Cosmo || Doctor Who

64 : Pressing On

𝔏𝔬𝔫𝔡𝔬𝔫, 𝔈𝔫𝔤𝔩𝔞𝔫𝔡, 𝔈𝔞𝔯𝔱𝔥
𝔖𝔢𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔪𝔟𝔢𝔯 1599

It was calm. The Globe was quiet, and sombre, with the only sound coming from passers by, who never stopped for more than a moment to gaze at the outside walls. It was a solemn existence when all of the excitement had died down, not that EJ minded. In fact, if there were access to flushing toilets, and no plague, then it would have been ideal.

Shakespeare was a mere few feet away, sat on the stage with Martha. His eyes twinkled for her, and for her alone, which EJ found rather depressing. Given the opportunity, he would have jumped onto him like a gazelle. However, it wouldn't be something that he ever got to go through with. It was a shame, really, but perhaps the academics were wrong, after all, they had never known him anyway.

Martha's hand had been taken captive by Shakespeare's for at least ten minutes as he rattled off punchlines with the attempt to impress her. "And I say, a heart for a hart, a dear for a deer."

Her face blanked, shaking slightly. "I don't get it."

Shakespeare, in all of his wisdom, just shrugged. "Then give me a joke from Freedonia."

"Okay." She agreed, pondering on it for only a second. "Shakespeare walks into a pub and the landlord says oi mate, you're barred."

"Oh, that's brilliant! Doesn't make any sense, mind you, but never mind that." His bemused chuckled ceased as his eyes grew dark with passion. "Come here."

Martha froze. "I've only just met you."

"The Doctor may never kiss you." Shakespeare looked to her with a solemn face. "Why not entertain a man who will?"

He began to lean in, and mere moments before their lips touched, Martha paused, and pulled back. "I don't know how to tell you this, oh great genius, but your breath doesn't half stink."

"If you won't kiss him, I will!" EJ called as he jumped out from the back of the stage, having had enough. He plonked himself down on Shakespeare's free side, upon the trunk, a small smirk rising across his face. "Never turn a beautiful man down, that's what I always say."

It was a once in a lifetime sort of chance, which Shakespeare seemed to be more than up for, but they weren't given the chance. The Doctor swiftly exited backstage and emerged wearing a ruff, holding onto a skull and the Carrionite globe in his hands. It was something that EJ hoped he never saw again, purely because it was so... odd.

"Good props store back there." He said, hardly paying attention as he stopped a few feet away, staring at the skull. "Not sure about this, though, reminds me of a Sycorax."

"Sycorax? Nice word." Shakespeare nodded. "I'll have that off you as well."

Exasperated, EJ rubbed the back of his neck. "Oh, my God. The Tempest."

"What?" Martha raised an eyebrow.

"It's Act One, Scene Two of The Tempest. Caliban is calling on his mother." The Thompson boy expanded. "All the charms, of Sycorax - toads, beetles, bats - light on you."

"Wow, I did not take you as a nerd."

She seemed genuinely impressed, which only made EJ feel frustrated. He rolled his eyes, standing up from the trunk so that he could be by the Doctor instead as he sneered. "Did the tattoos throw you off?" At that, she shut up.

"I should be on 10%." The Doctor sighed. "All the same, how's your head?"

Shakespeare groaned, instinctively touching the back of his skull. "Still aching."