θ 3

[bit_impossible]

[currently, the Doctor is crawling on the floor in the entrance of the ballroom, occasionally stopping to look and feel under the couches for something. he doesn't show it, but he's been rather shaken up--and he certainly is not happy]

Come on out! I know you're here somewhere. You've got to be! I felt you before you--[he pauses, his hand suddenly darting under a plush chair]--did whatever you did a few moments ago.


[ooc: The Doctor had to make a choice! When you tag in, I'll leave you a little message in his reply back so you know what's up~]

Comments

[oliverplus]

Because you'll worry even more. And if I tell even just you, then I have to face that it's real--that I'm really unhappy. I'd rather pretend it all doesn't exist, and then nobody else has to worry about it, and I don't either. And you'll want to fix it, too, and...it can't just be fixed.

[that pint's gotten really interesting again. Oliver's too ashamed to even look at the Doctor, but unfortunately, he can't stop yet. he's been asked too many questions. he starts his next answer with a nod] I spend most of my time on the Plane--or sometimes at my merger with Jamie. That's why things didn't work with Anna. I like being here more than anything. I don't want to live on Gondovan anymore.

[bit_impossible]

Ohhh, now you can't say that. You know me, Oliver. It's like you said, I'll want to fix it, and I think it eventually can. But you can't run away from your problems. They...have a habit of finding you soon enough. Take it from me! I've been running all my life. [and yes, he's being completely honest. only fair...]

Never crossed your mind to share it with her, huh? [he sighs and shrugs, not touching his own pint] There is one question I want to ask, and I'm not too sure if I should. Not with the way you are now. [frowns] I'm afraid what you could say might not be for the best, but just know that despite everything said in the past and now, you'll always have a place at my side. [he tries for a smile and ruffles Oliver's hair]

[oliverplus]

But I still can't go home.

[his eyes widen at the fact that he just said that, and he quickly continues] I did tell her about it. But it was too late then, and she can't share it with me anyway. Living on Gondovan--especially with Anna--can't really work unless I stop running from it all the time. And I won't.

[glances at the Doctor at that. opens his mouth, knowing what the question is. he's tempted to answer it, but he's afraid that his answer might come out with all sorts of things he doesn't want to say. he pauses before saying:] I'm really, really grateful for that. When I realised you weren't coming back, I thought I'd ruined everything forever...

And I wish I could yell at you for what you just did, but it just makes me more grateful because you wouldn't do it if you didn't still care. [but he still makes a face, whether at the ruffling or what he just said, well, that's up to you to guess, Doctor]

[bit_impossible]

I'm sorry for what I just did, but I'm glad you do believe me. And please believe that you will get home. I will get you home.

[oliverplus]

[cringes, looking away] [softly] That's not a promise you have to keep.

[bit_impossible]

I wasn't able to back then. You don't think I haven't thought about once since then?

[oliverplus]

[he wishes he could stop himself, but he has to say it] You never came back.

[bit_impossible]

I didn't think you'd want me to. You were very clear you didn't want to go.

[oliverplus]

[oh Ten, Oliver wishes you hadn't opened this flood of feelings] It was too soon after everything that happened! I didn't know! I...I didn't realise what I was doing.

I was wrong.

[bit_impossible]

[it's probably a good thing the Doctor is still masking his own, huh?] It was two months. But to me...it feels a lot longer being in one place than it would for you. And yes, you might not have known what you were doing, but I could have listened better. You remember how I was like back then. [he smiles faintly] And I don't just mean the scarf and curls.

[oliverplus]

[glances at him, afraid to say anything to that. he doesn't want the Doctor to know how he really feels about what happened] I remember.

I...wanted to go home then. But you don't have bring me there anymore.

[bit_impossible]

What? Why don't you want--you're afraid of repeating what happened, aren't you?

[oliverplus]

[he wishes he could at least hesitate to answer]

Yeah. I...I can't do that to Chloe.

Or to Birmingham. If I go back there while I'm connected to the Plane, there could be mergers, and who knows what else might happen...

[bit_impossible]

Remember what you told me my first visit here? About how our worlds that we've been going back to aren't exactly real?

[oliverplus]

Yeah, but...if it's not real, that doesn't make it better.

[bit_impossible]

It means that you could get back home eventually! Not now, not while our worlds are being played with, but it can happen!

[oliverplus]

[blinks] It...yeah. I guess it does. [doesn't seem to know how to react to that, but after a moment, he nods] Once we've solved things here, I could go back. I...I really could do.

[bit_impossible]

Exactly! Now! I think you can drink that pint of yours with a bit more enthusiasm, don't you think?

[oliverplus]

[breaks out in a real smile] Yeah. Definitely. [and he does so!]

[bit_impossible]

[he smiles back, holding out his pint] Here's to getting you home one day.

[oliverplus]

[hits his against it] I'll drink to that!