I Lived by One Republic, as requested by Meowcakes.
It was coming; any second now, he could feel it. Regeneration was never a particularly fun event, but this time…well, this time he had the feeling it would be particularly difficult. Especially since he'd held it back so long. But he to explain to Rose, first; had to make sure she had at least some idea of what was about to happen to him. She was a smart girl…she'd understand, she'd be able to make sense of his confused ramblings, his jumbled explanation.
He hoped.
He grinned at her with his last words, and he could feel it now, it was almost there. He stared at Rose, drinking her in for the last time with these eyes. He didn't regret it, he decided; saving Rose. The first time, that is. Back in the basement with those shop window dummies. Not that he'd been having doubts about the whole event; it was just looking at her, now, so different from the girl he'd rescued…she'd changed so much.
She'd seen the universe and saved lives and seen people die and live and it hadn't poisoned her; not one bit. It had, others, but not her. She was different, yes; she was happier, surer of herself. She was a woman, now; a woman who had lived and loved and who had changed the lives of so many.
Himself included.
The Doctor almost chuckled—probably would have, if he'd had the time. Here he'd been thinking of all the ways Rose had changed because of their travels, and he'd almost missed how much he'd changed. He wasn't so broken, wasn't so alone…wasn't so dead inside. He'd lived more this past year with Rose than he had in the decades since the Time War.
He was right to love her, he decided, just as the golden regeneration burned its way out of him and poured from his skin.
How could he not?
I really thought this one was going to be angsty, too. But then it was all hopeful and happy and I'm not really sure what happened. But okay, I'll take it. My apologies to Meowcakes, whom I informed would be receiving and angst-ridden piece; I hope you're not too disappointed!
Thanks to everyone who followed, favorited, and reviewed.
Until next time!