The OceaNyx, Approaching Fandom, Sunday Afternoon

[my_own_advocate]

Wasn't it always best to be eager to leave and equally eager to come home? No? Admittedly, both the desire to leave and the desire to return had been cloaked in some, ahem, unexpected emotional drama, but after reconciling several days ago, the mood had settled on the OceaNyx.

And thus, their route home had been rather less rushed than Octavia and Lucifer had originally intended for it to be. The extra time had been useful, if only to figure out how to work Duke's current troubling predicament into their daily routine without losing sight of each other again.

But now they were pulling back into the bay, and Lucifer was in what went for a galley on this small boat. Working on his 'we're back home, hurrah' lunch spread.

It wasn't with quite as much cheerful energy as on the way out, but it was certainly better than where he had been just a week ago, so. Small favors.

[[ for them who are on the boat. ]]

Comments

[my_own_advocate]

"A 'welcome back to Fandom, us' lunch," Lucifer said, looking up. "It felt appropriate."

[okteiviakom]

"It's food," Octavia replied, with a hint of something wry. (Something her.) "I'll take it."

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer chuckled. "There will be eggs," he said, "I've already made the fruit salad. And some smoothies. You can grab a bottle from the fridge if you'd like?"

[okteiviakom]

"In a minute," Octavia said.

Because she had to take this one for getting in his personal space, specifically stepping behind him and sliding her arms around his waist.

No reason, every reason, whatever. She wasn't stopping him from doing his thing (much), that felt important.

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer let out a soft huff, pleased, and leaned a little into her embrace.

Whatever else happened, he felt-- realigned with her. And it was... stabilizing.

[okteiviakom]

In response, Octavia tightened her hold a little, and pressed the side of her face against his back. Feeling spine and muscle.

Her newfound appreciation of the details didn't stop at Duke.

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer's mouth curved further.

"Love you too, niron," he murmured.

[okteiviakom]

Octavia said nothing back, but he was right: she was already saying it.

With her faint nuzzle and the way she pressed her body to his.

[my_own_advocate]

He did speak her language, to some extent.

Lucifer nudged the eggs around in the pan with one hand. He moved the other one to find one of hers.

[okteiviakom]

He was welcome to it.

Octavia closed her eyes.

[my_own_advocate]

At least the eggs had only gone in a minute ago, or Lucifer would've had to jostle her already.

Instead he lingered as long as he could.

"Mind getting me a plate, darling?" he said, after a few minutes had passed.

[okteiviakom]

Octavia gave a tiny sigh, but since she had a whole thing about not getting in his way right this moment, yes, she pulled away so that she could get him a plate.

And hold it out for him.

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer put the eggs on it. "Bread's ready as well," he said, downright apologetic. "But we can sit on the couch together and have some of it."

[okteiviakom]

"Shouldn't we wait until we're actually home?"

[my_own_advocate]

"Suppose we could," Lucifer allowed. "Just... restless about warm eggs, I suppose."

At least they were boiled, and not fried.

[okteiviakom]

"Restless about warm eggs," Octavia echoed, some shade of wry making its way back into her tone. "If it'll make you feel better, we can eat some."

[my_own_advocate]

"No," Lucifer said, setting the plate aside. "I... no. Let's sit together. I can finish this when we've landed."

[okteiviakom]

"Okay," Octavia said, softer.

Already reaching for his hand.

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer took hers in turn.

And immediately pulled her two steps down onto the sofa.

[okteiviakom]

Stealing her move, rude.

Which clearly explained the complete lack of hesitation in following, and the immediate curling up against him.

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer smiled and wrapped an arm around her. "Needed some togetherness?" he murmured.

[okteiviakom]

Octavia wasn't going to dignify that question with an answer.

... Mostly because she had important nuzzling of his shoulder to do.

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer chuckled. "All right," he said, hugging her a bit closer.

[okteiviakom]

Octavia slid her own arm around him, around the front, like completing a circle.

"I guess," she murmured, finally.

[my_own_advocate]

"Mmm, well, I'm happy to provide," Lucifer said softly. He kissed her hair. "I'm glad you're feeling a touch better, love."