actualdoctor:

little-creamsoda:

 The intervals between his speech patterns rendered Scout unable to find a response she deemed appropriate. The Doctor’s good mood was obviously deteriorating, and anything that came to mind for her to say either seemed too indifferent or too warm. And as she grew frustrated at herself, frustrated that she wasn’t smart enough to infer what she had said that made him become so distant, the silence simply grew, to the point where it was as if it had become an entity, standing between the two of them with it’s hands around their throats.

 ”Yes, well…” she finally mustered up the vocal capacity to say. “Better get your ship fixed b’fore it starts feeling neglected, eh?” Scout couldn’t know that her sad attempt at a joke actually appeared as an extremely considerate and intuitive thing to say, and since she was unable to come to that realization, she just rubbed the back of her neck with one hand, and clutched the handle of the toolbox with the other.

 ”You said you don’t know a thing about this kinda technology? Seems like a mighty dumb thing to be traveling space in a ship you don’t know how t’fix, don’t you think?” Grabbing a can of cream soda from the fridge, Scout made a small gesture towards the front door. Clearly, it was high time they started walking back to the Tardis, but her unnecessary rambling was just a form of stalling because honestly, she didn’t want to leave. Not yet.

 At her remark about his tardis feeling neglected, something in both of his hearts made an executive decision; she was going to come with. Suddenly as visions of death and the past escaped him, leaving him with only hope for the future. Maybe this is what he needed; a chance to do it right. He had failed everyone before her, and this time he would make sure that she would stay alive, even if it killed him.

 As he followed Scout, there was a more notable eagerness in the way he walked, as he if couldn’t wait to get back to his beloved ship. “I suppose, it was a rather stupid decision, not to mention that the navigation system is completely knackered,” he glanced over at her, a mischievous smile plastered across his face, “but that just makes traveling far more interesting. To be honest, I don’t know anything about the tardis because I stole her. Or, rather, she stole me. At least that’s what she claims.” He spoke matter-of-factly, as if his logic was comprehensible to a human.

 It had just occurred to him, that this was the first time Scout had actually questioned him about something; and it wasn’t really something people usually asked about. Rather than asking what his real name was, or why the tardis was bigger on the inside, she just asked why he could get a spaceship that he couldn’t fix. It was incredibly how unpredictably not-human she had acted, and it made the Doctor giddy with excitement.    

 ”Huh…” was all she said. Throughout the entire encounter, every outlandish thing he rambled about could only be countered with a single syllable, because Scout didn’t dare ask questions. If he was faulty or hesitant on his answer, the illusion would shatter, and he would cease to be an enigmatic creature in her mind. Just another liar with a box. Perhaps this was why she never asked too many questions. Mysteries were far more interesting than the truth. Scout rather enjoyed the challenge of forming theories and speculations for herself, whether than waiting for answers. She liked fixing things up with her own hands. There was nothing a paid subordinate could do any better than what she could do by herself.

 The clouds had wrapped up the sun again as if became dimmer in the day. It had been nearly an hour and a half since their first encounter, but it felt like 5 minutes. They began their walk again towards where the Tardis landed. The breeze had only increased since they left the yard, and Scout’s footsteps sounded louder than before, but she knew she wasn’t stepping any differently than she had been earlier. As their hair flew about wildly, Scout couldn’t help but grin at the weather.

 ”Had you ever been t’ Alabama before? It’s real nice, ‘specially in the Fall. You should come back some time in September. That’s when we plant all the carrots and peas and things. Other people plant broccoli but I ain’t never cared for it much.” As they meandered down the dirt road, Scout had a way of kicking her feet up in front of her with each step, making a small gust of dirt cover her legs. She didn’t seem to care much that she had taken a shower no less that ten minutes ago.

actualdoctor:

little-creamsoda:

actualdoctor:

little-creamsoda:

[grabs his shoulders] Because raisins. Are. Disgusting. Now come on, we’ve gotta get supplies. And by supplies I mean Cream Soda.

Ooh Cream Soda, never been a big fan of pop, but I do love Cream Soda. [rubs his hands together enthusiastically] Now, where do you suppose we could stop…

You’re the driver here in this situation. I’m just here to enjoy the view. You gotta decide.

 We have all of time and space at our disposal, and you want someone else to decide where to go? Where’s your sense of adventure! What the use of calling yourself Scout if you can live up to the name? [he winks at her playfully] 

But is there anywhere in the universe other than Earth that sells Cream Soda? I mean, gimme a challenge and I’ll take you up on it. A tall ship and a star to steer her by. But we are limited here, Doctor! And I’ve only been to Alabama!

actualdoctor:

little-creamsoda:

[grabs his shoulders] Because raisins. Are. Disgusting. Now come on, we’ve gotta get supplies. And by supplies I mean Cream Soda.

Ooh Cream Soda, never been a big fan of pop, but I do love Cream Soda. [rubs his hands together enthusiastically] Now, where do you suppose we could stop…

You’re the driver here in this situation. I’m just here to enjoy the view. You gotta decide.

actualdoctor:

little-creamsoda:

actualdoctor:

little-creamsoda:

[tilts her head and smiles] Good. Now about this raisin situation. Really, your hold cookie situation in general. Rainbow cookies forever, okay?

