Chapter Text
"Goodness had nothing to do with it." The Doctor frowned, but managed to maintain a composure that seemed indifferent. As he turned to enter the TARDIS, Clara found herself wondering what it was, exactly, he meant. Pausing once more to look around, she sighed, and followed him quickly.
*****
“Clara,” He spoke as he flipped the odd switch and the TARDIS whirred into action. He furrowed his brow and spun himself around, heading towards his chair atop the far set of stairs. “Why did you lie?” He inquired, looking as though he was busying himself in an attempt to avoid making eye contact.
"You said yourself, people respond quicker and are braver, if they have h-" The Doctor waved her silent and turned, climbing down the stairs. His eyes met hers, adorning an expression that seemed foreign for him.
"No. Why did you lie, to -me-?" He placed his arms on either side of her, trapping her against the centre console. His words escaped almost as a carnal growl. Was he genuinely this upset? He’d lied to her on many occasions. Why then, was this such a big deal?
"You.. You can’t seriously.." She glanced to her side as his hands hit the console. He was close, too close for his current state. But Clara couldn’t help the smirk that crept along her red stained lips. "You’re -jealous-." She crossed her arms, trying to remain unaffected by the Doctor’s motions.
It was his turn, now, to replicate the smug look his companion wore oh so well. “I prefer, -territorial-.” His accent escaped a little more than usual, and he made no move to back off. “I don’t appreciate being lied to, Clara.” He straightened his back and removed one of his hands from the console.
"You lie to me all the time." She retorted. Must they fight? Today had gone so well. She kept her arms crossed. She was never one to back down from an argument.
He arched a brow and looked down the line of his nose, as if appalled by the notion. “To keep you safe. It’s different.” He waved his hand dismissively.
"Maybe I was trying to keep you safe." She allowed her hands to drop to her sides, her tone taking on much more emotion now. She suddenly found herself wishing him closer, wishing that things hadn’t become so complicated. "I shouldn’t have lied, Doctor. I’m sorry.. I j-" Again, he cut her short with a wave of his hand. He seemed in deep thought for an instant, before finally, and it felt like forever, he placed his hand back on the console, trapping her again.
"There are some places, Clara, where the punishment for lying, is death." He arched a brow and bowed his head, seeming to look up at her in a glare that could only be described as both intimidating and.. Arousing? Damn it. "You have a choice," He paused, knowing she would make a futile attempt to argue.
"You can’t.. What? No! Take me home! Now, Doctor." She tried to push his hand away, and he let her, stepping back but keeping that dark, knowing smirk on his face.
"You can go." He motioned towards the door to the TARDIS nonchalantly. "And never return," He watched as she paused and turned to give him a look of pure emotional desperation and shock. He knew she would never do such a thing, not Clara. Therefor, she was left with option two. "Or," Her brows raised inquisitively and, as if to the tune of her thoughts, his smile faded and his expression became darker. "You can stay, and take whatever it is I deem fit, with not so much as a-"
"Docto-"
"Ah ah.." He brought a slender finger to his lips, his playful demeanour returning momentarily. "Not so much as a -peep-." He finished, leaning on the rail and awaiting her decision.