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Chapter Text

Silence. The others have left. It's just him and the apple. His choice, but is it? What choice is there? Let the world burn and millions die or free Juno and hope that they can defeat her.

There is no choice, thinks Desmond he can't let them all die, attest they will have a chance to fight back this way as he reaches out to grab the apple.

As soon as his hand touches it he feels like lightning has gone through his veins, he can't pull away though he wouldn't even if he could, he knew Juno was probably lying about there being no pain. He screams as pure agony pulls every thought from his brain.

When he surfaces it's to the grey, a colorless void, calculations everywhere he looks, broken up by shapes of white. "Hello?" Desmond calls out in confusion.

He hears no response, only a vague feeling of comfort and greeting as if the grey itself answered. He feels a slight buzzing in his right arm, and when he looks down, he sees burnt and blackened skin, curiosity he takes a closer look to see golden wiring starting from his shoulder where his sleeve was burned off and ending at the palm of his hand.

Slowly testing his arm he notices oddly that he still has full movement and besides the buzzing, there is no actual pain. Deciding to figure it out later Desmond looks up again to see if he can spot anything that will tell him what to do or why he's here.

Everything still looks the same and empty except for the calculations that he will never hope to understand but in the distance there seems to be a small light. It feels as if it's calling him and with nothing else around, he starts to head to the light but as he makes the first step he stumbles when he sees nothing beneath him.

Panic sets in as he realizes the situation he's in. 'I touched the apple and stopped the solar flare, but now I'm alone floating in the grey. How did I get to the grey? The grey where some of the isu resided after they passed. After they… died. i died… I'm dead now.'

He died, no question about it, but what is he supposed to do now? Has Juno already taken over? What happened to Shaun, Rebecca, and William? Is this all that's left for him, to waste away alone in the grey? Floating endlessly forever or until he moves on to whatever is after?

The comforting call reaches out again and helps calm his panic, taking a few deep breaths Desmond thinks of the light in the distance it feels as if it's calling to him, giving him a gentle nudge to come closer, comfort and safety it promises with nothing else in mind he goes, stumbling on an invisible floor. 

As he nears the light Desmond sees the gold wiring starts to glow, it's a stark contrast compared to the burnt skin. The closer he gets the brighter his arm glows until he stops when the buzzing in his arm starts burning. The gold wires feel as if they've come alive with the light, uncertain Desmond thinks of turning back but then he realizes it's too late as the white light engulfs him. 

"Desmond," a voice says softly "you have a choice you must make and quickly"

He sees nothing from the blinding light, his arm's golden glow is the only thing he can make out besides the soft voice. He can't find where they speak from. "Who are you? What do you want with me!" Yells Desmond because now that he's noticed it there is a static in the air slowly getting louder.

"Listen, child, I won't repeat myself nor do we have time for questions, your body is dead, but your mind is not gone yet though it's fading fast" realizing the voice won't answer Desmond falls silent to listen.

"You were told you only have two choices but now you have more," says the voice "you may rest in the grey till your mind fades, when that happens you will merge and become a part of the grey, you will be no more but so will your worries.

Or you may leave the grey, go far before you were ever born anywhere you wish, you may do whatever you want, try and change things in the past to fix the future, or simply start over claiming the peaceful and calm life you never got but have done more than enough to deserve"

Desmond is at a loss never would he have thought that he would deserve or get a chance to redo his life.

it was overwhelming and was sprung on him so fast "quickly you must give me your answer" the voice says urgently "I.. I don't know! Please give me time to think I don't understand" the light starts to dim as the static gets louder "There is no time you have to choose, or the choice will be taken from you" 

frantically Desmond tries to think over the burning of his arm which has been rising with the static, thinks would he even want to go back? Having to survive again, because there is no guarantee that life will be all peaceful.

No, with his luck he'll end up in the middle of a war, but he doesn't want to fade away, at least not yet, not when he's seen so little of the world, not when he's barely lived as a person.

It would be worth it, to explore the world and cultures he never had time to see and to find out who he wants to be and his interests. Maybe he'll practice painting or try wood carving.

Yes, that would be peaceful. He can't remember the last time he just sat in peace with no worries. Maybe once or twice in the Animus when he had time to sit on a roof and just watch the world go by but even then, it was not reality. He will make it worth it, all he's been through, all he's missed in life. He will make this second chance count.

