A week-long fan celebration of the one-of-a-kind bond between the Doctor and River Song.
From the Library to Darillium and every chaotic moment in between, it’s time to celebrate the universe’s favorite married couple.
📅 Event Timeline
Kick-off: Thursday, April 16, 2026
Conclusion: Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Tag-checking closes: Tuesday, May 12, 2026
You have one week to post during the event—plus an extra three weeks for those late fills, slow burns, and final polishes.
✨ The 2026 Prompt List
This year, we’re doing things a little differently. We have one master prompt list for the week. How you interpret these is entirely up to you!
Whether you want to keep it Sweet (SFW) or a little more Spicy (NSFW), go where the TARDIS takes you. Mix them, mash them, or find a loophole. Just make it yours.
📌 How to Participate
Create your work focusing on the Doctor & River as the main pairing.
Tag us in your post: @doctorriverweek
Use the hashtag within your first 20 tags: #doctorriver appreciation week 2026, #doctorriverweek, #doctorriverweek2026
If you're on AO3, add your fic to our AO3 Collection.
Unblock the event mods (@expectiations | @josephine-bracken) between Apr 16–May 12 so we can see and reblog your entry!
📜 Rules & FAQ
Please read our full Rules & Guidelines and FAQ before posting. The short version:
Ship Focus: Doctor/River must be the primary focus. Other characters are welcome as supporting cast only.
No AI: We celebrate human creativity here. No AI-generated content allowed.
Respect: No ship-bashing or discrimination.
Warnings: Please use clear content warnings for NSFW or sensitive triggers.
❓ Questions & Support
Ask box: Submit any questions here on Tumblr.
Answered asks: Browse our #ask tag for quick answers.
💬 Join Our Community
Discord: link
🎨 Special Thanks & Shout-outs
Graphics: A massive thank you to @josephine-bracken for the incredible event graphics!
Signal Boost: @wipbigbang
Let’s make this week a time-tunnel of unforgettable Doctor × River moments. Have fun, get creative, and as always—Spoilers!
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The DoctorRiver Appreciation Week 2026 may have been formally over, but our celebration for these two will outlast the Siege of Trenzalore!
Works will be added to the masterlist until May 12, Tuesday. This will be continuously updated to include any late work or missed ones. You can also post in and visit the ao3 collection for fanfic submissions!
Without further ado, let us jump into our week-long celebration and honor the works submitted for the DoctorRiver Appreciation Week 2026! Geronimo!
🎨Artworks
You're not mad, right?! by @that..coley
Soulmate by @andart2022
Bandages by @dwmatjakeangel
Bandage & Tether by @patheticpeoplesupreme
📖Fics & Stories
Bandage by @dustbunniesssss
even the weariest river, winds somewhere safe to sea by @josephine-bracken (shashashark)
"That was reckless and stupid." by @spoilerssweetie13
🎬Edits
Doctor says Doctor will die by @expectiations (yowza.h)
🎨Artworks
Memories & Denial by @patheticpeoplesupreme
She's not dead by @dwmatjakeangel
Melody Pond was gasping for air... by @andart2022
📖Fics & Stories
Memories by @dustbunniesssss
Nightsky by lancer_lizzie
🎬Edits
Day 2 by @stab-le (mxzvmono)
Day 2 by @expectiations (yowza.h)
🎨Artworks
"This is not your war... Leave this place." by @andart2022
Visiting River in Luna by @dwmatjakeangel
📖Fics & Stories
Visit by @dustbunniesssss
🎬Edits
mengunci memori by @stab-le (mxzvmono)
And every time love's written in all the strands, it will be to you. by @josephine-bracken
🎨Artworks
Family by @dwmatjakeangel
Festivities by @andart2022
📖Fics & Stories
"I'm here, Doctor." by @spoilerssweetie13
UNIT by @dustbunniesssss
🎬Edits
kiss me and i might drop dead @stab-le (mxzvmono)
There's no need to hide if you're into me by @kitsune1310
🎨Artworks
Clementine by @patheticpeoplesupreme
Escape by @andart2022
Escape by @dwmatjakeangel
📖Fics & Stories
fairness is the true measure of a man by @josephine-bracken (shashashark)
“Dawn Amelia Song, stay where I can see you!” by @spoilerssweetie13
🎨Artworks
One Weakness by @andart2022
Archipelago by @andart2022
📖Fics & Stories
Archipelago by @dustbunniesssss
🎬Edits
Archipelago by @dwmatjakeangel (Jake Smith-Song)
Archipelago by @dwmatjakeangel
🎨Artworks
Too little, too late by @patheticpeoplesupreme
📖Fics & Stories
Anniversary by dustbunniesssss
Solace by @midnightrings (justviwriting)
🎬Edits
"When you're tryna mourn your dead wife..." by @dwmatjakeangel
River & 10 | "you will join" | [AU] by @whogirl42
Disappearing Act by @andart2022
how does it feel to be adored? @stab-le (mxzvmono)
💬 Join Our Community
Discord: link
All the love and gratitude for your participation in our Appreciation Week. Whether you posted a submission or cheered on creators, this wouldn't be possible without your continued dedication to our Doctor and River Song. Here's to more celebrations across regenerations! 🥂
(If we missed any submission, kindly tag us in your post or comment the link here!)
