Chapter 22

You know it's probably a little odd but i love looking at the traffic graph on , it just makes me happy to see how many people are looking at this story and what countries they are from. It's just so cool!

I am also very sorry that this took me so long to write, life has been, well busy, and I have been sick. Right now actually my friend Ivy is bribing me into this writing this by writing a different story as a reward!

I also regret to say that we are getting closer and closer to the end. But do not worry, I have other things planned for the Assassin's Creed fandom and these OC's because I love them dearly.

Also I meant to have this chapter done by Christmas but that didn't happen… oops…

"Goodness I cannot believe how well this plan is working," Lovino was excitedly chatting as she stuck white flowers into Leonardo's hair, which Rosetta had braded into a circle around his head. "I mean, you kissed Ezio and got him to agree to escort you around tonight," The little blond assassin let out a little laugh, happy about her plan working so well.

"I am the one out there doing all of the work," Leonardo crossed his arms then adjusted the padding around his chest so he could better cross his arms. He was once again in the more simple green and white dress from the day he had gone to the market, but Lovino had embellished it with gold ribbon on all the edges and around Leonardo's waist.

Lovino stuck one last flower in his hair and stood back. "Yes and you are doing a very good job. I am proud of you," Her smile looked almost manic. After a moment of looking his sitting figure over she turned around and grabbed a new mask of the makeup table behind her. This one was made of gold tanned leather with green feathers coming off the sides and, like the red one, only covered the areas around his eyes. With deft fingers Lovino tired the strings around his head and stood back with a smile. "You look adorable,"

Leonardo frowned. "Do not call me that,"

Lovino laughed and rolled her eyes, "Only Ezio can call you that,"

Just as the artist was about to fire of a retort Rosetta stuck her head in the door. "It is getting late you should probably head out to meet Ezio soon," With a sigh Leonardo stood and straightened his dress. "I will be back later,"

"Yes, be careful," Lovino began waving as he swept out of the room. "And don't let Ezio have sex with you because he will defiantly figure out you are man!"

He felt his creeks go red at Lovino's words but grinned when he heard the "ough!" That was probably Rosetta hitting her.

Outside the crowds where just as mad as the other nights and in his slightly more conspectus outfit Leonardo found it hard to maneuver though them. Ezio has said to meet him near San Marco Campanile. Eventually he made it there and luckily found an empty bench, where he decided to wait for Ezio. It was almost a little odd how Ezio always seemed to see you before you saw him, it is almost like he has eagle vision. With a snort of laughter Leonardo shook that thought away, then jumped when a voice spoke in his ear.

"I almost did not recognize you,"

Clutching his heart Leonardo turned and glared at Ezio, who was grinning. "Please never do that again,"

The assassin just laughed. As he chuckled, Leonardo took in Ezio's cloths. He was not dressed in his normal assassin uniform, but rather in a plain blue vest and white shirt with rather tight pants, he looked much like he had on the day that they had first met.

"Well," Ezio offered his arm to Leonardo, who, after a moment, took it. "Shall we explore what Carnival has to offer for entertainment tonight?"

"That sounds like a wonderful idea to me,"

The rest of the night was filled with laughter and smiles as Ezio lead Leonardo from one thing to the next. They danced, played games, watched fireworks, kissed, and drank. Leonardo did not believe he had ever had so much fun in his entire life. Everything seemed to be so extraordinary. Women's dresses shimmered like magic, the music was the most beautiful thing he had ever heard, he felt like he was in a wonderful dream, but he knew it was all real.

By the end of the night Leonardo was exhausted and his hair was falling out of its braid. He adjusted his dress a bit and looked around to find Ezio, he had wandered off a few minutes ago to go talk to someone he apparently knew. After a moment of searching he spotted Ezio laughing with a dark haired man dressed in green. With a sigh he made his way over to the two.

"Ezio, would you mind escorting me home?" Leonardo did not want to drag Ezio away from this man, but his feet where killing him, and he was quite tired.

The assassin turned his head toward him the moment he was near and smiled. "Of course. But first!" Ezio wrapped one arm around Leonardo's waist and dragged him so their sides where flush against each other. "This is my friend Antonio. Antonio, this is Lisa Incendio, the most beautiful girl in the world,"

The artist felt his whole face go bright red. "Ezio, I think you are drunk,"

Antonio laughed. "I believe you are right, but despite my friend's drunken state, it is very nice to meet you Lisa,"

"You as well," Leonardo dipped his head a bit to the man with a smile. "Now if ou will excuse us,"

Antonio smiled in return. "Yes, goodbye,"

After the man's farewell Leonardo turned himself and Ezio around and started walking after they had gotten a few steps he heard Antonio shout. "And make sure to take good care of my friend!"

Leonardo shook his head. "Good God, I am not leaving with Ezio to go have sex with him," He muttered.

Next to him Ezio turned and blinked at him. "What was that?"

"Nothing," Leonardo gave Ezio a smile.

Ezio in his drunken state decided that the smile was an invitation to lean in and kiss Leonardo. For a moment the artist just let it happen. Kissing Ezio was addictive and he was lost in the sensation of arms around his waist and lips pressing against his. He didn't even mind the slight taste of alcohol. But, when Ezio licked across his lips asking for Leonardo to open his mouth did he come to his senses, realizing they were in the middle of the street. He pulled himself away and put a hand over Ezio's mouth.

"We are in public,"

Ezio smirked. "There is an alleyway just over there," He started backing up into the dark side street.

"Ezio," Leonardo tried to become an unmovable wall, but mostly succeeded in being dragged along. "I do not want to kiss you in some dark alleyway,"

"We can do more than just kiss,"

At that smug comment Leonardo pushed against Ezio hard, amazing to slip out of his grip. "I am not going to have sex with you in some back alleyway! What kind of ma-person do you think I am?!"

Ezio for his part looked completely stunned.

"I am going home, good night," Leonardo turned sharply on his heel and stomped into the night.

When he arrived at the house he slammed the door behind him and started pulling off his mask with sharp movements.

Rosetta, hearing the door came and stood at the top of the stairs in her nightgown. "Leonardo? What happened,"

He slammed the mask down on a little table next to the door and started pulling his hair down. "This was all a horrible idea! I should never have done what Lovino said," After a few seconds of pulling at his hair with no success he dropped his hands and sat gracelessly on the stairs. He buried his head in his hands and tired to keep tears from falling out of his eyes, with no success.

After a few seconds he heard soft shuffling and then comforting arms were came around his shoulders and gently pulled him to lean against a strong shoulder. "What happened?"

Leonardo took a few shuddering breaths. "He was drunk and… said something really stupid, and I… I just got so mad…"

The two sat in silence for a moment.

"I… I do not want to do this again,"

Rosetta began rubbing circles on Leonardo's back. "You do not have to,"

"Tricking Ezio was such a stupid idea from the beginning and it was always going to end like this," he let out a quiet sigh. "I… I want to write a letter telling him that I, Lisa, have gone back home to marry my fiancé, and hopefully after that he will forget… her and I can go back to being his friend," Leonardo knew that this was the best thing to do, he had to stop the charade and let his dream of being loved by Ezio go, even if he tore out his heart by doing so. It was the right thing to do.