#allonswolf

He had the good sense to look a little wounded at her comment.  “Now, come on, I’m just trying to give you business.”

The woman sighed, and did come out from behind the counter to approach him. “Well, sweetheart, if you are his friend, you’d better watch out.  This one’s got a huge nose for trouble.” She extended her hand. “Donna Noble, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Rose Tyler.”  

They shook hands and Rose was left having to bite back more and more questions.  Was this woman Gallifreyan? Was she a Time Lady?  Rose had never heard of the Gallifreyans speaking casually to one another, and here a shop lady was speaking casually to the prince?  She wasn’t sure the books they were forced to read did justice to the people here at all.

“I can see why his highness brought you in here, Rose, your clothes are a little… Drab. If you don’t mind me saying.”

Rose looked down at herself again. “No, I don’t mind, it’s… True.”

Donna set about picking out a new set of clothes for Rose then, and Rose, who had absolutely no input to speak of since she’d never seen such colorful clothing before, simply sat down on an ottoman and watched the woman work.  She jerked in surprise when Theta plopped down next to her.

“I’ve known Donna forever,” he confided, leaning towards her a little bit. “Childhood friends, us! They were going to matchmake us but we both put up such a fuss that the Council decided it wasn’t worth it.”

Rose laughed at that. “So you don’t get your own choice?”

“Mm… I do, in a way. I have a voice, but ultimately if there’s someone Rassilon likes that he wants to rule with me, then that’s who I have to marry.”  He extended his legs, scuffing his heels along the floor. “What about you?  Is there a Mr. Rose Tyler back home?”  He was being a little too casual about asking, and Rose wasn’t necessarily sure what that meant.

“Well.  Um.  No.” 

“That’s it?  No, really, somebody must be chasing after you.”

Her cheeks colored pink and she looked away from him. “Well, not to my knowledge. There’s not a lot of time to date where… Where I’m from,” she covered up, just in case anyone was listening to them.  She could only assume that since he hadn’t told Donna where she was from, Theta thought it safer to keep her identity a secret for now.  That was fine by her.

“I’m a teacher,” she continued, “So by the time I get out of school I want to go right home.”

He hummed.  “I suppose that’s fair.  Still,” he lifted a shoulder, “Must be lonely.”

She turned where she sat to face him head-on.  “Are you speaking from experience?”

Dark eyes settled on her, and for a moment she lost her breath at the sadness in them.  “You have no idea.”

Before Rose could ask anything else, Donna swept back over. She was holding a simple red rob that cinched at the waist with a golden belt.  It looked like it would fit loosely everywhere except the waist, and it had charming golden details around the hem of the skirt and the sleeves. 

“Oh… Oh, that’s beautiful,” she said, reaching out to touch the fabric but then wrenching her hand back. 

“No, go on, try it,” Theta nudged her shoulder.  “It’s for you.”

Rose blinked.  She still wasn’t sure she quite believed that Theta was going to buy her beautiful, expensive clothes just so she could fit in, but to wear something so extravagant… She at least wanted to try it on, even if the dream would be ripped from her.

“Come on, then, there’s a room back here where you can change.  We’ll have to get you out of those old things no matter what.” Donna smiled at her and helped her up off the ottoman.  Without meaning to, Rose grinned back.  

Donna led Rose to the back of the store. “I’ll just wait here while you try it on.”

Rose nodded and went through the curtain into the rather large dressing room.  She found herself staring at her reflection in the mirror.  She looked scared and out of place with the finery around her, and taking the opportunity to look at her clothes, she could see why it would be something that would stand out.  Her plain grey dress may be the standard fare underground, but here?  There would be no mistaking her for a Gallifreyan.  

She started to undress and heard Donna ask her a question from outside. “How’d you end up with Theta, anyways?”

She didn’t call him ‘Prince’ at all, Rose noticed.  “We… Bumped into each other, when I first arrived here,” She said, wincing before reminding herself that that’s not a total lie.  “He said he’d show me around, since I’m visiting and don’t know anything around here well.”

Donna snorted. “Well, much as I hate to admit it, you ran into the perfect person.  Not only can that man get you into every exclusive place on the map, he’s also got the bug for travel, so he knows the entirety of this place inside out.”

“Yeah, I got the idea that he doesn’t want to be the prince,” Rose admitted, settling the crimson garment over her shoulders before fumbling along with the belt.

Donna sighed quietly. “No, no he doesn’t.  But he’ll still be a great leader.  That big fool can’t do anything without doing it full out.  It’s a blessing and a curse, I think.  That’s probably why he was so eager to help you. Well, that, and you’re a beautiful young woman.  Gallifrey has plenty of those and none of them have interested him so far.”

