For one thing, the Doctor hadn't actually expected the Master to say anything. He had been silent for a year, he would have given the Master at least some more credit. Apparently not.
For another, at the moment rather more important thing, strip poker? His face reflected his bafflement accurately as he blinked. "Why couldn't we play for money? I have all kinds of money. Even some shaped like little pyramids, have you ever come across that? Bit strange when you think about it, doesn't stack..." He trailed off, then refocused his eyes on the Master. "Why strip poker?"
"We're Time Lords. Why would we need money? What would we spend money on? And, more importantly, I can make money digitally in seconds. I can be a billionaire in a moment. To win money is like winning pebbles," Money was entirely worthless to him, especially annoying pyramid shaped money that would just get in his way entirely and not stack anywhere. There were only three things worth anything in the universe and they were power, control and knowledge.
And seen as he couldn't have the first two and had plenty of the third, he had to explore alternative routes. Amusement and a potential strip tease struck him as the only thing worthwhile and achievable here.
"Why not strip poker? It's a fine game, the sport of kings. Shall I deal?" It was less a question and more an indication that this was going to happen as he began shuffling the cards in a rather flashy manner.
"I'm fairly sure the sport of kings is hunting. Kind of barbaric, come to think of it, but then, so are kings." The Doctor watched as the Master shuffled the cards, not quite sure why this was happening and very sure that he should stop it, but on the other hand... It was the first time since this had begun that the Master had actually stopped sulking. Besides, he was good at poker. As long as he didn't get distracted.
"There's plenty of ways to play poker digitally too, you know?" He smiled, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms behind his head leisurely. "Reportedly also plenty of ways to see naked people. I wouldn't know, but you hear things."
"Are you honestly suggesting I go online and play poker by myself like a friendless loser then wank off to stray pictures of horny humans rutting at each other?" Was that a crude enough summary of said plan he'd been suggested? Because he wanted it to be. He wanted to make the Doctor pull that horrified face he got whenever the Master dragged him down. It was relatively amusing. "Charming. And here I thought you wanted to bond with me or whatever this ill advised venture has been."
Regardless of the suggestions, the cards were being dealt. This was going to happen and hopefully happen well. If he was forced to sit in this rusty old box for the rest of eternity then he at least got to see the Doctor strip for him. That seemed like an almost even trade. "Honestly Doctor, you run so hot and cold. What's a guy to think? Playing with my hearts like this."
That face was most definitely there and stayed for quite a while as he poked out his tongue and shook himself. Perhaps just a bit exaggerated for effect, but, well... "Sure. Sure. I'm just not sure why stripping has to be involved." He was just wondering whether it was too late to go and put on his coat.
"Playing? Me? Pfft," made the Doctor as he picked up the cards and took a look at them. Mostly he took a look via moving them all in front of his face to hide it, because he had no idea how to react to anything that was happening. Why were they playing strip poker? He was pretty sure he had missed several steps there. Also, weren't poker cards round? Wait, he was mixing it up with Connect Four. Now, that should be the sport of kings.
"I already explained. I don't want money so the only other alternative is stripping. There's poker and then there's strip poker, no other kinds exist," If the Doctor could name another legit kind of poker, he might concede a little but he only knew two kinds. And besides, he wouldn't budge. If he had to be uncomfortable and stuck doing something he hated, so would the Doctor. And the was the easiest way to do it without getting into trouble for attempted murder.
Fanning his cards out in front of him, he frowned at his hand and moved a few cards around in it. This was definitely going to be a long but worthwhile game. "You always play with people. Just look at your last hook up - Miss Martha Jones. Ran away because of ... why was it again? It couldn't of been because you were playing with her heart, could it?"
"We could do lots of different kinds of poker. Banana poker! For example. We'd just have to get some bananas, but that's always a worthwhile venture!" Besides, even more importantly, it would mean exploring together! Possibly just exploring the nearest Tesco in search of bananas, but still, it could be an adventure.
