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+---- Thread: april showers (/showthread.php?tid=11350)
RE: april showers - Astaroth - 05-21-2025
Snorting at Danta’s robust tasting notes, Asta can’t help but to play along — his smile sharp as he snags the pot of soup to place it over the fire that he blooms to life. “[say]Ah yes, very good. I could not tell.[/say]” The sarcasm drips playfully, before he’s pushing it aside in favor for warping the flame perfectly to nestle around the pot to start heating it up before he’s retreating back to Danta.
His brows pinch at the mention of whether it’s an innuendo, a shake of his head. “[say]If it is, I admit I am unaware.[/say]” Safe to say, he too doesn’t know what the fuck a cobbler might be if it didn’t mean a delicious dessert. It doesn’t matter much, though, because he’s clinking his glass against Danta’s and taking another deep sip of the wine, letting it warm his throat.
Setting his own glass down and taking the moment to invade his lover’s space again, his arms wrap around his middle and his dark gaze flits from the strawberry to his lover’s face. “[say]Are you offering?[/say]” He asks with a low teasing tone, his accent thicker as it wraps around the words. He leans in, then, snatching the smallest bite of the strawberry from his lover’s hand, centimeters away from the flesh of the Maverick’s fingers.
RE: april showers - Dantalion - 05-21-2025
[say]"No? You will have to get better at wine tasting, Asta,"[/say] Danta boasts, allowing himself to be tugged against the other man, holding the strawberry aloft as if fully expecting a bite of it to be stolen - whcih it is, naturally. [say]"Anything can be an innuendo if you try hard enough,"[/say] he assures him, watching as lips and teeth come perilously close to his fingertips without ever grazing them.
[say]"Sweet enough for you?"[/say] he asks, lifting the strawberry to take a bite of it himself, the ripe fruit exploding with flavour on his tongue. And as for breakfast, the sly smile that curls across Danta's mouth ought to be enough of an answer on its own, but just in case, he leans in to sneak a berry-red kiss to the corner of the butcher's mouth. [say]"It is the most important meal of the day,"[/say] he purrs. [say]"Wouldn't want you to go hungry."[/say]
RE: april showers - Astaroth - 05-21-2025
“[say]It is a good thing we have plenty of wine, mm?[/say]” Not just here, but back at the Dusklight as well. Plenty of room to get better at tasting the red in the wine. But the butcher snorts for the next comment, an almost exhausted sigh leaving him shortly before he’s leaning in to steal a bite - careful and gentle so as to not draw blood before his intentions are made.
His teeth make quick work of the slice of strawberry, the sweetness blooming on his tongue among the hint of freshness that’s exactly as refreshing as the butcher had hoped. But, unable to leave anything alone, Asta smirks back at Danta after he’s swallowed his bite. “[say]It tastes like red.[/say]” He touts, flashing a wink as his lover leans in, the kiss to the corner of his mouth bolstering, granting Asta the moment to lean in and press his own against Danta’s jaw and chin.
He paves a path toward the Maverick’s jeweled ear. “[say]I am rather impatient. I could leave the cobbler for breakfast and have you for dessert.[/say]” Comes the purred suggestion in response, punctuating it with a kiss dropped against the pale line of his neck, one that lingers enough to leave a tiny red mark that will vanish before too long. "[say]What do you think, love?[/say]"
RE: april showers - Dantalion - 05-21-2025
[say]"We certainly do,"[/say] Danta agrees, finishing his strawberry and setting the small green stem down, scoffing under his breath to hear Asta's astute flavour profiling. [say]"You see? Your palate is getting more refined as we speak,"[/say] he says with a grin, turning in the other man's arms to allow his lips to taste their way down to his neck. His fingers tighten ever so slightly against the butcher's hip, Danta almost able to feel the soft, lingering mark on his skin.
