DISCLAIMER: We do not own any of the characters; all characters belong to Ubisoft. We are poor little penguins who cannot afford to be sued, but we are close to completing a round with Ubisoft's golf clubs, thank God for them!
Once again, please remember that man love is real love too. If you don't like the idea of hot, sexy men, enjoying what they're mama's gave them, with other hot, sexy men, please refrain from reading and consult other more appropriate documentation.
Reviews are always welcome, please enjoy...
It was the night before Ezio was scheduled to leave Florence to spend a few weeks with family in the countryside and he was running through the streets with a group of friends, rushing to their drinking destination for the evening located not far from the Auditore family home. As they rushed, shouting and laughing down the now deserted Florentine streets, shutters were slammed closed against their obtrusion into the silence of the night. They rounded a corner, nearing their destination now, and at the doorway to a little artist's workshop, set back from the street, a man stood watching them approach and smiling. Ezio's friends passed him without notice, but Ezio slowed his pace and jogged towards the man he had met only weeks before in the company of his mother. Leonardo da Vinci smiled brightly at him and Ezio returned the gesture. He passed him, still moving quickly, and as he moved away from the door he saw the man raise a hand in a wave. Again he returned the gesture, but this time his feet faltered. A thought flashed across his mind. Leonardo was alone, and although Ezio did not know him well he had enjoyed his company. Had liked his company, and was grateful to have made found a friend in him. He wandered if he should go back and invite the artist to come out with them. Leonardo was not much older than he or his friends, and there he was spending a night alone when he could be joining them in their revelry. By the time he had made up his mind to go back to the artist, he was long passed the workshop and the door was closed. Leonardo was gone. Ezio's friends shouted to him and he quickened his pace to catch them.
Rounding a final corner, they entered a familiar, but non-descript street, where they stopped before a building draped in red ribbons. Without hesitation, they passed through the door and began their evening.
Ezio had been to this bordello before: his brother Federico had brought him here more than once and they had enjoyed many nights here drinking and talking into the small hours. While Ezio's friends participated fully in the favours the establishment offered, Ezio rarely spent his money on companionship. He had done in the past and would do again, but he enjoyed the atmosphere of this place more than anything. He had his favourite girls of course, and they rarely charged much for his skills which they all at least pretended fully to enjoy, but a memory of this place and its effect on him prevented his full submersion into the entertainments of the brothel. Ezio did not think of that first night here, and the embarrassment he had caused himself. Instead, he enjoyed the attentions of the girl draped across his lap, and drank and talked with his friends as they moved back and forth between the table and the bedrooms upstairs.
The night wore on. Ezio had an early start before him the next morning, and he knew he should think about heading home. He also felt a pang of guilt which he could not fully explain. It related to his newest friend: he was convinced he should have invited Leonardo here tonight when he had passed him in the street. The man was fun to talk to, and he intrigued Ezio, but equally he was a young man alone at night when he could be here, amongst companions and entertainment. Finishing his final drink, Ezio staggered to his feet and bid his goodbyes, prizing the girl from his lap as he did so. He could see the disappointment in her face. He passed her an extra coin.
"I shall return soon my dear," he whispered in her ear, and she giggled while slipping his money into her pocket.
"Goodbye my friends," Ezio announced to his companions, "I look forward to a night like this on my return!"
Ezio re-entered the street to cheers echoing behind him through the now closing bordello door. Still swaying slightly, more so when the cool night air hit him, he padded off down the streets towards his home. In so doing, he passed the workshop of Leonardo da Vinci once more. Candle-light shone out from the building into the street, and Ezio found himself stopping and walking to the door. He missed the small step before the workshop entrance and caught himself on the door. Shaking slightly, he pulled himself upright and tried to breathe deeply and collect his thoughts. Raising a hand to the door, he knocked, and realised on doing so he had no idea what he was doing. He didn't want to tell Leonardo that he had thought of inviting him... somehow it seemed inappropriate to reveal the location of the night's merriment, but he did want to speak with his new friend, especially given that he was going to be absent for a few weeks. He thought of something to say: he would invite his new friend out for a drink when he returned.
The door slowly opened, not fully, before him, and Ezio wondered how long he had been standing there.
"Ezio Auditore!" the artist exclaimed, "What on earth are you doing here at this hour?"
Ezio faltered; of course it was late. "My friend forgive me, I was passing and I wanted to speak to you,"
"To me?" Leonardo slipped through the door and closed it behind him. He did not invite Ezio inside. "Is anything wrong my friend?"
"No no, I was just thinking..." Ezio stumbled his words, in great part due to the alcohol flowing through his system. He looked at Leonardo's questioning and concerned face in the moonlight. He seemed to glisten; his hair fell about his face and his normally pristine appearance seemed somehow crumpled. He wore no jacket and his shirt was unbuttoned, untucked also, and he was shoeless. Pieces fell together in Ezio's mind, and he felt foolish. He couldn't imagine, based on the other man's appearance, that Leonardo had been spending the evening wishing to have been invited out with Ezio and his friends.
"Ezio?"
