Just me (again) trying to translate my old fics to English (isn't my first language), so let me know if something doesn't work (:
This was a morning like any other. And that included the delicious breakfast and the sound of male voices in a light "discussion" at the table. It was always the same thing, day by day.
─ It's obviously that I would be popular! ─ Her grandfather's voice stood out.
─ Well, I doubt it, sir... ─ replied the shorter man with a cynical tone in his voice.
Bill, who was watching everything from a safe distance, couldn't help laughing. She was already used to this type of provocation. She lived with her grandfather, whom everyone affectionately called "the Doctor", in honor of his time as a university professor. After leaving the classrooms, he started to repair old cars, creating a workshop in the family garage ─ which he called "TARDIS". To help him, he hired Nardole, a short little man who came from a distant city. Due to her good heart, her grandfather decided to open the doors of his house and welcomed him so that he moved in with them permanently. This characteristic made Bill play with his grandfather saying that he had "two hearts", alluding to the fact that he was too kind to have just one.
And, well, Bill was an ordinary young woman being a college student who spent the entire day at the university campus. She could only eat breakfast and dinner at home and always had fun when Nardole teased her grandfather, because that was the kind of teasing the old man tried to answer. It made her shiver, remembering the times when he tried to bond with his friends, which usually didn't end well.
She shook her head to try to hide her laughter, said goodbye to Nardole, hugged her grandfather and went to class. That was the perfect cue for Nardole to go to the city to buy parts he needed to do his work, which meant that the Doctor would be alone for a few hours. The gray-haired man thought for a few minutes about what he could do and then went to the garage carrying a camera and some small objects.
He carefully positioned the camera, seeking the perfect angle in the makeshift setting, puting a chair in, but soon gave up on the idea ─ "very childish", he thought to himself. There were no more touches to be made. He took a deep breath. Once, twice, three times. He was nervous, of course he was, but he wouldn't let Nardole laugh last. After all, everyone does that today, right?
─ Hello guys, ─ he started shyly. ─ I'm the Doctor and today I'm going to have a chat with you. Damn it...!
He interrupted himself and paused the recording. He leaned against the wall as he ruffled his gray hair with his hands. It's not like he's never been in front of a camera. In fact, in his college days, he had a band that managed to get a lot of attention on Glasgow's underground scene. He had already been on camera once, knewing how these things worked. And yet, he could not find the reason for his distress. For a moment, he thought about the possibilities of the video going wrong and that was not good. First, because Nardole would disturb him about this for a long time. And, well, he would still have to deal with Bill's reactions. He didn't want to disappoint her, even though she didn't like the idea.
He buried his head in his hands and only then realized that he had everything to work.
With a smile from ear to ear, he ran through the makeshift studio to bring her longtime companion ─ an old black guitar, whom he affectionately called Clara. With the camera repositioned, guitar in hand and his sunglasses, he started a new recording.
─ Hey, hello! ─ He gave a slight wave with his right hand and smiled ─ Welcome to the TARDIS! I am the Doctor and, for a long time, I taught about life's biggest questions. But today, I'm here to teach you how to play the greatest classics on the guitar.
Saying that, he played a few chords and felt more confident, more loose.
From a distance, Nardole was watching everything. He would never admit it out loud, of course, but he had a huge admiration for the Doctor. For him, the Doctor was like a kind of mentor, he was someone who welcomed him in a difficult moment and supported him. Still, the little man never stopped making small jokes to provoke the older man. This was just one more of them and he never imagined that the Doctor would take it so seriously. He was quiet, just watching one more talented side of that man that he admired so much.
The video lasted about half an hour. The Doctor had done some puns, taught some "tricks" and did some solos with his Clara, all while playing "Starman", by David Bowie. Without understanding much about editing, he just released the content on an internet platform.
Now just wait.
Bill was in college studying all day. It was starting to get dark when one of her friends, very eager, showed her the cell phone.
─ Yes, I already saw, there is a video there ─ she said, trying to free herself from the phone screen.
─ No, Bill, look it right! ─ The boy insisted again and she looked more closely.
Her mouth fell open, stunned, unable to say a word.
There was the garage of his house, that blue was unmistakable, and standing in the center was his grandfather. He was wearing his usual clothes, those sunglasses and guitar in tow, just like a retired rockstar. She hadn't even been able to think of anything to say yet, as the video was rolling and her friends were also surprised ─ although in a different way.
─ Bill, your grandfather is amazing! ─ Heather exclaimed - And he is a celebrity, see it!
Despite being posted just over two hours ago, the video had a huge reach, with dozens of comments and likes ─ most praising and asking for more videos. Bill was unable to distract himself and she end up going home shortly after.
Upon arriving there, he found his grandfather and Nardole arguing on the couch, while eating cookies and ignoring the television.
They didn't even realize she was there.
─ I'm sorry, sir, but I was right ─ Nardole boasted. ─ You have no way with young people anymore.
─ You don't know what you're talking about, ─ said the taller man, his tone sound indignant. ─ I am youth in person!
They would have continued, had it not been for the sound of Bill's backpack when it fell to the floor. The two men looked at her, concerned, but she started to speak before they started.
─ You are a success ─ the two men looked at each other, understanding nothing, and she continued. ─ Look, I don't know how it happened, but it happened. Just look.
She took out her cell phone and showed the page where the video was. There were dozens of comments, likes and many views.
─ When I left my class, my friends showed me the video ─ she said. ─ I don't know how, but the video spread and my friends recognized you. And now there are people from different parts of the country asking for more videos.
The Doctor laughed triumphantly, and his granddaughter continued:
─ I hate to say that, but you lost this time, Nardole.
The Doctor boasted for it for the rest of the night.
Even though she didn't want to admit it at first, Bill liked to see when his grandfather was engaged in something. He had that different look in his eyes and then she knew he was happy. Her fear of him being disappointed dissipated and she felt proud to have such an incredible grandfather.
Well, not everything is perfect.
After the success of the first video, the Doctor started recording other videos, even posting two a week. From guitar lessons, he moved on to Physics, History or any other subject that was of interest to him as a young man. His popularity grew even more, especially when he created an account on a social network to post photos taking by himself. He divided his time between the workshop and the videos, but he didn't care, as he had shown Nardole that his white hair had not affected his inner youth at all. For the first time in many years, he was receiving affection from others besides his granddaughter and his troubled apprentice; and that was what he missed in his teaching days, he missed the affection of the students, the dialogue with them. He was finally back on active duty. And that was what made it all worthwhile.