Under the Mountain
By Holdur
Prompt: Tomorrow
Notes: There is a companion piece to this coming later, but I have separated them because they were conceived and written separately and I want them to stand on their own if they need to.
It doesn't matter that they are trapped under crushing rock. That's a lie. It matters, but he tells himself it doesn't because he knows that what he believes is true. There is always another way out. There is always a choice. Mind over body. Words over guns.
It doesn't matter that they are trapped under crushing rock because there is enough space for three bodies to sit, enough heat to keep them warm and enough air for them to live. The crew of the dig must know they're missing by now. They'll be found by morning. He says the words aloud to try and calm because he knows Rose is afraid, because he can feel Jack shaking.
When the earth fell around them they screamed and he stood helpless. Nature is not time; it has no lord. Maybe it did, once. Maybe the Earthlords ended before he knew them. So many species do. He guides his companions to the ground, to conserve energy, to sleep. Dust settles on their hair and in their mouths. It doesn't matter; they'll be rescued by morning.
Under the crushing rock and the weight of the mountain, he holds his friends close. One arm wraps around Rose, pulling her into his side. She rests her head on his shoulder and he can hear her breath, fluttery with barely suppressed fear. Jack drapes one of his long arms around both of them and they wait for morning and for freedom and for light.
When Jack and Rose won't settle, he brushes his mind lightly against theirs and sends them into sleep like stones into water. Rose's head feels heavy on his arm; Jack twitches by his side and makes small noises in his dreams. He slows down his hearts, breathes slower. They need to conserve the air. They have a day, at least, but that doesn't matter because they won't need more. They'll be rescued in the morning.
It doesn't matter that they are trapped under crushing rock because his friends depend on him and he is awake to protect them and the TARDIS is waiting for them and the morning will see them safe. Tomorrow.
They'll be rescued tomorrow.