[September Mini-Plot] The gala is for what? (Eros/Alex)

The pair of them had been dating for just about four months when news of the gala fundraiser for the protection of magical creatures made it to England. Eros had mentioned it to Ed and the French wizard saw it as an opportunity to learn more about Eros and his work. Jumping at the chance to learn more about what his boyfriend did in his day job, Ed had agreed to travel with him to the benefit which was being held on the grounds of the Nigerian zoo. The zoo was on a picturesque nature reserve, unplottable and enchanted by the Ministry of Magic from whatever tiny African country they were in. As far as Ed was concerned, it would be a nice romantic few days where the two of them could put aside all distractions and focus on each other rather than work or life or anything else.

Ed had gathered up his best robes, which had of course been tailored by Jacques, and a small travel sack. The bag had a few, more appropriate sets of robes that would be for the days following the gala when Ed and Eros were still planning to stick around the zoo. After verifying that he had the right place and all of his things, Ed closed his eyes and focused on the place he was travelling to; turning on the spot, a loud crack filled Ed’s flat, and the next thing he knew, Ed had apparated to the hotel to prepare for the night’s events. Eros had yet to arrive so Ed took the opportunity to catch a quick nap before he showered up and got dressed. Laying down for a few minutes, Ed closed his eyes and drifted into a peaceful sleep.

About a half an hour later, Ed woke and noticed Eros was still absent. Rather than wait for his partner, Ed decided to get cleaned up and dressed so that they could go straight to the ball as soon as Eros arrived. Jumping into the rudimentary shower, Ed cleaned himself off before moving back into the living quarters of the hotel room. Once dried off, Ed donned the handsome golden robes that he had brought for the occasion. Crossing the room, Ed retrieved the small parchment with information regarding the benefit that had been provided for him before his arrival. Moving back to the chair, Ed sat down and began reading up on the event as well as on the creature that they were here to remember.

‘It appeared that a Rompo was some kind of important creature to the people of this country.’ Ed thought to himself as he looked down the list of invitees to the evenings event. The Ministers of Magic for several African nations were listed as attendees, as were many other names of import. Flipping the parchment onto the reverse side, Ed saw a moving sketch of a Rompo, a rather strange looking beast with a rabbit head and what appeared to be human ears. Ed wondered why anyone would bother themselves with a creature that made meals of human bodies, but deciding that he would rather wait and feign interest once his date arrived, Ed passed that thought from his mind. Sitting in the chair, Ed tapped his foot absentmindedly as he reread the list of attendees and waited for Eros’s arrival. After a few more minutes of reading, Ed heard the lock click on the door to his room. Standing up and brushing off his robes. Ed made his way to the door to greet his boyfriend for their magical weekend.

Eros was buzzing with energy since morning. He knew Suvira noticed it too...it wasn't really so hard. It was obvious...the way he kept smiling to himself or the way his eyes sparkled. Well, he had a reason to be so pumped. Firstly, he was going to spent more than few hours with his amazing boyfriend and secondly he was going to Africa. Dammit. He always wanted to visit that land. He felt like a kid going to an amusement park. The Beast hunter grinned at himself into a mirror, smoothing his robes. He had decided on simple black with golden details in the end. He picked glossy high boots to the black silky shirt that he left unbuttoned at the top and those fitted pants which was an interesting combination. The shoes had some rougher golden details but the material softened the whole piece so it wasn't meretricious. His hands were decorated with golden rings and bracelets and he put on also an earring (simple stud) from the same yellow metal. His left ear, on the other side, had a rather fancy ear cuff with zircons. He also braided his hair on each side, leaving it free in the middle and combed back. He topped the whole look by an almost invisible black eyeliner that highlighted his two colored eyes. Together with the outfit his amber orb looked more gold that fiery, really. Eros was really anxious to look good, he always did when it came to Ed. He wanted to look the best he could at all times for the man. 

Compared to their first time together, when he felt like his soul was being undressed under the other's hands, he surprisingly found out it was very easy to forget his past, forget his scars for a moment, his pain and the people that hunted him. He still had nightmares yes, but he managed to sleep longer before he awoke sweaty and screaming. What more, with Ed by his side at night he was freed of this terrifying dreams completely. He felt save in his arms, secured. Yes, he still closed off to him a bit, he haven't told him really much about himself...about his past but he felt like he could maybe do it once the time came. He had already managed to break the ice with Alex before so he could do it again. It would ease the heavy feeling in his chest that still remained.

