It was a cool day, and crowds had been drawn to the event that the young Vieri De Pazzi was hosting. They were almost obligated to come, many fearing the wrath of the young noble. Federico, who had been lazily lounging in a rooftop garden, peered out over the edge of the building, spotting the back of the elder boy's head. Smirking to himself, he rolled out of the garden and stretched, yawning faintly and scratching his chin before stepping off the building, landing in a nearby haystack. He hopped out and brushed off the stray pieces of hay before lazily walking towards the Pazzi, his smirk turning to a grin.
They had been playing this 'game', as Federico liked to call it, since they were very young. He still remembered the bratty child who screamed in his face when his toys were taken, held just barely out of reach above his head, his face slowly turning crimson until he looked like he might explode. As they'd grown older, there had been more fights - some more violent than others - and Vieri had managed to entertain him for years on end.
When the boy grew older, Federico had watched all the contests he'd been in, hosted, watched him pitch a fit when he lost and gloat when he won. He'd never actually entered himself - but he often showed up when Vieri /did/ happen to win, just to make a nuisance of himself.
Sliding silently up behind the shorter male, he let his lips brush his ear as he purred into it, not caring for the fact they were in public. "Congratulazioni, Messer De'Pazzi." He hummed, pressed up against him for a split second before he snatched the hat from atop his head and stepped back, leaning back against the nearest wall. He twirled his prize between his fingers, ignoring the startled gasps of horrified (and amused) onlookers surrounding them.
Real or fake, Vieri would soak up praise like a sponge, then hold it out over the heads of those who had lost as if it were candy. As was meant to be - no one was better than a Da Pazzi. Everyone knew this and those that didn't were quick to get with the program, or else.
There was always one individual, however, that he wished would drop right off the face of the Earth. The race won, Vieri had been casting suspicious eyes around, half expecting to see the Auditore he'd been at 'war' with since their younger years. Damn that man -
It was all he could do to keep from making a scene, the feel of Federico's breathe tickling the hair that fell and framed the sides of his face, and the heat the other man gave off. The Pazzi had to keep himself from screaming, both from rage and surprise, doubly so when he caught sight of his favorite hat /not/ on his head. Lips twitched into a frown and he stared the Auditore down. Like hell he'd lose face in public over this bastard, not after such a flawless victory.
"/Auditore/," he spat, hand held out expectantly," For your better interest, I advise returning that to me at once."
Oh, how perfect. It was almost /cute/ how flustered Vieri could get, and how hard he tried not to show it. Laughing good-naturedly, he tossed the hat from one hand to the other, his eyes never leaving his rival's face. "I've never been very good at taking advisement from others, amico mio." He referred to him as a friend - though coming from Federico, it sounded almost demeaning.
Laughing again, he strolled around Vieri in a slow circle, placing his hat atop his own head. He flashed a grin to the crowd, winking at the woman nearest him and chuckling when she blushed. Glancing back at Vieri, he placed his hands on his hips, quirking a brow at him. "Come now, piccolo...you can't /really/ be so distraught over a hat. It looks better on me, anyway."
Turning, he began to walk away, not even bothering to spare a glance over his shoulder back at the fuming male behind him. He knew he'd react, knew he'd say /something/. Vieri was so utterly, adorably predictable.
For the better part of the speech, Vieri had been fine, he could handle anything the other could throw at him. Even managed a tight smile at the display, as well as his hat finding a new perch atop Federico's hair. The De Pazzi was fine, he had this situation under control - until his height was brought up.
All self control was lost and rage colored his face a worrisome shade of purple - he'd taken all he could. To Hell with the crowd, what could they do anyway?
Bristled like an alley cat, Vieri stormed after the other man, his voice an octave higher than normal due to his anger. "Stronzo, don't speak as if you know me so well! Who are you to tell me, a /Pazzi/, what I should and should not be distraught over? I'll have you arrested for theft!"
If nothing else, he hoped the last threat would be enough to make the man pause, just long enough so he could deliver a sound punch to that handsome face of his. Not that he thought Federico was handsome!
Oh, yes. His height. Now /that/ had been a thorn in the Pazzi's side since they were children. Despite their age difference, Federico had /always/ been taller, and their height difference had only grown as the years passed.
