The Devil's Nest, Friday Night

[my_own_advocate]

"So I'm thinking avant garde banjo players, accompanied by harpsichord," Lucifer said, eyeing his phone as he sat at the bar. "And the week after that, hm... electronica? Well, that's rarely anything but noise..."

There was a new sign that said Suggestions for musical acts [NOT HERE] go here.

There was another sign that promised 20% off select bottles of white wine.

Lucifer's face was buried in his phone, either way. He was-- trying to focus. It was hard, under the circumstances.

(He really hoped he wouldn't have to postpone this opening.)

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[betterthanaplan]

Duke would feel very bad if Lucifer had to postpone his grand opening for him.

Eventually. Right now, Duke wasn't feeling anything more than sorry for himself as he slowly worked his way to the bottom of a bottle of the Nest's finest bourbon, slouched in a booth in the corner.

Fucking Haven. Well. At least maybe he could hope that this time would be the last time it dragged him back.

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer got as far as throat singing before he had to give up on the whole exercises. He just. Really. Couldn't focus.

So he sank down next to Duke in the booth, sighing. "Well, now I understand how a town can feel like a massive dark cloud hanging over your head."

[betterthanaplan]

Duke let out a humorless chuckle. "Welcome to my entire life, then."

[my_own_advocate]

"That was the implication," Lucifer said. He slid a companionable arm around Duke's shoulders. "I'm sorry."

[betterthanaplan]

Duke harrumphed.

But still leaned into Lucifer's arm.

"I just -- I really want to be done with all of that. But I'm not really that lucky, am I."

[my_own_advocate]

"Perhaps after this time," Lucifer said. He was trying to be hopeful. "And you have been wandering around with this Audrey thing gnawing at you for some time."

[betterthanaplan]

"Yeah," Duke said with a sigh. "I don't know. I'd almost . . . accepted it. Her being gone. Or never knowing either way, I guess. It'll be nice if we can find her, but." He tossed back the rest of his drink. "This isn't going to be any fun for any of us. And I hate that."

[my_own_advocate]

"Not everything can be fun all the time," Lucifer said, rubbing at his nose. "Unfortunately. At least we've had-- some time, this time."

[betterthanaplan]

"Not enough," Duke said, his words starting to slur just a little.

He was reminded suddenly of sitting here with Lucifer after Octavia had set him off in the hold of his boat. His drinking had a similar sort of desperate quality to it tonight.

"It's never long enough."

Maybe he was starting to get a sense of why eternity appealed to so many people.

[okteiviakom]

Octavia found her way to him eventually, with that same drifting quality that she'd had coming in.

She brought a glass of water with her.

[betterthanaplan]

It took a moment for Duke to register her drifting over, but when he did, he stretched out a hand.

"C'mere."

He felt the biggest need to apologize to her.

[okteiviakom]

Octavia slid the water onto the table in front of him, before using that same freed hand to take his. She slid onto the seat next to him.

Said nothing.

[betterthanaplan]

Duke appreciated the water. Or would, when it helped him not be too hungover in the morning.

He appreciated even more her quiet presence. He leaned into her and pressed his nose to her hair.

[okteiviakom]

Octavia was slow about sliding her arm around him, but she did it, tugging him in a little further.

Feeling him against her side.

[betterthanaplan]

“I’m sorry,” Duke said after a long moment. He’d already apologized to Lucifer, but Octavia had actually been to Haven.

[okteiviakom]

"Not your fault," Octavia murmured.

Kind of was, mostly wasn't.

[betterthanaplan]

"Doesn't stop me from being sorry," Duke said.

Because yeah, he was pretty sure it kind of was.

[okteiviakom]

Octavia had headed out into the preserve, after... Well. Just, after.

It hadn't done much to the building trepidation in her gut, but it had done something, all the same. Enough that she eventually returned to the town, and found her way to the Nest.

Just quietly drifting in.

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer had already given up on his plans and then some, so he swept towards her with a custom-blended fruit smoothie. "Here."

[okteiviakom]

"Thanks," Octavia half-muttered, reaching for it.

This didn't feel like a loud time.

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer sighed.

His arms slid around her waist the moment she took the glass from him.

[okteiviakom]

Octavia leaned into it.

Or at least as much as she could while also bringing the glass up to her lips. She didn't want to spill any on him.

[my_own_advocate]

"How are you doing?" Lucifer asked her softly.

[okteiviakom]

Octavia's voice was just as soft. And a little tired.

And a lot resigned.

"I hate this."

[my_own_advocate]

"Likewise," Lucifer said. "Oh, so likewise."