Oh my. Sorry for the wait guys. This chapter took longer than expected-then again I was being lazy. Working on it, fully inspired...and then ten minutes later, uninspired. Yay.

Enjoy.


Venice was flourishing now. More people started to appear on the streets, vendors were fully now in business and time was ticking away. The sun was shining brightly, seeping in through the miraculously glassworks from the grand churches and causing the Venice water ways to look like clear glass. It was true, Venice was alive and beautiful. Even when there were prostitutes and thieves to "dirty" up the image, their power alone could not devastate the city. Venice –the city that floated on water. An "Atlantis" above the earth-such a powerhouse.

The young assassin was resting-relaxing. He was on top of St Mark's Campanile, the famous bell tower that looms over St. Mark's piazza. He was sitting over the ledge in the arches; his right foot swinging gently back and forth whiles his left leg was propped up against the edge, allowing him to rest his arm on it. His hood was down and Ezio, for once, enjoyed his time in Venice. He himself finally saw the beauty in another place besides his own town, Florence. Leonardo was right, it was indeed breathtaking, and this made Ezio wish he never became an assassin. Of course, it was bound to happen as his father and older brother Federico Auditore were assassins (one of them being a trainee of course). But perhaps, one day, he will live a normal day-with a normal family, but the legacy…

It has to continue…

Ezio heavily sighed and leaned his head back. He had other things in his mind besides "living normally" to be worried about. Leonardo…Leonardo. His acquaintance…the only time when he needed him was with those damn codex puzzles anyway. Nothing more-there was no real relationship with the two, yet Leonardo made it seem that way. The young man frowned and forced himself onto his back, admiring the atmosphere around him. Such delicacy…beauty. Leonardo was delicate too-like a flower…a lily even. No doubt about it, Ezio thought differently of the man's…interest in things several times when they've met, but it never bothered him. He was not one to judge others simple because of preference. It was a time of exploration. People were being more open minded on sexuality-on painting, books, everywhere. Many had multiple relationships; some simply had sex with a different woman every night-someone like Ezio. The man smirked to himself at all the fun times he has had so far during his youth. When there was a pretty girl in his sight, the man flirted. It was instinct…if anything, he just wanted to get under their dresses.

But when it came to men…never. It never crossed his mind-not once…until now however. He heavily blushed at the thought of Leonardo, causing his hands to quickly move towards his hood, pulling them over his eyes. When he had the chance, Ezio did watch Leonardo a lot. When he visited the young artist, he watched everything. Although it was for a short while (Leonardo completed those puzzles in minutes) and it was also the back of the artist the assassin stared at, he enjoyed it. When he did get the chance to view the anterior position of the older man however, it was bliss. The way he smiled…almost like a child when he received those puzzles. The way his hands quickly move in a swift style, working on those puzzles. His eyes…those damn blue eyes-beautiful. Beyond beautiful Ezio thought-more incredible than the eyes of the many females he has slept with. There was nothing to use to compare with Leonardo's eyes. Something about them…hypnotized the assassin. Put him in a trance- it was impossible not to stare!

"Bello…"

An exaggerated sigh escaped Ezio's lips. He was thinking about that hug-that damn hug he passed up from Leonardo. He thought of the worse scenarios-perhaps the artist was crying now. He probably burnt all his artwork and sketches. Maybe he left Venice and returned home-maybe a new town. What if he left to a completely new country and didn't even bother to tell his servant? The assassin growled in fury, rolling over onto his side, propping a leg up now. He was completely bothered by the thought-no way could it happen. Leonardo wasn't an actor. He wouldn't put up a show just to show some attention. If anything, the man had gone back to painting, smiling and exuberant as ever. He was probably not even affected by the rejection of the hug.

No…it wasn't a rejection. He just didn't have time.

Ezio knew he had to go back soon. He didn't know how he was going to initiate the plan, but he knew he had to return the favor. Give Leonardo the hug he wanted in the first place. Maybe actually spend some time with man. Go out and enjoy the night-pick up females along the way, go watch a play…something to actually start a conversation with the artist and possibly begin a better relationship instead of being "Oh hey, another puzzle. Knock yourself out." The assassin sat up from his position and stared out into the town's landscape. The sun was still high in the sky and delicious, moist food of all kinds could be smelled for hours-lunch time had just started. Ezio knew he still had time, but he also knew if he continued to sit around and contemplate on the scenario he just created, it'll be too late. He pushed himself off of the floor and slowly stepped onto the edge of the tower, a mild wind blowing throw his robes. Below him, he could barely spot a wagon, full of cottage pink flower petals, and looking as soft as ever. The tip of his boots were floating on air now, the assassin taking in one last breath before his body started to lean forward on its own. Time slowed down for Ezio…

A leap of faith…

He landed with a rather loud thud. The petals, not only cushioned him, but pushed themselves up into the sky with the sudden force the assassin made, slowly floating back down into their original position. Ezio laid inside the wagon of petals, slowly getting back his composure as the sound of the Venetian people began to echo through his head. He popped his head out curiously from underneath the pink petals, leaning his chin against the edge of the wagon, simply watching the people. Some continued on with their lives, commenting under their breath how the strange man inside the wagon must be drunk while others simply stopped and stared at the man straight on, commenting how drunk he must be in order to hide in a wagon of flowers…pink flowers. The assassin only smirked; his eyes covered by his hood as he continued to watch. Peasants, high class, merchants, prostitutes (which Ezio kept throwing little smiles at), thieves and the officers-all roamed Venice freely, and without a care in the world. Again, he wished he lived the simple life again. All before he turned into an assassin-on his own, with his older brother, off in the streets of Florence, playing around with the girls or doing a little cat and mouse chase. Oh how Ezio wished his world never turned upside down, but what's done is done.

