asscreedkinkmeme | Kink Meme - Assassin's Creed pt. 5

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assassin's creed

Kink Meme - Assassin's Creed pt. 5

Assassin's Creed Kink Meme pt.5
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✩ Comment anonymously with a character/pairing and a kink/prompt.

✩ Comment is filled by another anonymous with fanfiction/art/or any other appropriate medium.

✩ One request per post, but fill the request as much as you want.

✩ The fill/request doesn't necessarily need to be smut.

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✩ Have a question? Feel free to PM me.

✩ Last, but not least: HAVE FUN!

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Part 1
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Part 4
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Forgot the translation in the previous fill! D:

"Il mio amico! Si prega di calmarmi!" = My friend, please calm down!
"E 'bene, Ezio. Tu sei a casa ora." = It's okay, Ezio. You are home now."
"Ancora non riesco a capire? Ti do un suggerimento - ho messo i tempi di lama molte." = Still haven't figured it out? I'll give you a hint - I crafted your blade many times.

-----

It seemed like he had barely breathed the word before his eyes were opening of their own, flinching at the light before it was blocked by a smiling face and a halo of golden hair, complete with crimson artist's cap. "Si, I am here Ezio. How do you feel?"

Ezio felt his heart stop and re-start in his chest, mouth opening but voice refusing to work. "...Y-you... can't be real."

Leonardo tilted his head, a look of confusion schooling his features. "And why ever not, my friend? To my knowledge I am as real as you or your father."

"My father is dead."

"Yes, and so I am. Just as you are now."

Ezio's eyes went wide. Dead? But when did--

Oh. OH, the vineyard! He remembered now. The light, the darkness, the memories... but that didn't explain how he could be... well, how he could exist!

"How am I still here, then? Is Death not supposed to be final? The end? No more?" he asked of the artist, who was pulling up a small stool in order to take a spot beside him.

"Oh, I would not say that. Death is not so final, it turns out. Those of us that require rest and peace take it here, while those that are ready to begin again head off for rebirth. Both your father and I begged your case for many weeks before they decided to allow you rest - they said a soul as strong as yours could be of great use in the world."

He chuckled suddenly, pressing fingers to his lips, unconsciously drawing Ezio's attention in the process. The assassin found his eyes lingering and a dry sort of heat coming up to grip his throat. Why was his mouth so dry? "Of course, once Petruccio stepped in and batted his eyes, there was little they could do. Your brother is very determined when he needs to be. I guess he got that from you, no?"

Ezio nodded, trying and failing to tear his eyes away from Leonardo's mouth. He needed to lay down, roll over and go back to sleep before the consequences of this visit got to him. He didn't need to scare Leonardo off with his debauchery, especially not now that he was here in... in... where was he again?

"Does this place have a name? Or am I simply to call it 'the end' while I am here?" He asked. Leonardo smiled.

"Those of us who linger merely call it Paradise friend, for there is nothing here to want that you cannot get. Perhaps best of all is that it looks just like our Venice on Earth! It is beautiful Ezio; I know you will come to enjoy it like I have." His features got dreamy all of a sudden, and Ezio felt a small pang of jealousy towards the place.

It was only then that he noticed Leonardo's features - to be more precise, how very young he looked. Frowning, Ezio rose, forcing himself upright for a better look. "Leonardo?"

"Hmm?" Snapped out of his daydreams, the artist looked to him.

"How are you so young? Your appearance reminds me of the first days I became an assassin, not the later years I was trying to strike the Borgia down."

Leonardo nodded. "I do not understand it fully myself, but the best I can explain it is this - here, we are given the appearance of youth while keeping the peak of our strength. For you, I imagine that means you look like a twenty-year man, but you have the strength of your older years. I do not know when you hit your physical peak."

"Thirty," Ezio answered effortlessly. Gingerly he closed his fist and moved his arm; the muscles responded with no pain whatsoever, the grip tight and unyielding while the muscles held firm. Truly it seemed he had his old strength. Of course it would be best if he could get outside and do a little running to test it...

Leonardo must have read the want in his eyes, because he chuckled. "Ah, you haven't changed at all, my friend. Come! Let us get you something to eat, so that you may dress yourself and soar through the skies of Venice once more, hmm? Your parents have been waiting for you, and your brothers, oh, how they've longed to hear you regale your adventures to them! Especially Petruccio - he asked me to thank you for the feathers, by the by."

"That sounds like an excellent plan, Leonardo. And maybe you can fill me in on how you've been since we parted ways. I imagine you have a number of stories to tell."

Leonardo smiled, pulling a bowl of warm broth from seemingly out of nowhere and handing to to the assassin. "But of course, Ezio. The only question is which you would like to hear first."

It truly felt magnificent to soar over the rooftops of Venice again; as Ezio had suspected, none of his muscles had deteriorated in the slightest, his strength easily allowing him access to any building, no matter how tall or complex. He climbed as high as he could, ran, jumped and eagle-dived for a while before he decided to take a breath. Now that his muscles were warm, he could start tracking down where he was, and pinpointing familiar landmarks.

And so just like he'd done in life, he climbed to the highest point in Venice and looked out with his Eagle Sense, smiling when the picture he got came back as he recalled it. His family's villa still stood, peaceful and quiet, as if it were a world unto itself. The sight of it filled him with a sense of homelessness he hadn't felt in a very long time. It also filled his mind with worries, doubts and fears he had held in since his father and brothers had died. Would his father be disgusted by the man Ezio had been? Would he be repulsed that his remaining child had gone crazy with revenge? And Federico and Petruccio, how would they react?

He had done so much good, but also so much evil in life... the idea of going back and facing his father was suddenly terrifying. But Ezio knew that if he didn't face them, he would never be able to forgive himself. So he took a deep breath, told himself that he would be fine, and leapt into the air, the scream of the eagle guiding him as he plummeted towards home.

---

Unfortunately, he was only able to get as close as the house across from his own before his feet came to a stop, muscles clamping down in fear despite themselves. Not wanting to attract attention despite the fact that he was on the rooftop, he crouched and tried to soothe the strange disquiet in his stomach and thoughts. It was almost as if the rooftop was his last hiding spot before he had to walk into a loaded room filled with angry guards and his most terrifying of foes. Except an angry Cesare had nothing on an angry Giovanni, who had a way to convey disappointment from miles away, especially when his sons were involved.

It was one of the reasons he and his brothers had tried so hard as children. Because none of them enjoyed seeing the disappointment on their father's face; it was worse than even the most terrible of their father's rages. And that was saying something, considering how terrifying Giovanni could be when he was angry. Ezio began to wring his hands against one another, a trait he had somehow gotten from Claudia when they'd still be alive. He needed to stop thinking about this and just go and knock on the door - or should he just go inside? It was his family after all, but it had been so long...

Ezio pressed the heels of his hands against his eyes. He felt so confused! If this was an assassination or something of similar ilk, it would be a breeze, but no! It had to be the one thing he never thought about, never even considered.

He was so lost in his thoughts he didn't notice the white shadow appearing behind him, or hear the breathy chuckle. A hand reached out to lightly tap his shoulder.

Ezio shooed it away. "Not now, Leonardo. I am in no mood for comfort."

The specter grinned. "Oh? And what makes you think I am Leonardo, little fighter?"

Just as he had with Leonardo, Ezio's entire body went rigid with disbelief. That voice... he remembered it screaming, laughing, praising, disciplining. He remembered it urging him to fight, to come back from the abyss. Throat tight, he fought down the storm of emotions suddenly rising from within him. "H-hello f-father."

Giovanni peered at him from beneath the cowl of his cloak, brown eyes mischievous and warm despite the slight scowl on his face. "I do not see you in nearly a lifetime, and that is the welcome I get? Pray tell Ezio, were you planning on staring at our door all day in hopes of being spotted, or were you content to simply lurk in the shadows until we forgot about you?"

Ezio didn't answer, head ducking down and shoulders rising up in a clearly protective message. Giovanni sighed and reached out, frowning when Ezio flinched away from his touch. "Truly, has it been so long that you no longer welcome your family?"

"Being an assassin takes sacrifice, Giovanni. You of all men should know this," Ezio whispered, body trembling despite itself. "I made more sacrifices than most; I am not the boy you raised. Not anymore."

The elder nodded slowly, hands drawing back as he crouched beside his wayward son. "I can understand that. And I'm sure your brothers and mother will as well. Claudia has spoken highly of you and your Brotherhood. She tells us tales of a capable and just leader that protects his brothers like a mother wolf protects her cubs. I see now though, that the same wolf she described has a few secrets to hide." Despite himself, he reached out and brushed a strand of hair from Ezio's face, smiling sadly when Ezio did little more than flinch and stiffen. Truly, a high price had been paid. "Will you come inside and join us for dinner?"

Hands clenched in his lap. Ezio found himself wanting desperately to nod, to accept the offer and see his famiglia again. But he was torn; also wanting to protect his family from the darkness within him. Because unlike his father, he had never truly learned to tame it. It was always there, like his hidden blades, ready and willing to be used. Ezio longed to bury it, but did not know how. In the end, it came down to need versus want.

