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

Don't leave me...

"G-Gra...zie..." she managed to say, hesitantly, giving me a small smile. Ezio didn't look very pleased, that much I knew, and I could understand him. If a Chinese Assassin was here, and if the Brotherhood had truly collapsed, then Templars were bound to follow her and jeopardize Mariana's safety. But then again, she was our sister. A dear follower of our ways. She needed our help, and there was no way in hell that I wouldn't take her outstretched hand and help her. With or without Ezio. I led her to her new room while Ezio stayed in the living room, his gaze locked onto the dancing flames of the fireplace. Finally, I came back, and before I could even place my hand on his shoulder, his voice pierced the heavy silence.

"Do you realize what you have done...?" he softly asked, his heavy gaze drifting back to me.

"Yes. I am helping out a sister in need." I simply said, proceeding to sit beside him. "I know you are scared, Ezio. And I realize that her presence here might bring...unwanted visitors. Cazzo (Damn it), Ezio...how many men and women did we help and recruit back in Roma? Back in Constantinopoli? Have you forgotten about them? Because I sure as hell haven't." I sighed. "Where did that Ezio go...?"

"He got old." He curtly replied as his gaze drifted back to the fireplace. "He got new responsibilities, people he does not want to lose."

"I know..." I reached out to gently rest my hand on his forearm, and fortunately, he didn't pull away. "I know we have Mariana to worry about. I know that." I nodded. "But you cannot forget that no matter how much we try to flee, we're still and we'll forever be Assassins. And now, our sister is begging for our help. Are you really going to ignore her pleas?" He didn't reply then, his gaze distant, still locked onto the dancing flames of the fireplace. With a soft sigh, I leaned forth and gently kissed his wrinkled, beardy cheek. "I am going to bed. Come join me once you have made a decision." I offered, before I stood from the couch with a soft groan. Oh, god, my back's getting too old for this bullshit... I made my way upstairs, towards my bedroom, and just as I was about to close the door behind me, I gazed back at the living room, where I could hear steps. He was pacing around the room, I could tell. I smiled softly. Good, he was considering my arguments.

And so, I closed the door behind me and dressed up for the night. I didn't even have time to fall asleep when I heard the light creak of the door. I smiled at the noise as I gave Ezio back his corner of the bed, now nice and warm thanks to me. He wrapped those arms that I loved around my body, and as he pulled me close, I drifted into a peaceful sleep.

I found myself dreaming about Altaïr, that night. But it wasn't one of the memories I shared with him in my previous life. No, these were different... he looked different. He no longer wore the familiar Masyaf white robes I had seen him wear my entire life. Instead, much to my surprise, he wasn't wearing any hood. Hell, he wasn't even covering his face. Instead, he wore a simple t-shirt and dark jeans as he hung about on the rooftops of a modern-looking house. And he wasn't alone. God, he wasn't alone... Next to him sat Ezio, wearing equally modern clothes. The two looked like mere fragments of my imagination, but seeing them so carefree and laughing, hanging out like two good friends or even brothers, I could feel my heart ache at the sight. What....what was this...? Before I could get answers, I was shaken back to the real world with the sound of rumbling sheets behind me. And as I cracked my eyes open, I felt myself be pulled back into a strong chest. Soft lips caressed my neck, and honestly, I could only curl closer to him in response. "Ti amo (I love you)..." I breathed out, my lips curling into a tender smile.