((Author's note: This part will be told in Ezio's POV))

It was another dull day here in Firenze. Why am I not surprised? Besides just laying around all day, mama decided to give me an errand which is to pick up some paintings from Leonardo's workshop. It seems she has grown a liking to decorating the house with unnecessary landscapes on every space she can find. Who am I to oppose her?

Leonardo's studio wasn't that far from our house. Which was good for me when it comes to the hauling part. Receiving a handful of looks from the people around the street, I knocked on the artist's door. I heard shuffling and a voice from the inside saying, "In a minute!"

Soon enough, footsteps came close and the door opened to see the very man with what seems like streaks of white on his face. I gave him a sincere smile and before I could even greet him, he had me in an unexpected hug.

"You must be Signora Maria's boy, Ezio, am I right?" he said as he lets me go, surprise all across my face. "Come in. It would take me a while to gather up the paintings."

I nodded. Friendly fellow. Leonardo rushed back inside, leaving me to close the door as I walked in. Immediately I heard a gasp in the room. I looked up to see a girl lying on Leonardo's bed with what seems to be only a blanket conveniently covering the parts that left me to my imagination.

With that pose and face that simply looked stunning, I could have taken her right then and there. That is, until the fumbling of boxes and crates in one corner of the room shook me from my trance. She didn't move but looked uncomfortable as my eyes glided down the curves that blankets had very little to hide.

"Sorry about the wait," Leonardo's voice came up from beside me. "I didn't expect you to pick these up early."

"You're making HER wait," I replied, smirking, not taking my eyes off the lovely scenery. "You've outdone yourself, friend."

I laced my arms over Leonardo's shoulders, a hearty laugh coming out from my lips as I congratulate him on his astounding achievement that lay on his bed. Leonardo almost dropped the crate of small sized paintings as I patted his shoulder, laughing nervously as I did so.

"I wish I am," he said. "I was only half finished with her."

I looked at Leonardo with a huge grin on my face. This man was truly something. "Is that so? Well, I should be on my way then, my friend!" I exclaimed, letting him go as he puts the crate on the table, double checking every single painting inside. "Who am I to disturb such a lovely couple?"

"Oh, we're not a couple," Leonardo answered, not even looking up from his current task. "This is Bara, my good friend from the far seas of the Orient."

"Far seas?"

"Yes, King Ferdinand II had his conquest some years ago-"

"Oh, yes, I have heard of the king's journey through far and wide." I said, walking towards the supposed foreign beauty that laid held her pose still. "I never thought they could actually succeed."

"Well, they did, my friend." With that, Leonardo placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. "Well, what do you think?"

"I think she's beautiful." I softly said, seeming to keep it more to myself than to anyone else.

"Grazie, my friend. I've only started sketching this morning," Leonardo happily replied, rushing to my left side to reveal an easel with a medium sized canvas resembling the almost finished painting of Bara in that very position. "I never thought I could have this much progress in one day!"

As Leonardo went back to his easel to continue his work, I knelt down to the girl's level, her eyes still timid to meet mine. I smiled, getting lost in those dark orbs that could hold sights from the other side of the world.

"Can you understand a word I'm saying, bella?" I asked, placing my forearm on top of my knee.

She looked at me. My heart jumped for a moment and I noticed my breath hitch. At least she knows I'm here. Her mouth opened slightly. I was eager to hear that sweet voice coming out from her li-

"Hold it, Ezio!" Leonardo's energetic voice startled me once again. "Yes, that pose is wonderful!"

I blinked a few times, smiling widely at the even more flustered Bara in front of me. I did as I was told and held my stance. It was hard but I guess the only thing that kept me going was Bara herself. And she didn't have to do anything. There were times when I feel myself wanting for a scratch. Even my own nose wanted to betray me. Bara noticed this and she couldn't help but giggle.

And that was it. That small, faint, muffled sound was enough to make my heart melt. I wanted to hear more.

"And I guess that should do it for now." Leonardo said, sighing in content. "We can continue this tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" I asked, finally standing up from that pose that I thought lasted ages. I stumbled a little, trying to wake my legs from their temporary slumber.

