Souls Through Time (EzioxOC/DesmondxOC)

Chapter 22 - Claire

After Claire finished helping Aiden and Paul hide the truck, ensuring it was safely tucked away in the underbrush, she took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her anger begin to dissolve into something steadier, more focused. The cool air outside had calmed her, giving her a chance to regain her composure. She knew Desmond needed her to be level-headed, not consumed by the fire that had almost made her pull the trigger on his father. Steeling herself, she walked back toward the temple entrance, every step deliberate as she readied herself for whatever might come next.

As Claire slipped into the chamber, she caught Desmond's eye, giving him a small nod of reassurance before pausing near the doorway, staying just out of William's line of sight. She listened, her expression a mixture of worry and frustration as the tension between father and son escalated.

William's voice was cold, distant, his words carefully controlled but cutting. "Yes?" he asked without looking up from his work.

Desmond shifted uncomfortably, gathering his resolve before speaking. "Just thought I'd... you know... say hi."

William barely acknowledged him, his tone dismissive. "You have more important things to do right now."

Desmond muttered, trying to mask his frustration. "Jesus, Dad."

William arched an eyebrow, his gaze sharpening, his tone suddenly sharp. "What? What do you want me to say?"

Desmond huffed, a bitter laugh slipping through, laced with a vulnerable edge. "I don't know. 'Hi, son. How are you? What have you been up to?'"

A flicker of anger ignited in William's eyes, and he turned on Desmond, his voice laced with frustration. "I know what you've been up to. Nothing. You wasted away in some shitty apartment with a pointless job, while the rest of us were out there fighting to make a difference." He paused, his gaze flicking toward Claire with an almost accusatory edge. "And it seems like your bad habits are rubbing off. Claire used to be my best asset stateside, but lately?" He scoffed, the disappointment evident. "Now, I'm not so sure."

Desmond's face twisted, anger flashing in his eyes as he clenched his fists. He glanced at Claire, catching the insult in William's words, the dismissal of everything she'd sacrificed. William's gaze was hard, his implication clear: Claire was a distraction, nothing more.

Desmond's voice was tight, barely controlled. "So that's it, huh?" he shot back, his tone bitter. "She's just another one of your tools? Another asset you expect to just fall in line?" His fists tightened, a hint of fury and protectiveness bleeding through his words. "Newsflash, Dad—she's worth more than that. And maybe if you could see past your mission for five seconds, you'd understand that."

William's gaze didn't waver, his arms crossed, his stance unyielding. "I understand more than you think, Desmond. You've let yourself become distracted. Both of you have. And with everything on the line, that's dangerous. You should be focusing on what actually matters."

The words stung, the implication settling over Desmond like a heavy weight. His jaw clenched, and he took a step forward, his anger rising to the surface. "You are such an asshole," he said, his voice shaking with suppressed rage. "Oh, you thinking about hitting me again? Because this time, I will hit back."

William's face registered surprise, if only for a split second. But before he could respond, Claire cleared her throat, stepping out of the shadows, her eyes flashing with defiance as she walked toward them.

Claire cleared her throat pointedly, her eyes sharp and unyielding as she stepped forward, fixing William with a look that dared him to dismiss her again. "Still your best asset, William," she said, her tone dripping with irony, "seeing as I'm the one who kept your son alive when you weren't around."