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

[betterthanaplan]

“I’ve brought it up exactly twice. We are definitely not in groaning territory on it yet.”

[my_own_advocate]

"It was terrible enough the first time to justify the groaning," Lucifer told him. "The look on Octavia's face!"

[betterthanaplan]

“Was the same as how she looks at half of what we say,” Duke said. “And anyway, I stand by it. Your scruff is just part of what makes you truly shine, even though it’s technically’unkempt’.”

[my_own_advocate]

"Only very technically," Lucifer said, tapping at his jaw. "I put a great deal of thought into it."

[betterthanaplan]

“Of course you did. You put thought into your whole appearance. And you knew that that ‘imperfection’ just makes you more attractive.” Duke shook his head. “I really don’t get why this is upsetting you.”

[my_own_advocate]

"... Well, I wouldn't say I'm upset," Lucifer said.

[betterthanaplan]

“Okay,” Duke said. “You’re just pushing back on it kinda hard is all.”

[my_own_advocate]

"I honestly thought we had already moved on to my scruff," Lucifer said slowly. "My only issue with the Cindy Crawford comments, besides your usual denial about your terrible fashion sense, is that I think it made Octavia feel left out the first time around."

[betterthanaplan]

“I was including the scruff,” Duke said. “And, well . . . yeah, that’s a good point.”

[my_own_advocate]

"Why do you think I'm upset about the scruff?" Lucifer asked.

His face was, at this point, all confusion.

[betterthanaplan]

“I don’t know, man, you seemed kind of offended. Like I was . . . insulting you or something by calling it ‘imperfect’.”

[my_own_advocate]

"Oh, no," Lucifer said, rubbing at his scruff again. "Merely commenting on the difficulty of maintaining this level of outward imperfection."

[betterthanaplan]

Duke nodded, though his brow was still furrowed.

He’d done something similar with Octavia too, reading more into her reactions than she said was there. He didn’t like it; it felt like he wasn’t connecting properly with reality.

Which was supposed to jot happen anymore, now he wasn’t full up on aether. Though maybe that was wishful thinking. . . .

[my_own_advocate]

"... Penny for your thoughts?" Lucifer prompted, after a moment.

[betterthanaplan]

That startled Duke into looking up. Lucifer used that with Octavia all the time, but it was the first time Duke had heard it.

“Just.” He shook his head. “It’s stupid. Don’t worry about it.”

[my_own_advocate]

"If you're sure," Lucifer said, eyebrows crawling up.

[betterthanaplan]

“Yeah,” Duke decided. “Nothing to worry about.” He raised his glass. “Here’s to your gloriously deliberate scruff.”

[my_own_advocate]

"Thank you, thank you," Lucifer said, sipping his wine.

But there was definitely still a question in his eyes.

[betterthanaplan]

Yah, Duke noticed. He was still wrapping his own head around his thoughts, though, and didn’t think he’d be able to get them out in a way that wouldn’t side-track them even further.

“Finish up,” he said instead, gesturing to Lucifer’s plate with his chin. “I threw together some basbousa for dessert.”

[my_own_advocate]

"Oooh," Lucifer said, and now his eyes were lighting up with something else. "You really felt inspired this time, didn't you?"

[betterthanaplan]

“It’s always nice to have a theme,” Duke said cheerfully. He finished off his current glass of wine. “And I know how much you like sweets.”

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer chuckled, delighted. "This is very true," he said. "Right. Hold on."

He was shoveling the rest of that sandwich into his mouth, yes.

[betterthanaplan]

Duke let out a soft chuckle at that excess and hopped up to grab the little sweet cakes he’d prepared.

No need to push anticipation here. That was what the bedroom was for, later.

[my_own_advocate]

"You spoil me," Lucifer called after him, once he'd swallowed (not dirty).

He sat back with a satisfied grin.

[betterthanaplan]

“It’s only fair. You spoil me too.” Duke set the dessert down at both their spots and dropped a kiss on Lucifer’s head from behind before going to sit again. “I haven’t actually tried this recipe before. Hopefully it came out.”