This is all set in a Modern AU with ALL of the known Assassin's Creed characters making appearances as their family or friends or friends of friends.

Chapter One: The Kenway Touch

The wedding reception for Norris and Myriam is grand and Connor was glad he had a part with taking care of the plans that took months to prepare: Father Timothy blessed the marriage, Ellen designed the dress, his dad, Haytham, and helped Norris with the tux and Connor were granted the honor of walking Myriam to the aisle! His parents were proud that they're own son took the responsible role, though grandfather Edward—although pleased—was a little blunt to ask rhetorically when he himself gets to walk his future granddaughter-in-law for Connor, which earned him some cold stares from his son, Ziio and daughter, Jenny, who nudged his ribs. "Oh Father, really," she shakes her head.

Altair and Maria handled the venue for the party; it was the least they could do, they said, as they would not make it to their wedding but to the party instead because of their trip to China to see their son, Darim. Ezio was inviting other guests for the reception, other than the family and their friends and relatives.

"Who in the world are these people?" Haytham's eyes narrowed at the long list of other friends and friends of friends that may not really know Norris or Myriam or anyone at all, other than they're friends with Ezio. Federico, Ezio's brother, just shook his head. "At least the food won't go to waste. And I see Yusuf's up to his antics again."

Yusuf was requested to perform for the party: magic shows, a comedy skit and then, for the finale, him, Ezio and their group of singing friends to a love song.

Sofia, Ezio's girlfriend, was lucky to have caught the bouquet of flowers after Myriam tossed it, to the cheer of the crowd and teasing to Ezio.

"Look who's getting married soon!" Federico jeered as more of Ezio's friends wolf-whistled.

Then, the traditional wedding dance for the bride and groom was about to begin and Norris led Myriam to the center of the dance floor as a slow number was sung. Soon they were joined by other couples to the dance floor: Haytham and Ziio, Terry and his wife, Sef and his wife and then his two daughters gleefully took turns to dance with their dad; Darim and his parents made it to the reception just in time to see the dance and they, too, joined the others at the dance floor.

Connor sat at the table, alone, drinking his wine while he read a text message coming from one of his professors at the university when he felt a hand clap him on his back. It was his grandfather.

"Connor, boyo," he said, grasping his shoulder tightly and chuckling; from the sound of it, Connor surmised he was drunk again. " 'are'n-choo at the dance floor?"

Connor pulled up a chair and settled his grandfather to it before he could attract Jenny's and Haytham's attention. "I don't dance, grandpa. I'm fine."

"Oh come now," he retorts, "go out there and dance, drink the beer, be happy!"

Connor shakes his head and smiles sheepishly. "I'm content where I am, grandpa, and I intend to be sober. I have work tomorrow after I have an afternoon class at the university and I don't want a bad impression."

Unexpectedly, his grandfather sighs heavily and casts his head down, shaking it; confused, Connor asked, "What is it, grandpa? Something on your mind?"

Edward lifts his head, inhales a deep breath and, in a grave tone, he asks his grandson, "Did I touch you?"

Connor's eyebrows lift in further confusion. "What?"

"I mean," his grandfather further explains, "are you a Kenway? Aren't you my grandson?"

Connor's eyebrows furrowed at the last question and glanced around the reception area if anyone was seeing this or if anyone had created this prank on him, with his own grandfather in on the plan, and when it's all over they could all just laugh it off and go back to their usual routine—but no, no one was paying them heed as the dance floor becomes crowded with more dancers and a different, upbeat tune plays.

"I am your grandson," Connor answers flatly. Is his grandfather playing mind tricks on him?

"Hm, well," Edward said as he crinkles his forehead to think. "Yes, I guess… Haytham was a charming lad when he was a boy, even when he was homeschooled before, but he had good taste for women… My own father had been honey to the girls himself, before, but found me mum after his reckless years and went romantic on her… And Jenny smoldered every man who thinks they got what it took to be with her. The Kenways've always been quite the trap, no one could resist."

Oh, that's what he meant. Connor shakes his head and chuckles half-heartedly. "You mean, you came here to tell me I'm single and alone, and that I'm not your grandson because I'm not… charming enough?"

Edward snorts. "No, no, lad. Charming, talented, hard-working, women would fall for you, I think… Just that you don't have, hm, charisma or something."

Connor's smile was pure sarcasm. "Why are you bringing this up?"

"Because, I think you need an honest opinion from your own grandfather," he answers. "You're not stepping up the game, lad! The Kenway legacy must continue!"

"It'll continue when I want it to," Connor jokingly said but his grandfather's face says he's not amused. "And besides, you seem to be planning its continuation on your own, dancing with Aunt Jenny's Portuguese friend."

"And I can if I have to," Edward jeers back and adds, "even though my whales in my sacks ain't swimmin' like they used to be. But hey, I can donate some of them, I think, and probably get lucky."

Connor groans and rests his head on his hand as his grandfather went back to the party.

This is inspired by a Filipino short story, 'The Laughter of My Father' by Carlos Bulosan, though the fanfiction is nowhere near similar to the original piece.

AO3 URL: /works/1042373