"I don't like being blindfolded," Speranza says, crossing her arms.

"But it won't be a surprise if you can see where we're going." Ezio smirks.

"If you do anything to me except leading me to where we're going, you're getting a knife to the gut," she threatens, her eyes blazing.

"Trust me, mia ragazza di fuoco." He laughs, and she places a hand on her hip.

"I'm not yours," she says quietly, although her heart flutters at the idea.

"You were fine when I called you mia signora," he reminds her.

"That's being polite," she says briskly. "Blindfold me."

He frowns sadly as he ties the piece of cloth around her eyes. He waves a hand in front of her face, and she doesn't react. He nods, grasping her arm and leading her away.

"We're going to take a horse," he explains. "Don't be frightened."

In one swift movement, he lifts her onto the saddle, and he climbs up in front of her. She wraps her arms around his torso, pressing her face into his back.

"Nervous?" He chuckles.

"Oh no. I'm just blindfolded on the back of a horse," she says sarcastically.

"I'm here. I won't let anything happen to you," he promises. "Do you trust me?"

"You know I do."

"I love hearing that." He smiles as he clicks the reins and the horse takes off.

-----------

"Qui siamo!" Ezio announces, pulling off her blindfold.

"Woah..." Speranza breathes.

The two assassins stand a little ways out of the city, underneath a beautiful tree. Ezio lays out a blanket in the shade, then takes the food out of the saddle bags.

"You like it?"

"Love it. This is bello," she says.

He settles himself on the blanket, and she joins him. As they eat, they talk more, even laugh a little.

"How old are you?" Ezio asks. "If I may ask."

"Thirty-six..." Speranza answers, touching her face lightly.

"Hmm, you don't look it. I thought twenty-five."

"You flatter me." She smirks. "What about you?"

"Thirty-eight."

"Only two years between us. Interesting."

"Do I look my age?"

"No. You must age well."

He laughs, and she sighs contentedly.

"This was a good plan. Molto bene," she says, laying back onto the blanket. He nods, just gazing at her. After a moment, she opens her eyes. "What are you staring at?"

"You."

"Why though?"

"You don't want me to tell you anymore."

"You may, this one time."

"Because you're beautiful." Her cheeks turn a delightful shade of pink, and he smirks. "Too much?" he asks.

She shakes her head. "No...it's fine."

Score one for Ezio Auditore, he thinks.

Mia ragazza di fuoco: My fiery girl

Qui siamo: Here we are

Molto bene: Very good