Meanwhile, elsewhere...

[sortofaman]

There were more things to do on one's honeymoon than have sex or lie about, and while that would have been just fine, occasionally one needed to stretch one's legs. Which was why the Doctor, clad only in boxer briefs, and Chase, similarly less than clothed, were on the beach as the sun started to set, playing a rough and tumble rugby scrimmage

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[dr_robchase]

Chase had been wiping the sweat from his face, pacing back and forth and grinning widely as he kept his eyes on the Doctor, the sun painting his back as he kept his eye on his husband, tucking the rugby ball to his chest as he caught his breath from the last play. "I don't think this is very fair," he was protesting, licking his lip.

[dr_robchase]

Chase glanced to the ocean, still digging through their things to grab some food and a t-shirt, hesitating a moment. "...No," he called over, bringing a banana for the Doctor and an apple for himself.

[sortofaman]

"That's all right, studying's rubbish, when you're on holiday." The Doctor made room on the blanket for Chase.

[dr_robchase]

"Yeah," Chase said quietly. "Yeah, on holiday." He felt guilty about lying, but he felt worse about admitting defeat. He just sat on the blanket, handing the banana over.

[sortofaman]

The Doctor was very good at telling when Chase was lying though. He took the banana and put his hand on Chase's wrist. "What?"

[dr_robchase]

Chase just took a bite of his apple, not taking his eyes off of the Doctor as he gave him a wary look, biting his lip. "Nothing?" he tried that one on for size, very slowly.

[sortofaman]

"Don't pull that on me," the Doctor said, raising his hand so that the ring flashed in the sunset. "Doesn't work, never did."

[dr_robchase]

Well, that was definitely a new guilt trip to be had and Chase sighed slightly, lying down on his back, staring up at the sky. "That's a very backhanded move, you know. And I notice you do it a lot," he drawled. "I don't know anymore. That's all."

[sortofaman]

"Know anymore about what, being a doctor?" the Doctor asked, looking worried indeed. He thought he was allowed to use that kind of guilt trip, seeing as they had agreed not to lie to each other.

[dr_robchase]

Chase rubbed his eyes with his clean hand, his own ring touching cool metal to his eyes, which he needed at the moment. "About being a psychiatrist," he said, hushed.

[sortofaman]

"Well," the Doctor said, "why the hell not?" He knew Chase had had doubts, but not this serious.

[dr_robchase]

"Because the one patient I have tosses me out," he muttered, seething mildly. "And after the romp in Jurassic fucking Park, I've got more issues than most people who'll want to talk to me," he said, rolling his eyes at himself.

Some days, he really hated himself.

Right now was one of those times.

"Let's not worry about this, okay?" he pleaded.

[sortofaman]

"Pardon me," the Doctor said, not dropping any subject, "but your one patient, from what I've seen and heard of him elsewhere, can't decide if he wants to live in the Great War in his mind forever, or run from it with sex. You can't heal someone who doesn't want to be healed, for starters. And recognising problems is the best way to get towards them and help people later with the same issues."

[dr_robchase]

Chase gave the Doctor a pleading look, exhaling deeply as he rubbed at his eyes. "Does that change that I'm not really ready to be a voice of reason to people who will need my help, in a fragile mental state? Not him, not you, not..." He took a deep breath, going back to eating his apple thoughtfully.

"It's just not the right time."

[sortofaman]

"Now you're making excuses," the Doctor said, brow firmly raised. "Then you keep studying and trying until you are ready. You know?"

[dr_robchase]

Chase just gave up, giving a long and quiet sigh, giving the Doctor a pleading look, his own gambit. "Please don't make me?" he said softly.