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#3 – Altair

Altair had a few "first times" because of – or together with – Malik. They had known each other since they were children, just having joined Al Mualim when they first met. So it wasn't surprising, that they had been through a lot of things. Both good and bad.

Malik was with him, when he screamed because of pain, ignoring his training for the first time when his finger was cut off to show their bond to the creed. Their fingers intertwined under the table, hidden from the master's eyes, they sat there, both of them gritting teeth when the blade cut their skin, crying out when it dug into flesh.

He didn't shed any tears back then. He never did.

At least not before he had to leave Malik and his brother alone with Robert de Sable. Back then, when he was fleeing from the castle, after being shoved out by the templar, he cried. He always thought that he had to get back, rescue his best friend and his brother, not caring about the lost treasure. He just wanted to go back and look after them. But he had to run away – tears only dried when he reached the gates of Masyaf.

Because of Malik he experienced the feeling of being alone, having nowhere to run, of not knowing what to do, for the first time in his life. And it was quite a long time for him. He was wandering on the brink of sanity, when he finally woke up after being stabbed by Al Mualim – and found out that Malik was still unconscious, that he had lost too much blood… That he was more dead than alive.

But Altair waited all this time, staying at Malik's side, waiting until he finally heard the first words his friend murmured when waking up.

"So you were still brave enough to show up after what you've done to me… Ibn haram..."

And at last, it was Altair's first time, that his heart clenched in pain, that he started sobbing, begging Malik for forgiveness – but not being forgiven for a long time.

Even though he had never been a patient man… he waited, all this time. Until he finally heard those words from Malik that told him, that all this time of feigning hate and indifference was finally over. Finally he could not only think those words he had always wanted to say – but also voice them aloud.

"I love you…"

They both knew that Malik was the first one he ever opened up to, who ever got to hear those words from Altair – and he'd also be the last to.

#4 – Malik

Malik had never had any reason to feel guilty for anything.

At least until the day he yelled at his little brother Kadar for the first time. He could remember shouting and cursing for about an hour, Kadar standing in front of him with tears in his eyes. At this time the older Al-Sayf hat thought that it had been the right thing to do after his brother... interrupted.

He had been kissing one of the other novices at his age. And they were just at the point where their clothes had begun to get in the way. So it was no surprise that Kadar had only stared, then stuttered some "Sorry, brother" and stormed out of the hidden garden right afterwards.

He did the same after he started crying, not being able to stand his brother being so upset, running away as fast as possible.

To his surprise it wasn't any of their masters or teachers who told Malik to go after his brother as fast as he could – it was Altair, who had been watching. The arrogant assassin was also the one who threatened him with ripping his ass off if he'd ever do something such as that again, referring to the heated kiss.

It had also been the first time back then that he had noticed Altair staring at someone with pure HATE in his eyes. Despite the fact that the novice had run away, he didn't even manage to reach the city gates of Masyaf unharmed…

Back then, Malik wasn't sure what to think about Altair's behavior.

A little while afterwards the only thought running through his mind was "What an idiot I was…"

He sat in front of Kadar, who had been hiding in some chamber of the brotherhood's fort in Masyaf. The younger one was crying and sobbing, not looking up at him. Malik patted his head soothingly, trying to cheer him up by caringly smiling at him, talking to him.

"I'm sorry, brother… I didn't mean to…"

"Don't worry… It doesn't matter…"

"I'm… I'm feeling…"

"What? …disgusted?"

Kadar shook his head, finally meeting his brother's eyes, tears still glistening there. Malik's heart clenched upon seeing him like this and knowing that it was his fault.

"No, I'd never feel that way about you! You're my brother after all… But… I'm a bit disappointed… because you didn't tell me about it… I…"

"Sorry, Kadar… that I didn't trust you… and that I yelled at you… I didn't mean to hurt you…"

"But you came after me in the end!"

With that, Kadar smiled at his brother, whose heart made a jump because of the joy he felt. His brother didn't hate him, he wasn't even disgusted. He still felt the same about him. Without wasting another second Malik hugged Kadar tightly, almost pushing all the air out of the smaller one's lungs. Kadar laughed, sobbing one last time, before sliding his arms around his brother, holding him close.

