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hollowempire · 5 years

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Back Again || Ainley!Master x Reader

Request: Grandma, again

Summary: Reader used to travel with the Master and left on good terms. They now travel with five and sees him again in ‘The Five Doctors’.

Word count: 1,423

“Doctor!” The Master called. The Doctor pulled y/n behind him, still not sure if he could trust them around him.

“Wait right here.” he told Y/n, Susan, and Tegan. Y/n, of course, didn’t listen and followed behind. The Doctor at least made sure they were hidden from the Master’s sight.

“I know this is going to be hard to believe, Doctor, but for once I mean you no harm.” he said, trying to get a look at whoever was behind the Doctor. He was unsuccessful.

“Like Alice, I try to believe three impossible things before breakfast. Go on.” the Doctor said, walking towards him. Y/n stayed behind him, the Doctor holding them in place with his hand. The two faced each other, y/n standing uncomfortably behind. Was this really necessary?

“I’ve been sent here by the high council to help you… and your little friend there.” he said, gesturing to the small part of y/n he could see.

“If you want to know who they are, I’m not telling you.”

He pointed the tissue compression eliminator at him. “Be reasonable, Doctor.”

“I am, I listened.”

“As you see I am armed. I could easily kill you if I wanted to.”

“But could you kill me?” y/n asked, stepping into view much to the Doctor’s dismay.

The Doctor shook his head at y/n and turned back to the Master. “And not humiliate me first? Oh, that isn’t your style at all.”

Y/n scoffed at being ignored by him, but the Master was certainly paying attention. “Ah, my dear y/n! It’s good to see you again.” he said with a smile. The Doctor was clearly shocked, unaware of their history together. As far as he knew, y/n had never had any experience with time and space travel before they met.

“Do you expect me to believe the fantastic tale you’ve just told?” the Doctor asked.

“Doctor, look out, Cybermen!” Tegan suddenly shouted from the top of the hill.

“Go back!” he shouted. Then he turned to y/n and the Master. “After you.”

The Master sped off, taking y/n’s hand and The Doctor quickly followed. The Cybermen shouted threats as they ran. They sent a blast in their direction and The Master fell to the ground in a heap of black cloth.

Y/n and The Doctor knelt over him. He didn’t get up. The Doctor picked up his device and teleported away, y/n left with The Master as he regained consciousness.

“This is not The Doctor,” one of the Cybermen said as y/n helped The Master stand up. “Take him.”

“I’ve been looking for you,” The Master said, y/n becoming confused. “I’m here as your friend,” y/n stood with their eyebrows raised.

“Who are you?”

“I am The Master, and your loyal servant,”

“No you’re not!” y/n said, putting their hands on their hips. The Master shushed them.

The Master and Cybermen argued back and forth for a bit until they finally accepted him, claiming he could help them defeat the Timelords. Y/n shook their head in disbelief every once in a while. He said he could help them break into the tower, and they allowed him to help.

With a sigh, y/n walked off without anyone noticing. They weren’t going to take part in any of this. They made their way to the tower on their own, running into Tegan and The First Doctor. They came upon a large checkered floor. The Doctor threw some coins onto it and they were zapped by streaks of green light.

“Our ancestors had such a wonderful sense of humor,” the Master said, walking in. Y/n gasped. “You left me, y/n. I didn’t appreciate that very much.”

“Do I know you young man?” The Doctor asked.

“Believe it or not we were at the academy together.” he told him, putting his arm around y/n’s waist. He wasn’t letting them go this time.

“What do you want?” Tegan asked.

“To help.”

“That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all day,” she said, giving y/n an apologetic look. They shrugged.

“Believe what you like, but I shall advise you to hide. I’ve some very suspicious allies close behind me.” he said, pushing y/n off to the side. Tegan pulled them and The Doctor into a better spot as the Cybermen walked in. “Enter, but be careful.” he told them. He let the Cybermen cross the board after showing them he could get across safely, hopping across it. The Cybermen were killed.

The surviving one threatened him and forced him to show the sage passage. He turned and shot it, laughing after. Y/n ran to his side.

“Wasn’t that a little ruthless, even for you?” Tegan asked.

“In one of the many wars on your miserable little planet they used to drive sheep across minefields. Principle’s the same.”

