A/N: I love this paring its kinda like fire and ice, they go together but at the same time they clash constantly. So their relationship must be explosive and well there shall be unexpected fluff and stuff but I can't give that away so…. I own nothing and we're back!
Warnings: Swearing and hopefully good Lemon. Oh and if the writing is Italicized it's the dream scene.
Disclaimer: I had no part in the production, creation, or distribution of this game; therefore I make no money of it or this fic.
Monster
Chapter 2: Back for More
It had been maybe a month since Altair had first come to my Bureau and he was coming back. I curse the letter that heralds his arrival to come tomorrow. I shake my head and feel slightly agitated but I realize Altair yes had been arrogant but he truly had no choice when Robert had thrown him from the room. Had he not attacked then yes we'd all be alive, but Robert had been right there, who could blame an assassin for going in for the kill of our greatest enemy? I could, that one decision had cost me dearly. I cradle my stump and sigh as dusk comes closer.
I sigh again and free climb out of the bureau and lock the lattice manually with a small key that I slip back into one of my many pockets. One perk of this degrading position, the robes seemed to have an unending number of pockets. I walk over to a nearby shop that is still open and I thank Allah it is because I'm running dangerously low on the supplies I need from it. Paying and picking up my package of supplies I quickly walk towards the bureau on the ground not wanting to draw attention to myself.
"Help! Someone help me!" I hear from the alley off to the side, looking around and place the package in a pocket and climb the building connecting to the alley. Slowly creeping along the roof I looked down seeing a scholar getting harassed by four guards. My eyes must have flashed with feral light at the challenge and chance to do something useful for a change.
Missing arm forgotten I drop down and pull my blade running it through the first man, having to use the guards' weight to impale him. Taking a step back I slide my sword out and turn to the next, my stance slightly different to make up for the missing weight on my left side.
"Get him!" One cried charging, raising his blade giving me a small window. That instant is all I need with no hesitation I slice his lower abdomen then stab my blade through him while he's on the ground. Two down two to go. I look at the other two who are spitting in rage at my defiance, my heart is pounding and my senses seemed to have heightened with the scent of blood.
I swish my blade in a mocking manner sneering at them. One charges and I dodge left flipping my blade and slamming the pommel into the man's gut. I them flip back my blade and bring it up giving him a gash in his neck, with a twirl I face the last.
"You fear me?" I mock the guard but I will not deign to call myself a cripple, but the open space still stings my mind. I purse my lips wanting to end the fight now, my adrenalin rush gone and well forgotten. He glares and rushes at me his blade close to his side about hip level, I doge and roll standing with my back to the wall, and keep my blade in front of me. He lunges and I push his blade with mine kneeing him in the groin, causing him to collapse I then stab him in the back. I clean my blade on his grey uniform before turning back to the scholar who is blinking in surprise.
"I'll find a way to repay this kindness I swear!" He states before scurrying off. I sigh, wishing I'd just not done anything to remind myself of my missing limb. My thoughts travel back to Altair, and then they drift to him when he was younger and my face flushes. I don't need those thoughts! Everything has changed he is not the same man. I glare at the sky why in the name of Allah was the world so cruel? My brother and arm gone, taken by Robert, and my once lover, changed into something I do not recognize.
"Altair you fool…" I whisper looking at the stars that had started to dot the horizon, a tear leaking from the corner of my eye. Once, yes once I'd loved him, now he was different and I still, somewhere deep down, loved him or a part of him long ago forgotten.
How had he become so arrogant? Who had allowed it to happen? An immediate answer appears but I push it from my mind quickly, that was a fool's answer and traitor's thought. Going back to the bureau, unlocking the latch and pulling the lattice open. I pause and look back, knowing someone had followed me, and I knew who it had to be, glaring I stand looking around.
"Altair, I know you are out there." I call hoping I had guessed correctly. A rustle from a nearby roof garden alerts me to a presence, but I'm not sure if it really is Altair so my hand goes to my sword. A white form slips from the garden, looking up it reveals golden eyes and I relax knowing only one assassin with eyes like those.
"Safety and peace Malik…" Altair says the greeting eyeing the bloody sword in awe. I realize instantly what he'd seen. My face heats up and I look at him in apprehension. Was the man fool enough to think that I could no longer fight? Anger heats my blood and I open my mouth to send him a scalding remark.
