Notes: I'm sure something like this has been done before but it popped into my head and wouldn't let me go. It's pretty damn short and more like an dabble than a one-shot but this is me testing the waters and getting to know their voices.

"Did you love her?"

Haytham supposed he should have been expecting that question sooner or later but it still gave him pause. He glanced over his shoulder at Connor, drawing his brows inwards. Not that they could be seen from under his hat but the action was there all the same. Connor's expression was solemn but he could see a hint of childish innocence in his dark eyes; a child asking an honest question of his father, a father he'd only recently met.

Haytham sighed and slowed his horse down to a slow walk, moving back so that he was side to side with Connor. He was quiet for a moment, considering the question. Did he love Ziio? She had been beautiful and there would be no denying that but he had also been fierce and headstrong, two traits that had obviously been passed along to their offspring. But did he love her? He thought over their first kiss in the cave, how she'd been the one to make the first approach. There had been no hesitation in her actions and her convictions had surprised him. There were not many women who would do such a thing and it was one of the first things that had attracted him.

And then when they'd shared a bed later and she'd curled to fit perfectly against his side, her hair loose from her braids and mussed against the pillows. He'd smiled contentedly as he'd laced his fingers into the strands and she'd breathed deep and nuzzled closer. He'd felt peace and it had only been them. No assassins, no Templar. Simply two lovers. It had been simple, uncomplicated, and he would have been completely happy to have spent the rest of his life laying there. But things such as that never lasted long and shortly afterwards, Ziio had broken ties with him.

Haytham had never known if she'd been upset with him because of his ties to the Templars or if she had just decided that nothing more could come from their time spent together and now it was too late to ask her.

"Yes, I suppose I did. In a way."

Connor seemed satisfied enough with that answer and he spoke nothing more on the subject.