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Timely Lovers Part 3: By the Fireside
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the_redjay. I hope this doesn't clash too badly with what you were envisaging...
Summary: How the Master found out.
Setting: Set some time after The Cosmic Kids. Location: Seeker's planet.
Characters: Roda/Second Seeker + the Master
Rating: PG-13.
Wordcount: 1200 words.
By the Fireside
The light from the large fireplace danced across the walls and ceiling of the circular sitting room, shadows flickering in the dark recesses as orange flames lent their hue to every surface, making the scarlet sheets seem as if they were fashioned from liquid rubies.
Roda’s head on his chest, his arm around her shoulder, the Seeker was leisurely relating the story of how he and Jack had hunted down and killed the large beast whose pelt was spread out before the hearth. It had made a far more comfortable base for love making than the couch they’d used their first time, and Roda had stroked it appreciatively, before wondering out loud just where it had come from - its size was truly impressive.
They were sitting with their backs against the largest of the sofas that formed a semi-circled around the fireplace, curled up underneath the silk sheets, the fur rug beneath them, and the whole cosmos reduced to their own little amber world, the flames as bright as the sky outside before the suns had set - which was probably why neither of them registered the presence of another Time Lord before he was halfway across the room, already speaking.
“Seeker, I was going ask you-”
A moment of deep silence, only broken by the crackle of the fire, as he took in the scene. The Seeker could feel Roda tense, and felt sure she was nearly baring her teeth - her innate fight or flight response would have overactivated, and he tightened his hold imperceptively.
(Trust me. I’ve got this.)
His father’s face, however, was a picture. Not a very nice picture, but a picture nonetheless. The Seeker watched it closely, as he wanted to remember it and possibly extract it later to show Jack. He’d like that. A few drinks... It could be the making of a stellar night.
Finally his father found his voice.
“What the hell?”
The Seeker smiled lazily, caressing a stray feather.
“I know... Rassilon’s ward takes Renegade’s son as her lover. Shocking - especially considering that my mother was human, never mind the age difference. Shame Gallifrey is gone, this could have had them gossiping for years.”
And it would seem he had actually rendered his father speechless - this was almost better than Christmas.
(If he was honest, he was also pleased to have found yet another item to add to his list of 'Ways In Which I Have Screwed Over My Father’s Expectations'... Idly he wondered how long it'd take before his father got the message. Maybe Roda would help in this regard - they were both of them independent and intransigent to a degree most people found off-putting. Maybe his father would see the connection?)
Or maybe not.
"Seeker..." he began through clenched teeth, looking fit to burst.
"Yes, father?" he replied, keeping his voice as light as he could, but letting his smile drop abruptly as the Master continued unaffected.
"I don't know what game this is-"
"Not a game," the Seeker interrupted, letting his anger show through. "If you don't approve of my life choices, I'd suggest you leave my planet."
They locked eyes for a long moment, a silent battle of wills, then his father made a dismissive noise and shrugged.
"Well... Far be it from me to stand in the way of something as commendable as love. I hope you will be very happy together."
His voice was dripping with sarcasm, but it was undercut rather effectively by a snort of disbelief from Roda.
Trying to stop from laughing, the Seeker watched his father's face cloud over once more, but when he replied he tried to cram as much quiet threat as he could into the words, the cold smile on his face hopefully serving as a warning too.
"Love is the last thing on my mind. But this is... a very pleasant diversion, and I would certainly rate Roda as one of my dearest friends now. Can I help you by the way, or will you see yourself out?"
The glow from the flames seemed to light his father's eyes as his attention abruptly fastened on Roda, and the Seeker could feel his hearts sink.
"Well played Redjay. Well played. I think I might be impressed."
Her pulse was by now doing a tap dance, and he could feel her unease like a physical thing, but to the Seeker's relief Roda's response was tightly controlled.
"Don't ever measure me with your yard stick, Master - I would never use your son as a pawn."
The past hung between them, dark and bloodstained, and the Seeker gritted his teeth. He wasn't doing this, not ever again.
