"That depends on your definition of 'problem', I suppose," Gabe said with amusement as Raphael progressively leaned blissfully into Valkyrie's hands, then slumped to the ground, rolled onto his back, and let go of any pretence of dignity whatsoever. He didn't even seem to want to try to prevent his leg from motoring when the teen hit that perfect spot.

"You know, I was wondering why people take us so seriously," Gabe mused, "and I still can't figure it out."

Dexter snorted at Gabe and Ghastly both--at everyone, and everything, because really this made so much sense no matter how much it also made his brain reboot--and gave Ghastly a winsome grin. "Where's the fun in ageing? Or getting older? Turning boring? Really, I ask you."

That grin vanished a moment later. Ghastly's tone. Ghastly's face. The way Ghastly gripped the back of the chair. The fact that Merlin said 'ah', very quietly, and then excused himself so soon after joining the conversation.

"Whatever it is," he said quite directly, "I don't want to know."