"- And she never wants to put rubber duckies in the bath." He huffs, tossing a stone into the water and watching it sink. "She says it isn't romantic." His tone speaks to just how absurd he finds this particular quirk of River's.
A soft squeak next to him draws the Doctor from his thoughts and he listens closely to his furry friends, slouching like a petulant child being reprimanded.
"You're right, of course. It is more than that."
"It was an accident, I swear! But River is so jealous this young. Blimey, my ears are still ringing from that slap." He lifts his head, rubbing his cheek. If he concentrates, he can still feel her warm little hand colliding with his skin, those eyes bright with fury. "I tried to explain but it all went wrong. Before I knew it we were having a row about all sorts of things - how I always leave my towel on the bathroom floor, how she never remembers to switch her gun off before she puts it under her pillow at night. And then she had the nerve to say none of my marriages ever count!"
"I got so angry - if any marriage has ever meant anything, it's this one, with River. This one is... everything, really." He sighs, glancing at his smallest companions, still listening raptly. "But I didn't say that, of course."
“...”
"What I always do. I ran away."
“...”
He scratches his head, looking scolded. "Yes, terrible habit. Never run out on the ones you love." He manages a smile, tapping one little friend on its small, wet nose. "Remember that."
“...”
"Well, what do you think I should do?" He waits a beat, listening, then scoffs. "Apologize? Don't be ridiculous. I need something big, something grand-"
“...”
He blushes. "Honestly, you're almost as bad as the Missus, you lot." The Doctor stares out at the water for a moment, affecting disinterest as he risks another peek at his audience. "Do apologies really work? Never tried one before."
"There's a first time for everything."
For a moment, he thinks an otter said it but then he realizes it hadn't been a squeak but a voice. A very much beloved and familiar voice. He turns slowly, glancing over his shoulder with his hearts in his throat. River stands on the bank just behind him, arms crossed over her chest, looking guarded but perhaps in the mood to be benevolent.
Relieved beyond words to see her, the Doctor beams and begins to scramble to his feet, bestowing one of his friends with one last grateful pat. He takes a step toward River, and when she doesn't move, he takes another, and suddenly he's standing right in front of her, scuffing his boot against the ground like a schoolboy. "Hello."
"Hello."
He scratches his cheek and glances back at his friends, who squeak encouragingly. He ducks his head and peers at River through his fringe hopefully. “I’m sorry, dear.”
In an instant, the blank expression softens into something warm and familiar, a smile curling her lips. "Oh, I could never resist those big, sad eyes."
Without another word, she grasps the Doctor by the scruff of the neck and yanks him down to her, ignoring his muffled noise of surprise as she snogs him thoroughly. The Doctor sways into her, eyes fluttering shut and feeling tingly all the way down to his toes. River releases him far too soon, looking pleased with herself at his dazed expression.
"Forgiven, sweetie. On one condition."
Still a bit foggy-headed, the Doctor nuzzles her nose and promises a rumbled, "Anything."
"We are not keeping the otters."
All warm and fuzzy feelings gone, the Doctor draws back with a gasp of betrayal and whinges, "But Rivah!"
