Chapter 3 – Fallout

Warnings: None

Warehouse Hideout – 2012

"You sure he'll be cool with this Lucy? Especially after what happened this morning?" Desmond asked as he lounged back in the Animus chair.

"I'm sure he won't mind." Came the curt reply.

Lucy was going over papers at Rebecca's desk while the technician worked busily at her computer, a half-eaten bagel clamped between her teeth. The three were currently waiting for their fourth comrade to finally arrive. Desmond was still sulking over the way Shaun had flipped out on him this morning. That and how the man refused to answer him after pounding on his door for nearly half an hour. While Desmond knew that Shaun had every right to be somewhat angry for falling asleep on his bed, it was still no excuse for the livid outburst thrown at him.

"Really? Am I the only one seeing reason here? You honestly think he'll go for this?" Rebecca asked Lucy with a skeptical look.

Lucy kept her eyes on her work as she spoke. "How bout we wait for Shaun to get here to discuss this, ok?"

"Discuss what exactly?"

The trio looked up in unison at the sardonic Brit limping into the room, a hot cup of coffee in his shaky hand. He was wearing the same black turtle neck from this morning and looking just as pissed. Desmond narrowed his eyes as Shaun swiftly avoided his heated gaze. Desmond was certainly ready to confront the man about his bitchy attitude earlier today. He especially didn't like the way Shaun was avoiding him, as if the earlier incident had never happened. Desmond hopped off the Animus chair to confront him head on.

"Hey, what was up with you this morning?" Desmond asked as Shaun continued to ignore him. The man set his steaming mug down by his computer before sitting with a painful grunt.

"What did you want to discuss with me Lucy?" Shaun asked through gritted teeth. He tried his best to get comfortable in his swivel chair, the pain in his ass still painfully evident.

Desmond raised his voice, clearly pissed at being ignored. "Hey! I asked you a questio-"

Shaun quickly interrupted his rant. "I heard you Desmond. I was just tired from being kept up all night, alright? Now will you please just drop it so we can both move on with our lives?" He grumbled, glaring at his computer and purposely avoiding Desmond's confused expression. Shaun didn't think he'd be able to look the man in the face ever again after what happened.

Desmond stood looking dumbfounded while Lucy came up beside Shaun.

"Desmond told us he was sleepwalking last night. Did anything happen while we were gone?" She asked carefully, already knowing it was just Desmond's symptoms getting worse.

Shaun had to bite his tongue to hold back the whimpers. Another blinding shot of pain ran up his spine as he moved back in his chair. The torment once again reminding him what actually happened while the girls were gone. The pain almost seemed to be teasing Shaun, taunting him when he had to remain silent in front of his associates. It was completely maddening.

"Shaun?" Lucy asked, confused by Shaun's strained silence.

He snapped out of his pain-filled stupor, looking up into Lucy's concerned gaze. For a brief moment, Shaun had the aching sensation to tell her what really happened with Desmond. A small part of him wanted some sort of comfort, anything to help ease in the pain he was in. That tiny part of him, usually kept hidden away under a sarcastic façade, desperately craved refuge from this mental anguish. Though Shaun would never admit it, he wanted someone to hold him and tell him everything was going to be alright.

But he quickly buried that tiny part away. "Sorry, just spaced out for a moment. What did you say?"

Lucy gave a comforting smile before asking again. "Desmond's sleepwalking last night. Were there any major problems?"

Shaun had to look away, biting back the desperate plea for help. "N-no…Miles just stumbled around for a bit and then passed out on my bed. That's all."

Lucy rubbed her chin in thought as she turned back towards the Animus. It seemed as though she wanted to ask Shaun something else but kept hesitating in the process. Whatever she was mulling over had Shaun nervous for some reason. He had the sneaking suspicion that his life was going to get a hell of a lot worse. He felt his backbone stiffen when Lucy turned back around, a determined look in her eye.

"We've already talked it over with Desmond, and we think it's a good idea for someone to keep an eye on him when he goes to sleep."

Desmond and Rebecca both nodded their heads as Lucy spoke. Shaun's face slowly started to pale when he realized where she was going with this. He briefly shared a glance with Desmond but looked away as soon as those dark eyes began to penetrate his skull.

Lucy gestured around with her hands. "We can't have him wandering around the warehouse in that kind of state. It's dangerous for him and for the rest of us." She looked towards the rest of the group who both agreed with her statements. Shaun was the only one that did not agree with their settlement on the matter.

She can't be serious…

"Which is why I want Desmond to stay in your room so you can keep an eye on him in case he starts sleepwalking again." Lucy said firmly, arms crossed tightly over her breasts.

