I have known darkness
jet black as the raven
You just might be the closest
I will ever get to heaven.
-Webb Wilder
Archer did not know how much time had passed since the events in the lighthouse, but the sun was shining brightly in the skies and he had a bandage covering his neck. He was walking slowly through the gardens, hoping to see the Doctor there. He had just received some terrible news and knew that just seeing the man would make everything better. But he had not been in his rooms, and no one seemed to know where he was. Finally he spotted the man walking briskly over the grassy lawn and hurried after him, calling out for him to wait. The Doctor stopped just in front of an odd blue box of a kind Archer had seen once or twice in London, turning slowly to face him. It was clear from the way that he moved, his emptied rooms, and the woman not being with him, that he was leaving, and Archer panicked. He sprinted towards the Doctor, stopping just a foot away from him and trying desperately to catch his breath.
"Please" Archer begged desperately once he could speak, "I just heard- my mother is-" He had to stop and draw a deep breath before continuing, "Take me with you back to London! There is nothing left for me here now. I will never request anything from you, I swear it, I will be your humble and loyal servant in any way you will have me. Just-" He was interrupted by the Doctors hands cupping his face.
"Archer Grey" he whispered quietly. "Sweet Archer Grey."
"Please" he sobbed. His heart was aching, his eyes blurring.
"Forget about me, Archer Grey" the Doctor said gently. "It will be better that way. Forget you ever knew me."
"No! Never!" Archer swore desperately. How could he even consider leaving him behind? "Please, Doctor, please! You are taking my heart with you. Take the rest of me as well!" but no matter how Archer begged and pleaded with him, the Doctor still turned his back and vanished into his little blue box. Archer sank to his knees and the sound of his desolate sobs drowned out the whirring, churning noise the box made as it vanished.
This is where you stop reading if you want angst or don't like me shipping the Doctor with an 18th century boy, and review and leave kudos. If you want a happy ending, you keep reading.
Archer huddled on the ground, weeping in despair. He did not know how much time had passed since the Doctor left, but it felt like an eternity. He was too lost in his anguish to hear the noise repeated. But he was startled out of his grief by warm hands cupping his face, strong arms wrapping themselves around his trembling form.
"Archer" a voice he thought he would never hear again said, "Archer Grey, forgive me" he tried to see the Doctor's face through his tears but his vision was too blurry to make anything out. He nearly flinched when he felt the Doctor's lips press against his wet cheek, kissing away his tears.
"Forgive me" he whispered, his voice thick as if he was grieving too.
"Take me with you" Archer begged again, daring not hope that he would say yes. But the Doctor smiled and kissed his salty lips.
"Come, sweet Archer Grey, come away with me."
Was there any other way to reply than "yes"?
The door to the little blue box opened once more, but this time Archer made sure to have a strong grip on the Doctor's hand as he followed him inside. For a moment he stood shock still, staring in bewilderment. The chamber he was in was so far beyond what he had ever experienced before that he had no words to describe it. But the marvel of the room was a mere whisper to the man standing in front of him. He was everything Archer had never dared dream of, and he went to him without thought or hesitation. He pressed his body against John's - no, the Doctor's - breathless with desire.
"Take me to bed" he begged. "Make love to me." his name fell from those lush lips like a prayer being answered.
"Archer." their lips met in a kiss that made the universe quake.
Then all he knew was bliss.
Archer dozed peacefully, his head resting on his lover's chest. He was sleepily languid, satisfied in a way that he had never known existed, a pleasant ache between his thighs. The Doctor was running his fingers through Archer's tousled hair and the touch was both inviting and comforting. He adjusted his position slightly, tangling his legs with the other man, blinking sleepily. Something was odd, but he could not put his finger on what that was. He frowned in concentration. He had heard something… no, he was imagining things. But yes! He did hear something odd. He raised his head slightly and looked the Doctor in the eyes, letting his worry shine through.
"There is something odd with your heart" he said quietly, as if afraid voicing it would make it true. He was met with a chagrined smile and a nervous clearing of his lover's throat.
"Well. About that… see, there might be something I neglected to tell you…"
Fin.