“Not quite, this minefields still just as dangerous!”

“Do you think so?” he asked, then grabbed y/n’s hand and led them across it. “Try it, Doctor, it’s as easy as pie.” he said, them took off into a corridor with y/n right behind.

“Why’d you have to take me with?” y/n asked. The Master still had a grip on their hand.

He stopped walking. “I like having you around, is that really such a bad thing?” he asked.

“When you keep getting us i to dangerous situations, yes!” they exclaimed, pulling him ahead.

“You don’t even know where we’re going,” he pointed out.

“You’re infuriating, you know?” they said, letting him take the lead. He flashed a smile.

“It also promises that whoever takes the ring from Rassilon’s hand and puts it on shall get the reward he seeks.” y/n heard the Doctor say from the opening just ahead.

“What reward?” a new voice, Sarah Jane Smith, asked.

“Immortality.”

The first three Doctors talked amongst themselves as y/n and the Master walked in.

“Thank you, gentlemen that is exactly what I needed to know!” the Master said. Y/n sighed. “I came here to help you, a little unwillingly but I came. My services were scorned, my help refused. Now I shall help myself… to immortality!”

Y/n shook their head. “You fool, don’t you know it’s bogus?” they asked, getting in front of him. The Doctors looked on in confusion.

“Y/n get away from him, he’s bad!” Tegan said. She, too, was unaware of their history, and thought that he had taken y/n against their will.

“Shut it, Tegan, if you knew the things I’ve done with him, well…” they trailed off as Tegan’s face showed pure disgust.

The Master pointed the TCE at the Doctors, y/n mentally face palming. They pulled him away. “Hey, this is clearly a trick and you’re going to turn into one of those stones over there, see?” they sold him, gesturing to the tomb. “I can’t kiss stones, now, can I?”

The Master shook his head and kissed them. They could hear Tegan gag in the background.

He then tried to make a run for it.

“Nice to see you again!” the Brigadier said and punched him, knocking to the floor.

“Oof…” y/n said, drawing it out. At least he couldn’t do anything else stupid. He was tied up and dragged to the side, y/n left next to him with a warning.

“You’re sort of an idiot,” they said, noticing he was awake. Some other stuff with Borusa getting turned to stone after attempting to gain immortality happened, but they didn’t really pay attention. He had it coming.

“Thanks,” he said sarcastically, taking the hand y/n offered to help him up.

“That’s the second time you’ve gotten knocked out today,”

The Master didn’t reply, and instead turned his attention to the Doctors and their companions saying their good-byes. Y/n did too.

“What do say we beat it before they notice?” y/n asked.

The Master looked surprised. “You… want to run away with me?”

Y/n smiled and pulled him into the corridor.

“You know, I really didn’t think this far…” y/n said, stopping as they got outside. “I’ve no escape plan.”

The Master took something out of his pocket. “Look, as much as I hate to-”

A vortex manipulator! Brilliant!” they exclaimed.

Y/n threw their arms around him, almost knocking them both over. They set the coordinates and disappeared. They suddenly found themselves on the ground in front of his TARDIS. Y/n laughed excitedly, the Master still recovering from the trip.

“So, ready to conquer some planets?” the Master asked.

Y/n didn’t mention that he had never actually conquered anything. They were too happy to be back. “Oh, yes!” they exclaimed.

#ainley!master x reader #the master x reader #ainley!master #the master #doctor who #classic who

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dimensionhoppingrose · 7 years

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In My Veins (11/?)

Title: In My Veins Rating: K+ Pairing: Ten/Rose, human AU Summary: –Telepathic bond soulmate AU– Everyone kept saying kids couldn’t develop telepathic bonds, that it was completely impossible. John Smith and Rose Tyler defied the impossible.

Notes: Well I finally managed to hash out a soulmate AU enough to be happy with writing it. All the blame for this entire story goes to @lastbluetardis, who not only encouraged it, but also allowed me to yell at her about it until I was happy enough to start writing it. Blame her entirely.

Read it on A03

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Warning For: Eating disorder, body image issues

John: 18; Rose: 16

Stop thinking.

John rolled over, burying his face in his pillow. I’m trying.

You’re not doing a very good job.