Shaun couldn't believe what he was hearing. It was like the universe was playing a sick joke on him. They wanted Desmond, the cause of his current agony, to stay in his room for God knows how long? Shaun couldn't even stand to look at his own bed without being reminded of that horrible night. And now they wanted the same man that had tormented him so relentlessly to stay with him in that same room?

A torrent of fury churned Shaun's insides as he spoke. "Why me? Why can't you or Rebecca watch the nut? Why do I have to?" His couldn't contain the panic that seeped through as he spoke.

Lucy looked slightly shocked by the sudden alarm in Shaun's voice. She had never heard him really speak like that before. Usually when it came to Desmond, Shaun always kept an acerbic kind of attitude. She already knew that Shaun didn't have much patience when it came to Desmond, but right now it seemed like he was utterly terrified of the man. This sudden alarm for Desmond didn't make any sense. Still, Lucy had no time for Shaun's issues with Desmond. There were more important things at stake than petty differences.

Lucy straightened her shoulders. "Because you're the only one here that's strong enough to manhandle him in case he wanders off." She said while Shaun clenched and re-clenched his jaw.

"And you're not? I know you can fight Lucy." Shaun said desperately, trying to find any possible way to get out of this.

Lucy rolled her eyes. "I'm not saying I couldn't take Desmond down if I wanted to, but there's a big difference between fighting someone and trying to subdue them without causing any harm."

Shaun was left cornered as he tried to think of a way out of this situation. There was no way he could sleep in a room with Desmond and not go completely bat-shit insane. Shaun was already a broken mess, having been kept up all night with flashbacks of his carnal torture. To be forced to sleep in the same room as Desmond would undoubtedly break him. There's just no way I can do this and still keep what little I have left of my sanity.

"Shaun just this do for us, please?" Lucy pleaded, the exhaustion clear in her tone.

The eyes of his associates were all looking at him with a mix of confusion and irritation. Shaun knew that from their point of view, he was just being a stubborn ass. Even though he had every right to be, considering what happened to him. But his friends didn't know that, nor would they ever. If Shaun wanted to keep face and not appear suspicious about that particular night, he had to behave normally. And that meant keeping up normal appearances. To continually avoid Desmond and refuse to be near him would only arouse everyone's suspicions. The last thing he wanted for was everyone to find out about his recent humiliation. Let's just hope I don't go mad by the end of this.

"Fine." Shaun mumbled, turning back to his computer.

"Alright then. Why don't you help Desmond move his stuff into your room for the time being?" Lucy said as she went back to her work.

Desmond sent on last curious glance to Shaun before walking over to his room to grab his stuff. With his duffle bag slung over shoulder, he followed a limping Shaun back to his room. The pair walked in awkward silence, Desmond sending Shaun weary glances every so often. As they walked Desmond noticed something off about Shaun. The way his shoulders were slumped and how he kept his head low gave him the appearance of a kicked dog. He also refused to make any sort of eye contact with Desmond.

Desmond cocked his head to the side as he watched Shaun limp. "Why are you walking like that? You hurt yourself or something?" Shaun kept his eyes on the ground while Desmond waited for a response.

He was about to ask again when the man quietly spoke up. "I just slept funny last night."

Desmond took this opportunity to try and strike up a conversation between the two. "Yeah I've done that before too. You know what helps though? Doing stretches throughout the day. Lucy started getting me to do that after my first day of training and it actually helps. I know you don't train or anything but it could probably still help. I mean sitting at your computer for hours on end is probably a pain in the ass for your back. I could show you the stretches that Lucy taught me if you wanted. They're super easy too, the basic one is…"

Shaun was trying his best to tune out the rambling man beside him. Just hearing his voice brought back all those painful memories he endured under this man. Every word and every syllable was just another dash of salt in Shaun's mental wounds. It really felt like Desmond was trying to personally torture him by attempting to start a friendly conversation. Shaun couldn't understand why he was suddenly being nice to him. The two have never been friendly towards each other and yet Desmond continued to ramble on with that stupid grin on his face. Even when Shaun refused to a word, he kept the conversation going.

Much to Shaun's chagrin.

When the two finally arrived to their destination Shaun practically threw the door open and ran inside, eager to get the formalities over with. The Brit wanted nothing more than to get back to his computer where he could dive into his work and ignore the throbbing pain in his body. Desmond looked around the adequate room as he dropped his shabby duffle bag onto the bed. Shaun was busy over by his dresser as he moved his clothes out the bottom drawer to make room for Desmond. While Shaun was bent over his dresser, Desmond took that particular opportunity to run his eyes up Shaun's backside. He couldn't contain the heat that collected in his loins as he eyed the man from behind. Shaun really did have a nice ass in Desmond's honest opinion. He quickly looked away when Shaun stood back up, his eyes glued to the floor.

