#There may be a couple word smithing differences in the AO3 version

[themerrypanda]

Repost again! This was originally a fic with a prompt on the Flower Dance, then months later I adapted it into a Regency AU. Both the original and the regency versions are posted on AO3, but just the regency version is posted here.

Title: First Impression

Word Count: 1,226

Summary: Leah attends her second Flower Dance in Pelican Town. Hopefully it will be better than last year.

Miss Leah Green tied a teal sash around her waist over a cream white dress. She braided her orange hair and tied it with a matching ribbon as she prepared herself for her second Flower Dance in Pelican Town.

It was a cute enough festival, she supposed. Last year it had only been a few months since she fled the city and her engagement to Mr. Kel. Then Mr. Kel had not yet found her new address, and Miss Green finally felt free to be whomever she wanted beyond a wife and an anonymous creator of unusual art.

Contented with her appearance, Leah fastened the buckles of her light violet shoes to her feet. She was ready to attend the ball. The ball would take place outdoors, in the clearing west of her cottage in the Cindersap Forest. She made her way to the isolated clearing on foot, careful not to tread in mud.

The grass had dried well from yesterday’s light rainshower. The warm sun made sure of it. Today was a suitable day for dancing.

Miss Emily Taylor was kind enough to sew a dress for her this year and teach her the dance. Last year Miss Green was obligated to perform in her cleanest frock and bodice; she had left her more formal attire in the city. She looked embarrassingly plain compared to the other women who danced. And despite her protesting, Mayor Lewis insisted that all bachelors and bachelorettes were needed to ensure there would be enough dancers for the fertility ritual.

Already Leah anticipated this year to be different. Her dance companion last year, Mr. Jones, moved out of Pelican Town last summer upon completion of his archeological studies on behalf of the university, leaving Professor Gunther with few displays for his museum. This had meant that the town was down a male dancer until Miss Taylor persuaded Miss Marnie Stoddard’s visiting nephew to dance with her, which now meant that the blacksmith would be Miss Green’s dance partner this year. Leah had no idea what Mr. Smith would be like. As far as she knew, the man was just another quiet guest who frequented Mr. Cooke’s Stardrop Saloon.

Leah followed the decorated path, then became aware of the commotion in the forest clearing.

“What do you mean he can’t dance today?” The mayor hissed at Doctor Harvey, visibly upset.

“What I mean,” the town doctor replied, a hint of exasperation in his voice, “is that Mr. Smith had an accident last night that left him unable to perform at this time.”

“Not even for a couple minutes?” Mayor Lewis huffed.

Miss Taylor crossed her arms, a rare angry frown formed on her face. “Mr. Smith tripped near his furnace, sprained his ankle and got burns on his limbs. Of course he can’t dance!” She turned to Doctor Harvey. “Does that sound about right, Doctor?”

“Er, yes, but…” The doctor shook his head and muttered something about patient confidentiality being almost impossible in such a small town.

Still irritated, Mayor Lewis stormed off to talk with Mrs. Caroline Marsh about decoration arrangements. It did not take him long to start sputtering “no” repeatedly. Miss Taylor whirled around and spotted Leah, and she frowned apologetically.

“Miss Green! You heard…”

“I did.” Leah nodded.

“I’m so sorry!”

Leah shrugged. “Accidents happen. I do hope Mr. Smith recovers soon.”

“I do as well.”

“Excuse me, but is there a problem here in which I may assist?”

The two ladies turned to the tenor voice. It was a gentleman Leah recognized in passing at the Egg Festival a few weeks previous. He had long ginger hair that fell past his shoulders, and he was wearing the auburn suit and emerald green tie that he wore to that more casual event.

What was his name again?

Mayor Lewis, having overheard, clasped his hands together loudly. “Yes, you may! We need a dancer! You… can dance, can you?”

To Leah’s surprise, the man grinned. “Why certainly! I was among the best performers in my class at university.”

“Perfect!” Miss Taylor squealed excitedly. “You and Miss Green can dance together for the ritual performance! Miss Green, do you know enough to teach him?”

“I–”

Before Leah could answer, Miss Taylor ran off. She spotted Mr. Cooke wheeling a cart of appetizers into the clearing and assisted him in setting up the tables for the food.

Which left only Leah to teach the routine? She swallowed nervously.

