[SE] everything is romantic

so what, my friend, whatever will it be?
i can give you what you crave, just not for free

It’s the annual vacation – Torchline during the hottest part of the year and Asta makes no exception for escaping the heat of the Hollowed Grounds for that of the tropical climate of the coast. Having already dropped their bags off at the Wildering House, the butcher’s said hello to the resident spirits, collected his sunglasses, donned his usual fit of an open floral button up shirt – though revamped now to have the appearance of little fyrhunds running throughout the floral patterns, a deep blood red and black rather than the black and white of before. He pairs it with a nice pair of black shorts, anything to try and soak up as much of the heat as possible.

They’re just departing to slip out into Torchline proper, and like usual with the butcher when it comes to vacation, the intensity of his façade shifts toward that of truly being on vacation and caring far less than he usually did. His arm slips around Danta’s shoulders, a shark toothed grin aimed at his lover as he glances over at him over the rim of his sunglasses. “Flora told me that the Hanged Man burned down in a flair of absolute dramatics. Which means we may be asked to help rebuild it at some point.” He offers out easily, tail flicking playfully as he soaks in the sun that beats down on them, surprisingly extremely relaxed.

Astaroth

you know what's on the line

kick back a little just to watch and see

"A little manual labour in the scorching sunshine with you? Gods, you might just have to take your shirt off if that happens. Stop me, I'm swooning," Danta drawls with a grin as Asta sidles out of Wildering House to join him. He fits against the other man's side like he was made to be there, taking the strawberry popsicle from between his lips to offer it out to the butcher as they begin to stroll down towards the beach and curling his free arm around his waist.

His bag of holding is hooked over one shoulder as a makeshift beach bag today, containing anything they might need (and more) for some well-deserved basking in the heat and sunshine. He's also opted to change it up a bit this year; his swimming trunks are still decorated with sharks, but these are wearing sunglasses and dressed like lifeguards. "Burned down with dramatics though, you say?" He raises his eyebrows and peers over his sunglasses up at Asta, inviting him to say more things.

Soon enough the rippling, golden sands come into view, and even the playful sea breeze is hot, the hush of the waves drawing the majority of beachgoers into the water with the promise of being able to cool down. Danta has no plans for that just yet though, pointing out a spot that puts them in walking distance of the stalls and far enough from the ocean that the tide shouldn't bother them for some time.

"Gods, I've been looking forward to this since last year," he admits, stepping out from under Asta's arm so he can drop the bag of holding and start rummaging in it. First out is a beach umbrella, a few blankets to lounge on, then a bottle of sweet white wine and a bottle of sunscreen.

Dantalion

getting sicker by the minute with debauchery

so what, my friend, whatever will it be?
i can give you what you crave, just not for free

“As you wish, darling.” The butcher says with a huff of a laugh, his arm tightening around his lover as he stops him from wiggling too much. He jostles the bag, though, unfortunately, but ends up making sure it remains on his shoulder. As they walk, he knows the dramatics comment will catch Danta’s ear, though, and his smile shifts to that of one being more playful and cheshire as he leans in close enough his stubble can tickle the other Ancient’s cheek. “From my understanding, Kaisel’s ex girlfriend burned it down before leaving Torchline.” He purrs the quiet comment, leaving it open for Danta’s commentary.

Eventually, though, the heat of the sandy beach greets them and Asta is immensely pleased – waiting a touch impatiently for them to have found the spot to settle in before he kicks off his shoes and soaks the heat up through his scarred feet. “As have I, darling. It is my favorite vacation we take all year.” Mostly due to the heat they didn’t get any other time of year.

As Danta pulls everything out of this seemingly tiny bag, though, Asta’s surprise continues to grow, watching with his hands on his hips and pushing back the open half of his shirt while his scarlet tail flicks back and forth. “This is new.” Approval blooms in his accented tone.

