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Shaun hadn't really ever been nervous for Desmond. Why should he ever ? The bloke just laid down the whole day, whoop-dee-doo. Well Shaun knew it was more than that but he didn't like the fact that the white-hooded man got a lot of credit, when Shaun knew he did a boat load of work for not even a "Thanks Shaun." Maybe he started off to brash to Desmond but Shaun had always suspected the other would try to chip away at his uncaring facade. Hastings was still human, even if he could mask it well by seemingly always being frustrated. Shaun had never been nervous for Desmond until the Templars had come.
It was the first time he had seen Desmond so serious and determined and using the skills he had learned through Ezio and Altair. Shaun was a bit jealous he hadn't gotten to join Desmond before Lucy had told him and Rebbecca to pack up. It made sense sure but Shaun had a brief hesitation, he wondered if Desmond saw it and he wished he hadn't. He had worked too hard to make sure he didn't get attached to Desmond, or let him know he was attempting not to get close, to have it unraveled by a single gaze.
When it was all over though Shaun found a new respect for Desmond though he wouldn't say at least not now. All four talked of what knowledge Desmond had acquired. Even having helped Desmond as Ezio solve the "Truth" Shaun still felt he had as many questions as Lucy and Rebbecca. He was somewhat flustered about all this unknowing but interested as well. Shaun Hastings did enjoy the curious, normally more when it didn't involve people he cared about.
Why was it Desmond played such a big role in this? It was somewhat unnerving and worst yet Shaun knew Desmond is too much of an idiot to be a prophet or chosen one, he'd likely make some silly heroic attempt and end up getting himself killed. In which case Shaun would bring Desmond back JUST to call him a bloody moron and kill him again and maybe once more just to emphasis his point to that thick headed twit.
He was staring again, at the cut on Desmond's lips now and the darker haired man seemed to take notice. Shaun blinked then frowned pushing up his glasses. "Well, and what?" Hastings asked sounding slightly peeved but mostly defensive. Lucy was at the wheel, Rebbecca passenger side and Desmond and Shaun haphazardly in the back of the truck. Shaun didn't particularly care for the arrangement but earlier had been asked if he had wanted to switch and declined.
Shaun didn't like the arrangement because it made it harder to ignore Desmond. Like now, the white-hooded Animus pro looked to the Brit with a brow raised curiously. "Ah, nothing really." Desmond sounded slightly apologetic though he hadn't even been the one staring. Shaun smiled slightly victoriously out the window at that. So the other did know when to shut up some of the time. Now it would be easier to pretend he wasn't sitting so close to him.
Desmond looked Shaun up and down when the blond turned to face away. He wasn't that stupid though Shaun may think, he knew when someone was staring and mostly when they were hiding things. Best of all Desmond knew Shaun was probably a bad liar. Normally his comments were either so painfully blunt or so sarcastic (even a mix of both) that he doubted Shaun had much been put in a true fibbing situation. Being an assassin didn't make you talented in making your words seem true.
Desmond smiled some then and faced out his window. It was perhaps too quite but Lucy didn't mind. Rebbecca stirred from her sleep mumbling something and Shaun found he missed the Desmond's somewhat loud-mouth habits. Desmond had stopped asking stupid and pointless questions after the much needed conversation about what Ezio had experienced. Shaun sighed quietly glancing at Desmond from the corner of his eye now. Why was it he despised him talking to him so much and yet longed to hear his voice more than ever at this moment.
"Well this is the dullest and most tense drive perhaps ever in history." Shaun stated crossing his arms, now hoping the others would take it as a cue to speak. Lucy mumbled an apology "Sorry Shaun, I've been thinking is all. A lot has happened I still don't even understand myself. Plus 16....he..." she stopped and re-focused on the road. "It wasn't your fault don't listen to anyone else, you don't have blood on your hands you tried to help." Desmond tried to comfort Lucy.
"Dammit Desmond, we're assassins okay? We all have blood on our hands and if you ...you coddle her about her mistakes or whatever you want to call them then she'll never fully get over it." Shaun snapped, sometimes he couldn't help what he said. He knew he normally sounded cynical and yet he normally directed his frustrations on only Desmond.
