"Hey, I think I've got something. Follow me," Desmond gestured towards a break in the fencing, a path that led down into the ruins.
Claire nodded, her grip tightening on the edge of her jacket as she followed him. Her breath hitched when he vaulted over the fence with a practiced grace, landing in the straw below with a fluidity that seemed more reminiscent of Ezio than Desmond. The faint screech of an eagle echoed through the air, sending a shiver down her spine. She leaned against the fence, watching him with a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
Desmond looked up at her from the haystack, a lopsided grin tugging at his lips. "You coming, or are you just going to admire the view from up there?"
Claire rolled her eyes, but she couldn't suppress the smirk that pulled at her mouth. "Just making sure you didn't break anything first," she shot back, though the familiar banter eased the tension coiled inside her.
She took a deep breath, then pushed off from the ledge, letting gravity take over. For a moment, the world blurred, her stomach lurching with the sudden drop, and then she hit the hay with a muffled thud. The dry, prickly stalks cushioned her fall, but the landing still left her breathless.
Desmond's hand reached down to her, a warm, solid lifeline. She accepted it, feeling the strength in his grip as he pulled her out of the haystack. The closeness between them was undeniable—his face inches from hers as he helped her steady herself. She could see the faint smudges of dirt on his cheek, the way his hair fell messily over his forehead, and for a moment, the weight of everything else seemed to slip away.
"You okay?" he asked, his voice softening as he searched her gaze, his thumb brushing over her knuckles almost absently.
Claire found herself holding her breath, caught in the warmth of his presence, in the way his concern wrapped around her like a shield against the cold. "Yeah," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm fine. Just... it's been a while since I've made a jump like that."
Desmond's smile softened, a faint glint of amusement in his eyes. "You did great. Almost like you've been doing it your whole life."
She let out a shaky laugh, the sound raw and honest, as she shook her head. "Maybe in another life, huh?"
For a moment, they lingered like that—standing close, sharing a breath of air amidst the ruins. The tension between them hummed like a taut string, a connection forged in the strange blend of past and present, of their shared experiences in the Animus and the danger that loomed over them. Claire's pulse quickened, her chest tightening with a mix of emotions she could barely untangle.
She could feel the heat radiating from him, the warmth of his breath ghosting across her skin. There was a softness in his gaze, a gentleness that seemed to reach right through her carefully built walls. Her fingers tightened around his hand for a moment, and she swore she saw his expression shift—something unspoken lingering in the air between them.
But then the moment passed, the urgency of their mission creeping back in to remind them where they were. Claire cleared her throat, gently pulling her hand from his, her cheeks flushed despite the cool air. "Come on," she said, trying to regain her composure. "We've got a lot more ground to cover."
Desmond nodded, a knowing smile playing on his lips as he let her lead the way. "Right behind you," he said, his tone low and steady, but she could hear the trace of warmth lingering beneath his words.
From above them, Shaun's voice cut through the moment, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "We'll just wait up here then, shall we? All alone, with massive targets painted on our backs."
Claire rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help the faint smirk that tugged at her lips. "Stay alert, Shaun. Maybe we'll come back for you."
She followed Desmond through the newly revealed tunnel, shadows dancing around them as they moved deeper into the Villa's bowels. The air was thick with the ghosts of the past—faint whispers of villagers and figures that moved through time like ripples on the surface of a pond. As they ventured further, Claire kept her eyes on Desmond, noticing the way he winced, the strain in his expression as he navigated the visions that only he could see.
He pulled a switch to open a gate, letting her slip through to the other side. "What was that?" Desmond muttered, his voice barely more than a whisper, his eyes scanning the shadows.
Claire paused, turning back towards him, a frown creasing her brow. "I don't see anything. Are you alright?" Concern laced her voice as she stepped closer, wanting to reach out, to touch his arm, but holding herself back.
"They escaped through here," he murmured, his gaze distant as if seeing beyond the present. "Ezio and the villagers. After the attack, I can see them now."
Claire reached out, her hand hovering near his, offering silent support as she watched his face twist with the strain of reconciling the two timelines. "I know it's hard, but you're not alone, Desmond. I'm right here with you."
He nodded, exhaling slowly, trying to regain his focus. "Yeah. Thanks."
They pressed on, following the trail of the apparitions until they reached another locked gate. Desmond tried the lever, but it jammed halfway through, the gears grinding in protest. He gritted his teeth, straining against the resistance, but the mechanism wouldn't budge.
"It's stuck," he muttered, frustration edging his voice.
Claire stepped closer, assessing the situation with a critical eye. "Hold it steady. I'll crawl under while you keep it open." She glanced at him, a small, wry smile quirking her lips. "And try not to drop it on me, alright?"
Desmond shot her a faintly exasperated look, but there was a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "Just get through before my arms give out."
Claire ducked beneath the half-raised gate, her muscles straining as she squeezed through the tight space. On the other side, she found another lever, and with a quick pull, the gate creaked open fully. Desmond released his grip, rolling his shoulders to ease the tension, and joined her with a grateful nod.