He exchanged two cards, then lowered his hands to stare at the Master. Had he actually just brought up Martha? It shouldn't really shock him that he had the gall to do so, but somehow it was shocking anyway. Alright, alright, not give him the reaction he was looking for, so he just cleared his throat. "Sure, sure. Or... Well! It could possibly be because she has a family to worry about after." He moved his hand vaguely, then ever so readily focused on his cards again. "Alright, you're bluffing."
"I don't like bananas. No one really likes them that much. Thousands of people adore stripping and would play cards all night to see it, very few really want a banana enough to gamble for one," the Master deadpanned as he set his hand down on the table so the Doctor couldn't see his hand, crossing his arms with a smug look. He didn't need any cards, his hand was good enough to take a chance on.
Ooh, had he hit a sore spot yet? That's what he wanted. To taunt and he strip. A wonderful combination, so romantic, the perfect way to spend time together.
"Maybe. Or because she fell madly head over heels in love with you and all she got out of it was a few lousy trips and a lifetime of trauma. You really do know how to show a girl a good time," the Master mocked in amusement, a shark like smile coming to his face. It wasn't pleasant, he was in that kind of humour. He had a lot of pent up annoyance he wanted to vent and he'd only just started. "I do wonder, how much did you lead her on? I know you love it when those young girls crush on you."
"Bananas are great." Personally he had liked this conversation a lot more when they were still just talking about bananas for example. Now it was quickly becoming increasingly unpleasant.
"I don't lead anyone on! What about you, getting married? You led on all of Britain." So there. Didn't feel quite that satisfying, really, given he was just pointing out his accomplishments. This was horrible for his mood. "Martha's not a young girl. Look at what she's done!" And he missed her. Oh, did he ever miss her.
"She doesn't even crush on me. She likes that doctor person." Wait. That came out wrong. "...different kind of Doctor." This was so not getting better and it was getting to him and he knew that's what the Master really wanted, which made it even worse. Determined to end this he put down his cards and leaned back.
"There! Take off your shoe or something." Not that he had the slightest idea if his cards were any good, he hadn't actually been looking at them the last few minutes.
"I never led Lucy on. A week into our dating, I told her everything. Up to and including my master plan and all it would entail. It's hardly my fault she underestimated how much she could take," the Master dismissed, not even seeming bothered by that. She was weak and had let him down, she was barely worth the thought any more. No, Martha was a far more amusing topic.
It was making the Doctor ever so flustered. "Miss Jones had such a thing for you. I could see it. Lucy could see it. Even her family could. Ever wonder why they always side-eyed you? Because they know how much their daughter loved you. And she would of done anything for you, even died. How terrifying that must be for a parent."
And, on that lovely thought, he flipped his cards over with a cocky smirk. Oh yes, an only just slightly better hand than the Doctor. "Nah, that's what you have to do. One shoe off."
"She saved the world!" Not for him, right? He didn't make her do it. He had sent her, but that was for everyone. That's what she wanted. The Doctor leaned down to pull his shoe off, holding it in his hand and considering rather seriously whether he should throw it at the Master. In the end he put it down instead, glaring as he picked up his cards and handed them back to the Master. This had clearly been a horrible idea, he'd liked it better when he wasn't talking.
"You shouldn't even be talking about her." Because she was worth so much more and, slightly more importantly, because he'd much prefer not to think about her more than absolutely necessary. Guilt, so much guilt. "Not a poker conversation." What was a strip poker conversation, anyway? He wasn't sure he wanted to know.
He shuffled the cards once more and dealt five each to them, clearly very amused by this sudden burst of anger from the Doctor. No one got that annoyed unless they were very aware that they were doing something wrong. Like, for example, leading a girl on and letting her risk her life for his sake. Seriously, how cute. Is this how the Doctor romanced everyone?
"I don't know, talking about our old romances and massive fuck ups, that sounds like a poker conversation to me," the Master pointed out as he discarded one card and picked up another, shuffling his hand about once more before lying it flat again when he was satisfied. "Why? Do you want more mood setting discussions? Because we can do that."
Then, with such a smile, he leaned forward a little. "I truly do believe mine is bigger. I can't wait to see. What about you? Thoughts? Theories?"
