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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[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer sat forward a touch.

Waiting.

[okteiviakom]

Finally, Octavia swallowed.

"That's really nice," she murmured, turning her gaze to meet his.

[my_own_advocate]

"Good," Lucifer said. There was something relieved about his smile. "I'm glad."

[okteiviakom]

"You pretty rarely get cookies wrong," Octavia said.

And on a whim, leaned over to drop a little kiss in his hair.

[my_own_advocate]

"Still, no matter how good the cookie, it's worth little if the intended recipient doesn't like it," Lucifer said wryly. "We had some raspberries that would likely go bad soon enough. I'm glad I got them to work."

[okteiviakom]

"You did," Octavia confirmed, as she straightened up again.

And went to finish her cookie. Not quite as thoroughly, but still with great appreciation.

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer sank back, and fished a cookie out of the bag for himself.

He took a bite. And took the moment to savor it.

That was what this trip was all about, wasn't it?

[okteiviakom]

Running away, too.

Which had Octavia watching the water again while she chewed.

[my_own_advocate]

If she had to be so negative about it...

Lucifer reached for his wine, took a sip to wash down the cookies, and went back to watching her.

[okteiviakom]

Was there another word he would have rather used about the way they'd taken off to avoid whatever weird thing Fandom was currently doing?

Octavia was just watching the water. After a little while, she closed her eyes and tried to just feel, instead.

[my_own_advocate]

Taking a breather. Choosing not to hurl yourself into another fit of trauma you didn't need to deal with, so close to one you hadn't recovered from.

Lucifer reached out, and put a hand on her leg. Offering an extra touch of companionship.

[okteiviakom]

Octavia covered his hand with hers. Made that part of everything else she was feeling: the sun, the breeze, the sway of the boat under her feet.

Air in and out of her lungs.

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer's smile went a little fonder.

A little softer.

Not that she was looking at it, but that didn't matter.

[okteiviakom]

Octavia wasn't looking at anything except the backs of her eyelids, no, but at least she felt his presence right now. Another little grounding thing.

As she took several controlled, slow breaths.

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer thought about saying something. Just... gently inquiring how she was feeling right now.

But that felt like it might be stepping on something.

So he didn't.

[okteiviakom]

It was smart. Octavia was just trying to take a moment to quiet down the insistent noise in her head. Or at least some of it.

It halfway worked.

And she opened her eyes again. And finally sat down next to him.

[my_own_advocate]

"Hello," Lucifer said softly. But that was the amount of breaking the silence he was sticking to.

[okteiviakom]

"Ha yun," Octavia replied, quietly.

Watching his face, just for the moment.

[my_own_advocate]

His expression was still soft. And fond.

He reached out to cup her cheek with one hand.

[okteiviakom]

Octavia tilted her face into it just a little, like she so often did.

Soft, gentle.

[my_own_advocate]

And so Lucifer leaned in to kiss her just like that - soft, gentle.

[okteiviakom]

So he beat her to it.

And that was fine, because she could respond in kind, soft and gentle and slow.

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer's hand slid away from her cheek and into her hair, caressing it gently.

It was nice. Feeling like he got to take his time with her.

[okteiviakom]

What else did they have out here?

Octavia's hand slid onto his shoulder. Settled, lightly.

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer pulled back, just a little, and pressed his forehead against hers.