a/n: So while getting about two hundred words into this chapter, I realized how long this story is really going to be if I want it to play out how I have planned it in my head. Just by me guessing, this fanfiction will be at least twenty five chapters--maybe more. I want to write it like a novel in a way, just sort of practice for when I finally start writing my own, completely original books. Just thought I would give you all a heads up to how horridly long this will be, or I hope it will be. There will be a lot, a lot of drama to come so please continue reading <3

Even the next morning, Clara was tempted not to go to the cafe to meet him. Her own nerves and anxiety were getting the best of her. Just a date, Clara. It's just a date. she repeated to herself in the mirror as she was getting ready. She wore a casual outfit--seeing as they were just grabbing coffee--of black skinny jeans and cream coloured, loose-fit jumper. Clara quickly curled her hair and put on a coat of mascara before leaving to catch a cab. 

She arrived at the cafe ten minutes early and waited inside for him at a two-person pub table on one of the chairs. Clara watched for him until she saw him walking into the cafe exactly on time. Peter looked around for a moment before he saw her sitting down and she waved at him. He smiled back at her while walking up to her. "Hey, Clara." Peter said kindly, his accent already nearly making her swoon. 

"Hi, how are you?" she asked nicely, standing up and hugging him quickly before they both sat down at the table. 

"I'm good, thanks. You?" he grinned. Clara noticed that he had grown a bit of stubble on his chin since she saw him last. She wasn't usually one to like facial hair but he made it work. 

"I'm fine, busy with work, but fine." she giggled, her nervousness lacing with her laugh. 

Peter chuckled with her and raised his hand to signal a waiter. "Hope you don't mind, I'm terribly hungry it seems." he grinned at her before ordering a waffle and black coffee. Clara decided to order with him, choosing a simple black coffee with cream. 

Clara fidgeted with her fingers for a minute before Peter broke the ever growing silence that seemed to bury them. "So, what do you do?" he asked kindly.

"Uh, I'm an english teacher down at Coal Hill." she spoke softly, biting her bottom lip gently. "What about you? What do you do for a living?" 

Peter held up his hands, covered in a littering of paint stains. Clara was right the first night she met him, he was an artist. "Artist, painter. Not the best thing to do for a living, especially when I'm damn near broke half the time, but I enjoy it." he laughed before the waiter came over and gave them their orders. Peter took a sip of his coffee before speaking again. "So, were you serious?" 

Clara's eyebrows furrowed, confusion written all over her face. "Serious? About what?" 

Peter laughed again. He seemed to do that a lot she noticed. "You don't remember? Oh my God, you don't. On the phone yesterday you told me that I was really attractive and that it made you nervous." 

Clara giggled nervously, taking a shy sip of her coffee. "I ramble a lot, as you already know. I didn't mean to blurt that out." she laughed.

He grinned at her. "I think it's cute." he smirked over the brim of his cup. It was a mischievous smirk and she knew that smirk could get her into all sorts of trouble. 

"You just want me to boost your ego." she teased. 

He rolled his eyes and shrugged. "Maybe, but you are blushing." he flirted. 

She had to admit, he was charming, attractive, funny even. He was nothing like she had expected him to be, at all. She had expected this date to go horrifically. 

She hid her face behind her sleeves for a moment before laughing. "I'm not usually like this, I swear." she admitted before taking a sip of her drink. 

He chuckled and gave her this look, some sort of flirtatious look that made her feel all bubbly inside. The rest of the date was full of smiles and laughter.  She can't remember the last time she'd been this happy... 

*********

Peter had invited her to his house afterwards, meaning to be a friendly gesture. He definitely wasn't trying to make things move faster. The slow pace and careful movements were fine for him, no rush for anything. Just testing out the waters. She had agreed to it, nervous but excitedly giddy inside. Seeing as neither of them had driven there, they decided to take a cab.

Peter tried to break the now developing awkwardness. "I was really nervous when I saw you, at the bar that is." he laughed nervously. 

Clara smiled adorably, giggling. "Really? It's just me." 

Peter laughed like she told a funny joke and sighed. "Clara, Clara, Clara, you really underestimate yourself." he smiled at her. 

"Sure," she joked. "But, really, why would you--especially when you look like that--be nervous around me?" 

He raised an eyebrow before laughing. "What do you mean by 'when you look like that'? What are you implying, Miss Oswald?"

"I'm implying that you are incredibly attractive and sexy, so why would you be nervous when I'm just... me?" She said daringly. God, this just wasn't like her. She's never been so flirtatious before. 

Peter smirked at her. "Oh, shut up." he teased. He wanted to show her how special she was, especially since he sensed she hadn't felt that way in ages. 

******

Once they arrived at his flat, Peter quickly ran around the cab to open Clara's door for her, being the gentleman he is. She blushed when he extended a hand to help her out of the cab. Peter quickly paid for the ride before he smiled at her and gestured for her to follow him. "C'mon, this way." Clara hesitantly followed him towards the front door and let him take her up a flight of stairs to his studio apartment. "Here we are!" Peter exclaimed before taking out his keys and unlocking the door, holding it open for Clara to go in. 

She walked into the room slowly, as if to make sure she could run if need be. But she didn't and felt suddenly encased in the comfortability of his home. It was cozy and the large glass windows that looked over the city let a grand amount of light into the room. Paintings littered the room, some unfinished and some framed on the walls. "Sorry about the mess, I was painting last night." He let out a short laugh and began picking up canvases and putting them on his dining room table. 

Clara thought his nervousness was cute, seeing as he cared enough to be nervous. However, Clara was more at ease than anything. So much different than her usual state of anxiety. "Your paintings are beautiful." she commented as she looked at one that had been framed and hung on his wall. It showed a man and a woman standing back to back, the background around them looked like space, stars and galaxies swirling about two of them. The people seemed to glow with a yellow light. 

"Oh, thank you. That one took me quite a while to do." he smiled at her, standing beside her now to look at the painting with her. "Uh, do you fancy having dinner with me? I can cook us something." 

She giggled, looking at him now. His expression was hopeful. "At 8 o'clock?" 

"Never too late for pasta, Miss Oswald." He smirked at her charmingly. God, he knew how to win her over. "Besides, you cannot miss a chance to taste my lasagna. I've been told its better than gourmet." 

Clara smiled at him. She shrugged and pursed her lips quickly. "What the hell, sure. But you better live up to your words. I expect the best lasagna of my life, Mister." 

Peter grinned. "Yes, ma'am."