A/N: I had originally intended for this to be a one-shot, intending to edit the first chapter, but I think I'll see how long it'll last. A bit shorter than I would like, but I think the ending was a good place to stop. Thanks for the review, SuNrIsEmAsSacRe!
"Yeah… Leonardo didn't want to hurt me…" Ezio said to himself over and over again. He walked through the streets of Venezia, trying to clear his head of what had happened as the rain continued to pour on him. "Ma, lo condanna... I can't shake the feeling that he was lying to me even then…" Ezio stopped walking abruptly and looked around. He sighed. "I'm too paranoid now..." He continued walking aimlessly. Eventually he walked back to Leonardo's workshop, to the fast travel station. He didn't want Leonardo to see him, so he walked slowly, hiding himself among the people.
"And where is it you would like to go, messer?" The man at the station asked.
Ezio looked at the three other people standing, waiting for a common destination. "Monteriggioni."
"Si, si. It's your lucky day, sir. These three people were headed the same direction. Much cheaper that way."
Ezio nodded, not caring what the man had to say.
"Please, everyone, climb into the carriage now." The man climbed onto the seat on the front and took the reigns of the horses into his hands.
Ezio waited until the two courtesan and a well dressed man climbed into the carriage, climbing in after them. He sat down next to the well dressed man and rested his elbows on his knees, leaning on them, staring at the ground.
"I sure wish the rain would clear up soon… it's getting my dress all messy." One of the two courtesans moaned.
"It's fine, Arietta." The second courtesan patted Arietta.
"Has the rain been dragging you down, messer?" The man next to Ezio asked.
Ezio ignored the man, the carriage beginning to move.
"Lei è giusto?"
Ezio shrugged. "Sono bello."
The man nodded. He looked at the women and began to chat with them.
"Why?" Ezio's heart filled of betrayal. "Uberto… Leonardo…" Ezio jumped when the carriage stopped suddenly.
"Everybody out!" Someone yelled outside the carriage.
Ezio noted that the three passengers with him weren't surprised. He climbed out warily and jumped when someone swung at him. The three scattered, laughing, and Ezio noticed three guards and a dark figure. "Shit!" He dodged another blow and pulled out his sword He attacked the guards, and the dark figure grabbed Ezio's throat. The plump body pulled him closer, calling the guards off in a Spanish accent.
"Borgia…" Ezio growled.
"Good observations, my boy. But you've gotten in my way for the last time."
Ezio's airway was closing quickly as Rodrigo Borgia closed his hand around the assassin's throat. Cazzo! Ezio gasped for air, then kicked at Borgia. Borgia ignored the kicks.
"Stop! Don't kill him!"
Ezio's ears perked.
"Please, Il Magnifico, don't kill him."
"And why is that? Leonardo da Vinci?"
"He'd be an awful waste dead."
Ezio gasped, his airway opening again. He fell to the ground, coughing violently.
"And what do you suppose we do with him then?" Borgia growled.
"Torture him. Turn him into a Templar."
"His skill set on our side would really help…" Borgia considered.
"No. I won't ever join the Templars, bastardi." Ezio spat blood.
Borgia snarled and kicked Ezio's side.
Eizo rolled onto his right side and looked at Leonardo. A new, cold look froze his eyes. Leonardo didn't look at Ezio.
"You traitor… Leonardo!" Ezio jumped up, ignoring the sharp pain of a couple of broken ribs, and tried to grab Leonardo. Leonardo didn't move, and Ezio felt himself jerked back by the guards grabbing him. They punched and kicked him, bruising more bones, and breaking more ribs. Ezio's breathing became labored as he lay on the ground, the immense pain coursing through his veins.
"Load him in the carriage. Leonardo, will you be okay watching him, making sure he doesn't do anything?" Borgia asked.
Ezio raised his head and looked at Leonardo as his hands and feet were bound.
Leonardo nodded and removed the hidden blade from Ezio's left arm. "Yes. I'll be okay."
"Good. You," Borgia looked at a Guard.
The guard stood at attention.
"You will drive this carriage. The assassin has been bound, and will not be an issue. Bring them to Roma." Borgia climbed into his own carriage, the two other guards driving it.
Leonardo and the remaining guard tossed Ezio into the carriage, the artist climbing in and sitting down across from Ezio.
Ezio felt blood drip from his mouth and nose, and he stared at Leonardo.
The carriage lurched forward, moving.
"I told you Borgia would be all over me."
"You bastard." Ezio spat blood on Leonardo.
"I'm sorry… I couldn't get out of it."
"Bullshit." Ezio felt his eyes sting. "You fucking hate me… you always have… haven't you?"
"I don't' hate you, Ezio!" Leonardo growled.
"Then why do you do this to me? You're a fucking genius, you could figure out a way to get out of it! Remember when that guard was beating you up, and you told me to toss the body aside in your workshop, because the city gives them to you for research? You could've come up with something else!" Ezio's cheeks glistened of blood and tears. "But no, you want rid of me! That's why you're handing me over to Borgia."
"Ezio, listen, plese."
"Fottiti!" Ezio spat again, his head hanging in dismay.
Leonardo sighed. "I'm sorry… I… Borgia knows about us."
Ezio looked up at Leonardo. "You let it slip, huh?"
"I didn't know Borgia had men spying on me." Leonardo looked directly at Ezio. "Borgia said he'd reveal me for my sodomy, and he'd kill us both unless I helped him get you."
Just… Like… Uberto… Ezio growled in his head. He snarled at Leonardo. "Just like Uberto… Protecting your own fucking ass!" Ezio growled, his voice cracking. "You! Why?"
"I just told you…"
Ezio shook his head. "I trusted you… I loved you…"
"I love you, Ezio. That's why I'm going to figure out a way out of here. I was wrong… I shouldn't have given you over."
Ezio scoffed. "Yeah, you were wrong all right."
Leonardo leaned to Ezio and took his chin. He closed the space between their lips.
Ezio bit Leonardo's lip, the artist yelping in pain. "Don't… Touch… Me…" Ezio licked the blood off of his lips.
Leonardo bit his lip, licking it.
"If you get me out of here. IF… then… maybe I'll take you back. Maybe."
Leonardo nodded. "Okay. How injured are you?"
"Pretty injured." Ezio said.
"If I give you your blade back, can you kill the guard that's driving the carriage?"
"I'll see. Cut me loose."
Leonardo activated the blade and cut the ropes binding Ezio. Ezio winced as he moved, his hands free. Leonardo attached the blade back to his left arm. Ezio quietly and slowly climbed out onto the top of the carriage. He cut the driver's throat, then collapsed from the pain.
"Ezio!" Leonardo climbed up on top as the horses stopped.
"Drive us to Monteriggioni. Uncle Mario will help me." Ezio gasped as Leonardo lowered Ezio back into the carriage, setting him on one of the seats.
"Okay…" Leonardo nodded, taking the reins of the horses, and turning them around.