A/N: I don't own Valkyrie, Anton, Dex, Billy-Ray, Ghastly or Erskine. This chapter will mainly lay down the ground rules for Anton's Gist, and give the characters a brief interlude, but it needs to be here, trust me. Uh, any backstory for Anton or details like his fondness for sweets were invented, obviously.
Anton behaved like an angel the rest of the day. We browsed the shops, had lunch, then hit a sweet shop. Anton inclined his head, studying the display case. "You know, I have a massive sweet tooth. I really shouldn't, and I shouldn't tempt you but-" He held out a hand towards the display in an inviting gesture.
"Um, espressos and a small biscotti then? Not too indulgent." I asked and he nodded, though Anton's idea of biscotti was five large ones a piece, and somehow espresso transformed into caramel lattes with whipped cream and chocolate shavings when he ordered, but as we sat at one of the small tables I was amused.
"You certainly know how to live." I said, but gladly accepted the chocolate, mint chocolate and other Italian baked goods he plied me with. Anton smiled, pleased at my comment.
"I've never heard a woman say that, either. And to break my own rule, there are no mysterious women in my past or children for you to be haunted by. I wasn't kidding when I said I'd frightened all the others away. I terrify most people." He shrugged. "Of course, I like frightening some people, they deserve it." He smiled and I knew he meant people frightened by his Gist.
"They do at that." I agreed. "Though maybe you being an international man of mystery has something to do with it. I'd swear you have a license to kill." He smiled in a way that hinted that maybe he had one tucked away somewhere, and it wouldn't have surprised me. Gist aside, Anton Shudder fought more like an assassin or secret agent. He was lighting quick, precise and utterly silent as he fought.
"You know, the other day, you could have beat Billy-Ray into a pulp yourself. But our ally showed up just in time."
"Our ally, as I said, is quite sweet on you. So long as you can welcome further appearances I think I can convince him you really aren't into him giving you love bites." I blushed as I'm sure he knew I would. "But you can trust him, Val. As much as you can trust me. We'd both die for you. Consider it like getting Jekyll and Hyde as your constant companions."
"If Jekyll and Hyde were both aware at once?" I asked carefully and he nodded. "I'd wondered about that, and no, it doesn't scare me, it makes me feel safer, if anything. Random change of topic, but we should pick up take away to take back and appease Erskine and the others."
"True, they didn't think you'd really go for me, I think, and I don't blame them. They assumed I'd either bore you to death since I'm the quiet one, or my age, which shall remain a mystery, would frighten you away. Speak of the devil." He said, annoyed, and I looked out the shop window to see Dex and Erskine waving at us.
They came in and sat down with us. "Fancy meeting you two here, after we looked all over town. Ghastly will be doing steaks and other goodies on the outdoor grill, Val, and you know he needs your help." Dex said sweetly. It was the most blatant case of chaperoning I'd ever seen, especially when my moronic brothers who had walked the whole way had to cram into the compact with us, but rather sweet all the same.
Next up: Will sparks ignite as the pair gather kindling? Stray tuned to find out. Man, Stan Lee would be so proud of me.