A Crow's Creed Ch2

Ezio Auditore x Reader

The people of Florence were alive even during the late evening. They scurried about the streets below and many of them stopped to speak in small groups along the mouths of alleys. Florence was a city no different than any other and yet so few cities could compare to its luster. You looked out across the endless waves of mahogany rooftops and peaked towers, the way the sun speckled across their surface.

Ezio kept his distance just as La Volpe had suggested but you could see him from the corner of your eyes as he made subtle glances to briefly admire the sway in your hips while waltzing across roof to roof. You remembered the promiscuous way he’d worked the woman in market but what he got from her you didn’t know. And, if need be, you could pretend his charms were working on you, getting something of your own.

You flashed him a smile when you caught him leering again. “Enjoying the view, are we, Auditore?”

He glanced about the architecture and the cluttered city that stretched along the horizon. “The city of Florence, she has much to admire, yes.”

“Oh? Only Florence?” You looked appalled, wounded even, but kept your joking tone. “How envious she makes me.”

Ezio couldn't stop himself from leering, his eyes roving downwards across your figure. “You’ve no need to be envious, bella mia.”

The distance began to lessen between the both of you after the brief conversation. It all but vanished when he climbed up the next building, turning on the roof’s edge to help pull you up the rest of the way. You found your footing as well as Ezio’s eyes, his body mere centimeters away from you, his hand cupped against your elbow to steady you on your feet.

Ezio’s lips twitched into a smirk. “Tell me, bella mia, how did you come to know the fox?”

“He did not even bother to tell you?” You gave a mock gasp, stepping around him to continue on the path, teasing him with your own smirk. “I’m insulted.”

His steps quickened until he could press his hand along your back. “I’m sure you would have told it better anyway.”

You rolled your eyes over at him. “Flaterer.” Your grin formed itself all the same, delighted to finally break down the wall between the two of you. It would make stealing the codex from him all the easier. It was hard to keep the hint of sarcasm from your tongue, despite your desire to deceive him, “La Volpe was my mentor. He saved me from a life of poverty and destitution. And now, here we are… using the skills he taught me in order to save the world from corruption.”

Ezio stepped in front of you, arm reaching out to stop your steps. “He seemed concerned that you might try to hurt me.”

“Hurt you?” You raised a wry brow. “Do I look like a girl who could hurt someone like you? You are an Assassin after all. Your kind are always impervious.” You gave him one final bat of your eyes before continuing towards the objective.

Ezio’s tone only slightly lowered, “Why do I get a sense that you’re mocking me…”

You stepped to the end of the roof, the base of your boot rubbing back and forth against its edge. “This is the building here?”

The Assassin stepped beside you and looked out over the tall structure. “This is the place, yes. Do you have a plan for how we’re to get inside?”

“Me?” You raised a curious brow at him. “Yes, very well…”

You harnessed your ability, letting it reach further and further with each slow breath you took. The further your vision reached, the harder it became to keep your mind clear. You could hear the cacophony of sounds throughout the noble’s estate: the clattering of armor, the clang of training weapons, the hushing of feet across the marble floor. You let the vision reach further, drowning out the voices until you could see the trails that guards had made and likely would make again.

You saw it there, a clear opening that the guards had foolishly left in their patrols. You mapped your way through halls and stairs, seeking out the page that was posted on the wall behind an oversized desk. You examined the rest of the estate with ease and took note of your escape plan. You pulled away from the scene, letting the vision leave until you were left trembling and ill.

Ezio settled a tender and concerned hand onto your shoulder. “Bella mia?”

You stepped away from him and sucked down a steadying breath. “Yes, well, I’ve managed to find it.” You walked off the edge of the building, skillfully dropping to the balcony below. “Do keep up, will you? Timing is essential.” You easily cascaded down the rest of the way, barely glancing over your shoulder to make sure he was still following.

“If Volpe was your mentor…” Ezio followed you through alleys, closer towards the building of desire. “Why was it so difficult for the fox to locate you? He seemed to think it nearly impossible to convince you to come.”

“I’m a thief,” you sweetly reasoned. “Thieves do not like being found.”

Ezio’s brows quivered as he considered your response. “Why help us at all then?”