"Dad - I am... beyond insulted that you think I could ever be anyone's puppet, and I will not be fought over. I am seriously advising you to leave before you say something you will regret."
His father's eyes narrowed, and he was clearly about to speak when the Seeker decided cut in again, lifting the hand that wasn't holding Roda in place (this juggling of disparate elements was obviously like riding a bicycle - once learned, you could get right back into it in less than a heartsbeat. It was still exhausting though).
"And if you say 'This isn't over yet' to her, I swear I will knock you out cold!"
A smile - small, but significant - appeared on his father's face, and he nodded once.
"As you wish, son."
With a flourish he turned on his heel and was very careful to close the door soundlessly behind him. The Seeker could feel Roda shiver, and wrapped both arms around her, kissing her cheek.
"Sorry about my parentage. I like to think that I can do anything, but fixing him will probably always be beyond me..."
Seeing that she was still not relaxing at all, he carefully turned her face towards him.
"Hey, listen. Don't worry. It's been like this since the day I was born - everyone I love seems to hate each other. And they all know the drill by now - I do not want anyone hurt. He'll huff and puff for a while, but he doesn't want to antagonise me..."
Eyes narrowing, he smiled a smile worthy of his father. "He did once. He and the Doctor both. Don't suppose Jack ever told you - no he wouldn't, he's good at keeping our secrets. It's so long ago now, I was only a kid, and they tried to punish me. That backfired rather spectacularly, as all they did was make me more determined than ever to do my own thing, no matter what."
He tilted his head, pleased at the way her eyes were now glittering. "And why do I have a feeling that you know exactly what I mean?"
Reaching up, cradling his face, she studied him silently for a long moment, and he would have given his eyeteeth to know what was going through her head.
"Finish the story about the rug," she finally said, one of her feathers catching the firelight and gleaming like molten gold.
He dipped his head.
"Your wish is my command, My Lady," he solemnly replied.
(She was well named. As vivid and unconstrained as a bird... That she chose to land by him was something close to a miracle.)
Roda settled down to listen once more, far more apprehensive about possible consequences than her young lover - but his hair was the colour of fire and the sky, bright and vivid, like a reflection of his soul. And not for all the worlds did she want to dim that light.
the_redjay. I hope this doesn't clash too badly with what you were envisaging...Summary: How the Master found out.
Setting: Set some time after The Cosmic Kids. Location: Seeker's planet.
Characters: Roda/Second Seeker + the Master
Rating: PG-13.
Wordcount: 1200 words.
The light from the large fireplace danced across the walls and ceiling of the circular sitting room, shadows flickering in the dark recesses as orange flames lent their hue to every surface, making the scarlet sheets seem as if they were fashioned from liquid rubies.
Roda’s head on his chest, his arm around her shoulder, the Seeker was leisurely relating the story of how he and Jack had hunted down and killed the large beast whose pelt was spread out before the hearth. It had made a far more comfortable base for love making than the couch they’d used their first time, and Roda had stroked it appreciatively, before wondering out loud just where it had come from - its size was truly impressive.
They were sitting with their backs against the largest of the sofas that formed a semi-circled around the fireplace, curled up underneath the silk sheets, the fur rug beneath them, and the whole cosmos reduced to their own little amber world, the flames as bright as the sky outside before the suns had set - which was probably why neither of them registered the presence of another Time Lord before he was halfway across the room, already speaking.
“Seeker, I was going ask you-”
A moment of deep silence, only broken by the crackle of the fire, as he took in the scene. The Seeker could feel Roda tense, and felt sure she was nearly baring her teeth - her innate fight or flight response would have overactivated, and he tightened his hold imperceptively.
(Trust me. I’ve got this.)
His father’s face, however, was a picture. Not a very nice picture, but a picture nonetheless. The Seeker watched it closely, as he wanted to remember it and possibly extract it later to show Jack. He’d like that. A few drinks... It could be the making of a stellar night.
Finally his father found his voice.
“What the hell?”
The Seeker smiled lazily, caressing a stray feather.
“I know... Rassilon’s ward takes Renegade’s son as her lover. Shocking - especially considering that my mother was human, never mind the age difference. Shame Gallifrey is gone, this could have had them gossiping for years.”
