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rinkrats · 4 years

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Clearly the beat writers really, really, reeeally miss hockey. Their fantasy take on the Pens vs Flyers (can this outcome be real life please?):

Game 4

On the off day between Game 3 and 4, Evgeni Malkin made a prediction: “We win next game, and who knows?”

OK, so it wasn’t exactly Mark Messier-stuff. But, as did Messier in the 1994 conference final for the Rangers, Malkin said his piece and then delivered in a must-win game for the Penguins. His first-period hat trick chased Carter Hart before 15 minutes in the Penguins’ 12-4 win in Philadelphia.

“I think it was finally good luck for us,” Malkin said after his first five-goal game at any level of hockey. “Maybe, you know, we see good Penguins rest of way?”

Malkin’s five goals tied Mario Lemieux’s franchise record for a playoff game. It was Sidney Crosby, however, who nearly made Lemieux’s record for most points by a Penguins player in a playoff game his own record. Crosby’s two goals and five assists — including three on power-play snipes by Malkin — gave him seven points. Lemieux’s added three assists to his five goals in the Penguins’ Game 5 win at home against the Flyers in the 1989 Patrick Division final.

Game 5

Flyers captain Claude Giroux tipped his cap to the Penguins. He said their decision to play with seven defensemen has changed the series.

“It’s not the extra D,” Giroux said. “It’s having Crosby or Malkin on that fourth line. Those guys are great players. It’s hard enough when they’re not double-shifting. When they are, it’s almost impossible.

“We need to make an adjustment. We need to win the next game. It’s our Game 7.”

Game 7

Insanity. The Penguins pull off the comeback.

Sidney Crosby tried. He really did. Like, he really, really tried to cover his face by burying into his gloves.

Nope.

He was laughing. Hard. Guffawing, actually. His face as red as the goal light he had lit four times.

And as the final minute passed on Game 7 for the ages — and a series for history — Crosby didn’t want anybody to see just how much he was enjoying the sight of Evgeni Malkin standing at the end of the Penguins bench and playfully conducting fans at PPG Paints Arena through a “Go Home Flyers” singalong.

“After G’s last four games, he can do whatever he wants,” Crosby said.

The Penguins’ 4-2 victory in Game 7 will be remembered for a lot of reasons:

Crosby outscoring the Flyers by himself

Crosby scoring four goals five ways (power play, penalty shot, even-strength and a shorthander into an empty net)

Crosby captaining the Penguins to a successful rally from a 3-0 series deficit

Still, one of the truly sensational elimination-game performances in NHL history was a subplot to the story of this series. And that would be the combined dominance of Crosby and Malkin, who had combined for only three goals and four points in Games 1-3.

“I’m thinking the last four are what we’ll remember,” Patric Hornqvist said. “One day, I’ll bring my kids back to Pittsburgh, show them the statues of Sid and G, and I’ll say, ‘You don’t remember it, but those two had a hundred points for us when we came back against the Flyers that one year.’”

Not quite.

But Malkin (5-6-11) and Crosby (6-7-13) sure looked like they were doing the impossible while spearheading an improbable comeback in Games 4-7.

“Our job’s to score,” Malkin said. “Not just score, but lead team. It’s Sid’s team. He’s best player. Of course, it’s his team. But I’m great player, too. Like I tell you (last) summer, I’m top 10 player. Still. We have, you know, me and Sid, and if we do job — it’s, like, ‘Go Home Flyers.’”

Malkin won 57 percent of his faceoffs and took only a minor penalty for tripping in the series. It was a performance, as coach Mike Sullivan said, that cemented a Hall of Fame future.

“If you ask me, Geno’s been our best player all season, and he’s probably the most underappreciated all-time player in our sport,” Sullivan said. “I honestly believe people take him for granted. And I understand how that could happen. Geno plays with Sid, and like I’ve said so many times, I think Sid is the most complete player in our game. I think if you look at this series, Sid is still the best player in our game.”

Or …

“Ever,” Flyers captain Claude Giroux said from inside a dressing room that emptied out quickly after Philadelphia again blew a lead headed into the third period.

