#because 1) the Force-forsaken heat and 2) because i *really* want to go out tomorrow

[zeawesomebirdie]

An update: my great-aunt, who also has alzheimer's, told me that it's okay that I'm afraid to get a job but she knows I can do it and I 🥺🥺

[darkdevasofdestruction]

Haytham Kenway

Being Charles Lee's daughter has its perks...but boy,does it also have its downsides...  The Templar lifestyle doesn't suit Y/N at all,so she chooses to spend her life locked away in her room,studying and tinkering with her inventions. I suppose it's quite peculiar to hear of a woman inventor in the 18th century...  But what does it matter?  As she fumbled around with the wires,trying to create light,a knock on the door got me back to reality,as the maid told the girl that her father was expecting her in the living room to dine with him.  This was a rather peculiar request,but she has no reason to decline.She quickly dressed in something more appropriate and left the room,putting on her mother's necklace.  Much to her surprise,he wasn't alone.  On his left,there was another man that looked rather intimidating,chatting freely.  Lee:Ah,Y/N,so glad to see you join us today.  Y/N:Don't act so surprised,it was you who requested it. Lee:*chuckles*Yes,well...I wanted to introduce you to Haytham Kenway,my right hand and probably the most intelligent man I know.  Y/N:Glad you had to mention the gender,for it's obvious I'm the smarter human in the room regardless of how you look at it.  Lee:Y/N,darling,please be respectful to your elders.  Y/N:Ah,yes,I forgot I was in a room full of fossils.Anything else I need to know?  Haytham:*smiles charmingly*Miss (L/N),it is my pleasure meeting you.  Raven:It is obviously yours,since mine it is not.  Throughout the lovely dialogue she had to exchange with the 'loveable' men,her father was horrified at her attitude,but from the mischievous glint in his eyes,it was clear that Kenway was rather intrigued.Sitting on his right,she continued reading her book and eat absent-minded,until her father comments again. 

Lee:Didn't I ask you not to wear that necklace?  Y/N:Unless you give me a proper reason,I won't take it off.It was my mother's.Don't disrespect her memory.  Lee:I know,but it goes against our Order rules.  Y/N:How many times do I have to remind you that I have nothing to do with your silly group of boy scouts?It's ridiculous and boring.  Lee:It brings peace and order to the population of this new country.  Y/N:Through manipulation and oppression,yes.And this country is much older than you believe,but obviously you,as a...'superior' being, wouldn't bother to consider the Natives as citizens.  Lee:That is a rather radical view on our beliefs,try not to be so one sided.  Y/N:Are you seriously trying to say I am the one who has to be more open-minded?Because as far as I remember, I am the inventor in this house,not you.  Lee:I wasn't trying to imply anything.You know very well I am fully supportive of your hobby.  Y/N:Hobby?More like full job,but sure.I feel like you're low-key underestimating me,but I will let that slide.  Haytham:Charlie,your daughter is rather lovely.I hope you wouldn't mind if I were to have an amicable chat with her.  Y/N:He wouldn't.I would.Have a lovely evening,I shall retreat to my chamber.  Lee:Already?Y/N,please,reconsider-  Haytham:Charlie,leave her be.She's old enough to do as she pleases.  Y/N:Finally,some rational words spoken in this room.Good evening. 

She rushed to her room and closed it,then went back to her creation. As soon as she met the two wires inside the small glass ball,small sparks flew,then a constant dim light illuminated the room,much to her excitement.  Just as she started cheering happily,she heard clapping.  In the doorway stood Haytham,leaning on the frame,looking interested and fascinated at the light in front of him.  Haytham:New world,new light,I see? Y/N:It's nothing new.It just needed a little push.  Haytham:And you are the one who did it.  Y/N:Well spotted,genius.  Haytham:Have you ever tried to sell your inventions?  Y/N:I've been selling them and the patterns to the Queen.I suppose that's one of the reasons why we were specifically sent on this God Forsaken land.  Haytham:The New World needs all the brilliant minds.  Y/N:Then it better find some new ones soon,for I cannot handle it alone.  Haytham:*chuckles*Such a small narcissist. 

But just as she was about to strike back a snarky comment,the thin glass ball exploded because of the heat.  Thankfully,she managed to shield her face soon enough,only getting her hand scratched. 

