Fuck! Vieri nearly lost his grip on the stone wall. He knew how to climb, damn it. He excelled at it, even. The only reasons he was having a hard time climbing now was because it was dark and the Auditore's house was poorly built. Damn thing was falling apart.
He didn't know why he was climbing up to Federico Auditore's window in the middle of the night. It wasn't that he felt bad. It wasn't that he wanted to see if Federico was okay, but it had been nearly a week since he had seen him, and it just...he was...fuck.
See, this is why he hated people. They were too much trouble. When Federico tried to kiss him that first night, he should have never given in. He should have just thrown him off the roof. Then he wouldn't have to deal with this. He wouldn't be feeling so fucking...guilty. Which he shouldn't, because he'd hurt others a lot worse.
"Son of a bitch," he said, his voice hushed. This whole thing was completely ridiculous. Federico should just get the hell over it. He should have known that he was a violent person. Vieri threatened him all the time. He even threw him out of his window! But he hadn't seen him since that night on the rooftop. Federico hadn't come by to see him at all, which Vieri knew he should be happy about, but he wasn't. He had expected Federico to come by despite what had happened, his insufferable face all smiles while he threw out some stupid charming remark about him.
And it just never happened.
Vieri felt stupid clinging to the window ledge, waiting outside just like Federico had done so many times at his own window. Before he could back down (because he had a spine, damn it, and balls to go with it), he knocked on Federico's window. Actually, it was more like a good pounding, because the entire thing rattled loudly. He heard a loud curse and Vieri smirked, wishing he could see the startled look on Federico's face.
He ducked as the window opened. Federico's surprised face was visible in the moonlight, and unfortunately, so was his bruised mouth. The angry red and dark purple on his swollen lip had Vieri gripping the ledge tighter. He didn't feel good about it one bit even though he knew he should. He should be pleased with his handiwork, but deep down it felt wrong.
He didn't know why he felt angry. Was he angry at himself? Federico's inquisitive stare only upset Vieri further. He wasn't used to caring like this, so what the hell was he supposed to do?
"What!" he snapped. Being angry probably wasn't what he should do. Damn it, he had to work on that.
Federico gave him a small grin, lips barely curving to one side. "I never thought I'd see you here."
Their banter came automatically. "Don't get used to it."
"Then I guess I'm going to have to enjoy every second of it, aren't I?"
Vieri wanted to slam the window in his face, but that would waste the entire time it took to work up the nerve to come here.
Federico's grin became smug. "May I ask how you knew which bedroom window is mine?"
At Vieri's intense glare-the one that Federico had learned to interpret as 'Shut your fucking mouth or I'll do it for you, and not in a way you'll like'-he balked. "Er. I'll take that as a no?"
Vieri pressed his fingers against an oncoming headache. He was tired. He barely slept in the past few nights. Something kept him up and he refused to believe it was worry.
"I don't even know why I'm here," he mumbled.
A hand pulled his own hand away and as he was opening his eyes, Federico placed a soft kiss on his forehead. Vieri was so surprised over the gesture that he jerked back, almost losing his grip. Federico's hands shot out to grab his arm and shoulder in an iron hold, giving him a chance to gain his footing.
Vieri clutched to the window ledge, shooting a glare up to Federico. "Are you trying to kill me!"
"That would be a first," said Federico in amusement, pulling him up further. "Death by kiss."
Vieri continued to glare at him, unsure of what to do. Federico seemed like his normal, idiotic self. Was he supposed to do anything? Is this where he apologized? Because that was never going to happen. The two spent a minute just staring at each other until Federico spoke cheerfully.
"So. Are you spending the night?"
Wait, what? What just happened? Did Federico forgive him? Vieri couldn't believe it. How—just like that? His face must've conveyed his confusion, because Federico laughed softly.
"We don't have to do anything. It would be nice to just lie with you."
Vieri frowned. "No. It's not that."
Why wasn't Federico angry? The idiot doesn't even react properly when someone attacks him. He was probably too damn lazy to even care.
Federico tilted his head, eyebrow arching, and Vieri felt strangely hesitant, mouth opening then closing, his shoulders fidgeting under Federico's grasp. He didn't want to push it if Federico didn't care, but more importantly, Vieri didn't want to apologize for anything.
"You know," said Federico, his voice quiet. "I knew that you weren't exactly a gentle person when I pursued you."
"Pursued?" Vieri snarled indignantly, leaning away. Had Federico learned nothing from their time together? He hated that word. It gave him images of a relentless hunt and him being fair game.
"Yes." Federico spoke with conviction, his tone unapologetic. "And when I was courting you-" He broke off to pull Vieri back up from his angry descending. He yanked him up until Vieri's stomach pressed against the window ledge and they were right in each other's faces. He gave him a hard look, narrowed eyes not wavering from Vieri's fierce glare. "Listen to me for once."
Vieri gripped the ledge in a white knuckled hold. "Then stop playing around!"
"You want me to be serious, Vieri?" Federico's voice rose. "Fine. I'm angry at what you did. It's the reason I haven't come to see you these past few days. I've done nothing but care about you from the start, but you always turn away."
