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The doors opened before Yaz could even touch them; she smiled and touched the handle gently, a welcome before she slipped into the diner, leaving the noise of the street behind. “Hello. Could you tell your mistress I'm here, please?”
“Please don't call her that, this is embarrassing."
“Ugh. What are you even doing here?” She rolled her eyes, seeing the Master in one of the seats, elbow on the table and head resting on his fist as he observed her. Today he was in one of the more casual fits, as his shirt – plain and black – didn't even have a collar. That, as she already learned, meant he either just woke up or was about to head to bed. For the sake of her date, she hoped it was the former.
“Living here, unlike you. Cute outfit, got anything planned?”
Instinctively, she looked down, making sure that everything was alright with her clothes. A sleeveless, collared shirt wasn't perhaps her usual choice but it would certainly get Clara's approval and – honestly, Yaz was a little excited to see that hungry glam in her girlfriend’s eyes when they finally met. And if the Master's gaze, lingering on her bared skin, was anything to judge by, Clara would be absolutely thrilled. Honestly, Yaz wasn't even that muscular, just a little toned after regular work-out, first necessary for her job and now – for travels; after all, she never knew if some strength wouldn't be useful in the next adventure. Speed always was, for sure.
Still, even that little bit of muscle seemed to be very much admired by Clara (and apparently the Master but he wasn't her priority). That was certainly an encouragement to keep up her work.
“Yes, and I'm pretty sure you knew that already. Where’s Clara?”
“Getting ready. In the bathroom, if you want to check.” There was a smirk dancing on his lips; Yaz did her best to keep her face unmoved. “Last time I saw her, she was in nothing but her underwear, trying to pick what to wear so it might take a while.”
“I'll wait then, thanks.” Yaz pushed away the image he was teasing her with, determined not to blush in front of him. At least now she knew what he was doing here: waiting for her because he knew she'd come for the date Clara was getting ready for. Why did he come to see her was a whole other question.
“Come here then.” He pointed at the seat in front of him and, after a moment of hesitation, she took it. Why not? She had to wait anyway, and maybe she'd pull some information out of him. “That's a good girl.” Ah. That's why not.
Mercifully, she decided to ignore the comment, and the way his leg nudged against hers under the table. As always, seeking affection in any way he could. “So, what did you want to talk about?”
“Why the assumption that I wanted to talk to you at all? It's you who came to my home, after all, not the other way round.”
“So you just happened to be here in the diner, a place where you never willingly spend your time in, around the time I came to visit. Sure. How about we skip all that tiptoeing around the topic you're really onto? I'm not in the mood.”
“You're no fun at all, love.” The Master complained and cocked his head to the side, eyes moving up and down as he inspected her. “How's the Doctor, by the way?”
“That's none of your business, I believe.” Yaz leaned back, until her back rested against the seat, arms crossed over her chest.
“Oh come on. How is she? Positively thrilled to know that your girlfriend is one of her old friends?”
“Why do you care?” No, the Doctor didn't know she was dating Clara of all people, not because Yaz was trying to make a big secret out of it; rather, because she wasn't sure how to break the news. Yes, the Doctor asked a few times already but Yaz always found a way to avoid giving a direct answer. How do you even tell your friend that you're currently dating her ex… Friend? Lover? She wasn't sure what they used to be. Clara implied there was more than friendship between them but Yaz wasn't sure if it was just unresolved romantic feelings or did they actually act on them.
Not to mention the additional mess of the Master being there, directly involved in their relationship, not just by being Clara's whatever but also by being clearly interested in Yaz.
And Yaz being sort of interested in him, despite the odds.
“I care about everything that has anything to do with our dearest Doctor. And I'm guessing you didn't tell her then.”
“I don't think it's a crime to date Clara, you know.”
“Then why not tell her?” The Master placed hands flat on the table and leaned a little closer. “Don't want to make her jealous, perhaps?”
