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Nights on the Tardis were always tricky. You never knew what mood either of the timelords could be in after you left them alone for about 8 hours to get the rest you needed. They have been getting along more, but fights and bickering weren’t uncommon.
You tried to sleep but your mind was too busy processing all that happened today. You were also scared of getting nightmares again, sleeping did not seem ideal right now. So after an hour of staring at the ceiling, you got up and walked towards where you last saw the two timelords. But all you found was an empty console room.
What got your attention however wasn’t the emptiness, but the silence. It was rarely this silent- the air was always full of arguments and debates on stupid stuff that was way above your pay grade. You sigh and walk over to the console. “The one night when I'm looking for company they decided to be quiet.” You mumble to yourself as your hand glides over the table, a small smile forming on your face. “Though I’m sure you are enjoying it, ay girl?” The Tardis made a beeping noise, which you decided to take as a yes.
“Aren’t you supposed to be recharging?” Your head snapped towards the voice, a bit startled by the sudden intrusion but you quickly calmed down after you saw who it was. The master was standing at a doorway into the console room
“I couldn’t sleep.” He rolled his eyes and stepped further into the room “None of that nonsense- I can’t have you be all tired and grumpy when we go out tomorrow, The Doctor will find a way to blame it on me.” You chuckled and took a good look at The Master. He was wearing his usual attire minus his jacket, and his sleeves were rolled up. It was still a bit strange to see him so casual and relaxed, and you couldn’t help but stare. If The Master noticed, he was nice enough not to mention it.
“Speaking of the devil, where is she?” He walked over to the console, and looked down at the controls, a pleased smile forming on his face. “She’s asleep in the library, overworked herself, I suppose. I figured I’d let her sleep.”
You smiled at him, suppressing the urge to tease him for being soft. Suddenly The Master started moving the controls, and a flash of panic sparked through your body. “Master you know you aren’t allowed-” He cut you off “To leave the Tardis without her, yes I know. Now hush I’m trying to remember coordinates.” You frown, what the hell was he doing this time. “I’m not going to help you break the rules.“ he gave you a deadpanned look, “Alright, I won't help you break the rules AGAIN, last time she gave me an hour-long lecture.”
He rolled his eyes and flipped the final lever. “I am not breaking the rules, I promise.” You gave him an unconvinced look, and he put his hands up in mock surrender. “Open the door.”
“Why? Where are we?” He didn’t answer you, he simply looked between you and the door. “Okay okay I’ll open the door- but if we get in trouble I’m blaming it all on you.” You say in a playful tone as you walk towards the door.
You could feel his eyes on you as you finally got to the door and opened it. A swirling galaxy of blue and purple greeted you as soon as you opened the door. You had seen space many times before- but it never got old. Leaned against the doorframe, you take it all in.
“It’s good, huh?” said the Master, his voice now much closer than before. You hadn't heard him walk towards you, too transfixed on what was in front of you. “Really good.” You agreed, turning to look at him. A satisfied smirk was clear on his face.
“Where are we?” you asked again, hoping this time he'll answer.
“The Centaurus Nebula galaxy, a peaceful part of the universe.“ You hum in acknowledgment as you turn back to look at the galaxy. “Not really my type of place. But I thought you would appreciate it.” He said softly.
You ignored how this simple act of kindness made your stomach flip and your heart beat faster. “I do. Thank you, Master.” you sigh softly in contentment, and sit down, patting the ground next to you as an invitation. “A view like this deserves more than one witness don’t you think?”
He stood silently for a moment, his eyes fixated on you. After a beat of silence, you heard shuffling and the Master sat down next to you, you couldn’t keep a satisfied smile from forming on your face.
Another moment of comfortable silence fell over you as you looked at the swirling colours in the sky, a calm coming over you.
“Why couldn’t you sleep?” He asks suddenly. You pause for a moment to think, and then shrug. “A mix of things, I guess.” You look down at your hands, and let out a small laugh “I mean, a little over a month ago we were still- well, you know…” You trail off, not sure if the word “enemies” would be right. Even back then you had some affection for each other. Frenemies would be a better description.
He didn’t say anything back, so you turned to look at him. He was staring at you, a pondering look on his face. His full attention being on you made you blush, so you quickly look away.
“Something on my face?” You joke, trying to release some of the tension in the air. The Master moved closer, invading your personal space. You turn to look at him again, your heartbeat increasing.
“Don’t avoid the question. Do you really think I would fall for that?”He pried, his eyes shifting across your features.
”You can’t hide from me.” He was so close you could almost feel his hearts beat.
Too tired to fight him on this, you sigh. “It’s nothing serious, okay, so just-” his gaze intensified, he really wasn’t letting you go on this.
“Okay fine, jeez. I’ve been having a hard time sleeping, and when I do I- well, I have…” Images of last night flood your mind, and you physically wince at the memory. You take a deep breath and close your eyes. You felt pathetic, you probably look it too.
You felt his hand move over yours, he squeezes your hand gently. You open your now watery eyes to meet his own, who were full of kindness and understanding, emotions you rarely saw displayed. “Everyone gets nightmares.” He said simply. You smile despite yourself “Yeah but mine are really, really fucked up.” Your voice broke on the last words, so you quickly cleared your throat, moving your free hand to wipe your tears away.
He moved back a little to give you space. “I’ve heard it can help humans to talk about… this.” You wonder where he heard that and almost chuckle at the idea of him asking the Doctor for advice on how to interact with humans.
You sigh. “I’d rather not,” you say as you break eye contact to look at the Centaurus Nebula again. “At least not yet.” It’s then that you notice that his hand is still on yours, and you smile softly into the distance. “This is nice, though.”
“Hm?” He said, a little confused.
“Just- you being here, and not judging me and stuff. It helps.” You move your hand so you can intertwine your fingers with his. You had held hands before but that was under much more dire and life-threatening situations, still the Master didn’t seem to mind. “Thank you, Master.”
In the corner of your eye, you could see his bashful expression, he looked down at your hands together and then back up at you. “Well someone has to look out for you, you humans break so easily.” You roll your eyes fondly and turn your body to face him. “About that… Can you not tell the Doctor about the whole nightmare thing?”
He raised a brow at you. “Why not?”
“It’s just that she will get worried and she already has enough on her plate right now. I don’t want to be a bother.” You shrug.
The Master smiled. “Like she isn’t always worried about you. But if that's what you want, I shall not speak a word about it.” He said, clearly pleased that he knows something about you that the Doctor doesn’t yet.
You both sat there for while in silence. Content with your current situation, and still holding hands you might add. You had slowly moved closer to him, subconsciously looking for comfort. “Can I ask something.. Silly?”
He turns his head to look at you, “Depends on what you mean by ‘silly’.” He said, mocking your use of words, you scoff and playfully bump your shoulder against his.
“Can I…” You trail off, and move your head to lay on his shoulder, you felt him tense, but after a moment he calmed. “Is this okay?” You ask, this was unbreached territory, a part of you was scared he was just going to stand up and leave, leaving you alone with your thoughts.
Instead, he put his free arm around you, allowing you to lay comfortably against him. “Tell the Doctor about this and I’m pushing you into the time vortex.” You snort, and you allow yourself to fully relax into his hold. “Won’t say a word.” You promise.
You hoped there would be more nights the Doctor falls asleep.