10th Doctor x OC, College AU, Professor x Recent Graduate
word count: 921
Halcyon swirled her drink around with a rhythmic motion of her wrist. The cocktail was purple and fruity, easy to drink. Which explains how she found herself halfway through her second, and debating a third as she rambled on and on, forgetting her words seconds after they left her mouth. I mean, could she blame herself? The Doctor was sitting right next to her and she was fixed with the full glow of his attention.
"-And really, writing my paper was almost a breeze because I was so invested in the topic, and isn't that just the best? The sparks you get tying the strings together and ending up with a complete picture, and you understand something you loved to a deeper degree than before!" She sucked in a breath "I'm sorry, I kinda got carried away. Where did I even start?" Halcyon let out a breathy giggle, and hoped it didn't come out nervous.
She matched his gaze for a moment. His eyes were warm, the yellowed lighting in the bar enhancing how soft his expression was. Halcyon felt her face warm, and darted her eyes back down to her drink as she tucked some of her hair behind her ear. She hoped whatever blush was rising could be excused by the alcohol in her system. She also hoped her face hadn't been betraying her the whole night. God, if she was making moon eyes at the Doctor the whole night and he noticed, she might as well just pack up and move across the country. She'd practically die of embarrassment.
Too bad she was horrible at hiding it.
It really, really did not help that they were paired off to the side together at the very end of the bar counter. The Doctor was at the very end, while Halcyon sat between him and any of the other professors and graduates celebrating that night. The person directly to her left had his back to the two of them, chatting animatedly with someone else over yonder.
It almost felt private, that little corner. Dare she say... intimate?
No. absolutely not.
And yet, The Doctor fixed her with his entire focus. His eyes never left her as she had talked his ear off. He laughed at her quips, and held rapt attention to each anecdote. Maybe...?
NO! He was OFF LIMITS!
But... She did just graduate... and she only had him for two classes...
Is it really that bad if she finally let herself indulge in this silly little big crush? Halcyon sipped her drink absentmindedly, eyebrows pinched.
"Ah, I think we started on the topic of favorite breakfast foods. But the journey was quite fun." He bumped his knee against hers underneath the bar. "You all right? You got really quiet there." It was his turn for his eyebrows to pinch.
"Yeah no I'm good! Sorry about that. Just... thinking" She paused, and huffed and laugh. "Inside my head this time."
"Well, don't keep it all up in there" He gave a gentle tap to Halcyon's temple. The touch felt like a spark. "I like hearing your thoughts." He smiled, and... was that a wink?
A surprised 'Hm!' left her throat, but Halcyon leaned into it. She leaned closer to the Doctor, just getting inside his space a small, but noticeable amount. Their eyes locked. "Is that so? You can hear my thoughts any time you'd like, then." She held there, with bated breath.
She saw as his eyes darted between hers. She also saw as they darkened, ever so slightly. He gazed back with an eyebrow raised, challenging. Halcyon held her gaze, and tilted her head slightly, not backing down. She'd talked herself into this gamble, and she was going to see it through. The Doctor leaned as well, just a bit, as he replied, "I'll have to take you up on that offer then. Coffee? My place? Saturday?"
Butterflies and lightning erupted in Halcyon's chest. her face split into a brilliant grin, worthy of the sun. "I look forward to it!" she tried not to sound too excited, but with every inch of her body buzzing with "i have a chance, i have a chance!" it was practically impossible. She bit her lip, still smiling. God, she felt so giddy! "I hope i get to hear your thoughts as well, Doctor."
He chuckled, "I'm full of them, I'd be happy to share." His knee brushed against hers again under the table, but this time it stayed there, a gentle warmth to match the one raging in her chest.
Halcyon scribbled down her number on a bar napkin and slid it over to him, "So you can text me your address... for coffee." his fingers grazed hers as he took it, gazed at it, and then tucked it gently into the inside pocket of his suit coat. A slow, warm smile grew on his lips and was matched by his eyes.
She finished off the rest of her drink, but Halcyon knew the alcohol couldn't even compete with the affection she felt warming her chest. It was a good night, a very good night indeed.
anyways. this is WIP drabble. i wanted to write tonight, my usual program wasnt working so straight into tumblr it went. i wanted to get a version of it out. I'll probably edit or rewrite it into a small series, or a bigger one shot. it was all based on a dream i had, and i keep thinking about !!! this is basically a college au of a different long fic i started writing forever ago. so. i hope you enjoyed the drabble withour much context lol.
post dividers by @cafekitsune! these ones are so cute and perfect for the vibe of this one i think
