Eyes of Time: The Final Line ✓

Chapter 39: Missed but now Found

[TARDIS Console Room]

The soft hum of the TARDIS fills the room as the Alchemist stands by before her husband, her fingers absentmindedly twisting the ends of her hair. She glances at the Doctor, who is leaning against the console, his expression still heavy with frustration and the weight of recent losses.

The Alchemist sighs, breaking the silence, "Let's go shower and change, Theta. I need to take you to our Bondmas gift."

The Doctor frowns, "How did you manage to get us both a gift? You've barely had a moment to breathe these last few days let alone the last year."

She shrugs, a small, enigmatic smile tugging at her lips, "I can't explain it. I can only show it."

The Doctor rolls his eyes, but there's a flicker of curiosity beneath his weariness. He nods, though the frustration from everything that has happened still lingers at the edges of his mind. The losses weigh heavily on him, and worse, the fear Astrid had shown toward the Alchemist gnaws at him.

The Alchemist moves closer, sensing the tension still radiating from him. She places a gentle hand on his arm, "I know what you're thinking. I wish things had been different."

He shakes his head, sighing deeply, "It's not just her. This is just, just, wrong... We saved lives, sure, but it still doesn't feel like a victory."

The Alchemist's gaze softens, and she gently takes his hand, "I've got the list of names and addresses for those who were lost. We'll send the cards, and then we'll have done all we could for them."

The Doctor looks down, his eyes troubled, "I know. It's just... I don't know if it'll ever be enough."

For a moment, they stand in the comforting quiet of the TARDIS, its familiar warmth surrounding them.

The Alchemist squeezes his hand, "That's why I need you to see this gift... I think it'll help."

He looks at her, the weariness in his eyes easing ever so slightly, "Alright. Let's go see this mysterious Bondmas gift of yours."

The Alchemist smiles, "You'll understand soon, Theta."

[Fated Pair Bedroom]

The Alchemist reaches into her pocket and pulls out a cocktail napkin carefully wrapped around the pair of strawberries. She turns toward him, her lips curling into a mischievous, lopsided grin.

"Care for a treat?" she teases, holding one out.

He chuckles and leans forward to take the strawberry in one dramatic chomp, "You always come prepared, don't you?"

"Always," she chimes, "At least the heart didn't fall into the ocean this time!"

He laughs again, his joy contagious, and then pulls her into a kiss, the other strawberry clenched between his teeth. She raises an eyebrow but doesn't resist playing along, leaning in to claim the fruit with another kiss.

"Not bad," she murmurs, licking her lips as he helps her untangle herself from her torn and muddied gown.

Once, it was resplendent—a cascade of shimmering beaded feathers. Now, it's a shadow of its former self, streaked with grime and fraying at the seams.

"Well, it had its moment," she remarks, tossing it aside.

"Nice lingerie," he says with a smirk, his eyes glinting with mischief.

"Oh, don't start," she shoots back, rolling her eyes, "Unless you're volunteering to take that off too. Seems like we're shedding a lot of feathers tonight."