it's okay, you can open up. (OPENME.)

"So here goes nothing. I am Mr. Ruthers. This is my youth group for gay, lesbian, bi, transgendered, or any other type of clio. If you are straight, you are welcome here as well, just know that any sort of condescending comment or threatening gesture or act will result in you immediate ejection from this group, as it will not be tolerated," Mr. Ruthers sat on a folding chair, pleasant-faced and earnest, a smile going from ear to ear, despite the words he was saying.

He was not a small man, but he was not unpleasant to look at. He had started this group to make sure that everyone had a place to feel comfortable being themselves.

"In case any of you are wondering, I am gay," He continued, nodding, "And the fire exit is out the door and down the hall on the left, for those of you who do not wish to accept such circumstances. This is not a counselling group, and if you have something pressing you wish to discuss in private, I would be more than happy to help. However, if you wish to discuss it in the presence of the group, feel free."

The man smiled again. "Now who would like to start?"

Aven had come alone. Not that he wouldn't have loved to have come with a big, old, gay group, but he figured most of the others who were gay would already be there, since he was late.

Hurriedly, he ran up the stairs to the group. It was meeting for the first time tonight. He had seen it in the newspaper, and thought, perhaps it would be interesting to go and hear what other clio had to say.

That and he was bored at home.

He carried a bag, with a grumbling Ra. Ra was the straight half of him, you could say. He also had a coffee he had gotten from a coffee shop that lacked a Lucas. Aven took this as a good sign that Lucas might be at the meeting already. The two of them had dated in the past, and Aven was always willing to see him, since he was so pleasant to be around.

Aven burst through the doors, not concerned about the other clio he might be startling. Calmly, he made his way over to an empty chair, sitting down comfortably. Lucas was sitting across the room, Aven didn't notice him, but Lucas was looking right at him.

Lucas was on time to the meeting. In his lap, he held his green apron from work, which he was twisting from nerves. He sat cross-legged on the couch, Henry was next to him, listening to Mr. Ruthers talk when Aven burst through the door.

He stared at the sudden banging open of the door. Curious to find out who it was, he waited until the young man was visible when the door closed. His mouth dropped open. He looked at Henry, who was looking back at him.

There was no question as to why Aven had come. It was no secret to either boy about who Aven held a preference to attraction in regards to gender, or lack thereof. Lucas and Aven had dated in the past.

He watched as Aven took a seat across the room from him. It didn't seem like Aven noticed him. Lucas felt Henry put his hand on his knee. He looked at him. Henry offered him a smile of reassurance. Lucas nodded. "Fancy seeing him here."

Henry sat next to Lucas on the couch. Lucas had dragged him along for moral support. Well, not really dragged, because Henry and Lucas were willing to do anything for each other. He smiled aknowledgingly at Mr. Ruthers when he mentioned straight clio, hoping to assure him that he would never do anything threating to anyone at all, ever.

The doors burst open. Henry looked over to find out who had interrupted the meeting. It was Aven. Henry looked at Lucas, who was looking back at him, his mouth wide open.

He put his hand on Lucas' knee, and smiled at his friend when he looked at him. He hoped to tease Lucas with a smile saying exactly Lucas' own words.

Fancy seeing him here.

"Yeah," Henry said, nodding. "It doesn't bother you, does it?"

When Avery had heard that there was this "support group" type of thing for LGTB clio, he knew at once that he had to come. Not because he wanted to "open up" or gain "love and support" or any of that crap, but because he knew that it would be the PERFECT place to pick up some new clients.

So he casually walked in, fashionably late of course, and looked around and the potentials. There was the old guy running the program, two boys that Avery didn't know, and one of Avery's previous lovers, Aven. No chicks, apparently.

"Hey," he greeted conversationally, taking an empty seat between Aven and Old Guy. "Sorry I'm late. I'm Avery. Nice to meet you." Of course he was directing this at everyone except Aven, who already knew him well.

Giovanna really didn't want to go, but Allegra had made her. She knew she was born physically male, and it disgusted her, she hated admitting it. But she wanted to make Allegra happy.

When Giovanna arrived, she quietly took a seat as far away from the other people there as she could. She crossed her legs, then looked at the other people, they were all, very, very, attractive.

Che had come with Giovanna. He hoped that she would make him feel more comfortable. He sat next to her, looking around nervously.

He had already smiled and made small talk with Lucas before the meeting had started, but was in no way prepared for Aven, though it had been likely for him to show up, for Aven to burst through the door. He looked at him. Then he looked at Lucas. Who was staring at Aven.

Oh what an unfortunate twist in the story. He heard what Lucas said next, and agreed wholly. Yes...fancy seeing him here...

He looked at Tien, asleep on his lap, then at Giovanna, nervously.

Aven looked around at the other members of the group, particularly noticing Lucas. Lucas was looking right at him, so he smiled and offered an exaggerated wave. He mouthed, 'hi,' at his ex.

He knew he had missed Mr. Ruthers' speech, but it didn't bother him much. He raised his hand exictedly to start.
"I would, sir," he waved his hand in the air, grinning at Lucas.

Lucas felt the bottom of his stomach drop out. Aven smiled at him. Aven waved at him. Aven still wanted to be friends with him. Aven was wonderful.

Aven was going to talk first. Aven was going to tell about their relationship. Aven was impossible to stop at this point. He weakly waved back at him, smiling as best he could.

Then he looked at Henry, who nodded sympathetically.

Henry looked at Lucas, who didn't seem all that excited about Aven 'opening up' and sharing first. He reached his arm around Lucas' shoulders and pulled him closer.

"Don't worry," he said, "Aven's not that dumb, he won't say your name if he does talk about you."

Mr. Ruthers smiled politely at the entusiastic clio in the group.

"First, tell everyone your name, and then, perhaps more calmly, you may share with the group what you will."

He leaned back in his chair a little and crossed his leg over the other one to listen.

Avery just sat back and watched everyone interact. They all seemed to know each other really well. He felt a little out of place, but tried to appear comfortable as he waited for Aven to share.

Giovanna was glad Che sat next to her. He was the only one she knew, the only one she felt comfortable with.

She looked over at the boy with longer hair, who wanted to start. Giovanna figured she should get it over with, and raised her hand up high.

Bravely she said, "I'd like to get second, if that's okay..."

Leo sat nervously in his chair, looking around at all the others. He didn't know any of them but it had taken him long enough to work up the courage to come and he wasn't turning back now.
Sophistra was curled around his legs, silently supporting him.