“It is just the simple Flower Dance routine, yes?” The gentleman asked.

She had to try. “Yes. Here, let us go this way and practice the steps.”

They walked over to an edge of the clearing. Leah recognized the youngest bachelors in the town, Mr. and Mrs. Mullner’s grandson, Mr. Knight, and Emily’s younger sister, Miss Haley Taylor, practicing the same dance. Leah gestured over to their direction.

“I believe you want to follow the same steps as they are…”

Even though he announced his claim of experience, Leah was still surprised that the gentleman copied the dance steps so well. They went through the routine once with only herself to provide the occasional stumble. A hop, skip, and a twirl later, they had finished the routine.

“Goodness, you’re as good as you say you are! Perhaps it is you who should be teaching me to dance.”

“Why, thank you!” He beamed. “We can go through the dance again if it will make you more comfortable, Miss Green.”

“I am fine, thank you Mr… er, what was your name?”

“Turner. Mr. Elliott Turner.”

“Mr. Turner.” Leah repeated. “I thought I recognized you at the Egg Festival a few weeks ago. I thought you were only visiting.”

“I just recently moved into town, the day before.”

“I see.” Leah nodded. “So what brings you to Pelican Town?”

“The scenery!” Mr. Turner replied merrily. “Stardew Valley is the most peaceful, beautiful place I’ve ever had the pleasure of traveling through, and I just had to return.”

“Same here!” Leah found herself grinning widely. “Don’t tell me you came here for artistic inspiration, too.”

“Well…”

“Oh, you did!” Leah laughed heartily at her failed attempt at a joke. “What is it that you do, Mr. Turner?”

“I am a writer. And yourself?”

“I’m an artist. I prefer sculpting, but I also paint. What is it that you write about?”

The two chatted for so long they nearly missed Mayor Lewis’s queue announcing it was time for the ritual Flower Dance.

“Oops,” Leah muttered. “Pardon me.”

“No, the apologies are all mine.” Then once more to her surprise, Mr. Turner took her hand and bowed– properly, low– and kissed above her knuckles. He let go to offer her his arm. “Well, shall we, Miss Green?”

Leah did not hesitate to accept. “Yes. Let’s.”

Together they made their way to the center of the forest clearing, then separated. Miss Green took her place in the line of ladies, and Mr. Turner did the same in the line of gentlemen. He stood out boldly in his maroon attire among the gentlemen with baby blue suits, but with his confident stance and precise movements, Leah was certain he looked more like he belonged among them now than she did with the ladies a year ago.

That day, Mr. Turner became the fastest friend Miss Green made in Pelican Town.

#stardew valley #sdv leah #leah sdv #stardew valley leah #leah stardew valley #stardew leah #sdv elliott #elliott sdv #stardew elliott #elliott stardew valley #stardew valley elliott #regency au

[bakubabes-tatakae]

For The Love Of Humanity’s Strongest (Part Seven)

Author’s Note: If anyone wants to be in a taglist for this feel free to let me know! Happy to do it for anyone!

(Levi Ackerman x Reader)

Summary: When all seems lost Y/N knows that she can count on one person to always be there for her brother, Eren Jaeger, and herself. Can humanity’s strongest not only keep Eren in line, but keep his relationship alive as well?

AO3 Link

Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five, Part Six: *NSFW Ahead!*

Part Seven:

Word Count: 1804

Levi and I were cleaning one of the bedrooms when Eren came on behind us. “I’m all done with the upstairs sir.” Levi turned to him from the window he had been cleaning. “If I may ask Captain, where will I be expected to sleep?”

Levi lowered the cloth he had been using as a mask. “Your sleeping quarters are in the cellar.”

Eren hung his head. “The cellar, but sir, again?”

I stopped Levi, knowing he probably had something insensitive to say. “It’s our best option Eren. We still don’t know what makes you transform.”

Levi interjected. “Your abilities are far from under control. You might go Titan in your sleep.” His tone was getting sharp. “One of my restrictions for having you at all is that I keep you under strict security morning, noon, and night. While we’re all in dreamland you’re in restraints.”

Eren had beads of sweat rolling down his face. His hesitance with every word that came from Levi’s mouth was present. 