And it would seem he had actually rendered his father speechless - this was almost better than Christmas.
(If he was honest, he was also pleased to have found yet another item to add to his list of 'Ways In Which I Have Screwed Over My Father’s Expectations'... Idly he wondered how long it'd take before his father got the message. Maybe Roda would help in this regard - they were both of them independent and intransigent to a degree most people found off-putting. Maybe his father would see the connection?)
Or maybe not.
"Seeker..." he began through clenched teeth, looking fit to burst.
"Yes, father?" he replied, keeping his voice as light as he could, but letting his smile drop abruptly as the Master continued unaffected.
"I don't know what game this is-"
"Not a game," the Seeker interrupted, letting his anger show through. "If you don't approve of my life choices, I'd suggest you leave my planet."
They locked eyes for a long moment, a silent battle of wills, then his father made a dismissive noise and shrugged.
"Well... Far be it from me to stand in the way of something as commendable as love. I hope you will be very happy together."
His voice was dripping with sarcasm, but it was undercut rather effectively by a snort of disbelief from Roda.
Trying to stop from laughing, the Seeker watched his father's face cloud over once more, but when he replied he tried to cram as much quiet threat as he could into the words, the cold smile on his face hopefully serving as a warning too.
"Love is the last thing on my mind. But this is... a very pleasant diversion, and I would certainly rate Roda as one of my dearest friends now. Can I help you by the way, or will you see yourself out?"
The glow from the flames seemed to light his father's eyes as his attention abruptly fastened on Roda, and the Seeker could feel his hearts sink.
"Well played Redjay. Well played. I think I might be impressed."
Her pulse was by now doing a tap dance, and he could feel her unease like a physical thing, but to the Seeker's relief Roda's response was tightly controlled.
"Don't ever measure me with your yard stick, Master - I would never use your son as a pawn."
The past hung between them, dark and bloodstained, and the Seeker gritted his teeth. He wasn't doing this, not ever again.
"Dad - I am... beyond insulted that you think I could ever be anyone's puppet, and I will not be fought over. I am seriously advising you to leave before you say something you will regret."
His father's eyes narrowed, and he was clearly about to speak when the Seeker decided cut in again, lifting the hand that wasn't holding Roda in place (this juggling of disparate elements was obviously like riding a bicycle - once learned, you could get right back into it in less than a heartsbeat. It was still exhausting though).
"And if you say 'This isn't over yet' to her, I swear I will knock you out cold!"
A smile - small, but significant - appeared on his father's face, and he nodded once.
"As you wish, son."
With a flourish he turned on his heel and was very careful to close the door soundlessly behind him. The Seeker could feel Roda shiver, and wrapped both arms around her, kissing her cheek.
"Sorry about my parentage. I like to think that I can do anything, but fixing him will probably always be beyond me..."
Seeing that she was still not relaxing at all, he carefully turned her face towards him.
"Hey, listen. Don't worry. It's been like this since the day I was born - everyone I love seems to hate each other. And they all know the drill by now - I do not want anyone hurt. He'll huff and puff for a while, but he doesn't want to antagonise me..."
Eyes narrowing, he smiled a smile worthy of his father. "He did once. He and the Doctor both. Don't suppose Jack ever told you - no he wouldn't, he's good at keeping our secrets. It's so long ago now, I was only a kid, and they tried to punish me. That backfired rather spectacularly, as all they did was make me more determined than ever to do my own thing, no matter what."
He tilted his head, pleased at the way her eyes were now glittering. "And why do I have a feeling that you know exactly what I mean?"
Reaching up, cradling his face, she studied him silently for a long moment, and he would have given his eyeteeth to know what was going through her head.
"Finish the story about the rug," she finally said, one of her feathers catching the firelight and gleaming like molten gold.
He dipped his head.
"Your wish is my command, My Lady," he solemnly replied.
(She was well named. As vivid and unconstrained as a bird... That she chose to land by him was something close to a miracle.)
