We Danced In Between All The Lines

Ingredients:

Flatbread (or rustic, thick flatbreads like naan or pita, which would be available in Westeros)

Meat:

Roast chicken or goat (Chicken is common, but goats are widely raised across the Seven Kingdoms)

Alternatively, pork or beef if available in your area.

Cheese:

Soft goat cheese (Cheese made from goat’s milk would be common in the countryside)

Vegetables:

Leeks or onions (A staple in Westeros)

Cabbage (A common vegetable in the North and elsewhere)

Garlic (Widespread, used in various dishes)

Herbs and Spices:

Rosemary (Widely available, used for seasoning meat)

Thyme (Commonly used for flavoring)

Black pepper (Imported, but available in certain areas like King's Landing)

Cumin (Although not native, it could be available through trade)

Sauce:

Vinegar and honey (Simple sweet and sour sauce)

Mustard (Common in many cultures, found in some areas of Westeros)

Fermented fruit paste (Such as plum or apple paste—could be a sweet addition for flavor balance)

Instructions:

Prepare the Meat:

Roast or stew the chicken, goat, or any preferred meat. Season it with rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook it until tender. If you want more authenticity, you could roast the meat on an open flame.

Prepare the Flatbreads:

Use rustic flatbread or naan-style bread (if you can make it yourself, it should be hearty and thick). You can bake it in an oven or cook it in a pan with a little butter to give it a crisp edge.

Cook the Vegetables:

Slice leeks or onions and sauté them in some fat (lard or butter, if you have it). Add minced garlic to the pan to add depth. If you're using cabbage, sauté it in the same pan until tender, or leave it raw for extra crunch.

Assemble the Taco:

Once everything is ready, lay the flatbread down as your base.

Add a layer of meat (shredded or chopped) on top of the flatbread.

Top it with sautéed vegetables (leeks, onions, garlic, and cabbage).

Crumble soft goat cheese over the top for creaminess.

Add the Sauce:

Mix some honey and vinegar for a simple sauce that will balance the richness of the meat. Drizzle it over the taco. Alternatively, a little mustard could give it a tangy kick.

Optionally, add some fermented fruit paste as a finishing touch for sweetness.

Serve:

Serve immediately with a simple side of roasted root vegetables, like carrots or turnips, or a small bowl of pickled vegetables to add some extra zest.

Westerosi-Style Taco Variations:

Lamb: In the Riverlands or the Vale, lamb is more common. If you have it, a lamb taco with rosemary and garlic would be amazing.

Spiced Honey: Add extra spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to your honey-vinegar sauce if you're in Dorne or other areas with access to exotic spices.

Mushrooms: If you're in the forests near the Riverlands or the North, wild mushrooms could make a great addition.

___ ___ ___ ___ ___

Is there anything you can't do?

“Not anymore.” 

Those two words. Two innocuous, innocent words. As soon as they left the Doctor’s mouth, pure, cold dread washed over you. You felt fear unlike that which you’d ever felt before coursing through your system. You’d felt fear before, yes. You’d been taken hostage by aliens. Almost tortured by Daleks. Almost lost the Doctor and the Doctor had almost lost you, too. 

But this? Fear brought on by someone you trust- breaking that trust? Someone as powerful as the Doctor? No. You wanted to go home. Now. Quietly, as the Doctor was watching Captain Adelaide Brooke walk up the street and towards her house, you crept backwards back through the TARDIS doors. You’d set it for home and set the TARDIS to go back and find him after you’d left the doors and left him. 

God, leaving the Doctor. It was a thought you’d never entertained before the last few months. Since Donna, since Rose. He’d changed. He was becoming something new, something he shouldn’t be. If the Doctor from even one year ago could see himself now… he’d be horrified. 

Rushing towards the console, you swiped at your cheeks, pulling your hands back to see tears collected on your skin. You hadn’t even realised you were crying. You steeled yourself and hurriedly wiped the rest of the tears away before looking towards the console. 

“I- I don’t know if you can hear me, or… if you’re going to help me, but- but please- I need to go home.” 