She was right. He was doing his best, but he was also freaking out. He was getting ready to go to university. Who wouldn’t be anxious about that?

I’m sorry, he said quietly. I can go, if you want.

No! Rose said quickly. I… I don’t want you to go. Please.

She hadn’t tried to block John out since they had reconciled, and John was grateful for that. It had been so lonely without her. He didn’t want to go through that again.

It was clear John wasn’t sleeping, so instead he turned on his bedside lamp and grabbed his sketchbook, drawing mindlessly. It was the fastest way to calm himself when he was thinking too much.

He felt Rose in the back of his head, relaxing a bit as he began drawing. Her presence was a warm, comforting glow, and he was so happy to have it back.

Are you mad at me? Rose asked quietly after a moment. John hesitated, pencil pausing. He couldn’t lie. Rose would know. One of the downsides of having her in his head. And it was hard to deny that things had been… awkward between them since Rose had begun talking to him again. It was unavoidable.

I’m… I’m not mad. That was the truth. I… don’t really know how to explain how I feel, honestly. There were a lot of feelings. He couldn’t put them all into words.

I know I was horrible to you, Rose said. You didn’t deserve that.

I am sorry I broke our promise, John replied. But I didn’t have a choice, Rose. You were killing yourself.

I know. Which didn’t stop the slight flare of annoyance that ran through Rose. I know. I just… I hate being here so much.

I know you do. But you need to be.

Rose was quiet for a moment. We’re not talking about me, she said finally, quietly. I asked about you.

John sighed. I’m just… it hurt, Rose. A lot. When you weren’t talking to me. And I don’t just mean physically. Although the headaches had been brutal.

I know being angry isn’t an excuse, Rose said, and John felt a wave of sadness. You didn’t deserve that. And I am sorry. I honestly am.

I know you are. She couldn’t lie, after all.

And even if she could, John would have believed her anyways.

* * * * * * * *

“I see you’ve been doing much better with eating,” Rose’s therapist said, and Rose ducked her head, staring at the floor.

“Yeah,” she mumbled. It was still hard — her brain was still trying to count the calories in every single thing she ate, and ignoring it was hard. But she was trying. And she was eating.

And that was something.

“Why the sudden change?” It wasn’t exactly a secret that Rose had been… resistant to any and all treatment in the hospital. She’d ate because the alternative was ending up with an IV in her arm (and needles terrified her), but it had been the bare minimum and even then it had been unwilling.

Having John back was… helping, though. It was far from a cure, but John… made her feel better. And made her want to be better.

“I don’t know.” She didn’t want to talk about John. She had more or less avoided it up to this point — it wasn’t a door she wanted to open — and if she could get out of this place without ever mentioning John’s name, then great. John had told her about his experience at the doctor’s, and that wasn’t something she wanted to deal with until she absolutely had to.

And she knew she would have to eventually.

I’m back, Rose said quietly as she left the therapist’s office. John tried really hard not to pay attention during therapy, recognizing that it was Rose’s time. He didn’t know how to fully block her out the way Rose had done to him, and honestly Rose was glad about that. She never wanted to go through that kind of separation again.

It had been too much.

You alright? John asked at once. Rose believed he really did his best not to listen. But it was hard.

Yeah… I’ll live. I just want to get out of here.

I know you do.

Rose went back to her room, sighing as she collapsed into bed. Her parents’ were definitely getting their money’s worth this place. But it was still a hospital, and Rose was still trapped here.

And she wanted to go home.

Rose? John asked quietly. Why did you stop eating?

He had never asked. Rose had honestly assumed he knew. But then again, knowing and understanding were two very different things.

I… I was scared, she mumbled, curling up tight in bed. I mean, I’m not really that pretty, and if I’m fat too, then…

What are you talking about? John asked in disbelief. You’re beautiful!

A small, sad smile pulled at Rose’s lips. No I’m not. But thanks.

Of course you are, John insisted.

You’ve only seen the stupid pictures in magazines. Rose spent hours being made to look pretty for those.

That’s not true. You sent me pictures, remember? I love them. You’re my backgound on my phone.

… Rose didn’t know what to say to that. She had completely forgotten about the stupid selfies she and John had sent each other. Really?

Of course.

