something to hurt her deeply, and break our trust.”

Turning from the window, he stepped towards the hunter. Extending out the hot chocolate. The comforting warmth he sought to share a contrast to the cold he felt.

“...I find myself afraid of facing her again, after all this time.”

He confessed.

in Londinium’s. Someone who I’ve forgotten, until recently.”

The Doctor’s cheery smile strains even more, as his gaze breaks away to the stormy clouds outside the office’s window.

“She was… a dear friend. Someone I cared for, just as she cared for me. We worked together, closely until I did-

in silence for a long moment or two as steam from the cup lazily curled upwards. Considering how best to deflect again… but, she did have a point, didn’t she?

. . .

“Mm… I… You’ve heard about our preparations to depart for Victoria, right? I’ve found myself… thinking about someone who’s waiting-

happy to hear that. If the migraines flare up once more, you can always--”

Before he could go on to offer the hunter his support again, and further shift the conversation away from himself, she had skillfully turned it back on him.

“ . . . Skadi, Of course I. . . trust. . .“

He paused, frozen-

“Is that so…? Thats… relieving to hear. Really.”

The Doctor replied, as he poured the hot chocolate into a mug, and added a generous serving of whipped cream on top with a slow swirling motion. A gentle sigh leaves his lips.

“It still pays to be vigilant, given your circumstances… but I’m still-

this mountain of logistics reports.

As for how I’m faring… hm.

(He trailed off, tapping a slow finger to his chin.)

//valid

tardiness, I’ll just tell her I got lost.”

his thoughts still resided in Londinum, though the battle was over.

Though the other was silent however, it wouldn’t take long for the tactician to notice the operator.

“Logos… you’re still awake at this hour?”

the milk in his brewer. Measured out the chocolate, and stirred it in with the practiced movements of a scientist mixing a chemical compound. Soon enough, the rich, velvety mixture filled the room with a choclatey aroma.

"How's that headache treating you, by the way?"

his own emotions. It seemed however the Orca was more perceptive than he gave her credit for.

"This'll be just a moment... Get comfortable. Muelsyse left some Columbian gummy candies in one of the drawers on my desk. Feel free to help yourself."

He took a few steps away, and carefully heated-

"Hot Chocolate it is, coming right up!"

The Doctor replied, his usual cheer gradually smothering the subtle, darker undertones in his expression. She'd be correct in her assessment.

Getting to the heart of what lay beneath would be tricky. He always did put the troubles of his operators before-