"I'm glad your swordsmanship has not suffered." He stated freezing my anger and remark. I blink not having expected that to come out of the Novice's mouth… He sounded like his old self… No, I refuse that train of thought.
"Yes… Well… Wait, the letter said you'd be arriving tomorrow…" I say hesitantly looking at him suspiciously. He looks away momentarily and looks at the sky nodding.
"I was to wait till morning. I could not stay in Masyaf, I was too closed in. I needed to be moving." He mutters looking at nothing in particular. I roll my eyes knowing Altair did have trouble sitting still too long.
"Ah, then your child like energy has not diminished over the years… Well Novice it is Night, time for rest. The Bureau is open to you." I jump down landing gently and wait for Altair to join me before closing and locking the lattice. I quickly walk away and place the pole against the door way and place my supplies where they needed to be, trying to keep busy and not look out into the courtyard where Altair was now curled up, like a cat, on a nest of pillows. I clench my teeth and rein in my thoughts all centered on a teenager who was promised to be the best Masyaf had seen yet, and was the best Assassin now.
Retiring to my room I sigh in relief quickly changing out of my black robes and into nothing but a pair of tight pants. I send a quick prayer to Allah that my dreams don't turn into Nightmares while Altair is here like the last time he had visited. I lie down and close my eyes. I should have known better.
(Dream starts now)
I'm in a shadowed tunnel holding my left arm close to my side, the heavily bleeding appendage causing me to feel light headed as it throbbed with the steadiness of a drum. I'm panting from the sprint and I look around, the tunnel seems unfamiliar and both sides to my right and left seem identical. I chose the left tunnel hoping I hadn't just come from that way and was walking into the Templars. Instead I ambled on for what seemed hours and when I finally reach the exit a sigh of relief leaves my lips too soon.
"Going somewhere?" I turn horrified as the body of Kadar floats from the shadows. I look at the hole in his chest it seems like he's been rotting the blood is a dark almost black red and the exposed flesh a disgusting shade of purple.
"Kadar… I have to go, I don't want to, I swear-"I cry tears streaming unbidden from my eyes as I see my brother's dead eyes and the all too vivid wound. I'm sinking and my knees collide with the ground. I watch in horror as suddenly a familiar sword appears in the wound and Robert solidifies before my eyes and Kadar collapses to the ground a small package stretched out toward me in his cold hand.
"Get him." Robert hisses as I grab the package and stumble into the light, suddenly in Maysaf my arm gone and Robert's men bearing down on the keep. I can't help and soon all the dead have Kadar's face and everywhere I turn robes have become grey and Kadar's voice is everywhere saying everything until I'm surrounded by blood red and the original tumult of sound has become one echoing phrase that booms through my mind.
"IT'S YOUR FAULT! I'M DEAD BECAUSE OF YOU!"
I begin to scream as I try to block out that accusation, no, no, no! "I'm sorry! I shriek over the noise. Then abrupt silence and darkness surround me and I begin wishing for the tumult of noise over the deep feeling of isolation.
(Dream Ends)
I'm being shaken and someone calling my name, while someone screamed. I realized I was the one screaming. I sit up instantly my only arm supporting my weight as I shake uncontrollably. When I've calmed my fear from the dream I take a deep steadying breath and look up.
"Are you alright?" Altair asks as I look up, I blink in shock and feel a deep pain run through me. I can't bring my tired tongue to scold him. It is not his fault my dreams are attacking me. I sigh and nod.
"Just bad dreams nothing more. Go back to sleep, I'm fine." I say softly knowing being snide would do me no good, in fact I feel thankful he woke me when he did. I move to the side a silent invitation that Altair seems to misread as dismissal and stands turning to leave through my wide open bedroom door. I feel a flutter of panic not wanting to be alone.
"If you wish you can stay in here. The bed is much more comfortable than the pillows in the courtyard." I say keeping my face neutral scooting further to the side. Altair freezes and slowly looks over his shoulder surprise painting his face. I roll my eyes and gesture to the open space knowing the assassin had taken his boots and blades off before resting in the courtyard.
"It would be appreciated." Altair says bowing his head in thanks before slipping onto the offered side and quickly slipping into sleep. I look out my window in shock. Why had I just done that, I understand my need for company but I'm not a child I should have just let him leave. I shake my head and slowly drift into a half sleep.
