clara oswald (
parallels) wrote in
assignation2014-09-13 11:27 pm
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[She can't take her eyes off him.
The chips have long been forgotten; now cold and soggy on the plate. And the ones in her stomach are churning unpleasantly.
He is the Doctor. He really truly is. And yet, he's like a stranger. She's on a date with a man who's an old friend and also a stranger and she has to get to know his ins and outs, likes and dislikes, bad habits. All that.
It's a bit of a thrill. And yet terrifying.
Her heart still beats out of time when she looks at him. But why? Is it residual feelings left over from his last face? Or something else entirely? She's never been particularly in touch with these sorts of feelings. Too messy. Too risky to let walls down.
Her eyes flit again to his face and his sharp eyes.
It's really not an ideal meal.]
The chips have long been forgotten; now cold and soggy on the plate. And the ones in her stomach are churning unpleasantly.
He is the Doctor. He really truly is. And yet, he's like a stranger. She's on a date with a man who's an old friend and also a stranger and she has to get to know his ins and outs, likes and dislikes, bad habits. All that.
It's a bit of a thrill. And yet terrifying.
Her heart still beats out of time when she looks at him. But why? Is it residual feelings left over from his last face? Or something else entirely? She's never been particularly in touch with these sorts of feelings. Too messy. Too risky to let walls down.
Her eyes flit again to his face and his sharp eyes.
It's really not an ideal meal.]
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There's something different about it this time. Something he can't quite put his finger on. It feels faintly as if he should be able to figure it out because that's what he does and it's just— Clara. Clara, Clara, Clara.
Maybe that is the problem. The big problem that keeps looking at him while he stares at her. This wasn't how this was supposed to go, oh yes, he called her, and maybe he should have known but she's Clara. She was supposed to not— she was supposed to be one who could adjust easily. Miscalculations abound, he supposes.
It feels like he did something wrong. It's stupid and he knows it is, but the idea that he did something wrong with Clara bugs him in an irrational sort of way. It makes him not want to speak and just continue this dance of looking almost as if Clara is a bomb or an experiment, but if he's going to make sure she stays beyond just out of some obligation to his former face, he should show her how he is. What he is beyond the regeneration hiccups and memories. Never mind that he's not sure himself, but he wants her to just see him when she stares and not perhaps any of him. ]
Are you— Don't— Your chips, you're done with them?
[ He didn't quite feel like eating many of them himself, but Clara was or should have been hungry. He should have gone for the coffee. That would have been better. He clears his throat and for a brief moment in time he considers not pointing it out but he figures she won't say anything about it without prompting. Then again, maybe she would if the hugging and the agreeing was anything to go by. ]
You're staring.
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[The retort comes out swiftly and without her even thinking about it. Perhaps she is a little defensive.
She doesn't blame him for the regeneration. She doesn't even blame him for the things he said after it. She's not angry. Just a bit weary. She never expected that regeneration would happen to him. Not her Doctor. Meeting past faces was good and all but to become reacquainted with someone who had been her best friend hours ago? Rather disorienting.
And she wants to say that to him. To explain why she'd been so troubled and to let him know that things might be hard, but she'd stay with him. Learn about who he is. But somehow the words died between her mind and her throat when her eyes caught his sharp grey ones. She sees him now. But that doesn't mean she knows how to look at him the right way.
She coughs and then wets her lips, pushing the tray of chips towards him.]
Sorry. Guess my stomach is a bit dodgy.
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[ He nearly says about me before he thinks better about it. A part of him isn't entirely sure he wants to hear the answer, not with how she sounds, but he's curious. And besides, if she doesn't want to answer she won't. There's boundaries to their relationship even with him. Unless she's so put off by him they should be the same even if the other things are different. ]
It's alright. Don't apologize. [ The comment comes out of his mouth almost as soon as she says sorry. Like he needs to tell her right then and there that she doesn't need to apologize for thinking or about the chips. Maybe apologize for other things but that can wait, he has time to wait. His eyes don't leave her face when he speaks. He can't make them and it almost feels like he has to keep them on her. Like if he looks away something more will change and he'd like to avoid that. Just for now. There's been enough change right now. ]
Victorian times tend to do that, not enough care with the food to avoid some diseases but it does taste— fairly good. [ He ends up staring down at the chips before picking one up and just sighing. ] Better than these at any rate.
[ He pauses and looks back at her. ] We don't have to finish them. I'm not going to. We could— [ Go out for coffee, I could take you home and get it right this time, you could stay for a few more hours or days. ] Just talk.
