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Chapter Text

It had been 6 years since the Auditore family was executed. 5 years since my heart died when I heard the last members of the family had been found and killed. 4 years since I learned to kill and I've trained every day since. Driven by revenge for the love I had lost.
And it's been 3 days since I saw a ghost.

A handsome face will attract any gaze even if it's hidden under a hood. However, the scar on his lip was not hidden. I remember the fight that caused it, I was there by his side helping fight off de Pazzi's goons. It may have only been a glance but I know what I saw, who I saw. It took only a moment for him to get lost in the crowd.

I had come to Venezia to find a thieves guild notorious for their daring escapes and feats of movement. I came to learn and better myself. I haven't even been in the city a week before I went chasing a ghost instead of my goal. Days went on and I was no closer to finding my ghost. I needed to get back on mission and find the guild. Ezio was dead, and even after all these years my grief still taunts me.

Finally I refocus and get myself back on task. At least now it didn't take me long to find who I was looking for.

Two people skillfully climb the side of a building. I see where they are heading and move to cut them off. After a rough introduction I was able to convince them to teach me some of their skills, but first I need to prove my worth. A few missions to prove myself and they agree to share their secrets. Steal some documents, distract some guards, and now to deliver a letter from one end of the city to the other.

I catch a glimpse of a white hood out of the corner of my eye and don't even hesitate to abandon my mission. I move along the roofs and make my way down to the streets. All the while making sure never to lose sight of that swift hooded figure. Down one street, then another, across a bridge, and into an alley I follow. Steadily getting closer. When I turn the corner I'm suddenly slammed into the wall. My head is spinning and the edge of my vision fades to black.

"Why do you follow me. Who sent you." The questions sounding more like harsh demands. It would have been easier to answer if the wind hadn't been knocked out of me, or if I wasn't face to face with a dead man.

A shaky hand reaches for the scar on his lip, stopping as I feel a blade press against my throat. ”The dead have no use for a blade." I can feel a stinging in my eyes as my vision blurs, but I dare not blink lest the man in front of me disappears again. "Ezio, it's you isn't it?" My voice is small as I try to keep myself together.

His hood hides his reaction but I feel the blade pull away. The force holding me against the wall fades into a steady grasp of my shoulder.

"Y/n…?" His voice was much softer now. A familiar cadence completely different from the one that attacked me moments ago. "You look… you've changed."

It's true. I am much leaner and stronger than I was 6 years ago when he last saw me. The tears fall from my eyes and I can finally see his face clearly. Soft brown hair, bright intense eyes that take in every detail, and eyebrows knit into a concerned expression. Just how I remember him.

"I am so sorry bello, are you hurt?" His hands lightly pat me down as he gives me a once over. I can't help but let out a small laugh as he fusses over me.

"I'm better than I have been in years fantasma." I gently cup his face in my hands as he leans into my touch. "I did not think I would get to see you again in this life…but you're here now and that's all that matters."

He casts his eyes down and away from me. A look of guilt clear as day on his face. He takes my hands in his and takes them from his cheeks to hold in front of him. Before I can ask what's wrong he speaks up. "It Is too dangerous to be around me… there is a villa south of here where you can go-"

"You are a fool if you think I'm going to lose you again." I take my hands from his grasp and cross my arms. A look of stubborn conviction on my face. He opens his mouth to protest before he can speak I cut him off. "Ezio there is nothing you can say that can convince me that by your side isn't where I'm meant to be."

His expression softens but a look of confliction still lingers. I put my hand on his shoulder to prompt him to speak his mind. "I have done many things I am not proud of. I have hurt many people and foul luck follows me. I have already lost so many I care for, the last thing I want is for you to be hurt because of me." I can hear the sadness in his voice. Like a requiem for the dead and for me.

"Mi voglia nothing can hurt me more than thinking you were dead." My words are sincere and I can see he is losing the argument he is mentally having with himself. "Ezio?"

Suddenly he wraps his arms tightly around me and holds me close. I freeze for a moment before returning the embrace and burying my head in his hood. I don't know how long we stood there but I didn't care. Even if this was a dream I just wanted this moment to last a little longer. Eventually he pulled away but only far enough to look me in the eyes.

"What brought you to this city?" His tone was back to the suave devil I know and love.

"Avenging your death." I say bluntly but a smile slips into my lips.

"...oh" I almost laughed when he scrambled for a response.

"It was well worth the trip."

Chapter Text

Getting to embrace Ezio again was a dream come true, and one I hope to never wake from. I was completely lost in the moment before I remembered what I was doing before. I pull away and look around realizing I have completely lost track of where I was or how I'm supposed to find the guild head. Ezio looks at me with concern as he asks what's wrong.

