It's an automatic thought that passes through your mind at every waking hour and it drives you as mad as the drunkards' right outside your bureau.
Is he ok?
Is he safe?
It's pathetic to realise how much you need to be assured that he's ok when you both know that he's perfectly able to slide his way through any situation, almost to the point that he's now making fun of your worries and joking around with that cocky attitude of his. But all your uncertainties seem to ease as soon as you hear that soft drop of two feet from outside onto the carpet and you automatically turn around in anticipation as your eyes centre on the face of that cocky bastard, sparing you a scarred smile underneath his grey hood as he crosses the distance between you and him in a matter of heartbeats. 'Miss me?' you hear him say in that familiar gruff voice, but he doesn't allow room for an answer as you feeling his still smiling mouth touch yours ever so softly.
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'Altair..?' you exclaim in surprise but your brows furrow with the underlining of a sneaking suspicion that something was up, realising a second later that the man heading towards you was either going to run right through you or manoeuvre around you as the sprinting man sheathed his sword with one quick swipe, the other grasping your wrist with haste whilst he catches your only good arm mid stride and whips you around the corner like a rag doll with him before pinning you next to the wall with close proximity, his eyes watching expectantly over to his right, barely breathing, your voice about to utter a question on what the fuck he was doing until you hear the sound of passing guards nearby, their voices fading out until he releases your hold of you with a smirk, you in turn glare up at him before giving him a punch to his chest.
'Bastard, be more careful next time.' You snap irritably as he merely answers with a kiss in return.
'Sorry about that.'
'Yeah well, don't expect to get laid tonight.'
Fat chance. You think to yourself as he merely gives a small chuckle and intertwines your hand with his.
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You know it hurts him, whenever you're summoned back to Masyaf, even though his prideful self would ever admit it, especially now, his smile had seemed to falter somewhat as you informed him of your departure in his bureau.
'I'll be back as soon as I can Malik, you know that.' You assure him, but you know it could be months before you meet again. 'I'll send a letter to you once I'm back in Masyaf' but sadly the sound of your voice isn't as positive as you had hoped as you linger at the doorway, unsure if you should leave in this situation just yet.
'Be back soon.' He responds quietly as he busies himself with the ornaments behind the bench, his usual routine to distract himself.
'Safety and Peace Malik.'
Malik lifts his head up at that with a small smile.
'Yeah, you too Altair.'