Levi started walking out the door. “That’s the rules.” When he reached the doorway he turned and pointed to the window. “Take over here, I’ll check your work. Help your sister.”

When Levi was out of earshot Eren hung his head again with a sigh. “Don’t look so discouraged little brother.” I put my hand on his arm. “Up close and personal Captain Levi doesn’t look like the hero he’s cracked up to be, you should know that.”

“It’s not that Y/n, I’m more put off by the seriousness. He was never like that when he was around Mikasa and I when you two would visit mom and dad. He’s so deadset about following the higher ups rules.”

“That’s because he wasn’t working then. Not only that, you guys were kids, you’re not so much a kid anymore Eren.” I dropped my hand and gave him a soft smile. “Don’t ever think that strength is living by your own rules Eren.”

“He’s never struck me as the type to take orders.”

I leaned against the doorway, watching for when he came back. “A long time ago he would have lived up to your expectations. That’s what I understand anyway. I only know half the details. Levi isn’t all that open about before I met him.” I crossed my arms. “The story goes that he was quite the rogue before joining the Scouts. A high roller in the capital’s black market.”

Eren’s eyes widened. “What? Then how did he get here?”

“I’m not one to talk about that Eren. That’s something that he’ll have to tell you someday.” I grabbed a broom from leaning against the wall. “The most popular version of it that I’ll tell you is that it involves Erwin. They say that he dragged him to the scouts kicking and screaming.” And just like that my mind was sent back to a different time, one where my life wasn’t quite so chaotic.

*6 years ago*

Erwin shouted orders as we flew through the air, hoods up, careful that the people of the underground had the shroud of mystery as they watched on. The scouts had been ordered to find the three people in the underground that had managed to snatch from ODM gear from us, my squad had been the lucky ones to get the orders. The wind whipped through our hoods the closer we got to them. 

Chaos ensued under us, but it wasn’t something that we were able to focus on right now. The closer we got to them the more tactics they pulled out. We were losing our squad from the air like nobody's business. There were three of us left. Erwin, Mike, one other member and myself. Their tactics should have been nothing for the Survey Corps, we spent our time flying around Titans, these buildings were nothing, but their skills with the ODM gear were exceptional. I could see why Commander Shadis wanted them on our side. 

Suddenly two of them broke off in the other direction, Erwin motioned for Mike and the other members to each follow one, leaving just the two of us after the man who looked like the ringleader. The man sped up, flying through a couple of windows of a building ahead. “Y/n, cut him off at the pass, I’ll follow through the building.”

I broke off from Erwin and flew myself to the other side of the window, awaiting his arrival. I unsheathed one of my swords from my scabbard and swung for his rope as he planted it in a building in front of me. He retracted it just in time. Erwin stayed on his heels and I shot up, coming down on the man from above, shoving him into the concrete below. He stood and grabbed a dagger from his pocket swinging it for me, I barely blocked it with my sword. The man was ruthless, as he aimed his dagger again to hit me Erwin came flying in from above, knocking me backwards and sending the man backwards as well. 

Erwin had always been a protective brother type over me. He was my best friend after all. Erwin swung a foot and his sword at the man who hopped back with intent. Ready to wield another hit on him. The man lunged forward at him and Erwin put his sword against the man’s chest, causing the man to grab both of his arms. The two pushed against each other for what seemed like minutes. Each fight to get the upper hand, before Erwin spoke to him. “Stop it, look around you.”

The man’s eyes changed some. Mike and the other scout member came walking out with the two people that had been with him. They fought against them and that’s when one of them spoke his name. “Levi!”

Levi looked to them, concerned, it showing in his deep blue eyes, and slowly let go of his dagger. I ran to Erwin’s side and grabbed the dagger. Erwin gave him praise. “You were quick at reading the situation.” I stepped next to Erwin and held the dagger between two fingers, slowly turning it between them.

Levi watched me with hate in his eyes. We had just destroyed whatever plans he had had. I started back with intent, this man wasn’t sore on the eyes, he was definitely someone I could get used to seeing around headquarters. Now Erwin just had to get through to them. 

Shackles were placed around all three of their arms and Mike and the other’s placed them on their knees. Erwin looked over at me. “Come, you’re up here with me.” I stepped up next to him, being the Captain’s pet wasn’t always the greatest. “I only have a few questions.” He held up parts of the ODM gear that they had had on their person. “Where did you get these?” None of them spoke. “You guys are quite skilled with the ODM gear, who taught you all?” Still no answer. 

