Open Hearts and Dark Theatres [RP for aces_are_rare]

[timewill_tell]

It had been four days since their first 'date,' and the Doctor still found most of his thoughts focused on what had transpired between them. It was a curious thing, really; he'd loved her for so long, silently, and had nearly accepted the fact that it would remain that way. Now, however, he found himself grateful for the feeling of liberation it

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[aces_are_rare]

Ace paused in the doorway between the console room and the rest of the TARDIS and leaned against the wall. She wasn't surprised to find the Professor here. For the last few days they'd been drifting in the vortex, allowing themselves time to simply be together (and, though neither would admit it, for them to get over the toxin scare.) But they weren't sedentary people, either of them, and it was time to leave the safety of the TARDIS

[timewill_tell]

He grinned softly to himself as he felt her voice so close to his ear, her chin resting on him. He was hesitant to move for just a second; every touch from Ace was pleasant, familiar, comfortable.

"Be thankful you don't," he said, finally turning his head to look at her. Of course, he didn't it mean it in the way it probably sounded; he was slowly learning to open up to Ace, granting her the same gift she granted him. It was hard for both of them to open to anyone else completely, and he supposed they'd decided it was simply always going to be them, and they weren't about to close the other out now. Still, there were some thoughts he simply couldn't bear letting her know. He didn't like to think on how short her life was, compared to his, but it was a truth he couldn't escape, and he was adamant about doing his best to keep the life she had with him as free from burden as possible. There were times he thought he'd completely failed at that

[aces_are_rare]

A frown flickered briefly across Ace's face, both at the Professor's words and the things he didn't say. She knew by now better to think that she could ever understand all that went on in the Time Lord's mind, but that didn't stop her from feeling left out sometimes. She knew, too, that he tried to protect her from things, but didn't lie to her the way he once had. He had his secrets, though, just as she had hers; there were a few things they would never share with each other. They shared the rest, and that was enough.

I believe you, she said with her eyes and a touch of her fingers to his cheek. Then, with a smile to match his own, she moved so she stood at his side, her own fingers touching the console lightly

[timewill_tell]

With his hands looped together casually behind his back, the Doctor watched--with some degree of unmistakable pride--as Ace programmed the TARDIS to take them where she wanted to go. He might have whistled, he was feeling so oddly whimsical, and eager.

"Quite ready. And quite curious," he added. "It wouldn't be much of a surprise for you to tell me just what you've planned, but I must confess to being quite anxious for finding out."