Chapter Text
The first time she falls asleep on the TARDIS, Rose passes out on the jumpseat after chips and the end of the world. As much as she can't wait for their next adventure, there's not much else to do while the Doctor fixes the complicated machinery under the console, and as the adrenaline from her near-death experience finally wears off, she succumbs to her heavy eyelids. She wakes up covered in a blanket, a cup of tea balanced on the floor under her nose. It's not quite homey, but it makes her feel like this is somewhere that she belongs.
Pink. That was the only word to describe the room that the TARDIS had given to Rose. Everything from the pink sheets hidden under a pinker bedspread, to the mismatched wooden furniture painted white, reminded her of her room at home on the estate. But unlike that room, the tones in this new room all seemed to match. It was like having a piece of home with her, but better. She slung her bag into the corner, eyes already mapping out where everything would go. Adventure was calling, but later… She was going to enjoy making this space her own.
Bloody dalek. She was curled up under her duvet, trying to shut out all the things she had seen today and just sleep. The sound of familiar footsteps came from outside her room, and the door tentatively creaked open. Without a word, she lifted back the covers - an invitation. A pause, then soft footfalls, the thuds of an ever-present jacket dropped to the floor and heavy boots being kicked off. They fell asleep wrapped around each other, both comforting and taking comfort. In the morning, there was a new chair in the room, the leather coat hanging over the back.
The Doctor spun her into her room, continuing their dance from earlier, and she laughed as she stumbled over a pile of books that he had left on the floor. His hands found her waist, steading her, before sheepishly moving to put the stack in their rightful place on the small corner bookshelf. Rose quickly settled down for the night, while the Doctor got comfortable on his side of the bed, his boots off and jacket discarded over the chair. All talk of 'dancing' was soon forgotten, as they let the exhaustion of the day lull the room into quiet.
Rose thought she shouldn't be surprised, when after a week at home for Christmas, she came back to the TARDIS to find her room had gone and changed on her too. Gone were the bright pinks and clean whites, replaced instead with pale blush and creamy golds. Her bed was even bigger than before, and Rose swore that the room had grown to accommodate the second side table and… was that a coat rack? It was so tidy as well, so grown up, so… different. She couldn't help herself. Rose curled up on the bed and finally let herself cry.