Erwin walked forward and in front of the ringleader. Levi didn’t even look up at him. “You’re their leader, right? Were you trained in the military?” The man finally looked up and when he said nothing Erwin motioned to Mike. Mike grabbed the back of the man’s head and with a force that made even my own face hurt, slammed his head off the concrete ground in front of him. Levi turned his head to face Mike, disgust riddling his look. Erwin began again. “I’ll ask you one more time. Where did you learn to use ODM gear?”

The man that was with Levi spoke. “Nowhere, we didn’t learn from anyone. We taught ourselves.”

Erwin changed his glance. “Self taught you say?” He huffed at him. “I don’t buy it.”

“We learned so we can rise even a little bit in the garbage of a place. People who are used to the sunlight like you guys are wont understand.”

The female chipped in. “That’s enough. Let him go. Don’t be cocky just because you’re soldiers.”

Mike lifted Levi’s head from the ground. Erwin walked over to him and knelt in front of him. “My name is Erwin Smith, the person to my left is Y/n Jaeger. And your name is?”

He spoke, his voice shaky still from the sudden trauma. “Levi.”

I knelt down beside Erwin, making sure that the raven haired man got a good look at my face. “Levi… Why don’t we make a deal?” 

“A deal?”

Erwin’s face was serious. “I’ll let your crimes go unpunished, but in return you lend me your strength.”

Levi’s face had a looked of anger still. I smiled a devilish smile at him. “Join the Survey Corps Levi.”

He was taken aback by my statement. He narrowed his eyes at me. “And if I refuse?”

We both stood back up. I crossed my arm and smirked. “The Military Police will have you, considering all your crimes, you and your friends won't be treated very nicely.” I turned around, letting my cloak flow in the wind. “Choose your option.” I could feel Erwin’s smile on me as he saw his handywork coming into play. 

It took him a second, but he answered, almost reluctantly. “Fine.” His two friends show him a glare. He spat on the ground next to him, a small amount of blood coming out. “I’ll join the Survey Corp.”

*Present day*

Eren’s mouth dropped. “The Commander?”

Levi popped his head around the corner, placed his hand on my waist. “What’s going on?” 

I hadn’t even heard him coming. We both jumped and started cleaning in the room wherever we stood. “Sir!” We spoke in unison. 

Levi stepped into the room and looked at Eren. “Your cleaning is lamental.” He definitely didn’t look too pleased. “Back upstairs, now.”

Eren jumped in place, saluting Levi with his hand to his heart. “Yes sir.” Eren dashed from the room, leaving Levi and I alone.

I turned to Levi. “How long were you standing there?”

“Long enough.” He walked to the window and grabbed the cloth on the window sill, wiping down the windows.

I walked over to him and wrapped my hands around his waist. “Do you care if I tell Eren how you got here? I think it will help boost his spirit a little. He needs that.”

Levi turned to me, pulling me into him. “I wish you wouldn’t, but you know as well as I do that me telling you know is going to do absolutely nothing to stop you.” He kissed the top of my head. ‘You’re too strong willed.”

I looked up toward him. “And where do you think I learned that one. Between Erwin and you I was doomed from the start.”

Levi huffed. “If you say so, my love.”

Taglist 💕 @gamegirl23100 @super-peace-fangirl @pjimochi @izzythefanfreak @echimozart @peachymochimochi @primusk @absolute-randomness-forever @omg-lexiiloveyou @hunie-hun @titaniabuck @always394patronus​

Updated: 5/13/2020

#levi #ackerman #levi ackerman #levi ackerman x reader #levi ackerman imagines #levi ackerman fanfic #levi ackerman fanfiction #for the love of humanitys strongest #levi x reader #levi imagines #levi fanfic #levi fanfiction #ackerman x reader #ackerman imagine #ackerman fanfic #ackerman fanfiction #shingeki no kyojin x reader #shingeki no kyojin imagines #shingeki no kyojin fanfic #shingeki no kyojin fanfiction #shingeki no kyojin #attack on titan #attack on titan imagine #attack on titan fanfic #attack on titan fanfiction

[angryrabbit42]

Bonus Tracks 3

All for the lovely: @a-rose-by-any-other-doctor @dwsecretsanta 

Read on AO3 https://archiveofourown.org/works/21925084/chapters/52331086

Annoyed that he must help fund UNIT by schmoozing, the Fourth Doctor picks up a mysterious date by the side of the road.