He grinned when he heard Vieri following him, glancing back over his shoulder before he began to walk a bit faster, chuckling to himself. "You really think you can catch me, piccolo? Amico mio, you really have made my day. I don't think I've laughed this much all week. Grazie." Federico's fit of laughter only grew louder now as he turned, walking backwards for a few paces.
"Dio mio, Vieri...you look flushed. Perhaps you should sit down. You must be tired after your victory. Or perhaps old ages is coming quickly for you?" He hummed, turning again and hopping atop a box of crates.
If there was one thing he hated most about the /freakishly/ tall Auditore (well, he was!), it was that smug air that had only doubled since childhood. It was terrible then, worse now. Always, /always/ written all over his face, and Federico always got away with it. Vieri would have torn any portrait made of the man to shreds, had he one.
Now he brought age into the matter? The man was so full of himself, Vieri could barely stand it! He only hoped for the man to fall off the crate, then he'd have something to /really/ laugh about. Still, it was too much to hope for - they'd played this game far too many times not to know the taller man would climb to the roof.
"I'm not here to 'make your day', you bastardo!" De Pazzi hissed, narrowed eyes never leaving the other. "I'm beginning to think you enjoy watching me give chase to you, Auditore."
He'd been drawing closer carefully before making a move to grab his boot, wanting nothing more than to send him falling to the ground.
"Oh, I /love/ it when you chase me, Vieri." He purred, his voice almost husky as he perched atop the crate, staring down at him. Federico was often merciless in his taunts - in fact, he often boasted he had perfect the art of sending Vieri into a blind rage. "Piccolo, you always make my day. You're so cute."
He grinned, making to hop for a hanging ledge, though he ended up stumbling due to the grip on his ankle. Blinking owlishly, he made a grab for the edge of a hanging piece of cloth from one of the stands beside them. Awkwardly balanced, he grinned sheepishly at the older male. "Vieri, Vieri...You really should let go." He purred, though in reality he hoped he would - he didn't /really/ want to trip.
However, he soon heard the dreadful sound of ripping cloth, the thin fabric torn. He yelped, dropping forwards and making a head-on collision with Vieri's chest. The two would end up in a heap on the ground, his face nearly in the Pazzi's lap, legs on either side of the short male's. His head was pounding a bit from the collision and he shifted, blinking slowly before he realized where he was. Well...it probably would have been better not to open his mouth, but... "My my Vieri. If you wanted me like this, you could have said so earlier."
Vieri growled at the accusation, hand tightening around the younger man's ankle in a vice-like grip," There's nothing cute about me, figlio d'un cane!" The weather was to blame for the heat that spread across his cheeks, what else could it be? A sudden heat wave, certainly /not/ a blush.
Then, at the start of the fall, the Pazzi felt triumphant, fingers mere inches away from retrieving his hat. So very close, and then he'd collided with the ground below, not even paying attention to the way they were both positioned. At least, not until the taller of the two spoke up, stealing his attention away from the dull ache at the base of skull.
Shocked, the Pazzi's hand shot out to shove Federico's face up and away, his own a bright scarlet. An array of colourful words were leaving his mouth, none a bit coherent, and those that were, certainly not pleasant in his current flustered state.
Hat forgotten, the shorter man squirmed and finally managed to scramble away, face flushed all the more. "P-Pervertito! If anyone wanted a situation like that, it would obviously be you! With all your teasing and...and-!" Vieri trailed off there, trying and failing to calm himself.
Vieri was /really/ cute. Really cute. He hadn't thought it would be so much /fun/ to tease him, but today had certainly been priceless. The hat had, surprisingly, managed to stay atop his head, even as he was shoved away. He slowly stood, peering down at him now with a curious expression, his grin almost predatory.
"You're so defensive, amico mio..." he murmured, taking the man's hand. He brought it to his lips, brushing them over his knuckles. "That blush suits you, Vieri. And yes...I think I quite liked my previous position. Though I'd rather have you between /my/ legs instead of me between yours...I'm not picky." He flashed him a grin that was usually aimed at women he seduced, confident and alluring.
"Bello." He decided after a moment, a second kiss planted on the hand before he released it, hopping back atop the crate and grabbing a nearby window sill, settling atop a plank of wood near the top of the building. "I think I'll keep your hat, mi bello Vieri. Perhaps another time you can retrieve it."
Mouth agape and rear firmly planted to the ground, all he could do was watch on in shocked horror as Federico kissed the back of his hand. Nearly deafened by the rush of blood to his face, he wasn't sure the other had even spoken until his name was mentioned. Wide eyes jerked forward, though he couldn't bring himself to move - not because that grin was winning him over. No. The headache was blamed for his lack of movement, as that's no doubt what had disoriented him.
