[SE] safety off, fire away

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

“Then we should go all out, should we not?” He breathes against the Maverick’s jaw as he makes his approach, leaning in and pressing his lips against the smooth pale skin, warmed by Torchline’a comfortable heat. He does realize it is a sharp curve, it’s one the butcher is currently learning himself, too. It’s been bumpy and difficult, but they have both seemed to find their place at least.

And for that, the butcher is quietly grateful for the vacation.

Diving into the kiss once it’s offered, it is a good thing Danta breaks it first. Between the hands in his hair and the truly sweet and refreshing kiss he dives into, Asta isn’t sure he wants to give him up just yet. But, he can be patient, and so he is as the blonde shifts to stand and the butcher settles back into the towel on the sand, eyes a touch heavy lidded as he watches the other man saunter away. “I wouldn’t dare to.” Danta brings all the fun anyway.

The sunglasses Asta had somehow lost in his sleep get replaced, only so that he doesn’t have to keep squinting at the waves, relaxing with his back pressed against the board again, he seems almost entirely peaceful. And maybe even asleep again while Danta’s gone.

He isn’t, but it’s a statement to how relaxed he is at the present moment, listening to the loud roar of the waves nearby as the tide shifts and changes.

Astaroth

you know what's on the line

Dantalion

but you can't be free

A picture of quiet peace and relaxation, the butcher makes for quite a sight for many of those passing on the beach, and he'll find that more than one person tries to catch his eye as they make their way towards Haulani or the boardwalk or further along the coast. A few younger women in bikinis even have the confidence to titter and wave at him as they walk by; without the obvious marker of his horns, clearly the butcher is lacking somewhat in his intimidation factor.

Though it's not like it can entirely be attributed to being an Ancient, because as Danta returns with two cocktails in his hands, he's clearly been having quite an easy time socialising, in high spirits as he ducks back under the parasol to plop down. "Here you are, Mr. Sweet and Refreshing," he purrs, handing Asta an expertly made mojito, before he settles back with what looks to be a frozen margarita.

"It's bright out there," he adds, taking a quick sip of his drink and setting it down, before straightening up so he can sweep his blonde hair into a clumsy knot to keep it off the back of his neck. That done, he settles back next to Asta and crosses his ankles to watch the waves go by, fumbling for his sunglasses to slip them back on his nose.

'cause I'm selfish, I'm obscene

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

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

The first few that pass and look at him receive naught more than just mere passing glances, thinking nothing of it when he’s met with the group of women, tittering and waving and it takes him enough by surprise that the dark brows of his raise beneath the aviators currently sitting on his nose, watching them pass without a wave back (purely because he’s positive they’ve got to be waving at someone else, right? Right. Wrong.)

He’s still the picture perfect of peace when Danta returns, capturing his attention immediately with a wide too sharp smile that matches those sported on Danta’s swim trunks. “Thank you, darling.” Lifting his hands to take the drink from the blonde, he peers at the mojito with intrigue, clearly quite pleased to have it as he takes a sip and shimmies over a little to let Danta settle in beside him.

He takes a sip while Danta settles, relishing in the taste of mint and lime, the refreshing taste perfectly matching exactly what he wanted. His arm slips up to wind around the blonde’s shoulders, tucking him in beside him. “Bright and busy.” He hums, before he cranes his head toward the blonde, his sunglasses slipping down his nose alongside one strand of dark hair. “May I try your drink?” His bearded chin nods toward the margarita Danta has settled in the sand.

Astaroth

you know what's on the line

Dantalion

but you can't be free

"My pleasure," Danta purrs, settling in more than willingly as Asta's warm arm sneaks around his shoulders to draw him closer. Sighing out a breath that has him relaxing against the other man, he tips his head back to rest it against Asta's shoulder, lazily watching the world go by. "It'll likely clear soon and we'll have the beach to ourselves. Too hot for anyone but Ancients." He grins at that, his tail sweeping idly at his side to imagine the entire place empty but for the two of them.

"Mm? Of course." If it had been anyone else of course Danta would be telling them where to go, but Asta has long defied all rules and expectations, and he leans across to snag the glass from the sand to pass it across to the butcher. "It's mango. There's chilli powder around the rim, instead of salt," he explains - sweet, certainly, but likely not the refreshing that he'd been looking for. "Might take the recipe back with me to the Dusklight."

'cause I'm selfish, I'm obscene

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

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

As Danta leans into his side and his shoulder, Asta’s fingertips drum against the Maverick’s arm ever so lightly as his comment is made. Nodding his agreement, his smile fades ever so slightly into comfortability. “Then we can truly enjoy it, mm?” Comes the playful hum of his accented voice.

As for trying the drink, his mojito is placed carefully into the sand as he collects the frozen margarita Danta had received, eyeing its orange hue through the glass and the brown, red, and yellow dusting around the rim. He can’t remember if he’s tried anything mango, before, but he takes a sip of it anyway, tongue darting out directly after to swipe away the chili powder lingering on his lips.

