Chapter 6

Love like no Tomorrow

It was cold and dark outside on the mansions balcony, but that didn't stop the pair from savouring the starry night and each other's naked body in the moon light.

With body glowing a pale light, Krosis bent against the pillar as Haytham slammed into him from behind, their moans echoed into the air like the howls of the wolves in the forest.

The two Templar lovers were spending the night together in any possible way, for in the morning Haytham needed to make a trip to New York for a couple months to try and deal with problems after Hickey's death and come to terms with the discovery of the Assassin's relationship towards him. Only three Templar's remained so the lovers took every opportunity in case one of them was next.

The thought frightened them, but not as much as it would a normal person. The Templar's knew death was always over their shoulders due to the Assassin's Order, whether they survive was up to fate and their actions.

Haytham came with a deep moan, he left the warmth of Krosis and spun to taller man around so he could kneel between his legs and take the other man's shaft deep into his throat.

With the simultaneous attention of Haytham's tongue on his tip and hand around his balls, Krosis came with a howling cry. Slowly, Haytham stood while dragging his tongue and mouth up the expanse of Krosis' stomach and chest leaving a trail of the younger man's own release behind.

Once upright, Haytham pulled the younger man into a deep kiss, the youngest Templar tasted his own come with a moan and kissed back powerfully. Their tongues rubbed against each other and on the roof of the other man's mouth.

The cold air of their soaked skin made the pair shiver, gasping for air they made their way back into their room. Inside the two wrapped around each other sombrely on their bed, "I miss you when you leave…"

Haytham gave a smile at Krosis' soft whisper, "So do I runt." They both chuckled at the old nickname; it did not match the tall forty year old man one bit. Especially when he was now the General of the Boston Guard, a position hard fought for through the years since they first met and joined forces.

A small smile rose to Haytham's lips at that, it reminded him of their first night together. At that night he did not think it would lead to such a long lasting relationship, although they were often at a distance for a long period of time, they would always write.

Although each letter had to be either coded or gave away nothing of their relationship if enemies waylaid them. It was a nuisance to hide, maybe when the Templar's succeeded in making Paradise then they could openly hold each other?

It was something he could only hope for now with so many of his friends gone.

"I will escort you to your ship in the morning?" Haytham hummed in agreement as he closed his eyes, it was late and they had spent much energy having sex from the room towards the balcony since the women had left.

-A-

With an indifferent expression after the women gave their farewells to Haytham, Krosis marched in front of his Grand Master. Politely he would pause when the Grand Master stopped to pat a dog or cat before continuing on, passer-by's stopped to gasp at the sight of the two men.

Krosis was in his long red coat with a hat in similar design to Haytham's, his sword was beautifully polished that early morning and his two long Italian pistols made people stay a good distance back.

From the shadows someone stalked them, watching each move the pair made as they walked through the streets. The feeling of dangerous eyes on them didn't go unnoticed.

"Will you be alright when I leave?" Haytham asked in a low tone, hiding his dread for his lover's safety beneath a calm voice as the hair on his neck rose.

"Of course, sir." Krosis answered in his firm soldier voice. That tone always made Haytham get goose bumps and go hard. The younger man's lip twitched at Haytham's look, knowing full well what that voice just did. For it was often that Haytham requested that voice during their sexual intercourse either together or with the women joining in.

"When I return" 'You will get it' Haytham's tone said everything; Krosis lowered his head in understanding while not letting his face show his humour and desire.

They arrived at the docks without a problem, though the eyes still followed them.

With a snap of his heels hitting each other, Krosis saluted and Haytham returned it with a less formal one, "May you travel safely, sir."

"I will, General. Be sure to message me if something arises."

"Yes sir." Krosis didn't stop saluting and held the position until Haytham disappeared onto his ship.

Relaxing his shoulders as a weary weight fell upon him at the loss of sight of his lover, Krosis spun on his heels and marched in the opposite direction. He needed to return to his office at the barracks and make certain everyone was doing their jobs before he could start his own patrol of the new soldiers.

'They are following me still…' Krosis paused and turned his head, no stalker was seen making him feel a twist in his stomach. Haytham had warned him about the Assassins and how they could move through the crowd, it was there that the Grand Master got his skills of stealth.

Taking in a breath, the General continued on while sticking to the main road for as long as he could. Fellow Redcoats passed by and gave him salutes and curt, "Sir" before they continued on.

With speed under his feet, Krosis made his way up to the fort he over saw. The guards saluted and opened the gate, the unnerving stare vanished once he was safely in the walls.

