Leaning across to straighten the Doctor's bow tie seemed like such a natural, instinctive thing to do. He wasn't sure what made him do it – perhaps it was the Gallifreyan's boyish charm, clumsy mannerisms and charismatic smile. There was something in his eyes – oh of course his face was young, but his eyes were different. At times they were young, filled with fire and adventure and joy and life as he danced around the TARDIS console. And then at other times they were old – so old. Not even the same type of old as Canton saw in the eyes of his grandfather. This was, as silly as it sounds the wisdom of ages, centuries even, though that hardly seemed possible.
Then again, he was in a blue police public call box that was bigger on the inside and travelled through time and space, with two British citizens that were not only un-phased by this but where themselves from the future – all this plus they were leading a revolution against a hostile alien race that could delete their existence from your memories as soon as you looked away. Maybe anything was possible.
Except of course the one thing he wanted. Marriage. So simple. Trivial. He didn't want a huge ceremony of course – pomp and circumstance wasn't Canton's style. Just that piece of paper to seal the deal, so to speak. He wondered if things would be different in the future. Of course they would. In 40 years or so, surely the world would be so much more tolerant. Age, race, belief – none of that would matter. Especially not who you loved. Love is just love. There would be no prejudice.
Maybe not. But still. It would be better.
Canton regarded the Doctor and wondered what it was like from wherever he came from. Was there somewhere back there waiting for him? How many had there been before? Was he even capable of loving?
Stop it man, Canton thought to himself, you're getting too sentimental. God he is gorgeous though. He reached out and straightened the Doctor's slightly wonky bow tie, before realising the expressions on the others faces.
"What?" he said. "What are you staring at?" Fuck - busted, he thought. But he was wrong.
"Look at your hand…" said River.