And that’s when he hands it back with a nose wrinkle. “Ah, evidently I am not a fan of mango.” He says with a soft huff of a laugh, dark eyes lingering momentarily on the margarita before he’s plucking up his own drink to wash away the taste. “However, that just means there is more for you, no?” His gaze lifts back to Danta’s face, nose still wrinkled, lips quirking into a small half smirk.

Astaroth

you know what's on the line

Dantalion

but you can't be free

"Don't," Danta hisses under his breath, the word formed around a wicked smile as the hand not passing over his drink to Asta slips down to rest atop the butcher's thigh. "I have been on my best behaviour this whole time with my head in your lap and my hands all over you, and I'm not about to ruin it at the last hurdle before I get the chance to have you to myself."

Not that Danta has ever been adverse to public displays of SEX affection, but when it comes to he and Asta, things still seem strange and delicate in a way that feels new, exciting and yet uncertain. If the Maverick didn't know better, he'd say he was desperately worried about ruining things or getting them wrong.

Watching Asta out of the corner of his eye as he tries - and promptly rejects - his choice of drink, Danta barks out a laugh and lifts it in a cheers for good measure. "At least I got you something you did like," he agrees. "Unless you actually do hate it, in which case you need to say so before it's the only drink I ever remember ordering for you."

'cause I'm selfish, I'm obscene

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

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

Snorting as Danta explains he’s been on his best behavior, he does have to agree. But a wickedness glimmers in his gaze, hidden thankfully behind the sunglasses. “I simply meant freedom from ogling as we sunbathe almost to the point of being burnt.” His dark brow lifts above the frame of the glasses, the smirk on display, as if he had zero idea what the Maverick meant — though he does nothing to stop the blonde’s hand from resting on his thigh. If anything, the butcher welcomes it.

As for not liking the drink, he concedes to giving it back to him, taking a sip of his mojito to wash away the taste. He cheers to Danta’s as he takes another heavy sip of the refreshing mixture, before setting it back down and letting a dark laugh escape his throat. “I do like it, very much, darling. If I didn’t I would not have washed my mouth out with it.” He drawls with a playful smirk, nosing his way in to press his face into the blonde strands of the Mavericks head over his ears. “If it is the drink you always order for me on vacation, I would consider myself quite content.”

Astaroth

you know what's on the line

Dantalion

but you can't be free

"Oh? Am I finally going to get you out of that shirt, then?" Danta inquires, tilting his head to look up at the other man as his hand sneaks further towards Asta's inner thigh, though it never strays beyond what's appropriate. (Mostly - it's a very difficult line to toe, okay?) He pauses to take a sip of his own drink - what a shame that if Asta wants any more kisses they'll have to taste like mango - and as he lowers the glass again, it's just in time to have the other man's ice-cool lips and cold breath ghosting across his ear, sending a shiver down his spine.

"What if we just stayed here all Longheat?" he wonders with a sudden sigh that drags his shoulders down, the Maverick sinking against Asta and trusting him to keep them upright. "Or what if I just gave up being Theocrat and we did whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted?" Constant change, living in entropy, chaos and base instinct; Dygra would approve, surely.

'cause I'm selfish, I'm obscene

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

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

“That can be arranged.” Comes the playful purr, a tone to his voice that seems to suggest that it’s very much a possibility as he lets Danta’s hand go wherever he wishes. But if his leg twitches a touch more open, he acts as if nothing it hadn’t happened.

The shiver he sends down Danta’s spine is merely payback from the goosebumps and shivers he’d sparked along his own spine with the massage, still feeling far more limber and relaxed than before. “Mm?” He asks curiously, keeping his face pressed in against the side of Danta’s head, lips fluttering by his temple as he sags into him.

“But the Rage Room, darliiiiinnnnggg.” He nearly whines it out, as if the thought in and of itself wasn’t something terrible, but gods if he hasn’t been looking forward to the rage room.

That and the added bonus of Danta ensuring Maea can’t haunt him in the Inner Quarter. That’s a plus.

Astaroth

you know what's on the line

Dantalion

but you can't be free

"Don't make promises you can't keep," Danta grins, turning his head ever so slightly such that their conversation feels a great deal more intimate before; which seems to work just fine, given the near whine that rumbles against his ear with Asta's next comment. "Mm, I suppose I did say I'd get to doing that," he agrees, groaning and turning further to bury his head in the side of Asta's neck, drink forgotten in lieu of the soft column of his throat and the blood he can feel pumping against his lips from the beat of his pulse.

"Alright, alright. The Rage Room, and then I'll decide if I want to run away with you, or keep ruling the Grounds." And given that Danta's mind changes on the hour, he'll likely be on to some other set of shenanigans by then anyway. Asta, though - his desire for the butcher's presence at his side has remained consistent - hence why his hand continues to sneak further between the other man's thighs, despite the fact that there are still a few people enjoying the beach.