With hands folded behind his back, Krosis paced up and down the training area to observe the new recruits. After a quick report from the Instructor, the General excused himself to his quiet office where he began to write his reports and a couple of letters to Charles Lee concerning his dogs.

The other Templar had the annoying habit of breeding little yappers and kept bringing a full fleet of them over to Krosis' mansion whenever he visited, much to the pleasure of the young ladies. The man never let go of the chance to ask if Krosis wanted some of them.

Either Krosis had to persuade Charles to stop, or Haytham would give in and take a handful of the pups. How did he get stuck surrounded by animal lovers? Krosis swore his lover had a pocket specifically made to hold seeds for chickens and turkeys.

"SIR! We are under attack, we don't know how many but we have found some of our men dead." A solider barged in making Krosis' head whip up.

"Lead the way officer."

Outside, the three corpses were already lined up on the ground. Krosis bent beside one and examined the killing wound, "Stabbed to the throat… an instant kill."

"What do we do sir?" The Instructor asked.

"I want everyone to not be alone, always watch your backs and stay in sight of others. I want eyes up on the roofs and walls!"

"Sir, I think the enemy just broke into your office!" Another solider yelled while running over.

"You come with me, everyone else keep your eyes open." Krosis and one solider rushed away to the office, inside paper was blowing around in the wind from the broken window.

A small gurgle was the only warning before the guard with Krosis collapsed with a stab to the neck. Drawing his blade while leaping back, Krosis eyed his hooded enemy.

"What do you want Assassin?"

"Answers and your life."

A chill filled Krosis, he looked the man up and down then paused it his lips. "Is your name Connor?"

"The Grand Master warned you of me? That was wise of him."

"He told me he had a son…" That made the Assassin pause for he knew Haytham tried to keep it secret from the other Templars, "He wants to know about contacting your mother."

"My mother is dead, murdered by Charles Lee." The young Assassin stormed forward without a fear of Krosis' drawn sword, his tone was full of defensive hatred. "What would my Father want to say to her even if she was alive?"

"Before I answer any of your questions, I want some of mine answered." Connor hesitated before lowering his head in agreement, "What do you gain in killing me?"

"Freedom of the people, your men cause much pain to the innocent by your orders."

A frown formed on Krosis' face, "I don't order my men to harm the innocent people, they are meant to keep the peace as guards."

"I have seen your 'guards' execute men and women for simply talking out against the British, families are attacked for expensive fines and farmers have all their crops stolen!" The young man's tone made Krosis twitch.

"Those men and women are criminals who have murdered or stolen from the true innocent. The fines are placed to lower crime, if you commit a crime you pay up or go to prison. The crops are sent to the injured men and women in the middle of this foolish rebellion the greedy farmers wouldn't assist."

The Assassin was beginning to pace the floor looking more frustrated with Krosis' answer, "You Templar's always say that, that you do it for the good of the people. But you step on those people just for greed!"

"Don't you Assassin's do that too? These soldiers you kill without a care, do you not think that they have families, that they have no soul or cause because they wear red armour?" The Assassin flinched back as Krosis began to get angry and also because the words hit him, "And you kill those who go against your ideals. You killed Johnson, Pitcairn and Hickey because their dreams didn't suit your Order's creeds."

The General dodged backwards as the Assassin swung out with his tomahawk, "They were killers and slavers. They could have come up with other ways yet they went for the easiest and most profitable path."

"And isn't assassinating us the 'easiest' path for your order?" Once again Connor hesitated, "You could have captured us and locked us away somewhere. Yet to save resources your people just 'murder' us."

The clang of metal on metal echoed around the room, Krosis put all his weight into his sword against Connor's tomahawk and pushed the young man backwards into the wall.

"How is it our ideals are wrong when yours is just the same. Maybe you have different ways of doing things but the outcome is still alike."

"You take away everything humanity needs! Freedom, love, the chance to live without war or having someone control your life."

"You think Templar's are without love?" Krosis spat out his words, thoughts went to Haytham. How dare this child think he knew everything? "We know love and loss better than you and your Order, boy."

Connor struggled to keep the man's blade from his throat, Krosis steamed as he glared down at the Assassin.

"I have lost two close friends because of you." Krosis' voice cracked at the thought of Johnson and Hickey. He knew them before he knew Haytham and it hurt to remember they were gone, "I knew them for years and you killed them!"

Quickly, Krosis jumped back again as Connor tried to use his hidden blade. The General wasn't stupid, Haytham had made certain he knew all possible Assassin tricks.

"It broke our hearts to loose such men, even if Hickey was a bit selfish. But Johnson was kind hearted… all he wanted to do was protect your village and study the culture."