"I will leave" he states, immediately after the light overwhelms him, so blinding it burns.

~~~~~~~~POV CHANGE~~~~~~~~

He finally has the apple back even though it was reckless of Cesare at least he has it back and is a step ahead of the Assassin. But he's tried again and again to enter the vault and nothing happens, not a flicker of light or even the slightest of sound. 

He's getting impatient. All of this was meant for him, the Apple, the knowledge, the power. But it's trapped behind the wall. A team of his most loyal has been searching the entire vault, mapping it out and they have found many hidden passes that were buried so it's only a matter of time before he finds his way into the vault especially now that he has possession of the Apple.

A few days later he gets a message saying he has to come urgently because they found something he has to see. When he arrives one of his most trusted guards meets him

"how were your travels signore Borgia?" He asks politely "quite well, now tell me what you have found" the more the guard explains the more exciting it gets. A new door that opened up to a cavern-like vault… yes that sounds exciting indeed.

When they arrive at the door it's better than the guard described. A wide arch of black with gold patterns that light up like the sun. There is an undercurrent of danger as if the air is buzzing with it. 

When he enters he feels the Apple burn through the pouch on his side, quickly tossing it to the ground as he watches it burn through the bag. A bright light pulls his attention from the bag as he takes in the room. Like the arch, the room is a smooth black stone with gold running throughout.

All the lines of gold end up leading to the middle where a box similar to a sarcophagus sits, glowing like the sun and buzzing a hum of danger.

"It's a tomb!" He exclaims but of what? Whatever is in there is powerful and he wants it. It's as if the power of God were trapped in this mere tomb. Then he notices the Apple about to roll up against the sarcophagus "grab the Apple!!" One of the guards runs to grab it but it's too late an explosion of power erupts from the sarcophagus.

There is no cover in the room as it throws all of them against the walls, the light dies down shortly after, and when he manages to look up a young man is kneeling in the middle of the room, wearing just a toga that's whiter than a dove with one blackened arm that has the same gold as the lines on the walls and the apple. now that he looks for it, it seems as if the apple has disappeared.

The guards are already jumping up to prepare for a fight if need be surrounding the man and muttering anxiously. Getting up with help from a lone guard he calls "wait, do not harm him" walking up to the man he asks "do you understand me?" And is met with eyes of gold.

~~~~~~~~POV CHANGE~~~~~~~~

Waking up once again is confusing, his body feels cold and he's dizzy. It doesn't help that he can't remember what happened or how he got here. He feels different too but why? 

Sounds are finely registering and just his luck the first voice he hears is that of Rodrigo Borgia, 'the fuck is going on? He thinks looking up and yup that's a Borgia.'

Realizing he didn't hear him, Rodrigo asks again "do you understand me" looking at him with greed in his eyes. Oddly enough he can understand him but he's not going to tell the Templar that. 

The guards continue to shift nervously around them, the longer he doesn't answer. Now that he notices there are a lot of guards, at least a dozen of them.

Deciding to stare at Rodrigo dumbly as he thinks. 'I am… dead… I think? This is a weird afterlife… feels real but something is wrong gah my head hurts why can't i remember how i got here. Wait. Why is he looking at me like that?' tuning back in he sees Rodrigo giving him a weird look 

"uh what now" he says in English just to his reaction 'because why not he's dead he can do what he wants ohhh he's dead!! He can do what he wants, hmm' standing up when the guards prod at him to with their weapons. Rodrigo makes a gesture for him to follow with his hands and he does.

time to see where this goes.

Chapter Text

Now you might say following Rodrigo Borgia is probably not the best idea he’s had, but he’s decided that "fuck it" is going to be his new mantra in this odd afterlife.

So, follow Rodrigo it is, he’s led out of the vault with most of the guards, the rest stayed behind to see if anything else happens in the vault. No one speaks a word, but they send his curious and wary gazes.

The captain in particular keeps a eye on him, and a hand on his sword.

While they're walking, he takes time to think, it's odd his arm looks melted but he's in no pain and all his motor functions work. They do feel a little strange… all of him feels a little strange, now that he notices is he shorter? 'Why the hell am I shorter? How did I not notice I'm way smaller than the guards? What the fuck, I liked my height and what am I wearing??'.

The white robe, a Roman toga he realizes has faint good trim and is the brightest white he's ever seen… and he has no shoes. Great.

"Oh, this would be worth so much if i could sell  it."

They turn a corner to climb stairs, when they reach the top he recognizes the inside of the Sistine Chapel, but it's eerily quiet as there are no monks or priests in sight. It would be quiet with them here but there is a noticeable lack of footsteps, mumbled prayers, and the rustling sound of clothes.

When all of them exit into the main room the captain posts two guards to stay by the stairs and for the rest to take Desmond into a small side room.

While he's being led to the room, he hears Rodrigo and the captain start planning guard watches and where to find an interpreter for Desmond.