Ezio did not even have to think twice. He nodded slowly, cautiously. Giovanni smiled. "Relax yourself, Ezio. I will not let what happened before happen again. Stay your blade tonight, and let your hunger rest."

The two leapt off the roof with ease, landing before the house. Giovanni opened the door. Ezio took a deep breath. He would cast off his cloak here, but not without one last warning. "You will understand if I choose to be skeptical. I will hold my blade, but do not expect me to leave them far; if someone unsavory should step forward, know that I have my rights."

One last nod. Then Maria rounded the corner and looked up, the basket in her hands dropping away as Ezio stepped forward, tipping his head back to remove his hood. Maria made a half-choked noise, and suddenly Federico and Petruccio were thundering down the stairs with Claudia on their heels. The shock in their gazes was familiar, almost comforting. They reminded him of his novices whenever he came back from a do-or-die mission.

He smiled. "You know, if your jaws hang any wider, you could catch sparrows in them."

That broke the ice; suddenly he had an armful of siblings while his mother clutched him to her bosom, apologizing and kissing him, tears of happiness streaming down her face. Giovanni hung back, shoulders dropping as the tension finally let itself go.

His son was back. Finally, truly back.

It was awkward for Ezio to settle in that first night; after having spent so many nights in the company of eager novices or under threat of constant danger, he drifted in an out of a nervous, dreamless sleep that finally ended early in the morning, when he grew tired of tossing and turning and decided to go for a run. Sadly that plan was cut short by the arrival of Claudia, still dressed in her day clothes.

"Got a minute?" When Ezio nodded and moved over, patting the bed beside him, she walked over and settled down. He wondered for a moment if she had a problem she needed help with, but she merely smiled mysteriously and curved a finger against her lips - her sign that what they were fixing to discuss would be private. He nodded.

"You're in love with Leonardo, are you not?" She asked coolly. Ezio nearly slammed his head back into the wall in his urgency to get away from her. How had she known? What had given him away? He had always been so careful about his feelings towards the artist, always so careful--!

Claudia waved aside his fear however. "Our brothers do not know the man that lurks behind the cloak. I have known you forever; I know when you are enamored with something. Leonardo is a good friend, so I'm also aware of why you wouldn't have chosen to pursue him in life."

Gingerly Ezio began to relax. She did understand, it seemed. Then again, this was Claudia, the same woman that had taken an oath of the Brotherhood and made a successful Leap of Faith off the tower. She was capable of holding her own and giving sound advice - advice that he admitted he needed. He hadn't been thinking about it in lieu of what had been going on, but now that he knew his family would accept him again, his mind turned back to the artist.

"I'm not sure what to do, Claudia. He haunts my thoughts, even when I don't know it. I don't want to scare him off, but I don't think I can make myself suffer in silence anymore," Ezio confessed, bowing his head over his knees and locking his fingers. Some part of him was mortified he was going to his sister of all people about this, but he needed to get this off his chest. Claudia had kept many of his secrets before, she would keep this one as well.

His sister nodded patiently, listening as he confessed the raw emotions Leonardo created within him just by being in close proximity. He wanted to do things - say things that brought a flush to his cheeks just with the thought. He knew his way around women and men in bed, but he had never stayed, never held out his heart to any one person before. To let someone so close was too dangerous to do, even for an ally. And so Ezio had forced himself to be content with his one-night flings and trips to the brothels.

When he was finished, they sat in silence; Ezio nervous and Claudia thoughtful. She knew of Leonardo's sodomy trial, as well as his comment of 'women provide little distraction'. Ezio hadn't understood it at the time, but now he did and wondered if it meant something. Had Leonardo been hinting at certain emotions between them? Or just a preference in general? It gave him hope - fragile, delicate hope.

His sister made a noise between her teeth, as she was want to do when frustrated. "Leonardo is a hard one to read. He acts very cheerful, carefree almost. But I think there is a layer beneath all that, one he allows very few to see. It is possible that he holds his secrets close, closer than even I can get. It's difficult for me to say, since I pride myself on my ability to keep good relations, but I think you may be the only one capable of getting to Leonardo's true self. Of talking to him and finding his secrets."

"I don't want all his secrets; I just want to know if..." He couldn't say it. But he needed to. "...I just want to know if he can accept my feelings for him. Even if he doesn't, I still want us to be friends."

"I don't think that will be a problem," Claudia smiled at him. "Leonardo is not one to toss away friends over emotions. He may be distant from you for a while, but I think he will still accept your friendship."

His fists clenched. "But still. How do I approach him? How do I ask this without sounding..." he sought for the word, "like I'm using him? I don't want him thinking I want him only for his body!"

"It will take hard work, dedication. You must be steadfast in your efforts. Do you think Papa won Mama over with a single confession? No! He pursued her until she saw that his love was true. You must do the same with Leonardo. If you want him to see the truth, then you must be willing and prepared to prove yourself by any means necessary." She sat back. "Of course, assuming he is as attracted to you as you are to him. It's hard to tell without the addition of the love-struck gaze."

Ezio reeled back, cheeks pink. "I'm not love-struck! And I don't look at him in such a way!"

Claudia rolled her eyes. "Oh please! Every time you look at him, you melt. You may not know it brother, but I've seen it, heard it with my ears. Your tone softens when you are with him, and you're much more polite and flexible. You are patient. Rarely do you do for others what you would do for him, even with the promise of the Brotherhood on your shoulders. Face it. You are head over heels for him."

Was he truly so obvious? All that time he'd been thinking, believing that he had been holding his emotions back, keeping himself from showing the truth, had Leonardo been noticing? Had he already seen the desire in Ezio's eyes? If so, then had he already been rejected?

He cried out as Claudia suddenly flicked his forehead, breaking him from his thoughts. "You're over-thinking it. Relax. Follow my advice and you'll be fine."

Right. Follow the advice. Prove his love for Leonardo. He could do that. After all, he'd courted women (and men) before. Surely he could do it again. Right?

/But Leonardo isn't like them./

Then again, this might be harder than it seemed...

As anyone knew, a good start to any working relationship was to meet with the person one desired, talk to them and get to know them better. Visiting Leonardo was hardly a problem; the man was forever welcoming of his friend the assassin. Of course, that had been before Claudia's advice - before the acknowledgement of his attraction towards the artist. Before the knowledge that yes, such things were no longer frowned upon in Paradise. It had been a shock to learn that one, but a happy shock.

"Truly?" Ezio had asked, eyes wide. Some part of him had forgotten that this was not Venice, not really, but a place beyond Death's gates. Claudia smiled.

"Yes, truly. This place is a sanctuary for the weary; a location born for the purpose of creating happiness among the dead. Here, there is no gender identity. As long as you are happy, that's all that matters."

Impossible to believe; happiness was finally within his reach. The knowledge that if he played his cards right, Leonardo might finally be his sent Ezio's dead heart straight up into Cloud Nine. It was the reason why he was standing in front of the artist's door, palms uncharacteristically sweaty as he considered what excuse to use for his visit. He didn't want to bother Leonardo, especially since the artist always seemed so busy. He needed a good excuse, something that wasn't suspicious--

The door suddenly opened, Leonardo stepping out with his arms full of books, nearly running into Ezio, who couldn't help the tiny surprised sound that escaped his throat. The blond looked up, and suddenly a grin split his features. "Ezio! Back from your trip I take it?"

The assassin smiled and tried not to make it look seductive. It was harder than he'd thought. "Yes. It was good to see them again. Where are you going?"

"Huh? Oh, uh, I'm heading down to the docks to do some sketching. There's a commission I have inside that requests a picture of a particular ship, and I'm afraid I need to ship the artwork out soon..."

Ezio's mind provided him with the sweet reminder that the roads leading to the docks were heavy with guards - even in death they still kept to their posts, picking on those that came by. Just as swiftly, he was reminded of Claudia's words, and his own particular ability. Perhaps he could do this after all.

"My friend, I don't mean to alarm you, but the roads to the docks are heavy with guards; if they see you about, I fear they may take your books and supplies. If you'll allow it, I can get you there from a much safer, not to mention faster, passage."

Leonardo's eyes went wide. "Truly Ezio? B-but surely you cannot carry me and my books--"

Ezio waved the excuse off with a hand. "I have carried far more heavier things upon my back. And I have carried you before - you are quite light. Your books will be safe in a bag until you need them. There is a ladder in a nearby alleyway we will use to get up, and I will take you the rest of the way."

The artist considered his offer for a moment before nodding, smiling at him. "Grazie amico mio. Whatever would I do without you? If you'll give me a moment, I'll grab what I require and meet you outside."

Ezio nodded and took a step back, waiting until the door shut before allowing himself a laugh. It worked! He could do this after all! He just had to be patient, look for opportunities, wait until Leonardo needed a helping hand and couldn't get it from his assistants. Soon, he hoped, he would be able to do here what he couldn't do in life. He was almost completely out of it, he was so happy.

Leonardo reappeared after only a few moments, Ezio quickly schooling his expression into something more fitting than pure excitement and leading his friend to the ladder, taking the bag from him while the artist climbed. He followed Leonardo up and looked around, picking out the best way to go before kneeling, offering his friend his back. Leonardo was barely a weight on his back; he found he could move almost as fast as before with him there.

