Merry Christmas, everyone! Written for Christmas, just a super short oneshot about the Doctor's first Christmas. Enjoy! Warning, though. This was written on my phone as my laptop is destroyed, so please pardon any typos.
The Doctor walked into the console room, only to be greeted by a shockingly large pine tree surrounded by wrapped boxes of all sizes. Susan pranced excitedly, while Ian and Barbara arranged the golden balls that hung from the branches.
"Grandfather!" Susan cried with excitement, and bounded towards him. She gripped his hand. "Look at our Christmas tree!"
"Christmas?" The Doctor repeated gruffly, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, Doctor, Christmas," Barbara answered.
Ian asked curiously, "Haven't you ever heard of it before?"
"I don't have time for silly Earth traditions, young man," The Doctor replied, pompously adjusting his collar.
"Oh, but Grandfather, it's not silly at all!" Susan told him. "Everyone gives each other gifts and have parties! It really is so much fun."
"And it is Susan's first Christmas here," added the history teacher. "So Ian and I made it special."
"Bah!" The Doctor snorted. "What is the point in Christmas?"
"Oh, Doctor, you sound too much like Scrooge," Ian remarked. "Give Christmas a chance."
"Scrooge? What nonsense are you speaking, young man?"
"Oh, you know, Doctor, Scrooge. From 'The Christmas Carol'," said Barbara.
"Oh, yes, Grandfather. It really is quite good," his granddaughter said. "Ian and Barbara let me read it. Here, I just finished it." She handed a paperback to the Time Lord.
"Very well, if you insist," sniffed the Doctor. He settled into the pilot's chair as the rest of the group prepared for Christmas.
Soon, he was immersed in the solemnity of Scrooge, the spookiness of Marley and the ghosts, and the revelation of Christmas. His eyes noticeably softened when reading about Tiny Tim's unfortune.
Finally, he got up abruptly. "Well, Doctor?" Ian questioned expectantly.
"I'm going to the library," The Doctor answered. "I realized I must look at...some components on the TARDIS."
The others watched him walk out. "Good going, Susan," Ian commented. "He'll be reading more of Charles Dickens' works for several hours. Plenty of time to start wrapping."
Barbara chuckled as she thought of 'Great Expectations', 'Oliver Twist', and everything else that was a high stack on a certain library table.
Hours later, the Doctor returned, feeling satisfied. "Just in time, Doctor," Barbara smiled. "Here, our gifts." She gave him three beautifully wrapped boxes.
"Merry Christmas!" Everyone chorused, and for once the Doctor's proud face let out the slightest smile of earnest.