Tears filled Rose’s eyes, and she wiped them quickly. If it had been anyone else, she would have assumed they were lying just to make her feel better.

But it was John, and he couldn’t lie to her. She could feel the absolute sincerity in his words, could hear the slight awe in his voice as he insisted on how beautiful she was.

He couldn’t lie to her. She would know if he tried.

You really think so? She asked all the same. After all, he had pretty girls practically falling over him all the time. It seemed impossible to think that he really believed she was pretty.

Of course I do.

He wasn’t lying.

* * * * * * * *

It was another two months — making it seven months total — before Rose was finally released from the hospital. She still had to go back once a week for therapy, and she had to have regular doctor’s appointments to monitor her health, but for the most part she could return to her regular life.

She couldn’t wait.

John had been busy most of the morning, which disappointed Rose, but she understood, of course. He had a life.

Jackie and Pete finished up all the paperwork, Rose packed her belongings, and they headed out. Rose was bouncing, thrilled to finally be able to leave. She couldn’t wait to go home, or even to see her brother again. How could she be so happy to see Tony? That didn’t seem possible.

Hey, look to your left.

Rose paused as she walked out of the hospital with her parents, the request understandably baffling. But after a moment she complied.

And her heart jumped.

There was John. Standing in front of a bench, his hands in his pockets, watching her anxiously. Rose’s mouth fell open, and for a moment she stared at John, completely stunned.

What’re you…

Just wanted to see you.

That snapped Rose out of her stupor, and she bolted toward John, throwing her arms around him. John caught her and practically lived her off the ground in his exuberance, laughing.

He gave really good hugs.

* * * * * * * *

Rose was rightfully suspicious when Jackie and Pete offered John a ride home. Not that her parents were horrible or anything, but there was something off about the offer.

As it turned out, Rose’s suspicions were one-hundred percent correct.

“Is your aunt home?” Pete asked John as they pulled up in front of John’s house. It was cute. Rose would’ve loved living in a place like this.

“Yeah…” John said slowly, realizing he probably should’ve just taken the bus.

“Could we meet her?”

Oh boy. John sighed inwardly, and he could feel Rose’s distrust in the back of his head. She didn’t like this, either. “Sure,” John said all the same, climbing out of the car. Rose frowned as she followed suit, reaching to take John’s hand. He smiled a bit, intertwining their fingers.

“Aunt Sarah?” He called nervously as he led Rose and her parents inside.

“Upstairs,” Sarah Jane called back.

“Um, could you come here? Please?”

“That doesn’t sound good.” There was a pause, then Sarah Jane came downstairs, pausing when she saw their company. “Um…”

“Pete Tyler.” Pete introduced himself with a smile, stepping forward to shake Sarah Jane’s hand. “This is my wife, Jackie, and our daughter, Rose. I’m sorry for just dropping in like this, but we were in the neighborhood.”

Sarah Jane gave John a look, eyes flitting to his and Rose’s intertwined fingers. “Sarah Jane Smith, and not a problem at all. A meeting is probably overdue anyways, considering how long our kids have known each other.”

Rose and John both blushed, ducking their heads. “Why don’t you two go upstairs so we can talk?” Sarah Jane suggested. “We’ll talk in the kitchen.”

“Sounds good,” John said quickly, pulling Rose to the stairs. He wanted to be away from her parents for a while. They were intimidating.

“This is my room,” John said with a flourish as he led Rose into his bedroom. It was a mess, as usual. He hadn’t really been expecting company. Rose flopped down on the bed, looking around.

“It’s nice,” she said honestly, and John snorted.

“Well it’s not quite a mansion…”

“I’d rather live here,” Rose said. The mansion was huge — way too big for only four of them. There was nothing personal or home-y about it. This, on the other hand, was a proper home.

John hurried to his desk, pulling out the binder he’d kept for Rose’s birthday drawings. “Now seems like a good time to give you these,” he said, a bit shyly, as he went to sit beside Rose, handing her the binder. Rose’s eyes lit up.

“Is this for me?”

“Is your name Rose?” John teased. She giggled as she opened it, and her eyes widened.

“Oh John…”

“That one isn’t that good,” John said quickly, turning the page. “They get better.”

