[It's the coughing fit that makes her jump and come out of her unjustified rage. She doesn't want him to cough. That wasn't the point. She frowns, but for a different reason as she comes close to him, anger and worried waged for dominance and worry won because she really didn't want anything to happen to him. She didn't want something to happen to him. He was one of the few she had left! Alice swallows and quickly wipes at her eyes.]
[Eight tries to take a slow, wheezing breath as the coughing subsides, taking the glass with a grateful nod. There is a moment's quiet as he waits for his breathing to go back to normal before he speaks again.]
I'm sorry, Alice.
[He supposes it doesn't matter what he means. Not anymore.]
[Meekly and without any protest, she comes forward. She goes to his arms and doesn't resist whatever he might do, even if it might be a spanking or a lash against the hands (though she's never known any of the Doctors to ever do such a thing).]
[She's stiff, if only for a milisecond, before her arms wrap around him tightly. She sniffles and holds on as best she can. It feels absolutely wonderful to be hugged because Eleven isn't here anymore and can't do it, neither can Clara or her mother. She's really trying her best to be strong about this, to not show anyone that it upsets her. Her eyes, still burning, become blurry, only for her cheeks to become wet and hot.
Oh.
Oh...
She hides her face in Eight's shoulder, feeling absolutely appalled at herself and actions and everything. So the hug is welcomed, is a reprieve, a relief.]
[Eight holds her against him and slides his fingers through her hair, trying to comfort her, and hoping that the wheezy way he's breathing today doesn't scare her too much. He's doing alright at the moment.
He doesn't mind the crying. Not one bit. It's not right for children to have to go through traumatic experiences stone-faced. They should be held and allowed to feel. If only Time Lord children had that. They probably wouldn't be quite so emotionally stunted if they'd been allowed to feel as intensely as they needed to as children. Not to say they didn't ever have loving parents; the Doctor and Brax's parents were wonderful, in fact. It's simply that the society doesn't really allow for emotional outbursts. Even from children.
So, for Alice, he'll simply hold her and let her cry out what she needs to let go of, without babbling on or giving her advice. Just a shoulder to cry on.]
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Alice.
[It starts off imploringly, but ends in a wheeze and a coughing fit. He holds his hands up, silently begging her to wait as he catches his breath.
When he speaks again, it's in a hoarse whisper.]
Alice, please...I didn't mean...
[What the hell can he say? How does one even explain?]
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Doctor? [She holds a glass of water out to him.]
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I'm sorry, Alice.
[He supposes it doesn't matter what he means. Not anymore.]
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Please... Doctor, don't.
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[He holds his arms out to her.]
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No, instead he pulls her in for a hug, sighing heavily, if a bit raggedly.]
Nevermind, Alice. We'll leave that talk for another time.
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Oh.
Oh...
She hides her face in Eight's shoulder, feeling absolutely appalled at herself and actions and everything. So the hug is welcomed, is a reprieve, a relief.]
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He doesn't mind the crying. Not one bit. It's not right for children to have to go through traumatic experiences stone-faced. They should be held and allowed to feel. If only Time Lord children had that. They probably wouldn't be quite so emotionally stunted if they'd been allowed to feel as intensely as they needed to as children. Not to say they didn't ever have loving parents; the Doctor and Brax's parents were wonderful, in fact. It's simply that the society doesn't really allow for emotional outbursts. Even from children.
So, for Alice, he'll simply hold her and let her cry out what she needs to let go of, without babbling on or giving her advice. Just a shoulder to cry on.]