Written for the Thirteen Fanzine prompt 'painting'.
Yaz paused, glass of water in hand in the Tardis' darkened corridor. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed a bright glow, different from the warm orange of the Tardis' usual ambiance, especially at this time of night. It seemed to be coming from the console room, assuming that the rooms hadn't moved since she had gone to bed. At least the kitchen hadn't moved.
Under her bare feet the usual rumble of Tardis flight was absent. Curious, Yaz padded towards the light.
The console room was bathed in warm, golden light, the doors of the Tardis thrown wide. The Doctor was standing at the doorway, leaning against the frame, silhouetted against the bright sunshine pouring through the door. Her hair glowed. Beautiful.
"Doctor?" Yaz asked as she got close. The Doctor turned in surprise.
"Yaz! Why are you up?" Yaz wiggled the glass in her direction.
"Headache. I don't think I drank enough yesterday."
"There are painkillers in the medbay if you need them."
"I'll get them if it doesn't get any better in a bit."
The Doctor nodded then returned to watching the scene before her. Yaz stepped forward to get a better view of what the Doctor was looking at. The Tardis had landed on a small rise, overlooking a corn field, gold stalks wafting in the wind in the early evening light. There were terracotta roofs peeking up from behind the trees at the other side of the field. It was warm in the sunshine, so different from the unrelenting heat from the planet they were exploring yesterday and the artificial warmth of the Tardis. Yaz stood there, basking in the light as she enjoyed the view.
Suddenly she noticed movement at the other end of the field, hidden in the shade under the trees. It was a ginger haired man peering around a large easel, paintbrush in hand. Looking at the Doctor she realised that it was him that she was looking at. Yaz pointed to him when he disappeared behind his painting again.
"Can't he see us?"
"Na," the Doctor replied, not looking away from the man who held her attention. "Perception filter. He can't see us so we don't have to worry about ending up in his painting."
"Why are you watching him?"
"I met him once. A long time ago."
"Well, why don't you go and say hello?"
"He wouldn't recognise me. "
"Who is he? If you don't mind me asking."
"Vincent. Van Gogh."
"What!? The famous painter?"
The Doctor smiled wistfully.
"Yeah."
All Yaz's question died on her tongue as she watched the Doctor. Emotions flickered across her face, both happy and sad. She didn't seem to be watching the painter anymore, though her eyes were still fixed on him. She let silence fall and turned to admire the scenery once more.
They stood there together in the Tardis doorway until the pink sky faded and the painter packed up and left.