Chapter 3: Formal Attire

The Doctor rummaged through the gargantuan closet in his vast bedroom and hesitated. He didn't know what weddings for humans were like, and he didn't know what he should wear. He pulled out a maroon long coat, followed by a black long sleeve shirt with Ruffles down the chest. He shook his head. The things I do for Clara, he thought to himself. As the Doctor browsed through clothes, he wondered what Clara would be wearing. He envisioned Clara dressed as she did when they embarked on the journey that was the Orient Express. He remembered that night, trying to make it as special as he could possibly make it, seeing as it was their last adventure. But thankfully it wasn't. Then, he was given another chance with Clara during Christmas, and he still isn't quite sure of who to thank.

"Orient express...maybe I should just wear what I wore that night."

The Doctor pulled out a box from the top shelf and opened it. Inside of the wooden box was a bow tie, and the Doctor rolled his eyes in disgust.

Shameful times, he thought.

"Doctor!" He heard Clara call to him.

"Just a second!" The Doctor called back, closing the latch on the box. He placed the wooden container back onto the shelf and began to pull out pieces of clothing again. He pulled out the suit he wore on the Orient Express, and decided to make a few quick changes so he wouldn't be repetitive. He put the shirt back into his closet and pulled out another white shirt, except this one had Ruffles on the wrist. He also decided to replace the outer part with a black velvet coat, with a short tail behind it. He began to undress from his usual clothes and slipped on his formal attire. As he finished, he looked in his full size mirror, and nodded to himself. He looked decent, and although his hair was unusually longer and messier, he decided to leave it that way, as it actually complimented him. He hoped Clara would like the way he looked, or at least be satisfied. He kept staring at himself and frowned. Something was missing but he wasn't sure what. He ran a hand down his face, and stared at his reflection.

Then he looked down to his neck and realized what he was missing. Instantly, he reached into the closet again and pulled open a small door on the left side. Inside, were different ties hanging from different hooks. He began to hum an unknown beat to himself as he studied the ties, deciding which would fit best with his attire. He then pulled out a black tie with white polka dots and looked it at carefully in his fingers. He nodded to himself and closed the door.

Clara leaned against the console dashboard and hummed to herself. She last saw the Doctor when he went to put the guitar away, and he's been gone ever since. She started to worry, however the doctor answered her when she called for him, reassuring her that he wasn't in any danger. She began to bite her left hand's nail when she heard footsteps coming from the corridor on her left. She turned her head and her jaw nearly dropped.

There stood the Doctor, tall and lean, dressed to impress. Clara eyed him from head to toe, making the doctor fidget with what appeared to be nervousness.

"So, what do you think?" He asked her. Clara remembered him ask that exact question quite a while back, when she first stepped into the TARDIS and he had just changed his face. Clara found it amusing how back then he had such confidence when he stated that question, now, as dapper as ever, she sensed a hint of insecurity in his tone voice. Clara took one more full body look at him and realize just how handsome the Time Lord looked in his elegant suit. She was definitely going to show him off as her date. Clara smiled and her eyes glistened with admiration and infatuation.

"You look dashing."

"Really? I was hoping to look modern." The Doctor flustered.

Clara walked towards the Doctor and placed her hands just above his chest underneath his shoulders. She looked up at him and gave him her best smile.

"Thank you."

"For what? And don't do that. You're doing it, the eye thing."

Clara rolled her eyes and said, "Because I can tell you're putting an effort for me and this wedding, and I appreciate it."

"Well, I did try. Now I don't want to be the only one all dressed up. Trot along now, and go put on whatever it is you're wearing." The doctor smiled nervously. Clara let go of the Doctor and smiled as well, a feeling of butterflies in her stomach as she backed away from him, gave him one last look, and walked off to her room on the TARDIS to get ready.

The Doctor was pleased with the reaction he received from Clara on his attire. That was his biggest worry, but his fears turned into delight at the fact that she was clearly satisfied. He began to wonder what Clara would be wearing. She had quite an awful sense of fashion but that night on the orient express left him speechless. She looked beautiful, and he hoped she'd look the same tonight. The Doctor leaned against the console humming that same tune stuck in his head earlier. He believed the song was called "Mysterious Girl" and for some reason the lyrics made him think of Clara.

"Doctor."

The Doctor spun around and his jaw almost dropped. Clara stood in front of him, in a red dress, made of a silk fabric, tight in every spot, and baring her shoulders along with the top of her chest. The dress came just at her knees, and she had black heels. Her hair was curled, and part was pinned delicately against the side of her head, with the curls falling down her face on the other side. Her face was painted in as he'd seen it before, but this time a bit more natural. She looked beautiful and he felt his hearts beating quickly. He unconsciously bite his lip and smiled.

"Very well done, Clara. You out did me."

Clara smiled, but he noticed a bit of disappointment in her eyes. He immediately suspected she expected a better reaction out of him, and he felt guilty. He wasn't so well at those kind of things yet, and he wished she just knew what was really on his mind. That Clara was the most breathtaking beautiful star he'd ever seen in his life, causing his breathing to go faulty and his heart beats to flutter, making him all flustered. Clara walked to him and smiled again.

"I tried my best."

"Well then, Ms. Oswald, I suppose it is time for our arrival. Won't want to be late for dinner, would we?"

Sorry I took longer to upload this chapter! But I'll try my best to hurry on the next one!