Assassin's Creed (c) Ubisoft
Spoiler Alert for people that watch The Big Bang Theory
The cars zoomed by, sometimes the drivers would glance at them as if they were insane. Perhaps they were, Connor mused as he watched the various vehicles zip by him on I-95. His father paced up and down talking to his mother on the phone. Connor felt rather proud of his mischievous gambit of stowing away in Haytham's car, even if he felt guilty about making his mother worry.
The shock he induced into his father nearly caused an accident, but Haytham had managed to avoid one and pull to the side of the road. Instead of getting the expected tongue-lashing he prepared for, they got out of the car and Connor watched as Haytham called his mother. "What were you thinking!" Haytham hissed at him, while awaiting Ziio to pick up the phone. Connor grinned and shrugged. "Connor, your mother would like a word," Haytham said and handed the phone to him. Connor took it, pressing the device to his ear.
"Hi Ista!" he chirped, sound way to chipper for the situation at hand.
"Are you please with yourself, Ratonhnhaké:ton!" Ziio asked, her voice rather shrill through the phone. "You gave me a heart attack!"
"What about Grandpa Edward?" Connor asked, hoping he didn't inadvertently kill his grandfather. He was rather fond of the old man.
"He thought it was the funniest thing," Ziio said and heaved a great weary sigh, "but that's not the point! I thought someone kidnapped you!"
Connor continued to smile. His mother was furious and rightly so, but she was yelling at him in English, not Mohawk or a combination of the two languages. This was a good sign, it meant he'd get his way, if he played his cards right. Connor sniffed and let out a shaky breath. "I-I'm sorry Ista," he said, "but I wanted to protect you, and the only way is to go to Boston with Haytham." Connor explained, whimpering a bit for dramatic effect. "Please understand, I have to do this!" He watched as his father roll his eyes in exasperation. Connor waited for his mother to say something as the cars sped by.
"Alright," Ziio eventually sighed. "At least I know you're safe. Now, I want you to mind your father why you're with him in Boston. Do exactly as he says otherwise he'll put you on the first bus back to Moose Park and I'll pick you up there, do you understand me?" Ziio asked.
Connor couldn't allow himself to look too happy, so he schooled his face and nodded. "Yes, Ista, I'll be good."
"That's my brave Ratonhnhaké:ton! Call me every night and be good for Haytham," Ziio said.
"I will. Do you want to talk to him, again?" Connor asked.
"Yes," Ziio answered and Connor handed his father the phone. He didn't have to wait long before Haytham hung up with a sigh.
"Well, get in, we have a ways to go yet before we reach Boston," Haytham said. Connor grinned and got into the front passenger seat. Haytham started the car and they drove off. "You do realize that once we get to Boston you're grounded right?"
"Yeah, right," Connor snorted as he watched the scenery out the window.
"I can turn this car around and head back to Eagle's Point right now," Haytham warned. Connor glanced at his father before shrugging. "Good now to lay some ground rules," Haytham began.
"Can't you act like a parent once we get to Boston? You're running my savoring of the moment," Connor whined. Haytham sighed, counted to ten, but didn't say anything in reply.
The rest of the car trip was conducted in silence; or rather, Connor stuck his headphones in and turned up the volume on his phone to tune out Haytham and any attempts to form anything resembling the bond between father and son.
They reached Haytham's apartment in Boston the next day, shortly after having lunch at Subways. Connor looked around at his father's apartment. It was counter to what he expected a bachelor pad was supposed to look like. "Wow," Connor said, "it's rather neat."
"I like to keep my home organized," Haytham said. Connor felt Haytham's eyes on him as he wandered around the house. There were no pictures, save for a couple of landscape images to give the place more cheer. Connor pushed the door open to Haytham's room, with the bed and shelves all tidy. His desk was the only thing in disarray. Connor snorted and opened the door across the small hallway. This room was empty, save for the ready-made bed. "I'm assuming this is my room, huh?" Connor asked.
"For the time being, yes," Haytham replied. "Now to establish some ground rules. You will not enter my room under any circumstances save for emergencies," Haytham said.
"Uh-huh." Connor tossed his duffel bag onto his bed, wondering when the last time this room was even used.
"You will also listen to me! Especially when I say Connor Kenway, do you understand?" Haytham asked. That got Connor's attention and he turned to face the man that was his father. He folded his arms across his chest and glowered at Haytham.
"Oh, I understand," Connor said, "but that doesn't mean I'm going to do it."
"I am your father!" Haytham snapped.
"No," Connor corrected, "you aren't my father. You are my sire. There's a difference. If you were my father, you wouldn't have abandoned me and my mother for fourteen years!"
"For the last time! I didn't abandon you or your mother! She left me before you were born and I didn't even know she was pregnant!" Haytham explained.
"Right. A convenient excuse, especially considering my mom isn't even here to confirm it!" Connor shot back.
