MORE CHRISTMAAAAAS

[underhisprotection]

[It's been a long, long day, but then again, Christmas always is in the best sort of way. And the fact that most of it's spent hopping around in a time machine doesn't really help matters much, so it's probably been a little more than a day for the four of them.

They've popped by Cheem, visiting Nina's Grandmother Willow and the rest of her family there, even if their way of celebrating's a bit different. Different planet, different holiday, after all, but it was similar enough. And, of course, they made sure to visit the Oswalds. Oswin knows that her parents go absolutely mad with worry if she doesn't contact them at least once every couple of days and not stopping by for Christmas just seems cruel. Especially given that she hadn't been around for the last one.

But now, they're all back on the TARDIS, just resting after a busy day. Oswin's curled herself up in front of one of the fireplaces in the library, where her favorite of the multiple Christmas trees that are scattered about the ship is set up. They're all kept alive, the trees, as per Nina's request and thanks to the TARDIS herself, and they'll be replanted somewhere in the universe once Christmas is over.

But, for now, the lights twinkle away in the glow of the fire, and Oswin lets herself relax for a bit, sipping from the mug of cocoa in her hands. No tea today, it's just not Christmas-y enough. There's a book open in her lap, but she's not so much reading it as gazing at the pages as she rests. Normally, she's a bit opposed to peaceful, but for today, she's pretty sure she can stand it a bit longer.]

Comments

[onewhoforgets]

[The Doctor doesn't usually enjoy a lot of...family time. It reminds him too much of all the things he's lost. But today, just for a little while, it's...sort of nice. That, and Oswin's mother is actually quite pleasant and she doesn't...mind him taking her off wherever they choose.

But he owes Oswin a gift, something nice, something...meaningful. So when he pulls the little device from his pile of things he's confiscated, he nods, smiles, and sets it in a box, wrapping it carefully in striped paper and adding a red bow.

Finding her is easy, and he walks over to her side, carefully setting the present in her lap.]

Here. Merry Christmas.

[underhisprotection]

[As the present enters her line of sight over the sentence she'd been reading over and over for the past hour, Oswin looks up and gives the Doctor a smile, catching his hand in hers as he pulls it back.]

And here I thought you didn't have anything for me. [She's teasing, of course. Pulling his hand close, Oswin presses a brief kiss to it before releasing to turn the box over in her hands.] Haven't got to wait to open it, do I?

[Even if he tells her she does, she's opening it anyway. Because she's Oswin.]

[onewhoforgets]

[He laughs as that hand clasps his, holding it close and kissing it. The Doctor leans in to kiss the top of her head and sits down on one arm of her chair.]

Of course not. It's already Christmas, isn't it? Go ahead.

[underhisprotection]

[She flashes him a grin before cheerfully beginning to tear the wrapping paper away.

Once she gets the box open, Oswin carefully lifts the contents out, pouring over it curiously. It's tech, obviously, and, if she's not mistaken, broken. But, not so much that a little while in her workshop couldn't fix it up.

Apart from that, though, it looks like a relatively normal leather cuff, with the more tech-y bits covered by a flap. She leans her head back against him, curiosity alight in her eyes.]

What's it do? [She looks up at him.] Didn't really have anything like this where I'm from, this stuff's from after my time, yeah?

[onewhoforgets]

[Handing this over to her is still a decision he's been toying with for weeks. He didn't trust Jack Harkness with one of these, but Oswin...Oswin is not Jack Harkness. She's stood in the face of darkness and defied it. She's...pure. Resolute.

The Doctor can trust her with this. She won't misuse it.

He takes a breath and smiles softly.]

Vortex Manipulator. It can take you anywhere, anywhen, once it's fixed up. Bit of a rough trip though. Same as my old girl, only...it's a clunker and she's a Ferrari.

[underhisprotection]

[On any other occasion, Oswin might have been a bit reckless, with the knowledge that she could go anywhere once she'd fixed this thing. All of time and space, if she was willing enough to go through a few rough trips.

But she's been with the Doctor for a long time now. She knows how to be serious when the time calls for it, and she feels the weight of his explanation and what exactly having this entails.

And it makes her smile, to know that he trusts her so much.]

Should come in handy if you ever decided to drop me off somewhere. [Now she can really come after him like she always promises she will.

Oswin turns it over in her hands, handling it carefully.] Doesn't look like it ought to be that hard to fix up, so long as I figure out this century's tech.

[onewhoforgets]

[He chuckles and wraps an arm around her shoulder, squeezing her lightly.]

I thought you might like it. Be careful with it though, promise me?

[underhisprotection]

[Like she's done a million times before, Oswin curls up into his side, taking the blanket she's got wrapped around her shoulders with her.

She smiles up at him, nodding.] Promise. Won't use it unless I've got to. [And maybe for a little side trip here and there, but they'll be harmless. Mostly.]

Don't see why I'd have to use it for much else, if we've got the TARDIS. [Oswin's smile widens as the gentle humming in the back of her head increases. She's still getting used to it, her scant connection to the TARDIS, but it's...nice usually. Comforting, even.]

[onewhoforgets]

Good. [He smiles fondly at her and ruffles her hair lightly.]

You know....I wouldn't trust most of my companions with that. It's more of a project for you than anything.

[underhisprotection]

[Always with the hair ruffling, what is it about her hair that makes him want to do that?

But, she doesn't huff about it too much. It is Christmas, after all. And what he says is...oddly comforting. Oswin knows the Doctor trusts her, of course, but it's reassuring to know he does to this extent.

She smiles, tucking herself in a little closer.] Mm. Should be able to start working on it tomorrow.

[Or tonight. Who needs sleep, anyway?]

[onewhoforgets]

I'm not going to help you with it, mind. [He smiles at her a little sheepishly.] Shouldn't have given it to you in the first place, really.

[underhisprotection]

...So you're saying you don't think I can fix it.

[Is that a challenge, Doctor?]

[onewhoforgets]

That -- [He extends a hand in her direction, pointing at her.] -- is not what I said and you very well know it.

[underhisprotection]

[She laughs, tucking the vortex manipulator back into its back and setting that aside for later.]

Oh! [Sudden remembering!] Hang on, I've got something for you too.

[And she's hopping right off the couch to rummage under the tree. It's hidden here somewhere...]

[onewhoforgets]

[He raises an eyebrow as she goes running off, chuckling a bit.] You know you didn't have to.

[underhisprotection]

Doesn't mean I didn't want to! [She calls back, still poking around beneath the tree.

There had been, of course, the issue of what exactly to get a man who's got everything in his spaceship. But, the socks decorated with pictures of little bows (bowties) had reminded Oswin of him. So there.]

Ah! [Finally, Oswin gets her hands on the messily wrapped package, hurrying over to drop it in the Doctor's lap.] There you go. [She gives him a grin.] Merry Christmas.