21} Don't Leave Me... Part 1

Thought I'd give you another update since it's my birthday on Monday, enjoy.

Your POV

I have been staying in San Gimignano for a week now. Me and Vieri worked together to ward of a few mercenary attacks here and there but there were only small bands of them.

As an engagement present, Francesco brought me a beautiful, intricately carved bow and a equally beautiful quiver filled with arrows which had eagle feathers for balancing. I carry it everywhere I go since I haven't had time to go back home and retrieve my other bow.

Rodrigo, Francesco and Jacopo are due to arrive this evening for a progress report. There have also been increased reports of the mercenaries gathering outside the city walls.

Vieri is going to meet with them and I'm to scout from atop the walls to prevent any sneak attacks.

It was all looking tranquil and there wasn't a mercenary in sight...

Until I came to one of the city gates and found many guards lying dead on the roofs and bellow. I inspected the bodes and found that most were sword wounds but a few bodies had throwing knives stuck in their chests. I rip one out of a still warm guard and inspect it. The Assassin's insignia is engraved on the handle. Should have know, but is it Mario or Ezio? My heart rate accelerates as I jump from the walls down to the nearest building and head towards the centre of the city.

Jumping from building to building I head towards the nearby sound of swords clattering. Staring bellow to the streets I see a relatively small group of mercenaries led by a tall, muscular figure clad in an all to familiar white robe. There aren't enough men there to have killed all the guards at the gate. I place an arrow in my bow and draw back the taught string.

Now...who the hell do I aim for? Technically I should shoot down the mercenaries but do I really want to? Of course not but I can't do nothing! I let loose a few arrows and pick off half the group, moving onto the next roof when the hooded figures head snaps up to the roof I was on.

From my new, higher vantage point I can see to the main courtyard outside an old church. There is a massive group of guards fighting with countless mercenaries and in the centre of it all, the man leading them. Mario.

Sprinting across the rooftops- making too much noise- I finally reach a rooftop overlooking the fight. I let loose more arrows, each surely finding their target and quickly ending the men's lives.

I kill about ten of the mercenaries before a solid mass hits me from the side and tumbles with me down the rooftop and to the edge. I reach out and grab the edge of the roof in time to avoid falling. Panting slightly I hoist myself up and onto the cool tiles of the roof. I look down and see a disheveled figure clambering out of a haystack bellow and looking about erratically.

I sigh and readjust my hood so my face is completely concealed. I wonder if anyone sent word to Vieri.

As I think this I see Ezio run into the brawl to aid his uncle. Please just stay there! I think, running over the roofs to the place of the meeting. I see the 4 familiar figures and jump down from the roof to land before the quartet, the impact more jarring than I expected and causing me to growl.

"(Y/N)? Are you alright?" Vieri lends a hand to me and I use it to stand- albeit painfully.

"He's here. Mario. His mercenaries attacked the city."

"And the assassin? Is he here?" Francesco asks almost amused.

"I didn't specifically see his face but I saw a white robe." It's not a lie but I would know that stride anywhere. It was him alright, no mistake about it.

"Vieri, (y/n)," my father says facing each of us in turn." I leave this to you. Kill the assassin and send word of your victory to Firenze."

I flinch at the thought of killing Ezio. For some strange reason I feel so strongly about him, stronger than I would a brother.

"Yes, grand master. It shall be done." Vieri announces cockily and turns to me while I watch the other three men disappear. "Come (y/n), we'll have a vantage point from on top of the walls."

Grabbing my hand he runs to the wooden stairs and drags me up them. I start running and overtake him, reaching one of the towers, running up it and grabbing the ledge. He however went through the wooden door at the base and moments later appeared through the trapdoor.

"Haha, you'll have to teach me one day to climb as you do." He says, two guards climbing up after him. He smiles and walks towards me with an outstretched hand. I take it and he pulls me towards him, embracing me. The sudden, unexpected move startles me and I can't move.

"I'm honestly surprised you said yes to me. I expected your total rejection since you've never seemed to think of me that way. I always thought that Ferdinand would have swept you off of your feet and left me in the dust. I...I always..." He awkwardly clears his throat and since my head is resting on his chest I can hear his heart beat racing. "I have always loved you. Loved the way you smile at the ground. When you would be so stubborn it was actually cute. The way that you would pretend to be strong, although you are rubbish at hiding what was bothering you. Oh and the way that you blush uncontrollably whenever you get embarrassed or receive too many compliments at the same time."

Vieri chuckles and looks down at me. True to my nature I am a tomato. This makes him laugh more, causing me to playfully smack his arm and push away from him.

"Don't laugh at me!" I pout playfully and back away. "You know I don't like being mocked!"

We laugh together but immediately stop at the sound of combat on the wall bellow.

"Stay back (y/n)" Vieri steps forwards which Is kind of cute but makes me scoff all the same.

"Please, have you ever beaten me in training? If anyone should stand back it's you Pazzi." I draw my sword and step forwards. Smirking at his nervous expression which he quickly hides.

The White-robed man pulls himself over the edge of the circular tower we are on. Stepping forwards the two guards confront him. He cuts both of them down shortly.

"Vieri de'Pazzi, your time is up." He shouts across to us as he sprints forwards and raises a sword. He swings it down but I push Vieri out of the way and block it with my own sword, pushing him backwards.

"You again. I see you everywhere with them but I have yet to see your face. Who are you?" He asks, charging again. I defect the blow easily and see Vieri getting up in my peripherals. I ignore his question and focus on his fighting. He's good but he's clumsy still, after I block he falters.

He goes in for the next strike and I block again, this time moving to the side and causing him to stumble past me. I crouch down and leg sweep him then swiftly stand over him to deliver the killing blow.

His hood flops back an I pause, relaxing my hold on the sword. He senses my reluctance and rolls, taking my leg out from underneath me and making me topple over. I hit my head on the stone and curl up slightly, cradling it in my now empty hands.

I feel the cold edge of a blade against my throat and look up to see Ezio holding the blade to my throat. I close my eyes and prepare for my death. Only it never comes.

Instead I head an anguished cry and pounding footsteps. I open my eyes in time to see Vieri charge at Ezio with his sword drawn and Ezio turn in time to counter it. He then knocks Vieri's blade upwards and sinks his own blade into Vieri's stomach. A strangled cry escapes me and I struggle to find my footing. Vieri's eyes look to me and he smiles warmly as he crumples to the floor. Pushing Ezio out of the way, I surge towards his body  and drop to my knees next to him. Please don't leave me...

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Hey it's the author here. Hope you enjoyed that, also hope you don't mind that I added a relationship with you and Vieri. Some of you may hate him but I think that , especially after reading the letter Mario gives Ezio after Vieri's assassination, Vieri is quite a cute and secretly lovely character. If you don't like it then by all means pretend it never happened but it also adds drama between you and Ezio so I thought it was needed. Love you readers and I hope to update soon!

GotThatEzioCharisma