The TARDIS door flung open.
"You should have seen their faces!” River Song beamed laughing as she walked into the console room. The Doctor followed her inside in silent amusement, the usually strict eyebrows hung now (relatively) relaxed, accompanied with a slight smile on his face.
"’A reality bomb,’” River quoted playfully, "’can't be disabled with just a hairpin!’ he said. Well, in your reality, maybe…"
She put her satchel on the console and leaned on it. Her arm twitched for just one tiny split of a second, before she faced the Doctor with excited joy.
"Where to next?"
The Doctor regarded her silenty for a moment then he snapped his fingers.
"There's something I've been meaning to show you," he started towards the exit of the console room leading to one of the many corridors of the vast ship, checking back on River who was staring at him, moveless.
"Well?" he urged "Don't just stand there all day, come on."
Curious but mostly puzzled, River followed eventually.
She found themselves entering a cozy looking room. The Doctor thrusted himself on a sofa.
"What are you up to?" River asked raising an eyebrow.
"Meditation!" the Doctor replied spreading his arms.
"Uhm… meditation?" River asked incredulously.
"Meditation! Not what most pudding brains call that - the real time lord deal! A journey inwards for a change. I can show you how to properly clear your thoughts. What do you think?"
"My thoughts are fine. And dirty but that's how I like them." She said naughtily.
"Oh come on just give it a go, you will see how useful it is, promise."
River made a few unsure steps forward then stopped.
"You want a break," she blurted.
The Doctor turned his head away pouting as someone who had been caught in the act.
"Except," River continued, "I know you. You don't take breaks. You want a break on my behalf."
Defeated, he looked at her.
"Well you have just been chased through the universe."
"So what?" River shot back annoyed. "You think I can't handle some bloodthirsty morons of a species?! I am here, aren't I?"
The Doctor allowed himself a cheeky smile.
"Daleks, Discordia, Cybermen... All in a day’s work for Professor River Song. No no, I found her one true weakness: a sofa."
River sighed irritated but sat next to him eventually.
"Right... this is a waste of time," she remarked, crossing her arms.
"Oh I see, is that what I am to you now?" the Doctor shot back pretending to be insulted.
"You know what I mean!" River groaned annoyed and leaned back on the sofa with more force than necessary. After a few silent seconds she softly added, "We do have a deadline now..."
The Doctor put an arm behind her back.
"Doesn't everybody?"
River turned her head away, but did not respond. It was the Doctor who eventually broke the silence.
"Still you fear that I would see you weak somehow."
That earned River's attention but she made no sound.
"But really," the Doctor continued, "how could I ever see you as anything else than the strongest and most brilliant person I've ever met?" he smiled at her warmly.
She watched him for a while. Soon, she returned the smile.
"Still a charmer," she remarked.
"You still enjoy it."
She moved to rest her head on his chest, while whispering, "I still hate you... "
Whatever the Doctor's response would have been, it was interrupted by the steady sound of River's breathing.
Instead he reached for the blanket on his left and carefully pulled it over her.
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Well for the last day, I'd like to post the fanmade audio play I made with some very nice people, Disappearing act.
(This is an adaptation of an actual written fic on Archive of our own).