“I know everybody wants me to say something else, to keep the feud fresh or whatever; but Crosby is the best player right now, like he has been for a long time, and he might be the best player ever. He beat us himself tonight. We had the matchup we wanted every time. He was just better than what we had.

“I’m disappointed. I can’t say I’m upset. We played well for a lot of this series. People will say we choked. I’ll say we ran into the greatest player of at least this generation and probably the best second center a team has had, at least offensively. The level Crosby and Malkin were at those final four games — don’t tell me we choked.

“If we did, they strangled us.”

...Not much was said in the Penguins’ room. Instead, Malkin walked to the whiteboard and wrote “4-2 final” in blue marker.

Why blue?

“Other one was orange,” Malkin said of the available markers. “No, no!”

...Niskanen thew his stick at Crosby.

A penalty shot was awarded.

Crosby froze Carter with a leg kick and perfectly placed a wrist shot in the left corner.

“When he pumps, he wants to go backhand,” Carter said. “He froze me because that backhand is probably the best backhand you’ll ever see. You have to respect it.

“I wasn’t going to get beat backhand.”

Crosby didn’t divulge his plan for the penalty shot. He also didn’t feel good about his chances.

“Hart’s been the best goalie in hockey for a few months now,” Crosby said. “He doesn’t give you anything. I saw the corner, and to be honest I don’t think it was the right decision. It’s a low-percentage shot in that situation. Last thing you want to do is miss. Like, make the goalie stop a shot.

“It was G who told me to go for the corner. I was at the bench. You can see he says something to me.”

What did Malkin say exactly?

“Like, Sid, you shoot corner,” Malkin said. “I promise goalie.”

The Flyers pulled Carter with a bit more than two minutes remaining and Kris Letang serving a minor penalty for slashing. But Crosby killed the bulk of that power play, playing 1:27 of the two minutes. He scored into an empty net with 13 seconds remaining on that penalty kill, and then never took another shift.

“My skate actually broke on that last shift,” Crosby said. “Thank god I scored, because it was the only way I could get off the ice.”

Told after the game that Crosby scored his fourth goal while playing on a broken skate, Flyers coach Alain Vigneault has no choice but to laugh. He recalled an exchange with Flyers assistant Michel Therrien, who was Crosby’s coach for three seasons.

“Michel said Crosby should have to play every game on one leg, so it’s fair,” Vigneault said.

“But I don’t know if that would make it fair. If you play the Penguins and Crosby and Malkin catch fire, it’s not fair. It’s not fun.”

-Simulating the 2020 Playoffs: Penguins vs Flyers, 19 April 2020

#pittsburgh penguins #day x of missing these dumb dramatic boys #evgeni malkin #sidney crosby #claude giroux #rossi and co prolly lurking on ao3 #text

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isntthisenoughwhatwouldbeenough · 6 years

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Time Will Take Them Away (Final Chapter)

A/N: Here it is folks!! FINALLY! The last chapter! I really hope you all enjoy this, I know its not the best, but I’m just proud that I finished it. And in case anyone is wondering I am working on the Multichapter Polyham fic you guys voted on :) So that will be coming at ya soon! Also, I’m attempting to do any requests that i got (forever ago! I’m so sorry!) I fell into a huge slump, but I am going to try and finish them! Anyways enjoy the last chapter guys! And I love you, Lovely Wondrfuls!

Chapter 19

5 years later….

Eliza sighs and adjust herself in her glider, gently rubbing her expanding tummy. She giggles when she feels a few little kicks against her hand.

“Are you awake little guy?”

She was pregnant with their third child. She couldn't believe how fast time had passed. It seemed like just yesterday her and Alexander were getting married and having Philip. She laughs again as she hears two pairs of little feet running down the hall.

“I’m gonna get ya, Angie!”

She chuckles as she sees her daughter run past the door, her son fast behind her.

“Uh uh, Pip, I can run really fast! You won’t catch me this time!”

A few moments later she hears her daughter squeal and fall into a fit of giggles.

“Pip!” She laughs. “I’m getting dizzy, don’t spin me no more.”

Its quiet for a few minutes, before she hears her daughters small voice again.

“Spin me again, Pip!”

