Lying down on the surprisingly warm floor of the console room of the TARDIS, Ashildr stared blankly at the high ceiling, her eyes were glossed over as she moaned in discomfort. She felt sick to her stomach and she knew that she had made a rather large regret.
Hearing soft footsteps getting closer and closer, she knew they were heading towards her and Ashildr closed her eyes and groaned, covering her eyes with her forearm. Hearing the footsteps stop, she opened her eyes and looked up to see Clara standing over her with a look of amusement on her very cute face.
"Yes, I know what you're about to say and I feel like crap," Ashildr complained, holding her stomach as it gurgled in protest.
"My love, I did warn you that even as an immortal you would still be prone to a sugar crash after almost eating your weight in candy at the candy factory," Clara tutted as she sat down on the floor next to Ashildr.
"It's not my fault that the candy was so delicious. They should have had warning signs up for visitors stating to be aware that the candy they produced contains twice as much sugar than normal," Ashildr replied, moving so her head was in Clara's lap.
Absentmindedly playing with Ashildr's hair, Clara took a moment to relax and take a deep breath in, exhaling slowly as she felt the soft strands of brown hair between her fingers.
Feeling the TARDIS strongly shake for a moment before hearing the console beep rapidly at them, they both jumped up and ran over to the controls. Ashildr stood holding onto a support bar with her free hand over her stomach as she tried seeing what was going on.
"If I'm reading this correctly, which I think I am, we are trapped in the atmosphere of a very hostile looking planet," Ashildr said, feeling the TARDIS shake again as her stomach protested at the movement.
"We always seem to be the ones this happens to. I wonder if this is how the Doctor feels whenever her TARDIS takes her on a new adventure," Clara replied, checking the screen to see what the planet was like down below.
Looking at the image on the screen, the planet looked like a barren wasteland with the remnants of buildings destroyed long ago, stone and rubble spread throughout. There was no life to be seen as the dark sky rumbled with thunder and flashes of lightning boomed in the sky, illuminating the particles of dust and debris.
"I'm scanning the atmosphere and even though it looks like a hellhole down there, the air is surprisingly breathable, just, or at least enough for us immortals of sorts," Ashildr replied, going over the readings in front of her.
"I'm voting we don't go and explore the surface, the toxins in it could still damage your lungs enough for you to be in quite a bit of pain until they repair themselves and I don't want you to be in pain, not even with the sugar crash pain you're currently feeling. I like you in one healthy piece. I suggest that once we get out of this atmospheric storm we just chill. I wouldn't mind taking a few days to relax and finish the book I started weeks ago," Clara said, feeling like they both needed to take a break.
"You make a very fair and valid point, and we would have absolutely no idea what it would do to you internally either. I have a book I need to finish reading too and a few diary entries I have been putting off. We could sit by the fire and finish our books and enjoy each other's company unless you're sick of me by now," Ashildr said, giving Clara options.
"I don't think I could ever get sick of you, you're pretty damn amazing, and really cute," Clara replied, pulling Ashildr into a side hug and pressing a warm kiss to her temple.
"You're not wrong," Ashildr smirked, starting to feel a little better. "I know of something we can do to pass the time if you're up for lying down."
"I'm interested... but I'm not sure what you mean," Clara replied, raising an eyebrow as Ashildr didn't go into an explanation.
"It's something that I think you will like once you give it a chance. I was sceptical at first too but now..." Trailing off from her sentence, Ashildr went over to one of the hatches near the centre console and opened it, pulling out a large rolled up mat. Looking to Clara, Ashildr could see the look of scepticism on her face.
"What's that?" Clara questioned, wondering why she hadn't noticed it before today and why it reminded her of the many many times she tried to get out of doing sports related activities at school.
"One day while I was in here going over the TARDIS's manual the hatched popped open and she beeped at me until I took it out and used it. It's a really soft mattress. Once opened it expands and it's so comfortable, it's kind of like Time Lord memory foam," Ashildr replied as she took the straps off the mattress and rolled it out allowing it to expand.
Checking it every few minutes to make sure it was fully expanded; when she was pleased with it Ashildr kicked off her shoes and laid down on it, relaxing into the softness of the mattress. Patting the spot next to her, she looked at Clara. "Come join me while we wait this storm out."
Letting out sigh, Clara followed Ashildr and took her boots off and got onto the mattress and laid down. "Okay, this is more comfortable than it looks," Clara said, rolling onto her side and propping her head up on her hand as she looked at Ashildr.
"Can I ask you a question?" Ashildr softly asked, looking up at the ceiling and not at Clara.
"Of course," Clara replied, moving closer to Ashildr.
"Do you ever wish you were still travelling the universe with the Doctor?" Ashildr replied, feeling insecure any time Clara mentioned the Gallifreyan.
"To be honest, now that I've had a few years to look back and reflect on my time with him, I don't wish I was back. Travelling the universe with you has been the best decision I ever made. I've gotten to know you, like really know you, and I've fallen in love with you. You are amazing and I cherish our time together so much. And our adventures mean more to me as we make memories together and experience new things at the same time." Repositioning herself, Clara smiled at Ashildr and gently caressed the side of her face. "I love you."
"I love you too," Ashildr replied, pulling Clara on top of her and softly kissing her.
"Do you like travelling with me?" Clara asked, raising her eyebrow.
"I do, I've lived a long life and from what I can remember of it, being with you has been the best part of my life. Like that time we went on a date to the Viridian Waters, it meant so much to me and thinking of it today still makes me feel giddy and warm inside. I've never felt the way I feel for you about anyone else and it's one of the best feelings ever," Ashildr replied, looking into Clara's beautiful big brown eyes.
"I did really love that date, it was beautiful," Clara replied, wishing they could go back one day.
"Is it wrong that I sometimes wonder what the Doctor is doing?" Ashildr asked, barely above a whisper.
"It's not wrong, I sometimes wonder too. When we saw them a few weeks back on the space station and we had a quick talk to Yaz while on the shuttle, I could tell she's in love with the Doctor and knowing that makes me feel better as Yaz will probably steer her away from doing stupid stuff, I hope," Clara replied, thankful for that small interaction.
"The only thing I didn't realise was that the Doctor could change gender. She's a lot easier to get on with now," Ashildr added, noticing Clara nod in agreement.
Feeling the TARDIS start to rapidly shake, they quickly got up off the mattress and went over to the console. Pressing a few buttons and pulling the lever, Ashildr pointed to the screen and turned it so Clara could see what was on it. "It looks like the TARDIS is sending us on an adventure."
Watching as the screen showed them the time vortex, Clara wrapped an arm around Ashildr's waist and pressed a kiss to her temple. "With you every day is an adventure we can do together."