Ch. 4: A Night To Remember
A lavender light flowed in from outside. There were two moons shining brilliantly in the sky with a million stars twinkling in the distance. The Doctor had set us down on a hillside which enabled a perfect view of the two towers in the distance. It was more than my imagination could have ever envisioned.
The towers were crafted from a polished stone, stretching upwards from the highest peak on the planet. At the summit of the great structures, each had a pointed roof with pillars to hold it in place.Mist clouded their bases, but every now and again as it shifted, one could see a wall encircling the two towers.
"It's beautiful, Sweetie." I breathed, drinking in every detail.
The Doctor caressed my back with his warm hand, fending off the chill in the night air. "Any minute now they'll begin to sing. They play out an ancient hymn whose lyrics have unfortunately been lost throughout the millennia. It's been quite some time since we learned of the Darillians at the Academy." he trailed off nostalgically.
"You learned about them on Gallifrey?" I questioned naïvely.
"Yes, I'm not that old dear." he chided teasingly.
I chuckled with him, wrapping an arm around his waist as we stood and gazed out towards the towers.
And then they began. Magically, their melody echoed out, hauntingly engulfing the planet. Neither forcefully nor passively, the notes drifted out to our ears. We were the only audience, yet it seemed as if the towers were performing for a million lost souls.
The towers would continue to sing all night through, but after some time, I noticed a change in my Timelord's demeanor. As I glanced to my left, I could see the shimmer of a tear upon his cheek in the moonlight.
"Doctor?" I questioned with concern.
His hand quickly raised to his face rubbing the salt trail away so I would not see.
"Hey," I continued softly. "what's the matter?"
He blinked trying to erase those that had yet to fall. "N-nothing, dear." he lied with a sniffle.
"Rule number one." I countered. "Please tell me."
"I can't Rivah." he stated painfully.
I knew him well enough to tell that this time he was sincere. There was something I wasn't supposed to know; not yet anyway.
I let the matter go, but not without trying to comfort his apparent sorrow.
I turned my back to the towers, standing in front of the Doctor and cupping his face in my hands. He smiled at me, his eyes spoke silently that he loved me. "I love you too." I whispered, placing a kiss upon his lips.
He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me in for a hug. He pressed into my neck, breathing gently which sent a shiver down my spine. Next he nestled a kiss into the bit of skin where neck and shoulder met. I pressed my nose to his cheek while delivering a lingering kiss to the side of his face.
We just stood there for a moment, tangled up in one another's comforting embrace.
Then the Doctor tilted his face back, so as to look straight into my eyes. He spoke not a word, but his expression said it all. He needed me and I needed him. His arms fell to my side, scooping up my hands with his own. He squeezed them gently before stepping back and guiding us towards the blue box on the hill.
He led me past the console, up the stairs and to a familiar door.
He reached for the door knob, but I quickly batted his hand away. "Ah, ah, ah." I scolded. "Allow me, Doctor."
He smirked at my characteristic actions. It was not a moment later before we stumbled into the room. He bent his chin down towards me, resting his forehead on mine. Electricity pulsed between us. I kissed him then, nibbling at his lower lip, while my tongue begged for entrance. He responded in kind, tangling his flexible muscle with mine.
The Doctor's hand slipped into my golden curls. I'm glad I had taken the time to comb them out earlier. I just knew he liked my hair best that way.
Our hands explored one another as we took turns removing each other's clothing. I loosened his bow tie and undid the buttons of his white shirt as he found the zipper between my shoulders. He pushed the straps delicately down my arms while I aided in peeling the shirt from his back.
I made fast work of the rest of his clothing, eager to run my fingers over his milky flesh. Those birthmarks too are wonderful. Lost dark spots in a sea of white. So vulnerable and so delicious. I suckled at the two hovering near the base of his neck. The Doctor moaned lightly as he always did. He fidgets with my bra clasp as I continued at his freckles. I merely thumb over the one which lingers near to his navel. I'd have to get that one later.
