Johanna's face lit up at Lucio's question and tapped her brother on the shoulder playfully. "As if I would pass up the opportunity to embarrass my beloved brother. Of course there are gifts! After everyone gets properly sloshed, that is." Johanna quickly spared a look at her brother and felt her heart sink in her chest. The look Ansel had in his eyes as he stared at Lucio was one that she had only seen once before, but she knew precisely what it meant. Whoever this young man was, Ansel was desperately infatuated with him, perhaps even loved him. Ansel wasn't one to get too caught up in his boys' looks, no matter how lovely they were, so there must have been something special about Lucio to make Ansel fall so completely.<i>Please be gentle, </i>Johanna thought, her eyes falling back onto the stunning blonde.<i>Ansel is much more sensitive than he seems. </i><br/><br/>"There are gifts on the dining table, right on the other side of the kitchen. You can put them there if you like. You can drop your backpack off in one of the spare bedrooms, too. I spruced one up in case Ansel went overboard and needed to spend the night."<br/><br/>"You're too kind, Jojo," Ansel said, pressing a chaste kiss to his sister's cheek.<br/><br/>"Yes, yes, I am amazing, we all know. Now go and mingle, Annie. I have to finish getting some of the hors d'oeuvres ready. I'll see you soon, Lucio."<br/><br/>Johanna grinned and moved off toward the kitchen, her red skirts swirling around her lean legs as she went. Ansel couldn't help but remember those dangerous days as teens, when the two would work together to seduce older men into having taboo relations with the adolescents. Ansel had never developed inappropriate feelings for his sister through these acts, but their relationship had grown to be incredibly close. Her approval of Lucio, however subtle, meant everything. As far as Ansel was concerned, things were already going well.<br/><br/>Ansel took Lucio by the hand, leading him out into the middle of a small group of well-dressed individuals. They cheered as Ansel approached, greeting the man with vigorous handshakes and tight, lingering hugs.<br/><br/>"Lucio, these are some of my friends from college. It seems no matter how hard I try I can't get rid of them." He pointed to each one in succession, two men and two women. "Lucio, this is Isaac, Oliver, Deandra and Helen."<br/><br/>The small group nodded and gave pleasant hellos, although their faces betrayed their curiosity. The woman identified as Helen, tall and thin with dark blonde hair and eyes the color of milk chocolate, lifted her glass of champagne and offered Lucio a toothy grin. "Lucio, is it? What an interesting name. And how did you two get acquainted?"