"Oh, if you don't mind, Ezio," Leonardo continued, streaks of brown now also decorating his face in a comical fashion. "May I invite you again tomorrow for a session?"

"I'm sure mama won't mind, Leonardo." I laughed, patting his shoulder.

Out of the corner of my eye, Bara sat up, gripping the hem of the blanket to her chest and making sure it didn't reveal anything else that's to my liking. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, her shoulders rotating slowly and soon enough I heard cracks and snaps, signifying that she was in that pose for a considerably long amount of time.

She notices me staring and quickly faces away from me. She turns around so her legs are already hanging off the edge of the bed and she stands up, still holding the blanket for dear life. I felt myself stiffen all over as she forgot about her backside all bare when she stood up turning away from me. It took only a moment for her to realize that she suddenly felt cold and gasped as she now turned to face me, pulling up clumps of fabric to surround her whole body with. Little did she know a moment was all I needed to satisfy the ideas that my imagination failed to comply with.

~

"Here are the paintings, mama~" I said, placing the crate gently on the table as she knitted on a chair beside me.

"You seem rather cheery today, my son," Mama said, looking up from her embroidery to see me with a spring in my step. "Leonardo told you some stories?"

"Oh, mama," I sighed, taking the seat in front of her. I know this be a talk that needs sitting down. "This one came from far away."

"Hm? I see you're smitten."

"Mama..."

"Oh, hush, my son. This is meraviglioso~" She smiled to herself as she pulled the needle half an arm's length away from her.

"How so?" I chuckled.

"Usually, it's the girls running after you," She replied, her eyes looking at me from head to toe. "It's so good to see you faced with a challenge, now and then."

She has a point. "Oh, but mama, I fear I already have her in my trap."

"Oh, I do hope she's in for a little game for a change." Mama sighed, rolling her eyes as she sets her sights back her sewing.

~

"I'm telling you, Federico, she's... She's..." I said, getting up from bed just to escape the light of the morning sun creeping in through the window.

"She's the most beautiful girl you've ever laid eyes on," Federico scoffed. "What was her name again? Cristina?"

"No, her name's Bara and she's different."

"Different? Ha, what is she, some sort of foreign beauty from a faraway land or something?"

Silence.

".... Pazzo," he muttered, smiling to himself as he shook his head in playful disappointment. "I'll believe she's different when she doesn't get into bed with you on the first night."

"Stai zitto, bruto!" Big brothers definitely know how to annoy the heck out of their siblings. "I have an important meeting to get to."

"Whatever you say, fratello." He laughed as I stormed out of the bedroom, fixing myself up with some new clothes before heading out.

"Ezio?" Papa's voice rang out the halls as I was about a few feet away from the door.

"Yes, papa?" I nonchalantly said, practically dragging my feet back to where I heard his voice.

"You going somewhere?" Papa said, sitting on the chair Mama sat on yesterday. He was sipping water from his usual goblet like he always does on mornings. On the table, the paintings were still there and mama's newly finished pillowcase lay beside it.

"Si, papa, I'm--"

"Wait, don't tell me," he said, stopping for a moment to think of an answer. "Is it some girl again?"

"N-Not really, papa-"

"When I was your age," he started. "I couldn't even find a moment to myself anymore with all the girls I had around."

I grinned, laughing a little with my father.

"Well, papa, I have to go now." I said, walking over to him and hugging him before making my way over to the door once more.

"Be home before dinner for your mama and I, si?"

I nodded and let the sunshine inside the doorway as I stepped out. It was just like any normal day. But the only difference is, I finally have something to look forward to today.

I took a deep breath, made sure nothing of me was out of place and knocked on Leonardo's door. As soon as I heard that same phrase he greeted me with yesterday, I opened it and to my satisfaction, there she was again in all her glory. Oh how she took my breath away.

"Ezio! So glad of you to join us!" Leonardo exclaimed, already getting comfortable on the easel in front of Bara. "Now, would you please?"

He needn't say anything else as I knelt back down to my original spot as I was yesterday and stared deeply into her eyes. I could hear Leonardo's shuffles behind me and I knew he was troubled.

