+- Court of the Fallen (https://cotf-rpg.com)
+-- Forum: Out of Character (https://cotf-rpg.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=26)
+--- Forum: Important (https://cotf-rpg.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=27)
+---- Forum: Archives (https://cotf-rpg.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=38)
+---- Thread: future's so bright it's burning (/showthread.php?tid=10725)
future's so bright it's burning - Dantalion - 02-21-2025
Suffice to say that the celebrations for Asta's birthday went on so long into the night that very little was accomplished other than Danta waking up under a table somewhere and finding that he'd almost choked himself out trying to remove his tie. And after that, of course, there had been the weird bells festival, and with the arrival of Longnight, he's been a little busy making sure all of the fires in the Dusklight stay high and that everyone choosing to spend the week there is fed, watered, warm and happy.
But that doesn't mean he's forgotten about his beau, or the birthday gifts he's yet to lavish upon him. So whenever Asta does come up to the room they share, he'll open the door to find it softly lit with candles in small glass jars, casting halos of red and gold and cerulean across the walls. The room would be considered sweltering for anyone who isn't an Ancient, and Danta has no intention of turning down the heat.
[say]"Just the man I wanted to see,"[/say] he purrs, stepping out from their den, shirtless in a pair of striped pajama pants. [say]"I hope you don't have plans for the next few hours."[/say]
RE: future's so bright it's burning - Astaroth - 02-21-2025
It has been a busy start to LongNight. Even busier today, with the fact he’s been downstairs taking care of a few roughhousers that have decided today of all days they wanted to cause problems. However, settled quickly, the butcher’s pleased with the outcome but tired, especially with the amount he’s needed to utilize his still sore arm.
The Dusklight calms as the hours wane on, and the butcher finally has a chance to step away, slinking back toward the bedroom with the quiet murmur of if you need me, kindly don’t come and find me :). At least, not for a while that is.
So the butcher slips into the room, setting the threaded cane to the side and has already begun loosening the tie around his neck when he stills to see Danta emerge from their den, his dark gaze roving over him with appreciation and the twitch of a sharp grin. “[say]I told them that they didn’t require my assistance for the rest of the evening.[/say]” Seeing the reflection of the multihued flames and the beautifully suffocating warmth, the butcher’s tie is still loose as he drifts in further to close the distance between him and Danta. “[say]I am all yours, darling.[/say]” In more ways than one, if he thought about it longer than the superficial answer.
RE: future's so bright it's burning - Dantalion - 02-21-2025
[say]"Good. I hoped you'd say that,"[/say] Danta says with a sly smile, padding across the room to meet Asta and reaching out instantly to unknot his tie properly and slip it from around his neck. [say]"You've been very busy today."[/say] It isn't a complaint, because if Asta is busy then it means that the Dusklight is in need of his very particular services, and the Maverick will never regret having those sorts of skills to hand. But he has missed him.
[say]"Anything to be concerned about?"[/say] he wonders, long fingers absently unbuttoning the other man's waistcoat and the shirt beneath. Whether or not there's anything he ought to worry about downstairs, he still doesn't intend for them to do anything about it yet. Instead, nodding up towards the mezzanine level where there are more candles burning and casting their rings of coloured light, Danta grins.
[say]"I've got a surprise for you, if you head up there."[/say]
RE: future's so bright it's burning - Astaroth - 02-21-2025
A low hum leaves him as Danta’s warm hands begin to unravel the knot of his tie and the buttons of his waistcoat and the shirt beneath. He settles, hands falling limply to his sides while his tail flicks idly in a mixture of being tired but also quite content to be right here. “[say]It is only the average rambunctiousness that occurs when too many feel as though they’re cooped together.[/say]” Hot heads and rivaling ideas, yet all with the same base sense to be somewhere warm and inviting.
