[It's easier to think of it that way. Like they're taking turns. Except she feels like she's having to continually save him and she's tired, but can't let him know that because it's basically waving a giant banner that says SPOILERS in front of his face.
So she abandons her focus on that and instead replays the sounds of his breathing through her head. He's not doing well, that much is obvious to her. She wishes she could be there to hold his hand or comfort him somehow. But she can't be, and she's going to have to live with that.
For now.
She can already feel her patience wearing thin, her exhaustion creeping in to something that makes her dark and willing to do whatever it takes to get what she wants. It's a side of her that the Doctor doesn't know and hasn't seen, and she's almost thankful he won't be in a position to see her now.
There's work to be done, and she has to be a part of making it happen.]
Sounds like I'm due to get in over my head on the next one.
[She actually manages a laugh, one that has no tears behind it.]
You better rest up so you're able to figure out a way to save me when it happens.
If you're asking me for permission, I won't give it to you.
[ There's a playful little tone of petulance in his voice, or perhaps it's stubbornness — either way, the banter keeps him from spiraling deep into his thoughts. Besides which, he likes the sound of Clara's voice, right in his ears like she's there beside him.
He leans back against the too-flat, too-uncomfortable mattress, and exhales a small cough. ]
But I'll always save you, Clara. You know that. [ There's another deep breath, and then a shuffling. Clearly the Doctor's getting a little uncomfortable with the sentimentality, and when he clears his throat it's to recompose himself. Get him back on track, as it were. ] Right. Tell me what's happening over there? Have you seen the Ghost Girl?
[But seeing her that once wasn't enough to really figure anything out, which is good because she hates having to avoid telling the truth when it comes to him. ]
I'm not sure what everyone on this side of the infirmary's doing. Newt's keeping me from making any stupid moves trying to get to you. So we'll definitely owe him a big thanks once this is all said and done.
[She can't give away much of anything else without either worrying him or failing her personal goal, so she sighs and trails off there.]
Ah — yes, yes, of course. The other doctor. The one with monster experience, hey?
[ Maybe a little different from this particular kind of monster, but he can only hope that Newt's expertise could help in this endeavour. Either way, his voice sounds a little soft. Yes, when all of this is done and over with and they've wound up back on the station, good as new, he'll have to give Newt his utmost gratitude for helping to keep Clara safe.
This isn't a place he wants her in, certainly not when he's looking the way he looks right now. And hell, everything hurts too. ]
Good. [ He's still thinking about the others keeping her from making any of those rash moves he's already been privy to in the short while he's known her. It's not quite unlike what he'd do, but he's got two hearts (truth) and 27 brains (a lie) and being an alien on his side.
But just for good measure: ] Clara, you have to promise me you won't do anything stupid. [ And lightly, he adds: ] Not without me.
[Is...he actually trying to make her promise this right now? Clara appreciates the last second add on, and there's a soft laugh that she hopes can suffice as promise enough. But this is the Doctor, and her safety is always important to him. She doesn't like breaking promises, but she also wants him to be able to rest easy.
A little white lie to reassure him won't hurt anything.]
I'll save all stupidity for whenever we're back together again. Promise.
[It's sweet that he worries about her, even though he's the one suffering right now. She decides that she'll get him a little get well soon present and find a way to get it to him. A nice hat would probably cheer him up.
Lying to him probably would dampen that cheer, and she feels a little guilt as she quickly adds on-]
Intentional stupidity, obviously. Not the sort of stupidity that happens when...well, things just happen.
[ Oh yes, the Doctor knows precisely the flavour of stupidity that Clara means but ... he isn't against it either. Brings a little excitement to their lives and all that, you know? And after 1200 some odd years, it can sometimes be a welcomed thing.
It's only where his companions are involved when things get a little more complicated. Finding the balance between absolute reckless stupidity and being somewhat responsible and having a plan is where he's still got a few things left to learn, but he's trying. (And he'll continue trying; forever, and for the rest of his life.) ]
Things will happen the way that they happen but we'll always figure them out, won't we? [ There's a crackle of static, a wheezing cough to follow, and it's that break in their conversation that serves as a reminder of the very real severity of the situation.
Who's lying to who now, hm? ]
Breakfast. [ It's said suddenly, the way many of the Doctor's nonsensical starts to plans are brought to life. ] I was making a waffle-maker before the mission. When we're all back on the station, what say you, me and the good doctor have waffles together?
[She closes her eyes and imagines what something calm and normal like a waffle breakfast with her boys would be like. She quickly decides it's something she'll let herself look forward to.]
I'll be sure to track down some syrup for the occasion.
[She plays right along with his plan, sounding genuinely optimistic for the first time since she reached out to him. Because he's right, they always do figure things out. And even if they're separated now, they won't be forever. This is just temporary, and it's up to her to help figure out a way to help all the infected.
This is going to be just fine.]
But Doctor, you really should be resting. I'll -
[She hesitates, but forces herself to keep talking.]
Ah, syrup. Love syrup. Waffles drowning in syrup, that's the plan.
[ He sounds quite delighted about it, excited to keep this conversation going for as long as it takes to convince both of them that things will be all right. Whether it's true or not remains to be seen but the Doctor's always been a very good liar when he puts his mind to it. Now is one of those times when he hopes his lie becomes some kind of self-fulfilling prophecy filled with waffles and syrup, and fruit if they can find any. ]
I've had plenty of rest — [ He starts to protest, thinking he would rather ask her to keep him company (as it were) for as long as it's possible, for as long as she wants to, but he isn't going to admit to his clinginess. He'd done that once before, found it too difficult to let go of someone (someones, rather) and it resulted in the regret that brought him to the Ximilia in the first place. ] — but perhaps you're right. There's still lots to do over on your side, I'm sure. And — there's lots to do here too.
