A/N: So this fic is based on a roleplay we did (only slightly random) on our Giovanni's birthday (thus why it is his birthday in the fic). If it is random, has seemingly random twists, or totally unexpected developments, this is why. I tried to stick as close as I could to the roleplay, so |D;;

Enjoy~

It was Giovanni's birthday, and Lorenzo took the day as an excuse to get out of his office and walk through Firenze, visiting the banker. His guards watched from the roofs, with a few following around him on foot. A splendid day for a walk, anyone could say, perfect luck for a birthday.

When he reached the Auditore palazzo, he knocked on the door, signaling his guards to stay back and watch the perimeter of the building. They failed to notice a young man sidling through the flowing crowd, up to the duke, did not spot how he gently lifted the man's gilded necklace, were not even aware of his escape. Lorenzo however, was alert to his person. He spun around, catching sight of the boy, before hearing the door open behind him. Young Ezio stood at the door, brow furrowed in confusion as he recognized the lord of Firenze at their door.

"How can I help you today, sua Altezza?" he asked, attempting to hide his confusion, failing miserably.

"I had come to wish Giovanni a happy birthday, but it will have to wait. If you could ask him to come down, he will know what is going on." With that, Lorenzo turned, breaking into a jog after the thief whose face he had memorized. Two of his guards stayed back to speak to the incognito Assassin.

Their efforts were in vain, however, as Giovanni was already at the door by the time Ezio turned around to find him. His son opened his mouth to speak and the Assassin smiled softly. "I know. Tell your mother that I'll be back as soon as I can. It should just be a simple errand." He jogged out the door, setting off at a sprint after Lorenzo. Giovanni soon caught up to and passed the duke, giving him a toothy grin and receiving a scowl in reply.

Ezio was left standing, confused, at the door. He shrugged and headed back inside.

Giovanni leaped up to roof level, running along and pulling ahead of the duke. Someone ran up beside him and greeted him with a chuckle.

"What trouble has Il Magnifico gotten himself into this time?"

"It seems that his necklace has been stolen, old friend. Was it a sly fox's doing?" he asked teasingly in reply.

"Not us. I do not send thieves after your master, or acquaintances."

"And grazie for that, old fox. Would you like to help me chase the rascal down?"

"Of course. I always love a good chase. Do you suppose it's Leonardo's insufferable assistant?"

"Probably. I got a glance of him; he's quite the young cretino. A-ha! There he is!" Giovanni pointed, jumping fluidly back down to street level and stopping in front of Leonardo's door. Lorenzo arrived behind him, a little out of breath.

Salai slunk into the workshop, hoping that Leonardo was occupied. Unfortunately for the assistant, he was not.

"What is that, Salai?"

"Nothing."

"Salai."

"A necklace."

"I did not give you any money t—Is that the Medici crest?"

"Maybe."

"Salai! That belongs to Lord Lorenzo, doesn't it?"

"He doesn't need it."

"And neither do you!"

"B-but it was for you!" Leonardo sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, holding out his hand, palm up, for the necklace.

"Give it here."

"B-but…"

"Give it." Salai grumbled, but handed it over. Leonardo pocketed it to return it later, and a knock startled him. "Get the door please, Salai." The assistant went to the door with a scowl on his face. He opened the wooden door and yelped, leaping back. "Who is it?" Leonardo asked, confused at Salai's reaction. Was it Ezio? He walked up to the open door and smiled, surprised that his patron had come to visit him – he hadn't forgotten a commission, had he? – and Giovanni, Ezio's father.

"Good morning, Altezza. Happy birthday Giovanni; I wish you many happy returns. And La Volpe? I believe I have met you once before. How may I help you three today?" the artisan asked, smiling. Giovanni nodded in gratitude, allowing a small smile before dropping it.

"The Medici necklace has been stolen and we followed the thief here. We believe it was your brat of an assistant," the banker replied, scowling lightly. Lorenzo remained quiet behind him.

"I-I didn't do anything!" Salai yelped, almost hiding behind Leonardo.

"The necklace, twat," Giovanni snarled, glaring coldly at the assistant. Leonardo took pity on him and pulled the necklace from one of his pouches.

"I got it from him just a moment before you arrived. My sincerest apologies, sua Altezza," he murmured, handing the heavy necklace to Lorenzo. The duke took it and placed it back around his shoulders, nodding to Leonardo.

"He doesn't need it," Salai grumbled, glaring at the duke.

"And who are you to decide that? I may not need it, but that does not mean you can just take what you feel another does not need. Stealing is still stealing, no matter your reasoning," Lorenzo replied calmly, almost coldly. Giovanni still threateningly glared at the assistant.

