A/N: Jeez, sorry for the long wait! I had a really bad writers block for this one. By the way, I accidently uploaded the first chapter again as he second chapter, so just ignore that. Sorry about that! Enjoy the chapter! And by the way, many thanks to the reviewers who left such nice comments for me. I enjoy waking up in the morning to see that I have so many reviews, so don't forget to do so! And y'know, don't be shy to request a pairing because I wasn't planning on doing some EzioxLeo, but someone left a comment and sent me a PM saying I should. So, leave your comments in the reviews! :3

Chapter Two

The lunch bell rang and everyone jumped out of their seats in excitement.

"Oi! Sit down, all of you," Shaun snapped, stepping in front of the door to make sure no one escaped unscathed. With long faces, everyone returned back to their seats, itching to make a jump for the door. Feeling superior, Shaun let the feeling sink in for a moment before he spoke again. "I want chapter five read through and I want you all to understand it because we may be having a quiz when you get back." Everyone groaned in frustration, except Ezio, who looked like he wanted to chuck a chair at Mr. Hastings and stab his eyes out with his pencil.

"Have a good lunch period," he grinned, stepping aside to let the students rush out the door. Ezio nearly knocked people over, trying to get through the crowd and out to their cafeteria. Leonardo followed behind him shyly, attempting to keep up with his rapid pace.

"Read chapter five my ass," Ezio laughed, slowing down to let his friend catch up with him. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Rosa, who winked at him and beckoned for him to come forth.

"Hey, Leonardo, I'll be busy this lunch period so-"

"Ezio! Can we go outside for lunch? I have nothing else to do, other than spend my lunch period with you..." He smiled meekly, shuffling on the spot. Ezio suppressed a large sigh, lips turning into tight frown.

"Leonardo... maybe some other time?" He looked down at the boy, trying to ignore his puppy dog look.

"Oh, alright... Okay, maybe some other time..." He sounded hurt, like someone who had been kicked while they were down. Just as Ezio was about to change his mind, Leonardo spun around.

"Altaïr!" He shouted, making his way over to the man clad in dark grey jeans and a plain black long sleeved shirt. The teenager looked down at him, the scar on his lip reminded him of Ezio's - it was surprising that they were in the exact same place. He had never really gotten a close up of the boy before.

"Yes?" Altaïr spoke, Malik beside him.

"Uh... I was wondering if you wanted to spend the lunch period with me?" He smiled sweetly, rocking back and forth on his feet playfully but subtly. Altaïr raised an eyebrow, glancing at Malik, who was doing the exact same.

"Yeah, sure," he kept a straight face as he continued to walk. Malik had to fight his laughter as he regarded Ezio's expression in the corner of his eye. Leonardo didn't even notice Ezio slink off, his confidence having taken a severe beating.

"So, Altaïr!" Leonardo smiled brightly. He was just excited to stand before the extremely mysterious yet cool teenager. Altaïr didn't even flicker his gaze towards him as they made their way outside, where it was raining lightly.

"What do you think of Mr. Hastings? Do you think he gives too much homework? I mean, it's not like I don't mind it but others might," he laughed to himself, causing Malik to raise an eyebrow. "Sorry, I ramble too much," he ushered an apology after seeing Malik's expression.

"It's fine," Altaïr spoke nonchalantly, making his way down to the lake. The rain didn't faze any of them, except for Leonardo, who had already grown cold. Teeth chattering, he wrapped his arms around his sides and began to follow the two more closer now. "I think Mr. Hastings is only taking his position of a teacher."

"Of course, of course. What about Ezio?" He smiled, the thoughts of his friend brought him the warmness that he so desperately needed.

"That... arrogant kid needs to be taught a lesson or two. He has no maturity and should learn how to properly use that mouth of his – all he constantly speaks of is garbage," Altaïr growled, brows furrowing slightly.

"Oh," Leonardo frowned, trying to conceal his disappointment. Ezio was a good friend too him, but Altaïr was somewhat right. He didn't usually use his mouth correctly, always landing himself in trouble or in bed with a female peer. Before he could reply, he watched in wonder as Malik, one armed, scaled up a tree with ease and plopped himself on a thick branch overlooking the lake.

"Can you do that?" Altaïr looked at Leonardo, whose eyes were glowing with surprise. He had seen Ezio do something like that a few times, but only from afar.

"Sadly, no," Leonardo replied, shaking his head slightly. Already, his brown locks were quite damp as they stuck to the side of his face.

"... Would you like me to take you up?" Altaïr offered, trying to hide his grin.