Connor retaliated against Krosis, the taller man avoided the hidden blade and threw the Assassin to the ground. The Templar took this opportunity to flee from his office while calling out to his men, "To me, there is an Assassin!"

Redcoat soldiers rushed to surround their superior with bayonets raised defensively. Another group ran around the office to check through the windows.

"The Assassin is gone!"

Nobody relaxed as they eyed every crevice. "Are you alright sir?"

"Yes, but the soldier with me was murdered. I want three of you to bring him out, be cautious because I don't want to lose more men." Three of the bravest readied their weapons and went inside, not long afterwards they came out with the corpse of their fellow soldier.

For only a moment, Krosis stood beside the four bodies that Connor had killed staring down at them with a dry mouth. These men died because the Assassin was after him, it hurt. He knew two of them men, he had heard them talking about their children over a warm fire when doing night duty in the fort.

A solider walked up to him and bowed his head, "Sir… the assassin was after you right?"

"It appears that way… don't worry." Krosis placed a gentle hand on the young lads shoulder and gripped it, betraying his sorrow and fear. "I will be alright."

Not looking comforted, the young soldier returned to his group to whisper with them. When they began to throw worried looks his way, Krosis turned and made his way around the walls to calm his nerves.

The Assassin, Haytham's son, almost killed him today… maybe he will succeed for the day was still bright.

Slowly he approached the Instructor who looked up with a stiff expression, "Is everything alright sir?"

"Yes, I think I might return home before night falls. If the Assassin returns for me in the dark even more soldiers will be lost, don't worry… you keep these men alive."

The Instructor nodded in understanding.

Every soldier stopped what they were doing to watch Krosis make his way to the gates, they were quiet as if they knew they were witnessing his possible last moments.

And no one tried to stop him.

The guards at the gates saluted him with more vigour then usual and held the pose as he descended the hill.

The second he was outside, the burn of eyes on him returned. Connor was out there waiting and watching once again, knowing this made Krosis' neck prickle. A fine layer of sweat was forming on his brow that he hid with his hat.

Was it safer for him to return home? Connor would not risk harming two innocent women… but Krosis didn't want the two precious women to see his body and know he was killed just meters from them.

He didn't was to risk that. Krosis weaved through the streets with head raised, anyone who saw him knew he was going with purpose. No one needed to know that he was thinking that purpose was his death.

The eyes followed him all the way to the Green Dragon, the place that pretty much started everything. Inside he bought a drink and requested a room, "If someone comes looking for me, tell him where to find me."

The woman didn't question him, knowing that Krosis and the other Templar's always bought a room for a private conversation. Inside the room, Krosis removed his weapons and placed them on the end of the bed neatly. With a sigh, he fell into a seat and took a swig of his drink with trembling hands.

It didn't take long for Connor to join him.

The young Assassin locked the door and sat across from Krosis with hands folded on the table. He was quiet as the Templar drank his drink, not caring that he never once offered a sip.

Once the mug was empty, Krosis folded his own hands on the table with a small smile. His eyes looked hazily into the air, "When did you get me?"

"Before you escaped the door…" Krosis chuckled as he felt the poison in his blood stream, it was only a small amount, enough to slowly numb his limbs and make him feel ill but not kill him. The sharp pain from the poison dagger burned along his arm.

Connor leaned forward to place a hand on Krosis' shoulder to hold him upright so their eyes wouldn't leave each other, the Assassin was surprisingly kind and thoughtful, like his father.

"Where is Charles Lee?"

"I don't know at the moment, in his last letter he told me he was going somewhere and wouldn't write for a while."

"What about my father? Where does that ship head to?"

Struggling with a grunt, Krosis tried to fight against the pull of Connor's eyes to lie and protect his lover.

"New York…" Krosis finally whispered out as he shivered, it was like Connor's eyes were hypnotizing him. Haytham had once said that no one could lie to him when they were going to die. Did that mean the poison was worse than he thought?

No that wasn't it, the reason was Connor's hidden blade sticking into his collar. Krosis felt his heart clench, he WAS going to die.

A single tear fell from his eye and trailed down his cheek, this was going to break Haytham's heart.

"Why did you join the Templars? What was your purpose in their Order?"

"I am just a soldier your father met here… I joined the Order only because he asked me to." The Assassin tightened his lips.

"You knew nothing of the Order when you joined?"

"No, I am just a soldier…" Krosis repeated the words a couple of times as his vision blurred, "I only helped… Haytham when I could." His loyalty filled voice cracked as more tears fell from his eyes.