Track 2: Guest

Rose’s eyes opened. Sitting up, she turned to view the Doctor’s dark eyes. He was blinking as the connection between them was severed by her quick movements. “Oh, that was,” the Doctor murmured.

“You kissed me!” Rose exclaimed, giggling. “It took you forever to kiss me the first time and that version of you did it in less than four hours.”

“Well, I was a bit of a flirt, in that incarnation.”

“In *that* incarnation?” Rose asked, brows arching.

The Doctor rolled his eyes. “I’m not always… so…”

“What?”

“Interested in all that… romance… It’s unusual.” Awkwardly, the Doctor tugged on his ear, not bothering to get up from his position against the headboard. “Timelords aren’t… we don’t do romance. I mean they didn’t. I sometimes…”

Rose covered his mouth. “It’s okay. I liked it.”

The Doctor huffed warm breath against her hand. Rose snorted, removing her hand before he decided to lick her palm. His eyes twinkled with mischief as if he had been thinking of licking her palm and was a bit thwarted by her moving it away.

“Alright,” Rose said, turning around and laying back against him. “Ready for the next one?”

His fingers resumed their place against her temples. “Oh, erm, this one’s mine, I think, not yours… You may remember it already.”

“How do you know?” Rose asked, enjoying the closeness and the heat radiating from him as they basically cuddled. “Is there a note on it or something?”

“No, it feels like me, like a memory from the one with the scarf… Only way to find out is to open it up.” He wiggled his fingers, tickling her. She puffed out a breath in annoyance but she didn’t mean it. He ignored it anyhow, pressing until she felt his mind swirling around hers again, an excited feeling rushing through him as he whispered the next word on his list.

Rose felt irritation filling her up, plus a healthy dose of ego and her brain was almost flooded with thousands of lines of thought. The feeling was tamped down apologetically, as Rose temporarily became the Doctor on Earth somewhere in the early 80s? Or late 70s? The Doctor hadn’t been paying attention to the time ironically.

“Absolutely not! I’m a Timelord! Not some Cigarette Rep from Leeds,” the Doctor shouted.

Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart’s eyebrows quirked up, making his ridiculous mustache quiver like a particularly annoying rabbit. The Doctor stuffed his hands into his pockets awkwardly, wondering if shouting a bit more would help. It did, sometimes. Sheepish, he hunched his shoulders. “I won’t go,” he said petulantly. “Sarah’s not going. I have a working time machine now and I don’t work for you anymore, so there.”

“Doctor, this isn’t a sales summit. The top scientists are all meeting in London to mingle and garner money for various projects,” the brigadier said, tone patronizing and long-suffering.

The Doctor huffed.

“And as much as it pains me to say so with your enormous ego, you are the most intelligent scientist on Earth,” he continued as if the Doctor was not sulking. “I realize Miss Smith is unavailable since I was the one who sent her out to cover the story in Aberdeen. UNIT needs the backing. We’re seriously lacking in budget here.”

The Doctor had noticed the drop off in biscuit selection lately around the HQ. He didn’t like that one bit. And… he had nothing on. Just… waiting around to convince Sarah to take another jaunt into Time and Space. “Why should I care about money?” he demanded, determined not to give in easily. He couldn’t let the brigadier know he could be persuaded by biscuits. It was undignified.

“We both know you have nothing to do but wait for Miss Smith to come back…”

“Not true!” he shouted. (It was.) “Patently untrue!” he boomed. “Oh fine! Perhaps one of the scientists will be a megalomaniac. Worth a look, eh? Sh!” he put his finger against his lips to forestall the brigadier. “I want double the pay for this. Put it in Sarah’s account. She knows what I like. And I will drive myself.”

“Fine. But you’ll take a car. I don’t want you taking off in that box of yours and missing the meeting by several decades.”

“Fine,” the Doctor agreed, hand out for the invitation. “It’s a lovely day for a drive.” He beamed.

