Work Text:
Pain bloomed across your leg where you struck it, fist moving back up to swipe more of the tears from your eye. This was getting ridiculous, you thought. Practically a temper tantrum at this point, and you weren't a toddler anymore. But you couldn't stop. The tears continued, breaths ragged. You could hear the Doctor calling you name down the hall, and buried yourself within the blanket you'd found earlier, not wanting to bother her with this. Not now at least. Not until you were more...composed.
She found you anyway. Took one look at your face and whirled off, returning moments later with her arms full.
"Right," she started "first, tea," she started to hand you the mug, then stopped "well, rather, water," she shifted another glass from her other hand "tea's the most helpful but you don't want to risk spilling, water'll help long enough to swap over."
She set the mug of tea down a foot or so away, handing you the cold glass of plain water
"Next," she continued, spreading a napkin and it's contents, which had been tucked between the cups, next to you "figured some of these might help. Tried to grab a bunch of thing you like, hope these are good"
On the napkin were sweets. Most of which you'd help stock the TARDIS pantry with yourself.
The Doctor placed a hand on each of your shoulders and turned you so you were facing her.
"Now, what do you need? Support? Advice? Just listening?" You shrugged not really wanting to discuss it yet. She nodded, shifting closer to you.
"Right, how abou t we just sit for now. You can sip and nibble at those if you'd like, and if you need anything, I'm right here. Got it"
You nodded weakly, collapsing against her. She pulled you into a proper hug, murmuring reassurances
The two of you sat together for a while. Slowly, eventually your sobbing slowed and you switched the water for the warm mug of tea. And you sat, her presence alone helping
Then, even later, you talked. It started spilling out. It jumped of thing to thing, every small problem you'd forced yourself to ignore or work though spilling out now. You wanted to stop, not wanting to bother her with what seemed such small things, but once you began you couldn't stop it.
And she listened. She continued to sit, holding you, and listened. And once you finally started to slow she turned you so you faced her straight on again.
"Hey, listen. It's okay. You do matter. Things might be shit but you have been so strong. And you don't need to keep pushing alone. I'm here, I will help you. You're allowed to feel this way. You're allowed to take as long as you need.
"You're allowed to have times like this. And I will always be here to help."
You nodded slightly, qnd then you continued to sit. You're not sure when, but eventually you both got up,heading back to your respective rooms, what was left of the tea sitting on your bedside table. And while things were far from perfect, at least you had your friend. You had your life, your adventures, and a safe place to relax. And that was something.