"Sorry…" he whispered yet another time. But Malik shook his head.

"As I already told you: It doesn't matter! It was my fault in the first place…"

He should have known better than giving in to his longing outside, where everyone could see them anytime. He'd never been this stupid before. They should have gone inside – or they shouldn't have started in the first place. It was… simply wrong.

"To be honest, brother… I've already known that you aren't… really interested in women…" he heard Kadar murmuring next to his ear.

He didn't remember the last time he had blushed that badly. Burrowing his head in his younger brother's neck, he breathed out shakily, panic rising in his chest.

"H-how did you… find out?" he whispered. He'd always thought he had been secret about this… No one should have ever found out about his preferences… But of course, his brother had, somehow, noticed. But the younger only patted his back reassuringly, calming him down. It felt as if they had switched places for once.

He could hear Kadar chuckling.

"Don't worry… I would have never noticed if he hadn't told me about it…"

Malik tensed. So someone knew about it!

"W-who?!"

His voice was trembling. He had never felt that uneasy before.

If someone told the master, he was a dead man. Assassins weren't the most believing men – but even they believed in heaven or hell, in the acts that were prohibited by the gods, sins. They already committed one – they killed others. Forbidden, even if it was for the greater good. That's why they had their own promise - Nothing is true, everything is permitted. But apparently, there were things which were true, not permitted by society.

Gentle caresses along his neck and back brought him back to the reality, making him flinch slightly in his brother's arms. He could see the other's smile from the corner of his eyes.

"Well, you might guess, brother…"

Malik thought about it for a moment – before pushing himself away from Kadar, feeling realization creep over him. There was only one person…

He looked at his younger brother a last time, sitting back on his haunches for a moment, watching Kadar as he whipped away the last wet trails on his cheeks. There was another pang of guilt somewhere within Malik, making him reach forward to ruffle through the novice's short hair. As expected, Kadar grinned at that. What the younger one didn't expect though, was Malik leaning forwards and planting a kiss onto his forehead.

"Thank you brother, I can think of… someone now…"

Kadar blinked at him, then shook his head, smiling.

"Well, tell me about the outcome later."

He was slightly shaking as he stood in front of Altair's room, not for the first time. But never before had he actually planned to enter this place…

Altair had been assigned to it shortly after he had been initiated as an assassin, as a gift from their master. He was sure that other than Altair and the master, no one ever entered this room, located in the far off end of the fortress' hallway.

He knocked, the desire to talk to Altair bigger than the one to turn around and run away as fast as he could.

No one answered, so he simply pushed against the wooden door, mentally praying that it was locked…

It wasn't and it opened without even screeching a bit. Minding his steps and looking out for possible traps – be it daggers, a blade through his throat or something else, Altair was fairly… inventive - he entered the dimly lit room.

It was pretty much empty, except for the bed, a chest, a few weapons fixed to the wall and a simple chair – in which Altair sat, head hung, his hood down. His eyes were closed and his breath was even, so Malik immediately guessed that he was asleep.

Asleep in a chair… how very typical for him… always on alert…

He inched closer slowly, checking the other's body for weapons. There were none and his hidden blade was lying on the bed. It was safe for Malik to approach him and wake him up – he wouldn't be killed the same moment the other would open his eyes. The worst thing that could happen was a black eye or some bruises – it wouldn't be the first time, actually.

"Altair?" he still whispered carefully. The assassin only stirred slightly in his sleep, head falling back a bit so he would have actually been facing Malik if he hadn't been asleep. Malik just stared at his sleeping face.

He hadn't known that Altair could look that peaceful.

It was like seeing a completely different person… but it was still the one assassin he always fought with but still admired nonetheless.

The one man that had made him realize that he didn't give a damn about women. That he only wanted one certain assassin, one he could never have. The one, that sat so vulnerable right in front of him. The one that suddenly started stirring more, as if he felt Malik's intense stare…

He murmured something that Malik couldn't quite catch. He inched yet closer, forgetting all the care from before, just wanting to know what the younger one was dreaming. It had to be something quite… emotional… His expression changed, lips pulled upwards into a little smile.

