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“Next time I'm taking us somewhere with always sunny weather.” Clara took a sip from her frog shaped mug, hands wrapped around it as she tried to warm herself up.
“Don't tell me you don't like the current situation.” Yaz scooted a little closer to her girlfriend with a smile.
“Oh, I love it. I'm just saying we didn't need to freeze our butts off in that park to get here!"
Yaz laughed and fixed the blanket that threatened to fall off their shoulders. Today she invited Clara to the rope obstacle park, thinking it would be a fun activity that wouldn't put them in grave danger. And it was; except the forecast was wrong and the day was much colder than expected.
That however didn't stop Clara from dragging her through the entire park; and now they were paying for it, trying to get warm by any means possible. “I told you we can leave and come back another day though.”
“Yeah, but it was fun, wasn't it?” Clara nudged her, grinning.
“Never said it wasn't.” Yaz put away her own mug – this one was in black and yellow stripes, with a tiny bee on top of the handle – and leaned on Clara, looking at the fire burning in front of them. They were in the lounge, one where she met the Master on her first visit here, sitting in front of the fireplace and drinking hot cocoa and sharing a thick blanket. It was a nice and cozy way to rest after a day full of activities and currently Yaz wanted nothing but to stay here and never move. Even if cuddling with Clara of all people wasn't the greatest way to get warm.
They've been dating for a little while now. It was hard to say how long exactly, given that they were travelling separately, but it had to be more or less a couple of weeks for both of them, Yaz guessed. It was certainly an exciting time, filled with a few dates that ranged from going to the movies again (this time without someone interrupting) to almost being swallowed alive by a dragon-like creature (Clara kept apologizing for hours for this one, saying she checked before and the planet was supposed to be safe) and Yaz loved every second spent together. It was… Definitely more than what she had with the Doctor. Which made sense, because her and the Doctor were friends, of course; but still, she loved how with Clara, the crazy, adventure-filled moments alternated with the softer ones where they could just enjoy the closeness of the other. It came more naturally to her now, to reach out for touch and not feel shy about it, and she could tell that Clara very much enjoyed that, always eager to respond with touch as well. Kissing was much easier to reach out for too, whether it was a simple peck on the cheek or a full-on make out session, filled with bodies pressed together and hands exploring the skin, reaching under shirts and sometimes even – Yaz blushed at the mere memory – removing them completely. Nothing more happened so far; Clara didn’t push and Yaz wasn’t sure if she wanted this just yet, so early in the relationship, so she held back, glad that her girlfriend wasn’t touching that subject.
“Anyway, you chose a great place. Thank you for that date.” Clara put her mug away too and wrapped her arms around Yaz’s torso, snuggling face into the crook of her neck and making her flinch in surprise.
“Oi! Your nose is so cold, get it off me.”
“Oh? Wanna see what else is cold?”
“Don’t you d– aah!” With an undignified squeak, Yaz tried to escape a chill pair of hands that snuck under her shirt but Clara held tight, a mischievous fire in her eyes and a giggle on her lips.
“Come on, help your girl warm up!”
“No, get off me you freak!”
Laughing, they fought for a while, Yaz trying to free herself from the cruel cold and Clara refusing to let go. The fight was more or less even, with the former one being stronger and the latter one more willing to cheat (like when she started to tickle her to gain advantage) but it was Clara who won in the end, when they fell down on the carpet and she was lucky enough to land on top, pinning Yaz down with a pert grin.
“Caught you.” Still smiling, she leaned down to kiss her shortly. With a hum that meant something between displeasure for losing and contentment for being so close, Yaz reached to cup her face, keeping her here to prolong the kiss, earning a happy sigh that escaped Clara’s throat when Yaz’s tongue found its way into her mouth, body relaxing into body – which was exactly what Yaz was waiting for and she swiftly forced them to turn around, grabbing Clara’s hands to pin them down above head as she sat down on her thighs.
“Caught you.” She laughed breathlessly at Clara’s shocked face. Shocked – but not in an upset way; rather, she seemed to be in awe.
“You cheated! Oh Yaz, I'm making you so much worse… And you're very hot with that.”
“I'm learning from the best, after all.” Yaz leaned down to kiss her, keeping her hands firmly pinned down. Yes, it was much easier to compliment Clara back too, and it didn't end with her blushing and stuttering as often as it used to; she was learning that confidence from her girlfriend, the way it came so easily for her to flirt and accept compliments. She wasn't at Clara's level just yet – not capable of fishing for compliments, or saying every single one that came to her mind, but she was certainly getting bolder.
