Deck of the Cape Rouge, Friday Morning

[my_own_advocate]

Life appeared to have settled some on the Rouge - and in the mansion, where a great deal of conversations had taken place over the last few weeks. Lucifer, for his part, rather enjoyed the calm-- the heavy burden of foreboding and tension had lifted entirely from his shoulders.

It had been, he had to admit, quite a while since the last time he felt that way.

And so he found himself out on the deck surprisingly early, wrapped in an incredibly thick and clearly expensive blanket, sipping from a mug of hot chocolate, feeling all right with the world.

In fact, he might have even been humming one of the classics under his breath.

[[ expecting one, but open! ]]

Comments

[okteiviakom]

Octavia gave a tuneless little hum in response.

And finally said, "But if he's not the sun, then the whole constellation comes down."

[my_own_advocate]

"If you want it to," Lucifer said. "Or if you want it to become something else."

Carding his fingers through her hair.

"You're the one who holds the power over these words. Our words."

[okteiviakom]

"I don't want them anymore."

That was a lie.

Maybe even an obvious one.

[my_own_advocate]

"That doesn't sound like you," Lucifer pointed out gently.

[okteiviakom]

"I can change."

Did that sound any more like her?

[my_own_advocate]

"No one's denying that," Lucifer said, raising an eyebrow. "But why?"

[okteiviakom]

Octavia shrugged her the shoulder that wasn't pressing into his side.

"Why is a name Duke's had for years an issue now when he finally seems like he's getting better again?"

Rhetorical.

"Everyone's got their reasons."

[my_own_advocate]

There was a short silence.

Then: "I would miss them."

[okteiviakom]

"Well, one is already buried," Octavia replied, "and the one he used to call me you don't even use, so it's not like you'll have to miss much. You'll probably be fine without just the one."

[my_own_advocate]

"But..."

Lucifer trailed off. He wasn't sure how to encapsulate what he was feeling right now into words.

[okteiviakom]

Well, Octavia fell silent. Waiting.

He had time.

[my_own_advocate]

"It doesn't feel right," Lucifer said quietly. "I realize that's hardly a convincing argument, but it does to me sound like you lopping off an arm for no good reason."

[okteiviakom]

He was right, it wasn't really a convincing argument.

So:

"Why?"

[my_own_advocate]

"Because naming things always seems to come from the core of you," Lucifer said slowly. "Why would you muffle that, just because Duke doesn't feel comfortable with one particular name?"

[okteiviakom]

"Because our names come from his, because his was the first," Octavia replied, mild and even (on the surface, anyway), "and if his is gone then I don't feel like being reminded about it over and over."

That was the missing limb. Or finger, at the very least.

[my_own_advocate]

"Ah." Lucifer gave her a squeeze, hugging her tighter.

[okteiviakom]

"It's just easier for everyone," Octavia muttered.

Her hand was squeezing his thigh again, but it wasn't as deliberate this time. More reflex.

[my_own_advocate]

"Have you considered giving us new names?" Lucifer said quietly. "Or even just him?"

[okteiviakom]

Octavia made a dry noise in her throat.

"Duke had his own suggestions all ready to go."

[my_own_advocate]

"Well," Lucifer said. "That... isn't how this works, is it?"

[okteiviakom]

"No," Octavia agreed. "I know he meant well, but..."

[my_own_advocate]

"It's Duke," Lucifer said wryly. "He always runs several steps too far ahead."

He pressed another kiss into her hair.

"I'm not saying there's a rush to come up with something, darling," he said. "Just to consider not throwing the baby out with the bathwater."

[okteiviakom]

"Am I hurting you if I do?"

[my_own_advocate]

"I think you hurt you if you do."

[okteiviakom]

"That ship has sailed," Octavia replied without missing a beat. "I'm asking about you."