The Doctor was more cautious than me, as always; peeling off the layers delicately as if savoring the moment. I didn't mind however. In a way it made me feel special and important. Silly, I know, but I truly do cherish moments like these.
I aid him along, shimmying out of my knickers and flipping them aside with my toes. Finally, there were no more barriers between us.
He takes me in his arms and we fall onto the mattress. I hardly leave him time to breathe, taking charge over the heavy snogging. I run my fingers roughly through his fringe, digging into the brown mass and pulling him as physically close to me as I can. He does not refuse as he matches my pace.
I'm ready now, and I know he is too. But just as I was about to straddle him proper, he stopped me. "Sweetie, what are you doing?" I said, or maybe I huffed it out between gasps. He didn't answer though, and instead he only gripped my shoulders and raised himself up. Curving an arm around the small of my back he shifted us around, guiding me down to the bed instead.
Something took over him then. Reaching out from the inner depths of his soul. Something primal. Needy. Passionate. He pinned my wrists to the bed as he lingered over top of me. The black orbs of his pupils hovered within green irises as he stared at me with awe; worry almost. Then he bent his head, kissing me hungrily as I lay helpless to his desires below. We were a married couple and thus no strangers to the act, but tonight was different. I was usually the aggressor and he a bit clumsy and awkward. Tonight however, he moved with skill and ease as if he wished to make this moment count.
His desires were also my own. And so, I met his passion, shifting my hand as to interlock our fingers.
The Doctor generated a rhythm which could have moved a thousand galaxies. It was so desperate and desiring yet, at the same time, gentle and compassionate. Who knew that he was so incredibly skilled? Why hadn't I let him take charge like this before?
A million nerves exploded within me. I could feel the chemicals being released and course through my vessels. And when they reached their destination, the pleasure was only made a thousand times greater. This went on for what seemed like an eternity at the time, and I had been in no hurry to rush it along. My legs stretched while my toes curled and my fingers dug into the shoulders of my Timelord lover.
He braced himself above me, beads of sweat forming upon his brow. His eyes never left mine. Perhaps he searched for approval within them, or maybe he simply wished for this moment to become ingrained within his mind. I know I certainly wanted it seared into my memory!
I was close and so was he, although he tried his very best to hold on, ensuring my needs were met first. I could feel the onset. I was starting to see white. The Doctor drove forwards once more and that was it. His name rang throughout the TARDIS on the notes of my voice, while he whispered "Rivah" into my ear. He released not a moment after and collapsed onto his side next to me.
My body was still shaking and numb. Endorphins rushed through me making every inch tingle with pleasure.
"Yowzah." I breathed, turning my head to face him.
He grinned at me, taking in the smile upon my face.
"Was that alright?" he questioned shyly.
"Alright? Sweetie, that was amazing!" He smiled then and engulfed me in his arms. I cuddled in closer, twisting our legs together and resting my head upon his chest.
Laying there, everything was silent. But then we could hear a distant melody. It was the towers. Not yet dawn, they still mournfully sang out to their people. It was a chilling experience.
We lay there for a while longer before I shifted and rose out of bed. The Doctor looked at me with fearful eyes. "Come on, love" I said, wrapping a robe around my naked body. "We have time to catch the last of it before dawn." What was with him? Every time I moved he looked as though he'd seen a ghost. He followed me though, slipping on his trousers and dress shirt.
The sun was peeking out from behind the towers, turning the lavender of night into a cascade of orange light.
I rubbed at my folded arms, staving off the morning chill. The Doctor arrived behind me just as the last few notes of the ancient song were being sung. The frosty white of our breaths mingled as we exhaled into the morning air.
I reached down a hand, finding his dangling by my side. Gripping it, I interlaced our fingers. He squeezed back just as the song ended. The melody echoed for a moment longer, seemingly searching for a proper goodbye.
