Awww, this was delightful! Gilderoy as a malingerer is very in character, and quite crafty, when you consider his reasons for it. I almost felt sorry for him, because who hasn't had flashes of wanting to escape their whatever by hiding from life? Severus' ailment was intriguing, and I loved that he saw through what Gilderoy was doing. How good it felt when he was the one to come back for him. The possibilities...are just beginning!
I've never read a fic with Gilderoy in it, but I have to say that this is one of the great things about fests; you take a chance and find that something/someone works! And now that the ice has been broken, I'll be more likely to read again. Thanks!