to work for Torchwood?” she asked Lee.

He shrugged. “Maybe. I’m st-st-still… thinking,” he said.

Donna shook her head. “Plus he thinks he wants to meet my mum, poor man.”

Rose grimaced. Sylvia Noble was one of the least pleasant women she had ever had the misfortune of meeting.

She looked at Lee. “Remember what I said before you met my mum?”

He frowned, then rolled his eyes and nodded.

“Seriously, Lee. Sylvia makes my mum look tame.”

“Gramps is amazing though,” Donna interjected.

Rose smiled. “Yeah, Wilf is great. Maybe just camp out up on that hill of his,” she suggested, only half kidding.

She frowned. “I thought you were thinking about going back to the Time Agency though,” she said, directing this to Lee.

He scratched the back of his neck, and Donna jumped in. “Well, the last time he went on a mission for them, he ended up stranded in a computer for 100 years,” she said drolly. “I don’t blame him for not being keen on going again.”

Rose grinned. “Yeah, but that turned out okay,” she said, gesturing between the two of them.

Donna laughed and took Lee’s hand. “Yeah, it did. Still, no point testing fate.”

Jackie was the last one to enter the TARDIS. She paused in closing the door, staring out at the house and the snow covered garden.

Finally, she closed the door with a sigh and walked down the ramp. “This was exactly the kind of holiday I hoped for,” she admitted.

The Doctor preened a little. Praise from Jackie was always sparse.

Before he could feel too chuffed, she hugged Rose. “Thank you for making it perfect,” she said.

“But… what??”

Everyone laughed, and Jackie finally looked at him, a smirk on her face. “And you too, I suppose.”

The Doctor rolled his eyes. “You’re welcome, Jackie. Happy Christmas. And now… home.” He threw the lever and the TARDIS engines wheezed as she moved into the Vortex.

oOoOo

Once they’d dropped everyone off, Rose moved around the console, setting the coordinates she wanted. She felt the Doctor’s eyes on her and knew he was trying to place her mood—she was too, to be fair.

The time rotor moved up and down as the TARDIS moved them through time and space. Once it was still again, Rose gestured at the door and followed the Doctor up the ramp.

He opened first one door, then pushed the other open when he realised where they were. Rose wrapped her arm around his waist as they looked out at the Earth, slowly spinning in her orbit around the sun.

“Thank you,” she said finally.

The arm around her shoulders squeezed gently. “For what?”

“For… for giving me the kind of family that could have a holiday like this,” she said, fumbling a little for the words. “I’ve never… I don’t have loads of siblings or cousins. Mum and I spent most holidays with Cousin Mo, or my Nan and Granddad. I just…”

“Family isn’t always what you’re born into,” the Doctor said quietly. “Sometimes, family is the friend who suddenly appeared in your time ship, and the medical student you met on the moon.”

“And a daughter created from a tissue sample and a man you rescued from a wall,” Rose agreed. “So thank you for finding a family with me.”

The Doctor hummed softly, then tugged Rose so they were facing each other. “And sometimes, family is a brilliant, brave woman you find in a basement, being stalked by Autons. I never would have found this family without you, Rose—so thank you.”

#ficandchips #doctorroseprompts #ten x rose #31 days of ficmas #fic by nancy #cq's fic: forever timeless #being to timelessness #donna x lee #mickey x martha #all the holiday family fluff you could want

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