A Star So Bright You Blind Me

[preserved_ginger]

Title: A Star So Bright You Blind Me
Pairing(s): Ten/Rose
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers/Setting: Army of Ghosts
Beta(s): principia_coh, requialexa and sensiblecat
A/N: Italicised dialogue is from the episode. The title is from the song Rule the World by Take That.
Disclaimer: Borrowed, sans permission
Summary: The answer to this question has the power to change everything between them, but he has to know.

“How long are you gonna stay with me?”

To a casual observer, that query would seem full of your normal nonchalance. Simple, idle curiosity. They'd have to know you very well indeed to recognise how you have schooled your face to show as little as possible; you don't even trust Rose, quite yet, with this most private part of you. Only the maelstrom in your eyes betrays you.

You look at her intently after asking your question, this question that means the world to you (far more than it should, although you're blithely choosing to ignore that fact), the answer to which may change everything between you. Unsure what to expect, you're almost terrified of what she might say, frightened that your reading of this situation may be completely wrong. But she has always known her own mind, and these days is no longer afraid to speak the truth as she sees it, regardless of your fears or hopes.

She beams at you contentedly; your hearts are hammering in your chest (and so loud to you that you think she must hear them).

And when her answer comes? It's your wildest dream and your worst nightmare, wrapped in two simple words:

“For ever.”

Comments

[requialexa.livejournal.com]

God--this is even better in its final form than it was! This may be one of my very favorites. And I have to say again how much I adore the second person for this! You win!
Favorite moments:
Simple, idle curiosity.
and
But she has always known her own mind, and these days is no longer afraid to speak the truth as she sees it, regardless of your fears or hopes.
So bittersweet :-(

[bananasandroses.livejournal.com]

God--this is even better in its final form than it was! This may be one of my very favorites. And I have to say again how much I adore the second person for this! You win!

Thank you! I'm glad you like this (it looks completely different now than it did when I first wrote it - thanks in no small part to you, principia_coh and sensiblecat, I might add); the more I read it the more I find to like about it.

Simple, idle curiosity.

Yes ... I particularly liked that one. To my mind it works so much better than what was there before.

But she has always known her own mind, and these days is no longer afraid to speak the truth as she sees it, regardless of your fears or hopes.

That, I think, was principia_coh's idea to begin with; I just did the jiggery-pokery to make it fit in with the rest!

[maniacalshen.livejournal.com]

This is downright gleeful for you. XD My main response is: D'Aaaaaww! It's very good!

[bananasandroses.livejournal.com]

This is downright gleeful for you.

It is, rather, isn't it? Might even (for me) be considered "fluffy".

My main response is: D'Aaaaaww! It's very good!

Thank you! I'm glad you like it (and Aaaaww is pretty much the reaction I was after, so I'm happy :)

[sensiblecat.livejournal.com]

What a lovely opening out of that little moment. I love the last line in particular. I like t he way your style's getting more confident and you're beginning to tackle slightly longer pieces.

[bananasandroses.livejournal.com]

What a lovely opening out of that little moment.

Thank you. I always thought that part could use looking at; it's past and gone so quickly it's easy to overlook it.

I love the last line in particular.

The bit about wildest dream and worst nightmare, y'mean? You're the one who gave me that idea (for which thank you muchly, by the way) :)

I like the way your style's getting more confident and you're beginning to tackle slightly longer pieces.

Thank you for the compliment, although sometimes I think I should stick with the many-different-sized drabbles, it seems to be a form I'm happy with. Still, I'll get better the more of the longer ones I do (or at least I hope I will).

[starlightmoonla.livejournal.com]

That's absolutely beautiful! Great job at enhancing that scene with words. :D

[bananasandroses.livejournal.com]

That's absolutely beautiful!

Thank you!

Great job at enhancing that scene with words. :D

Thanks. Posting this one made me feel very nervous - I'm glad you think I did well :)

Weeeeee indeed!

[viraemia.livejournal.com]

Just caught up with all the writings for the week and this is my favourite - so introspective and insightful.

[bananasandroses.livejournal.com]

Just caught up with all the writings for the week and this is my favourite - so introspective and insightful.

Thank you, that means a lot to me coming from you.

[bagatellery.livejournal.com]

God, this is beautiful. Emotionally evocative & lovely use of second-person narrative; not many manage that plausibly.

[bananasandroses.livejournal.com]

God, this is beautiful.

Thank you. The more I re-read this one the more I like it.

Emotionally evocative & lovely use of second-person narrative; not many manage that plausibly.

I'm glad you think I did well (I usually write in third-person, so this was a bit of a gamble!)