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

[thecricketer]

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.

Comments

ooc

[of-traken.livejournal.com]

You made Nyssa blush a pretty shade of pink and say "Well, if he weren't so intent on keeping his distance..."

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

*is torn between smacking and snuggling*

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

Five would prefer the snuggling?

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

We figured that much. :-P And now I have Portions for Foxes in my head for some reason.

ooc

[trion-exile.livejournal.com]

*waves from her Turlough corner* Wonderful writing.

Re: ooc

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

*blushes* Thank you.

Also... Turlough! [insert squeeing here] (Five is squeeing too, in a repressed way.)

Re: ooc

[trion-exile.livejournal.com]

YES. The Ginger Minx. *fluff him*

...Turlough is anything but repressed. He is waggling his eyebrows and bragging about snogging Nyssa. *thwaps him*

Re: ooc

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

*snaps picture*

*snickers* Five crosses his arms and frowns and isn't entirely sure who to be jealous of. He certainly doesn't approve of bragging either way.

Re: ooc

[trion-exile.livejournal.com]

xD Turlough says that that the way he carries himself is all the bragging he needs to do and adds that he would not be adverse to the Doctor joining in and/or having a private demonstration. He says the Doctor needs to loosen up anyways.

Re: ooc

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

*snicker* The Doctor rolls his eyes says that he is perfectly fine with his level of looseness, thank you.

Re: ooc

[trion-exile.livejournal.com]

Turlough says that unless he and Nyssa and/or Tegan have been up to than this incarnation of the Doctor is a virgin and it would be a shame to die a virgin, wouldn't it?

Re: ooc

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

The Doctor says that while that's a very selfless offer, he's perfectly fine with his current status. Really. No, really.

Re: ooc

[trion-exile.livejournal.com]

Turlough says fine, he gets dibs on Nyssa then. I'm not sure whether he's serious or aiming for a rise.

Re: ooc

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

The Doctor isn't either, but he's scowling again, and says that he won't stop him. ...I think he's sulking.

Re: ooc

[trion-exile.livejournal.com]

Turlough says the bed is bound to be big enough for three and I am very humiliated at him.

Re: ooc

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

As you should be. ;p He's got the Doctor blushing a bit. He says that they could always drop by a brothel planet and pick someone up.

...I cannot believe he just said that, sarcastically or not. Turlough's a bad influence, surely.

Re: ooc

[trion-exile.livejournal.com]

...Turlough says that Nyssa is a rather good navigator and that would make a hilarious joke. Aiming to go, oh, I don't know, some planet with three that are eclipsing at once, only see it every five thousand years or something...Turlough says he'll make a distraction, Nyssa will make adjustments and they could see the Doctor fifty shades of pink.

He also adds the women and men there are filthy and it's probably best to stay away.

Re: ooc

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

...The Doctor pretends to be absolutely shocked that Turlough would ever think of such a devious plot. The writer thinks that's an absolutely brilliant idea and subsequently gets whapped by a cricket bat.

Re: ooc

[trion-exile.livejournal.com]

Turlough has spun a tale about how clearly it's all Nyssa's idea, and adds in convincing looks and puppy eyes as he's prone to doing.

Clearly this needs to be done.

Re: ooc

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

The Doctor thinks this is perfectly ludicrous and idly mentions that Nyssa can pout better than Turlough.

Yes. Oh, yes. ...Is this where one of us steeples our hands and goes "eeexcellent?"

Re: ooc

[trion-exile.livejournal.com]

...Turlough says it's always easier for the completely innocent ones. Not that he's not completely...Turlough, you are not innocent, knock it off.

*steeples hands* Eeeexcellent.

Re: ooc

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

The Doctor agrees with that assesment, though he will admit that Turlough can fake it quite well if he has a mind to. Provided you don't know him.

*applauds*