Roda settled down to listen once more, far more apprehensive about possible consequences than her young lover - but his hair was the colour of fire and the sky, bright and vivid, like a reflection of his soul. And not for all the worlds did she want to dim that light.
no subject
Fantastic fiction, love. Hope the Seeker and Roda can have some happiness for a short time.
*HUGS*
no subject
Thank you. Although it sort of amuses me that you call it an interlude - I have NO idea what happens next.
Why do I think the young Seeker has created more trouble than he knows how to handle? such brash confidence - but his father is older and more wily..and if you throw a helpful Doctor into the mix the storm becomes a Storm.
I'll let the
Fantastic fiction, love. Hope the Seeker and Roda can have some happiness for a short time.
Mind you, I do know the Seeker's future, so I am clamping my mouth shut. :)
*SQUISH*
no subject
no subject
(And that would be awesome btw!)
You should be in bed!
no subject
This is mutual. Though I'll have a poke at the muse now I've slept a bit (12 hours, the pills worked!). Glad you're enjoying both our OCs <3
no subject
making the scarlet sheets seem as if they were fashioned from liquid rubies.
Love the imagery here. Also the contrast it draws between them/their lifestyles.
before wondering out loud just where it had come from - its size was truly impressive
Fits so well. Roda has no qualms about hunting so long as it's not PURELY for sport. What with spending time in the 13th century and what-not, not to mention probably other planets.
the whole cosmos reduced to their own little amber world
Again, perfect. When Roda's guard goes down, it really does. She finds it incredibly therapeutic and admittedly, if often goes hand in hand with sex. Though I think it's softer with Alex whereas with Jack, and some other people, it's more adrenaline-fuelled.
“Seeker, I was going ask you-”
Rather want to know what the end of this sentence was going to be.
she was nearly baring her teeth
She probably HAD bared her teeth.
as he wanted to remember it and possibly extract it later to show Jack.
*snerk* :D
The Seeker smiled lazily, caressing a stray feather.
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Rassilon’s ward takes Renegade’s son as her lover.
I love you. I've told you I love you, right?
this was almost better than Christmas
See above comment. Still relevant.
They locked eyes for a long moment, a silent battle of wills
*g* I shouldn't love the rivalry so much but... yeeeeees.
The glow from the flames seemed to light his father's eyes as his attention abruptly fastened on Roda, and the Seeker could feel his hearts sink.
"Well played Redjay. Well played. I think I might be impressed."
I'm not completely surprised he jumped to this conclusion and it's the kind of thing I was theorising might have happened, too. Great minds.
Her pulse was by now doing a tap dance
I'm actually surprised by how quiet she is. Either she should have been snapping by now, or she's trusting Alex to handle things. Possibly common sense has wedged in that she didn't feel she had to be armed to come to Alex's or if she did, it's too far away, so there'd be no sense in trying to struggle free.
"Don't ever measure me with your yard stick, Master - I would never use your son as a pawn."
SO IN CHARACTER YOU HAVE NO IDEA.
dark and bloodstained
Best way I can respond to this is with a teaser:
“Who-who are you?”
The Time Lord tsked, and laughed. His grip on the back of her neck tightened until Roda pushed him bodily and his eyes narrowed. He grasped his own chin once more. “And here I thought you would have done your research before trying to fight me.” He pouted. “Shame. I,” Roda could feel his breath against her jaw as he stepped forward once more, whispering against her ear. “Am the Master.”
“Never heard of you.” Another fault of her own pride. She should have been keeping up with Gallifreyan politics. “Stupid name.”
“And Redjay isn’t?”
I'd seriously advise you to leave before you say something you will regret.
I love this line but I first read it as 'advise you to Roda' because I was reading too quick out of excitement and read the next line at the same time. Defensive Alex is *g*
A smile - small, but significant - appeared on his father's face, and he nodded once.
"As you wish, son."
This was wonderfully smug and threatening.
and he would have given his eyeteeth to know what was going through her head.
Rather a lot. If I write this sequel of a sequel of a sequel I shall try and enlighten upon them.
but his hair was the colour of fire and the sky, bright and vivid
And Gallifrey. :D
All in all.... long comment is long and I adored this. You spoil me <3
no subject
I feel just the same?
