YAY FOR LEONARDO WE ALL LOVE LEONARDO HE'S THE BEST :D I got so many hugs when I cosplayed as him at London expo last month! HUGS ARE THE BEST BUT NOT AS GOOD AS LEONARDO YAY LEONARDO :D QUICK TRANSLATION: Il mioamico -
*Ahem*
ANYWAY. Its a short one, but enjoy! :D And let's all lol at SchmEthan 'cuz he's fun to lol at.
Break me down and build me up again -
I can take it.
I Fight Dragons - Welcome To The Breakdown
March 16th, 1500. Rome.
The sky had brightened up over Roma, and it was a pleasant view on the hillside. The cries of stall holders on the side of the countrys roads rose up into the sky, and behind Ezio, the bustle of Roma and its people were quietly synchronising with his own heart beat.
Such a beautiful place. But corrupt with the blackest of hearts. The mere thought of the Borgia made frustration rise up in Ezio and his wrist itch to flick out his blade and stab something. Dio knew what, but something. He leant forward, rested his elbows on his knees, laced his hands together and stared out at the ruins a little way away down the hill to distract himself. But it was hard to. But as La Volpe said, the Apple was nearly in their reach.
Nearly wasn't good enough though.
He rubbed a hand over his face, and pressed his fingers into the corners of his eyes. The burden of age was quickly becoming a hard one to bear.
He noticed someone sit down on the bench next to him. Knowing not to react, he didn't look around, but took the fingers from his eyes and looked out again.
'Leonardo,' he murmured.
'Ezio,' the other man greeted him. A moment of silence went between the two men. It was awkward and frustrating how Ezio couldn't get to his feet and greet his oldest friend like he should – with a hearty embrace and a clap on the back. But they couldn't. With Leonardo under the Borgia's control, it was vital that no one recognised the friendship between them both – it could mean disaster if anyone did. And so they sat on the bench as strangers.
As Leonardo shifted on the bench next to him, that feeling that had bothered Ezio earlier rose up in him again – like every particle in his very being was turning on one another. He rolled his shoulders, cleared his throat, and the feeling diminished somehow. Feeling lighter, he shifted position so he could talk more freely.
'You have a Codex weapon for me?' he murmured, turning his head only very slightly.
'Indeed,' Leonardo said so quietly that it was hard to hear him. 'Another blade for you. Should make things a whole lot easier.'
'Like you wouldn't believe,' Ezio agreed, smiling quietly. He couldn't see his face, but he was sure Leonardo was smiling too. But when Leonardo shifted to retrieve the weapon, a sudden pain slammed into Ezio, like a bullet had gone through his brain. It was far worse than the discomfort he'd had before.
'Merda!' he swore aloud, his hand flying to his forehead as though he could keep the pain inside his head and stop it spilling out around his body. He barely registered Leonardo's start and the hand that went carefully to his shoulder.
'Ezio? Are you alright?' Leonardo murmured, but the sound of his voice was an absurd blare in Ezio's ears. He physically winced as another wave of pain attacked his head. His teeth ground together as he battled the pain away.
'I'm fine,' he managed, pushing the pain down like he'd learnt to over the years until it just became a bothersome feeling. With some difficulty, he straightened up again and forced his hands in front of him. 'I'm fine,' he repeated, and smiled at Leonardo. Leonardo, seemingly convinced, squeezed Ezio's shoulder briefly before looking back over the ruins as though nothing had happened.
Ezio joined him, his head still throbbing. Being ill was the last thing he needed. He had to remain strong for the Brotherhood, but with every passing day of plotting and running around on the god-forsaken rooftops, it was becoming more and more difficult. These bothersome headaches would have to wait. He had more important things to think about.
There was the click of metal against wood, and Ezio looked down to the space beside him – a brace lay there, plain in design, but when he took it and turned it in his hands, he was pleased to see the blade hidden there with its flawless mechanism.
'Leonardo, I cannot thank you enough.' Ezio murmured as he strapped it onto his left wrist.
'It was nothing.' Leonardo replied, dismissing the compliment with a wave of his hand. 'Ezio, are you sure you're alright?'
'I'm perfectly fine.'
'It's only that you're looking so... old.'
Ezio froze in tying the last strap for a moment while his brain processed the word, and then finished off the knot expertly. 'I'm just tired.'
'You need rest, my friend. I can see the shadows under your eyes; your weary step. Any machine needs rest, otherwise the cogs wear out. We're just the same, il mioamico. Promise me you are resting!'
Ezio stretched out his arm. It was good to wear two braces again. 'I sleep whenever I get the chance. I am so close to getting that Apple now. I promise I will rest after.' He murmured.
As he looked back at the ruins, he felt Leonardo squirm beside him. 'Alright,' he murmured. He watched Ezio as he stood up. 'You're leaving?'
'Sì,' Ezio muttered. His hand went slowly to his head again as another overwhelming wave of pain hit him. 'Machiavelli wishes to see me – he has new information about Borgia activity he wishes to discuss.' He grimaced again, forcing the pain back down as he turned back to Leonardo. 'Thank you again, il mioamico.'
'As I say, it was nothing.' Leonardo sent a cautious look behind him, and offered a hand. 'Be careful, Ezio.' His eyebrows flew into the bottom of his trademark red hat, and his eyes were wide with concern.
Ezio quickly grasped his friend's hand. 'I promise,' he smiled down at him. In times like these, it was nice to have someone who cared.
Ezio turned and walked to the cliff edge. A hay cart had been left there. Perfect – it saved the walk. With a slight push from his toes, he was up in the air – arms thrown wide and the wind in his face and it was that moment of limitless freedom that reminded Ezio for a split second that this, this was the reason why he should keep fighting the Borgia and the Templars – for these moments of beautiful freedom, when all had the ability to think what they wanted and love their neighbours freely.
And then he hit the hay, and all thoughts besides one- that hay really found its way into uncomfortable places sometimes- were forgotten.
"AH MY LEG! OH GOD MY LEG!"
:3
LOVE YOU LONG TIME - and I'll give you the IfEaRnOfIsH special if you review ;)