Disclaimer: I don't own Doctor Who, or A Series of Unfortunate Events.
Note: All work posted by me is unbetaed, so any mistakes made are mine alone. Thanks!
The Doctor found Rose sitting in the library one day, intently reading some book he'd never seen before.
"Whatchya got there, Rose?"
"Oh, hello Doctor. I'm reading Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events."
"Bundle of laughs you are," he snorted derisively.
"What? It's a great series, actually. Never read 'em before have you?" Rose asked coolly.
"Uh, well…no." he replied sheepishly.
"Oh Doctor, you're missing out! It's about three siblings who were orphaned and they find themselves moving around from one caretaker to another because they keep getting killed off by a man named Count Olaf. An' they have to use their wits to keep themselves alive. I know it sounds dreadful, but it's not. You should have a go."
The Doctor just stared at her. "Like I said, bundle of lau-"
"Hush, Doctor. They're brilliant stories."
"Humph. They're children's stories, Rose."
"Oh, and Harry Potter isn't considered that then?"
The Doctor's eyebrows shot upwards.
"No, no no. Harry Potter is in a league all its own. It's got plenty of dark themes, so I wouldn't really call it a 'kids' story."
Rose huffed, got up from the love seat she was sitting in, and walked over to the Doctor determinedly.
"All right, you. Here. Now."
Before he could retort, Rose was pulling him by his leather-covered arm over to her spot. He could feel his ears turning red when she unceremoniously landed both of them on the plump seat. It was perfect for both of them…if snuggling was considered comfortable. Which it was. Especially if a certain Rose Tyler was involved.
He saw her blushing as they tried to get into a comfy position, resulting in both parties being squished up against each other from sides to thighs. The Doctor smirked at her, although she didn't see it. Seeing Rose's reaction to the proximity of his body was doing delightful things to his insides. It pleased him to know how much he affected her, though she tried to dismiss it.
"Rose…" he whispered into her ear playfully.
She jumped up as if electrocuted. The Doctor giggled (what the hell?!) seeing her reaction. The corners of his ocean blue eyes crinkled as they lit up in glee. He looked years younger when he was relaxed like this, and she sincerely hoped she could see more of it in the future.
Staring up at him, she blushed even harder if that was possible. Knowing that she contributed to his joy made her feel like she accomplished the biggest achievement of her life. It was such a heady and exhilarating sensation.
Like being on Cloud Nine, but better.
She cleared her throat and said, "Well, how 'bout I read it to you? We can start with the first book."
The Doctor slowly leaned towards her. He spoke softly in his Northern burr next to her ear again, " I'd like that, Rose. Very much."
It left Rose with her mouth hanging open. That deep velvety sound made her body quiver with want. Was it possible to spontaneously combust from just his voice alone?
He chuckled. Riling Rose up like this made him exceedingly happy. He knew she liked him, but moments like this made him wonder whether there was more. It seemed like the answer was a resounding YES. Casually, he brought his arm around her shoulders, making sure to slide his fingers all the way round her back in the process. Her breath noticeably hitched at the intimate contact. Pulling her into his side even more tightly, he jovially asked Rose to start reading her story.
Rose, practically flushing with joy at their closeness, composed herself as best as she could and began reading,
"If you are interested in stories with happy endings, you would be better off reading some other book…"