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 ]]

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[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.”

[my_own_advocate]

"Let's not waste time talking about what we haven't been doing well recently," Lucifer said. "You're here. And I am grateful for it."

[betterthanaplan]

Duke nodded. “Gotta stay in the moment. You’re excellent at that too.”

[my_own_advocate]

"Or move forward," Lucifer said. He looked down at his almost-empty plate, and rose, picking up the flowers. "This feels like that, more than anything else."

[betterthanaplan]

“I kind of want to make that into a dirty joke,” Duke said, returning to finish his own pasta. “But I got nothing.”

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer laughed. "You can work on one while I find a vase," he said. He took a small detour on the way to the correct cabinet, brushing a kiss to the top of Duke's head.

[betterthanaplan]

Duke flicked him a pleased grin at that and set about finishing his pasta.

And trying to find that dirty joke.

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer found a pretty red vase in the cabinet. In the kitchen, he cut the flowers and poured some water into it.

And then put entirely too much work into fluffing the bouquet properly, before he put it on the dinner table. "There."

[betterthanaplan]

“Oh man, and I don’t even have a joke yet.” Duke shook his head in mock-sorrow and pushed away his now-empty plate. “Uh. . . . That’s what she said?”

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer chuckled. "You can make it up to me in the bedroom," he teased. His gaze dipped down to the empty plate, satisfied.

"So how was your day, darling?"

[betterthanaplan]

“That I can definitely do,” Duke agreed.

He shrugged, leaning back in his chair.

“Not bad. Got some work done on the boat. Real work, not just like. Staring at my bilge pump like I did most of the summer. You?”

[my_own_advocate]

"Spent a not insignificant portion of it making fresh pasta," Lucifer admitted. "We may have enough to feed ourselves for the next week."

He hesitated for a moment, considering whether to move this, and then decided to take his seat across from Duke again.