In the room they close the door and show him to a bench, happily sitting on the side of the room. Plopping down because he was more tired than he realized. It's a bit of a tight fit in the room though, with him and the 4 guards. It seems to be a prayer room of some sorts.

He listens to their conversations at ease, as the guards group in the corner by the door but still keeping him in their sights at all times. They talk about unimportant things for a few minutes like "what if more comes out of the vault?" Or "What happened to his arm?" And "what even is he?"

' I thought this would be more eventful, what to do… what to do… eh I might as well mess with Rodrigo. Or… see if I can… kill him… a second time I'm already dead what could it hurt?'.

Standing up to get their attention he starts speaking in English “You!" he shouts pointing at the closest guard to him, they stumble back not expecting Desmond to yell, crackling in his head he continues.

"Bring me substance or I shall strike you down" the poor man looks so confused not understanding what he's saying but understanding the demanding tone. 'I should have asked for boots; my feet are getting cold… well it's not like he understood me in the first place' he thinks scoffing. 

Saying the same thing but this time he flails his arms wildly, almost hitting a guard in the face. The guard in question has the most priceless look on his face, it's as if he's constipated but also about to shit his pants.

'I think he blew a fuse and why am I shorter than all of them' but before I have to worry about him exploding Rodrigo comes in, the captain waiting outside because there's no more room.

Rodrigo gives him a glance seeing he wasn't harmed he turns his back to Desmond and scolds the guard, Rodrigo is but a few inches away.

'Yes, now you will die…' But then he realizes 'shit Fucker, I don't have my hidden blade or any weapons, I can't just strangle him… guess I will have to improvise' looking around he figures trying to get ahold of a guard's weapon right now is probably not the best idea.

But then he spies a hefty metal candlestick on a small table next to him. 'Well, that was easier than normal'. the old candle rests beside it, looks like whoever was here before was about to change the candles, a new one also sits on the table ready to replace the melted one.

Tuning back to the conversation in front of him it seems that the guard that was being scolded is now arrested, he's led out of the room by two of the guards leaving Desmond with only Rodrigo, the captain and one guard.

'Perfect timing' he thinks with glee.

Grabbing the candlestick when Rodrigo turns to face Desmond, he jumps him and tries beating him in the eyes; he somehow manages to block with his arm in a show of speed that surprised Desmond. But it doesn't matter, he keeps beating him like a deranged beast.

Hitting the arms, snap of a wrist,

shoulders, sounded like a collarbone,

chest, ribs,

And a few to the top of his head, dropping with him as he passes out,

Blunt trauma is no joke.

When guards finally break out of their surprise, running forward to pull him off, he's already made a bloody mess and gets in a lot more hits by the time he has to back off because they decide to use daggers and his life doesn't matter if Rodrigo is dead.

Hopping off Rodrigo when the one guard 'Let's call him Jeff, the one guard is to complicated' tries stabbing him in the back, Desmond whirls around and thunks him in the head with the candlestick his helmet ringing like a bell as he falls to the ground.

Taking a moment to look back in satisfaction at Rodrigo, blacks and blues spreading throughout his body. He lays like he's already dead to the world and honestly Desmond would be surprised if he survived.

Turning back around and blocking a short sword to the head with the candlestick, he kicks the captain in the stomach and dives for Jeff's dagger.

Getting a hold of it just in time as both guards recover, he runs out the door that was left open… right into the two that were watching the stairs earlier 'the must have heard the commotion' Now armed with a candlestick and a dagger he attacks the two as they pull out long swords.

'This really isn't ideal more will probably show up soon from the sound' Desmond thinks with a grimace. 

Just then Jeff comes through the door of the small room 'captains probably trying to save Rodrigo.' 

Distracted with his own thoughts he didn't see the crossbowmen on the second story firing an arrow at his side.

Schnick.

Pain.

            Pain? 

    Warm…

                           Blood

Blood?  Pain? 

Gasping he grabs for the arrow sticking out from his side but stops at the last moment from pulling it out.  

'What the fuck? what the fuck! Hurts… so bad it shouldn't hurt!!'

It's only instincts this time that save him from being decapitated, almost a hair too slow. more arrows fly and he's struggling to move out of the way with the guards still surrounding him.

Dodging another attack, he throws the candlestick at the two in front of him and turns running at Jeff. He manages to stab him in the arm and shove him down again, then straining Desmond jumps from the door frame grabbing onto the overhang for the next floor. Getting up is a struggle because he still has a you know a arrow sticking from his side, but he continues climbing.