So, long story short, nothing horrible or offending, just something that required a strong hand. “[say]They will calm down.[/say]” He murmurs, leaning into the touch before he catches the nod toward the mezzanine and the butcher’s horned head angles toward it curiously, spotting the flares of multicolored fires reflecting from above. “[say]Oh? How generous of you.[/say]” Comes the playful tease before he’s reaching up to tug Danta against him in a quick hug and a chaste kiss, unable to part from him so quickly.
When he does, he shrugs out of the waistcoat and untucks the shirt to slip it off his shoulders before he climbs up the ladder of the mezzanine, scouting immediately for the present with bated breath.
RE: future's so bright it's burning - Dantalion - 02-21-2025
[say]"Oh, of course. I'm surprised nothing has been broken so far - though I imagine that's down to your excellent influence."[/say] Winking and releasing Asta only to find himself drawn back against the other man, Danta leans into the warm touch of his fingers and the unexpectedly gentle press of his lips, already wanting to reach after him when he finally does make his way towards the ladder.
Rolling his shoulders and slinking after the butcher instead, Danta waits until he's made it to the level above before he begins to climb, raising his eyebrows questioningly. [say]"What do you think?"[/say] he asks.
Asta will be presented by something that looks very much like a second den; the Maverick has carefully moved all of the usual furnishings against the wall so he might fix a canopy of rich blankets and silks overhead, and the floor is scattered with cushions, furs and other sheets and pillows. Amongst the candles he's lit, there's also a delicate case of small vials - scented oils, as it happens.
[say]"Since we were far too drunk for me to give you your birthday gift on your party, I thought I might give it to you now."[/say]
RE: future's so bright it's burning - Astaroth - 02-23-2025
Snorting lightly, because he too is surprised nothing has been broken yet, the butcher also chalks it up to being under threat. Things were different last LongNight — he had been new and the patrons had certainly done their best to press buttons. This year, it was calmer, though whether or not it’s because of the rumors that last year’s number one offender had gone missing, the butcher isn’t sure.
Nor would he feel inclined to tell anyone who isn’t the Maverick.
Instead, he’s climbing up the mezzanine, reaching the top and slipping off the ladder so that he isn’t blocking Danta from approaching. He’s drifting further in, hand outstretched to run along the fabric that makes up the walls of the second den, relishing in the feel of the silks and furs. His grin is bright as it is sharp as he slips easily out of his shoes and twists back toward Danta once he’s made it to the second level. “[say]This is beautiful, darling.[/say]” Already he’s reaching for Danta’s hands or the flare of his pants at his hip to pull him close again, unable to keep the distance between them. “[say]I am glad you waited.. I imagine I would have had a huge difficulty getting up here with how inebriated I was at the end of the celebration.[/say]” He murmurs through the gentle laugh, but his embrace blooms with all the signs of his adoration and excitement, cautious to not knock over any oils as he tugs Danta with him so that they might be able to get comfortable.
RE: future's so bright it's burning - Dantalion - 02-24-2025
Preening under the compliment despite knowing instinctively that Asta would like his choice of decor, Danta steps off the ladder and onto the mezzanine just in time to be ferried closer to the butcher once again. [say]"You and me both,"[/say] he admits, running warm and surprisingly gentle hands across Asta's scarred shoulders and down his chest towards his waist. [say]"I'm glad you like it,"[/say] he adds, busy unbuckling the other man's belt so it doesn't get too much in the way, before he succumbs to sitting with him among the silks and furs.
[say]"I got these from the market in King's End,"[/say] Danta says of the oils, reaching past Asta to drum his fingers along the case before flipping the lid open to reveal them. [say]"So if you wouldn't mind it, I can finally give you that shoulder rub - a gentle one, I promise."[/say] Flashing the butcher a fanged grin, he gestures around them. [say]"And then if you're too relaxed to climb back down, we can sleep up here too."[/say] If Asta looks close he might spot the muzzle glinting somewhere nearby, already prepared just in case.
RE: future's so bright it's burning - Astaroth - 02-24-2025
He can’t help but to agree – recalling Danta’s state at the end of the night. Not that the butcher was much better. The hangover had been a nightmare from all the chocolate martinis, but at least it was in the past now. And he has this to look forward to – and he does, even if the last time had been horribly painful. They know the limits this time and his injured arm would probably appreciate the softer attention.
