Muffled laughter echoed throughout the halls of the westbound wing of the Masyafian fortress, where no one but Altair and Malik were vacant of their quarters. Flickers of dim, warm light danced across the chamber, illuminating the features of the two companions who sat affront the roaring fire; wine in hand. Malik placed his glass shakily down upon the table as he doubled over with laughter; a similar reaction had taken a hold of Altair as he held a fist to his mouth in attempt to subdue the noise.
"Altair, I swear to God, you're so drunk," Malik managed to choke out through heavy wheezes caused by the sudden fit of giggles that seemed to have taken over him. Altair wiped a tear from his eye and slouched down in his chair, holding the rim of his wine glass with the very tips of his fingers while smirking and holding back his own laughter with every hiccup-like motion his ribs made.
"I'm not, really, I thought you would've realized after all our time together I say stupid things on occasion," Altair said contentedly, swirling the remainder of the crimson fluid around the bottom of the glass."Occasion? Occasion!" Malik exclaimed loudly, crossing one leg over the other and pushing himself up from his lounging position to sit upright, "Not occasion my friends, nearly every sentence." Altair just smiled and pushed his hood back off of his head before resting his elbow on the chair arm to hold his head up with his free hand, "I'm glad I keep your life interesting."
Malik smiled and shook his head, taking a hold of his glass once again and downing the rest of his drink. Adopting a serious composure, Altair gazed down at his glass, musing to himself as he slowly reached across himself to place his glass on the table next to him. "Hey, Malik," he began, eyes flickering up to watch the other, "I just want to say.." he trailed off, running a hand through his hair and scratching his ear. "Oh come on now, you've started you may as well finish," Malik said coercively, leaning forward slightly as to persuade him to continue.
Altair sighed and let his hand fall to his lap, "I just want to thank you. Thank you for agreeing to stay here, after everything that's happened. I guess I'm just grateful that someone will stay here, someone who could make sense of all this. Someone like you, I couldn't imagine anyone else" he murmured, feeling his face grow warmer he was grateful the light was low. Malik sat silently for a moment before starting to laugh again. Huffing, Altair looked to the side before chuckling to himself and turning back.
"Oh Altair, I knew you were drunk, there's no denying it," Malik sniggered, slouching back down again whilst looking at the other through hazy eyes. Altair smiled and sat forward, leaning his elbows on his knees and resting his head upon them, "And one more thing," he added. Malik hummed encouraging, not moving from his spot. Altair stood up, taking a few steps towards Malik, stopping just in front of the man. "I've never loved you more than I do right now," he whispered before leaning down to place a momentary kiss to his lips, pulling back after a moment and walking towards the door. "I'm going to bed, I'll see you in the morning," he said sluggishly, pushing open the door with a loud creak before closing it behind him with an equally as loud one.
Malik sat agape for a moment, cautiously moving a hand to run his fingers across his lips. He smiled, shaking his head and pushing his hair across his forehead.
"He's so drunk."