"SKULDUGGERY!"

He ignored.

The whining continues. "SKULDUGGERY!"

The skeleton looked up from his book and muttered unintelligently before roaring back. "VALKYRIE! SHUT UUUUP!"

"WHY!"

"BECAUSE YOU ARE IN A LIBRARY!"

"HYPROCRITE!"

China winced as the two bickered from one end of the library to the other. It was a library for God's sake. Silence was its law. But no, whoever said the detective duo followed the law? In their world, breaking rules was their top priorities on their to-do list that couldn't be crossed out.

"Really now, Skulduggery?" She chided him from her front desk. "Remind me why I let you two in here…"

Skulduggery chuckled and propped his feet up onto the coffee table. "I'm just happy."

"Why?"

"Am I not allowed to be?"

"You haven't been happy for a long time."

"AND YES, I STILL HAVE THAT RED BLUE THONG OF YOURS, CHINA!"

The people of the library were appalled: some dropped their books, some gasped and giggled and some faceplanted the book cases. China sighed with frustration, placing her face in her hands. Of course, the wittiest Detective in Dublin would yell something inappropriate to deflect a sensitive conversation.

"Skulduggery…We have to talk about this."

The skeleton tilted his head and returned to his book. "There's nothing to talk about."

"There's plenty."

"And that plenty is a deceiving word for nothing."

…

"Skulduggery…"

"SORRY, CHINA MY SWEET! I CANNOT GET YOU LAID TONIGHT; I HAVE TO GET BACK TO MY WIFE!"

China glared. "You don't have a wife."

Skulduggery shrugged. "They don't know that," he said dismissively.

She rose and walked towards him, folding her arms. The skeleton appeared to be reading his book, but China knew better. She snatched it out of his hands and snapped it shut. The skeleton froze in the spot before glaring at her.

"Aaaaw, Mom! I was getting to the good part!" he whined, putting on a bad-kid accent.

China read the title. "Pleasant, this is porn…"

"Exactly…"

She chucked the book onto the coffee table and shoved his legs off. "Get out," she demanded, pointing towards the exit.

"Can I take the book?"

"OUT!"

"Yes, Mommy…" Skulduggery slinked his way out, hanging his head in mock-shame. Before exiting the door, he glanced back. "Hey China, thanks."

China gave him a skeptic smile. "For what, dear Skulduggery?"

"For having a nice ass."

He managed to duck a thrown book before he shot out of sight, grinning inwardly.

China scoffed with disbelief, trying to maintain her elegance after chucking the book at him. She considered for a moment and turned to observe her behind.

She had to admit, it is pretty nice.

As much as I support Valduggery, I really love the rival-ish-mance between Skulduggery and our beloved China. :D Between their banter in the books, I say they had something going on between them and is still going on. Please review!