[say]"I think if you keep this up, dinner is going to burn,"[/say] he says, voice dropping to a low whisper. [say]"Not that I imagine either of us would mind."[/say] All of that is to say that Asta is walking a very fine line indeed if he does plan to have dinner before dessert, the Maverick's fingers smoothing gently across the back of his lover's shirt, as if he can feel the rich, violet texture of the fabric.
RE: april showers - Astaroth - 05-21-2025
“[say]It is, isn’t it?[/say]” The butcher agrees, wholly distracted by the column of Danta’s neck, his lips pressing over the silver sheen of faint scars amongst the Torchline tan. He feels the tighten of his grip against his hip and his tail flicks gently before it winds around Danta’s leg to curl in against his calf.
Content to linger here in this dance, Danta’s whisper is a low rumble that brings him out of it a touch, snorting as his head tilts up to press another kiss against the side of his head, intermixed in the candlelit gold. “[say]What if my goal is to wind you up only to pause juuuuust long enough to devour an unburnt dinner?[/say]” He whispers back before he’s withdrawing, his dark gaze warm and playful but not without the glimmer of mischief in them that seems to suggest he’d be completely fine doing just that.
He does give Danta a moment to breathe, at least, parting long enough to snag a slice of what he assumes to be turkey, taking a bite of it and holding it aloft just perfectly for Danta to take his own bite if he so wished to.
RE: april showers - Dantalion - 05-21-2025
[say]"Oh, well if that's your goal, I'd say you were succeeding quite marvellously,"[/say] Danta purrs, feeling himself want to catch fire wherever they touch. His patience is even more paper thin than Asta's, especially right here and right now, but he does his best to play along, even if his narrowed eyes are less jovial than they otherwise might be. [say]"I assume, though, that you know exactly what you're setting yourself up for by teasing me."[/say]
Smirking and leaning in to take the bite of turkey, the Maverick spends a careful moment licking Asta's fingers clean as he goes, before withdrawing to promptly reach out and cut them both some bread. Fair's fair and all that, right? With his tail flicking contently at his heels, he adds a generous amount of chilli butter to his slice, taking a bite of it and offering it out to share with the other man.
[say]"Teasing aside,"[/say] he admits, albeit reluctantly, [say]"this stuff is really good, you know."[/say]
RE: april showers - Astaroth - 05-21-2025
He knows he’s been succeeding, if the way Danta reacts is anything to be noted. He can tell from the way he curls into his touch, from the way he’s almost brimming like a live wire with every space they touch. But, he also notices the shift in his gaze, the one that seems less playful and more calculating. “[say]I am anticipating a nightmare, if I am being honest.[/say]” His lips curve into a brighter smile, a wink offered to him before he’s watching Danta take a bite of the turkey he’d plucked from the plate.
Asta chews on his own bite, the cold cut meatier than he was expecting, a certain spice warmed into the rind of the meat. The butcher relishes in it even as his dark gaze tracks Danta’s movements, the warmth of his tongue as his fingers are cleaned, and his gaze darkens a touch. Releasing him enough to grab the slices of bread, he’s quite happy to share, his arms dropping against his lower back and intertwining there, content to remain just as wrapped up with each other as they indulge in their dinner.
He leans in to take a bite of the bread when offered, the spice of the chili flooding his tongue with warmth paired with the savory taste of the bread, the butcher sighs with content as he swallows down the bite. “[say]I am pleasantly surprised. Let me check on the soup.[/say]” if the soup is anything like these have been so far, they’re in for a real treat.
He leans in to press a kiss to his lover’s lips, lingering with the taste of savory chili butter, before he’s reluctantly withdrawing to turn toward the pot, lifting the lid and snagging the serving spoon to stir it, checking the temperature. Finding it pleasantly warmed through, the butcher glances over his shoulder with a grin. “[say]Would you kindly bring over our bowls?[/say]” His tail flicks contently behind him, already eagerly imagining tearing the bread up and dipping it into the soup.
