The Doctor has large hands.

Well, obviously they differ from each regeneration. But "the Doctor" Rose has known (her Doctor) has large hands that are big and warm and fit hers just right. The first time the Doctor holds her hand, Rose wonders if perhaps Gallifreyans have a natural higher body temperature because of the heat that she feels. Then she realizes that the heat is all over body and it has nothing to do with the temperature of his hand, but all to do with the fact that his hand is holding hers.

Rose hopes time travelling aliens can't sense anxiety, because she is sure it is emulating off of her in waves.

Holding hands becomes a natural thing for them. They reach for the other's hand almost subconsciously, whether it be for a carefree stroll or a frantic escape. Rose vaguely wonders whether the Doctor finds it easy to hold hands with her because he has held hands with all of his companions, but she decided not to ask.

Sometimes, the Doctor takes Rose to a planet with beautiful scenery and cities, simply as a ploy to spend time with her without any of the chaos of their normal time-traveling lives. As they make their way from the TARDIS, the Doctor always grabs Rose's hand without saying a word. It was some sort of unspoken agreement between the two that holding hands would be the norm for them.

Each time Rose experiences the roughness of his palm against the softness of hers and the gentle yet unwavering strength in his grip, she feels a thrill course through her veins and a flutter in her chest.

At first, Rose had worried her hand would be sweaty and clammy in the Doctor's grasp, but now she finds nothing but comfort in the familiar hold and her muscles relax.

When the Doctor and Rose travel to a new place, they find it easy to connect by the simple but intimate gesture of hand-holding.

Rose has small hands.

Her nails are clean and usually polished, and the pretty curve of her wrist is feminine. However, her hands are not delicate. The Doctor can tell, upon first glance, that the hands of Rose Tyler are strong hands.

Holding hands with a companion is not an unusual ritual at all for the Doctor. In fact, he'd often initiate it simply in order to get his whoever he was with where he would want them to go. It by no means had embarrassed him or made him uncomfortable.

Rose is different though.

It feels different. Never before had he experienced the subtle skip of his hearts whenever her hand fit in his. Never before had he had experienced an increase of heat in his face whenever she would get just a bit too close and he could feel more than just her hand pressed against him.

If the layers of denial were stripped away, it is likely the Doctor knows what this means. Yes, he certainly knows.

(He'd like to ignore it for a while and stay in his content bubble of denial, though).

For now, the Doctor takes Rose's hand with no hesitance, and she grips back with equal conviction. As they travel through the stars and moons and planets and the deepening darkness of space, he knows he doesn't want to let go. And she doesn't, either.

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