The docks by the Samsara, Friday afternoon

[betterthanaplan]

Right, so. Talking things out with Lucifer yesterday had made some of Octavia's reaction on Wednesday more clear, and Duke definitely had some apologizing to do. (He still kind of thought she had some apologizing to do, too, but he didn't have high hopes for that. Baby steps.) So he was taking a bit of a page out of Lucifer's book and heading over to her boat with a present. Flowers, because they were traditional when apologizing to a significant other, and a whole pineapple. Because this was Octavia.

. . . There wasn't really anywhere to knock, was there. He was starting to see why people tended to end up just hovering awkwardly when they came to the Rouge for a visit.

[for the one whose boat it is!]

Comments

[betterthanaplan]

"The times when it's not good-weird."

[okteiviakom]

Tiny shrug.

"Lonely."

[betterthanaplan]

Duke nodded. "Yeah. I get that sometimes, too."

[okteiviakom]

Octavia leaned against his arm a little.

"I guess we got used to sharing."

[betterthanaplan]

“There’s that,” Duke said. “And — I think everyone has their lonely days. Even people who prefer to be alone.”

[okteiviakom]

"Mm," Octavia hummed, looking across the cabin.

Yeah, her loneliness... really wasn't that.

[betterthanaplan]

“It was a good idea,” Duke said softly. “Living apart. You think I’m obnoxious now? At least you get breaks now.”

[okteiviakom]

Octavia let his hand go, though only because she wanted to wind that arm around his back, instead.

"Sometimes it feels like it's all break."

They still needed to find a balance.

[betterthanaplan]

Duke nodded. "Do you know what you might want to do about that?"

[okteiviakom]

"I don't know," Octavia admitted, looking up at him. "How do I live with you and not live with you at the same time?"

[betterthanaplan]

"Maybe we should . . . make a new routine," Duke said. "Make a point of always having breakfast together or something."

[okteiviakom]

The way Octavia was looking at him was softening again.

"I think I'd like something like that."

[betterthanaplan]

"So let's do it. Maybe . . . weekdays. So we don't panic if the island decides to mess with us on a weekend and one of us doesn't show up."

[okteiviakom]

What, like the very next day after this one? Good thinking, Duke!

Octavia nodded. "Okay," she said. "And maybe we can take turns."

[betterthanaplan]

"Yeah," Duke said. "I think that's a great idea. Do we want to invite Lucifer sometimes, or should this just be our thing?"

[okteiviakom]

The soft look turned a little wry. "I think Lucifer's inevitable, sometimes."

Considering there were sleepovers in varying combinations. And she didn't mind that.

[betterthanaplan]

Duke let out a soft laugh. "Yeah, you're probably right."

[okteiviakom]

"If he's there, we won't kick him out," Octavia suggested, resting her head against his shoulder. "Or if one of us is at the house."

[betterthanaplan]

"The important thing is that the two of us will be together."

[okteiviakom]

"Mmhm," Octavia hummed. "Yumi, ogeda."

[betterthanaplan]

Duke leaned in to give her a light, gentle kiss. "Exactly."

[okteiviakom]

Octavia let it stay gentle and soft, but she reached up to cup the back of his neck.

To ask him to linger.