As he was only about one feet away from the sleeping assassin, bent forward a little, the smile widened, making Malik tense.

Feigning sleep! I should have noticed…

But he didn't get the chance to step back as a single word slipped past Altair's lips, voice soaked with emotion that he hadn't seen in Altair before.

"Malik…"

Brown eyes shot open, looking at Malik amused. The same second that Malik took a step backwards, heart pounding in his chest, feeling caught, a hand gripped his wrist tightly and yanked. He stumbled forth, against Altair, onto the chair which creaked dangerously.

It took him only seconds to grow aware of their current situation.

He sat on top of Altair, in his lap. And the assassin grinned at him in a way he hadn't seen him grin before. Something between mischievous, victorious and… so very pleased that it caused something in Malik's stomach to flutter. He felt so light-headed for a moment – until a voice brought him back to reality.

"I didn't think you'd come here… even though your brother wanted to convince me of the opposite… I guess he knows how your mind works…"

Malik had to bite back a growl as he felt the other's hands on his hips, stroking towards his lower back slowly. He wouldn't let Altair fool him. Not now, not at any other time.

"I want to know what you're thinking… I can only guess that much according to your behavior…"

He didn't see it coming until he felt Altair's scarred lips on his, the kiss gentle like the touch of a butterfly. His body betrayed Malik as he leaned forward without thinking, wanting more of the touch. Altair chuckled, briefly, before pulling Malik yet closer, kissing him again.

His mind was spinning as he met Altair's gaze.

So full of happiness, hope, so pleased but still mischievous.

Filled with love.

It was the very first time he had seen Altair's eyes like that. Not predatory for once. And it all made perfectly sense now – that he had acted the way he did when Malik had been caught the same day. How he had looked at him. How he had always watched Malik whenever he had talked to any novice that Altair hadn't known. How most of these boys had never talked to him again afterwards – why they had been scared.

Never before had Malik thought that Altair could actually be jealous, possessive. But now he clearly saw it in those brown eyes.

And it wouldn't be the last time he saw that many emotions in the otherwise so cold assassin's eyes.

Description
#3 – Altair

Altair had a few "first times" because of – or together with – Malik. They had known each other since they were children, just having joined Al Mualim when they first met. So it wasn't surprising, that they had been through a lot of things. Both good and bad.

Malik was with him, when he screamed because of pain, ignoring his training for the first time when his finger was cut off to show their bond to the creed. Their fingers intertwined under the table, hidden from the master's eyes, they sat there, both of them gritting teeth when the blade cut their skin, crying out when it dug into flesh.

He didn't shed any tears back then. He never did.

At least not before he had to leave Malik and his brother alone with Robert de Sable. Back then, when he was fleeing from the castle, after being shoved out by the templar, he cried. He always thought that he had to get back, rescue his best friend and his brother, not caring about the lost treasure. He just wanted to go back and look after them. But he had to run away – tears only dried when he reached the gates of Masyaf.

Because of Malik he experienced the feeling of being alone, having nowhere to run, of not knowing what to do, for the first time in his life. And it was quite a long time for him. He was wandering on the brink of sanity, when he finally woke up after being stabbed by Al Mualim – and found out that Malik was still unconscious, that he had lost too much blood… That he was more dead than alive.

But Altair waited all this time, staying at Malik's side, waiting until he finally heard the first words his friend murmured when waking up.

"So you were still brave enough to show up after what you've done to me… Ibn haram..."

And at last, it was Altair's first time, that his heart clenched in pain, that he started sobbing, begging Malik for forgiveness – but not being forgiven for a long time.

Even though he had never been a patient man… he waited, all this time. Until he finally heard those words from Malik that told him, that all this time of feigning hate and indifference was finally over. Finally he could not only think those words he had always wanted to say – but also voice them aloud.

"I love you…"

They both knew that Malik was the first one he ever opened up to, who ever got to hear those words from Altair – and he'd also be the last to.

#4 – Malik

Malik had never had any reason to feel guilty for anything.

At least until the day he yelled at his little brother Kadar for the first time. He could remember shouting and cursing for about an hour, Kadar standing in front of him with tears in his eyes. At this time the older Al-Sayf hat thought that it had been the right thing to do after his brother... interrupted.

