13 Novella 4

Body

TW: Scars

You lie in bed for a long time the next morning, just thinking.

You already have a headache but ignore it, rising to be in Tardis control room in fifteen minutes.

Everyone is already there, and you notice Missy relax from her tense position when you enter.

You yawn and smile warmly.

"I thought today we might just have a relaxing one" says The Doctor from the other side of the console.

"Actually that might be nice for once" comments Yaz and Jenny nods in relieved agreement.

"Yeah, you do have a bit of a knack for finding trouble mum..." she says and you stifle a snort at The Doctor's bemused expression.

"I do not find trouble! Everything in this universe just wants to kill me..." she sulks and Missy laughs too.

"Don't tempt me" she mutters under her breath and you are now laughing properly.

"Well then" says The Doctor obliviously, "somewhere nice?"

"Fine by me" you shrug as The Doctor pulls the lever and the floor starts shaking.

You aren't really with it, mind somehow still elsewhere, so when the Tardis lurches again you aren't ready.

You nearly fall but Jenny picks you up at the last moment as you yelp in surprise.

She grins nervously and you thank her when you land with an uncalled for blush.

"Oops sorry (Y/n)!" Apologises The Doctor and you smile.

"It's ok, I should be used to it by now, so where we we?" You prompt and she strides forward and throws open the doors, letting in streams of sunshine.

"Dermafaha Beach, 890 million miles from Earth, reknowed for its white sands and thirteen suns." She smiles and Yaz claps excitedly.

"Ok everyone, swim suits on!" She says and you feel your heart skip a beat.

Everyone rushes to their rooms while you wander slowly.

Back in your room you find a cute black bikini in the bottom drawer.

You slip it on quickly then go to look at yourself in the mirror.

You want to cry.

Every inch of your arms, stomach and thighs are littered with white scars, protruding above the surface.

You sink to your knees as you see the purple bruising around your abdomen. It was no use. There was just no way you could wear this.

Just then there is a knock at your door and you catch an image of Yaz standing warily.

"(Y/n)? Can I come in?" She calls and you don't reply. She enters anyway, knocking softly on your bathroom door.

"Are you ready? I'm sure you look lovely" she whispers and you sigh.

Of course, she knew about your scars from your date with Jenny. What a night that turned out to be.

"I-I really don't think I can come out" you say huskily, and she sighs.

"(Y/n) we all love you very much, no one will judge you" she says softly and you groan then push yourself to your knees, opening the door. You stand and stare at her, arms outstretched almost theatrically.

"I can't Yaz. Really. They don't know how bad it is" you shiver.

She looks at you sympathetically, wearing a cute pink tankini that looks great on her.

"You look stunning, come on. Jenny and Missy are waiting" she says slyly, sliding her hand into yours.

An image of The Doctor's face when she sees Yaz reaches you and the girl blushes, but you laugh.

"Yeah that's a pretty accurate depiction of her face, utterly awkward." You giggle, barely noticing Yaz pulling you out your room and down the corridor.

You manage to grab a towel before you leave however, wrapping it around you like a safety blanket.

She continues to drag you out of the Tardis and onto your own private stretch of beach.

Your face lights on fire as you spot Missy in a smoky black bikini, hair in a messy bun on top of her head and sunglasses covering her eyes.

You look away only to spot Jenny next, in a pale blue tankini with little gems studding it. Her brown hair is in a neat ponytail so her neck is completely exposed.

You feel it is safe only to look down.

The Doctor catches sight of you first, wearing a red bikini and looking very feminine, which you hadn't expected.

Their outfits clash horribly, but neither are as bright in colour as both hers and Yaz's burning faces.

"Come on then!" says The Doctor, but you don't move. Actually you are thinking you might just slip back into the Tardis.

Yaz squeezes your hand in comfort, giving you a little nod of reassurance. And so, seizing bravery reserves from you don't know where, you drop your towel to your ankles.

Everyone goes silent and you shuffle awkwardly as they stare.

You so hate that pity look.

"No really, keep staring" you snap in discomfort and they look away. The Doctor catches your eye, looking at you with a hard expression.

You ignore her and walk over to Missy and Jenny.

They smile and grab a hand of yours each, running with you into the water.

Once submerged you actually begin to have fun, swimming way behind the strong Time Ladies.

The Doctor's face eventually clears and you have a round of chicken wrestling, Yaz on The Doctor's shoulders, you on Missy's.

You scream and laugh as Yaz tries to dislodge you, but Missy is agile and you get a hold of the other human, pulling her under and winning.

"We are the champions!" You shriek in delight and laughter, until The Doctor swims under the waves and pulls Missy under, consequently taking you with her.

You feel a different pair of strong arms pull you out, and find yourself very close to Jenny who holds you bridal style, looking very surprised.

"We've got to stop meeting like this" you say with a giggle and she laughs, jumping with the waves, then throwing you with all her strength where you plummet beneath the surface.

You arise gasping and choking, wiping the water out your eyes.

You are pulled back under by The Doctor who laughs as you cling to her in an effort to avoid any more submerging.

She feels very warm and you grip her like a koala.

She tries to dislodge you but you grip tighter. She pulls you off at arm length and laughs as she throws you to the left, where you are caught just as you hit the surface by Missy.

You grip her next but she throws you to Jenny, then back to The Doctor, then to Missy again.

You shriek in fear and delight as you are thrown from Time Lady to Time Lady like a light ball, noticing Yaz has also joined the circle, being tossed similarly.

You laugh and try to escape each time and they take advantage, planting a kiss on your forehead every time they receive you.

Losing energy, you allow them to continue, laughing and giggling as one of the thirteen suns begins to set below the horizon.