A/N: Written for the TimePetals 100 Weekly Theme over on Tumblr. This week's prompt was "irregular orbit."
. . .
Irregular Orbit
When Rose wakes up, the sheets are cold. If she gets up now, she'll find the Doctor in the kitchen, whisking eggs or flipping pancakes. He'll knock on her door, firmly closed against anything that could disturb her too-human sleep cycle, softly call her name.
This is how it goes.
There will be the obligatory brush of his fingers when she asks for the jam, his hand on her shoulder as she puts away dishes, to keep her from backing up into him.
Closer and closer he comes with each passing day. Hugs and handholds, kisses and caresses, incrementally forwards and back, till he is close enough to touch. More than touch. An instant that sets the flickering spark between them alight, burning bright as the sun before he recoils, burnt, retreating into the dark, starting the cycle again.
When Rose wakes up, the sheets will be cold.