He's just more flexible when it comes to dancing

[more_flexible]

Jack found the package addressed to him and scurried off to his room to open it. He wasn't used to getting gifts. In fact, he hadn't gotten one since...well, there was Christmas, but he hadn't been given anything since Jane baked him a pie all his own.

He unwrapped it carefully and poured over the records and just stared at the player for a long time. It was surreal, this thing that really wasn't anything spectacular and yet he was so happy he couldn't stop smiling. After a long time of just exploring it, he took an LP out of it's cover and laid it on the turntable. A few cranks of the handle and it began to spin, Moonlight Serenade spilling out his door and down the stairs.

[for those treehouse people who want a dance]

Comments

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"I...I do sort of need my space," the Doctor admitted, matching his steps in the soft pace. "Used to have so much of it, you know? I'd be willing to help too."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Good," he smiled, stepping to one side and back to center. "You dance better now than before."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"I danced well before," the Doctor said, a tinge of petulance coming into his voice for a bare second.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"And you dance better now," he grinned.

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"Then actually dance with me," he said, leaning in and pulling him tight. Atalanta yipped for a moment before going over and chewing on one of Jack's socks.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

Jack caught his waist and took his hand, body swaying in time with the strains of the orchestra. "Your dog isn't going to be allowed in if she eats all my clothes," he said softly.

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

The Doctor turned briefly and yipped sharply once at the puppy, who whined and padded over to sniff things, instead. He turned back to Jack. "At least she's housetrained. I think."

He started a far more complicated step to the same dance, meeting Jack's eyes.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

He matched him, step for step. "That's good to know. Are you going to cut a hole in the door for her?"

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"Eventually, when I get around to it. Don't know how well everyone would appreciate that, though." He leaned in and drew his lips up Jack's neck. "She's quite intelligent, which is a blessing. Collies usually are. Need to work or they go mad."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Like some people I know," he smirked, turning him quickly. "I wouldn't care if there was a hole."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"Of course not," the Doctor teased him back, his eyes implying the joke. He shifted and let Jack lead. "So who's got your bed tonight?"

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"I don't know," he said, catching his hand and stepping back as the music came to a gentle end and faded to a hiss. "Might be Ace again. She's been having trouble sleeping."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"Again?" The lines in the Doctor's brow deepened slightly, and he nodded, easing back. "Wouldn't want to keep you from helping her, then," he said, softly, glancing at the record player.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, she came in the other night talking about bugs and fire," he said. "Made mine sound like nothing. She's okay though. I think she'll be okay."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"I think I know what she meant," the Doctor said quietly, moving away from him and bending down to pet Atalanta. It was, admittedly, a bit of an avoidance tactic. He didn't care to disappoint himself.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"If you want to stay, just say so, Doctor," he said as he returned his hands to the depths of his pockets.

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

Dark eyes flashed upwards, and he looked at Jack. "I want to stay. But if Ace comes, I want you to help her." Bloody hell, he felt like he was giving orders. "You know?"

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"If she needs me, I'll leave and go to her bed. That's our deal," he replied. "But holding you all night again sounds brilliant."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

The Doctor gave the puppy one final scritch and then stood up, walking over to Jack. "That sounds just right," he said, and kissed his cheek. "I've got to talk to him soon, Jack, I can't keep on like this."

It felt like using Jack, was what it felt like, using him for warmth and someone safe to touch him in the coldness of the ache. It made him feel horrible to do it.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"No. You really can't," he agreed without judgment, wrapping his arm around the Doctor's shoulders. If he had known what the Doctor was thinking, he'd have agreed with that, too...it didn't mean he wouldn't do it, though.

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"I'm a shit, Jack," he said, and settled them down on the bed. "And I'm sorry for using you. I don't know what else to do that'll keep me from being...like that again." They both knew what he meant. Who he meant.

Christ, it was a day for apologies.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, sometimes you are," he nodded as he laid down and stretched out. "But it'll get better and I can hang on. I can...because for some stupid reason I love you."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

The Doctor flopped down next to him. "God, I'm buggered up right well," he agreed.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

Jack snuck his arm in underneath just as he laid back and curled it around him. "So...what are you gonna do?"

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"Go and talk to him. Try and explain. In a few days." The Doctor sighed and took off his shirt, as he still had clothes on. Atalanta nosed the door open a crack and padded out. "I still have to think out what I want to say, first."