“From what I understand, she had her chance with Clara already.” Yaz tried to stay calm but his reaction threw her off balance; he blinked twice in slight confusion, then chuckled like she just said something truly silly. “What?”
“Oh, nothing. You humans, so blind…”
“Oh yes. Us poor, inferior creatures, right? No wonder you'd never want to get close to any of us, let alone beg for a kiss from one.” Yaz shot, annoyed.
“You asked for a kiss first.” He pointed out; but his gaze changed slightly into something softer and eyes flicked for a split second to her lips like he was recalling the moment he got to touch them.
“Only because you seemed obsessed with the fact that I kissed Clara first.” It felt so childish, arguing about such nuances but – he started it, Yaz felt.
And that argument sounded even more childish than their conversation.
“Yes, why would you offer such a thing if you didn't want it?”
“To get some answers.” Yaz took a deep breath, considering her next words. After her recent conversation with Clara about him, she thought long and hard about how she felt towards the Master. With all the contradicting things she knew about him, it was hard to come up to some conclusions – at least until she tried to see it the way Clara saw it. As long as he was with her, sharing space and being tamed – to a point – by her touch, he wasn’t up to anything worse at least. So, in accepting him in, she’d gain some peace for the Universe – and the Doctor, even more importantly. She’d also get a phenomenal kisser as her – well, a person she’d be kissing quite frequently, probably, which was a very big plus. And her dates wouldn’t get interrupted anymore, mostly because he’d be a part of at least some of them anyway.
On the downsides, she’d still have to deal with his unchangeably annoying character and trigger-happy nature. But at least that trigger wouldn’t be aimed at her.
Besides… She was well aware how fleeting the nature of that relationship would be. It couldn’t last; soon enough, he’d part his ways with Clara – and, in extension, her – and the soothing effect he was under would pass, bringing back his pain and madness. She couldn’t prevent it; she could only delay it. Why not use that remaining time to her own benefit then?
So, Yaz straightened her back a little and added: “Besides, I didn’t dislike it, you know.”
His face didn't change, almost; only eyes moved, first widening slightly in surprise, then moving down his gaze, on her lips again, and lingering there. Experimentally, Yaz moved her hand, resting it on the table between them, palm up and open – and he took it almost reflexively.
“What? Isn't that what it's all about? Enjoying yourself?”
“Of course it's about that.” He finally answered, words coming out a little slowly. “But I didn't think you were enjoying yourself. You certainly didn't let it know when I asked for a kiss.”
“I needed time to think it through. You're not the easiest person to accept, you know.”
“Worth it, though.”
“I don't know it yet, but I'm willing to see.”
“Like this?” He raised their connected hands. “Sweet touches and butterfly kisses?”
“Well you weren't opposed to those the last time, were you?” Yaz felt regret sinking in. Maybe it was a bad idea to offer him that, he'd just tease her.
“I wasn't – but it's not something I want all the time.”
“Then you'll need to work on coaxing me into wanting more.” She turned his hand palm up now and began to trace the lines on the inside of it thoughtfully; the Master's eyes followed her finger, curious. “Be nice. Give me time to relax into… Whatever we'd call it. Don't push and try to enjoy the slow pace. I'm willing to try to make it work, if you do too.”
He didn't respond for a while, considering, his hand closing around her fingers and pulling them closer, up to his cheek; Yaz cupped it silently, feeling his beard under her palm. Funny feeling, she thought. She never had a partner with a beard; not an unpleasant feeling, she supposed. When they kissed, back in the cinema, it scratched her face a little, but it wasn't unpleasant. Though to be honest, nothing about that kiss was unpleasant.