Once he's up he rolls dodging a arrow then he bolts full tilt at the archer as they fire another arrow grazing his right arm before he takes them down with a clatter of armor, they fight back but can't stop the knife from going into their throat.

Quickly looting him while he has the chance, he takes all the coins, a better knife, and his short sword.

' Shit I hope this is not my afterlife, none of this is supposed to be Real… but… if it is I need to live, I need to survive, this could be my chance' running through the halls he starts to hear the alarm bells ringing.

       'Well shit.'

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter Text

"Well shit"

running through the halls he's starting to think maybe grabbing the short sword wasn't the best idea when he has nothing to clip it to and is also trying to hold on to his other possessions.

Deciding it's for the best he drops the short sword then immediately regrets it as the clang of the sword rings through the halls, most likely giving away where he went.

‘Fuck, that was stupid ugh the bloodloss must be getting to me if I'm making novice mistakes like that’

Getting a little further from where he dropped the sword Desmond starts slowing down his run a little so he can use the knife to cut a strip of his robe, tying it like a belt so he can attach the money pouch to it.

Hearing footsteps in the distance he continues on trying to find an open window whilst holding the arrow in his side hoping to hold in enough of his blood so he can make it out of this without passing out, just as he starts trying to open a small window from part of a mural he hears footsteps coming his way moments before the guards will round the corner.

“Shit!” realizing he's out of time and has no other option Desmond makes a split second decision with a quickly whispered apology 'i really am sorry to whoever made this beautiful mural' and with no choice he crashes through.

The shattering of glass echoes behind him as he falls, sounds quickly fading to the wind but for a moment time could have slowed down for all he knew.

He finds himself surrounded by a shimmering of colors illuminated by the sun casting a vibrant light all around him, this beauty gives him a bit more hope especially after living in such dark and dreary places before… the farm… his run down apartment even thought it was home… the warehouse… the ruins of monteriggioni… th.. the temple… then it all comes rushing back.

The leap is freeing. It makes him feel like he could soar like an eagle the closest he will ever get to true flight but sadly even eagles have to come down sometime and this flight is shorter than most.

'Somewhere to land please!!'

Now his luck is non existent but today it must be on his side as he lands in a hay wagon, getting up he continues to run as a guard calls for his death from the window alerting the others “assassin! He's tried to kill the pope!” people gasp and rush to see what's happened and the more sensible clear the streets as guards thunder by in chase, “kill him!” they yell “out of the way! Get him!” some leaving their posting to help with the chase.

Desmond hears orders to kill on sight, the guards not taking chances with the fate of the pope still unknown.

The arrow is still a pain in his side and he already feels a great deal of affect from it; he's slowing and gettling lightheaded. The white of his toga is now splotched with dark crimson and his feet feel skinned

'Where do I hide, where do I hide! I need to get out of the Vatican but where to go after?' A arrow flies by striking a nearby post far too close to his head for comfort 'ok worry about that later focus more on living'

As Desmond runs, he catches sight of a shortcut leading to the rooftop, a small pile of crates, it's a little bit of a struggle with the arrow and his dagger in hand but he makes his way up ok and is able to gradually lose the guards after a while of running and climbing.

But the closer he gets to the tiber river the more he worries about his chances of escape even from this distance he can see a large number of guards on the bridge and the surrounding areas.

He's running out of time with his wounds still bleeding and the guards on high alert looking for him. He needs to be careful about this, normally he could deal with them but this is clearly not normal.

Deciding to take a step back from the problem for a moment he finds a little nook nestled on the roofs. it seemed like the perfect hiding spot, partially concealing him from view of the streets but still offering a vintage point to see his surroundings.

With a quick look to make sure no ones spotted him and confirming that he is safe for now, he takes a look at his injuries

'well that's probably not good'

Not good is probably an understatement. The adrenalin stopped most of what he was feeling but looking now he can see the damage is bad… really bad… the arrow is still trying to slowly kill him and he has a bunch of irritating cuts from the arrow graze and the glass oh.. Oh boy and don't forget the cheese grater feet

'I'm so screwed I'm losing blood way to fast at this rate I'm going to pass out’

snapping the arrow shorter to not get in his way Desmond cuts a strip from his Togo to wrap around and apply pressure. It's not helping much but it's the best he can do with what he has, the glass and other small cuts can wait.

Grabbing another part of the bottom hem of his robe Desmond cuts two long strips off, wiping most pebbles and debrI off his feet he wraps them for some protection.

‘There's done but I still need a plan, a way out of here, no way I could get across the bridge to many guards and I don't think I have the strength to climb below it….. but if I float in the river… I can let the current take me hmm’

Looking for a path he sees no crowds or any crates close enough to the river to hide at and there are too many guards patrolling.

