The Talk
Fletcher teleported into Skulduggery's main living room in Cemetry Road, where Valkyrie told him to meet her. Skulduggery was the only one there, reading some biography.
"Hey Skul!" Fletcher greeted cheerfully, "I Val around?"
"She's powdering her nose, I believe," Skulduggery replied, shutting the book and crossing his legs. "Take a seat, Fletcher."
Fletcher's smile dropped but he took an armchair opposite the skeleton obediently.
Skulduggery flicked his wrist and the armchair shot forward, until there were only a few inchs between himself and Fletcher, who gulped.
"Did I...do something?" Fletcher asked slowly.
"Did you?"
"Did I what?"
"Do something."
"Like what?"
"That's what I'm asking/"
"What?"
"Precisely my sentiments."
Fletcher stared blankly.
"Fletcher, have you done or do you plan to do anything...slightly obsene, either recently or in the near future?"
"..."
"With Valkyrie."
Fletcher's face turned scarlett. "Oh."
"Now it dosn't matter if you did or not," Skulduggery concluded, sinking back into his seat. "Oh no, my boy. I'm not a prud. What you two do with yourselves is entirely that. Up to yourselves."
"Right...well, okay thanks."
"But have you?"
"Have I what?"
"Done anything with Valkyrie?"
"Oh no! No-"
"Are you sure? You denied that very quickly."
"No! No, we...we haven't. I haven't."
"Because...as her partner and mentor, you understand that I'm rather protective of Valkyrie..."
"Yeah, sure!"
"And that I'd want to know that she's looked after by any boy who goes by the title of, 'her boyfriend'."
"Yeah, I...I look after her!"
"Right...so you two haven't done anything yet?"
"No!"
Skulduggery looked at him for a long moment. "My God, Fletcher. What's wrong with you?"
Fletcher gave Skulduggery a puzzled, tortured look. Then Valkyrie bounded down the stairs.
"Okay! I'm ready, lets-" Valkyrie looked at the two of them Skulduggery looked completely relaxed in his favourite squashy armchair, but Fletcher was curled up with his own legs crossed in an armchair facing him, looking terrified. Valkyrie's eyes narrowed.
"What were you guys talking about?..."