He stormed out of the office for good measure. Very soon he was going to cut ties with this place. His feet were itchy. Sarah’s were too. She was a good one for his life. Shame Harry would probably balk but not everyone was cut out for a nomadic lifestyle. Trailing his long multi-colored scarf behind him, he stalked out to his yellow roadster.

The road was empty as he cruised along muttering about all the planets he was going to show to Sarah Jane Smith. Clom, the Eye of Orion, Calibris, oh yes, a pirate planet would be a lovely trip! He needed some backup fluid links, the damned things were always evaporating on him. So wrapped up in his musings, he nearly hit the young woman who blinked into existence a foot in front of his car. The Doctor was a marvelous driver if he did say so himself, and managed to cut the wheel hard enough to avoid injuring her. He didn’t miss the ditch on the side of the road, however. Slamming the car into park, he stared. She had stumbled forward as if he had run straight into this dimension. The energy around her smelled like ozone and artron. Her timelines were an absolute labyrinth. He closed his timesenses before a migraine could set in. “Well, aren’t we a complicated event in space-time,” he exclaimed.

She turned to face him. Slight with blonde hair, her large eyes locked onto him and her generous mouth pulled up into a charmingly delightful devil-may-care grin. “Sort of, yeah,” she agreed with a laugh. “I’m looking for a friend.”

“Are you indeed?” the Doctor wondered aloud. “My friend is in Aberdeen.”

She snorted. She was dressed in clothes reminiscent of the 2000s with her dark, form-fitting trousers, pink top and indigo leather jacket. She had a utilitarian black backpack on and something about her stance reminded him of a dancer or a martial artist. “I’m not sure my friend knows the difference between Hyde Park and Aberdeen.”

What a curious creature! What a strange sentence to utter? He made a face, considering. “It looks as if we’re both short a friend for today. I suppose that means we should join forces. I’ve got to go to a boring event full of clever people who are alas, not as clever as me. Care to accompany me? I’ve been told there will be nibbles.” The Doctor extended the invitation in the hope of learning more about this curious creature. “Unless you’re part of the vanguard for an invasion fleet? No? Pity.”

Her grin tugged at his hearts. She came closer, examining his car. “Retro,” she commented, petting Bessie. He offered her a hand. She clasped it and allowed him to help her into the car. Her skin was warm, calloused and let him know she ran a bit hot and had enough artron energy inside her small form to power a Rutan ship for several months. A wash of comfort ran through him when she squeezed his fingers before releasing them.

Confused he focused on getting the car out of the ditch and back onto the road.

“I’m from London, originally,” she offered after a few minutes of open road. “This one I think, although it looks a bit...80’s right now.” She made a face and shrugged.

“I’m the Doctor,” he offered. “But I have a feeling you might know me, already.”

Her smile was enigmatic. “I suspected what with the scarf. You really love your layers, don’t you Doctor?” she asked and ran a hand down his scarf, giving it a playful tug.

“I’m not unfamiliar with the phenomena of meeting people before you’ve met them. I’m a time traveler after all,” the Doctor told her. “It’s practically in the brochure. Ah ha. And believe me, I’m sure I will enjoy making your acquaintance again in the future but until such time as time rights itself or rewrites itself, what shall I call you? It’s simply rude to keep addressing you in my head as young woman and out loud, even more so...”

“And you’re never rude,” she said solicitously and the Doctor got the distinct impression that this young woman was mocking him. “Sorry Doctor, you’re right. You can call me Rose, erm, Smith.”

“Smith?” the Doctor snorted. “That’s perfect. I often go by John Smith when I’m undercover.”

“S’good name, Smith. Had a few good friends named Smith in my time. Love the curls by the way.” Rose reached out a hand and looped one of his curls around her finger. The Doctor’s eyes widened in surprise. She winked. “We can pretend to be a couple. For your party...”

He fell silent. Rose stayed in his personal space, comfortable with him in a way that made him a bit uncomfortable in how not uncomfortable it was. Her presence seemed to sooth an ache in his hearts he wasn’t aware of having. Curious. “Is that what we are in the future? A couple?”

Rose’s expression was solemn. “You tell me, Doctor Smith.”

“Aaahhh, Mrs. Smith, you intrigue me,” he bantered back.