The twilight of dawn easily wakes me up but I don't stir Altair as I dress and unlock the Bureau bringing in his things and laying them down on the counter, and then I begin my work. As the sun finally rises and sheds the first rays of light Altair rises and looks guilty as he appears in the 'shop'. I continue to do my work as Altair slips into his robes and fastens his knives to his belt and wrist. I try to conceal my grimace of pain at the sight of the hidden blade. Apparently I did so, because when Altair turns he says nothing.
"What can you tell me about my target?" He asks, and I stop in shock. I chuckle and lay down my quill before rubbing the stubble on my chin in thought.
"So he asks instead of demanding! It seems you may be learning after all…" I trail as I think of what I could tell him. And then nod to myself. "There is a place to the south of here and another near there, both would be of interest to you, I'll mark the locations on your map, if you'll allow me." I state gesturing at two locations on my city map not realizing the ink on my thumb and forefinger had rubbed off onto my lips as I'd been rubbing them in thought.
"Malik…" Altair says quietly looking up after placing his map of my city down, I'm marking the two locations and ignore him for them moment when I'm done I look back up.
"What?" I ask slightly irritated that he hadn't just left already. I'd given him the information, surly he could read a map?
"Your lips are black, and there is a finger print on your cheek." Altair states glancing away hiding under his damn hood. I look down at my hand and realize what had happened and turn away shocked at my own air headed behavior.
I'm blushing as I look for the small bowl of water I have back here to help me clean my hand after the days end. Finding it I dip a black stained rag into it before cleaning my face the best I can. I'm blushing profusely in embarrassment for that ever happening.
"Thank you." Altair and I say at the same time, I turn and see him at the door and try to not feel a pang of worry. You don't feel anything for the fool! I'm hissing in my head, but another part is worried and I just mentally growl in frustration pushing everything to the back of my mind.
"Don't make me regret this, Altair." I call out after the assassin who I think I see pause momentarily before he disappears from my view, I hear him scale the wall and then I'm alone. I sigh and lean on my counter, shaking, but I can't understand why. Is this what he does to me now? Reduces me to a nightmare prone fool? I shake my head and clear my thoughts and go back to working. Maybe two hours later Altair returns. I look up and choke; I look at the red stain and freeze up.
"W-what happened!?" I bark still frozen to my stooped position, ink slowly spreading from the one spot my quill is set. I stare as Altair leans against the door frame gasping for breath and clutching his arm.
"It is nothing; Templars caught me in a corner." Altair grunts sliding to the floor. I try not to throw up as I come around the desk and reach for the bloody limb. Altair flinches and I take a deep breath to resist snapping at him.
"I need to see the wound." I grumble as Altair tries to get up to scoot further away, only to collapse to the floor, groaning and curling into a small ball. I begin to feel a dread and panic fill me and I hear Kadar's accusation from my dream ring in my ears and grab Altair gently.
"I've not been able to stop one death but the Master's dog is a death I must, so shut up and let me help you damned Novice." I snap trying to hide the tears Kadar's memory brings me. When Altair looks up his eyes widen and looks away quickly nodding and sitting up although I could see it took him great effort.
Slowly peeling off the outer white robes I gasp in shock. Running down his side almost from shoulder to hip is a jagged gash, mostly shallow but that hadn't stopped the blood from running, but what shocked me most was a very precise and clean set of cuts running across his wrists and up his forearm.
"You've been cutting yourself… Why Novice?" I ask surprised that the proud man would lower himself to such disgrace. Altair shrugs looking away, getting paler by the moment as blood continues to run from his chest. I pull off my black robe and press it to the wound hearing Altair hiss in pain I shake my head.
"Put presser here, I need to get a needle and thread and close that wound." I hiss urgently Altair raises a hand and sluggishly places it over the robe as I draw back and run to my supplies grabbing a cloth, a bowl, a needle, and thread. I run back fill the bowl with water from the fountain and wet the cloth pulling away my robes to clean the wound. I'm trying to not get sick as the stench and sight of blood bring back unpleasant memories.
It seemed forever before I was finally stitching Altair closed; cleaning the wound had taken more than a little self-control to not just run. Biting the needle I pull the thread through and grab the mettle piece from between my teeth setting out to stitch up the bleeding man in front of me.
Slowly I stitched the man up, reaching the point where I'd now have to tie it off and hope my handiwork would keep the wound closed. Using my teeth to cut the bloody thread, I have to get close to Altair's body and feel other unwelcome memories invade my mind.
