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

Don't leave me...

Unfortunately, being old also meant I was no longer able of walking long distances. So, I helped Ezio sit down on a stone bench before I took a seat beside him, letting out a soft sigh of relief as my legs were finally given rest. He was coughing once more, but by now, it's become more of a normal thing for him. We were resting, but Mariana was not. And as she happily ran around, I decided to call out to her. "Mariana, tesoro (sweetheart), don't go too far!" Luckily for us, she did listen, and I watched as she decided to go admire some flowers. I cracked a smile at the sight, before I locked my gaze with the Palazzo della Signoria. That tower that had witnessed the Auditore men's last moments...

"You know," I began, tangling my fingers with his. "I'm glad to see the Piazza della Signoria this way...so full of life..."

"It is a sight to behold indeed." His soft reply soon found my ears. "So many memories..."

"Hmm..." I hummed in reply as I began to play with his fingers. "Every time I come back here, I can't stop thinking about Paola, Volpe and Leonardo. And of course, how can I honestly forget about your good old friend Duccio~?" I lightly teased, giggling at the sight of the Ezio groaning in reply.

"Trust me, that man is better off forgotten." He was swift to reply, shaking his head.

"There once was a man named Duccio

A rat with lecherous taste...!

Whenever he would show himself

My fist would find his face..." I began singing against his ear, trying my best to keep my composure. But honestly, upon hearing Ezio chuckle, I couldn't hold back and joined him as we laughed.

"You really are never going to let those bard songs go, huh?" Ezio said after a few moments of laughter, before he was overcome by yet another coughing fit.

"Never, my dearest husband... never." I smiled tenderly, and I relished in the warmth of Ezio's body as he proceeded to rest his head on my shoulder. I pulled him close, and even began to play with a white strand of his hair as we took comfort in each other's presence. Silence consumed us for a few moments, before I finally began to speak. "We lived a good life..."

"Ahh....the best." Ezio replied softly, and I didn't even need to look to feel the grin tugging at the corners of his lips. "And though there were many changes..."

"It never changed us..." I closed my eyes. It never changed us. No matter how hard it was to move on at times, no matter how cruel life was...Ezio kept smiling. He kept going, he kept fighting. And alongside him, there I stood. My sword had always been his, and it would forever be his. "Thank you, Ezio...for a wonderful life..."

"It is I who should thank you, (y/n)..." he shook his head. "All those years with you by my side... I never felt luckier of a man..." soft coughs interrupted his speech. "...y-you...gave me all I could have ever wished for...you were there for me when no one else was."

"I could never leave you... I couldn't." I shook my head. "Mission or not, I still would've gladly given my life for you."

"As would I...as would I..." Ezio left a gentle kiss to my knuckles, before silence settled between us. And honestly, there was nothing else to say. I loved him...he was more important to me than my life itself. Our soft caresses were enough to make that point clear. A life of trials and tribulations. A life of confusion, mysteries, blood and treachery. But it was also one of love, compassion, joy... He was my home. That would never change. Another coughing fit shook his entire body, before he finally added. "When we return to the villa...go to my office."

"Hmm?" I questioned, my hand still caressing his hair.

"I left you something there..." He cracked a smile. "The rose marks the spot..."

"Very well..." I nodded, my gaze softening. I left one final kiss on the top of his head before I added. "I'll go check it out once we get home..."

"Bene (Good)..." He kissed my knuckles once more, before silence settled between us yet again. For several minutes, we just sat there, with his head on my shoulder as I watched Mariana play. At times, I even caught a glimpse of a black hood up on the rooftops, and I could only smile more at the sight of it. My wonderful son... the comfortable silence was only broken every once in a while, with Ezio's coughing. I honestly lost track of how long we sat there, but as the sun was beginning to set, I decided it was time to go back home.

"Ezio..." I called out. "We should head on home." Only...he wasn't replying. Looking down, I noticed that his eyes were closed. I lightly shook his shoulders, but still, he wasn't moving. "Ezio...?" I called out once more. I shook his shoulders once more, but...nothing. Panic began to rise as he still refused to answer. So, my hand flew to his carotid, praying to feel a steady heartbeat. But...I felt none. Oh God...please...please no... "Ezio, please...wake up..." My body was starting to shake. "P-Please, Ezio...! P-Please.... D-Don't leave me..." I cupped his warm cheeks. He still looked so much alive...why wasn't he answering me...? Tears were clouding my vision. "P-Please....d-don't leave me....n-not you too..." Please....please don't....oh God please I beg you...don't snatch him away from me... I pulled him close. As close as I possibly could. H-He...he couldn't die...N-Not him... Please, anyone but him... I pleaded for him to come back to me, I prayed, to the point that I was screaming his name as I held onto him like my life depended on it. I could see people surrounding me. I could see them talking, but...I couldn't hear anything. Nothing mattered anymore. I...I couldn't even hear Leandro's calls as he ran towards us. All that mattered was Ezio...he was gone.

Please....please don't leave me...