not quite alone

[hideyosammich]

The Doctor was no stranger to waking alone, but this time was different.

After nearly a month with the Master on board his TARDIS, their relationship was anything but simple. There were no conversations regarding feelings, though they'd shared a bed and their bodies since day one, and nearly every night the Doctor had to talk the other Time Lord through violent nightmares.

It had only been a month, but waking alone felt wrong and uncomfortable. Naked and unashamed, he'd reached out for the Master, only to find his side of the bed empty. A shockingly powerful wave of worry and concern jolted him awake and he'd pulled on a robe in moments, padding down the hallways and calling quietly for the other.

"Master?"

Comments

[soundsofdrums]

It wasn't exactly a possibility to get fresh air, but he needed a short walk through the hallways. The nightmares were being as bad as usual, but the Doctor looked so peaceful sleeping, he couldn't bring himself to wake him up.

His head was pounding, and he got to the point where he couldn't even walk anymore. The Master slumped to the floor, curling up into a ball.

[hideyosammich]

It wasn't long before he found the Master and rushed to his side, dropping to his knees and hesitantly gathering him in his arms. He stroked through newly-dyed brown hair, simultaneously relieved and more worried.

"Master...hey...are you alright?" He kissed his forehead gently.

[soundsofdrums]

"Head hurts." He shivered, instinctively leaning into him.

[hideyosammich]

"Again?" He sighed, holding him a little tighter. There had to be some way to fix this...some way to cure him and his drums...at least make it easier on him anyway.

"Can I take you back to bed?" the Doctor asked softly.

[soundsofdrums]

"Yeah. ....yeah, that's fine." He took a deep, shuddering breath. "Bed's fine."

[hideyosammich]

"Right." He gave the Master another surprisingly gentle kiss, the kind he only got when he needed them. Slipping his arms underneath the smaller man, he hoisted him carefully into his arms, carrying him through the hallways.

"...Nightmares again?"

[soundsofdrums]

"Isn't it always?" He leaned against him some more as they made their way back. The Master hated being this weak, but it was too much for him sometimes.

[hideyosammich]

He sighed softly. "We'll find some way to fix this," he promised for what must have been the millionth time.

He let himself into their now shared bedroom, gently depositing the Master on the mattress. "Do you want me to get something for you? Food? Tea?"

[soundsofdrums]

"Just you." He pulled him into bed with him, taking a deep breath. "Just need you. You're...calming sometimes. Infuriating others. But at night, calming."

[hideyosammich]

He smiled almost sadly as he hung his robe back up and climbed into bed with him, wrapping his arms around the Master. "I adjust to fit your moods," he remarked with slight amusement, holding him close.

[soundsofdrums]

"Makes you sound like a sex toy. Which, granted, you are sometimes..." He chuckled, listening in to his heartbeats.

[hideyosammich]

"How reassuring. Thanks."

He didn't really mind much though, to be completely honest. The Master had somehow managed to twist the Doctor completely around his little finger, and it had been willing on the Doctor's part.

[soundsofdrums]

"You're quite welcome." Onetwothreefour. It was good to hear it from the Doctor. "My Doctor."

[hideyosammich]

He stroked his hair and kissed his forehead again. He was always excessively affectionate at nights, after the Master's nightmares. "Mm. All yours."

[soundsofdrums]

"Good." He chuckled and gave him a slow and deep kiss.

[hideyosammich]

He returned the kiss, eyes closing as a hand slid up to caress the Master's cheek. He sighed softly, pulling him a little closer.

[soundsofdrums]

"Stay with me. I know you will, but...." He kissed him again.

[hideyosammich]

"I'm not leaving you," he promised softly, smiling a little as he kissed him again. "My TARDIS hasn't even moved in nearly a month now because I've been so focused on you."

[soundsofdrums]

"You're ever so kind. Far too kind, hmm?" He murmured.

[hideyosammich]

"Oooh, probably." He chuckled and kissed his nose. "Feeling better?"

[soundsofdrums]

"I am." And he was. He always did, in the Doctor's arms.

[hideyosammich]

"Wake me up next time," he reprimanded lightly. "I don't mind it, and it's not like we need much sleep anyway."

It was starting to wear on him, the lack of sleep and all the effort required to take care of the Master, but he ignored that.

[soundsofdrums]

"I see how tired you look. This is too much for you." He sighed, closing his eyes.

[hideyosammich]

"Nothing is too much for me," he replied stubbornly. He yawned just then, stifling it quickly.

[soundsofdrums]

"See? You're exhausted. Sleep, dear," he murmrued.

[hideyosammich]

"Don't worry about me." He nuzzled against the Master's cheek. "Just a little sleepy right now, that's all."

[soundsofdrums]

"If you insist..." He was rather tired himself, but his head was hurting quite less.