Somewhere in Los Angeles, Tuesday Night

[my_own_advocate]

He'd started walking again. Just like Monday, when Father had shown up for the first time.

Lucifer just walked, leaving Linda's house far behind him. He kept walking blindly, thoughts racing, barely even aware of Duke and Octavia following behind.

He kept walking until his thoughts were calmer.

Until they found themselves at a fountain in a park, somewhere, he only barely knew where.

He sat down by the fountain's edge and crossed his arms, staring into nothing.

[[ for those who are here. ]]

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[okteiviakom]

But at least there was obvious life in him.

The most Octavia did all ride long was slide her hand over, trying to take Lucifer's in hers.

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer let her. He knew he shouldn't, except he felt lost, and the solid touch of her hand was as grounding as the chatter of Duke's voice was.

(If he hadn't been so lost in the past few hours, in how they meant that he was defective, he might have realized how much he loved them now.)

He gave her hand a light squeeze and stared out the window, letting Duke's voice wash over him.

[betterthanaplan]

Duke kept it up as they arrived at Lux, making himself as big and distracting as possible to keep any paparazzi or hangers-on out on the street from making note of Lucifer's subdued state. His arms went everywhere as he announced to anyone who would listen what a fantastic Uber driver Carlos was, and how he was going to get rave reviews.

It was entirely likely at least some of the folks in the crowd thought Carlos had given him drugs. Sorry, Carlos.

[okteiviakom]

Octavia had rarely been as grateful for how loud (and not just noisewise) Duke could get when need be as she was right now. He could draw attention, and she could tug Lucifer along through the crowd.

By the hand, because she hadn't let go.

Wouldn't let go.

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer followed right behind, powerless to do otherwise now that they hadn't let him leave like he'd tried to.

(That was selfish, he knew that.)

His back thunked against the elevator wall as soon as they were in. He took a deep breath.

[betterthanaplan]

Duke just barely made it into the elevator before it closed, managing to shoo off anyone who might try to ride along with them. He took his own deep, settling breath, then reached for Lucifer.

"Almost there, babe," he said softly. Apparently when Lucifer was clearly falling apart, Duke's pet names kicked in hard.

[okteiviakom]

Octavia, still holding Lucifer's hand, shifted closer. Close enough that she could lean against his shoulder a little.

Slowly finding some more of that physicality Duke had already been doing so well with in the park.

[my_own_advocate]

Duke was just taking advantage of the fact Lucifer didn't have the energy to protest right now.

"You really shouldn't," he said quietly, watching both of them through sad, half-closed eyes.

(He was glad they'd stayed.)

[betterthanaplan]

"Since when do I do what I should?" Duke asked. "I'm a rogue and an outlaw, remember?"

[okteiviakom]

Octavia didn't want to list the things she was.

She leaned into Lucifer a little more firmly, instead.

[my_own_advocate]

"Duke," Lucifer sighed, even as the doors opened up to the penthouse.

He knew how important it was to Duke. People caring about him properly.

[betterthanaplan]

"Yeah, yeah." Duke rolled his eyes good naturedly as he tugged Lucifer into the loft space. "Shut up."

[okteiviakom]

While Duke tugged, Octavia pushed, gently.

As if Lucifer needed all the help he could get. Everything they had to give.

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer pulled away from them once he made it into the loft. (It took a great deal of effort.) "Right, bed is yours, as I said," he said, turning towards the couch.

Stripping out of his jacket, his shoes, his trousers, his shirt. All the armor he'd put on to go to dinner tonight.

[betterthanaplan]

Duke didn't argue. He'd just drape himself over Lucifer once he was settled.

Instead, he went to go pour Lucifer a nice scotch.

[okteiviakom]

Octavia wasn't arguing, exactly, but...

She sighed quietly as she watched Lucifer stripping down. "What is not sleeping in your bed supposed to do, Lucifer?"

[my_own_advocate]

"Because it's not fair for me to be there," Lucifer said.

He got up again, but only to snag a blanket from a nearby container.

[betterthanaplan]

Duke returned with the scotch. "Ah, good, you've got the blanket already."

He was about to get burrito-ed into that blanket if Duke had anything to say about it.

[okteiviakom]

Octavia shot Duke a helpless look.

What was his plan, here? He couldn't have been going along with Lucifer's stupid, sad idea.

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer shot him a tired look and reached for a pillow, pulling it in towards him.

He stretched his legs out on the couch and laid down.

[betterthanaplan]

Duke set the scotch down on the coffee table near Lucifer’s head, the picked up the blanket and tucked Lucifer in.

Then proceeded to lay down carefully on the couch with him, an arm and a leg wrapped around him in an embrace.

[okteiviakom]

Oh.

Well, guess that was better than arguing.

Octavia exhaled a soft, quiet sigh, watching them. Still standing a little ways away.

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer sighed quietly. "What are you doing, you absolutely ridiculous man?"

[betterthanaplan]

"You can sleep wherever you want," Duke said. "And I'll sleep wherever it is, too."

[okteiviakom]

Octavia turned quietly to head to the bedroom.

There wasn't enough room for three on the couch. And she -- needed things.