x

The Gallifreyan puppy, ‘bounces’ up to where the master sat, two cups of hot choco in her hands. “Kooooscheiii!” Setting them down on the table, she plops down right next to him and turns to leans her chest against his arm, a giant grin on her face. “Hi!” She finally days after 3 minuets of grinning at him. “I bought Hot coco~.”

“Theta Sigma,” the Master greets the Doctor, with feigned propriety, and then he snatches her around the waist, and pulls her close, with a hungry grin.

He waits for her to reply.

And waits.

And sips his cocoa.

And kisses her nose.

And waits.

“Yes, Hearts, so I gathered. Hi.”

Crossing the floor of the TARDIS in a few swift steps, her eyes blazing as she nears. Reaching up she throws her arms around his neck and presses her lips to his in a fierce kiss. Pulling back a moment or two later the Doctor relaxes somewhat. “I love you Koschei.”

The Master’s not surprised by the Doctor’s joyful onslaught; he is still thrilled, and his eyes still crinkle in the corners, and his stomach still flurries, and his hearts still dance hopscotch, and his cheeks still burn.

He is so in love, and so very aware that while for her there are many, ever-increasing, numbers of loved ones, because she is wonderful, she is light and innovation and curiosity and compassion, but for him there is only her, and there will only ever be her, and it’s a terrible tragedy in its own way, yet he can’t even bring himself to be sad when she’s kissing him, and smiling at him, and declaring her affection.

“To me,” he murmurs, soft, prayerful, worshiping her with the words of The Little Prince, “you will be unique in all the world.”