Interlude 5. Christmas special

Okay, this interlude was totally unplanned, but I have less than 1000 words written down of the next chapter, and I was freaking out when Aida, one friend of mine (thank Aida, when she makes synapses, they're worth it) said: 'Hey, why don't you yolo and write a Christmas drabble special?'.

This is me, yolo-ing it.

Well, next chapter's going to come out next year, so I take now the opportunity to wish all of you a merry Christmas and a really happy new year, and I hope we stick together in the year to come.

I'm getting sappy. Let's go to the story!

Snowflakes fell slowly from the dark sky, dancing with the cold wind before reaching the snow-covered floor and resting there, forming part of a breath-taking view. There was white everywhere Rose looked, composing what she thought was the impersonation of winter itself.

Spruces wore golden and silver orbs, and tiny lights twinkled from between their leafs, illuminating the path. She exhaled amazed, and she could see her own breath.

"Do you like it?" the Doctor mumbled right behind her, taking her out of her stupor. She turned around and tilted her face to meet his eyes that were carefully looking at her, watching her every movement with intensity.

"I love it." she placed her hands on his chest, and she could feel the soft beating of his hearts on her fingertips. She cocked her head when he didn't immediately start rambling about where they were, choosing to stay silent.

She raised a hand to his face and placed on his cheek, concerned "Are you okay?" he closed his eyes and rested his head on her palm. His lips moved, but she couldn't make sense of what he was saying. However, before she could ask, he repeated it louder.

"For a moment… when I noticed that Cassandra had possessed you, for a moment I thought I had lost you. And I was afraid it was true. I know everything turned out well, and I-I've tried to leave it behind, I've really tried. But I can't. Not yet."

He rose his head and rested his forehead in hers, and circled his arms in hers to feel her, to reassure himself he was still with him.

"I'm still here, you know?" and yet again, she managed to guess what he needed to hear most, something that didn't ever cease to amaze him

"But for how long?" he clenched his fists against her back "Rose, my life is really dangerous; I've already put you in so many dangerous situations, and sometimes I don't even know how we've managed to escape relatively unharmed.

Yeah, you're still here, but for how long? How long is it going to take before you aren't able to come back to me? Before you don't want to come back to me?"

"Doctor." She called him, but he didn't move "Doctor, look at me." When he opened his eyes, she looked at him seriously "Listen to me. I know the extra baggage that comes with you, I knew when I grabbed your hand, and I still know. Don't ever fault yourself for everything that happens to me because it's not your fault. It never was, it never will be."

"Rose-."

"No." she interrupted him softly "It's my time to speak now. I don't care what may be in our way, but be sure I'll make whatever is in my power to return to you." she then smiled mischievously "I've already done it, don't I?"

He tightened his grip on her and buried his head on her shoulder. She encircled his neck and began stroking delicately his nape in circular patterns, knowing that he needed the reassurance but wouldn't admit it.

"I have lost so many people… And I'm tired of being alone, Rose. So many people have told me they'll travel with me forever, but they end up leaving in the end. Or worse, they end up trapped or dead."

"You're not alone. You have the TARDIS, and you have me now. You found me, and I'm not gonna leave you, no matter what. Let them try to separate us; we just have to show them that they really can't."

He held her for far longer that was acceptable for two friends, but he didn't care at the moment. It wasn't as if they were simple friends anymore, were they? He was too afraid to put a name to the warmth he felt inside him, or the fact that her words were enough to soothe the emptiness in his mind. But now? He just needed to feel her against him.

Before he got lost in his thoughts of her, he broke the hug and took one step back, grabbing one of her hands in the process. If she was startled, she didn't voice it; and for the glint in her eyes, he could bet his next regeneration she found his outburst amusing.

"Well, Rose Tyler, do you want me to tell you about the planet or not?" he mocked irritation

"Don't let me stop you." she grinned with her inimitable smile

"This is the planet Chr-Isma's-"

"Christmas?"

"Chr-Isma's. And I was the rude one." He commented with a raised eyebrow "Anyway, this planet was discovered by a British colony on Christmas eve, and noting the scenery, they decided to name it accordingly. Moreover, in this planet it snows all the 693 days that lasts its rotation around its star, and the decorations from the trees are natural, so I suppose it fits."

"So you've taken me to another Christmas so soon? How domestic."

He looked at her horrified "No. Just don't." she began to laugh "Stop it. No."

When she calmed down, she tugged his hand and walked the snowy path, making him follow her "Let's go for a walk, then. This place is too beautiful to stand still."

"Quite right too." He let himself relax and followed her

The couple followed the natural path made by the trees, their chatter the only thing that disturbed the calm of the night. One pair of eyes looked at them from the distance, a sad smile on the stranger's face. The person didn't make himself noticed, it wasn't his place, nor the time.

Looking at them until they were out of his sight, the dark figure turned around and left, leaving the snowy planet undisturbed.

I don't know what happened. As I would say in my mother language, 'yokse tete' (don't use this expression, it's not proper Spanish. People will look at you badly if you do). Well, I suppose I needed fluff. I apologize if someone gets diabetes for this.