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]

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?"

[betterthanaplan]

Duke nodded hurriedly, swiping at his face.

“It’s good, babe.” He set the phone aside to pull Lucifer into a deep kiss. “It’s so good.”

[my_own_advocate]

It took Lucifer a moment before he could relax into the kiss, before the notion that he hadn't messed something up penetrated his skull.

Then his hands slid up, and cupped Duke's face. Kissing him back.

[betterthanaplan]

Duke only broke away when he needed to breathe, which he did with a somewhat wet little laugh.

“Lie down with me,” he said. “I want to spend the rest of the night holding you.”

[my_own_advocate]

"Romantic," Lucifer teased. Sort of teased. Something like that, anyway.

But he moved to stretch out next to Duke on the bed, legs brushing against his.

[betterthanaplan]

“I have my moments,” Duke teased back, shifting to better wrap his arm around Lucifer’s waist.

[my_own_advocate]

"You do," Lucifer said, softer.

He tucked his face into Duke's neck.

"I do need you, you know," he murmured.

[betterthanaplan]

“Yeah?” Duke said. Asked. Said. “I guess we all need each other.”

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer let out a soft huff. "Darling," he said, "Let's keep this personal."

[betterthanaplan]

“Right.” Duke gave Lucifer a squeeze. “Good note. You need me, huh?”

[my_own_advocate]

"Mm," Lucifer said, drawing an idle pattern on Duke's chest. "I need your stubborn desire not to leave my side," he agreed. "Among many other things. But I had forgotten how much I needed you to need me, too."

[betterthanaplan]

“I’m not good at that.” Shocking, Duke. “But I do need you. I didn’t understand how much.”

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer leaned in to kiss his cheek.

"I can't do this if it is merely my wishes being catered to, while you run about pretending like you're fine on your own," he said, quieter.

[betterthanaplan]

“I’ll do my best,” Duke said honestly. “But you know I want to take care of you, too. In addition to you taking care of me. No more demurring, okay?”

[my_own_advocate]

"That was about things I didn't feel you wanted to talk about," Lucifer pointed out, idly rubbing Duke's arm. "I didn't have any other needs to give you at the time."

[betterthanaplan]

“Yeah, and we ended up blowing up at each other because you assumed I didn’t want to talk about it ever, and I didn’t know it was weighing on you. So . . . saying something might’ve helped.”

[my_own_advocate]

"Well, it was also about Haven," Lucifer said. "You are always... protective. About certain aspects of it."

He sighed, tangling his legs with Duke's. "But I will try."

[betterthanaplan]

Duke kissed the spot on Lucifer closest to his lips.

“Thank you.”

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer let out a soft breath. "I love you," he murmured. "And-- thank you for letting me do this."