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“Drink this,” the Doctor said, sidestepping a rather large, snowcapped boulder and thrusting a warm cup of something into Clara’s hand. Her teeth were chattering from the awful weather, snow falling all around them. It was ridiculous.
“Th—Thanks,” she said, trembling. “I appreciate it.”
“I should have known better,” he replied, as self-loathing as usual. “I never should have let you leave the TARDIS. Granted, I knew it would be cold, but I wasn’t expecting to find snow here this time of year. I naïvely thought your jacket would be enough. Sometimes I forget how vastly different we are. Different species, I mean. Wave hello to that lass over there at the red stall. This came from her, free of charge.”
He broke a rule then, reaching out to rub her arm and bring some warmth back into her body as she waved her thanks. He rather thought her eyes went wide at the touch, he could feel her gaze on him, but he chose not to look up at her. Still, he could feel her watching him.
Shifting away from her, he began shedding his coat and she placed her chilled hand on his. “No,” she said. “No, yo—you’re definitely not doing that. Very chivalrous of you, actually, and I’m grateful for it, but you’ll bloody freeze to death out here in just a shirt and waistcoat. No thank you. I mean, thank you, yes, but don’t do that.”
His brows were arched in surprise. “But Clara—”
Still, she shook her head. “Seriously, don’t.”
She sipped at her drink, wholly comforted by its warmth. It almost tasted like an apple cider, but it was far too tart to really be compared to that. Still, it soothed her sore throat. It was absolutely delicious.
“How about some of my Time Lord magic, then?” asked the Doctor, tone verging on teasing. “Come here, just for a moment.”
She was startled by the suggestion, wondering what he meant by that. Stepping closer to him, she simply waited with her hot drink in hand.
His fingers danced about for a moment and then he took a deep, steadying breath. She watched the vapor cloud around his face as he exhaled. It shouldn’t have been as amusing as it was, but he reminded her of a dragon and it brought a smile to her lips.
“Ri—Right, what is it, then?” asked Clara. “Go on. I’m trying not to be concerned.”
He clasped her smaller hand in his, focused on concentrating. His eyebrows drew together. Rather suddenly, warmth was emitted from his palm and fingertips. She very nearly dropped her drink in surprise. “Right, okay,” she said. “That’s you doing that? Hot Hands. That’s a new nickname for you. The real thing. Genuine Hot Hands. Okay, wow.”
She snickered at her own joke and he rolled his eyes. He let her ramble on, his free hand finding her opposite wrist as well, careful of her drink. Soon enough, both of her hands were much warmer. Her arms as well, and then her shoulders. Her entire body was warming. She felt like she was thawing out.
“Gallifreyan anatomy,” he eventually began. “Fascinating, isn’t it? We can do a lot of things that would wow you.”
That was loaded, as far as statements went. She was terrified to even meet his eyes until he continued speaking. At the very least, she could blame the blush on the cold air. Her nose was already bright pink.
“It won’t last, Clara, but you’re warm for now. I reckon we won’t be here for much longer, anyway. The market’s closing for the day. Do you feel any better now?”
Still amazed, she looked down at her hands as he drew away. “Yeah, I do,” she replied honestly. “Thank you. Between that and the drink, I should be just fine. For the time being, anyway. You’re right… Why is everyone packing up? It shouldn’t be any later than midday here.”
He turned to glance out at the huge market. “It’s similar to Earth's tilt. Think of Alaska, in the United States. Alaska isn’t actually dark for six months. This is a common myth, and yet everyone still says it. While some areas in Alaska really do experience extended periods of darkness, particularly in the winter months. However, no part of the state has six consecutive months of darkness. People talk rubbish. The phenomenon occurs due to the Earth's tilt, like I said, which affects sunlight distribution, but only the extreme poles experience six months of continuous light or darkness. This place is no different. We’re close enough to the planet’s northern pole. So, while it might seem rather sunny at the moment, it won’t be shortly. Everyone has to get home safely.”
They stood there for a while together, watching as everyone packed up their carts and goods.
