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?

[[ open ]]

Comments

[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.

[okteiviakom]

Oh.

Octavia gave a very soft sigh.

[my_own_advocate]

"Ai hod yu in," Lucifer said, smile still soft.

Saying that felt like a thing, after the initial few days of their return.

[okteiviakom]

Oh.

"Ai hod yu in seintaim," Octavia murmured back. "Skaifaya."

[my_own_advocate]

"Natshana," Lucifer said softly.

[okteiviakom]

Both of Octavia's hands crept to the back of his neck.

Just holding him.

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer let her.

His own hands moved down, until his arms were firmly secured around her waist.

[okteiviakom]

It felt safe.

Octavia... gave a soft, slow sigh.

"I still feel awful," she admitted quietly.

[my_own_advocate]

"Why?" Lucifer asked.

[okteiviakom]

"Because it doesn't go away just because people say there was nothing I could've done."

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer sighed.

He tightened his grip on her. "I know," he said.

[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...