‘welp looks like the direct approach it is’

Stealthy climbing down he creeps as close as he can; he's about 8 feet away when one of the guards spots him “there he is!” jumping up Desmond sprints for the river arrows flying by as he vaults over the railing into the water.

“ohhhhhh shit this was a mistake!!!!” Desmond yelled

Plunging into the freezing water his wounds burn as he hastily tries to make his way across, the current pulling him down stream, arrows flying by him. He dives under to try and break line of sight as he feels one barely miss his face. Swimming as far as he can under the surface he gets quite far with the current helping him along.

Just as he's about to come back up for air his leg gets caught on a rope, he struggles to hold on to his knife as the water whips him around. Reaching down with the knife to try and cut it, the cold water makes his limbs numb, his hand barely clinging to the knife as he keeps missing the rope.

‘Come On, come on, cut! I wish I had my hidden blade! You stupid rope please i can't die here i just got back’

As his mind gets blurry with lack of air and the knife starts slipping from his fingers, he feels his arm start to get warm and warmer and warmer. Squinting through the water he looks at his right arm to see the gold circuitry glowing, the water around his arm starting to bubble.

Quickly thinking he grabs the rope and just as he thought it melts under his hand, the water around it boiling up to the surface.

The current instantly starts pulling him down the river again and he fights to swim to the top. Making it up gasping and coughing for air Desmond keeps swimming to shore the more he thinks about it the more he realizes He didn't really think this through the canal wall is too high to easily climb up and he's too tired To even try.

his arm is still glowing and Desmond has a quick thought about trying to melt the rock for hand holds but he doesn't know how long the glow will last at least he is being warmed by it for now

‘I lost them and am out of the Vatican but I still need to make sure I get out and survive, my clothes are soaked through and who knows what's in this water. I need to get out as quickly as I can so I don't get an infection. as long as I stay afloat I should be fine to float down further to look for a dock i just need to hurry’

A few minutes later of floating down the river he finds a fishing dock that looks easy enough to climb. It's a struggle though to pull himself out of the water, his arm and legs weak from the blood loss, running from the guards, and keeping himself afloat.

Managing to roll onto the dock Desmond stumbles his way into the city, set on finding a place to lay low and sleep.

passer byers give him nothing more than a glance. most probably assume he's a drunk or are too busy to care quickly passing by him.

Continuing as far as he can go stumbling like a drunk he finds a house for sale it's a two story stone house with vines overtaking the majority of the walls not being able to go much further Desmond decides to try and find a way in so he can squat here for the night and get some rest.

Seeing as the front doors and windows are nailed shut Desmond goes around the back and using eagle vision he sees a small hole in the side of the roof.

Making his way up he crawls into the house falling down into the floor. He looks around and sees mostly dust and cobwebs, a few old crates laying around and what looks like what used to be part of a staircase leading to the ground level.

Deeming it safe enough for now he starts rearranging the crates in the corner making him feel a little safer. After one last look at his wounds he lays down and instantly passes out from exhaustion.

Unknowing to him as he sleeps, a certain assassin was on his way to check out the building for renovations and he's in for a surprise when he looks upstairs.

Chapter Text

Chapter 4

“Ah Ezio, would you just look at this place, it's perfect!” says Bartolomeo staring up at the falling apart house 

“It need a lot of work” Ezio says with a grimace

“my Friend! don't worry it's probably better on the inside” walking up to the door and prying the wood off they go inside to find the house in even worse state than the outside.

Its halls are covered in boxes with broken furniture all over the floor and what hopefully is dirt. The stairs seem to have decayed with just the frame left.

Sighing, Ezio takes a look around, he's no builder but he can still see that the structure and supports are good, it's just not a very pleasant place to look at. But hopefully with alot and he means it, alot of work it will look decent enough.

“hmm not as nice as I was hoping but with some fixing it will be close to brand new! we're mercenaries and assassins, we're resourceful. We can figure something out with enough coin and help” says Bartolomeo 

“it will at least be hidden well and we need more outposts closer to the Vatican we're very out in the open over here so sì it will do” Ezio concludes

“Especially with the talk of the pope being attacked i heard only just a few hours ago and already it's the talk of the city” says Bartolomeo “I haven't had time to look into it yet but I've heard that it was a Assassin, that they are trying to blame it on you”

Bartolomeo gives Ezio a pointed look asking "well was it you? because if it was this should have been discussed beforehand, you know we trust you, but one man should not decide something this big alone”

“No no it wasn't I, I'd have gone to all of your counsel beforehand. And I've started looking into it and have people checking it out, but let's talk more about this tonight when we meet with the others we'll have more information by then.” say Ezio

“Sí you are correct now lets see what is salvageable of this place maybe we can find some unlooted crates and use some of these old boxes as target practice for the novices”

Moving down the halls Ezio and Bartolomeo split up to look around the building Ezio finding the kitchen and Bartolomeo checking out the main sitting room

“The kitchen is not in as rough shape as the rest of the house!” Ezio calls from under a basin “there is still irons and a cauldron in good condition”

“Bene, the sitting hall has some salvageable seating too!”