'cause I'm selfish, I'm obscene

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

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

Huffing a warm breath against Danta’s ear and temple. “I keep my promises, my dear.” He drawls with that very same purr. But as he makes his whined complaint of the rage room not being completed, he gladly lets the blonde’s head fall against his neck, the pulse of his heart lingering against the warm press of his lips. The butcher leans into it, a vibration humming past his lips at the mere idea of the rage room.

His arm squeezes the blonde’s shoulders a fraction tighter, drawing him a touch closer and partially turning into him which only gives the Maverick more movement against the red swim shorts. “It sounds delightful either way.” He begins to say, before he’s pressing his lips closer to the Theocrats ear. “Dare I say romantic, even?” Nipping lightly at Danta’s ear, he’s cautious enough to not draw any blood or pierce the other Ancient’s ear lobe, but the click of his too sharp teeth is heard quite loudly before a huff of a laugh rumbles out of his chest, tilting his head up and away from his ear to retrieve the mojito to take a sip, leaving his throat open for Danta to stay pressed into.

Astaroth

you know what's on the line

Dantalion

but you can't be free

Oh, Danta knows Asta keeps his promises; shamelessly, he'd just wanted to hear him say so, to feel the whisper of his breath against his bare skin. But then the other man is turning further towards him and the Maverick makes a show of pretending at disinterest, his cool blue eyes on the distant shoreline, his fingers stroking in slow passes against his inner thigh without creeping any further. "It does, doesn't it?" he agrees, of delightful, but before he can remark further, there are teeth nipping against his ear and Danta's breath skips in through his chest, ruining any attempt at detachment.

As Asta leans out further to grab his drink, he'll feel the Maverick's jaws part, his teeth pressed ever so gently against the column of his throat. Poised to tear out his jugular if so inclined, instead Danta merely lingers there for a second, fangs not quite breaking the skin, before he withdraws and leaves a featherlight kiss in his wake.

"Is that something you'd enjoy?" he wonders as if it had never happened, his head lolling back against the butcher's shoulder, the words murmured against his neck. "Romantic, I mean." It isn't something Danta has ever experienced, so he'd not know it to like it himself, but if that's the kind of thing Asta would want, he'll do his best.

'cause I'm selfish, I'm obscene

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

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

The tilt of the Theocrat’s head into disinterest is one that has Asta not at all imagining he’s actually bored of this. Because Danta’s fingers continue their idle little strokes against his thigh and the butcher’s essentially all wrapped up in him, especially as his teeth click with the threat of a nip. It’s about when he withdraws to retrieve his mojito, aiming to take a sip when teeth press against his neck.

Ordinarily, this would be a position that the butcher would do everything in his capability to avoid, but with Danta? There’s no subconscious fear there that the blonde would tear his throat out, regardless of how ready and prepared he seemed with the pressure applied. Enough, in fact, that he takes the sip of the mojito and with the swallow can feel the amplified pressure of teeth with a hum of appreciation, and admittedly heat rising to his cheeks and sparking through his chest and racing south.

A gentle kiss is left and Asta’s breath hitches when Danta pulls away, settling into the taller Ancient’s shoulder. Setting the mojito down now that a very nice and comfortable buzz has formed in his mind, his arm wrapped around Danta has his hand slipping closer to the blonde’s chest, tracing designs into his neck and against his collarbone. “Truthfully I have not put much thought into it.” He admits a touch slowly, before his head tilts slightly, dark hair blending into the blonde of Danta’s. “I have never thought myself capable of it, if we are being honest.” He says slowly, his hands and their drawn designs equally slowing as if he’s thinking quite hard about it, his dark gaze drifting off toward the horizon as if it might help to gather his thoughts.

Astaroth

you know what's on the line

Dantalion

but you can't be free

If Danta is aware of the reaction he's caused, he's doing a very good job of feigning ignorance; it's his turn to reach for his drink, half-melted as it already is, the Maverick taking a long sip of it to ensure he can enjoy it while it still lasts. It isn't much of a surprise to feel himself pressed closer against Asta as he lowers his glass once again, and Danta contours himself against his body as if he's been made to fit snug along his side; only as he glances up does he spot the dusting of heat across the butcher's cheeks, visible even behind sunglasses.

"No? That's strange, given that everyone I know would argue that you're a natural romantic," he quips, falling quiet for a moment to let the other man think - and so he can enjoy the touch of warm fingers along his chest too, for that matter. It's true, though; between shopping, outings and tea, not to mention Asta's gentlemanly nature (however monstrous he might be beneath that mask), it all speaks of a man who knows how to woo.

"It wasn't a trick question," Danta whispers eventually, feeling Asta's fingers slow against his chest and shoulder, and he leans in to nose against his jaw as if to bring him back.

'cause I'm selfish, I'm obscene

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!