"I need to deliver this letter." I pat the folded paper in my side pocket.

"To whom?"

"A man named Antonio. This is my final test from them."

"A test?" He slips the letter out of my pocket. I didn't even feel the fabric move. If I didn't watch him take it I never would have known it was gone.

"Yes. I am supposed to deliver the letter to him by nightfall and if I do the guild had said they will teach me how to move like them." I reach for the letter but he holds it out of my range.

"Let us go together then. I know the fastest route and how to avoid the guards!" He cracks a smirk as he waves the paper just out of reach.

I squint at him as he playfully taunts me. Haven't even been reunited an hour and he's already back to the lovable jerk I know. "With you there's always a catch." I eye him, wary of his intentions.

"No catch. I just want to make sure you get to deliver this safety." He says with a warm smile. That's a face I could never say no to and he knows it.

"Fine." I relent. I hold my hand out for him to give me the letter back, but instead he pockets it and laces our fingers together. Before I have a moment to respond we are already out of the alley and half way down a busy street. His hand was warm, another reminder that he was alive and this wasn't just a dream.

The twists and turns of the streets and canals never once slowing him down as we make our way towards the center of the city. I still haven't quite gotten the layout of the city memorized yet so it was nice to have a guide who actually knows where we were going. What would have taken me all day following bread crumbs left by the guild only took Ezio an hour, and that time even included a stop for lunch.

Ezio reluctantly let's go of my hand as we enter a fenced off area, the cool afternoon air replacing his warm touch on my skin. He knocks on the heavy looking wooden door and voice almost instantly tells us to enter. I follow behind him as we enter, almost hiding in his shadow. A tall man with dark hair immediately notices my presence though.

"I see you have brought a friend Ezio, and who might you be?" He said as he made his way around a large table covered in an equally large map of the city.

"My name is y/n. I am here to deliver a letter to Antonio."

"Well you have come to the right place than."

I look at Ezio, silently asking for the letter back. He quickly glances down at my pocket and back at me. Confused, I reach into my pocket and pull out the letter. Sly bastardo must have slipped it back in when I wasn't looking. I hand over the letter and the man who I am assuming is Antonio brings it to his desk for inspection.

"You have my thanks for delivering the letter so swiftly. Too many of my guild members are being recognized lately, it was safer for us to use someone the guards would not know." He folds the letter and puts it in a drawer. "I know you did not do this for free though. I will have one of my best show you how to move more swiftly." He looks over at some of the guild members in the corner, a woman and 2 men. "Rosa. If you would be so kind?"

The woman stands up and saunters over to us. "Honestly I didn't think you'd be able to do all the tasks. I'm impressed." She looks over at Ezio. "And more than a little surprised to see you escorting them." She looks back at me. "Our little friend here didn't cheat did they?"

"Of course not. I was simply heading the same direction, completely innocent." At least he had gotten better at lying over the years, however Rosa was clearly unconvinced. Thankfully she didn't seem to care too much as she led us outside, back to the fenced in area.

She points to the roof of a neighboring building. "Do you see the flag on that weathervane." I nod. The bright red flag was prominent against the light blue afternoon sky. "How long do you think it would take you to grab it and bring it to me?"

"... probably 3 minutes?" There weren't many ledges to make it easy to climb up. "Maybe 5?"

"Your 3 minutes start now, go."

"Huh?" I turn to look at her and she just waves me off and crosses her arms. I blink before my head catches up to her words. I get a running start at the wall in front of me and I'm just able to grab the ledge and pull myself up. I move as fast as my legs and vertigo will let me as I make my way up to the flag. I'm almost there and I look down at Rosa and Ezio. Both of them watching me closely, analyzing my every movement. I can't tell if I should be comforted or concerned by how sharp their eyes are. Getting down was much faster than the climb up. After grabbing the flag I drop and slide down the tiled roof. Before I fall I grab the ledge and swing for some momentum. Finally, I hit the ground with a roll and spring to my feet, with a final sprint I'm standing in front of Rosa, flag in hand. "How did I do?" I ask as I catch my breath.

"Not bad for a novice." She holds up a hand and extends her pointer finger. "First you need to be able to think on your feet faster. You kept trying to plan your movements too far in advance and it slowed you down. That hesitation made you slip more than once even if it was just a little. Finally, you let yourself get distracted. You should always be watching where you are going, not watching your audience." Each new point she made was punctuated by another finger. "You are certainly sloppy… but not the worst I've seen. Put in the effort and I should have no issue teaching you." I brighten a little at her words. She'll be tough but there may be a softer side yet.