"You can have the bed while you're staying here." Shaun said as he quickly bustled over to the door.

Desmond flashed him a concerned look. "Where're you gonna sleep then?"

Shaun paused in the open doorway, his back to the hooded man sitting on the edge of his bed. "I have a sleeping bag in my closet."

The door slammed shut after that, leaving Desmond both alone and irritated. He knew Shaun could be a real prick sometimes, but this was on a whole different level. Shaun had barely said a few words to him and absolutely refused to make any sort of eye contact with him. Desmond was confused on what suddenly brought this on. A few days ago, Shaun had no real problem with Desmond other than his usual bland annoyance. Now it was like he was almost afraid of him. Shaun's body was unbelievably tense the entire time he was around Desmond. Even the way he talked was different; it was more anxious and submissive. Not like the usual confident banter he regularly threw at everyone. Desmond figured he was having a bad morning and thought maybe he could get him to talk about it. Though it was actually him that did all of the talking earlier. Not my fault, I get nervous during awkward situations.

Desmond broke away from his thoughts for a moment to look around at the man's impeccable room. The place was cleaned to perfection, not an item out of place. The most minuscule thing was organized to perfection and placed in the appropriate place. Even the bed felt perfect. Desmond bounced on the edge of the bed, testing the spring's durability and looking quite childish while doing it. He then ran his hand across the white fabric, relishing in the soft feel of it. His earlier ire from Shaun's attitude slowly vanished as he laid back on the bed. He'd always imagined what it would feel like to lie in Shaun's bed. The light scent of cheap bath soap. The lingering heat left behind from Shaun's body. The feel of white cotton sheets that have comforted Shaun long into the night.

The only thing missing is him. Desmond thought as he stared up at the ceiling.

He was still apprehensive of this arrangement as well. He'd be sleeping in the same room with the man who gave him frequent hard-ons on a daily basis. This whole thing felt like something out of a romantic comedy. Except Shaun's wasn't all that funny. It was definitely going to be harder for Desmond to hide his growing attraction (no pun intended) with Shaun sleeping less than a foot away from him. What if the man saw his boner at some point? What would he tell him? That it's just a natural part of the male body and has absolutely nothing to do with Shaun whatsoever?

Yeah, I could see that conversation going over well.

While Desmond was still anxious about the new sleeping arrangement, he was also excited. The situation could prove to be very beneficial. It could give him and Shaun a chance to get close and maybe even become friends. Though those odds were very slim they still gave Desmond hope for the future.

With Templars around every corner and the world slowly coming to an end, Desmond knew that he only had so much time on this earth. He wasn't stupid and didn't expect to see his thirties like most normal people did. Living through the lives of his ancestors gave him a different perspective on living. He knew that this kind of life was brief and that all too soon it could come to a crushing end. Desmond didn't want to die without having told Shaun how he really felt. Before he left this world he wanted Shaun to know how much he really cared about him. He wanted to hold Shaun at least once and discover how those cheeky lips would feel against his own. He wanted to know how it would feel to experience the act of love with another man. If Desmond were able to do that with his precious Brit he could die a happy man. Oh yes indeedy.

As Desmond felt the oncoming's of a another hard-on, said Brit was currently hunched over a bathroom sink and trying his best to clean the itching wounds that aggravated his neck.

Venice -1476

"Hold still Leonardo." Salai chastised as said man squirmed in his chair.

The bite marks along the painter's neck had crusted over into thin scabs. The skin surrounding the wounds was still red and fairly irritated. The bites near the junction of the neck and shoulder blade were the worse out of all of them. Salai could plainly see where the brute's canines punctured his master's once flawless skin. His anger towards the Assassin caused Leonardo to wince as Salai rubbed a bit harder than he intended. Leonardo was grateful for the medical assistance, but Salai was anything but gentle.

"I'm sorry but it feels like you're using liquid fire to clean my neck." Leonardo whined as Salai continued to prod at the damage.

The young apprentice narrowed his eyes in flagrant annoyance. "If you do not wish to get an infection from these wounds, I suggest you pipe down and let me take care of you."

Leonardo gave a small smile as he quieted down and allowed Salai to tend to his injuries.

