A/N: Warning, OOCness up ahead and an attempt at fluffy crack.
"Things cannot simply go back to how they were before."
Connor wished he had not eaten so much at supper, because he now felt sick by the sullen words his father said to him once they were alone. Already he missed Charles' reassuring presence. But his Alpha had left shortly after tea, and probably already at his own townhouse, being reunited with his servants and beloved dogs.
"I know," he whispered.
His eyes refused to look up over to the older man standing outside his bedroom door, afraid to see the disappointment upon his father's face. Instead, he fixated his gaze upon the elegantly carved wooden box that Master Johnson's gifts had been stored in, along with his own Templar ring. He had thought... had hoped, that with his return he would be allowed to dawn them once again. However, not all had been forgiven.
He had removed the obstacle that was George Washington out of the way so Charles could claim the position of Commander of the Continental Army. He had saved Thomas Hickey who had been engaged in battle with two Assassin recruits. He had secured West Point for the Patriots and prevented the Redcoats from gaining a strategically advantage.
However...
He had been a deserter. The Inner Circle knew of his history with the Master Assassin "Kanen" and what lengths he had gone through to save a sworn enemy. Despite his beliefs and desire for peace by order, such emotional attachments had only caused only disorder. A few of the higher ranking members of their faction did not trust him and was reluctant to allow him back into the fold.
Connor had an inkling of who in particular did not want him, a certain Templar surgeon who had been upset he refused to court his own Alpha son. Before leaving, Charles had tried to assure him not to worry, that Benjamin Church was beginning to fall out of favor with the Inner Circle members, and that many supported Connor's return to the fold. Such as Commander Lee himself, Thomas Hickey, James Collins, General Binns, and perhaps even his own father.
His father who sighed and entered the bedroom, closing the distance between them. The Omega flinched as a large hand settled upon his tense shoulder, and he gazed up at concerned gray eyes.
"How long?" he asked suddenly.
"A few months," Haytham answered as he reached over to brush some dark from his son's brow. "It would take less time, if you were to denounce this truce you seek with the Brotherhood. But I know you."
Connor lowered his eyes, wishing - for not the first time - that it had not been his dear childhood friend who was their enemy. That it could be someone else. Someone who had not been a brother to him, who he still trusted to watch his back - even if the feeling was perhaps no longer mutual. Yes, despite knowing that Kanen'tó:kon was perhaps furious with him for murdering Washington, he still desired reconciliation.
"I am sorry, father."
He wanted his family - all of his family - to stand together, rather than apart in a life or death struggle.
The Grandmaster sighed again, sounding weary and tired. "As am I, child. As your father, I desire to support you in such an endeavor. But as the Grandmaster, the Order must come first."
The former Templar nodded in understanding. Although he admired Haytham's dedication... there was always going to be a small part of him that would be selfish. Wanting his Alpha parent's complete dedication and support, but knowing he will never have it. Instead, he had to be content with what he had: his life.
His life in imprisonment for the next few months it seemed, as Haytham rubbed his shoulder before heading out and locking the door behind him. Connor listened to the sound of departing footsteps out in the hallway, before rising from his bed and began to unpack.
Well, at least house arrest in his own home was better than actual imprisonment in a cell at Fort George. He would have plenty of time to reconcile with his father, while trying to earn his trust once more, and hopefully his place back in the Order. Once his brothers accepted him back in the fold, he would work on forming a truce with the Brotherhood again... have them see that it would be beneficial to both sides as they would not longer be at war.
His thoughts of the future and while sorting out his clothes, came to a halt at the sound of pebbles gently tapping at his closed window. Connor blinked, and made his way over to it. Was someone trying to get his attention? Who could have slipped through Haytham's patrolling Templar guards just to see him?
He slipped into his second sight while peering out around a curtain, and smiled at the vibrant glowing blue individual standing down below his bedroom window. Once open, the cool night's breeze tousled his hair and he shivered in delight. Leaning against the frame, he placed his elbows upon the windowsill, and rest his chin in his hands. Feigning a look of longing, he stared at the moon and sighed.
"O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name. Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, And I’ll no longer be a Capulet."