She laughs and shakes her head as she hears more giggles. She rises from her chair slowly, her eight month pregnant belly making it harder to do things as quickly as she was used to. She stands up, breathing heavy.

“Promise me you’ll be a good baby, Mommy is working really hard for you.”

She rubs her belly gently and waddles out of the room in search of her children.

“Pip, Angie, my darlings,” she calls out from the doorway.

“Yes, mama,” they say in unison, running out of the next room and giving her their full attention.

“We have to get ready now, Daddy will be here soon and then we’ll have to leave, okay?”

“Okay, mama!” They smile up at her.

“Let’s pick out your outfits huh?” She caresses both their heads lovingly and waddles into their bedrooms.

An hour later, Alex arrives home and hears giggles from one of the kids rooms. He chuckles when he hears his wife's ‘funny' voices as his children liked to call them, as she read them a story.

“Then, I’ll huff and I’ll puff,”-

“And I’ll blow your house down!” Alex finishes, jumping into the room.

“Daddy!”

Philip and Angie jump down from the bed and run into their father's arms. He lifts them up, holding them close and peppering their face with kisses. They giggle as they hug him back. He sets them down, smiling at them.

“Look, Daddy we’re all ready to go,” Philip says proudly, his fists on his hips and chest puffed out.

“That’s good, son.” Alex replies with a soft chuckle and ruffling his sons hair. “I’m very proud of both of you.”

“Mommy said if we’re really good we can get ice cream later!” Angie bounces, excitedly.

“Did she?” Their children nod seriously, and he looks over at Eliza, eyebrows raised and sees the same expression on her face. He chuckles, ruffling his kids hair, before making his way to his wife.

“Well, what mommy says goes, so I guess we’ll be getting ice cream later.”

He sits down beside her and kisses her gently, smiling lovingly as he rubs her belly.

“Yay!” The children jump up and down.

“But,” he gives his children a pointed look, “only if you’re really good.”

“We’ll be extra good, Daddy! Huh, Angie?” Philip lightly nudges his little sister.

“Uh huh,” she nods emphatically.

Eliza and Alex look at each other, lightly chuckling at their children.

“You can go play, while Mommy and Daddy get dressed, but don’t get messy,” Eliza tells her children, giving them a stern look.

“Yes, mama!” They say as they run off, laughing down the hallway.

She shakes her head, but her smile is beaming. “I really hope they stay neat.”

“They will,” he kisses her head, helping her up, “and if not, I’ll fix it.” He pulls her close, and kisses her softly, as she sighs into him.

“Welcome home, my love.” She smiles lovingly as she caresses his cheek.

“Thank you, darling.” He holds her hand in his, kissing her wrist softly, before pulling her close.

“Shall we go get ready for the party.”

“I guess,” he noses her hair, “I’d rather just stay here with you.”

She laughs as he nuzzles her neck.

“You know we have to go, Alexander.” She pulls back slightly, giving him a ‘don't start look' with a smile on her lips.

“I know, I know,” he kisses her cheek, “I just want to have you all to myself.” She giggles as tickles her ear.

“Alright, lover man,” she laughs as he wiggles his eyebrows, “let's get ready before were late.”

They get ready, Eliza constantly slapping Alex’s hands away so she could get dressed. She gave him stern looks while just smirked and gave her a wink. They rally the kids, Alexander lifts them up and gets them in the car, before helping his wife in, placing a kiss on her cheek, before getting in himself.

They make their way to Angelicas house. The kids laughing and bouncing in the back deciding on which flavor of ice cream they would get.

“I'm gonna get bubblegum with sprinkles,” Angie says excitedly.

“Nuh uh, I'm getting rocky road covered in chocolate syrup,” Philip retorts point at himself as he speaks.

Eliza and Alexander look at each other, smiling, trying to hold back their laughter.

“Now, don't get too excited we haven't even gotten to Aunt Angie's house,” Alex warns. “Let's see how well you behave when you get there.” He winks at Eliza, she lightly shakes her head, a smile playing at her lips.

“We're gonna be real good,” Philip nods to himself. “Huh, Angie?”

“Yep!” She nods enthusiastically.

“I'm sure you will, my darlings,” Eliza tells her children, turning to give them a smile.