He soon found himself sputtering and sporting a darker, damning blush," I'd sooner /die/ than be caught between /your/ legs, bastardo!" Hand free, Vieri made a show of wiping it clean across his tunic, glaring daggers (and other sharp objects) at the man. "And do not think for a moment that I won't have my men hunt you down, or that I'll not take pleasure in your arrest!"
While not his usual activity, the short man climbed atop the same crates the other had used, a scowl on his face. Like Hell he'd give in to this game, he still had his pride, after all.
Federico quirked a brow. So he was going to give chase, eh? How amusing! "Alright, Mi bello Vieri~ come catch me." He purred, climbing to the top of the building and letting his legs hang over in a lazy fashion, swinging lightly back and forth. "Though, I think I rather liked the look on your face just now! You blush like a virgin. Perhaps you should visit the brothel?"
He leaned over slightly now, peering down at the younger male as his head canted to the side. That grin - that grin that Vieri seemed to dislike so much - was back with a vengeance. "Or perhaps you'd rather I educate you in the ways of love-making? Come now, I'll be gentle - I promise I'll have you bending over me by the end of the night..."
He had waited until Vieri was almost to the top of the building to say this and then he stood up, stretching slightly. He jogged towards a few planks heading to the next building, knowing it was likely Vieri wouldn't be able to follow across them.
A scandalized and infuriate yell erupted from his lungs at all the insinuations made by that egoistic bastard. He didn't care that others might have heard, in that moment, as he made it to the top of building and stood, all he could think about was murder. Slow and excruciating justice - it made him quiver in anticipation.
He gave pause to the thought only after he'd noticed that Federico was grinning (looooaaaoathed) at him from across another residency. It took everything he had not to pitch a fit, though it was obvious on his face. The bastard was going to get away with it again. /Again/!
"Why do you keep running, coniglio!" fumed the shorter man, straightening his back to put forth a bravado he wasn't sure he possessed at that particular moment. "Too much of a woman to stay and face me? Perhaps you have spent too much time between another man's legs!"
Another low laugh escaped at Vieri's angry cries. Ohh, he loved to tease him. He had looked about ready to step away from the side of the building and leave when Vieri accused him of cowardice. Quirking a brow, he hopped back across the planks.
All at once he was very close to Vieri, close, but not touching him, their faces no more than a foot apart. His breath could be felt hotly against Vieri's chin, and he was grinning again, his hands resting on his own hips." Is this close enough for you, Vieri? Come now, show me what you plan to do." He taunted, cocking his head to the side.
"I dare you to take it from me."
Façade quickly crumbling away, Vieri stood and scowled in defiance of Federico. Why should he give? Just because the other was close enough to give off heat and smelled of some sweet, likely cheap, wine, that didn't mean he should cave. No, he decided, he didn't like having the Auditore this close at all.
So, sporting an almost coaxing smile, the Da Pazzi drew his arm back and let loose, catching the taller man across the jaw. If nothing else, that redeemed the stunt in front of the crowd, and it left him feeling accomplished.
"You mock /me/? Steal my possessions, and then invade my personal space; do you expect me to give in to you?" His lip curled in disgust, Vieri scoffed. "Be /thrilled/ that the loose Auditore son is making a cheap pass at me?"
He had been curious at first, to see what Vieri would do. When he was struck, he nearly stumbled, though that grin never left his face. He seemed practiced in looking cocky under pressure.
"You wound me, Vieri. Do you think this is merely a game?" Federico asked, taking the step forwards to close the distance between them. He gripped the older male's hips, close now, his breath tickling the dark-haired man's neck. His lips were almost close enough to touch, though he held back, staring at the Pazzi intently.
"You are a child, Vieri De Pazzi." He murmured, his hand slowly trailing up and down along his lower back for a moment before he drew it back and smacked him hard across his backside, the stinging slap loud enough to be heard several rooftops away.
"When isn't it a game with you?" Vieri seethed, ready to say more before every word he'd ever learned lodged themselves in his throat. All the blood quickly drained from his face, which left him standing as still as any of the statues he'd seen on display.