"My, my," he hummed, thinking. "Your clothes aren't a bit right from yesterday now."

My eyes widened and he was right. I completely changed from what I wore yesterday. "Mi dispiace, Leonardo." I was thinking of something along the lines of running back home to change.

"No matter, Ezio," Leonardo sparked back up, smiling. "I can just change your shirt... Hmm... In fact, Ezio, would you mind if you take it off instead? It would be much easier to me and to future sessions if need be."

Even Bara fidgeted a bit at Leonardo's sudden statement. She couldn't hide the red cloud rushing through her face at this state. I sighed and did as what Leonardo told. In one swoop motion, my shirt was off. Immediately, I looked over at Bara. Of course, she wasn't looking. Or that's what she wants me to think.

"Like what you see, bella?" I whispered, still not entirely sure if she understands me at all. "Because I like what I see right now."

Here she was, naked and staring at me shirtless. It was almost so unfair for me to still be clothed. But those thoughts I'd rather keep to myself. Dark intentions aside, I bear no ill will against Bara. Nor I'd want to hurt her in any way. Funny, here I am thinking of all future commitments to this girl yet she hasn't even spoken to me yet.

"Yes, Ezio, your expression's wonderful!" I heard Leonardo praise me.

Bara furrowed her brows and scrunched her nose, closing her eyes for a moment but then opening them just halfway through, her sultry stare piercing right through me. "Well done, Bara! Hold it like that!" Leonardo shouted, his face getting even more close to his easel as he worked.

A few silent minutes passed of intense and somewhat passionate staring ensued. Something was building up in my mind and I just want to get it out of my head as she looked at me. "Ack, out of paint. Well, kids, stay put, I won't be long." Leonardo stands up and goes into the pantry to get more paint, leaving me with Bara.

"I know it's silly of me to say this especially since we've just met," I started, her eyes not leaving mine at all. "But I think you are the most exquisite girl I have ever seen and I would love to have you as my own."

She raises an eyebrow, still giving me that seductive look that would send any man running into her arms. She smiles and Leonardo comes back in the room with a jar and some brushes.

"Oh, and I forgot, Ezio," Leonardo said, putting his things down. "Bara has been living in Tuscany for about..... How many years now, Bara?"

"Tre anni, messer Leonardo." She answered.

I looked at her in complete and utter shock. She just answered back. "You understood me all this time?"

"So you think I'll be with you just because you said I'm beautiful?" Bara asked, her voice finally ringing in my ears. She chuckled, rolling her dark brown orbs. "Well, sorry to disappoint, messer Ezio but I'm not that easy."

I smiled. Mama was right. And my heart longed for her even if she tries to set some distance away from me. It was... New. "Alright, alright, kiddies, play nice~" Leonardo laughed, playfully shaking his head at the drama. I went back to my normal position as she did with hers. Occasionally, she would stick out her tongue at me when Leonardo wasn't looking. I would do the same and thus began the game of making funny faces while the artist wasn't paying attention.

~

"I guess that just leaves the finishing touches." Leonardo mumbled to himself as my knees started to wobble from exhaustion. "Finishing touches that I can do overnight~"

"Wait, so does that mean?" I asked, straightening my back and hearing the bones snap as they finally awaken.

"You needn't come tomorrow anymore, Ezio."

"Are you sure your memory can handle the rest, Leonardo?"

"It's messer Leonardo, he is an astounding man." Bara butted in, stretching her arms after she heard the news. She sat up, practically doing the same thing yesterday. But this time, she stood up from the bed, her backside showing once again yet she did nothing to cover it up. In fact, she looked back at me with a wink and I just knelt there, dumbfounded, confused, and in love.

"Hey, Leonardo, how much for that current painting you're working on?" I asked as the question came into mind.

"Oh this? Well, I'm afraid I can't sell it to you." He replied, clasping his hands together in anxiety. "Someone else already wants it."

"Who, pray tell?"

"I can't say, Ezio."

"Why not?"

"Because that painting is mine." Bara's voice suddenly said as she now came out of the room fully clothed in a plain purple dress that only she made it look magnificent.

