// no one wants a half remembered tragedy. You must know the width of the knife //
“I am a bit greedy, I suppose.” The butcher laments, all an amused air of just how much he preferred Danta’s company over most. It wasn’t unusual for him, though, even back in the Climb. He’d stuck to himself for the majority of the time apart from when he’d been dragged out to events or gatherings by Zac and Rayla. These days, he very rarely needed to stick it out alone, eternally grateful that Danta wanted him around just as much as he wanted to be around him. “That is true.” He agrees with a soft huff of a laugh to their solo adventures. And perhaps now, without the fear of him dying out in the middle of nowhere with the revivify feather he keeps close that the Maverick might relax somewhat.
So focused on getting his question out when he does, he doesn’t quite realize the implication he’s making – watching as Danta’s head tilts sharply – his lips ghosting across his fiance’s paling fingers. And for all the constant movement, cat-like liquidity Danta often is in his arms, it’s the stillness that has him realizing it even before Danta’s voice leaves him. “No, no, darling. Nothing like that.” He tries to reassure him, his smile widening a touch as if to prove that it isn’t because of their past that he’d rather Danta use it. It’s trust.
“I trust you. And.. If I am being honest,” he pauses, letting Danta’s hand lower from his lips so he can brush his thumb across the back of it. “I know how exhausted I will be in Deepfrost and I would rather not wait until Flowerbirth to finish this. Most of the tasks will be easy in Leafchange, but that one I can’t do with anyone else this season.” It’s an unfair reason, he begins to realize, and his smile drops with it. “You know how I am about my canes.. Least of all this season.” How it’s an extension of him and how rare it was for him to hand it off to someone else. “If it is too much of an ask I can find another way, if you’d prefer that.” Tacking it on so that the other Ancient might feel a little less pressure with it, the butcher’s hand lifts to cup Danta’s cheek, thumb stroking along the underside of his sharp cheekbone.
So focused on getting his question out when he does, he doesn’t quite realize the implication he’s making – watching as Danta’s head tilts sharply – his lips ghosting across his fiance’s paling fingers. And for all the constant movement, cat-like liquidity Danta often is in his arms, it’s the stillness that has him realizing it even before Danta’s voice leaves him. “No, no, darling. Nothing like that.” He tries to reassure him, his smile widening a touch as if to prove that it isn’t because of their past that he’d rather Danta use it. It’s trust.
“I trust you. And.. If I am being honest,” he pauses, letting Danta’s hand lower from his lips so he can brush his thumb across the back of it. “I know how exhausted I will be in Deepfrost and I would rather not wait until Flowerbirth to finish this. Most of the tasks will be easy in Leafchange, but that one I can’t do with anyone else this season.” It’s an unfair reason, he begins to realize, and his smile drops with it. “You know how I am about my canes.. Least of all this season.” How it’s an extension of him and how rare it was for him to hand it off to someone else. “If it is too much of an ask I can find another way, if you’d prefer that.” Tacking it on so that the other Ancient might feel a little less pressure with it, the butcher’s hand lifts to cup Danta’s cheek, thumb stroking along the underside of his sharp cheekbone.
Astaroth
// and how it ruined you. Name the organs it kissed //
