The first person to write an AC band fic? I am so deeply honored! *tears of joy*
Please, tell me if I'm spelling something wrong. Like bass. I don't know if I'm spelling it right. 3
Disclaimer: Assassin's Creed © Ubisoft, lyrics © Me.
Act 2
"The tour was a great success. Sales on your albums have nearly double from what they were three weeks ago," Desmond announced after getting off the phone with the record company.
"Cool," Ezio replied dully. He was more interested in trying to balance a pencil on his nose.
"We don't play for the money, Desmond. We play to create," Malik explained. Altaïr's back was pressed up against Malik's as he watched a documentary on the history channel.
Desmond nodded and a smiled formed on his face. "That's very admirable. Not that I'd expect any less from a group like you guys."
Altaïr smirk and the other two laughed. Shaun, on the other hand, sat in the corner, ignoring the others. He had a note book resting against the couch cushion where he would scribble down notes as he strummed on his bass. Desmond watched him for a moment before turning his attention back to the others.
As a child, Desmond traveled a lot. His parents seemed to have relatives everywhere, relatives that they were close too. Every summer they would travel to Florence to visit his aunt and her husband and every winter they visited his mother's twin, who lived in Masyaf. His father was an only child and his immediate family lived in England where Desmond and his parents stayed during the school year. That's where he knew Shaun from.
He pushed his reminiscing behind him and went back into work mode. "We also have quite the line-up of shows, after your break is over. Many invitations to play during various summer festivals and a couple of opening acts for larger bands. Also, there's a Battle of the Bands competition in October. We've been invited by the manager of the band, Crusader Knights."
Desmond saw every member - even Shaun - tense at the name of the band. He was confused even more by the looks of anger that flashed over all of their faces.
"Crusader Knights," Altaïr hissed through clenched teeth. "Are hey mocking us with such an invitation?"
"Sounds more like a challenge to me. Perhaps they think they can finally beat us?" Ezio suggest, his voice icy and cold.
"If it's a competition they want, it's a competition they'll get," smirked Malik with a voice full of confidence.
"They wont know what hit them," Shaun pitched in, pushing his glasses back up his nose. "Desmond, let that manager know that we'll be there."
Desmond looked at the band members, confused, but complied. He pulled out his cell phone and contacted the manager again.
~.~
Their break was a month long, from the beginning of June to the beginning of July. The boys spent their first week resting and laying around their shared mansion, but Desmond had had enough of that. He had a plan to get his band back up an moving again.
They stared at Desmond with confused expressions when he tossed a notebook and pen to each of them. "What's this?" Altaïr asked.
"Paper," Ezio replied with a snigger, "it's used for writing thing's on." Altaïr just glared at him.
"It's a plan. Now, I want you all to make a list of all the stupid things that you'd like to get out an do, in a months time."
Desmond reclined against the bar in the living area as the boys worked on their lists obediently. They must be more bored than I originally assumed, Desmond thought to himself. When they were done, he took the list and spread them out along the counter. The lists read as followed:
Shaun:
1.) Go to a renaissance fair
2.) Study history
3.) Have peace and quiet to work on songs
Ezio:
1.) Take Leonardo to the art show at the museum
2.) Purchase a weapon3.) Go bungee jumping
4.) Go fishing out at sea
Altaïr:
1.) Enter into a boxing tournament
2.) Teach a fighting class
3.) Go bar hopping
Malik:
1.) Go on a road trip
2.) Go hang gliding
3.) Go for a hike in the mountains (or camping)
4.) Have a movie marathon with my closest friends
Desmond compared all the list and then made one big one, using options from each. When he was done he turned to his friends and said, "These are the only ones that are possible. Bar hopping, movie marathon, fishing, the art show, renaissance fair, and Shaun's quiet time. We'll get to the other ones, just not in three weeks time."
Ezio rested his elbows on his knees then cradled his chin in his hands. "And what do you suppose we do first, Oh Great Manager Man?"
Desmond chuckled softly and shook his head. "It's up to you guys. I honestly don't care."
"The art show sounds interesting. I'd like to see it," Malik suggested and Altaïr nodded in agreement, probably just because Malik wanted to do it.
"That, and Ezio hasn't seen Leonardo in over a month," Shaun mentioned, which sent Ezio into a frenzy.
"Dio Mio! How could I have forgotten? I haven't even contacted him this whole time!" Ezio ran into the kitchen and dialed a number on the phone with suck fury that Desmond was worried he would break it. "Leo, it's Ezio! What? Yes, everything's alright, I just called to apologize. I was so busy with the tour that I forgot to contact you! Mi dispiace veramente, amore mio."
Desmond stared at his cousin in shock for a moment, then glared in irritation. So, Ezio even had someone Desmond hadn't been told about. He huffed in annoyance and waited for Ezio to finish his conversation with this "Leonardo" character.
"Sí, I will see you soon. Ti amo, mia colomba," Ezio declared before he hung up the phone. He turned around only to notice all of his friends staring at him. "What?"
"You're weird," Shaun muttered before turning back to his work. Malik rolled his eyes and Altaïr went back to watching television.