Astaroth

you know what's on the line

kick back a little just to watch and see

"Oho, is that right?" Danta's eyes widen as he soaks up the gossip and the drama; there is a big difference between the Hanged Man burning down and someone burning it down, after all. "As good a story as it is, that's still a shame. We had a lot of formative memories in that bar." It had been where the karaoke night had taken place that had ultimately led to Flora forcing them to face their feelings for one another. Not to mention where the three of them had later come together in a much different way.

Humming thoughtful and indulgent agreement about where this vacation stands among the others they might take throughout the year, Danta has laid out the blankets and has just opened the beach umbrella when Asta catches on to the properties of his little bag, and he offers the butcher a cheeky grin for his trouble. "Deimos made it for me," he says, tossing the bag down onto the blanket and arranging the wine and sun lotion in the shade of the umbrella.

Plopping down to sit and patting the space next to him, while Asta settles to join him Danta goes rummaging again - this time it's a few tasselled cushions to lounge back against, glasses for the wine, and a small red spade (for digging and making sand castles, duh). "Will this work for you?" he asks, beaming up towards his lover.

Dantalion

getting sicker by the minute with debauchery

A low-hanging tree nearby is heavy with strange fruit, its branches sagging beneath the weight of several Molten Pineapples clustered together. Their spiked skins glow faintly, heat shimmering in the air around them as they cling stubbornly to the limbs.

Now and again, one shifts, its stem cracking with a soft, ominous sound before dropping free. It hits the ground with a dull thud, splitting slightly as warmth seeps outward, scorching the earth beneath it. The others remain where they are, swaying gently, their glow pulsing as if in response.

The tree creaks quietly under the combined weight and heat, leaves curling at the edges. Whether more will fall or the cluster will remain intact is uncertain, but the warning is clear enough for those paying attention.

---

Molten Pineapples Areas Found: Torchline — Common These pineapples have adapted to Torchline's environment, developing a protective layer that withstands extreme temperatures. When harvested, their juicy, heat-resistant flesh is a favourite treat among the locals. Challenge Rating: Easy HP: 11 | To Hit: 2 | Dmg: 9 Movement: None SPECIAL SKILLS Culinary Favourite: prized for its flavour and resilience; Extended Freshness: resists spoilage longer than most fruit

TRAITS Heat-Resistant Flesh: remains fresh and juicy even in extreme temperatures; Tough Exterior: protective rind shields fruit from damage; Tropical Growth: thrives in Torchline’s warm, coastal climate ACTIONS Eating the fruit delivers a burst of sweet, tropical flavour with a faint warmth; the heat-resistant qualities make it refreshing even when eaten under direct sun, and overindulgence may cause mild stomach upset due to its richness.

so what, my friend, whatever will it be?
i can give you what you crave, just not for free

Humming a soft note of agreement, the butcher laughs lightly. “Yes.” He hums with a tinge of mourning hum. “At least we still harbor those memories, yes? And perhaps we can make new ones in the new establishment?” He asks, raising a dark brow with a small smirk of amusement. He’s sure Flora would let them get away with much of whatever they wanted to these days.

But for now, he’s entirely focused on their vacation and the heat of the sand under his feet. He spends time admiring the bag that seems absolutely endless, admiration in his face as he meets that cheeky grin. He doesn’t sit yet, despite the fact that Danta does – their set up far more opulent than it had been last year. “Oh, immensely.” He beams, a fingertip running along the edge of the umbrella. “Just give me a few moments.” Tipping a wink to his lover, the butcher slips away.

Not for long, no, because he’s on his way toward the little stand selling drinks – margaritas and mai tai’s specifically – grabbing a less sweet option with a spicy chile rim for Danta and the sweeter rum drink for himself. It’s about then that he spots the pineapple that’s fallen much to his delight, not at all opposed to the heat radiating from it as he snags the lovely and fresh looking pineapple to bring back.

He almost makes a perfect waiter as he arrives, a pineapple in one hand and both drinks easily balanced in the other. The drink is handed off before he settles in the shade of their beach umbrella and leans back against the cushions quite comfortably, he pops up his sunglasses and shoots his lover a wink. “Look what I found, darling.” Excitement glimmers in his gaze as he holds up the molten pineapple.