They arrive at Angelica’s house, taking the kids down and knocking on the door. Its only a few moments before the door opens and Angelica herself is there to greet them.

“You look beautiful, dearest,” she gushes over Eliza, hugging her close, and then rubbing her belly.

“You guys keep telling me that, but I’m not sure if I believe you.” Eliza squints playfully.

“You always look beautiful, love,” Alex kisses her cheek, and hugs Angelica.

“Aunt Angie!” The kids run in from behind their parents, to jump into their Aunts arms.

“There’s my niece and nephew,” she smiles wrapping them in her arms, and kissing their cheeks, before taking them to the playroom.

“Well if it isn’t the most beautiful woman in the world!” Eliza jumps when she hears the booming voice, but she smiles when she sees Herc.

“Hey, kid,” he smiles widely at her.

“Hey Yoda, you’re looking quite handsome.”

“Well, Thank you, beautiful.”

He gives her a squeeze and a kiss on the cheek, she holds him for a beat, before pulling away.

“Where’s your other half?”

“Right here, gorgeous,” John comes from the hallway his arms stretched out and ready to embrace her.

“Hey, there handsome,” she smiles as she steps into his arms, and gives her a squeeze. He steps back, wrapping his arms around Hercules.

“We’ve really missed you,” he says, slightly frowning.

“I know I’ve missed you guys, too,” she smiles sadly. “But this little guy, doesn't let me too much,” she says rubbing her belly.

“Has Alex driven you crazy yet? You sure you don’t want to run away with us?” John and Herc wiggle their eyebrows.

She laughs, lightly shaking her head. They always asked her stuff like this, it was always in jest, but it was nice to have options. Not that she would ever leave Alex, they loved each other too much.

“Hey!” They hear his voice from the dinning room. “Stop flirting with my wife,” he grumbles. The boys just snicker, as she wraps her arms around him and kisses his cheek.

“Don’t worry, darling, I would never leave you.” He smirks at both of them and nuzzles her neck, as she giggles.

“Foods ready guys, come on,” Peggy calls.

They all sit down to eat. Dinner conversation is full of reminiscing and talk about the new baby. Once everyone had finished Alex takes Eliza to the back porch, lit with twinkle lights courtesy of Angelica herself. He wraps his arms around her from behind and she leans back into him. There's soft music playing and Alex starts humming along to the music as swaying slightly with Eliza in his arms.

Eliza chuckles and shakes her head as she realizes what song is playing.

These feelings won’t go away, they been knocking me sideways, they been knocking me out, babe, whenever you come around me, these feelings won’t go away, they been knocking me sideways, I keep thinking in a moment that, Time will take them away, these feelings won’t go away.

“What?” Alex asks, confused.

“I used to hate this song because it reminded me of how much I wanted you,” Eliza says, leaning her head on his shoulder.

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“This song always reminded me of you,” she turns in his arms and looks up at him. “It did, especially when you weren’t talking to me.” She frowns, not wanting to remember that.

“It described exactly how I felt, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get you off of my mind, I couldn’t not love you.”

She caresses his cheek smiling lovingly at him.

“Neither could I, and I tried not to, but my heart always belonged to you.”

“I’ve always belonged to you.” He replies. Pulling her close and kissing her fervently under the moonlight. Pulling away, they rest their foreheads together.

“Mommy! Daddy!” They hear the very distinct voice of their daughter calling.

They laugh, before answering.

“We're out here, sweetheart.”

“Mommy, Daddy, we were looking everywhere for you!” Their daughter scolds them, her hands on her hips and a stern look on her face.

Alex chuckles as he moves to pick up his daughter.

“We're sorry sweetie, next time we'll tell you where we're going.”

She nods slowly, accepting the apology. Its only a few seconds before they hear their sons voice.

“Angie! Did you find them?” He yells.

“Outside Pip!” She yells back.

He's outside with them in seconds.

“Mama, Aunt Angie said we were perfect angels and were really good!” He tells Eliza proudly, a wide smile on his face.

“Did she now?”

“Uh huh.” Both her children nod emphatically at her.