He had been kissing one of the other novices at his age. And they were just at the point where their clothes had begun to get in the way. So it was no surprise that Kadar had only stared, then stuttered some "Sorry, brother" and stormed out of the hidden garden right afterwards.

He did the same after he started crying, not being able to stand his brother being so upset, running away as fast as possible.

To his surprise it wasn't any of their masters or teachers who told Malik to go after his brother as fast as he could – it was Altair, who had been watching. The arrogant assassin was also the one who threatened him with ripping his ass off if he'd ever do something such as that again, referring to the heated kiss.

It had also been the first time back then that he had noticed Altair staring at someone with pure HATE in his eyes. Despite the fact that the novice had run away, he didn't even manage to reach the city gates of Masyaf unharmed…

Back then, Malik wasn't sure what to think about Altair's behavior.

A little while afterwards the only thought running through his mind was "What an idiot I was…"

He sat in front of Kadar, who had been hiding in some chamber of the brotherhood's fort in Masyaf. The younger one was crying and sobbing, not looking up at him. Malik patted his head soothingly, trying to cheer him up by caringly smiling at him, talking to him.

"I'm sorry, brother… I didn't mean to…"

"Don't worry… It doesn't matter…"

"I'm… I'm feeling…"

"What? …disgusted?"

Kadar shook his head, finally meeting his brother's eyes, tears still glistening there. Malik's heart clenched upon seeing him like this and knowing that it was his fault.

"No, I'd never feel that way about you! You're my brother after all… But… I'm a bit disappointed… because you didn't tell me about it… I…"

"Sorry, Kadar… that I didn't trust you… and that I yelled at you… I didn't mean to hurt you…"

"But you came after me in the end!"

With that, Kadar smiled at his brother, whose heart made a jump because of the joy he felt. His brother didn't hate him, he wasn't even disgusted. He still felt the same about him. Without wasting another second Malik hugged Kadar tightly, almost pushing all the air out of the smaller one's lungs. Kadar laughed, sobbing one last time, before sliding his arms around his brother, holding him close.

"Sorry…" he whispered yet another time. But Malik shook his head.

"As I already told you: It doesn't matter! It was my fault in the first place…"

He should have known better than giving in to his longing outside, where everyone could see them anytime. He'd never been this stupid before. They should have gone inside – or they shouldn't have started in the first place. It was… simply wrong.

"To be honest, brother… I've already known that you aren't… really interested in women…" he heard Kadar murmuring next to his ear.

He didn't remember the last time he had blushed that badly. Burrowing his head in his younger brother's neck, he breathed out shakily, panic rising in his chest.

"H-how did you… find out?" he whispered. He'd always thought he had been secret about this… No one should have ever found out about his preferences… But of course, his brother had, somehow, noticed. But the younger only patted his back reassuringly, calming him down. It felt as if they had switched places for once.

He could hear Kadar chuckling.

"Don't worry… I would have never noticed if he hadn't told me about it…"

Malik tensed. So someone knew about it!

"W-who?!"

His voice was trembling. He had never felt that uneasy before.

If someone told the master, he was a dead man. Assassins weren't the most believing men – but even they believed in heaven or hell, in the acts that were prohibited by the gods, sins. They already committed one – they killed others. Forbidden, even if it was for the greater good. That's why they had their own promise - Nothing is true, everything is permitted. But apparently, there were things which were true, not permitted by society.

Gentle caresses along his neck and back brought him back to the reality, making him flinch slightly in his brother's arms. He could see the other's smile from the corner of his eyes.

"Well, you might guess, brother…"

Malik thought about it for a moment – before pushing himself away from Kadar, feeling realization creep over him. There was only one person…

He looked at his younger brother a last time, sitting back on his haunches for a moment, watching Kadar as he whipped away the last wet trails on his cheeks. There was another pang of guilt somewhere within Malik, making him reach forward to ruffle through the novice's short hair. As expected, Kadar grinned at that. What the younger one didn't expect though, was Malik leaning forwards and planting a kiss onto his forehead.