I shake my head and tie off one end before looking at the other which led to the rest of my supply of thread. I quickly finish tying off the gash blushing by the time the knots are secure and the thread wound back up and the red water disposed of. I come back to the now unconscious Assassin and begin wrapping up his chest.
"Malik…" I hear Altair murmur in his sleep his pale face flushed. I worry about him having a fever before mentally beating myself; I don't care for him anymore. I quickly finish bandaging him surprising myself with how I manage without my second arm. I blink as I see Altair staring at me a hazed look on his face, I pray he's not hallucinating and thinks I'm a Templar trying to attack him.
"I'm sorry… I swear I never meant it…" Altair whispers hoarsely I shake my head confused. I open my mouth to ask what in the name of Allah he's rambling about when I feel his lips on mine. I freeze for only for a few moments before I find myself kissing back. My eyes slip closed and I revel in the feelings that rush through me.
"Altair you fool… Come on let's get you in bed." I murmur hauling him up with my one hand and guiding him to my room letting him lay down and let him slip back into his sleep. I sit by him and begin to shake badly, my eyes wide and my mind racing. Why did I kiss back? I responded that was all, I don't feel anything, I hiss in my mind.
I blush, knowing I was lying to myself, and look down at his sleeping face, pale and glistening, I go into the main room grab more bandages and a clean cloth and more water. I clean the cuts on his arm and bandage it. Why had the Novice done something so stupid? Sighing I walk away the whimpers and murmurs issuing from Altair are unintelligible and I have work to do.
It was well into the night before I moved from my counter, having been keeping busy all day to avoid my fellow Assassin who hadn't woken up. Finally slipping into my room I check on him, his temperature had gone down and he seemed less pale than earlier. Both were good sings, turning to slip out to the courtyard and sleep on a nest of pillows I'm stopped by a tug on my robes which I'd forgotten to change out of.
"I can't rob you of your bed to; let me sleep in the courtyard…" Altair states somehow he'd sat up and grabbed onto my trailing black tail. I look back at him and scoff at his stupidity.
"You rob me of nothing if I have offered it; now go to sleep Novice I want to hear your report tomorrow, and for that to happen your chest must be well on its way to healing. The wound will not heal if you do not rest." I say Altair still refuses to lay back down shaking his head his words slightly slurred as if he was still running a temperature and was slightly delirious. I go to push him back down when he again kisses me, this time I pull back trying to fight my blush.
"I don't want to rest if you will be uncomfortable..." The assassin murmurs almost causing me to just give in. I think of a compromise, I did want to sleep in my room rather than the pillows since that would be much more comfortable, but Altair needed rest.
"Alright Novice, If I lay down here will you go back to sleep?" I ask hoping my plan would work, I'd wait till he was asleep then slip out into the courtyard. I didn't want him to be near me when I couldn't control myself.
"Of course." Altair mutters, looking about ready to drop. I pry off his fingers and slip my dirty black robes off, trying not to let the other's stare get to me. Only in my pants I lay down and not long after Altair is asleep again, but I can't keep my eyes open and almost instantly fall asleep afterwards.
The next morning I'm astonished to wake up with Altair draped over my chest, his arms wrapped around me, almost protectively. I purse my lips trying not to abandon my sanity and enjoy his closeness, but too nervous about agitating his wound to move. I hate how comfortable this feels and how right it is in my heart. I want to scream to Allah of how confusing his work is.
Slowly I roll Altair onto his back which winds up waking him up as I'm hovering over him. I freeze his gold eyes are still misted over and when he sees me he looks confused. I quickly move back trying to shield myself from him seeing my bandaged stump, and turn away. I try to take deep even breaths but something about the pain I'd seen in his eyes was getting at me.
"How are you, Altair?" I ask, trying not to look back, but his soft reply is to quite for me to hear, I think I understood a bit but that was impossible, so I turn quickly fighting back a blush.
"What was that? I can't hear if you do not speak up, Novice." I say slightly agitated my face was not cooling as I turned to look at the bandaged man. Altair squirms and sits up slowly.
"I said thank you for helping me, Malik. I have to go take care of my target." He states trying to stand but letting out a hiss and clutching his arm and doubling over slightly. I shake my head at the ever present stubbornness.
"You will go nowhere if it pains you to simply move, wait until the wound has had some time to heal." I say almost impatient with his slowness to lie back down. When after a few moments he still had not, I lean forward heavily relying on my knees which were on the edge of my bed to keep me up and use my arm to guide Altair back to a laying position.
