Hey you guys! I know I've been doing terrible keeping this story updated, I've just been so busy. Ya'll know how the holidays are. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter! A lot of the dialogue in here I took from real conversations, so I hope it's authentic enough.
Haytham POV
"Sir, I think you got stood up. By your own son," Charles says with a chuckle. He and Miss Cooper came to the tavern while I sent some Templars to meet Connor's Assassins. I got here about an hour ago. Connor, however, has not shown his face.
"He will be here. He's just stalling," I say.
"Should I go find him for you?" Miss Cooper asks.
"No, no. He will come. I know he will."
"He isn't coming, Haytham," Charles insists. In contradiction to that statement, I see Connor enter the tavern. His nose scrunches at the strong smell of liquor.
"Oh? Then who is that?" Charles looks over his shoulder at Connor, who locks eyes with me from across the room. He slowly makes his way toward us.
"God, he looks miserable." He dodges a man who drunkenly stumbles toward him.
"He clearly regrets this decision," Miss Cooper comments. Connor finally reaches us and turns a chair around backwards before sitting down.
"Sorry I am late," he says.
"Charles thought you weren't coming," I reply.
"I said I would. I just got busy."
"Which is exactly why you're here. You're always busy." He rolls his eyes.
"Sorry for caring about my work."
"Alright, alright, enough. We most certainly are not arguing tonight. Let me get you a drink." I get up and get a couple drinks for Connor and myself. I return and set the cup in front of him, then sit back down. "This here is Whiskey," I add.
"I do not know why I let you pressure me into these things." Connor picks up the cup, looks inside at the contents, and takes a very small sip. His face twists in disgust and he puts it back down. "This is disgusting."
"Well, you promised to drink the whole cup. Just take it easy."
"You're so cruel." He takes another drink, then coughs.
"You good?" Miss Cooper asks.
"How do people drink this stuff? It tastes like hatred."
"It's an acquired taste."
"Anything you have to force yourself to like is not worth the time."
"Oh, it isn't even that bad," I say, then take a sip of my own.
"Besides, you aren't supposed to like it," Miss Cooper says, drinking hers.
"Then what is the point?"
"Normally the part where you drink a little bit more is where people enjoy it."
"Well, I for one do not wish to get drunk."
"You don't have to get drunk, but it takes the edge off." Connor takes another drink, trying to tough it out.
"It's too bad your grandfather isn't here, he'd probably get you drunk so fast you wouldn't know what happened," I say.
"My grandfather the pirate? I would expect as much," Connor says. Daisy downs the second half of her drink.
"Are you gonna let her outdo you?" Charles asks, drinking his. Connor raises his eyebrows.
"Anyone I know would get wasted trying to keep up with her. No thank you. However, you can feel free to try."
"I would love to see this, actually," I say. Charles chuckles.
"Well, I used to keep up with Thomas, but that was long ago. Plus I do have work to do tomorrow and would rather not get drunk."
"Yeah, Father, I have work to do too," Connor says.
"Well, you've got to work on that cup, for starters," I say. Connor sighs and takes another drink.
"I cannot stand this." I peek into his cup.
"You've got about half of it left to go."
"Fine." He picks it up and chugs the rest.
"What are you doing?" He sets the cup back down.
"Finishing it." I glance at his cup, which is now empty. Oh, he should not have done that. I wasn't actually expecting him to get drunk, but… it is highly possible he will now.
"Oh… well, good job, then."
"How do you feel?" Charles asks.
"Fine."
"Not even a little tipsy?"
"I do not think so…"
"That's surprising. Maybe give it a moment."
"Why?"
"Sometimes it takes a bit for the alcohol to get to you." He frowns.
"I do feel weird."
"Weird how?" I ask. He shrugs, then smiles.
"I don't know, I just feel kinda… warm and cozy."
"Warm and cozy. That's an interesting way to describe it." He pulls off his hood.
"Why do I feel like this?"
"Oh, I wouldn't know," I say sarcastically. He picks up his cup again, then frowns.
"Where's my drink?"
"You drank it." His frown deepens.
"I want another." I raise my eyebrows.
"Do you?"
"Yeah."
"Get him another drink, Kenway," Miss Cooper says with a grin.
"Be back in a second," I say, my own smile forming. I return with another drink and give it to him. He takes a big gulp.
"Why did I ask for more?" he asks.
"I don't know," I admit.
"I hate this stuff." He takes another drink just the same.
"You don't have to keep drinking."
"Do not tell me what to do."
"I'm just saying you didn't want to get drunk. You should stop, or you will."
"I'll do what I want." He takes another long drink.
After drinking another half a cup, Connor is now standing on the table singing some sea shanty with the other drunks. Miss Cooper picks up his cup and drinks the end of it.
"Why'd you do that?" I ask.
"He'll already hate himself in the morning, I figure if he drinks any more it'll be worse," she replies.
