New new new Doctor.
That was the phrase running on repeat through Rose's mind throughout their zeppelin ride into Oslo, where Pete would be waiting for them with the Vitex jet. Rose stole glances at her new new new Doctor out of the corner of her eye, turning away quickly when she saw him doing the same.
He looked the same, sounded the same, smelled the same, felt the same…by all outward appearances, he was the same. And yet he wasn't. He was here, with her, headed to boring old London to live out his human life on the slow path. Her other Doctors would never have done that. Her first Doctor would have scoffed at her, muttering about domestics; her second Doctor would've put on a manic grin and piloted them to a new and amazing planet, using the thrill of adventure to get out of anything hinting at emotional.
And yet, here he was. He must be going bonkers, and with every silent minute that passed, Rose grew more and more worried that he would run as soon as he was able to.
Warm, familiar fingers tentatively touched her hand, and Rose jerked away in surprise. She looked over just as the Doctor hastily looked away, his cheeks stained pink. He shifted awkwardly, angling himself away from her and he clenched his hands into fists on his thigh.
"Sorry," Rose murmured, sliding her hand down the length of his forearm until she got to his wrist. She tugged gently until he loosened his muscles enough to allow her to thread their fingers together. It was so achingly familiar, the sensation his palm against hers, and Rose hadn't realized just how much she'd been craving his touch for the past three and a half years. The Doctor seemed to feel the same, because he tightened his grip, rubbing his thumb against hers.
Something loosened in Rose's chest, and she felt a wave of peace pass over her. She rested her head against his shoulder, content to stay in this moment forever. She knew it wouldn't last, and that as soon as they made it back to London that there would be questions and fears and frustrations, but she pushed all of that away to just breathe him in.
Rose nuzzled closer to his human warmth, smiling happily when she felt his lips press against her hair. They would deal with the future as it came. Together.