!Hiatus! ᴘᴇᴘᴘᴇʀʏ ʟᴀᴄᴇ

𝘉𝘭𝘢𝘥𝘦

She suddenly found herself deep in a black space. Who sent this? Is it him? Why? Everything is dark, cold. Freezing, deadly. Alchemy felt something touch her. A comfort, again. As usual.

❝Alchemy? Hello? Dearest Alchemy?❞

She crinkled the paper, shoving it into her dress pocket. Her view came clear - a concerned man in a cloak and mask. The one and only Doctor that has traveled by her side for what feels like a century now. 

❝Yes! Apologies, Doctor-. I am unsure what happened in such little moment. Are you alright?❞

❝Simply unscathed. What about you? What happened, what did the note discuss inside?❞ As much as he wanted to feel her face, to examine, to make sure she was truly alright, he sort of stepped aside, respectfully giving her space. What a true gentleman. 

❝I am quite alright, Doctor. I was not harmed in the-...whatever happened then. The note had- nothing important. Shall we go now? Let us hurry, just in case. We can never be too safe. Right?❞ Alchemy nervously swallowed, gazing at him in a pleading manner.

❝Ah..yes. Yes, we shall go. I am glad you're alright, dear.❞ He reached out, taking her hand gently, and leading her along. Truthfully, Alchemy was a bad liar. The Doctor did not believe her, but didn't want to push or judge either. 

...

...

Alchemy shut the room door behind her.

❝Silly, I told you. We didn't need to sneak in because no one is present here! This hotel is quite small, so if someone was indeed here, we could probably hear them.❞ She shot The Doctor a gentle smile. He laughed in return. It was charming, it made Alchemy's face feel hot again.

❝I suppose you were correct, my dear. I apologize, though now we can rest from our constant movement from place to place. Maybe we can talk. Who do you think launched the attack? It cannot have been a mistake, because we are the only ones really around..❞ He trailed off, before taking off his boots and laying down on one out of the two beds the room provided. Alchemy sat on the other, feeling the note in her pocket. 

❝I'm- unsure, Doctor. I truly hope it's not someone I know...❞ 

❝Like who?❞ He interrupted. Alchemy felt the pit of fear appear again. It made her heart ache. She never wanted to drag him into this, she should've just stayed away.

❝...❞

The Doctor stared for a few minutes in thought, before lightly gasping. 

❝Oh, my darling Alchemy...don't tell me it's-❞

❝Don't say it! Please, Doctor, don't speak! I don't want to be reminded! I'm scared, I'm truly scared of him! I thought he was gone for good, but he's not! He haunts me, I'm so SCARED!❞ She cried out, bursting into sobs. Alchemy gripped her dress, crinkling the paper inside.
Her gaze was fixated on the floor, at her dangling shoes, before a pair of socks appeared in view. Doctor. She could feel his presence and his hands carefully and lovingly wrapping around her. 

❝I'm going to help you, Alchemy. Remember what I said, after our departure from the church? I won't stop helping until you're improving and getting better. I care for you deeply. I'm going to protect you. Alright?❞

His words, mixed with her terror, cut through her soul like a sharp knife. A blade. He truly loved her, didn't he? She felt so safe in his presence, he cared, he was kind, he was-

He was everything to Her. She was everything to Him.

...

❝Okay, Doctor. Okay.❞

...

🗡

❛ 𝘉𝘭𝘢𝘥𝘦 ❜