“Well,” she pauses, pretending to think. Both children look nervous for a moment, fearing their mother had changed her mind. “I have to say I agree with her.”

They both smile widely at each other, before looking back at their mother.

“And, mommy did promise you ice cream if you behaved,” she grins.

“Really, really mommy?” Angie asks, her eyes alight with excitement.

“Really, really,” she nods. “Since you were both angels.” She lightly runs her fingers through Philips hair as he stares at her excitedly.

Both children look to their father for his seal of approval. He looks over at Eliza and she gives him a wink.

“What mommy says goes,” he shrugs his shoulders, “looks like we're getting ice cream.”

He puts his daughter on the ground, as she wiggles from his arms to cheer along with her brother.

“Ice cream! Ice cream! Ice cream!” They chant as they jump around the house.

Eliza shakes her head.

“What are we going to do with those two?”

“Leave them here?” He jokes.

“Stop,” she laughs as she lightly hits his chest.

“We'll double team them for bedtime, they always go down easier that way.”

“This is true,” Eliza nods, leaning into him once more.

“Come on, mama! Come on, daddy!” Their daughter calls for them, exasperated with their slow departure.

“We're coming darling, hang on.”

They chuckle as they make their way back into the house announcing they were going for ice cream. The boys graciously offer to take the little ones and come back so Eliza could relax a bit.

As the girls wait for the return of the boys and children. They laugh through their own conversation.

“You're tummy is so big Betsey,” Peggy says, caressing Elizas stomach.

“I know this kid is gonna be huge,” she shakes her head with a laugh.

“When are you due, again?”

“In a week, but the doctor said he might come a little earlier, he's impatient just like his father.”

“Who's impatient?” Alex himself asks, as they all enter the house.

“Our newest addition, my love, he's a lot like you.”

“I'm not impatient,” he looks offended.

He grows more offended when everyone laughs.

“Maybe I'm a little impatient, but I'm not that bad.”

“You are,” Herc replies with laugh.

Alex pouts and Eliza is quick to soothe him.

“Don't worry darling we still love you.”

He smiles as he wraps his arms around her.

“As long as you do, that’s all I care about.”

She smiles as he pulls her in for a kiss. Just then she feels a wave of pain in her lower back and stomach. Pulling away and squinting in pain.

“Baby, what's wrong?” Alex questions, worriedly.

“I told you your son is impatient,” she takes a deep breath. “It looks like he's ready to meet everyone.”

“Really?”

“Yep,” she nods.

“Okay, baby, lets get you to the hospital.”

“Don't worry about the kids we have extra stuff for them here,” Angie immediately assures them.

“Thanks Ange,” Eliza sighs gratefully.

“No problem, Betsey," she says kissing her cheek.

“Come on, I'll drive you guys,” Herc says keys in hand, ready to help with Eliza.

They make their way to the hospital just in time. Its only a short hour later that Alexander Jr is born, and crying into the delivery room. Once the excitement died down and Alex Jr was sleeping soundly in his fathers arms. The couple took a breath of relief. They stare at his tiny face thinking back to their other two children and their hearts swelling with love.

“I swear each time we make one of these, I'm in awe of how beautiful they are.” Alex lightly chuckles.

“I know,” Eliza laughs, “its crazy.” She smiles as she lightly touches her sons cheek. “We're so lucky.”

“I definitely am,” he replies.

“We both are.” She corrects him.

“Whatever you say, my love.” He kisses her head and sets the baby down in the small crib. “You need to sleep too, babe.”

“Only if you sleep with me.” She lifts her arms out to him.

“How perfect is this?” She asks him, looking up at him, smiling.

“As you wish, my love,” he smiles, snuggling in next to her.

He gently sweeps hair away from her face, looking back lovingly at her.

“Everything in my life is perfect with you.”

They kiss each other tenderly, and pull back looking at each other with nothing, but love.

“I love you,” they whisper together, laughing lightly and pulling each other close, knowing time nor anything else could ever tear them apart.

