There was something oddly relaxing about the repetitive motion of using a punching bag. Ezio's mind was elsewhere as his body worked, the pressure and jolt of his cloth-wrapped fists hitting the durable bag occupying his physical self. He hadn't been to the fighting ring for a month after Leonardo and his family left –he had to make sure his face was fully healed. He didn't want to risk the chance of Cesare seeing his handiwork.
This was the week in a row since Ezio began coming every week, and he hadn't seen either of the Borgia siblings. He was beginning to relax until that day, when he saw a discernible figure making her way toward him.
He stopped his abusing of the punching bag, grabbing it to stop it from continuing to swing. "What do you want, Lucrezia?" He didn't bother concealing his annoyance.
"Nothing in particular," a smile twitched at her lips as she went to lean against the wall beside the punching bag. If she was trying to look innocent, it wasn't working. "I was just interested to see you back here."
"I don't see Cesare," Ezio glanced back, toward where the fighting ring and main area of the room. It was mostly empty, save for the occasional other fighter wandering around or a pair talking to each other. "I haven't seen him since I came back."
She brushed the comment off, twisting a piece of blonde, curled hair around her finger. She surveyed the room, then let her eyes drift back to Ezio. "You're going to have a scar, by the looks of things," Lucrezia choked her chin. "What a shame. It nearly ruins your face."
"Why are you even here when Cesare isn't?" Ezio snapped, his frustration clear. He hadn't dwelt much on the night Cesare had his face beaten into pulp, but seeing Lucrezia brought his bitterness back to the surface. "You don't have to do what he wants you to."
"You think he sent me?" She scoffed. "Ezio, I love my brother. Maybe you don't understand the extent of that, but everything I do is in his best interests," she leaned toward him and lowered her voice, "Whether he knows or not."
She didn't give him the chance to reply, walking away immediately. He wasn't certain he understood what she meant, but had an inkling nevertheless. What he was certain about was his distinct feeling that this was not the last time he would see Lucrezia.
Ezio's attention was snapped away by the buzzing of his cellphone on the nearby chair. He picked it up, readying the message from Claudia, begging him to meet him in the shopping center not far from his apartment.
Guilt was a strange thing. Leonardo often felt guilty that, once a fortnight, Ezio still delivered a letter with cash in it. That guilt didn't stop him using the some of the money when he was desperate. Over the last few months, he had scarcely any customers who made purchases. The extra cash was a blessing, really, but that didn't stop the nagging feeling of wrongness. Ezio shouldn't have to pay him for doing him a favor. A few times, Leonardo had even tried to catch Ezio in the act of slipping the letter beneath the shop's door. He never managed to, always missing Ezio by what felt like minutes. Leonardo had considered applying for a part time job to help him, but with this cash, he didn't technically need to. If it had ever felt like Ezio had been using Leonardo during the week with his family, Leonardo definitely felt the position had now changed.
The heating inside the shop was terrible. It wasn't as cold as it had been a few weeks ago when the snow had accumulated to ridiculous levels, but it was still awful. Outside, because of the rain and lack of fresh snowfall, the group was slippery and covered in trodden in mush. Leonardo eyed it from his shop's window, wondering if the extra discomfort would be worth the payoff. If he layered on his clothing enough, perhaps he could make it to the shopping center without any of his body parts going numb. All he wanted was a decent, hot cup of coffee and a break from his dismal surroundings.
He decided to risk it. Half smothered by his clothes, he checked he had everything and left the shop, very nearly forgetting to lock it behind him. He was so rushed to get to the mall, his hands stuffed into his pockets and his breath white puffs in front of his face, he slipped and nearly fell twice. When he did eventually make it, half an hour later, he was shivering and grateful for the sudden warmth of generous heating.
Able to relax now, he wandered the corridors on his way to the café he liked. He looked through windows, not really paying attention. It was nice to take a break from painting. He had felt strange lately, his art too forced. Maybe when the weather was warmer again, spending time in the shop may actually be pleasant. He couldn't think of anything else different at the moment that could be throwing him off.
It was when he neared the café that he paused. For a moment, he didn't believe his own eyes. It was Ezio, standing just outside the café. Leonardo knew one of the women –Claudia, as gorgeous and similar to Ezio as ever. The other woman was Ezio's age, dark haired and smiling a lot. Leonardo couldn't fault her for wanting to flirt with Ezio, which was clearly what she was doing, but it irritated him nevertheless.
"Leonardo!" Claudia exclaimed when she saw him, immediately leaving her brother and the other woman. She hurried up to Leonardo, stopping just short of what looked like an all-consuming hug. Ezio grinned at Leonardo, before what looked like answering the woman's question as to who Leonardo was. Being out of earshot, it was only Leonardo's guess. He shocked himself with the jealous though that he hoped Ezio told her they had fucked.
"How have you been?" Leonardo asked Claudia, trying to bury his thoughts.
"Good, and you?"
"I can't complain."
"I sort of set Ezio and my coworker Cristina up," Claudia glanced back at them, grinning. She was devilishly pleased with her handiwork. "He flirts whether he means to or not, and they both needed that sort of conversation and a good coffee."
In Ezio's defense, he was still trying to talk with Cristina. The only problem was his gaze kept flicking to Leonardo and Claudia.
"I should probably go get Cristina. I promised her movies at my place if she agreed to meet Ezio," Claudia looked up at Leonardo with amusement. "I had hoped Ezio would come with us, but somehow I don't think he'll be willing now."
