[SE] it's a souprise

// as long as there's bread and as long as there's an appetite //

“He did.” Asta says as he settles and takes another bite, only to smirk as he chews, trying to keep the politeness of not talking with his mouth full despite how very badly he wants to toy with the idea of it some more. He could stretch the truth, some if he wanted to, just for added dramatic effect, but all thoughts of that begin to vanish when Danta has his own bit of gossip he promptly shuts up for.

And it’s a far less fun twist of gossip – Astaroth’s nose wrinkling as he forces himself to remain silent by taking a few more bites of food, before he can school himself into something somewhat reasonable. “I have not seen her, thankfully.” He admits, huffing a small sigh before he glances out across the way as the snow comes down harder. “That is far less fun than anything else I could have imagined you mentioning, darling.” The butcher drawls dramatically, and maybe a touch too much like a petulant child.

Astaroth

// as long as everyone you need is stepping in line, you are camouflaged //

Dantalion

but you can't be free

Equally as glad to hear that Asta hasn't run into the pale Ancient yet, Danta focuses on his soup for a few more moments, smirking to hear the butcher's petulant drawl. "I do apologise," he says, giving him a gentle nudge for his trouble. "I'll rack my brain for anything else worth telling you." And he does just that, finishing his soup as he thinks before shrugging and setting the bowl and spoon to one side.

"The only interesting thing coming up would be Kia's wedding," he apologises, sidling closer to the butcher as another particularly sharp gust of wind comes howling through the Inner Quarter. "But you already know about that." And the things Asta doesn't know are none of his business until Danta is good and ready to throw his party.

"Gods, do you think it's time to shut this thing down?" he wonders, shamelessly linking his arm through the other man's to leech some of his warmth.

'cause I'm selfish, I'm obscene

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

// as long as there's bread and as long as there's an appetite //

The nudge is responded to with a slight huff of his own annoyance, working on finishing the soup if only to shut himself up. He’d much prefer to talk about the strange man with the deer fetish, but all those thoughts have vanished with the news of the pale ancient running around again. Thoughts that drown out the fact he’s rather quickly devoured his bowl of soup, depositing it beside Danta’s when the Maverick speaks again.

That is a lighter subject at least, and he shivers a fraction against the cold breeze that slips under the tent of the pop up stand. Such that his tail winds around Danta’s leg when he slides in, seeking warmth while his good side presses into Danta a little more to share some of that warmth. “I did know that, yes. I have already been to the tailors to have our attire made.” He’s quite proud of it too, and he chooses to think about those thoughts rather than the others.

But another chill courses down his spine and he huffs a cloudy breath as he nods – nose wrinkling and squeezing Danta’s arm from where it’s snuck in against his own. “Gods, please. I despise Deepfrost.” He whines, twisting just enough to knock Danta a little off balance, to press a soft kiss to his temple before he releases him to begin closing up the stand.

Astaroth

// as long as everyone you need is stepping in line, you are camouflaged //

Dantalion

but you can't be free

"Our attire?" Danta grins, raising his eyebrows up at Asta as if not having expected the butcher to go out of his way to have both of their outfits curated. (Though in all seriousness, he ought to have seen it coming a mile away). Feeling as though he's not going to get much more information out of the other man despite his interest, he instead huddles as close as he can to keep warm until Asta agrees that they can flee the soup stand.

"Oh, thank the gods--" he mumbles, about to reluctantly peel himself away when he finds himself knocked off-balance - and kissed for his trouble - Danta narrowing his eyes playfully after the other man. Hopping out of the pop-up so he can also help to close it down, were it not for the literal blizzard he might have thrown a snowball at Asta for his trouble.

Perhaps luckily for them both, instead he merely focuses on keeping the soup pot on the stove in view with a small Help Yourself! sign propped beside it, before they're standing in the Inner Quarter being quite violently snowed upon. "Fuck this," Danta announces. "I know a good coffee place, unless you want to head home?"

'cause I'm selfish, I'm obscene

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

// as long as there's bread and as long as there's an appetite //

“Yes. Our attire.” The butcher responds swiftly, letting his sharp grin curve into a small smirk, letting it vanish in the curve of diamond horns as Danta steps in to accept the warmth. It isn’t for long, though, as the butcher finds himself also quite cold and fully ready to get the fuck out of here. Not without a bit of mischief of course.

Flashing a completely innocent grin toward Danta, he releases him and ensures the stove has enough wood within it to make sure it’ll continue to heat for whomever decides to brave the storm to get hot soup. And with that complete, he steps out of it promptly back to Danta’s side in the middle of the snowstorm. His scarf is tugged up higher, the blackened tines of his horns collecting snow in the curves alongside his hair, speckling it with white throughout it as his tail thrashes to prevent the snow from settling. “Mm, I could be enticed for coffee.” He teases, despite the shiver that races down his spine, shifting to snake his arm into Danta’s to hook it to his side. “Lead the way, darling.”

