Luke's, Thursday

[betterthanaplan]

"I'm just saying," Duke said, looking around the diner. "I've got a lot of time on my hands right now. Maybe it's time to shake things up around here."

Ali and Greg exchanged glances. They'd been through a couple of these. "Like what?" Ali asked.

"Don't know. Name change, at least. Maybe some more outdoor patio space. A brick oven in the kitchen. . . ."

"He could at least wait for another shark to fly through the front wall," Greg muttered.

"I'm just going to pretend that's a euphemism," Duke said. "And not probably completely literally true."

Today's specials
Catch of the day!
Caribbean fish tacos

Luke's was open.

Comments

[thatwaslucky]

Rey was on her way home after training, and decided maybe she should stay out a little longer, considering yesterday had ended in weapons in the ceiling below her. So just in case, she came in, carefully leaning her staff within reach. "Hey there."

[betterthanaplan]

"Hey." Duke offered her a smile. "Fish tacos?"

[thatwaslucky]

"Sure, why not." If you ever saw her say no to food, something was wrong. "How are you doing today?"

[betterthanaplan]

Duke put the order in. "I'm doing alright. Had kind of an adventure this weekend, back in Lucifer's LA."

That had involved a fair amount of freaking out over the fact that the Devil could bleed. So . . . that was a thing.

[thatwaslucky]

"You okay?" she checked, because adventure could mean a lot of things.

[betterthanaplan]

"I'm good." He tilted his head and shrugged. "You know, now. Kinda pissed at Luce for not coming back with us."

[thatwaslucky]

"Ah. Sorry," she said, frowning. "Is this a permanent thing?"

(Well. She was genuinely sorry he was upset about it. She was personally cool with not having to think about avoiding someone who made her uncomfortable.)

[betterthanaplan]

Which was totally fair for her.

"Probably? He's back in his girl's good graces again, apparently. Or got 'closure' or whatever. So he doesn't have to run from LA anymore."

[thatwaslucky]

"As reasons go, that actually doesn't sound like a bad one," Rey admitted. Imagine what closure even felt like.

[betterthanaplan]

Duke had no idea. He was pretty sure Lucifer didn't know, either.

"Yeah, I guess. Octavia's going to be a wreck, though."

[thatwaslucky]

"It takes time." She knew. "It's easier if there's still contact."

[betterthanaplan]

"He did say we were welcome to visit. You know, assuming his world doesn't go into time quarantine again."

[thatwaslucky]

"The time thing is absolutely the scariest part about being here," Rey admitted.

[okteiviakom]

It seemed the comedown from all the various aspects of the weekend was finally hitting Octavia hard today. She felt uneasy, off-balance.

But she was here for lunch, anyway.

"Ha yun."

[betterthanaplan]

"Ha yun, snogon," Duke said, giving her a big smile. "I've got something good cooking today."

"I'm the one cooking," Greg muttered. Duke ignored him.

[okteiviakom]

"What is it?" Octavia asked, stepping closer.

Also ignoring Greg.

[betterthanaplan]

"Fish tacos," Duke said proudly, adopting an island accent. "Caribbean style. A little fruity, a little spicy, a lot tasty."

[okteiviakom]

Octavia generally loved his silly accents. But right now, she couldn't really get there.

Her voice stayed mild. "Sounds good."

[betterthanaplan]

Duke noticed. "I'll get them started, then."

"I'll get them started," Greg grumbled.

"You doing okay?" Duke asked, ignoring him again.

[okteiviakom]

Octavia glanced away, towards the kitchen.

"You should maybe give Greg more of the credit he's due." That was that guy's name, right? She thought it was.

[betterthanaplan]

"Thank you!" Greg yelled.

Duke shut his eyes and nodded. "Yes. Thank you for cooking, Greg. And for only being minimally obnoxious about it."

[okteiviakom]

"See?" Octavia said, just to say it. Then she inclined her head towards one of the tables. "I'll just take a seat."

Maybe he'd forget she hadn't answered him.

[betterthanaplan]

"And because Greg is cooking, I can come join you," Duke said. "And we can try that whole 'are you okay' question again."

Yeah, he'd noticed.

[okteiviakom]

"Isn't it Claire's job to ask that?" Octavia replied on a poorly suppressed sigh as she moved over to the table, sinking down into a chair.

(Claire had actually asked, "Is there a reason you're extra quiet today?" And then followed it up with, "I'm taking your deafening silence as a yes.")

[betterthanaplan]

"I'm not allowed to be concerned about my snogon?" Duke sat down across from her, propping his head on his hand. "Because I gotta tell you, that's a rule I definitely am going to be breaking."