There was one thing to say about this. At least him inspiring the Master to sacrifice himself for some cause or other wasn't a very palpable risk, as far as he could tell. If it wasn't for him, he wouldn't have taken anyone else along. He couldn't. He couldn't keep doing it to people. Too dangerous. The Master, unfortunately, was right and he knew it. That's why it was getting to him so much.
He just discarded four cards, because everything annoyed him just then, but the four new ones weren't really an improvement. Quite the opposite. With a sigh he put them down face up, wordlessly reaching for his other shoe.
At the Master's latest attempt at conversation though, he ended up putting the shoe on the table instead. "Judging by shoe size, there is no contest." So there. That got him some smugness back.
As things started to progress, it became painfully obvious that the Doctor wasn't much of a poker player. After all, here they were now, about half an hour later. And the Master was missing his shoes and a tie while the Doctor? Well, lets just say he was doing considerably worse. It was worth the boring chit-chat and pro-banana speeches.
Tilting back in his chair, the Master held his hand in front of him, casually moving them into a better order. "I feel I missed a trick not bringing a camera to this."
"I don't think you're missing any trick, you dirty cheat." Because he had to be cheating, come on. All the Doctor was still wearing was boxers, his tie and one sock, which he was pretty sure looked ridiculous, but it wasn't as if he was trying to be attractive. That ship had probably sailed latest when he first threw his cards in the Master's face for winning again. Temper tantrums were never the way to go when one wanted to preserve any dignity.
His current hand wasn't getting any better from him staring at it, so he just tried to look confident, hoping the Master would fold. Or...
"This is getting boring." He just drawled the words, trying to sound as uninterested as he could while leaning back in is chair. "Let's do something else. With clothes."
"What? How dare you assume what I think you're assuming. I never once cheated," the Master insisted with a mock look of offense on his face. Okay, yes, he had cheated once orvtwice at the start but the Doctor was so bad at this that he barely had to any more. He was screwing up all by himself without any work from the Master. What a pleasant and easy surprise.
The Master showed no signs of folding, he just grinned that knowing grin and shook his head at the request. "When I'm so close to winning? See, now who's the cheat. Trying to escape losing by sulking and leaving? Come on, try to act your age."
Though they had gone passed maturity when the Doctor started throwing cards and the Master started providing music for the stripping by humming sexy music.
"As if you have a straight anything." The words were just muttered darkly while he put his cards down, showing that he definitely didn't have a straight anything himself. As far as poker was concerned, that was. However, he wasn't quite so gullible that he didn't stop to wait to actually see the Master's cards before parting with any of his precious few remaining items of clothing.
"It's cold." It wasn't actually, the TARDIS took marvelous care of that, but it didn't seem right to not be complaining and whining right now, given he was almost naked and the Master was fully dressed. This had got to be the worst game in existence.
"Oooh, firing insults now, are we?" the Master teased as he grinned broadly, knowing only two more hands stood between him and seeing the Doctor without his boxers off. And boy was he thrilled at that. For no other reason than it was going to make the Doctor rather uncomfortable and unhappy. A feeling he truly deserved to experience first hand. Through stripping. Almost solely for the Master.
The Master, with a smirk, leant back in his seat and licked his finger, pretending to hold it up to gauge the temperature. "Really? Seems rather nice, actually. Cool breeze, not too cold, nice heat. Though if you're cold, you can forfeit and just remove all your clothes now."
At least he'd get to put them all back on. "Fine, fine, no humming."
"That doesn't even make any sense." The Doctor quickly pulled off his sock, just in case the Master was going to hum after all. He held it up, narrowed his eyes and held the toe with one hand, pulling the other end back until he let go to send it flying right at the Master. Ha!
It would be more satisfying if he wasn't just dressed in boxers and a tie, but whatever. "I'm going to deal this time. Maybe you'll cheat less that way." To be honest, the Doctor was considering cheating himself, but between lacking sleeves and the fact that the Master was, if nothing else, at least probably better at cheating, he wasn't sure how to go about it.
"Yes, it really does," the Master cooed as he tried in vain to dodge that incoming sock. With a groan of annoyance, he took it off his shoulder and tossed it aside onto the floor with a look of dismay. Great, he'd been touched by Doctor-foot. Not the piece of clothing he wanted sent his way, he'd be happy to claim those boxers as a trophy for all this hardwork he was doing. Gambling without cheating was shockingly hard.