“They’re all amazing,” Rose insisted. “How’d you know what I looked like before you saw a picture of me?” The early ones were amazingly accurate.

“I’m not sure,” John admitted. “I just sort of… knew. Like I knew you had blonde hair, and I knew your eyes were brown. Stuff like that.”

“That’s weird,” Rose said thoughtfully. “I wonder if it has something to do with the bond.”

“I don’t know. That’s what I thought too.”

Rose went through the entire binder twice, drinking in the details of every drawing. It was amazing. John was so talented.

“What do you think they’re talking about?” John asked after a moment, looking out his door and toward the stairs.

“Who knows.” Rose shook her head. She had no idea how her parents felt about the bond. They could have been talking about anything.

“Want to find out?”

Rose looked at John, and after a moment they both grinned before creeping toward the stairs.

“…Just don’t think it’s a good idea—”

“With all due respect, Mr. Tyler,” Sarah Jane interrupted Pete evenly. “I don’t think it really matters what you think. You can’t make this bond go away.”

“I’m just not sure it’s healthy,” Pete insisted. “Rose is extremely fragile—”

“She’s a human being, she’s not made of glass, and this bond has existed for years. It’s not like it’s something new.”

“So you approve of this?” Jackie demanded.

“I don’t think my thoughts on the situation particularly matter,” Sarah Jane pointed out. “Am I happy they hid it for years? Of course not. But that’s in the past, and getting huffy about it now isn’t going to do any good. You can’t just throw money at it and make it go away. They have a telepathic bond, and you can’t break that.”

“I’m not saying I want to break the bond,” Pete replied with a hint of impatience. “But I don’t think it should necessarily determine their entire future. People can have soulmate bonds and not end up with the people they’re bonded with. I did.”

Rose blinked, biting her lip to keep herself from making a surprised noise. She hadn’t known that.

“I think that’s up to them, not you,” Sarah Jane pointed out.

“Do they know that, though? They deserve to have options. Rose has never even gone on a date. Has John?”

“Does that matter?”

“Yes, it does. If they’ve already decided they want to be together without exploring their options—”

“Then that’s their choice, not yours.”

“As long as they know it’s a choice and not an obligation.”

Rose and John exchanged looks, frowning. They had never really talking about their relationship, or what they wanted for the future. It had never come up.

But they had a feeling they wouldn’t be able to avoid it for much longer.

“They’re not children anymore,” Sarah Jane said. “They’re perfectly aware they have free will, and that’s a discussion they need to have their own. I’m not going to force them to do anything. Are you?”

“I’m not going to force Rose to do anything,” Pete said. “I just want her to be happy, and it’s clear that she hasn’t been for a long time.”

“That is not John’s fault.”

“You know,” Rose said loudly, and John jumped. “If you were going to try and figure out our future for us, you could’ve let us know. Or should we just go away until you’re done planning everything out?”

“Rose—” John started to say, but Rose pushed herself up before he could stop her, hurrying downstairs and out the front door. John sighed as he stood and went downstairs, peeking into the kitchen.

“Should’ve known you’d be listening,” Sarah Jane said dryly.

“You were talking about us,” John pointed out. “I think we deserve to know what you’re saying.”

He didn’t look at Rose’s parents as he turned to go find Rose. What they’d said had bothered him. He loved Rose, he knew he did. He would have fallen in love with her no matter how they’d met.

They just had more time together this way.

Rose hadn’t gone far, at least. She was sitting on the sidewalk outside the house, staring blankly at the ground. “They’re always doing that,” she mumbled as John sat with her. “They’re always trying to plan out my life for me and acting like I don’t know what’s best for myself.”

John wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and she curled into him, letting out a long breath. “Sometimes I wish we were just regular people,” she mumbled. “If we weren’t rich they wouldn’t act this way.”

“They’re just worried,” John said despite himself. He hated playing Devil’s advocate considering how unhappy he was with the conversation they’d heard. But he didn’t want Rose to hate her parents either.

“I don’t need them to worry, I need them to support me.”

They sat in silence for a few minutes before Rose’s parents came out, clearly intending to search for her themselves. They paused when they saw her sitting right outside the house.

“Rose?” Jackie called. “We’re leaving.”

Rose curled tighter into John before sighing and pushing herself up. “Fine,” she mumbled. Talk later?

