TM Topic #171: What's the Biggest Mistake You've Ever Made in a Relationship?

It is not action, the Doctor decides, but inaction that costs him romantic relationships. Not that he feels the need for them - he's quite capable of going without that sort of thing - but sometimes he does regret holding back.

There are any number of reasons.

He's far older than any of his companions have been. He's in a position of authority, at least in theory - he is, in the end, responsible for his friends, and it would be careless to take advantage of that. They might feel obligated, which is nothing to build a healthy relationship on. He might well say or do something that shatters such a bond, always so delicate in the beginning, leaving them distant and uncomfortable.

It would make it harder to say goodbye.

Usually he's content to be left with nothing more than a chaste kiss, a wistful handshake.

Sometimes, he wonders what could have been.

He cherishes the memory of their friendship, of course, as he always does. He's much better at friendship.

Until the nature of his life forces them away.

Until it kills them.

He wonders, then, if he's good at any kind of relationship at all.