The OceaNyx, Somewhere At Sea, Sunday

[my_own_advocate]

There had been a brief moment at port to restock their increasingly-full pantry, but otherwise, the OceaNyx had been at sea (or at uninhabited bay) for the past few days, allowing its inhabitants to find some kind of peace. It had been helpful, at least for Lucifer, whose strong emotions towards both of his partners - anger, for Duke, worry, for Octavia - had finally settled back down. Allowing him to be in the moment.

Admittedly, 'the moment' involved a lot of cooking in the ship's incredibly tiny kitchen - how he'd managed to wrench that many cookies out of that oven was anyone's guess - but still.

It was a nice day. The climate was certainly growing warmer, as they moved further south. And so Lucifer eventually exited the kitchen to find a spot on some cushions near the back, enjoying the sight of the wind in the ship's sails, the way it bent slightly sideways as it made speed, the sound of the bow cutting through the water.

Why couldn't it be like this all the time?

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Comments

[okteiviakom]

"I'm trying not to think about it so much," Octavia added, barely more than a whisper. "I know you don't... feel that way."

[my_own_advocate]

"I don't," Lucifer agreed. "And I won't lie about it."

Not that he thought she'd ask him to, but...

[okteiviakom]

"No one would ask you to," Octavia murmured.

[my_own_advocate]

"I know." Lucifer's forehead knocked ever so gently against hers. "But that leaves you as the only person on this boat who's disappointed in you."

[okteiviakom]

"That has never stopped me before."

She was used to carrying these things by herself.

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer managed a soft laugh. "Oh, I know," he said. "I do wish it would, however."

[okteiviakom]

"I'm still learning," Octavia muttered. "I guess."

[my_own_advocate]

"That's allowed, I think," Lucifer said.

Just as long as she kept herself alive until she worked through all of it.

[okteiviakom]

"I just didn't want this to happen."

Weird that something so obvious sounded so much like a confession.

[my_own_advocate]

"Neither did I," Lucifer said. He looked out at the water. "But he doesn't listen to me, either."

[okteiviakom]

Octavia let her head rest against his shoulder, instead.

Gave a weak hum.

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer gave her a little squeeze. "Sorry."

[okteiviakom]

"You don't have anything to be sorry for," Octavia muttered.

[my_own_advocate]

"I'm not being particularly helpful to you," Lucifer said. "And I'm not certain how to be."

[okteiviakom]

"If I have to start worrying about how you can help," Octavia replied, quiet and mild, "that's too many layers to this thing."

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer let out a soft huff. "Fair point," he said. "I'm hardly going to put that burden on you."

[okteiviakom]

"Don't put it on yourself, either."

Easier said than done, she knew.

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer sighed.

"Trying to help you just... feels less futile, that's all."

[okteiviakom]

"Than helping him?" Octavia guessed, voice gone extra quiet.

[my_own_advocate]

"Yes," Lucifer said quietly. "When I look at you, I feel hope. Him... Well."

[okteiviakom]

"Oh," Octavia breathed.

It... wasn't great to hear.

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer sighed. "I know."

[okteiviakom]

Octavia fell quiet again. Drawn into her thoughts.

At least there was still the noise of the water.

[my_own_advocate]

After a few moments of that, Lucifer spoke again.

"I need you," he said.

[okteiviakom]

It startled Octavia into looking up at him.

"What?" she asked, as if she hadn't heard. (As if it didn't immediately bring back a sore memory.)