Vieri wanted to do just that, not used to Federico actually standing up to him. "Stop."
Federico shook his head. "I'm not going to. I know it's hard for you to let your defenses down, but I thought it would be that much more rewarding when you ever did, because it would be for me. It would be for the both of us."
"That's enough," Vieri hissed, trying to wrench himself free. This was just like their time on the rooftop. He didn't want to face the fact that Federico truly cared for him. He always wondered why that idiot liked him, but now that he was hearing it, it made it seem all too real because Federico wasn't joking around. He wasn't playing or teasing.
If this was Federico's serious side, Vieri never wanted to see it again.
"No, it's not enough," said Federico, keeping his grip tight. "I need to know what you want."
Oh, fuck. Don't make him say it. But Federico continued, not letting him go.
"You know all I want is you. I want your petulant, pissy attitude; your angry looks; your filthy, scowling mouth; your violent outbursts; and your strong-willed, independent mind."
Vieri didn't want to hear any more. It was too much. "Shut up."
Hands pulled him closer.
"Tell me what you want."
He didn't want to. He would spend night and day with Federico, put up with his idiotic jokes and his relentless teasing; ignore his stupid, playful grins; and even let him hold and kiss him if he wanted to. Hell, he would even deal with his random, embarrassing gestures of affections, but Vieri would never admit that he liked him. His pride wouldn't let him.
"Tell me."
He was never going to say that he wanted Federico. "I'm not-!"
But Federico would not stop. "Vieri."
Oh, he had enough. Federico always backed off when he told him to. Things never went this far, and Vieri was too tired and too upset over this whole damn thing to deal with it anymore. The one thing that he could think of saying to shut him up flew from his mouth.
"Federico!"
And it worked. Wide eyes met narrowed ones, and Federico was silent.
Vieri swallowed hard, mouth working around what his brain was trying to hold back. "I-"
Was this really worth it?
"I"m..."
It's not like any of this mattered. Vieri didn't need him. He could have anyone else, someone who listened and wasn't so damn annoying. It wasn't like Federico was worth anything. He was an Auditore. He was lazy, dirty-minded, and a complete whore. It didn't matter that Federico was always there or tried to help him with whatever he was doing or continued to give him attention no matter how many times he adamantly refused to accept it. It didn't matter that Federico had told him that he liked him so many times over to the point where Vieri was starting to believe it. It didn't matter. It shouldn't. But looking into Federico's eyes and having heard everything said about him, sincerely and with such intensity, Vieri realized that while he could have anyone else, he didn't want to.
Finally, he sighed, eyes rolling upward. "Fuck."
Federico gave him a fond smile. "Yeah, I know."
"That wasn't an apology, you bastard."
"That's okay. I forgive you."
"In what language does 'Fuck' mean 'I'm sorry'!"
"Does this mean we can have make up sex now?"
Anyone else! He could have had anyone else!
His hand came up automatically to push at Federico's shoulder when he leaned down to kiss him. Apparently, forgiveness came way too fast when it came to Federico.
"Wait. It's going to hurt, you moron."
Federico gasped, the sound fake and mocking. "Aw, you do care."
Vieri bristled. "Hardly. I just don't want to hear you whine like a bitch."
"Ow." Federico placed his hand over his heart. "Someone's extra mean today."
Vieri did not like how Federico somehow gained the ability to back talk him. "I wonder why."
"Because you didn't get any for the past couple days?" Federico asked playfully. "Not to mention I didn't finish you off that night."
"I can finish you off right now," said Vieri, a threatening note to his voice as he leaned forward, clutching the ledge.
"Did I ever tell you how much I love your snark?"
"Fuck off."
"Yeah, I missed you, too."
Vieri opened his mouth, ready to continue his cussing and insults, but froze when Federico leaned down again, slowly and softly placing his lips over his own. They couldn't do much more than just hold each other close, mouths touching lightly.
Vieri finally relaxed. He figured if Federico was willing to forgive and forget after what he did to him, then he could...try to meet him halfway in this...this relationship.
He still thought Federico was an idiot. That much was never going to change.
Vieri was the first to open his mouth, tracing Federico's top lip with his tongue. It was strange to ask permission to go on instead of just taking, but when he was granted it in the form of Federico parting his lips, Vieri found that he enjoyed it that much more.
Federico's fingers pressed against his jaw and Vieri's eyes slipped shut. He was surprised at how much better it was now that he was letting go. He was even more shocked at how gentle he was being, trying to be mindful of Federico's bruised lip. And he didn't care when he heard a pleased hum or when he felt Federico's mouth quirk a bit upwards into a smile. He wasn't angry at all, despite knowing that he should, at the very least, be irritated at how smug the noise sounded.
If this was how it was, then maybe he could give in. Just a bit. Every so often. If it felt like this-this rising feeling of happiness, then maybe it wouldn't be so bad.
He was so lost on this cloud with only Federico and himself, that he didn't hear the door open. And he didn't hear Ezio's voice until it was too late.
"Hey, Fed-oh fucking shit!"
