The New And Probably Temporary Pillow Room, The Cape Rouge, Wednesday Afternoon

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer could get a lot of work done very quickly if he put his mind to it. By noon the newly-assigned pillow room had a small massage table, shelves for oils and whatnot, a floor made of memory foam and-- well.

A lot of pillows.

There were some finishing touches he'd have liked to have done, but Duke had checked in to see things were going, and. Well.

He was easily distracted by Duke.

"Well," Lucifer said, rolling onto his back with a happy sigh and a stretch, "At least we know the foam is sturdy enough."

[[ for that guy. ]]

Comments

[my_own_advocate]

"No, the massage table just seemed like a good idea at the time."

Because Lucifer was remodeling here because he had remodeling on the brain, and not because remodeling was actually necessary. Surely Duke could relate.

[betterthanaplan]

Duke was getting close to deciding to repaint the hull, he could absolutely relate.

"Well. I'm not going to disagree. I'm wondering why I didn't get one for the Rouge ages ago."

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer had been telling him to repaint the hull for years. He'd be enthusiastic about this decision.

"No one around to massage you?" he suggested.

[betterthanaplan]

But then he'd lose its rust-bucket disguise!

"That might be it. Evi was not much one for massaging."

Not unless she was trying to talk him into something he didn't want to do, anyway.

[my_own_advocate]

That he hadn't needed in years!

"Yes, well, Evi was a manipulative fool who didn't know how good she had it."

[betterthanaplan]

"You'll get no argument about that from me," Duke said. "Though . . . I still feel a little bad for her. Knowing where she ended up."

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer sighed. "It's her guilt," he said. "If she..."

This was still a strange thing to think about, for all that he knew it was true.

"...forgave herself..."

[betterthanaplan]

"How's she supposed to do that, though?" Duke asked. "She's just . . . seeing the same thing, her worst mistake, over and over again. Right?"

[my_own_advocate]

"Something would have to interrupt her Hell loop," Lucifer agreed. "The way I interrupted Mr. Said Out Bitch's."

[betterthanaplan]

Duke swallowed, looking up to the ceiling.

What was the chance of that happening?

[my_own_advocate]

"I suppose I could check in on her whenever we go back," Lucifer said.

After a moment.

[betterthanaplan]

"You're going to go back?" Duke asked, surprised. "I kind of figured you'd washed your hands of the place."

[my_own_advocate]

"To Hell?" Lucifer said. "I mean, I can simply nip in and out any time I like. No need to stay and rule or anything."

[betterthanaplan]

"Yeah, but. I mean. Just because the door's unlocked now doesn't mean it wasn't, like, a jail cell for you."

[my_own_advocate]

"Would it make you feel better if I talked to your ex and tried to stop her Hell loop?" Lucifer retorted.

[betterthanaplan]

Duke blinked. Thought about that.

". . . I have no idea," he admitted. "I kind of just wish she could just magically get out on her own."

[my_own_advocate]

"Well," Lucifer said slowly. "Not in the way Hell works right now. She would need an outside push."

[betterthanaplan]

“That’s. . . good to know, I guess.”

Duke looked at Lucifer again, with a chagrined smile. “Sorry. Look at me, bringing down the mood.”

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer let out a soft huff of amusement. "It's fine, love," he said. "I don't mind knowing what's knocking around that gorgeous head of yours."

[betterthanaplan]

“Flatterer,” Duke said, rolling over to face Lucifer properly. And maybe kiss him a bit, while he was at it.

[my_own_advocate]

Mmm. Kisses. How terrible, oh no.

Lucifer's fingers curled into his hair, pulling him in closer.

He loved Duke.

He even loved that Duke worried about his manipulative bloody ex.

He didn't understand why.

"I only speak the truth."