The smile that appeared on Ansel's lips at Lucio's acceptance was wide, ecstatic and relieved. He had truly expected Lucio to refuse him but knowing that Lucio would be joining him for a small event that would have otherwise left him feeling uncomfortable and alone was joyous. Johanna meant well, Ansel knew that and he appreciated it, but Ansel had always been one to prefer small, intimate affairs rather than anything celebratory that put him in the spotlight. These little parties Johanna threw were always more for her than for the person whose name was printed on her handmade invitations, and Ansel loved his sister too much to chastise her.<br/><br/>Ansel's happiness was tainted very minimally by Lucio's mentioning of his girlfriend, but it was a fair question. The professor shrugged and shifted in between Lucio's legs, digging his fingers into the young man's waist. "Johanna and Petra aren't exactly fond of one another," he said. "Johanna thinks Petra is a spoiled child and Petra is of the opinion that Johanna is a pompous intellectual. Not quite sure why she's interested in me if pompous intellectuals aren't her cup of tea, but I digress. Whenever they've gotten together in the past it has typically ended in snide comments, hurt feelings and me being pressured into choosing sides, although I never do. Honestly, it's just best if I keep the two away from one another." He paused for a moment, grinning at Lucio playfully. "But to be honest, even if they did get along, I think I'd prefer to bring you."<br/><br/>The sentence should have continued with Ansel telling Lucio that he didn't want to be with Petra anymore, he wanted to be with him. But that wasn't going to happen, he knew, at least not anytime soon. Ansel wanted to plant the seed in Lucio's head that a relationship, a real relationship between them could work. The more they were put in boyfriend-type situations, the more Lucio saw how well they functioned together, he'd finally understand that they were meant for one another. The inner romantic buried down deep inside of the professor's overly analytical exterior told him this, over and over and over. Lucio just needed time to see. Inviting him hadn't been a calculated move on Ansel's part, he genuinely just wanted to spend time with Lucio, but the added benefits couldn't be ignored.<br/><br/>Ansel ran his fingers through Lucio's long hair, breathing gently against his lips. "We were interrupted before," he whispered, "that was my fault. If you have a few more minutes to spare, I'd very much appreciate you picking up where you left off."