The two joined Ezio and Cristina, and after saying hello, Cristina was whisked away Claudia. Ezio didn't say anything until they were gone. "You couldn't have better timing, Leo," Ezio breathed out in relief. "Don't get me wrong, Christina's very nice. I just…" He laughed, his smile spreading over his face and brightening his eyes. "Do you want a coffee?"
"Didn't you just have one?" Leonardo asked, avoiding saying a direct yes.
Ezio shrugged and turned back to the café's entrance. While Ezio was ordering for them both, Leonardo claimed one the tables. By the wall and out of the way, they could spend the rest of the day talking and no one would really notice. When Ezio joined him, coffee already in hand, Leonardo had already thought of a million questions. He struggled to even get one out. "So, what was this about Cristina?"
"Claudia knows about the lengths you and I went to lie to my parents because I didn't want a relationship," Ezio snorted. "And then she goes and does that! She didn't even tell me. Sometimes I wonder if we're even related."
"Oh," Leonardo tried not to laugh. "You two are definitely related."
Ezio rolled his eyes. "Very funny."
A though suddenly occurred to Leonardo. "Shouldn't you be studying instead of flirting with someone your sisters sets you up with?"
"It's a Sunday," Ezio shrugged the comment off. "Besides, if she hadn't done that, we wouldn't be sitting here talking."
Leonardo knew how true that was. They spent the next hour talking about nothing of any importance; Leonardo's art and shop, Ezio's studies and family. Near the end of that hour, their cups empty, Ezio kept glancing over his shoulder to the café's displayed set of food. "If you want something, go get it," Leonardo insisted.
Ezio didn't need telling twice. "Want anything?"
Shaking his head, Leonardo watched him walk away. This was certainly not what he planned his afternoon include, but he refused to complain. A few times, he tried to bring up the money Ezio had been leaving him, yet he felt too awkward.
Ezio was struggling to contain his excitement over the food he brought back. It was a piece of rich chocolate cake, and Ezio eagerly sat back down and began devouring it.
"Your face is looking better," Leonardo cringed. "I mean, your scars. The wounds. Uh, you know what I mean."
Nodding, Ezio laughed at him through his mouthful. "It's nice not to have to worry about reopening them when I eat." He turned the end of the fork to Leonardo, offering him some. Leonardo couldn't resist a try, but found the cake overly sweet and handed the fork back quickly.
"Have you told your parents?" Leonardo suddenly asked, the question coming as a surprise to even him. "About the lie."
Ezio glanced up at him, his guilt evident. "Not exactly."
"Not exactly?"
"… Not at all. But I will, I promise."
Leonardo found himself rolling his eyes, though wasn't upset. It wasn't like it changed anything for him, it was Ezio's responsibility now.
"Why?" Ezio forced a smile. "Have you found someone else?"
The question rattled Leonardo unexpectedly. Did Ezio expect him to be looking for someone? "Of course not," Leonardo looked down at his hands.
"Of course not," Ezio mimicked his tone from before, giving a small shake of his head.
Conversation came with more difficulty after that. It wasn't awkward, not really, just different from before. It wasn't as smooth or flawless. It was like both of them suddenly remembered the lie they spun together and it changed the whole dynamic of the conversation.
When the workers at the café kept glancing at them, either curiously or in expectation that they would be able to clear their table soon, Ezio and Leonardo mutually agreed it was time to leave. They took their time wandering back outside, and Leonardo braced himself when they did come to the doors. Ezio chuckled at Leonardo's immediate grimace as they stepped out into the cold. Somehow, the air was frostier and the wind harsher than before.
"Come on," Ezio nodded to the car park across the street. "I'll give you a ride."
"No, it's fine, I can walk."
"Leo, you'll freeze."
He began walking in the direction of his shop, but only got two feet down the sidewalk before a hand slipped down the inside of his arm and into his own hand. "Leonardo, don't be silly." The warmth of Ezio's grip and the strength of it made Leonardo not want to let go, despite his pride. He let Ezio whisk him away, their hands still locked as they crossed the road. They only parted when they had to get into the car.
"To your apartment or the shop?" Ezio asked before they went anyway, watching Leonardo with interest.
Leonardo hadn't thought that far ahead. He certainly hadn't thought he would have to make the decision on the spot, Ezio waiting for his answer. "Ah, the apartment, I guess."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes," Leonardo winced. "I think."
Bursting out into laughter, Ezio started the car and began pulling out of the park. "I've missed you."
Perhaps it was Leonardo's mildly stunned silence, but Ezio seemed to almost regret what he said. It was a quiet car ride to Leonardo's apartment. When the car pulled up outside the apartment, they both sat silently, unsure what to say. Whether or not seeing each other again had been a good idea, Leonardo wasn't. Yet, regardless of any slight awkwardness, it was nice.
Ezio took a deep breath in, "Leo…"
"It's alright," Leonardo had a feeling it was just going to be an apology, and it wasn't a necessary one. On impulse, Leonardo leaned over and kissed Ezio's cheek. Ezio didn't flinch away from the touch like Leonardo thought he possibly would. "Thank you for dropping me off." Opening the car door and escaping into the cold, Leonardo fled.
Okay I was in tears and was generally sad, and I just really wanted something nice to write so everything in Leonardo's POV was completely unplanned. That's why Cristina isn't in the tags (and because she doesn't have any proper dialogue, and she doesn't come back into it...)