Chapter Text
"Why are you up at this hour?"
He can't answer that. He shouldn't.
Dottore steps back away from her, hiding his arms behind his back.
He can't do this to her. She can't find out.
Columbina notices his arms behind his back, hiding something away from her. Concern grows as she notices his hands shake and face pale.
"Is there something wrong, Doctor? You seem unwell..."
Dottore tries to stand straight, his expression unreadable. He can't be discovered now.
Columbina takes a step forward, "Is this night's snowstorm too much? Do you have a cold?"
A whimper escapes his mouth as he stepped back again, the cuts on his arms aching more than ever.
"I-I'm fine...", his voice shaking, the unmasked expression on his face betraying him.
He had to get out of here.
Columbina examined him head to toe. He looked really cold.
Her eyes landed to his feet, she noticed a drop of blood falling behind him, dripping onto the marble floor.
"... You're bleeding...", her voice breaking into worry and concern.
"Show me your arms."
Columbina's soft voice broke Dottore out of his thoughts.
There was a moment of silence before Dottore got himself together.
"... Why?"
"You're hiding them from me. The bleeding must come from there."
Dottore hesitated. Even if Columbina promises to keep it a secret, she'll end up telling The Jester anyway.
"You don't need to. It's just a light laceration I..." his voice gradually broke, eyes welling up with tears.
Columbina looked up to his face, trying to be hidden by his blue hair.
He's never seen him like this before.
She again stared down at his feet, his black boots had blood stains on them. The dripping of crimson quickened, small pools gradually building up.
Knowing the situation's gravity, she softly smiled and opened her hand up to him.
"I truly see you now..."
Dottore was at a loss for words. It was enough for him to understand that his secret was no longer hidden.
Columbina came closer, Dottore couldn't look straight and look her in the eye. She gently took his two wrists from behind and guided them forward.
Both his arms of one side and the other were tattered with rows of cuts, from his wrists to elbows. Dottore felt his arm constantly throb from the painful gashes.
It looked painful to look at.
He looked down to the floor, away from Columbina's soothing gaze. His thoughts swirled viciously, thinking of the worst to come. Judgement, anger, scolding...
He didn't want to disappoint anyone. Not Columbina. Not The Jester. Not anyone.
Just as he started to disassociate again, her understanding voice echoed.
"Let me take care of you."
Everything seemed to blur in The Doctor's mind as Columbina guided him to his quarters, gently pulling his hand as each step he took felt heavy.
His mind wandered off to the distance, but The Damslette's calming voice every once in a while echoed.
-=/==-
"I'm here."
"It's okay."
"I've got you."
"Everything will be alright."
The sound of a creaking door echoed the halls. Dottore was bought back to reality upon seeing the familiar place; the old bedroom he had abandoned years ago.
Before he could think again. Columbina warmly squeezed his hand, "I've noticed you don't come back to this place anymore for years, but I always tell my agents to clean it up."
Dottore felt her tug at his hand again.
"Let's sit on the bed. I'll treat your wounds..."
He quietly sighed, knowing The Damslette won't leave him alone.
The large, reinforced glass window shed light upon the white sheets of the opulent bed. Its presence was welcoming.
Columbina guided Dottore to sit, her warm hands never leaving his.
"Would you like me to bring some water when I get back? I'm going to get a first aid kit."
He nodded in a mechanical way, not wanting her to hear his hoarse voice from the dryness of his throat.
With gentle steps, Columbina glided away to the door, preserving the serene ambience.
When her echoing footsteps faded, Dottore contemplated on why she cared so much.
He didn't know why, but he did know she was genuine.