Title: Statue

Characters: Ezio/Leonardo (slash version)

Rating: T. It's mild slash.

Summary: Ezio buys Leonardo a present.

A/N: Inspired by the tour of Venice. That tour inspired a thousand ideas.

Venice was a hard city to navigate, especially if you followed the roads and canals instead of the rooftops. Still, considering he had absolutely no idea where he was, Ezio figured he was doing a pretty good job. Normally, his target was a person, or a group of people. Easy enough to locate, especially with his uncanny knack for identifying key people in his mission. Shops were less easy to locate, especially when it was a specific shop. He'd already been searching for nearly an hour, to no avail. Still, the determination of an assassin was a force to be reckoned with, and despite the fact that it was almost dark by the time he found the store he was looking for. It was a small stand he would normally not spare a second glance for, full of trinkets and useless items. Hardly the kind of shop an assassin frequented. Right now, however, he was interested in a small wooden statue. As far as he could tell, there was nothing remarkable about the statue; sure, it had joints, so the body could be moved, but it was just a wooden model. Still, it had captured the attention of his amore upon their arrival in Venezia, and he had meant to purchase it.

"Ciao, amico. Quanto per il modello?"

"1000 florins, mio amico."

Ezio frowned. No, that wouldn't do. These confounded merchants would draw every coin out of him, given half the chance. They were worse than the thieves.

"500," he countered, refusing to increase his offer more than a single florin. Each time an unacceptable offer was presented, he leaned in closer to the merchant, making sure the man could see his hand on his sword-hilt. The assassin could almost smell the nerves coming from the man. It was becoming almost disturbingly easy to intimidate people, he realised. Not that he minded, but it was sure to cause a certain genius to go on yet another philosophical rampage. Finally, the shopkeeper made an offer Ezio felt was somewhat more reasonable.

"650," he stuttered, and this Ezio accepted. It was more than he felt the statue was worth, but then, what did he know? He wasn't an expert on this kind of thing. Resisting the urge to tap his foot, or examine his fingernails, or do any of the other habits people have when waiting, he watched carefully as the merchant wrapped the piece in dark brown paper. Taking it, he paid the man and left, worming his way through the allies and canals until he came to a familiar door. Rapping smartly, he allowed himself a small smile when his friend opened the door. The man always brought out the best in him, or at least, the more tender side of him.

"Ah, Ezio my friend."

Without a word, he produced the brown parcel. A look of surprise Ezio found extremely adorable came across Leonardo's face.

"For me?"

"Si."

It was rare for Ezio to feel this excited, but there was a great anticipation as Leonardo opened his gift. The profuse thanks he received he had expected; the enthusiastic hug he had not.

"You remembered!" Leonardo exclaimed, his voice muffled against Ezio's shoulder. Trying to ignore the fact that he could feel Leonardo's lips against his shoulder, that he could feel the softness of his hair, smell the saltiness of his skin, he pulled back, settling for a manly clap on the shoulder in response. It was a far cry from what he wanted to do, but it would have to suffice.

"Of course. I would do anything for you, my friend."

Leonardo beamed. And even if he couldn't have what he wanted right now, the look of pure joy in his amore's face was enough for now.