"Good job," he said, offering her a crooked smile that almost made the shadows in the room feel a little less oppressive.
"Don't mention it," she replied, brushing the dust off her sleeves. But as they moved forward, she couldn't shake the growing sense of unease that settled low in her gut, like a storm gathering on the horizon.
They reached a deep pool of water, its surface dark and uninviting. Desmond hesitated at the edge, glancing between the murky depths and the ledge on the far side. "Guess it's my turn to swim again," he muttered, casting a sidelong look at Claire.
She smirked, crossing her arms as she leaned against the tunnel wall. "Better you than me, right? Besides, you're the one who said you wanted to live like Ezio."
He sighed, but there was a reluctant smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Yeah, yeah. I'm going." He took a breath and plunged into the water, the cold shock of it hitting him like a slap. He surfaced with a sputtering cough, glaring playfully back at Claire. "It's freezing!"
Claire's laugh rang out, bright and genuine, and for a moment, the tension between them eased. "Stop whining, Desmond. You'll be fine. Besides, think of it as... immersion therapy."
He rolled his eyes, but the sound of her laughter warmed him in a way that the water never could. As he reached the far side and pulled himself up onto the ledge, he couldn't help but glance back at her, his smile lingering even as he shivered from the cold. Claire watched as Desmond waded out of the murky water, his hoodie clinging to him, droplets tracing paths down his arms. She leaned casually against the stone wall, trying—and failing—to hide the smirk playing on her lips.
"How come you don't have to get wet?" Desmond groused, wringing out his sleeves and shooting her a pointed look. She arched an eyebrow, letting her eyes sweep over him in a slow, playful way.
"I figured I'd leave the dirty work to you." Her smirk widened as she caught the way his eyes lingered on her, a flicker of something in his gaze that matched the heat she felt building between them. Desmond chuckled, the sound low and warm, as he leaned closer, his voice dropping to match hers.
"You know, Ezio got to take baths with Amelia. Here I am, left swimming in a sewer." He rolled his eyes, giving her a pointed look. Claire gave a soft laugh, pushing off the wall to stand closer to him, their shoulders nearly brushing.
"Maybe if you play your cards right, you'll get an upgrade next time," she teased, her voice light but with a hint of something more that made his smile widen. "You look good dripping wet, Miles."
Desmond gave a little huff of a laugh in return, and she caught the way his eyes softened as they lingered on her. It sent a small, unexpected flutter through her, and she quickly turned her attention back to the task at hand, hoping he wouldn't notice the faint warmth rising in her cheeks. He moved closer, pausing just before her, and without warning, leaned in to press a kiss against her forehead, the touch surprisingly tender amidst their banter.
Claire blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the affectionate gesture. A shiver ran through her, though it wasn't from the chill of the ancient halls. She found herself leaning into him slightly, letting the warmth of his presence seep through the tension she'd been carrying for what felt like forever. "Desmond..." she murmured, a softness creeping into her voice, but before she could say more, he pulled back with a teasing grin.
"Come on, let's keep moving." They continued onward, reaching a broken bridge that stretched over a deep chasm. Claire's sharp gaze scanned the area, searching for a way across.
Desmond glanced back at Claire, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips as they surveyed the broken bridge ahead. "Great. The bridge is out. We can't jump this."
Claire assessed the gap, then turned back to him, a glint in her eye. "I have an idea. You're going to have to give me a boost, though. Think you can manage?"
Desmond straightened up, his grin widening. "Oh, I think I can handle it. Ready when you are."
She rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a smile. She positioned herself, feeling Desmond's hands secure around her waist. There was a moment where their eyes met, and she felt a flutter in her chest—something she hadn't allowed herself to feel in a long time. She swallowed it down, focusing on the task at hand. "Here goes nothing."
With a quick motion, Desmond lifted her, sending her soaring through the air to the ledge above. Claire caught the edge and pulled herself up gracefully, dusting off her hands as she looked back down at him. "Not bad, Miles. Maybe you're not so useless after all."
He shot her a playful glare, crossing his arms as he watched her lower the beam for him. "Just don't get too used to bossing me around. I might start charging you every time I save you."
She smirked, leaning over the edge to meet his gaze as he prepared to jump. "I think you owe me a few more rescues before we even out. I'd keep that in mind if I were you."
Desmond shook his head, laughing softly, but the warmth in his eyes lingered. He made the jump, catching the beam with ease and pulling himself up beside her. For a moment, they stood close—closer than they needed to—and she felt the heat radiating off him, mingling with the cool, damp air of the chamber. Her mind kept drifting back to the feeling of Desmond's hands on her waist, the way his touch had lingered just a second longer than necessary. He really was starting to worm his way into her every thought.
They came to another lever, and Claire gestured for Desmond to help. He grumbled, stepping up beside her, but there was a lightness in his voice as he said, "You know, I think you just like making me do all the heavy lifting."
