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"So..."
"So......."
To say the situation was awkward would be an understatement. Connor and Haytham, after years and years of searching, finally managed to locate an Apple of Eden in Masyaf. And what it showed them after they pried it from the corpse of the Assassin Altaïr-- they gave him a proper burial at Connor's request, and took the Apple itself home to examine more closely... they saw the respective lives that they lived, and it all left them both reeling. Haytham was left with intense feelings of self-disgust, so much so that he wanted to die right then and there. I'm married to my own son, I'm MARRIED to my own SON, I'M MARRIED TO MY OWN SON--
While they were not related by blood anymore as far as he knew, they were still the same people, the same souls as before, and Haytham found himself wanting to wash his whole body till it bled anyway. He felt disgusting, like a monster, a--
His thoughts crashed into silence when Connor cupped his cheeks.
"I can hear you thinking from here," Connor said. "Stop it."
"But, but--" Haytham sputtered.
"But nothing." Connor's voice was firm and calm with conviction. "You are still my raké:ni, but also my tiakení:teron. Neither is exclusive from the other."
The shame still burnt in Haytham's chest even with his husband's words. But despite the knowledge of what they used to be, of what they are now, he can't bring himself to push Connor away. Especially with how things ended the last time.
He could still feel the blade in his neck, a phantom of another life. Perhaps this new life was a second chance for the both of them.
"It's going to take some getting used to," Haytham murmured. He curled a hand around Connor's cheek and ran his thumb over the younger man's lips. "But I'm willing to..."
He didn't finish, but he didn't need to.
Connor's lips met his, and they held each other tightly as they kissed one another gently, sealing the silent promise with their love.