Feedback is welcome
Fandom: Doctor Who
Characters: River Song, Eleventh Doctor
Pairing: River/Eleven
Rating: T
Words: 1.6k
Summary: River reminiscing about the times she has shared a bath with the Doctor - for @doctorriverweek 2026
-> You can also read it on AO3
River was inside the bathtub, silently staring at the empty corner where the TARDIS had just dematerialised as the smirk slowly faded from her lips.
She had missed enjoying a warm bath with him. Though, it had not been the same, of course. This was not her Doctor. He had stubbornly insisted on keeping his clothes on; had eyed her with wariness and curiosity; and had been quite eager to leave again.
She sighed, leaning back inside the tub. It had been too long since she had last enjoyed a proper bath with him. And she longed for those moments dearly now…
*
River stumbled into the TARDIS, laughing, as the Doctor closed the door behind her. She walked up the stairs, threw her shawl over a chair, and turned around to him with a smile—anticipating their next adventure.
This evening had been quite peaceful for once. Just a nice restaurant, no disruption. There usually were disruptions with him, she had come to realise. But she liked it. Perhaps, she even needed it. Nothing ever happened at Stormcage. Though, she had also enjoyed spending a quiet evening with him for once.
“Where to next?” she asked him then as he went to start the engines.
“I believe it’s time for you to return to prison, Doctor Song,” he replied.
River groaned. “Oh, is that truly necessary?”
She hated that place. And she did not understand why she could not simply stay with him. Of course, she knew there were rules. But she had never played by any sort of rules before. So there was no reason to start now.
“Shouldn’t have killed me,” he muttered, a smile on his lips.
She crossed her arms, leaning against the railing. “You’re not dead.”
“And you’re rarely ever inside that prison,” he retorted.
True. And according to his words, she would eventually leave that place whenever she felt like it. Though, she had not yet figured out how to do that. She was relying on him to break her out. And sometimes, the wait could be quite long. And that place was pretty lonely. And cold. And dirty.
She sighed. “Fine. But can I at least take a bath first? Stormcage isn’t known for its standard of hygiene.”
He turned towards her—a small smirk appearing on his face.
“Be my guest.”
She looked at him curiously as he led her away from the consol room and through a corridor. Something about that smirk was odd. Another spoiler, perhaps?
He led her towards a small room then. It was pitch black—but not completely dark, she realised. There were millions of tiny stars scattered across the walls and ceiling. And in the middle of the room, circulated by shelves with towels and soap, stood a wide, golden bathtub—already filled with hot water.
“Take as long as you need,” he told her with a smile before he left again. River smiled. She surely would. Perhaps, she could find a way to stay here for all eternity.
She slipped out of her silver dress then and kicked off her heels. Slowly, she dipped her leg through the bubbles and into the hot water before letting the rest of her body follow—sinking into the solacing warmth. She let out a long sigh, enjoying the unusual comfort.
“How is it?”
Startled, she looked up. The Doctor was leaning against the doorframe—still a smirk on his face.
“I could get used to this.”
He chuckled. “Oh, you will.”
She eyed him curiously. So this was not the first time she had taken a bath inside the TARDIS.
“And what do you usually do while I take a bath?” she asked then with a smirk.
“Spoilers.”
She chuckled. Of course.
“Well, then I guess I will take this bath all on my own,” she sighed as she stretched one of her legs out of the water.
He examined her quietly for a moment, the smile remaining on his face. “As you wish.”
He turned around then as River rolled her eyes.
“Oh, get in here!” she called.
He laughed, halting at the door—before he turned back around with a smirk, slowly loosening his bow tie as he walked over to her.
*
There was a smile on River’s face. Though, it soon vanished. That had been ages ago. This Doctor she had just met did not wish to linger.
Another sigh left her lips. The water was already cold. But she would soon go on an expedition. Who knew when she would have the chance at a nice, peaceful bath again.
And who knew if she would ever have such a bath inside the TARDIS again. The versions she was meeting of him continued to get younger and younger. Though, perhaps an older version would surprise her eventually. Just like he had done that one time…
*
River was sitting on her bed inside her cell at Stormcage. Her heart was heavy—too heavy to write inside her diary yet.
