Rec: Lead and Follow

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Huzzah for challenge extensions, y/y?

Title: Lead and Follow
Pairing: Three/Delgado!Master
Length: About 11,000 to my count
Summary: The Doctor is having far too much fun dancing in San Diego, rather than paying attention to the Master. The Master corrects this oversight by using his deadliest weapon ever - West Coast Swing.
Rating/warnings: Teen, let's say. Lots of dancing. =D
Author on LJ: dragonofmemory

Why this must be read:
First, watch this. Then, imagine Delgado!Master doing this. Aha.

This story is adorable and sexy (yet with pensive undertones of foreshadowing, oh my!), and the Master is the most adorable and sexy part of it, and that's wonderful; however, all that has to share the spotlight with Lizzie, the amazing OC who is responsible for the brief happiness the Doctor and the Master are able to share in the end. She has her own heartbreaks and complexities, but we can only guess at what they are, and that makes it somehow a more satisfying read. She conceals her pain behind vivacity; she's damaged, but she's tough. And it makes the Master care about her! Also, she's too stubborn to be hypnotised. XD To top it all off, the bittersweetness of the Doctor/Master reunion is not enough - Lizzie doesn't get a happy ending, not that we see. Her sole motivation in the fic is to bring happiness to someone else, because she can't be happy herself, and that's how we leave her. Just... argh. Well done, Mem!

Excerpt:
"Well," the Doctor said testily, offering his hand in an obvious manner.

For a moment, the Master considered forcing the Doctor to ask properly. However, his excitement at finally having his plan unfold erased what was left of his patience, and he took the Doctor's hand as the other Time Lord looked for an unclaimed spot on the dance floor.

Link to the story: Here is the first part, with a link to the second at the bottom, in "TBC."