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

A journey back to what once was

"Are you crying, Father?!" Aurora's question immediately reached my ears, causing me to snap my gaze to my husband in surprise. He was crying?!

"N-No, certo che no (O-Of course not)... Just something in my eye..." He tried to brush it off as he broke the hug, clearing his throat, but not even the Great Mentore of the Assassin Brotherhood could escape from the two pairs of arms that wrapped themselves around his torso tightly. I couldn't prevent a soft laugh from escaping from my lips at the sight, and even Bartolomeo and the others had joined in on the laughter. Ezio didn't seem to mind though, as he stopped struggling and returned their hugs.

After a few encouraging words from friends and family, Ezio and I led Aurora and Leandro up the stairs and onto the rooftop. As we walked, I couldn't prevent my thoughts from drifting back to Mario, and before I knew it, a stray tear had escaped and was running down my cheek. I tried wiping it away quickly, but it didn't go unnoticed by Ezio, who was swift to wrap an arm around my shoulders. "(y/n)...? Stai bene, amore mio (Are you alright, my love)...?" He softly asked, concern dripping from his soft voice.

"Si...I just...I couldn't stop thinking about Mario during the entire ceremony..." I confessed softly, and it seemed to have caught the twins' attention as we all just stopped in the middle of the staircase.

"Me too, (y/n)....me too..." His soft voice reached my ears. "I miss him dearly. And were he still alive today, he would've been nothing but proud. I know it..." he cracked a smile.

"I wish he were here to see us..." Aurora confessed and though she was smiling, her voice was dripping with sadness. Leandro only pulled her close in reply. They had spent so much time of their lives by his side, learning, laughing...like Ezio and I had.

"Me too, Aurora...he would have been so happy..." Leandro replied softly, and after silence settled between us, I merely stepped forward and pulled them both into a tight hug. Much to my relief, they didn't even hesitate as I felt them return the hug just as tightly. And only a few moments later, I felt one final pair of arms wrap themselves around us. Ezio's head was resting right next to my shoulder, and every once in a while, I felt him leave soft, comforting kisses against my hair. He missed him too, I knew that. From what he said, Mario was right in front of him when Cesare shot him in the head. He saw everything, and couldn't do anything to save him. He couldn't do anything.

I lightly turned my head to him and pecked his cheek, and after a few more moments of silence, he eventually began to speak. "Come now, he wouldn't want us to be sad like this..." he cleared his throat and cracked a smile, yet I could perfectly see his eyes glistening with unshed tears. Oh, Ezio... "Besides, your ceremony is not yet complete."

"Indeed..." I cracked a smile. "You have yet to perform a Leap of Faith." They didn't say anything, but with a light nod, they were on their way up the stairs once more. I gave Ezio an encouraging smile and caressed his cheek, before I turned away and followed the twins.

Finally up on the rooftop, I closed my eyes as I felt a soft summer breeze caress my cheek and hair. There were no clouds out, giving us a full view of the breathtaking sheet of stars draped above our heads. I stepped forward, only to stop merely inches away from the edge. Turning around to meet the twins' gazes, I stretched a hand out towards the void invitingly, smiling. And with a light bow of their heads in respect, I watched as together, they leapt off and into the water below. "I intend on going back to Monteriggioni." Ezio said, causing me to snap my gaze back to him in surprise.