"Oh god, I cannot tell you how many times he has brought that up and started rambling in front of anyone who will listen to him," Johanna said playfully, waving her hand in the air dismissively as she spared a look at her brother. "Yes, remember Ansel, if that nonsense happens tonight I will be forced to mention the Vegas incident."<br/><br/>Ansel smiled and barked out a quick laugh. "I'll be sure to keep in mind that you'll be hanging all my secrets over my head. I will do my best to be good, but I can't promise much more than that after you get a couple of drinks in me. Speaking of which, where's the drink table, Jo? I'm going to need to start immediately if I'm to handle the startling information that I'm now in my forties."<br/><br/>Johanna laughed and pointed toward the opposite end of the living space. A table filled with every kind of alcohol and mix imaginable had been set up next to the glass doorway to the balcony. Johanna's condo had a beautiful view of downtown, and once the sun began to set the whole city would be lit on fire, glowing radiantly. Ansel imagined there would be a moment a least once tonight when he would steal Lucio away to go admire the view.<br/><br/>"Ansel, you go grab something for yourself. I know it's your birthday but I want a moment with your lovely paramour. You are obligated by sibling law to submit to my request."<br/><br/>Ansel, completely unable to ever say no to Johanna, nodded and took hold of one of Lucio's hands, kissing the top briefly. "Don't mind her. She doesn't bite. Can I get you something to drink, sweetness?" After taking Lucio's order, Ansel departed for the alcohol, getting interrupted by celebratory party guests along the way.<br/><br/>When Ansel was out of earshot, Johanna turned to Lucio and smiled knowingly. "He called you sweetness. He must really like you." She ran a hand through her hair and bit her lip in a manner almost identical to Ansel whenever he was pondering something. "Lucio, you seem like a clever man, so I'm going to be blunt with you. I'm not sure how interested in my brother you are, but you must know something. No one here knows that Ansel fucks men." She paused, trying to find the right words to convey to Lucio her thoughts. "He brought you, which means he doesn't care about letting everyone know where he stands. I'd imagine you're very special to him to make him want to do that. I consider that a good thing. Ansel has been in the closet too long and I'd much rather see him open and happy.<br/><br/>"I don't think anyone here will pry too much, but if they do, just play it off. Ansel can get defensive if he feels like he's being psychoanalyzed. Which is pretty ironic considering what he does for a living."<br/><br/>Johanna took Lucio's hand and held it for a moment, a gentle smile on her face. Ansel could be seen behind her, gathering two glasses from the drink table and making his way back to them. "Your outfit is astounding, by the way. Incredibly sexy. I'm surprised Ansel hasn't jumped you yet. He has terrible self control."