The afternoon had been painfully slow and uneventful. Leonardo had been expecting at least a few of his normal customers to stop by and pick up their orders but many had cancelled their appointments due to family matters. Only two patrons stopped by this morning and even then it was just for a few minutes. This left Leonardo to try and go about his daily activities. With the splitting pain in his rear and the numerous wounds that adorned his body, attempting even the simplest task became an impossible feat. Art had always been Leonardo's method of relaxation and clearing the mind but now that simple pleasure was stolen from him.

Leonardo could neither sit nor stand without being reminded of his shameful acts with Ezio. He could not concentrate long enough on his work to get anything done. Eventually Leonardo gave up on his work and sat by the window, allowing the cool air to wash over his pain-stricken face. The pain was still quite abundant but the refreshing air helped calm his shaky nerves. This was where Salai had found him when he waltzed in earlier.

Leonardo glanced up when he heard Salai mumble something under his breath.

"What was that?" The painter asked.

Salai's normally youthful face was hardened into harsh lines of anger. He'd been like this all day, ever since he first heard those grunting sounds coming from his master's work area this morning. His eyes glowed with a vengeful malice, a trait he normally wore when somebody wronged him. The young pupil's mouth was drawn back into a thin pout, like he was desperately trying to hold back a scream. He did not look up when Leonardo questioned him. Instead he continued to silently clean the man's wounds.

"Salai."

Again, the younger ignored him.

From the look on Salai's face, Leonardo knew it was not intentional. His pupil appeared to be lost in his own world of thought. The locked jaw and darting eyes gave off the impression of intense concentration. Leonardo hated seeing his most treasured student look so distraught. He knew what the young man was thinking so intensely about. It did not take a genius to see that.

Leonardo lowered his gaze. "Salai, I know you are angry but you cannot-"

"He has no right." The hand that was cleaning him began to shake.

Salai's voice was slick with hatred. His teeth were clenched as the lower lip began to quiver. Leonardo was already well aware of Salai's excitable emotions, but he had never seen him quite like this before. A fury of manic emotions swam across Salai's features as he tried to keep his composure.

"That bastard has no right to do this to you." Salai shook his head back and forth.

The young pupil dropped his shaky hand, lowering his head and masking his face behind a curtain of dark-blonde locks. Leonardo watched with wretched eyes as the small chest in front of him heaved with unbridled fury. Salai looked as if he were going to explode at any second.

Salai glared at the floor, his words veiled under a heated whisper. "As if he owns you…"

Leonardo gently took Salai's face in his hands. Hazel eyes stared back into sky blue as the two companions tried to find solace in the other's presence. Salai was still trembling as Leonardo rested his forehead against his pupil's. He could practically feel the younger man's aura bristle with rage, snapping at the air like a wild dog.

"I know Salai…I know." Leonardo whispered.

Salai abruptly broke away from Leonardo's grasp then as he began to pace the room back and forth.

He threw his hands in the air. "That tyrant deserves to burn in hell for what he's done! I should take my blade and jam it right through his nonexistent heart!" Salai yelled, slamming his hands atop of Leonardo's worktable.

The force knocked over a cup of black paint, spilling the contents across a blank sheet of paper. The dark liquid created a river of darkness across the parchment. The black paint stained everything in its path with relentless force. Forever tainting the once clean paper.

The sound of Leonardo's steps echoed off the walls as he approached Salai. The painter's magnificent hands turned Salai around to face him before bringing him in close. Leonardo rested his stubble chin on top of the pupil's head as the younger listened to the other's methodical heartbeat. Salai found a bit of comfort in that gentle heart.

Leonardo rubbed at his pupil's back as he spoke. "I feel your anger Salai, believe me I do."

Salai caught the sliver of resentment that seeped into those last words. The younger man clutched onto his Master as if he would up and vanish forever. By the hands of that despicable bastard.

Leonardo pulled him closer. "But you cannot confront him. I know you wish to fight him but that man would kill you in an instant. You would not stand a chance against his blade Salai."

The pupil clutched tighter onto Leonardo's clothes as he buried himself deeper into his chest. As much as Salai wanted to gauge out the bastard's eyes and jam them down his throat, he knew it was not possible. The Assassin was just far too skilled for Salai to fight one-on-one. The younger male had fought in the past and cut many a strong men, but Ezio was a man trained in the profession of killing. He could break Salai's fragile neck without so much as batting an eye.

The very thought boiled Salai's skin from the inside out.

"Promise me that you'll stay away from him."

Leonardo's stern voice broke through his furious thoughts and brought him back to the present. Though he spoke with his usual softness, Salai could still hear the commanding authority his Master held when he was serious. Despite the commanding tone; Salai wasn't sure if he could promise him that. If he saw that man's face out in the streets he wasn't sure if he could hold back from attacking him with the fury of our righteous Lord.