"That's…" Haytham sighed, Connor would make a good lawyer if he ever went into law. "Let's not get into that argument. You will listen to Connor Kenway, that is your name right?" Haytham asked, realizing how stupid it was to assume that Connor even had his last name.
"Ratonhnhaké:ton Connor Kenway," Connor replied. "Right on my birth certificate."
"I see." Haytham nodded. "I'm surprised she gave you my name," he muttered.
Connor snorted. "Do you want to know why I don't listen to you?" he asked, closing the gap between him and his father. He didn't give Haytham a chance to answer before pressing on. "It's because I don't respect you. And really, why should I? Yes, we're related by blood but that's as far as our kinship goes. You aren't my father and never will be!"
"Now, Connor… son—"
"How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that like it's supposed to mean something to me? It doesn't, okay!" Connor shouted.
"Connor, here is no need to yell," Haytham said, trying to placate his son.
"Just shut up! I only came here to stop the bad guys from hunting my mom not to get all buddy-buddy with you!"
"Connor—"
"And I don't want a relationship with you either! Considering you never bothered to find me or anything! For fourteen years I had to listen to other kids tell stories about how awesome their dads were! I never got that chance! I never got to be proud of my dad, because I didn't have one!"
"Connor please, if you just—"
"And then you suddenly appear out of nowhere! The only reason you are in my life is because my mom needs help and she came to you for it! Why? I don't know, considering I find you nothing more than a pompous self-righteous asshole!"
"Connor, I'm sor—"
"Don't apologize! I'm all out of forgiveness anyway!" Connor shouted and slammed the door in his father's face. He stalked over to his bed before jumping on it and proceeded to punch the pillow until he gave into his tears.
Haytham started when his son slammed the door in his face. "I'm sorry, son," Haytham whispered and heard a knock at the door. He went to answer the door, smiling tiredly at the shriveled old lady before him. "Hi, Mrs. Weathersbee!"
"I heard shouting, Haytham. Is everything alright?" she asked in a reedy voice. Haytham forced a smile.
"Yes, yes, everything is alright, just… the TV. Watching one of those trashy dramas," he said. "Nothing to worry about Mrs. Weathersbee."
"Are you sure?" she asked, trying to peer into his apartment. "Mittens didn't get into your apartment again did he?"
"No, that cat has been dead for twenty years," Haytham said.
"Mittens isn't dead, Haytham, I told you, Mittens ran away," the old woman said. Haytham pinched the bridge of his nose. "But if you say there was no shouting then I'll go. Have a good day."
"Good bye Mrs. Weathersbee," Haytham said, but the old lady suddenly stopped and looked over at him.
"Whatever happened to that nice girl you dated Haytham?" Mrs. Weathersbee asked. Haytham was taken aback but the question; considering he had on and off dealings with the elderly woman for years, never once had she ever asked him a personal question.
He swallowed tightly. "We… we broke up… a long time ago," he forced out, then cleared his throat and looked at anything other than the old woman.
"That's a real shame," Mrs. Weathersbee said, "She was a nice girl, pretty too. You two would've had cute children. Well, goodbye, give a holler if you find Mittens!"
"Will do Mrs. Weathersbee," Haytham said and closed the door.
One month earlier
It was one of his rare days off and he was going to savor it. He had to get through A Storm of Swords if he wanted to watch season four of the TV adaptation. So, he made himself a hearty breakfast and some tea before settling down to eat and enjoy his book.
He was only three pages in from where he left off, with his bacon and eggs mostly untouched, when he heard a knock on the door. "I haven't seen Mittens, Mrs. Weathersbee!" Haytham bellowed. There was no answer save for another knock. "I'm not lying Mrs. Weathersbee, I don't have your cat nor have I seen it!" he called, wondering if he just ignored whomever it was at the door if they'd take the hint and leave. They didn't and knocked a third time.
Frowning since Jon Snow's adventure with the wildlings was going to have to wait; Haytham set his book down before heading over to the door and answering it. He was going to give the person a sharp retort about disturbing people and sent them packing but the words caught in his throat when he saw whom it was. "Ziio?" he asked, baffled to see his ex-girlfriend standing before him.
"Hey Haytham," she said, smiling weakly as she shoved her hands into her pockets. "Long time, no see, huh?"
"Fifteen years," he replied thickly. He wanted to slam the door in her face for breaking his heart and to take her into his arms and just hold her, never letting her go again. He was about to do the latter when his attention fell upon the surly looking youth that came down the hall. The boy's resemblance to Ziio was uncanny, though Haytham say that the boy's skin tone was lighter than hers, but still…
"Can we come in?" Ziio asked before Haytham could say anything. Mutely he nodded and allowed Ziio and the boy to enter his apartment. He closed the door and followed them to the couch and loveseat. They sat opposite each other. The boy looked unhappy about being here and said so in what Haytham assumed was Mohawk. Haytham cleared his throat.
