return to paradisa

[secondchances]

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[secondchances]

"Think I stepped on the romantic's toes, there," she says after a moment, smiling apologetically. "Sorry, Ezio."

[assassino]

He hums, a little off-hand –– he's not about to admit that he's a little wounded at the prospect of being blown off for such a harmless thing, but it's still there. She is often quick to squeal and delight over the old-fashioned romance she finds endearing, but sometimes he thinks it's just a performance to her.

"No need to apologize," he says. "I suppose it's just a difference of opinion."

[secondchances]

"Guess so. But," she says, pushing the bag aside so that she can flop onto her side in front of him, "I think it matters to you more than you'll admit."

And so it's worth talking about.

"We joked about it before, marriage--does it bother you that I just joke about it?"

[assassino]

Ezio gives an amused little huff. In his mind, this is a done deal, forever, no other women for him. She can joke about it all she'd like, but he's already serious.

He reaches out and tucks a lock of her hair behind her ear.

"I know you Americans approach marriage as lightly as a dinner invitation," he replies. "So even if it matters to me, it's difficult to be bothered by what's in your nature."

[secondchances]

"And it matters to you, even if we're stuck here, alone? Just us?"

He's not exactly wrong with that little jab.

[assassino]

That gets a noteworthy frown.

"It is not a stage performance, Stephanie," he remarks.

[secondchances]

Getting somewhere.

"I guess for me, it's not something I ever really thought about. With anyone." Even at her most disgustingly day-dreamy with Tim. Marriage and futures go hand in hand, and she never really thought that far ahead. "And I've never really seen a good marriage, come to think of it. Just the stuff in books and on TV."

[assassino]

"Surely with all of the people you've ever met, you have seen some pleasant marriages," Ezio replies.

He doesn't believe all of them are good, certainly, but when he thinks of his parents, he knows it can work with even the slightest bit of effort.

[secondchances]

"I don't know a lot of married people. My mom's marriage was, uh, not great. Big surprise there." When your dad is a piece of shit, that's usually the case. Stephanie rolls her eyes in favor of actually getting upset about that.

"Not that I think you'd be anything like that, though. Definitely not. That's just sort of the perspective I'm coming into this with. Doesn't mean my perception of it can't be improved."

[assassino]

He sits up a little more, leaning up on both elbows.

"It will be different with us," he promises. "It matters to me, but if you do not trust that or feel ready, I will restrain myself."

[secondchances]

"You and I have known one another longer than most people are engaged. And really, what's changed?" She's here in his room, like she usually was. "If it matters to you, then it has to matter to me, too. So it does, now. Okay?"

[assassino]

“Va bene,” he agrees. Ezio puts out a hand to take hers, to pull her to him. “And for what it is worth, I think you would make a devoted wife.”

[secondchances]

She takes his hand and moves in close, kissing his cheek.

"I'm glad you think so. And it's... really sweet, I think, that marriage is important to you. I didn't know."

[assassino]

He pulls her in even as she moves close. He chuckles a bit under his breath, too. “Sweet” is a new one, but it sounds nice.

“I know my conduct may not always declare it, but I’ve always wanted to be married.”

[secondchances]

Disgustingly sweet.

"To a strange but very cute girl from the future that moonlights as a crime fighter?"

[assassino]

“Perhaps I did not imagine that part,” he admits. “I could not fathom she’d be this beautiful.”

[secondchances]

"Flattery is one way to get me to say yes, just so you know," she teases.

[assassino]

“I intend to flatter you every day for the rest of our lives,” he replies, sliding a hand up her side. “You never told me much about your parents, you know.”

[secondchances]

"For a reason. Mostly because of my dad. I never knew where to start: the criminal activity, the putting us into the poorhouse, trying to throw acid into my face, me trying to choke him to death with a chain, his "fake" death and only coming back to drug me..."

Not the best role model, clearly, or example of what a decent human person should be.

"My mom stayed with him way too long when he was in and out of prison and being a general waste of air, but I think if she could do it again, she'd do it differently."

[assassino]

He idly runs a knuckle along her side as she talks, slow and soothing, but his attention is solely on what she’s talking about. It hurts his heart to think of all the ways she has struggled and suffered, and it makes him want to spoil her even more.

Ezio cups her cheek gently.

“You’ve had a difficult time, dolcezza,” he says. “I can promise you, your mother will be glad to see her daughter treated so well.”

[secondchances]

She smiles at him.

"Yeah? Treated so well by who, exactly?"

[assassino]

“None other than myself,” he replies, firmly.

[secondchances]

"I appreciate the enthusiasm."

She taps his chin with her index finger.

"Would your mom approve of me?"

[assassino]

That’s a funny thought. Honesty is best, however.

“I believe so, but I have never met any mothers, so I cannot be certain..”

[secondchances]

Steph snorts.

"My mom would uh, probably be concerned. Strange, older Italian guy kinda... weird."