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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[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.

[betterthanaplan]

“Works for me.” Duke paused on his way to the kitchen to pop a quick kiss on Lucifer’s cheek. “I think I’m going to like Date Night.”

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer chuckled softly, pausing for a moment to let Duke's kiss fall to the appropriate cheek. "Octavia and I have always found date nights to be a great boon to our creativity."

[betterthanaplan]

“I’ve been missing out. I should check to see if she and I should set up a regular night too.”

[my_own_advocate]

"You know you're always welcome to use the house," Lucifer said, as he set his own dishes aside.

[betterthanaplan]

“Thank you,” Duke said. “I mean, yeah, I knew that but it’s nice to hear it so I can know it.”

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer reached out to touch his arm. Firm, but full of affection.

"Your home is my home," he said. "But mine is yours as well."

[betterthanaplan]

“Gonna start taking you up on that.”

Promised, promises, boy.

[my_own_advocate]

"You should have started years ago," Lucifer said fondly.

[betterthanaplan]

“That’s — yeah. Really don’t have a good reason why I didn’t.”

Because part of his brain would forever insist he wasn’t welcome in other people’s spaces. That was why.

But hey, like he said, no good reason.