The Eagle and the Lion

Unto Darkness and Light

It was a clear autumn night at dusk, and the DaVinci house was rather quiet for this time of day. Leonardo sipped his dandelion root tea, hardly aware that it was beginning to cool too much. His mind was elsewhere, thoughts of the assassin Ezio being at the forefront.

Leo sat there, staring at, or rather through, the current project he was working on. It was a painting of the martyr Saint Sebastian, appearing spiritually enraptured as a dozen arrows pierced his flesh. The model he had used was his assistant, who simply loved to look after Leonardo's little projects, despite the arduous, frustrating ignorance the architect had. Word was his favorite medium was "air," as he was plagued with procrastination constantly. Leo simply couldn't focus on any task at hand, recently. The young Ezio had infused his bright and stubborn soul into everything Leo loved so much so that it was more a hindrance. Leo didn't mind this, however.

A knock at his door snapped the architect's focus back to the present, and he hastily rose to his feet. Fumbling for the door keys, he called out, "Just a moment, I'll be right there!" His breath quickened a little, and he paused a moment to calm down. He muttered to himself, imagining what to say to Ezio.

"Ezio, my dear... No, no too much. From the start... Ah, Ezio, so glad to see y-"

He opened the door wide and outstretched his arms to welcome his friend, and gasped, rooted to the spot. Ezio was not standing at the doorstep as he expected, but rather a young courier, who stepped back in awkward surprise.

"Um...," the courier stammered for a bit, blushing in embarrassment, then quickly thrust an envelope into the architect's hands and sprinted off, tripping as he went. Leonardo stood there stunned. He was sure it was Ezio who would have been at the door.

He shivered; it was dark out now and a wind was picking up. He looked down at the letter he had been given, and closed the door. Back inside, he carefully examined the seal. It was a curious one he didn't recognise; a sort of arrowhead shape for an insignia. He broke the wax and unfolded the parchment. The paper was blank, and out fell a small round mirror. Leo nearly dropped it in surprise. Curious, he examined the glass carefully. It was a good quality mirror, for Leo could see everything in the reflection perfectly. His own face, the window, a figure in white...

Leonardo whirled around, clutching the glass. Ezio Auditoré stood before him, a cheeky grin visible underneath the shadow of his hood.

"Oh, where's the happy little Leo I know?" Ezio walked up and embraced the stunned artist. Leo stuttered:

"E-Ezio? I never... I never even heard you come in!" Leonardo looked up into Ezio's dark brown eyes.

"Very good, Leonardo. I've been working on stepping lightly. I know you've been more attuned to my presence here, so I tried the stealth game on you. Ta-da!" he cried triumphantly, and gave a dramatic bow. Leo laughed nervously, still a bit shaken.

"I do frighten easily, Ezio," he murmured sheepishly. "I don't know if I might open that door and be safe in these times." He turned away in shame. "I have issues trusting others."

Ezio gently laid a hand on Leonardo's shoulder. "If you were ever in real trouble, I would have put an end to it before there was any real cause for fear, my friend."

He added, softly, "do you like the mirror, Leo?" Leonardo turned his head to look back at Ezio again.

"Yes, it's beautiful," he replied, turning the glass to the window. It shone in the soft moonlight, casting an iridescent glow on the wall.

"I got that from a friend in Venice. Not from any old merchant, either." Ezio winked at Leo. "Nearly priceless, by some standards."

Leo smiled warmly at Ezio. "Grazie, dear friend. Well where are my manners, now. Do sit down, are you hungry?"

"No, just tired for now." Ezio stretched, wincing and rolling back his shoulders. "Sore from a long day of climbing. But also..." He rummaged about in his satchel, and pulled out a silvery scroll. Leonardo gasped in delight.

"A new codex page? How exciting!" He accepted the page and set it on his desk. He returned and sat down next to Ezio.

"You would like some rest, I'd imagine. Anything particular?"

Ezio thought a moment, then looked up.

"I hate to say..." he sighed. "I've been needing a good backrub for some time, I hear you're quite good at it."

Leo looked at Ezio. "Now where did you hear that, I wonder... Oh never mind it; yes I do offer massages. You'd like work on where, here? He gently ran his fingers across the young man's shoulders, then down his spine. Ezio closed his eyes and nodded.

Leo led him to the bed, and directed him to remove his shirt and lie facedown. He gathered lavender oil from the cupboard, and sat down at the edge of the bed. Rubbing the oil into his fingers, Leonardo gently massaged his fingers on the assassin's muscles. Ezio purred with pleasure. Leo continued from his shoulders to his back, from the base of his neck down to his lower back. Ezio didn't squirm much, but rather shifted gently so Leo would apply more pressure from his palms, and up through his fingertips on his skin.

What felt like all too soon, Leo's work was done, and he wiped his hands off with a towel. Before he stood up, Ezio let out a muffled grunt, getting his attention.

"Could you stay here," he murmured, "if only for a little while?" Leo paused a moment, then gently lowered himself onto the bed next to the assassin. Ezio turned to the side, and wrapped his arms gently around Leo.

Leo, taking the hint, gently smuggled close under Ezio's chin, and the two fell asleep in each other's arms.

Dawn broke over the horizon, and sunlight streamed into the windows, awaking Leonardo. He sat up, looking around. Ezio still lay next to him, snoring quietly. Leo got up, rubbing his eyes and went to the kitchen for some water. As he sipped his water, he perused the codex page Ezio brought him earlier. After a few minutes, the code revealed itself to describe a small hidden blade mechanism, which could hold a small vial in it for poison. As Leonardo cleared the table, he saw Ezio shirtless walking through the doorway. The two locked eyes a moment, and exchanged smiles.

"Sleep well, Ezio?"

"Never better, Leo." Ezio cocked his head slightly. "I'd say we make a good couple, in an ironic way." Leonardo raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"Hmm?"

"They call me a flying demon, but you," Ezio murmured, "you are an angel, I'd reckon." Leonardo blushed at this.

"Darkness and Light share the balance in us, Ezio. As the world was cursed, it too, gives us blessings. And I'm blessed as hell to share a moment of heaven with you." Leonardo stood up and drew Ezio close for a kiss. The two embraced, bathed in the sunlight of a new day.