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

[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.

[betterthanaplan]

“Oh no,” Duke said with a grin. “Not delicious pasta all week.” He leaned his chin on his hands and just looked at Lucifer for a long moment. “So. What kind of extravagance do you have planned for desert?”

[my_own_advocate]

"Chocolate parfait," Lucifer said. He smiled. "Though I had already put that in the minifridge upstairs so we could eat it from the bed."

[betterthanaplan]

“Off of each other?” Duke guessed. “You do have the best ideas.”

[my_own_advocate]

"Well, I was leaving open a range of options," Lucifer said, reaching for his wine. "... But that was certainly one of them."

[betterthanaplan]

“Hey, I’m open to most things.”

[my_own_advocate]

"Especially when naked," Lucifer agreed. "It's a feature of yours I quite enjoy."

[betterthanaplan]

“That’s good. I very much enjoy you enjoying it.”

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer made an amused noise. "Oh, I've heard," he assured Duke, sipping his wine. "You were quite vocal about it."

[betterthanaplan]

“Well, you could always try gagging me.”

. . . That came out less jokey than he’d planned.

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer raised his eyebrows.

A small smirk played across his features.

"I could."

[betterthanaplan]

Duke opened his mouth to continue the joke, but . . . well, now he was actually thinking about it.

“There is a whole sex rack thing upstairs, right?”

[my_own_advocate]

"Octavia had it built," Lucifer agreed, "We've been accessorizing it. Why? Do you feel inspired?"

[betterthanaplan]

“You know what?” Duke said. “I think maybe I do.” He stood, picking up the plate. “Should I clear the table?”

[my_own_advocate]

"We can do it together," Lucifer said.

He was already picking up his own plate.