Rose’s hands faltered at Donna’s words. “That’s- that doesn’t mean anything at all!  He’s just helping me out, really.”

“For now. Don’t blame me if he ends up falling in love with you, he already seems very interested in you.”

Rose felt her cheeks burn.  It wouldn’t do her any good to let Donna’s words get to her. Theta seemed ‘interested’ in her because she offered helpful and interesting information about a new place, and according to Donna and Theta himself, new places were very much his favorite thing.  That didn’t mean anything!  She forced herself to laugh before the silence became palpable.

“I really doubt it. That’s kind of you to say, though.”

She looked at herself in the mirror, marvelling at how tiny her waist appeared with the billowing fabric both over and under the belt. She smiled a little.  Red looked good on her, complimenting her pale skin and the gold looking almost as if it had been brought out from her eyes.

Red was pretty.

She’d never really known that before.

She pulled back the curtain and looked at Donna. “Will I do?”

“Oh, will you, those robes were made for you!” Donna clapped her hands. “Let me see if I can swindle that dusty prince out of a little more credits to get you some accessories.”

They headed back across the store and Rose pretended not to notice that Theta’s jaw loosened a little bit when he saw them. He got to his feet, still staring.

“Rose.  You look-”

“Like she could use a headpiece, your highness,” Donna offered sweetly.

Theta’s attention snapped back to Donna and he laughed out loud.  “Well, alright. I suppose since you’re taking the time out of your clearly busy day, I can line your pockets some more.” “What else am I supposed to do with your friendship, if not exploit it?” Donna teased.

Eventually, Rose settled on a pretty gold chain that rested atop her head, with a tiny, cloudy gem hanging down between her brows.  Donna secured it in place and smiled at her own work.  “Yep.  I definitely would’ve remembered seeing you around here before.  You’re beautiful.”

Rose noticed that Theta didn’t say anything, but then again, she wasn’t sure she wanted him to.  He took what appeared to be just a stick (what Rose assumed held credits) and passed it over to Donna.

“I’ll pay you back someday,” she said earnestly, grabbing his arm.

He looked down at her, startled.  “Nah, don’t do that! Think of this as your welcome gift!  Erm, welcome to Gallifrey, that is.”

She let go of him and nodded a little, still feeling unsure.  Her stomach growled and she placed a hand over it, blushing.

Theta laughed. “I did promise I would get you something to eat, too.  Well, in the case you’re ever in this area again, you can always come and see Donna.  She’s just about adopted you, I think.”

Rose smiled a little, but she wasn’t sure what to think of that concept.  ‘Should she ever return’.  Should she ever return because soon she’d be escorted back through here to be sent back down below?  Or because… She was a citizen?  She shook her head, dismissing that thought immediately.  That was an impossibility, and she’d do well to remember that.

Donna returned and gave Theta his credit stick back. “Well. Don’t be strangers. You know where I am.”

“Never.  Thank you, Donna.” Theta shot her a charming smile that just made her roll her eyes.

“Yeah, thank you so much,” Rose said, hoping her voice sounded as genuine as she felt. 

Donna smiled at her, eyes soft.  “Of course, dear.”

They left then, and Theta led her back up the alley and back into the main roads. “Ah, now that people will quit staring at you, we should find something to eat.”

Rose was having trouble keeping herself focused.  There were so many questions she had, and she wasn’t sure where to start.  The people bustling around her were staring at her less, but she was admittedly still staring quite openly at them.  Her clothes were beautiful, but many other peoples’ were gaudy in comparison, and she was glad that Donna had picked something that was so tame.  She grabbed Theta’s arm, trying to keep up with his long strides and not lose him in the crowd, completely missing the surprised look he was giving her. 

She looked around as they walked along and was suddenly hit with the smell of something meaty and savory, her mouth watering.  “Do you smell that?”

“Yeah.”

“I want whatever that is.”

Theta laughed, guiding her towards the stall where the smell was originating from.  “Those are meat pies, but let me tell you, they’re the best in the city.  You’ve got a good nose on you, Rose Tyler.”

She decided that if the worst happened from today, whatever happened right now, the food she ate and the clothes she wore…

Clara wrapped her in a hug before quickly kissing her. “Sorry we’re always running late.”

“You know I always am too,” Rose answered. “You look gorgeous though.”

“So do you,” John chimed in, moving in to kiss her as well. “Are you nervous?”

