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Donna stepped into place by the Doctor's side. The freed UNIT soldiers swarmed around the steel foundry like bees, cataloging the place for any sign of a threat. The rest of the Noble clan were off being interviewed by Bingham.
Donna slipped her arm in the Doctor's and led him away from the chaos. As they walked she tilted her head and said, "You know, we never talked about it. Suppose we never had time. I did wonder, in the time I knew you on the TARDIS, but I never asked. Then, when I did know, I knew too many other things to say something and I was dying so there wasn't the time."
The Doctor looked down at her strangely. "Donna, what are you talking about?"
"About you and your pronouns and all your gendery nonsense."
The Doctor rubbed the back of his neck. "Do we need to talk about it?"
"Yes." Donna tightened her grip on his arm. "You were afraid to tell me. I might not remember much from the Meta-Crisis but I remember your fear. You know, you could have said. You could have asked for anything and I'd have done it."
He ducked his head. "You can never tell. You humans. I really... I love you quite a bit. It's not the same back ho- back on Gallifrey. We don't think about it as much. We don't really mind it one way or the other. When regeneration can change so much, it's not really worth bothering about it, and sometimes you humans can be, well..."
"Close-minded?" Donna asked with a sympathetic smile.
"Incredibly. I spent so much time around you lot. I suppose I got used to not talking about it, and it never bothered me enough to say anything. It doesn't hurt me to be called 'he.' I'm not oposed to it."
"Yeah, but it's different, isn't it? Not being seen." They stopped walking a short distance from the building, away from all the chaos within. "It feels different when I call you a 'bloke' because I know you don't mind it and when I called you a 'bloke' because I thought you were a man."
The Doctor chuckled. "Donna Noble, how'd you figure that?"
"Oh, just something Rose was telling me. Sometimes knowing the intention behind a word can change its meaning. Knowing that you're seen as you are can be enough."
"Very true, Donna Noble. Very true." He sighed and looked up at the stars.
After a moment of silence, she asked, "Did you ever tell anyone?"
"A few. My Rose knew. She didn't really understand at first, but she tried. River knew. Wonderful woman. She did end up mattering quite a lot to me in the end. Jack knew, but we never really talked about it. A few others you haven't met. Jaime, Yaz, Bill, Clara. The people I got close enough to for it to really matter or the ones who I knew would be more open to it."
"I wasn't either of those then?" Donna asked with a playful shove.
The Doctor stared back at her with wide eyes. "You're my best mate. I couldn't bear it if you didn't want me anymore. I didn't need to tell you so I never took the risk." He rubbed a hand over his face. "Do I really say things like that now?"
"Well I like it," she told him. "Its good seeing you be more open, more honest. And I love you too, Spaceman."
The Doctor laughed. "I'm glad you know. I'm glad we can talk. I think, I was just too young and hurt back then to manage it."
"I like this new you. Older. More steady. More open." She tilted her head. "It suits you."
The Doctor let out a sigh. "So much has changed. Everything I thought I knew about myself was a lie. My people- they stole something from me. I don't know who I am anymore." He looked over at Donna with watery eyes. "I'm so glad to have you back."
She wrapped her arms tightly around his middle and he let himself lean into the embrace. "I'm glad to be back. Is there anything you want me to change going forward, with my words?"
He huffed into her shoulder. "No. Not really. I suppose you could use other pronouns if you wanted. It might be fun. I liked being a 'she.' Being a 'they' is nice sometimes too. Really though, having you know is enough. Being seen is enough."
"Oh, you silly Martian." Donna sighed and pet his hair. "You never have to worry about just enough from me. I'll do so much you'll have to beg me to stop. Just ask Rose. She knows."
The Doctor laughed. "I'd like that. Thank you Donna Noble. I missed you."