“Let's start checking the- 

   Ezio cuts off his sentence as he hears a creek upstairs

Moving without words Bartolomeo and Ezio get into position, Bartolomeo stationed by the front door as Ezio scales the wall along the rickety stairs.

Making it up he looks around the cluttered room wary as there are many places to hide. Using eagle vision he spies some blood along a stack of crates in the corner. 

Quietly sneaks his way over with his weapon at the ready, Ezio quickly dashes forward to look around the stack and sees nothing but a larger pile of blood.

Following it as it leaves a trail up the wall to the rafters he looks around with eagle vision trying to find the culprit whether it's a person or an animal. Seeing nothing with eagle vision he starts to turn and look around somewhere else but now that he's thinking about it something didn't look quite right.

Turning off his vision he looks up into the rafters and notices a shadow that is just a bit too dark to be natural, the shadow suddenly moves dropping from the rafters towards Ezio.

He rolls out of the way in a nick of time to see the figure jump up and start sprinting for a hole in the roof.

They are fast, small and lithe and probably would have made it first if not for his clear injuries so Ezio makes it first and is able to block his way enough to corral him down the stairs right into Bartolomeos waiting hands. He noticed he's just a boy, probably got into a scuffle with some guards and tried hiding out here.

Hearing the commotion beforehand Bartolomeo is ready when the boy jumps down the crumbling stairs, he manages to snag him around the arm as he tries to vault around Bartolomeo. The whiplash must have pulled on his injuries causing him great pain as he falls limp the next second.

Bartolomeo gasps horrified and calls for Ezio “get down here Ezio we have a problem!”

Making his way down the stairs Ezio asks with slight concern “are you alright Bartolomeo?” he's not too worried because he didn't hear any fighting and if there was any danger Bartolomeo knows how to hold his own until Ezio got there

“don't worry about me, I'm not hurt and our little friend was no trouble. He's only a boy after all but a very injured one at that, he's lost alot of blood and his arms! What madness happened to them? Look Ezio, his arms have been burnt and branded! Who could do such a thing to a boy?”

"set him down over here Bartolomeo let us take a look and make sure he doesn't die” says Ezio as he cleans off a spot on a old table

As Bartolomeo sets the boy down he gets a good look at his face and what he sees shocks him for it is the same face that stands across from him if only younger and paler but that is most likely from the blood loss.

“I did not know you had a son Ezio?” 

“That is because I do not'' Ezio says confused as he comes around the table to take a look. He can not deny that the resemblance is striking; he can see parts of himself as well as own his madre and the unknown must be from the boy's madre.

Mind racing as he tries to figure out this could happen. How old is he? who's could he be? Is he even really mine? I know my madre said I needed a better hobby than vagina but I never thought this would happen. It's always been a possibility. I just never thought it would happen or realistically thought I would never meet one of my bastard children. But most importantly what happened to him?

“let's get him patched up He looks like he been through alot”

As Ezio sets about tending to the boy he sends Bartolomeo to buy some clothes for the boy preferably with long flowy sleeves to help keep his cuts clean but also to not grab into his arms and because all he's wearing currently is bloody rags.

“what happened to you?” Ezio asks softly as he checks the boy over mentally marking all the injuries he needs to take care of. He sees a cutoff arrow in his side, glass shards embedded all over his skin and some bandages have been soaked through on the boy's feet.

His arms are awful but they also look old so he can't really do anything to help them. The brands are unlike anything he's ever seen with gold markings engraved into his skin, he can't figure out where they are from or what they mean, he's never seen any like them.

But he will have more time to ask questions among other things when the boy wakes.

Tending to the arrow first as it's doing the most damage, he carefully cuts away the bloody wrappings holding it in place then pulls out the rest of the arrow.

The boy stirs a little bit but he doesn't wake fully, just sets back down after a bit into restless unconsciousness, blood follows but it's not too bad as it's very clotted and not located somewhere fatel. Using a cloth he has Ezio clogs the puncture stopping the bleeding then bandages him around chest to hold it in place. 