Astaroth

you know what's on the line

kick back a little just to watch and see

"Ah, now that's an idea," Danta says with a devilish smile up towards his lover. "If our assistance is required in building the place, maybe we can even make a memory or two before it's much more than a foundation." He has faith that they can make it so, especially if they're fuelled by sunshine, napping on the beach and a plethora of vacation cocktails.

Leaning back on one hand and about to grab for their bottle of wine, apparently Asta has much different ideas, and Danta raises his brows over his sunglasses as he pads away across the sand. "Hate to see you leave but love to watch you go," he mumbles to himself, smirking at the butcher's shrinking figure.

By the time the other man returns the Maverick has already made himself very comfortable indeed, and he coos his delight at the cocktail and reaches out for it, sitting up enough to push his own sunglasses up into his hair and to tilt his head at the weird fruit. "Is that a pineapple?" he asks, grinning. "And when you say found, do you mean stole?"

Dantalion

getting sicker by the minute with debauchery

so what, my friend, whatever will it be?
i can give you what you crave, just not for free

“Yes, precisely.” The butcher purrs before he makes his departure. Not that he’s opposed to wine, of course, but something refreshing sounds like the perfect start to finish it up with the dry red wine that Danta’s pulled out from the bag. And while he’s gone, he can’t deny the thought of all the different ways they might leave their little mark in the foundation of the building.

He isn’t gone for long, though, returning with the pineapple and drinks in hand, settling in under the umbrella and giving Danta all of his attention with a shark tooth grin to pair with it. “Eeeeh,” Asta starts off, smirking before he laugh slightly and rolls his shoulder. “It simply fell. Finder’s Keeper’s, is that not the saying?” He points out, tail whipping a little behind him as he finally takes a second to sip his drink. “Besides, it was simply radiating heat on the ground and I am fairly confident everyone thought that it might burst into flame anyway.” Sure enough, the pineapple still radiates heat as he inspects it again.

“Would you like the honors?” To cut the pineapple, that is.

Astaroth

you know what's on the line

kick back a little just to watch and see

"It fell," Danta repeats with a shit-eating grin, disbelief written all over his expression, though clearly he has no qualms with them taking ownership of the maybe-stolen tropical snack. Sipping at his own drink - a little sweet, a lot tart, and with the heat from the chili rim - and sitting himself up properly, he examines the pineapple that Asta places between them and shrugs. "Why not?" he chirps, setting his drink down and rummaging again in his bag of holding before emerging with the sharp blade most often found in his boot.

Where people might call Asta the butcher due to his meticulous skill with blades and flesh, Danta is a butcher in a much more derogatory way; the pineapple is hacked into rather than cut, and his fingers are sticky with the juice as he tears a chunk of the fruit away, offering it up for Asta to take with a smirk. "Are you regretting asking me to do this yet?" he asks sweetly.

Dantalion

getting sicker by the minute with debauchery

so what, my friend, whatever will it be?
i can give you what you crave, just not for free

“Indeed.” Asta purrs to Danta’s repeated comment, even spying the shit-eating grin that Asta cannot help but find mirrored on his own. The disbelief is there, sure, but Danta didn’t hear anything when he was gone, so it’s safe to assume that either he most certainly did find it – or the person could absolutely care less about the pineapple or had been forced to secrecy. Hw does, however, love the stories Danta comes up with about him, so he’s happy to leave it up for his interpretation.

Asta slouches a bit more as Danta sits up, the blade appearing from the bag of many dimensions and he watches with amusement as Danta begins to absolutely mutilate the pineapple. The butcher doesn’t mind, though. It’s vacation, after all, and as the chunk of fruit is torn away and offered out to him, the butcher leans in. “Not at all, darling.” The butcher purrs as he takes the bite and spends a few extra moments to clean up the juice that’s slipped down his lover’s fingers in a not too subtly sultry way. Sitting back with a wink and a hum of content, the molten pineapple is divine as it coats his lips.

