Back in the TARDIS he grabbed the mugs of cocoa and said "follow me!" She wrapped an arm around his waist as they headed up the stairs and he smiled at her. "Shhh!" he warned, "Don't wake the parents."
"That could get a little tricky, sweetie, " she replied. "I'm quite the screamer, you know." She gave him a sideways glance, "Or maybe you don't know that yet...?
He gave her a 'nice try' look. "That falls under the 'Spoilers' rule," he whispered.
River caught her breath as she entered the room. Compared to her dreary cell, (and the series of student rooms and sublets before that), this room felt like it was truly hers. Everything about it – the colors, the furniture, the artwork; they all felt custom made for her.
"Did you do this, sweetie?" she asked in awe.
"No, I wish I could take credit, but this is all her doing. You are the child of the TARDIS, and she wants to make you feel welcome." he said.
"I do, oh, I do. So much. She is amazing." River looked around her in wonder and smiled at the decorated ceiling. "I feel like I've lived here for years already."
"Well, you have, sort of, there's that whole out-of-sequence timeline we've been talking about. This is your home, now, as well as in the past and the future." he explained.
She wandered about, examining treasures while the Doctor settled in on the chaise lounge in the alcove. He put their cocoa on the table, and bent one leg along the back of the chaise while stretching the other out nearly to the edge. He mentally thanked the TARDIS for comfortable furniture as he leaned back and watched her explore.
River took in his relaxed and open pose, "So," she asked gently, "is this your room too?"
He took a breath. "It's complicated," he replied. "Let's just say that I spend a great deal of time in here. There's another room that might be considered 'mine' but it's starting to look more like a closet."
The Doctor watched her reaction closely. He had a pretty good idea of why this particular night was so nostalgic for them, but he wasn't completely sure. River always talked a bold game, and he didn't want to push her further than she was ready to go.
Then again, she had just recently destroyed the universe out of love for him. That might be a good indicator.
River picked up her cocoa and joined him on the chaise. He started to move his legs but she stopped him, "No, no, you're fine. I like it like this, leaning against you. This is nice."
"Yes, yes it is." he smiled. They sat in silence, enjoying the connection. Out-of-sequence timelines were irrelevant in the quiet moments.
She turned toward him and leaned against his bent leg, finding a resting spot for her chin on his knee. She put down her cocoa and gently laid her hand on his other leg. He felt the competing warmth and a sudden wave of desire.
"So," she said with perfect timing, "About those ideas you wanted to run by me..."
"Come here!" he growled.