The Master closed his eyes, lashes fluttering before settling down comfortably; he seemed to be relaxing into her touch and Yaz thought about all those times he sought closeness from Clara, the way he looked so at peace when his mouth could explore his skin, when her hands were in his hair, stroking so gently. She thought further back, to the first time they met, after he shrugged off his disguise as O; she tried to avoid thinking about the cruelty he caused then and focused on him. The way he was so tense, so angry and full of pain. It was almost unbelievable that the memory she held was of the same man she had in front of her right now, the man that seemed to relax more with every stroke of her thumb against his cheek; the man that looked so hazily soft at her after they kissed last time.
Was that why he seeked her touch so often recently? Because she was soothing him the same way Clara did? Because with them two, the scream of insanity was being muted down to a whisper? Could she really have such an effect on him?
Apparently so; and she couldn’t deny the nice warmth filling her belly at the thought. She could be of help while getting something pleasant out of it. Everyone profits, right?
Finally, the Master let out a quiet sigh, as if he needed that to gather his strength to speak up: “I'm going to ask you something that'll hurt you. Are you okay with that?”
Oh. Well, at least he asked; Yaz considered that an improvement and actually felt thankful for the warning. So, she pulled her hand away, resting it back on the table, and nodded. “Shoot.”
A frown passed his forehead, like the lack of her touch physically hurt him, and he opened his eyes slowly to look down at the table, their hands laying close but not touching. His fingers twitched with need, but he didn’t reach out for now. “Tell me. You’re diving head first into all those relationships, your… Friendship.” He let out a quiet cough. “With the Doctor. Becoming Clara’s girlfriend. Now what you offer me. You’re getting entangled so tightly with all of us, but do you realize how much different we are from you? Me and the Doctor, we’re Time Lords. Living so long we get multiple lives just so it doesn’t get too boring. Even in the single lifespan of ours we could watch you grow old and crumble to dust. You, your kids, grandkids too. A few more generations down the line as well, depending on how lucky we are. And Clara, while human, is frozen in time for all eternity. Forever twenty-something. Or maybe thirty, I never asked to be honest. It doesn’t matter. What I’m asking is, what will you do when the time will inevitably leave its mark on you? When your skin wrinkles and hair turns grey? What will happen once you’re not able to keep up with your adventures, too old, too sick for it? Are you feeling ready to watch us remaining the same or barely changing, while you wither like a flower left forgotten in a vase?”
Wow. He was dead serious when he said it would hurt her. No, Yaz didn’t think about what would happen in a few years, when she was forty or fifty or whenever her body would begin to grow weak or sick. She was aware it was bound to happen, of course, and that the people she was currently surrounding herself with wouldn’t meet the same fate; she knew all this but refused to really think about it. It just hurt too much to know she had two choices: either stay around with the growing realization of how far behind her friends and loved ones she was falling, or leave too soon, while she was still in full health, to spare herself – and them – the pain of everyday sadness. She'd have to choose, eventually; but not yet. Not when her relationship with Clara was still blooming, not when she was still in her full strength. Not while they still looked close in age.
“I guess I'll have to deal with a broken heart eventually.” She said quietly. “But I'll live. And I believe that will be none of your concern anyway. My heart isn't what you care about here.”
“It's not.” He answered honestly; Yaz thought briefly that as long as he was honest like that, without a cruel tone in his voice, she could deal with that being the base of their relationship. “I wanted to know where we stand, that's all. You do realize it's brief, then.”
“Yes. How brief, we’ll see soon enough.”
“Alright.” His fingers twitched again and she realized he wasn't done yet. “And what about Clara's heart? Aren't you afraid to break it too? She's still such a young immortal after all, not used to loss like me or the Doctor.”
“This is why we're not making our relationship serious.” She said, so quietly it was impressive he could even hear her. “We can be girlfriends alright, but that's it. Because we both know how fleeting it is. Even if you don't consider all you just said, we're just… Happen to cross paths as we go through our lifes. She's travelling in her TARDIS and will never settle on Earth, not in my time for sure. She can't risk more than a day or two out now and then, if she stayed someone could recognize her as the lost person she is supposed to be. As for me, I'm still travelling with the Doctor and I don't want to give that up just yet – and when I do, I'll want to return to my family and the place I know best. Long term, we aren't compatible, and we both know it. Still, being together is nice, so we're trying to make the best of it. That's all. She knows it won't hold up for long so… I can only hope her heart won't break when it all falls apart.”
