( it's the only time river will make such a promise, only because she'd like this date to be as it is. any other time you know she would have wickedly smiled, promising nothing except a good time )
Come on, I think there's a building ahead.
( or the remains of one, perhaps from before this world was changed )
( not that she was worried there might not be anything here. but the tardis dropped them off somewhere different to the last time she was here, somewhere she hadn't gotten to. )
Bit of shelter wouldn't hurt right now, have to say.
( though, for her tease, river has to admit that she's also starting to feel the chill of the temperatures -- jumpers and coats only provided so much of a barrier. hopefully this shelter would do just enough even if they couldn't properly warm up )
( she'd caught herself just before saying i thought you might have forgotten, definitely not wanting to go there. she doesn't know how long it's been since darillium for the doctor and whilst river had been worried about herself, concerned with how she was now alive, she hadn't yet wondered what this must be like for her wife -- they'd gotten caught up, at the same point in her lives and god. she'd been dead for the entirety of their relationship in one sense. what must that have been like to know? the worst spoiler of them all.
river grips her hand again, tugging her closer, steps a little quicker as she heads again towards the building )
I wouldn't mind getting out of this chill for a while.
( make an impact, that is. and always has. from entering the doctor's life, to almost immediately leaving it, then repeatedly popping back up, river had always certainly left an impression. always stuck with her. )
Come on.
( when they reach their destination, the doctor opens the door - which this place, whatever it once was, has set into some wonderfully intact walls. certainly enough to stop them from freezing. )
( sure, it was cold, but river had been in worse situations than this -- some of her own expeditions had ended up far less hospitable than all of her data had given her )
Besides this was exactly what I asked for.
( and now that they're inside it isn't quite as cold. it's quiet, it's peaceful. it was perfect )
( the doctor looks up from kicking snow from her boots, eyebrows raised. )
You going soft on me, River?
( it hits her then, suddenly, that this is it. this is, perhaps, the first time she's gotten to truly enjoy her time with river. she has before, of course, and often, but there was always that very visible ending waiting just around the corner, always wondering just how long they would have until river was gone for good.
now, for once, they're on relatively even ground. no secrets, no spoilers, no impending doom. no more so than usual, anyway.
( or maybe she should. this was river when she didn't have to hide anything -- when it was just the two of them. as strange as it seemed to think that they'd never had just a quiet moment before it made sense -- why waste time doing nothing when they hadn't had that much time.
a strange concept for people with extended lives but river hadn't realised it had been true until she'd started uncovering part of her future and that had been something she couldn't put back in the bottle.
this first... hopefully it was the first of many such things -- and more. she wanted every moment, any moment she could have )
Come on, we should see if any other fools left anything in this building.
( she's just approaching a door to the next room when river's 'other' registers. )
Did you just call me a fool?
( the doctor pulls a face and opens the door. this might've been a home, she thinks. once. now it seems to just be used as some kind of shelter, remnants from past visitors littering the floor. even out here, people don't pick up their rubbish. )
( don't worry, she's also calling herself a fool. river's quick on her heels, stepping over the rubbish in hopes of something useful. it's only after looking underneath and behind pieces of furniture does she find a blanket. sadly only the one though somehow river doesn't feel like that will be a problem )
( as river sits she spreads the blanket across both of their legs. it's a little worse for wear but it's something, helped more by the shared body heat between them. river tucks her legs underneath her, already starting to feel the difference )
( she steps carefully with it because whilst her thoughts might mean something to her river doesn't want them to be misunderstood when she verbalises them )
It's a little strange but-- free?
( even though river had gotten accustomed to hiding everything it had been hard. and lonely -- knowing the people around you but they rarely ever knowing you? )
I'm not sure I've ever really known how most people feel before.
( she thinks about how, throughout their entire relationship, she had known exactly how and when river would die. and all of the things river had known about her, too. so many secrets between them. )
That's something I could definitely get used to. If you're up for it.
You'll have to do better than that to get rid of me.
( not that river hoped she'd try to. they were married and that was a promise, and a love, that to river meant everything. every lifetime, any moment. she'd always be there )
I have a new life to figure out. You'll always be a part of it.
( the best part. maybe she was getting soft in her old age )
( she has to agree. on darillium river, even without knowing the details, felt uncertain about what the future would hold. it didn't help that she'd found accounts that said it was the last night that they would spend together.
but now. all of space and time, river was looking forward to that. it was fresh, something new and river hoped that they had many many years together. the doctor could still regenerate but she had only this life remaining. however long she had she wanted to spend it with her )
Good.
( river runs her thumb over the doctor's knuckles, releasing a small sigh )
We still have a lot of space and time that we haven't seen.
( river just gives her a knowing look because she will do whatever you want her to with that body. there's a lot of exploration to do in every context they could come up with )
Just tell me where and when.
( she might even let her pilot a few of those times, give some mystery to that destination )
It would be nice to hear some of the places you've been to too.
( the doctor clears her throat, tries not to focus on River's look too hard because she can feel the tips of her ears growing warm. that's a new one. )
You can count on it.
( the places she'd been, though? where to even start. )
Oh, you'll like this. I was a teacher for a while.
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( she stops for a second, frowning. realising that she's a few steps behind, she hurries to catch up. )
Maybe don't take that as a challenge. I know you.
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( it's the only time river will make such a promise, only because she'd like this date to be as it is. any other time you know she would have wickedly smiled, promising nothing except a good time )
Come on, I think there's a building ahead.