"I am sorry. I am disturbing you. That was not my intention; I merely wished to say that I am going away for a few weeks..." The artist continued to look bemused. "... and I was hoping that when I returned you would consent to coming out for a drink with me? I value our friendship, such as it is, and I should like to get to know you better." Ezio finished, now uncertain himself. To his relief Leonardo broke into a massive smile. He took both of Ezio's hands in his and shook them.
"Ezio, nothing would give me greater pleasure," Leonardo's hands were warm, "Come to me as soon as you return!" Leonardo pulled Ezio into a slight hug. Ezio swayed again, caught off balance, but the slender man held him in place with surprising strength. "Thank you for coming by Ezio, I look forward to your return". With that the artist was gone, and Ezio was back on the streets making slow progress home, and wondering if he hadn't made a fool of himself.
The weeks had passed so slowly in the countryside, and Ezio had missed the busy streets of his own city: the noise and the people; the atmosphere they bestowed on the place and its buildings. Strolling through the familiar streets once again, Ezio passed by the courtyard of his family home and continued onto a street he had walked down many a time before, intent on fulfilling a promise to a friend. A drink with Leonardo; the notion had been on his mind for quite some time. He was not entirely sure why the idea had engulfed his mind to such a degree: perhaps it was the simple longing for friendship; or perhaps it was the absolute intrigue that the artist caused in Ezio. The sun was high in the sky but Ezio did not think it would be too early for a drink and Leonardo had asked for him to return to the workshop the moment he arrived in Florence; at least that was what he could remember of their conversation. Quickly, Ezio came upon the workshop, but on finding the windows shut and the shutters closed his heart sank a little. Still, knowing there was a slight chance - as his new friend was known to have unusual habits - Ezio knocked loudly, his fist hammering down on the wooden door. A small thud sounded from inside the workshop, and Ezio could hear someone rushing about inside. An eternity seemed to pass before he could hear the bolts and locks on the other side being moved. And, as slowly as it had done the night before Ezio had departed, the door was opened, and the artist peered around it. Leonardo's face was different now; not as Ezio had left it. The brightness of his eyes had faded; his hair dishevelled and out of place; and, while this time he was fully dressed, it was as if he had done so in a hurry: the shirt over his thin frame hung upon him as if was several sizes too big and had been buttoned incorrectly. His face too appeared paler than Ezio had seen it before and, although only a small seven years separated them, his faced was more aged – the lines deeply etched into the artist's flesh.
"Leonardo," began Ezio, his voice shaking, "I was just..." His voice trailed off, and fell into complete silence.
Leonardo's eyes were fixed upon Ezio, but did not fully take him in or seem to understand and translate who he was. A long time passed, and the two stared at one another, confusion reigning over both. "Ezio." Leonardo stressed each noise, drawing the sounds out, and puzzling over it as if it were a word in a language he was not accustomed to. "Home so soon..?"
Ezio frowned slightly. "Leonardo, I have been gone for weeks."
A small nod was given as a response. "I am afraid I have not noticed...the time passing, I mean to say."
"What has happened, Leonardo?"
"Oh nothing, nothing..." Leonardo looked down and his shoulders heaved. "Some people have been... there have been things said about me..." Words failed the artist again. "I have not had a very good few weeks I am afraid my friend, but a drink. We were going to go for a drink. Although I fear I should decline; I will make very poor company tonight..."
"No, please, if you feel up to it, please come out with me, I think I know a place that will cheer you up. A place where any man can forget all his cares! Get ready and come with me"
Ezio slowly passed into the workshop, and Leonardo departed to another room to change. Ezio looked at the room. Where on his last visit, with his mother, it had been relatively organised, now it was upturned. There were dirty plates and cups, stale bread, and papers scattered everywhere. Ezio moved to the desk. There were letters there, formal in nature, written in a shaky hand, but Ezio was better raised than to think it right to look. The workshop was indeed a mess, and whatever had happened to Leonardo since Ezio had been gone; whatever trouble had found its way to his door had clearly affected him deeply. Ezio thought back to the night before he left for the country, and remembered thinking that Leonardo had company; there was no evidence of that now. He had no idea of how long his friend had stayed in these rooms alone and cut off from the world, but he intended to remedy that tonight.
Leonardo now ready, the pair left the workshop together and set off in the direction of the bordello, where Ezio intended to raise the artist's spirits. As they walked, side by side down the streets Ezio couldn't help but notice the strange looks they both received from passersby. Leonardo seemed visibly to flinch as the people stared at them, and Ezio passed an arm comfortingly around the other man's shoulders. Leonardo jumped from him as though touched by fire.
"No my friend..."
"Come here," Ezio implored, and without waiting for a response he pulled Leonardo in close to him. "You won't tell me what has happened, but I won't see you upset. Now come here, and let us enjoy our evening. Ignore everyone else but me." Ezio held Leonardo until they reached their destination, and even then he was reluctant to let him go. He could discern no real reason why, but he liked to protect others, and at this moment he felt Leonardo needed protecting more than anyone else he knew.
Ezio opened the door to the bordello and pulled Leonardo inside. He was greeted loudly, and he smiled to those in the room he recognised. He dragged the artist to a table and summoned drinks, and in so doing he missed completely the expression of dismay, and panic, on the artist's face.
