Lucifer's (et al) mansion, Wednesday night

[betterthanaplan]

The post-resurrection high Duke had apparently been riding since they'd gotten back from Haven had faded, though he still felt physically better than he had in a long time. Possibly ever.

He was doing his best to maintain that physical wellbeing, even if his emotional wellbeing was slightly rockier again, and as such, very nearly ended up late to his planned date night with Lucifer, having spent longer swimming easy laps in the pool than he'd intended.

He was pretty sure Lucifer wasn't going to knock him too much for still being damp from a post-swim shower as he set the table and carefully plated the Egyptian-style fish sandwiches he'd put together for them for dinner.

The fact that he was wearing one of his favorite worn-soft old flannel shirts open over his bare chest might help, too. ;D

[for him!]

Comments

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer laughed. "I clearly need to compliment you more often, then," he said. He tapped the fish. "I do love a good upscale version of comfort junk food."

[betterthanaplan]

"You like the upscale version of everything," Duke said by way of agreement. "Makes you easy to shop for."

If, you know, expensive.

[my_own_advocate]

"I'd like to think I'm a litle more exacting than that," Lucifer said. "... And that you don't pick gifts based on some kind of algorithm."

[betterthanaplan]

Duke snorted. "I'm not a machine, Luce. I pick stuff for you when I think you'll like it. I tease you about the stuff that expensive but I know you wouldn't like."

There was a disco ball suit somewhere that was basically proof of this.

[my_own_advocate]

"All right, all right."

Was that actual tension seeping out of his shoulders? How odd.

"Thank you."

[betterthanaplan]

"You're really feeling kinda insecure right now, huh," Duke noted. "I know you have specific tastes. And I like your tastes. Even the bit where you reject plaid for some reason."

[my_own_advocate]

"No, it's..."

Lucifer sighed. He drained his glass of wine, and then refilled it.

"The whole... 'God'... thing," he said. "Had me realizing how much I enjoy being surprised. But if I'm already predictable..."

[betterthanaplan]

“How does being predictable mean you can’t be surprised?” Duke asked.

Not that he thought Lucifer was all that predictable. Certainly not by human standards.

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer took a bite and chewed slowly.

"I don't know," he admitted. "I was just... picturing an ongoing flow of Louboutins as presents, I suppose."

Or he was stuck on this particular theme and his brain was looping everything back towards it.

[betterthanaplan]

Duke wrinkled his nose.

“That would mean I’m predictable. And boring.” He offered Lucifer a little smile. “I promise to keep trying to surprise you.”

[my_own_advocate]

"Thank you," Lucifer said.

He poked at his food.

"I was thinking," he said, "Perhaps this summer we can all... go out a bit more. Catch the theater, that sort of thing."

[betterthanaplan]

“I could be into that,” Duke said with a nod. “I . . . don’t know if I’ve ever actually gone to the ‘theater’. Unless amateur burlesque shows count.”

[my_own_advocate]

"A different kind of theater, if equally delightful," Lucifer said, mouth curving. "But no, not quite what I was thinking of."

He took a bite, finally.

"I wonder if Octavia would like some of the stabbier operas..."

[betterthanaplan]

“It’s worth a shot. Especially if there’s one based on Greek or Roman myth.”

[my_own_advocate]

"Ooooh," Lucifer said, lighting up. "The opera loves the story of Orpheus and Eurydice. Or Elektra, or the Minotaur, and of course Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, for crossover appeal..."

[betterthanaplan]

Duke wasn’t nearly as familiar with Greek and Roman mythology as his partners, so could only really nod along.

“Well, there you go, then.”

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer nodded. He reached for his wine. "Ooh, and we could go see some magicians..."

[betterthanaplan]

“Magicians!” Duke grinned. “Really!”

[my_own_advocate]

"It's incredible what magic humans can dream up to if left to their own devices," Lucifer said. "Much more fun than anything my siblings could dream up. Let alone Father."

[betterthanaplan]

“I never really thought about that,” Duke said. “Do you have a favorite?”

[my_own_advocate]

"Oh, I couldn't possibly choose," Lucifer said, chuckling. "And it depends on the discipline, of course. Take Jon Armstrong - he's probably the best living card magician in the world. But in terms of stagecraft, it's hard to argue with the current Magnar the Magnificent..."

[betterthanaplan]

Duke had no idea who any of these people were. So he just took a big bite of his sandwich and listened, nodding along.

Not at all trying to hide the fond smile that kept tugging at his lips while he chewed.

[my_own_advocate]

"Magnar is a name passed on through the generations," Lucifer explained happily. "The entire lineage shares a skill for rather traditional, practical illusions. The man who is stabbed with a sword yet lives, that sort of thing."

And then he launched into quite a monologue about all the various illusions the Magnars had accomplished over the years.

[betterthanaplan]

Duke was fascinated. He managed to pop in a question here and there, but for the most part he just ate and listened.

And made sure Lucifer’s wine glass stayed full.

[my_own_advocate]

"There's a private club in Los Angeles for magicians," Lucifer concluded. "The only one. Well, after the one I started with Rasputin ended... either way, it's a special place. I do sometimes think about visiting it again, but... well. Los Angeles."