“Not as much as I thought I’d be, actually,” Rose admitted. “Been more focused on organizing everything than the fact that I have a piece in the show. All the artists are so excited to be in a show and I’m trying to make everything perfect for them.”

Rose had convinced the gallery owner’s to let her put together a variety showing of new artists - students and adults who had started art later in life and had never gotten a spot in a gallery before. The owners had picked one of Rose’s pieces to feature as well, even though it was unusual for the manager to have art on display.

“Everything looks brilliant, love. Best Christmas present any of them could ask for,” John said.

“Thank you Doctor,” Rose said, leaning up to kiss him on the cheek. “I’m so glad both of you could be here. My best Christmas present for sure.”

“Love you,” Clara said, squeezing her hand.

“Love you too.” Rose glanced up at John. “You too, of course.”

He just grinned at the pair of them.

“Alright, now, why don’t you two go open the wine and make sure the canapes look okay,” Rose said, turning her attention back to her clipboard. “Clara, don’t let him start sampling things yet.”

“Spoilsport,” John muttered.

“Once you’ve got the wine open, there’s a plate of canapes in the kitchen that you can eat without ruining my display.”

“You know me well,” he said with a chuckle.

“Don’t I know it. Now off with you both, work to do,” Rose said. “Play is for when we get home.”

“Holding you to that,” Clara said with a grin.

Doctor Who

The Lighthouse Keeper - @perfectlyrose (Nine/Rose, au, Very Angst) This fic. It kills me dead. Every time. And I know like, three people who are going to yell at me for bringing this back. But it’s happening. 

Potatoes - @jeeno2 (Tentoo/Rose) This is silly and cute and exactly what I needed that day when I prompted this. 

Coffeeshop - @wordsintimeandspace (Ten/Rose) This was such a perfect little glimmer of joy that day, and exactly what I needed. 

Warmer Hands - @lvslie (Ten/Rose, Angst) There’s something about a fic that pulls you in with a sense of creeping dread, and this one has it in spades. 

Wrap the Night Around Me - @timelordinvictus (Ten/Rose, Tentoo/Rose, Very Angst) Lisa killed the entire Angst Squad with this one. 

Movie - @jeeno2 (Tentoo/Rose, fluff) This was so good and utterly adorable.

The Light at the End of Time - @chocolatequeennk (Ten/Rose, Tentoo/Rose) This fixes the mess Lisa left us all in, and does it beautifully. 

Waiting for the Sun - @perfectlyrose (Eight/Rose, fluff) This is certainly the sweetest thing, and I loved it a whole bunch. 

Allonswolf Ficlet - @rose-tylers (Ten/Rose/Clara, Angst) Goddamn, I love this ot3, and Mary does them so well. 

Perfect Match [Part 1/22] - @lastbluetardis (Ten/Rose, Soulmates AU) Oh this fic. I don’t read a lot of long fic, but I devoured this one over the course of a day, and man. It’s got everything. 

Bleach

Reasonable Expectations [Part 58 of Scatter and Howl] - @junko222 (Byaren) I love this fic. I hope more of it arrives. I get so excited when I get an email to say there’s a new piece of it for me to read. It’s hot and sweet and the kind of soap opera I can sink my teeth into for hours. 

The Fall: The Rise - @swingsdown (Ichiruki, angst) Everything Annie writes is beautiful, and this is no exception. 

Daylilies - @ciebei (Ichiruki, au, post-TYBW) Zoë makes word magic and her fic is gorgeous. 

Up All Night to the Sun - @gunnerpalace (YoruIchiRuki, Grounded!Verse, Fluff) This ‘verse man, it gives me the warm fuzzies all over the place and this fic is no exception. 

Card Games - @woodrokiro (Ichiruki, Angst - but the good kind) I loved this fic because of how much the end punches you straight in the solar plexus. 

Next to Every Great Man Is... - @gunnerpalace (Kuukuya, Fluff) The other rarepair in the cult of rarepairs, and this is the one that caught me first. 

Differences Breed Revelations - @ciebei (Ichiruki, Fluff) More excellent Zoë fic here! And not sad this time!

17 Months of Summer - @ciebei (Ichiruki, Angst) You win some, you lose some, Ichigo loses a lot them, and man, Zoë can break him like nobody else. 

Together Lyric Prompt - @woodrokiro (Ichiruki, reincarnation au) AH. My favourite kind of AU tbh, and this was such a delight. 

Morning, Sunshine - @ciebei (Ichiruki, Angst) And here I lie, dead from fic. 

Other

‘Noir’ - @perfectlyrose (Hardy/Hannah) I love prompting fics from Kelsey, they are always a good idea.