This prompt was from tumblr

standing quietly together in the kitchen after long, exhausting days, leaning into each other for support, breathing in the smell of home, fingers carding through hair and stroking down spines, until they feel like they can relax and smile properly again

Standing Hearts Rate

For a long moment, all the Doctor could see was the blue glow of the engine, its hum pulsing in the still, quiet room, welcoming them home. The blessed smells of home drifted around them, of ozone, mint, and bananas. Things he never really noticed but felt so, so wonderful to him. The TARDIS. He was home.

And she was right next to him.

The Doctor turned, still trying to catch his breath. Blinking, he studied her, the red hair, frazzled and tangled. Her soft, white, freckled skin, tinged pink after hours in the hot, merciless sun and then being chased through whatever world they'd been stuck on.

That sense of home, of feeling so at peace, surged even stronger within him.

Because of her.

Donna looked up, those blue eyes a little dazed.

"Donna?" he gasped, needing to know if she was truly unharmed.

She gulped in another mouthful of air and looking a little bewildered.

"Are you all right?"

Maybe it was then, at that moment, those words, that made her realize what had nearly happened. How much danger they had been in. For her confusion drifted away, and her shoulders slumped. She exhaled loudly and gave him an attempt at a sarcastic smile. "Finally, you take me to a beach, and…"

Her effort to gather her usual sarcasm only tugged at him harder.

He couldn't resist any longer and stepped a little closer. Donna didn't waste a moment; she folded into his waiting arms. He felt her shudder and he ran his hand over her fluffy hair. His own hearts started to race again as the past few days came back to him.

They'd gone to a beach planet, finally, only to discover an earthquake had just happened. Donna had insisted they help whomever they could; the relentless sun beating down on them for hours. But instead of gratitude, the local authorities had accused them of causing the disaster and had tried to separate them for questioning. They had been successful for just an hour; sixty minutes of pure terror for the Doctor as he'd pushed and sonicked his way through guards and locked doors. The relief he'd felt at finally finding her had nearly made him collapse; that she'd been unharmed made him even more grateful. But the following half day of running through the ruined streets, starving and no water, had made them dizzy and disoriented and it was only when they finally saw the haven of the TARDIS did he feel like he could breath again.

Donna held him a little tighter, and it was all the Doctor could do to not squeeze his Earthgirl too much in return. His fear that she'd been hurt, contact some disease, or had been mistreated by the authorities…It was enough to make him jumpy with nerves. It was only there, with Donna in his arms in the safety of the TARDIS, that he could begin to believe that it really was all over.

He felt light lines being drawn up and down his back, and Donna pressed herself closer to him. He closed his eyes, breathing slowly and hoping to transfer the burgeoning sense of safety to her with every inhalation.

After a long, endless moment, Donna pulled back. The Doctor was struct at the moisture in her eyes, but he had a feeling his own were nearly as glassy.

Donna shook her head, gathering up some of her natural bravado. "Next time, maybe we should find a calmer beach?" she suggested with a brave smile.

The Doctor beamed. "I think I can find something."

She looked a little dubious. "Until then, Spaceman, I'm going to take a long, hot bath."

"Sounds like a plan," he replied and stepped back, shoving his hands into his pockets and leaning on his heels. "I'll find a nice place for dinner." He turned toward the console. "I could eat these knobs and buttons, to be honest."

Donna paused. "Can we…" He glanced up. She sighed. "Can we have a night in instead?" She gazed around. "On the TARDIS?"

The blue glow brightened in agreement.

The Doctor's smile widened. "That sounds perfect."