Lucio chuckled lowly as he nestled his body comfortably up against Ansel, his expression taking on a soft, adoring glow as he gazed up into his lovers eyes. “I could, but I have a feeling that would obstruct my scent, which I know you adore so deeply,” he murmured lightheartedly, reaching upwards to run his fingertips over the man’s sharp jawline. He dropped his hand down, allowing it to drape over Ansel’s shoulder as the man leaned in to press a soft kiss to his forehead and then a few moments later he stepped back and grinned at Ansel as he grumbled this question. “I’d have to propose the idea that it was because you wouldn’t quit staring at my arse whilst we were in the bathroom, my love.” He laughed softly then as he made his way from the bedroom the, moving out to the kitchen counter to retrieve his wallet and keys, plucking up Ansel’s as well and depositing them into his lovers hands once he finally moved up to his side. He hooked his arm through the professor’s delicately after they’d slipped through the door, pausing briefly to lock up the apartment before making their way towards the elevator.<br/><br/>The young englishman slipped into the driver’s side once they’d arrived at his car, and he glanced over at Ansel as he started up the vehicle. “The auction begins at half past six, but we’re expected to be there sometime between five-thirty and six for hour d'oeuvres and a bit of socialization,” he responded quietly as he threw the vehicle into reverse and carefully swung from the parking space. He glanced down at the time once he began inching the car forwards and he sighed softly as he read the glaring 5:48. “We may be a bit late, but I’m not too worried about it. I’m one of the auctions golden boys, they won’t get snippy with me for a bit of fashionable tardiness.” He chuckled softly then at the second portion of Ansel’s queries, “You probably should have brought a set of earplugs, as I’m going to be introducing you to some of my acquaintances this evening and they can be quite long winded.” Lucio offered Ansel a playful grin as he pulled from the parking garage, rolling out into street and merging over into traffic. “Ah, and I neglected to tell you where this is taking place, Ansel,” Lucio glanced over at his lover with a wicked smirk, “The Langham. I’ve rented us a particular suite for the evening as thanks for joining me, and I’ve had a fair few special . . . Toys, delivered there for us.” After dropping this little surprise over Ansel, hoping it would give him something to look forward to as he suffered through the evening of socialization for him, the student shifted his attention fully onto the road as the cars in front of him eased forwards.<br/><br/>The drive was a very slow one, and more or less quiet with the windows cracked ever so slightly and the sounds of the bustling city trickling in. Lucio reached over about halfway through the drive and he rested a hand upon Ansel’s thigh, finding himself craving contact from the older gentleman rather consistently by that point in their relationship. Traffic was moving at a slow crawl by that stage, and when they finally arrived it was roughly a quarter past six. Lucio unbuckled his seatbelt, taking the mask from Ansel’s lap and leaning over to help him carefully fasten it over his eyes, tying back the ribbon carefully. Once the mask was secured into place Lucio smiled warmly, leaning over the center console even further to press a chaste kiss to Ansel’s lips, drawing back before he found himself tempted to continue any further. “Shall we go mingle?” he purred softly, not allowing Ansel a chance to respond before turning and stepping from the vehicle. He stood and tugged lightly at the bottom hem of his jacket to straighten it out as he pressed his keys into the hand of the valet standing in front.<br/><br/>Lucio hooked his arm up with Ansel’s as the man met him up on the curb and he lifted his eyes to gaze up at the wonderfully and yet painfully familiar edifice. He tried his best to think of his time with Ansel only within the hotel, but it wasn’t the easiest task he’d ever undertaken with the psychological wounds Buckley had left still so fresh and tender. He hoped that the evening following the auction would erase those memories, that he’d be able to enjoy the beautiful room with his love without refrain. He hoped that stepping foot into the Royal Living Suite wouldn’t cause his stomach to turn or his heart to drop, and if it did he prayed that Ansel would be able to distract him enough to pull his attention from the memories.<br/><br/>Lucio was jarred from his thoughts as he heard a delighted squeal sound from somewhere directly in front of them as they slid into the lobby, which was filled with multitudes of exquisitely dressed people in ornate masks of all shapes and colors. An older woman bolted from the horde of bodies before them; she was an elegant woman, dressed in a sleek black wiggle dress, with her silver hair done up in a tight bun. Her facial covering was less of a mask and more of an art piece, with a delicately painted design on it of a forested landscape. Lucio pried himself off of Ansel just moments before the woman collided with him, wrapping him in a desperate embrace.<br/><br/>“Oh, my darling Lucio! Your pieces this year are simply exquisite!” She pulled herself back moments later to hold the boy at shoulder length, beaming down at him ecstatically. She had a exceedingly nasally voice, a product of extensive amounts of plastic surgery, Lucio believed, based upon the fact that her face looked about as smooth and immobile as a slab of marble.<br/><br/>“Thank you very much, Mrs. Clout. I’m pleased to see you’ve enjoyed them. Do you have a favorite this year, one you think you’ll be bidding on?” he murmured, dipping his head politely towards her and maintaining a warm smile.<br/><br/>“Oh the full body piece will be mine, without a doubt. It is just absolutely delicious,” she gushed excitedly.<br/><br/>It was clear that the woman was a part of the little fan club that Lucio had warned Ansel about beforehand. It was a group of six disgustingly rich older women that bid on Lucio’s photos each year without fail, along with one older gay male and had pursued Lucio relentlessly since the first year he’d participated in the auction.<br/><br/>“Well I wish you the best of luck in your bidding, Angie. I’m sure Claude will be attempting to outdo you again this year for that piece,” he commented lightheartedly as he drew back from the woman and returned to Ansel’s side, winding his arm about one of the gentleman’s once again.<br/><br/>“Well, I’m sure he’ll try but I’ll not let him run away with my photograph this time, don’t you worry Mr. Bane,” she crooned softly before watching him retreat back to Ansel’s side. She raised her eyebrows ever so slightly as her eyes glossed over the athletically built male at the side of one of her favorite models. “I’m so sorry, where are my manners? Lucio, won’t you introduce us?” she requested as she held her hand out towards his companion.<br/><br/>“Ah yes, I apologize Mrs. Clout. Ansel, this is Angelica Clout, fashion designer extraordinaire, and Angie, this is Ansel, my boyfriend,” he said softly, smiling warmly as he lifted his eyes to gaze up at his lover’s handsome profile.