Skulduggery Pleasant fan-fic: The Cradle of Magic (UNDER EDIT)

Empty corridors

-Dex

My forefinger and thumb rubbed the corners of my tired eyes as I continued to stare at the computer and two laptop screens laid out on my worktop, surrounded by loose papers consisting of scrawled notes and absentminded discarded doodles I had hidden. I carefully licked my lower lip and blinked trying to keep my eyes on the work in front of me and not the innards to my eyelids which consistently wavered over my eyes and time went on.
I found myself yawning and stretched my arms around the back of my head, flexing my shoulder muscles. My focus casually lay upon the clock in the corner of the screen and I found myself astonished at the lateness of the time.
I clicked the save button numerous times and hit CTRL, ALT, DELETE logging off the computer and packing up my case with papers and files.
I wrapped my blazer over my shoulder and flicked off the light in the office before locking up the door and walking down the lit corridor.

I turned the corner and took the side stairs down a floor to notify Erskine that I was off for the night when I heard yelling from further down the hall.
I paused, slowing and followed the sound down a long hall and turned towards the meeting room where Skulduggery, Erskine and Bliv stood by the door in the middle of a heated discussion.
Immediately flattening myself on the nearby wall, I resorted listened hard at the argument ahead of me.

Bliv's unsure voice clashed with the men's hard Irish accents,
"Skulduggery? What? What do you mean?"
Skulduggery made a sound of bewilderment at the back of his throat quickly overtaken by Erskine's quick response,
"Bliv, calm down there's nothing to worry about... Skulduggery and I were just discussing whether he should go as a representative to the Sanctuary's meeting in Australia and whether it was wise, considering his position, that he should show his face or not... That's all..."
Skulduggery quickly got his act back together,
"yeah, yes we were... And I have decided I will... So er..."
There was a long pause where I knew Bliv was sussing out the situation..
"Hmm.. Okay, sorry Erskine I was just a little concerned about the yelling.. I didn't mean to pry.."
He quickly interrupted her,
"it's fine.. Not to worry.. Actually whilst we are on that topic I was going to ask you something.."

Before he got to the end of his sentence I had already advanced from the wall and began strolling casually down the corridor. Skulduggery quickly noticed me and nodded at the other two, to whom turned. Bliv smiled blushing a pale pink.

"Hello." I chimed cheerfully, and rather ironically.

"Ah!" Ravel put his arm around my neck, pulling me into the trio, "just the man I wanted to see..."
Bliv chuckled lightly at the ceiling and I smirked at her after which Skulduggery threw us a suspicious look.

Skulduggery checked his watch rather pointedly, "Vex you're rather late, shouldn't you be back by now?"

"I um, I had a bit of work to do... Needed to get that finished for Erskine before the flight tomorrow..." I turned to Ravel who had now released me from a tight headlock, "I um, finished it by the way... I've emailed you the details..."

He nodded curtly "Good man... Now Bliv..."
Oblivion looked up from her awkward stance, "Hmm?"
"How would yourself like to join this fine couple of men and a few others to a Sanctuary meeting in Australia?"
Bliv deliberately bit her lip and a look of confusion spread across her face like a shadow.
"I um.. What?!"
Ravel rolled his eyes, "Keep up darling.. Australia.. Meeting.. Two days time..accompanied by fit man friend.. That okay with you?"
She laughed and nodded her head, "Yeah, sounds great..." Her eyes briefly flicked towards my direction but her gaze remained on Ravel.

"Good, good.."
Erskine smiled humorously and walked through the group, advancing in a stroll down the corridor. "Skulduggery we need to talk a little longer, you two..."
He turned, "Go home... or somewhere. Dexter I'm sure you'll think of someplace to take her... Bliv, you'll have the plane tickets by tomorrow; flight leaves at noon... A taxi will pick you up to take you to Dublin airport... Night all..." He did a minor salute and turned the corner with Skulduggery at his heel, leaving Bliv and I completely alone.

There was a pause. For around fifteen second neither of us looked at each-other, the rain had started up again and the sound of it peppered the window like shrapnel. I finally caught her gaze and slowly a smile spread across my face, turning into a hysterical laugh. My body bent and I comically gripped my sides.
"What was that?!" I gasped through laughter.
She shook her head and covered a hand over her mouth, "I don't know.. I really don't... Oh my god the look on Skulduggery's... Skull..." She fell silent for a split second and returned into a heavier laugh which made her body shake completely.

After around five minutes of hysterical laughing we both stopped, tears flooding in the wells of our eyes. A smile was plastered across her reddened face and she sighed deeply at the ground, her fast breathing slowly grinding to a calm halt.
I looked at her from an angle, catching the side of her face as she looked at her feet.
I swallowed deeply and opened my mouth slightly, meaning to speak but failing and instead collecting air and sighing once more.
She looked up from her constant gaze and straightened herself up to look at me.
"Dex.." She looked hard at me, a flicker of a smile still lingering at the edges of her mouth.
My throat felt heavy and dry, I was unable to swallow as if my larynx had closed up.
"Dex..." She took a step closer and bit her trembling lip, swallowing hard, "I, I think...maybe..."
My act kicked in and I became animated once more. I slowly raised my arm behind her and pulled her in closer towards me, she did not hesitate and was now but centimetres away. Her heavy breathing hummed in synchronisation with the drumming of her heart like the rain on the outside of the window. Here we were warm and dry. Warm and safe.
Her eyes seemed to dance as they gazed longingly into mine, the lights above illuminating the sparks in them, making the illusion of a lit bonfire; burning from within.
I carefully brushed my thumb over her soft cheek and she sighed deeply, closing her deep eyes and smiling warmly.
"Dex..." She said and I lent in our noses touching, "Dex, I love you..."
And I kissed her once more.

*******************
YAAAY!! U guys probably found that really boring cuz it's BLEX.. Soo.. I'm sorry :3
I've had a bad day.. I fell in a river... I needed something to cheer me up okay? I'm sorry... ^-^

Again, thanks for ur support!!
And a particular thanks this week to @Ellen_Sugarcube4 for being the SMEXIST, SPARKLIEST PRINCESS OF ALL DEX SHARKS!!! Continue being AWESOME!!! And thank you for everything xxxxxx U R AN AMAZING PERSON!! Xxx

Night all!! (I'm so tired, please let me sleep...)
Bliv xxxxxxxx