Still, for safety's sake he took an easy path, winding up and around buildings and trying to avoid leaping across rooftops whenever possible. The single time he did have to leap, he felt the artist gasp softly into his neck, burying his face into Ezio's shoulder as his grip tightened. Ezio apologized and continued on, silently making a note of the reaction. It hadn't been pure fear, but he didn't want to assume anything so soon. Best keep the artist as close to the ground as possible.

Just as promised, Ezio delivered his friend to the spot he needed in half the time it would have taken him if he'd walked. He stayed close as Leonardo set up and began the pre-sketches of the massive ship, quickly following it up with a hard sketch before darkening the lines and smoothing everything out. Ezio watched, amazed and impressed with the ability. By the time Leonardo began to add the tiny details in, he felt as if he was watching something sacred unfold before him, something no one else had seen before. He clung to that feeling, forcing himself to remember just how delicate it felt. It was addicting, but Ezio knew that the best things often were. The trick was not to become fixed on it.

The sky began to redden, and the ship departed shortly thereafter. The duo were already on their way back, the silence between them comfortable. Ezio didn't even think about which path to take, content to take his time and amble along. They reached Leonardo's home before long despite the pace, and the assassin gracefully deposited his friend back onto the first roof, holding his bag again as he climbed down the ladder. Leonardo invited him in, serving him a warm cup of tea while he laid the sketch beside the paper that the picture would be painted on.

"Thank you again, Ezio, for helping me with this. Truth be told, I think this is my finest work to date."

"You're welcome, Leonardo. It's no hardship to help you when you need it. If I may say so, all of your paintings are beautiful. Why do you think this one is your best?" It was an honest question; Leonardo had never favored one picture over others, working hard on all of them until he was satisfied with the results. The remark felt odd in place of that.

Leonardo didn't answer immediately, taking a careful sip of his drink before sitting across from the assassin, looking at him. Ezio felt a shiver go down his spine then. There was something in Leonardo's eyes, something dark but non-threatening. Something Ezio wasn't sure he had a name for.

Yet as quickly as it appeared, the look was gone, and Leonardo was answering. "It's just a feeling, that's all. Some days I have them, but not recently. In fact, since my death I've not had the feeling. Not once."

Well that was odd. "Perhaps you were thrown off by the transition from one world to the next?"

Leonardo laughed warmly, shaking his head, not looking at Ezio directly. "No, no, I do not think that's it. Well, whatever the reason, I have the feeling again and my art is back as it should be. For now, I am content. And what of you, Ezio? How are you faring?"

He considered the question. Leonardo's death had hurt him almost as much as his family's death had. Seeing the artist had filled the invisible gap inside him, made him whole again. Was he content? Yes. Beyond content, but he wouldn't say that. "I am as well as to be expected. Thank you for the tea, it was good seeing you again. I shall visit when I can pry myself away from my family."

Leonardo laughed. "You say that as if your family is so terrible. You've worried them for a long time, so I wouldn't expect them to let go anytime soon! Take care Ezio. I will see you when you visit again."

Later that evening Ezio curled up in his father's armchair with a book in his lap. He read through most of it before his eyelids drooped, head falling against the armrest as sleep took hold. Giovanni arrived a few moments after, a smile on his face as he carefully handled his son back to his own bed, bookmarking the page for him before tucking the book back into its alcove on the shelf. But not before checking the title out of curiosity.

'A Beginner's Basic Introduction to Art'.

Huh.

Wow!! This is wonderful. I love your writing. 'A Beginner's Basic Introduction to Art'-My favorite part.XD

Thank you very much! I'm glad someone is enjoying it. :) Haha, I figured Ezio would be the type to be easily impressed by Leo's skills in art and try to kind of learn, even if he's not very good at it.

Over the next few weeks, Ezio split his attentions between three main locations. The first was his home, where Ezio would report to Claudia his doings with Leonardo, and Claudia would give advice about how to next proceed. He took her advice to heart - she had played matchmaker for more than a few couples during her time in the Rosa. He also spent time with his family, teaching Federico tricks with the Assassin's tools or telling stories to Petruccio, who could and would literally sit for hours just to hear what Ezio had done. Sometimes Giovanni or his mother would sneak in and listen, smiling as they watched the interactions between the two brothers.

The second was Leonardo da Vinci's house, where he would silently watch his friend paint (Leonardo allowed him access so long as he was quiet and didn't disturb his apprentices) or sometimes they would talk about recent events, or take walks together around Venice. He also used this time to help Leonardo out, hopefully strengthening their bond.

The third was the Hideout. While it was true that there were no Templars in Paradise (at least, none that Ezio had seen), Ezio still felt the need to err on the side of caution. It turned out there were a number of Assassins lingering around; those that joined did so either out of fondness of memory, or because they had seen what Ezio had accomplished and wished to be part of it.

Split between the three locations like he was, he was easily able to take up most of the day - during the night he wandered Venice's rooftops by himself, checking out popular locations for crime out of habit and returning to bed a few precious hours before the sun rose and he had to get up again. Any normal man would have been exhausted, but Ezio found the schedule invigorating.

Leonardo, however, did not. Apparently Claudia had felt things needed a bit of spice, and tossed Leonardo a bone - a very big bone, from the ire in Leonardo's voice. Ezio had gone in hoping to watch his friend sketch and found the master waiting for him, arms crossed, foot tapping the floor. The scowl he'd sent Ezio had been dwarfed only by the scolding he was now giving the assassin as Ezio sat on the bench before him, watching his friend pace back and forth and wincing at the blistering words. It seemed Leonardo was not a complete pushover. His anger was almost attractive - except Ezio was too busy being afraid to appreciate it properly.

"--in Christ's name were you thinking? You have only barely recovered from your death! I know you are eager to be moving, and I know its hard to sit still from all those years of training, but truly this is ridiculous! You're going to work yourself stupid, if you haven't already!" Ooh, now that one kind of hurt. Clearly Leonardo recognized the flinch for what it was, because he drew back a little, sighing and rubbing his temples. "Ezio, I swear, sometimes I do not know what to do with you."

Ouch. That had been kind of cold. Ezio sank down a little more, feeling very much hurt. Part of him was glad Leonardo cared so much - his mother had always told him that when someone yelled in such a fashion, it usually meant they were worried. But the rest of him was too busy feeling like a bumbling novice to care. "I am sorry Leonardo. I did not mean--" he started, but Leonardo held up a hand, face turned away.

"No Ezio, do not play that game with me. I know you well, better than you are aware at times. I know that you are sorry. But I also know that you are sorry not because you worried me, but because you got caught. So go!" he made a shooing motion. Ezio sat there, eyes wide in horror.

"What?" he asked dumbly. Leonardo gave him a pointed look.

"Go. I do not want to talk to a man who apologizes only when caught. Do not return to me until you are truly sorry, and do not try to catch me unawares on the street, or you will find yourself on the close end of my temper. Now go, I have customers to get to." And he walked out.

Never had Ezio felt so numb. Still, he forced his body up and out onto the streets, pulling his hood up and blending into the crowds easily. He considered visiting the Brotherhood, but knew in his current state it would only hurt more. So he turned and headed back home, shoulders slumped and head down. He wondered if this was what a kicked puppy felt like.

----

Claudia made no remark about Ezio's behavior at dinner, but it was clear she was happy about what had gone on. Ezio didn't understand it - why was she so happy? And why had Leonardo been so upset? It wasn't as if he hadn't done these things when he'd been alive, and he'd never been upset then! So why? What had caused the relationship between them to suddenly sour?

He would have gone and demanded answers from Claudia, but he felt too tired to do so. He felt like he needed to sleep and never wake up. He crawled into bed, covered himself up so that nothing stuck out, and went to sleep.

He did not wake back up.

Claudia Auditore was not a heartless women. She was cunning like a fox, but that cunning was balanced with compassion. The knowledge that her brother was in love with the artist Leonardo had caused her no small amount of unrest over the last few weeks, especially when he expressed his doubts towards Leonardo's feelings about him. She knew that it would take a lot of work to get the duo together, more than she had ever done in her life. It would take sacrifice from both ends, and encounters with dead ends. People like her brother and Leonardo did not come together easily, no matter how strong the bond. And so she plotted.

Life in Paradise had taught her three things - the state of the soul represented the state of the body, the state of the mind represented the state of the soul, and the state of the body could not be reversed until the mind was soothed. So if Leonardo scolded Ezio in such a way that left Ezio confused and scared, and if Leonardo then kicked Ezio out of the only "safehouse" he had ever known, then Ezio's soul would be in enough of a disarray that his body would age considerably.

That was what Claudia was hoping for.

Without her brother's knowledge, she had been following the two on their walks and watching Leonardo's reactions to Ezio. She had quickly come to the conclusion that the artist did not feel comfortable expressing his, ahem, more delicate emotions around Ezio's younger form. He longed for the age, the wisdom that had come with the age, and the man that had been the Mentor of so many. Ezio might hate her for it later, but she was determined not to run into any dead ends this time around. Time was too short; she had already begged the council for an extension of Leonardo's reincarnation time, because she wanted to see her brother and Leonardo together at least once before they had to go their separate ways again.