“That's fair, I suppose. She has to learn eventually.” Finally, he reached out to take her hand again. The end of the heavy topic, she guessed. “Alright, dear Yasmin. Tell me your limits. I can already guess no sex since you didn't even do it with Clara…”
“Not yet.” Yaz felt her cheeks flush pink. “I, uh… I'm fine with the way you touched me so far. Even before today, I mean. Kissing is fine too, as long as it's limited to what's not covered…” The Master's eyes darted down, to her shirt, and she realized that from now on she had to be very careful with how much of cleavage she chose to show; he'd take her words very literally, if it suited him. “And, well… We could try cuddling sometime soon?” His eyes lit up with excitement at that; and then even more when she added: “With Clara too, if you don't mind.”
“Oh, not at all.” Judging by how thrilled he seemed at the thought of that possibility, he'd definitely end up right in the middle of the cuddle pile. “Okay then. Let's try to make it work, as you said.” The Master’s eyes found hers and she saw an amused sparkle in them. “How about we seal the deal with a kiss? Your kind of kiss.”
And then he closed his eyes, leaned forward – and puckered his lips in a mockery of a kiss. Clearly, he was making fun of her – lighting up the mood, perhaps – and didn't really want a kiss like that; and if she hesitated for a second too long, he'd pull back and the moment would pass. So she moved quickly, mimicking his expression and leaning in – until their lips pressed together in a short, exaggerated kiss – and yes, she even made a mwah! sound as she pulled back, smirk dancing on her lips. It was so worth it just to see his shocked face. Maybe she could learn to mess with him too.
“Oh how adorable!” Clara's laughter filled the room, making Yaz's head quickly turn to where it came from – and for a good moment she forgot how to breathe. Her girlfriend simply had that effect, even when she wasn't wearing so much leather – and now she was, her jacket, skirt and boots all leather, black and framing her beautiful body in a way that left Yaz wishing she was that skirt, stretched over those gorgeous hips. “What, suddenly lost your tongues? I can help you find them back if needed.”
“Yes, please.” The Master choked out and Yaz realized he was just as struck by her look as she was.
Clara laughed and came closer, little silver chains on her boots jingling with her every step and leaned over the table, one hand resting on it for support as the other grabbed the Master's chin to drag him for a kiss, so long and deep Yaz could almost feel it herself. Not that she had to wait long to actually feel Clara's lips on hers; she was next in line, painted nails digging so softly into her chin, skilled tongue quickly finding its way into her mouth. Stunned as she was, she could only sit there, frozen by her girlfriend's overwhelming beauty, and accept the kiss like the sweetest gift that it was.
“Wow.” She gasped once Clara pulled away, a small smirk stretching those perfectly painted lips.
“Wow back at you. You look absolutely delicious in this shirt, I want to eat you whole – and trust me, this is one of the more decent thoughts I’m having right now.” She stroked Yaz’s suddenly blushed cheek, looking very pleased with the effect the compliment had on her girlfriend, then straightened up so she could look at both of them. “So. From what I’ve just seen, you two are?...”
“In an agreement that since we're exchanging saliva anyway, we might as well do it directly, yes.”
Clara laughed at the Master’s response, ignoring his hand that tugged at her jacket, trying to get her to sit right next to him. “Can I watch, then?”
“What?” Yaz felt her blush doubling with those words; did she really just suggest the two of them make out while she watches?
Her mind, very unhelpfully, offered her an image: her laying down with the Master on top of her, bodies pressed together and fingers intertwined as they kissed, slow and tender – and Clara sitting comfortably nearby, with a perfect view and perhaps a glass of wine in hand, praising them for giving her such a good show…
Yaz had to bite her cheek hard to bring herself back to reality.
