Lucifer's Mansion, Wednesday Night

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer and Duke had decided that, all things considered, they would likely get better at avoiding massive emotional blowouts if they-- just spent some more time together. Talked. Connected.

You know. Had dates.

And so Lucifer had packed up shortly before Octavia left for the club, bringing with him all the ingredients necessary for an excellent penne arrabbiata with fresh parmesan. He was in the kitchen now, cooking.

Almost done.

Just waiting for Duke.

[[ for that guy ]]

Comments

[betterthanaplan]

And here Duke was, in his date night finest. Which . . . was what he always wore, but with flowers and a pineapple.

The pineapple wasn’t specifically for date night. He’d just spotted one while on a “mental health walk” and decided to pick one up.

This time he came right in even as he knocked. “Hey babe! Something smells good.”

[my_own_advocate]

"It's dinner!" Lucifer called from the kitchen. "Please, take a seat at the dinner table, I'll be there in a moment!"

The dinner table had been immaculately set, of course, candles and all.

[betterthanaplan]

Duke headed that way and paused in the doorway for a minute to just blink at it.

There was absolutely no reason for him to be surprised by Lucifer going all out, but somehow he always was.

“This place looks amazing,” he called, as he set the flowers at one seat and sat down at the other.

The pineapple went next to the centerpiece.

[my_own_advocate]

"Thank you."

Lucifer strode into the dining room with two ornate plates in hand, full of handmade pasta drenched in arrabiata sauce.

He set one down in front of Duke, and one at the seat opposite him. "Just a moment, darling."

When he swept back in next, it was with a hilariously large pepper mill in hand.

[betterthanaplan]

That definitely got a chuckle from Duke. “How much pepper do you need?”

I don’t know, Duke, how much pineapple do you need?

[my_own_advocate]

"How much pepper would you like?" Lucifer returned, as he hovered over Duke's plate with the mill. "I also have more parmesan on offer."

[betterthanaplan]

“Let’s see.” Duke picked up his fork and picked up a bit of the sauce to try it. “Maybe . . . two grinds?”

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer nodded. He studiously gave the mill two very deliberate twists, and then lowered it. "Bon appetit," he said, set the mill down, and scurried back into the kitchen.

At least when he returned this time, it was just to set the parmesan down on the table in front of Duke. "There we are."

[betterthanaplan]

“Thank you.” Duke scooped up a bit of Parmesan and sprinkled it on top of his pasta while he waited for Lucifer to sit. “You went all out. I like it.”

[my_own_advocate]

"Well, I'm hardly going to half-ass date night," Lucifer sighed, as he sat down.

[betterthanaplan]

“I mean. We have been together for kind of forever,” Duke noted. “. . . Though I guess we haven’t done a lot dating, have we.”

[my_own_advocate]

"I don't half-ass it for Octavia, either," Lucifer said. He sounded a touch offended.

But then he had to mill some pepper over his own food.

[betterthanaplan]

“You’ve never half-assed anything, have you,” Duke said, tone a little wistful. “Just one of the reasons you’re so impressive.”

[my_own_advocate]

"I don't see the point," Lucifer said. He set the mill aside. "Do well what is enjoyable or worthy, and don't bother with the rest."

[betterthanaplan]

“Cheers to that,” Duke said.

It was the sort of philosophy you could have when you were immortal.

“I won’t underestimate you again, I promise.”

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer chuckled. "Thank you," he said, raising his wine glass to Duke. "And I appreciate the pineapple."

[betterthanaplan]

“I thought you might. And hey, we can always bring it home to Octavia if we need to.”

He nodded to the flowers.

“Those are for you, too, by the way. Not enough people bring men flowers.”

[my_own_advocate]

"Thank you," Lucifer said, a real smile gracing his face as he looked at it. "I've got just the vase for them, but..."

He waved at his food and made an amused noise.

[betterthanaplan]

“Food first. Of course.”

Duke picked his fork back up and dug in.

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer beamed at him.

And maybe was a smidgen of a moment late in attacking his own food, being a touch busy looking at Duke like someone besotted.

[betterthanaplan]

Duke, meanwhile, was making little happy noises as he ate.

His appetite had been almost nonexistent for so long, and was still coming and going in waves now. But right now it was almost normal, and Lucifer’s cooking was, of course, delicious.

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer ducked his head.

And dug into his meal, too.

[betterthanaplan]

Duke looked up eventually, about halfway through his plate. Slowing down to watch Lucifer eat this time.

His partners were both so, so beautiful.

“I’m lucky I found you,” he said softly. Not entirely aware he was speaking out loud.

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer's smile softened. Perhaps even turned a touch rueful at the edges. "Well, I do keep you fed," he teased gently.

[betterthanaplan]

Duke gave him his own soft, rueful smile in return. “You do. Which I have been . . . not great at lately.”