Love the imagery here. Also the contrast it draws between them/their lifestyles.
The Seeker (because of oh so many reasons) needs permanence. His sitting room is sort of the heart of his house (not literally the centre, but you know what I mean) and I have a whole host of scenes set there in future stories.
Fits so well. Roda has no qualms about hunting so long as it's not PURELY for sport. What with spending time in the 13th century and what-not, not to mention probably other planets.
Figured as much. It's possibly the large un-named thing Jack describes in Boomtown. The thing with the tusks.
Again, perfect. When Roda's guard goes down, it really does. She finds it incredibly therapeutic and admittedly, if often goes hand in hand with sex. Though I think it's softer with Alex whereas with Jack, and some other people, it's more adrenaline-fuelled.
M-hm. It's also very early for them, and quite tentative? They themselves don't know where it's going, if anywhere.
Rather want to know what the end of this sentence was going to be.
If he lets me know, I'll pass it on. Possibly he's wondering why the Doctor has been acting all flustered.
She probably HAD bared her teeth.
Well he's not looking at her, so he's just presuming...
*snerk* :D
Seeker: "Dad walked in on me and Roda. His face was a picture!"
Jack: "Wish I'd been a fly on the wall..."
Seeker: "Here, I printed it for you, to keep."
Jack: "...You really know me far too well."
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Feathers. ♥
I love you. I've told you I love you, right?
We appear to have identical kinks. So it's mutual. <3
See above comment. Still relevant.
LOL.
*g* I shouldn't love the rivalry so much but... yeeeeees.
Not rivalry, but... Well. It's more like the ever ongoing rivalry between the Doctor and the Master, with the Seeker as a battleground. And he refuses to be what either of them want him to be. Which is also why he reacts so badly to the Master transferring his attention to Roda. He can see the same pattern springing up again (no matter that Roda isn't interested in playing) and he LOATHES it. He just wants to be himself and be left alone.
I'm not completely surprised he jumped to this conclusion and it's the kind of thing I was theorising might have happened, too. Great minds.
Indeed.
I'm actually surprised by how quiet she is. Either she should have been snapping by now, or she's trusting Alex to handle things. Possibly common sense has wedged in that she didn't feel she had to be armed to come to Alex's or if she did, it's too far away, so there'd be no sense in trying to struggle free.
Partly I just wasn't sure exactly what to do with her, and partly I figured that she might be unsure exactly how the Seeker and the Master relate and wouldn't want to somehow make things worse. Plus, they're both naked... If the Seeker can get him to go away with words, it would be good.
SO IN CHARACTER YOU HAVE NO IDEA.
*DANCES*
Best way I can respond to this is with a teaser:
*wibbles* Also - *grabbyhands*
I love this line but I first read it as 'advise you to Roda' because I was reading too quick out of excitement and read the next line at the same time. Defensive Alex is *g*
The thing is, if he gets pissed off, he gets very pissed off. See Cambridge (which he of course refers to here) - he resented the HELL out of the punishment, and has still not forgotten it, nor really forgiven them. (It doesn't impact their relationship any more, but he would rather have stayed in Cambridge for 500 years than back down.) And the Master knows this. It does come across as if the Seeker is a little naive, but he would have no qualms about doing something drastic if the Master did something to Roda. (FYI.)
no subject
See above. He knows the Seeker is his son in many ways (be it not the ways he most wants)... So it's both a vague threat, but also a way of just getting out of there with some resemblance of dignity still intact. He doesn't want to antagonise his son. (He might try to get at Roda without the Seeker finding out, but he will tiptoe around the Seeker and no mistake.)
Rather a lot. If I write this sequel of a sequel of a sequel I shall try and enlighten upon them.
That would be awesome!
And Gallifrey. :D
Exactly. (I think this is one reason the Doctor is so determined to be ginger - it was probably the most distinguished hair colour.)
All in all.... long comment is long and I adored this. You spoil me <3
I spoil myself... Fic is like instant gratification y/y?