"Thank you brother, I can think of… someone now…"

Kadar blinked at him, then shook his head, smiling.

"Well, tell me about the outcome later."

He was slightly shaking as he stood in front of Altair's room, not for the first time. But never before had he actually planned to enter this place…

Altair had been assigned to it shortly after he had been initiated as an assassin, as a gift from their master. He was sure that other than Altair and the master, no one ever entered this room, located in the far off end of the fortress' hallway.

He knocked, the desire to talk to Altair bigger than the one to turn around and run away as fast as he could.

No one answered, so he simply pushed against the wooden door, mentally praying that it was locked…

It wasn't and it opened without even screeching a bit. Minding his steps and looking out for possible traps – be it daggers, a blade through his throat or something else, Altair was fairly… inventive - he entered the dimly lit room.

It was pretty much empty, except for the bed, a chest, a few weapons fixed to the wall and a simple chair – in which Altair sat, head hung, his hood down. His eyes were closed and his breath was even, so Malik immediately guessed that he was asleep.

Asleep in a chair… how very typical for him… always on alert…

He inched closer slowly, checking the other's body for weapons. There were none and his hidden blade was lying on the bed. It was safe for Malik to approach him and wake him up – he wouldn't be killed the same moment the other would open his eyes. The worst thing that could happen was a black eye or some bruises – it wouldn't be the first time, actually.

"Altair?" he still whispered carefully. The assassin only stirred slightly in his sleep, head falling back a bit so he would have actually been facing Malik if he hadn't been asleep. Malik just stared at his sleeping face.

He hadn't known that Altair could look that peaceful.

It was like seeing a completely different person… but it was still the one assassin he always fought with but still admired nonetheless.

The one man that had made him realize that he didn't give a damn about women. That he only wanted one certain assassin, one he could never have. The one, that sat so vulnerable right in front of him. The one that suddenly started stirring more, as if he felt Malik's intense stare…

He murmured something that Malik couldn't quite catch. He inched yet closer, forgetting all the care from before, just wanting to know what the younger one was dreaming. It had to be something quite… emotional… His expression changed, lips pulled upwards into a little smile.

As he was only about one feet away from the sleeping assassin, bent forward a little, the smile widened, making Malik tense.

Feigning sleep! I should have noticed…

But he didn't get the chance to step back as a single word slipped past Altair's lips, voice soaked with emotion that he hadn't seen in Altair before.

"Malik…"

Brown eyes shot open, looking at Malik amused. The same second that Malik took a step backwards, heart pounding in his chest, feeling caught, a hand gripped his wrist tightly and yanked. He stumbled forth, against Altair, onto the chair which creaked dangerously.

It took him only seconds to grow aware of their current situation.

He sat on top of Altair, in his lap. And the assassin grinned at him in a way he hadn't seen him grin before. Something between mischievous, victorious and… so very pleased that it caused something in Malik's stomach to flutter. He felt so light-headed for a moment – until a voice brought him back to reality.

"I didn't think you'd come here… even though your brother wanted to convince me of the opposite… I guess he knows how your mind works…"

Malik had to bite back a growl as he felt the other's hands on his hips, stroking towards his lower back slowly. He wouldn't let Altair fool him. Not now, not at any other time.

"I want to know what you're thinking… I can only guess that much according to your behavior…"

He didn't see it coming until he felt Altair's scarred lips on his, the kiss gentle like the touch of a butterfly. His body betrayed Malik as he leaned forward without thinking, wanting more of the touch. Altair chuckled, briefly, before pulling Malik yet closer, kissing him again.

His mind was spinning as he met Altair's gaze.

So full of happiness, hope, so pleased but still mischievous.

Filled with love.

It was the very first time he had seen Altair's eyes like that. Not predatory for once. And it all made perfectly sense now – that he had acted the way he did when Malik had been caught the same day. How he had looked at him. How he had always watched Malik whenever he had talked to any novice that Altair hadn't known. How most of these boys had never talked to him again afterwards – why they had been scared.

Never before had Malik thought that Altair could actually be jealous, possessive. But now he clearly saw it in those brown eyes.

And it wouldn't be the last time he saw that many emotions in the otherwise so cold assassin's eyes.