Disclaimer: I don't own anything related with or to the show 'Da Vinci's Demons' like plot, characters. I'm a fan of the actors-writers.

Pairing: Leonardo da Vinci/Girolamo Riario

M note: This is AU-ish since I don't plan on straying too far from canon. The characters are probably ooc and that's all...


What is this? Oh, I must be under the hallucinogenic affect of Riario's drugs. I wonder what horrors lie in wait for me this time.

He can see the opening to his studio one moment then the entrance of Verrocchio's.

His curiosity gets the best of him even though this heart hurts a little more with every step he takes.

The instant he steps into the charred, breaking down but somehow sturdy remains of the room the door closes behind him loudly but he doesn't bother looking back.

"Artista" Riario focuses his eyes on nothing but his after talking a moment to seemingly check him out.

Why the fuck is he chained up? I would think this is kinky as hell if not for the setting but there's clearly something wrong with his eyes...

Do I wish to hurt my old rival..

No, love him to death maybe.

"Girolamo...are you alright?" He knows its stupid of him to ask since he's touching another reality via his brain but he needs to know what is going on here.

What he needs to do to prevent it.

Is it is one of my prophetic-magically induced visionary woes?

"Leonardo..may I call you Leo?" Riario smiles slightly and Leo feels his heart beat faster but he needs to stop and get over himself because this is a dream, nothing more.

"Come closer, I can't seem to see so well at the moment." Leonardo thinks it bizarre that he still has eye problems on his mind but considering the circumstances it isn't that far fetched or annoying.

"Can't, I'm bound." To prove his point Riario lifts his hands and Leo doesn't see a problem in actually walking up to him.

"Tell me, why are you chained Girolamo?" Leo whispered the words even though there is no one around to disturb them as he bends down.

He rests on his knees because Riario is sitting on the floor and doesn't seem to be in a hurry to stand or move around any time soon.

"I don't know, you put me here." The look of confusion on his face is replaced by one of hopefulness and Leonardo isn't sure why he feels a little scared but he keeps quiet as the Count continues to speak.

"Said you wanted to heal me. Could, would. Will heal me. My body and soul. That you would stop at nothing to suffocate the worm inside of me..."

"You're afflicted with parasites?" Leo raises an eyebrow in confusion.

He's probably being a smartass here but his mind is trying to tell him something and he still has to ask.

Curiosity is getting the best of him right now because he doesn't know what Riario is talking about, just has an idea.

"One...Something like that.." Girolamo smiles as he leans forward slightly and Leo feels compelled to memorize everything that's going on right now because it's going to be important.

This isn't the same Riario he knows.

His reasoning behind this is that; one, he's dreaming and two, his brain is trying to coax the truth out of him.

Something he already knows but is too blind to see or not wanting to admit it to himself just yet.

"You were never one. If you had been. You would have never saved me, given me another chance at life. Choices, free will."

Something about the atmosphere changes, it's minute.

But enough that he feels himself losing control of the situation and direction because he thinks he can hear horses approaching him at top speed.

He feels nauseous as his eyes being to hurt and he thinks he's about to leave this world and awaken.

It obvious that he just can't stay but doesn't really want to leave, not yet anyway.

Riario is leading him on and he wants this.

Even if he breaks his heart like his cousin had.

Leo knows he's moved on, his mind made that abundantly clear.

Leonardo knows that none of this is actually happening in between them because he's dreaming, high on drugs and the after effects of the poison.

"Is this getting far too real for you, Artista. Personal..fun even..." Girolamo doesn't move as he whispers the words and there's something dangerous, dark about his demeanor.

It doesn't stop Leo from kissing Riario like he's wanted this for a couple of years now.

.

Leonardo pulls the bandage-makeshift-blindfold off his face with no difficulty at all.

His regret is automatic.

The instant he opens his eyes sunshine is all up in his face and he thinks he should just go back to sleep but he's no longer tired and he knows he's lucky to be alive so he might as well enjoy it.

"You look like shit."

Honestly he thinks he's actually never been happier to see Zo than right now because he's out of that horrified cave.

On the other hand, he's out of Riario's bed..

Out of a strange dream in which he doesn't hesitate to kiss his old rival...

Hmm.

At any rate, he's glad Zo came to his aide and that they are finally going home. He can't wait to get back to Florence, see Vanessa and Nico.

"Well, I was worried the Labyrinth had turned you but no...You're still an ass." Zo doesn't look away from the road ahead but he's glad to know that his friend is safe.

Back to himself and okay more or less.

"Oh Riario..." Leonardo whispers his old rival's name with a note of affection but plays it off as he sits up and runs a hand through his face while speaking. "He saved me."

"I couldn't believe it either." Zo sounds surprised as he says this and Leo hears the horses coming to a stop.

He moves off his seat up front and tosses a vial at him while saying. "I need to take a leak. Oh right. Here take this, your boyfriend said you need to take it every three hours."