Time blurred a little after that; they kept kissing, slow and deep, soft hums and gasps passing from one mouth to the other. Eventually, Yaz let go of Clara's hands and she immediately set them loose to wander everywhere she could reach; Yaz's face and neck, her arms, bare in the sleeveless shirt she had on, the lower back that got exposed when the shirt rolled up during their fight. The slightly chill touch made Yaz shiver, but she was far from complaining, the way Clara's tongue felt against her own warming her up better than any hot cocoa ever could anyway.
Propping herself up on one elbow, she searched blindly with her free hand for the zipper of Clara's fitted shirt. Her girlfriend made no complaints about it and actually got more eager with her own hands, sliding them up on Yaz's back so she took it as an invitation and started to slowly undo the zip, tearing her lips away from Clara's so she could explore the skin on her chest–
“Oh, am I interrupting?”
–and Yaz sighed, hand pausing its doings and forehead resting on Clara's collarbone. “We forgot to lock the door again.”
“Actually, you forgot to even close it properly.” The Master corrected, watching with no shame at all as they tried to detangle themselves from each other and the blanket and sit up properly again. Yaz fixed Clara's zip (trying her best not to look at the lovely red lace of her bra that got exposed during their tossing and tumbling; it wasn't the best time for that) and Clara in return fixed her shirt, covering back the belly.
“And you just had to feel invited, of course.”
“What else could an open door possibly mean if not invitation, dear Yaz?”
“Well next time at least knock, please.” Clara sighed, smoothing down her hair.
“From what I saw, in terms of knocking, you two got it covered already. Or were you about to head to the couch again?”
“It wasn't even the couch, asshole.” Yaz rolled her eyes when he sat on the floor next to her. During their fourth date – they were winding down in the TARDIS after a whole day spent on an escape planet (Clara's idea; basically an escape room on a grand scale) – Yaz lost track of time and they kept talking until late in the night. Once they finally remembered to check their watches it was so late, Clara offered she could spend the night in the TARDIS and suggested they could share a bed if Yaz was comfortable with it; nothing naughty, just some cuddles. Yaz, not ready for such a commitment just yet, declined politely and took the guest room instead. Clara was perfectly fine with that solution but unfortunately, once the Master found out, he wouldn't stop making fun of it. Actually, he was yet to stop; every time they met he'd find a way to comment on her sleeping on the couch. “What are you doing anyway?” She frowned, feeling his hand sneaking behind her to wrap around her arm and give it a little squeeze.
“Didn't know you're that toned.” He said simply and she realized he was feeling up her muscles – and, apparently, complimenting them.
Ever since the incident, as she was calling that kiss in the cinema, the Master became weirdly clingy with her whenever she'd stop by the TARDIS. It wasn't as bad as with Clara, fortunately, but he grew really comfortable with random touches like hugging her from behind (with a warning; he did learn his lesson), leaning on her as they sat close or, once, kissing her hand as a welcome. Those moments were short, as he’d soon move on to focus his attention on Clara or simply leave the room entirely, but they did leave her with all those confusing feelings about him – because she shouldn’t enjoy all of this coming from him, right? And yet, at the moments he was pulling away Yaz would often find herself wishing to pull him back in. It was all so difficult because she obviously still had in mind all those awful things she witnessed him do, and everything the Doctor told her about him (which wasn’t a lot; but that was just how she was, sharing as little as she possibly could); but then there was all the things Clara told her, and things she also witnessed since the two of them began dating and the Master became a constant presence in her life. That version of him was so much different than the cruel maniac from before and sometimes Yaz wondered if his relationship with Clara was really temporarily healing him like she claimed or was it all a pretense on his part.
His relationship with Clara. Another good point to think of. When they established their own relationship as girlfriends Clara straight-up told her that whatever was between her and the Master would not end and if Yaz wasn't fine with it, it was a deal-breaker. She was fine with it, mostly because she was aware from the very beginning that it wouldn't be negotiable; the way Clara spoke about the Master, the way the two of them interacted made it absolutely clear and she wasn't about to try to break that apart. She was happy enough to be one of Clara's partners.
Besides, Clara did make some veiled suggestions that she wouldn't be against them forming a three-sided relationship and… As confusing as he made her feel, Yaz wasn't saying no. She just wasn't saying yes. Yet.
“Isn’t she? She gives such strong hugs, it's incredible.” Clara joined with her own compliment. Of course she did. At least hers Yaz knew how to react to.
