BANANAS ARE GOOD!

Rose’s chest filled with glee — a compliment, a real one! She even felt proud. Her smile only grew bigger and brighter. Being silly and ridiculous could be so much fun when the Doctor was around.

Music started playing from, well, somewhere — she could swear she’d never seen speakers anywhere in the console, but, then again, the ship holding one more mystery among hundreds shouldn’t faze her at this point. “Why, thank you very much, Mr. Music. Would you care to dance?” She mocked an accent — what accent didn’t matter, she’d probably butchered them all — and, locking eyes with the Doctor, she set on his shoulder and hand, giving him a joyful squeeze.

In position once more, The Doctor led them in wide circles around the console, flowing like a river with the music. He was quiet for the most part. Thinking of her hand grasping his, the subtle twitch her forefinger would give when she successfully nailed a step or the tight grip (and a muffled giggle) when she didn’t; thinking of the lights playing around them, making her look like she was sprinkled with gold dust, and thinking of her eyes that never seemed to leave his. He blinked and the music swelled in his ears and the Doctor found himself humming the waltz before grinning like an idiot at the blonde in his arms.

Forwards left, back—no, sideways right, then sideways left, then backwards right. Across left, forwar—no, sideways right. She got it right on the repeat, even if she hesitated once or twice. She was, somehow, getting the hang of it.

But the thought of doing it with music — doing it properly — brought blush back to her cheeks and ears. Biting her lip to try to distract her nervous system, she laughed — at herself, more than anything — and let him loose. 

“And make a fool of myself with a soundtrack?” She shrugged and just shook her head, ready for the worst. “Hit it, DJ.”

“Ah, considerin’ humans have been making a fool of themselves by specifically making up a sequence of movements based on catchy tunes since time immemorial—- you’re doing fantastic, Rose Tyler.” Now was that a compliment or... what? “Really, you’re great,” he added, wincing inwardly. Should really improvise on these backhanded remarks he kept saying soon.

“I believe the phrase is please Mr. Music, will you play?” And play it did. Thank the universe for sentient spaceships with great musical taste.

She couldn’t help but smile. He could be adorable sometimes… when he was not being an arse, of course.

“But what about the beach?” She asked sheepishly and bit her lip. They had just gotten there, after all. Wasn’t there a reason they’d landed there? Didn’t he have something to do?

He shrugged in a dismissive, boyish gesture. The beach was just like any other beaches except its sands were crystal, and the water’s a funny colour. Silly, stupid, old high-and-mighty Time Lord, for snapping at her in the first place.

“It isn’t goin’ anywhere. Still be here if we wanted to go back.” Sufficiently satisfied after the invisible lint was gone, the Doctor clapped his hands together, beaming mischievously. “How well would you say you are with spicy foods?”

“Hope my moves get good enough, then, cavaliere mio. I’d hate to have to carve my initials on your leg otherwise. Or was it the other way ‘round?” Rose smiled mischevously, sliding a wink through what she hoped would be interpreted as a slow blink if unwelcome. As best as she could, she followed on his steps, looking down to their feet this time to make sure not to step on him again.

The Doctor did not miss that wink (how could he?) but he just smiled in return and put them into position again.

“Alright, cara mia, in three, two, one—”

His hands on her were gentle as he led the four-step. Forwards left, sideways right. Sideways left, backwards right. Across left, sideways right. And repeat. Quickly enough, Rose’s foot colliding with his were growing less and less in frequency.

“Do you want to try this with music?”