Work Text:
Something smelled good.
Lucifer had been in his workshop tinkering with something unimportant when he realized this, his head immediately perking up in confusion. He sniffed the air a few times, setting his screwdriver down before opening a portal to the dining room that he and Dahlia usually ate in.
“Dahlia?”
Dahlia practically sprinted into the dining room from the kitchen, exhaling in relief when she saw Lucifer was only peeking in.
“Yes?”
“Did you order dinner already? Something smells good.”
“You think so?”
“Yeah! What’d you get? It doesn’t smell like anything we usually order.”
“That’s because it’s not the usual.” Dahlia said, gently pushing Lucifer back into his side of the portal. “I’ll let you know when it’s on the table, okay? Just go back to… whatever you were doing.” she instructed, Lucifer tilting his head as she rushed back to the kitchen.
“Okay…”
Lucifer frowned as he retreated into his workshop, confounded by the mysterious yet alluring scent that was slowly building up. He spent the next fifteen minutes wondering what it could be, his vibrating phone eventually pulling him from his thoughts.
<3 Dahlia <3: Dinner’s ready.
Though it wouldn’t take more than two seconds for Lucifer to reach the dining room, he smiled and sent Dahlia a string of playful emojis (🥳🫂😚💕) before putting his tools aside and portaling his way back into the dining room. He was surprised to see that it wasn't takeout spread upon the table, but a home cooked meal worthy of an overworked husband… something he hadn’t been in years.
“Uh…”
“You must be starving. I think this is the most excited you’ve ever been for dinner.”
Lucifer looked up to see Dahlia entering the dining room once more, this time holding a set of dishes. She didn’t make eye contact with him just yet, focused on arranging the dishes at the seats they usually occupied.
“Did you cook all of this yourself?”
Dahlia hummed in confirmation, setting the last dish in place before pulling a bottle of wine from her apron pocket and setting it on the table. The meal looked nothing short of delicious– a rich apple-topped salad and buttered rolls sitting beside a tender roast with some kind of sauce drizzled over it.
“I don’t expect you to love it… I’m not too familiar with how Hell's meats are best cooked and served. But I hope it’s at least edible.”
“Dahlia, this is… what is this for?”
Dahlia looked at Lucifer, confused.
“What do you mean?”
“This is the first time you’ve ever cooked for me. What’s the occasion?”
Dahlia’s expression softened as she picked up on the nervous undertone of Lucifer's words. He was always so anxious... she found it adorable and saddening that he thought the only reason she'd do something this nice for him is because there was something in particular to celebrate.
Dahlia walked over to Lucifer, crouching down and gently squishing his face in her hands.
“The ‘occasion’ is me loving and trusting you more than anyone else."
As Dahlia leaned in and gently kissed Lucifer, he knew exactly what she was trying to say without saying it. He knew all about her ex-husband and how his betrayal had left a literal shroud over her soul. It had taken Lucifer years to earn Dahlia’s trust enough for her to agree to dating him, let alone move in with him. Her cooking was a clear message, and her words confirming it made his heart flutter in a way he hadn't felt since Charlie's birth.
When Dahlia tried to pull away, Lucifer brought her back in for a deeper kiss, the two of them melting into each other for a moment before finally breaking apart. Lucifer took a moment to collect himself before looking away from Dahlia’s affectionate gaze and glancing at the table.
“...Any chance of us taking dinner up to the bedroom?”
“No. But if you eat fast, I’ll let you have dessert right after.”
Lucifer looked Dahlia up and down, then raised his eyebrows inquisitively. When she nodded and gently ran her finger down his jaw, he grinned and kissed her hand before rushing over to sit at the table, looking over the spread before focusing his gaze back onto Dahlia and giving her a flirtatious look.
“Well then, let's stop the stalling and dig in. Daddy’s got an appetite tonight…”
Dahlia let out a soft chuckle and stood up, smoothing out her dress before joining Lucifer at the table. After portioning out both of their servings she kissed the top of his head before sitting beside him and picking up her fork.
“Bon appétit, Luci.”