And so she had pushed Ezio into the deep end of the pool, confident he could swim and left him unsupervised. It had worked better than she had thought; he was now aging rapidly, turning back to the person Leonardo loved so much. Within a few days she would bring Leonardo the news; her brother had fallen asleep and wasn't waking up. The artist would rush over, his ire forgotten, and the second phase of her plans could finally begin.

The most difficult phase of this plan was not letting her parents know about it. She was certain her mother suspected something, and she knew her father was aware that something was going on, but not what. She didn't want to cause the adults alarm, but God help her, she was going to see her brother happy.

No matter what it took, she would see Leonardo and Ezio together.

I love the way this was written. Your writing style is beautiful. Keep going on:)

He dreamed of Sofia.

He was back in Venice; back before his family had been hung, when his brothers and he were enjoying life to their fullest. He was with Federico up on the roof, watching the sun set and laughing about how someday they'd have to bring Petruccio up here to see this, because it was far too beautiful for him not to see--

And then Ezio turned around, and Federico was gone, and Venice was on fire. He could hear the screams of the people below him, hear pleas for help, the clash of weapons and the crackle of the flames. The rooftop he was on began to split apart as the flames devoured it tile by tile, and Ezio rushed to his feet and began to flee. But it wasn't like before, in his youth. He was so slow. It took more effort for him to leap from rooftop to rooftop, and every second the flames got closer, devouring more and more of his beloved home.

He lost his footing on one tile and fell, hitting the ground hard and knocking the wind out of him. Then he was up on his feet, running for his life while the people around him burned. He needed to get out of the city. But where was Petruccio? Federico? Giovanni? Maria?

"Ezio!"

He whirled, and suddenly Sofia was there, Marcello in her arms while Flavia clung to her skirts, screaming as the fire drew closer. Ezio felt his heart stop, panic clawing at his insides like a wild animal. "NO!"

He was running, trying to reach them before the fire could, but he was so slow, so old, so tired. Before his eyes the flames spiraled around his wife and children, transforming from fire into Cesare and the Templars. Cesare grinned at him wolfishly. "Think of this as the extension of an invitation - from my family to yours," he whispered, voice warped, right before he drew the blade of his sword across Sofia's throat, blood spilling out. Sofia gurgled wetly, Marcello dropping to the ground and shattering into millions of pieces while the fire seized Flavia, burning her alive as she screamed--

Then in a rush of wind and flame, everything was gone, and Sofia, Marcello and Flavia were nothing more than crimson threads before him. Ezio seized them greedily, clutching them to his chest as his knees gave up and he sobbed, unable to take the pain of losing his family. He would guard these threads, he told himself, clutch them until his fingers fell off or he himself was no more. He had to; he had no other reason for existence.

Warm hands gently cupped his eyes suddenly, catching his tears and blocking his vision. Ezio jerked, but a gentle voice shushed him, soothing his fears. "Hush my own. You are fine. Relax. Let them go."

"I cannot," he cried bitterly, a grimace twisting his mouth. "I have lost so much already - I cannot lose any more! If I lose them... If I lose Sofia and my children, I will have nothing else to live for!"

A warm body pressed against his back, the hands going from his eyes to around his chest, cradling him. A comforting smell began to overtake him. "You must let them go, Ezio. They are behind you now. You can no longer reach them from where you are; they must be allowed to live their lives while you pass on into the next."

Despite the phantom's words Ezio still clung to the threads. He wanted to keep something to himself, for once in his life. He had lost his family so early, and then his uncle, and his friends and his apprentices. What else did he have to lose? Nothing. "Then what will I live for? What will I protect? If I cannot save even one... then why do I exist?"

"You live for those that remain, il mio amore. I am still here. I have always been here. You gave your word that you would protect me."

"You?" Ezio tried to turn, but found he could not. "Who are you?"

"A friend," the voice whispered near his ear. "One who has watched you grow, watched you fall, seen you at your proudest and your most pathetic. I watch you still."

"Why do you hide yourself from me?"

"It is not I who hides me, amore; it is you. I have always been here for you, and if you will let me, I will remain by your side as long as I can." Something nuzzled the back of his neck; Ezio couldn't find the strength to resist. Not when so much of him cried for this sort of comfort.

"Will I ever see them again?" He whispered, fingers beginning to slowly uncurl, hands shaking.

"You will. They will live their lives and die, and somewhere along the lines, you and they will cross paths again. But for now, it is your job to rest and move on, and theirs to live. Let them live, Ezio. Let them go."

Ezio looked at the strings in his hands. Clinging to the past was no way to live - his family had taught him that. His time with them was over; it had been good while it had lasted. But his job was done. "Soon," he said, both in promise to himself and them, and opened his hands. The strings floated away, soon vanishing into the darkness. He sighed and closed his eyes, relaxing into the warm embrace. "Now what do I do?"

Lips brushed his own suddenly in a gentle kiss, the touch igniting Ezio's blood. "Come back to me. Rise from your sleep, and let's continue with what we started."

"What?" That voice...

"Come back to me, Ezio. Wake up, Ezio. Please--"

"--wake up! Ezio,il mio amico, per favore, I'm sorry! I did not mean to yell, I was just... p-please... wake up..."

And for the second time, Ezio opened his eyes to Leonardo's command.

Leonardo's face came into focus slowly, the fuzziness of a long sleep wearing off. The artist loomed over him, looking haggard and scared. For one moment a red rage washed over the assassin, and he began to mentally growl at whoever would dare cause his beloved so much upset--
But Leonardo suddenly cried out in happiness, and the threat was forgotten at Ezio found himself with an armful of artist, the blond practically throwing himself at his friend with no reservations. Normally Ezio wouldn't have let such an opportunity slip by him, but he was too busy concentrating on what Leonardo was babbling about to care.
"Grazie al cielo sei sveglio! Quando Claudia si avvicinò e disse che non si era svegliato, ho pensato di sicuro che qualcosa era andato storto, che era stato ferito e si stava cercando di non disturbare me - oh, mi dispiace tanto, Ezio! Ti prego perdonami, non volevo dire quello che ho detto -"

"Leonardo, calm down! Please, I'm fine; there's no need for anymore worry. Please my friend, don't hurt yourself, and don't apologize; I'm fine." He carefully sat up, pushing his back against the headboard and groaning. He felt so sore! "Agh, a thousand pardons. I would have woken sooner, but that dreadful nightmare kept me locked down. I thought I would never get rid of it. Why are you staring at me?"

It was true; Leonardo had stopped clinging to him and was now staring at his face with rapt attention - the same fixed expression he gave to particularly difficult paintings. Gingerly the artist reached up and touched his cheek. Ezio felt it faintly - and realized he was also feeling the sensation of something else on his face. "Wha--"

A beard. He was no longer young, it seemed. Ezio traced it all along his face, looking down at his hands. No longer were his hands smooth and pale, but callused, scarred and dark with age. What had caused this?

"How long was I asleep for?"

Leonardo blinked, finally breaking the staring spell. "Claudia said it had been at least three days when she came to get me. I came about two days ago, and haven't left you since. So five days in total."

"Five days did THIS to me? How? And why?"

"You were distraught," his sister's voice suddenly said, the girl stepping into the room with a tray of food. "The fight between you and Leonardo was damaging to your mental state. That reflected on your soul, which in turn, reflected on your body. You're stable for now, but if you do it again, it could very well cause you a second death."

"How do you know this?" Ezio asked, picking up the bread roll and breaking it in two, offering a half to Leonardo, who took it and nibbled on it. "You almost sound like you've done this before."

"Because I have, back when I first arrived. Petruccio was the one who greeted me. I thought I had gone insane - Father says I was out for at least ten days before I died again. When I woke up the second time, Mama was the one I saw. She told me the whole story, and I was able to face Petruccio without collapsing." She sat down in a chair beside Leonardo's, straightening her skirts. "You never fought with Leonardo in such a way before, or at least he's never kicked you out of the place you considered a safehouse. The loss of that triggered your breakdown, which is what aged you. If you had slept a few more days, we probably would have lost you."

"Why did you summon Leonardo? Couldn't you have brought me out of it yourself?"

"No. Usually only the one who inflicted the trauma can undo it. In my case, I was too far gone for such a thing. But you weren't. So I brought Leonardo over in hopes he would wake you, and it worked."

Ezio rubbed his face. Five days lost, and several years worth of age to show for it. "I confess, all this sleep has made me exhausted."

Leonardo laughed, although it didn't sound quite right, and Claudia's smile didn't reach her eyes. "That happens a lot, actually. Bed rest is all that is required. Leonardo has already vowed to set up guard duty by your bed to make sure you don't sneak out." She winks at Ezio, whose brain is suddenly catching up to the fact that Leonardo has never left since arriving, and it is Leonardo who will be guarding him.

