I do not own Assassin's Creed or any of the characters in this story!

Chapter 1

*Masyaf, 1187a.d, Nighttime

The nighttime air was cool and refreshing compared to the hot sun rays of the afternoon, atop Masyaf's tower roofs sat one lonely figure, his eyes closed and in deep relaxation. He had never liked the crowd halls when everyone was home and socializing, outside in the peace and quiet was his true love. An eagle from above squealed as it saw the figure sitting alone, a figure it knew all to well. The assassin opened his eyes and sat up as the bird flew down towards his extended arm, a small smile gracing his face.

"You out having a night flight?" He asked in good humor, the bird gently nuzzled his face in greeting.

"Altair? Are you out here?" A man asked as they climbed up the small opening that led to the rooftops.

"Over here Malik." Altair answered lightly, to occupied petting his bird. Malik sat down next to Altair with a smile, seeing his friend happy for once was enough to make anyone smile.

"Why aren't you inside with Kadar? Surly he's looking for you." Altair explained as he let his bird fly off with the next wave of eagles that flew by on a heat current.

"Yes I know, but I wanted to come up to see you. Is that ok with you?" Malik replied in his usual snarky tone, yet his lips turned up in a smile again when he heard that small chuckle escaped Altair's lips that he loved to hear.

"Of course it's fine with me" Altair whispered as he let his body gently fall back against Malik's chest, letting out a small sigh. Malik let his one hand rest on Altair's shoulder while the other grasped Altair's hand, both sat there in a comfortable silence as they watched the eagles fly from one heat wave to another.

"You think we should head in? It's getting awfully late and we both have big missions tomorrow." Malik suggested quietly, not really wanting to leave the roofs but he knew if he didn't say anything to Altair than the assassin would stay out here all night…again.

"…. Yeah, your probably right." Altair sighed as he lifted himself off of Malik's warm chest and gracefully rose to his feet. Malik stood up and immediately put his arms around Altair's small waist and his head rested atop of his slopping shoulder.

"Do you think that there are other…. places out there in the sky?" Altair whispered more to himself than to Malik as he let his body press back a little into the warm body behind him.

"… You think way too much Altair." Malik laughed as he turned Altair around in his arms to gaze into those mysterious golden orbs. Altair shrugged his shoulders as if to ignore Malik's comment.

"If I don't think than who will?" He joked, laughing lightly as Malik laughed louder.

"We should leave the thinking to Al Mualim, he's the elder around here" Malik suggested as he pressed his forehead against Altair's.

"That doesn't mean he's anymore smart than us, but I guess your right" Altair shrugged.

"Oh course I'm right, I'm always right" Malik stated low as he let his lips begin to descend on Altair's.

"Hardly." Altair stated as he let his lips move up slightly and connect to Malik's. The kiss was sweet and simple but Altair could feel there wasn't any love in it as there used to be…. Like there had been before Malik began literally begging the master to be sent to Acre for every mission. Altair let his lips fade away from Malik's and he slowly let his arms hang limp from his sides, his mind telling him the truth that he knew but didn't want to believe.

"Altair?" Malik whispered, there was so much worry in his voice that Altair wanted to forget about his strong belief that Malik was with someone else and cuddle into his chest…. But he had to hold his ground and remain strong to the idea he knew to be true.

"There isn't much love left for me in your kiss anymore Malik…" Altair stated, his golden eyes staring straight into Malik's wide brown eyes.

"What are you saying right now?" Malik asked, his tone accusing but full of curiosity as Altair removed himself from his grasp and walked away further down the roof toward the side.

"What I'm saying is that you hold no love for me anymore in your heart, someone else is receiving your love. Am I right?" Altair responded, every word he spoke seemed to be laced with poison. Malik remained speechless, his mind trying to process what Altair was saying…

"So your saying I'm cheating on you with someone else? Correct?" He asked, his arms hanging limply to his sides as he watched Altair turn towards him with a fire blazing in his usually warm eyes.

"Try to not make yourself sound as foolish as I'm am already believing you are!" He hissed, he watched as Malik turned around, shrugged his shoulders and shook his head in defeat.

"I guess you'd figure out sooner or later. Yes, I am seeing a woman in Acre. A beautiful one at that." Malik responded care freely, not a hint of regret in his voice.

"Yet you stayed with me?!" Altair yelled quietly, his hands in tight fists by his sides.

"Yeah… I don't know why I did. I guess I just didn't have the heart to tell you" Malik sighed, turning around to stare straight at Altair, he thought he'd see anger boiling but instead he saw only steel eyes hiding any emotion Altair could be feeling.

"I guess she makes you happier than I do. As long as your both happy than I won't kill you, cause than Al Mualim would be displeased with me and…. I'd let a woman miss having a good person." He stated, his words sounding forced

"Altair…"

"Speak not another word to me! I will only speak to you if we must because of a mission!" Altair quickly interrupted, a hint of his stone mask crumpling. Malik felt his heart sinking at seeing his oldest friend and first lover leaving him but he knew he deserved it.

"If that is what you wish Altair, I'm sorry for what I've done to you heart brother" Malik agreed sadly, than he turned on his heels and left Altair alone on the rooftop. I knew that this all would end…. But why like this? Altair thought as he looked up at the glowing moon, one tear slide down his cheek.