Lucy remained quiet looking ahead she seemed to wince some at the words but was still silent. Rebbecca finally awoke with a sudden jolt. "Huh, wha-?" She looked around realizing she had dozed off. The tech-girl only caught the last end of Shaun's rant but she frowned looking over her seat to Shaun. "Shaun!" Rebbecca narrowed her eyes at him and sounded like she always did when she chastised him but more grave yet.
Desmond looked to Shaun eyes seeming full of mixed emotion, confused. Nothing is true. Everything is permitted Desmond thought remembering of the Assassin's creed. His lips now faced slightly downward his scar along with it as he looked to Shaun. Shaun shifted some, never had he felt so unsure about his words. Normally he said what he felt and it was said and done and if people didn't like it then he could give a s**t less. Now though it seemed everyone was displeased. Shaun wasn't sure what had brought that about, he just got annoyed with Desmond's constant "It-will-be-okay"s and "It's-not-your-fault"s for the blond woman.
Shaun groaned some but made no real apology other than "Simply saying none of us are as innocent as you claim Desmond. You are too naive and optimistic." with that he was looking out the window again, not before seeing Rebbecca still eying him with disapproval. So what? Desmond needed a reality check anyway. Shaun thought maybe he had been in the Animus too long with all those righteous Italian assassins, but he had too idealistic views.
Needless to say it was an even more tense car ride. Shaun trying to ignore Desmond's (quite attractive) existence, Rebbecca working on Animus ideas then dozing off yet again, Lucy doubtless thinking upon Shaun's words, and Desmond seemed oddly blank. Hastings wasn't sure if it was just an accumulation of everything that made Desmond so, but he was curious.
As they pulled to a stop into a new hide away Shaun happily stepped out stretching and he then placed his hands in his pockets. Finally that dreadful ride was over. Desmond started walking off and before Shaun could contemplate whether he should ask blurted. "Oi, where do you think you're going?" He looked to Desmond. "Take a piss, what you want to come a long?" Desmond asked, he had lightened the tense air slightly for everyone but Shaun that is. "I beg your pardon?" Shaun retorted with a huff, but then Lucy looked to him and nodded.
"Actually that's not a bad idea, you never know if the Templars, or worse, are after us. You should go with him." She said calmly and looked to Rebbecca who chimed in. "Yeah, after all you're the only other dude here." she said and grinned looking to Lucy. "You've got to be kidding me. You're messing with me right? I am not going with him to take a piss." Shaun sputtered out looking a bit wide eyed to the three.
He knew he was out numbered though and since they were walking the rest of the way to the hide out instead of driving that groups were indeed the safest way to go. Desmond gave a smug shrug and Shaun SWORE he was grinning. "Alright then but I'm not going with him every time he has a tinkle. This is absurd..." he muttered very upset. Rebecca snickered some standing next to Lucy and they then quietly chatted about the course to the hide away.
Shaun followed Desmond for a bit wondering why they had to walk so far into the forest clearing for him to whiz. "Can you just hurry up? I want to get back, not babysit someone on potty break." Shaun crossed his arms now trying not to watch Desmond as he walked ahead. "Alright, alright." Desmond said then leaned his back on a tree. "What're you doin'?" Shaun now put his hands on his hips walking closer to the other assassin.
"I didn't have to go to the bathroom." Desmond then said smiling some, as if he had come up with some master plan, proudly. Shaun nearly deadpanned, he was silent probably from pure frustration and embarrassment. "You mean to say you just wanted to take me for a leisurely stroll? Charming, lovely, very ******** brilliant. What a waste of time, I can't believe this is even more stupid than-"
Desmond had pushed off the tree with his newly improved grace and skill standing very close to Shaun now. That had been enough to make the blond man shut up if only for a moment. "Desmond... step away." Shaun's voice lacked his usual threatening tone though, the usual forcefulness to it that made it seem not an empty threat. "I was just wondering about earlier, I had wanted to talk to you alone here." Desmond answered hands now in his pockets.
"About what? I still believe what I said so I can't apologize." Shaun stated, no one was innocent. "I mean even you who seems so self-righteous has skeletons in his closet, things you regret." Shaun crossed his arms ignoring their closeness. Desmond gave a light sigh but smiled some "You're right I know one thing I'll probably regret..."