"I believe some introductions are in order," Haytham said with a glance to the boy.
"Right," Ziio agreed, nudging the boy.
"I'll go first then. Hello, I'm Haytham Kenway, pleasure to meet you," he said and held out his hand. The boy stared at his hand like Haytham was a poisonous viper.
"I don't like being touched," he said, and Ziio elbowed him. The boy grunted in annoyance. "I'm Ratonhnhaké:ton," he said.
"Raydoon… I'm sorry," Haytham said, realizing that he won't be able to wrap his tongue around the boy's name.
"Ra-doon-ha-ge-doon," the boy said much slower, as if Haytham was obtuse. "It's not that hard to say."
He wasn't in the mood to pronounce complex names, instead he asked, "Do you have a nickname or something?"
"Connor," the boy said, "it's my middle name."
Haytham nodded. "So, Ziio… what brings you and your surly brother to my apartment?"
Ziio laughed as Connor continued to scowl. "My brother? Hahahaha! Haytham, Ratonhnhaké:ton isn't my brother," she said.
"Alright, then who the bloody hell is he and why is he with you?" Haytham asked. He was rapidly losing his patience with this woman. How dare she waltz back into his life, opening up that old wound on his heart, and bring along some unknown teenage boy! Did she have no idea how much she hurt him? How depressed he was after their break-up that he almost climbed into the bottle and never came out? How dare she have the audacity to—
"I beg your pardon but can you repeat that?" Haytham found himself saying, having missed what Ziio said. She frowned at him.
"I said: Haytham, Ratonhnhaké:ton, is my son… our son."
Boston, Massachusetts — Present day
Connor heard the door to his room open. He had been dozing, but now that he was awake, he wanted to do something. "Connor, son, wake up."
"I'm awake," Connor said, not looking at Haytham. "What time is it?"
"Quarter to five, I have dinner ready," Haytham replied. Connor sat up, debating if he should eat with Haytham or not. He could smell the food and his stomach growled. "Hungry?"
"Yeah," Connor replied tiredly as he slid off the bed and followed his father out into the kitchen. Sitting atop the counter were two plates of food. It was chicken smothered in creamy mushroom gravy with rice and, peace and carrots. Connor's mouth began to water as he took a seat. They ate in silence, the klink-klink of silverware hitting plates were the only sounds that filled the air. "It's good," Connor said after a while.
'I'm surprised you're eating it actually," Haytham said. "Considering you might think I poisoned it."
Connor shook his head. "You wouldn't' do that, cause you know my mom would kill you." Connor said, grinning when Haytham was forced to agree.
"So what do you normally do on Thursday night?" Haytham asked.
"Do my homework before dinner, then Ista and I would watch The Big Bang Theory while we ate. Then whatever else was on after it. Next, I'd help her with the dishes." Connor shrugged. "Shower then bed, why?"
"I could never understand her fascination with that show," Haytham said.
"It's really good. I like the humor," Connor said.
"That aside, the tall skinny guy is so obnoxious and the way he treats his girlfriend is deplorable," Haytham groused as he scooped up some rice.
"Sheldon? He's funny," Connor said. "He and Amy have sex in season nine. Mom and I DVR it."
"Right, well… we won't be watching that," Haytham said.
"Lemme guess, Downtown Abbey then?"
"Don't be stupid, no. We're going to watch something good. Like The Game of Thrones," Haytham said.
"I'm not allowed to watch that show, plus we can't buy HBO," Connor said.
"Have you read the books?" Haytham asked.
"No, I do a lot of outdoors things," Connor replied. "I read sometimes though, mostly horror and thrillers."
"Well, at least you read," Haytham said. Connor frowned, wondering what his father had against his choice of reading material. The conversation trailed off after that and Connor helped with the dishes, before sitting on the couch. They bickered over what to watch before settling on a nature documentary about wolves. Connor eventually fell asleep during it and woke up when his father had picked him up and carried him to bed, he didn't say anything just pretended to be asleep as his father tucked him into bed.
"I'm sorry I wasn't there your entire life," Haytham whispered, stroking his forehead and hair. "But I'm here now, and if you just let me, I'll do my best to make up all the time we have missed." He paused before whispering, "Forgive me son," and pressed a kiss against Connor's forehead.
Haytham's reaction to Ziio's news will appear in the next chapter. I wanted it to be in this chapter but the ending scene just felt… proper. Yes, Connor was awake during it, but he was pretending to be asleep and Haytham didn't realize that he wasn't.
Spoiler Alert for people that watch The Big Bang Theory!
To me, Connor seems a tad OOC with the highway scene, but… he is a fourteen-year-old kid, and defying Haytham is like a hobby of his.
Every time you don't review a Templar kills puppies and kittens. Think of Connor, the puppies and kittens.
Save an author; leave a review!
-Nemo