The Master, however, didn’t seem too surprised that Clara would offer something like that. “You already did, twice, stop being greedy.”
“Oh no, not greedy. Controlling. I want to tell you exactly what to do.” She flashed a grin at them and Yaz suddenly felt very thankful she was sitting, otherwise her knees would simply give in. Not for the first time around Clara, to be honest.
“Clara, I would like to, uh… Get more comfortable around him first, you know.” She muttered. As lovely as that image was, and as much as it left her with fire warming up her stomach, Yaz absolutely didn’t feel ready to go that far with the Master. Of course, she wanted it, eventually, but not now, not so soon after they agreed to try things out.
Clara’s gaze softened with an understanding and she sat down next to her, taking her hand in hers. “Of course, I didn’t mean to rush you. I just got a little excited, I suppose.”
“You’ve been waiting for that, haven’t you?”
“Obviously. But I can be patient, so… Take your time. I already know how wonderfully you bloom when you ease into a relationship so I know the wait is worth it. Which is why I want to help you guys – how about a date all together? Well, I know the Master has been butting into many of our dates anyway but let’s make an official one. I was thinking, fancy cheese board, some good quality wine and board games. Formal dresscode, you mentioned you so rarely have the opportunity to wear your pretty suit Yaz, I want to see it.”
“Oh, she does look great in it.”
Yaz shot a glance at the Master, not happy with a reminder of the time she spent with O. There was no malicious tone in his voice though and she assumed he didn’t mean it; so she turned back to Clara. “You want to play Monopoly in fancy suits?”
“Yeah why not?” She grinned like it was the best idea she had in a while. “Not today though, of course. Today I’m taking you for a ride on my motorbike, no room for extras.”
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see once we get there, baby.”
“Looking forward to our date then.” The Master said, ignoring Yaz’s frantic cough as she almost choked on thin air, surprised by a new nickname. “I’ll leave you two be now, maybe do some TARDIS maintenance – you don’t take good enough care of her, Clara love.”
“She’s doing great, you’re just nitpicky because you still can’t accept I know how to fly her–”
“Anyway, glad we had that conversation.” He completely ignored her, looking at Yaz instead; his leg, the one he kept pressed against her calf all that time, pulled back as he stood up from his seat.
“So am I.” Yaz nodded, offering him a light smile. “And… Thank you. For understanding. And patience, I know you don’t have much of that.”
“I don’t. But as Clara said, the wait is worth it. I do expect our date to end the way you promised, though.”
She had to scan through their conversation, trying to guess what he meant; then remembered her offer to cuddle together, the three of them, and nodded. “Sounds good to me.”
“Wait, what did you promise him?”
“You’ll find out eventually, dear.” The Master smirked and leaned to kiss Clara shortly, then offered Yaz a hand – which she took, only to press her lips against it; he raised his eyebrow at that. “Oh, you’re going to be fun. I can’t wait. See you, ladies.”
“What did you promise him, Yaz?” Clara repeated after he left, closing the door to the console room behind him.
“You heard him.” With a chuckle, Yaz kissed her cheek, ignoring suspiciously narrowed eyes, and pushed gently, encouraging to stand up. “Come on now. Show me your motorbike, I can’t wait to get on it and hold onto you tightly as you drive me who knows where.”
“That’s the idea, yes.” Looking temporarily placated, Clara offered her a hand to help standing up. “I will get an answer out of you eventually, you know.”
“You can try!”
She probably would, eventually; Yaz could never resist her for long, you can’t say no to such gorgeous eyes. But she could at least try to delay answering the question, enjoying the short moment of Clara not being aware of pleasure awaiting her in the future.
And besides, right now Yaz wanted to focus on just the two of them. Her relationship with the Master might have developed but that didn’t mean she’d give up on lonely moments with her girlfriend.
She’d just have to find time for lonely moments with him, too.