Shaun wasn't sure he'd want to ask but he managed a snarky "You'll regret not stepping away from me." The blond assured but Desmond just shook his head. Then Shaun was surprised to feel those full, scared, lips on his. Shaun's awareness and frustrations melted away until he realized what was going on. It was a pretty good, Desmond's tongue peeked out from his mouth and glided along Shaun's lips and wanted entrance. For a moment Shaun really wanted to, just let go but he then panicked and pushed Desmond away sharply.
Desmond looked to Shaun who seemed confused more than upset at the moment. "Don't ... don't touch me again ." Shaun said shakily and turned to walk off. Why did Desmond have to be so stupid? Shaun had been content with ignoring the darker haired assassin and keeping his feelings to himself but no. He wouldn't and couldn't allow himself to fall for someone as ridiculous as Desmond.
Not to mention this would make his job harder, and he didn't feel it was appropriate for assassin's to get involved with people. It made things messy, it made people targets simply for being someone you cared for. Shaun just didn't like it and though he HAD kind of enjoyed the kiss too much irked him to continue. Shaun had hurried his pace, once he had put a hand to his lips in slight surreal disbelief, but tried to think nothing of what had happened.
Desmond followed, he hadn't exactly expected Shaun to kiss back but still the other seemed more shaken up than he had thought he'd be. "Shaun!" Desmond had called to the blond and followed in a brisk near jog. "Listen I know how you are, but why can't you at least just...say you don't like me or something, reject me more obviously."
"Was pushing you off me and saying don't touch me not clear enough for you then Desmond?" Shaun asked spinning around. "Or the I dunno , countless, times I tell you to leave me alone...that wasn't enough either?" Shaun seemed upset now. He was flustered all his work at keeping his emotions for Desmond in check was now threatened. Still Shaun didn't say he didn't like Desmond and the darker haired man noticed.
"Say you aren't interested in me and I'll...I'll leave you alone." Desmond gave a nod to reassure his words. His brown eyes didn't leave Shaun who obviously wasn't making eye contact with him. Shaun looked away still and he muttered "We need to get back." and he turned away from Desmond once more not giving an answer to him "This is a waste of time. Rebbecca and Lucy will worry." With that Shaun kept walking.
So Desmond was quiet surprised Shaun hadn't said a yes or no with an explanation. When the two men returned back Rebbecca and Lucy looked to them with raised brows. "You were gone a bit." Lucy stated, sounding relieved they were back though. Shaun stole a glance of Desmond before he stood up straighter and as if nothing happened addressed Lucy "Yes well, I said so as well."
Desmond shrugged some "Sorry ladies." he said with a slight apologetic smile. The assassin looked to the fellow blond assassin then down at the ground as if shamed. Shaun felt briefly guilty he had felt the same as Desmond and yet he still pushed him away when fear of rejection wasn't valid any longer. He'll get over it. Shaun thought stoutly. He hadn't even given Desmond that bad of a rejection, he didn't think there was any reason to feel guilty so he tried not to.
```
Lucy had decided Desmond should train in real time, which was more than fine with Shaun. He was content going away in his work corner of the knew Assassin's hideout. It was smaller than the last warehouse but it was a nice hidden abandoned building in a dense forest that had taken back the land. Shaun liked it here, he had a window by his work station where he could see the nice tall trees.
He was calm and happy until he heard someone behind him. Hastings hoped it wasn't Desmond but instead it was Rebbecca. "...What? What is that look for?" Shaun asked already agitated. Rebbecca looked to Shaun inquisitively and then raised a brow some. "What happened Shaun?" She asked and sat in a chair next to the blond. "Wha-? What happened? When...I don't know what you're even talking about." Shaun said then cleared his throat. When he looked over to Rebbecca again she stared at him skeptically.
"Wont you leave me alone?" Shaun asked with a defensive huff "I have work-" but he was interrupted. "What work?" Rebbecca asked with a mocking laugh "C'mon Shaun, me and you get a breather since Desmond isn't going in the Animus 2.0 for a bit. Now, tell me what happened with you two." At these words Shaun nearly choked. Rebbecca was far too good at detecting things, or she knew him too well either way he didn't like it.