RE: april showers - Dantalion - 05-21-2025
[say]"Good. Just as long as we're clear; I wouldn't want any unwanted surprises later."[/say] Grinning back at Asta and taking another bite of his bread (but now it's just in case the other man wants to steal it), Danta is also quite content to stand at the little table where he'd set down the basket to enjoy their wine and their dinner. At their backs, the world outside has darkened to something plum and shaded as night falls, setting the room aglow with flickering candlelight.
[say]"Mm, a good idea,"[/say] he agrees, resisting the urge to pat the butcher on the ass as he goes, instead cutting a few more slices of bread and then carrying the basket down to a plush rug in the middle of the room. [say]"I will kindly do whatever you like,"[/say] he trills in reply, snagging said bowls and moving back to Asta's side so he might fill them with hot soup. It isn't red (a shame for their ongoing joke, he knows), and from the smell he'd guess that it's some kind of chicken and noodle broth; either way, it smells great.
[say]"Come on, lets sit,"[/say] he invites once their bowls are full, Danta carrying them over to plop down on the rug, having snagged their wine as well.
RE: april showers - Astaroth - 05-21-2025
Hardly any surprises these days to befall them (for the moment, at least, until he realizes he’s gotten his Haunt magic), so content to let Danta finish off the bread lest he eat it all, he withdraws toward the fire as night overcomes the world outside. The view is still brilliant and beautiful and will only grow more so as the moon begins to brighten overhead, but for now the butcher’s distracted by the scent of the finished soup and the plan of settling in for dinner.
The bowls are brought and the butcher fills them both to the brim, ensuring the Maverick has a good hold on them all as he sets the lid back on and lowers the heat to keep it warm in case they want seconds rather than to scorch the entirety of it. “[say]I do hope you will be thinking the same later.[/say]” Comes the soft quip as he turns to spot Danta on the warm plush rug with their wine and beckoning his approach.
Like a moth to flame, Asta steps forward, sitting down comfortably beside Danta to snag the bowl and bread. From here, the view out the window is a bit different - able to see the jut of rocks to the side of the view and the water in the distance - black and inky to match the dark sky, stars glittering in the distance. All of it, the butcher pays no mind to in favor for the beautiful view he has right now of the candlelight playing against his lover’s face. It’s a quiet admiration as he takes a bite of the soup and relishes in the warm, homey sensation it offers, enough that he swallows it down and snorts as he tears off a piece of bread to dunk into it. “[say]How difficult do you think it would be to steal their cook for the Dusklight?[/say]” He asks, his voice low and full of conspiracy.
RE: april showers - Dantalion - 05-21-2025
[say]"I could be persuaded to be accommodating to you, I bet,"[/say] Danta quips right back with a wicked smile over his shoulder to the butcher, before they're both settling upon the rug, soup in hand and the basket of goodies between them. For his own part, the Maverick is drawn to the changing view out the window, oblivious to Asta's eyes upon him as he takes a long sip of wine and chases it up with a bite of bread.
Only once he's satisfied with that does he turn his attention to the soup, humming his appreciation around a spoonful of it and following the butcher's lead in dunking his bread into the bowl. [say]"Well,"[/say] he says, lowering his own voice with a grin as if worried they'll be overheard, [say]"I happen to know the theocrat of this region, and I bet he could make it happen."[/say] Tipping Asta an obvious wink, Danta reaches out to snag another piece of turkey to also dip it in his soup.
[say]"We could always frame it as swapping the cooks so they can try different styles. That way the Dusklight's won't feel replaced, and he might be just as good when he gets back."[/say] He winks.
RE: april showers - Astaroth - 05-21-2025
He’s counting on it, though he doesn’t admit as much. They had all the time in the world it felt like - longer still, as his gaze lingers the way the candlelight plays with Danta’s diamond horns, the way the warmth of it turns his hair into shimmering, living gold, the way the shadows play against his skin. He has to force himself to look away and eat, lest he forget about how delicious their dinner was just to give Danta all of his adoration.
