A/N: I don't own Valkyrie, Skulduggery or Dex. Thanks go out to Blufox03 and mysteryHuntress for reviewing.

Valkyrie felt lazy that afternoon, and despite her best efforts and the coffee, she fell asleep on the couch across from Skulduggery's meditation chair right in the middle of a sleepy conversation. But Skulduggery was as good as his word, and when he'd gently shaken Valkyrie awake and she got off the couch, she found he'd had a large pepperoni and extra cheese pizza delivered, along with several liters of Coke and breadsticks. Valkyrie looked at all of the food, then at him. Skulduggery had always fed her, but there was enough food there for a football party. "Expecting company?"

"No, I thought you might be rather hungry, and perhaps, well, perhaps there is enough for two?" She looked at him then realized Skulduggery really had forgotten how much people normally ate. That or he was going to join her.

"Yeah, there's plenty." She said, pushing her sleep-tousled hair back as they sat at his kitchen table. Skulduggery had seen to plates for two and cups for the soda and she realized he would indeed be joining her. She gave him a small smile, grabbed a breadstick and a slice of pizza, then dug in, watching as Skulduggery did the same. "You're eating." She said in wonder as he took a bite of pizza.

She couldn't help staring. Skulduggery was eating. It wasn't dropping out of his jaw, she didn't sense any magic whisking it away, he was actually eating. "Yes, I watched you do it long enough and realized I was hungry at long last. I've tried on my own obviously, but it's nicer with you here. Now you can watch me eat." She sensed his smile, then watched in utter fascination as he sipped his soda.

"Does anyone else know?"

"No, I wanted my best friend to find out first. Are you surprised?"

"Very." Valkyrie said and Skulduggery seemed pleased with himself. Valkyrie wondered if she was still sleeping. How could Skulduggery even eat? He had no digestive track, no actual need for food. Yet she believed him when he said he was hungry. "Do you think it means something?" She asked and he shrugged.

"Means I'm hungry. And I'll have less money for clothes, but I don't mind. And it also means I get to eat with you." He said in a cheerful tone and Valkyrie wondered, not for the first time, what he was up to. Skulduggery seemed to be trying to prove how amazing he was to her, and he knew he didn't need to prove it, Valkyrie already knew he was amazing.

They finished their meal and Skulduggery whisked the leftovers away. "Do you want anything else?" He asked as Valkyrie saw to their trash.

"No, I'm good." She said, wondering how to tell him he didn't need to go to all the extra effort to have her stay with him willingly. "What would you like to do tonight?" She asked, hoping to take the attention off herself for a while.

"Hm. We could go to a movie, or go for another drive. Or just stay here, it's up to you."

So much for that working. She thought dryly. "How about a drive then, unless you think we'll be too tired for tomorrow night?"

"A drive does sound good. Perhaps somewhere we haven't been in a while to pick up dessert and coffee?" Skulduggery asked as he went for his disguise and coat.

"Sure." Valkyrie agreed, grabbing her coat. "Then we can bring it home."

"Or, stop in a discreet place and have it in the Bentley." Skulduggery offered as they went out to the car and Valkyrie almost stopped in her tracks. Nobody ate in the Bentley. She still wasn't sure how he'd allowed her to have coffee earlier that day.

"Sounds great." Valkyrie said as she got in.

"Seatbelt. I appreciate the extra time with you, you know." He said as he adjusted his disguise in the rear view mirror.

"I do too. It's nice, like things used to be. I'm sorry I didn't realize you needed more time together." She said. "You know, since we'll be up so late, I could stay tomorrow night too, and the next." She added with a smile.

"You could. As far as I'm concerned you're home now, where you belong." She knew he was trying to say something, but he couldn't find the right words, so she thought about the clues he'd given her. The statue, the dress and shoes, practically rolling out the red carpet and inviting her to move in. Spending all day together, and all night too.

Finally she had to admit she had no idea what was going on. These weren't things Skulduggery hadn't done before. He'd taken her to the ball before, had her live at his house during cases or when it was more practical, and given her gifts. He'd fed her and watched over her, and hated everyone she'd ever dated. Skulduggery considered Valkyrie his and she knew that.

But his what? Best friend, partner? Something more? "Penny for your thoughts?" He asked.

"Skulduggery, I'm not asking to hurt your feelings, but why do you want me to move in?"

"Don't you want to?"

"Don't be thick, of course I want to. I just..." She trailed off. "I don't want to assume anything." She admitted quietly and felt herself flush.

"You do realize I'm over four centuries old, and that I am a skeleton?"

"Yes-"

"And you do realize Dex is severely disappointed you aren't going with him?" He asked playfully.

"Yes." She said, smiling at him.

"Then you have no problem going as my date to the ball?" He asked and her smile turned into a huge grin.

"None."

"Good."

I know, it ran on a bit, but Skulduggery was being shy. That's it, let's blame Skulduggery.