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[She swats at his hand affectionately and for a second everything seems right with the world. The Doctor and Clara at it again. But then it's entirely different. The Doctor she loved, his other face, was never so direct. He was jovial, energetic, but it always just a game to him. He obscured his feelings behind energetic eccentricities. He'd never ask her what she was thinking about or suggest they talk. It's funny how despite how much she loved him, proper conversations had been hard to come by. And she was nearly as at fault as he was. She'd often failed to bring him in to level with her as she became enamored in his antics.
So she looks back into his eyes, trying to see what she can glean from them, and begins to try to explain what she's feeling. Her voice is unusually hesitant and thoughtful.]
Thinking about you. About us. Thinking about how... we haven't really always been the best at talking.
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[ He just stops himself there with a bit of a smile as he pulls his hand back out of the way of her swatting. There's some things that don't change even if the hows and the whys change and allowing himself to poke fun at Clara is one of those things. Or at least, he's thinking it is. It feels as if it is. The thing is, he's old, he's spent years making sure he didn't look it. Oh, he showed his age on more than one occasion, but too many years acting as if he was younger than he was lost its charm. He doesn't want to be that any more.
His eyebrows furrow just a bit as he frowns when he hears how her voice is. He's not used to hearing her sound hesitant like this. His face might look angry, and if asked he'd blame the eyebrows but his eyes are looking at Clara without a bit of judgment, if anything he can't help but look at her almost a bit curiously and with the smallest bits of concern. She might be here having chips with him and talking with him, and might have hugged him tightly but he still feels so uncertain with things that he can't quite help it. ]
Ah. [ The word is more of an exhale than anything else. ] Talking wasn't exactly something I was good at. You didn't press and I wasn't about to. I liked that about you.
[ Liked. He doesn't want it now, but at the time, it was good in his mind. ] I'm not about to do it again. At least not to that extent. [ It's a admission of sorts, an acknowledgement that there are some things he won't say and won't talk about, but he had been gone to an extreme that all in all made him feel a bit silly now. ] I don't want to. It's not— I'm not that sort any more.
[ A different sort of hiding, maybe, but not that particular kind. ]
i am so sorry for my horrific slow
[And there's that natural indigence that flares up in her and that the Doctor seems to have a natural key to. It's comforting to know that dynamic is still there. Maybe even stronger than ever. At least she's rid of the hesitation that took hold of her voice like a disease. Now that's a terrible disease. But the Doctor didn't seem upset. In fact, he seemed concerned. It was a different look for him. No more sweet puppy dog eyes from him. Now the concern was wrapped up in a lined face and harsh Scottish tones.
Then she frowns a little.]
I'd hope you could still like it. You know, not so past tense. ...Unless you'd like me to stop pressing. Because believe me, I'm quite good at pressing when I want to. [Then her lips quirk up.] You really have changed, haven't you? I mean you are the Doctor but... you're not running. Not any more.
[And she should be happy for that. And part of her is.]
no need to apologize. slow happens as evidenced by my own slow with this.
[ Okay, he might have but he doesn't entirely remember what exactly was on, so it's not entirely a lie. It's just bending the truth a wee bit. His concern lifts just a bit when the hesitation in her voice goes away but it doesn't completely leave. There's still enough to be concerned about and she's frowning. His shoulders shrug just a bit before he shakes his head. ]
If I wanted you to stop— I wouldn't consider letting you make the TARDIS a home. You press too much and I just won't answer. No fancy words, just no answer. Can you handle that from me? [ It's not the lack of an answer he's concerned she won't like— he had danced around answering things enough that it shouldn't sting. But ignoring a question, ignoring something Clara said, well, he knows he's going to do it anyway, whether she likes it or not but he wants to see if she could take it.
He manages a wry sort of smile. ] There's no reason to. I'm not on the same clock as I was. There's no point in running. I might have even run out of things to run from.
[ And in part it's almost a little distressing. If only because he's gotten so used to it by now. ] Regeneration is supposed to mean change. Not always for the better— I once choked my companion after regenerating. Turned into a pompous— [ Nope, he is stopping right there, no time for reminiscing that far back. Back on track shall we. ] I'm still the same just— different parts. That's a poor metaphor but it'll do.
SLOWNESS ALL AROUND IT SEEMS. But i am loving this. And them each passing episode
[And she finishes with a tone that says "this conversation is over". Very teacher-like. Then her expression softens as his does and bites her lip as he offers up the terms of the agreement of companionship. Or something like that. It's what it feels like to her. The honesty is refreshing at least.]
