return to paradisa

[secondchances]

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[assassino]

"I am an open book," he tells her, and he leaves it at that, finishing up with the shelf. He tosses the pieces into a loose pile and opens an arm to her. "Come here. What has you all worried about this all of a sudden? I'm not going to give you the silent treatment, mia cara."

[secondchances]

"It was just an example," she sighs, but steps in to cuddle up against his side. "I was just thinking that this is going to be a lot of new stuff for the both of us. We're going to be stressed the hell out."

[assassino]

He pulls her in, wrapping that arm around her tight and pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

"We will be fine," he promises. "It will be easier than you think, with our history."

No need to tell her that he has literally never spent a single day of his life without seeing more than one person.

[secondchances]

"That's the first time anyone's said that to me," she mutters, which is quite telling.

[assassino]

That catches him, washing away any lingering defensiveness at the idea of fighting. His voice falls soft.

"That it will be easier, or that we will be fine?"

[secondchances]

"That it will be easier. But, now that you say it again, I guess both?" She shrugs, not really wanting to get into it despite just giving a whole speech on talking and communicating. At least she realizes how hypocritical it is. And so she keeps talking.

"History doesn't tend to work in my favor with most relationships I have, period."

[assassino]

"Steph," he says, gently. He strokes her hair. "It will be fine. I can promise you that."

[secondchances]

She breathes out, head on his shoulder.

"You're so calm about all of this. From creepy deserted castle to new... whatever we are."

[assassino]

He leans his cheek against the top of her head.

"With great effort," he replies. "But I am glad to be, if it comforts you."

[secondchances]

"You don't have to be. That's the thing. Like I said, you don't need to be all manly provider for me. I can appreciate solidarity in not being entirely calm, too."

But. It is nice, to be taken care of. Shh, don't tell Ezio.

[assassino]

"Trust that I prefer it this way for myself as much as for you," he replies.

[secondchances]

She lifts her head to look at him.

"Will you tell me why?" There's no upset in her voice, just curiosity.

[assassino]

He wasn't really expecting that to be a question.

"If I cannot control something, then I prefer not to think about it," he replies. He's not sure if that's really it –– who wants to think about miserable things? –– but he's not sure how else to explain it. "What use would I be if I did not focus on what I can do?"

As an Assassin, anyway.

[secondchances]

It makes sense to her. It's not easy for her to simply not think about something, but she can understand, and she nods.

"I'll do enough thinking about what we can't control for the both of us, so you'll be doing a lot of keeping me grounded. How's that sound?"

[assassino]

“Like a fair plan,” he replies, and he presses another kiss to her temple. “And as I said, we will be just fine.”

"ezio i had the strangest dream you were a chick"

[secondchances]

"Yeah, I know. I've got you to take care of me."

If he needs that to get through, then it's a sacrifice she's willing to make. Steph simply hugs him tightly for a long moment because it feels good.

“Was she hot?”

[assassino]

It does feel good. It feels right. He holds her for a moment, too.

“And I have you to keep me from getting carried away.”

"in a slightly scary way so yeah"

[secondchances]

She laughs.

"In some ways. You can go wild with me. I can keep up, remember?"

“Nice”

[assassino]

“Dolcezza, I will gladly keep you busy whenever you would like to be wild.”

[secondchances]

She had no doubts about that.

"I'm going to need some sort of new hobby."

[assassino]

He chuckles.

"Like what? Reading, perhaps? Sewing?"

[secondchances]

"Probably?" She shrugs. "You will, too. Unless the farm life scratches some deep itch you've had."

[assassino]

"I already like to read," he replies, amused. "I might actually have more time for it now."

[secondchances]

"You're going to have plenty of reading to do about growing things, don't you worry. But I'll say that storytime is also an option. Feel free to read to me whenever you'd like."

That might be fun, if she stays awake.

[assassino]

He laughs.

"I will read whatever you'd like me to read to you," he promises. "Sat by the fire, enraptured by the farmer's almanac..."