better borgin than burke

Alecto found herself leaning into him a little as he draped an arm around her. But really, who could blame her? Alecto struggled to resist pretty boys. “Mmm…. I suppose that is true….” And she supposed if she couldn’t be drowning her sorrows with Caius to pick up the pieces, then his best friend would have to do. “But also I’ve never been drunk with you, how do I know that you won’t be handsy?” 

Erik leaned his head back as Alecto made her claim. “Excuse me,” He feigned offense before scoffing. “You wish honey, you wish.” He pursed his lips then shook his head as they continued to walk. It wasn’t long before they reached a bar. Erik lifted his arm from around her to open the door for her.

“Two cups, I’m good – just can’t seem to find my friends and I want to forget about whatever happened at the ball,” James laughed. “Why do you think I’m drunk? Because I’m altruistic?” He joked with the roll of his eyes. “I would like to be buggered out, but it’ll take a bit for me to get there. Maybe five drinks at the most? Want to buy me the other three?” He turned to face Eric fully fluttering his eyelashes at him from behind his glasses attempting to look as convincing as possible. Would it work on someone like Eric? Most likely not, but James was having fun.

Erik listened to the man speak with raised eyebrows. Once James eventually finished, he ran a hand through his hair. “Now now James,” Erik laughed. “Just because you’re a pretty boy, it doesn’t mean batting your eyelashes will get you anything you want. You can’t just ask me to buy you three drinks... but since you are a pretty boy and you bat your eyelashes, I’ll get you one.” He finished with a smirk in the man’s direction before his attention shifted to getting the attention of a bartender. 

Starter for ; Open!! Where ; Hogshead

James thought he was tired before. Now he was exhausted. Long hours, the fear of a similar thing happening again and the fear of losing people he loved. He didn’t know what he could do at this point but he wanted to help in every possible way. Whether it was going to visit friends in St Mungos or trying to find anyone who wore a mask during the battle. So he took a seat at the bar ordering what he thought was a well deserved beer. Normally he would be in the mood to be around people and chat, but the air was stagnant almost everywhere. James almost always felt more at home when he was around the people he cared about now. When someone sat beside him he didn’t acknowledge it, taking a sip before finally speaking up. “Hey, fancy seeing you here,” he gave the other a small charming smile as to appear normal. “I’ll buy you a drink if you can guess my last name.”

Erik hummed happily along as he toddled along down to Hogsmead. He’d finished another long day at work. It was almost like the man was on autopilot when he was heading to a bar. He immediately grabbed the first empty seat in sight. His lips had just parted, ready to order when he was interrupted. While in autopilot he’d failed to notice that he’d sat next to someone. Erik snorted almost immediately. “James mate, how much have you had to drink?” He clapped his pal on the back. “You good?”

Alecto just laughed, rolling her eyes at him as she followed him in the direction of whatever bar he was going too. “I tell you enough shit sober anyway” She pointed out, not really too bothered about what she said when I was drunk. “Anyway…. what will dear Caius think of you getting me drunk? Good Bestie points there”

Erik snorted and nodded slowly. “That is true, that is true,” He draped an arm around her shoulders as they walked. “Well I’m sure he’d prefer me get you drunk than a random man off the street who’ll undoubtedly end up getting a little too handsy after a few,” Erik looked to her with raised eyebrows. “Do you disagree?”

Alecto had to admit that she was grateful that her friends knew her pretty well. Even Erik, who she’d say didn’t know her all that well. Maybe she needed to get better at hiding her emotions. “A drink sounds good…..” She murmured, even though she probably shouldn’t have been drinking with her ex’s best friend. Who knew what she’d say that might get back to Caius. But, Alecto did like to live on the dangerous side, even when she was feeling awful.

Erik tucked his hands into his pockets, nodded then began walking in the direction of the nearest bar he could think of. “Let’s get going then,” He offered a small smile in her direction. “Anything you want to get off your chest now? Best say it now with control rather than later when it spills out because you’re drunk.”

Alecto cursed, shaking her head as she reached out, grabbing onto Erik’s arm to stop herself from falling over as they collided. “Shit…” She grumbled, taking a step back once she was sure she wasn’t going to fall over. “Erik….” She murmured, once she realised who it was. At least she hadn’t collided with someone that hated her. That would have been rather awkward. “Don’t worry….” She girl murmured, shrugging as she looked at him. It seemed Alecto was lacking her usual feistiness. “I’m very much the same”

Within moments of being stood in front of her, Erik could tell that something was off with Alecto. There were a lot of people who were struggling recently and it all came down to the same event really. So he didn’t feel the need to ask. “Want to go get a drink?” Erik waved a hand over his shoulder as he spoke.

Where: Knockturn Alley,

When: A few days after the Summer Solstice Ball

Who: Alecto and @beautifulxbcrgin​

It was a few days later, and honestly Alecto really still wasn’t thinking clearly. At least she hadn’t physically been hurt that much. But gods, was her heart hurting. The only person she wanted to see, was Caius, and yet he was no where to be found. So Alecto did the next best thing, she just buried alectocxrrow​ her head in the sand, and moved on. Maybe if she pretended Amelia had meant nothing to her, then her death wouldn’t hurt so much.

So, right now she was just heading down to work, and at least at the Grave she could surround herself by other people, and pretend that she was okay. Or at least, that was the plan anyway

Erik felt almost constantly on high alert lately. The two men didn’t rely on each other for everything but he still found himself slightly on edge without his partner in crime around. It also, annoying, meant he had to work more shifts at the store. It was while on the way home from a shitft that he collided with a familiar face. It was his tiredness that had meant he hadn’t been paying attention. “Hm?” Erik lifted his head, eyelids heavy. “Alecto,” He sighed before tucking his hands into his pockets. “Sorry, I’m exhausted.”

