#eightxcharley

“Come on, Doctor, you’ve got to have a book recommendation for me. There’s so many things here that I haven’t read yet!”

The Doctor looked up from the book she was halfway reading and took in the way Charley was staring at the nearest bookshelf, head tilted to one side and a hip cocked out as she perused.

“Well, if you hadn’t sped through my last recommendation, you wouldn’t have this problem yet,” she said, setting her book aside and standing. “I don’t think you appreciated it nearly enough.”

“It was good! Which is why I’m asking for another one. I’m sure you know all the books in your library.” Charley turned her head to smile over her shoulder at the Doctor. “And you know me so, recommend something.”

“The library surprises even me sometimes,” the Doctor admitted. She reached past Charley, velvet coat brushing against the soft fabric of her companion’s sleeve, and plucked a book of the shelf. “But this is an old favorite of mine. A new favorite for you, I would guess. Won’t be published for years yet if we go by your timeline.”

Charley took the book from her hands, letting her fingers linger against the Doctor’s when they brushed together during the exchange. “Sounds like a treat then. Thank you, Doctor.”

“Anytime.”

The Doctor turned to go back to her favorite armchair and the mildly boring book that was awaiting her when Charley stopped her with a hand on her shoulder.

“You know, you could always read it to me if you want to be sure I properly appreciate this one.”

“I could do that, couldn’t I?”

“Do you want to?”

“I rather think I do. Come on, let’s get set up somewhere more comfortable than the old sofa in here. The one in the small reading area in the back is better.”

“You never told me there was a reading area in the back of the library!” Charley complained as she followed after her.

“Well, I expected my Edwardian adventuress to have explored more.”

“Hardly have the time when you keep dragging me off on new adventures, now do I?” she shot back, nudging the Doctor’s arm.

“Haven’t heard you complain at all.”

“Then you haven’t been listening when we hit the TARDIS doors at full speed with an angry mob on our heels.”