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+---- Thread: [SE] kept us awake with wolves teeth (/showthread.php?tid=10231)
RE: kept us awake with wolves teeth - Astaroth - 10-15-2024
“[say]It was by design, darling.[/say]” Astaroth can’t help the amusement that flickers across his face with it, the incline of his head that makes any challenge of the alternative vanish in the air. “[say]We did not typically learn of our heritage growing up. It was not the happy, close-knit families often seen these days. We lived without knowing whom we were related to until our rite of passage – so, thirteen?[/say]” The story itself is one he hadn’t expected to explain, but he finds that he doesn’t mind. And it’s one he puts in a pin in for the moment as he starts to usher the Maverick back toward the bed, toward the den that greets them with blissful darkness and flickering candlelight, of bones that waft amongst the drapery from the simple movement of their bodies as they slip beneath the mezzanine.
“[say]I more than likely would not be here, nor have had a beautiful chance of a second life.[/say]” Of being Ancient, he means. Because his identity had become something else entirely. He had been named by them, his Whitebrim name vanishing from anyone’s memories or stories. The only ones who knew of it, stood within this room.
Either way, the butcher goes slow as to not jostle Danta when his legs meet the mattress, but it’s enough time for the blonde to get the waistcoat unbuttoned. He remains standing while the Theocrat slumps down onto the bed and the butcher slips out of the waistcoat, placing it on a hanger before he starts to loosen the tie around his neck. “[say]Anyway, every one of us was given to a Matriarch, but evidently my mother was a sadist in that mine and my siblings Matriarch had been hand chosen. She was… Well, if you can imagine a black widow in the form of a thin woman with razor sharp teeth…?[/say]” Danta would get the idea. Thankfully it was nothing like Morax, to be sure, but it was still something he thinks back on now and again. “[say]I was the youngest of three, you see, and she was getting old by then. Her mind was going––[/say]” he pauses in his unbuttoning of his shirt once the tie is hung to gesture toward his horned head, distracted easily by the story and the hand movements. “[say] ––And one day during lessons, when I was ten, she informed me of whom my siblings were. It was a dreadful day.[/say]” He finishes this part of the story, letting the nostalgia drain from his gaze as he focuses on Danta with a laugh that bubbles from his chest, trying to ride that balance of amusement and dramatics.
RE: kept us awake with wolves teeth - Dantalion - 10-16-2024
The soft tilt of Danta's head suggests that, whilst he understands what Asta says in principle, he definitely finds it odd to say the least. [say]"Why?"[/say] he wonders, before clarifying, leaning back on one hand on the bed. [say]"Why keep it from you until then, I mean? Were they worried you'd all try to fuck your sisters or something if they didn't tell you?"[/say] But in which case, why bother keeping it from them at all?
Watching Asta casually enough as he hangs up his waistcoat and flits around the little space, Danta doesn't hide the affection (or the appreciation) in his eyes, and he nods his agreement. [say]"On behalf of your beautiful second life, then, congratulations on running like hell."[/say] He winks. Unable to stop himself, he reaches out to assist with the unbuttoning of the butcher's shirt, having pulled his own excuse for a sweater over his head while Asta was dealing with his tie.
[say]"She sounds delightful,"[/say] he drawls as the other man continues, letting warm fingers slip against his belt to tug playfully, as if to topple him down onto the bed with him. Again, he'd never have taken the butcher for the youngest child (though maybe he ought to reconsider, given his penchant for whining), but he stifles that surprise to continue to listen. [say]"What made it so bad?"[/say] he wonders, of the dreadful day in question.
RE: kept us awake with wolves teeth - Astaroth - 10-16-2024
“[say]Mm, yes and no.[/say]” He starts to explain, letting his dark gaze linger on Danta as he makes himself more comfortable on the bed. “[say]There was a worry of inbreeding, but the goal was to make us self sufficient in not knowing in our more formative years.[/say]” So, not knowing and only relying on oneself until becoming their version of a true cannibal, meant they were just as ruthless as they needed to be.
It also helped those that wished to become scouts feel more comfortable in isolation.