Y/N:OH,FOR FUCK'S SAKE!THIS IS PREPOSTEROUS!CAN'T WE HAVE QUALITY THINGS ANYWHERE?!FUCKING AMERICA!  Haytham:Are you hurt?  Y/N:Physically,I'm fine.But my ego has been fatally wounded.  Haytham:Could have been much worse.Better be careful.  Y/N:Yes,whatever you say.Now,what's your purpose here,rudely interrupting my work?  Haytham:I just came for a little chat,but it seems like I came at the wrong time.  Y/N:It will always be the wrong time,if it is you.  Haytham:Have I done something to offend you?If so,my sincerest apologies,my lady.  Y/N:Your sole existence in this room makes your presence less enjoyable.  Haytham:*chuckles*Better be careful in the outside word.While I thoroughly enjoy your attitude,some may find it...less agreeable.  Y/N:Like your face?  Haytham:*smirks*Like your tongue.  Y/N:If this is how I go,then I'll die with achieving my long-life goal in life. Haytham:Annoying people to death?  Y/N:You catch on fast,congratulations,you have one more functioning neuron.You are 1% smarter than your average man.  Haytham:It was a pleasure,Lady L/N.  Raven:Goodbye,Kenway. 

Although it might seem like the girl hates his guts,his matching sass definitely piqued her interest,and unbeknownst to anyone,and especially not her own self,she was looking forward to their future encounter. 

 ###### 

Unfortunately for her,Lee was getting gradually fed up with her lack of mannerism,and made a 'shrewd' plot.  Requesting once again to dine together,he told her she was to marry a man of his choosing as soon as possible,or she'll lose her youth.  Obviously,the girl protested and tried everything in her power to get out of this folly,he silenced her with a slap,and made her go back to her room.  On her way there,she went past the same Kenway she once saw,but she was much too angry to pay him any mind.  He,in turn,was awfully confused,but much to his dismay,he too was forced to marry,due to certain circumstances,old promises and favours.  Marry Charles Lee's daughter. 

The day of their marriage was dull and passed  harder than a working day,and at night,after being told they have to consummate the marriage,the girl stood in the doorway,in her nightgown,trembling softly whilst staring hollowly at the bed in front of her.  He knew she was scared.  He knew this wasn't anything she wanted.  He knew he wanted her to be happy.  That's why he snapped his fingers in front of her and lead her to the kitchen,where he filled 2 glasses with alcohol. 

Y/N:I...don't really...  Haytham:You seem like you need it.Once in a lifetime doesn't hurt.  Y/N:Drunk men are disgusting and repulsing.I don't want to be like that.  Haytham:I'm the only one here.Don't worry,just trust in me.I care for you,despite everything that's been going on. 

With her breathe hitched in her throat and desperation burning in her heart,she gripped the glass,guilty,and she gulped the whole liquid in one go.  Haytham:Take it easy,you don't want to faint.  Y/N:I'm at that point in life where I couldn't care less.I'm going to need a lot of booze to handle this shit. Haytham:*refills glass*By all means,drink away your sorrows.  Y/N:Thanks... 

The whole night,Haytham only slowly sipped one glass,observing the pitiful girl sob her pain away,trying incoherently to speak and resting her head on the table.  After many glasses,she finally calmed down and fell asleep,and Mr.Kenway could only do one rational thing,and that was to carry the girl to the bed,tuck her in,then go sleep on the couch.  The next day,she woke up to the smell of pancakes and maple syrup coming from the kitchen.  Groggily,she got out of the bed and walked to the room,her head pounding from the hangover. There,she saw Haytham was cooking breakfast,and smiling gently,she hugged him from behind and rested her head on his back,muttering a soft greeting. 

Haytham:Ah,good morning,sunshine.  Y/N:The last thing I feel like is a sunshine,but sure.  Haytham:*chuckles*Good to see your sense of humour is back.At least you're the sad type of drunk.That's much easier to cope with,out of all the types.  Y/N:Well...that was embarrassing.  Haytham:A once in a lifetime experience,you couldn't miss it.  Y/N:I don't remember much from last night...and my head hurts...  Haytham:I heard caffeine helps with hangovers. Y/N:Is that why you drink it every morning?  Haytham:That,and to wake up.  Y/N:I suppose the idea of waking up and knowing you have to see my father isn't exactly the most exciting thought.  Haytham:I suppose your mother was rather gorgeous,for you sure as hell don't resemble him.  Y/N:She had soft red hair and forest green eyes...and a personality to match her fire.  Haytham:Are you sure your mother didn't have you alone?  Y/N:*shrugs*Biologically speaking,it's impossible,but who knows?She might as well have been the new Virgin Mary,and I'm her Messiah.  Haytham:Maybe that's why you're shining brighter than anyone.  Y/N:And that's why I'll die at 33.It's fine,in 12 more years I'll have lived well.Twice I ate a citrus and thrice a berry.  Haytham:*smirks*Better get ready soon,we have to leave for someplace nice  Y/N:*raises an eyebrow*Where are we going?  Haytham:Don't worry your pretty smart head over it.Oh,and,tomorrow your maid is going to come over.  Y/N:You're taking Claire in?  Haytham:Any lady needs a maid,doesn't she? 