Absolutely.

She made her way silently to the car. John stayed outside and watched the car pull away.

* * * * * * * *

“We’re just worried about you, Rose—”

“Why? Because I have someone who cares about me?” Rose asked fiercely. “And I’m not fragile.”

“I didn’t mean it like that,” Pete insisted.

“Yes, you did.”

“Rose,” Jackie cut in quietly. “Do you love John?”

The question brought Rose up short. Did she love John? He made her feel good, she missed him when she wasn’t around, and she loved having this bond with him and being able to talk to him whenever she wanted. The months she hadn’t been talking to him had killed her, and she never wanted to go through that again.

But she also knew there was no right way to answer that question. Either she said yes, and her parents insisted she didn’t know what she was talking about. Or she said no, and her parents used it against her.

She wasn’t going to win.

“John’s important to me,” is what she finally settled for.

“And we’re not saying there’s anything wrong with that,” Pete replied. “But don’t you think you need more people in your life besides him?”

“Like who? No one wants to be friends with me because I’m your daughter. Or they do want to be friends with me because I’m your daughter.” She didn’t mean to sound so scathing — or maybe she did. This had been building up for a long time. “John wants me. What’s wrong with that?”

“We’re not saying it’s wrong. We just don’t want you to feel like you have to settle—”

Rose stood up abruptly, storming out of the room. She had known it was going to come to that sooner or later. John was beneath Rose. That was the problem at the end of the day. Her parents could act like it was concern for her all they wanted, but the only thing they were worried about was their status and how it would look to the public if she dated a commoner.

I don’t think that’s entirely it, John spoke up quietly. I do think they’re worried about you.

Maybe, Rose huffed as she threw herself into bed, curling up tight. It was nice, at least, to be back in her own bed. I don’t need them to worry about me.

You’re hard not to worry about sometimes, John said. Rose sighed, burying her face in her pillow.

Yeah. I guess.

#ficandchips #dwau #dwfic #dw fic #in my veins

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dimensionhoppingrose · 7 years

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In My Veins (6/?)

Read it on A03

Catch up on Tumblr

John: 15

Rose: 13

Warning: Mention of menstruation

Rose was dying.

She was pretty convinced she was, anyways. It felt like she was. Her lower stomach felt like someone was ripping it apart, and every time she tried to roll over she just felt worse. It was a little after three in the morning and she was pretty sure she wasn’t getting back to sleep.

Rose?

Apparently the pain was bad enough it had bled over into John’s head. He sounded groggy and half asleep. What’s wrong? Are you okay?

Yeah, I’m fine, Rose answered, burying her face in her pillow. She was hurting and she felt gross. The lie was obvious.

Why are you in so much pain? John demanded. Do you think you should tell your parents? What if you’re dying?

Don’t wanna move, Rose grumbled, curling up tighter in bed. That brought her the smallest bit of relief.

John stayed awake with Rose until it was time for each of them to get ready to school. When Rose didn’t get up, Jackie came in to check on her, coaxing her out of bed. And that was when they discovered Rose had started her period in the middle of the night. Rose’s cheeks flushed a deep red. Oh god. John felt her embarrassment, but didn’t realize the reason for it.

What’s wrong? Are you okay?

Yeah, yeah. I’m fine.

“Please don’t make me go to school,” Rose begged Jackie. “Please. My stomach hurts so bad.”

“Alright, sweetheart,” Jackie said gently, kissing Rose’s temple. “Why don’t you go take a shower and clean up? I’ll get the sheets changed for you so you can lie back down when you’re done.”

Rose nodded miserably, and went to the bathroom to shower. She was grateful to be able to get back into bed when she was done, and just curled up in a ball, trying not to cry.

Are you sure you’re okay? John asked. She couldn’t stop the pain from rolling into his head, and she felt bad. She didn’t want to hurt him.

Yeah, I’m fine. Just sick.

What kind of sick feels like dying? John demanded. Rose frowned and buried her face in her pillow, trying to sleep. John got to school, and was forced to pay attention to class, leaving Rose alone. Jackie came in to give Rose some aspirin, which eased the pain enough that she was finally able to get some sleep.

She woke up again a few hours later to the cramps coming back full force, so bad she nearly cried.

