Title: Lighten Up
Date Posted: 26 April 2006
Author: Van Donovan
Rating: PG
Characters: Rose, The Ninth Doctor, The Tenth Doctor
Pairings: Ten/Nine
Word count: 828
Warnings: Spoilers through 2x01 of the 2006 TV series. Written for Phantasmrose, who requested Ten/Nine, in a 70s nightclub, with Ten in his element and Nine confused, and having them question why there is a difference in their enjoyment. She also suggested a makeout session.
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“What happened to your hair, man?”

The Doctor, the Ninth, looked up sharply at the speaker. “What?” He had to practically shout to be heard over the loud boom of the music playing in the nightclub. The man who had asked the question just beamed at him in a way that was almost too familiar for words.

“Your hair!” The man moved closer to the Doctor, practically dancing the samba as he approached. “Isn’t this music wild?”

The Doctor put a hand into his hair, confused. It was still there. Close cropped as usual, but it hadn’t fallen out. “Bit loud for my tastes, really.”

“Where’s Rose?” the stranger asked.

“What?” The Doctor’s eyebrows perked in alarm. How did this person know about Rose? “Who are you?” he demanded, suddenly serious.

The other guy, who was still rocking out to the music blaring over the speakers, casually reached into his pocket and withdrew a bit of psychic paper. “You!” he cheerfully replied.

The Doctor read the paper, and it said: The Doctor, Tenth Regeneration. Well, that explained it. Mostly. “Where’s your Rose?” he asked hotly.

The Tenth just grinned. “Off stalking Bolin, I suppose.”

The Ninth sighed, exasperated, and looked around the room for any sign of her; either of them. “She’s going to get into trouble.”

Ten nudged into him. “Lighten up,” he said. “She likes when you lighten up. It’s good for the health.”

Nine glowered at him. “What do you mean lighten up? Like we’re not in danger here? You’ve been here, you know what happens.”

“Yeah, I do. You get through it all right.” He grinned. “Besides, pretty sure I danced with a stranger while I was here.” He put his hands on Nine’s shoulders, still gyrating his hips, and tried to tug him to move. “C’mon then, I know you dance.”

Nine tried to protest. “This is absurd. Have I gone insane?”

The smile Ten gave him was practically beaming. “I’d say so, maybe you have. Never you mind that, though. We’ve got to dance,” he inclined his head to the upstairs loft. “We’re being watched.”

There, beyond the girls dancing in their cages, and past the mirrored disco ball, the Ninth Doctor could make out a shadowy figure watching the crowd. “That man’s watching us?” Nine questioned.

Ten danced him in a circle. “Hardly a man,” he replied. “More Autons, if I recall correctly. Here.” He pressed a small ball into the Doctor’s hand.

“What’s this?” he looked at it.

“Satsuma.”

Nine’s brow furrowed. “What do I need with a Satsuma?”

Ten’s mouth curved into a quirky grin. “You’ll see. It’s of no use to me any more. Ow!” He glared down at their feet. Nine was standing on one of his toes.

Releasing him, Nine stepped back. “I’m not here to have fun, and you should know that.”

“But you should be having fun, and I should know enough to tell you. Seriously, lighten up.” He reached out to straighten the lapels on the Doctor’s leather coat. “You’ll thank yourself.” His smile brightened even more.

“I’ve got Rose to worry about, and Autons now, too. I don’t have time to lighten up.”

Ten laughed. “You’re a Time Lord! Of course you do!” The music faded for a moment, as the song ended. There was a faint lull in motion around them as people took a break from dancing while waiting for the next song to start up. “Rose is a big girl, you know. She can take care of herself, for the most part.”

“Can she?” Nine asked, concerned.

Ten nodded. “She can. Oh, except for that bit with the Slytheen. She’ll need help there.”

“We already did that,” Nine replied.

“Oh, well, right then. Just be careful around—oh, drat, I can’t tell you.” His brow furrowed. “Well, be careful. Or, don’t really.”

Nine looked his older self over. “Guess I’m not careful somewhere along the line.”

When Nine’s gaze returned to Ten’s eyes, he was met with a different expression, one more serious and understand. The rock music started up around them again, and the bodies danced in a throng around them, but he was now looking at himself now. He could see familiarity in those warm brown eyes finally. Ten smiled, leaned in close, and kissed him.

For a few seconds, Nine let him. It was the first kiss he could remember having since Grace, and even that had been a long time ago: a lifetime ago. Ten’s hands came up, cupping either side of Nine’s face, and then he pulled back, smiling again. “Lighten up and maybe you’ll be a bit more careful.”

“Doctor!” They both turned to see Rose picking through the crowd toward them.

Ten reached down, giving Nine’s hand a firm squeeze. “Go on, go to her. I’ll take care of the Autons.”

Nine looked torn, glancing between her and himself. “Thank you,” he said, hesitatingly.

Ten just beamed as he watched Nine turn and walk away. “You’re welcome.”



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