Souls Through Time (EzioxOC/DesmondxOC)

Chapter 28 - Claire

Claire felt the tension settle over the room like a heavy fog, wrapping around her as she sat on the edge of the worn-out couch beside Desmond. The past day had been a whirlwind—flashes of pain, moments of disorientation, the ghostly presence of Amelia still lingering at the edges of her vision. Even as she sat there, trying to center herself, she felt the subtle tug in her mind, like a thread connected to the memories she had lived through in the Animus. It was a connection that was both thrilling and terrifying.

She glanced over at Desmond, catching the tension in his jaw as he listened to Lucy. He looked tired—more than tired, like the weight of the entire situation was pressing down on his shoulders. And yet, he was stubbornly refusing to let her face it alone. That fact made something twist in her chest, a warm, unsteady feeling she hadn't allowed herself to examine too closely. In those quiet moments between the past and the present, Desmond had become more than just a fellow captive, more than just the man fighting beside her. He was a comfort, a steady presence that grounded her when everything else felt like it was slipping away.

"Desmond," she murmured, her voice barely more than a whisper, but he heard it. He turned to face her, his expression softening as their eyes met. She tried to give him a reassuring smile, but it faltered slightly under the weight of everything she couldn't say.

It was easier to focus on the mission—the urgency of what they were doing. The memories of Ezio and Amelia, the love and loss they'd seen through their eyes, had only sharpened her determination to finish what they'd started. But those same memories had also left her feeling more vulnerable than she cared to admit, like her defenses had been stripped away bit by bit, leaving her raw and exposed. And the thought of going back in, of diving back into that maelstrom, filled her with a mixture of anticipation and dread.

Lucy's voice broke through her thoughts, her impatience crackling in the air. "We've already lost so much time. We need to get back into the Animus—both of you."

Claire stiffened at Lucy's tone, feeling a flicker of annoyance beneath her weariness. It wasn't just about time, she knew—it was about keeping the mission on track, about using them as tools to uncover secrets that had been buried for centuries. But they weren't just tools. They were people, living through the pain and the strain of this journey in ways Lucy couldn't fully understand.

Before she could speak, Desmond cut in, his voice firm. "Not until Claire's ready. You've already heard what Shaun and Rebecca said."

A pang of warmth spread through her chest, and she felt the edges of her mouth curve into a small, grateful smile. Desmond was stubborn, and he could be reckless, but he had never once wavered when it came to looking out for her. She reached out, resting a hand on his arm, a small gesture meant to ease the tension between him and Lucy. But the contact sent a shiver through her, a reminder of how much she had come to rely on him, how much his presence had come to mean to her.

"It's okay, Desmond. I'm feeling better, I promise," she said softly, trying to keep her voice steady even as her thoughts spun. "We can do this. I just—just needed a little time."

He turned to her, searching her face as if looking for any sign of doubt or lingering pain. She could see the concern in his eyes, that unspoken question lingering between them: *Are you sure you're ready for this?* For a moment, she almost wanted to lie, to say that she was more confident than she felt, but she knew he'd see right through it. So instead, she let herself be honest, let the vulnerability show in her expression.

"You sure? If you're not ready, I'll keep stalling as long as it takes," he said, his voice low, carrying an edge of determination that she couldn't ignore.

She managed a small, wry smile, trying to lighten the moment even as her chest tightened. "I appreciate that. But... I think I'm as ready as I'll ever be. And we can't let the others down." She paused, studying his face for a moment. "But are *you* okay, Desmond? Really? You've been pushing yourself hard too."

He hesitated, and for a second, she thought she saw a flicker of uncertainty cross his features. But then he nodded slowly, his lips curving into a faint smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Yeah, I'm good. Just... let's keep an eye on each other, alright?"

Her hand squeezed his arm a little tighter, a silent promise between them. "Deal," she whispered, the word carrying more weight than she intended. It wasn't just a promise to watch each other's backs in the Animus—it was a promise to face whatever came next, no matter how uncertain or terrifying.

Lucy's impatience softened into something like relief, though there was still a hard edge to her voice. "Fine. If you're both sure, then let's get moving. We don't have any more time to waste."

As they moved toward the Animus, Claire felt the familiar churn of anxiety in her stomach, but this time, it was mixed with something else—a strange, fragile hope. Desmond settled into his chair beside her, and before he lay back, he reached out, brushing his thumb lightly over her knuckles, mindful of her still-healing hand. The simple, unexpected touch made her heart stutter, and for a moment, she found herself leaning into the warmth of his hand, letting herself savor the fleeting comfort it brought.

"You'll be alright," he said softly, giving her a reassuring nod, his forehead nearly touching hers as he held her gaze.

She met his eyes, feeling the tension in her chest ease just a little. "Yeah. And you will too, Desmond. Let's get this done."

As the hum of the Animus grew louder, enveloping them both, Claire took a deep breath, focusing on the steady presence beside her. Desmond's fingers lingered on hers for just a moment longer, a touch she tried to memorize before the dive back into the memories. It was a small comfort, a connection that steadied the tumultuous thoughts swirling in her mind. She knew that whatever lay on the other side of the Animus, they would face it together, just like they had promised.

The lights in the room dimmed, the machinery surrounding them coming to life with a rhythmic pulse. Claire glanced sideways at Desmond one last time, catching the determined set of his jaw, and she couldn't help but feel a flicker of warmth at the thought that he was watching out for her just as much as she was for him. She let her eyes close, allowing herself to be drawn into the embrace of the Animus, the echoes of Amelia's presence mingling with the memories that awaited them.

As the Animus began its familiar pull, Rebecca's voice cut through the mechanical hum, just loud enough to reach them before they fully slipped away. "You know, I think they would make a cute couple."

Her comment hung in the air, and there was a sharp, resounding smack as Shaun swatted her shoulder. "For god's sake, Rebecca, now is not the time," he muttered, exasperation clear in his tone.

Claire couldn't help but let out a faint, amused snort, the sound quickly swallowed by the surge of memories overtaking her senses.