So much had happened. She had crossed her own timeline too many times those past months. She had been at places that she could not remember ever visiting before, but which had nonetheless felt so eerily similar. She had even watched herself commit the murder that had put her inside this very cell.
And yet none of this had burdened her heart as much as the Doctor’s departure a few minutes ago.
It had been their first kiss. Well, his first kiss. And for her … for her it had possibly been the last.
Would she only meet younger versions of him now? She had met versions of him that had been clueless before. But never that young.
Suddenly, she was startled by a familiar sound. And immediately, her heart eased again as the TARDIS was materialising inside her cell.
She stared at it—partly excited, partly wary. Was it the same version of him? Had he forgotten something? Or was it another version? Older or younger?
She jumped out of her bed then, hurrying inside the TARDIS.
The Doctor was standing at the controls, giving her a smile. It was the same face, at least.
“You just left,” she stated, trying to be as vague as possible.
“I know,” he told her with a smile.
“You’re older.”
“I am.”
“How much?”
“Old enough.”
She examined him quietly. His face told her that he knew exactly what she had just been through.
“This is not a coincidence, is it?” she asked then.
He came towards her—reaching out his hand, saying, “I believe there is something you might need right now.”
She gave him a curious smile, silently taking his hand. He led her away then—and soon, River realised where they were headed.
They entered the small room. The bath was already filled with hot water. And a moment later, they were both inside the tub—River’s head leaning against his chest as he was gently brushing across her arms.
She turned around then—her hand wandering into his hair, giving him a smile.
“Thank you,” she whispered before pulling him closer and into a soft kiss.
*
River sighed, finally leaving the cold bath behind. She should accept that moments like those were long gone. When was the last time she had met a version of him willing to enter a bathtub with her?
*
Quickly, River and the Doctor ran inside the TARDIS, slamming the door shut. He hurried to start the engines as River took a deep breath before looking down at herself in disgust.
“You truly couldn’t have thought of a better escape?” she asked, trying to shake the variety of excrement from her body. The sewer would have certainly not been her first pick.
“Would you prefer burning at the stake right now?” he asked as the TARDIS took off.
“Maybe,” she muttered as she walked up the stairs, joining him at the console. “And this was your fault to begin with. You just had to become part of a revolution instead of enjoying a nice picnic.”
“My fault?” he retorted. “I almost had the royal court convinced to let us go. But you had to pull out that gun.”
“I wasn’t taking any chances.”
Though, he might have a point. But she would definitely never admit it.
“Well, I could use a bath,” she said instead as the stench became nauseating.
“Oh, there’s a room somewhere with a bathtub,” he told her. “I can show it to you in a minute.”
River stared at him, confused for a moment. But then, she realised. And her heart sank. He had never witnessed her taking a bath inside the TARDIS.
“I know where it is.” She forced herself to a smirk then, adding, “You may join me, if you like.”
And with that, she turned around and went on her way.
Yet he did not join her. And after she had finished her bath, he had already parked the TARDIS inside her cell at Stormcage.
*
Perhaps it was pointless to dwell on the past. Yet past and future were intertwined. She could never truly let go.
And neither did he wish for her to let go.
After she had put on a bathrobe, she suddenly noticed something peculiar on the dressing table. There was a note—which had certainly not been there before.
Her heart began to pound against her chest. She hurried over there, taking the note to read it.
Fancy a bath, Professor Song?
A smile appeared on her face just as she heard the sound of the TARDIS materialising behind her.
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“Dawn Amelia Song, stay where I can see you!” River called after her.
“Okay Mummy!” The little girl said, without looking back, sweetly in the way that meant trouble, blonde curls bouncing as she skipped off to play with her friends.
River sighed fondly, turned to the Doctor on the park bench watching the ducks in the pond. “I swear I have to put a leash on her, she wanders off too much.” She bumped shoulders with the Doctor. “Like you.”
The Doctor huffed. “And you.”
“Sweetie, I caught her eating soil to figure out where we had landed ‘like mama does.’” River deadpanned.
“Love, she built a gun out of Legos the other day.” The Doctor's voice came out a little strained. “Said it was to take down bad guys like mummy does”
A sound escaped River’s throat.
“It's not funny, River.”
“It's a little funny.”
River looked for Dawn in the playground, there she was on the swings with Charlotte. River turned back to the Doctor and froze.