I was too shocked to even answer or complain back to her. I only regained my composure as she gave Leonardo a hug and headed for the door. "Wait, signora!" I shouted, finally running up to her.

"What is it, Ezio?" she stopped, turning around to look at me. Oh how my body shuddered when she said my name.

"Let me walk you home." I panted.

"My, my, what a gentleman of you, messer Ezio."

"Of course. A woman walking alone this late would be irresistible for any man to--"

"Grazie, Ezio, you may walk me home."

I felt my heart jump as she agreed to my proposal. I know I was losing my cool. And I hated it. But I also can't help it. I found myself opening the door for Bara, waving goodbye to dear Leonardo. As soon as the door closed with us outside, I offered her my arm for her to take. She looked at it, a smirk plastered on her face as she slowly snaked her arms around mine. Without further ado, we started walking.

People were still up and about at this hour. The moonlight shone through the pavement, illuminating most of the streets. Candle lights on opened balconies lit up the rest. The busy conversations of some people in the distance rang through town. It was a beautiful and peaceful night.

"So, that painting's yours, am I right?" I started, making a left turn at a corner as she gestured towards that direction.

"Yes, why? Are you going to try and talk me into giving it to you?" she replied coyly, her head nuzzling close to my shoulder as we walked.

"I was going to. But I fear you would stick to your decision, bella."

She giggled. "You know your words are working." She suddenly pushed me to a nearby wall, catching me off guard. Her face leans closer to mine as she whispers, "I'm afraid it's working all too well..."

Her body presses against mine, the sheer excitement and adrenalin pumping through me makes me have difficulty breathing right. Her lips just barely hover over mine and it took me all of my self-control to not close the gap between us. She smiled, pushing her away from me, giggling to herself. "The place I'm staying is just around the corner. I can handle myself fine now, Ezio~"

I couldn't help but mouth a silent 'wow' all to myself as she walked away from me. She had me wrapped around her finger and I'm crazy for more. As soon as she made that corner, I felt like I was just released from some sort of spell. And I walked on home before another spell manages to grab a hold of me.

~

I couldn't sleep that night. I can't stop thinking about what she did and made me feel when I was walking her home. I just... Just.... I just need a walk.

Yes. A walk through town would soothe my senses. Soon, I did find myself outside the streets in the middle of the night, enjoying the silence in complete bliss. From the corner of my eye, I saw the light at Leonardo's workshop go out and I couldn't help but smile.

~

"Ezio!" Mama's voice rang from outside my room, waking me abruptly. "You have a visitor downstairs!"

Slowly, I got up, yawning and stretching all the way from the staircase and into the living room. I didn't even have the strength to change into more appropriate clothing, or even put on a shirt in that matter. Groggily, I went down the last of the stairs, rubbing my eye as I did so. Seated on the couch was none other than Bara herself and I almost instantly, my drowsiness was gone.

"Why, Bara, what brings you here?" I started, grinning. "And how did you know where I live?"

"Oh, you know damn well what brings me here, Ezio." She replied, a hint of annoyance in her tone yet she manages to crack a smirk at my somewhat unprepared appearance. "I just came from Leonardo's studio to pick up my painting."

"And?" I yawned, waiting for her to explain more.

"And... Found my painting hanging right here on that wall beside you."

And true enough, there it was. The painting of me staring lovingly at Bara that Leonardo spontaneously worked on for two days. "Oh, so taking that painting yesterday wasn't a dream after all..." I said to myself jokingly.

"Oh, don't play dumb with me, Ezio~" she said, her hands on her hips.

"Hey, at least I left some money on the table!" I laughed, placing my hands on my hips as well.

"Still, that was my painting." She added, taking a step closer to me. "And you owe me another one."

Here we were yet again. Our faces just centimeters away from each other. Both of us were just waiting for the other to do something. My breath hitched as her eyes looked at my lips, just teasing me all the more. I closed my eyes and smiled.

"I don't mind spending another two days staring at you."

(A/N: I'm so sorry I haven't updated in, like, two years! There would be more in here, of course! Bear with the lazy ass author because she just discovered Skyrim and it's a black hole to escape from HAHA <3 I love you guys and I ain't dead yet :3 )