Easily adjusting himself to make it easier for Danta to remove his belt, the butcher finally gets comfortable before he finds himself leaning forward in the makeshift bed to inspect the oils Danta flourishes for him to see. His gaze flits to Danta’s face, charmed and open and bright even as he says they can sleep up there – wary of the idea, until he catches the glint of the muzzle in the corner of his eyes and he softens immediately.
He'd really gone through all of the steps to ensure this would be a great birthday gift – and it was so incredibly appreciated. “[say]You truly did think of everything, didn’t you?[/say]” Comes the soft purr, sitting straight and tucking his long legs in as he regards his lover with a quiet excitement. “[say]Well, what is required of me to get started, then?[/say]” Horns here or gone, hair sprawled out where the ends feather against his spine. At least his shirt is already shed, leaving him in all his scarred glory to regard the Maverick excitedly.
RE: future's so bright it's burning - Dantalion - 02-25-2025
[say]"I tried,"[/say] Danta says with an air of modesty that neither of them will truly believe, and he's already leaning back to snag the bottle of red wine and two glasses he'd squirrelled up onto the mezzanine earlier that day. [say]"As long as you like it, that's all that matters. And as for what's required of you? Just relax, Asta. That's all you ned to do."[/say] Handing him the wine glass and taking a slow sip of his own, only after he sets the drink down does Danta shift forward properly to kneel behind the other man.
[say]"I think for now you can stay sitting up,"[/say] he decides. [say]"So no glamour needed just yet."[/say] Smirking and leaning over Asta's shoulder to press a kiss to his cheek, it's with deft and gentle hands that the Maverick sweeps his lover's dark hair up off the back of his neck, using a tie around his wrist to fasten it into an effortless knot that shouldn't feel too tight but will also give him room to work.
Pressing his hands against the top of Asta's shoulders, Danta spends a further few moments paying particular attention to his injured arm, checking the range of motion and whether it causes pain when moved in certain directions. Only once he's satisfied does he sit back on his knees again, drawing the case of oils towards him. [say]"Okay, now you promise you'll tell me if it hurts?"[/say] He smirks, and the butcher will hear the gentle clinking of glass before the Maverick's hands return to him, warmed by oil that smells of jojoba and bergamot.
Letting his fingers glide in smooth strokes across the scarred planes of Asta's shoulder blades and up the back of his neck, if there are any knots to be found today, Danta won't force him out so much as tease them into release, his eyes falling shut to feel rather than see what he's doing.
RE: future's so bright it's burning - Astaroth - 02-25-2025
“[say]I feel as if I should be doing more.[/say]” The butcher comments, despite knowing better – still not entirely used to taking gifts for what they were. He does, however, take the wine glass with a smile, taking a sip before he lets it cradle between his fingers as Danta kneels behind him. He remains sitting, just as instructed, sinking back against his heels, his tail sweeping up around in front of him where the ashen tip flicks back and forth as he leans into the kiss pressed to his cheek.
He feels his hair sweep up off of his neck before the spread of warm hands against the top of his shoulders, moving his arm however Danta sees fit. It moves mostly well enough – some tightness where it comes to lifting up too high, but the butcher sips easily from the wine glass as his lover takes the notes of the injured arm. “[say]I promise, darling.[/say]” The butcher purrs softly, tilting his head briefly to glance over his shoulder and let the smile reflect in his honey dark gaze, settling in.
And much like before, the softer hand works wonders against his skin with the oils – allowing it to be a smooth transition to work out the knots in his neck and between his shoulder blades. It takes all of a few moments before the butcher’s head hangs a little in his comfort, his own eyes closing as he relishes in the touch. “[say]I did not realize I was so tense.[/say]” Comes the quiet rumble, relaxing further under Danta’s movements.