“I won't lie, the first time you saw me in a tank top and were gushing all over my muscles gave me a lot of encouragement to work-out harder.” She laughed, taking Clara's hand, who giggled along with her.
“Well if you ever need a cheer up at the gym, let me know.” They kissed shortly, just a peck on the lips, Yaz perfectly aware of the Master watching them intently; it didn't bother her as much as it used to. Of course he'd see them being affectionate towards each other, he was butting his way into every date of theirs he could, she had no choice but to get used to it.
“Kissing like that, it's no wonder you pick the guest room, Yaz sweetie.” Well. At least he didn't say couch anymore, she supposed that was a progress.
“Well if you can't find enjoyment in kisses like this too, then maybe it's a you problem.” She shot back, freeing herself from his touch to grab the blanket and wrap it around Clara and herself again.
“Maybe. Or maybe I'm too old to kiss like a shy teen.”
“Or maybe you're so old, you forgot it can bring joy too.”
“Maybe. Want to remind me?” The Master ignored with all his will the giggle Clara let out at Yaz's comment.
“Thanks, I'll pass.” She was pretty proud of herself for not showing the surprise that his question filled her with. She’d never think he could possibly want another kiss from her, let alone ask for one. He didn’t act that weirdly ever since the cinema, where he behaved almost obsessed with the fact that Clara kissed Yaz – until he got a chance to do the same, in a dare she didn’t think he’d accept, and then disappeared faster than she could process what just happened. Given his reaction, Yaz hoped it was a one time thing (mostly because the way her body and mind reacted to the kiss was just so confusing; how could it feel so good?) but apparently he decided to tease her for another one. For whatever reason. Probably to mess with her head, knowing him.
“Oh! What a cruel rejection. Did you hear that?” With a dramatic sigh, he dropped down, head on Clara’s lap. “My hearts are bleeding, my love, whatever do I do?”
“Stop goofing around.” Clara gave his nose a light flick. “Maybe if you asked like a normal person, you’d get a better answer.”
“Ouch.” He batted her hand away, looking annoyed. “I don't ask nicely. It's against my nature.”
“Then it seems like I get all the Yaz's soft kisses only for myself.”
“What about your soft kisses?”
“Also no when you insist on interrupting us and messing with my girlfriend.” Despite those words, Clara still put a hand on his head, scratching gently his scalp; in response, the Master closed his eyes like a pleased cat, and Yaz could’ve sworn there was almost a purr to his voice when he spoke.
“So if I leave you two now…”
“And apologize to Yaz. Yes. You can get some later on.”
“Apologize for what?” One dark eye opened and he glanced at Clara, confusion cracking through contentment and Yaz realized that perhaps at least some of his mean-spirited comments weren't even meant to come as such; it was just how he was, nasty to the core despite everything, shooting nasty words without realizing their nature.
“For being mean to her. Like with those couch comments, for example. And dog bed, for that matter.”
“Dog, right. You know I'm not one, right? You can't expect me to do a trick for a promise of a treat.” He sat up so they were on an eye level; Clara's hand dropped to her lap.
“It's not a treat, Master. It's me being in a mood to be affectionate with you, because you made me happy.”
“It's fine, Clara, really…” Yaz tried to drop the topic but the other woman shook her head.
“No, darling. It's just unfair. You've been more than accepting of the Master and my relationship. The least he can do is to not be rude towards you. I was hoping he would warm up to you but it seems like it only works on his willingness to touch and be touched by you and I won't let him have that and be allowed to compare you to a dog.”
Clara's voice was firm and Yaz knew there was no place for discussion here; not that she was going to, actually. While she managed to grow a thick skin that didn't let through most of the Master's comments, it would still be nice to get rid of them entirely. If he was able to do so.
Now he turned his head to look at her and once again she wondered how often he'd sneak into her head and see her thoughts. She should be able to feel that if she focused, right? The Doctor suggested so, when she taught her she could deflect such an attack, by focusing her thoughts on something random, like a nursery rhyme or a song. But back in those tunnels, he clearly saw her thoughts – and she had no idea until he alluded so. Given that, she wasn't sure anymore.
Dark, shiny eyes were drilling into her own and she did her best to keep up the stare. Looking away now would mean some sort of defeat, she felt, so she didn't budge and forced her gaze to stay calm.
And apparently, it worked, because eventually he nodded. “I apologize, Yasmin. I suppose insinuating you use a dog bed could be humiliating even for a human.”