You raised your head, eyeing the tall structure before you, plotting your ascent before it even began. “Clever little Ezio. Might I tell you a lovely story that I once heard on my travels?” You looked over at him, watched his brow rise in piqued curiosity. You turned your crooked grin towards the building as you began the arduous climb past windows and stone carvings.

“Very well, bella mia. Let me hear this tale.” He followed easily, taking the same path you took upwards across the wall.

“There was once a scorpion that stood at the bank of a river.” You took your time, paced your breathing as you spoke, “She shouted out towards a turtle, pleaded with the creature to help her cross the deep waters.” You climbed into one of the windows, set your feet down with hushed practice and stalked forward.

Ezio wasn’t quite so silent but the guards were too far away to hear him. “Is there a point to this tale? What do scorpions--”

“Ah, but, Auditore, it has everything to do with this.” You flashed him a wink before continuing through the labyrinth of the mansion, remembering where to turn and when. “The turtle was aghast, refusing to help the scorpion in fear that he might be stung.” You halted your steps, your arm shooting out to bar Ezio from walking out into the next hall. A guard was passing by and you couldn’t have the Assassin ruining everything.

You continued onward, reaching the door and finding it locked. You kneeled down and pulled the lockpicks from your attire. “The scorpion explained to the turtle that if she stung him while crossing the river they would both drown. So the turtle agreed to help.” The lock gave way beneath your tender coaxing. You stood and eased the door open, your eyes sweeping across the room in search of your prize.

Ezio gave a huff and entered into the study. His words were slightly impatient, young and haughty, “So the scorpion crossed the river. I do not see what this has to do with my question.”

You sashayed into the room, your eyes locked on the prize that hung proudly on the wall. “She did not cross the river.” You calmly walked past the Assassin and made your way over towards the desk and its double bookcase, the codex at its center. You reached out to grab the item but Ezio’s hand landed onto your arm. “You don't trust me, Auditore?”

He gave thoughtful tilt of his head. “No less than I trust anyone.”

You side stepped, allowing Ezio to grab the weathered parchment without even batting an eyelash. “See. I am most reasonable, am I not?” Your fingers reached out and fiddled with his leather belt, your smoldering gaze peering up at the man. “I could have taken it, couldn't I? What does Volpe know about me other than that I once was his protege?”

Ezio stowed the page in the folds of his tunic but he didn't put effort into securing it. Any pickpocket worth their next breath could have taken it off of him. His guard was all but gone now, your honeyed words and flashes of smiles were working. “Why bother telling me this story about a scorpion?”

You laughed ever so slightly, facing him as you spoke, pressing your body between his and the desk, “The scorpion stung the turtle in the end.” Your palms careened along the firmness of his chest, your vision following the motion until it lifted to the dark russet brown of his eyes. “Do you know why she doomed them both?”

Ezio's breathing increased, the edges of his mouth tugging as his lips trembled. He licked them slowly, leaning in for the prospect of a heated kiss. “Should I?”

You whispered it softly, a tantalizing prayer, “Because it was her nature.” Your lips nearly brushed his but you slipped out of his hold. You giggled all too delightfully as Ezio took his time processing the small exchange.

His brows dove down together, eyes narrowing. “Il Corvo.”

You climbed onto the window ledge just as he was marching over. “Auditore.”

“Hand over the codex.” He reached his hand out as if it would be so simple.

“Clever little Ezio.” You gave a pitiful shake of your head. “I can not. It is my nature to steal.” He lunged forward but you kicked off the building, twisting your body through the air with expert precision until you landed into the hay cart below. It took you a moment to catch your breath. The excitement of a stolen object jump started your adrenaline and you could feel it pumping through you as you climbed out of the wagon.

Ezio was making the jump right behind you which gave you only a small window to escape. You raced through the streets, remembering them as best you could but it had been a year after all since you’d raced the labyrinth. You had to rely on your ability, allowing it to reach out and pulse across each structure.

But Ezio, well trained and determined, caught up to you from the buildings overhead. He leapt down in front of you, skidding you to a stop as the gravel beneath your shoes gritted. Ezio wasted no time lunging forward and shoving you back against the wall, lips pulled taut into a grimace. “Bella mia. And here I thought we were getting along so well.”

