RP for renegadeinexile

[thecricketer]

The Doctor had his head beneath the console, a tool kit at his side, and his hands plunged in very delicate wiring.

He didn't need to make this repair, not strictly; the TARDIS ran well enough without it. But it would make reactions just a bit smoother, just a bit swifter - and besides, he felt he owed her some tender caring to anyway.

It certainly wasn't because he needed something to distract him while he waited.

He wasn't impatient, he decided as he pulled a thin silver rod from the ancient box; he'd given her as much time as she needed and he'd meant it. He just...well, he never was good at standing still, really, especially when there were nagging thoughts to run from.

So he worked, and was content, and sometimes he smiled. He already knew what their first real trip should be - he'd promised already, after all.

Comments

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

She seemed to almost melt a bit at his smile, the tension leaving her body, a little sigh of relief escaping her lips. Her thumb trailed to one of the turned-up corners, running along its curve gently before coming to rest on his jaw.

This was a most strange and singular moment, and she couldn't remember its like. But somehow, in this moment, it seemed far easier to not pull that cloak of remoteness and disdain back around herself. It seemed better to let him hold her a bit closer, to lean into him and let her arm slide further around his neck.

And it seemed more fitting to reply, softly, "I'd like that," as she returned his smile, a bit wavering, but as honest as his own.

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

His gaze traced her touch with something like awe; he couldn't recall anyone touching him like that, not for some time, and instead of disconcerting him it felt...soothing.

He allowed his embrace to tighten, to pull her as close as he could.

"I think we can manage," he said, and somehow, he believed it.

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

Somehow before she'd even fully caught on what was happening, she found herself pulled to him, nestled against him, his arms tight around her.

She wasn't sure which surprised her more: the fact that she was there... or the fact that she had no wish to fight it at all. She didn't want to run, didn't want to push him away, didn't want to retreat behind her usual stance of cool gentility masking barely-restrained disdain.

It rather felt, she noted as her arms slid tighter around his neck, the fingertips of one hand losing themselves in the hair at the nape of his neck, as if she'd just found something she hadn't even realised she'd been searching for.

"We can manage," she repeated, letting her head rest on his shoulder, closing her eyes, and holding on as tight as she dared.

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

He didn't speak, at first; it was easier, for the first time, simply to feel, and to hold.

He couldn't quite sort it out yet, and the oddest thing, the very oddest thing was that he felt no urgent need to. This was fine, this was good, this could stay the way it was as long as...

No, he wasn't going to think in beginnings and endings, not this time. Not yet.

"Of course..." he said softly.

"I'm certain we still make quite the team." One member short, and he wasn't going to think of that either.

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

She smiled, though he likely couldn't see it, the way her head was resting on his shoulder. Her fingertips began stroking small, comforting circles on the nape of his neck, and she closed her eyes, just allowing herself to savour the feel of it, to dwell just in this moment and not be worried about ones yet to come or haunted by those already past.

"We do, yes," she agreed. "And I imagine we could only improve upon that from here on out."

She turned her face, so that her temple rather than her forehead rested on his shoulder, her face turned toward his. That was as far as she was inclined to move, at that moment; it was strange that it didn't bother her at all, but it was a good sort of strange.

One she could entirely get used to.

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

He was suddenly gazing into her eyes again, and there were no barriers (no regrets no tears no anxieties), and it wasn't frightening anymore. It was how it should be, at least for this moment.

His hand drew back, almost of its own accord, rising to touch her cheek, a light touch he could barely understand.

"We always were good at adapting," he said, his voice still soft, as if afraid to intrude, to shatter something precious and fragile.

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

Her eyes met his, and there was no discomfort this time, no attempt to retreat or to hide.

And then his fingers found her cheek, and she drew in a breath, surprised... but pleasantly so. Her cheeks coloured slightly and her mouth curved into a warm, genuine smile.

"We were, weren't we?" she murmured softly.

After a moment's hesitation, her hand came around to cover his, holding his fingertips against her cheek.

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

Such relief, to see no tension, no disdain; to know they were equally new to this intimacy, and equally content with it. He knew the faint flush, the soft grin must nearly mirror hers.

"Would you like to go back?" he said softly, after several moments of comfortable silence.

"To the plaza, I mean..."

((Bad tags? What bad tags? > >))

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

She lifted her head, and met his gaze, the soft smile still curving her mouth. "If you'd like," she replied. "I promise you won't hear any more shocking conversation concerning me. That was the only thing I was holding back."

