Once more, Federico found himself running with Ezio's body.. no, not his body.. he wasn't dead yet- no, he wouldn't die at all!
Federico refused to be responsible for the death of Ezio!
He soon found himself running through allyways in order to lose the guards currently chasing them. Federico didn't know the streets of Venice as well as he did Florence and found himself lost many a time, even contemplating jumping into the river.
Then, like fate decided to finally be kind, he found a courtyard. He ran through, laying his little brother down before looking back behind them. The guards ran past, not even considering to look around. Federico held his breath, before then turning back to Ezio. He picked him up in his arms, looking down at the wound that.. that was still bleeding.
"It's fine.." Ezio's voice then broke the silence but it was quiet and raspy. He looked up at his brother, his eyes dull and his skin pale. "Don't bother. I'm dying, Federico..."
Despite the fact that Ezio had said those same words once before, it still broke him to hear his baby brother utter it again.
Had.. had Ezio given up?!
"No, fratello I-" he cut himself off this time, looking into the eyes of his dying.. no not... yes, yes his dying brother.. he held him close, tears falling from his eyes as he looked to his little brother. "I'm sorry.. I... I'm so sorry!" He wailed, ignoring the rain that battered against his face as he held Ezio close.
But.. Ezio only smiled, his eyes still dull and his skin still pale. He spoke, quietly;
"It's not your fault and it will never be your fault. I'm dying peacefully, in the arms of the brother I thought I lost."
Then he uttered words that Federico had never thought he'd hear again.
"It was a good life we lead, it was the best but-" he cut off coughing, blood running down his mouth still. Federico sat him up, rubbing his back. Once the younger of the two siblings was done, Federico spoke for himself.
However, the dark thoughts of what he wished to say stayed.
'It's a good life we lead... and I ruined it.'
He chose to not even think those words any long, as to not ruin Ezio's peace.
"It changed. But, it never did change us. Not completely.." he whimpered, holding Ezio close still. "I'll see you in the next life.. I- I promise you."
"Good.. take care of yourself, fratello.."
Ezio looked as if he wished to say more, but his energy had left him. He began to breathe heavily, clinging onto his brother.
After a while, Federico looked down to see that Ezio had died with a smile.