Astaroth

// as long as everyone you need is stepping in line, you are camouflaged //

Dantalion

but you can't be free

More than happy to be glued against Asta's side despite his antics and his sass, Danta huddles in close and gives him an indulgent nod, before indeed leading the way across the quarter towards a boulevard of various shops and restaurants and cafes. "I would have expected you to say you didn't drink coffee," he admits with a smirk, given how partial the other man is to his cups of tea.

Whilst Danta likely isn't nearly as cold as the other man thanks to the magic infused into his coat (and he is very grateful to bestfriendDeimos for it), he makes sure not to waste time in getting to the coffee shop, soon stamping the snow from his boots and holding open the door for Asta to duck inside. Within, the place is softly lit and warm, smelling of roasted coffee beans and cocoa, and Danta quickly unloops his scarf and pulls off his gloves to lead them to a cozy corner table.

"Gods, that's better."

'cause I'm selfish, I'm obscene

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

// as long as there's bread and as long as there's an appetite //

Trailing alongside Danta as he leads the way, there’s hardly an inch of space between them as the butcher leeches warmth from Danta and his beautifully warm jacket, arm looped within his as they try to get through the Inner Quarter without so much of the snow getting into their clothes. “Even I can be persuaded now and again, darling.” He purrs, amusement flickering in his face as he casts a glance toward Danta, full of amusement and a hint of mystery.

He, too, kicks off the snow from his boots as they enter the shop, taking a moment under the awning to shake his head. The snow falls from his horns and melts into his hair by the time he steps in, unwinding the scarf from his neck as he follows Danta to the back booth. “I may have become a statue if we had taken any longer to get here.” He whines as he flits to take the seat opposite of Danta, sliding in and curling his tail around his leg beneath the table, sliding his gloves off and shrugging out of his trench coat — enough to let a flicker of flame sear through his hair to dry it completely without singing his clothes. “What is your favorite drink here?” He asks curiously, head tilting slightly as his dark gaze lands on Danta as he drifts that flicker of flame over toward his lover to dry the snow from his blonde hair, too.

Astaroth

// as long as everyone you need is stepping in line, you are camouflaged //

Dantalion

but you can't be free

"Noted," Danta purrs with the air of someone wondering what else Asta might be persuaded to do now and again, the Maverick grinning affectionately at the other man's complaints as they get comfortable. Following suit and shrugging out of his coat, the Maverick takes a moment to rub his hands together as if to get some more warmth into them before he settles properly, unconsciously turning his head into the wisp of flame the butcher twists through his hair.

"Mm, I am quite partial to this one actually," he says, pointing at their little menu to a small coffee that seems as if it's made with espresso and whipped cream in place of milk. "For you, though, might I recommend that one with the cocoa?" He grins, gesturing to one of the other drinks. "If it weren't the middle of Deepfrost, I would also recommend you try the coffee with ice cream." Alas, perhaps another time.

'cause I'm selfish, I'm obscene

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

// as long as there's bread and as long as there's an appetite //

Oh, quite a variety of things Danta, maybe you’ll have to test them out some time? In the meantime, he glances around the coffee shop, glancing at the menu and his lover as he focuses the fire to help warm and dry his hair, before it fades away into nothing and he finds himself leaning forward against the table on his elbows, following Danta’s pointing to see the espresso and whipped cream combination. And he’s about to mention that it made sense, given that it didn’t look particularly sweet, that it would be Danta’s favorite when the Maverick is offering up a suggestion.

Dark honey eyes lift to his face as he grins in turn, sharp teeth on display toward the Theocrat as he nods. “Then I shall try that.” Comes the decided hum, before a soft snort passes his lips and he shrugs a shoulder. “Perhaps the ice cream one is a Longheat option?” He suggests, peering down at the menu to read the variety of ice creams it could be mixed with when his grin widens a touch. “Apparently you are allowed to have it mixed with double chocolate ice cream???” He asks, as if the idea was blasphemous, but certainly something he wants to try when the weather warms up. As if to punctuate the point, those dark eyes lift again to his lover with a raised brow, amusement fully in his features.

Astaroth

// as long as everyone you need is stepping in line, you are camouflaged //

Dantalion

but you can't be free

"I imagine if you wanted ice cream now, someone would make it for you," Danta objects with a flash of fangs, though he nods and glances up as a waitress approaches to order their drinks - and a couple of pastries to enjoy after their bowl of soup earlier. (He doesn't think Asta will mind). With that done, he lets his hand drop back to the table, casually covering the butcher's, though he draws as little attention to it as possible.