Remembering he had to breath, the shorter of the two sucked in a harsh breath and, despite how hard he tried, his frown held no real threat behind it. In fact, though he loathed to admit it, his scowl more resembled a pout than anything else. How /dare/ this brat hold him so intimately and grin in his face, as if he didn't fear the Pazzi at all.
No sooner had he been called a child, did Vieri open his mouth to let loose a verbal abuse, only to lurch forward and cry out in surprise at the smack to his behind. To say he was humiliated was a great understatement, there were no words for what he felt. Wide eyed and open mouthed, the older man stared, still managing to hold his ground.
Damn it all to hell, that /hurt/. So much so that it had /almost/ brought tears to his eyes, he'd never admit to it though.
"Did that hurt?" He purred, the jerk forwards making the rough stubble of his chin brush Vieri's cheek. Federico's grin never wavered. He gave the Pazzi only enough time to draw in that breath before his hand came down again hard over that spot. And again. And again. He was holding Vieri flush against him as he spanked him hard, his arm moving over his lower back to pin him there - proving that however lazy he was, there was strength in him. He could hurt if he wanted.
"Children who misbehave deserve to be spanked." Federico hummed. His strikes didn't seem to cease - he had taken Vieri's momentary surprise as an invitation to hit him more. He seemed intent on painting the man's skin red beneath his pants. "Punishment for your antics - and for being a dense brat."
He was merciless in his hits, striking over the /same/ spot. Again, and again, and /again/.
"Yes! Yes, it hurt, you son of a who-!" That's all he managed to bark out before another hit stole his breathe.
He'd brought his hands up to shove the other man away, only to end up clinging to the fabric of his tunic at yet another swift strike, tight enough to turn his knuckles white. With each smack to his backside, Vieri would curl forward. The bastard was bound and determined on striking his point home, so to speak, though the Pazzi could barely utter a sound in reply. Any time he tried, his voice would break or an embarrassing noise would slip out - neither of which he enjoyed.
Swallowing hard against a pained whimper, Vieri held fast, tears stinging at his eyes, threatening to spill over. It was the most embarrassing, and one of the more painful, experiences of his life. He'd not been struck, not even by his own parents!
It wasn't until he saw the sparkle of tears and heard the whimper that he finally gave pause in his strikes. With one last brutally hard blow, he stopped. He hadn't really thought he'd make Vieri /cry/. It was surprising to him, and for an instant, his smile vanished.
He wondered why he'd never done this before, never held the trembling male in his arms, forcibly stripped away the barriers and the gloating air he always had around him. The noises he'd made were...equally cute, and almost…arousing.
Laying his hand lightly atop the place he'd been hitting him, he sighed and shook his head. A faint smile quirked his lips upwards. "Piccolo..." he sighed out, the hand on his backside coming to curl in his hair. "You tempt me too much." Federico chided softly, capturing the older male's lips in a warm kiss.
Vieri shot the man a foul look, the tears taking away most of the menace meant behind it.
Hate didn't even /touch/ what he felt, didn't even describe the emotion he felt for Federico Auditore. The man was a smug ass, egotistical, beastly monster of a human being. Most vile thing he'd ever wanted to squish beneath his boot! Now the bastard was showing concern, and /touching/ him while throwing out sugar coated words of temptation? Not even an apology!
All thoughts of revenge and disgust ceased as soon as he found his lips pressed to younger man's, leaving him speechless in an all together pleasant and surprising way. He briefly wondered if the Auditore had a habit of spanking and kissing his target of the day, then let it go. The hands in the tunic loosening only to slide further up, grasping at the collar as he let himself be kissed, pressing into it without much thought. It was hard not to /melt/ under such a skillful mouth, and not at all surprising when he did.
So what if it was wrong, in that brief moment it didn't feel quite as evil as he imagined it might.
Vieri surprised him further when he melted under the kiss. His grip softened a bit more, firm but no longer restricting. His tongue traced along the seam of the Pazzi's lips, pressing into his mouth and exploring the wet passage. Vieri was soft and tasted clean. He could feel the man's lips trembling against his own.
If anything, this may have been a form of apology. But in reality...he just wanted to kiss him. It wasn't necessarily sexual for him - which was odd - as more than just he had been completely overtaken by the urge to press their lips together. He'd wanted to taste him.
When he thought he could no longer breathe, he finally pulled back, drawing in a shaky breath and peering down at him and tilting his head. His smile was more kind now. "...Your lips are soft."