Leonardo could read his thoughts. "Please Salai, promise me."

The sternness was now replaced with a soft pleading. One that soothed his boiling skin and washed over his bustling thoughts. Salai could keep silent no longer, but he could not lie to his Master.

His words were muffled into Leonardo's chest but still audible to the painter. "I…I don't if I can Master."

The lips atop Salai's head were coupled with a dry chuckle. Leonardo was grateful for the young man's truthfulness, something his pupil hardly ever abided to. Salai felt his cheeks redden from Leonardo's amusement, but refused to comment on it. Instead he returned to the topic at hand.

"I don't want him near you ever again." The feeling of his juvenile selfishness for his Master wrapped around the two of them like a coil. Salai had always been possessive of Leonardo. So to have someone harm him in any way deserved death in his eyes. Leonardo was his, and no one had the right to bring him any sort of pain. Not while Salai was here.

Leonardo drew in a long breath, knowing he had to be patient when it came to his pupil. "Salai, no matter how much we both want that, at the moment it's just not possible. Ezio's still a frequent customer of mine. You know as well as I that when that man wants something, he will get to it."

"Not unless he was dead."

Leonardo tilted the pupil's chin up to look him in the eyes.

"Don't speak like that."

The younger looked away with a pout, to which Leonardo smiled.

"As long as I have you with me, I can get through any trouble that comes my way. You're one of the most precious things in my life Salai. I could not bear to live without you." The painter ended his speech with a tender kiss to his pupil's forehead. The simple act left Salai in awe. His love for the man increased more than he thought possible after hearing those sweet words. It was a moment both of them would come to cherish in their memory for years to come.

Salai rested his head against the older man's chest once more, listening to the rhythmic heartbeat. "I-I…I promise…to try."

Leonardo was surprised by the other's quiet declaration but smiled warmly nonetheless.

I suppose that's the best I can hope for.

Warehouse Hideout – 2012

"Fucking shit."

Rebecca glanced up from her own computer.

"What was that Shaun?"

The Brit flinched at hearing the loud voice of his associate. It seemed like the tiniest thing made him jump out of his chair and into the next defense stance. He had been complaining out loud from the splitting pain that ran up his spine from leaning back in his chair too far. The sharp pain took him off guard when earlier he had actually been in a comfortable position free from pain. Getting back into his work was more difficult than Shaun previously thought. Normally getting lost in his work was a specialty of Shaun's, a trait he took great pride in. Now the one place that brought him any kind of solace was tainted with the pain of his humiliation. Not a minute went by that his body didn't remind him of that very shame.

Shaun kept his dead gaze on the screen of his computer as he spoke. "It's nothing Rebecca, just talking to myself."

Shaun resumed his typing as he tried to get back at the task at hand. His work was monogamous and easy for a man of his capacity, but right now it was proving to be a challenge to him. It didn't help that his mind kept wandering back to the image of Desmond. No matter how hard he tried to block him from his thoughts, the hooded man found his way back in. As Shaun tried to concentrate on his work; the black and white letters in front of him would morph into the grinning smile of that despicable American. It was slowly driving Shaun over the edge of his sanity. Why can't I keep him out of my head?

Shaun fought the urge to glance behind him, at the very man he was trying hard not to think about.

After a few more awkward minutes, Rebecca spoke up again. "Why are you out here anyway? Thought you had the room down the hallway set up just for yourself?"

Shaun stopped typing to clench his hands, the nails digging harshly into his skin. Because I can't walk into that room without being swept with a panic attack.

His voice was badly strained as his body heaved with buried anger. "I'd just rather work out here today. That a problem with you?" He snapped, the anger seeping past his tongue and striking his associate.

Rebecca flinched back at the unexpected tone, clearly taken off guard. "There's no problem, I was just wondering. No need to get your panties in a knot." She mumbled, going back to her work and dropping the subject all together.

The anger contained under Shaun's indifferent façade was broken by the simple quip. The floodgates of his emotions were broke free as his felt the sting of his shame rear its ugly head in full force. All morning he had been keeping everything tucked away, allowing it to stew and fester in the back of his mind. Subconsciously he was grateful for Rebecca's little comment, it gave him a chance to vent these pent up emotions.

Shaun whipped back to scowl at his long-time friend; teeth bared and eyes filled with self-hatred. "How bout you go fuck yourself you slimy cunt!"

Rebecca's jaw looked as if it were about to hit the floor. Her bright eyes remained wide only a moment longer before they narrowed into thin slits. Her chair was pushed back as she abruptly stood, her face mimicking Shaun's own pissed-off features.