The TARDIS was silent for a moment as if in contemplation. You’d spoken to her before when you were in the console room by yourself, but you’d never asked her for anything before. You were terrified she wouldn’t listen. You wanted to just slip away and leave the Doctor to do whatever he felt he needed to do. No goodbyes. You weren’t sure you could handle them. 

The TARDIS booted up, starting the process of taking off. You let out a sob. It’s a sob of relief and of terrible sadness. God, how are you supposed to do this? You can picture the Doctor outside, those sad eyes betraying his heartbreak as someone else leaves him too. 

“Home?” 

You shout, not having realised the Doctor was standing in the doorway. You didn’t turn to look at him. Your arms shook with the effort of not breaking down. You’d told him that he and the TARDIS were your home before all this. It was still true to this day. 

“I thought… I thought we were your home. You and me- travelling the stars.” You can hear the set of his jaw from where you stand. You slowly start to turn, tears streaming freely down your cheeks. “That not true anymore, eh?” 

“Of course it’s true,” you shout, pain ripping through your vocal cords. “I fucking love you, Doctor!” 

The Doctor narrows his eyes, shielding himself from the possibility of letting someone back in. Of letting you in. 

“Then why are you leaving?” 

You scoff angrily, wiping at the tears hard enough to leave marks. You chew on your lip for a moment, trying to bring yourself to say the words. 

“I’m scared of you.” 

There, you’d said them. You’d given life to those four words that had been haunting you the last few months. At first, you’d just thought your anxiety was on a higher alert than usual. It was not necessarily unusual to have flare-ups like this, but then it persisted, and it never seemed to go away. And one day the Doctor gave you this look- this charged, dangerous look and you knew with absolute clarity that that was what it was. You were afraid of what he could do. What he could let himself do. 

“You- what?” He looks almost angry for a second before it melts to confusion.

You cross your arms, wishing you had a bubble that you could hide in. 

“I’m scared of you. You’re changing. You’re changing timelines and saving people you shouldn’t. You’re changing things and you’re- you’re becoming a threat.” You sucked in a shaky breath, tears falling faster over your cheeks. “I want to be with you, but- this is not okay. I don’t know how to- to- to help you. You don’t want to be helped.” 

The Doctor was very quiet for a solid few moments, taking in the words you’d let forth like a slew of vomit. He nodded, stepping forward, looking at anything but you. 

“I see,” is all he replied with at first. “Well, if you want to go back then I won’t stop you.” 

Your lip quivers. 

“Is that all you have to say?” 

“What do you want me to say? We’re supposed to be friends- partners. And I come back inside to find you-” he breaks off, gesturing wildly with his hands as he looks for the words. “Sneaking off without so much as a goodbye, I mean- and you’re afraid of me? Afraid?!” 

You flinched as he came closer. He was so upset, and it only served to make you feel that much worse. 

“I saved you! I- I had- I have the power to save you!” The Doctor carded fingers through his hair erratically. You let out a quiet sob, shakes wracking your form. 

“I- oh fuck.” It’s the first time you think you’ve ever heard him swear. “Oh, what am I doing? What’s- what’s happened to me?” 

You’re quiet as he has this epiphany. You’re too worried to be hopeful that he might be seeing the light. Seeing how far gone he’s gotten. It takes him a moment, but then he’s looking up at you in horror. Not horror with you, but horror at himself. He knows. He’s finally realised the gravity of it all. 

“Oh, my- Darling, please- forgive me?” 

You bite on your lip, looking away. You know if he looks at you like that you’ll give him whatever he wants. 

“I have so much making up to do, please- let me- let me start with you. I understand, I promise. You were scared. You are scared. I’m going to be better. If you want to go, I’ll- I’ll take you home,” he steps forward, reaching for you. “But if you want to stay. I promise you, I will be better.” 

You force yourself to look at him. He looks desperate, reaching for you like if only he could just… touch you- everything would be okay. 

“I don’t know,” you whisper. “I want to, but-” 

“Say yes,” he replied softly. “If you want to, then say yes. Please.” 

You contemplate this before deciding that the sincerity in his eyes is enough to believe him. You nod, and he’s on you in seconds, wrapping you up in his arms and visibly melting with relief. You wrap your arms around his back, rubbing comforting circles onto the back of his coat as he begins to cry.