"What happened with us two? You make it sound like...like...something DID happen." Shaun said flustered and embarrassed, he wanted Rebbecca (and her accusations) gone. Rebbecca leaned back in her chair victoriously "Ah, so something did happen." she grinned. "Are you deaf? I said that's how you make it sound. Nothing happened, what would you even be thinking happened? It's a miracle I didn't kill him you know he's very annoying." Shaun crossed his arms upon his chest.
"I don't believe you, and he's not that bad. I don't see why you have to be such an a**." Rebbecca said grinning to Shaun "You need to chill some... oh and tell me what happened. OR I'll put you in the Animus and make you relive some of your Ancestor's more embarrassing moments." She said mock threatening Shaun who just eyed her. "I'd like to see you manage that." He scoffed at her but then sighed looking around.
"Rebbecca you know I don't know many people-especially friends-, and I KNOW you'll pull out your 'you owe me' bit you do, so I guess I'll tell you." Shaun felt his voice waver some. He felt as if he'd regret this but if he didn't tell someone he'd surely go mad. Not only that but Rebbecca would pester him, or ask Desmond which would be way worse.
"Yeah...?" Rebbecca leaned forward expectantly, ready for Shaun to spill which he rarely did. "Don't get all crazy with it either, I'm going to be SPECIFIC about something alright? Don't twist my words." Shaun warned then took a breath. "Desmond kissed me." He tried to make sure the fact that Desmond initiated it evident. Rebbecca didn't seem to care about that though, her face lit up in amusement and she smiled widely.
"No...see I don't like that look." Shaun said upset now, and Rebbecca just laughed some. "S-sorry..." She chuckled "See, but I knew something happened...." She then leaned back eying Shaun. "What now, what?" Shaun snapped seeing an even more (terrifying to him) amused face on Rebbecca. "You liked it?" Rebbecca asked then, one too many questions for Shaun.
Shaun cleared his throat and he turned in his chair. "No. Now go, I told you what happened." He said stubbornly, he wouldn't disclose any more. He felt his cheeks tinge some though and he clenched his jaw determined not to give Rebbecca more reason to pester him. Rebbecca hadn't moved though and she just stared. After a minute she stood though and Shaun let out a relieved sigh. "Alright Shaun. I'm checking on Lucy and Desmond."
"What? No....haha see I know what you're up to!" Shaun spun facing Rebbecca with his chair now and he pointed at her. "You..." he kept pointing accusingly "...you're up to something. I don't want you talking to Lucy about this, and least of all Desmond. This is the type of history that does not go in a database, are we clear?"
"Crystal." Rebbecca said giving Shaun a thumbs up, he stared to her not believing her in the least. Shaun grumbled something under his breath and watched Rebbecca as she smiled all the way off to visit Lucy and Desmond. Shaun Hastings never regretted much because he never put him self in stupid situations like other people did, but this, this he already regretted.
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Shaun wasn't sure if Rebbecca had talked to Lucy or Desmond since everyone acted pretty normal, except Desmond being rather quiet. Any other day Shaun wouldn't have cared or even pondered why, in fact he would have be thankful. Still Desmond wasn't usual quiet and he knew that. Dammit, Shaun didn't want to care. Stupid Desmond was being sensitive, and for what reason? So what if Shaun didn't like him back, that's life. Shaun frowned not sure he could keep up ignoring Desmond's silence.
Shaun got up, annoyed and he walked over to Desmond and grabbed his arm lightly. "You're sulking." Shaun sounded accusing almost and Desmond looked to him before shaking out of his hold. "Why would I be sulking?" Desmond asked, like he didn't know, like he didn't remember. 'How childish!' Shaun thought. "Because you didn't get your way Desmond, you think you're so important so amazing and righteous...most of all I bet you think you can do or take anything you want." Shaun said almost enjoying it, he didn't like Desmond or he didn't want to. "You don't know me Shaun, and I don't know why you have this twisted God-awful impression of me." Desmond said a hint of confusion and hurt in his voice.
 Zi Kimizuru · Sun Dec 06, 2009 @ 09:24am · 0 Comments |
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