…I was wrong. She was a harsh teacher and now I am laying on the ground unable to feel my own arms and completely exhausted. Ezio had watched the entire time as I learned to throw myself up onto handholds, and literally had the hesitation beaten out of me. Hours of non stop climbing and she finally granted me mercy.

Ezio laughs lightly as he sits next to me, handing me a cup of fresh water. "She's a little rough around the edges but I'll be damned if she's not a good teacher."

"A little rough? I don't know if my poor muscles will recover from this." My whining only seems to amuse him farther.

"Drink, you have not had water in hours and it will help with the pain."

I grunt as I go to sit up but only make it an inch before returning to the cool stone floor. "Can't move. Too tired." Ezio rolls his eyes before taking me by the shoulder and pulling me up until I'm leaning against him.

"There, now drink. You'll feel better." I take the cup from his hand as he supports my weight with his arm slung over my shoulder. I did feel better as soon as the cool liquid hit my throat, and I finished the cup greedily. "Better amore?"

"Better."

"Good. I want to show you something. Are you able to move freely?"

I glare up at him. "Am I able to move freely?" He laughs at my snide remark.

"Please. I promise it will be worth it." The way he looked at me with that smile made my heart skip a beat.

"...fine" I mumble, and his smile grows ear to ear.

"Va bene!" He wastes no time lifting my tired body from the ground and onto my feet. We walk a little ways as I slowly get feeling back in my limbs. Eventually we get to a church like building and stop. I look at him and wonder what he's up to. "I'm sorry bello but you're going to have to climb one last time." He said softly.

I look at him in betrayal and disbelief. "You want me to climb?" I look from him to the building and back to him. Every passing moment I feel my arms grow heavier in dread. "How many times will you break my heart fantasma." He stifled a laugh at my pleading.

"I promise amore, it will be worth it. Will you do it for me?" When he looks at me so gently I know I am defeated. I let out a sigh.

"Lead the way." I gesture towards the building as he smiles.

The climb up was slow going but faster than I would have done before. Even exhausted I can tell I've improved. Ezio stops every few feet to make sure I haven't slipped or have gotten stuck. He offers his hand a few times but now I'm too stubborn to take it. I'll prove I can do it on my own and that I'm skilled enough to stay by his side. The last time I pushed his helping hand away I noticed his eyebrow furrow under his hood. I don't have time to focus on that though while I'm trying not to fall to my doom.

Finally I made it to the top, Ezio already waiting for me. He sits on a ledge and pats the tile beside him and I gladly join.

"I'm glad I was able to make it before my arms gave out." My snide comment earns me a sly smile. I close my eyes as i catch my breath.

"As am I."

"I hope this is worth it, Ezio."

"As do I." If I wasn't so tired maybe I would have caught the hint of nervousness in his voice. He wraps his arm and shoulder cape around me as I lean against him. "Look". I slowly open my eyes and see the sky alight with pinks and orange painted over a blue canvas. A stunning sight shining over the city and reflecting off her many waterways.

"Amazing…" I'm enthralled by the sunset this high over the city. I can't even hear the people on the street from this distance. It's only me, Ezio, and the setting sun.

I am taken from my thoughts when I feel a rough calloused hand gently cup my cheek and turn my head. I'm pulled close as I come nose to nose with my long lost paramore. His sharp eyes searching my face for any sign of doubt before slowly leaning in planting a tender kiss on my lips. The kiss was soft but with a smoldering ember underneath, like trying to hide a desperate flame. It felt like my skin was on fire with excitement and want. My head felt fuzzy and unable to think straight, however the feeling was not unwelcome. When finally we broke the kiss Ezio's eyes were shining brighter than the sun itself, and I'm sure mine were the same.

Long after the sun had set we stayed there, unmoving, simply enjoying the comfort of each other's presence. I look towards the ground below deep in thought. The day had been exhausting both physically and emotionally. I can't help but let a yawn escape my lips.

"I think it's time we find somewhere for you to rest. You have had a long day." He offers me his hand and this time I take it. He helps me to my feet and steadies me on my shaky legs.

"I don't think I have the strength to climb down…" I say quietly, guilty of my own weakness.

"Do you trust me?" I nod my head without hesitation and he smiles at me. "Then relax and close your eyes one last time." His voice is low and reassuring. I close my eyes as he wraps both of his strong arms tightly around me, holding me close to his chest. I feel my feet lift off the ground and the wind rush past me. The free fall felt like an eternity yet I still felt safe. The next thing I knew was Ezio underneath me in a cart of hay. He's got a giant smile on his face as he looks up at me. His smile is bigger than I've ever seen and for once I can't tell what he is thinking.