“What?” The Doctor asked. “Is there something on my face?”
Her face was covered in tally marks.
River turned back to Dawn. A woman was walking up to the swings.
Kovarian.
She ran as fast as her legs could carry her, Kovarian was taking Dawn's hand, leading her away and no matter how fast River ran the distance between them kept stretching, no no no no-
River woke up with a sharp intake of breath, jolting upright in her bed, in the TARDIS, immense relief coursing through her that it had only been a dream but dread still gripping her pounding hearts.
“River?” The Doctor asked, coming into view, the TARDIS had upped the lights without being asked. No tally marks on her face. Good- that was good. The Doctor cupped her cheek, the warmth was grounding, calmed her hearts a little. “Bad dream?”
River nodded, between the two of them they had many.
“Want to talk about it?”
“It's stupid-” River tried to brush it off.
“Tell me anyway.” The Doctor insisted, softly, thumb caressing her cheek.
There was a long pause before River spoke.
“Kovarian and the Silence came back- but it wasn't for me this time, it was for Dawn. It's just my mind being cruel because…” River trailed off.
The Doctor’s hand slid from River’s cheek to grab her hands, giving her a reassuring squeeze. “You keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.” The Doctor finished for her, if River didn’t know for a fact that she had her mental shields up she would think the Doctor was reading her mind. “For someone to take her away from us.”
“Yes.” She breathed. “If it's not Kovarian- it's something else.” Time, the universe itself because the universe was good at taking things away from her, not giving her things to keep.
“I half keep expecting to hear a knock on the TARDIS door, and she's standing there all grown in front of me telling us we have to let her go or the universe will end.” She laughed at herself, it was wet with tears. The Doctor’s thumb drew soothing circles on the back of River’s hand, listening without interrupting, letting her say what she needed to.
“I'm afraid,” River admitted. “that she'll do to me what I did to my parents. They asked you to find their baby. But if Melody was found, I would be lost.” So she had asked the Doctor not to. “I tried to make up for it, inserting myself into their lives as Mels, so they would get to raise me and it still wasn't enough.” It would never be enough. “Everything in my life has been out of order and I keep- thinking, why would raising our daughter be any different?”
“Oh, Love.” The Doctor said without an ounce of pity and all the heartbreak. “It will be different- it is different. Like you've said, she's our new beginning.”
(River remembered the day she had said that well, holding her daughter in her arms for the first time, in awe, announcing her name to the Doctor’s companions- Dawn Amelia. it was a name the Doctor and River had decided together, with care. It had been important to give her a name that was just hers before it was anyone else's while still honoring the people they had both loved).
The Doctor cupped her face, held her eyes. “You have been there for all her firsts. Her first word.” (Her first word was custard. Well- 'turd.' But she was obviously trying to say custard, obviously).
“Her first steps.” (Her first steps were in the TARDIS, where else? Skipped the crawling and went straight to walking then running right into River’s arms). “Her first planet.” (Darillium, their home for twenty-four years, they had taken Dawn back there. Dawn's eyes- the Doctor’s hazel green had gotten so wide hearing the singing towers for the first time, trying to locate where the sound was coming from, curious from the start).
“We'll be in her life for every first to come, every day, so much so that she'll decide to go to a university in another universe just to get away from us.” That got an unwitting snort from River and the Doctor's lips twitched.
“As for Kovarian, even if she's stupid enough to try and take Dawn from us, she'll never succeed. I didn't know what I was up against with Melody, with you, I know now and I will not let it happen again. Never again. I promise you.” The Doctor lightly rested her forehead against River’s for a moment before pulling away.
"And if a future Dawn does come knocking on our door demanding we give little Dawn up, she's just going to have to march herself back to whatever cursed timeline she came from and disappear." The Doctor's tone was light but she meant every word.
"You don’t mean that-.” River started, knowing the Doctor was treading into dangerous territory.
"I mean it, River.” The Doctor said steely-eyed and resolute. “I am done sacrificing the people I love for the universe."
She kissed the Doctor, hard. Hand curling around her nape. Thank you, she thought didn't know what for, maybe she did, knowing the Doctor heard it.
