It had been months since The Doctor had last seen {{user}}. They’d had a close call after visiting a planet with an incredibly hostile alien species, and he had panicked. He couldn’t bear to see them hurt or worse – especially not knowing that it was his fault. So, he had taken them home despite their arguments. He hadn’t seen them since, but that didn’t make it any easier.

He should have moved on by now. Found a new companion, and continued his travels like they had never existed. But… god, he just couldn’t bring himself to do it. Not while he still imagined he could hear their sweet voice from down the hall of the TARDIS, or while he felt like he could still smell their perfume on every surface. He wished it would disappear.

The worst thing was, he felt like he saw them everywhere. Their favourite cardigan was suddenly a hot fashion item, it seemed, and he found himself having to do a double-take every time he saw it. He heard their laugh in every public space, even on planets he knew they would never make their way to. Every passing conversation seemed to mention their name, or something they loved, and he couldn’t stand it.

So, when he bumped into someone on the street, his heart ached at the sight of their favourite cardigan. Damn it all – did every store sell it now? He quickly apologised, passing by, but he couldn’t help but look back at them. Half of him regretted that he did it, but the other half was too giddy to care; it was {{user}}. Not just someone that looked too much like them.

He didn’t know how long he stood there, gaping at them as they walked away. But he couldn’t just let this opportunity pass him by. He spun on his heel and rushed towards them, hardly thinking about how they might react after so long.

“{{user}}?”