"Deal away, it's entirely up to you. Won't stop you from losing," the Master taunted as he slid the deck along, head in hands, watching him curiously. Did he think the Master had rigged the deck? Yes, he had considered that but funnily enough, it just hadn't happened. No, this was his pure talent. Or the Doctors pure lack of talent. Hard to tell actually.
Before dealing the Doctor studied the cards intently, up to any including sniffing them, though he did stop short of licking when he became aware of how the Master was looking at him. Clearing his throat he started to shuffle, fumbled and dropped everything on the ground. After he gathered the cards back up he started to deal, which he at least managed without any further incidents.
"Aha!" His poker face wasn't the best, but he was definitely very satisfied with this hand, suddenly back in a good mood. "I hope you're ready to get naked!" Did that come out wrong? Possibly, but what did he care.
Oh, see, now this is why he didn't want to be seen with the Doctor in public. Where was the coolness? The suave atmosphere? There just wasn't one. He dropped all those cards like a total moron and that basically summed everything up. With a sigh, the Master took his hand, knowing it wasn't a winning hand and very happy to enjoy that. Because if the Doctor was going to beat him, he was going to use it as an excuse to teach the Doctor a lesson at losing well.
"I'm very excited. Oh Doctor, you charmer. You know how to woo a man," the Master teased as he exposed his hand. Nothing remarkable, a strong yet average handy, easy to beat not but not entirely a right off, He didn't expect to win with it, not after that reaction. With a grin, he leaned forward. "Go on then. What have you got?"
The Doctor looked at his cards, then at the Master's. Back at his cards. Back at the Master's. How did this keep happening?
Alright. Dignified losing. Was that what they were doing? Well, he certainly wasn't. Instead he just threw the cards down on the table and jerked on his tie, dropping it on the pile of clothes to his right while watching the Master, just daring him to make a comment. Maybe he should have just left him with Jack and Martha after all.
"They keep changing all these rules around. And sometimes the cards are round, sometimes 3D, sometimes 5D, how is anyone supposed to keep track of that?"
Seriously? He was excited over that hand? Rolling his eyes, the Master dragged the deck over and started to shuffle in once more. What a total idiot. The rules didn't change, the cards didn't change, if anything five-card poker had really hung in there. Of all the changes in the universe, poker was barely effected. Only a totally unaware fool could misunderstand such simple rules.
"You astound me, Doctor. You really truly do. I thought you had me then. But no, just excuses upon excuses," the Master teased with an amused look on his face, dealing out five cards each and setting the deck back down. He checked over his hand before discarding two and replacing them. This hand was a total dud. But maybe he could bluff his way into getting the Doctor to fold? Looking very pleased with himself, he sat back in his chair, raising an eyebrow at the Doctor. "You better pray you have a good hand."
The Doctor stared at the five cards in front of him, so not touching them. "I thought we were done. That's how it goes in strip poker. You stop by underwear. Come on, everybody knows that!"
Not that he had any way of telling whether the Master had a good hand or not, but he was not risking that. "We should see about landing anyway. Before we're late." Time machine. He was flying in a time machine. But he was already showing his privates and rather determined not to go any further.
"You're going to leave? Mid game? How rude. So this is it, is it? You can't even see a game through?" the Master complained as he gave the Doctor a very stern look, clearly not impressed. Because this was so close to victory, it wasn't fair for the Doctor to chicken out. He was owed a strip tease, he was very close to seeing the Doctor completely naked... oh, think of all the jealous girls who'd wish they were the Master. "You play until the other person has stripped. This isn't stripping, it's sitting around in your underpants."
With an exhale, he dropped his head back, sighing loudly with annoyance obvious on his face.
"I knew spending time with you would be a disappointment. I don't know why I bothered," Perhaps if he went back to the silent treatment, the Doctor might give in? Or just feel rather bad about himself for denying the Master a strip tease. "Coward."