The Doctor chased her mouth as she tried to pull away. She clasped the Doctor’s shoulders. “I need to check on Dawn.” Needed to see with her own eyes that Dawn was alright, knowing she was but still-.
The Doctor understood, released her waist, stood and offered a hand, pulling her from the bed. “Come on then.”
Dawn's room was three doors down from theirs where she was supposed to be sleeping, but the TARDIS redirected them instead to the console room where she actually was, standing on a stepstool, in footie pajamas, peering over at the console controls, both hands braced on the lever for the custard cream dispenser.
A heist. A custard cream heist.
River almost laughed, but instead adopted a stern voice. “Dawn Amelia Song, what are you doing out of bed?”
The 5-year-old's face scrunched. Caught. She turned around very slowly, mouth and nose covered in buttercream, and shot them both puppy dog eyes. “I got hungry, Mummy.”
The Doctor looked up at the ceiling in exasperation. “Why didn't you tell us she was awake?”
If the TARDIS could shrug, she would be shrugging right now, they all knew what this was. The TARDIS took her grandmotherly duties very seriously in that she aided Dawn's sugar addiction or anything else Dawn wanted, really, and was damn proud of it.
Her lack of boundaries was half the reason Dawn existed, a strap that had worked particularly well courtesy of the TARDIS (one day vomiting her guts out into the toilet River had told the Doctor “Next time she decides she wants a grandchild.” River patted the ship's floor. “You're carrying it.” Behind her, rubbing her back, the Doctor had squeaked at the prospect).
Now, River scooped Dawn up into her arms, walking away with her. “Let's get you cleaned up.”
The TARDIS dispensed one last biscuit, the Doctor stayed behind to grab it, it was halfway to her mouth when she caught Dawn's eyes, looking at the biscuit in the Doctor’s hand over River’s shoulder, longingly, chin wobbling like she hadn’t just gorged on several already, knowing exactly what she was doing.
The Doctor sighed fondly. Pulled the biscuit apart, strode forward to give the cream half to Dawn, her eyes lit up as she took it with a victorious giggle. River chose not to comment on it.
She happily munched on her biscuit as they made their way back through the corridor. “Mummy, you missed my room.” She told River as she saw the familiar door pass them by.
“You're sleeping with us tonight.” River tickled her a little, making her squeal. “So you can't orchestrate any more biscuit heists.” River booped her cream covered nose, the truth was she just wanted her near for her own peace of mind.
Dawn had had her fill, she wouldn't be needing to pull off another heist, for tonight at least so she threw her arms up and yelled, “Yay sleepover!”
Between the two of them, the Doctor and River got her clean and in bed in record time, she had wiggled between them, and had kneed the Doctor in the stomach at least twice in the process of finding a comfortable spot before settling down on her back.
“Mama?” Dawn asked just when they thought she had fallen asleep. “Tell me a story.”
The Doctor was always down to tell a story. “Oh do you want to hear about the time I-”
“No, Mama.”
“You don’t even know what I-”
“Tell me about the first time you two met.”
The Doctor shared a look with River over Dawn's head.
For the Doctor their first meeting had ended in River’s death. For River their first meeting had been her attempted murder of the Doctor. Neither story was exactly kid-friendly.
“Er…” The Doctor's face scrunched, at a loss for what the right thing to say was.
River came to her rescue. Saving her damsel in distress like always. “We met because of our mutual friends.” She said, amusement clear in her voice. “Your grandparents.” It was the truth.
“Really?” Dawn was intrigued.
“Yes.” River said and spun the tale, Dawn drifted off to sleep to the sound of River’s voice and remained there, between them, safe and sound.
Fandom: Doctor Who
Characters: River Song, Eleventh Doctor
Pairing: River/Eleven
Rating: T
Words: 1.6k
Summary: River reminiscing about the times she has shared a bath with the Doctor - for @doctorriverweek 2026
-> You can also read it on AO3
River was inside the bathtub, silently staring at the empty corner where the TARDIS had just dematerialised as the smirk slowly faded from her lips.
She had missed enjoying a warm bath with him. Though, it had not been the same, of course. This was not her Doctor. He had stubbornly insisted on keeping his clothes on; had eyed her with wariness and curiosity; and had been quite eager to leave again.