“Ah, but Ezio, that was the point.” You leaned forward, hoping to keep his eyes distracted on your lips long enough for you to slip out of his hold. Your leg twisted around his knee and pulled his weight out from under him, your failed attempt to knock him down long enough to escape.

But Ezio was skilled and saw the attack coming this time. He grappled hold of your thinner form and brought you down to the ground with him. “I can not let you take the codex. Hand it over to me.”

Ezio had strength on his side but you were well practiced in handling others who were stronger. You slipped out of his hold, anchoring yourself onto his back, arm hooked around his neck. You drew the dagger from your belt and pressed it to his throat. Your mouth settled against his ear. “Ezio Auditore… Your name sounded familiar. You’re a nobleman, yes?” You could feel the muscles in his back tense. “Grew up in a rich family with a father who provided all that you needed. What was his name… Giovanni?”

He gave a rageful sound, a growl muffled through clenched teeth. “You know nothing of me!” His anger made him reckless, ignoring the blade at his throat as he threw all of his weight backwards into the ground. He pinned you beneath him, knocking the wind from your lungs which gave him enough time to twist around and snap hold of your hood.

You smirked despite your frustration. “I know more than you realize, Auditore. We somewhat met once long ago. You were running from the guards. I steered them away from you. You’re welcome.”

He wasn’t listening to your words, not truly. He reached into the layers of your tunic and pulled the weathered parchment free. He glanced it over before getting to his feet. “Get up. You can have a talk with Volpe when we arrive.”

You scoffed, stretching your muscles, arms reaching above your head and chest rising just to provoke him. “And why would I do that? I’m a thief. I’ve no desire to hand over stolen objects. Not unless there’s something worth my while.”

“This page.” He waved it around in the air before securing it into his robes again. “It is one of our few hopes. And you would sell it?”

Your brows perked at the notion. “For the right price.”

Ezio reached down and jerked hold of your arm, forcing you to stand or be dragged. He pulled you with him down alleyways, following them with memorized ease and casually avoiding the typical crowds. Whatever chance you had at seducing him was gone. Not that you would have gone through with it completely. And, to be honest, you didn't need distractions to steal. It was just more fun that way.

Your ability, as draining and exhausting as it was, allowed you to see a small fraction of time. It was just a splinter of it, the movement of a hand before it struck or the attention of one's eyes before they swept out over a building above. You would play along with Ezio for as long as possible and use the best opportunity to lift the piece of paper off of him.

You kept your tone hinting on playful but managed to find an edge of seriousness, “How well do you know Volpe?”

Ezio flicked his attention at you then rolled his eyes away, glancing down the alley that passed by. A few people were scattered about its shadows, none of them at all aware of the Assassin and you. “I know him well enough. I know him more than I know you.”

You gave a haughty hum, considering his words. “Volpe trained me. Taught me all that I know. And yet, I betray him. Don’t you wonder why?”

“I thought you told me already.” He glowered over at you, his eyes narrowing as he bitterly spat, “Because it's your nature. Once a thief, always a thief?”

You grinned and slid your eyes shut. “Well, mostly. The Assassin, however, has little room to talk. I take things. You take lives.”

His grip tightened. He halted mid-step and jerked your body until you staggered before him. “The lives I take belong to men who deserve to die. They would shackle us all. They would leave people to suffer than--”

“Ah, such noble words coming from an aristocrat.” You raised a challenging brow, your back straight and your head high. “He who has never known hunger or felt fingers freeze off in the dead of night.”

His words were harsh and whispered, “You know nothing about me.”

Your lips tugged into a smirk, the game you were playing still holding strong. But even you began to wonder what was part of the game and what was part of your own words. “Go on. Take me to Volpe. But not even he will be able to stop me.”

Ezio rushed forward, dragging you the rest of the way through Florence. But it didn't matter. That little exchange between the both of you gave you everything you needed. Now, it was only a matter of walking out of Volpe’s office without getting yourself killed. The fox wouldn't have the heart. You could tell he still cared for you even after all those years. You had been his protege after all.