"Would you really?" Leonardo cried out in glee, trying extremely hard not to jump up and down on the spot. He had always wanted to do such athletic things, but he had not been given the body to be as lithe as his fellow, outstanding peers. He could only admire them from a distance as he saw them every time at lunch or in the morning.

"Why not? I will not drop you," he looked up to a tree and pointed at a branch, which seemed very high up, but Leonardo could not decline his offer. There was no way Ezio would help him climb to the top of a tree.

"Yes, please!" He smiled brightly as Altaïr beckoned for him to get onto his back. Once he did so, he then realised how small he was compared to Altaïr. Propped on his back, he could see the muscles in his back and biceps and he couldn't help but stare in awe. They were so similar to Ezio's.

"And up we go," he spoke, trying to conceal his laughter as he immediately lurched up onto the tree. Quickly, he grabbed each branch, navigating his way to his destination by using his feet and sense of direction. Clutching on for dear life, Leonardo opened his eyes and looked below them. They were already so far off the ground! Leo laughed, tightening his grip on Altaïr's shirt. He watched as they passed by Malik, and for a moment, an obscure thought crossed Leonardo's mind. Is he... jealous? He immediately dismissed the thought as Malik smiled at him, then looked off into the distance. He was one of Altaïr's only friends, so what was the point of him being jealous?

Finally, they made it to the top of the tree and Altaïr made his way onto a thick looking branch. Scaling it like a tight rope walker, he made it out to the middle and carefully set Leonardo beside him.

"Wow!" He exclaimed, overlooking the lake and the city behind it. They were up so high! For a brief second, he wondered what Ezio was up to. "Can we do this more often?" He smiled, feeling his stomach twist and turn as he dangled his feet playfully.

"Yeah, sure – if it doesn't bother Ezio. He is giving me quite a... murderous look…" Altaïr mused, a smile pulling at the corner of his lips.

"Huh? Where?" Leo asked, looking around frantically.

"Down there," Altaïr grinned, leaning in too closely to Leo and pointing to a lone figure with their arms crossed, standing a few feet away from the tree they were in.

"Oh. Hi Ezio!" He shouted, trying to keep his balance so he wouldn't fall.

"I think you should get down," Ezio was making his way to the tree.

"What? But I just got here!" He didn't mean to whine, but it was true. They had just settled and now Ezio had to come and get him like he was a six year old.

"Like I said, we will do this another day," Altaïr smiled, ruffling the boy's hair and motioning for him to get on his back. Leonardo did so without another complaint and they easily made their way to the ground, where Ezio was waiting with an impatient expression. Malik watched them from the trees, uneasy of Ezio's mood. Surprisingly, Ezio grabbed Leonardo's arm and pulled him off Altaïr.

"You alright?" He asked, eyes filled with concern.

"Yes, I am fine. Why does it concern you so much? I thought you were busy," Leonardo frowned, squirming from Ezio's tight grasp.

"I changed my mind and wanted to spend lunch with you, Leo," he sighed, loosening his grip.

"But you-"

"Let's go," he frowned, nearly dragging Leonardo back to the school.

"Bye Altaïr, Malik!" He smiled, waving awkwardly as Ezio held a strong grip on his good arm. In silence, they both made their way back to the school with the rain coming down heavier on their heads.

"Ezio, I don't get it. One moment you say you want to spend lunch or after school with me, but then you're with some girl or blowing me off. Why?" Leo frowned at the ground, stopping abruptly, and breaking away from Ezio. The teenager turned around and looked at him sadly, sighing as he walked back towards him.

"Come on, let's go inside."

"Why? Just tell me why..." He frowned, feeling the awkward tension in the air. "Fine, never mind. Let's just go to the art room or something..."

"No, Leo..." He groaned, taking his friend's shoulders in his hands. Slowly, he looked up at him, feeling the rain sinking slowly through his clothes. And then Ezio leaned in closely, noses touching softly. Leo felt his heart race and the blood rush up to his face as he stood, stunned at his friend's actions. Just as their lips were about to meet, a strike of lightning flashed in the background and a loud roar of thunder echoed through the skies. Leonardo jumped back, his heart skipping beats.

"Leo, Leo, relax. It's just a lightning storm," Ezio laughed, reaching out his arms. He had just meant to beckon for them to go inside but Leonardo rushed into his arms, hugging him tightly. Taken back, Ezio smiled and looked around before he wrapped his arms around his smaller friend, trying to give him the warmth that Leonardo had sought with Altaïr.