"Malik…"Altair says almost like a question, I feel my heart speed up at the way my name rolls off his tongue. I blush at my teenage behavior and look away from him, quickly standing and leaning down to grab my discarded robes.
"Rest and heal, Novice." I say pulling the robes on and pinning up the sleeve that had come undone yet again. I need to clean the outer robes. I hear Altair rustle the blanket a while before he relaxes and stays in one spot, I presume, sleeping. Walking into the Bureau I begin my work yet again. I work until the only light comes from a candle I've lit. I blink and stop before I smear anything and blow out the candle, letting my tired eyes adjust before going to check on Altair.
"I'm… sorry." Altair slurs in his sleep twitching and looking pale. Panicking I slip over to him pulling away the blanket to see if his wound was bleeding. Thanking Allah when I see nothing. I'm shaking with relief and just close my eyes looking down and leaning on the bed for support. Opening them again I'm startled to see Altair looking ashamed and edgy his gold eyes glued to my shaking form, I hope he thinks I'm not shaking with worry and look at him with slight annoyance.
"Nightmare, Novice?" I snap as Altair continues to stare at me. He looks away and gives a curt nod, moving to get up he stops when I place a hand on his shoulder.
"Do not make me tie you down, you need to rest." I snap trying not to let my worry come through. Altair looks stunned and follows my instruction to lay back down I turn and walk away.
"If you need me during the night I'll be in the courtyard." I try not to blush and pretend not to hear his whimper. I know for some reason he feels obligated to hurt himself and I have a sinking suspicion it is my fault. I curl up on the pillows making a nest in the corner and drape my black robe over my self balling up my white one into a pillow to lay my head on.
Waking up earlier than normal, I quickly get up and stretch my sore muscles, before unlocking the lattice. Walking in I see Altair is up and pulling on his clean and stitched robes. I glare about to ask him what he's thinking when I see the bloody bandages he's holding and freeze.
"I changed them and pulled on my robes because I will not get an opportunity to get at him again, not without letting innocents get executed. " Altair stated determined. I sigh knowing he is right, and nod, going and grabbing a feather, but I hesitate.
"One of the innocents to be executed is a brother; kill your target quickly before he has the chance to kill anyone. My men will take care of the actual rescue; you just worry about the target and yourself." I state trying not to sound worried. Altair looks to the side and he nods taking the now out stretched feather and leaves, his faint foot falls disappearing quickly.
I wait with building anxiety all day as the bells do not toll. I begin pacing my arm behind my back as I try to calm my racing mind. If Altair died and my assumptions were correct on the cuts up his arm it would be my fault. I stop and take steadying breaths, it would be his own arrogance not me that killed him, I repeated this several times with no effect on my worry.
Finally around noon, the bells began to toll. I jump and look toward the courtyard praying to Allah to see him jump down any moment now, but the bells stop as suddenly as they began. I freeze and feel bile rising in my throat, the bells silence was a sign of death. I turn to my counter and manage to grab a large empty bowl before I throw up. I can't believe how much this is affecting me, Altair was a traitor he didn't deserve my misery. Yet somehow he'd earned it.
It takes me an hour to recompose myself and when my heart has slowed and my eyes are dry from crying I begin working. I jump when I hear a thud come from the courtyard. Leaping from my stool I draw my sword and quickly stride into the pillow filled room, and freeze.
Looking dazed and bloody was Altair. I drop my blade and run over to his crumpled form. Twitching, he slowly sits up as I approach. Looking at me his eyes flash with recognition and he tries to stand but collapses. I feel my stomach lurch and I sink to my knees, the smell of blood is so strong I don't think I'll be able to get the copper tinged scent out of my nose.
"Altair you fool!" I hiss pulling off his robes to see how much damage he's added to the single gash. I chocked on air as I see that there are now several gashes, and half an arrow shaft is embedded in his shoulder. I run back into the bureau grabbing my supplies and stumbling back out I drop most and run over to the fountain to fill the bowl. I take a deep breath and grab the arrow shaft, I hear Altair hiss and I press a knee into his back.
"Hold still this will hurt." I say quietly not wanting to do this, images from Solomon's temple flashing in my mind's eye. I wrench out the arrow trying to work as quickly and painlessly as possible. I know how much this must hurt and I hate that I am the one causing him pain. I do as much as I can and it seems hours have passed by the time I'm done. Altair now has his entire chest bandaged and stitched, his shoulder is wrapped up and his cut up forearm is rebadged.