Cazzo. This is far too close for his comfort, but his sister has a wicked gleam in her eyes like she knows what she's doing, and Ezio knows he can only hold on and hope that the ride isn't too bumpy.

Quick question for OP: does OP want smut in this story, or just a confession? We're getting near the end, so writer would like to know in advance if possible! ^^

-------

It didn't take Ezio long to figure out that having Leonardo by his bedside was possibly the best and worst thing he could have asked for; the best because it meant he got to spend some more time with the man and learn about him, but the worst because contrary to popular belief, Ezio was only human and his body was reacting just as much as his mind was to having Leonardo sleeping in the room right next to his whenever he wasn't watching Ezio. The man was even running his shop from Ezio's bedroom!

In an effort to end the suffering, Ezio had demanded Claudia tell him what she was thinking. But she had merely curled her fingers over her lips and left the two together after delivering breakfast, a secretive smile on her face. His situation was made even more difficult after that, because it seemed like both Federico and Petruccio knew what he was up to - if the twin smirks they wore when delivering dinner in place of Claudia were anything to tell by.

"Where's Claudia?" Ezio asked, after Claudia failed to make an appearance at dinner for the sixth time in a row. Even Leonardo seemed concerned. "Is she well?"

Federico and Petruccio shared a look then, and Ezio swore he saw sparks jump between the two as something flipped. "She's fine; she's just out getting ready for--" Here Petruccio elbowed his brother, stopping the rest of the conversation with a grunt.

"Ready for what?" Ezio tried to get the rest of the sentence out of them, but they were stubborn.

"You'll find out in a little while brother. Just hold your horses until then, okay?"

It was frustrating! Ezio desperately wanted to do something, but he couldn't, not with his body still exhausted from the transformation. The idea that his siblings were scheming, knowing he couldn't spy on them made him want to go out and spy on them just to thwart their plans. Alas, such things were beyond him--

--for now.

If it helped any, Leonardo did a wonderful job keeping him company. Always having new ideas turned out to be useful here, and Ezio's ability to keep track of many different things at once helped the artist go through his older ideas and sort out which ones he needed to finish, and which ones were no longer of interest to him. In the first few days alone Leonardo was able to get most of his older paintings done and taken back home by Salai, who promised to make sure no harm came to them. Frankly Ezio didn't trust the boy as far as he could throw him (which was saying a bit, seeing how skinny the waif was)but didn't voice his complaints, content to sit in bed and give the boy the Evil Eye whenever he showed up.

On the second-to-last day in bed, Ezio dozed between meals, the knowledge that he would be up in two days keeping him content. The sound of charcoal and pencil scratching over paper woke him, although he didn't move. He knew the sounds meant Leonardo was sketching something, and he didn't want to risk the artist's ire by moving and potentially disturbing whatever he was drawing.

"No, no, that's not right. Agh, this is impossibile!"

Now Ezio was curious. He had never heard his friend so upset. What was he drawing that could cause such negativity in the artist? He debated lifting an eye, just to see if he was okay, but in the next instant Leonardo was moved close and was practically sharing his air, and Ezio let his body relax again, heart pounding in his chest.

"I hope you know how troublesome you are, Ezio. First you go and get yourself hurt without my consent, and then you refuse to be put on paper properly! Ah, truly you are a stubborn one."

Wait, Leonardo was drawing HIM? Why? He wasn't interesting! Well not to an artist of his caliber anyway. Besides, why would Leonardo want to draw a stubborn man like him if he was so difficult?

The sounds of charcoal and pencil filled the room again, Leonardo muttering to himself every so often, Ezio doing his best not to let his curiosity ruin the moment.

---

Ezio groaned as he stretched his muscles, Claudia circling him like a vulture as he did so, examining everything to make sure he wasn't hurt. Eyes, teeth, tongue, nails, all were examined before she stepped back and sighed contentedly. "Fine, you're free to go. But Ezio, so help me if you do this again--!"

"I assure you sister, I've no intentions of doing that ever again! Now, are you going to tell me what you've been plotting all week, or do I have to start listening to the gossip in the air to find out?"

"Plotting? I've been plotting nothing, Ezio? If Federico and Petruccio gave that impression--"

"What makes you think they gave me the impression?" Ezio attempted to catch Claudia in his trap, but she nimbly sidestepped it and smiled.

"Because our brothers enjoy stringing you along for whatever reason, and if you think that I'm plotting something they'll do everything in their power to make you paranoid about it. I assure you Ezio, I am not plotting. And as for what I've been absent for... well, you'll find out tonight."

If that wasn't a dismissal, nothing was. So Ezio got redressed and stepped outside where Leonardo was waiting for him, almost bouncing on his heels like a small child. Ezio couldn't help the chuckle that came up. "Who's been feeding you sugar before breakfast?"

Leonardo blushed and stopped bouncing, clearing his throat. "Ah, no one. It's just... I have heard a rumor of the goings-on tonight, and I am... rather happy, because it means I can finally meet someone I've been wanting to for a very long time."

"Ah." The notion that there was someone Leonardo had been pining over sent a boulder-sized weight into his stomach. Suddenly he didn't feel so eager to run around. "Well, I hope they are as happy to see you as you will be to see them."

Leonardo nodded before turning and heading down the streets leading back to his studio, Ezio taking to the rooftops to keep track of him. He tried to tell himself not to be disappointed - after all, he'd said in the beginning that there was a chance Leonardo would not return his feelings, so really why was he upset? The words worked marginally; he slipped into Leonardo's studio feeling a mite better. Leonardo was waiting for him, a tray full of supplies already out and an easel set up. To Ezio's surprise, his friend pointed him to the spot in the middle of the room, the one usually set out for--

"You want to draw me? Why?"

Leonardo didn't answer right away, waiting until Ezio reluctantly seated himself in a decent manner before speaking. "I have drawn many things over the course of my life, yet I have never managed to successfully capture you on paper. I swore I would do it at least once, and I mean to keep by my word."

"Yes, but why me? I'm hardly an interesting subject."

Ezio jumped when Leonardo suddenly made a noise that sounded very much like a growl and grabbed his chin, lifting his face to meet his gaze. There was a smouldering fire in Leonardo's eyes, and Ezio felt his knees go slightly wobbly - even though he was sitting down. "You are interesting to me, Ezio. Because I can see what everyone else cannot, and that makes you a hundred times more alluring than any flawless model can ever hope to achieve." He let go of Ezio's chin and moved back to the paper, smiling in reassurance when Ezio's shocked expression didn't change. "You forgot, I've been with you a number of years. If I didn't know you as well as I do now, then I wouldn't be able to call yourself my friend."

Ezio sat still after that, part of his mind still whirling from Leonardo's confession, while the rest of him tried not to tremble at the thought that Leonardo had sounded far more authoritative than he ever had in life.

Not that that was a bad thing, of course.

Smut please! I'll try to get the next chapter of yours up if dreamwidth will just only let me post.

That's fine OP, please feel free to take your time. :) I'll do my best to give you what you requested and make the smut not fail.

------

"Ezio, you must relax," Once again, the artist found himself urging the assassin sitting so tensely upon the stool, as if he were waiting for something to attack him. Leonardo had seen his friend tense many times, most of them warranted - a guard attacking him, or Templars nearby. But this? This was not a time he needed to be tense. He was safe in Leonardo's studio, clothed and unharmed. So why was he sitting as if he expected a group of enemies to open the door at any second? "Ti prometto che Ezio, I will not hurt you!"

"I know that," Ezio answered solidly, eyes roving around the studio. Leonardo wondered what was going through his mind. Worry? Concern? Perhaps Claudia's words had induced something of the past? "It is not you I worry about Leonardo, but my own self. Pay it no mind."

Leonardo was no fool. He could read between the lines as well as any educated man, and knew that Ezio was hiding something, and had been for a long time. The artist held a hunch what it was, but dared not presume - not when tonight was so important. He had hoped to indulge in this quiet fantasy before then, but it was quickly becoming apparent that the drawing wouldn't go so smoothly. Sighing, the artist set down his brush and gestured Ezio off, grimacing as he noticed how his friend practically fled the room. Taking off his red beret, he threw it down on the floor and ran his fingers through his hair, sitting down hard on the stool Ezio had vacated.

If someone were to ask him about the more intimate relationships he had held in life, Leonardo would tell them truthfully that he hadn't had many. He had lain with a woman early on, as most young men did, but he hadn't felt the urge to do it again. Satisfaction had come only from his paintings it seemed; nothing else gave him the rush of energy like sitting down and painting for hours on end, meticulously working over details did. It was crazy, but Leonardo was comfortable with such things.

Of course, that first time with the woman had also been his last, but it had not been his last time engaging with someone in that matter. Later, once he had gotten some years under his belt, his curiosity had led him in a different direction. A direction that had been forbidden in the eyes of the law. Leonardo had laid with a man in the name of science; he had been curious about how such things worked. The man he had found had been well-versed in such things, pleasant and polite, utterly gentle as he showed Leonardo a different side of heaven, one that knew no gender, only happiness.