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

"Very good to know," he said lightly; his own smile was small, and warm, and he gently squeezed her hand as he continued.

"I'm getting old, you know, I don't know if my hearts could take any more surprises..."

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

She laughed softly and made a face at him. "I'm your elder, remember?" she teased gently. "Couldn't even race up a hillside against you. Don't go using that excuse with me, young man..."

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

"I've an old, old spirit," he said gravely, his expression perfectly solemn - and then it bloomed with a mischievous grin and he looked like a boy again.

"Perhaps we could try racing again..."

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

She raised an eyebrow at his statement; at the suggestion that followed it went up even further.

She held his hand and began walking backwards, tugging him gently and slowly along at arm's length. "Race again?" she asked, smirking faintly. "What, race back to the plaza?"

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

It took little prompting for him to follow, a vibrant look to his features that fit just as well as melancholy or weariness.

"Mmm-hmm." It was a light murmur, his eyes glinting.

((Sorry this took so long. There was much bitching at me from my muse.))

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

She kept walking, kept leading him on, stealing a glance back over her shoulder as they both moved. "Start racing from this alley, back to the plaza?" she asked, still teasing, her smirk taking bloom into a full-on smile.

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

He returned it readily. So strange, what could come of confessions and grief and guilt.

"That's the general idea, yes..." Already people were glancing at them; some with eyes narrowed with wariness or irritation, some with eyebrows raised in amusement or surprise, some with small, gentle smiles. He didn't mind any of them.

((*snugs you* Thank you. Five should take lessons. ;p He does, however, appreciate the petting.))

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

"I see..."

Another glance backward over her shoulder, and she dropped his hand, backing even further away, half-turning as she kept moving.

Oh, come on. Regenerated or not, more serene or not, nicer or not, having just confessed dark secrets or not, the Rani is still the Rani, and playing a game one hundred percent fair is a vaguely alien concept, and oh, look, is that a head start she's gained through a bit of distraction?

She turned on her heel and began to run.

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

His eyes widened, and at first he didn't know whether to be outraged or amused or impressed. Eventually he settled for all three and gave chase.

He knew he shouldn't talk while running, really, but he did shout, "If you thought you needed a head start you should have told me!"

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

"I didn't need one!" she called breathlessly over her shoulder.

It wasn't that she was out of shape, far from it. She looked after herself, and was reasonably fit and healthy. She just hadn't led the sort of life that was given over to many opportunities for scaling rock faces or running full-tilt. Short bursts of intense exertion were not the sort of thing a serious scientist routinely engaged in.

Still, she ignored how quickly she was becoming breathless, and ignored the return of that nagging stitch in her side, and pushed herself to run faster, glancing back at him.

"I just thought you'd enjoy the challenge!"

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

"I always do!"

It didn't take very long to catch up - he was quite used to running, after all, in every terrain imaginable though he didn't tend to do it with such a grin on his face.

Of course, he'd used quite a lot of energy and it would be a bit more trouble to pass her for long...

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

"I'm pleased to hear that!"

He passed her, and even though she'd burned up all the energy she could muster in that initial burst of fleeing, she forced herself to run harder, to edge past him, only skidding to a halt when she crossed into the plaza, mere steps ahead of him.

"Ha!" She turned to face him, chin up triumphantly, her hand going to her burning side as nonchalantly as she could manage, her face flushed from the exertion, her chest heaving as she gulped down huge breaths, but her eyes bright even as discomfort pinched their edges. An equally bright grin curved her mouth.

"Not bad... considering my head start..."

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

He was breathing quite heavily by the time he reached the plaza - seconds after Ushas, which certainly wasn't expected. Perhaps his ego deserved that bit of battering.

All the same his gaze was rather petulant - it might be called a pout, if he pouted, which he certainly didn't.

"Yes, you're a horrible cheater," he said breathlessly, but he was smiling as well.

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

"Now you're just... hurting my pride," she huffed, still trying to catch her breath, still smiling at him.

At least until she bent double, clutching her side. "How in Rassilon's name do you... run without... injuring yourself?" she asked. "Clearly I need... more practice or something..."

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

"Only returning the favour." Moments later his good humour faded into concern, and he stepped forward.

"It's...mostly practice, yes."

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

"That's good to know. I think."

She straightened up, her face just a bit pale, and offered him a reassuring, if wan smile. "Primary serratus anterior trigger point. If memory serves. I'm sure I'll be all right."