Letting go of his shirt in the attempt of unbuttoning it so Danta can finish it, the butcher is content to flash an adoring smile and a small thank you murmured before he delves into his story of his beldam matriarch. Of course, he’s jostled by the way Danta tugs at his belt and he does lose his balance, dropping to catch himself with arms placed on either side of the Maverick, pulled directly into his space, nearer to his face with a huff of a laugh.
“[say]Because, darling, my siblings were nightmares, and I was young imagining I could get close to them. However, you are not supposed to interact regularly until you have your teeth sharpened.[/say]” He hums, remaining in Danta’s space with that bright, too sharp smile for emphasis. “[say]My sister was a menace to me in particular and my brother was a pious bastard that was devoured when I was sixteen.[/say]”
RE: kept us awake with wolves teeth - Dantalion - 10-16-2024
It's with brows softly furrowed that Danta finally gains something of an understanding of the cannibal tribe of Whitebrim that Asta had grown up in, and though he nods his silent comprehension, his mind will return to this moment often in the coming hours and days. [say]"Looks like that mindset came back to bite them in the end,"[/say] he says eventually, his voice quiet in the suddenly diminished space between Asta's lips and his own. [say]"Literally. If they'd favoured a little more teamwork, perhaps they wouldn't have ripped each other apart like that."[/say]
Not that Danta can talk; he and the butcher are proof enough of how long it has taken for the Maverick to put his trust in another person, and that had been a thorny road in itself. But they have done it, leaving those particular skeletons in the closet as much as they can, and it's with Asta's hushed laughter filling his ears that he slips his arms around the other man through his open shirt, fingers skating across his back beneath the decadent fabric.
[say]"It's strange to think of you as a child,"[/say] he admits with a soft scrunch of his nose. [say]"Makes me want to find that sister of yours and snap her fingers, if she were alive here now. I wouldn't want to overstep, though. You deserve that honour, after all."[/say]
RE: kept us awake with wolves teeth - Astaroth - 10-16-2024
“[say]Mm, agreed.[/say]” He hums, equally as quiet in the small space between them after Danta has pulled him closer. He remains hovering above him for the moment as warm hands spread over his back, in through the open half of his shirt, still tucked in toward the back.
His touch is a siren song and he leans into it, shifting to better settle on the bed so he can shed out of the shirt, draping it nicely on the edge of the bed before he starts working on ridding Danta of his own shirt (so he can’t be tempted to pull on the holes within the fishnet). “[say]Oh? I would love to see that.[/say]” He purrs, nosing his way in to snatch a chaste kiss.
It’s like the Maverick hit the jackpot on the butcher’s love language. The gift of torture for those that had done him wrong? Gods, he’s swooning.
“[say]If I recall, she was one of the casualties when I returned. I did not even get a chance to gloat about what monster I had become.[/say]” His grin twists more bloodthirsty, more playful as he shifts to roll onto his side at Danta’s side, even as he does honestly mourn the loss of not being able to take pride in his Ancientness.
RE: kept us awake with wolves teeth - Dantalion - 10-16-2024
Raising his arms dutifully and arching his back to let Asta strip him of the pitiable scraps of fabric he calls a sweater, Danta of course doesn't care where his clothes end up; left wearing only his striped pajama bottoms, it isn't as if he's going to mourn their loss if they get wrinkled or torn or burnt. [say]"Maybe one day you will. If not your sister then someone else who has done you wrong,"[/say] he purrs, the words mumbled against the kiss Asta leaves against his lips, before he's rolling to the side and Danta leaves one arm stretched around him as if he can't get enough. (Because he can't).
[say]"Mm, I wouldn't feel too bad about it. She did get eaten alive, after all,"[/say] he says with a crooked smile. Something that had almost happened to Asta, he might have added, but didn't, by the grace of Dygra. [say]"And you can always gloat to me. I won't mind,"[/say] he reasons, gazing up at the other man and reaching out to snag his hand, lifting it to kiss the scarred knuckles.
