Baltimore Boating Center, Wednesday Afternoon

[my_own_advocate]

Duke wanted a small boat to add to their growing fleet. Lucifer-- wanted to take Duke out on a date, which he hadn't done in a little while, and the trip to and from would be scenic. Afterwards, they could grab some food at a nearby restaurant and make a night of it. Possibly ending at the mansion.

It all seemed to make sense.

And so he pulled into the marina well into the afternoon, the wind in his hair and a smile on his face. "Here we are," he said, bringing the car to a stop. "Home to many a baby boat."

He was just saying it to annoy Duke, at this point.

[[ for him and sp ]]

Comments

[betterthanaplan]

"Makes it harder to take it with us when we go to the Bahamas," Duke said smoothly. (He'd already lied to himself about his motives, that made it much easier to convince himself he was telling Lucifer the truth.)

[my_own_advocate]

"Could always get a portal," Lucifer pointed out, shrugging. "Or enlist Miss Smith."

[betterthanaplan]

"But if it fits in the Rouge's hold, we won't need to," Duke said. "You know, if Summer is in space or Portalocity goes crazy or whatever."

[my_own_advocate]

"I suppose," Lucifer said. He eyed Duke. "But you're going to run out of space in that hold eventually, and a smaller boat would certainly hasten that eventuality."

[betterthanaplan]

Duke shot him a look. "I'd only have it in there when we're on the move," he pointed out. "I'm pretty sure I know how to manage my own holds."

He spotted another boat a little further down, and his eyes lit up again. "Here, look at this one. A little less status symbol than a 100 year old antique, but look at that body!"

Plus, it was maybe half the length of the other one.

[my_own_advocate]

"It's... a boat body...?" Lucifer offered, frowning.

He didn't know boats, Duke.

[betterthanaplan]

"A wooden boat body," Duke said, flicking him a smirk. "C'mon, let's see what it looks like inside."

[my_own_advocate]

"It does look like rather high-quality wood," Lucifer had to agree. (He still didn't understand how size was an issue, here, but he had decided to let it go lest he inadvertently de-un-ruin this trip.) He followed after Duke, obligingly. "I wonder if it has space for a bar..."

[betterthanaplan]

". . . It'll have space for a cooler," Duke said, shaking his head fondly.

He didn't think this trip had ever been ruined in the first place.

[my_own_advocate]

It was almost as if Lucifer worried about letting his partners down almost constantly, at least in the sphere of things he could throw money at and possibly many more.

"... I'm sure we can make it work," he said. He gestured at the boat. "After you."

[betterthanaplan]

Too bad he covered for it so well that Duke hadn't spotted it, or he'd be reassuring Lucifer with some more physical affection just about now.

Instead, he was striding on ahead, doofy grin in place, and with a nod from the employee, hoping over the gunwale to get a closer look.

"Luce, man, check out this detail on the rudder!"

Even a non-boat person could appreciate some carved dolphins, right?

[my_own_advocate]

"Which part is the rudder, again?" Lucifer asked.

He hadn't gotten on board quite as quickly.

[betterthanaplan]

Duke waved him over and pointed. "You know, Octavia and I saw some dolphins on our first trip out on the Rouge. . . . Or maybe porposes? I know the difference," he assured the hovering employee quickly, "I'm just not sure which they ended up being."

[my_own_advocate]

"Took her out for a romantic trip around the sea, did we?" Lucifer asked, coming up beside him to eye the rudder.

[betterthanaplan]

"It wasn't romantic yet," Duke said, shaking his head. "I think it was only like . . . the third time we hung out. I just liked showing off my boat."

[my_own_advocate]

"Is that what we call it these days? Though I suppose it's good to know some things haven't changed," Lucifer teased, and finally took a quick glance at the rudder. "Well. That's cute."

[betterthanaplan]

"It's classy," Duke told him. "This whole boat has a certain class to it."

Lucifer should appreciate that, right?

[my_own_advocate]

"It's certainly much nicer than some of the other options you've shown me today," Lucifer had to allow. "And I much prefer the wood over the generic white of many of the other sloops."

[betterthanaplan]

"Absolutely," Duke agreed with feeling. "And it's a perfect size for 1 to 3 people. We could take it out for picnics along the preserve. All the wilderness Tavi wants with none of hiking you hate."

[my_own_advocate]

"I'm working on that," Lucifer sort-of-protested. "Like last weekend."

[betterthanaplan]

"I'm proud of you," Duke assured him. "But I bet you'll still like a break from hiking now and then."

[my_own_advocate]

"Obviously," Lucifer said. "Though the Rouge has sufficed for that in recent years."

He glanced at Duke. "Which isn't to say I mind the thought of doing it on another vessel. Not at all."

[betterthanaplan]

"One with no camouflage?" Duke asked.

He made his way to the hatch leading below decks. The space below was small, but well put together. "You could even take naps down here while Octavia hikes and I fish."

[my_own_advocate]

"It does show more of its class on the outsider, rather than keeping it a tightly-guarded secret until you push past its lived-in exterior," Lucifer agreed.

Not that that extended to, you know, anyone else.

He slipped past Duke into the downstairs area, his fingers immediately landing on the seat cushions. "Hm. Might have to replace these with something nicer."

[betterthanaplan]

"A nice luxury nautical plaid?" Duke suggested, grinning.