Well. That was probably the best apology she could ever get from him, even if backhanded; and it was at least some apology. So she decided to take it without complaint.
“Apology accepted, mate.”
When she stretched out her hand to him, offering a handshake, he didn’t move at first; instead, he looked down at her hand, then back up at face, his eyebrows furrowing in a slightly surprised expression. She raised hers at that, trying to figure out what was he on about this time. What was so surprising in a truce offering after his apology?
But when something softer flickered in his eyes and he took her hand, so gently as if he could break it on accident, and shook it – that's when she realized: that was their very first physical contact initiated by her that wasn't a dare like the kiss or a violence, like that self-defence moment in the kitchen. It was simply a kind gesture, an acceptance of him as her mate and that seemed to be enough to shock him.
His hand lingered in hers and she let it, giving him time to process it. It was cool, like the Doctor's, but where hers were dry and callused from the lack of care and all the work she was constantly up to, his was much more cared for, softer and moisturized, nails clean and perfectly even – she could've sworn they were gnawed at and with black dirt under them when he appeared at the Boundary to drag the Doctor into his madness. It made sense, he was doing much better mentally so he took better care of himself. Or maybe Clara forced him to do that, so he felt better about himself. Who knew.
Finally, he let go of her hand and gave her a short nod before turning to Clara. “I'll be going. I've got a few things to do anyway and you…” He paused, a mocking comment clearly on his tongue; but he managed to swallow it back. “Have fun.”
“We will. I'll see you tomorrow.” She kissed his cheek and Yaz kind of expected him to pull her into a proper kiss in response, partially for the joy of it, partially just to try to annoy her; but he just pressed their foreheads together, eyes closing for a few seconds, until Clara touched his cheek lightly, corners of her lips raised in a smile. “There’s my good boy. See, you know how to behave when you want to.”
“It’s much more fun when I don’t, though.” He smiled too, a malicious sparkle in his eyes as he pulled away and raised to his feet.
“Some people would like to disagree.”
That comment wasn’t supposed to be said out loud; it passed Yaz’s lips without thinking and she immediately pursed her lips as if that could force the words back to her throat. Not that it was particularly mean, really; but after getting the Master to apologize to her for nasty comments she really shouldn’t show such hypocrisy by dishing out her own ones.
“I suppose so.” Fortunately the Master didn't seem to mind; perhaps he decided that after so many mean comments to her, she deserved to shoot back a few. “However I enjoy misbehaviour too much to give it up, even if it's towards people I tolerate. Have a nice evening, ladies.” After giving them both a short nod, he headed to the door; then paused with hand on the handle, looking over his shoulder. “Yaz?”
“...yes?”
“Condoms are in the top drawer of the nightstand. In case you need them.”
“Do you really have to–” But he was gone already; Yaz sighed, her head dropping to Clara's shoulder. “He's insufferable.”
“And a liar. I don't have any condoms in my drawers.” Her girlfriend said casually. “Unless he put some there recently, but there would be no point in that. Other than messing with you, I suppose.”
“Which he loves. Tell me… Why is he like this?”
“Annoying little bitch?”
“...you could call it that, yeah. While also apparently seeking affection from me. That sounds like a contradiction.”
“I guess it is, kind of. Except being a little bitch is just how he operates. Or… Well, let me say this, he will always have some evil in him. Despite what the Doctor believes – or used to believe perhaps, I believe things changed recently – you can’t just weed it out of his soul. Even when he might believe he’s doing good, it’s still lined with evil. Like that time when we went to a masquerade and one of the guests got a little… too handsy with me despite my protests. The Master TCEd him without hesitation. In his eyes, it was a good deed because he helped me. But in someone else’s eyes, there surely were better ways to solve this.”
“Yeah.” Yaz muttered, trying to focus and not think about Clara and the Master on a masquerade together. Clara must’ve looked gorgeous in an undoubtedly fancy costume…
“See. You can’t wipe it out and I know better than to try. But you can try to soothe it. Dampen or redirect. Calm his rage so it doesn’t burst out into anything more evil. That’s what I’ve been trying to do, and the effects you already noticed on your own.” Yaz just nodded to that; yes, she noticed, and even pointed it out to Clara before.
“So, fortunately, no world-crushing plans for now. Doesn’t mean he cares to help people in need when we travel or won’t overreact when I’m in danger.”
“Or won’t say a nasty comment towards people he doesn’t like.”