#hamliza #eliza schuyler #alexander hamilton #eliza x alexander #alexander x eliza #Angelica Schuyler #Hercules Mulligan #peggy schuyler #John Laurens #Gilbert du Motier Marquis de Lafayette #hamilton #Philip Hamilton #hamilton imagines #the end

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chocolatequeennk · 6 years

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A Day to Remember, 5/5

Walking hand in hand through crisp autumn leaves, drinking hot chocolate and eating warm apple pie, sitting together in front of a fire, and finding each other at a masquerade ball-the Doctor has planned the perfect first date, and it will be a day Rose will always remember.

Ten x Rose

This is my Fall Fic Fest story. I’m doing one chapter per theme, most of them running about 1000 words long. The last few will be a bit longer as they actually get around to talking about their relationship.

For @doctorroseprompts Halloween/masquerade prompt. Plus, you finally get a description of Rose’s “wearing fall colours to a ball” dress.

AO3 | FF | TSP | Ch 1 | Ch 2 | Ch 3 | Ch 4

The afternoon rain hadn’t put a damper on the plans for an evening masquerade. As soon as the clouds had rolled in, the Icoteans had brought in a large canopy, held aloft by hover craft. When the Doctor arrived shortly after eight, the lanterns had been lit and there were fires going in all the braziers, warming the air and cheering the partygoers with their flickering flames.

“Would you like a glass of mulled wine, sir?” a server offered as he walked by with a tray.

“No, thank you,” the Doctor declined. “I’m waiting for my date.”

The man bowed slightly, but the Doctor could see one of his eyebrows quirk in question behind his plain black mask.

He adjusted his own red and black mask. “I’ll know her,” he whispered as the server walked away.

Once he was alone, the Doctor studied the masked figures entering the park in a steady stream. It was an odd juxtaposition, seeing people dressed in such formal attire at an outside event, but that combination was part of what made the Icotean masquerade so unique. There was an feeling of barely contained wildness in the air, like they were only a few years removed from living on the unprotected heath. The fancy clothes were part of a facade of posh civility they could discard at the end of the night, as easily as they did the masks they wore.

He only managed to stand still for a few minutes before restless energy had him pacing along the front edge of the pavilion. His insistence that they arrive at the masquerade separately had seemed like a good idea at the time, but now that he was here alone, his impatience was getting the better of him.

He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. Even though he and Rose had finally discussed their relationship that afternoon, tonight still felt extra important.

The Doctor reached the edge of the pavilion and turned to walk the other direction. As he did, a flash of movement at the edge of his periphery vision caught his attention, and he slowed down. A woman had just crossed the street from the hotel, escorted by a porter who’d held an umbrella over her head to keep the light rain from getting her outfit wet.

He stared, transfixed, as Rose smiled at the porter and handed him a tip. Her long cape covered most of her dress, but he could see hints of red beneath the amber and rust-coloured satin. He tugged on the lapels of his own red great coat; they would match, then.

The jewelled pins holding her curls up caught the light when she turned her head, scanning the crowd for him. He took a step forward, and she found him almost immediately. Her smile deepened, and they both weaved their way through the crowd until they were standing face to face.

“Dame Rose.” The Doctor took her hand and bowed over it, before pressing a kiss to her fingers.

After he straightened, she curtsied, a dimple flashing in her cheek. “However did you know it was me, Sir Doctor?”

It was a teasing question, but the Doctor shook his head slowly and reached out to brush his fingertips over her face. “Rose Tyler, I would know you anywhere,” he swore.

Her blush disappeared under her mask. “Doctor…” She cleared her throat and straightened his red bowtie. “I’d know you, too—even if you aren’t wearing your regular pinstripes.”

The Doctor smiled and offered her his arm, feeling his heart race when she stepped closer to him to take it. “Are you ready for food or dancing first?”

Rose smiled at him and tugged them towards the dance floor. They’d gotten room service in the late afternoon, and she wouldn’t be hungry again for a few hours. In the meantime…

“Time to show me your moves, Doctor.” She cast him a coy glance. “Or does the universe implode if the Doctor dances?”

To her surprise, the Doctor resisted her direction. Rose started to protest until she realised he was leading them towards a coat check that was decorated to look like a small copse of trees.

“Before I show you my moves, I’d like to actually see your dress,” he murmured as he shrugged out of his own great coat.

