okteiviakom: ([neu] i had a dream once)
Octavia Blake ([personal profile] okteiviakom) wrote2024-10-11 12:56 pm

The Cape Rouge, Late Friday Morning

So Octavia couldn't touch living plants without sapping all life out of them. So she couldn't go out into the preserve for fear of some young branch grazing her cheek and killing the entire tree. So Octavia was troubled, poisoned by Haven.

Big deal.

Duke was breathing easier than he had for months. Octavia wasn't sure she trusted it, that she could expect it to last, but the difference was too obvious to ignore. And that? That felt more valuable than whatever quiet suffering she was going through. No good ever seemed to come without a sacrifice, anyway. And, well, Blodreina was used to sacrifice.

Especially when it was her.

So she gardened with thick gloves on, and she didn't go to the preserve, and she ignored how it felt like the first several weeks (months) down in the bunker, when all, absolutely everything she'd wanted had been to go out and breathe and feel a breeze on her face, or the warmth of the sun, or something that couldn't be confined in a concrete structure underground.

She'd learned to contain that feeling then. She'd learn to contain it again.

So Octavia and her thick gloves carefully and clumsily harvested some peppers from the little garden on the deck, and brought them inside into the galley for one of the guys to use in their cooking later. She took no chances: she only took the gloves off once the peppers were safely on the counter.

She checked her phone for the time, and caught the date instead. It was October 11th.

She was 33.

Another year gone.

[ooc: Oooopen, of course.]
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - let's talk no i won't button i)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-11 11:02 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh, are some of the vegetables finished... doing whatever?" Lucifer inquired, stepping into the galley from the bedroom.

If he looked like he'd just woken up, it was because he'd just woken up.
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - shirtless grin)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-11 11:15 am (UTC)(link)
"Time to start cooking up pasta sauces for the winter, then," Lucifer said brightly, his hand sliding over her lower back as he joined her in the kitchen.
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - really now?)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-11 11:21 am (UTC)(link)
He could tell, yes. It relaxed him some. "And perhaps tacos for dinner," Lucifer mused, shifting a bit closer still.
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - crush)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-11 11:25 am (UTC)(link)
Lucifer smiled. "We can keep it light. Perhaps a touch of citrus, and some cheese or fish for the protein..."

He pressed a kiss into her hair.
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - hugging chloe)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-11 11:31 am (UTC)(link)
Lucifer wrapped his arms around her. It was pure instinct and habit.

"How are you feeling, darling?"
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - serious but side-eye)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-11 11:39 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh," Lucifer said, frowning. "I'm sorry. I lost sigh-- we should do something."
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - intent)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-11 11:49 am (UTC)(link)
"It's your birthday," Lucifer argued softly. "We should at least do something nice."
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - lolly)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-11 12:00 pm (UTC)(link)
"I hardly see what that has anything to do with anything," Lucifer said, frowning. "You still deserve a good birthday. Especially after last week."
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - lolly)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-11 12:13 pm (UTC)(link)
"Happy birthday, either way," Lucifer said, still frowning. "Perhaps we could... go see the sea otters again?"
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - idek)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-11 12:58 pm (UTC)(link)
"I could... prepare a special lunch?" Lucifer suggested. "Or perhaps we can do a little beach picnic."

He was eventually going to stop suggesting things, honest.
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - lolly)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-11 01:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Lucifer sighed.

"Sorry," he said, his hand coming up to rub at her back. "Considering everything, I just..."

Wanted to do something special for her. Especially considering how strange things were between him and Duke (even if Duke didn't seem to want to acknowledge it).
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - cautious)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-11 01:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Lucifer frowned. "... What do you mean?"
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - sincere explanation)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-11 01:59 pm (UTC)(link)
The frown deepened. "And this is... a bad thing...?"

Genuine question.
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - i like you but erm)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-11 02:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Lucifer sighed. "All right, all right," he muttered. "I'll stop, then."

It pried a little at a deep feeling of uselessness. But it was Octavia. He could remind himself that she meant no more nor less than she said and believe it.
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - crush)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-11 02:22 pm (UTC)(link)
"I know, darling," Lucifer said, quieter. "But sometimes it makes me feel better to do them."
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - lolly)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-11 04:32 pm (UTC)(link)
Lucifer sighed, again. "I may be taking out some Duke-related anxiety on you," he admitted.
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - errr)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-11 05:40 pm (UTC)(link)
"Well, I said we should probably find a time to talk the other day," Lucifer said, "And then he made a joke about scheduling, and I said right, we can go to the pillow room, at least. So we went to the pillow room and we got stoned..."
Edited 2024-10-11 17:42 (UTC)
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - idek)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-11 05:58 pm (UTC)(link)
"I did mean to talk about it," Lucifer said, leaning back a touch. "I really did."

It was just easier to get stoned.
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - lolly)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-11 06:02 pm (UTC)(link)
Lucifer sighed. "Wasn't part of the original plan," he said, looking down at the peppers. "Linda feels Duke and I both have to practice 'active listening', whatever that is."
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - lolly)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-11 06:12 pm (UTC)(link)
"Something about actually listening and thinking about what you hear before you say anything?" Lucifer offered, after a moment. "Unsure how that's different from what I already do."