Silence reigned as the Doctor took them to the hotel on the invitation. Rose opened her bag, searching through it. She pulled out a simple black dress and a pair of basic kitten heels. She slipped her jacket off and tossed the dress on over her magenta top, then while his eyes tried to stay on the road, she removed the top leaving her in the dress and trousers. She settled the black fabric into place and shucked the trousers.

“Stockings,” he said.

“Right,” Rose said and pulled a nude pair out of her back. She shimmied into them and had her shoes on in seconds. Her hair was up in a loose chignon by the time they reached the valet. Her eyes which were the most delicate shade of amber with flecks of green and gold twinkled when he hopped out and offered her a hand down. She left her bag in the car.

They approached the lobby and the Doctor brandished his invitation. “Doctor, and Mrs. Smith, UNIT.” The man barely glanced at the invitation before letting them inside. His eyes had been glued to Rose’s assets. Rose rolled her eyes and hooked an arm through his. The Doctor felt a frizzle of anger toward the man who let them in. Rose squeezed his bicep.

“Dimensional traveler, who has a bag full of occasional wear, Rose Smith, I think I’ve married well.” he teased.

Rose’s eyes were on the swirl of people. Many were dressed in dresses similar to hers. The men wore suits and some had the nerve to wear bowties! The Doctor wasn’t interested in changing his frock for the brigadier’s stuffy friends. She grabbed two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter and offered him one. “Is it Christmas?” Rose asked.

“Near enough, it’s the thirteenth of December,” the Doctor replied then spotted a familiar face. “Harry! Over here.”

Harry Sullivan waved. Rose’s eyes sparkled with interest as the naval doctor extricated himself from a conversation with a few men in ill-fitting suits to approach them. “Doctor, old boy, how did the brigadier convince you to come to this convention of stuffed shirts?”

“Nibbles,” Rose exclaimed and pointed, her accent becoming a bit more London as she went on, “He told you there would be nibbles and you couldn’t resist, c’mon, admit it, Doctor!” She sipped her champagne, giggling. He arched his brows at her.

“She’s got you there, old boy,” Harry said giving Rose a once over, no doubt wondering where Sarah was. The trio had been inseparable lately. “And you are?”

“Harry Sullivan, this is Rose. She’s not local.”

“Shows what you know, mate. My job is going to be built down the street from here in a few years,” she whispered.

“Oh, oh,” Harry remarked stupidly. “Charmed.”

Rose grinned and let Harry take her hand and kiss the knuckles. “You’re adorable.”

“Rose,” he grumbled and just like that Rose slipped her arm back through his.

Harry looked between the Doctor and Rose. “No hope of an invasion tonight, is there?”

The Doctor scanned the crowd. There were a few Zygons pretending to be scientists but nothing too sinister. “No,” he said in his most dolorous tone.

“Well then, I’m going to mingle, eh? Get those UNIT coffers filled. Nice to meet you, Rose. Doctor, don’t go anywhen without me.” He winked.

The Doctor perked up. “Oh no, of course not Harry.”

“I’ll see you when the old girl gets back?” he asked.

Positively giddy at the prospect of Harry traveling with them, the Doctor bobbed his head. “If she hears you calling her that, you may never get the chance to travel with us.”

Harry laughed and swirled away into the crowd. He was immediately absorbed into a large group of scientists and doctors. Rose had grabbed gingerbread man off a tray and bit its head off. The scent of ginger made him a bit lightheaded. She offered him a bite and smirked.

They socialized. Rose was knowledgeable, friendly, and talked pennies out of pockets like an heiress. The Doctor was broiling with curiosity. Her skin was flushed a bit with drink. Her giggling was louder and more adorable now. She kept offering him ginger laced things. They ate at Harry’s table and he regaled Rose with stories from the navy and in low tones about how he met the Doctor. Rose whispered something to him that made Harry nod enthusiastically and whisper back something that had Rose in stitches. Jealousy wormed around in his stomach. It was a foreign emotion. He shook his head to clear it and snapped at an archeologist.

Rose’s hand slipped into his under the table. The beast within was soothed. The Doctor’s confusion grew. Rose offered him a smile with her tongue caught between her teeth and his hearts raced. Confused, he glanced away from her and tried to open his senses to her again. The timelines were a mangled nightmare around her. Some of the lines snapped and snarled back. Dizziness crept up his spine. Rose pinched him. “Not here. You’ll get a headache.”