Biting her lip,she returned to her room and got ready in haste,thinking over and over about the man she has to live with.  Perhaps she misjudged him because of her father's mistake.  Mayhaps... She ought to trust him more. 

 ----

And trust him she did,after the whole day he took her to the Apothecary to fill in her ingredients and liquids for her experiments,then went to a Science Conventions,where,to her surprise,Haytham brought her light-generating prototype,which got high praise from the physicists. 

 --- 

Days,weeks,months passed and as she enjoyed a hot bath,the sudden click of the door got her alert.

Looking at the reflection from the window,she saw Haytham with a gun to Claire's temple. 

Y/N:It's rather rude to disturb a lady's bath,don't you think?  Haytham:But is it rude to save her life?  Claire:My lady,please,there is a misunderstanding!  Y/N:*sighs*Honestly...You could at least fetch me my bathrobe.I don't fancy a one-sided naked conversation. 

Locking the door behind them,Haytham took the robe from the chair and handed it to me,then returned to the maid.  Raising from the water,the girl tied the robe around herself,put on her slippers,and turned to the duo,with a bright smile on her face. 

Y/N:Explain.  Claire:My lady,please,Mr.Kenway is trying to frame me!He's working with your father,I've overheard them!  Y/N:Oh~?Well that's lovely,isn't it.Betrayed by my own husband?  Claire:Yes,and I have proof!The poisons,my lady-  Haytham:Ridiculous...  Claire:I've found them in his room!Master Lee wanted to get rid of you,for not obeying his Templar order rules!  Y/N:Oh,I see...well that would make a lot of sense.He did tolerate me for 21 years,I'm surprised he didn't go senile.Wait,nevermind,scratch that.  Haytham:Amazing how you can still try an be funny when you were almost killed.  Y/N:My death won't inconvenience anyone,so why should I care much?  Claire:My lady,please,I've taken care of you since you were a child,do not say such morbid things!

The red-head blinked in annoyance and took the 3 small bottles from her maid,each holding a different poison.  Smirking,she took all 3 of them,examined each of them,then giggled. 

Y/N:Well,isn't this a hilarious turn of events...Can't say I wasn't expecting you to plot my death...But in such a cruel way...with my own poisons...  Haytham:*shaking his head*Don't be ridiculous-  Y/N:Shut up,Kenway.  Haytham:You are technically a Kenway too,since our Wedding.  Y/N:Oh,the joy.Jumping from one Templar home to another...didn't I say I didn't want to be bothered with your silly Order?You just can't seem to stop giving me problems. 

He tried to talk,but he was quickly silenced by the pissed off girl,who turned away,rubbing her forehead in annoyance.  Silence fell over the room,until the red-head's shoulders started shaking slightly,as she let soft sounds escape her mouth.  At first,they thought she was sobbing,to which the maid was trying to run and comfort her,but was quickly held back by the Grandmaster.  In fact,the girl was shaking,trying to stop her laughter.  With the biggest grin,she showed them the 3 bottles,and pointed in turn to each of them.  Y/N:We are 3 here,aren't we?All bound together by the threads of hope...Let's all drink a vial!This way,we'll have broken our fate!We'll be cheating the gods,and nobody will ever know who killed who!It's...the perfect crime!  Claire:My lady...you're scaring me...  Y/N:No need to be scared,love.It will all be over soon,I promise.There's no more sin in death.  Haytham:Great,my wife is insane,how lovely. Y/N:Shh!Say no more.Now,choose your own poison!Fast death,but horrible pain,moderate death time and moderate pain,or just a little pain,but a longer time until death?  Claire:*shaking*M-My lady...  Y/N:Exactly!I am your lady,and I order you to drink one of them!You too,Haytham!How was it?'Till death do us apart’?Then do it!DO IT! 

