Perks

Not mine.

Spoilers for TATM, Sweetie.

The crackle of electricity greeted him as he stepped out into the drizzling rain and bone chilling cold. He smiled sadly as she appeared before him, all hair, beauty, wisdom, but today without the sass. He hadn't known exactly when she'd arrive, or where from, but he'd expected her. They'd agreed long ago they'd each come when they were ready. She walked straight into his arms without her usual greeting and held on.

His shoulders dropped as he relaxed into her and kissed her neck gently, exhaling through this nose and murmuring her name. He rubbed her back soothingly and as she pulled back he dropped a kiss on her nose. She smiled sadly up at him, her eyes pained but determined. He kept his arms wrapped loosely around her waist, drawing strength from her presence.

"Okay." She whispered, taking a deep, stabilizing breath, the closing her eyes and pressing her forehead to his.

"Okay." He answered, tightening his grip on her waist, her eyes opening in response.

They breathed together, gazes meeting before a chaste kiss and a purposeful step back.

"This feels strange, wrong even, on this side of it," she said glancing at the Blue Box parked to her left.

"Hmm," he hummed sadly in response before taking her hand, kissing it and holding it tightly against his chest in both of his. "We have to do this, we both know that. And we know we're useless to each other, both trying to be strong for the other."

She closed her eyes again and sighed deeply. "I know. I guess this is one of the perks of our relationship. Always a stronger one somewhere."

He smiled slightly, "Not one of the more fun perks though," kissing her hand a second time. She huffed a short amused laugh in response before sighing again and stepping back, twisting her hand between his and stroking his thumb. She let him pull her back for another quick kiss.

"Okay. So I'll take him and you'll take her out?"

"Well, unless you want to create huge paradoxes by comforting your younger self..." Smiling and pushing him away, she smoothed the material on her skirt.

"Shall we then?" She said holding her hand out. "We shall." He grabbed it tightly and followed her into the Blue Box with the damaged paintwork outside and the world of pain inside.