"Federico," said Ezio lowly, trying to catch up to his brother who just so happened to walk at the pace he ran. "F-federico, what was that?" he asked, clearly flustered and confused.
Federico's shoulders stiffened, and that was all Ezio could see; Federico bit his lip and muttered a low, "Fuck," as he tried to formulate a story.
Because Ezio was obviously referring to the little moment when Vieri pulled him into a small, dark alley when he thought Ezio wasn't watching.
Because Ezio was obviously referring to the little moment when Vieri pulled him into the alley, laid his lips on his brother's in a strangely wanton fashion.
Because Ezio was obviously referring to the little moment when Vieri dropped to his knees and nearly untied the knot of Federico's breeches.
"Th-that was... nothing— Ezio, you did not see anything."
"Yes, I did, I saw Vieri, and then I thought I saw him headbutt you, and then give you a nutshot with his face—"
"Ezio, that was nothing—"
"And then you looked like you were enjoying it?"
"Ezio, you saw nothing."
"But—"
"Nothing."
Ezio sighed in defeat. "Fine," he muttered softly. "are you going to run father's errands? I promised Cristina a visit today."
"Yes I will; I'll check the coops and pick up something at the Medici Palazzo. You go on, I'll see you at dinner," he said in a rush of a breath. It was good that Ezio was still trailing slightly behind him, or he'd have seen how odd the bulge in front of his pants looked. Or the way his skin was flushed and his hairline had beaded up sweat and how his ears turned pink and how fucking blown his pupils were—
"Va bene, see you in a while, brother," Ezio said, walking off in another direction.
Federico didn't say a word until he got to the Palazzo de'Pazzi. And even then he didn't say a word until Vieri came into his room to find him there, seated awkwardly on the windowsill.
"Vieri," Federico said, standing up. He walked towards Vieri who stood, frozen by the door, shutting it slowly. Federico was almost sure that Vieri was half-dead merely from the presence of Federico fucking Auditore in his room. Until he spoke: "about this aftern—nnngh," Federico was cut off by Vieri forcing a kiss from Federico, tongue slipping past parted lips. Vieri had somehow moved quicker than Federico; he had his hands in Federico's hair and his body somehow rolling against Federico's strong, muscled one, and Federico couldn't think of anything better to do than push Vieri off of him. He thought that in the midst of all of this he heard Vieri say, "You came," and then felt slightly guilty.
"Vieri—"
"You don't know how much it hurt, waiting for you—"
"Vieri—"
"It was worth it—"
"Vieri—"
"Oh, Federico, I want you so much—"
"Vieri, just because we got together the once doesn't mean—"
"Federico, I need you—"
"Vieri—"
"Federico, shut up and fuck me," Vieri said with finality, whispering and tracing his tongue along the shell of Federico's ear.
Ezio would later notice that Vieri was walking with a cane, was bugging their family significantly less, and that Federico was disappearing in midday more.
Federico had also found some way to have a joint investment with the Pazzi bank.
When he'd told his father about it, he'd laughed it off.
When he'd told his mother about it, she'd laughed it off.
When he'd told Federico about it, he'd frozen up and spluttered. Apparently he was seeing a new girl, Oliviera, and she lived quite near the Pazzi's Palazzo.
He'd never suspected a thing.