[say]"Did the same happen to your mother?"[/say] he wonders; was she also one of the casualties? [say]"Feel free to tell me to fuck off if you'd prefer not to talk about it. I'm just nosy because I don't have family to flesh out my own past."[/say]
RE: kept us awake with wolves teeth - Astaroth - 10-16-2024
He pays as much attention to placing Danta’s sweater as he had his own, draping it over the edge of the bed reverently. And as he returns and rolls onto his side, horned head pressed into the bed as he peers back at the Maverick, the butcher smiles darkly and sweetly at the blonde as he drapes his arm around him in turn, tail coiling around his leg. “[say]Let me know, I will gladly take a front row seat.[/say]” He would be absolutely delighted.
As for his sister and floating, he nods and lets the smile twist a touch softer as warm lips meet his scarred knuckles, his fingertips extending out to brush against the Maverick’s jawline.
“[say]I don’t mind sharing, darling. Not to you. That being said, no.[/say]” He hums softly, refraining from shaking his head as much as he wants to — not wanting to tear the blankets. “[say]She died when I was eleven.[/say]” There doesn’t seem to be any remorse in his face or tone, simply just matter of fact. “[say]She was a relatively popular woman amongst my clan. Cunning and conniving.[/say]”
RE: kept us awake with wolves teeth - Dantalion - 10-17-2024
[say]"As if I'd let you miss it,"[/say] Danta says, his voice filled with dark amusement. Ah, romance - the art of discussing the torture and potential murder of each other's enemies. Is there anything sweeter? With a soft smile to feel the other man's tail loop around his leg, the Maverick's own flicks this way and that across the blankets, and he turns his head into the clever fingers that brush along his jawline.
[say]"She died, or she was killed?"[/say] he asks slowly, wondering whether the butcher's choice of words has been intentional there. He gets the impression that it's the former, for no other reason than because of what Asta says next, and Danta can't stop the catlike grin from spreading across his face. [say]"Cunning and conniving,"[/say] he repeats, leaning in close enough that the words are all but spoken against th other man's lips.
[say]"I did wonder where you got that from. Now I know."[/say]
RE: kept us awake with wolves teeth - Astaroth - 10-17-2024
His grin widens, twisting into a smirk at the mention that he wouldn’t be missing it regardless of whether or not Danta found any culprits where the butcher wasn’t. It’s a nice thought, though, like a gift waiting to be opened and witnessed, full of all the dark beautiful things he loved the most.
His fingertips trail down Danta’s spine, over raised scars and smooth skin, content to answer any questions sent his way. “[say]Died of natural causes, believe it or not.[/say]” A soft chuckle passes his lips as he remains perfectly still for the Maverick to approach, feeling the gentle whisper of words as they brush against his lips.
His fingertips spiderweb out in warm fireworks along the blonde’s lower back, agreeing in the form of a soft and gentle kiss to his lips. “[say]Some things can be inherited, I suppose.[/say]” He drawls, brushing his nose by Danta’s before he sinks back into the bed and his hand becomes a bit more possessive. “[say]Do you have any other questions?[/say]” He’d be happy to answer them, if so, but if not he’d gladly still take the back rub.
RE: kept us awake with wolves teeth - Dantalion - 10-17-2024
Unable to stop the shiver that races down his spine in pursuit of Asta's fingertips, if Danta presses himself closer against the butcher's side, in his opinion he's fucking asked for it. Not that he imagines he'll complain. [say]"Natural causes?"[/say] he repeats through a drawl. [say]"Is it bad to find that a bit of a waste?"[/say] Perhaps he shouldn't be thinking that Asta's mother didn't deserve to die peacefully of natural causes, but then again the Maverick's ideas of parents are heavily skewed to begin with.
Humming a note of near bliss to feel superheated fingers spider out against his lower back, Danta leans into the offered kiss and curls his arm a little more tightly around Asta's neck. [say]"Mm, no other questions,"[/say] he confirms, pressing another kiss to his lips for good measure before (very) reluctantly peeling himself away to sit up. [say]"Alright, bite the pillow like a good boy,"[/say] he quips, flashing him a sly grin and shifting his weight as if to sit himself on Asta's back, pushing him down so he can suffer his affections.
