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

Hate can only last so long

Thick silence surrounded us for what felt like an eternity. And yet, he never ceased to hold my wrist. My left wrist, which bore proof of my commitment to the Brotherhood, and to him. His gaze seemed to study my ring finger for a few moments, before I felt his hand slide down to tangle his fingers with my own. He then began to walk away, and his hold on me gave me no choice but to follow him. We walked for several minutes, until we came across a deserted alleyway. He led me through, only to stop mid-way. My back then met the wall, gently, before I felt his full lips caressing my knuckles. "I wish I could tell you everything, I really do." He breathed out just as his soft brown eyes met my own. "But how can I tell you something I do not fully understand myself...?"

"Then show me..." I replied softly, reaching out with my free hand to cup his cheek. "I'm worried about you, Ezio. Come back to me..."

"I...I cannot, (y/n)..." he shook his head, before pressing one final kiss against my knuckles. "The truth will come soon enough. But for now, I need you to trust me..."

"Ezio..." I pleaded, only to feel his lips against mine.

"Fidati di me (Trust me)...suplico, amore mio (I beg of you, my love)..." He muttered out against my lips after an all-too-brief peck, and my sole response was to pull him close for another, craved kiss. Of course I would trust him. I'd move heaven and earth for him.

"I'm scared, Ezio..." I breathed out against his lips. "You've never kept secrets from me..."

"I know, (y/n)...I will let you see the third key soon. But not now...." He replied, before I felt his lips against mine once more. "You have to trust me..."

"I...I will..." I breathed out against his lips a few moments later, finally cracking a smile as I looked into those soft brown eyes I loved so much. "Sii cauto (Be careful), Ezio...Suplico (I beg of you)..."

"I will, amore mio (my love)..." His hand moved to hold my left one, bringing it up to his lips before I felt him leave a gentle kiss against my knuckles. "Go to our house. We will meet there." And with that, he ran away and up onto the safety of rooftops. My soft smile began to fade, before I sighed. With all these missions, did he even remember that our anniversary is tomorrow...?

The hours went by as I sat in front of my desk, my quill gently scratching the paper of my journal as I wrote. I allowed my thoughts to drift away, mainly to the 20 years of marriage Ezio and I lived through. September 24th, 1490. It was a perfectly sunny day. We hadn't planned to do much, only go to the church and have a quiet, discreet wedding. But the people of Monteriggioni weren't having it. And so, I was pushed head-first into an Italian tradition I didn't know existed. At a wedding, the bride and groom stroll on the streets, and citizens are actually encouraged to join in on the festivities, wishing the new couple "buona fortuna (good luck (= wishes for a happy marriage))", and giving them challenges. For example, the bride is oftentimes handed a crying baby, and if she manages to calm it down, then it proves that she'll be a good mother. Of course, for us, that challenge didn't really happen since we were already parents. But what we thought would be a peaceful and quiet ceremony quickly morphed into a church filled to the brim with cheering citizens. And oh, how could we be mad at them for doing that? They only contributed to making that day unforgettable. There was dancing, laughter, drinking, singing...the whole citadel was celebrating. It was one of the best days of my life. And looking back on it, I couldn't prevent a soft smile from painting my lips. Even if I were to leave once we opened that library, even if I were to leave all this behind, I wouldn't be leaving with regrets. It'd break my heart, not being able to be with Ezio anymore. Not to be with my children, seeing our family grow, but at least, they gave me memories more valuable than my own life. Memories I would never forget, that would put a smile on my face regardless what little I have left to live. However, were I to be able to stay, I would. Not only because of my promise to Ezio, all those years ago atop that rooftop in Venezia, but also because I needed them. They were all I had left. What could I possibly do without them? Without all this?