Luce. Honey.
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - ??? ??? ???)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-11 06:52 pm (UTC)(link)
"What?" Lucifer said, helplessly confused.
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - errr)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-11 07:21 pm (UTC)(link)
"I... think after I hear things..."
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - lolly)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-11 07:25 pm (UTC)(link)
"This seems like a trick question," Lucifer said.
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - really now?)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-11 07:32 pm (UTC)(link)
"I don't know the difference," Lucifer said slowly.
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - intent)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-11 07:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Lucifer considered her. "Like what?"

Actually asking.
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - really now?)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-12 07:18 am (UTC)(link)
"That would be helpful," Lucifer agreed.

He was taking this seriously. He just... needed... small words. Sometimes.

Actually, should he write this down? He glanced aside for a notepad.
Edited 2024-10-12 07:18 (UTC)
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - headtilt)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-12 07:55 am (UTC)(link)
Lucifer nodded. That gave him time, too.

Admittedly, the notepad and pen were probably more explicable than the reading glasses, but he found all three and parked himself against the counter.
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - i don't get it)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-12 08:15 am (UTC)(link)
"Ah," Lucifer said. He took off the glasses. "Better?"
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - errr)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-12 08:19 am (UTC)(link)
Lucifer made a gesture with the notepad towards the counter and raised his eyebrows.
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - fondness is in the eyes)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-12 08:32 am (UTC)(link)
"As you wish," Lucifer said, tossing the notepad aside.

Leaving him with just a pen, which he was now fidgeting with.
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - lolly)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-12 01:10 pm (UTC)(link)
"Hm," said Lucifer, earnestly fighting the urge to take that example literally. "Interesting."
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - partners)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-12 02:02 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'm trying to think about what you're actually saying," Lucifer said, "Rather than pontificating on why I might assume you don't like tacos at all?"

Trying! Trying. His best.
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - i don't get it)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-13 10:12 am (UTC)(link)
Lucifer sighed. "You mean that... I shouldn't jump to conclusions?" he guessed.

Talk about a difficult exercise...
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - lolly)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-13 04:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Lucifer frowned.

"Well, that doesn't help me too much," he said.
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - lolly)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-13 05:17 pm (UTC)(link)
"Well, in the case of tacos, that would be ridiculous," Lucifer pointed out. "In the case of my current issues with Duke, less so."
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - really now?)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-13 05:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Lucifer looked at her. Thought about that.

And then started rooting around for a bottle of something.
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - healthy coping)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-13 05:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Lucifer found some scotch and poured himself a glass.

"Duke has been quite clear about his priorities," he settled on.
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - healthy coping)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-13 06:02 pm (UTC)(link)
Lucifer sipped from his glass. "He keeps making choices that put the both of us in danger, emotional or otherwise," he said. "I can't even say I want to burn Haven to the ground without getting lecture about how he just cares and he has no intention of stopping. Cares about who, exactly?"
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - serious but side-eye)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-13 06:12 pm (UTC)(link)
"You can't care about everything," Lucifer retorted. "You always have to pick something."

Another sip.

"And now he's just running about acting like everything's fine now. As long as we don't make too much of a nuisance of ourselves, I imagine."
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - looking over)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-13 06:18 pm (UTC)(link)
"I wanted to set a time where we could talk and he was insistent we didn't need one, we should just have the talk, so I suggested the pillow room," Lucifer retorted, "And then no talking was done. Except about dinner."
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - intent shirtless drinking)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-13 06:27 pm (UTC)(link)
"I suppose I should be used to 'no talking' with Duke," Lucifer muttered grimly.

He sat down in a booth.
my_own_advocate: (lucifer - intent shirtless drinking)

[personal profile] my_own_advocate 2024-10-13 06:45 pm (UTC)(link)
So Lucifer just drank.

He had more to say, but not unprompted.
betterthanaplan: (brains are weird)

[personal profile] betterthanaplan 2024-10-11 04:52 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oooo, those peppers are looking good. How's the rest of the garden?" Duke asked, coming up from where he'd been really working on some boat maintenance below-decks.

Rather than the vague tinkering he'd managed to do while under the influence of all the troubles.
betterthanaplan: (let's think this through)

[personal profile] betterthanaplan 2024-10-11 05:49 pm (UTC)(link)
"Very cool," Duke said, nodding. He tilted his head. "You doing okay?"
betterthanaplan: (of course it is)

[personal profile] betterthanaplan 2024-10-11 06:06 pm (UTC)(link)
"I do." It didn't, but Duke wasn't looking to get into any arguments with anyone right now. He would keep it to food if that was what she preferred. "Maybe we can pickle some stuff, too. Onions, peppers. . . ."
betterthanaplan: (things are looking up)

[personal profile] betterthanaplan 2024-10-11 06:54 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'll look for some good recipes, then. And maybe see if there's any late season fruit to try canning."

He was getting into the idea of prepping food for the winter.

He was getting into the idea of actually looking forward to winter. Or anything else, for that matter.
betterthanaplan: (a nice smile)

[personal profile] betterthanaplan 2024-10-11 07:22 pm (UTC)(link)
When Duke found out she was hiding her trouble, he was going to take it so hard.

"Something else we can try together, maybe," he suggested. "Unless you want to stick to the current division of labor, with you growing and us cooking."