She's been lying to them both again— he should have picked it up earlier, he knows, but it's something that comes so naturally to her and he's been too excited to have her back that he hasn't stopped long enough to notice how carefully she keeps her guard up these days.
Of course, the cat's out of the bag now. And when he finds out she's on her way to the TARDIS with Danny, he can't help but ignore that her pile of marking is stacked neatly near the console, can't help but wonder what she'll do when he finds out too.
—
They're drifting through space, watching the solar rays fade as she sighs heavily, head tipping to lay on his shoulder.
"He's too understanding," she murmurs, still gazing out into space. "Is it strange that I'd rather he'd yelled at me?"
"Would that have made it easier?"
"Hm?" She's looking up at him now, brow furrowed.
"To decide. To stay, or leave."
"Yeah." Another sigh, and she looks away again. "Yeah, I suppose it would have."
They've never addressed it, that kiss they'd shared when she was drunk and furious with him, and she's never gone that far again— but he knows that to her this still feels like an affair that she's trying to convince herself doesn't count because they don't kiss. But even if they never voice it there's this intrinsic connection between both of them, a casual intimacy she has with him despite how much harder physical touch is for him in this regeneration. As natural as breathing, she's the only person he knows how to be this vulnerable with. He thinks she might feel the same, that she's open with him in a way she can't be with Danny.
—
She's been more distant lately, trying to sort through the mess of her lies and feelings, and he's given her the space to do that. Or more accurately, been put in his place — he'd gotten bored one day and landed the TARDIS in her living room to try coax her into an adventure, only to be met with the sight of a web of post-it notes and a very cross Clara that had pushed him back into his TARDIS, telling him she'd call when she's not busy.
So he waits. Another four Earth days pass before she rings him again, cheerful and bubbly in a way that feels a little wrong around the edge.
"So, what can I do for you, Clara?" He's hesitant, unsure of what she's decided. Knows she should choose him or Danny— but he won't be surprised if she's decided to avoid making that decision yet again.
"Come pick me up. I need a trip away."
"Why? What's happened?"
"Oh, nothing. Just bored, you know?" He can hear the smile in her voice, but he's not sure why he's not convinced by it today. "See you soon, yeah?"
"Of course."
Anything for her, even if it's another lie.