"The fuck did you just say to me?" Rebecca yelled back as the two heated locked eyes.

The heated stare-off between the historian and technician was quickly cut off by irate blonde rushing into the room.

"What the hell is going on in here? I could hear you two all the way down the hall!" Lucy pointed in the direction she just came as she glared amongst her two comrades. Rebecca glanced over at the fuming blonde before pointing at Shaun in juvenile accusation.

"He started it!"

Shaun sneered back as he jumped to his feet as well. "Only because a certain someone around here doesn't know how to mind her own fucking business!"

"Enough! Both of you please." Lucy stood at the center of the room, pinching the bridge of her nose and blocking the two from glaring at the other.

Lucy pushed back her sleeve to check the time with a heaving sigh. It was already well past midnight, and the group was already fed up with one another. Lucy walked over to Desmond to bring him out of the Animus and stop thier work for today. She didn't want Shaun and Rebecca working with the Animus in this state, they were both too angered and irrational at the moment.

"Look it's late and we're all tired. How bout we call it a night so we can all get some rest?" Lucy turned back around to glance between the two as Desmond slowly came back to the present.

Rebecca glared down at her desk, bristly gathered up her things and mumbling various obscenities. At seeing the distraught look on the technician's face, Shaun felt a wave of guilt hit him like a truck. He didn't mean to snap at Rebecca, he was just frustrated over how fucked up his life had quickly become. Shaun hadn't meant to take it out on her, now he was sorely regretting his flagrant choice of words.

Rebecca clutched her things to her chest as she stiffly made her way out of the room. "That's fine with me." She said, casting directing one more glare at Shaun before leaving.

Shaun watched her go with a hurtful expression. He wanted to call her back and apologize for he said; that he didn't mean any of it, but the woman had already made her dramatic exit. The Brit quickly shot off his computer to run after her, when Lucy suddenly approached him from behind.

"You mind telling me what that was about?" She asked, her voice too low for Desmond to hear.

Shaun wasn't sure what to say, he couldn't tell her why exactly he'd been angry in the first place. The Brit merely avoided her gaze to stare at the floor, dodging the question. Lucy searched his eyes for any kind of clue; Shaun hated how probing her gaze was. As if she could see directly into him where all his scars lay hidden away. When it became clear that Shaun wasn't going to answer her, Lucy shook her head and walked back over to Desmond.

Shaun bit the inside of his lip when the guilt from his earlier words became an unbearable weight on his conscious. He knew he was in the wrong and that an apology was in order. Shaun glanced up when he felt a pair of dark eyes upon him. Desmond looked like he was about to say something when Shaun bolted out of the room. Whatever the man had to say, Shaun did not want to hear a word of it.

As he left the room, Lucy and Desmond exchanged brief glances of confusion and worry, wondering what on earth had gotten in to him.

Shaun rushed down the maze of hallways to the room he was looking for. He stopped in front of Rebecca's door, not knowing how to voice his apology. Shaun was not used to saying he was sorry or admitting his mistakes. But he knew he had to say something.

Timidly, he knocked on the metal door. "Rebecca?"

Silence.

Shaun tried again, his tone pleading. "Rebecca please…I just want to apologize."

Still nothing.

The silence that engulfed the hallway was suffocating to Shaun. He couldn't stand himself knowing that he hurt Rebecca in such a pointless way. The woman had saved his ass and helped him out so many times that Shaun had no right to speak to her like that. And although he would never admit it out loud, Shaun had come to fancy her over the years. She was feisty, intelligent and all-around a good looking woman. Of course considering the circumstances at the moment, a relationship with anyone was out of the question.

Still, Shaun just couldn't leave things the way they were. "Rebecca, I truly am sorry. I didn't mean any of what I said back there. I'm...I-I'm just going through a rough patch right now and I took it out on you. I'm sorry for that. You do mean a lot to me Rebecca and I would never intentionally try to hurt you. I just hope you can forgive my little indiscretion. Have a good night."

Shaun waited outside her door for a few more moments to see if she would come out. The door remained shut as Shaun stood by and hoped to see her face before he went to bed. When the silence continued to lag on he turned back down the hall. Shaun pulled a weary hand down his face as headed back towards his room. Today was just one of those days it seemed.

Shaun had nearly forgotten about the new sleeping arrangement when he re-entered his room. Desmond was just taking off his shirt and throwing it into his drawer when Shaun walked in. It took the majority of Shaun's will power not to start shaking as he stared at Desmond's naked back. Shaun snapped himself out of his stupor just as Desmond unbuckled his jeans and dropped them to the floor. The man was now standing clad in just his Hanes boxers. He hadn't heard Shaun come in and nearly yelped in surprise when he saw him, hitting his back against the dresser drawer.