He felt dazed, and warm, at the sensation of Federico's tongue touching his own. This was a new taste, sweet and sinful at the same time - not at all like kissing a woman. Had the other not been holding to him, the smaller man was sure he would have collapsed and slid off the roof by now. Despite how much he should /not/ have been enjoying this, it was impossible not to feel disappointed when the kiss did, finally, ended. It left him short of breath and flushed, shivering against the tall Auditore more than he cared to admit. Why,he would have leaned in for another had he not caught himself!
The fingers curled in Federico's collar loosened and his mouth went slack, looking for any sort of comeback to the remark. In lieu of a witty remark, Vieri settled on a sulky frown and looked away, in fear of saying something equally as embarrassing as the one holding him.
After an awkward moment playing with the cloth, he spoke," You're still a thief, idiota...don't think I've forgiven you for all of this." He chanced a glance up at the man, his own face burning and temper subdued.
Federico placed another, more chaste kiss on his lips this time, the smile still curving his lips. Vieri had liked it - he knew that much. And Federico knew /he/ liked feeling the Pazzi's lips clasped against his own, the lean body pressed against him, leaning heavily for support. He felt those fingers brush his collar and he chuckled quietly. "You may have it back, then." He murmured, using one hand to take the hat from his head, the other still pressed against Vieri's back. He kissed the cloth of the hat, then placed it back on Vieri's head.
"Think of me when you wear it." He teased, pulling him in close for another deeper kiss, his tongue just barely pressing into the elder male's mouth, touching his teeth before he pulled away again to kiss his jaw line.
"Oh, of course, caro mio. I fear you'd stop paying attention to me if you forgave me for everything." he murmured, the words muffled as he pressed his face into the dark hair at his neck.
The Auditore was just as good at being corny as he was at being obnoxious, still, a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "I'm never wearing this hat again. I'm going to burn it as soon as I can." It was a lie, of course, but he didn't plan on telling the other man as much. However a ridiculous gesture it was, Vieri found it charming - just for today, though!
Again, he felt himself melt and, unknowingly, press himself closer to the younger man. His eyes fluttered shut as the kiss trailed elsewhere, just barely caressing his skin with those lips. It sent ripples along his spine, one after another with each word he spoke.
Vieri swallowed down a lump that had formed in his throat and, however stupid it was, wrapped unsure arms around the others chest. There, not so terrible, so long as neither were spotted. Lord, but he was warm - should he have noticed that?
With an exasperated noise, the older man thumped his forehead against Federico's shoulder, not bothering to move away. "You're impossible, Auditore."
His laugh was warm and vibrated in his chest. He wrapped his arms around Vieri in return, kissing along his chin, his throat. When Vieri's head pressed into his shoulder, he gently ran his fingers through his hair. "You're adorable, Pazzi." he hummed in reply, his hand sliding down to rest atop his aching backside.
"Shall I kiss it better for you?" Federico teased, tangling his free hand in Vieri's hair. He would have liked to stay there longer with the shorter man in his arms, relaxing where no one could see them...but he doubted Vieri would allow him that for much longer.
Briefly, he wondered when and where they /might/ get a chance alone. His smile widened. "I would invite you home with me, but I doubt you wish to be seen with an Auditore."
Without warning, Vieri slammed a fist into the others back, once for the cute remark and again for the tease. He's actually managed to forget about the sting inflicted by the bastard, it was only fitting he remind the Pazzi of it again.
"Kiss /any/ part of me again and I'll shove you off the roof, stronzo," he growled, finally regaining himself enough to retreat a step or two. No more touching, especially where his rear was concerned, or he would make true his threat. Needless to say, he was back on the defensive, now that their moment had come to an end. "Go fall in a well, /caro mio/, and leave me alone."
A haughty tip of his chin and the shorter of the two made to leave, ignoring the pain coming from his abused backside. He'd get his revenge for that display at a later date, and it would be glorious.
Federico coughed when struck, pouting a little. He rubbed the place he'd been hit and glanced at the edge of the rooftop. Smiling at Vieri, he blew him a kiss. "Until next time then, caro." He purred. "Try to nurse that ass of yours - I wouldn't want to leave you permanently marked. Or maybe I would? I'm sure you'd look good with my marks on you."
Grinning, he let out another haughty laugh before hopping off the building and into a haystack. He was already planning how to meet his rival next - give him enough time for his sore ass to heal - and then...well, he had a few things he could do.