The instruction had left his curiosity sated, and Leonardo had returned to his work. Like his time with the woman, it had not been anything spectacular, nothing he truly felt the need to pursue. Of course, all of this had been early on, before Ezio had grown up. At the time, the assassin was still a young man hell-bent on receiving vengeance for his fallen famiglia. Leonardo had thought of him as nothing but a friend, and in some cases a son. He had watched with pride (and some distress) as Ezio threw himself into one fight after the next, sliced down his targets with ease, and grew into a man. It was only once Ezio visited him after becoming a man that Leonardo felt something completely different, and his view of the assassin changed.

No longer could Leonardo look at Ezio and think of him as a simple friend or a son. Yes, Ezio was still a friend, but he was patient and wise now, his presence commanding and calming in the same breath. Being in the same room with him was like being in a steam room, and the artist found himself under immense pressure to resist the temptation to test out another theory - did he want Ezio as more than just a friend? His body had been calling, screaming for Ezio, but his mind had been in disarray, confused as laws and morals slammed against wants and needs. It was one thing to pursue a subject over curiosity; it was another thing entirely to get involved with them. And given Ezio's line of work, becoming involved would be more danger than he had ever faced before.

Leonardo knew the risks, and didn't chase after the man. He pent up his desires, kept them away from their meetings together, and instead of leaning over and passionately kissing the man who had snared his heart on the lips, he had settled for hugging his friend, patting him on the back and quickly memorizing the feel of the warm body against his own. That day, Leonardo had sworn that someday he would capture Ezio's entire body on paper. He would run his fingers over the smooth muscles, feel the lines and curves on his body and kiss the various scars he had. He would do all these things, and more.

When he had died, that desire had stayed with him. Even now it tailed after his heels like a hungry puppy, whining and whimpering whenever Ezio drew near, reminding him of what he desired. His heart sang with relief when Ezio smiled, and his knees felt more than weak when the assassin gently touched him. When Ezio had taken him up on the roofs earlier, given him but a taste of his world, Leonardo had very well thought he might faint. The rush of leaping from such high places, of being above the crowd's eyes, watching but never being watched... it was purely addictive, and he longed for more. But it was as dangerous as kissing Ezio would be, and so he had merely pressed his nose to Ezio's back and shoulders and inhaled the sweet and spicy musk the man possessed.

But tonight, the only danger would be rejection. Tonight, Leonardo would corner Ezio and bare his feelings to the man, and pray that his desires would be returned. He had waited long enough, and the knowledge that he would soon be thrust into a different body and sent back to live again sent a rush of urgency down his spine. Tonight, during the celebration of Carnival, he would find Ezio and tell him. And then, god willing, he would finally give into his desires and see and taste and touch what he had been wanting to for so long.

Only then would he be able to go on in peace.

ooh, I really enjoyed reading your fic. Can't wait for the next part!!

I love this fic. I honestly do but it seems so sad. Do Leo and Ezio have to split up via reincarnation?

If it helps at all, this story has a happy ending. And I mean an honest-to-goodness happy ending, not one of those false ones that show up right before the true ending does. I'm not that cruel.

Can't answer that; spoilers! I should have this done in a few days, so all your questions will finally come to an answer.

Okay, that does help. For a moment I thought they were finally going to be together and then ripped apart again at the end. I can be patient!

Sorry for the long wait! I've been on a fill splurge lately, trying to clear some of my unfinished writings away.

-----

Truly, time was a strange thing.

What had seemed like mere months ago actually took place well over seven years in the past; Ezio once again found himself hidden beneath a mask and cloak, weaving his way among the rooftops and seeking out his target. Except in this case, his target was not an enemy, but a friend. Claudia had instructed him to find Leonardo with an almost frantic urgency. Ezio recalled how alarmed he had been at the brightness in her eyes - it had almost looked like Claudia had been fixing to cry. But her grin had been contagious, and her laughter even more so. Despite the fact that she had sprung the fact that Carnevale occurred even among the dead on him mere moments before it began, he had agreed to go.

Breathing in the night air, watching the dancers among the glowing lights and listening to the cheerful words, Ezio found himself remembering his encounter with Cristina - how upset she'd been upon discovering him. The memory brought back thoughts of Sofia, the second woman who had held his heart. Both were lost to him now. Yet before them, there had been one who had held his heart, and continued to do so now. The very same person he was supposed to be finding.

Slipping into one of the small alleys nearby, Ezio scaled the sides of the buildings and took to the rooftops, switching out his normal sight for his Eagle Sense. Immediately he spotted a trail of gold mingled with blue, leading him to his target. What surprised him was the fact that the trail wasn't on the ground, like Leonardo should have been, but up on the roofs, where he was. The idea that Leonardo had actually climbed up and made across the roofs as Ezio had done was... pleasing. And from the jumps made, the assassin could tell that Leonardo wasn't half-bad at free running. Not magnificent, but not bad either. Maybe he could be trained in the ways of the assassins.

He followed the trail up and around the corner, taking him to a secluded building on the very edge of the festivities. A little higher than most, but it held a ladder, which told him why Leonardo had been so brave about it. He climbed to the top and froze, his foot on the very last rung. Leonardo was staring up at the sky, a red-and-gold mask covering the upper portion of his face. He was dressed in his usual clothes, which Ezio recalled had been covered in paint the last time he'd seen them. It seemed the artist had somehow managed to scrub those stains out, because the clothes were completely cleaned, looking brand-new to his eyes.

Leonardo looked up at his approach, a hesitant smile gracing his features. "Ah, so you've arrived after all, it seems..."

Ezio raised a brow. "You don't sound eager to see me. Have I done something wrong?"

The artist didn't say anything for a period, and Ezio began to fear that he had in fact done something to warrant his friend's ire. But Leonardo finally shook his head. "Merely nerves concerning tonight. I confess, this is the first gathering I have attended in quite some time. Being out in public like this," he waved his hand around, back towards the colorful lights and the music, grimacing slightly, "I confess, its a little disorienting."

"As it should be," Ezio agreed, taking a few steps to get closer to him, staring up at the moon. "You aren't exactly a social butterfly, Leonardo, for all your graces with others."

Leonardo made a sound of agreement to that, turning his gaze back up at the moon. For a time both men were content to sit there and simply enjoy the feeling of a breeze against their skin, and listen to the songs that played loud over the people's celebration. Then Ezio cleared his throat, recalling something. "So, your friend from before, are they here yet?"

The artist twitched slightly. "Si. He is here."

"Ah. Then, shall I leave--?"

"NO!" And abruptly Leonardo had a tight grip on his arm, so tight in fact that Ezio feared he would release the hidden blade and scar himself. Any attempts to tug away merely caused the grip to further tighten, making it almost painful. "You must stay here, Ezio. You and I have things to discuss." Ezio had heard Leonardo sound determined before, but this brought a whole new meaning to the word.

"Alright Leonardo, alright! I will stay." He raised his hands in placation, somewhat startled by the ferocity behind the small artist's eyes. When Leonardo finally grasped that Ezio wouldn't be escaping any time soon, he released his grip, the assassin letting out a tiny breath of relief. As much as he wouldn't have minded things getting a little rough between him and Leonardo, he would never hurt the inventor if he could help it. "What is it that ails you so, my friend? You act as if you've seen something terrible."

Leonardo's fists curled and uncurled at his side, words seeming to fail him for a time. Then: "Have you ever been in love with someone that you should not?"

Ezio couldn't stop himself from jerking back in shock. This line of questioning was hitting a little too close to home, but he had said he would stay, and so he would. "Yes. I loved one society said I should not. Why?"

"Did it drive you mad with wanting? Knowing that the one you wanted was so close, and yet..." He gazed down at his hands, as if holding something precious. "And yet you couldn't touch them because a single wrong move could mean the death of both of you?"

Ezio felt his own fists curl. This path they're on is reminding him too firmly of the desire he held for Leonardo in life - and still does. It was terrifying, part of Ezio wanted to interrupt him and try to change the subject, but he found he couldn't. No matter what his mind came up with, his mouth refused to deliver it. Instead, all that came out was a murmured, "Yes, I know the feeling well."

Silence befell them again, positively strangling now in its grasp. For once, Ezio longed to break the silence, to scream or shout or do something. It's too quiet, too ominous. Just when he believed he might go mad from the silence, Leonardo spoke again.

"What did you do with your desire, Ezio?"

Leonardo's words felt like a punch to his gut. /"What did you do with your desire, Ezio?"/ He focused on controlling his breathing, focused on not leaping across the distance and showing Leonardo what he's done with his desire, been doing with it for god-knows-how-long. Instead, he merely shrugged. "I have kept it locked up, of course. What good would it do me anywhere else? It is, after all, as you said... to reveal it would be far too dangerous."

The entire conversation thus far has been held with Leonardo's back to him; but now the artist turned and Ezio felt something hot and dangerously alive spark between them, burning away any ideas of denial he may have had. He knew he needed to get away - the chance of doing something Leonardo may not want is growing with each passing second, and Ezio's restraints have already become so thin. /You promised him you'd stay though./

Damn his inability to break promises.

Damn Leonardo for being so attractive.

Damn himself for being attracted to Leonardo.

And damn Claudia for setting him up like this!

