Souls Through Time (EzioxOC/DesmondxOC)

Chapter 34 - Claire

Desmond blinked against the harsh, fluorescent light of the sanctuary's control room as he surfaced from the depths of the Animus, his gaze unfocused and his breaths shallow. The weight of Ezio's life pressed down on him, a collection of disorienting memories and visions that blurred the line between past and present. His shoulders sagged under an invisible burden, his hands trembling slightly as he tried to ground himself in his own reality. The dark circles beneath his eyes, more pronounced with each session, betrayed the toll the Animus was taking on him, and even the smallest movements seemed to exhaust him.

Claire was already by his side, a silent and steady presence, her worry etched into the soft crease between her brows. She'd been waiting, watching him as he transitioned out of Ezio's world and into his own, ready to anchor him however she could. Without a word, she offered him a bottle of water, her fingers brushing against his as she pressed it into his hand, the touch grounding him more than the water itself. He met her gaze, the gratitude in his eyes unspoken but clear, and drank slowly, the cool liquid easing the dryness in his throat, each sip pulling him a little closer to the here and now.

"Easy," Claire murmured, her voice soft and steady, laced with a quiet understanding. She moved closer, reaching up with gentle fingers that traced soothing circles at his temples. Her touch was a balm, easing the tension coiled within him, and he found himself leaning into it, his eyes fluttering shut as he surrendered to the comfort she offered. Her hands moved with a familiar certainty, a grounding force that cut through the haze clouding his mind.

"Long session," he mumbled, his voice rough and distant, as though he'd been speaking for hours without pause. "Everything's... hazy."

"I know," Claire replied, her fingers drifting from his temples to rest lightly on his shoulder, steadying him. Her voice was a low, soothing murmur, as though she understood the disorientation he was battling. "You're carrying so much of him, Desmond. It's bound to feel overwhelming."

Desmond managed a weak chuckle, a sound laced with both humor and exhaustion. "Ezio's a lot to keep up with," he admitted, his voice barely more than a whisper.

She met his gaze, her expression serious, her concern evident in the way her hand lingered on his shoulder, firm and reassuring. "More than you should have to handle alone," she said, her words filled with a gravity that reflected her growing worry. "Desmond, it's wearing on you. And I can see it."

The weight of her words settled over him, filling the space between them with unspoken fears that neither of them could ignore. Over the past few weeks, she'd seen the signs of strain in him, the way he emerged from each session more hollow, more distant. Each time he returned, the toll on his mind and body seemed to deepen, and she found herself watching him more closely, the anxiety gnawing at her as she took note of every subtle shift in his demeanor.

Desmond's expression softened as he looked at her, his gaze tracing the lines of worry etched into her face. "It helps having you here," he murmured, his voice carrying a quiet vulnerability that rarely surfaced. "You keep me... grounded."

Claire's fingers tightened on his shoulder, her eyes never leaving his. She could see his exhaustion, the silent battles he fought every time he descended into Ezio's memories. Her chest tightened with a fierce protectiveness, the need to shield him from the toll of his mission overwhelming her. She leaned closer, her hand drifting up to brush a stray lock of hair from his forehead, letting her palm rest there, her touch a gentle anchor amid the storm within him.

"I'll always be here, Desmond," she whispered, her voice a soft, unwavering promise. "Whatever you need."

Desmond closed his eyes, exhaling slowly as her hand remained steady on his forehead, her warmth easing some of the tension that had knotted in his muscles. Her presence was a tether, pulling him back to himself, reminding him of the life that waited for him outside of Ezio's world.