She tilted her head, her lips quirking in a sly smile. "Maybe I do. Makes the view more interesting."
Desmond paused, caught off guard, before a slow, crooked smile spread across his face. "Yeah? Glad I could be of service."
Claire bit her lip, trying to suppress the flush that crept up her neck, and turned away before he could see the effect he had on her. She felt her pulse quicken, but she pushed it down. When they reached the crumbling wall that led to the next chamber, Desmond stopped her with a gentle touch on her arm.
"You know, you don't always have to put on this tough act," he said, his voice dropping lower, more serious now. "I can handle it if you want to let your guard down... just a little."
Claire met his gaze, her breath catching at the unexpected vulnerability in his words. For a moment, she considered it—considered letting down the walls she'd built around herself for so long. But then she shook her head, offering him a small, teasing smile instead. "Where's the fun in that? Besides, I think you like the challenge."
Desmond let out a breathless laugh, shaking his head as he moved past her to climb the ledge. "You have no idea."
She watched him go, a part of her wishing she'd said something different, that she'd let herself be honest for once. But then she shook off the thought, focusing on the path they still had to navigate. There would be time for honesty later—if they survived this.
As Desmond reached the top of the ledge, he turned and offered her a hand. She took it, letting him pull her up beside him, their hands lingering together for a moment longer than necessary. When she glanced at him, she saw a flicker of something in his eyes—something that made her chest tighten. Shaking her head she quickly moved past him, wanting to avoid any feelings for the time being.
Claire peered through the darkness, her pulse quickening at the sight of the underground passage ahead, a dim, ancient path leading to the Sanctuary. They were so close now—so close to unlocking another piece of the puzzle that had become their reality. Desmond moved a few steps ahead, his attention focused on the path. He glanced back at her, his usual smirk softened by the dim light.
"I think I see it, Claire. I think this is it—look." He announced, excitement in his voice.
She followed his gaze, squinting through the shadows, and caught sight of an expansive chamber beyond. The stone walls were carved with intricate designs, symbols that echoed the past lives they had been reliving. Her heart skipped a beat, a blend of awe and anticipation settling in her chest. "The Sanctuary," she whispered, almost reverently, her voice barely carrying through the quiet air. "We're close."
Desmond flashed her a grin, his expression brightening in a way that warmed her despite the chill of the underground air. "Told you I'd get us here," he said, the playful lilt in his tone cutting through the tension that had settled over them.
She rolled her eyes, but the corner of her mouth lifted in response. "Yeah, yeah, Desmond. Don't go getting a big head just yet."
"Let's see if we can get this open before Shaun gives us another lecture," she said, her tone light despite the tension that hummed beneath her words.
Desmond smirked, the corners of his mouth twitching upward. "Yeah, I think I've had enough of Shaun's sarcasm for one lifetime. Give me a hand with this?"
Together, they approached the ancient door, a heavy, weathered slab that bore the marks of time. Claire pressed her shoulder against the cold surface, feeling the rough texture beneath her fingertips. She stole a quick glance at Desmond as he took a position behind her. He caught her eye, giving her a reassuring nod. It was a small gesture, but it sent a warmth through her that she couldn't quite explain. They pushed against the door in unison, the ancient hinges groaning in protest as it shifted under their combined weight. Dust rained down from the top of the frame, catching in Claire's hair, and she had to stifle a cough as the musty air filled her lungs. But she kept her focus, gritting her teeth as she put her strength into the effort. Desmond's body brushed against hers as they leaned into the task, their breaths mingling in the chill air.
Finally, with a last creak of stubborn wood, the door gave way, swinging open to reveal the passage beyond, their friends standing in the dark.. Claire staggered back a step, catching her breath as she wiped the back of her hand across her forehead. Her skin was damp with sweat, but she managed a triumphant grin as she turned to Desmond.
"Nice teamwork," she said, letting a hint of pride slip into her voice. "Guess we're not so bad at this after all."
He chuckled softly, the sound echoing through the cavernous space. "You're right. I think we might just make a decent team," he replied, a warmth in his eyes that made her chest tighten. She looked away quickly, focusing instead on the path that stretched out before them. But the smile lingered on her lips as they stepped forward together, moving deeper into the heart of the sanctuary.
"You guys did it!" she exclaimed, a grin spreading across her face. "I was starting to think we'd be stuck out there forever."
"About bloody time," Shaun muttered, though there was a glimmer of relief in his eyes as well. "What took you two so long? Stopping to admire the scenery?"
Desmond rolled his eyes, but there was a playful edge to his response. "Yeah, something like that. It's not every day you get to walk in the footsteps of a legendary Assassin."
Claire shot him a sidelong glance, feeling a spark of amusement despite herself. "Some of us actually enjoy taking our time," she added, nudging his shoulder lightly with hers. "But don't worry, we got the door open just in time for your grand entrance."
Shaun sniffed, but she could see the faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Well, I suppose I should be grateful. Let's just get inside before Abstergo decides to pay us another visit."