"Come on, River." he spoke, turning back towards the TARDIS. I could tell from the hoarseness of his voice that he was teary again.
I joined him in the TARDIS, taking a seat upon one of the leathery chairs. He busied himself with the console's controls. "What's wrong, Sweetie?" I asked, crossing my legs.
He looked startled by the question. "Oh, you know me, dear. Just a sentimental idiot." he waved his hand seemingly try to shoo away the subject.
"It's not goodbye you know. And it never will be either. Not until you say so. You hate goodbyes." I said honesty.
"I guess you're right." he admitted.
I smiled at him and got up, coming over to his side where I placed my head upon his shoulder.
"I have you something." he added.
I lit up then. "For me?" I questioned, fluttering my eyelids.
"Mmhmm." he confirmed bopping me on the nose like he's done so many times before.
He pushed a button on the console and out rose a sonic screwdriver. It was grey and looked nothing like his current one. But nonetheless, it was a version of the Doctor's ultimate tool.
"A sonic?!" I said with excitement and surprise.
"Yeah, well, it's a bit of an updated trial version, but I think it works just fine."
I snatched up the device in my hands and examined its shape. I ran a finger over its length, turning it in the other hand to inspect the craftsmanship. It had a bulb-like light on the top and tapered off as it reached the end.
"Does it do wood?" I joked.
He chuckled back in the negative.
"That's alright," I replied. "It's wonderful, Sweetie. Thank you. But why exactly?"
"Just in case, dear." he replied quietly. I did often get myself into trouble, and I suppose this was the Doctor's way of weaning me off of my pistol.
Satisfied, I pecked him on the cheek.
"Come Sweetie, let's go and get dressed. Can't return me to the university like this, now can you." I flipped open the robe enough to give him a view of my bare flesh underneath. "People may talk."
He purred with arousal.
We dressed properly in the privacy of the bedroom. I re-dawned my 52nd century clothing and folded the dress; I was going to keep this one for myself. Too many memories to have it sit in the TARDIS' wardrobe. The Doctor changed back into his tweed and suspenders combination and fidgeted impatiently with the folds of his bow-tie. I stepped in to aid him, slowly reaching to his neck, smoothing the fabric beneath his shirt collar and expertly tying it into a neat bow. I lingered at the final step, looking at him with loving eyes. This had been the most wonderful time we have ever shared made even more special by the fact that our timelines had finally caught up with one another.
There was a gentle thud, as I reckoned we had landed at the University.
I stepped out of the blue box. Everything was the same, in fact I think it was mere minutes after the time we had left. His accuracy was improving. I set my things down on my desk and turned around to see the Doctor leaning against the TARDIS door.
He swallowed thickly as he studied me.
"Thank you, Sweetie." I said gently. He smiled at my content. "Looks like I have some records to update; smooth out some of details that the experts have gotten wrong." I winked, hoping to diffuse his somber mood. I could tell that he needed to leave, just as he always did; but something was urging him to stay.
"I-I need to –" he stammered.
"- I know." I finished. I walked back over to him and placed a hand on his cheek. He leaned towards it, embracing my touch. I stood on tiptoe and placed a soft kiss upon his lips. "Goodbye, Sweetie."
He blinked hard and then we broke apart. His hand brushed over mine as he retreated back into the TARDIS. Whatever spoilers he was concealing must be very impactful. I have never seen him look so grim.
There was a whir, followed by the familiar wheezing of the blue box. And just like that he vanished. A few papers rustled on my desk but then stilled. I sat down behind them and now I am writing this. I need every detail to be explicit. I never want to forget – though I doubt that I ever will. My night with the Doctor; my night at Darillium.
The Doctor looked up as his eyes scanned the final words. His cheeks glistened from the salt water trails his tears had carved. His face was grief stricken; his gaze hollow. The diary trembled in his hands. Then something caught his attention. Sticking to the back cover was another page. Hastily he flipped it over.