"You think he'll be mad at me when he does sober up?"
"Maybe. But he needs to loosen up."
Connor plops down in his chair again. He covers his mouth and giggles uncontrollably. I smile, thinking how wonderful it is to see him so happy and carefree. That look suits him well. Maybe he'll be upset at me tomorrow, but seeing my boy smile and laugh is worth it.
"Where's my drink?" he asks.
"You drank it," I say.
"Nuh-uh. My cup must've stole it."
"It must have."
"I want more."
"I think you've had plenty." Miss Cooper smiles mischievously. I can tell the alcohol is getting to her a little as well.
"Say, Connor, why don't you go talk to that pretty girl over there?" she says. Oh, dear.
"She's okay, but not as pretty as Emily," he replies.
"Who is Emily? Connor, are you seeing someone?" Connor throws his head back in laughter.
"Like I could ever stand a chance with her."
"Why's that?"
"She's so… perfect. I'm lucky to even get to know her."
"Tell me about her."
"Miss Cooper, don't push it," I warn.
"I just want ta know."
"Daisy. I'm serious." She throws her hands up.
"Okay, I can take a hint." Connor tries to get up but collapses to the floor. I chuckle and help him up.
"Where are you trying to go?"
"To get another drink," he replies.
"You've had enough." He starts laughing.
"You're the one who pressured me into drinking, now you're telling me no?"
"Yes."
"Faatherrr!"
"No, sir, you're going to come with me and go home."
"Why?"
"Because you're very drunk, and I'd rather not wait until you're asleep to try and get you home. Miss Cooper, will you make it home okay?"
"I'm only a little tipsy. I'll be fine," she says.
"Are you sure? I wouldn't mind seeing you home to be sure," Charles says.
"Maybe that wouldn't hurt…"
"Don't worry, Haytham. I'll take care of her."
"Okay," I reply. I steer Connor to the door.
"Why do I call you 'Father?'" Connor asks as we step outside. I must rent a horse, considering we walked here, and Connor's isn't in sight. I begin taking us to the nearest horse rental location.
"Because I am your father, of course."
"But you weren't much of a father to me."
"God, Connor, I know. If this is how you are drunk—"
"You've gotten better, all things considered."
"You know, 'all things considered' isn't much of a compliment." He groans.
"I'm doing this wrong, then." He shoves himself away from me and leans against the nearest wall.
"Connor, we need to get you home."
"Sshhhh. I'm trying to think."
"We can talk when you're sober."
"I'm not even drunk!"
"Oh, I beg to differ."
"I am not drunk." He snickers.
"What?"
"Have you ever thought about the word 'drunk'? It sounds funny."
"Not really."
"No, think about it. Drunk. Drrruuunk. Duh-runk."
"You aren't supposed to pronounce it like that."
"What were we talking about, anyway?"
"About how we're going home."
"Not until I say what I wanna say."
"Then focus."
"Ummm… oh, yeah! What I mean is that you've become a good father. I care about you a lot. And… what is my point?"
"You never said." He frowns.
"Crap."
"Let's go, son." I grab a hold of him and continue. After about five minutes, the stables are in sight.
"Connor?" I hear a woman ask from behind. I turn around.
"Emily," Connor says breathlessly. Oh, bother. Please don't make a fool of yourself, Connor.
"What happened?"
"He just had too much to drink, is all," I say.
"He doesn't drink."
"Well, he did tonight."
"Why?"
"I suppose he doesn't handle peer pressure well."
"Emily, you're sooo pretty," Connor says. She shakes her head.
"Take care of him," she says. "I'm going to leave so he doesn't say something stupid."
"Of course. Come on, Connor," I say, and we go our separate ways.
"Wait, no, take me back," Connor says as I pay for a horse.
"Why?"
"I want to tell her how I feel."
"As much as I would love for you to, you will make a fool of yourself if you do it when you're this drunk."
"I'm not even drunk!"
"You would not be trying to confess your feelings if you weren't. Come on." I get Connor on the horse, then get on behind him.
"Why don't you have a wife? Or at least a girlfriend?"
"Oh, well I suppose I haven't had the desire to after your mother."
"She is gone."
"I know."
"Before that it had been five years since you spoke to her."
"I also know that."
"I think she wouldn't want you to stay stuck on her all this time later. You should move on."
"Oh, thank you, wise one." He strokes the horse's neck.
"I like horses." I roll my eyes.
"Yes, Connor."
"That is not even my name." I frown. It's not his name?
"Then what is it?"
"Ratonhnhaké:ton." I sigh.
"I'm calling you Connor still." He gasps.
"I remember my point!"
"What?"
"Earlier when I was talking about calling you Father."
"Then what is the point?"
"I wanna call you Dad."
"You do?"
"Yes. Unless that is not proper enough for you."
"No, no, by all means. You can call me that."