The maid shakily took the one with less pain,and Haytham took the one with moderate pain,leaving the robed girl with the quickest death.  With one smirk,she urged the other 2 to 'Cheer' with her,and bottoms up they did- The girl immediately fell to her knees,choking and coughing,much to the other 2's alarm...  Only to find her Laughing.  Y/N:I...can't...even...!EVEN!Should've seen your faces!Haaaa....!!  Claire:Wh-What is this...?  Y/N:*snorts*What,you think I'm stupid enough to drink my own arsenics?Please...  Claire:I...don't understand...  Y/N:Of course you don't,dumbass!I changed the liquids in the poison bottles recently!What we all drank was simply fruit juice!Thankfully,Haytham took the cherry one,and I got the orange one.Don't tell me you didn't realize...?  Haytham:*facepalms*So much show for a mummer's farçe...  Y/N:*smirks*Oh,please,it was hilarious.Oh,and,one more thing you got wrong,miss maid.You're the only one apart from me who has access in that room.Funny,since it's not exactly my house,right?  Claire:No way...  Y/N:I guess your skills are getting rusty.  Claire:No...way...I failed...no...No...NO....NO!! Y/N:Oh,come on,Claire,stop being so mad for no reason.Like, what are you gonna do?Stab me? 

In the blink of an eye,the maid threw of the Templar and jumped on the smaller girl,slashing her face with a small sleeve dagger. 

Claire:YOU KILLED HER,YOU TEMPLAR BITCH!IT WAS ALL YOUR FAULT!!  Y/N:KILLED WHO?!I NEVER KILLED ANYONE!  Claire:YOU KILLED YOUR MOTHER!IT WAS YOUR FAULT THAT LEE KILLED HER!THE MOMENT YOU WENT TO SNOOP AROUND IN HER ROOM AND FOUND HER NECKLACE...that's when she knew she was doomed...and Lee killed her...it's all your fault...YOUR FAULT!!You don't deserve to wear that necklace!  Y/N:It's not my fault!She gave it to me!I never knew she was an assassin!I didn't even know what the symbol meant until now!  Claire:Of course you didn't,you dumb,ignorant bitch!But Lee and his little puppets did!He killed his own wife!Executed in the very same room they made you!  Y/N:I...he said she died because of an experiment failure...I never...I...  Claire:Ignorant idiot!How could he tell his own little Templar daughter that he killed her beloved mother?!You'd have stayed as far away from his Order as you could!He wouldn't have been able to-  But just as she was about to end her line,a blade impaled her neck,spraying blood all over the girl below her. She fell limp on her past mistress,who just lay there,motionless,contemplating everything that's been happening in the last minute.  She knew Haytham wouldn't kill her...not like that...  But would he kill her if she was to go against his Order?  Could she really trust him...?  Haytham:Are you feeling okay?  Y/N:Do I look okay?  Haytham:Not so much.  Y/N:Well spotted. H Haytham:I wouldn't trust her if I were you.She was a filthy liar.  Y/N:But aren't we all...?Including you...? 

She brushed past her husband to go clean herself and change her clothes,then quickly left the house,going to the nearest forest to cool her head off. It was too much to take in.  She knew there was something off about the way her father acted about her mother's death,but she had been way too young to understand what it meant.  But now that she found out the truth,just before her almost-death experience,she wondered how much was truth and how much was lie from her attacker's words?  She herself pretended to almost die due to the fake poisons,but was it the same thing?  An innocent white lie and an act,opposed to real harm?  The room that had been her mother's old study had been locked since then,and if she was correct,the key that Claire held in her possession,the one she easily stole and hid in her robe pocket,is the key that holds the truth,hidden away for 15 years. And that's exactly what she's going to do. Even if it costs her life...  She'll risk it all.  For her mother. 

 --- 

Sneaking into her room from outside has been an easy task,since she used to sneak away all the time,but going to the 'Forbidden Area' was going to be quite a challenge.  Listening carefully to those in the house and the noises they made,she swiftly ran upstairs,unlocked the door,and locked it behind her,putting the key back in her pocket.  With all the dust,it was obvious nobody has entered since the incident. She opened the window and started snooping around every shelf,drawer and letter existent,and what she found...wasn't much,actually.  Then,she sat on the chair,put her hands on the desk,and started thinking. And thinking.  And thinking. If she was her mother...  Where'd she hide important information?  In the most obvious place,possibly.  But what was it? Without realizing,she knocked over a framed picture,and upon analysing it,she felt a tear drop on her cheek. It was a picture of her and her mother,on her 5th anniversary.  Gulping,she shakily took off the frame,and a letter fell from it.  "To my dearest Y/N"  Oh great... She anticipated her death...   Breaking the seal,she saw her mother's neat handwriting,and an Assassin necklace.

 "If you're reading this,I'm most likely dead.Whatever happens,please don't blame yourself,since it's my own fault for getting in this awful situation,but having you has been my greatest realization.  I know you are born in a Templar home,with a hidden Assassin (dead) mother,but if you can,please stay away from this war between the two factions. I once believed the two could work out their differences and unite against the greater evil,but I was dead wrong.  Please,for the love that you bear me,do NOT attempt revenge against your father,and go as farther away from him as you can. Do not let him take over your life.  You are free,my dear,please remain that way.  Do not be shackled by the chains of fate,like I've been.  I wish you the best of luck and a beautiful life ahead,full of happy and bright days,the ones that I never had the chance to live myself.  Please be happy,my love.  XXX  Your Mother."  Reading the letter hasn't been an easy task with the tears filling her eyes,but she managed,then put it back neatly inside the envelope,and pocketed it. 

