return to paradisa

[secondchances]

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[secondchances]

The smile really takes away from the exasperated look she was going for, so she ditches it in favor of giving his shoulder a gentle push.

"Ezio."

[assassino]

He just chuckles, slipping his hand in hers to walk her off into the city. He's innocent, he swears.

[secondchances]

"It's still a little surreal every time you do that. Guess I'm still in shock, or something."

But it's by no means a complaint, as she happily walks beside him, glad to not be in this creepy city alone.

[assassino]

"You'll get bored of me before long," he replies, wryly. "Then you'll cry out when I kiss you, begging for freedom!"

[secondchances]

"I don't think so. You've forgotten that I always wanted your company, day or night, no matter what was going on. Now, it's just..."

She waves her free hand.

"Enhanced."

[assassino]

That is true. Ezio turns his gaze ahead up them, up the street, reminiscing. For whatever reason, he remembers being with her during that hideous week after Lana had left, and how she'd spent so much time with him even when she was with Tim... hmm.

"We'll scarcely spend a minute apart, hmm?"

[secondchances]

"I don't know anyone that can handle 24/7 Stephanie Brown aside from... me," she says with a laugh. "Are you sure you want to sound even minutely enthused about that? It's not too late to back out. Castle curse."

[assassino]

He laughs.

"I will chain you to me if there's any threat you'll leave my side."

[secondchances]

She holds his hand a little tighter. After feeling disposable for so long, this is a nice change of pace.

"No chain needed. This is exactly where I want to be."

[assassino]

Wasn't it wonderful, to be in a serious relationship with someone? He wants that again, and it feels lovely to know he has it.

"I am delighted to hear that, dolcezza."

[secondchances]

"I was hoping I didn't need to say it. But I guess even when you know something, deep down, it's nice to hear aloud after all."

Like the whole being in love thing.

[assassino]

Too true, especially with all the things he had confided to others over the years. He hadn’t been blunt enough with her, especially after Tim had left. What had his excuse been then?

“I wasn’t going to waste any more time, either.”

[secondchances]

She grins.

"I'm glad, but given that it's likely just the two of us and we wouldn't be going far from one another anyway, something was gonna happen. Sooner or later."

She knows herself. And him.

[assassino]

“If I hadn’t told you, maybe I would have woken up to you crawling into my bed,” he teases. “Incapable of resisting the siren call of my warm body...”

[secondchances]

Taking this very seriously as they walk along streets that haven't seen anyone in a long time, Steph rolls her eyes.

"Like we wouldn't be sharing a bed to begin with. One of us would totally suggest it's safer and warmer to share one bed."

[assassino]

“You, of course. I would politely refuse at first, for the sake of your honour, but temptation would overwhelm me,”

[secondchances]

No denying that. Still.

"Refuse me? That's not in character. You'd welcome me with open arms, glad to cuddle up!"

[assassino]

He grins, eyes hidden under that hood.

“It’s just to tease you, dolcezza.”

Maybe he’s a little used to the flirting, pretending he’ll back off just to come on stronger later. Girls like that, in his experience — the plausible deniability of having succumbed to some baser urge.

[secondchances]

"I consider the last... however long it was as the teasing."

Teasing that's lasted longer than her actual relationships, but she's trying not to think of those.

"We're practically an old married couple, you and I. No surprise personality traits to discover five months into dating that ruins everything."

[assassino]

He laughs.

"I'm glad you've changed your mind on getting married," he says. The teasing continues.

[secondchances]

"See, I can joke about it because if it's just the two of us, a marriage is impossible anyway, right?" She laughs, but. There's the threat of a blush returning. "Unless you happen to be a priest or whatever."

[assassino]

"Impossible?" he grins. "Dolcezza, is marriage merely a legal arrangement for you? Is it not enough for me to call up to your window, and for you to put flowers in your hair and meet me in some pretty place so we can swear ourselves to each other for eternity?"

[secondchances]

Aaand there's the blush, but she laughs.

"Seriously? That's it?"

[assassino]

Victory!

"You want more than eternity, mia cara?" he teases again.

[secondchances]

"Oh my god, leave me alone," she says, still laughing, and shaking her head. "Maybe an eternity and a half. Sounds good to me."