Lucifer's mansion, Wednesday night

[betterthanaplan]

Duke did not have a pineapple this time. Or flowers, for that matter, though he did bring a very nice bottle of wine for Lucifer, which he left in the kitchen for him to find.

Before wandering off through the rest of the mansion, getting more of a feel for the lay of the land, so to speak, and thinking about how to get his brain to accept the place as partially his as well as Lucifer's.

His boyfriend would be happy to hear it didn't involve netting. It . . . might involve an overabundance of plants that were inappropriate to the outside climate. And possibly multiple water features.

Duke didn't tend to do things by halves any more than Lucifer did, okay? He just . . . went about it slightly differently.

When it was time for Date Night to actually begin, though, he made sure to find his way back towards the kitchen. It wouldn't do to be late, after all.

[for him!]

Comments

[my_own_advocate]

"What you meant when you said you wanted to work on something on purpose," Lucifer clarified. "It clearly wasn't just the bondage."

[betterthanaplan]

"Your trust," Duke said softly. "Earning it back. That's what I want to work on."

[my_own_advocate]

"Ah."

Lucifer's hand slid back up, swiping some of Duke's hair back. Then, after a moment's thought, he leaned in to press a gentle kiss against Duke's mouth.

"This helps," he affirmed. "Because... you trust me with something truly important. If... that makes any sense."

[betterthanaplan]

“It does,” Duke confirmed. “And I do. All this, really just confirms that, you know? For myself.”

Lucifer had kept him from troubling all of Fandom. Duke trusted him more than just about anyone. Including himself.

[my_own_advocate]

"I feel that may have been part of my problem," Lucifer admitted. "Feeling as if-- you didn't need to trust me that way. That I was just here to be someone you could do things for, rather than a partner who could do things for you, as well."

[betterthanaplan]

Duke couldn’t help a small laugh. “I think we both have trouble with that. With wanting to give as well as — not take, but. Well, you know.”

[my_own_advocate]

"I know," Lucifer said.

He toyed, idly, with the final knot on Duke's hip. Wondering if it was perhaps time to undo it.

"And I see the irony in saying that I worry about whether you'll let me in."

[betterthanaplan]

“I mean. I’m not historically great at that,” Duke said. He shrugged as best he could while still tied. “This is — I think this stuff will help.”

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer let out a soft huff, watching him move. "Shall I untie you before we continue?"

[betterthanaplan]

"Yeah," Duke said with his own little huff. He loved this feeling, but "I wouldn't mind being able to stretch a bit."

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer chuckled softly.

He undid the big knot, and began to... unwind Duke.

"Do feel free to keep talking as I work," he murmured. "Tell me about what's on your mind."

[betterthanaplan]

"Right now?" Duke said, amusement in his voice. "I kind of wish I could have it both ways. Stay tied up but still able to move."

[my_own_advocate]

"Depends on how you'd like to move," Lucifer mused, freeing Duke from the first loop around his chest.

[betterthanaplan]

Duke laughed at that, shifting to give Lucifer the room he needed to unwrap him.

Like a present!

"You know how much I like to stretch."

[my_own_advocate]

"Stretching may be difficult," Lucifer said, grinning at him. He undid the first loop, and then began the... unwrapping.

It took care and patience.

"But finding the right knots might be an interesting project..."

[betterthanaplan]

Duke laughed. “We all know you like a sexy challenge.”

[my_own_advocate]

"And I haven't even tied you up below the belt yet," Lucifer said sunnily. "So many possibilities..."

This was his element. And he was very glad to be in it with Duke, for once.

He untangled the knots against Duke's chest, working his way up.

[betterthanaplan]

“Something to look forward to,” Duke said, watching the untying almost as close as he had the tying.

[my_own_advocate]

"I think date nights were an excellent idea," Lucifer agreed.

He paused to kiss Duke, once, then unwound the final loop from his chest.

His fingertips slid along Duke's biceps, before delicately disentangling the rope that held his arms together.

[betterthanaplan]

Duke used that new freedom to loop said arms around Lucifer’s waist. And sit up and grab a kiss for himself.

“Definitely.”

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer chuckled, casting the rope aside, onto the pile his own clothes had wound up in along the way.

He did this while kissing Duke, somehow. "I should show you some of the pictures," he said. "You looked debauched. And happy."

[betterthanaplan]

“Oh shit,” Duke said, rolling his wrists gently. “Yes, please!”

[my_own_advocate]

"I could really get used to seeing you this happy," Lucifer laughed.

But obligingly, he took out his phone, opened up one of the last pictures he made - Duke, spread out on that bed, tied up and out of it - and held it for Duke to take.

[betterthanaplan]

Duke took the phone and just. Looked at it. For a long time. Not the ropes so much, though the pattern Lucifer had created was amazing. But the expression. The looseness of his lower limbs, the bliss on his face.

There were entirely too many emotions bubbling up to be quantified. Or even spoken out loud. This was the person he’d gone to sea to find, originally. The one he’d always tried to be. Carefree, trouble-free Duke. Unburdened. At peace.

Because he was tied up and helpless, yes, but entirely safe. And even better, the part he’d never even dreamed to hope for, he was loved.

Oh fuck, was he tearing up?

[my_own_advocate]

And Lucifer--

Wasn't actually sure what to make of that. It hadn't been the reaction he'd expected, that was for sure.

"Duke?" he said, careful. "Are you all right?"