-?-:Quite the emotional discourse,I assume? 

 Squealing in surprise,the girl looked behind her,and saw Haytham leaning on the window effortlessly.  She was scared.  Scared enough to leap from her seat and go to the room,fumbling to find the key and unlock the door. 

Haytham:Don't bother.If you go there,a worse evil will await you.  Y/N:How...?  Haytham:How did I know I'd find you here?The maid's words had quite the impact on you.It wasn't that difficult to imagine what your next move would be.  Y/N:Very well,then.Go ahead and kill me.Find a petty excuse and continue living your life tied down to this Order.  Haytham:Kill you?Oh,no,why would I kill you?  Y/N:Don't pretend to care...It'd be impossible.  Haytham:Believe what you want,but I'm not denying my care for you.  Y/N:Then why are you here?You want to turn me in?Convert me?  Haytham:*shakes his head*Silly girl...nothing of the sort.  Y/N:Then what do you want? Haytham:I realized that you don't know much about your husband.How about a short story? Y/N:Who did they kill? Haytham:The Templars killed my Assassin father.It was my fault,as well. Y/N:That's why you drink,then? Haytham:You should try it more often,mayhaps. Y/N:Don't jape like that...The taste is horrible. Haytham:*chuckles*Nobody drinks it for the taste,darling. Y/N:What do you propose,then?Carry on with our not-so-merry lives and drink ourselves to death? Haytham:How much of a pacifist are you,dear wife? Y/N:Not enough.Why? Haytham:*smirks*I think I know the best Wedding gift a husband could offer his wife. Y/N:That sounds oddly peculiar.Count me in.But can I really trust you? Haytham:I'm a Templar,what do you think? Y/N:*shrugs*Not much of a choice,is there? Haytham:That's the spirit~.

She unlocked the door and together,they made their way to Charles Lee's study room. Knocking softly,Haytham entered and chatted with him idly,as the girl listened through the door. Soon,the door opened,and Kenway lead her inside,where her father was bound on his chair,struggling. Lee:What is the meaning of this?! Y/N:*raises an eyebrow*Good question...?Haytham? Haytham:This is my gift for you.Or rather,this-. He took of the Hidden Blade from his right wrist,then set it on her arm,carefully,and told her how to use it. Haytham:Use it well. Y/N:N-No way... Haytham:Yes,way. Y/N:Ken-way! Haytham:*chuckles*Kenway,indeed. Lee:Kenway!What is the meaning of this?! Haytham:The Templars destroyed another life,one of an innocent child.That's not how the Order works,Charlie.Your policy is old-fashioned,we're at the end of the 18th century,for pity's sake! Lee:What is this idiocy?!Have you been Brainwashed?!Idiot child,you ruin everything you touch! Y/N:Including you~? Lee:What-?!Don't speak such non-sense!Release me at once! Y/N:*smirks*Certainly~. She approached her father,then glanced at her weapon,raised it to his temple and- Swish The blade penetrated his skull,killing him. Retracting the blade,she looked at the corpse of her father with an odd satisfaction on her face,the took a step back,taking in everything that's been happening. Haytham:Not much time to waste,we should make up an excuse.I'm the new leader of the Templar Order,Grandmaster Kenway. Y/N:GrandFather Kenway,the modest one,I believe? Haytham:Power hungry,perhaps? Y/N:I should thank you,huh? Haytham:Mayhaps.If you wish. Y/N:You needed an excuse to kill him and take the power and have revenge. Haytham:That too. Y/N:Is there another reason that I'm missing? Haytham:Honestly,woman,I indirectly confessed my love for you,but you just brushed me off.That's not very polite,now,is it? Y/N:Maybe next time,you'll say it directly and under more...normal circumstances. Haytham:With the positions we're stuck into,normal is the last thing I'm expecting us to be. Y/N:True...Truce? Haytham:Truce. They shook hands,and unexpectedly,she hugged him tightly,muttering a small 'Thank you'. The Templar was completely took off guard,but retaliated with a kiss on her head,and a protective embrace. They didn't need any words or factions,only themselves and their feelings,no longer afraid to admit them. Templar or Assassin,both or none,it mattered naught anymore. They were together and there were no more thorns in their sides. They were free. Together.