#xtaint

MAKE. A. NEW. FOLDER. JFC.

Matt looks like someone pinched his bum and you look like it was you.

Reader had arrived to tell Jonathan all about his recent adventures. How he had seen a planet made of crystal. The story of meeting mermaids and learning to swim with them. All of it was bundled up for Jonathan to hear as always. But upon arriving, the Time Lord was greeted by sorrow. And the name only brought tears to people's eyes as they gave him the news of his beloved friend's passing. 

Oh... He truly had lived for far too long...

Theta died in his arms. He didn't regenerate and it drove Reader to insanity. He saw visions of his deceased friend and it caused him pain. And yet, Jonathan was there to pull him back to reality. The man was there to keep Reader stable and in one piece. It was due to this man that Reader stood where he was now. It was because of Jonathan that Reader did not fall down the same path as his old friend--no--he became the Doctor that he was supposed to be. He became and accepted his given title at long last due to him--the Universe owed Jonathan great thanks. And yet, the man never asked for anything more than stories and company from his old traveling mad-man.

It was happening again. The same spiraling situation he felt with Theta. His Master. However, he did not feel his old friend there to mock him and chastise him. No. Reader turned to see Jonathan staring at him just as he was when they last met. Oh--how proud Reader was the first time he saw his companion after regenerating. A Captain. Yes. His companion got his promotion and Reader knew that the crew of his ship would have the best man he ever knew in charge of them. They would have the man that gave the Universe back it's Doctor. 

Tears fell down Reader's cheeks, lowering his head until he felt hands against his shoulders to shake him out of it. This wasn't real. And yet--it felt so very life like in his mind. 

"Don't." Jonathan's voice was stern. And Reader was startled by it as he looked up at the vision of his departed friend. 

"Don't. You will overcome this, Reader. You will go on and meet others and do for them what you did for me." Jonathan smiled at Reader, and it both pained him and warmed his two hearts. "I believe that I'm not the only person that needs a Doctor, after all."

A laugh escaped his lips, and Reader could only nod as he wiped at his eyes to try to keep himself together for Jonathan. "...I'm so...proud of you." Reader said finally, seeing the image begin to fade. 

"You'll see me again one day." Jonathan was fading, and Reader reached out to try to grasp him. But his hand went through the image...

He saw Jonathan stand straight, still visible, and the man saluted him. Just as he did when he gained his promotion. 

And with tears in his eyes, Reader returned the gesture until finally, there was no one there to see. 

But there was a memory. And Reader had to make sure he didn't let his friend down. Behind him, an alarm sounded, and the walls within the area shut tightly as people began to panic. 

"We're under attack!!" A voice yelled, and Reader let out a shaky breath before seeing a young woman run into him. Her name tag read 'Ida'. Her eyes shot up at him and she quickly began to use sign language towards him. She was asking who he was--what he was doing here.