Leonardo smiled, but it is more on the side of predatory than Ezio had ever seen. He longed to smile back, to pin the artist against the wall and show him just what sort of thoughts had gone on in the back of his head for god knew how long. Would Leonardo be the sort to encourage such filthy things, he wondered, or would he be silent, only letting his pleasure be known though quiet noises? "Ezio," Leonardo's voice dragged him back, "what would you do, if you were the object of another man's affections?"

For one heart-stopping moment, its all Ezio could do not to faint. The ground almost seemed to vanish beneath his feet and then reappear. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, because its just a question after all. Despite his best efforts however, he couldn't stop his voice from coming out husky. "It... would depend on the person, I suppose. I can be very picky when I want to be, after all. But surely you know that, don't you... Leonardo?"

Wait, now where did that come from? What was he doing? He wasn't supposed to be coming on to his friend like this! He was supposed to listen to his woes, offer sympathy, not... not...

Fuck. Leonardo had taken another step forward, closing the distance. Why can't he pull back? Put some more distance between them? His body is frozen, unresponsive. He needs to leave now, before he puts himself into any more trouble...

"Ezio," Leonardo breathed, and its like they're in a dry forest, the spark between them threatening to burn the world away. "What would you do, if..."

"If?" Ezio asked softly, unable to stop himself. His undead heart is going, stopping, going again. He needed to hear this. He needed to know, even though he already does, needed to hear it from Leonardo himself.

"What would you do, if that person that loved you was me?"

And just like that, the spark between them ignites, and the world burns.

---

This is a good place to stop. :D

Please ignore my tense fails in the previous fill. ^^; I apparently wasn't as awake as I thought.

This anon also apologizes for the romantic fail that's about to take place. OTL brace yourselves please.
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The air between them was hot.

Leonardo knew the second he said it that something had changed. It was practically like something had snapped into place, completing a picture that he himself had never seen the whole of. A beautiful portrait that he had painted half of before being forced to leave it unfinished. And if there was one thing Leonardo hated, it was an unfinished portrait. But now it was complete, so he could finally relax.

Except he /couldn't/.

Because Ezio was suddenly looking at him with a gaze that was hot and feral and deliciously heavy, as if he was the only person in the whole entire universe that mattered. Leonardo had dreamed of seeing that look, wondered countless times how Ezio would deliver it, but nothing he had ever dreamed up could compare to now. It felt good, being so focused on. It gave him a sort of strength he might not have had otherwise, a strength that encouraged him to go on and speak his mind, because Ezio wouldn't interrupt or try to stop him. "If I was the one who loved you, would you hate me?"

The assassin didn't hesitate. "Never."

"Would you attempt to escape my affections? Pass them off as a delusion?"

"No."

"If I said I wanted to kiss you, would you let me do it?"

"Once the guards were out of the way, yes."

"Assume there are no guards."

"Without a second thought."

"What if I said I wanted you as my only partner? If I proclaimed jealousy towards your other 'friends'?"

Something hungry was showing in the other's gaze ; Leonardo was more than certain he had the same look on his own face. "Then I wouldn't visit them again. I wouldn't do anything to distress you."

"If I asked for your heart?"

"My heart would be yours."

"What of your blade?"

"No other would touch you so long as I lived."

A shiver worked itself down the artist's spine. Ezio's tongue flickered over his lips quickly, but it wasn't quick enough to escape Leonardo's gaze. They're playing around now, driving themselves mad with a want that has been building since creation knows when. It's like a dance, slow and sensuous that relaxes them while it entices a hunger that goes beyond words. Leonardo didn't want the dance to end too soon, but he knew that if he drew it out too much, Ezio might think he's only asking hypothetical, rather than begging the truth. So he switched tactics.

"If I gave you my trust, would you return it?"

"Always. I would never betray you, no matter what you were to me. Even if we were enemies."

A heavy statement. It bodes well for later on in the evening.

"If I gave you my heart, could I trust you to guard it?"

"Even if my own stopped in the process, I would protect yours until you didn't need me to anymore."

Leonardo slipped up. "I would always need you, Ezio. I promise you that."

A tiny sound came from the back of the man's throat, and his fists curled in at his sides, so hard until he can hear the knuckles crack. His own pulse sped up in reply. It's time to end this. So he cast the final question.

"Do you want me, Ezio? Do you desire me as more than a friend?"

Time seemed to stop for a beat right before it slammed into Leonardo with all the grace of a train wreck. Wait, but time shouldn't feel warm...

Ezio pinned him to the wall and tipped the artist's head back, so that they were staring into one another's eyes. Ezio's pupils were blown, a mere sliver of color behind the black. His body rubbed against Leonardo's, causing the smaller man to shiver. Finally, this is where they need to be.

"Allow me to show you, tesoro." And Ezio's head dipped down, the kiss that both have been waiting literally years for finally being performed.

Personally, Leonardo thought it was his best one yet.

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On a scale of one to ten, how bad am I failing so far? OTL *goes off to the corner of shame*

I found another fill of this same prompt on the second part of the old meme, and thought you'd enjoy it. It's much better than mine, and it will give you something to read while I take a break from the kink meme for a week or so (RL is being a bitch again). So I hope whatever readers I have (if any) will enjoy the spoils I found. I will still complete my fill, so don't worry. :)

http://asscreedkinkmeme.dreamwidth.org/717.html?thread=3268813#cmt3268813

Sorry for the long wait - life turned out a bit more hectic than I thought. On with the show!

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Anyone who knew Ezio Auditore intimately would have assumed easily that the kiss he gave Leonardo (finally!) was the same kiss he had given to all the other bed-mates he'd had over the years; an open, unashamed show of passion and lust, complete with the usage of his talented tongue. And every single one of them would have been wrong.

Yes, the kiss Ezio gave was passionate. But it was also chaste. It did not push or demand, merely ask; it showed the emotions that had been hidden away the long days during war. Leonardo found it easy to accept the kiss, easy to reach down and twine his fingers with Ezio's, and easier still to relax within the assassin's grasp and let his body respond to the desire. His loins felt like they were on fire, but his heart was just as bad, swelling in his chest until he was sure his ribs would break and his skin split open. Leonardo intended to give both of the organs the due workout they deserved after the many years of waiting, but that would require pulling away from Ezio's delightfully delicious kiss, and he wasn't quite ready to do that yet.

Unfortunately, it seemed they still carried the ability to breath despite the fact that their hearts no longer worked (Leonardo wondered at that) and before long both men were pulling back, breathless. Ezio rested his forehead against the artist's, refusing to pull back any further than absolutely necessary. Leonardo couldn't stop a smile from gracing his features and nuzzled his comrade, rubbing his cheek against Ezio's own and relishing the soft feel. He had always assumed Ezio's beard would be rough and scratchy, and yet somehow it always felt nice to the touch. Then again, with the way the assassin groomed himself, he shouldn't have been surprised. Ezio took care of himself well, and had been compared to a woman at times.

Leonardo sighed when he felt Ezio's lips trace the side of his neck, gentle nips here and there making him squirm slightly. Although both men were hard and desired relief, neither felt particularly urgent about it. They were more interested in exploring each others' bodies and learning what spots produced the best feeling, as well as just generally appreciating what the other had to offer. More gentle worship than hard desire. Leonardo untangled one of his hands from Ezio's, looping it around his shoulders to run callused fingertips over the back of the assassin's neck, feeling Ezio shudder almost violently. Apparently Leonardo had found one of Ezio's weak points - and a well-covered one at that.

Chuckling as a thought suddenly recalled itself into his head, he untangled himself from his new love and pulled back, causing Ezio to startle. "Leonardo?" His expression spoke worry that his feelings had been denied -- that it had all been some horrible dream.

Leonard was quick to reassure. "Calm yourself Ezio, I'm not going anywhere. I was merely thinking we should thank your sister after we're done here, hm? She does deserve it, after all."

The worry disappeared, replaced by a flat expression while his eyes spoke of mischief. "My sister," he said, "needs to be dunked in a lake that sits in either a frozen wasteland or a very cold area."

Leonardo smiled, pretend to tut disapprovingly at his lover. "Ezio, that's hardly any way to reward your sibling for all she's done."

Ezio pouted. "I did not say I would not thank her. I just merely wish to dunk her in a cold lake somewhere first!"

The older man couldn't help it; he threw back his head and laughed, Ezio joining him after a short while. Both knew Ezio wasn't serious - he would probably be getting on bended knee to thank Claudia later on - but it was something required to say between siblings; the banter that always went on between older children present even in times such as these. Besides, Leonardo was sure if they had been the ones giving Claudia advice, she would have said the same thing.

Finally he wiped his eyes, laughter draining away into hiccuping chuckles. "Ah Ezio, you truly are incorrigible! But seriously now, we must thank your sister for being stubborn enough to push us where we needed to go, si?"

"Si," Ezio nodded, smiling, "I already know what I will give her for all her patience and hard work with us."

"Oh?"

"I'm not telling."

"Well that is hardly fair! What if I get her the same thing as you?"

"Return it?"

"Ezio!"