"Now my friend, drink and relax,"
The noise of the bordello was startling to Leonardo after his long weeks of isolation. He drank deeply, and after several glasses and much talk he felt almost ready to laugh again. He could not bring himself to talk to Ezio of the charges so recently levelled against him: how could he explain that to this young man who simply sought his friendship. This man, young and innocent, in this place where he was lord and king; how could Ezio ever understand, and worse, how could he ever want to be friends with him if he knew... if he only knew... Leonardo downed his glass in one.
"My friend, it seems you have truly needed this. Let me get us some food, you look like you could stand to eat,"
Without waiting for a response Ezio had more drinks and food brought to their table. Made uncomfortable by the gesture, Leonardo made to pass some coins across the table, but the younger man pushed them back to him without a glance.
"Ezio,"
Ezio turned and to Leonardo's shock he grabbed his thigh under the table. Leonardo's heart raced and heat flushed to his face. "Leonardo, we are friends, and you are in distress. You will not tell me the full cause, and I respect that, but let me at least do this for you."
Leonardo could say nothing. The young man's strong hand on his thigh dissipated all words from his tongue. Despite his desires, he pulled away from Ezio's touch: he couldn't stand the thought of anyone seeing that given his current predicament, and yet the fingers burned into his flesh long after Ezio's hand was gone. He felt a stirring within himself, and breathed deeply.
Several plates of food later, and after much more wine, the night was going well. Leonardo couldn't deny how much he was enjoying the young man's company, and he deeply appreciated this kind act of friendship. Ezio too was grateful for the company, but his favourite girl had recently deposited herself in his lap and the conversation the two had been enjoying was becoming difficult, both because of this new addition to their company, and because of the copious quantities of wine. Ezio had been gone from the city for a while now, and he was eager for a physical release for the passionate energy which had built up in him throughout his time in the country. He lowered his lips to the girl's neck and sucked at her skin. She responded with a giggle, and Ezio felt himself stir. He looked to his companion who was now staring into his glass and not at him. Finally he caught his eye and Leonardo smiled, as if giving him permission to leave the table. Ezio signalled for more wine to be brought to his friend, and half-carried the girl up the stairs to a room, where he satiated his passion and left her, now flush with coins.
The release was all Ezio had needed, and although it did not fully satisfy him, he quickly returned to the table and to Leonardo, only to find it deserted. He smiled to himself, and sat to drink a glass of wine. After several he became aware how quickly the night was drawing closer to the dawn, and he decided, in his slightly intoxicated state to seek out his friend. He wanted to talk more, and he also wanted rest in his own bed. He had spent more than enough tonight, too much to justify sleeping here. Starting up the stairs again, he began to search the rooms of convulsing or sleeping bodies for his friend.
Ezio could not find Leonardo in any of the rooms, but still he continued his search. Gradually he was running out of options, and his feet led him further down the corridor until he found himself standing outside a room with which he was familiar. It was a door he had stood in front of once before, and it was a door that led to a room rented out for a purpose that Ezio had never utilised himself. He felt a strange quiver in his body; a memory of a feeling he had experienced outside this room once before. It was his last option, but perhaps Leonardo had left already. The vague thoughts of what Leonardo had said about people talking about him came crashing back. Sighing deeply, Ezio opened the door, not really expecting his friend to be in this final room.
The door opened to reveal a candlelit room and Ezio found himself transported back to a year before, when he had stood in this same doorframe and experienced something which had stirred him deeper than he had ever felt stirred before. His breath caught in his throat once again... before him a man whose back he recognised pounded against another body, who this time he knew to be a man. And he knew it immediately to be his friend. Again he found himself transfixed upon the scene before him and he couldn't move. The man he had recognised pounded into Leonardo, and the artist knelt before him, hands clutching the headboard. Ezio couldn't see his friend's face, but the force with which the other man was entering him seemed to Ezio to be more than any person could surely bear. The man pounded again and again into Leonardo without respite. The pain his friend must be feeling... but he had chosen this. Ezio could see the coins furnishing the bedside table and the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. Leonardo had been accused of wanting this, and here before him he saw evidence he desperately knew he needed to hide. Ezio couldn't drag his eyes from his friend. The moaning coursing from Leonardo's throat was becoming harder and heavier, and one of his friend's hands moved from the headboard to the front of his body. Ezio stopped breathing. Suddenly Leonardo lurched forward, and almost screamed into the night. The man behind him continued to pound until after seconds he mimicked Leonardo's sounds. Leonardo turned to face the man behind him, lips parted and wet with passion, and eyes heavy with lust. There was no suggestion of pain on his face, but his eyes met Ezio's before the younger man could pull away. They stared at each other for mere seconds that felt like hours, until Ezio finally pulled the door closed and raced down the hall, down the stairs and out of the door of the bordello. He left not because he hated the sight before him, but because the stirrings he felt beneath his naval were more than he could cope with – as they had been a year ago – and the fact that now it was his friend's image that he had stared upon, was more than his now apparently young-again- mind could deal with after so much wine.