"What did my father want to say to my mother?"

"I am sorry…" That sentence made the younger man's eyes soften with sadness.

Connor removed his hood, he wanted to honour Krosis with seeing his face in the Templar's last moments. Something he didn't bother to do with all the other Templar's, besides Hickey due to not having his armour.

"Tell Haytham… I am sorry that I am going first, and tell Bella and Francisca that I hid my will giving them my mansion behind the painting above the fireplace…" Krosis looked into Connor's eyes and examined his face for the first and last time. Reaching up to cup the young man's jawline, a small sarcastic smirk rose to Krosis' lips even with his pain. "He lied to me… you really are as handsome as he in his youth…"

That made Connor's eyes widen in sudden understanding, but he didn't get the chance to get a confirming answer as the General's hand thumped against the table and his eyes glazed over.

Standing back from the corpse, Connor felt regret fill him as he looked at the dead man's still breathless smirk. He took a feather out of his pocket and placed it into the man's hands after removing the Templar ring.

Connor said some words in his native tongue to honour the man before he went through the dead man's pockets to find something that seemed important and might contain a part of this man's history and soul.

Around the Templar's neck, the Assassin found something. There was a gold coin like pendant with the Templar cross on the front, flipping it led Connor to read a small message that answered his unspoken question.

'I love you, secret but true. – H.K'

With a sickening feeling in his stomach, Connor climbed out the window and fled the fort. He would regret this day forever, the day he murdered his father's love.

-A-

The two last colonial Templar's and maids stood at the gravestone in sober silence. No one else was seen in the night as rain fell heavily around them.

Gently, Charles placed his hand on Haytham's shoulder to try and comfort him while to two women sobbed as quietly as they could. The Grand Master's shoulders shook even as he tried to contain his feelings, but thankfully the rain made perfect cover for his tears.

"I shouldn't have left him alone… I knew we were being watched by an enemy but… I thought they wanted me more." Charles felt his throat constrict at the man's usually strong voice as it cracked and broke down.

"You couldn't have foreseen this sir. Please, Krosis wouldn't want you to hate yourself…" Charles wrapped an arm around Haytham's shoulders while looking at the name on the stone, below their feet was a friend and lover.

"I know that Charles… I know." Haytham straightened his shoulders and took a breath, reaching out he placed his hand on top of the stone. "I miss you… I love you…"

Pretending not to have heard those emotional words, Charles and the women put all their attention on the stone. Only Haytham saw the white appear through the rain.

He turned towards the hoodless Connor catching everyone's attention, Charles moved forward with clenched teeth, "Assassin! You are the one that killed him!"

The two women howled in sorrow at Charles words making him pause and step towards them with worry, Haytham walked towards his son with a blank stare. "Why are you here?"

The young Assassin had his hands folded at his chest, something Haytham only saw when his son was trying to be polite, unthreatening or when he was nervous. "I… wish bring his last words…"

No one said a word as Connor recited the words he memorized, the two women looked to each other in surprise at the sudden news of the fortune they now owned then looked to Krosis' grave with small fond smiles. Haytham nodded his head in agreement to Krosis' wish, his throat clenching at the thought of his lover apologizing for going first.

"You took his amulet." It wasn't a question, Connor lowered his head as a yes, "Why?"

"It had soul, it was important. I couldn't let the soul be tainted…"

"Ah… Mohawk?" Connor nodded again, "Then keep it and go…"

"Master Kenway… but…" Charles stepped forward, "He has murdered everyone, including Alonso…"

"Connor, I told you to leave… do as I say." Haytham's voice made Charles go quiet at the authority he used and how he knew the Assassin's name.

"I am sorry father. He was a good man, I approve of him." With that Connor bowed and left through the rain.

"Your son… the Assassin is your son…" That news made Charles freeze up, no wonder Haytham seemed unable to kill the boy.

The three around the Grand Master watched as he fell to his knees before his lover's grave, legs finally giving out. Over the rain and wind they caught him whisper, "I told you he would like you…"

The voice was filled with relief, love and sadness. Haytham wrapped an arm around the stone while keeping himself up right with his other one buried in the mud that covered his lover and didn't flinch when Bella and Francisca placed their own arms around him tightly, as if they were trying to protect the older man from the rain and wind.

As if he wasn't there, Charles looked to the ground without a word and waited until Haytham decided to leave.

After watching the Grand Master and two women's backs as they walked away, Charles returned his gaze to the gravestone.

"Good bye, Krosis Alonso-Kenway… until we all meet again in Paradise…"

Anyone else cry for Krosis?

I hope you enjoyed this quick little story.