A pebble lightly struck one of his arms and his lips twisted into a smirk as he chuckled, "That was not very romantic of you, Charles."
Standing on the ground below, his Alpha frowned up at him.
"Forgive me, Juliet, but I would very much like to speak with Connor now before the guards discover me." Charles took a deep calming breath after a quick glance around the yard. "I have heard that you've been placed under house arrest for the time being. Master Kenway will not allow you to come visit me at my townhouse, so I will come by to visit tomorrow afternoon. I implore you, Connor, do not attempt to sneak out this time."
The Omega had no intention of trying to slip away from the Kenway residence, but he could understand why his lover was worried. This was their second and probably last chance after all.
He smiled demurely and nodded. "Then I will look forward to your visit... unless you prefer climbing up here and staying the night."
In the darkness, Charles' face blushed a deep scarlet. "Are you mad? Your father will fillet me like a cod, if he caught sight of an Alpha in your room at this hour doing..." There was a rustle in the bushes, and Charles jerked over and sighed to see a stray cat wandering about. "I will visit you tomorrow, but we will hold off all other... relations, until Master Kenway gives us his approval."
Connor admitted he was disappointed at the thought of no longer being in Charles' bed, but knew his lover was right. His father would not take to the idea of them having intercourse under his roof (or at all, before marriage) well.
He nodded in agreement, while releasing another sigh of yearning.
"So Romeo would, were he not Romeo called, Retain that dear perfection which he owes Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name, And for that name, which is no part of thee Take all myself."
Connor heard his Alpha groan in annoyance as he reluctantly gave in upon realizing he no longer had anymore pebbles to throw.
"I take thee at thy word," Romeo pledged. "Call me but love, and I’ll be new baptized. Henceforth I never will be Romeo."
Rather being startled, Juliet smiled back with adoration... before the lovers both paled in shock at the approaching lantern lights in the distance.
"Halt! Who goes there?!"
"Bugger!" Charles cursed out loud before he took off running.
Connor watched him go with mild amusement, knowing his father's henchmen would not catch the man who had already taken off after mounting his horse. He closed his bedroom window and prepared himself for bed.
Re: Bloody But Unbowed part 3
"Things cannot simply go back to how they were before."
Connor wished he had not eaten so much at supper, because he now felt sick by the sullen words his father said to him once they were alone. Already he missed Charles' reassuring presence. But his Alpha had left shortly after tea, and probably already at his own townhouse, being reunited with his servants and beloved dogs.
"I know," he whispered.
His eyes refused to look up over to the older man standing outside his bedroom door, afraid to see the disappointment upon his father's face. Instead, he fixated his gaze upon the elegantly carved wooden box that Master Johnson's gifts had been stored in, along with his own Templar ring. He had thought... had hoped, that with his return he would be allowed to dawn them once again. However, not all had been forgiven.
He had removed the obstacle that was George Washington out of the way so Charles could claim the position of Commander of the Continental Army. He had saved Thomas Hickey who had been engaged in battle with two Assassin recruits. He had secured West Point for the Patriots and prevented the Redcoats from gaining a strategically advantage.
However...
He had been a deserter. The Inner Circle knew of his history with the Master Assassin "Kanen" and what lengths he had gone through to save a sworn enemy. Despite his beliefs and desire for peace by order, such emotional attachments had only caused only disorder. A few of the higher ranking members of their faction did not trust him and was reluctant to allow him back into the fold.
Connor had an inkling of who in particular did not want him, a certain Templar surgeon who had been upset he refused to court his own Alpha son. Before leaving, Charles had tried to assure him not to worry, that Benjamin Church was beginning to fall out of favor with the Inner Circle members, and that many supported Connor's return to the fold. Such as Commander Lee himself, Thomas Hickey, James Collins, General Binns, and perhaps even his own father.
His father who sighed and entered the bedroom, closing the distance between them. The Omega flinched as a large hand settled upon his tense shoulder, and he gazed up at concerned gray eyes.
"How long?" he asked suddenly.
"A few months," Haytham answered as he reached over to brush some dark from his son's brow. "It would take less time, if you were to denounce this truce you seek with the Brotherhood. But I know you."
