This was meant to become a collection of tiny one-shots – some canon-compliant, others clearly AU. As it turns out, almost all of the currently existing chapters are compliant with my Meta!Nine AU but even if you are unfamiliar with that one feel invited to read. All you have to know is that in my Bright are the Stars 'verse instead of a half-Donna-meta-crisis Ten the ninth Doctor was returned to life at the end of Season 4.

Updates will be random, of various genres and, for the largest part, unconnected to each other (which is why this is marked as complete). Enjoy. :)

Forever

Inspired by: Magic of Love by BrunuhVille

Time Frame: set in my Bright are the Stars universe (Meta!Nine AU)

There is a soft weight on his chest, something warm wrapped about it – like a shield, protecting and holding him, keeping him safe.

It still feels so strange waking from dreams. A bit like walking away from a world that exists only in his mind, that comes to life for just one night – bearing memory and vision alike; past and future painted in the colours of a human heart.

He should have gotten used to them by now, he muses idly, eyes still closed - his senses reaching out tentatively and recognising a universe that is now his home.
But they still are all new to him. As is sleeping more often.

The weight on his chest shifts and he feels soft fingers curl against his skin.

Lemon grass and time – he can smell them and he breathes them in, lets the scent wash over him because he knows it belongs to her.
Outside a brilliant sun rises together with uncounted stars, gives birth to a new dawn and he cannot help but embrace it.

Pale blue glistens in the light as finally he gazes down at her: at honey blonde hair and dark hazel that is watching him.

"Morning." It's a sound so gentle it almost drowns in the peaceful silence around. Her lips part and she smiles, bright as the moon, her golden timeline flaring as she moves her left hand to seek its waiting counterpart.

Needing no command or conscious thought he laces his fingers through hers, thinks he should answer with words but before he can say anything his neck already bends and he kisses the crown of her head in silent response.

There is no language either of them speaks that could tell her of what he holds within but she understands – always has in fact. Scooting upwards so that her face is nestled against his, she sighs contentedly and it is in this perfect moment that he ceases to run.

Eternity has little meaning in a human life and yet he has never been as close to truly believing in the concept as he is now.

With her in his arms it seems just within his reach and at last he can let go of all that he was, leave the darkness behind and become who she has seen him to be since the day they first met.

Beneath the sky eager birds are chasing the wind and he knows right there and then that she has always been right; that a single heart isn't quite so bad if it beats in tune with that of someone else.

His own is following hers, steadily, glows in her wake for as long as this universe will allow. And lying next to her he hopes that means forever.