He nodded. She offered him a piece of spice cake. Rose smirked. He could smell the ginger in it. The conversation flowed around them so he leaned down and whispered in her ear, “why are you trying to get me drunk?”

“I want to dance,” Rose said offered, her eyes too bright. “I thought… you might if you were a bit… stupid. Sorry. S’just, I know you’re not the right You for me but you’re still You and I missed this.” A glimpse of pain and sadness appeared in those fathomless amber eyes before the flecks swirled and Rose was smiling again. “Stupid.”

“I’m an excellent dancer,” he offered.

“I’ve never seen you dance,” Harry said in surprise. “I haven’t! Mind you, I have seen him jump rope in a harlequin costume so I wouldn’t put it past him.”

Rose’s laugh was genuine. The Doctor beamed. He swiped a gingerbread man off a biscuit tray and nibbled on an arm. “On Sarton X the people are made of shoganals. Eating gingerbread there is tantamount to cannibalism.”

A fond look crossed Rose’s features. The warmth of it spread from her to him. The music kicked up. They stood. The Doctor offered her his arm and Rose came to him. They drifted out to the dance floor. Swaying gently to the music, the ginger increased the warmth he was feeling as the human woman in his arms acted as if she belonged there.

“How long have you been looking for me, Rose?” he asked.

“All my life,” she teased, side-stepping the question. “Really Doctor, you know better than to ask about your future.”

“How about now? How long are you staying here?” he asked. “In this time or dimension?”

Rose leaned against him, her head against his chest. And if he wasn’t mistaken, she was smelling him. “Two hours left, then I try again tomorrow to find you.”

“You’ve found me. I’m right here.” the Doctor said practically. “I can take you to me.”

Rose’s eyes lit up then faded. “I’m sure you would tell me that I can’t mess with your timeline. I could change things so that we never meet.”

“Pfaw, I would never,” he grumbled, knowing she was right. “The risk is slight. My Tardis could take you to his Tardis.”

“I’d end up in Aberdeen,” she muttered. “No. I have to find the right you, in the right time. What if this dimension is the wrong one? I can’t take the risk.” Rose was so close that they were hugging more than dancing.

“Nonsense, dimensional travel is as simple as setting the stabilizers… As long as those idiots on Gallifrey don’t decide to detour us, we could be there in minutes, seconds. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve met myself…”

Rose didn’t respond. She just let him move her around the floor.

“Who are you to me?” the Doctor asked in a hushed tone.

She shrugged. “Can’t we just enjoy the party?”

They ended up on the roof. Rose had retrieved her bag from the car. He would be going back to UNIT alone. She had a few minutes left. He watched her. “I barely know you and I can’t help wanting to keep you here,” he confessed.

Rose was wearing his scarf. She’d had to loop it around her neck several times and it still trailed on the ground. “Oh, you’ll be alright. Sarah Jane will take care of you.”

“Sarah’s my best friend,” the Doctor said warmly even though he had barely thought about her after picking up Rose. Now the image of Sarah in his scarf superimposed itself over Rose and he felt a pang of annoyance with himself.

“Oh, I know,” Rose replied with a knowing smirk.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” the Doctor asked, reaching for her. “Tell me something about you…”

She glanced at her watch. “Oh, what the hell! I’ve still got a minute to go.” Rose dove into his arms. Rising up on tiptoes, she pressed warm lips against his. Surprised, he wrapped his long arms around her, practically lifting her up so she could continue kissing him. The pleasant warmth he’d been feeling all night exploded into a confusing array of emotions and feelings. Her lips were smooth, soft, and hot against his cooler ones. The taste of ginger hit him and the crisp bite of the champagne as she deepened the kiss, her fingers sliding into his curls to ravage them. Hearts racing, he hadn’t expected a kiss to unsettled him.

She let go just as his respiratory bypass kicked in. Laughing, she unlooped the scarf and wrapped it back around him. Her cheeks were a delightful pink, lips swollen and eyes practically glowing golden. “That’s all you need to know about me,” she said.

“That good?”

“It’s gonna be fantastic.”

Rose faded away.

#dwsecretsanta #rose tyler #Rose x tentoo #Rose x Fourth Doctor #Fourth Doctor