A/N: …I'm so sorry it took so long for me to get this done. I just got caught up on my Bloopers thing, and I kinda got blocked on this one… But here it is. :D And I know Brotherhood isn't out yet, but I figured why not use what I've read about it so far?

Leonardo sighed, sitting on the roof of the villa. He had become accustomed to the ways of an Assassin, having picked up some of Ezio's skills. Especially climbing. Leonardo found himself able to scale a building; not near as efficiently as his lover, but he did it. He watched the morning sunrise, hoping to stay out of everyone's sight that day.

"Leonardo, what are you doing up here?"

Leonardo's ears perked, the assassin's voice questioning Leonardo. "Nothing." Leonardo shrugged. "What are you doing out of bed?" He looked at Ezio.

"I feel much better right now, so I felt I'd come spend some time with you, mio amore."

"I'm sorry, Ezio." Leonardo sighed.

"I know you didn't understand what I said last night, but I forgive you." Ezio took Leonardo's hand.

"No, seriously… I'm sorry."

"For what?" Ezio roiled his brows. "What are you talking about?"

Leonardo stood up and began walking towards the center of the roof. "Because I'm weak. You were right. I'm a horrible lion."

"Leo…" Ezio stood up.

"Yesterday everything I thought I believed in died. But today is my birthday."

"I know. That's why I want to spend some time with you today."

"But I want to be away from everybody…"

"It's your birthday, Leonardo… What's wrong?"

"I don't need you… I say that to myself, but I don't mean I don't need somebody."

Ezio took Leonardo's hand. "I don't understand what you're talking about, Leonardo."

"Anyone with a half a soul will hear this and never leave me."

Ezio sat Leonardo down, sitting down next to him.

"If you don't know what forever feels like, I'll show you what it feels like without it."

Ezio still was confused, but he let Leonardo talk. He thought perhaps letting him talk will help.

"I don't fucking deserve to be alive right now."

"Why?" Ezio asked.

"You of all people asking that. Why? Because of what I did to you yesterday!" Leonardo closed his eyes, trying to keep the tears at bay.

"And as I said yesterday, I don't care anymore. I still love you."

"I don't know what I feel anymore…"

"Leonardo… Look, I'm still alive, and Borgia's not here to get me."

"Perhaps his son will be."

"Son?"

"Caesar." Leonardo looked at Ezio.

"And that's because I didn't fucking kill him?" Ezio growled.

"I assume so."

"Shit…"

Leonardo sighed. "I gotta go."

"Where are you going?" Ezio asked.

Leonardo jumped off the building, using the skills he had learned in the many years he's known the assassin.

"Leonardo!" Ezio yelled, staring as the artist got on a horse and rode off, not looking back.

Ezio blinked and stared, his eyes beginning to sting. He rested his head on his arms, crossed over his legs. "I'll kill you, Borgia!" Ezio growled aloud. "He's ruined my life…"

"Ezio, what's the matter?"

"Leonardo just left without telling me where, or why…" Ezio didn't look up at hearing his uncle's voice.

"Mi dispiace, nipote." Mario sat down next to Ezio.

Ezio looked up. "I have to go after him!"

"No! You're not healed enough yet."

"I don't care." Ezio growled, jumped down to the ground and grabbed the other remaining horse. He jumped onto the saddle and rode in the direction Leonardo da Vinci rode, riding as fast as the horse would carry him. "Leonardo!" The assassin yelled after the artist as he came up on him.

"Go away, Ezio!" Leonardo yelled behind him and continued riding.

"What the hell's gotten into you?" Ezio rode up next to the artist.

"Please, Ezio, leave me alone!"

"No!" Ezio jumped onto the horse and tackled Leonardo to the ground. "What's gotten into you?"

Leonardo sighed, not fighting back. "I need to get away from you…"

"Why?"

"Before I hurt you anymore."

"What do you…" Ezio heard horses coming in his direction. He looked up and saw what looked like an army of horses and men riding towards Monteriggioni. He didn't recognize any of the men, then looked back at the artist. "Please, Leonardo… please tell me what you mean."

"Go protect your uncle, Ezio."

"Huh?"

Leonardo shoved Ezio off of him and jumped onto a horse. "Forget about me, Ezio! Go protect your uncle!"

"You fucking bastard! I don't understand what you're talking about!" Ezio growled and stared at Leonardo. "Please…"

"I'll come back. I promise." Leonardo wiped tears from his eyes and rode off.

"Mio amore!" Ezio yelled, his heart aching. He sighed and jumped on the other horse, turned it around, and strode slowly towards Monteriggioni. "Go protect your uncle, Ezio." Leonardo's words echoed in the assassin's head. He gasped and made the horse speed up, realizing what the artist was talking about.