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

Until the End

-Skul

I knew what I would have to do. I knew that if I could ever go back to Vin I would need to face my emotions head on and tackle the hurt that they brought, I was after all, just a man.
I sat, reminiscing in the Bentley for a while, thinking things over. The stars were out and shone through raindrops on the window, dappling the dashboard with pieced light. I sighed deeply, running my hand over the leather covered steering wheel rather automatically and briskly opened the car door, swinging my legs over the side onto the wet Tarmac, getting out and closing the door slowly. I carefully adjusted my hat to a comfortable angle on my head.
I tilted my head up a fraction, placing a gloved hand on the top of the Bentley and looked up at the dark building, but a vague shadow, that was China Sorrows' library.

My gaze then focused upon a glimmering reflection of the window Vin had sat at hours previously, her tears falling like the silenced rain, that now lay in puddles at my feet.
I locked the car, walking around the building to the side door and quickly unlocking it.
My non-existent heart was in my mouth as I crept up the stairs soundlessly and passed through a series of corridors until I reached Vin's apartment door.

I stood, waiting for the courage I knew needed to come as my hand wavered in the air, but centimetres from the door. Seconds passed and my arm became tired; I slowly lowered my ready fist to my side and breathed deeply out of instinct.

Checking my watch it came to me quite how late it really was or early for that matter, and I soon came to the conclusion that Vin would refuse to answer the door at the unruly time of 3:00 am. I gingerly gripped the metal door handle, turning it it and causing a brief clicking noise that lightly echoed down the corridor. I scanned the dark atrium of the flat and briefly shut the door behind me, making sure no amount of unwanted sound ruled the perfect silence. I could clearly see the seat that she sat at earlier through the door adjacent to me that sat ajar. The memory of earlier came back to me and I focused on ignoring the unwanted thought and instead prioritised on finding Vin's room as I was under the suspicion that she would be asleep by this time.
I anticipated that her bedroom would be one of the two closed doors to my right, because, out of instinct the human race feel safer with doors closed or locked at night; when they feel most vulnerable. That was what I suspected at least, with the exception of have a greater fear of the unknowing.

I picked the door furthest from the main entrance and was correct in my thinking as I carefully opened the door and glimpsed a vague outline of a bed through the open door. I widened the gap a fraction and adjusted my vision to the new shade if light, catching the outlines of a small dressing table, wardrobe and bookshelf.

The figure in the bed shifted a little and I took my opportunity,
"Vin..." I whispered softly into the darkness. She murmured slightly and turned to face me, her eyes shut tight in unconscious sleep but her face soaked with cold sweat.
I briskly walked over to the bedside and crouched down, feet from her head.
I carefully placed my hand on her face and whispered eagerly into her ear once more, "Vin..."

She tossed her head a fraction, an expression of fear crossing her face, "No..." She murmured, "No, don't... No, don't hurt him..."
I shook her slightly, scared at what she was experiencing behind her lids as hot tears flowed down her cheeks, "No! No, don't hurt him... Please no... Please no..."
Her once timid voice was now almost a yell as she turned violently, tossing her head in anguish.

My emotions were flared and I couldn't bear it any longer, "Vin! Wake up!" I shook her pugnaciously, meeting her climax in volume, "Vin!"
She jumped on impact, her breath quickening as her scared and tear ridden eyes flew open. Her mouth opened and she screamed, her body shaking violently. I gripped her hand and smoothed her face, "Shh, shh it's okay... shh Vin..."

she slowly calmed, her hot tears cascading down her face and wetting my hand, "Skul? Skul, you were... Skul." She was frozen like a rabbit in the headlights, scared and frightened.

I placed a hand to the back of her head and buried her in my shoulder, rocking her slightly, "Shh... you're safe now... I've got you Vin, you're safe..." I swayed back and forth for her comfort and soon found her arms around my neck, her sobbing slowly ceasing.

She gripped me hard, her body half out the bed. "Thank you..." she said and I felt her softly kiss my shoulder blade.

"Always..." I whispered in her ear, stroking her back to soothe her. There was a calming pause; she sighed deeply, hitching on a point and exhaling timidly.

"Do you want to talk about it?" I murmured quietly, she shook her head slowly and withdrew from the embrace to look at me. She opened her mouth to speak but quickly closed it, her head bowing.
I put a finger to her chin and lifted her head aloft, "It's okay..." I tilted my head to an angle, "You don't have to hide from me. Not anymore."

She stared endlessly into my eyes, a single tear illuminated by the pure, white starlight streaming through her bedroom window.

Some time passed and she timidly licked her dry lips, "Skulduggery..." She whispered, a break in her voice, "Do you really love me?"
Her beautiful face now captivated with starlight and uncertainty.

"Yes." I stated immediately, "Yes Vin, I always have and I always will... Until the end."

Her face changed, "Well, I think..." Her eyes focused hard on her lap, "I think I love you too..." Her gaze immediately flicked back to mine and a small smile twitched at the edge of her lips. My hand moved to end face and stroked her cheek.

I shook my head slowly, "How I've longed to hear you say those words..."

She giggled and lent in closer, her breathing quickening, "Kiss me Skulduggery Pleasant" I laughed lightly and instantly activated my façade, caressing her lips.

She pulled away after around thirty seconds and loving her arms around my neck, an easy smile crossing her lips as she lightly kissed my nose.
"Is this a dream?" She whispered, softly kissing my ear.

"Do you want it to be?" I said, getting up and joining her on the bed, cradling her in my arms. She looked at me for a while and eventually traced her hand up my abdomen, letting free my jacket and once again linking her arms around my neck, "No." She whispered, and keenly kissed my lips once more.

************
TIS A TUESDAY!!! (Well I'm writing this Monday night because I am aware the boarding house blocks Wattpad... URGHH spawn of Sanguine..)
LE HAPPIES TUESDAY MY LOVELIES!!! TIS
10 FREAKIN DAYS TIL Armageddon Outta Here!!!!!!! AHHHHHHH!!!!! I'm dying.. (Rage, rage the dying of the light ;D )
SOOOO YEAH!!

This chapter is dedicated to a certain someone who I mention a lot.. But in my eyes deserves more...
She is one of the most amazing people I have ever met.. And I love her... She is my priceless partner and even if things change.. No one can ever take that away from me... She's far too special a person in my life....
I love u Vin xxxx
So yes this chapter is dedicated to @MaryBethP
And to VINDUGGERY... Until the end...

Right, I'm tired so I'm off to cloud coo coo land (where I shall defeat the evil Nadir with SPARKLY CUPCAKES!! ;D @Ellen_sugarcube4 xxxxx)

Thank u for all your support I love u all xxxxxxxxxxx
Night night ^-^
BLIV xxxxxxxx