Last one for tonight, dearies! This one's on Demons, by Imagine Dragons, as requested by Guest Chole. Good lord I'm doin a lot of angst tonight!
The walk to the TARDIS was the longest walk he'd ever taken. Behind him, Rose and the Metacrisis were kissing; the Metacrisis having finished the one sentence the Doctor never could. He hated to leave her again, hated not to finish that sentence, hated that he could never see her again after this day.
And that's why he didn't turn around.
If he turned around, if he looked at her one last time, he wouldn't be able to leave her. He knew it, and that's why he had to get into the TARDIS, get back to his universe, and seal the cracks between the universes.
It was what she deserved; a chance at a happy life with a man who loved her, who could grow old with her.
And hell, it was what he deserved; to know that the one person he'd ever loved with both his hearts was forever beyond his reach. It was for the best, for both of them.
He was too dark for her; he'd always been too dark for her. She'd healed so much of that darkness, vanquished so many of his demons…but it wasn't enough, it would never be enough. The Metacrisis had the same demons, but his human nature, along with Donna's innate goodness, made him much more likely to be saved. The Doctor couldn't risk Rose like that; couldn't risk her light by tainting her with his darkness.
It was for the best.
That's what he told himself as he pulled Donna into the TARDIS and shut the door. It was what he told himself as he piloted them back home. It was what he told himself every night for years after.
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Until next time!