"I won't bother you again, but I cannot say the same to your assassin," Salai muttered, sending a glare to Giovanni. The assassin stepped forward, but Lorenzo shot out an arm to stop him,

"That is not acceptable. If you have a problem with Giovanni, then you have a problem with me." The assassin glanced at him, an unreadable gratefulness apparent in his gaze.

"Please excuse my assistant; he does not understand who he is speaking to." Leonardo swatted Salai's head, and the assistant mumbled an apology. Giovanni rolled his eyes.

"Just don't do it again," La Volpe warned. Giovanni glanced out of the corner of his eyes as movement on the rooftops caught his attention. A guard stood, bow notched and ready to fire. Adrenaline shot through Giovanni and he leaped, arms wrapping around the duke of Firenze within the instant, as the guard shot. He grunted in pain as he felt the arrow enter his left shoulder, but at least Lorenzo was unharmed. The duke's bodyguards – on ground level – set off after the imposter with a shout. Giovanni moaned, struggling to relax his arms from their vice-like grip around Lorenzo.

"Giovanni?" La Volpe asked, nearly prying the assassin off the duke and helping him stand. Lorenzo got up from where he lay in the dirt and brushed the dust off.

"Giovanni, are you alright?" the duke asked, inspecting his assassin's wound.

"J-just a scratch, milord," he rasped, before his knees promptly gave up on him and he swayed on his feet. Lorenzo caught him as he fell, arms around the banker, avoiding the arrow.

"Just a scratch?" La Volpe asked wryly. "I'll get Maria and her sons," the thief said to the duke before sprinting off. Lorenzo turned and found that Leonardo was staring wide-eyed at the wounded Giovanni.

"Bring him inside. Salai, go get me some gauze."

Lorenzo knelt and pulled an arm underneath Giovanni's legs and one under his back, picking him up easily, using muscles well-hidden. He stepped into the workshop, setting his assassin gently on the cleared desk, turning him to avoid putting pressure on the wound. The fact that he could have been killed moments before did not bother him – he knew that eventually he would be killed if he did not die first, and he had accepted it long ago. Right now he was worried about his assassin, who had a family that loved him dearly and did not know the full risks of his job.

"Do I get some kind of reward?" Salai grumbled, bringing the gauze.

"Do you want to watch him die and have his sons know you stood by doing nothing because no one would pay you? The Auditore are quite protective of each other."

"First no necklace, now I'm some kind of charity doctor. What next?" The assistant muttered, standing to the side as Leonardo wrapped his hand around the arrow shaft. The door burst open behind them and Lorenzo was aware that Ezio and Maria had arrived. Leonardo pulled sharply, wrenching the arrow out. Giovanni cried out and Ezio rushed over, eyes wide.

"Father! Leonardo, what happened?" he asked, his voice belying the fear he tried to hide.

"Giovanni took the arrow meant for me," Lorenzo murmured from where he was helping hold the assassin down.

"S-sua Altezza! I did not see you." His brow furrowed as he turned to Leonardo, while Maria pushed past him, not looking the least bit surprised. "Will he be alright?"

"He should be fine, if he does not aggravate it," the artist replied gently, smiling softly at Ezio. Giovanni was just regaining his bearings, and he was turned over, Salai grudgingly bringing him a pillow. He seemed to notice Ezio and Maria – who was gently holding his hand.

"Figlio mio," the banker murmured.

"Father, are you alright?" he asked, walking closer.

"Si, si I will be fine. Better I than Altezza; this is a minor wound."

"A minor wound that can kill! This is why you get injured so often!" Ezio cried. Giovanni knew he had said the wrong thing.

"He chides me as you do!" The banker instead teased Maria.

"And he's right for it," she answered wryly, at which Giovanni flinched sheepishly. The door opened again, and La Volpe stood there, slightly out of breath.

"Giovanni, amico…they have set fire to your palazzo!"

Mi dispiace, I love cliffhangers. They're also good places to stop. |D

Also, reviews keep me goiiing. I love reviews. XD 3

Firenze - Florence

palazzo - palace/home (for the richer)

Altezza/sua Altezza - Highness/Your Highness (Lorenzo |D)

Il Magnifico - His Magnificence (again Lorenzo)

grazie - thank you

La Volpe - The Fox (or in this case, the name of a sly old thief)

cretino - cretin

figlio mio - my son

si- yes (if you're a fan of AC and you don't know this, I am at a loss)

amico - friend