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(Hokay, be gentle please. I don't really write yaoi much...also, this is the first bit of writing I've done in a long time. So hopefully it won't suck. Lex, on the other hand...HAHA, no, I'm kidding. OR AM I? ninja )


Lex was shocked.

No, stunned.

No, flabbergasted. That's it. Lex was totally and truely flabbergasted.

Gino was alive. Despite the disasterous events of the now infamous "Tower Day," he was alive. Not only that, he was currently standing in the lobby of "Gambino's Gold Mountain." But what really threw Lex for a loop was this:

Gino was...beautiful.

Gone was the small, wide-eyed child with short blonde wisps of hair slicked back. In his place stood a young man, slender and toned, long blonde hair flowing freely about his shoulders. Yet his eyes still had that innocent, almost sad look to them that Lex remembered. It was an intricate mesh of boy and man, innocence and maturity, that nearly left Lex breathless.

"He sure has grown, hasn't he?"

Lex started and looked to his side, where Becky had seemingly appeared from nowhere. She was looking at him with an amused grin, no doubt guessing his thoughts. Becky had had a crush on him when she first started working there, but Lex had found that, despite the fact that Becky was sweet and funny and could shake a martini like nobody's business, he had no interest in her in that way. It took some time, but they managed to get past the awkwardness of that situation and were now good friends.

And like a good friend, Becky promptly began to tease Lex, jabbing him in the ribs.

"Go talk to him!"

"What!?" Lex could feel a blush growing.

"Come on, you're staring at him like he's Apollos come down from the heavens, you might as well talk to him! Besides", Becky continued, grinning mischeviously, "it's your job to greet the guests, remember??"

Lex mentally kicked himself. While he had been standing there, gaping like an idiot, Gino had been looking around, clearly lost. Neglecting his duties was not only unproffessional, it was just plain rude.

Composing himself, he began to make his way towards the young Gambino. As he neared, Gino's eyes locked with his and he was given an easy smile. Lex suddenly felt relaxed and returned it.

"Hello!" Lex said cheerfully, "Welcome to Gold Mountain!"

"Hi," Gino said, "um, I'm a little lost, can you tell me where I can find the manager?"

"You're looking at him," Lex extended a hand, "name's Lex."

Gino took his hand and shook it firmly. His grip was surprisingly strong - Lex could feel real power behind that slender hand.

"Nice to meet you," Gino was saying, "my name is - "

"Gino Gambino, of course," Lex said. Then, fearing he sounded like a stalker, quickly added, "I mean, we all know you here."

Gino chuckled, "I wasn't sure if anyone would recognize me. It's the eyebrows, right? They're hard to forget."

"Yeah," Lex said without thinking. He then stammered, "I mean, no! I mean - th-they give you great character, is what I mean. You look just like your father."

Gino's eyes suddenly became sad, and Lex gave himself another mental kick. Oh, real smooth, Lex thought, first I insult his eyebrows, then I bring up his dead father. Real sensitive, dumbass.

But Gino gave Lex a small smile, "My father...did you know him well, Lex?"

Surprised by the question, Lex paused a moment before speaking, "He...I met him when he first came to the Island. I was...going through hard times, and he helped me out. Got me this job and everything. He was a great man..."

Gino nodded, "Yes he was..." He closed his eyes and sighed. "Which brings me to why I'm here...see, as the last surviving Gambino, everything was left to me...the fortune, the mansions, and...this Casino. I thought I should come down here and check things out. Except..."

"Except what?" Lex asked, puzzled.

Gino looked down at the carpet, seemingly embarrased. Finally he looked at Lex with a sheepish grin.

"I know absolutely nothing about gambling!"

Lex blinked at Gino for a moment before bursting out laughing. Composing himself, he looked at Gino with bright eyes.

"It's not that hard - you put your money on the line and hope Lady Luck gives you a break. Come on, I'll show you around."

Gino nodded, "I'd like that, thanks."

"Right this way, Mr. Gambino," Lex said, gesturing grandly towards the center of the Casino.

"Now hold on," Gino said, stopping him, "as long as I'm in charge, you'll call me Gino. None of this "Mister", stuff."

Lex was a little startled, but he grinned and nodded, "You got it, Gino."


(TO BE CONTINUED!?? ...Maybe. sweatdrop No, I do have ideas for more chapters, I just wanted to get this first part down. I'll try to get more stuff out. In the meantime, I need a title. >_> )