The young man finally jumped out of the wagon when an officer dressed in gold metal became suspicious and began to harass Ezio, commanding him to "get out of the way" or "stop publicly humiliating yourself". He quickly jumped out, and made his way through the crowd, making sure the officer didn't catch his face…or his drapes. The assassin left a trail of pink flowers behind him as he began his way towards Leonardo da Vinci.

The artist, on the other hand, wasn't really expecting anyone at the moment. In fact, Leonardo was asleep, over his work table, on top of his drafts and…drooling oh so lightly. His servant, Fiorello, quickly placed a blanket over the older man before putting one over him-letting this time become his nap time. At his workshop, nothing new really has happened. Leonardo just finished the first draft (out of many) of his commissioned work before taking his daily nap on the table. His red beret was slowly slipping off when he heard a knock or two outside his door, causing the man to jump up from his rest, and with that…allowed his beret to completely slide off.

"Ah~! Madonna! He's here! He's here!" Leonardo gasped and pushed himself off of the desk, pushing his work onto the floor along the way. In his mind, the artist thought that the man outside his door was the commissioner and the fact that he was barely done with the first draft put the artist into frenzy.

"Fiorello! Ch! Destare!" He snapped at his servant before he quickly positioned himself behind an easel, panting softly-trying his best to regain some self-control. He picked up a few pieces of paper, pretending he was going over the next step to his art while his servant quickly ran to the door and opened it for the guest. Leonardo had no idea who it was due to the fact that the easel was facing the door and the large piece of canvas was blocking the artist's view of the assassin. His beret was still on the floor somewhere…

"Ohh…Sir! What brings you here?" Leonardo said, cheerfully pulling on a smile behind him as he continued to fake painting, "As you can see, I am working on your piece as we speak! Ahh, beautiful work it is. I am honored to be painting it!" A sweat drop could be seen slowly sliding off his cheek. He was worried that his commissioner would take a peek at his process….his grand process.

The assassin simply tilted his head and raised a brow, pressing his lips together. He eyed Fiorello, who simply shrugged his shoulders and ran into the back room. Ezio soon laughed quietly to himself however, popping his head out from behind the canvas.

"Leonardo! It's only me, Ezio." The assassin took a step back and felt a strange bump on the floor. He looked down to spot the artist's hat he was stepping on. The younger man quickly grabbed it and slipped it into one of his pouches. Leonardo, on the other hand, jumped up slightly and began to laugh at himself too; rather embarrassed at the situation he put himself in.

"Ezio! Mio Dio! You scared me!" A light line or red dashed across his freckled cheeks as he made his way around the easel. He went to place a hand onto his head when he finally noticed…his favorite beret went missing. He spun around and began to frantically search for his hat all while leaving his dear friend Ezio on his own.

The assassin, on the other hand, simply stood tall, watching the artist move papers and search under desks all for a beret. This actually made Ezio uncomfortable all of a sudden as he watched the man steadily, feeling like a shadow. He remained quiet, eyes fixed on the man-causing him to slightly blush. Ten minutes past slowly, watching the artist in every angle as he continued to look for his beret, quickly losing his hope. Leonardo sighed in defeat, his back facing the younger man, as he knew he had forever lost his favorite beret.

"Ezio…you didn't happen to stumble upon my beret?" asked Leonardo. It was only then, he spun on his heel only to take a stumble back in surprise. His hat was held out by Ezio's hand-unharmed. His blue eyes widened in happiness as he swiftly picked it up and plopped it back down on his brown locks before reaching out towards the assassin. The artist began to raise his arms up before realizing the situation from before, so, in the end, he quickly slid his arms down, reaching behind him instead. The younger assassin remained motionless.

"Ahh…right, ha-ha. Grazie amico." Leonardo forced a cough before changing his expression to that of peacefulness. He nodded before going back towards his easel-Ezio wasn't speaking. Ezio wasn't responding…he was just standing there like a statue…

"Una statua di bella ..."

The assassin simply nodded before giving back the hat. To him, he felt uneasy. The scenario from before wasn't leaving his mind. A moment later and he realized again that the artist looked like he was going for a hug again before giving up, which caused the man to tense up under his robes. He felt bad naturally. Ezio was reenacting the whole skit from before-making it twice as awkward for the both of them. It took the assassin a few seconds to realize what he was here for again. He took a breath, forced all the hair out and soon was able to relax-the idea not from his mind.

"L-Leonardo…I-"

"Ah! Yes Ezio? What can I do for you now?"

Ezio had an instinct to slide his hand into his robe and pull out a codex for the artist, but quickly resisted and continued.

"Look, there's something that has been bothering me." He crossed his arms over his chest and took a step towards the older man. He rolled his lips in and raised a brow.

"Yes amico?" Leonardo slightly tilted his head so that he was now eyeing the assassin. His smile disappeared and an expression of worry covered his face. Two blue crystals orbs blinked slowly at the younger Italian. Why was Ezio here? He didn't ask for his codex to be solved, so…why else would he want the artist for?


Ahh...cliffhanger. Fun~

Eh, I'm not so proud of the ending on here...

Oh Leonardo...you and that beret you love.