"Wait, I can explain-" Ezio began. "That came out wrong. What I mean to say is, I want to sleep. With you."

"You want to sleep with me."

"At night, yes."

Leonardo rarely got truly angry, but there were some things that never failed to crash unimpeded through his usual, cheerful facade. Of those things, the worst was when he felt like he was being taunted, humiliated. He had a hard time believing that Ezio would be so callous, so uncivilized as to mock his feelings, but here was the great womanizer, standing before him, asking to sleep with him. Of all the stupid, arrogant, unfeeling-

"I think," he said, choosing every word very carefully, "that you have the wrong impression of me."

"Leonardo, no, I-"

Ezio might as well not have spoken. "One time, one time I made a mistake and it cost me far too much. And you come in here and ask me as if it's something I do every day? As if I was...was...one of your courtesans-"

"But I-"

"Do you have any idea what you're asking of me? Even if none of that never happened, don't you think of how it must feel to be in love with someone who doesn't love you back, and then that person just blithely assumes that you'd be willing to sleep with them because honestly, that's what whores do-"

"Leonardo!" Ezio caught him by his shoulders. Leonardo almost pushed him away; he raised his hands in preparation to do so, but something in Ezio's eyes quelled his fury and left him suddenly empty. When Leonardo hesitated, Ezio let out a deep breath. "Leonardo," he said again, collecting his thoughts, "mi dispiace molto, amico. Forgive me, please. I'm so sorry. This is not what I intended. I never meant to imply anything."

Of course he hadn't. It was Leonardo's turn to look away. His face flamed in remorse. Where had all that come from? He thought he had been past all that pain, but apparently it still rankled. Poor Ezio had no idea, and in his ignorance, he'd tread on the tail of Leonardo's personal demon.

The other kept up a steady stream of apology, frantically backpedaling from the torrent of invective he'd inadvertently let loose. Leonardo hastened to stop him by putting his fingers to Ezio's lips.

"It's not your fault. You didn't know," he said gently, and Ezio's relief was strong enough to feel. This made Leonardo sink lower into guilt. How could he have thought that about Ezio, of all people?

Afraid of another outburst, Ezio took the chance to explain lest Leonardo shout at him again. The words spilled forth, unchecked. "I don't know what you meant by making a mistake in the past. I just-I have these dreams," he said brokenly. "I can't stop them. Every night, I see them. My father and my brothers, and Uberto, and the Pazzi, and..." He sagged forward, his fingers still gripping Leonardo's arms, and laid his forehead against his friend's shoulder. "I can't stop them, Leonardo. They don't let me sleep except..."

"Except when you're here."

"Si."

"Then why-" he didn't even need to finish the thought; Ezio knew exactly what he was asking.

"The only time I can remember sleeping through the night since my father died was when I stayed with you that time. You remember? It was several years ago."

"Four years and more," Leonardo said softly. Ezio looked up again at his tone, meeting his eyes through unruly bangs, then nodded. He seemed so lost, so defeated, that Leonardo could not bear it. Gently, he pried the other's hands away and covered them with his own. "Idiota," he murmured. "How long have you been meaning to ask me about this?"

"Months," Ezio replied miserably. "I couldn't live with it anymore. I'm so sorry, Leonardo, I would not ask this of you but I don't know what else to do. It was this, or take up drinking. I think I would not live long if I did that."

Leonardo heaved a sigh. "I can't believe I am even considering it." He waved away the hopeful look that vague promise garnered. "I have not said yes, not yet. But of course you may stay here, and you can have the bed. I will think about the rest."

"Grazie." Ezio had the grace to look contrite. "Also, I...I lied before. I do have a Codex page for you, if you still want to see it."

The laugh bubbled up before Leonardo could stop it. He was beginning to wonder about himself. How many emotions had he gone through in the past five minutes? "Ezio, there is very little that could make me feel better at the moment. But this helps immeasurably." He shook his head, bemused. "Give it here, then go make yourself comfortable. I'll be done soon."

By the time the page was complete, Ezio was predictably asleep in his favorite chair by the fire. Leonardo re-rolled the parchment and put it aside, then propped his head on one hand and watched the rise and fall of Ezio's chest for a while as he thought about the situation.

He had to admit that were he a less guarded man, less wary, he would have no qualms just going to bed with Ezio. Best to acknowledge that to himself right now before he tried to pretend otherwise. Ever since that night, he had dreamed about them sleeping together, waking up together, making love in the morning. It had been a silent obsession for a while, alleviated only by Ezio's departure on some errand to Monteriggioni some months afterward. Without the constant temptation in front of him, Leonardo had been able to regain his composure. But it had been a struggle.

Last time, their places had been switched. Leonardo had been the one asking and Ezio had been the one saying 'no'. But now? Lines were blurred. Because no, of course, Ezio was not asking him for sex. Ezio didn't even know about the trial, the accusations, and the terrible fallout afterward. Because while Leonardo was going through his version of Hell, Ezio had fled Firenze for Monteriggioni, a boy who was thrust into becoming the man of his family. Of course Ezio hadn't known, because Leonardo had never told him. By the time they had met again, it was no longer important.

God, but he wished he could take back what he'd said in anger.

On the other hand, Ezio must know what he was asking of the man who had confessed his love quite plainly. To sleep in the same bed, for comfort only, would be cruel to Leonardo. And Ezio hoped to make this a regular occurence?

But then again (Leonardo was running out of hands), how could he stand by when Ezio needed his help? It didn't have to be a complicated thing. Men shared beds all the time, without anyone thinking twice about it. Strangers at a roadside inn might have to share with each other, and brothers often slept together from childhood until one or both went off to be married. Couldn't he approach it from that perspective? In the name of helping Ezio rest for a change, which would only help him fulfill his vow to Leonardo?

Well, merda. It always came back to that vow in the end. Live and become an old man, Ezio.

If only things could be black or white. Leonardo felt like he knew just where he stood until some new angle appeared, and the shapes of his life no longer fit together in the way he thought they did.

It is time for a glass of wine, Leonardo thought. And then I will wake Ezio, invite him to bed, and sleep next to him. For comfort. Nothing more. I can do this. It does not make me pathetic; it makes me a good friend who cares about someone who needs me.

That is my story and I will stand by it.

He sighed, downing the last of his wine. This was a Very Bad Idea, and he knew quite clearly that he was running headfirst toward utter doom. The knowledge didn't stop him from doing it.

"Come on, amico," he murmured, shaking Ezio awake. "Let's get you to bed."

A/N: Thank you so much to Falxumbra for being a wonderful Beta on this chapter! 3