Dr. Linda Martin's House, Thursday Morning

[my_own_advocate]

Was Dr. Linda's floor really where Lucifer wanted to wake up this morning? Absolutely not.

But Duke had been in no state to go to the penthouse last night, and Octavia had been in some kind of shock, and it had just seemed easier to stay here. Linda only had one couch, and that seemed better-suited for the drunk, so Lucifer had found himself on a mattress on the floor for the first time in... quite some time.

It was not ideal.

Which was likely why he woke up as early as he did, the floor poking against his shoulder as the air mattress had apparently sprung a leak during the night.

"Ugggh."

[[ for octavia and duke ]]

Comments

[betterthanaplan]

"Okay," Duke agreed, holding him in return. "She probably won't mind an extra minute of air anyway."

[my_own_advocate]

"Or an hour," Lucifer muttered.

He held on for a while longer, until the last of the 'I screwed up and I don't get it' feeling had dissipated.

Only then did he let go.

[betterthanaplan]

"I don't know. I think sometimes she needs us to come find her," Duke said. He pulled away slowly, letting his hands linger on Lucifer's arm. "So she doesn't get too lost."

[my_own_advocate]

"Well, let's get our girl, then," Lucifer said, half-turning away from Duke to look towards the door. "Octavia?"

[okteiviakom]

Even with the still-open door, they would have to try harder than that. Octavia had sat down on the steps after Duke had gone back inside, but had stood up again and stalked to the edge of the yard to keep herself from hearing them talk.

(-- Audrey getting me to kill Nix --)

Eventually.

She was still there now, staring at the street, her arms rigid at her sides. Wishing she could have just left, but knowing far too well what just disappearing would do.

[betterthanaplan]

Duke wasn’t surprised that she’d moved. He tugged Lucifer along with him as he headed to the door to look for her.

“Hey,” he called softly. “Let’s get some breakfast, huh?”

[my_own_advocate]

"Perhaps grab some take-out and eat it in the park?" Lucifer added.

You know, get away from the scene of the crime?

[okteiviakom]

Octavia didn't turn around. But she lifted one of her hands a little.

Her phone was in it.

"Portal's in forty-five minutes."

[betterthanaplan]

Duke flicks a glance back at Lucifer, then pulled on a grin. “Plenty of time,” he said. “I’m thinking. . . croissant sandwiches. And fruit, of course.”

[my_own_advocate]

"Or we could eat back home," Lucifer said, glancing back at Duke, himself.

[okteiviakom]

Octavia didn't say anything. She just let her hand fall to her side again.

Everything felt a little... dulled.

[betterthanaplan]

Duke swallowed, gave Lucifer’s arm a squeeze, then let go to step up next to her.

“What do you think? Just hang out here while we wait?”

[my_own_advocate]

"Let's at least move it to the park," Lucifer said, striding after him. "It's not far."

[okteiviakom]

Octavia really couldn't muster up the energy for having an opinion on something so -- mundane, right now.

"Whatever," she muttered. "Your choice."

[betterthanaplan]

“Well, uh.” Duke rubbed his forehead. “I’m still hungover, so I could use some food. I vote sandwiches in the park.”

[my_own_advocate]

"There should be some food trucks there," Lucifer said.

He reached for Octavia's wrist. "Let's go."

[okteiviakom]

It could have been a coincidence, the way Octavia jerked into movement right at that moment, snatching her wrist away from Lucifer's grasp in the process.

It was impossible to know for sure, though.

"This way?" she muttered.

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer withdrew his hand, frowning. Was she angrier at him still than Duke?

He cleared his throat. "Yes."

[betterthanaplan]

Duke gave him one more quick, sympathetic look, then started after her.

This was way more complicated than Duke’s simple mixture of scared and angry.

[okteiviakom]

And to make things worse, it wasn't something Octavia was inclined to talk about at all. Not today, at least.

And not now.

So off to the park they went.