AC3: Together

Chapter 8: New York

Hey guys, here's the next installment! There might be a few issues with time in this one, I'm not sure because I haven't played ACIII in a long time (going to replay it for the fourth time soon!) but hopefully, all is well. c: ENJOY, LIKE, VOTE, PLEASE COMMENT, IT KEEPS ME GOING! The first part of this fic recently reached 1000 reads and I am so happy, you guys are phenomenal! Thank you so much, this chapter is dedicated to you all! <33

You approached slowly from the cover of the bushes; the doe was completely unaware of any threat. Reaching down but never taking your eyes off the creature, you pulled out a drawstring pouch and scattered bait around the undergrowth. Backtracking slightly, you saw her lift her pretty head and approach recklessly, getting closer and closer. You wouldn't even need the bow today - you were close enough to slit the animal's throat without much of a struggle.

Why did your hunts never go as planned?

A bear trampled slowly into the clearing, immediately prompting the deer to run; even you knew that today's hunting session was over. It was too risky to hunt with a bear so nearby; in fact, you were thinking of warning Achilles against it in case it approached the Homestead while you and Connor were away. 

 As you turned to go, a sudden roar echoed through the trees. You closed your eyes. Maybe if I can't see it, it can't see me?

No such luck.

The lumbering gallop of the bear threw you forward and towards the nearest climbable tree. You prided yourself on climbing - you'd improved a lot since you'd met Connor, since he had lived in the treetops his whole life. The scene slowed down and you glanced up at the tree towering above you, mapping out where you would place your feet and hands.

Jumping forward, barely worried about the beast behind you, you reached for the first branch and-

An excruciating pain ripped through your ankle and you let out a short cry of shock. Goddamn your pride! You'd forgotten how fast bears could be - this one had caught its claws in your boot and ripped a hole in your flesh from the feel of it. 

Awkwardly, you tried to reach the next branch with your hands but you were too slow. Falling back to the ground with a grunt, you looked up at your coming demise, promising that it would suffer for killing you. The knife balanced perfectly in your hand and you bared your teeth in a grin.

Sometimes, you wondered if he followed you and just happened to be wandering nearby every time you were about to die. 

Connor burst from the treetops like a huge white eagle and swept towards the angry bear, who rose to meet him. Its claws were torn from your foot and you screamed an insult at the beast, which was swiftly dispatched by the winged assassin. The second it slumped to the ground, you felt yourself lifted from the earth.

"I can walk, thanks, Connor," you snapped at him. He gave you a wry smile and dropped you back down unceremoniously. Glaring up at your 'saviour', you got to your feet, dignity radiating from you with every move (hopefully). 

"Are you sure you are alright?" Connor looked pointedly down at your boot, which was ripped to shreds and covered in blood. He knelt down beside you but you stepped back..unfortunately, onto your injured leg, which made you fall over and lose any pretence of pride you had left. Besides, you thought you were about to cry from the pain anyway.

Ignoring your protests, Connor lifted you back into his arms and started to carry you home. Burning with embarassment and wondering what new ways Achilles would find to tease you with now, you kept your eyes fixed to the ground, although you were well too aware of who was holding you and what it felt like.

As you approached the bend in the road that separated the woods from the Homestead, Connor lowered you to your feet.

"I can look after myself, Connor." You continued to avoid his eyes, completely defeated. Your words were half-hearted at best.