"What in the world happened?" I ask shaking from my adrenalin and panic rush as well as the fact I'm covered in blood. Altair is sluggish but still conscious, he had a lot of blood loss maybe as bad as last time but I'm worried if he goes to sleep he won't wake up. He looks at my bloody face and closes his eyes as if pained and stays silent for a few moments.
"I killed him, and like the other's he whispered strange things before his death, but just like the other's he spoke of a new world. I didn't flee soon enough and his guards swarmed me. I fought for a few moments but there were too many I faked falling into the river and hid in a garden." Altair states taking slow deep breaths to combat the pain. I look at him and shake my head, he'd always been a devil he'd rather fight then run. I wonder just how many guards there were if they had been able to do this.
"You need rest, but you can't fall asleep just yet, I'm worried you may have lost too much blood and suffered one to many blows to the head. Can you stand on your own?" I ask trying to calm my shaking I think about getting a bath ready to clean my blood soaked skin but hold the thought back while taking care of my Novice. I freeze for a moment surprised by the thought.
After recovering I pull the reluctant man to his feet and guide him to my stool sitting him down before heading to my store room and pulling out some bread and dried meat for him to eat. I set the wooden plate containing the food in front of him before going on with my work.
"Malik, could I please go to sleep?" Altair asks after a while, truly I'm surprised he has managed to sit still this long, but I'm still not sure it would be wise to let him go to sleep. I contemplate what to do a moment, before I decide on my next action.
"Clean the shelf behind us. Take everything down then wipe down the shelves and put everything back up in alphabetical order, the book go on the higher shelves the parchment and ink on the lower shelves." I answer not wanting him to sleep just yet with it unknown if the Novice will wake up or not. I hear a sigh but the man gets up and does as told, which surprises me as I continue to complete the map I'm working on.
Altair does the task which again surprises me when I turn all the books are on the upper most shelf and in alphabetical order, and the parchment and ink as well as other supplies are in order on the lower shelves. Looking at Altair who looks tired I decide to give in, he had after all done his task, and it was plain he needed to sleep.
"Alright, Novice, go get some rest." I say reluctantly, when he heads toward the courtyard I feel like I should object but remembering his uneasiness I allow him to do as he wishes. I go back to working and forget to eat anything until I realize, there's a second helping of bread and meat on the end of the counter. I look towards the courtyard but Altair is sleeping, I wonder when he did this and how I hadn't noticed him. I knew he'd eaten what I had given him.
Quickly eating the food before putting the plate away I turn and realize I hadn't washed. Looking in on Altair I conclude he's asleep, and quickly strip down to my pants deciding they can wait, and use the fountain to fill a large bowl to soak my robes in the water doing my best to clean them. I sigh wen the white robes are finally white after three different clean bowls. I sigh and take the clean robes and hang them in my room to dry before getting another bowl of clean water to wash the blood off of me.
I'm able to clean almost all of my skin, except my one arm. I sigh in frustration, sometimes it did become a problem having only one arm. I jump when another hand is on mine; I snap my head to the side and see Altair is kneeling by me. I blink in shock and try not to react to the fact he still did not have his robes, which I'd cleaned a little after he'd gone to sleep.
"Let me help you I owe you at least that much." I let go of the rag and Altair washes away the dried blood I'd missed. Awkward silence fell between us and I kept the thoughts of before from my mind. When Altair is done he picks up the bowl and rag going to take care of them, I jump up and stop him.
"You should rest I can take care of my own mess." I state hoping my blush is unnoticeable in this light. Altar looks slightly ruffled but nods letting me take the rag and bowl before slipping back over to a nest of pillows. I shake my head quickly tossing the dirty water out my window before placing the bowl in a spot I can take care of it later and throw the rag where I can again take care of it later.
I take off my bloody pants and find another pair throwing the currently soiled pair by the rag. It's late by the time I finally go to sleep, it finally occurs to me this is the third night I've stayed awake late, finally realizing how tired I am. I'm out cold after a few moments and do not wake until late in the morning. I blink open my eyes that for the first time are sluggish and not wanting to open, until I see how late it is and have a panic attack.
