A/N: I don't own Ghastly or Valkyrie. Chapter is in Ghastly's POV.
Ghastly looked at Valkyrie as they settled into the van. He kept expecting her to open her eyes and notice his scars, or notice some other man. She said he didn't have to try so hard but he vowed to himself to never take her for granted, ever. He just hoped what he was about to suggest would meet with her approval. "I want to stop by the mansion first so you can pick up some more clothes, I know there's trouble of some sort and I don't want you out of my sight until Skulduggery returns." To his utter relief she smiled at him, her eyes misting up slightly.
"You really do love me, don't you?" She asked and he nodded. "Then yes, let's stop for some clothes. And you can make tea while I root around in my closets." She said with a grin and Ghastly laughed and put the van into drive. He couldn't help his love of tea, there was something so soothing about the ritual, he supposed.
It moved at a certain pace, like sewing did. There was no use trying to rush tea and maybe that was why he liked it. He missed the sound of an electric kettle in his shop and made a mental note to get a new one soon so he didn't have to run up and down the stairs. Set in his ways he refused to bring the electric kettle from the kitchen down. That Valkyrie had understood his reasoning was one more reason he was in love with her.
At the mansion he went into the kitchen, noticing her new kettle instantly. "Did you get a new kettle?" He asked with a smile and she nodded. She left him to it and he admired the sleek black thing. It had a blue viewing window he rather liked and he was musing over the ease of use when the familiar sound of the kettle's roar filled his ears. It reminded him of a waterfall or the ocean, something so soothing that he closed his eyes and tilted his head back as he sat and waited.
The water came to a boil and he made them tea, noticing that Valkyrie managed to appear the moment it was ready as if her bag had been packed already. She grinned at him. "Like the kettle?" She asked.
"Yes, it's lovely. Where on Earth did you find it?" He asked, wondering what she was up to.
"Online. You really like it?" She asked tilting her head the same way Skulduggery did. And Ghastly nodded.
"You know I love tea, and yes it is a lovely kettle. It's simple to use. Not like those ones with control panels." He would have added it looked inexpensive but didn't want to hurt her feelings. To him though, it was a point in the kettle's favor.
"Good, because there's a brand new one under the cabinet I want you to have for the shop." She said with a grin and he smiled shyly at her.
"Valkyrie- I couldn't possibly-"
"Yes, you can. I love you, and I never know what to buy you. I want a kettle in the shop anyhow. And trust me that is the cheapest model on the market. I had a good teacher." She teased and he grinned.
"Then I did teach you well. Fabric on the other hand can be hideously expensive. I won't think less of you if you reconsider." But she shook her head. She could be as stubborn as he was and once fixed on an idea would refuse to let go.
"I want to help. I'm in love with you, Ghastly. I care about what you do. Besides if Skulduggery comes back in one piece I think he's going to retire." She said then sipped at her tea. Ghastly stared at her, she wasn't joking. She shrugged. "He sounded tired on the phone. Too tired to keep getting into trouble forever."
Ghastly nodded. "I think the war ended all our careers, it just took us a while to admit it. But enough gloom and doom. You've given me a rare gift, and I don't mean the tea kettle either. I mean your trust. I know you don't trust easy, Val." She smiled and came to him then, cuddling up into his lap. She looped her arms around his neck and he felt his heart beat faster as she leaned in and kissed him. He put his arms around her gently and drew her tenderly into a deeper kiss. He wondered if the sense of profound gratitude would ever end and hoped it never would.
Ghastly couldn't keep the grin off his face as Valkyrie's head swiveled first one way, then another. After the normally sweet, but now cantankerous owner of the shop deemed her hands smooth enough he'd allowed her to enter so long as Ghastly kept an eye on her. She was currently staring longingly at an aqua blue material that shimmered like silk and was lighter than a feather, but as soon as she realized the men were watching she straightened and stood at Ghastly's side, ignoring all the wonders of the shop.
The proprietor, Tom Snip smiled at them both. "Sorry to snap at you both, Ghastly, Detective Cain." He apologized with a smile. "I let a friend bully me into one of those kettles that has a control panel and all those buttons and the blasted thing refuses to boil water. Oh, there's a lady present, my apologies."
"My partner says a lot worse." Valkyrie assured him gently. "Ghastly was telling me about a new fabric you're developing-"
"Ah, yes, it's almost finished. We're in the testing phase now, of course. You said, partner. Are you two in business together now?" Instead of looking offended Valkyrie looked charmed to meet someone who didn't know who she was. And she simply nodded because it was true enough, they were partners. "Oh, then let me show you some of the other materials Mr. Bespoke has had his eye on." Ghastly tried to protest but Valkyrie went along, looking at the materials as Tom extolled their virtues and the man wasn't lying. They were wondrous, just breath-takingly expensive.
Valkyrie looked at him. "Well, the other fabric isn't ready. Could any of these help you fill an order?" She asked and he nodded, pointing to of course the most expensive and not daring to speak. Tom inhaled as well. It was top of the line and as fine as silk and the colours and texture could be changed by magic and it was therefore highly desirable. It offered protection too and as Tom named the price per square yard he looked like he was ready to hide behind a bolt. But Valkyrie smiled and nodded, then bought the entire bolt and spell book that would help Ghastly work with the fabric. It was wrapped with great ceremony to protect the creamy white fabric and loaded into the van. Valkyrie paid promptly then happily joined Ghastly. He looked at her, still in shock as he drove. "You did notice how many zeros were in the price, didn't you?" He asked faintly. Valkyrie laughed and shook her head.