Only promise that you'll answer if it pertains to me. No more keeping secrets about me. No more manipulating or lying. You can have your secrets but no more games. Those are my terms.
[Then she wets her lips and lets out a weak little laugh at his confession that he once choked a companion. It's quite a terrifying thought when you know what he's capable of.]
Then I'll consider myself lucky that you aren't that sort of man. And that you only forgot my name. Instead of attacking me.
ALL THE SLOWNESS. but it's worth it and ditto tbh. just an exponential love increase.
Why he ever travels with teachers, he'll never know. She's right, in a way, it's the agreement he'd like her to agree to before this goes on any more. But at the same time, it's also just to help him feel at ease and to try and make sure things start to properly settle. They can't travel together with too much tension hanging over them. No is on the tip of his tongue as an answer. In part because he doesn't want to make the promise only to break it later but mostly because he doesn't know if there will come a time when he'll break it because he needs to. That it'll be required to make sure everything goes according to plan. What stops him, just barely is the knowledge that it's probably what Clara wants to hear and that with any luck he might be able to keep the promise. No reason not to make it for now. Let him deal with having to do any of those things later. ]
I'll answer when it's about you. No manipulating or lying or games when it comes to you. [ Everyone else though, well, he's not making them this promise, now is he. ] I can promise that. You earned it, I think. [ His voice gets a little tight on the word promise, he finishes it off with a look that he hopes conveys it meant nothing. ]
Small mercies. [ He can't help shaking his head and cringing just a bit at the reminder though. ] I don't suppose there's anything I can do to— make you forget I did that? The name switch with you and Strax, not the lack of choking. It was a mess up there— faintly remember calling Vastra the green one. And asking why you all sounded so very English.
[ He's guessing not but the idea of having that brought up any time he messes up is a possibility that's unpleasant and one he might want to avoid. ]
THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVINGGGG
I'm sorry. It's the eyebrows. You look completely ridiculous.
[She inhales, hiccups, and wipes a small tear from her eye. Then it's back to business as she raises her eyes to look at him.] I'm holding you to that promise. I'm not just going to take it lying down. Not anymore.
[It's too much to take. And she deserves better than that. She knows that know more than ever.]
And I don't need to forget. What's done is done. We're here now, talking, and not just blathering at each other. No more confusion.
THE CIIIIRCLE OF GIIIIIFTS. also i am so sorry for the slow. i had the worst cold.
You done? Am I going to make it start up again by telling you they're practically weapons all on their own? I've seen endless amounts of eyebrows and then there's these.
[ He motions to them because actual one of the kind eyebrows. His face looks a bit pensive. ] Don't overreact.
[ That could have been sugarcoated and the way he says it so plainly might give away how he knows it could have been, but he doesn't try. He doesn't feel the need to sugarcoat it. Clara needs to see what he'll do. What exactly he considers overreacting is up in the air, but he's hoping she doesn't actually ask. ]
And no more getting caught in dinosaur throats. [ A pause and he manages a sly smile. ] Or managing to nearly crash. Just landing you in the wrong city. Right time period, though.
[ And if it sounds like he's giving himself a gold star, he totally is. ]
You can get home from here, can't you? [ Is he being serious or joking with that question? Hard to tell with his face looking as serious as can be. ]
I hope you are feeling better! Also this is great after the last ep
[She makes a motion with her hand as if to reach out and touch his face before thinking better of it. If he hates hugs, then that would be far too much for him. And even she wonders why she had the urge to do so.] I'm perfectly rational, thanks.
No more dinosaur throats is a good start. That was disgusting. And I'm all bruised from the crashing. Could do with less of that. Might have to start a list
[She shakes her head and lets him have that star.]
If you've got pounds for the train.
[She keeps her face neutral to match his, not wanting to give away too much and appear sensitive or upset when she hasn't gotten a handle on his humor yet.]
i'm feeling so much better, thank you. and it's practically perfect i'm in so much love.
[ The motion Clara makes with her hand startles him enough to make him pull back in his seat a little. He's not entirely sure what she was planning on doing beyond maybe touching and while he can take hugs even if he doesn't like them. He's not entirely sure he could take her touching his face. It feels too— intimate. Like something she'd do with— not him. ] You're human. Not one of the species known for being rational.
