The Cape Rouge, off the coast of Fandom, Friday afternoon

[betterthanaplan]

Duke took them around to the preserve side of the island before heading out to sea a ways, dropping anchor when there was nothing around but sea, sky, and the shape of trees and rocky coast in the distance. He'd managed to save some of the pillows and the string lights from their blanket fort last month, and cleared space on the deck for them to lounge and watch the clouds, with beverages and snacks in easy reach. With Larceny all set up with cupcakes back on Fandom and the porgs distracted by a few snacks of their own, there was nothing left to do but put on some music and chill.

[for the snogon! Content note: recreational drug use]

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[okteiviakom]

As promised, when Octavia had set up a cupcake delivery for Larceny, she'd also procured them a decidedly decadent chocolate cake, which was now sitting with the rest of the snacks.

Lounging was going to happen very soon, but right now, she was still standing by the gunwale, looking out over the water.

It was the same out here as it was in the preserve: she felt like she could breathe.

[betterthanaplan]

"Gorgeous," Duke said.

He was not looking at the view.

[okteiviakom]

"Ha ha," Octavia replied, reaching back for his hand.

Without taking her eyes off the view.

Come on, she knew him well enough to know which she was complimenting without having to check.

[betterthanaplan]

Duke took her hand and moved to press himself along her back, arms around her waist. "Hey, I'm just calling it like I see it."

[okteiviakom]

Octavia relaxed against him almost immediately, happy to lean into the embrace. "Of course you do, jaka."

[betterthanaplan]

Duke tilted his head to kiss her temple, then leaned his head against hers and looked out over the water properly.

"It's like coming home," he said softly.

[okteiviakom]

Octavia's tone sounded very much like his. "I know."

It shouldn't have felt like that to her, too. It had no logical reason to. And yet, it did.

His hand was still in hers. She settled her free one against his arm. "Whenever I see this, it feels... like a promise. Of everything, anything."

[betterthanaplan]

"That's what it is," Duke said. "Out here . . . the whole world is ours." He tilted his head. "I should get another boat. A little skiff, something we can take out whenever we want without having to bribe my roommate. There's plenty of room in the port."

That was a sign of how settled he'd become, that he was talking about a second boat. Something he couldn't easily pack into the Rouge and take with him if he ran.

[okteiviakom]

"There's room for a whole fleet in port," Octavia replied, her tone briefly amused before it went a little wistful. "That sounds like it would be nice."

[betterthanaplan]

"I'll head into Baltimore on the break then," Duke said. "See if I can find something nice. We're getting into proper boating season around here."

[okteiviakom]

"You'll have to teach me all about it," Octavia murmured.

She'd made an effort on their Haven trip to learn a little about how the Rouge worked, after all, but a small skiff sounded like something she might actually learn how to handle.

[betterthanaplan]

"I would love to," Duke said. "We need to teach you to swim, too, as I recall."

[okteiviakom]

"We do," Octavia replied, turning her head to peer up at him. "I don't think dying by drowning is a very good boat move."

[betterthanaplan]

"It's definitely frowned upon," Duke said. "Though it does sometimes still happen, even with those of us who swim all the time." He shook his head. "Which isn't in the spirit of our nice, chill date, is it."

[okteiviakom]

"No, you're supposed to tell me I'll look nice in a swimsuit," Octavia told him without missing a beat.

And stole a quick kiss, while she was at it.

[betterthanaplan]

"You'll look even finer skinny-dipping," Duke said, happily kissing back. "Do you even have a swimsuit?"

[okteiviakom]

Octavia's huff was lost in little kisses.

"Why would I?"

[betterthanaplan]

"I have no idea," Duke said. "Maybe Magnus or Shunsui gave you one?" He shrugged. "Do you want a swimsuit?"

[okteiviakom]

Octavia shrugged one shoulder. "If I'm going to be swimming, yeah."

[betterthanaplan]

"Well then. We'll have to get you one, won't we."

[okteiviakom]

"Oh, we going shopping again?" Octavia teased, with her best stereotypical teen girl voice.

Never mind that their handwaved trip for the pajamas had actually been fun.

[betterthanaplan]

"I mean. I'd be happy to go shopping for you," Duke said. "I'm thinking . . . bright yellow bikini."

[okteiviakom]

Octavia narrowed her eyes at him.

"Well... It's not like stealth's really a goal there," she drawled.

[betterthanaplan]

Duke laughed at her expression. "Nah, it wouldn't suit you. Maybe something with stars, natshana."

[okteiviakom]

One side of Octavia's lips curved upwards.

"Better," she decided, swaying them a little. There was music and they were alone, it was inevitable. "Basically, if it looks like it was meant for swimming at night, I'll like it."