( or the remains of one, perhaps from before this world was changed )
no subject
( not that she was worried there might not be anything here. but the tardis dropped them off somewhere different to the last time she was here, somewhere she hadn't gotten to. )
Bit of shelter wouldn't hurt right now, have to say.
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( though, for her tease, river has to admit that she's also starting to feel the chill of the temperatures -- jumpers and coats only provided so much of a barrier. hopefully this shelter would do just enough even if they couldn't properly warm up )
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How dare you suggest that my attention span is that short.
( she ignores the fact that sometimes - most of the time - it probably is, and instead gives river a sideways glance and a grin. )
Anyway, how could I possibly be bored with you around?
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( she'd caught herself just before saying i thought you might have forgotten, definitely not wanting to go there. she doesn't know how long it's been since darillium for the doctor and whilst river had been worried about herself, concerned with how she was now alive, she hadn't yet wondered what this must be like for her wife -- they'd gotten caught up, at the same point in her lives and god. she'd been dead for the entirety of their relationship in one sense. what must that have been like to know? the worst spoiler of them all.
river grips her hand again, tugging her closer, steps a little quicker as she heads again towards the building )
I wouldn't mind getting out of this chill for a while.
no subject
( make an impact, that is. and always has. from entering the doctor's life, to almost immediately leaving it, then repeatedly popping back up, river had always certainly left an impression. always stuck with her. )
Come on.
( when they reach their destination, the doctor opens the door - which this place, whatever it once was, has set into some wonderfully intact walls. certainly enough to stop them from freezing. )
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I can see why no one else comes out here. No one's mad enough to walk this far for shelter.
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( or maybe she was just wearing a much larger coat? doesn't matter. too late for that now.
she gives river an apologetic smile. this honestly had seemed like a much better idea earlier. )
Remind me to take you somewhere hot next time, to make up for it.
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( sure, it was cold, but river had been in worse situations than this -- some of her own expeditions had ended up far less hospitable than all of her data had given her )
Besides this was exactly what I asked for.
( and now that they're inside it isn't quite as cold. it's quiet, it's peaceful. it was perfect )
I'm with you, what more could I ask for?
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You going soft on me, River?
( it hits her then, suddenly, that this is it. this is, perhaps, the first time she's gotten to truly enjoy her time with river. she has before, of course, and often, but there was always that very visible ending waiting just around the corner, always wondering just how long they would have until river was gone for good.
now, for once, they're on relatively even ground. no secrets, no spoilers, no impending doom. no more so than usual, anyway.
she lets out a short exhale of a laugh. )
I quite like it.
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( or maybe she should. this was river when she didn't have to hide anything -- when it was just the two of them. as strange as it seemed to think that they'd never had just a quiet moment before it made sense -- why waste time doing nothing when they hadn't had that much time.
a strange concept for people with extended lives but river hadn't realised it had been true until she'd started uncovering part of her future and that had been something she couldn't put back in the bottle.
this first... hopefully it was the first of many such things -- and more. she wanted every moment, any moment she could have )
Come on, we should see if any other fools left anything in this building.
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( she's just approaching a door to the next room when river's 'other' registers. )
Did you just call me a fool?
( the doctor pulls a face and opens the door. this might've been a home, she thinks. once. now it seems to just be used as some kind of shelter, remnants from past visitors littering the floor. even out here, people don't pick up their rubbish. )
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( don't worry, she's also calling herself a fool. river's quick on her heels, stepping over the rubbish in hopes of something useful. it's only after looking underneath and behind pieces of furniture does she find a blanket. sadly only the one though somehow river doesn't feel like that will be a problem )
This is a start.
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So is this.
( she budges up slightly and pats the empty space next to her. )
Here you go, this'll do for now.
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Well, I'm glad someone's been out here before.
( and that they were here now )
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Thank you, forgetful travelers.
( she watches river for a moment before deciding to voice her earlier thoughts. )
You know, this is the first time we've ever been on an even playing field.
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( she steps carefully with it because whilst her thoughts might mean something to her river doesn't want them to be misunderstood when she verbalises them )
It's a little strange but-- free?
( even though river had gotten accustomed to hiding everything it had been hard. and lonely -- knowing the people around you but they rarely ever knowing you? )
I suppose this is how most people feel.
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( she thinks about how, throughout their entire relationship, she had known exactly how and when river would die. and all of the things river had known about her, too. so many secrets between them. )
That's something I could definitely get used to. If you're up for it.
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( not that river hoped she'd try to. they were married and that was a promise, and a love, that to river meant everything. every lifetime, any moment. she'd always be there )
I have a new life to figure out. You'll always be a part of it.
( the best part. maybe she was getting soft in her old age )
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The last time you saw me, I didn't know who you were. The last time I saw you, for once it seemed so... final.
( she reaches out, squeezes river's hand. )
You're gonna have to put up with me for a while, I think.
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but now. all of space and time, river was looking forward to that. it was fresh, something new and river hoped that they had many many years together. the doctor could still regenerate but she had only this life remaining. however long she had she wanted to spend it with her )
Good.
( river runs her thumb over the doctor's knuckles, releasing a small sigh )
We still have a lot of space and time that we haven't seen.
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( wait. no, that... )
I will admit, that sounded different in my head.
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Just tell me where and when.
( she might even let her pilot a few of those times, give some mystery to that destination )
It would be nice to hear some of the places you've been to too.
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You can count on it.
( the places she'd been, though? where to even start. )
Oh, you'll like this. I was a teacher for a while.
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