A/N: I don't own Tanith, Valkyrie, Skulduggery or Ghastly.
I smiled and took Tanith's hand in mine. "He said you liked me and I know I like you too, Tanith. You're sweet and funny, and you act like a three-year-old on a sugar high, but I like that about you." I said squeezing her hand and she squealed happily and bounced in her seat. Our menus came and we ordered, Tanith raising an eyebrow at my getting tea.
"I thought you hated tea."
"Eh, it's OK. I guess seeing Ghastly again made me want some." I paused and smiled. "It's OK that you're still in love with him, you know, I expect you to be." I said gently and she blushed then nodded.
"Yeah, and you know I feel the same way about you loving Skulduggery. I never want you to stop loving him either, he was a good man." I snorted laughter and she looked shocked.
"He was Dead Man and they were all rotten men. But I can say that since I am one. Worst brothers a girl ever had." I said fondly and she giggled. Our breakfast came and Tanith was very sweet and considerate with me. And I knew I had to choose being with her and tell the world to go hang itself. We talked about the missions I'd been on with both men and it was a fun first date.
Tanith smiled as we exited the diner we'd eaten at. Zipping up her leather bomber jacket against the cold she turned to face me. "Uh, did he tell you about a vacation?" She asked shyly, stuffing her hands in her pockets and looking down at the ground.
"Yes, and yes I'd love to go with you. You're my girl, right?" I asked and she squealed happily, then tackled me.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you! So do you want to fly, or just use these?" She fished her pendant out and I shrugged.
"Ghastly knew we'd need them, so it is up to you. I have no idea if they need to recharge, but we do need them to get me home to the mansion so I can pack. If there's going to be trouble, you'll need your sword so maybe they are a better way to travel. Do you want to leave tomorrow? Somehow that feels right." I said and she nodded then hugged me close.
We walked back into the alley and I knew these pendants were a risk. Sure, people disappeared all the time and it wasn't magic, but we were risking exposing magic. I didn't care though as we joined the halves and the same flash of light came and we found ourselves back in the mansion. Tanith smiled fondly at me, then bit her lip for a second. I could tell she was just as scared and shy as I felt so I leaned in and kissed her gently.
She giggled and we parted quickly, but it had been nice. "Until tomorrow then." She said going to the window.
"Until tomorrow." I agreed as she climbed out, then beckoned me over so I could watch her walk down the side of the mansion backwards a huge grin on her face. She gave me a wink, flipped off the wall and was racing off to her bike. I smiled and shook my head wondering how I'd ever sleep knowing that we'd be leaving the next day.
Those two are so cute together!