I was supposed to be awake long before now. I scramble to get my robes on, bursting out of my room with my black robe hardly over my stump. I freeze seeing Altair placing the pole I use to unlock the lactic behind the counter and the supplies I'd had out neatly laid out ready for me to get back to work. I blink in shock; I probably look like a startled bird, ruffled and blinking slowly.
"Safety and peace Malik." Altair states and I can tell how uncomfortable he is. The tail-tell swish of his robes say he's shifting his weight from one foot to the other. A habit he had when he was either nervous or uneasy. I chuckle looking away as I straighten my robes trying to brush off my ruffled state.
"The same to you… Although the way your wounded proves your still a novice. Now please rest, you won't heal by doing work that is not meant for an assassin. Thank you, by the way." I say trying to push aside my almost affectionate felling regarding the Assassin before me. Altair bows his head in respect or submission I'm not sure but he backs out back into the courtyard.
Getting to my work I almost gasp at the fact the nearly finished map from yesterday is not only laid out for me, but completed. I look up but don't see Altair looking my way. Moving the drying map aside I pull out another assignment and begin to finish it, almost thinking about asking for Altair to be made my assistant. At noon I stop and make a meal for the both of us then quickly clean everything, including yesterdays mess before getting back to work.
A whole week passes every other day marked by the changing of the bandages on Altair's chest and arm. I realize as I peal away the bandages today that the wound looks well on its way to healing, and soon I'd send a pigeon to tell the Master I was finally sending back his pet. I remember sending another pigeon stating why Altair would be delayed and the reply I got that was a whole speech of my failure to keep tabs on my city. I had been so angry I had actually cursed aloud and attracted the attention of the resting assassin.
"Well Novice it seems you are ready to leave. I will send a pigeon to Maysaf heralding your arrival for tomorrow." I say curtly not wanting to let the other go, especially with the possibility that the next target will be worse. I worry about the other's safety that I just can't deny, not any longer, not after having two bloody nightmares were both Kadar and Altair are laying in a pool of blood and both keep blaming me. After each nightmare I'd quickly stumbled out of my room to check on the other, relived to find him peacefully sleeping.
"I'm relived my small mistake did not cost me much but time." Altair states, leaning against the wall I look at some of the wounds that were too deep to heal but are well on their way and I shake my head. Why must he cause me so many problems without doing anything to me? I gently wrap him up in more bandages in case the wounds try to reopen on the way.
"No, do not say that, it was no small mistake. It cost you blood and nearly your life. I'd rather you stayed out of missions another week and will tell Al Mualim so, however, we both know he will just send you right back out after restoring a rank to you." I sigh in frustration; irked by the stress one wounded man has brought me, and the one eyed bastard that had allowed so much to go wrong. I stop horrified I'd just insulted Al Mualim.
"Then so it will be, it is what should be done." Altair replies pulling everything back on after I finish rewrapping a final layer of bandages over his chest shoulder and forearm. I sigh and shake my head agitation spiking in response to his stupidity.
"Novice, what should be done and what is necessary for the well being of our Order are two completely different things." I snap and shake my head as I stand and walk back to my work. I write the letter stating Altair has recovered although it may be best to let him rest a week longer before he continues his quest for redemption. I look up seeing the assassin I was writing about standing before my desk looking slightly conflicted.
"Out with it already, Altair." I sigh trying to reign in all my unhealthy emotion. Altair looks up and then quickly looks away. I want to slam his head into the desk for a moment but quickly rethink that plan for fear of breaking my counter with his thick skull.
"I was wondering if I might be allowed to stay until tomorrow and then begin the journey back to Masyaf." I must have seemed shocked because he back away as if I had dismissed him and I wave him back trying not to become angry with his failure to read people.
"You may, the Bureaus are for Assassin's to regain strength and spirit. You may rest as long as you need. I'll write you should leave sometime tomorrow." I state this with ease and go back to writing hearing him shuffle back into the courtyard I sigh and let the letter dry as I get back to my real work.
The next day I watch with a strange sense of dread as Altair slips out through the lattice, making no sound I pull myself up to watch him until he disappears from my line of sight. I get back to work trying to keep my mind off what could easily go wrong while Altair was abroad. With a grudging sigh I look up and quietly accept the fact that yes I still care for the bastard.
A/N: So do I still have Malik or did I slip out of character finally? Oh well tell me in a pm or review it's of your own choice. Everything is permitted nothing is true! Or is it the other way around?