RE: future's so bright it's burning - Dantalion - 02-25-2025
[say]"You're kidding, right? I reckon it'll take every bit of energy and willpower you have to make yourself relax,"[/say] Danta says with a chuckle, his voice low and quiet as he continues to work careful fingers against the butcher's scar-flecked shoulders. Moving slowly and gently, his thumbs pressing into the lines of muscle that cord up the back of Asta's neck, once he's happy with this initial pass, he presses the heel of his palm between the other man's shoulders, instructing him to lean into it.
Whether or not it cracks Asta's back is by the by - it should at least let him stretch out his chest. [say]"I think you get tense almost as quickly as I work these knots out, honestly,"[/say] he chimes, his tone playful and his fingers returning to their usual ministrations. [say]"You must carry a lot of stress as head of security. I'll be sure to book you in some mental health days."[/say]
Letting fire flare beneath his fingers now as if to inject it directly into the abused muscles, the heat and the citrus work in tandem until he comes across a particularly tight spot on Asta's back. [say]"That one can wait until you're laying down,"[/say] he decides. [say]"Which you can do whenever you like now, by the way."[/say]
RE: future's so bright it's burning - Astaroth - 02-25-2025
Snorting, because he has a point, the butcher sighs a moment of concession while his head remains hung, feeling the hands pass over his scar tissue and relishing in it – the oils help it from hurting and snagging on the rough skin, while Danta’s gentle motions make it easier to not feel the immediate rush of pain, even as he leans into the deeper pressure.
His back does pop, in two places between his shoulders and he feels as if he can take a full breath. “[say]Do those mental health days include being sequestered here in our den..s with you?[/say]” Comes the playful remark, before feeling the fire press in against his bones and a huff of content sound escapes him, tail still flicking idly – proving that even if he wasn’t speaking, it was a welcome and good feeling touch.
Even when Danta gets to the particularly difficult knot. He takes a deep breath when his lover withdraws slightly and the butcher begins to shift to lay down on his stomach, setting the wine glass aside after swallowing down another sip. “[say]Glamour up yet or no?[/say]” Comes the question as he twists his horned head to peer over his shoulder toward the Maverick.
RE: future's so bright it's burning - Dantalion - 02-25-2025
[say]"They might."[/say] Danta grins, sitting back enough to allow Asta to shift and lay down on his front, the Maverick taking the opportunity to wipe off his hands and snag his own wine to take a long sip of it. [say]"They're mental health days. You're supposed to use them for whatever you like."[/say] He winks. [say]"Especially things that make you feel good. So if that's what would tick those boxes for you, then absolutely."[/say]
Taking a few moments to fuss with the oils he's got available and to shamelessly admire the butcher as he stretched out and gets comfortable, Danta shifts at last to sit astride him. [say]"I think up now, yes,"[/say] he agrees with a nod. [say]"Otherwise we both know your tail is going to try and get involved in this somehow."[/say] Grinning, because even he doesn't know if it's an innuendo, the Maverick reaches out to work the new oil into Asta's back, filling the space with the scent of sweet almond and shea.
RE: future's so bright it's burning - Astaroth - 02-25-2025
As he gets comfortable and his question is answered, his back rises and falls with the breaths he takes and the amused huffs of a quiet laugh, nodding. “[say]Perfect.[/say]” And maybe with the door wide open of opportunities, the Maverick would be annoyed with how many days he decided to take solely just so that he could curl up in their den with Danta and not have to face the rest of the world.
For now, though, he’s getting precisely that, in this new addition to their room that Danta has crafted into such a comforting perfection that the shoulder and back rub certainly is exhausting him in a content manner. “[say]Is that so?[/say]” He teases, the tail in question winding around Danta’s leg momentarily once he’s sitting astride him, before the glamour gets put up and the horns melt away. His tail does, too, the strange ache of pressure alleviating swiftly. Taking a deep breath and settling in with his head propped up on his arms, the butcher promptly sinks into the blankets and the smells that erupt around him.
“[say]That smells divine.[/say]” He comments, eyes shutting as he remains settled for Danta to start.