She sighed, leaning back inside the tub. It had been too long since she had last enjoyed a proper bath with him. And she longed for those moments dearly now…
*
River stumbled into the TARDIS, laughing, as the Doctor closed the door behind her. She walked up the stairs, threw her shawl over a chair, and turned around to him with a smile—anticipating their next adventure.
This evening had been quite peaceful for once. Just a nice restaurant, no disruption. There usually were disruptions with him, she had come to realise. But she liked it. Perhaps, she even needed it. Nothing ever happened at Stormcage. Though, she had also enjoyed spending a quiet evening with him for once.
“Where to next?” she asked him then as he went to start the engines.
“I believe it’s time for you to return to prison, Doctor Song,” he replied.
River groaned. “Oh, is that truly necessary?”
She hated that place. And she did not understand why she could not simply stay with him. Of course, she knew there were rules. But she had never played by any sort of rules before. So there was no reason to start now.
“Shouldn’t have killed me,” he muttered, a smile on his lips.
She crossed her arms, leaning against the railing. “You’re not dead.”
“And you’re rarely ever inside that prison,” he retorted.
True. And according to his words, she would eventually leave that place whenever she felt like it. Though, she had not yet figured out how to do that. She was relying on him to break her out. And sometimes, the wait could be quite long. And that place was pretty lonely. And cold. And dirty.
She sighed. “Fine. But can I at least take a bath first? Stormcage isn’t known for its standard of hygiene.”
He turned towards her—a small smirk appearing on his face.
“Be my guest.”
She looked at him curiously as he led her away from the consol room and through a corridor. Something about that smirk was odd. Another spoiler, perhaps?
He led her towards a small room then. It was pitch black—but not completely dark, she realised. There were millions of tiny stars scattered across the walls and ceiling. And in the middle of the room, circulated by shelves with towels and soap, stood a wide, golden bathtub—already filled with hot water.
“Take as long as you need,” he told her with a smile before he left again. River smiled. She surely would. Perhaps, she could find a way to stay here for all eternity.
She slipped out of her silver dress then and kicked off her heels. Slowly, she dipped her leg through the bubbles and into the hot water before letting the rest of her body follow—sinking into the solacing warmth. She let out a long sigh, enjoying the unusual comfort.
“How is it?”
Startled, she looked up. The Doctor was leaning against the doorframe—still a smirk on his face.
“I could get used to this.”
He chuckled. “Oh, you will.”
She eyed him curiously. So this was not the first time she had taken a bath inside the TARDIS.
“And what do you usually do while I take a bath?” she asked then with a smirk.
“Spoilers.”
She chuckled. Of course.
“Well, then I guess I will take this bath all on my own,” she sighed as she stretched one of her legs out of the water.
He examined her quietly for a moment, the smile remaining on his face. “As you wish.”
He turned around then as River rolled her eyes.
“Oh, get in here!” she called.
He laughed, halting at the door—before he turned back around with a smirk, slowly loosening his bow tie as he walked over to her.
*
There was a smile on River’s face. Though, it soon vanished. That had been ages ago. This Doctor she had just met did not wish to linger.
Another sigh left her lips. The water was already cold. But she would soon go on an expedition. Who knew when she would have the chance at a nice, peaceful bath again.
And who knew if she would ever have such a bath inside the TARDIS again. The versions she was meeting of him continued to get younger and younger. Though, perhaps an older version would surprise her eventually. Just like he had done that one time…
*
River was sitting on her bed inside her cell at Stormcage. Her heart was heavy—too heavy to write inside her diary yet.
So much had happened. She had crossed her own timeline too many times those past months. She had been at places that she could not remember ever visiting before, but which had nonetheless felt so eerily similar. She had even watched herself commit the murder that had put her inside this very cell.
And yet none of this had burdened her heart as much as the Doctor’s departure a few minutes ago.
It had been their first kiss. Well, his first kiss. And for her … for her it had possibly been the last.
Would she only meet younger versions of him now? She had met versions of him that had been clueless before. But never that young.
Suddenly, she was startled by a familiar sound. And immediately, her heart eased again as the TARDIS was materialising inside her cell.
She stared at it—partly excited, partly wary. Was it the same version of him? Had he forgotten something? Or was it another version? Older or younger?
She jumped out of her bed then, hurrying inside the TARDIS.