"Ghastly, that isn't half of what I'd pay for a closet full of high-end clothes and we both know it. Besides, I believe in you. I know you'll make amazing clothes with it." She said smiling gently at him and Ghastly felt his heart soar. She did have infinite trust in him and he needed that. He needed her love, her devotion as well and he vowed to never let her down if it were possible.
The fabric tucked away, Ghastly prepped the new kettle, humming to himself happily while Valkyrie watched. She was smiling, clearly enjoying the pure joy he was getting from something as simple as a kettle. But he couldn't help it, it was exciting to have a new one, though he supposed his childhood and his father had something to do with it. The man had taught Ghastly how to sew, but also how to treasure everything. "Did you know needles weren't massed produced at one time?" He asked and winced inwardly for saying something so stupid but Valkyrie surprised him.
"I do actually, for most of the eight thousand years they've existed they were hand-made." She shrugged and smiled. "My great grandfather was a cobbler. He died before I was born and learning about things like that make me feel closer to him." Ghastly smiled and went to sit beside her, handing her a mug of tea. "What was it like, not having a big box store to go to?" She asked and he smiled.
"A lot like now actually, only we had less, but didn't mind since we didn't know any better. Rich people had more things, but we had what we needed. Life seemed a lot slower but I suppose it wasn't. There were always chores- This has to be boring you."
"No, go on. I just can't imagine not having a place like that and it's scary. Everything comes from one place. Food, clothing, tyres, it's rather frightening actually."
"That's because you have common sense. But is the Internet so different? You can buy everything you want there, can't you?"
"Yes." She agreed. "But nothing really wonderful like the clothes you make. Or the tea you brew." She said snuggling in, and managing to brush a ticklish spot that made him laugh.
"I love you, Valkyrie Cain. You do know that, right?" He asked and she nodded happily. They set their tea down as one and he drew her into a tender kiss, taking his time, enjoying the wonderful warmth of her body pressed against him. When her hands started to explore, his did as well, but he was taking his time, exploring slowly so he'd never forget this moment, never forget anything about her if she should ever leave him.
Valkyrie pulled back slightly. "What's wrong?" She asked and he shook his head. How could she possibly understand how he felt? She was beautiful beyond compare and he had his scars. He was a monster and he knew it. Then she was gently touching his scars and he couldn't help but weep in gratitude. "You're so handsome to me, do you know that?" She asked, tears in her own eyes. "I love you so much, Ghastly and I'm always afraid you're going to find somebody better. A woman whose more beautiful or-"
He cut her off with a searing kiss. She had to know, it was time. She had to know he couldn't bear to be without her anymore, that his heart would break if she ever chose freedom over him. He let go, only to get down on one knee and produce and antique ring from his pocket. It was centuries old, and his most precious possession, but he wanted the queen of his heart to have it. "Valkyrie Cain, I adore you. I've searched an entire lonely lifetime for a woman like you. You love me so much and I have no words for my gratitude. It would make me the happiest man alive if you'd marry me. Please say yes."
A smile spread over Valkyrie's face and she nodded, happy tears coming to her eyes. "You don't know how long I've been waiting for you to ask. I love you, Ghastly Bespoke, and I swear I'll do everything I can to make you happy. Yes, I'll marry you." He slipped the ring on her finger then, taking the fact that it fit as a good omen. Valkyrie kissed him sweetly in response and he felt his heart soar. Did he dare ask for more? He was debating, but she asked for him. "Can I move in then, for good? I don't want to be away from you, not if I don't have to." She asked, stroking his face gently, and he nodded happily as he rose, tenderly bringing her with him.
At his gesture the radio came on and they swayed together to the music, Ghastly lost in her eyes. He'd waited centuries for a woman like Valkyrie Cain, and his only regret was that he'd settled for short-term relationships, settled on women he'd known in his heart didn't love him, not the way she did. But he was glad now they hadn't, for she was more wonderful than all of them combined and if any of them had pleaded for his return now that he had Valkyrie he'd have been proud to refuse then and show them what a real woman was.
He brushed the thoughts aside, as their dancing slowed and Valkyrie cuddled into his warmth. "Thank you, for everything." She said as his strong arms wrapped around her. "I know this had to be your mother's ring, so I'll treasure it forever. You giving it to me, showing me that much trust means everything. I love you, Ghastly."
"I love you too, Valkyrie." He assured her. "That's why I knew you were the woman for me. I just wish I had realized it sooner. I wasted so much time making a fool of myself that I could have spent in your arms. I'm sorry." He said, as he softly stroked her hair. She looked up at him and smiled gently.
"I'm not, I wouldn't change a thing. Had things worked out for you, I'd have been happy for you, you know that. I love you."
"I love you too." He answered, then drew her into a lingering kiss, vowing to let go of the past and face their future together.
That was so sweet a conga line of kittens is celebrating on my desk. For reals.