The shiver that went down Rose’s back as she undid her cape and pulled it off had nothing to do with the cool air and everything to do with the light in the Doctor’s eyes. They handed their cloaks to the attendant, and the Doctor slid the claim card into his pocket, all without looking away from her.

Rose twirled once, letting the full skirt flare out around her. As she did, the beaded leaves worked into the organza overskirt reflected the light, making the dress shimmer.

“Do you like it?” she asked as it settled back to the floor.

The Doctor held out his hand and led her to the dance floor. “It’s a gorgeous dress,” he agreed as they found an open space on the edge of the dancers and joined the waltz.

Rose tilted her head and looked up at him. His red and black mask covered almost half of his face, but she knew him well enough to read his expression anyway.

“I hear a ‘but’ in there.”

The Doctor shrugged as they spun across the floor, moving expertly between the other couples. “Not a but, really. The dress is incredible, and you look stunning tonight. I won’t be able to take my eyes off you. But…” He leaned forward to whisper in her ear. “It’s you that’s taking my breath away, Rose. Not the dress.”

Rose’s hand tightened around his shoulder as his breath hit her ear, sending a wave of heat through her. She pulled back far enough to see the emotion burning in his eyes, hardly able to believe this was actually happening. She licked her dry lips, and the breath caught in her throat when his gaze dropped to her mouth for a few seconds.

If she didn’t lighten the mood, she’d be snogging him in a few seconds. So Rose smiled at him, letting her tongue peek out. “You’re doing pretty good at this boyfriend thing, Doctor.”

As expected, the Doctor groaned and wrinkled his nose at the term. “Boyfriend? Really, Rose? Surely there’s a better term.”

Rose pouted up at him. “You don’t want me to be your girlfriend?”

The Doctor’s arm tightened around her waist and he shook his head firmly. “Believe me, Rose, my feelings for you are not the infatuation a boy would feel for a girl.”

To his delight, Rose blushed again, but she rallied enough to arch an eyebrow at him in challenge. “Well, then what should we call each other?”

One answer came to the Doctor’s mind immediately, but he held it back. A first date was far too early in a relationship to ask Rose to bond with him, no matter how long he’d loved her.

He tipped his head back and pressed his tongue to the back of his teeth, familiar enough with the steps of the dance to carry on without looking where he was going. “Lover” was too suggestive, carrying a meaning in the English language that wasn’t yet true. “Partner” sounded like a business partner. There were words in other languages that described their current state of being in love and together without the juvenile sound of English’s boyfriend and girlfriend, but really…

“Can’t we just be the Doctor and Rose Tyler?” He shifted the hand on her back up a few inches so he could brush his thumb over her bare skin. “We’ve always been us, even if we’ve tried to deny it.”

Rose’s hand moved to his neck, and he shivered when she combed her fingers through the shorter hairs there. “My Doctor.”

The Doctor spun them into an alcove off the main dance floor, secluded by gauzy curtains. A single lantern hung from the trees above their heads, and in the flickering light, the golden mask concealing Rose’s face looked like the light of Time that had swirled around her as Bad Wolf.

My Doctor.

That was Bad Wolf’s claim on him. The Doctor’s hearts hammered in his chest as he studied her eyes, looking for some sign that she was remembering.

Instead, her expression was open and guileless, with a soft smile curving her lips. The Doctor breathed a sigh of relief. “Yes,” he agreed. “I’ll always be your Doctor.”

Rose shifted closer to him. “And I’m your Rose,” she murmured.

The Doctor swallowed hard, but his voice was still raspy when he whispered her name. “Rose…”

“Yes, Doctor.” She might have meant her reply to be a question, asking what he wanted, but her husky tone and the want he could easily read in her eyes made it sound more like permission.

It was permission he gladly took. Rose stilled as he cupped her face between her hands, brushing his thumbs over the line where her mask covered her cheeks.

“I’ve heard a kiss after the midnight reveal is the most romantic way to end a masquerade,” he said as he traced the full curve of her lips. “But what about a stolen kiss from a masked partner?”

Rose stroked his jaw with the backs of her fingers before settling her hand back on his shoulder. “Please.” She tilted her head back and her eyes fluttered closed.

