Loss and Learning

[madimpossibledreamer]

Main Points:
Arrow/Assassin's Creed; this is separate from the other Arrow/Assassin's Creed 'verse
Summary: Tommy is told the "truth" by his father after the disastrous visit to Hong Kong.
Word Count: 440
Rating: Teen

          Tommy expects the summons when he returns from Hong Kong.  He expects, as usual, to be yelled at for any number of things—stealing his father’s private plane, continuing to chase the ghost of his dead friend all over the world, allowing himself to get kidnapped.  He’s understandably shocked when Malcolm hugs him close (the closest they’d gotten in years was a handshake, or the occasional beating), and backs away once he’s allowed, suddenly wary.  “What’s going on?”
          “I’d kept you at an arm’s distance to keep you safe, but when you were nearly lost again due to my reticence, I realized that it wasn’t my place to keep you ignorant and in harm’s way.”  His father meets his eyes.  “After all, it was inaction that cost Robert Queen his life—and his son.”
          Tommy’s heart freezes in his chest.  “You know what happened to the Gambit?  It…wasn’t the storm?” he whispers, fists clenching.
          Malcolm nods.  “I tried to give you only the relevant information—that Oliver was dead, that you were chasing a fool’s dream.  I should have realized only a full explanation would satisfy the man whose curiosity leads him halfway around the world.”  He gestures at the chairs in his office.  “This will be easier if we sit.  It’s not short.”
          For the first time in ages, Tommy does as suggested by his father without arguing or even holding any resentment in his heart.
          “Robert Queen was one of us—a Templar.  Templars seek to protect the world from anarchy.  Your mother likewise understood this, and was targeted by our enemies.  Your own inquiries made you a target, and it is merely luck that saved your life.”  He takes out a pin that reminds Tommy of the productions and shows he’s seen featuring Crusaders.
          He goes ashen.  “It…wasn’t random?”  A mugging gone wrong was one thing, but this is…
          “No.  And like you, Oliver knew nothing of any of this, but the Assassins care nothing of those they hurt.”  The contempt in his voice is easily understandable.  He feels the rage burn in his heart.
          “We’ll make them pay,” he promises, and Malcolm smiles, proud for the first time in a long, long time.
          “Yes, but you’re not going to be able to do anything as you are.  You need training.”  That doesn’t matter.  Work doesn’t matter, time is no longer a burden but an opportunity.
          “I’ve never been properly motivated before,” he tells his father.
          “Well, now seems like a good time to start, then,” the man suggests.  “The fight of the Templars to guard the world from the Assassins’ violence has been a long one…”