Now that that's finished he can start on the smaller things, grabbing one of his knives he uses it to dig the bigger glass shards out of his skin and wipes the blood away. Then he quickly wraps the graze on his arm to keep dirt and dust from it. moving onto his feet he does the same just wiping the blood away and rewrapping his feet as there is not much else he can do for them with what he has.

Now that he's finished he pulls up a chair to sit next to the boy while he waits for Bartolomeo or for the boy to wake. He looks young, if only slightly younger than when Ezio's own parents died; he can't be any older than sixteen, too young to be by himself. Ezio would have been twenty four around his birth, then again he wonders who his mother is, he did get around a bit back then. But that feels so long ago now with Monteiggioni gone, he was younger then.

Just then Bartolomeo comes walking in with clean clothes and a small basket of something “I grabbed a little food as well seeing as we might be here awhile, unless you wanted to move him somewhere else?”

“I would like to wait until he wakes to ask some questions and then go from there, if we have the time that is”

"sí we're not expected at the hideout until later, how's his condition?” Bartolomeo asks

“I've stopped the bleeding and he seems to be slowly regaining color he's still not in the best condition but as long as he doesn't get a infection I'd assume he'll be fine”

“Have you thought about taking him to the hideout? Even if he is not your son though I doubt that we should still take him if he wishes, he seems to be alone. There is never anything wrong with getting a new novice! If you don't want him i'll take him I'm sure he'd make a fine mercenary, but we best have surgeon take a look at him too just to be sure”

“Slow down Bartolomeo,” Ezio laughs. “I will take him if he wishes. I would like to know more about him first though. We should still take him to a surgeon and the best one i know is at the hideout, Machiavelli will not like it but if he really is my son and he's on his own then it must be done” says Ezio 

As Ezio's and Bartolomeos conversation winds down they hear the boy start to stir 

“Ughhhh my side, Shaun?” looking up the boy opens his eyes and all they can see is gold .

Chapter Text

Chapter 5

When Desmond wakes up his body feels like he got hit by a truck. “Ughhhh my side, shuan?” he calls still hazy from sleep, wondering what's going on.

When Desmond sits up and opens his eyes, what he sees shocks him, he's suddenly wide awake remembering the past few hours.

‘oh craaap, the pope, Ezio, oh gosh what did i do? what do i do? I thought I was dead! Did I ruin the timeline? Am I going to fade away?!’

They just stare at each other for a few seconds, Ezio and Bartolomeo surprised by his eyes and Desmond trying to calm down and figure out why they are staring.

'It looks like they took care of my injuries and I'm feeling alot better… should I run? I don't want to mess with the timeline anymore but i don't know if they will let me go and i definitely can't outrun ezio’

“I'm sorry I didn't understand what you said. Do you speak Italiano?” Ezio finally asks

Unsure how to answer Desmond nods shuffling uncomfortably on the table

"Bene, it's ok don't worry we won't hurt you. We heard you in the attic and didn't mean to scare you. You looked like you'd been through a lot and you were injured, not looking too good, so I rebandaged your injuries.” Ezio says “I'm sorry, where are my manners? My name is Ezio and this is my friend Bartolomeo. Could I have the pleasure of knowing your name as well?”

Desmond shakes his head no

‘I need to think of this like I was a regular kid in this situation. I would not trust them and would be scared. i have a good excuse to not give my name, i can think of something else later and nothing comes for free’

“Then what should we call you we can't just call you kid now can we” Bartolomeo asks

'I can't use Desmond but I also don't want something too different from my name' Desmond thinks ‘Des is too close, I don't know the year yet but he must have been to the temple by now if Bartolomeo is here, maybe using one of my ancestors names? Altair is really obvious, Connor maybe? Or how about’

“Aquila” Desmond says in a soft voice he startles slightly at it, it's disorienting hearing how little he sounds

“Now that's a fine name isn't it ezio!” Bartolomeo says while laughing

Sighing ezio agrees “Sí it is a fine name, now where are your parents? what happend for you to end up like this?” He says gently

“Give him a second he must be tired and hungry we can talk more of this later. You must also be aching to get out of those rags here take these” 

Bartolomeo says holding out a pair of simple clothes for him “it's not much, but it's better then what you currently have on, there is a room down the hall you can change in and when your done we have some food for you”

Reaching out Desmond starts grabbing for the clothes but then pauses remembering his early realization ‘nothing comes for free… Ezio is generous and would often give food and money to the unfortunate and street kids but clothes and food? To a random teen he found in what I can probably assume is to be one of his hideouts? Not unlikely but not usual. Is he trying to recruit me??’