At school, John was resisting the urge to double at his desk. Logically, he knew the pain wasn’t his, and nothing he did would ease it. But damn did it hurt. He was convinced Rose was dying. There was no other explanation for what would cause this kind of pain. It was radiating from his lower stomach and spreading through his lower back. Everything hurt. There was no way Rose was okay, no matter what she said.

Sorry, Rose mumbled miserably. I don’t know how to keep it from you.

I don’t want you to keep it from me, John protested. I just want to know you’re okay.

I’m fine.

John huffed, turning his attention back to class and trying to ignore the pain. He didn’t understand why Rose wouldn’t take this seriously. She was in so much pain. That wasn’t okay!

By the end of the day, Rose was feeling a little bit better. She was still hurting, but the pain was either more manageable, or getting better.

It’s not as bad now, Rose said when John pushed her about it.

What’s wrong? John demanded all the same. He’d been worrying about her all day. He deserved to know the truth, Rose supposed.

I… She hesitated, feeling her cheeks turn red as she buried her face in her pillow, as if that would somehow help. I got my period today.

John was quiet for a moment. He wasn’t instantly repulsed, though, so Rose supposed that was good. Okay, he said slowly. Why didn’t you tell me before?

Because it’s… it’s gross and boys don’t wanna hear about that, Rose muttered.

It’s not that bad, John protested. It’s normal, it happens to all girls, right? I mean, I wasn’t in the girl sex ed class so I don’t know everything, but I’m pretty sure it’s normal. And besides I’m in your head. I don’t think you can really hide it from me.

He was right about that. Rose sighed, curling up and sighing. After a moment, John started singing, and she smiled.

He always knew how to cheer her up.

* * * * * * * *

John Smith knew he was attractive.

Not in an egotistical, “I’m god’s gift to the earth” way. He just knew he had a good-looking face. It was hard not to know, considering he looked at it in the mirror every morning when he was getting ready for school. He had a good face. A perfectly good face, very even and symmetrical and free of blemishes. He was lucky. It was definitely a good face.

He was, however, also generally oblivious to the attention that good face got him. He didn’t care if other girls (or boys) were looking at him and seeing how attractive he was. He had Rose, and that was all he needed.

“Hey, John?”

He was sitting in the back of the cafeteria, reading and eating, and was a little annoyed by the interruption. He looked up to see a girl from his English class standing over him, shuffling nervously.

“Yeah?” He asked, setting his book aside. “What’s up?”

“Well, um… I was wondering if you would… ya know… maybe wanna go out with me.”

John made a face. “What do you mean?”

“You know, like… go see a movie or something.”

John felt an intense bolt of jealousy that definitely wasn’t his own. Was Rose upset about something? “Um… but we’re not friends,” John pointed out. He’d had said maybe five words to this girl, and they had all been when she’d asked if he had an extra pencil.

The girl blushed, mumbling something unintelligible before hurrying away. What’s wrong? John asked Rose. You seem upset.

You’re stupid. You know she was asking you out on a date, right?

John nearly choked on air. What? What do you mean she was asking me out on a date? Of course she wasn’t, that’s ridiculous.

He could almost feel Rose rolling her eyes at him. Yes, she was. She was trying to ask you out on a date. How are you so oblivious?

John spluttered out loud, earning himself a few odd looks from kids at nearby tables. Had someone really been trying to ask him out on a date? That was just… ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous.

Do you… want to go out with her? Rose’s voice was small, and a little nervous. Why, John couldn’t begin to guess?

No way! I mean, I don’t even know her, first of all.

But if you did know her, would you want to go out with her?

Of course not, why would I? The thought made absolutely no sense to John. I wouldn’t have feelings for her even if I knew her.

Rose was quiet for a long moment. You wouldn’t? She finally asked, and John aggressively shook his head, then remembered Rose couldn’t see her. He forgot sometimes that she wasn’t sitting right next to him.

Absolutely not.

* * * * * * * *

“What are you doing?”

Rose looked over her shoulder at Tony, who was standing in the door of the porch and giving her a weird look. “I’m stretching,” she said as she stretched her arms over her head, then bent over, just like she’d seen online.

“You look stupid,” Tony said. “Why are you stretching?”

