The Eagle and the Lion

My Favorite Color

Ezio and Leonardo walked along the Arno River early in the morning. A light wind was passing through, and it brought fresh air to the City that was much needed in the Florentine Summer. The two passed by a small street band that was made up of a harp, tambourine, and a little girl with a flowing dress dancing. Leonardo was delighted to see this, and signaled Ezio to slow down. He went over to the little girl and handed her a few crimson silk ribbons from his satchel. Ezio chuckled at this.

"You have the moon in there too, Leonardo?" Leo looked up at Ezio with a smile.

"For you Ezio, I'll see what I can do." He winked at him. Ezio crouched next to the girl, and looked into her wide blue eyes.

"You dance very well, passerotto," he remarked. He lowered his hood to see better. "What's your name?" The little girl gasped at the sight of Ezio's dark hair.

"I'm Agnese! Can I braid your hair, signori?" Her eyes sparkled in delight. Ezio chuckled and nodded. He sat down cross-legged on the pavement in the shade and motioned Leo to follow suit. Agnese kneeled behind Ezio and combed out the twine keeping his hair tied. His deep brown locks fell about his jaw and shoulders, and she began to comb and part it with her slender fingers. Ezio turned his head slightly to see Leonardo staring at him.

"What, Leo?" he smirked. "Haven't you ever taken in the little moments in life like this?"

Leo smirked back. "It's my job to sentimentalize, Ezio. I was just wondering at why you keep your hair back all the time like that. It's so pretty and full when it's down. I like it," he added, slightly blushing.

Ezio nodded, then held still for Agnese. "Well, I'll let her do her thing, and maybe later I'll dream about keeping my hair loose, Leonardo." The two laughed together at this.

Agnese weaved, tied and wrapped the ribbons Leonardo gave her into Ezio's hair with expert precision and care. Not once did Ezio feel she was tugging or tangling his locks. After several minutes, the girl stood up to admire her handiwork.

"It's almost done," she thought aloud. "Just needs something more..."

Leo stood up and walked over to a small patch of wildflowers growing nearby. He reached down and picked a handful of petite blue blossoms, and returned to the company triumphantly. Kneeling down in front of Ezio, he carefully tied in the wildflowers, so that Ezio now had a small crimson and blue boquet atop his head.

"Ah, you know my favorite color, do you now," he chortled. The architect merely beamed in pride and admiration.

"Grazie, signori!" cried Agnese. Leo made a dramatic bow. "my dear, ancona imparo." Ezio blushed and grinned, gingerly feeling the girl's handiwork braided into his hair.

The two stood up, thanked Agnese with kind words and a few florins, and took care to tip the musicians nearby as well. As they went along, Leo insisted they take a shortcut in the gardens, away from the streets.

As they went along, Leo reached for Ezio's hand. Ezio gladly took it, and the two went over to a bench by the corner. a window behind them overlooked the sparkling Arno, and the breeze tickled strands of Ezio's braids out into his eyes. Leonardo took care to gently tuck them behind Ezio's ear.

"Ezio," Leonardo said somberly, "There's something I want to talk about."

Ezio chuckled. "I don't owe you anything, do I, friend?"

"No, it's just..." Leonardo sighed. "This day is just perfect! The cool air, the lovely Agnese, you and me just having a lovely morning, oh I..." he blushed and swallowed hard. Ezio turned Leo's face to look him in the eyes.

"What is it you need, Leo?" he asked, curiously. Leonardo inched closer to Ezio's face, nearly breathless. "May I..." his eyes quickly flicking down to his lips.

Ezio froze for a monent, then closed his eyes and gave a hint of a nod. Leo pulled Ezio towards him and softly kissed him on the lips.

Time seemed to slow down to nothingness, and Ezio took it all in. The breeze keeping them cool, the sound of the birds and distant town chatter, the waves lapping at the side of the pavement, and Leo. Leo, embracing him and simply loving him with his whole heart with this one little kiss. It truly was everything, Ezio thought. He never wanted it to end.

At long last, the two hesitantly pulled apart from each other's embrace and sat, leaning against the wall in silence. Ezio took Leo's hand in his, entwining his fingers, and rested his head upon him.

"La vita è più dolce con te," he murmured. Leo nodded.

"Come dovrebbe essere," he replied.

The two sat there for an unknown time, basking in the sun and wind and silence and love.