The lowered voice has Asta leaning in, his dark gaze lifting from his bowl just in time to see the wink. “[say]Perhaps you should ask him.[/say]” He whispers back, still playing along, stifling himself shortly after with the dunked piece of bread, soaked up in the broth of the soup. Devouring it quickly and easily, Asta hears the real plan and his tail wags a touch in delight.
“[say]That sounds like the perfect idea.[/say]” He purrs before he takes another slice of bread, slathering it with the chili butter, before dipping it into the hot soup again and devouring more of it. “[say]With any luck at all we shall have the best of both worlds, yes?[/say]”
RE: april showers - Dantalion - 05-21-2025
[say]"You know, I just might,"[/say] Danta decides with a smug little smile. [say]"I reckon I could persuade him if he can't see the merit in it. We're very close."[/say] Chuckling to himself and finishing off his slice of bread before giving his full attention to the broth, the Maverick nods his easy agreement. [say]"If you'd told me the Hollowed Grounds was famous for its cuisine I'd have never believed you,"[/say] he says. [say]"But I'm pretty glad to be wrong."[/say]
Falling quiet to eat, it doesn't take long before he's setting down his empty bowl and reaching once more for his glass of wine, taking a slow sip of it and leaning back on one hand. [say]"I know it isn't Torchline, but it feels good to be home,"[/say] he admits. And they might not be quite there yet, with the Inner Quarter still some distance away, but even having stepped onto the dock, Danta had recognised the familiar temperature, the greenery, the choppier waters.
RE: april showers - Astaroth - 05-21-2025
Chuckling lightly as he’s finishing his bites of the soup, the butcher inclines his head toward Danta while he tries to mute the delighted wagging of his spaded tail. “[say]Two peas in a pod, mm?[/say]” He teases with a small smirk, before he’s dunking a piece of turkey into his soup, breaking it up amongst the noodles and pieces of chicken, taking a few large bites. “[say]I am also glad you are wrong.[/say]” He teases - though it isn’t like he knew much about the Grounds before living here.
In his research, though, very little was said aside from the trauma that the region caused so many. But that’s neither here nor there for the both of them.
The butcher draws silent as well as he devours the slices of bread, the majority of the turkey, and drains his bowl completely - cleaning off the crumbs left behind from his shirt, before he’s sliding the bowl over and away so he can start to unbutton the first few buttons of his smooth silken shirt. “[say]It does.[/say]” He agrees softly, tugging up his sleeves once more, the pink scar from the fight with the villi glinting shinier than the rest of his skin in the firelight.
He refrains from getting sappy and telling Danta that home is wherever he is, in favor for laying back completely, his dark hair fanning out from where it hits the rug and he stairs at the ceiling. “[say]I never expected that we would find a place like this here. At least, not one we did not already have a hand in.[/say]”
RE: april showers - Dantalion - 05-21-2025
[say]"Something like that, yes,"[/say] Danta says, beaming and lifting his glass in a mini-cheers. [say]"And you are always glad I'm wrong. Luckily, on this occasion, we're in agreement."[/say] Playfully haughty as he sets down his wine again, the Maverick stretches his arms above his head to enjoy not being stuck in a cramped cabin, not that he'd been conscious for the majority of the journey to complain about it.
Content and full and well on his way to being tipsy enough to cause mischief, Danta is reaching for the bottle of wine to top up both of their glasses before realising that Asta is well on his way to half-stripping off his shirt, the Maverick's eyes drawn instantly to the newest scar on his chest. [say]"The healer did a decent job,"[/say] he purrs, reaching out to fill their cups and corking the bottle again.
[say]"The Grounds always has ways of surprising me,"[/say] he says, eyes flicking about the unexpectedly decadent room they find themselves in, before returning to the butcher as he stretches out on the plush rug. [say]"Sort of like you."[/say] Shifting to stretch out as well, at least for a few minutes after eating, Danta lets his hand trace gently across the pink souvenir left from the villi.