Here's yet another tiny little fic paying tribute to the amazing Donna Noble.
Disclaimer: I don't own Doctor Who. I just really wish I owned the Master.
"I was gonna be with you... Forever."
"I know."
The funny part, he realizes, is that he never doubted that.
Headstrong Donna Noble, in the TARDIS forever. He never doubted her for a second, even the first time it passed her lips. There had never been a forever before. Not really. Memories, sure, but never a human with him for their entire life.
And honestly, he was afraid of that. He didn't want them with him for the rest of their lives; they would be old, decrepit, and he would have to leave them on Earth when they could no longer travel, with no one to care for them in their final days. He couldn't bear that thought, certainly not with Donna. It just made his hearts ache. Maybe he was just scared. Afraid of seeing them in such a state, when all his memories kept them vibrant and full of life. Seeing them old and arthritic... It hurt. He could never be like that. It was funny, that he would look old when he was young and look young when he was old.
There was a part of him deep down that hoped for forever. On the surface, he almost took it for granted. They always said forever, but with Donna... She didn't just mean it. She wanted to make it happen. She tried so hard to stay forever. He knows she would have rather died than him take away her mind, but he couldn't bear to let her pass. She was far too brilliant; the human race would have missed her.
That was the problem. They always said forever. And he knew the universe had different ideas.