Chapter Text
One of the things Leonardo did not wanted to do, is to betray his friend Ezio. The Borgias didn’t even let him to choose whatsoever; especially not after Ezio almost killed Rodrigo Borgia yet let him live.
Because of that, the Borgias forced the artist to work for them in Rome, threatening to kill him if he refused or tried to escape after escorting him to “Il Vaticano”, where he was held capture and to fashion war machines. Little did he know that one gun he designed was used to kill his best friend’s uncle.
-fast forward in memory-
“Ezio!”
“Leonardo!”
The two longtime friends finally met each other in Roma with a hug after the artist baited Ezio with a carton box, leading the assassin to him discreetly.
“I’m afraid I have bad news.” Leonardo paused briefly.
“They have… the apple.”
“Yes, I know. I have the apple to Mario.”
Ezio spoke with a hurt tone. Leonardo understood completely what he meant, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.
Ezio shook his head. “you look tired.”
“I’m fine, just working a lot.” He brushed off, trying to ignore the flutter in his heart at his friend’s worry. He shouldn’t feel like this, especially to someone who express their heterosexuality so much like Ezio does. He shouldn’t feel like this at all.
“Do they at least treat you well?”
“What?”
“Do they treat you well? The Borgias.” His voice firm but with a tinge of audible worry.
“It’s.. It’s fine, really. Just a lot of work.”
Ezio was stubborn but let it slide.
“So, about the designs.”
“Ah yes, I remember every design I fashion. But I’ll need a compensation for the raw material.” The last part he sounded a bit awkward.
Ezio gave him a mocking gaze and playful smile as he approached a little. “Really? They’re not pay you at the Vaticano?” Yet he sounded a little offended Leo wasn’t getting paid.
“Very, very little.” The artist moved around. “If we are to do this, we must appear to not meet at all.” Ezio narrowed his eyes at his friend’s words.
Leonardo drew a pointing hand on the sitting bench they had nearby.
“A hand pointing?.” The assassin asked.
”It’s pointing where you should sit. So sit!” The artist spoke almost enthusiastic before he innocently turned his back at Ezio.
Of course, Leonardo da Vinci, the master of hiding his encounters with men.
“…yes… Maestro” Ezio sat down on the drawing but Leonardo expect him to seat beside it, on the cloth and not on the stone.
Leonardo ended up sitting closer to Ezio than he intended.
In the end Leonardo came back to Ezio a couple of hours later with Ezio’s request.
"I didn’t expect you to find you right away.” The artist chuckled in a low voice while giving him the double blade.
“I never left.”
“Why?”
“No reason. I didn’t want to have you waiting for me to come back.”
“But I did left you waiting for me to come back with what you requested…”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“…”
Ezio lifted his head slightly but enough to see his friend. He froze.
“What happened to your face?”
Leonardo had a dark purple circle on his right eye.
“Oh this? It’s nothing. The guard scolded me for "trying to sneak out". It’s nothing.” He brushed off like it was really nothing.
“Scolded you? What are you, a child?” The assassin sounded offended and even upset, touching Leo’s feelings. Again.
Leonardo let a awkward chuckle out.
“You worry too much. I’ve been through worse.”
“Like that time you covered for me and got beaten up? How many times you’ve pulled that move?”
“Why are you upset?”
“…”
“…”
Ezio left with no other words or explanation. Leaving Leonardo confused and conflicted. And so was Ezio.