“Oh, he does that to me too, but more rarely. I don’t react the way he wants me to so I’m not fun. You’re on a good path to bore him as well, if I’m to judge. Besides, who said he doesn’t like you? He did ask for a kiss, didn’t he?”
“Yeah, why would he do that anyway? I don’t get it.”
“Because he wanted a kiss from you but he’s an idiot. Don’t snort at me, I’m serious. Truth be told, the Master is a lonely person. Partially of his own choice, he doesn’t let many people close, but I also think it’s a result of his current relationship with the Doctor. Or lack thereof, actually. Yes, it’s a consequence of his own actions but it doesn’t mean it can’t hit him hard. Especially given Missy.”
“His previous regeneration, right? I remember you mentioned that name before.” Yaz tried her best to follow up despite her brain feeling like a lump of scrambled eggs. What Clara was saying was… Weird, at best.
“Yes. She was particularly close with the Doctor. Anyway… This one isn’t. Nor was he close with anyone before me, I’m guessing. That’s why I think he lost his touch of how to behave with people he feels affection for. If he ever had that touch to begin with, honestly. I mean, the Master’s most important relationship was, is and always will be with the Doctor and that one is… Well. I’m not sure English has the right word for its complexity. I should know, I was teaching English briefly.”
“Wait a moment. So what you’re saying is, he’s into me and showing it in his personal, insane way?”
“Kind of. He doesn't know – probably never will know and honestly at this point I'm not sure if he's even willing to learn – how showing fondness works for normal people. Or maybe he does know but doesn't believe it's for him.” Clara looked thoughtful for a moment, then continued. “When he reaches for affection, it's not I like you so I show it; I'm sorry to break that for you immediately but I believe you should know it before you get any closer to him. No, rather it's him craving attention and reaching for it from someone he… Likes. That's probably the closest word to truth.”
“But I thought you two are a couple?”
“Why would you think that? Did he say so?”
Yaz shook her head. No one told her the specifics of Clara’s relationship with the Master and she didn’t want to ask, after being told it wasn’t her business on that very first day. It did kind of become her business afterwards, after she got together with Clara but knowing that no matter what kind of relationship they had it was not negotiable made her feel like there was no point in asking, even if Clara would be willing to tell her now. What change did it make? She was still trapped in that weird romantic triangle for as long as she wished to remain Clara’s girlfriend so she didn’t see the point in dwelling on specifics and just assumed they were partners, in one way or another. What else could they be, staying so close physically all the time they spent together, living in one ship?
“No. We just happen to have sex together, occasionally. Definitely not a couple and he’d laugh in your face if you said that in his presence.”
“Is that why he keeps talking about us using contraception?” Yaz felt herself blushing at the idea. Not that she and Clara would need condoms if it came to that, but the mere idea made her cheeks burn and she was glad her face was hidden from Clara, head still resting on her shoulder. Perhaps, soon… “Is it just him bragging?”
“Possibly. Possibly it’s him still making fun of that guest room situation. Or he’s simply trying to get a reaction out of you.”
“Not the best way to show he’s interested in me.”
“It’s not.” Clara agreed simply. “But you won’t get anything better than what you have already seen, with him reaching out for your closeness and being insufferable about it. You don’t have to accept it, but I think if you don’t want that, you need to tell him so straightforwardly.”
“But I’m not sure if I don’t want it.” Those words came out barely any louder than a whisper; and yet, Yaz could feel Clara smile in response to them.
“Then bear with him a little longer until you figure it out.” Those clever fingers, cool despite how warm they already got under that blanket, reached to grab Yaz’s chin and raise her face so the two women could kiss, brief but sweet. “Now… Can we not talk about him anymore for now? He’d enjoy a bit too much knowing we’re still on that.”
“Of course.” Yaz thought back to their first date, also crashed by the Master; back then, his annoying presence ruined the mood the two of them built and threw Yaz out of her balance, making it impossible to bring back the romantic setting he interrupted. Now, however, her skin grew thicker against his doings; or maybe she just fell so much deeper for Clara because the moment her eyes focused on those big, gorgeous ones, all the thoughts about anything besides Clara scattered into nothingness, leaving Yaz melting into her gentle touch.
“Good. If I remember correctly, you seemed very excited to see that pretty lace I’m wearing…”
All the response Yaz was capable of was a simple nod, but that was enough; soon, everything melted into sweet closeness, the feeling of Clara’s chest rising and falling heavily under her lips and red lace brushing against her face as she explored that gorgeous territory.
With all of that keeping her mind busy, she truly had no space left for thoughts about the Master and whatever she might feel towards him.