"Did you just say allowed?" He asks with a boyish laugh, amusement making his blue eyes bright as he tilts his head. "Not only are we absolutely old enough to mix our coffee with whatever we like, but given who and where we are, I don't imagine anyone would object to any request you made." Short of a head on a platter, of course, but we can't have everything.

'cause I'm selfish, I'm obscene

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

// as long as there's bread and as long as there's an appetite //

“It is the wrong season for ice cream, unless we were in the Climb. In which, it would melt before there would be a chance to enjoy it.” Asta murmurs, letting the delight cross his features shortly after as the waitress arrives to take their orders and brings pastries to their table.

He snags one of them almost immediately when the waitress leaves, keeping his other hand close enough to Danta’s casual touch that his fingertips can extend and brush against the Maverick’s own in a quick fleeting touch.

But it’s the boyish laugh that blooms and snags all of his attention, the pastry half torn into as his dark gaze focuses on his lover, snorting a little. “I did not mean it as if we were children, darling. I meant it as if I did not wish to inconvenience them by making such requests.” He drawls in a tone that screams obviously, before he lets the soft chuckle escape him. “It is an option, however.” Leaning forward suddenly toward the Maverick, his gaze glitters with that streak of murderous playfulness when he drops his tone to speak solely amongst them. “I do not imagine they would take kindly to the idea of blood infused chocolate, however.” So no, not whatever request he wanted, huh? At any rate, the butcher’s petulant enough to stick his tongue out at his lover with a so there air to it.

Astaroth

// as long as everyone you need is stepping in line, you are camouflaged //

Dantalion

but you can't be free

"I forgot how much of a stickler you are for the rules," Danta drawls, grinning and tipping a wink to the waitress as she brings them their pastries. The Maverick snags the other to tear into, having chosen a buttery croissant and leaving the pastry stuffed with, yes, chocolate, for the other man. "Look around, Asta. I doubt anyone would find you an inconvenience." Especially given the number of Ancients in the cafe already, not to mention how many people they'd just fed with soup.

Leaning forward as well and raising his eyebrows, Danta scoffs to hear the butcher continue, dipping his head in agreement. "You might have a point there. You'll just have to provide your own blood, I suppose." Straightening up as the waitress returns with their drinks, Danta's in a small glass but looking decadent with the thick, whipped cream adorning it, and Asta's is dusted with chocolate. "Thank you," he purrs.

"There. That should keep us from turning to stone when we do decide to walk back."

'cause I'm selfish, I'm obscene

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

// as long as there's bread and as long as there's an appetite //

“Rules are there for a reason.” He hums quietly in a sing song tone, flashing that too sharp smile to prove the point. The pastry he’s snatched up already leaks with stripes of chocolate, enough that the butcher’s far more excited about the desserts than he is about the coffee – even if he has to defend his choices later.

He does look around, though, spotting the multitude of Ancients throughout, and a wicked twitch occurs on his lips as he swings his gaze back toward the Maverick, leaning in to offer his little quiet comment. “Ah, alas I do already.. Shame, truly.” He drawls, tearing off a piece of the pastry before it vanishes between his lips, right when the waitress returns with their drinks. A polite smile and nod is offered, before he’s immediately inspecting the drink, the scent of cocoa and espresso lingering in the air, yet just as sweet. “Thankfully. I can only go so many times in my lifetime with you finding me as my handsome gargoyle self.” He’s still incredibly dramatic, but he lifts the glass to his lips to take a sip of the hot coffee, finding the taste sweet yet acidic and surprisingly lovely, humming his approval.

Astaroth

// as long as everyone you need is stepping in line, you are camouflaged //

Dantalion

but you can't be free

"Rules are made to be broken. Or bent, at the very least," Danta counters, hiding his smile behind the drink he brings up to his lips. Savouring the thick, cool cream and its contrast with the hot coffee, he raises the cup in a playful cheers as he lowers it back to the table, rolling his shoulders and stretching decadently now that he's appropriately thawed out from the blizzard outside.

"I feel as if you turned to stone now, though, I'd be in a better position to appreciate your charming good looks," he points out with a fanged grin. "Though I suppose it's only fair that this time you ought to be the one to find me. Why don't I finish this drink and run out to hide in the square, and you can come and defrost me when you're ready?" He's joking, of course, but there is something comforting about knowing someone would come looking for him if he did turn to stone.

'cause I'm selfish, I'm obscene

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!