RE: kept us awake with wolves teeth - Astaroth - 10-17-2024
“[say]Natural causes, mhmm.[/say]” The butcher confirms, entirely content with the Maverick tucking himself in. Smirking lightly as he gives him all of the attention, he answers easily with a low drawl of confirmation. “[say]It’s quite rare for us cannibals, in all fairness. Typically we would freeze to death or be devoured, so.[/say]” He hums as he feels the blonde’s arm tighten around his neck.
Silenced from any retort when Danta mentions he has no other questions, he presses back into the kiss just as happily — until they reluctantly part from one another. And while there is reluctance, the butcher would be lying if he said he wasn’t looking forward to the back rub.
As such, he’s maneuvered quite easily — unwinding himself from the Theocrat to be pushed around however wanted, arms twist to rest under his head as Danta settles atop him. Immediately the words that drip from the blonde’s lips have a bark of a laugh escaping him, tilting his face to the side to glance sidelong. “[say]Who, me?[/say]” The sharp grin stretches enough to be visible. “[say]I believe we both know that I am anything but.[/say]” He taunts his bratty response.
RE: kept us awake with wolves teeth - Dantalion - 10-17-2024
[say]"Mm, not so different to Ancients in some respects,"[/say] Danta notes absently. Freezing to death (or death-adjacent, for them) or being devoured are likely some of the most common ways for their kind to go, he imagines. Not that he much cares beyond that perfunctory comment, not when he's settling himself astride the butcher, distracted by the shifting muscles of his back and shoulders as he gets himself comfortable.
The edges of Asta's grin are just about visible before he speaks, Danta finding his smile contagious as always, and he lifts his shoulders in a breezy shrug. [say]"Let's reserve our judgement, shall we?"[/say] He says through a soft laugh. The Maverick has, after all, put his hands on the butcher before, but he's not half drunk on sunshine now. His fingers are firm and unrelenting as they focus on the rougher areas of scarring that bands across the tops of Asta's shoulders, working into the deadened tissue as if to bring it back to life under his touch.
[say]"Tell me if it's too much?"[/say] he murmurs, trusting the butcher to do just that and already imagining what he might be able to do with some of those clever oils Flora had in her possession.
RE: kept us awake with wolves teeth - Astaroth - 10-17-2024
The sentiment is correct — and had more of them managed to take the plunge in escaping the ways of their Whitebrim lifestyle, well, he imagines there would be a fair few more of them out and about if not in a stony slumber. But the only answer he can give is a confident hum of agreement before he’s letting the Maverick tackle the nightmare that is his scarring.
He’s confident in the fact that he’ll be fine. It’s confidence that’s entirely unfounded, however.
There’s magic in Dantalion’s fingertips but there’s also fire beneath them that isn’t the comforting kind, that isn’t the kind that sings to the soul of the dark recesses of his heart.
No, this time it’s pain, and it’s with his tail half pinned beneath Danta that the spaded tip lashes against the sheets that he tries to be quite brave about it. “[say]I will.[/say]” He says muffled, face tilting into the bed again. It’s enough that the smile falters, hidden away by rogue strands of black hair.
RE: kept us awake with wolves teeth - Dantalion - 10-18-2024
Asta is correct - there is fire, and not just metaphorically, the Maverick letting flames flicker at his fingertips to utilise the heat as best he can. And it's true that he's perfectly capable of - and has done previously - delivering the sort of massage that would earn a stamp of approval from the Dusklight workers and the butcher as well, but that hadn't been what they'd been talking about. (Besides, just like his research into night terrors, maybe Danta has been lurking around the infirmary to learn about extensive scarring).
What can he say? Secretly teaching himself things to help Asta is his love language, apparently.
[say]"You're sure you're alright?"[/say] he asks, the humour fading from his voice even if he's still smiling, tilting his head a bit as if to try and catch Asta's expression. [say]"I can stop if you want. Or just be more gentle."[/say] As he speaks, his fingers continue to press mercilessly against the deep scar tissue, fire injecting its way beneath it.