A/N: hello hello! Hope you're all well! Here is my second and final chapter for this story. A little angsty, but packed with fluff nonetheless!

Enjoy!

Clara slowly started coming to her senses. She felt her world move... rocking slowly as the Doctor picked her up. She hummed as she nuzzled closer to his chest, closer to those 2 hearts which she lived for. The time lord tensed up for a bit, thinking he had woken her up, before relaxing again when she drifted back to sleep (or so he thought). He laid her back on the sofa, looking over her as he tucked the soft blanket around her. His palm grazed over her forehead before planting a kiss. As soon as she heard his footsteps walking away from the sofa, she turned to her side, groaning in disapproval whilst her hand reached out to him. The time lord was quickly by her side, sitting on the sofa and smoothing her hair. "I'm here. I'm here." He sighed. "I have some work to do. You should sleep, Clara."

.

She mumbled inaudibly. He wrapped his thin, rough fingers around her hand, before pressing his lips to her knuckles. He wished upon hope he could add to that gesture... His beautiful beautiful Clara. But he was too scared... Too scared to confess. "I wish I could stay a little longer. I wish I could stay here forever." He said, before silence fell over them. The Doctor continued to sift his finger through her hair, waiting for her to sleep so he could do some maintenance work on his time machine. She had gone through a pretty rough patch these last few adventures, almost crashing in one of them, so the time lord thought it was best to give her some TLC.

.

"You're awfully quiet." She mumbled.

He breathed a laugh. "I can't expect you to sleep with me babbling on, huh?"

"It's not a good type of quiet, Doctor. You're worried." The time lord swallowed thickly. She could read him like an open book. "The gears never stop turning, do they?" His face fell somber. "What's bothering you, old man."

"Nothing you have to be worried about." He pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Go back to sleep."

"That's no answer." She groaned, slowly sitting up, letting herself clear the tiredness off her face before opening her eyes. "What's wrong?"

"Clara, it isn't important."

"It is to me." She breathed, before cupping her palm to his cheek. It soon slipped off his face. "Please. I promise, after you tell me I won't be worried."

He breathed a laugh, "I doubt that's how it works."

"It is. Now, go on. Hit me." She said. "What's the matter?"

.

"I..." He sighed. "I won't have you forever." Clara let out a sigh, her heart aching seeing him in such a state because of her. "You won't be there, Clara."

"But I'm here now, aren't I?" She said. The Doctor whimpered. "Let's make the best of the little time we have together. Go and explore, try new things, staying in front of the fire together." The Doctor breathed a laugh. "I'm not worried about me. I'm worried about leaving you behind; whatever circumstance I do so. But I won't let you cry over me, even if I die."

His attack eyebrows furrowed, his eyes filling with tears. "Clara…." he croaked. But the companion continued.

"I am human, Doctor. I'm vulnerable. But I don't want you to worry about me. I don't want this life to stop. Me being able to to experience the Universe, is an impossible dream come true. But doing it with you, has made me the luckiest being in the world." Her hand cupped his face, now wet with tears trickling through his stubble. "After I'm gone, move on. All I ask is 5 minutes to remember the good times we had…. and will have. Then go on with your new companions and run; save the Universe."

He took her hand cupping his palm into his, carefully wrapping his bony fingers around it, before pressing it to his lips.

She sought eye contact, which the Doctor was desperately trying to avoid, given how vulnerable he was to his Clara. "Promise me."

"Clara…."

"Please, Doctor. I don't think there will be another echo to back me up and drag you out of your cloud again." He smiled.

Clara Oswin Oswald. Of course. If it hadn't been for her determination… and her sacrifice, he wouldn't have continued to save the Universe. It's the same… every single time.

Clara continued, "Present the TARDIS to the first person you see who needs a little imagination in their life, and take them with you. As you did to me, and to others." Her fingers sifted through his silky silver hair. "Promise me that you will be a Doctor."

"I promise."

.

She pressed a kiss to his cheek. The Doctor's cheeks blushed a little, thank goodness there was only the dim light of the fire to mask his contentment.

"Cuddle?" The companion asked.

The Doctor's thin lips turned into a smile. "Cuddle." He sat next to her, wrapping his arm around her and letting her sink into his side. He leaned his cheek to her head and sighed.

"Thank you Doctor."

"For what?"

"For making me feel alive."

"Likewise, Clara." He pressed a kiss to her hair. "Sleep a little longer, then breakfast."

"Sounds..." The companion was forced to stop for a yawn. "Sounds lovely." She said as she nuzzled closer to him. "Night, Doctor."

"Good night, Clara Oswald." He purred.

And they stayed like that in front of the fire, before they both were slowly lulled by each other's heartbeats into a deep sleep.

A/N: hope you all enjoyed this story. Feedback is appreciated as always.

I have something sweet planned for my next story, a personal anniversary which I hold close to my heart (it's actually tomorrow but I decided to complete this story first ;) )

Take care!