"Who's Leonardo?" Desmond asked in the tone that told Ezio that he was annoyed.
"Ah, that is right. Mi dispiace, Desmond, I had forgotten to tell you - just as Altaïr did. Leonardo - he is my lover."
Desmond found it hard to stay mad at the Italian when the way he said the man's name was laced with such love. Despite himself, Desmond grinned and slapped his cousin on his back. "Good for you, Ezio."
~.~
Desmond didn't remember Leonardo from his visits to Italy, but apparently his family and Ezio's had always been close. Eventually, after they moved out from the house (and after Ezio's father and two brothers were killed in a car accident that injuring his mother until she could speak no longer), they started dating and moved to America. He somehow convinced Altaïr - who, of course, dragged Malik along with him - and Shaun to move as well, so they could start a band.
Living relatively close, it only took twenty minutes for Leonardo to arrive at the house. Finally, Desmond was able to meet the man.
"I have heard a lot about you from Ezio," Leonardo said after they had been introduced. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Desmond."
"Can't say I've heard much about you, but Ezio's been filling me in since he got off the phone with you. So, you're an artist?" Desmond had apparently asked the right question because the blond man began ranting about his work. He was a painter, a sculptor, an inventor, an engineer, and so many more things that Desmond began to lose track.
Only when they arrived at the art museum did Leonardo stop talking. When they walked into the building, his attention was suddenly on Ezio and the artwork, dragging the singer along to talk about each individual piece. Desmond could tell by the look on Ezio's face that he didn't hear what his lover was talking about, but that he absolutely adored the man.
Desmond turned around and saw that the two Arabic men had branched off on their own as well, leaving just him and Shaun. Desmond smiled, grateful for the opportunity, and said to the man, "I heard they finished setting up the Egyptian exhibit. It's not open to the public, but I've convinced the owner to let us take a look around. That is, if you'd like to."
Shaun looked up at him over the rim of his glasses, mild surprise taking over his features. He quickly regained his composure and looked straight ahead again. "Well, Miles, since you've put so much effort into it, I might as well go check it out. But, if you think this is supposed to impress me, you're dead wrong, you bloke."
Desmond smiled calmly, feeling affection for the British man before him. He hadn't changed much, but Desmond had. If he were younger, Shaun's insults would send him into a fury. But, he wasn't and it had taken Desmond a long time to realize that Shaun would hide his emotions behind his harsh words.
"I did it because I knew you'd like it. I didn't do it to show off."
Shaun glanced at him again, his expression unreadable. "Let's go," Shaun suggested in a demanding voice.
Desmond knew he'd struck something, and it made him happy to realize that Shaun still couldn't keep him out. He just wanted things to go back to how they were before that day, and knowing Shaun hadn't changed much gave him hope that his goal was at least reachable.
~.~
The Egyptian exhibit was beautiful, even to Desmond who didn't like art. But, there was just something about the style, the age, and the beauty about the artifacts that struck Desmond.
They had been walking around in there for over an hour and he wasn't surprised to see Shaun still fawning over an Egyptian manuscript he'd found during the beginning of their visit. The Brit's devotion to history made Desmond smile fondly at him as he walked over.
"What are you reading?" he asked when he bent over Shaun's shoulder.
Shaun jumped a little in surprise but recovered immediately. "It's an ancient bible. It's very interesting with how it's constructed…" and then he began to rant out loud to Desmond about what he had discovered so far. And, Desmond being who he is, had no idea what he was talking about, though he was happy that Shaun was willing to have a conversation with him. It meant that the man had really meant it the other night when he said that he'd give Desmond a chance.
Shaun suddenly paused and stared at Desmond. "You have no idea what I'm talking about, do you?" he asked. It sounded as if he were surprised but Desmond didn't know if it was aimed at him of shaun himself.
"Honestly? No. But, I do find it interesting, and you certainly know what you're talking about. Go on," Desmond ushered with a sheepish, crooked smile that he knew Shaun had always liked.
Shaun sighed and looked down at the book again. "Well, that's all I've figured out so far."
Desmond tilted his head as he watched Shaun take such care in putting the book back. "Why didn't you become a historian?"
Shaun stopped what he was doing and looked down at a random exhibit. "Personal reasons," he answered simply. "I wanted someone to find me."
Desmond stayed quiet after his answer, feeling his heart ache at the words. Evan after all this time… Desmond pushed the thoughts away as he watched Shaun head for the exit.
"It's getting late; we should fine the others," Shaun suggested, his voice calm.
"Uh, yeah," Desmond agreed as he followed after the Brit. He had the sinking suspicion that the two of them were more caught up in their lives together than either of them knew.
Dio Mio - My God
Mi dispiace veramente - I'm truly sorry
Amore mio - My darling(always though it was 'my love' o.o)
Ti amo - I love you
Mia colomba - My dove
Sí - Yes
Once again, please comment to make me happy. Comment are crack; I need then. ^^;
How's the length? I'm always worrying over stuff like that. Let me know~!
Love always,
Sazuka