Astaroth

you know what's on the line

kick back a little just to watch and see

"You'd say that whether or not you meant it," Danta says, though the accusation in his eyes is tempered by affection and something hotter still as Asta takes the bite of fruit and follows it up with some clever work from his lips and tongue. "We have been out here for five minutes," he hisses under his breath, though rather than seeming exasperated, Danta is more impressed that Asta has been the one to lower the bar; usually that's a job reserved for his good self.

"Well, how is it?" he begins, before holding up a (now clean) hand and shaking his head. "Don't answer - I think I can figure it out myself." Tipping forward to close the distance between them, he kisses the lingering sweetness from the butcher's lips as if he was always intending to end up there - which he was. "Mm, not bad," he purrs. "I think you add something extra to it that makes it taste better, though."

Dantalion

getting sicker by the minute with debauchery

so what, my friend, whatever will it be?
i can give you what you crave, just not for free

“Ah, how you know me.” The butcher smirks shortly before stealing the bite of pineapple from the Maverick’s fingers, his amusement very evident in the curl of his tail as he withdraws, devouring the pineapple and forgoing any usual politeness of not talking while his mouth is full – though he does cover his mouth before speaking. “It’s vacation, darling.” He points out notably, swallowing down the bite and flashing a grin precisely to answer the other Ancient’s question when he’s stalled by the hand that’s held up.

Dark eyes made a molten honey from the brilliant sun reflecting off the sands tracks Danta as he tips forward and presses the kiss to his lips. He indulges him, almost a soft and exploratory kiss that has him very content as the other man withdraws. “Mm, perhaps. Though is it the smoke or the blood I wonder?” He smirks, leaning in to press a chaste kiss to Danta before he’s sinking back and winding a free arm around the Maverick’s hips, almost like he’s craving the connection.

Astaroth

you know what's on the line

kick back a little just to watch and see

"Both, I think," Danta mumbles against Asta's second kiss, smiling against his lips before finally letting him draw away. The pineapple does seem to be a hit for him at least, though, the Maverick reaching for another piece of the mangled fruit. After enjoying that and chasing it down with a (generous) sip of his cocktail, he sets it down and also relaxes back into the cushions with the butcher. Asta's arm around him is warmer even than the burning sand beyond their umbrella, and Danta half rolls on his side to prop himself up and gaze down at the other man.

"I think getting slowly wasted on the beach and sunbathing with you is my favourite part of any vacation," he decides with a fanged smile, reaching up to tilt the umbrella slightly away from them. Not forever, but for long enough that the heat of the day can fully fall across them, forcing him to close his eyes even with sunglasses in case the sun blinds him. "Mmm, now it's perfect." Shifting to lay down properly like a lizard with Asta as his heat rock, evidently Danta is very satisifed so far.

Dantalion

getting sicker by the minute with debauchery

so what, my friend, whatever will it be?
i can give you what you crave, just not for free

“That would make sense.” The butcher purrs against Danta’s lips before they part, settling back in the blankets and pillows to watch Danta snatch another bite of pineapple and swallow down the huge sip of his cocktail. The butcher nurses his own, admiring the way the sun glints from the sand to brighten his lover’s face, the golden strands like liquid sunlight reflecting the rainbow cacophony from the other Ancient’s diamond horns.

Distracted by it, he doesn’t add much more until Danta’s settled in against him, propped up to peer down at the butcher who’s sunk into the blanket that soaks up the heat from the sand beneath them. “It is mine too.” He hums softly, the smile unable to be swiped from his face. As the Maverick tilts the umbrella, though, Asta squints over his sunglasses toward his lover with a soft snort as the heat radiates further in – sweating the ice in the cocktail he still holds with his other hand.

“Did you put your sunscreen on?” He purposefully waits until Danta’s settled back in against him, like he’s the heat rock under the heat lamp that Danta soaks up like the happiest lizard to ever exist. “If you did not, I am happy to help.” He hasn’t, either, in fairness. If he burns, he burns. At least his skin is relatively used to the blinding sunlight.

Astaroth

you know what's on the line