"Shit! Jesus Shaun, let me know when you come in man." Desmond mumbled as he tried to shrug off his embarrassment.

The Brit kept his eyes glued to the floor as he moved over to the closet. "You think you'd pick up on Ezio's vigilance after all your time spent in the Animus."

Desmond flicked him off, unbeknownst to Shaun, as the two got ready to hit the sack. Shaun pulled out his sleeping bag while Desmond threw back the covers on the bed. Both were apprehensive of this arrangement but in two very different ways. Shaun concentrated on maintaining his regular breathing while Desmond filled his head with the most boner-killing images one could imagine. The two tried hard to ignore the other's presence but both failed at that miserably.

As Shaun laid out his sleeping bag it occurred to him that if Desmond had another episode like his previous one, he would be forced to go through that same hell once again. The thought alone racked his body with tremors of pure terror. He desperately hoped that Desmond was unable to hear the chattering of his teeth or the slight whimpers that escaped his mouth. It certainly doesn't help when Miles sleeps with his hidden blade still attached to his wrist.

Shaun flinched at the sound Desmond's baritone voice. "U-uh aren't you gonna change or something?"

Shaun was indeed still in his turtle neck sweater and slacks. Not exactly comfortable sleepwear but Shaun did not want Desmond to see the battered remains of his neck. That was a conversation he would very much like to avoid.

"I'm fine like this, thank you very much." Shaun said quickly as he retrieved one of his favorite historical novels from his nightstand along with his book light.

The room settled into an awkward quiet as Shaun moved his sleeping bag so his back was propped up against the wall. Desmond sat on the edge of the bed facing Shaun, who was blatantly ignoring him. As the Brit was trying to get comfortable while overlooking the sparks of pain coming from his rear, he heard Desmond clear his throat.

The man scratched at his tattooed arm while glancing around the room as if searching for an answer. "S-so…u-uh…how was your day?"

His voice was unusually timid, so unlike the cool bravado he normally carried. Looking up at Desmond's nervous face, Shaun was struck with confusion rather than fear. This wasn't the man that had attacked him the other night. The one that had held him down so ruthlessly and stole his virginity from him.

This was Desmond.

The ex-bartender that never wanted to be an Assassin in the first place. The man that had grinned so boyishly when they first met all those distant months ago. His comrade and fellow associate.

Shaun rubbed at his temples when he felt the looming approach of another headache. "Desmond, it's almost 1 in the morning. Shut up."

Shaun watched as Desmond's brow shot up in surprise. The man looked as if Shaun had just spoken a foreign language.

"What?" The Brit asked.

Desmond shook away his surprise, a small grin playing at his lips. "Nothing, it's just that's the first time you've ever said my real name."

It took Shaun a second to realize this. Up until now he's always called Desmond by his last name, never by his first. He wasn't sure what brought him to call the man by his first name. Or why Desmond looked so pleased by the sentiment. That coy grin slowly morphed into a charming smile, something hardly ever seen on the face of Desmond Miles. Shaun's earlier fear was still very much present, but now it was coupled with something else entirely.

Shaun had to look away from that smile. "Yeah? What of it?" he asked crossly.

That smile didn't fade in the slightest, if anything it got even bigger. "I like it. You should say it more often."

Desmond loved how his name rolled off Shaun's tongue so fluidly, like it was meant to be there. He wanted him to say it again. And again. And again. He wanted to hear Shaun scream his name in the heat of passion. Or maybe a breathless Shaun moaning out his name while he took him against the Animus. Desmond was surprised at how quickly the blood rushed to his cock after hearing Shaun just say his name. Desmond quickly brought his knees together to block the view of his tented shorts and hide his growing arousal.

Shaun meanwhile was a befuddled mess. He liked it? What the hell is that supposed to mean? And why the hell does he look so damn happy about it? None of what was happening made any sense to Shaun. Not Desmond's happy exterior or his growing sense of confusion from seeing that happiness.

Shaun quickly shut off the lights as he sat back down to delve into his book and ignore the smiling man across from him. "Goodnight Miles." He groaned stiffly.

He did not look up from his book when he heard the bed springs squeak from Desmond lying back on the pillows. It did not take long before Shaun heard the rhythmic breathing of a person who just conked out. Clearly the man was in need of some shut eye. Much like myself.