Rainbow cookies? Now, what properties could rainbow cookies possibly possess that raisin cookies can’t? [looks at her incredulously]

Honey pie, rainbow cookies are just sugar cookies with different colours in them. And they don’t have raisins. I’ve gotta teach you all about cookies too?

What’s the fun if they don’t have raisins? Sure, they may be all rainbowy, but raisins are where all the happiness is! [begins to pout slightly as he crosses his arms, utterly unaware of how childlike he looks]

[grabs his shoulders] Because raisins. Are. Disgusting. Now come on, we’ve gotta get supplies. And by supplies I mean Cream Soda.

actualdoctor:

little-creamsoda:

[tilts her head and smiles] Good. Now about this raisin situation. Really, your hold cookie situation in general. Rainbow cookies forever, okay?

Rainbow cookies? Now, what properties could rainbow cookies possibly possess that raisin cookies can’t? [looks at her incredulously]

Honey pie, rainbow cookies are just sugar cookies with different colours in them. And they don’t have raisins. I’ve gotta teach you all about cookies too?

actualdoctor:

little-creamsoda:

actualdoctor:

little-creamsoda:

Yes, but tweed and raisins are not stereotypes of your race! [pats his cheek gently] Check your privilege, baby cakes.

I can’t be racist! I’m a timelord for god’s sake, I’m not even human! [points to two areas on his chest] See?! Two hearts! 

I. DON’T. CARE. You said it anyway! You said it. You said it, and you can’t take it back. [folds arms in a huff and turns around]

[sighs and starts toward her, grabbing her arms] Fine, I’m sorry. I always forget that humans are very sensitive about their race. In all the places I’ve been to, you can’t expect me to remember everything! 

[tilts her head and smiles] Good. Now about this raisin situation. Really, your hold cookie situation in general. Rainbow cookies forever, okay?

actualdoctor:

little-creamsoda:

actualdoctor:

little-creamsoda:

She didn’t know what inside her trusted a complete stranger to wander her house while she showered. In retrospect, Scout supposed it was a rather idiot thing to do, and she’d be lying if she said that after this realization, a tinge of anxiety surrounded her thoughts, but she pushed that out of the way and focused on the task at hand.

Showering after a day on the farm was one of those simple things in life that one never took for granted. The water met her skin, mixed with the dirt, and ran down her body to the drain. In it’s place, stood clean skin, refreshed with heat from the steam. Satisfied with finally being able to see the true colour of her skin, Scout left the water for a clean towel, and emerged from the restroom for clothes. Huh. Shoulda thought that through.

“See? Just ten minutes!” she shouted to him as she dashed up the stairs. It wasn’t just ten minutes. Scout never took a ten minute shower in her life. “I’ll just be two more seconds, honey!” She had a habit of making promises with time that she couldn’t keep.

Scout changed into a white t-shirt and cutoffs because on the farm, she made no effort to dress nicely. Her wet hair spiked everywhere because she never ever bothered to brush it. With the dirt caked on her skin, she looked permanently tan, but after a shower, one could see the naturally golden glow bronzing her arms and legs. Her freckles became individually defined instead of muddled in a layer of dirt, like it was earlier. Sprinting down the stairs again, Scout smelled the unforgettable aroma of chai tea, and her eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she followed it to the kitchen.

“Well, look at you, sweet cheeks.” She crossed her arms and leaned her shoulder against the doorframe. “You’re cute when you’re all domestic.”

 The Doctor had his back to her, and was just in the middle of pouring hot water into two cups when Scout stepped into the doorway; at the mention of the word “cute”, his grip fumbled, nearly dropping the kettle. “S-sorry!” he stammered in a tone of surprise, “Didn’t see you there, I made tea, you know because I was waiting and bored, and well I figured there had to be some way to apologise for what I did to you’re corn and all. You like tea? Great! I love tea. I was never one for human things, but tea always seems to make everything better.” He rambled on, handing her a steaming mug while taking a cautious sip out of his own. “It’s by pure chance that I even landed here, I don’t just travel all unconscious and willy nilly…well not usually. If I could fix things, I would, but you see it doesn’t work that way, so all I have is tea.”

 Sighing, he realised how pathetic his attempt at an apology was, he wasn’t good at those sorts of things; and typically, when these things occurred, he didn’t have to explain himself, because he’s, well, The Doctor! But he was on Earth now, and the people on Earth didn’t know him quite as well as the rest of the universe did. Here, his existence was strictly classified information, but among the other stars and nebulas that existed in the great big beyond, he was a multitude of things; he was a whisper hanging on a comet’s tail, a hero, a warrior, a saviour, and even a nightmare. 

