Outtake 2 - While The Kids Are Asleep (Outtake for PotNQL Chapter 5: Soldiers)
Despite the surrounding chatter of soldiers in neighbouring tents, Jay fell asleep instantly, and Jenny soon followed. Sleep didn't come to the Time Lords so easily. Aliya wrapped an arm around the Doctor's waist from where she was lying behind him and shamelessly snuggled closer.
"Is he actually asleep?"
"As far as I can tell."
"What do you think of him?"
"I like him."
"Yeah, me too." The Doctor rolled over so that they were facing each other. "He and Jenny have really clicked. It's a shame he wants to go back home - she could use a friend like him."
"It is a shame, but as someone who used to not be able to cope with your lifestyle, I can understand why he just wants to get back to his life."
"But you came around."
Aliya smiled. "Yes, but it took several centuries and regenerations. Jay has neither of those at his disposal."
The Doctor shrugged. "He could still change his mind."
"I suppose we'll see." An odd look crossed her face, one that made the Doctor instantly curious. He brushed a thumb over her cheek.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
A soft, melancholy smile graced her lips. "Oh, it's stupid really, but I was just thinking that Jay's the sort of young man I always liked to think Heta would have become."
He smiled back at her. "I'm sure he would have."
"It's funny because they look nothing alike, but...he gets the same look in his eyes when he's surprised," she said fondly, "I'd all but forgotten, until suddenly it was just there and I realised I'd seen it dozens of times before. It's...nice."
"That's good. I hope that won't mean you'll be too disappointed if he goes home, though."
Aliya shook her head. "I might do better without the constant reminder anyway. Whatever he chooses will be fine. This isn't remotely about me."
"Fair point."
She wordlessly snuggled into him so that her head was tucked under his chin. He let his arms encircle her and they stayed like that for a long time, the silence and embrace comfortable and complimentary.
"We can't sleep like this, you know," he eventually had to say.
"Like what?" She murmured against his Adam's apple.
"All, you know, snuggly. You're meant to be a man, if they barge in and find us like this we'll be in serious trouble."
"Why the hell would we - oh, right, we're in one of those times where anything but heterosexuality was condemned. I will never stop finding that totally bizarre." She paused. "Couldn't I just reveal I'm a woman, and then we'd be fine?"
"I doubt they'd be too happy about that either - best to just leave it."
Aliya sighed heavily as they untangled but remained close. Her thumb was tracing the line of his jaw almost thoughtfully. He shut his eyes to better enjoy the sensation, and about thirty seconds later was rewarded with the gentle press of her lips to his. She also brushed feather light kisses across his cheeks, nose, and eyelids, making him giggle.
"Go to sleep," he told her, with absolutely no conviction.
"Make me," she said, with a grin.
The flirtatious challenge had him rolling his eyes. "No. For all the same reasons that we can't have any...snuggling. If we get caught-"
She kissed him, hard, before he could finish the sentence. Initially he kissed her back, on sheer reflex, but broke off the kiss as soon as his sense returned to him. He gave her a reproachful look and tapped her on the nose.
"Sleep."
"Fine." She gave him a unimpressed look.
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight," she mumbled.
He rolled over and shut his eyes, beginning the tricky process of letting his brain shut down enough to let sleep in. He barely had twenty seconds before the silence was broken.
"This is rubbish."
"What?"
"This whole thing sleeping apart thing. It's shit. I already hate it."
He didn't know whether he was amused, exasperated, or oddly touched. "Aliya, there's not even two feet between us."
"Exactly. Apart. We slept closer than this when you were still married."
"Did we?"
"I don't know, maybe. It was two centuries ago, I forget. You're missing my point. I don't even know if I can sleep like this without sleeping pills."
The Doctor hadn't actually considered that problem. He reached behind him and grabbed her right hand, pulling her arm to sling over his waist so that he could interlock their fingers. It was still a little risky, but wouldn't be immediately obvious to anyone who might peek into their tent.
"How's that?" He asked.
She clasped his hand a little tighter and let out a long breath. "Better. Thanks."
"It's just one sleep."
"I know, I just wish we'd timed our sleeping better so that we weren't tired now, this could have been very easily avoided."
"No point dwelling on it."
"I know, I'm just stalling now."
He gave her hand a squeeze. "It's going to be fine. Now, for the last time, goodnight, and sweet dreams and all of that. Think about...I don't know, pancakes or something."
"Pancakes aren't the solution to everything."
"Says you. I'm surprised you don't have your own secret stash of them for emergencies."
He heard her snort. "I've changed my mind. This is a good arrangement. You're annoying and even this one point of contact is probably too much. I'm going to get infected."
"I can give your hand back if you like-"
"No, no, you have it now, you might as well keep it. Just shut up and let me sleep."
"Let you sleep?!"
"Shhh."
"You're unbelieveable."
No answer came. He made a face of disbelief when he reached out with his mind and found that she was already well on her way to losing consciousness. This woman was going to be the death of him, and by way of sheer frustration. Not that he'd have it any other way.
I wrote this when I was writing the actual chapter, and it's probably the reason this whole outtake fic exists. Also, this conversation just got referenced in Chapter 11 of PotNQL which I've been working on (I work at least two chapters ahead at all times).
Thanks for reading, let me know what you thought!
-MayFairy :)
Guest Review Replies:
WonderfulWhovian - Same, his face was so clear in my mind because it's such an Eleven thing, which made it all the more fun to write. So glad you liked it!