While the Master talked, the Doctor just stared at him with narrowed eyes. Then, quite suddenly, he got up and stepped away from the table, still holding the cards in one hand.
"Oh, for crying out loud. What is it with you nattering on?" With the other hand he pushed down his boxers, stepping out of them and straightening up again.
He did hold the cards in front of himself, only now glancing down at them. "...oh. Royal Flush." Premature stripping. This day was just not going his way.
But then, ultimately, if this was what it took to not be alone, it really wasn't as bad as all that. Worth it, perhaps even, because sometimes it almost felt like he had him back again, his friend. Even at moments when he was standing naked in front of him with a winning hand of cards in his hand.
With such a bright smile, the Master flipped his cards over to reveal how bad his hand was. Oh yes, the Doctor could of easily of won that if he'd played the game, instead of folding and giving in like that. With a slightly immature chuckle, the Master pulled himself up from his chair and picked up his shoes. "Oh yes, definitely bigger. But, like you said, it's apparently cold in here so."
That was it then, that was everything he wanted to get. And yes, he was very amused and very proud of himself.
With that wonderful moment, the Master turned away and started to walk out of the room with no further words. Hey, he never said he had to pay attention to him if he stripped off. He had no obligations. He was the winner here, he just wanted his reward. Oh to have a camera at this moment, he would of loved to frame the Doctor's expression.
Well, it wasn't as if the Doctor had expected any naked bonding time. That last bit was quite the challenge though, so he had to call after him. "It's bigger on the inside!"
A moment passed, then he snorted. "That was horrible." He said it to no one in particular as he started to get dressed again. All in all, this hadn't gone so bad. At least the Master was finally talking to him again.
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standsonhigh) wrote2014-09-08 10:18 pm
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For one thing, the Doctor hadn't actually expected the Master to say anything. He had been silent for a year, he would have given the Master at least some more credit. Apparently not.
For another, at the moment rather more important thing, strip poker? His face reflected his bafflement accurately as he blinked. "Why couldn't we play for money? I have all kinds of money. Even some shaped like little pyramids, have you ever come across that? Bit strange when you think about it, doesn't stack..." He trailed off, then refocused his eyes on the Master. "Why strip poker?"
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And seen as he couldn't have the first two and had plenty of the third, he had to explore alternative routes. Amusement and a potential strip tease struck him as the only thing worthwhile and achievable here.
"Why not strip poker? It's a fine game, the sport of kings. Shall I deal?" It was less a question and more an indication that this was going to happen as he began shuffling the cards in a rather flashy manner.
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"There's plenty of ways to play poker digitally too, you know?" He smiled, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms behind his head leisurely. "Reportedly also plenty of ways to see naked people. I wouldn't know, but you hear things."
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Regardless of the suggestions, the cards were being dealt. This was going to happen and hopefully happen well. If he was forced to sit in this rusty old box for the rest of eternity then he at least got to see the Doctor strip for him. That seemed like an almost even trade. "Honestly Doctor, you run so hot and cold. What's a guy to think? Playing with my hearts like this."
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"Playing? Me? Pfft," made the Doctor as he picked up the cards and took a look at them. Mostly he took a look via moving them all in front of his face to hide it, because he had no idea how to react to anything that was happening. Why were they playing strip poker? He was pretty sure he had missed several steps there. Also, weren't poker cards round? Wait, he was mixing it up with Connect Four. Now, that should be the sport of kings.
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Fanning his cards out in front of him, he frowned at his hand and moved a few cards around in it. This was definitely going to be a long but worthwhile game. "You always play with people. Just look at your last hook up - Miss Martha Jones. Ran away because of ... why was it again? It couldn't of been because you were playing with her heart, could it?"
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He exchanged two cards, then lowered his hands to stare at the Master. Had he actually just brought up Martha? It shouldn't really shock him that he had the gall to do so, but somehow it was shocking anyway. Alright, alright, not give him the reaction he was looking for, so he just cleared his throat. "Sure, sure. Or... Well! It could possibly be because she has a family to worry about after." He moved his hand vaguely, then ever so readily focused on his cards again. "Alright, you're bluffing."
