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

There cannot be happiness without grief

"Machiavelli will be arriving shortly with Leandro. They cannot wait to see you." Ezio said softly as the two broke the hug, proceeding only to hold hands as Ezio sat beside me. "Sfortunatamente (Unfortunately), Aurora couldn't come too. But I am sure she would have loved to be here too."

"Ahh, so Yusuf finally took her to Constantinopoli?" he asked, to which I could only nod. A soft smile began to paint Leonardo's lips. "It was long overdue. That boy is treating her well, I hope."

"He is." I smiled tenderly. "You can bet on it. I've rarely seen Aurora happier than she is now."

"Good...good..." he nodded, but suddenly, he was overcome with a violent coughing fit. Ezio reacted faster than I did though, as he rushed to grab a cup of water and helped him drink, breathing out soothing words to him. "I am not long for this world, I am afraid..." He said softly as he laid back down, closing his eyes as he tried to relax.

"Don't say that, Leonardo..." I shook my head, moving closer so I could gently caress his hair. "You'll be alright...we know you will."

"Oh, who are you trying to fool, (y/n)..." he cracked his eyes open, and I could feel myself tearing up at the sight of the brutal feeling of reality clouding his vision. He had already long accepted his fate, and that reality felt like a punch in the gut. "You know well why I sent you that letter..." he sighed. "It is rather funny, I will be honest. So many years learning how to live, when I have simply been learning how to die."

"Leonardo..." I breathed out. God, this was the absolute worst... Already with Bartolomeo's funeral, I had felt horrible. But now, this was Leonardo we were talking about. Our dearest friend since this all began. How were we supposed to live on with his death...? How...?

"Now, I did not ask you to come here so you could weep over my end." Leonardo shook his head, and looking over into his eyes, I saw nothing but softness. "You are my friend, (y/n). My dearest, dearest friend, and I hold nothing but respect for all you have done for the Auditore family. You took good care of Ezio when I could not, and for that, I will be eternally grateful to you..." I then felt the soft touch of a shaky hand against my cheek. The calloused fingers of a painter, accompanied by the wrinkles and frail skin of an old man. I leaned into his touch as I fought back tears, but how could I...? "I am not going anywhere just yet, but...I wanted to see you all. One last time, at the very least." he gave me a gentle smile. "Please, no tears for me. Let us just talk like friends, like we used to..."

"Of course..." Despite my profound sadness, I forced myself to smile. I needed to smile for Leonardo, as he had asked. He didn't want us to be sad. He wanted to be remembered, and oh, he will be... so, to cheer him up, I began to tell a couple of stories dating back to our first years of dating, back when we were still dashing and young. Not that Ezio wasn't dashing anymore. God no, he had aged beautifully. But, I fear I'm getting sidetracked.

Remembering those old memories felt sweet, peaceful. They felt like home. And before I realized it, Ezio's arm had slithered down to wrap itself around my waist. I leaned back into his embrace, and upon looking back down at our dear friend, I noticed with a soft smile that my story had lulled him into a peaceful sleep. I leaned forth to place a gentle kiss on his forehead. "Riposa, fratello mio (Rest, my brother)... we will be right here when you wake up..." I whispered, and just as I was about to pull away, someone walked into the room. It was the boy from before, Etienne. He froze in surprise upon seeing us, but upon realizing that Leonardo was sleeping, he relaxed.