Skulduggery slowly pulled up and parked the Bentley outside of a small cafe in Haggard. His facade smiled as he closed the door, looking down to the black car. It had been through a lot. Skulduggery nearly incinerated it, once upon a time. Those were the days... he thought.

Walking away from his piece of glory, Skulduggery scanned the people in the cafe. He never got used to looks he got from his constantly broad smile. The facade hadn't quite been the same since the fire on that day 20 years ago.

Literally leaping with joy, Skulduggery bounced towards a young brown haired girl. He was glad to move out of the way of the staring parents. Even he found his grin to be terrifying.

He smiled and shook the girl's hand, grasping her elbow as the shake persisted. He made a funny joke, which made the girl laugh, all before letting her sit first. Skulduggery still had his old charm. That was something no matter of time was going to change.

The two old friends chatted and laughed, the girl ordering a burger while Skulduggery opted out of the offer. Hours passed, along with a decently sized burger, and Skulduggery soon found himself saying goodbye. It was good to catch up with Valkyrie, even after she nearly cooked his Bentley alive 20 years ago.

But Skulduggery didn't just come for a chat with his old 'partner in crime'. He longed to show his feelings for her. He had kept them to himself for a long time, and he needed to release them. He at least wanted her to know how he felt.

"Valkyrie?" he asked, turning away from the Bentley as he held the door.

"Yes?"

"I... I have something to tell you," he began, looking down. The grin on his facade ruined any emotion he had when he spoke.

"What is it, Skulduggery?" Valkyrie said, sounding very concerned. She placed her hand on his shoulder in comfort, bending over slightly. "Everything okay?"

"I need to tell you something," he repeated, feeling butterflies in his stomach for the first time in centuries.

"You said that. What is it?"

Skulduggery stood back up and looked Valkyrie in the eye. "Can we... I say it elsewhere?" he asked, gesturing towards the Bentley.

Valkyrie nodded, looking extremely concerned. Skulduggery nudged her and shook his head as she approached the driver's side. He saw her smile and felt better about telling her.

As he entered the Bentley, however, Skulduggery's butterflies came rushing back. He was surprised he could feel such a sensation, considering he had no stomach to encase them.

"You wanted to say something, Skulduggery?" Valkyrie asked, still appearing concerned.

"I think... I... Valkyrie, I think I love you," Skulduggery blurted out, tapping the symbols on his collarbones to remove his facade. He then looked down. He couldn't look at her face. He didn't want to see the disgust, the shock, or the outright repulsion.

Valkyrie's soft hand on his shoulder made Skulduggery turn, and face his former partner. He looked deeply into his eye sockets. She understood. Skulduggery could tell by her face. Her deep, passionate features... Skulduggery adored that side of Valkyrie.

"I know," he heard her whisper. Her voice was so soft and just perfect. But doubt filled Skulduggery, and he looked away. She didn't know what he meant. There was no way she could love him how he loved her.

"Skulduggery, I know," Valkyrie repeated. She moved her hand, gracefully grabbing Skulduggery's jaw and gently pulling Skulduggery back to face her. "I know what you're thinking," she said, leaning forward and looking into Skulduggery's eyes. "And you're wrong. I do love you too, Skulduggery."