Valkyrie was nestled in a chair focusing intently on And The Darkness Rained Upon Them when Skulduggery came over, steaming mug of tea in hand. She smiled, barely looking up from the book - Tanith had said it was a good read, and she hadn't been lying. Of course, that was a long time ago, before she... changed. The recommendation was still valid, however.
"How's the book?" Skulduggery asked, crouching down beside her.
"Good," Valkyrie said. "Gordon-y."
"A surprise, no doubt."
"Indeed."
Valkyrie closed the book and placed it on the table in front of her, before picking up the mug of tea and turning to face Skulduggery.
"Skulduggery, are you okay?"
"Me? I'm fine. More than fine. Dandy."
"Really?" Valkyrie arched an eyebrow.
"Really."
She stared at him for a minute.
"Liar."
"I disagree."
"You would. I can tell you're lying - you always cock your head sideways if there's something wrong."
"Damn you, reflexes."
"It's kinda cute, you know. Your hat tilts so it almost falls off your head."
"Hm." A hint of uncertainty worked its way into Skulduggery's voice through just one syllable.
"What's the matter?" Valkyrie asked, taking a sip of her tea. Skulduggery always made the best tea - pretty ironic, she thought, since he couldn't actually drink it himself.
Skulduggery thought about how best to broach the subject. He could go in, all guns blazing, or he could be more tactful. Both methods had their flaws. He knew what he couldn't do though, and that was leave it. He had to talk to Valkyrie about it now.
"Valkyrie," Skulduggery started, his voice losing its usual jokiness, the tone being replaced with one of seriousness.
"Skulduggery." Valkyrie tried to mock his voice, but she just burst out laughing at her own voice. This was not how Skulduggery had expected to start this conversation.
"Valkyrie," he pleaded, and she looked at him straight, placing her mug of tea on the table.
"We need to talk."
"And here we are. Talking," Valkyrie replied. "Voice boxes are wonders, aren't they? Well, in my case."
"Valkyrie Cain."
She stopped talking.
"You are a lovely person. Don't get me wrong. You're strong, clever, friendly and beautiful. So, so beautiful."
"I am indeed," Valkyrie said, winking at Skulduggery. She didn't even get so much as a smile in return.
He sighed. "You don't know how hard you're making this for me."
"Making what?" Cogs turned in Valkyrie's head. "Skulduggery..."
"I'm sorry, Valkyrie. I just..." He trailed off and Valkyrie could have sworn she heard him stifle a sob. "I want this to work. I want us to work."
"Skulduggery, are you breaking up with me?"
He bowed his head sadly, as if paying respect to something lost.
"I'm sorry, Val. I love you but this - whatever this is - it just isn't working."
"Why can't it work? We can make it work, I can make it work..." She could feel small tears making their way down her cheeks.
"I'm just afraid of..." He sighed loudly. Offending Valkyrie was the last thing he wanted to do. "I'm afraid of what you might do. What Darquesse might do."
Valkyrie wiped the tears off her face, though they were quickly replaced with new ones.
"You're afraid of me?" she whispered.
"In essence, yes. I don't want to get hurt by something that could be out of your control, and I assume that you don't want to hurt me."
"Wow, Skulduggery."
He moved his head to one side, confused.
"You're breaking up with me yet you still manage to make it all about you, don't you?" Valkyrie spat. "I guess you want me to tell you how good you are for trying to avoid harm. Throw a guilt trip in there too, why don't you? Saying I don't want to hurt you. Nice touch."
"Valkyrie," Skulduggery started.
"No, no, let's do what you think is best. What's good for you, not for us," Valkyrie said. Words flew out of her mouth faster than she was thinking. "Please, don't let me interrupt your break up any longer."
"Valkyrie, that's not what I meant."
"Then what did you mean? You know what, I don't want to know. Save it for one of your other partners." Valkyrie stormed outside, through the front door that had been knocked off its hinges once again. No one had ever bothered to put it back up. She picked up the keys to the Bentley on the way.
Skulduggery followed her, jumping over her and beating her to the Bentley.
"If you think you're driving off in that, you are mistaken."
"And if you think that's going to stop me, you are mistaken," Valkyrie said. "What is it with you?"
"What do you mean?"
"Why do you have to stop me doing things all the time?"
"It's my car. And you don't drive."
"Not what I meant. Why do you protect me if you don't love me?"
"I do, it's just..."
"Just the minor issue of me being Darquesse? Well, I'm sorry but that was hardly my choice! You have your secrets too, and you could harm me in the same way."
"Exactly. That's why I think it's best if we part. Neither of us will hurt the other then."
"Well, not physically, anyway," Valkyrie replied, tears streaking her cheeks. She wished Skulduggery could cry sometimes, just to see whether or not he would be right now. She doubted it.
"Besides, if you loved me, you'd stay." Her turn at a guilt trip.
"Don't make this harder than it has to be."
"You don't seem to realise that I actually have some control over Darquesse. Are you forgetting that?"
"No, but... When Darquesse gets stronger, your control will weaken. I don't want to have to put our agreement into action."
Valkyrie knew that was true. She didn't want that to happen either, even though she'd suggested it.
"Fine. Break up with me. Just go. Please." Bigger tears stained her cheeks this time.
"Valkyrie, I'm so sorry..."
"I said just go!" Valkyrie shouted, throwing the keys on the ground. Skulduggery merely nodded, picking up the keys and getting into the Bentley. Valkyrie followed him, tapping on the window. He opened it.
"I thought you told me to just go. Twice."
"I did," Valkyrie agreed. "Just..." She kissed him lightly where his lips should have been.
"Now go. Please."
Skulduggery did as he was told, driving off into the dark night. She didn't even get so much as a wave goodbye.
She didn't feel like reading any more - her tea must have been cold anyway - so she just lay down on the ground, looking up at the moon, not even bothering to wipe the tears off her soaking face.