“I didn’t say I didn’t like it….” Alecto pointed out, a little grin on her features. “You happen to look very handsome Erik.” Even she couldn’t deny that he was attractive. And she probably would’ve hit on him, if he hadn’t been Caius’ best friend. Even Alecto had some limits. “Thought you’d never ask, but don’t get stepping on my feet”

Lips pressed into a line, Erik narrowed his eyes to match. “Hmmmm, sure,” The man nodded slowly. “If you say so,” Eventually he relaxed and let out a laugh before nodding down at his extended hand. “Step on your feet? I don’t know who you’ve been dancing with before but there’ll be no stepping on feet here - from me at least.”

“Oh. Your poor thing. Do you need help fixing your poor venom covered suit?” Alecto teased. She had to admit she had missed this banter that she’d previously had with Erik. Maye she’d let her moping getting in the way of her friendships, and that was bad on her part. Alecto just smirked at him. “Mmm….. depend on who that someone was”

Erik feigned a gasp. “I’ll have you know that this is Ankara,” He looked down at his outfit. “It’s considered a very formal and regal fabric in African culture. Don’t be so offensive,” Erik looked back up and narrowed his eyes at Alecto before letting out a sigh and offering a hand. “If you’re willing to dance with a man in Ankara fabric, fancy a twirl?”

Alecto just raised an eyebrow, and smirked. “Don’t worry your little head. Heartbreak hasn’t dampened my venom” She mused, still smirking. She might have moped around a little, but she’d not lost her bitchiness. She shrugged at his words. “I suppose so. Who am I to say no to the amazing Mr. Burke?”

“You don’t bloody say,” Erik laughed. “You just spat your venom all over me,” He mimed brushing venom off him again. It was somewhat of a relief though to know that she wasn’t completely moping over the man - and Erik was saying that as Caius’ best friend. He might be a lad but he was also still a gentleman and hated to see a lady sad. “What if someone who wasn’t Caius asked for a dance?”

Alecto just scoffed at his rolls her eyes. “Scouted out Caius? No.” Of course not. They might think she was desparate but she wasn’t. “If he wants to dance he’ll have to come find me. I’m done chasing him.” If he wanted her, he would have to put the effort in, and gosh did he have a lot to make up for.

“Meow!” Erik laughed before clapping his hands together. Next his hands began to brush at the material of his clothing. “Give me one second, I need to get off all the venom you’re spitting - damn,” He continued the act for a few moments more before stopping. “So you’d say yes if he did come over and ask then?”

There were still some people who were shook up after what had happened earlier in the evening. It was understandable obviously. Erik... felt pretty fine though. So he was shamelessly going to take advantage of the situation and offer his shoulder to any fair maidens or misters who may need it. So he got another drink in his system (not that he needed the courage) and looked around. An attractive woman was stood in the corner looking more concerned than anything. So Erik made his way across the ballroom before offering out his hand to her. “It’s such a shame to see such a pretty face looking so concerned,” He said sweetly with a smile. “Care if I distract you by taking you for a spin around the ballroom floor?”  || @andromedhs​

Who: @beautifulxbcrgin Where: East Hall When: Two hours after the attack It wasn’t uncommon for Evan to go to events strictly because of family duties. It was even more common for him to spend a considerable part of that time sharing drinks with his friends, and the men he’d meet on the spot. At this particular time, with all the events that had happened before, he might be considered a little buzzed, as he’d like to say. Not drunk, definitely not, but not sober either; just at the stage where he’d smoked about ten cigarettes since the beginning of the ball, having spent most of his time outdoors bashing on the party hosts. He was just about to call it a night and head home, when a particular figure strolled up to him. “Honestly, I didn’t think you would have stayed so long here. Can’t believe I have either.”

Everyone was doing their best to calm down after the attack. A valiant effort had definitely been made. Personally, Erik had just resorted to getting some more drinks in his system and packing on the socialising (and flirting). One conversation had just finished and he was looking for his next when he spotted a familiar face. Erik walked over with a very obvious cheeky grin. Before he could even say anything, Evan started speaking. “But I bet you’re glad that I did stay,” Erik said with pursed lips and raised eyebrows. He slowly turned on his heel to gesture to the bar. “Drink?”

Where: East India House, Grand Ballroom Who: @beautifulxbcrgin​

In order to keep her mother from jumping to conclusions, Bella had kept her distance from the dancefloor and instead settled herself at one of the high tables as she watched the crowd. There were the obvious couples that had already been dating before tonight and then there were those staged couples, whether they were friends who came together or someone set up by their parents. Both sets she was taking amusement out of watching, though she was sure everyone knew how important appearances were tonight. Which is why when she noticed a familiar figure cross her path, she had to remain pleasant, “Feel free to join me. Unless of course you and Caius came attached at the hip like always.” She mused with a smirk, waving down a waiter for another drink, “And whatever Erik here wants.”

Erik was returning from the bathroom when he was caught in his path by the sound of a familiar voice. He bounced to a stop and tucked his hands into his pockets. A grin grew on the mans face as he turned dramatically slowly to look at Bellatrix. “Well hello hello hello,” Erik braced an arm against the high table. He turned and gave his order to the waiter before patting them on the shoulder and muttering thanks. Then his attention quickly returned to Bellatrix. “Hello Miss Black. Lookin’ mighty fine this evening,” Erik’s eyes gazed over her attire before slowly moving back up her body to meet her eyes. “Are you having a good time?”