The assassination mission had gone well; Ezio and Federico had snuck into Uberto Alberti house to find him currently holding a party. They dealt with him swiftly, making a rather large show of it all. Ezio had perched on the balcony above where Uberto was stood, talking to some rather pretty women. Federico had thrown a rock at the back of his head and the man turned to find the angels of his death poised above him, in their hoods and jeans and weapons galore. Ezio had swooped down and taken the traitors life, making the brotherhoods revenge known; they had lost many good lives due to his betrayal.

After cleaning his hands of blood and changing out of his stained clothes, the brothers had split, Federico getting the car and winking to his younger brother before driving away. Ezio however, took to the roof and made his way towards the Mexican restaurant. He doubted Altair and Malik had finished their job, so with held from texting them. He had already pissed off Altair once and he didn't' want to do it again.

Jumping the narrow gap between two alley way building he continued on his way. It was a cold night and he felt chilly in his jeans and green parka jacket. Stuffing his hands into his pockets, he strolled leisurely across the tilted tiles that clacked under his boots. Pulling his phone from his pocket he checks the time. Half eleven, maybe his company would be done, but knowing them they wouldn't be.

Some voices, echoing off the houses caught his attention. Crouching by the edge of the roof he peered down into the dark street. A group of four men stood, their posture threatening and intimidating as they had someone cornered against the wall. Narrowing his eyes, Ezio looked further into the mob. A flash of blonde hair caught his eyes, and the Italian voice that asked them to back off was defiantly familiar. One of the men crossed the boundary and pushed the other man against the wall as the others started to kick him. Swooping down from the rooftop, Ezio got onto the ground as fast as he could. Whoever it was need his help and he wasn't about to walk on by. Besides it would kill some time.

"Hey, lurido porco, leave him alone." Ezio called across the alley, tensing and thanking god that Federico had taken his weapons alongside his own. The group turned, and Ezio recognized the victim immediately. It was that art teacher, Leonardo, staring back at him, startling blue eyes wide in surprise.

"Yeah, and what are you going to do if we don't?" Ezio smirked in response, allowing the cocky side of him take over. The group of men walked towards him, towering over the more athletically built Italian. Flexing his fingers in anticipation, Ezio waited for the first move.

Like they had done with Leo, their first move was the push him against the wall that loomed behind him. The biggest man in front of him, reached out. Ezio ducked low under the arm, turning on the balls of his feet to end up directly behind. He delivered four, quick punches down the spine before sweeping the legs out and watching the man face plant the street. Another came up behind Ezio, catching him off guard and pinning his arms behind his back. Ezio kicked his heel up, impacting with the universally known male week spot. His arms were released and he crumpled to the ground, hands gently cupping his balls. The two other gang members stared at him, unsure on what to do. Ezio smirked again, curling his fingers in towards his palm in a beckoning gesture. They had the common sense to run.

"Mio Dio Ezio, that...that..." Leonardo was speechless as Ezio came towards him.

"Save it amico, are you hurt?" Leonardo shook his head and waved a hand dismissively, picking his red beany hat off the pavement and adjusted it over his hair.

"Thank you Ezio, you didn't have to..."

"Its fine let me take you home." Ezio said enjoying Leonardo's smile as they continued down the alley. Ezio took the time to examine his artist friend. He wore pebble blue jeans with a white polo shirt and a dark blue cardigan. A messenger bag was slung over his shoulder, similar to the one Malik brought to work with him. Green converse high tops covered his feet.

"Why were they give you trouble?" Ezio asked, curious as they crossed the road. Leonardo looked uncomfortable for a second and starched the back of his hand.

"Uh, you know how ex-lovers can be, won't take break ups well even if they were many years ago." Ezio blinked and looked at the artist again. He wondered if he had heard him correctly, but had Leonardo just hint to him that he was gay? He was sure that a good looking artist would have the girls swooning over him. Briefly he remembered the time last year when Claudia had been complaining to him. She had a crush on Altair, and Ezio thought it was the best time to explain that Altair belonged to Malik and had very little interest in girls. She had sighed and said 'why does every good looking man turn out to be gay? I mean, Malik is sexy and Altair is downright gorgeous.' It had amused him no end and when he told Altair and Malik about it, they too had had a good laugh over it.

"Still, they should not harass you, why don't you report them?" Ezio said bitterly, stuffing his hands back into his pockets. Leonardo snorted.

"Too much trouble over something that happens very rarely, I know where I shouldn't go unless I want trouble. But I got a bit carried away at the studio and time just ran away, I was hoping to take a shortcut and completely forgot." The two walked down the road to an apartment block. They crossed the car park and Leonardo buzzed his key in. His apartment was on the third floor and at the end of the corridor.

Ezio stood outside the door as Leonardo unlocked it. He was starting to feel tired and it was a long walk to the Mexican restaurant, let alone to the book store Altair and Malik lived above. He cursed Federico for stealing the car.

"I guess I should go, try and keep out of trouble Leonardo." Ezio said, not really wanting to live as he loitered. Leonardo arched his brow and stepped aside.

"Stay and have something to eat Ezio, stay the night if you must, it's the least I can do." Ezio really didn't want to impose but by the look of Leonardo's face he knew he was more than welcome. Smiling a grateful smile, Ezio walked into the apartment. It was small and cluttered with books and paper and pretty much everything jumbled around the place. The room was pretty much empty, asides from a few canvases leant against the wall or on easels. Practically all of the furniture, leather sofa, TV, table, were all stuffed haphazardly into the kitchen.

"Excuse the mess, it isn't often I get visitors." Leonardo said, turning the rings on the cook up to full as he put some coffee on. Ezio was unsure what to do, so he peeled off his jacket and sat on the couch as Leo scurried around him.

"I know it's a bit tight, but this place doesn't have any heating so having everything in the kitchen makes it easier and warmer. The bathroom is on the left if you need it." Ezio nodded again and pulled out his phone. Still no text from Malik or Altair, but it was past midnight and they would be done with their mission. So he deciding to let Malik know that he wouldn't be staying at theirs tonight, but would come round in the morning and wait for his brother to pick him up.

"Here, I hope you like noodles; it's all I have at the moment." Leonardo gave him an extra large pot noodle and sat down next to him.

"Dear God Ezio what happened to your arm?" Ezio blinked at the exclamation and looked down at his bicep. It was wrapped in a bloodstained bandage, the red patches fresh but dry. Inwardly he cursed, he had forgotten all about that. When escaping from Uberto's house he had accidently slipped off one of the low roofs and caught his arm on a brick wall. It tore out a large chunk of skin and had bled pretty heavily. They dealt with it quickly, but it still throbbed and burned.

"It's nothing, just a little accident." Ezio said, casting his eyes down and shovelling a fork full of noodles into his mouth. He hadn't realised how hungry he was until now. Leonardo had the sense to leave it at that and allowed the younger man to eat in silence. He brought some blanket and a pillow from his own bedroom into the main room and bunged them on the couch.

"I hope you don't mind sleeping on the sofa, I'll leave the electric heater on." Ezio nodded and yawned.

"Thank you again Leonardo, this is very kind of you."

"Have a good sleep Ezio and many thanks in return." With that the artist disappeared behind one of the doors. Ezio yawned, pulling off his shirt and jeans and wrapping himself in the blankets. He slept, unaware of the chaos that was brewing.

A/N: I bet that Leonardo will enjoying have Ezio sleeping in only his boxers on his couch, I know I would ;)