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Ooh, had he hit a sore spot yet? That's what he wanted. To taunt and he strip. A wonderful combination, so romantic, the perfect way to spend time together.
"Maybe. Or because she fell madly head over heels in love with you and all she got out of it was a few lousy trips and a lifetime of trauma. You really do know how to show a girl a good time," the Master mocked in amusement, a shark like smile coming to his face. It wasn't pleasant, he was in that kind of humour. He had a lot of pent up annoyance he wanted to vent and he'd only just started. "I do wonder, how much did you lead her on? I know you love it when those young girls crush on you."
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"I don't lead anyone on! What about you, getting married? You led on all of Britain." So there. Didn't feel quite that satisfying, really, given he was just pointing out his accomplishments. This was horrible for his mood. "Martha's not a young girl. Look at what she's done!" And he missed her. Oh, did he ever miss her.
"She doesn't even crush on me. She likes that doctor person." Wait. That came out wrong. "...different kind of Doctor." This was so not getting better and it was getting to him and he knew that's what the Master really wanted, which made it even worse. Determined to end this he put down his cards and leaned back.
"There! Take off your shoe or something." Not that he had the slightest idea if his cards were any good, he hadn't actually been looking at them the last few minutes.
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It was making the Doctor ever so flustered. "Miss Jones had such a thing for you. I could see it. Lucy could see it. Even her family could. Ever wonder why they always side-eyed you? Because they know how much their daughter loved you. And she would of done anything for you, even died. How terrifying that must be for a parent."
And, on that lovely thought, he flipped his cards over with a cocky smirk. Oh yes, an only just slightly better hand than the Doctor. "Nah, that's what you have to do. One shoe off."
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"You shouldn't even be talking about her." Because she was worth so much more and, slightly more importantly, because he'd much prefer not to think about her more than absolutely necessary. Guilt, so much guilt. "Not a poker conversation." What was a strip poker conversation, anyway? He wasn't sure he wanted to know.
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"I don't know, talking about our old romances and massive fuck ups, that sounds like a poker conversation to me," the Master pointed out as he discarded one card and picked up another, shuffling his hand about once more before lying it flat again when he was satisfied. "Why? Do you want more mood setting discussions? Because we can do that."
Then, with such a smile, he leaned forward a little. "I truly do believe mine is bigger. I can't wait to see. What about you? Thoughts? Theories?"
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He just discarded four cards, because everything annoyed him just then, but the four new ones weren't really an improvement. Quite the opposite. With a sigh he put them down face up, wordlessly reaching for his other shoe.
At the Master's latest attempt at conversation though, he ended up putting the shoe on the table instead. "Judging by shoe size, there is no contest." So there. That got him some smugness back.
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As things started to progress, it became painfully obvious that the Doctor wasn't much of a poker player. After all, here they were now, about half an hour later. And the Master was missing his shoes and a tie while the Doctor? Well, lets just say he was doing considerably worse. It was worth the boring chit-chat and pro-banana speeches.
Tilting back in his chair, the Master held his hand in front of him, casually moving them into a better order. "I feel I missed a trick not bringing a camera to this."
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His current hand wasn't getting any better from him staring at it, so he just tried to look confident, hoping the Master would fold. Or...
"This is getting boring." He just drawled the words, trying to sound as uninterested as he could while leaning back in is chair. "Let's do something else. With clothes."
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The Master showed no signs of folding, he just grinned that knowing grin and shook his head at the request. "When I'm so close to winning? See, now who's the cheat. Trying to escape losing by sulking and leaving? Come on, try to act your age."
Though they had gone passed maturity when the Doctor started throwing cards and the Master started providing music for the stripping by humming sexy music.
"I've got a straight flush. Beat that."
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"It's cold." It wasn't actually, the TARDIS took marvelous care of that, but it didn't seem right to not be complaining and whining right now, given he was almost naked and the Master was fully dressed. This had got to be the worst game in existence.
"No humming this time!"
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The Master, with a smirk, leant back in his seat and licked his finger, pretending to hold it up to gauge the temperature. "Really? Seems rather nice, actually. Cool breeze, not too cold, nice heat. Though if you're cold, you can forfeit and just remove all your clothes now."
