A/N: I don't own Valkyrie, Skulduggery, Dex or Ghastly.
Ghastly seemed happy to see them when they arrived and escorted Valkyrie to the back room to see her dress. She gasped when she saw it, her hand going to her mouth. It was an exact replica of the beautiful black dress Skulduggery had bought her for the first ball, exactly as she remembered it. "Ghastly, it's amazing!" She said and he smiled proudly.
"Your idea?"
"Skulduggery's actually. He's always been rather fond of you, you know. I've never seen him spend so much time with anyone else."
"I know, and lately he's like he used to be."
"I know. He's excited about taking you, Valkyrie. I already know Dex offered to take you and got shot down. Thank you for that."
"I'd rather go with Skulduggery. I've never seen him this excited." Ghastly smiled again and led the way out to the front of the shop when Skulduggery was waiting for them.
"I'll have both your outfits wrapped up in a few minutes." Ghastly said and Skulduggery nodded then turned his attention to Valkyrie.
"You like it?" He asked, tilting his head the way he did when he was curious.
"I love it, thank you." She said, hugging him on impulse and he chuckled as he wrapped his arms around her briefly then stepped back.
"Good. I thought it suited you last time, so why break with tradition?" He said and she smiled. Ghastly returned with their neatly parceled outfits, waved off any payment for later and then the pair were off, after Skulduggery had carefully laid the packages on the back seat.
"Seatbelt. So, where to?" He asked expectantly. "A drive with no particular destination or home?" Valkyrie tried to read in his voice what he wanted and came up with an idea.
"Could we do both? Go home the long way?" She asked and he nodded.
"You didn't bother to correct me, you know." He said, glancing over at her as he drove.
"I practically lived in your home at one time, so it is home." Valkyrie said and sensed his smiled behind his disguise. Apparently she'd said the right thing because he stopped for coffee for her, then was taking the scenic route home.
When they arrived he looked at her. "This is you home, Valkyrie. For as long as you like. I just stopped bringing you here at one time because I thought you didn't want to be that close anymore."
"You're thick as a brick." She said fondly. "Of course I wanted to be here, I thought you wanted space."
"Don't be daft. I'll make you some more coffee if you like, and order up a proper pizza later." He offered as they got out of the Bentley and went inside.
"Sounds good." Valkyrie said, noting the changes as they entered. Skulduggery's home had always felt like home, but it seemed more polished, if possible, as if he'd given the place a vigorous cleaning in anticipation of her arrival. Once again Valkyrie wondered what her friend was up to and what he wasn't telling her.
Hmm, curiouser and curiouser, yes?