Dec. 1st, 2011 01:54 pm

Advent story #1: For [livejournal.com profile] irony_rocks

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[personal profile] savvyliterate
Note, I'll be hosting these on my actual LJ instead of my writing journal.

Title: A moth drawn to flame
Written for: [livejournal.com profile] irony_rocks
Fandom/Characters: Doctor Who, Tenth Doctor, River Song - "possibilities"
Rating: K
Word Count: 584
Spoilers: Set during the farewell scenes of "The End of Time, part 2"


The Doctor hadn’t planned to visit River Song as he tried to prolong his regeneration. While her death weighed on his mind, seeing her again was something that made him vaguely uncomfortable at best. She was both hope and fear combined into a compact body with, he had to admit, amazing hair. She was hope that he would move on, finally shed the mantle of grief that losing Rose had dropped over him, and grow close to someone else in that way. She was also fear of the exact same thing.

But when he left Jack at that bar with Alonso, he turned and caught a glimpse of curls, a husky laugh and a man sitting across from her with floppy hair, bowtie and a tweed jacket and had to know. He wondered if it was her, but didn’t want to ask. The woman appeared to be absorbed that other man anyhow. A bowtie, really? The Doctor wrinkled his nose and strode back into the TARDIS.

The old girl was reluctant to provide any information on Professor River Song. His inquiries ran into block after block, and at one point, the word SPOILERS flashed across the monitor as he shoved away in frustration.

He finally tracked her to Luna University, where she was a tenured professor in archaeology, shortly before her trip to the Library. It was the only place the TARDIS allowed him to go. He made his way to a large lecture hall and watched as she spoke about the upcoming trip, excitement evident in her voice and the gesticulation of her hands that seemed familiar and comforting at the same time. She spoke of history the way he did, with a true love and understanding that most humans never seemed to grasp.

She was very different outside the spacesuit, he realized. Her curls were blonde and tumbled to her shoulders. She was quite curvy in all the right places, and he swore he saw the shape of a gun strapped to her thigh, her skirts fluttering around it as she paced before the class. She was still quite young for a human, early-to-mid 40s at the most. But something about her eyes made her seem so very old.

She’s happy, the Doctor thought, and that made the guilt over River’s sacrifice ease a bit. She was happy, vibrant and alive, and something about that drew him to her. Moth to a flame of sorts. He started forward as the class ended, then froze. No, she hadn’t met him yet. He’d mucked up time enough, thank you very much. He couldn’t … wouldn’t change that for her. Or for himself.

For the first time, the dread of regeneration eased. If River was his future, then it didn’t seem so bad. He saw all the possibilities in his mind, spinning out before him in an endless spiderweb of timelines and opportunities. He swore he could feel her lips on his, and it made him feel eager in a way he hadn’t felt in a very long time. The Doctor found his first geninue smile since taking the radiation for Wilf and directed it at the professor who was busy talking to someone who had slipped in and up to the lecturn. Same guy from the bar he noted, with the tweed and bowtie. He really hoped his next incarnation had a better fashion sense than that.

“I’ll see you soon, River,” the Doctor murmured, then with a swish of his coat, walked out to face destiny.
Date: 2011-12-01 06:58 pm (UTC)

From: [identity profile] irony-rocks.livejournal.com
For the first time, the dread of regeneration eased. If River was his future, then it didn’t seem so bad.

*HEARTS AND STARS IN MY EYES* I love how he spies his future self (and eventually 11 will look back and realize what was happening then), and I just adore that the TARDIS puts up spoilers. LOL.

THANK YOU!
Date: 2011-12-02 12:07 am (UTC)

From: [identity profile] dqbunny.livejournal.com
Yes, Eleven did realize that was him. I almost ended it on him and River, but felt it worked better to keep it entirely from Ten's POV. I'm glad you loved it!
Date: 2011-12-01 07:34 pm (UTC)

From: [identity profile] calenlily.livejournal.com
Ooh, this is lovely! LOL so much at the TARDIS putting up spoilers and at " Same guy from the bar he noted, with the tweed and bowtie. He really hoped his next incarnation had a better fashion sense than that."
Date: 2011-12-02 12:07 am (UTC)

From: [identity profile] dqbunny.livejournal.com
Hehehe, yes. Poor Ten. He really has no clue.
Date: 2011-12-01 07:58 pm (UTC)

From: [identity profile] bendingwind.livejournal.com
Awwww so sweet. :3

I will just sit here and bask in the general sense of bittersweetness and giggle at Ten being embarrassed by Eleven's fashion sense. He so would be.
Date: 2011-12-02 12:08 am (UTC)

From: [identity profile] dqbunny.livejournal.com
Yes, he would! I can see that being the basis of any future confrontation between them.

"A bowtie! How could I have a bowtie?"

"Well, I have a bowtie. AND I'm getting laid. How about you?"

"..."
Date: 2011-12-02 12:12 am (UTC)

From: [identity profile] bendingwind.livejournal.com
... and CANON now. Vroom.
Date: 2011-12-01 07:59 pm (UTC)

From: [identity profile] lonewytch.livejournal.com
This is so lovely. It made me smile - the way the Tardis tells him "spoilers" the way he wrinkles his nose at the bow-tie. I love the glimpses you capture of River as he watches her at the University, really tender and sweet.
Date: 2011-12-02 12:08 am (UTC)

From: [identity profile] dqbunny.livejournal.com
Thank you! I'm glad it made you smile!
Date: 2011-12-01 09:02 pm (UTC)

From: [identity profile] gidget-zb.livejournal.com
Haha oh Ten. IF YOU ONLY KNEW.
Date: 2011-12-02 12:08 am (UTC)

From: [identity profile] dqbunny.livejournal.com
Ten, prepare for the best thing to ever happen to your Eleventh self. ^_^
Date: 2011-12-02 02:48 am (UTC)

From: [identity profile] shadowturquoise.livejournal.com
So many things about this are wonderful! Here are my favorites:
- Ten seeing his future relationship with River as hope
- He doesn't think bowties are cool
- Interfering TARDIS
Date: 2011-12-03 08:33 pm (UTC)

From: [identity profile] dqbunny.livejournal.com
Thank you! Ten would hate the bowties! And be insanely jealous that Eleven is constantly getting laid. Poor, poor Ten.
Date: 2011-12-02 08:46 pm (UTC)

From: [identity profile] melodypondx.livejournal.com
"He really hoped his next incarnation had a better fashion sense than that." Oh, Ten. Silly Ten. You just wait.

But oh so romantic, YAY. ME GUSTA.
Date: 2011-12-03 08:34 pm (UTC)

From: [identity profile] dqbunny.livejournal.com
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it! And, yes, just you wait, Ten!
Date: 2011-12-03 09:48 am (UTC)

From: [identity profile] philippa-1988.livejournal.com
Aw that was so lovely! And the TARDIS interfering, of course she would :)
Date: 2011-12-03 08:34 pm (UTC)

From: [identity profile] dqbunny.livejournal.com
Absolutely! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Date: 2011-12-09 07:51 am (UTC)

From: [identity profile] hihoplastic.livejournal.com
HEAD!CANON. TOTAL AND COMPLETE HEAD!CANON.

He swore he could feel her lips on his, and it made him feel eager in a way he hadn’t felt in a very long time.


And the ending lines, HEEEEE. SO MUCH LOVE. <3333

NOW TAKE OFF YOUR EMOPANTS, TEN, AND GO SNOG YOUR WIFE!

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