Battle Wounds

A wee painting that inspired the wee drabble below. ^_^

This is NOT a Photoshop filter, every stroke is painted by me.

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“I’m so sorry, Doctor,” Rose whispered, hardly able to get the words out. Her throat was so tight, but she didn’t want to cry. What the Doctor had suffered for her sake on that hostile planet deserved more than tears, but her heart was so choked with guilt, it was hard to keep them held back. As she gently bathed the blood from his chest, she reached up with her free hand, wrapping her fingers around the base of his neck, pulling him forward just slightly, to lean her forehead against his. She hoped he knew what she was trying to say.

One of his hands came up, resting on top of the one holding the bloody rag, stopping her motions. “If it meant keeping you safe, I’d do it again,” he said, his voice low and serious, unwilling to break the moment between them. “In a heartsbeat, Rose Tyler.”

“Shut up,” she sniffed. “Don’t talk like that.”

“Oh, try and stop me,” he said, attempting a cheeky grin.