Connor lowered his eyes, wishing - for not the first time - that it had not been his dear childhood friend who was their enemy. That it could be someone else. Someone who had not been a brother to him, who he still trusted to watch his back - even if the feeling was perhaps no longer mutual. Yes, despite knowing that Kanen'tó:kon was perhaps furious with him for murdering Washington, he still desired reconciliation.
"I am sorry, father."
He wanted his family - all of his family - to stand together, rather than apart in a life or death struggle.
The Grandmaster sighed again, sounding weary and tired. "As am I, child. As your father, I desire to support you in such an endeavor. But as the Grandmaster, the Order must come first."
The former Templar nodded in understanding. Although he admired Haytham's dedication... there was always going to be a small part of him that would be selfish. Wanting his Alpha parent's complete dedication and support, but knowing he will never have it. Instead, he had to be content with what he had: his life.
His life in imprisonment for the next few months it seemed, as Haytham rubbed his shoulder before heading out and locking the door behind him. Connor listened to the sound of departing footsteps out in the hallway, before rising from his bed and began to unpack.
Well, at least house arrest in his own home was better than actual imprisonment in a cell at Fort George. He would have plenty of time to reconcile with his father, while trying to earn his trust once more, and hopefully his place back in the Order. Once his brothers accepted him back in the fold, he would work on forming a truce with the Brotherhood again... have them see that it would be beneficial to both sides as they would not longer be at war.
His thoughts of the future and while sorting out his clothes, came to a halt at the sound of pebbles gently tapping at his closed window. Connor blinked, and made his way over to it. Was someone trying to get his attention? Who could have slipped through Haytham's patrolling Templar guards just to see him?
He slipped into his second sight while peering out around a curtain, and smiled at the vibrant glowing blue individual standing down below his bedroom window. Once open, the cool night's breeze tousled his hair and he shivered in delight. Leaning against the frame, he placed his elbows upon the windowsill, and rest his chin in his hands. Feigning a look of longing, he stared at the moon and sighed.
"O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name.
Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I’ll no longer be a Capulet."
A pebble lightly struck one of his arms and his lips twisted into a smirk as he chuckled, "That was not very romantic of you, Charles."
Standing on the ground below, his Alpha frowned up at him.
"Forgive me, Juliet, but I would very much like to speak with Connor now before the guards discover me." Charles took a deep calming breath after a quick glance around the yard. "I have heard that you've been placed under house arrest for the time being. Master Kenway will not allow you to come visit me at my townhouse, so I will come by to visit tomorrow afternoon. I implore you, Connor, do not attempt to sneak out this time."
The Omega had no intention of trying to slip away from the Kenway residence, but he could understand why his lover was worried. This was their second and probably last chance after all.
He smiled demurely and nodded. "Then I will look forward to your visit... unless you prefer climbing up here and staying the night."
In the darkness, Charles' face blushed a deep scarlet. "Are you mad? Your father will fillet me like a cod, if he caught sight of an Alpha in your room at this hour doing..." There was a rustle in the bushes, and Charles jerked over and sighed to see a stray cat wandering about. "I will visit you tomorrow, but we will hold off all other... relations, until Master Kenway gives us his approval."
Connor admitted he was disappointed at the thought of no longer being in Charles' bed, but knew his lover was right. His father would not take to the idea of them having intercourse under his roof (or at all, before marriage) well.
He nodded in agreement, while releasing another sigh of yearning.
"So Romeo would, were he not Romeo called,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name,
And for that name, which is no part of thee
Take all myself."
Connor heard his Alpha groan in annoyance as he reluctantly gave in upon realizing he no longer had anymore pebbles to throw.
"I take thee at thy word," Romeo pledged. "Call me but love, and I’ll be new baptized. Henceforth I never will be Romeo."
Rather being startled, Juliet smiled back with adoration... before the lovers both paled in shock at the approaching lantern lights in the distance.
"Halt! Who goes there?!"
"Bugger!" Charles cursed out loud before he took off running.
Connor watched him go with mild amusement, knowing his father's henchmen would not catch the man who had already taken off after mounting his horse. He closed his bedroom window and prepared himself for bed.