I am well aware this goes against a one shot but I wanted to add in more intimate parts SO. Also, i wasn't gonna do Valduggery but i changed my mind so...

The night went on into the early hours, the seven sorcerers finishing their drinks then drinking more. Skulduggery observed but didn't say a great deal. They all fell asleep in that small room, some on the floor, some on the couches. Skulduggery went out to buy some groceries, knowing fully they would be hungover, cranky and hungry. He drove, worrying the steering wheel. He had to keep his mouth sbut and it'd be fine. Worsr come to worst she would say no. And their partnership would strain under the awkwardness and then, eventually, they would drift apart because nothing would be the same and then they wouldn't speak anymore. Wouldn't be friends. Wouldn't be partners.

Stop thinking. He orderd himself, staring at the road ahead. He could just not go back. Stay by himself until the curse worn out. If it ever did.

Ezra groaned, sitting up slowly. She felt awful. Ghastly's shop was a mess so she busied herself in cleaning it as quietly she could. She picked up all the bottles, dropping one. She quickly summoned vines to break the fall, having a moment to feel impressed. She took them all out and recycled them, and when she got back, much to her dread, Dexter was sitting up and rubbing his eyes. He looked up at her and she looked at him. She smiled faintly then turned on her beel. She couldn't speak to him. She just couldn't trust herself. She was a few yards out when Dexter cought up.

"Hey, are you okay?" he asked.

"No," Ezra heard herself, "I'm really hungover and I don't want to speak to you because I'm scared of what I will say." she said. She winced at herself. She hadn't wanted to say that.

"Okay... Should i go back?" Dexter asked slowly.

"No I want you here... But I also don't want you here... You know?" she asked.

"No, I can't say that i do." He said evenly. They walked in silence, Ezra's hands buried deep in her pockets.

"So. How are you?" Ezra asked, desperate for the awkward silence to go away. Dexter shrugged.

"I'm okay. Been better, been worse. I'm curious as to whag you can't say, but I don't want to ask you." He answered, shrugging. Ezra bit her lip.

"I'm in love with you, Dexter Vex." She said, wanting it to be out there, for the anticipation to go away. She was four steps ahead when she realised Dexter had stopped walking. Ezra stopped, took a long, deep breath and turned to face him. He closed the gap in two strides and before she could say, do or think anything his lips were pressed against hers. His hand was on her cheek, his head bowed. She was utterly still for a moment, then she wrapped her arm around his neck, standing on her tip toes, her other hand on his chest.

Then a car horn sounded and they jumped apart, Skulduggery pulling up to park. He got out of the car, a shopping bag in hand as he locked the Bentley.

"I see some good has come out of this." He said smoothly. Ezra felt her face burning, and Dexter was grinning.