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]

"It's why I couldn't go along with-- everything you were saying about yourself," Lucifer said quietly. "The more afraid I am to need him, the more... I need you."

[okteiviakom]

"Someone has to have your back," Octavia whispered, half realization, half just telling him she got it.

[my_own_advocate]

"Yes," Lucifer said, and looked at her. "I can't lose you, Octavia. It would destroy me."

[okteiviakom]

"But you're... you," Octavia tried.

(She knew that was why.)

[my_own_advocate]

"I am," Lucifer agreed. "And yet this is how I feel."

[okteiviakom]

"I'm trying," Octavia promised, quietly. "I'm trying to stay where you need me."

[my_own_advocate]

"I know," Lucifer said softly. "I trust you."

[okteiviakom]

"But I've been falling apart."

Another mutter.

[my_own_advocate]

"I trust you to try," Lucifer said, searching her face. "I don't expect you to always succeed."

[okteiviakom]

"That'd be dumb anyway," Octavia replied, trying for a wry tone.

Failing.

"I'm pretty sure I made an ass of myself at the club again --" Well, at least there was a grand tradition behind it. "-- and everything."

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer blinked. "... Howso?"

[okteiviakom]

"I don't really remember all the details."

Wasn't sure she wanted to talk about all of the ones she did remember, either. Whether that was because they felt oddly private to her or because they felt embarrassing, even she couldn't have said for sure.

"But if Eric has any capacity to be concerned about me... He might be concerned about me."

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer winced. "Well, that's... something."

[okteiviakom]

"Mmh," Octavia hummed, as an acknowledgement. "So if you wondered how I made it home in one piece..." Because she'd come home absolutely trashed. "I am pretty sure he walked me all the way to the port."

[my_own_advocate]

"That's off-puttingly kind of him," Lucifer said. "I suppose I should be grateful."

[okteiviakom]

"Well, I didn't fall in the ocean or flat on my face, so..."

Yes, that was something.

[my_own_advocate]

"I appreciate you not drowning," Lucifer agreed.

He was just moderately dubious about the Eric of it.

[okteiviakom]

Some people's relationships with him didn't revolve around petty feuds, surprisingly enough.

"Good," Octavia replied, watching his face.

[my_own_advocate]

Sounded fake.

"Did it help?" Lucifer asked.

[okteiviakom]

"A little."

That sounded like another confession.

"I think I needed to... release something." She was clearly still thinking about it as she spoke. Processing. "So I wouldn't explode on the boat instead."

[my_own_advocate]

"The guilt?" Lucifer guessed.

[okteiviakom]

And now Octavia was looking towards the water again.

"If you have to name it, sure."

[my_own_advocate]

"Bit more complicated?" Lucifer offered.

[okteiviakom]

Octavia didn't turn her head again, but glanced over at him all the same.

"Always is."

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer let out a soft huff. "I suppose so."