A game, or real life? (Ezio x reader)

Fabled security

"We will bring him back to the citadel immediately." One of the men nodded, and before I knew it, they were carrying Ezio to safety. I couldn't think about anything else as I accompanied them, my gaze focused only on his unconscious form. Please...please, be alright....

The wait was excruciating. I kept holding his hand as he rested, hoping to see those beautiful brown eyes look into my own soon. Though the dottore assured me that he was going to make it, seeing him so vulnerable made me furious. And the fact that Caterina was oh so worried about Ezio wasn't helping either. None of this would've happened had she kept the Apple better hidden. But no. Now the Apple was lost, and God only knew who had it now. Fuck, I wanted to scream my heart out. But instead, I preferred to stay close to him. The dottore had also tended to my wound, but at this point, I couldn't care less. I don't even think it hurt. If it did, I didn't remember.

Ezio's light movements immediately snapped me out of my thoughts. He was still just opening his eyes, but already, I felt like a huge boulder had been lifted off of my shoulders. "Ezio....Grazie dio (Thank God)..." I breathed out, lightly stroking his hair.

"....(y/n)...what happened....?" he asked softly as he began to sit up. But I was quick to stop him.

"No, love...you need to rest..." I shook my head, resting my hands on his chest. "After I finished the guards off, I ran over to find you. But all I saw was you, unconscious, lying next to Checco's body. You were stabbed, Ezio..."

"Si....that, I remember..." he nodded softly, closing his eyes. But that didn't last as he snapped his eyes open, a grave expression on his handsome face. "Wait...there was a third man....he took the Apple!"

Fuck. Just as I feared.

"Who?" Caterina quickly asked as she took a seat next to me.

"He....He wore a black robe, like a monk.... And I think... a missing finger? Si! Caterina, I have to go – right away!" He managed to sit up before I was even able to hold him back. Yet, I kept my hands on his shoulders.

"Are you sure? Your wound-" I began, but he quickly interrupted me.

"I will be alright, tesoro (darling)... This is more important. We need to find this man before it is too late. You know what's at stake." Fuck, he had a point..., I thought. I eventually gave in, caressing his cheek.

"I could go in your stead, you know." I shrugged, cracking a smile. "But I'll admit, it isn't as fun without you~"

"Altrettanto (Likewise)...~" Oh god, his smile was so tender as he leaned forward. I leaned in as well, knowing full well where this was going to lead. Our lips were almost touching, but we were interrupted by Caterina. I cursed under my breath as Ezio looked at her.

"You are going to need this." she said. Looking over, I could see that she was holding a map out to Ezio.

"The map Niccolò spoke of. Your husband's-"

"EX-husband, mio caro (my dear)." She shook her head. "He swore he'd uncovered the locations of all the Codex pages. You will recover the Apple, but you will never find the vault without this." she explained, and I watched as Ezio's eyes drifted down to the map. "You know, there is an Abbey in the wetlands near here, where I've seen monks wearing black robes. I'd start there. Now go. Find us a stramaledetto (damned) monk." I couldn't prevent the curl of my lips into a smirk at her words. She was constantly flirting with Ezio, sure, but she sure had one hell of a tongue that'd make the holiest of monks scream before such profanity.

"I think I'm going to miss you, Caterina." Ezio chuckled out as he stood up. I followed suit and put my hood on as the leader of Forlì accompanied us out. I gazed at Ezio as we walked, giving him a concerned glance.

"Are you sure you can handle this, love?" I softly asked.

"Si...don't worry about me, I will be alright." he said as he tangled his fingers with my own and brought my hand close to his lips, where he left a soft kiss there. "And if I need help, I know that I can trust you."

I couldn't help but smile tenderly at the sight. Yes, he could trust me. Just as much as I could trust him.