Valkyrie grinned at Skulduggery as they entered the exclusive mage club. It was awesome. There were booths everywhere, it was dark but had lots of candles floating and there was a dance floor. Music was booming out of a speaker system on a small stage. "There's karaoke and a bar." Skulduggery said. "You may dance."

"Only if you dance with me."

"Valkyrie...I have a feeling that your dancing isn't my dancing."

"It might be."

"Do you do the tango? The salsa? A foxtrot?"

"Uh I can twerk."

"Exactly." Skulduggery shook his head. He led her to an empty booth and they sat down, awkwardly smiling. Valkyrie had never been at loss for conversation with Skulduggery before. This isn't a date, she told herself, this is a friendly dinner. Even that didn't help her act normally. This is a mission.

You have to act like you're on a date and talk.

Valkyrie nodded to herself.

"Shall we order drinks?" she asked.

"Mm. Depends what you mean by drinks."

"Skul, I have had alcohol before."

"Fine." Skulduggery signaled the waiter. "What do you want, Val?"

"Vodka and cranberry please."

"Okay. Can we have a cranberry juice please?"

The waiter gave Skulduggery a strange look then walked off to get the drink.

"I said vodka."

"And I promised your father NO ALCOHOL. Besides you're a minor. Illegal."

"You're a detective. This is a mage bar. You can't arrest yourself."

"Very true. Also seeing you drunk might be funny." Skulduggery stroked his chin. The waiter came over. "Add vodka to that please. Extra strong."

...

By the main meal, Valkyrie had downed two vodka and cranberry's and a few beers. Skulduggery watched, amused, as she staggered to the bathroom, waving at him.

"Skulduggery Pleasant, what are you doing here?" Erskine appeared by his side and sat in the booth. "You're on a date?" he ate some of Valkyrie's pizza. "With a seventeen year old girl. Valkyrie."

Ghastly sat next to Erskine. "What's up?"

"Skulduggery's getting Valkyrie drunk."

"What?"

"It's not that bad..." Skulduggery said then saw Valkyrie turn on the karaoke machine. "Val! Come back!"

"Hello, ladies and gentlemen. My name ish Valkyrie Cain and I am going to be singing a duet with my super special partner and date tonight, Skulduggery Pleasant! He's a skeleton you know." Valkyrie slurred and the start to you're the one that I want came on. Skulduggery face-palmed as she sang loudly and badly. "Ooh-ooh-ooh honey!" Valkyrie yelled. Erskine got out his iPhone to film it and Skulduggery slapped his hand.

"Erskine Ravel, do not film my date."

"Oof raunchy" Ghastly grinned.

"Don't be so dirty-minded, Bespoke." Skulduggery sighed. He walked to the stage to get her down and Valkyrie stole his hat. "Val..."

"Skully! Get up here! Yay! Can I have more vodkas?"

"Valkyrie Cain, listen here." Skulduggery got up on the stage and Valkyrie wooed and handed him a microphone.

"Sing, Skully!"

"Uh let's change the song then." he turned off the machine. "Ravel you film this and I will shoot you."

"Grand Mage, Pleasant, can't shoot me." Ravel laughed and carried on filming.

"Vally Cain please get off the goddamn stagggeeeee!" Skulduggery sung and Valkyrie threw up on his shoes.

...

"Skul?"

"Yes?"

"Did I throw up on you?"

"Yes."

Pause.

"Skul?"

"Yes?"

"This was a date wasn't it?"

"Yes."

"Did I ruin it?"

"You got drunk."

"Sorry."

"You provided some entertainment."

"Glad my drunkenness amuses you."

Another pause.

"Val?"

"Yeah?"

"I had fun."

"Me too."

Valkyrie breathed out.

"What are we going to tell my parents?"

"I called the reflection and she pretended to be you coming home. You can sleep at my place."

"Thanks."

"It's fine. I'd. I'd do anything for you."

"I know."

"Is that it?"

"What?"

"You're meant to say oh me too I'd do anything for you too."

"Sorry. That then."

"Right."

"Right."

The Bentley came to a stop and Valkyrie looked at Skulduggery. He tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and she blushed. Then they both leaned forward and their lips met. Skulduggery turned on his facade and kissed her harder.

"Valkyrie..."

"I know." she stopped. "You're too old for me."

"Right. Well maybe we should get you in bed."

"Maybe. Or we could you know. Get us both in bed."

"Valkyrie!"

"I'm kidding." Valkyrie pouted. "Don't yell."

"For God's sake!" Skulduggery rested his head against the steering wheel. "Come on, let's put you to bed."

"'Kay." Valkyrie kissed his cheek and scooted out. She closed her eyes and sighed then went into his house and flopped on the sofa bed. She didn't know what he did when he came in a few minutes later.

Everything went back to normal. Erskine was threatened with death and pain so he deleted the video. Ghastly didn't mention that night again and neither did Skulduggery and Valkyrie. The last time Valkyrie thought of it was when she turned into Darquesse and then she remembered Skulduggery's warm lips on hers, pressing against her.