Wolf-Dog: No, this is not the AC fic I was talking about, but Wolf made me love Rico and TK refuses to believe he's dead and instead fell into the future. So then I started wondering, well what went through the lovely eldest Auditore's mind during those final moments before falling into said future? And then this happened about 3-4 in the morning and I actually quite liked how it turned out!
So Wolf, this is for you because you made me love Rico a million times more
And TK, this is for you because you made me believe that Rico couldn't possibly be dead and that is now my headcanon because that damn boy is too cheeky and beautiful to die so young! *Shakes fist at Ubisoft* And also because I never would have written this without your prompting :D
So...yeah, enjoy the feels-fest! And let me know what you think in a review!
I've always heard every ending is also a beginning, you just don't know it at the time. I'd like to believe that's true. ~Emily Prentiss, Criminal Minds
Federico Auditore stared out at the dismal day before him, eyes scanning the somber faces before him before moving up to take in the beautiful buildings of Firenze one last time. He found himself not for the first time immeasurably grateful that Ezio had gone out before the guards came. Their mother and Claudia were going to need him to make it out of the city. His little brother may not have the finesse just yet, but their constant duels had put him in fine fighting form. Yes, Ezio could get the rest of the Auditore family to safety as long as he kept himself out of sight. As much as the selfish part of him desperately wanted to see his brother one more time, the bigger part of him silently begged and pleaded that he stay far away from here.
The bastard traitor was still going on about their supposed 'deception' and Federico wished he'd been gifted a hidden blade to sink into the fat stronzo's heart. But no, he was weaponless, and helpless, and awaiting death by the rope wrapped firmly around his neck. His hands were bound too tightly behind him, and with pleading eyes he turned to his father. Was there any hope?
The silent apology sent back to him was answer enough and the eldest son closed his eyes. Taking a deep, shuddering breath, he found his center, focused on the anger there and gripped onto it. He would be strong even in death; he would give these cowards nothing.
Petruccio was almost completely hidden on the other side of their father, but still Federico could make out his pale, terrified face. It was so wrong. They were hanging a child for god's sake! His heart yearned to comfort his baby brother, to tell him that it would be alright. But how could he lie? How could he tell the boy that all would turn out okay when the youngest Auditore was coughing and swaying on his feet, threatening to hang himself before the floor ever gave way?
Giovanni shouted something at the bastardo, but Federico focused on Petruccio, who was shaking harder with every passing minute. "Mio fratello, all will be well, you shall see."
The sickly boy looked at him with a sad hope, "Do you think Ezio will save us?"
Federico didn't have the heart to dash that last spark of life, and offered him a loving smile that he hoped conveyed how dear his brother was to him. "It will be over soon. Close your eyes fratello. Think of the most beautiful and wonderful place that you can, and we shall go there."
The look Petruccio gave him wretched his soul in two, the boy was too young for any of this. "Together?"
Federico nodded as best he could, "Together."
Petruccio shifted, closed his eyes and started describing his piece of heaven. He was still ghostly pale, but his voice gained strength the more he got into it. Giovanni nodded his thanks and pride to his eldest before turning his gaze to the crowd.
Federico could sense the end was coming now, and so turned to look upon the faces of those he'd called friends for the last time; and promptly spotted a familiar grey hood moving towards them from the back of the crowd.
For a moment hope soared, the assassins! They were coming to help! He let his gaze sweep across the crowd again for the others. There were none. Just one? That didn't make any senseā¦No. Please for the love of god, no.
The lone assassin was hurried and jerky in their movements, they stood out, the robes were too exactly like Giovanni's. Ezio. ACCIDENTI! No!
His eyes were desperate as he silently pleaded Ezio to leave. There was nothing he could do here but get himself killed! He had Maria and Claudia to think about! Go back sciocco!
The executioner approached the lever that would end it and Ezio broke into a sprint, shoving the crowd aside. He was too far, and Federico saw the swarming guards before he did. The distance wasn't enough to mask the pain radiating from Ezio as the guards stopped him; wasn't enough to keep those golden eyes from locking onto Federico's as the lever was pulled and the world dropped.
Correre Ezio!
Run.