The rest of the trip we spend in silence, save for his mumbling incoherently. I stop the horse in front of my house, then dismount. I pull Connor off, and he leaves all his weight on me, causing me to nearly fall over.
"I need your cooperation," I say as I coax him toward the house.
"I do not feel good…" he replies.
"It'll only get worse. Come on, let's get you to bed."
Once we make it to his room, I make him sit on the bed. I remove his weapons and shoes, then make him lay down. He willingly gets comfortable.
"Goodnight, son," I say.
"Goodnight…" he mumbles as he drifts into sleep.
Haytham POV
"I hate you so much," Connor says before throwing up again into the bucket.
"To be fair, I didn't force you to drink it," I say.
"I don't know if my head or my stomach hurts worse." Connor abandons the bucket and curls back onto the bed. I sit on the edge of the bed next to him
"On the bright side, you were laughing a lot last night."
"I was acting like an idiot."
"You were acting like a drunk."
"I am still embarrassed."
"Don't be. You were having a good time. That's all I wanted in the first place."
"Did I do anything too bad?"
"I was making sure you kept out of trouble. But… we did run into Emily."
"Oh, no. Did I make a fool of myself?"
"You didn't say much. But you did tell her she was pretty."
"Dammit. Is that all?"
"Yes. She went on her way, and I took you home. You did want to tell her your feelings though." He covers his face.
"I am so glad you stopped me. I would never be able to face her."
"You really should tell her." He scoffs.
"Please, I do not have the courage to tell her."
"So you can take on a platoon of soldiers yourself, you jump off tall buildings for convenience, and you're the leader of the Assassins, but you can't tell a girl you like her?"
"No! I don't want things to get weird between us."
"Well, Connor, nothing good will ever happen if you're afraid to take a chance." He sighs.
"I know…"
"I really hope you'll say something."
"While we're talking about my love life, I would like to mention I did mean what I said last night about mom."
"You remember that?"
"Vaguely. I remember I said she'd want you to be happy, and she would."
"I know. I guess after we split, I figured it was proof that I wasn't meant to be in a relationship."
"How can you preach at me for thinking the same as you?"
"Because I want you to be better than me. I want you to be happier."
"I want you to be happy too, though."
"I am happy. I have my son in my life, what more could I ask for?"
"As flattered as I am, we both know that is not the same."
"Maybe." There is a gentle knock at the door, then Miss Cooper enters.
"Hey, Connor. How are you doing?" she asks.
"Horrible. I feel like death," Connor replies.
"You're so dramatic. A little hangover never killed anyone."
"Well I am never drinking again."
"But you had so much fun last night."
"Not enough to be worth this."
"Maybe. Say, are you going to tell me about this Emily?"
"Father!"
"I didn't say anything. You mentioned her last night at the tavern," I reply. He sighs.
"I would love to tell you, but there is nothing to tell."
"You were talking pretty highly of her." He groans.
"What did I say?"
"You said she's so perfect and you're lucky to even know her."
"Well, she is, and I am."
"You really like this girl, don't you?"
"Yeah…"
"C'mon, tell me about her."
"Why are you so interested?"
"What? Can't I be curious about your first crush?"
"Wait, I'm sorry? She isn't actually the first girl you've ever liked, is she?" I ask.
"She is, so?" Connor replies.
"You're twenty-four!"
"Admittedly, I met her not long after I met you. I'm not sure when I realized I liked her, but it was pretty early on. Anyway, Daisy, I don't know why you'd care."
"Because, this is huge. You're going to tell her, right?" she asks.
"He's too chicken," I say.
"Please, can we not talk about this?" he asks.
"I'll drop it… for now. Only because you have a hangover. Don't you worry, though. I'll get you to tell me about her yet," she says.
"We will see."
"Anyway, I am here on business as well."
"Oh?"
"Charles and I went to talk to our little friend back at the safe hose, and we discovered something intriguing."
"What did you discover?" I ask.
"The head of the Poisonstars lives not far from where the Mohawk used to be."
"Really?" Connor asks.
"Yeah, it shouldn't be hard to find."
"Well, maybe when my head isn't about to explode, we can check it out."
"Actually… I was thinking your father and I could go."
"Where's Lee?"
"He's busy bossing people around in New York. I thought it might be good for us to work together. Also, that'll give you the chance to sleep off your hangover."
"You're only trying to work with him because you two became friends all of a sudden."
"I mean, we haven't exactly spent that much time around each other, but so what if we get along? At least we're not like you and Charles."
"I suppose."
"Anyway, Mister Kenway, are you up to coming along?"
"I am," I say as I get up.
"Don't make too much noise when you get back," Connor says.
"I won't, but you'll feel better when I do return."
"I'd better."
"Bye, son. See you tonight." I turn and follow Miss Cooper toward the door.
"Goodbye, Dad." I freeze, then look at him over my shoulder. "I was not as drunk as you think." I smile.
"If you say so." With that, I go.