He was falling in love, he knew that. It was amazing and scary at the same time. He had never really allowed himself to feel anything so serious. He wanted it to stop at first because he didn't want to end up hurt and broken...again...since he always ended up alone, everyone left him. Everyone but Ed. There was Alex too but...that was different. The point was that the people he allowed himself to really love had been disappearing from his life. However, Edouard had made him feel like no one else before and eventually he found himself thinking that maybe he didn't mind the danger of heartbreak for this. He knew what it was to want someone romantically but he had never gotten to the stage he was in right now. He had never felt about someone so strongly. It was a little scary, sure, but it felt so good. He finally felt like he wanted to make the effort and step out of his comfort zone once the right time came. The man was worth it and the moment would surely come, when he would need to open himself up. Show someone the heavy heart, scarred and still far from healed. He finally believed like maybe he could do it, like maybe he could really get past all this and move on. He didn't have any other chance...it was getting over it or crumbling on the bottom.

The Beast hunter still couldn't believe it had been already four months since he started dating Edouard. The man was seriously like a dream to him, a very realistic and hot one. He couldn't get enough of the French man. He couldn't believe how lucky he was. The former Slytherin sighed and smiled, turning away from the mirror, heading to kitchen to take his things and say farewell to Suvira for now. She had to  manage it here without him for a few days, he knew she wouldn't have a problem although she would miss him. He was glad his girl was used to hunting outside and not only depending on his kitchen so that way he could leave her alone sometimes.  He patted her head for the last time, then stood up and with a loud crack apparated.

On the way through the hotel, he fished out the key Ed had given him. The personal helped him check-in quickly so soon he was unlocking the door to their shared room and stepping in. He smiled brightly at the man, his gaze traveling over his form immediately as well as those fancy robes he had put on himself. He looked amazing and Eros just couldn't wait anymore and instead of using words, he greeted his man with a passionate kiss and arm around his waist.

As Ed crossed the room to greet his mate, he studied his appearance. Ed loved it when Eros dressed up an occasion as he had something of a unique sense of fashion. His robes, his accessories, his light makeup; it all played into the young man’s beauty in the eyes of the French wizard. Some may have seen it as over the top, but to Ed it was just perfect. His boyfriend was just perfect in every way. As he was making his way to Eros, the other man beamed at him. The things they could say without words. The two men were so in sync with each other that they could communicate any number of things without ever opening their mouths; and Eros proved that as he pulled Ed in for a deep and passionate kiss. The flood of desire and passion washed over Ed as he held his mate and returned the kiss. He wanted to rip off his clothes and take him right there, but discretion is the better part of valor and Ed decided to keep himself in check until after the night was over. He wanted to be the envy of the wizarding world before he took his partner that night.

Releasing Eros after what felt like an eternity, Ed pulled on the other man’s robes and straightened them out a little. Smiling at him once more, Ed whispered to his lover, “if you had made me wait any longer, I would have had to start without you” In reality Ed couldn’t have gone anywhere as he was not the invitee to his particular event. Eros was the beast hunter, he was the one who had been invited to the benefit, not Ed. This had made Ed somewhat uncomfortable. He had always been the breadwinner. He had been the one to receive invitations. He was not accustomed to being the trophy, the arm candy. That being said, Ed was glad that Eros had invited him and thought he would be interested in taking the trip with him. This was the most exotic location he had been on for a date, by far.

After making sure that his robes were smooth and clean, Ed looked over Eros once more and smiled again, “Eros, mon chou, we should probably be going. The event will be starting soon. I would hate for you to miss the chance to rub shoulder with any of your boss.” Ed didn’t really care too much about rubbing shoulders, but he was sure that Eros had spent a bit of coin on his appearance and he wanted to be sure he got to show off. The pair of them would be the envy of most if not all in attendance. Taking Eros by the arm, he led him from the room, locking it with a wave of his wand as they departed. Making their way to the wildlife preserve, Ed couldn’t get from his mind how lucky he was to have Eros on his arm.

Entering the elaborate African wildlife preserve, Edouard’s head was immediately on a swivel. There was so much he wanted to see and so much that was going on around them. Exhibits had been set up for the patrons, measured buffet tables of snacks and meats littered the area where the guests mingled. A small bar was nestled into the corner of the paddock. Ed surveyed the area, looking for some of the guests he knew would be in attendance he had made not that he wanted to “bump” into throughout the evening. Looking to his left, Ed smiled brightly at Eros and kissed him on the cheek. “Mon chou, would you like to start with a snack or two? Or maybe there is someone who you would like to introduce me to?” Ed was curious to see how Eros would approach the evening. “This is your time to shine, my time to preform can wait a little longer.” Ed added with a devilish little smile.