At least he'd get to put them all back on. "Fine, fine, no humming."
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It would be more satisfying if he wasn't just dressed in boxers and a tie, but whatever. "I'm going to deal this time. Maybe you'll cheat less that way." To be honest, the Doctor was considering cheating himself, but between lacking sleeves and the fact that the Master was, if nothing else, at least probably better at cheating, he wasn't sure how to go about it.
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"Deal away, it's entirely up to you. Won't stop you from losing," the Master taunted as he slid the deck along, head in hands, watching him curiously. Did he think the Master had rigged the deck? Yes, he had considered that but funnily enough, it just hadn't happened. No, this was his pure talent. Or the Doctors pure lack of talent. Hard to tell actually.
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"Aha!" His poker face wasn't the best, but he was definitely very satisfied with this hand, suddenly back in a good mood. "I hope you're ready to get naked!" Did that come out wrong? Possibly, but what did he care.
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"I'm very excited. Oh Doctor, you charmer. You know how to woo a man," the Master teased as he exposed his hand. Nothing remarkable, a strong yet average handy, easy to beat not but not entirely a right off, He didn't expect to win with it, not after that reaction. With a grin, he leaned forward. "Go on then. What have you got?"
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Alright. Dignified losing. Was that what they were doing? Well, he certainly wasn't. Instead he just threw the cards down on the table and jerked on his tie, dropping it on the pile of clothes to his right while watching the Master, just daring him to make a comment. Maybe he should have just left him with Jack and Martha after all.
"They keep changing all these rules around. And sometimes the cards are round, sometimes 3D, sometimes 5D, how is anyone supposed to keep track of that?"
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Seriously? He was excited over that hand? Rolling his eyes, the Master dragged the deck over and started to shuffle in once more. What a total idiot. The rules didn't change, the cards didn't change, if anything five-card poker had really hung in there. Of all the changes in the universe, poker was barely effected. Only a totally unaware fool could misunderstand such simple rules.
"You astound me, Doctor. You really truly do. I thought you had me then. But no, just excuses upon excuses," the Master teased with an amused look on his face, dealing out five cards each and setting the deck back down. He checked over his hand before discarding two and replacing them. This hand was a total dud. But maybe he could bluff his way into getting the Doctor to fold? Looking very pleased with himself, he sat back in his chair, raising an eyebrow at the Doctor. "You better pray you have a good hand."
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The Doctor stared at the five cards in front of him, so not touching them. "I thought we were done. That's how it goes in strip poker. You stop by underwear. Come on, everybody knows that!"
Not that he had any way of telling whether the Master had a good hand or not, but he was not risking that. "We should see about landing anyway. Before we're late." Time machine. He was flying in a time machine. But he was already showing his privates and rather determined not to go any further.
"You won, well done! Put your shoe back on."
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With an exhale, he dropped his head back, sighing loudly with annoyance obvious on his face.
"I knew spending time with you would be a disappointment. I don't know why I bothered," Perhaps if he went back to the silent treatment, the Doctor might give in? Or just feel rather bad about himself for denying the Master a strip tease. "Coward."
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"Oh, for crying out loud. What is it with you nattering on?" With the other hand he pushed down his boxers, stepping out of them and straightening up again.
He did hold the cards in front of himself, only now glancing down at them. "...oh. Royal Flush." Premature stripping. This day was just not going his way.
But then, ultimately, if this was what it took to not be alone, it really wasn't as bad as all that. Worth it, perhaps even, because sometimes it almost felt like he had him back again, his friend. Even at moments when he was standing naked in front of him with a winning hand of cards in his hand.
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That was it then, that was everything he wanted to get. And yes, he was very amused and very proud of himself.
With that wonderful moment, the Master turned away and started to walk out of the room with no further words. Hey, he never said he had to pay attention to him if he stripped off. He had no obligations. He was the winner here, he just wanted his reward. Oh to have a camera at this moment, he would of loved to frame the Doctor's expression.
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A moment passed, then he snorted. "That was horrible." He said it to no one in particular as he started to get dressed again. All in all, this hadn't gone so bad. At least the Master was finally talking to him again.