The Deck of the Cape Rouge, Wednesday Afternoon

[okteiviakom]

Octavia was starting to feel like she was on a slightly more even keel, post-Haven. Things with Duke were still... maybe a little off, but, they were working on that, bit by bit. And while she hadn't really managed to unpack everything with her therapist yet, she'd at least opened up about some of it.

Things were moving forward.

And this afternoon, Octavia herself was moving. Specifically, on her yoga mat rolled out on the deck of the Rouge. It wasn't super warm out, but that was fine.

It felt like she could breathe.

[ooc: Open! ETA: NFB on all the sex talk, pls and thank you!]

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[my_own_advocate]

"Well," Lucifer said, and cleared his throat. "I can leave, if you'd like me to."

[betterthanaplan]

Duke sighed, and reached out his hand.

"No. You're right. It's probably better this way."

[my_own_advocate]

"I just want to do whatever makes you and Octavia happy, Duke," Lucifer said, and took Duke's hand. "And when the two of you are like this, I don't know whether the best choice is to stop you from locking yourself in the other room or to just leave you be to do whatever you feel you need to. I don't know where that line is."

[betterthanaplan]

"I don't know," Duke said. "I wish I did."

[my_own_advocate]

"Next time, just say, 'I really need to do this'," Lucifer said quietly. "I'll lay off if you say that. Like... a conversational safeword."

[betterthanaplan]

Subbiest sub

Duke swallowed and nodded. "Okay. I will."

[my_own_advocate]

Promise me, Lucifer wanted to say. But that was making Duke do something, wasn't it?

"I love you," he said, nodding shallowly. "All right? That's more important to me than you doing things the way I want them done."

[betterthanaplan]

"I know," Duke said. "I love you too." He tried for a little smile. "Now, uh. I really do kind of want to nap here. You can stay, if you want."

[my_own_advocate]

"If you're sure," Lucifer said, studying Duke's face. "I can go-- spend some time in the sauna, if you'd rather nap alone."

[betterthanaplan]

Duke shook his head. "I don't think that would help me. And I really don't think it would help you."

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer tried very hard not to let the relief show on his face, but some of it snuck into his eyes in spite of it. "All right," he said, setting his alcohol aside, and tucked himself under the blankets without letting go of Duke's hand.

[betterthanaplan]

Duke shifted a little closer to him and closed his eyes.

"If, you know, I do . . . need to follow someone's directions. I'd rather it be you."

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer closed his eyes and tucked his head against Duke's shoulder. (It meant he could ignore the mystery of why something heavy was bubbling up in his bloody tear ducts.) "All I ever want is for you to get to choose," he murmured. "And I want to be your choice."

Not an obligation, or a manipulation.

[betterthanaplan]

"I chose you," Duke said. "I choose you. You and Tavi. Even if something else, you know, stuck me here."

[my_own_advocate]

"Thank you," Lucifer murmured.

And, "I'm sorry."

And, "Sleep well."