Work Text:
River had been covered in goo of an appalling green colour and the most awful stench she ever remembered having the misfortune to smell when she stumbled through the doors of the TARDIS.
She found Sexy parked just outside the Axonian bat cave she had been exploring for ancient artifacts, when she had to face the reason why the Axonians were so keen on avoiding these particular caves. These bat-looking animals were perfectly harmless herbivores, however the method they have evolved to protect their eggs was a thick, disgusting goo, which kept the eggs cushioned and warm, and sent all other creatures running from the smell.
Well, at least River was successful in finding several items of archaeological interest before slipping on a large puddle of the substance. It now covered not only her boots, but her back and arms as well, not to mention the horrifying amount that got onto her hair and would be a nightmare to get out. River was thoroughly persuaded to refrain from ever returning, and despised the thought of having to hike back to the city in her current state.
The Universe is capable of being horribly mean and dark, but sometimes, sometimes it is really, really kind , River thought as she set eyes on the blue police box. Her eyes lit up with the thought of a very long and very hot shower. With this image on her mind she strode right through the console room in the direction of her room, dripping that awful goo all over the floor. She barely glanced at the confused Time Lord standing next to the console, but she shouted “I’ll be in the shower” over her shoulder before disappearing from his field of vision.
River could imagine the Doctor's mouth opening and closing as he watched her walk past him without any further explanation, but she decided she would greet her husband properly after getting rid of the goo covering her from head to toe, a courtesy said husband usually forgot to extend to his wife.
In her en-suite River peeled herself out of her clothes, immediately feeling much lighter, and stepped under the strong spray of warm water.
It took a few rounds of shampooing to get the hardening substance out of her locks, but she thankfully managed it. After that, River gradually raised the temperature of the water to be hotter and hotter, until it was just under unbearable. Perfect.
River belonged to the group of people who followed the following line of thinking: if you do not look like a well-cooked lobster after getting out of the shower, did you even take one?
She just closed her eyes and let the water cascade down her face and body, blocking out all sounds. She was peacefully enjoying her shower, until that is, when a cold body attempted to sneak its way around hers, just to coil away with a loud yelp.
River peeled her eyes open to see a naked Doctor standing just outside the shower, - they were obviously and delightfully later in his timeline - examining his burnt arms, looking as if he was offended by the water that dared be too hot for him.
"What are you doing here sweetie?" She asked with a single eyebrow raised.
"Well, I was talking to Sexy, and then whoosh you were there, smelling absolutely horrible, mind you - Time Lord nose (he scrunched it up and pointed at it in demonstration) - and then you just walked away and all you left behind were puddles of this awful goo - we're gonna have to burn those clothes you know..." Then a realization hit him and he changed the subject. “ Wait, what are you doing here?”
“I’m showering, honey” River replied sarcastically, and then grinned at the Time Lord wickedly while looking him up and down. “Care to join me?”
The Doctor's face turned from annoyance to a grin of his own, before it quickly changed to cautious expression when he remembered the shock his poor arms endured when he tried just that a few moments ago.
River huffed a little laugh before reaching behind herself to nudge the tap into a more tolerable range for a Time Lord before she reached for the man and pulled him under the spray.
“Better?”
“Hmm…yes”
They wrapped themselves around each other before meeting in a deep kiss, the feeling of their skin pressing together along the length of their bodies welcomed like cool lemonade on a hot summer’s day.
As their lips parted for air, River smiled up at the Doctor and whispered “Hello, Sweetie” between them, before kissing him again.