Assassin's Creed: Enter the Animus

Memory Fragment: Connor

The sun had begun to set, though the July heat caused sweat to prickle at your forehead. You felt a trickle run down your back, and itched it through your gown. Knelt on the ground, you tended to the garden that had tomatoes and cucumbers ready to be harvested.

Your fingers plucked the tomatoes off the vine, inspecting each one before dropping it into your basket. Your mind thought back to the times you spent gardening when Connor was home. He would pass by you, kneeling next to you to press a kiss to your lips, before heading off on his next chore.

It was the little things he did that left you falling at his feet. The small moments of affection you wished you could bottle up and hold close to your chest. He wasn't a talkative man, though he expressed much more through his actions.

You didn't mind regardless, you found comfort in his silence. He listened intently to everything you had to say, hanging onto every word as it fell from your mouth, just waiting to catch it. You often felt self-conscious under his gaze, but you knew better.

He enjoyed watching you. Studying the habits of your routine that made him crack a small grin, or caused his heart to pound just a bit quicker than usual. He never wanted to forget. And he kept those memories with him wherever he went, especially when he was without you.

With the last of it, you pushed back into your feet, wiping your hands off on your smock. You carried the produce inside, setting the wicker basket down on the countertop.

Connor had been gone for few weeks; another mission not far from Boston occupied him. You missed him. A lot. And worse yet, had no way of knowing if he'd ever return.

It was the same narrative every time. You never imagined marrying a man that left you alone for long stretches of time. But with Connor, the time you did spend with him was worth more than anything tangible.

You rinsed your vegetables in the cold water basin, scrubbing dirt off with your fingers. Your mind wandered back to Connor; where he was, if he was safe. You knew he didn't need your help, and would deny any of your attempts, but you ached to be with him, keep him safe.

Setting the clean harvest aside, you headed upstairs to bathe before bed. Your arms had taken on a new colour, sprinkled in a thin layer of dust and dirt. Stepping into the privy, you saw your face, which was just as dirty. Dirt sunk into the the lines beneath your eyes, and settled in your pores.

You undressed after drawing your bath, stepping into the hot water. You slowly submerged yourself, letting your head fall back against the lip of the tub. Shutting your eyes, you breathed out softly. The water eased your sore body.

You took to washing yourself shortly after, scrubbing every inch of your skin and hair. Ducking under the water, you rinsed thoroughly. Your hands gripped the tub, and you let yourself soak until the water began to turn cold.

"You look lonely," A voice called from the doorway.

You shrieked, a hand going to your chest in an attempt to cover yourself. At the realization that it was indeed Connor's voice, you soothed yourself and turned your head to see him, grinning, leaning against the door frame.

"Connor," You sighed, relieved. He nearly chuckled at your reaction.

He grabbed a towel from the closet, helping you as you stood up. He wrapped it around you, bringing you in against his chest as you climbed out of the tub. He pressed a soft kiss to your lips, his hand gently moving down your back. After years together, you still found yourself hiding away your body like it was a well-kept secret. He found a way to coax you out of it every time.

"I missed you," You breathed, leaning into his chest.

"I missed you too," He replied softly.