The Doctor was standing at the controls, giving her a smile. It was the same face, at least.
“You just left,” she stated, trying to be as vague as possible.
“I know,” he told her with a smile.
“You’re older.”
“I am.”
“How much?”
“Old enough.”
She examined him quietly. His face told her that he knew exactly what she had just been through.
“This is not a coincidence, is it?” she asked then.
He came towards her—reaching out his hand, saying, “I believe there is something you might need right now.”
She gave him a curious smile, silently taking his hand. He led her away then—and soon, River realised where they were headed.
They entered the small room. The bath was already filled with hot water. And a moment later, they were both inside the tub—River’s head leaning against his chest as he was gently brushing across her arms.
She turned around then—her hand wandering into his hair, giving him a smile.
“Thank you,” she whispered before pulling him closer and into a soft kiss.
*
River sighed, finally leaving the cold bath behind. She should accept that moments like those were long gone. When was the last time she had met a version of him willing to enter a bathtub with her?
*
Quickly, River and the Doctor ran inside the TARDIS, slamming the door shut. He hurried to start the engines as River took a deep breath before looking down at herself in disgust.
“You truly couldn’t have thought of a better escape?” she asked, trying to shake the variety of excrement from her body. The sewer would have certainly not been her first pick.
“Would you prefer burning at the stake right now?” he asked as the TARDIS took off.
“Maybe,” she muttered as she walked up the stairs, joining him at the console. “And this was your fault to begin with. You just had to become part of a revolution instead of enjoying a nice picnic.”
“My fault?” he retorted. “I almost had the royal court convinced to let us go. But you had to pull out that gun.”
“I wasn’t taking any chances.”
Though, he might have a point. But she would definitely never admit it.
“Well, I could use a bath,” she said instead as the stench became nauseating.
“Oh, there’s a room somewhere with a bathtub,” he told her. “I can show it to you in a minute.”
River stared at him, confused for a moment. But then, she realised. And her heart sank. He had never witnessed her taking a bath inside the TARDIS.
“I know where it is.” She forced herself to a smirk then, adding, “You may join me, if you like.”
And with that, she turned around and went on her way.
Yet he did not join her. And after she had finished her bath, he had already parked the TARDIS inside her cell at Stormcage.
*
Perhaps it was pointless to dwell on the past. Yet past and future were intertwined. She could never truly let go.
And neither did he wish for her to let go.
After she had put on a bathrobe, she suddenly noticed something peculiar on the dressing table. There was a note—which had certainly not been there before.
Her heart began to pound against her chest. She hurried over there, taking the note to read it.
Fancy a bath, Professor Song?
A smile appeared on her face just as she heard the sound of the TARDIS materialising behind her.
And throughout time and space, the Doctor and River Song are celebrating their wedding anniversary. A love so eternal, we just have to celebrate it with them!
Create, participate, and enjoy with us as we celebrate this year's Doctor/River Appreciation Week! This time around, we have a three-word prompt list for you to tinker with.
Today's Prompt: free for all
📌 How to Participate
Create your work focusing on the Doctor & River as the main pairing.
Tag us in your post: @doctorriverweek
Use the hashtag within your first 20 tags: #doctorriver appreciation week 2026, #doctorriverweek, #doctorriverweek2026
If you're on AO3, add your fic to our AO3 Collection.
Unblock the event mods (@expectiations | @josephine-bracken) between Apr 16–May 12 so we can see and reblog your entry!
📜 Rules & FAQ
Please read our full Rules & Guidelines and FAQ before posting. The short version:
Ship Focus: Doctor/River must be the primary focus. Other characters are welcome as supporting cast only.
No AI: We celebrate human creativity here. No AI-generated content allowed.
Respect: No ship-bashing or discrimination.
Warnings: Please use clear content warnings for NSFW or sensitive triggers.
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🎨 Special Thanks & Shout-outs
Graphics: A massive thank you to @josephine-bracken for the incredible event graphics!
Let’s make this week a time-tunnel of unforgettable Doctor × River moments. Have fun, get creative, and as always—Spoilers!
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Well for the last day, I'd like to post the fanmade audio play I made with some very nice people, Disappearing act.
(This is an adaptation of an actual written fic on Archive of our own).
Feedback is welcome