[ He's just saying. ] For all of us. The girl had to swallow the TARDIS and the things she's been through would make her a disgusting dinner. [ A pause. ] I could just throw the list out. Even if you make it and want me to follow it. I don't do well with following those.
[ Probably. His eyes narrow just a tad before he ends up huffing. ]
Yes, the pounds magically found their way into my pockets between here and the TARDIS. [ There's a brief moment of silence before he's getting up out of his chair. ] I suppose that means I'll have to try and get you to the right place and time in her, won't I?
Unless you want to stay with our— [ he picks up a chip and looks between it and her before he sets it down, ] chips. I'll give you a raincheck on the coffee, if you'll take it.
[ His face looks a bit expectant when he says that last sentence, like he wants to think she'll say yes, but he's not going to beg her to say it. She has to say it without a lot of prompting. ]
awesome i am glad you are better.
[And she does crack a smile. It's half amused and half gentle. She is quite keen on getting back to having gentle gos at each other. Things change, but why should everything change? Now just doesn't seem quite the time though.]
And you can't throw the list out. You're not the list keeper. That's my job. I keep the list and keep you to the list.
[Then she blinks. The last face would have asked the question with such wide-eyed boyishness that it felt almost cruel to say no. But now, this almost feels like a test. Like he's trying to see where exactly they now stand with each other. He's not her boyfriend. Alright, but then what now? Certainly he doesn't seem the type to dote, but he's still the Doctor after all. And he's had many loyal friends throughout his years. Where did they stand? What was it like?]
Do you... Do you really think I wouldn't say yes?
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[ He's taking it to heart, though. The fact that she's being kind right now and generally hoping that there will be times that it's still there aside from right now. It won't just be her taking pity because he told her to in the phone call. It feels like that hope isn't misplaced, that they can settle into something not quite like it was but something that's good for him and for her. Something enjoyable and uniquely them. ]
It's my TARDIS and if the list is staying with me, then I can throw it out. It could fly out while I'm wandering about on those days I don't have your company. Unless the list keeper wants to keep the list and only have me follow it when I'm in her presence.
[ The corners of his eyes tighten for a moment in something that would resemble a wince if he didn't manage to do the action so quickly. He doesn't regret asking in the slightest and he likes the way he asked but that wasn't quite the response he was hoping for. He doesn't remember it being hard to figure out where he should stand with a companion when he's regenerated. They've all been easy to figure out to settle into but then there's Clara. He's not her boyfriend, even if he's acted like it before and he could call whisking her away every Wednesday as a date. He can't be her boyfriend. Perhaps that just makes him a friend, one who just cares about her deeply and wants to have her there next to him in some way. ]
I had to be sure. [ Which isn't strictly an answer, and he follows it up with a coffee. ] You might not want the coffee later on. Bringing you coffee from some cafe in Paris next Wednesday would be a waste if you didn't want it.
[ Never mind that he has a right mind to toss the schedule out the window, he'd like to surprise her with that if he decides to do it. ]
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[Kindness might do this man some good. Not that she doesn't think he's kind. But it seems muddled. It's mixed with alienness below a hard surface. It just needs to be properly pulled out.
So here she was.
That was her job, wasn't it? Not just for her own sake but for his. And for everyone else's too. So she inhales and moves her chair closer to his. Her knees brush against his but she makes no effort to bridge the physical gap between them otherwise. It feels a little empty without all of his backrubs and hair pets but she was a big girl.]
Of course I want it. Just because things have changed doesn't mean I don't want you around. That's something that shouldn't change. I'll keep following with my list, making sure that you're acting proper. Making sure that you're not alone. Just because you're going around making mistakes about being my boyfriend doesn't mean that Clara Oswald and the Doctor aren't going to keep galavanting across time and space together. Don't sell me short.
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[ He almost wants to laugh at what he just implied; being able to choose his exact form and his exact personality seems silly. He never has been able to properly control them like others. It's always a lottery and he just gets stuck with whatever numbers are pulled even if they're— not exactly the ones he needs. This time it's such a far cry from where he's been lately he almost feels like he's given himself whiplash.
Then again, maybe he's this way for a reason. Maybe it's only natural he become this after everything.
Seeing Clara move her chair closer, feeling her knee against his makes him stare at her like she's done something exceptionally fascinating. There's a question on the tip of his tongue a why before he bites it back. Perhaps it's better if he doesn't hear the answer to that. ]
Coffee at night isn't good for you. [ He smiles despite knowing that's not really the point, and he really just wanted to say something that wasn't just jumping straight into things. He may be more direct and more blunt but sometimes you just need something else to say. ] I wasn't selling you short. Wasn't trying to, at least. You're— You don't do what others might tell you to do. If I told you to stop you'd just stand there in the TARDIS until I took it back.
