Rose sat on the sofa, her feet propped up on the table in front of her and a book in her hand. She was dressed in casual clothing, not exactly sleepwear, but comfy all the same. Sweatpants on her legs, and a half-camisole on her chest, that revealed her stomach and shoulders. A lamp beside her provided light as she read, it's rays painted down on her skin and giving her a honey glow.

With a hint of a smile, the Doctor approached her. She glanced up from her book to him as he did and stretched out an arm to pat the cousin beside her; a welcoming gesture.

The Doctor climbed onto the sofa and stretched himself out instead of sitting. Without asking permission, he laid his head down on Rose's lap and snuggled closer to her, his nose just touching her stomach. Rose let out an amused hum and a smile spread across her face.

"Tired?" she asked, gazing down at the Doctor. His eyes were closed, with a content look upon his features.

"Mmn," he mumbled in reply, his breath ghosting over her skin. Rose smiled at this.

Using her hand that didn't hold her book, she brought it to his head and began to run her fingers through his thick hair. He hummed in response as she did. Her fingers stroked his head in light caresses, carding his hair though her fingers. It was very calming from him, and eased away all the tension in his body. He allowed himself to relax, just enjoying Rose's ministrations and being close to her. The warmth of her stomach on his nose, her steady breathing, and her smell. Lavender, he decided.

Opening an eye, the Doctor glanced up to her face. Rose's eyes were still glued to her book that she held a distance away by the arm of the couch. Even though he'd hate to admit it, this bothered him slightly. What was so fascinating about this book that she couldn't just pay attention to him? Well, granted, he wasn't doing much, but still. Rose had gotten to spend time with her book already; it should be his turn now.

The soft press of lips to her stomach brought Rose out of her book for a moment. Raising her brow, she tilted her head down to give the Doctor a look. His eyes were still closed, but he was gently kissing the bare skin of her belly with a pleased look.

"Doctor," Rose tugged his hair a bit. "You're being distracting."

He stopped after she said this. With a satisfied nod, which he couldn't see, she returned to her book. But only had just found her place, when his tongue joined his lips across her skin.

"Doctor," Rose ruffled his hair with a half-amused laugh. "Would you stop that? I'm trying to pay attention to my book."

"Well, maybe you should pay attention to me," he murmured against her skin, opening an eye to look at her.

"And why should I do that?" she coked a brow.

"Cos I'm tired and want to cuddle," he said frankly, a tiny smirk at the corner of his mouth.

"Well, I'm trying to finish this chapter of my book," she replied sweetly.

"So?"

"It's a really good part," Rose said. "And I really do want to finish."

"And I really want to cuddle," the Doctor nuzzled his nose against her belly.

"We can cuddle after I've finished," Rose bargained with him, giving his head a pat.

He furrowed his brow at this and then pushed himself up.

"But you take a long time to read," he pouted with the indication of a whine in his voice. "Come on. Please?"

He leaned forward as he spoke, obviously intending to claim his lips to hers. Oh no you don't. Rose wasn't about to let him win her over.

Bringing her hand up quickly, she pressed a finger to his lips. His eyebrows knit together at her block and he frowned against her digit.

"Doctor, please," she said as he flicked his gaze up to hers. "I'm almost done. Look, see? Only a few more pages. I won't be long. You just got to be patient, and then we can cuddle."

She gave him her best smile and he scowled in return.

"But, Rose—"

"No," she cut him off. "Just wait a bloody minute!"

She ended her sentence with a small laugh, but the Doctor grimaced anyways.

Turning away, he left the couch with a scowl on his face. Rose watched him as he stalked away, disappearing into his bedchambers. A small bit of pity grew in Rose's chest, but she ignored it. He had to learn to be patient, it wasn't' her fault if it bothered him. Giving her head a small shake and an eye roll at him, she returned to her book.

Ten minutes later she turned the last page of the chapter and then closed the novel. Thankfully there was no cliffhanger at the end of that part. Good. She'd hate to leave it off on that.

Setting the book on the table in front of her, she glanced over to the Doctor's room. He hadn't interrupted her when reading that time or, quite honestly, made any noise what so ever.

Rose hopped his feelings hadn't been hurt. Oh great. He probably wouldn't talk to her for the rest of the night. Great, just great. 'Best bitchy girlfriend of the year' award goes to Rose Tyler.

Sighing, Rose moved off the sofa and headed toward the Doctor's sleeping quarters. The room was dark, and she took a few moments for her eyes to adjust before scanning her gaze around.

The Doctor lay with his back to her, resting on his side with the bed sheets pulled up to his waist. The way he was positioned, lying as straight as board, didn't seem to be very comfortable.

Tiptoeing across the room, Rose carefully slid under the sheets and then leaned over his stiff frame. To her surprise, his eyes were open, and he was gazing almost sadly out in front of him.

"Hey," Rose said softly, leaning down to press a kiss to his cheek. "I finished, see? That wasn't too hard, now was it?"

He didn't say anything but let out a sigh.

"Oh come on," Rose ran her hand down his shoulder. "Don't be like that. Do you still want to cuddle?"

No response. Rose let out a small groan and rolled away from him onto her back.

"Great," she sighed. "Now I'm getting the silent treatment?"

More silence from the Doctor.

"Well then," Rose was getting frustrated. She didn't like it when the Doctor didn't speak. She'd much rather him ramble on and on then stay silent. "Guess that answers that."

This time the Doctor emitted a short grunt, which Rose took as a laugh.

"Oh, shut up, you," she gave his back a rough push.

"Hey!" he grunted in protest, giving Rose the reaction she wanted. With a growl, he turned over until he was face to face with Rose. She gave him her tongue-in-teeth smile, "You're rubbish at the silent treatment, you are."

"Oh, I don't care," he said. His arms reached out for her and he pulled her close under the sheets. Smiling, Rose snuggled into his chest, burying her head into his vest as he rested his atop hers. A happy hum came from him as he nuzzled his nose into her hair and gripped her tightly.

"There, see?" Rose murmured against his chest. "Now you can cuddle with me all you want. We both got what we wanted."

"Hm, guess so," he agreed reluctantly after kissing her hairline. "But I think I should get another thing cos you took longer than a 'bloody minute' to finish that chapter."

"It'd better be tomorrow though," Rose said with a smile. "Cos I'm really sleepy now."

"Well, that's good then," he whispered into her hair. "Because I was gonna ask if you could sleep in my arms tonight."

"Mm," Rose settled herself in his embrace. "I'm not complaining."

The Doctor laughed softly at her and rubbed his hand along her back before bringing it back up. He held her close, each sharing the other's warmth and listening to their hearts beating in tune. Rose could feel herself beginning to fall asleep, completely content with being beside him. Just before she drifted into sleep, she felt his lips press against her temple, followed by him softly whispering her name.