Just Different
Spoilers: None,
really. Just that 10 exists.
Rating: K
Summary: It happens
at the oddest times (it always takes you by surprise). 10 and Rose,
with 9Rose undertones.
Disclaimer: I want
to own them. Does that count for anything?
Author's note: We
just got TCI and New Earth in the States, and I was inspired…even
though I still mourn the loss of CE and 9. This is a new style for me, so tell me what you think. And Happy Birthday, Danielle!
It happens at the oddest times (it always takes you by surprise). This time, it's when he's making tea and he turns to look at you, giving you a grin and then turning back. Your eyes travel from the grin (not wide enough) to his ears (not big enough) to his nose (too thin) to his eyes (not ice blue, not intense). Good different or bad different? he'd asked you and you couldn't reply (honestly) anything other than just different. He's your Doctor (and not your Doctor); he wears a jacket (but it's long enough for you both to lie on, side-by-side), he knows how you take your tea (but he uses a different mug for his own), he tells you stories of his past (but you don't have to ask for them), he says fantastic (but his accent isn't Northern). Most of the time, you find the differences okay, but sometimes—sometimes, you look at him and wonder what it would be like if your (blue-eyed) Doctor had been there instead.
Your hand still feels odd in his (even after a week) though it does fit; it fits in a different way you're not entirely used to (you aren't sure you'll ever be). He takes it most of the right times, but the times he takes it when you're not expecting it make your breath catch (you're not sure what that means). And the times he doesn't take your hand when you are expecting it makes you feel lost and lonely (like you're missing some essential part of yourself). You catch yourself staring at his hands sometimes (like they hold the secret to who he really is).
Why didn't you tell me? you ask him one day, and his serious expression seems out of place (you feel guilty for putting it there). He doesn't exactly have an answer, stuttering through his words. Mostly, it seems like he's trying to decide which pronoun to use (probably because he's trying to make it easier for you). He decides on 'he,' but you don't care. You just want an answer, some way to help deal with how you're feeling (betrayed) even after all this time. He finally looks you in the eyes and says (with raw honesty that leaves you breathless), He thought if he didn't tell you, it wouldn't happen. You wait until he's out of the room to start crying (you loved him).