 His desire to offer her any place in the universe she wanted to see tempted him like the devil, for this was the longest he had ever gone without company. There were so many places to go, and so much to see, that he couldn’t help but feel the need to boast it to someone, anyone. Scout standing there with her bronzed skin and unkempt hair was not helping in the slightest. The Doctor was feeling a magnetic pull deep in his chest that kept drawing him to her, and that scared him more than anything. To have a friend was one thing, anything more was simply suicide. 

 His apology was weak, yes, but visceral and sincere, and not at all half-hearted like she would’ve expected. Of course she was still a wee bit angry at the corn thing, but looking back at him, that anger diminished and transformed into something much different that she couldn’t quite distinguish yet. It was something that existed in the way he looked at her, and came alive in his speech and mannerisms.

 ”There’ll always be time to farm,” Scout told him, spinning the teabag in her cup with a vague smile gracing her lips. “But how often will I come across a Time Lord? And if you really are who you say you are, then I’m sure you could come up with some highly efficient space-y way to plant more corn than I’ve ever seen in my life.” 

 She suddenly felt stupid. Childish. Falling for The Doctor’s trick and playing along with his games, and having fun with it. Scout never considered herself a genius, but she knew there was some sort of intelligence in her, and what she was doing broke the rules every kid learns in his first years of living. Don’t trust a stranger, and definitely don’t invite him into your house for a drink.

 But one more glance up at him standing there, timidly sipping the tea from his cup, floppy hair limply hanging over his forehead — it could’ve made anyone forget about their forgetfulness.

 ”So’re we gonna get this show on the road? You’ve got time to travel, and I’ve got corn to farm.” Scout searched in the cabinet under the sink, and soon found an old, rusty red metal box. In it, there was a hammer, three sizes of screwdrivers, a wrench, a crowbar, a pair of pliers and there was probably more in the several other toolboxes hidden in various places throughout the house.

 ”Sorry love, if there was any way I could plant you more corn, I would,” he smiled at her sincerely, secretly not wanting this to be the last time he ever saw her again, “but I’m afraid the tardis isn’t equipped with that sort of technology. It’s a time machine, if you will, and as you may have noticed, it’s bigger on the inside. In fact, I once had a person get lost in it…” Grief’s affect on him was a very strange and unusual occurrence, making even the worst memories bittersweet. The last time, he lost someone, it had made him bitter and coldhearted, refusing everyone, even if they were in dyer need of help; and that was a part of him that he never wanted to revisit again. More than anything in all the universe, he wanted everything to be as it was; he wanted to travel through time in search of a great happening, a wild adventure with someone at his side.

 But that was a time long forgotten, crumbling somewhere in the far reaches of the universe, and withering both of his hearts. “But you are right,” he said quickly, “you have things to do, and I really must be going as soon as I can. Places to go, people to see, and vice versa, you know how it works.” Of course she knew how it worked, she was far brilliant than she would ever realise, and The Doctor wanted to make her see what he saw; a lonely farm girl with an expandable mind, and a childlike heart. There was strength in those copper, calloused hands, and warmth the could be seen from behind those beautiful, coffee coloured eyes that made his insides get all wiggly and jittery…

 The realisation that he was thinking about her in such a way jolted him back to reality, making it feel as though he had fallen through a frozen lake. That kind of thinking would get people killed, or worse; and he couldn’t have anymore of that. But at the same time, he found himself caring less and less, for the universe had to end sometime and whether or not there was a life after this one, everyone would one day know regardless of his decisions. He knew that the inner turmoil was obvious, his two heart raging war inside of him, so he tried his best to maintain his usual grin and optimistic attitude for the time being.    

 The intervals between his speech patterns rendered Scout unable to find a response she deemed appropriate. The Doctor’s good mood was obviously deteriorating, and anything that came to mind for her to say either seemed too indifferent or too warm. And as she grew frustrated at herself, frustrated that she wasn’t smart enough to infer what she had said that made him become so distant, the silence simply grew, to the point where it was as if it had become an entity, standing between the two of them with it’s hands around their throats.

 ”Yes, well…” she finally mustered up the vocal capacity to say. “Better get your ship fixed b’fore it starts feeling neglected, eh?” Scout couldn’t know that her sad attempt at a joke actually appeared as an extremely considerate and intuitive thing to say, and since she was unable to come to that realization, she just rubbed the back of her neck with one hand, and clutched the handle of the toolbox with the other.

 ”You said you don’t know a thing about this kinda technology? Seems like a mighty dumb thing to be traveling space in a ship you don’t know how t’fix, don’t you think?” Grabbing a can of cream soda from the fridge, Scout made a small gesture towards the front door. Clearly, it was high time they started walking back to the Tardis, but her unnecessary rambling was just a form of stalling because honestly, she didn’t want to leave. Not yet.

actualdoctor:

little-creamsoda:

Yes, but tweed and raisins are not stereotypes of your race! [pats his cheek gently] Check your privilege, baby cakes.

I can’t be racist! I’m a timelord for god’s sake, I’m not even human! [points to two areas on his chest] See?! Two hearts! 

I. DON’T. CARE. You said it anyway! You said it. You said it, and you can’t take it back. [folds arms in a huff and turns around]