A/N: Here's another little thing I scrapped together in my boredom. This one is lighter than the other two I've written for Connor and Haytham and is centered around Ezio and Flavia Auditore. I wish we could have seen more of their relationship in Embers.

Also, please excuse my Italian. It's not something I know much about other than what I've looked up for this story.

The title means: Just a Dream.

I do not own Ezio or Flavia.

Solo un Sogno

A scream.

Ezio Auditore jerked upwards, grabbing for the dagger he always kept near him. However, it wasn't where it normally was and he instead scrambled out of the bed and rushed down the hall, Sofia at his heels. The two skidded to a halt in Flavia's doorway. She was curled in the center of her mattress, her knees hugged to her chest, her hair curtaining her face. Sofia touched her husband's shoulder, leaning in and kissing his cheek gently before slipping back towards their own room. Several times before their daughter had woken from nightmares and Ezio always managed to get her back to sleep.

The old assassin moved forward and eased himself down beside his daughter. He put a hand gently on her back, drawing her close to him. "What is it, piccola?" he asked gently, stroking his large hand across her hair, leaning so if she raised her head he'd be able to see her.

She sniffled, burying her face against his broad chest, her small fingers clutching at his tunic. "I had a scary dream, padre," she whimpered, "A mostro was chasing me." Her hold tightened and her frame hiccuped.

He kissed the top of her head lightly. "I wouldn't let them touch you, bambino," he promised gently, rubbing her back. She looked up at him with large eyes and he smiled, knuckling away her tears.

"Prometti?" She asked in a voice that quivered just slightly.

He gave a firm nod. "Prometto." He pulled her blanket up and laid it around her. "Would you like me to stay with you until you sleep, piccola?" The child nodded eagerly and snuggled down against his side.

"Mi puoi raccontare una storia, padre?" she asked softly, blinking up at him with tired eyes.

Her father chuckled softly, wrapping his arm around her. He slowly nodded his head, though was unsure of what to tell her. He didn't have many happy stories to tell. He took a breath and said: "Once, there were two brothers who did everything together. They fought the same enemies, and climbed the same buildings. They were often laughing and picking at each other, but never once did they mean to harm the other. They knew they could always count on one another for everything…" He trailed off.

"Padre?" murmured Flavia, yawning. He kissed her forehead.

"Then the older of the two brother's died…" He felt her stiffen. "For years… The younger searched the world for meaning, though nothing else seemed to matter as his brother had. It was not until he was an old man that he realized he had not had to search for something to fill the hole his brother had left..."

"Why is that?" murmured his daughter, her voice heavy with sleep.

Ezio stroked her hair. "Because they were so close, the older brother would always be in the younger's heart." He tapped her heart very gently and a ghost of a smile appeared on her lips. "Those we love never truly leave us, piccola," he told her gently, "as long as we keep them in our memories."

Flavia yawned again, taking a deep breath and leaning her head into her father's chest. She did not say a word as she surrendered herself to sleep. Ezio smiled down at her sleeping form, leaning down and kissing her cheek.

He whispered affectionately, "Dormire bene, piccola."

Padre: father

Mostro: monster

Piccola: "little" - a word of endearment

bambino: child

Prometti/Prometto: Promise/I promise

Mi puoi raccontare una storia, padre?: Can you tell me a story, father?

Domire bene, piccola.: Sleep well, sweetheart.