The Doctor took a moment to memorise how she looked right now, the golden mask concealing half her features and the soft light casting a halo around her. Then he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers.

Rose’s lips parted on a soft sigh the moment his touched hers. The Doctor immediately caught her bottom lip between his, nipping at it gently, then suckling at it and laving over the spot with his tongue. Rose whimpered, and exhilaration coursed through him. This was a hundred times better than the simple kiss he’d pressed to her temple earlier.

Her nails scraped through the hair at the nape of his neck, and the Doctor groaned and pulled her closer. He could feel Rose’s lips curve up in a smile, and she did it again, this time moving her fingers slowly enough to pull a growl from his throat.

Rose’s lips left his and trailed kisses along his jawline until she reached his ear. “I’m gonna have to remember you like that,” she whispered. Then she caught his earlobe between her teeth, nipping at it gently.

She pulled back just far enough to see his expression. The heat in his eyes had desire throbbing low in her belly, and she bit her lip, waiting to see what he would do.

The Doctor shook his head and ran a hand up her arm. It was the barest touch, but it sent a shower of tingles down Rose’s back, leaving her gasping for more. His hand settled at the nape of her neck, and as he leaned down to kiss her again, he whispered, “My turn.”

Their first kiss had been soft and almost tentative as they learned the taste and texture of each other’s mouths. This kiss was passion and fire as they met each other, stroke for stroke and touch for touch. When Rose swayed into his embrace, the Doctor’s arms tightened around her waist, pulling her closer. When she scraped her nails through his hair, he retaliated by scraping his teeth along her clavicle.

Each time he kissed her, she could feel his mask press into her skin. The reminder that their identities were currently concealed made Rose bold, and she plunged her hands into his hair, holding him still as she ravished his mouth.

When she finally pulled back to breathe, the Doctor rested his forehead against hers. His deep breaths mingled with her harsh pants, sending another wave of longing through her.

But now that they weren’t kissing, she could hear the music again and she remembered they were only a few feet away from the dance floor. Rose’s face heated up at the thought that anyone could have stumbled upon them in the middle of a very passionate embrace.

“Think we should go back out there?” she asked, the hoarseness of her voice taking her by surprise.

The Doctor straightened and looked down at her, and the sight of his glistening, well-kissed lips almost made her change her suggestion. They could return to their hotel room and continue snogging… and maybe see where that led.

But this was their first date, and as much as she wanted him right now, she wanted him forever more. Rose took a deep breath through her nose, then blew it out through her mouth, letting the rhythm calm her down.

The Doctor closed his eyes, and Rose watched in fascination as she could almost see him bring his own desire under control. When he looked at her again, the heat was banked—easily ignitable again, but under wraps for now.

He stepped back and held out his hand. “Back to the dance floor?” he suggested. “Although I think I’ve proven I definitely have the moves.”

He waggled his eyebrows, then giggled along with Rose. The kiss had been fantastic, but he was almost relieved to feel the tension fade slightly. Holding her, kissing her… it was almost overwhelming. He’d very nearly told her how much he loved her, and he definitely wasn’t ready for that yet.

Rose took his hand and they walked through the gauzy curtain back onto the dance floor. A traditional Icotean dance was playing. It was similar to a slow waltz, and after watching for a few moments, they moved into the crowd, joining the pattern of dancers.

The Doctor waited for awkwardness to set in, but instead, Rose shifted closer to him and rested her head on his shoulder. “This is nice.”

He sighed and adjusted his hold on her, then turned and nuzzled into her hair. “Yeah. So, as far as first dates go…”

He felt her giggle, and he grinned in satisfaction. “It was perfect, Doctor.”

The Doctor was dimly aware of the smiles they were receiving from other couples as the turned around the floor, but most of his attention was focused on Rose and how she felt, nestled securely in his arms. This was exactly how he wanted to spend the rest of his lives, he realised—holding Rose close, feeling her heart beating in three-quarter time with his.

#ficandchips #ten x rose #fic by Nancy #fall fic fest #doctorroseprompts #cq's fic: a day to remember #flirting and fluff #and dancing and ball gowns and first kisses #all the fun first date type things #romance

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