Note: All of these were originally posted to DeviantArt for Dalek Week 2014. Huzzah! Drabble #5 is a wee continuation of "Goggles" chapter 3 (which is rated M, kiddos), while #6 is set in my "face to face" AU.
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I. CHILDHOOD
Plaits half undone, dress torn, knees skinned, a tooth missing from the beaming smile.
"Da laughed," Deryn says, tapping the photograph. "Ma didn't."
Alek smiles, though it turns wistful. "I suppose your childhood pictures shall have to stand in for mine, since there aren't any."
She kisses his cheek. "I'll draw you a substitute, love."
Since he enjoys watching her draw, he agrees. She quickly produces a reasonable approximation of his younger self. Except…
"My ears weren't that large," he says, frowning at the sketch.
She smoothes one hand over the great curve of her belly. "Well, we'll see, aye?"
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II. GENDERBEND
Princess Alix struggles through the snow to the airman's side. Falling to her knees, she hurriedly removes a vial of smelling salts from her satchel and waves them beneath Midshipman Darren Sharp's nose. He awakens with a start, looking around wildly before locking eyes with Alix.
The film cuts to a title card:
"Good heavens! I've been rescued by an angel!"
In the front row, Deryn rolls her eyes. Beside her, Alek coughs to disguise the fact that he would like to groan.
"Mr. Hearst insisted on some changes," Eddie Malone informs them, "but I think it works, don't you?"
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III. FAIRY TALES
Deryn turns the page. "And they all lived –"
"Happily ever after!" Ernst crows. He beams up at her. "I liked that one, Mama."
She smiles at her youngest lad. "We've time for another, if you want?"
"Yes, please!"
Ernst snuggles in; Deryn reads. When she's done, it's past time for bed. He sighs dreamily as she tucks him in. "Mama, do you think someday I'll find a prince?"
Deryn pauses. "Aye," she says firmly. She brushes his fair hair back and kisses his forehead. "And you'll be happy as anything."
He smiles, already half-asleep.
She puts out the light.
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IV. MUSIC
"You hated it," Deryn points out.
"True," Alek says. "But it built character."
She snorts.
"It's a useful skill."
"That you never use!"
He's not going to lose this battle. "I would enjoy it more if I'd continued my lessons."
"Alek," Deryn says, exasperated, "we're not making the children learn the sodding violin!"
He sets his jaw. "They ought to learn some sort of instrument."
Deryn considers. "Piano?"
Alek suddenly remembers the hideous screeches produced by novice violinists. Multiplied by three… He shudders. "That's quite acceptable."
Sophie adores the piano. However, it's years before Max and Ernst forgive their parents.
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V. GOOD MORNING
Deryn wakes to sunlight and birdsong.
In Alek's bed.
Where she's not supposed to be.
They didn't get up to much last night, but if Volger catches her… She hurries her jacket and boots on.
Alek awakens as she does so. "You're still here?" he asks, bleary.
"Aye. When's Volger due?"
He checks his watch. Curses. Scrambles for his own clothes.
Out the window it is. She pushes up the sash, prepares to climb; Alek stops her with a kiss.
"Good morning," he whispers.
She grins. "And a better night, mm?"
Brisk footsteps on the stairs.
Alek blushes; Deryn escapes.
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VI. COLLEGE
Alek frowns, confused. "I thought it was more like American football."
Deryn quirks an eyebrow. "You watch American football?"
"Bauer and Hoffman do." He chuckles, thinking of his bodyguards. His breath crystallizes in the December air. "They prefer the Steelers."
The name means nothing to Deryn. "Well, rugby's different, love."
Something happens on the field; there's a mighty cheer from the crowd. Exactly like American football. Alek smirks. "So I see."
She explains the rules, though he isn't much interested in the outcome of the annual Cambridge-Oxford match. The warmth of her hand in his seems a far greater victory.
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VII. NO WAY OUT
"We'll be caught at once," Alek whispers, gripping Deryn's arm when she moves.
She shakes her head, face grim. "We haven't any choice. They'll come for us if we don't."
He considers. Exhales, resigned.
"Aye," she says, mindful of the danger. "But we'll make it."
"Providence," Bovril adds.
She snorts at that, but also gives Alek a kiss. It lasts a while. "Ready?"
"Lead on, Mr. Sharp," he says, smirking.
With that, they leave the shelter of the coatroom and return to the certain doom of Deryn's cousin's wedding – where questions about their wedding are, like bullets, difficult to dodge.