Just as Shaun was getting into the good part of his Mary Russell novel, a monstrous noise startled him right out of the book. Shaun thought he was hearing things when the noise didn't repeat itself. He picked up his book and adjusted the tiny light when the rumbling sound came back even louder than before. The noise was like a mix between a fucked up chainsaw and a passing freight train.

What in God's name is that?

It took another second of startled confusion before Shaun's brain caught up with him. He had forgotten about that as well. As the snoring continued Shaun briefly considered taping a pillow over Desmond's mouth. The roaring sound was endless as Shaun covered his ears to block out the insufferable noise.

Shaun not only had to sleep in the same room with the man that had stolen his virginity the night before, but now he had to put up with his inhuman snoring as well.

I think the Universe truly hates me.

There was no way for Shaun to concentrate on his reading with the deafening noise happening less than a foot away from him. All he could do was shove his pillow over his head and pray for Desmond to somehow choke in his sleep.

Venice – 1476

The day had been longer than expected for Ezio.

Between tracking Templar spies and going through hell to find Codex pages, Ezio barely had time to eat and collect his thoughts. He sustained minimal injuries today, but the exhaustion he felt was more mental than anything. The moon was already halfway across the sky when the young Assassin finished up his last mission for the night. Despite his fatigue, he bounded from rooftop to rooftop to the one place he'd been daydreaming about all day. He could just picture the smiling face of his beloved painter in his head.

Though I highly doubt Leonardo is still awake at this hour.

Still he moved foward at increasing speeds. Ezio had been waiting to see his precious love all day. After their brief session of love-making this morning, Ezio had desperately wanted to bed with him again. It took all of his self-control not to drag him back to the bedroom and tie him to the bedpost. Leonardo was just too erotic for his own good. When Ezio was around him he could barely control himself. But who could blame him?

Leonardo was his whole world.

After the loss of his family members, Ezio had never felt so lost and alone. Those were dark times during those days, but Leonardo was there for him. With his kind words and soft eyes, Leonardo rekindled Ezio's inner flame. He got him back on his feet again to seek vengeance for those who had wronged his family. For those simple acts of kindness, Ezio would always love and cherish him like the angel that he was. Maybe that was why he wanted to keep Leonardo all to himself. He did not want to share that kindness with anyone and instead wanted to keep the man all to himself. Leonardo was far too special for Ezio to share with other people. No one could possibly love the painter as much as Ezio loved him. By that logic, no one else deserved to have him but Ezio.

No one.

As Ezio reached Leonardo's workshop, he was happy to find a small light illuminating the inside of the main bedroom. Ezio scaled the building with the grace of a trained Assassin, careful not to make even the slightest 'thump'. He unlocked the window and jumped inside, looking around the large room as he did. The angel he had been searching for was currently curled up in a chair, a book draped over his stomach and blonde locks hiding his sleeping face. His chest rose and fell rhythmically as he snored away in his scarlet lounge chair. Ezio smiled at the man's childish spectacle, he looked so comical sprawled out with his book draped over his stomach. While Ezio was hoping to find a fully awake Leonardo, this was just as good.

He bookmarked the man's page and set his book on the table beside them. Carefully, so as not to awake him, Ezio gathered the painter up into his arms and carried him over to the bed. The man squirmed a bit in his grasp but otherwise remained silent. Laying him gently on the bed, Ezio beamed down at his beautiful lover. The young man thought to himself how lucky he was to have someone like Leonardo. He truly was a blessing from heaven.

And he's all mine.

As the younger man moved the strands of blonde from Leonardo's forehead, his eyes caught the bandages wrapped around his neck. They looked to be the brat's doing, Leonardo would never wrap a bandage so poorly. Ezio sneered down at Leonardo's wrapped neck. The thought of that brat touching his lover in any way simmered his blood to a boil. Just because he was Leonardo's apprentice did not mean he could do whatever he pleased. He had no right touching him. The painter was Ezio's and Ezio's alone. The sniveling little imp should know that by now.

Perhaps I'll have a talk with Leonardo about this subject in the morning.

Ezio pushed his boiling thoughts aside as he stripped himself of his Assassin garbs and laid down beside his lover. Strong arms capable of breaking even the strongest bones wrapped around the lithe man like rope. Tying him up and securing his body to the younger male. Ezio planted a tender kiss to his temple as he rested his chin in the crook of the man's shoulder, fastening the painter in a smothering grip.

Leonardo whimpered slightly from the action, plagued by a nightmare that haunted him even in his dreams.

Hope everyone enjoyed the new chapter. I do apologize for such a long delay, but school and work unfortunately become my top priorities (as much as I'd love to relax at home and write fan fiction all day). Thanks again to everyone who reviewed.

Until next time

mcpidy