Voicemail

[betterthanaplan]

"Buddha says 'All good things come to those who wait.' With that in mind, leave me a message."

*beep*

Comments

[okteiviakom]

"I think she might be right." They all had their love languages, after all. "Anyway... There's something you and me didn't talk about, which we maybe should."

[betterthanaplan]

"Alright. You want to do it on the phone now? Or maybe come over?"

[okteiviakom]

"It's not a huge deal," Octavia said, because she felt like she should. Before she worried him, or anything.

And no, that wasn't actually answer to his question. Also, what was that noise in the background? Just something she was realizing she could and should have done earlier in this conversation.

[betterthanaplan]

“I’m glad to hear that,” Duke said. “Question still stands, though.”

He really wasn’t sure about that noise, either.

[okteiviakom]

Octavia sighed. Not -- actually at him, though.

"That was me trying to get the porgs to get out of my way so I can leave."

[betterthanaplan]

"You're coming over," Duke guessed. He got up and headed towards the galley. "I guess that is an answer to my question."

[okteiviakom]

"I'm coming over," Octavia confirmed. There was an indistinct bit of Trig after that, followed by an indignant squawk in the background.

And then there was no background noise once her boots hit the dock. "Not because this needs a face-to-face. I just want to see you."

[betterthanaplan]

"Well. I'm not going to argue with that. You want some coffee or something? Or I could maybe start up some ingredients for a hot toddy. . . ."

[okteiviakom]

"If you want."

She didn't really have a very strong opinion either way.

[betterthanaplan]

"Hot toddy it is," Duke decided. "Or maybe I'll start a batch of spiced butter for hot buttered rum. It'll be nice to have on hand for the holiday."

[okteiviakom]

"Jaka, I'm going to be there in like a minute," Octavia pointed out, faintly amused - and almost to the Rouge, now. "Dunno how much you're getting done."

[betterthanaplan]

"I'm thinking out loud," Duke said with small laugh. "You think I can't spice some butter while we talk?"

[okteiviakom]

"I honestly don't know," Octavia replied. "But I'm almost h-- almost there, so I'm hanging up now."

And she did.

And then she crossed the gangplank. And then it wasn't long at all before she appeared in the galley.

Even with the sleeves rolled some of the way up, the sweater she'd stolen from him several weeks ago hung far too big on her.

"Ha yun, jaka."

[betterthanaplan]

Duke looked her over. "I was wondering where that went," he said, giving her a smile. "Ha yun, gona."

[okteiviakom]

"Stole it," Octavia said, stepping closer and reaching up for a quick kiss hello. "Sorry."

She wasn't. She'd been wearing it a lot when she was by herself.

[betterthanaplan]

“Looks better on you,” Duke said, reaching for her waist. “Keep it.”

[okteiviakom]

Octavia's hands ended up on his shoulders.

"I might still make you wear it sometimes," she said, quietly.

It was part of the appeal, shh.

[betterthanaplan]

"Oh, you're going to make me do it, are you?" Duke said with a grin. "Well. I'll look forward to that."

Assuming what he'd learned about her time in the bunker didn't make their little power play games turn suddenly spooky.

[okteiviakom]

There was a definite risk of that. But him talking about it with a grin on his face might help alleviate that some.

Octavia leaned against him a little more.

"We had something to talk about."

Well, she had. She was just changing topics gently.

[betterthanaplan]

"True," Duke said, dramatically changing his expression to something serious on a dime. "What's up?"

[okteiviakom]

"Nothing that needs that big a change," Octavia replied, reaching up to tap a finger against his nose, with a soft snort.

But then her own expression softened again.

"It's about you and me and Lucifer." He'd probably already gotten that part, though. "And sex."

[betterthanaplan]

"You and me and Lucifer and sex and it's not serious or bad," Duke said. He smiled. "I think I might like this conversation."

[okteiviakom]

"It's a request," Octavia said, watching him. Trying not to suddenly feel like this should make her nervous to do. (Trying not to feel like it was making her nervous.) "That you don't sleep with him before we do. I mean, before we all do. Together."

Tiny shrug.

Vulnerable.

"Just feels like... a step we should take together, if we're going to."

[betterthanaplan]

Duke leaned in to give her a soft kiss on the forehead.

"Okay. I won't."

[okteiviakom]

"Mochof," Octavia murmured, eyes fluttering closed. "Feels dumb to ask, but..."

Seemed like something to be honest and open about.