The cheeky assassin grinned impishly, leaning in a bit to bump noses with Leonardo in an Eskimo kiss. "Perhaps a kiss will loosen my tongue."

Leonardo crossed his arms and looked to the side. "I don't know if I want to kiss you anymore. Such a stubborn steak is unattractive, especially for a man your age."

"You're older than I am! And twice as stubborn!"

"Yes, but I am also artistic. Everyone knows people love such qualities in artists." The blond fought not to laugh at the horrified, jealous look on Ezio's face at the idea of someone else touching what the assassin clearly now thought of as 'his'.

"Even if they're a complete madman?"

"I prefer the term 'genius'. I believe you are the madman in this equation."

"I was young and impressionable when I said that! And I was on borrowed time!"

"Mm, excuses, excuses."

Ezio grumbled, reaching down and shutting his friend up with another mind-drowning kiss. When they pulled apart a little bit of the heat from earlier had returned, making Ezio's eyes a little darker and Leonardo's grip on him a little tighter than it should have been. "You should stop teasing me, genius, before I put the wall behind you to good use," Ezio purred in his ear, biting the lobe and causing Leonardo to shiver.

Leonardo ran his hands down Ezio's back, nails digging into the cloth. "I would not object to that, madman, so long as you made it worth my while," he murmured back, breath hitching when Ezio's leg made itself known between his legs. Ahh, god that felt good. "T-tease!"

"I think not, amore."

The leg started putting more pressure against his groin, and Leonardo moaned, hips starting to thrust back of their own accord. There was a dark growl from in front of him, and suddenly his back was hitting the wall, shirt being rucked up as hands traced his nipples. "Now who's the tease, Leonardo?"

The man wrapped his legs around the others hips, dragging him forward so that they were closer, arousals rubbing against one another through the cloth prisons. "S-still you, Ezio. It's a-always be-been you."

"Is that so?" Talented fingers of one hand began to dive down towards his breeches, pulling at the strings to free his prize while another swatted the hat off his head and ran through the silky strands, down his back and around to cup his ass, lifting the artist into the air and pinning him against the wall. "Well then, allow me to correct that... immediately."

YAY! update. you've done a great job, writer.

Leonardo groaned into Ezio's shoulder as his cock was exposed to the cold air, a shudder riding his body when Ezio's warm hand enveloped it not a moment later. "Ah, not o-one for - AH! - w-waiting, are you?"

"I've spent my entire life waiting for you, Leonardo. With the gods as my witness, I cannot wait a second longer," Ezio told the artist as he slowly began to stroke the flesh in his hand, thumb rubbing against the head in a teasing movement. Leonardo jerked when he pressed down just slightly, trying to steady his own breathing. He would not be passive participant in this - he had already promised himself that. But heaven help him if Ezio wasn't a terrible distraction with his hands!

"Damn you and your distractions, Ezio. They will be the second death of me."

Ezio grinned, leaning down to plant a kiss on his nose. "That's the idea."

Leonardo growled, mustering up his strength. "Well, I disagree with it. Let's try it my way for a while, shall we?" And before Ezio could ask what he meant, he had pushed off from the wall and toppled the assassin onto his back, Leonardo straddling him suggestively. "There, much better, don't you think?"

"W-where did you learn that?" He seemed caught between arousal and surprise. Leonardo grinned, and began working on Ezio's shirt, pulling it apart easily and pushing it aside, purring at the sight before him. Ezio had developed some truly nice muscles due to his training, with just the right amount of body hair thanks to his heritage. All in all, quite a lovely specimen, if Leonardo was being honest. Without answering Ezio's question, he lowered his mouth to the man's chest and started exploring in earnest, occasionally employing his teeth to leave little marks behind. The curses he earned from such marks told him that Ezio was far from displeased.

Lower and lower he went, hands running down before his mouth to unlace the traitorous pants that kept him from where he wanted to go the most. Ezio watched him unblinkingly, gaze reminding Leonardo of the predatory stare birds gave their meals before devouring them. The thought made him shiver.

Neither said anything as Leonardo's mouth enveloped Ezio; the assassin did not attempt to force him down lower or demand he suck harder, although his body did go rigid and his hands clench, the hiss of air above him telling Leonardo of just how hard Ezio fought to control himself. This would be their first time together, and while both men held their own kinks and ideas, neither wanted the first time to be a rough mess of blood and demand. It would remain as give and take unless they both came to an agreement on the matter.

Leonardo took Ezio as far down his throat as he could, nose occasionally brushing the small dark patch of hair at the base of his cock. It seemed like he had barely gotten started when Ezio's voice rasped out, demanding he back off and turn around. Curious at what his lover had in mind, Leonardo did so before returning to his work.

He jerked slightly when wet fingers brushed against his ass, pushing past to rub against the hole. Ezio was gentle, carefully nudging the tip of a finger past before moving on. Leonardo didn't attempt to hold back his noises, knowing that he was pleasuring Ezio in the process. The finger went deep before retreating, Ezio muttering something that sounded like, "Good."

Before the artist could figure out what Ezio had meant, a tongue had replaced the finger, the sensation of something so good nearly causing Leonardo's body to give up the ghost. He pulled himself off of Ezio's cock, too busy trying not to fall apart to worry about leaving his partner empty of relief. "E-Ezio..."

But as quickly as he had started, Ezio had finished and removed his tongue. "I know, Leonardo. Turn, face me."

Knowing what was coming and needing no further instruction, Leonardo discarded the pants that still clung to one leg and remounted Ezio, hand slipping down to hold the man in place while he lined them up. Ezio's hands gripped his hips, eyes watchful. "Take your time, Leonardo. Don't rush on my account; just relax and enjoy this, alright?"

The words were welcomed, although some rueful part of Leonardo's mind pointed out he was hardly a blushing virgin about to be deflowered. Still, the thought was appreciated, and Leonardo slowly sank down, biting down on his lower lip at the familiar burn. He didn't stop until he was seated fully, the feeling of being filled making his toes curl. Just how long had he waited for this? How many nights had he dreamed of riding Ezio senseless in the exact same way? And now everything he had ever wished for was right here, ready to be taken, with Ezio's full consent no less.

A pair of thumbs gently stroked his hipbones, reminding him of his patient partner. Leonardo paused for a moment before starting up, putting the hidden muscles in his legs to use. The strangled wheeze Ezio uttered on the first stroke made him laugh openly and push down just a little bit harder, clenching as he pulled back up. The assassin's lips curled into a snarl, black eyes nearly crazed with lust. "Do not test me, Leonardo."

"And if I refuse?" Ooh, the idea of testing Ezio while in such a position...

The smile Ezio gave was pure predatory, and made all the muscles in Leonardo's body feel like goo. "Then I will turn us over and fuck you into the ground."

Now that sounded like a lovely idea. He knew even in such a state, Ezio would never hurt him -- he trusted the assassin in that area, without a doubt. So he smiled and tilted his head just so, eying the man he rode hungrily. "Is that a promise, or a threat, amore?"

That was the straw to break the camel's back. In the next instant Ezio had swapped their positions and was making good on his word, gripping the artists hips tight enough to bruise and fucking him into the ground, his growls in near-perfect sync with Leonardo's screams. The only thing Leonardo could do was cling to the ground and hang on, Ezio striking his prostrate with surprising accuracy and making the liquid coil in his body wind tighter and tighter, until he was begging, sobbing for release. He felt safe, happy and loved, and all while being fucked out of his mind by one of the deadliest assassins to ever grace Firenze.

How insane was that?

Ezio eventually took pity on him, releasing one of his hips to wrap around Leonardo's cock, stroking him until the coil exploded, taking first Leonardo and then Ezio down in a fiery blaze. Ezio ground against him as he finished, pulling back just when the artist was sure he'd go mad. Boneless, sated and exhausted, the two collapsed in a sweaty heap; across the town the music changed once again, from upbeat and happy to something more peaceful and calm. Together with Ezio's heartbeat, Leonardo thought it made a beautiful sound.

"A...Are you alright, Leonardo?"

The blond chuckled lightly, and reached up to run his fingers through Ezio's hair, appreciating the warmth given by his partner's body as the sweat began to cool. "I'm better than alright, Ezio. Much better, in fact. Thank you for that."

A butterfly kiss was placed on his chin, and then his cheek and finally his forehead. Ezio smiled down at him, exhausted but clearly happy. "You're more than welcome, Leonardo."

They lay there and listened as the last of the festivities got underway, forcing themselves upright a short time after that to redress and head back to Leonardo's house for sleep. Ezio forgot about Claudia, who unbeknownst to him had watched the entire scene and was smiling serenely at her brother's back beside Federico. She prayed that the next life would be kind to them, and perhaps, if luck should fall correctly, they might be allowed to love much earlier this time...

Kink Meme - Assassin's Creed pt. 5

FILL: Our Paradise 3/?

FILL: Our Paradise 4/?

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FILL: Our Paradise 6/?

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FILL: Our Paradise 10/?

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OP

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FILL: Our Paradise 13/?

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Quick note to OP from writer

FILL: Our Paradise 16/?

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FILL: Our Paradise 17/18

FILL: Our Paradise 18/18

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