The Eagle and the Lion

Pin the Artwork to the Wall

"Ezio?"
The young assassin looked up to where Leo was sitting.

"Hmm? Did you need something?" he replied, already standing up. Leo motioned him to stay put.
"I've got an idea. We've nothing to do all day, and I want to try something. Take off your shirt and lie face down on the bed," he instructed. Ezio cocked his head in confusion, but began unbuttoning his shirt.

As he leaned down on the comforter, he turned his head towards Leonardo.
"What's going on, Leo?" he asked with a nervous laugh. Leonardo sat on the edge of the bed, a paint pallete in his hand.
"Hold very still mi amici," he said, " just practicing some art."

Straddling Ezio's lower back, he gently began painting small and light brushstrokes between his shoulder blades.
"Mmm," Ezio murmured into the sheets. He closed his eyes and fell into a light sleep, the soothing weight of Leo sitting atop him, as well as the light tickle of the paintbrush on his back.

"Finished!" Leo exclaimed, easing off the bed.
Ezio woke up with a light grunt, rubbing his eyes.
"Can I see?" He stood up, and making care not to stretch his back, walked up to the mirror. Leo faced Ezio, holding another mirror so he could see Leonardo's handiwork. He gasped in astonishment.

A myriad of bold colors, like a winter sunrise, was spread across Ezio's back, with flowery patterns weaved in all the way from his shoulder blades to the base of his spine. Ezio covered his mouth in surprise. It was the most beautiful artwork he had seen in his life, and he let out a giggle in awe.

"I'm proud to be the canvas of such a masterpiece," he laughed, and brought Leo into a close embrace. Leonardo laughed along, holding Ezio in return. When they pulled away, Ezio saw that some paint had gotten onto Leo's sleeves.
"Oh I'm sorry, Leo, I shouldn't have-" Ezio blushed, ashamed for ruining the art on his back. Leonardo chuckled, and shushed the boy.

"It was just a little art, not to be framed, darling," he reassured Ezio. " You, " he added softly, "you're more beautiful than any art I could dream of making." As he whispered this, he brushed Ezio's cheek and pulled in for a kiss. Ezio returned the favor, holding Leonardo close.
"Grazie, mi amore," he murmured in between kisses. "I believe the same of you."

Leo looked up at Ezio with his clear blue eyes. "Mind if I make some more artwork?" He gave another tender kiss on Ezio's cheek. "I love to give you flowers."
Ezio smiled, and nodded. "You give me the sweetest gifts, Leo. But what can I give you in return?"
Leonardo shook his head. "Holding you in my arms is all I could ever need, my love."

Suddenly, holding Ezio in a close embrace, he leaned him against the wall. The two exchanged more kisses, Ezio running his fingers through Leo's hair. Leo moaned softly, his eyes fluttering in passion. The two stayed in their fervent embrace, a love that no painting could contain.
Laying down on the bed, Ezio pulled Leonardo atop him again, panting heavily.

"You're my masterpiece," Leonardo whispered between breaths, holding Ezio as if for dear life. Ezio closed his eyes, and moaned as Leonardo kissed his neck, sending shivers down his back.

The sun was setting in the sky as the two reclined in bed, gently holding each other and watching the sunset face into twilight. Ezio leaned his head against Leonardo's shoulder, his eyes growing heavy. Leo looked out across the view, watching the sky fade from gold to black, and sighed.
"My masterpiece, mi amore," he whispered, and gently lulled to sleep in his lover's arms.