moooore wonderland au

[makingsouffles]

[Oswin's not really sure how long she's been here. Days at least, because she quite clearly remembers stretching out on a ground softer than any bed she'd ever encountered to sleep under the stars when she absolutely had to, with the Doctor by her side. But then again, she's not really sure she cares how long it's been. This place is absolutely perfect, beautiful and lush and ever-changing. What could be out there that's better than in here?

She and the Doctor spend their days exploring Wonderland, this world that the TARDIS has created all for him. Maybe she thinks they can't stay forever, but Oswin's not too sure. She'd like to, definitely, to spend the rest of her life exploring this land with the Doctor, without having to worry about anything besides where they're going next.

But, they can't. And it's the TARDIS that knows this best. The universe needs the Doctor, and the Doctor needs his companion. And both of them need to leave at some point.

But, the Doctor needs his memories back first, which is why she leads him and Oswin to a darker part of Wonderland, the Tulgey Wood. As they stand before it, Oswin squeezes the Doctor's hand tightly, her gaze involuntarily raising to the sky, which has begun to cloud.]

...Onward, then? [Not that they have much of a choice, if those clouds are anything to go by.]

Comments

[mrcool]

[The Doctor holds her close and closes his eyes again. She speaks but he hardly hears it. He's lost in a wash of memories, of River and Canton, Nefertiti and dinosaurs and...and...]

Oswin Oswald.

[makingsouffles]

[She stiffens in his arms, and they're probably close enough for him to feel her heartbeat kicking up a notch. There's a sharp intake of breath and a long, long silence before a strangled sob breaks past her lips as Oswin buries her face in his chest.

No, no, no, she's changed her mind. She can't do this, not matter what the TARDIS told her, it's just going to hurt again and she can't stop it and...]

[mrcool]

Oswin... [He remembers her. And there's a jerk of surprise as he remembers what happened to her.

But he doesn't push her away. Doesn't reject her.

Instead his arms wrap even tighter around her and he kisses the top of her head.]

I'm so sorry...

[makingsouffles]

[She just barely hears what he says, too wrapped up in the shame of the fact that her tears are coming unbidden now. Oswin hasn't cried like this in a long time, not even before when she'd been going mad at home without anyone to properly tell what had happened. Keeping things bottled up is what she does, but she'd never had a breaking point like this before.

Sorry, Doctor. Your shirt is going to be very damp once she's all cried out.]

[mrcool]

[He holds her close, and for the first time in a long while, he feels like himself again.

The Doctor murmurs soft reassurances and rocks her just a little, strokes her hair and kisses the top of her head.]

I've got you.

[makingsouffles]

[It's a long time before Oswin finally exhausts herself, her sobs dying down to the occasional sniffle. Part of her mind is reeling with confusion, given that the Doctor's still there and comforting her instead of pushing her away.

But there's another, stronger part that's more willing to just accept it for now. To curl up in his arms and fall asleep and pretend like she didn't just have a sobbing fit on him. She still can't look, though, afraid that one peek to the outside world will shatter everything.

Her voice is muffled when she speaks, small and uncertain.] ...Why? [It's the only question in her mind now, the only one she can think on hard enough to voice it.]

[mrcool]

Because you're the same human girl that saved my life as you were before. [He smiles faintly, brushing away her tears with his thumb.]

Because you're my impossible souffle girl.

[makingsouffles]

But-

[She leans into his touch without even thinking, blinking away the stray tears in her eyes.

The familiar nickname with an added touch makes her smile weakly, even despite the fact that she's still confused and hesitant. He wants her, that was...really not what she was expecting.]

[mrcool]

Shh. [He holds her and brushes a kiss across her hair again.]

[makingsouffles]

[Finally, Oswin relaxes, closing her eyes and resting against him. Everything that's happened in the past few hours has completely exhausted her, this realization's just the straw that's broken the camel's back.

Or made it sleepy.

Her hand finds its way to his sleeve, grasping it tightly.]

Made it, then. [Made it through remembering and having everything raw and painful dragged out into the open.]

[mrcool]

[He smiles fondly at her, and an unexpected wave of affection comes over him. This is why he does this, why he loves like he does and hurts like he does.

Some things are worth getting your hearts broken. He seems to remember Sarah Jane saying something similar.]

Sort of. It's still a bit...confused and muddled. But I think the worst is over.

[makingsouffles]

Good. [Her smile is still faint, but a little less shaky this time. Definitely an improvement.

She's still confused, but she can bear it if it means she gets to stay with her Doctor without fear of being rejected.]

[mrcool]

Thank you. [His voice is soft.]

[makingsouffles]

Wasn't any trouble. [It was, of course, but Oswin would have done it all over for him.

She opens her eyes, her fingers going from clutching to idly tracing patterns over the fabric of his jacket. After a long moment, she looks up at him.] ...What'll happen after this? After we've...? [Gotten out of here, she wants to finish. Will they stay in Wonderland, or will the TARDIS finally open her doors?

Oswin isn't sure which one she'd want.]

[mrcool]

[He smiles faintly at that. He can't imagine he was easy to deal with in the state he's been in, but he appreciates her saying otherwise all the same.

The Doctor's quiet as she traces shapes, lost in his own thoughts, but when Oswin speaks, he looks over at her.]

I'm not sure. The old girl knows what's best for me, so I suppose we'll leave it up to her.

[makingsouffles]

You owe me, if we go back. [Her way of asking if he's going to make her leave. Oswin's not about to outright ask him, she's made herself look pathetic enough tonight, thanks.

She yawns, settling against him and closing her eyes.] Trip to the stars and we'll call it even.

[mrcool]

Just the one trip? [There's a soft tease in his voice.] I would have expected you would want more than that.

[makingsouffles]

[Her eyes open slightly, and Oswin smiles properly for the first time since her sobbing fit.] And if I do?

[mrcool]

[There she is. The Doctor smiles and brushes a strand of her hair back behind her ears.]

...I might be persuaded into letting you come along for a bit.

[makingsouffles]

Lucky I'm persuasive then. [Oswin smiles, closing her eyes.

She's too tired to really feel that rush of excitement that she ought to be, but the warm, wanted feeling in her chest is just as good. She'll get excited once they're out of this mess they've gotten themselves into.]

[mrcool]

Lucky indeed. [He smiles down at her.] I think we both need our sleep.

[makingsouffles]

Mm. [She rests her head on his chest, making herself comfortable. Or, well. As comfortable as one can be in a cold, stone cell.] Probably.