it's just waiting for you

[expect]

( at this point in rory's life, the sound of the TARDIS landing doesn't even phase him, aside from causing him to take a quick look around to make sure the doctor isn't about to land it on the coffee table for a second time — when he makes out the outline of the police box on the floor, he goes back to what he had been doing, which is: reading a magazine (one of those medical ones that talk about medical techniques and discuss different treatments, because he is, in fact, that boring) and eating a sandwich.

(the sandwich is also boring).

when the TARDIS door bursts open, rory preempts anything the doctor is about to shout with: )

Amy's at her parents for the weekend. It's just me. ( there's no hidden meaning or emotion in this statement; rory just assumes that, at best, the doctor comes here for them both, and will want to try again later. )

Comments

[expect]

You're not an anti hero. ( flatly. if he was feeling more generous — and he's not — he'd say 'you're just a straight up good guy,' but the comments on the hair and looks are too much no matter how the doctor classifies himself.

rory sinks down onto the sofa, arms resting casually on his knees. ) And you're weird looking.

[overeducated]

[mouth opens, closes, exhale huffing out, inhale sucking in. with determination,]

I beg to differ. I-- ... I'm weird looking?

[no, he was not miming a large nose. no, not at all. that would be rude. (yes, he was).]

[expect]

Oi, ( rory says, frowning all offended; he's not really, but it's kind of the principle of the matter. you don't see him miming a chin, or a lack of eyebrows. but then to show he's not offended: ) I'm normal.

[overeducated]

[with a final sniff (not at all pointed, honest, maybe, kind of) and quick thumb-flick at his nose, he's up and moving again, radiating the precise aura of an affronted rooster.]

Which is all very well and good, [stately, though not sage in the least,] but I'm handsome.

[expect]

No, ( rory says, with emphasis, no, that can't be the case. he watches the doctor incredulously, but also sort of thinks about it. he looks less weird in motion than sitting still, but that might just be because the doctor sitting still is wrong; if he's to be honest, he'll admit a certain fondness for the doctor's appearance, chin and ears and all; it's true, you stop noticing the flaws in the people you love.

but he's still ridiculous. and has way too big a head — in more than one way. ) Unless we're talking about on an alien planet with no sense of aesthetics.

[overeducated]

[one hand busily and ironically pushing his bangs back (only for them to fall forward anyway), one foot raises and lowers, the other mirroring it, a jumble of quick motions and maybe a bit of fluster, Rory was eying him an awful lot--]

[-- which would've made sense if his conclusion made sense, but it didn't!]

I've been to an aline planet with no sense of aesthetics. They thought I was charming. [petulant while attempting not to be, hands pulling his jacket's hem straight, that impressive chin sticking out just a tad. but before anything childish could be said, he whips his attention to the television, demand huffy.] What are we going to watch, exactly? Have you anything Disney? Lilo & Stitch's always good.

[... this wasn't to say Rory offended him. it would've taken much more than fly-away comments about appearance, of all things, to do that. it'd been banter, plain and simple, and if there was one thing he'd always count on Rory for, it'd be fantastic banter.]

[expect]

How old do you think we are? ( rory asks, resigned, and sinking back against the sofa with a definite air of sulking dramatically. he's pretty used to abrupt changes of subject by now, however, and crosses his arms. sarcasm is the easiest response, and one he enjoys, even if he's fairly radiating i can't believe you. ) Actually, don't answer that, because you're older and asking if we have Disney movies.

[overeducated]

I take that as a no. Hmm.

[there's no keeping from sounding disappointed there. well, no matter. taking the distraction bait,]

You're... twenty five or so, aren't you? You were both married so young. ['so young' sounding like a wistful 'too young,' and if Rory had any thought about the Doctor's older age, it might've suddenly been emphasized to the point of second-hand embarrassment. but then, that was usual, too.]

[expect]

( he can't really argue the young part, but it isn't as though he has any regrets or doubts about that path. anyway, he's mostly concerned with looking extremely incredulous. )

I'm thirty-two.

[overeducated]

And you haven't any Disney?

[meeting Rory's incredulous look and raising it a higher octave voice.]

[expect]

Thirty two. ( he says again, because maybe the doctor misheard. ) Not 'seven.'

[overeducated]

You've Mothra and Godzilla.

And that's not a classic, no matter what you say.

[expect]

( he'd totally opened his mouth to say just that. )

You've seen it too!

[overeducated]

[looking a tad too excited,]

If I've seen it, it's a classic?

[expect]

( his expression is vaguely horrified. the 'no' is heavily implied. ) If you've seen it, you can't mock my tastes.

[overeducated]

[not even a grin - he wrings his hands, bobs his head, puts an awkwardness in his body language that really doesn't translate well with how bluntly he spoke.]

... Your tastes are...

[those books, Rory. honestly. no wonder your movie taste follows the same line.]

[in truth, the Doctor found it - occasionally offense at portrayal aside - absolutely flattering, but then, of course he thought half of Rory's interest in sci-fi stemmed from him.]

[expect]

Are…? ( there's a challenge in there; i dare you to say it, and he leans forward, hands clasped between his knees, eyebrows raised as high as they go. he knows (because of course amy has told him) that his tastes are "bad." but he enjoys them unapologetically. )

[overeducated]

[lips sealed tight, jaw muscles twitching, eyes wide. a beat.]

[a cough.]

[a smile.]

Nothing compared to the real thing?

[expect]

Which is fine with me, actually, seeing as the real thing usually ends with me nearly dying. ( he doesn't hesitate to point out, fighting amusement at the doctor's backtracking. )

[overeducated]

[nearly? Rory, come on, the real thing commits and goes all the way, none of that nearly junk.]

[... still backtracking.]

Maybe you should write your own, hey? And then they can turn it into a great movie, and---

[FREEZE. think. expression lighting up more genuinely,]

-- Why haven't we done that, Rory?

[expect]

Why haven't we made a film of your life?

[overeducated]

Yes. --- Wait, no, I don't want to be selfish; our life.

[expect]

I'll pass. ( without even a beat. that said, no sooner does the doctor say 'our' that he's pretty sure amy, at least, would love to be a glamorous movie star. )

[overeducated]

Oh, come on. Not even if Amy agreed to it?

[Amy would totally agree to it.]

[expect]

I'll pass. ( he says again, but he looks very briefly guilty, because he just knows she'd agree to it, and she'd ask him to join, and how can he say no, really, as it's amy. )