oh give me that fire

// I wish I had a reason //

Bouncing his eyebrows back at Asta as if to ask whether he's going to make a big deal of his audacity, when instead he only asks for napkins, Danta nods obligingly and with far more aplomb than is necessary, and turns to catch one of the servers to provide them. By the time they arrive in a neat tissue stack, the Maverick has also opted for a crab leg, and is busy debating gnawing on the shell (a bad idea) when his lover offers him some literal butter fingers.

"How could I say no?" Danta drawls, tossing the crab shell onto the plate and leaning in to take one of Asta's fingers into his mouth, ensuring he gives the digit a thorough clean with a hot tongue. And of course he offers the same treatment to the others, glancing up at the other man when he's done as if to ask him whether he's satisfied - before promptly reaching for another shrimp.

Dantalion

// my flaws are open season //

// make me bleed if you need to confirm that it's something i can do //

His gaze lingers affectionately on Danta while he flags down the waiter for the napkins, and while the stack arrives shortly after, Asta’s already offering put he majority of his drenched fingers for his lover to clear up if only so he doesn’t have to feel the greasy mess of it clinging to his skin.

The light chuckle that escapes him is soft when he hears his drawl, and he watches with a hint of mischief as Danta definitely puts on a show, thoroughly cleaning each finger. And when he’s grabbing the next shrimp, Asta’s already snagging one of the cobs of corn within the mix, holding it above so it drips into the pot. “If I did not know any better I would say you are still in the vacation spirit, mm?” Comes the butcher’s own drawl, his accent lingering on each tone with a playful sing-song edge to it, as he slides his gaze back over to his lover and takes a bite of the corn.

Astaroth

// and i'll paint it red //

// I wish I had a reason //

"Well it is still Longheat," Danta says with a casual roll of his shoulder as he finishes his shrimp and follows suit by snagging one of the corn cobs (though of course he doesn't bother to let the butter drip into the pot, preferring to use his mouth for such things). "And," he adds once he's sure he isn't going to get grease all over his lap, "we're back in Torchline. And we escaped what some would describe as a near death experience. Calls for celebration, no?"

It does in the Maverick's opinion, and he falls quiet to munch on his corn for a few moments, only taking a break to wipe a hand on a napkin and reach for his cocktail to take a healthy sip of it. "I do think we ought to take a break from here after this though," he adds with a smirk across to the other man. "I'm getting to like it far too much."

Dantalion

// my flaws are open season //

// make me bleed if you need to confirm that it's something i can do //

“Mmhm.” Asta hums softly, smirking slightly as his sharp teeth slice through the rows of corn, still watching Danta as he, too, snags a cob of corn. “I would agree, yes.” Which is why they were here, snacking on a patio, drinking their refreshments, and planning their inevitable next date.

The corn cob barely stands a chance against Asta and the cob left behind is set in the dish amongst the rest of the discarded shells. His hand slips over to snag the shrimp tail Danta’s inevitably left behind, devouring it swiftly and moves onto his mojito in a mirror of the Maverick’s own movements. “Luckily for us, we have the Hanging Tree to look forward to, don’t we darling?” He purrs playfully, tail brushing against Danta’s leg as if to punctuate the point.

Though he agrees, they have spent a large amount of time this summer here amongst the heat of Torchline. And too much of it would ruin the idea that it was a vacation, as it should be for them.

Astaroth

// and i'll paint it red //

// I wish I had a reason //

"Mm, we do have that," Danta purrs his agreement, discarding his own corn cob onto the plate and spending a moment to thoughtfully lick the butter from his fingers. "I don't think I've ever been to the Feverlands," he confesses after a moment of consideration. "It sounds delightful. Who wouldn't want to wander through a swamp to a cursed tree at the height of Longheat?"

Certainly they'll fare better than any other race, though he doubts Asta will enjoy getting stuck in the mud at all. All the more reason to take precautions to make sure it doesn't happen, one would think, and yet, Danta will likely let fate take the wheel nevertheless. "I think," he says after another few minutes of picking out potatoes and shrimp and cracking another crab leg, "it might be time to finish our cocktails and nap. What say you?"

Dantalion

// my flaws are open season //

// make me bleed if you need to confirm that it's something i can do //

And with the promise of the Hanging Tree in their near future, it pushes aside any lingering frustrations over the events at the pool party, even if he’s already making a mental note to reach out to Thal just to ensure she didn’t get too hurt. For now, his attention lingers between the food in front of them, snagging another crab leg that he cracks with ease, letting his buttery fingers drip back into the bowl before snagging a napkin if only to swipe away the rest. “I cannot recall if I have, either.” He says idly, before the shark tooth grin is aimed back at Danta, his dark eyes warming with delight. “I imagine there are plenty who would be horribly opposed to the endeavor.” But he himself, is looking forward to it.

And since it’s a swamp, he’s already planning on bringing a change of clothes if only to not have to be uncomfortable getting messy. Either that, or he’d have to go without clothes. And something tells him that Danta wouldn’t complain about that endeavor.

Finishing off the crab leg, he wipes his hands once more before downing half of what was left of his cocktail, sinking back to wind his arm around the Maverick’s shoulders. “Gods, please.” He chuckles softly, already snagging the cocktail to down it, getting the payment ready for the meal, flagging the waiter down in order to pay. "Alright, darling, come along." He purrs playfully, before they're heading to the Inn to secure a room for the night.

- FIN

Astaroth

// and i'll paint it red //