“I’m going running.” Their yard was big enough that she could easily run around a few times and get some good exercise in.

“Why?”

“I’m exercising. It’s healthy.”

“What do you need to exercise for?” Tony asked as he flopped down on the couch and opened his book to read. Rose didn’t answer, simply heading for the door.

She’d had to get a look at the girl who had been asking John out. She couldn’t help herself. It had just been a quick peek; she was pretty sure John hadn’t even noticed her there.

It had been devastating to see how pretty the other girl was.

Not that John had been even remotely interested. He’d seemed honestly baffled when Rose had pointed out that the girl had been trying to ask him on a date.

But just because he hadn’t been interested in this one didn’t mean he wouldn’t be interested in the next. Rose wasn’t even that pretty, and he probably wasn’t really aware of that now — he had seen her pictures in magazines, but that didn’t really count — but he would be eventually. He wasn’t going to settle for her just because they had this bond. If he could find someone better looking, why wouldn’t he go for that person instead? Why would he want to stay with Rose?

Why would anyone want to stay with Rose?

She couldn’t make herself prettier, unfortunately, but she could at least make sure she stayed skinny. It wasn’t a perfect solution, but at least if she wasn’t fat she had a better chance of John wanting her. And that was something, right?

* * * * * * * *

“Have you ever done drugs?”

The questions came so far out of left food, John actually choked on his water. “W-What?” He sputtered, coughing. “Aunt Sarah, I’m sorry, but what the hell?”

“Language,” Sarah Jane scolded him. John thought it was a fair reaction to an absolutely insane question, though. “Have you?”

“Of course not! Do you wanna search my room?”

“No, no…” Sarah Jane sighed. “Sorry, it’s just… someone I work with just found out her son is doing drugs, and he’s about your age, and… I just worry.”

John was a little insulted, if he was honest. He was a straight-A student, spent his afternoons tutoring, and spent his weekends in his room drawing and talking to Rose. When exactly did he have time to do drugs?

“I’m not doing drugs,” he assured Sarah Jane. “It’s not like I ever have time to do them.”

Sarah Jane smiled a bit. “You’re right. I’m sorry, I’m being silly.” She leaned over, pressing a kiss to John’s cheek. “Like I said, I just worry. You’re growing up so fast. And you kids have it so much harder than I did when I was growing up…”

“Aunt Sarah.” John resisted the urge to roll his eyes. It was weird when she got all sappy and reflective. She laughed.

“Alright, alright. Sorry.”

John returned his attention to his meal, mind reaching out automatically to feel for Rose. She was there, of course, buzzing quietly in the back of her head. She was eating dinner too — or supposed to be, anyways.

What’s wrong? John asked with a frown. He could feel her reluctance to take another bite.

Nothing.

Why don’t you want to eat?

I’m just not hungry, Rose insisted. I ate a lot at lunch today.

John’s frown deepened as he tried to remember if that was true. But Rose’s lunchtime was different from his, he’d been in class. Maybe she had eaten a lot. Still…

That was hours ago, John pointed out, and he felt a ripple of annoyance in response.

Yeah, well, I’m still full, Rose said shortly. Sarah Jane said something, snapping John back to reality, and he felt Rose hastily retreat. She was clearly done with the conversation.

* * * * * * * *

Periods sucked.

It had been four months since Rose’s first one, and they had all been equally horrible. The first day was always the worst — bad enough that she had stayed home from school for it.

Unfortunately, today she was wasting a perfectly good Saturday curled up in bed trying to not to cry.

Do all women hurt this bad? John asked. Rose still hadn’t figured out a way to block him from the pain, which meant he shared at least part of it with her. She felt bad about that, she really did.

Mostly. Part of her — a very small, very vindictive part — was secretly pleased that he had to deal with the pain with her. It was a very small part.

Mum said it’ll get better, Rose grumbled, burying her face in the pillow. I don’t know if I believe her.

A small ripple of amusement ran through the bond — John was laughing. She might just be saying it to placate you.

I’m pretty sure she is.

They fell silent for a few moments, and Rose smiled when John began singing. That was one thing she could always depend on — John trying to comfort her.

She was so lucky to have him.

#ficandchips #dwau #dwfic #dw fic #in my veins

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