Bowties

by orchids117

(SEQUEL to "One May Face a World of Demons") It's been eighteen years since Clara Oswald and John Matthew Smith took on their demons. Eighteen years since they learned the hard truth that sometimes, the demons win. Now, as they receive the all-clear to come out of hiding and resume their lives, there's one thing they're both certain of. They aren't willing to lose again.

13. Epilogue

Epilogue:

Matt flexed his fingers as he waited for the next person in line to come forward. This was his last day on what had been a very long book signing tour. He had been surprised by the turnout. He hadn't been sure there would be an interest in a sequel to One May Face a World of Demons, but every venue he'd been to was at capacity while he was there. Matt had to admit that his heart warmed at the sight of everyone who had come out to meet him. It was gratifying to know that, even after all this time, there were still people who read and loved his work.

He smiled up at the young woman who approached his table. "Well, hello there! What's your name?"

"Yas. Short for Yasmine," she said with a bright smile. "I can't tell you how happy I am to meet you, Mr. Smith."

He waved a hand. "Please call me Matt. And yes! Thank you for coming, it's wonderful to meet you too." He looked down at her copy of the sequel, Bowties, and focused on signing his name.

"I adored your first book and was so happy when you came out with a sequel." She cocked her head to the side. "I have to ask—there's a rumor going around in the papers that it's based on real life events. Though no one can confirm an actual sighting of her, there's suspicion that Clara really has come back into your life."

He kept his eyes on the book as he absorbed her words, and finally looked up with a smile. He handed her the copy back. "Well, you never can trust rumors in the paper, can you?"

"Which is why I'm asking," she persisted, and he bit back a sigh. Matt could see she wasn't a fan who would so easily be brushed off. "Because if she is alive, I'd just want to wish you well. Is she?"

Matt had gotten this question a few times, and he hadn't initially known how to deal with it. He was a private person, and hated being in the limelight with all of the invasive questions that inevitably came with it. So, early on in the book tour, he and his manager had come up with the perfect solution. One that fans couldn't, and hadn't, violated.

He gave Yasmin Kahn the best smile he could manage as he set down his pen.

"Bowties."