[ He exhales. ] I went around making mistakes about being your boyfriend. [ It feels— strange to clarify that because he knows what he meant and why should he make sure Clara knows he isn't going to be going around making that mistake again. But he does and he can't help it. ]
Don't suppose I can ring out one more adventure before I drop you off at home? [ He's not smiling when he says it, but there's an excited twinkle in his eye. ] Or do you need that— rest after all of this excitement. And we'll save the gallivanting for later.
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[She replies in a rather solemn but calm voice. Any one knows that. Even girls who travel through time. It's always the things that aren't personal that can be changed. But your life is just as it goes. No do-overs. For a second, she concentrates on the small place where her knee touches his. It's a small gesture. But the fact that he stays means the stars to her.
As he continues, she licks her lips, letting him clear the air before she speaks.] Bit of a harsh word, mistake. [She shakes her head. It's hard to think of it as a mistake. She had been happy. She didn't need a boyfriend to validate her but she'd enjoyed what they'd had. So why throw it away now? When the Doctor still stands in front of her, with her, trying to talk to her? The words of his last face echo in her head, he needs you. She can't argue with being needed.]
You're right. I would just stand there in the TARDIS until you took it back. And speaking of mistakes-[A grin begins to take over her face.] Don't ever assume I'm too tired for another adventure. I'll tell you when I'm tired.
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[ He means it to sound like an admonishment, a warning that he won't be taking her on trips if she makes bad decisions. Instead it just sounds a little fond and perhaps a bit— exasperated. He won't fight her on it because she's a grown woman and well, he's pretty certain that saying no to her is going to be nigh impossible for him. His knee twitches just slightly, not like it's about to move, but just enough that it seems like it noticed Clara paying that much attention to it.
He eyes her for a moment. ] Harsh, but accurate. It was an incorrect assumption on my part. Nearly the definition of the word. [ It feels like he's saying something wrong and faintly in the back of his head it registers that Clara shaking her head is something he doesn't want but he doesn't take back what he says. What he says is correct, in its own way— in his head at the very least. Maybe that's his problem even after all these years there's some things that he'll trip over no matter what. He needs her, he knows what he said and he knows more than even himself how much he needs her to stay with him. He can't— lose her. ]
You'll tell me when you're tired. [ For a brief moment, the Doctor manages a straight face after saying that before he ends up chuckling lowly. ] Of course you will. And if you fall asleep midway through, it was something else at work.
[ He pauses. ] Come on then, another adventure awaits. And I believe it doesn't call for us to bring along food. Probably.
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[Even she can sense the failed admonishment and decides to go in for another poke. Though at the same time, it's so refreshing. His last face cared about her but he was always so... concerned. If she so much as sneezed, he would be all over her poking and checking in. Just to be taken on her word was nice.
But then as the conversation turns into the uglier parts of their relationship, she bites her lip. It's starting to get bloody and chapped from the moisture.] It's. Alright. [It isn't. But she's good at pushing until things are.] We've got to move on. We've broken up. Or... come to terms. It's not like mistakes can't be fixed, yeah?
[And then she laughs, somewhere between relief and bitterness
I won't fall asleep. And I'll make you turn the TARDIS around to take me to bed once I'm tired.
throws feelings at you from two directions and also very late oops
[ That's a true statement, surprisingly. There's some humans that he knows are dumb enough to have just that problem, but Clara isn't one of them. Oh, maybe she'd push herself a bit too much, but she knows her limits. Besides, he might get snot all over him if he poked her and checked in on her when she sneezed. Knowing his luck he'd manage to create a new superbug that gets even him sick.
He doesn't quite mean to look at her lips, they're just there after all, but when she bites her lip he sees how they look and— he wants to tell her to fix them somehow. Wants to tell her to stop licking them so much but he doesn't. She knows better anyway. ] That's what— Some can't but I don't think this one is one of them. Now some of my others— less certain but— [ I don't think you'd let me not fix this one. ] They can be fixed.
[ Even though he can hear how the laugh sounds a bit off, it still makes him grin a bit. ] I'm holding you to that, Clara. You fall asleep and I won't let you forget it until— well let's just say you'll be hearing it for a very long time.
Now, are you ready to go?