A/N: I don't own Valkyrie or Skulduggery. Val's a guy because I said he is. Deal with it. Oh, and they are living on a planet where gay is the norm. You can deal with that, too. Special thanks go out to Inpw for plot advice. I had me the fluffiest day ever and this was the result.

I was on Skulduggery's couch watching TV, nearly asleep. He was holding me and it was nice. I would have thought I'd never be brave enough to let him hold me, to admit how I felt for him, but all he'd had to do was pat the couch. Now I was sheltered in his arms, cresting on the edge of sleep and I let my head sink back against his sturdy ribcage.

I was almost asleep when his velvety voice whispered in my ear. "Valkyrie?"

"Mmm?" I managed.

"Are you still awake? If you are I'd like to talk." He sounded hopeful and I couldn't disappoint him. I murmured a sleepy yes and heard him chuckle. "You need caffeine, young man. How about coffee and doughnuts?" He offered as I turned into him, nuzzling into his sturdy ribs.

"Skulduggery, you don't have coffee, or doughnuts. You ran out of coffee this morning, remember?" I said, trying not to laugh as he nuzzled into the nape of my neck. He knew I was ticklish there and he liked doing it.

He let me go with a pleased laugh. "Mmm, and you fell asleep in my arms shortly after or don't you remember?" I flushed bright red, suddenly remembering. We'd finished a case and had spent all night writing reports, then I'd stayed at his house, assuring him I didn't need to sleep. "Besides, after you fell asleep I went out for more coffee and doughnuts. Come on then, my sleeping price." He teased giving me a quick kiss which I happily returned.

I grumbled but got up off the couch with him, sleepily following him into the kitchen. There was a box of at least a dozen doughnuts and a cup of steaming coffee. Two, in fact. I looked at him, puzzled. If I'd been asleep- "Magic, I'll show you sometime. And I have something else to show you as well. I hope your ready for this." He said.

He sat down across from me, then tapped his collarbones, a facade flowed over his entire body and I just stared at him as he calmly snagged a doughnut then grinned at me, taking one of the coffees as well. There weren't words to describe how good he looked, not that he didn't always look good.

I'd fallen in love with him as a skeleton, I loved each bone in his face, the sweep of his ribs, how strong his arms were. But now he had a sudden, new allure and I think he could tell it from his devilish grin. "I take it you approve?" He asked teasingly and I managed to nod. He smiled. "I wasn't sure how you'd take it, to tell the truth. I knew I could loose you, that you might not find me attractive as a man, but I- I wanted to be more to you than an animated pile of bones." He said, taking my hand in his.

I smiled, blinking back tears. "You are, you always have been. Not to be insensitive or ruin the moment, but is that how you can eat and drink?" I asked and he nodded, then patted his lap. I went and snuggled into him, surprised at how real this new body felt. He grinned, bringing up a gloved hand to touch my face. I couldn't say a word as my heart sped up and he cupped my chin so he could kiss me. I saw the fear of rejection on his face and realized just how badly he needed this kiss.

I closed my eyes and felt his lips on mine, firm, but with enough gentleness to make me turn to mush inside. I cupped the back of his head gently, deepened the kiss, and I heard his gasp of delight. I knew why he needed this kiss the same reason I did. When he was a skeleton it was very easy for us both to pretend we were equals as lovers, but now we would be.

Skulduggery wouldn't have to feel like he was less than a man, even though I made a mental note to show him I wanted the skeleton he was as my lover as well. We parted reluctantly and I wrapped my arms around his neck. "I couldn't tell you before, but you look amazing." I said, touching his long, curly black hair softly. It cascaded past his shoulders and framed his long, narrow face.

But the most amazing thing about him were his eyes. A warm brown with flecks of gold thrown in. They held mine, dancing with amusement. "I thought you might approve. This- This is what I looked like. It was the least I could do for you, considering." He said, leaving me with no words.

He seemed to understand and went on, gently. "You know, Valkyrie, I've never asked you before but I have several questions. Please hear them out all at once if you would." I nodded. "Good. First, do you wish you were with Caelan or Fletcher instead of me? They were younger and they were whole men. A young man of flesh and blood could give you more." I tried to reply and he touched his fingertips to my lips, silencing me. I kissed them and he smiled softly.

"Two, does my age bother you? I have centuries on you, Val, that is never going to change. I can promise you centuries more barring disaster, but then, of course, I'll be past caring." He flashed me a toothy grin and I smiled shyly.

"And the last question? I think you can get that one after you answer the first two." He smiled at me expectantly. I reminded myself that this was the man I loved and now wasn't the time to try for humor or smart mouth answers. As scared as I was I had to be myself.

"One, no I don't want either one of them. Or any other guy my age for that matter, I love you."

"But you said at the Ball-" I rolled my eyes.

"I was having fun with you. I already had a crush on you, God. Two, your age is part of what makes you so attractive. I trust you to take care of me. Don't roll your eyes, Skulduggery. When's the last time you let me pay for anything? See? You love me, I know you do. So what's the third question?" I asked thinking I knew it.

"Go eat your doughnuts and the mystery will solve itself." He said teasingly. I got off his lap and went to the box. Two were marked with my initials and I cocked a brow at him. "I'd use a knife and fork if I were you." He offered and I did, eating the first doughnut, then starting on the second and hitting a small object.

I dug it out eagerly. In place of the jelly filling there was a little ball and inside the ball was a ring. I stared at Skulduggery, speechless. He took the ball from me, opening it and took my hand in his. "Will you?" He asked and I could only nod yes, happy tears in my eyes.

Aw. Now that was sweet.