“This was nice, though,” she said. “Thanks for bringing me here, Doctor.”
He cast a soft glance in her direction. “Yeah? You’re welcome.”
Clara nodded, meeting his gaze with her own steady, unflinching one. “Of course. Everywhere you bring me is an adventure. But these types of the trips, the ones without any peril and doom, they’re special. Truth be told, I prefer ones like these.”
He grinned at that. “So do I, actually. I’ve gotta get you home safe to PE, right? Cold weather aside, this was a good one. He wouldn’t like it very much if I let you freeze to death on me, though. He’d be rather cross about that.”
Her expression grew sheepish. “Yeah, I guess so.”
He kicked at the snow, suddenly pensive and thoughtful. “I brought a friend here once. She loved this place. I thought you might like it, too.”
Clara’s head tilted as she watched. “You did? Which friend was that?”
His hands slipped into his pockets, expression contorting for a moment. Unknowingly, she’d struck a nerve. Despite that, he still responded. “Donna Noble.”
Without warning, she sidled up to him and her arm slipped through his. “Thank you,” she said, despite the millions of things that ran through her mind at the speed of light. The fact that he let her touch him was enough of a tell. It would always ache, she knew. Just as it would ache whenever he lost her as well.
Their eyes met, and for a moment, the stormy blue-gray of his irises took her breath away. He nodded, inhaling sharply. “Yeah, of course,” he said, voice low and gravelly. “She would have loved you.”
“I would’ve loved her as well from what I’ve heard, and we both would have driven you mad.” She shared a secret smile with him, bringing her drink to her lips before offering him some as well. “Here. Have some, too. I’m sure you’re freezing. All skin and bones, you are.”
He snickered a bit, taking the proffered cup and sipping at it. “You would have driven me bananas, the pair of you. I’m not entirely sure if the Universe could handle that much sass in the same room. The TARDIS wouldn’t be able to, I’m sure of it.”
She laid her head on his shoulder, a warm smile playing at her lips. She could blame it on the freezing temperatures if prodded about it later. His words touched her somewhere deep. “Sorry,” she offered. “I’m cold again, and you’re nice and warm.”
He didn’t bother shrugging her off. “S’fine. We’ll head back to the TARDIS soon. Finish your drink, though. The plumas fruits will ensure you don’t get a cold, even though the artron energy in your body will seal the deal. You travel with me, and that’s a plus.”
Clara laughed suddenly. “Is that why I never come down with any illnesses anymore?” Her fingers wrapped around the warm cup as he handed it over to her.
“Yeah,” he responded. “You’re safe from any measly human viruses and colds. Lucky you. Like I said, traveling with me certainly has its perks.”
Later, as the sun began to set, they made their way back to the TARDIS. Trudging through the snow might not have been on their radar for the day, but it was a pleasant end to an altogether wonderful day.
“You’re thinking rather loudly,” he said, chuckling to himself. “But at least you’re not brooding. That’s a good sign.”
As she cast a glance in his direction, the golden glow from the falling sun painting his skin in warm shades of yellow, she fought the urge to give him a bit of snark. “Not my fault you’re telepathic,” she teased, keeping her tone lighthearted. “I’m just thinking about today. Those ladies selling their necklaces and rings were nice. I’m glad I purchased one from them.”
“That’s not what I meant, telepathy and all that, but alright,” he replied, amused with her antics. “That’s only if we’re touching and only if I’m really trying. Telepathy never came easily for me.”
She pulled a face. “Liar. You were always pretty talented in that department. But yeah, I know it’s only with skin-on-skin contact. You’re not fooling me, so thanks for not trying.”
He laughed, suddenly baffled. “Why would I even bother? It’s pointless. Sometimes, I wonder if you’re the mind reader, Clara Oswald, not me.”
And honestly, what could she even say to that? She wanted to laugh, wanted to harrumph, and was nearly overcome with an immediate need to cry. There were too many complicated emotions tangled up in that statement. He always reduced her to this. To mere atoms, the sum of her parts, torn down to emotions and messy, messy desires. It was both a blessing and a curse.