[ There isn't, but. ]
Soon. Yes. Good night, Clara.
[ It isn't exactly night but that also isn't the point. It isn't a 'see you soon' and it certainly isn't a 'goodbye' but it's something in between.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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So she abandons her focus on that and instead replays the sounds of his breathing through her head. He's not doing well, that much is obvious to her. She wishes she could be there to hold his hand or comfort him somehow. But she can't be, and she's going to have to live with that.
For now.
She can already feel her patience wearing thin, her exhaustion creeping in to something that makes her dark and willing to do whatever it takes to get what she wants. It's a side of her that the Doctor doesn't know and hasn't seen, and she's almost thankful he won't be in a position to see her now.
There's work to be done, and she has to be a part of making it happen.]
Sounds like I'm due to get in over my head on the next one.
[She actually manages a laugh, one that has no tears behind it.]
You better rest up so you're able to figure out a way to save me when it happens.
no subject
[ There's a playful little tone of petulance in his voice, or perhaps it's stubbornness — either way, the banter keeps him from spiraling deep into his thoughts. Besides which, he likes the sound of Clara's voice, right in his ears like she's there beside him.
He leans back against the too-flat, too-uncomfortable mattress, and exhales a small cough. ]
But I'll always save you, Clara. You know that. [ There's another deep breath, and then a shuffling. Clearly the Doctor's getting a little uncomfortable with the sentimentality, and when he clears his throat it's to recompose himself. Get him back on track, as it were. ] Right. Tell me what's happening over there? Have you seen the Ghost Girl?
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[But seeing her that once wasn't enough to really figure anything out, which is good because she hates having to avoid telling the truth when it comes to him. ]
I'm not sure what everyone on this side of the infirmary's doing. Newt's keeping me from making any stupid moves trying to get to you. So we'll definitely owe him a big thanks once this is all said and done.
[She can't give away much of anything else without either worrying him or failing her personal goal, so she sighs and trails off there.]
no subject
[ Maybe a little different from this particular kind of monster, but he can only hope that Newt's expertise could help in this endeavour. Either way, his voice sounds a little soft. Yes, when all of this is done and over with and they've wound up back on the station, good as new, he'll have to give Newt his utmost gratitude for helping to keep Clara safe.
This isn't a place he wants her in, certainly not when he's looking the way he looks right now. And hell, everything hurts too. ]
Good. [ He's still thinking about the others keeping her from making any of those rash moves he's already been privy to in the short while he's known her. It's not quite unlike what he'd do, but he's got two hearts (truth) and 27 brains (a lie) and being an alien on his side.
But just for good measure: ] Clara, you have to promise me you won't do anything stupid. [ And lightly, he adds: ] Not without me.
no subject
A little white lie to reassure him won't hurt anything.]
I'll save all stupidity for whenever we're back together again. Promise.
[It's sweet that he worries about her, even though he's the one suffering right now. She decides that she'll get him a little get well soon present and find a way to get it to him. A nice hat would probably cheer him up.
Lying to him probably would dampen that cheer, and she feels a little guilt as she quickly adds on-]
Intentional stupidity, obviously. Not the sort of stupidity that happens when...well, things just happen.
[He knows how that is.]
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It's only where his companions are involved when things get a little more complicated. Finding the balance between absolute reckless stupidity and being somewhat responsible and having a plan is where he's still got a few things left to learn, but he's trying. (And he'll continue trying; forever, and for the rest of his life.) ]
Things will happen the way that they happen but we'll always figure them out, won't we? [ There's a crackle of static, a wheezing cough to follow, and it's that break in their conversation that serves as a reminder of the very real severity of the situation.
Who's lying to who now, hm? ]
Breakfast. [ It's said suddenly, the way many of the Doctor's nonsensical starts to plans are brought to life. ] I was making a waffle-maker before the mission. When we're all back on the station, what say you, me and the good doctor have waffles together?
no subject
I'll be sure to track down some syrup for the occasion.
[She plays right along with his plan, sounding genuinely optimistic for the first time since she reached out to him. Because he's right, they always do figure things out. And even if they're separated now, they won't be forever. This is just temporary, and it's up to her to help figure out a way to help all the infected.
This is going to be just fine.]
But Doctor, you really should be resting. I'll -
[She hesitates, but forces herself to keep talking.]
I'll talk to you again soon. I promise.
no subject
[ He sounds quite delighted about it, excited to keep this conversation going for as long as it takes to convince both of them that things will be all right. Whether it's true or not remains to be seen but the Doctor's always been a very good liar when he puts his mind to it. Now is one of those times when he hopes his lie becomes some kind of self-fulfilling prophecy filled with waffles and syrup, and fruit if they can find any. ]
I've had plenty of rest — [ He starts to protest, thinking he would rather ask her to keep him company (as it were) for as long as it's possible, for as long as she wants to, but he isn't going to admit to his clinginess. He'd done that once before, found it too difficult to let go of someone (someones, rather) and it resulted in the regret that brought him to the Ximilia in the first place. ] — but perhaps you're right. There's still lots to do over on your side, I'm sure. And — there's lots to do here too.
[ There isn't, but. ]
Soon. Yes. Good night, Clara.
[ It isn't exactly night but that also isn't the point. It isn't a 'see you soon' and it certainly isn't a 'goodbye' but it's something in between.
He exhales a breath.
Endings. He hates endings. ]