I know there are a lot of Ball/masquerade stories; the main one is done by the author of His and her broken bones. I don't want to steal anyone's ideas so please don't think I'm copying. I'm not going to use all of the song, just parts of it. Read and enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Kiss the girl
On Christmas Eve, the main hall in the sanctuary was decorated with dazzling decorations, curls of silver tinsel and large, flickering candles. The masquerade ball was the sanctuary's idea of a Christmas party.
Skulduggery was waiting for the others to arrive. Tanith had insisted that the guys don't see them before the party and dragged Valkyrie up the stairs before she could argue.
Watching the other people floating around the room, he couldn't really recognize anyone, which was a good thing, he supposed, because Crux still had a grudge against him.
He was wearing a crisp, black suit, with an equally black, plain but elegant mask covering most of his face. His hat was pulled low over his eye sockets as usual.
He checked his watch. 8:15. They were late.
"Hay you."
Skulduggery turned to the voice and when he saw her, something in his chest tightened.
Dare you see her?
A young woman stood before him, a small smile playing on her lips. She was wearing a black prom style dress, with a corset style top and the skirt floated out and to the floor. A silver spider-web design covered the skirt of the dress.
Her beautiful, dazzling eyes shone from behind a midnight, black mask which sparkled with silver jewels.
Sitting there across the way,
"Well," She asked, "What do you think?"
"You look…amazing…Miss…?" He took her hand and kissed it gently, waiting for her name.
The small smiled spread until she was smiling widely. She removed her hand from his and pulled the mask up from over her eyes until it was resting on her forehead.
"You didn't notice me?" Valkyrie asked, laughing, "The great skeleton detective outsmarted by a girl?"
He straightened, looking intensely at her. He hadn't noticed because she looked so grown up. When did that happen?
There's something about her,
And you don't know why but you're dying to try…
"Fooled you!" She laughed.
"Only for a moment." He replied.
She crossed her arms across her chest and smiled.
"Sure."
You want to kiss the girl.
Hesitantly, he reached up and slid her mask back into place over her eyes. His gloved fingers brushed her cheek gently and her eyes caught his for a long moment.
Possible she wants you too,
There is one way to ask her…
He held out a hand towards her.
"Would you care to dance?"
She looked around and saw that almost everyone had taken to the dance floor as a slow song had begun to play. She watched as Tanith took Ghastly's hand and led him onto the floor.
She looked at Skulduggery's outstretched hand and hesitated.
"I can't dance." She admitted.
You don't say a word,
"I can't either. We'll have to be bad together."
Slowly, she slipped her hand into his.
Turning, he could feel himself smiling at the warmth of her hand as he led her to the floor.
Not a single word,
"You're such a liar." She whispered, "I bet you can dance."
"Ah." He said, "But trusting your partner is almost as important as knowing the steps."
Go on and kiss the girl.
She looked up, their eyes meeting, and she smiled, shyly.
"What makes you think that I trust you?" she whispered, a playful glint in her eye letting him know she was only pretending.
Looks like you're far too shy,
"You took my hand didn't you?"
She looked at his hand now, the one that hand hers in, and she laughed.
"You got me!" she laughed.
"You're right." He murmured and, before she could answer, his other hand slipped around her waist, pulling her closer.
Ain't gonna kiss the girl.
They swayed from side to side, Skulduggery holding her gently, so she could pull away, but she didn't and, after a moment, she looped her other arm around his shoulder and rested her head on his chest.
His stomach would do a back flip, if that was possible.
You've got to use your head,
Go on and kiss the girl,
"Is this too weird?" She whispered, as they swayed.
"Us now?" he asked. He felt her head nod. "No. Not for me anyway."
He felt her sigh.
"No." She whispered, "Me neither."
He felt her smile and he tightened his hold on her slightly.
Shame,
"Excuse me?"
Valkyrie lifted her head from Skulduggery's chest and regarded the other man who had disturbed them. The man held out a hand.
"Would you care to dance?"
Skulduggery's heart plummeted as she regarded his outstretched hand.
You're gonna miss the girl.
"Sorry," She whispered, "I already have a dance partner."
She turned away and the man, a little disheartened, walked away.
"That was a little harsh." Skulduggery murmured.
Valkyrie lifted her head and looked at him, strangely.
"Would you rather I had said yes?"
Now's your moment,
He looked down.
"Of course not." He murmured, his arms tightening around her again.
She lay her head down again.
"Good."
Floating in the blue lagoon,
The emotions in his mind fought as they swayed in time to the music. He couldn't possibly be thinking what he was thinking.
You'd better to do it soon,
He knew the song was close to ending. He had to let her know how he felt. She deserved to now. The fact that she was dancing with him when others wanted her to dance was something wasn't it?
No time will be better,
The end of the song was close now.
She don't say a word,
"Valkyrie?" He murmured.
"Hmm?"
He let his arms drop slightly and when she noticed, she lifted her head again from his chest.
"What is it?" She asked.
Kiss the girl,
"I…" His throat closed over when he saw her beautiful eyes regarding him, worryingly.
"This is a rarity." She smiled.
"What?" He asked.
"Skulduggery Pleasant…speechless." Her smile lit up her face.
Kiss the girl,
"Only for a moment." He repeated.
She laughed.
"Sure! What is it?" Her smile slowly fading as she regarded him.
Don't be scared,
Skulduggery looked down at her and pressed a hand against her cheek, gently.
"Please, don't hate me." He whispered.
Before she could answer though, he brought his head down and pressed his teeth to her lips, hesitantly.
Kiss the girl,
He waited for her to pull away, to shout, to scream and run…but she didn't. After a moment of hesitation, he felt her relax into him, sliding her arms around his neck and pulling him closer.
Use your head,
You've got to…
Elated, he pressed her closer, his hands on her back. After a long minute, she pulled away, her eyes shining and a smile spreading across her face.
Kiss the girl,
"What was that for?" She breathed. With her arms still around his neck, she was very close, and he could feel her breath pour over his skull.
He shrugged, lost in her beauty for a moment, and then kissed her again gently, only for a moment, before pulling away again.
"Merry Christmas, Valkyrie."
Kiss the girl.
Did you like it? If so, then please review for me! Just to say I liked writing this one the most and like it the best out of all my other skul/val song fics! Sorry for any mistakes or wrong info – Love you guys and thanks for reading!