He slowly retracts his hand and carefully hopes off the table trying not to reopen his injuries. Backing away a few steps to get some distance he leans against the wall and ask quietly “what's the price”

Not surprised by the question Ezio's reply is calm and understanding when he says “There is no price but I understand not wanting to owe anything, if you need a price just answer a few questions for us and that will be enough”

Hesitantly Desmond nods his agreement looking to Bartolomeo for the clothes once handed over he slowly makes his to the hall looking for the room they talked of finding it and entering he closes the door then instantly starts thinking of what to do.

‘I'm still hurt but I can't risk the timeline and with my injuries being taken care of for now I have a better chance at surviving but I'm so hungry and he said food… who's know when the next time I'm going to get food is… ’

Changing into the new clothes as he looks around the room for a way out, he sees a small window he should be able to shimy out of if he wanted to. 

Now that he's dressed Desmond looks at his blurry reflection in the glass window. The clothes are nice if simple which suits him fine just a loose pair of pants and long sleeve shirt with some undergarments.

Taking the rest of his robe he rips it into wraps for extra cover around his arms to hide the markings and to layer on top of his bandages for his feet to imitate shoes.

Now he must make the choice whether to stay or leave.

‘If I'm still here that must mean I'm not affecting the timeline or I haven't changed enough to erase my existence. There is a chance I could stay with Ezio and learn as a recruit, but do I really want to get back into the life of Assassin's? I could leave them to live a normal life, the life that i've never had. But… I still feel the need to follow the creed and to get to know Ezio, Claudia, Leonardo, and the other better than just memories’

Sighing he slides down the wall dragging his hands over his face

“what do I do” Desmond asks desperately

~~~~~~~~~pov change~~~~~~~~~

“do you really think it's the best idea to let him go unsupervised?” Ezio asks as they watch him get out of hearing distance “what if he tries to run? He doesn't know us, doesn't trust us he's most likely going to try and run”

“if you want his trust you can't lock him in, also he was skin and bones I think the food is enough to tempt him back” Bartolomeo says “I expect we will be waiting a little let's find more comfortable seating or at let's get away from the blooded table”

Pulling two chairs up Ezio and Bartolomeo resettle with Ezio keep taking glances down the hall

“I checked out that room earlier, there is a window but it is far to small for him to get out through if that eases your mind my friend” Bartolomeo says

“I know, but if we lose him I might never find him again and I wouldn't be surprised if even with the promise of food he tried to escape”

"what about your eagle vision? If he's your son and important to you shouldn't he be gold? you can find him that way”

Ezio looks down unsure how to put this “that's the odd thing i can't see him in my eagle vision”

“You mean he shows gray? That's how it works, correct?”

“Sí people and things of unimportance show as gray or white but he is neither, i just can't see him it's like he's invisible” ezio says “that's why I didn't see him hiding in the attic”

“That is very strange indeed. Have you had something like it happen?” asks Bartolomeo curiosity “Do you think it could be because of relations?”

“not that I know of I've never seen something like this and it shouldn't be because i could see my family perfectly” says Ezio “maybe Machiavelli has some books on the subject I will ask him tonight, but still not alot is known of eagle vision so i'm not expecting much”

“But can you really believe it? You a father” Bartolomeo say laughingly

“we still don't know for sure if I am his father, but I do know he needs help” Ezio sighs “you saw his injuries”

“Sí they are bad but he was already looking better when i came back he's strong he will do fine. Bartolomeo says “Though the name he chose is quite interesting, l'Aquila the eagle. Do you think he knows of the Assassin's or that you are his father?

“Aquila, it's fitting reminds me of the statues under monteriggioni of Altair. They said he was called the eagle because he would climb high peaks to get a bird's eye view”

“Ezio, he looks just like you… why do you deny it? What are you going to do about it? Will Claudia not be happy about this?”

“He's should be done by now I'm going to check on him” Ezio says walking away from the conversation

Stopping in the hallway before he gets to the door Ezio takes a breath dragging his hand down his face “ughhh Claudia is going to kill me” Ezio says with a grimace ‘at least madre should be happy, maybe this will help her feel better she did always say she wanted grandkids’

Making it to the door he calls out “Aquila are you done? You've been in there awhile and i just wanted to make sure your feeling alright with your injuries”

No answer 

“Aquila?” he calls out again now worried if he passed out from blood lose or if he needs help

“I need to know if you are alright you don't have to talk just knock if your ok”

Still no answer

“ok I'm coming in” trying the door he finds it unlocked, opening it wide enough so he can see into the small room he notices it's empty. The window is wide open.

“Bartolomeo! He's gone!"