Fireworks

Altair jerked up from his position, having been laying down on the couch within the confines of the living room. Pressing his left hand into the cushion for leverage his golden hues darted from side to side. There the sound was again...

'FWEEEEEE! ...BA-BOOM!'

Though it sounded closer now that he was awake and so, as a natural reaction, he rolled off the sofa, tensing his left arm to have his hidden blade spring free from its sheath. Then came the echo of what his mind connected to a gunshot and slowly made his way to the side of the couch that was facing the door, poking his head out to get a look to see if his suspicions were correct.

No. No soldiers were storming up the stairs. But the door was wide open. Why would Dana leave it open? Cocking his head slightly Altair placed his right hand on the wooden flooring then pushed himself up to stand, letting his left arm relax.

'shink' resounded about the area, indicating that he let his blade go back into its harmless position.

Slowly he made his way towards the entrance of the hideout, taking the stairs down to the ground-level. Not once encountering a guard but what had him ponder was why he still heard gunshots. Or were the sounds the cause of those things he saw advertised on TV?

Creeping over to the door and unlatching the locks he soon gripped the handle, turned it slowly, about to pull it open - next thing he knew a hand was pressed against it, slamming it shut. Hot breath ghosted down his neck and the Arabian tensed, his hidden blade springing out.

Turning and about to strike, the Assassin stopped immediately once he caught sight of sapphire.

"Alex..." he breathed out, rather relieved honestly. This meant that no one intruded inside the hideout, which also meant they didn't need to relocate.

First time that happened he and Alex were on recon and then came a tank that the elder Mercer had to destroy - in the end...it was basically Alex's fault since he was running with a 'Mega Soldier' or whatever after him and lead the damn thing to the first hideout.

Though Altair took the blame for that one, seeing as Alex had enough to deal with and didn't need any more added on with Dana yelling at him.

"It's best to see them on the roof."

"...what?" Raising a brow to this, rather surprised when Alex took hold of his arm and began to drag him back up the stairs and up to the roof. "What are you -"

Right when the door opened, revealing the velvety black skies - as dark as nine thirty at night could get - then a second later a bright light came and a design that looked like the shape of a flower formed in the sky.

Accompanied by that 'boom!' sound.

Quickly Altair glanced about, taking a cautious step forth once he was released. Once again no soldier was around. And another flash of light came.

Seeing as Dana wasn't on high alert, and especially since Alex wasn't on edge, the tanned man relaxed.

Looking back up at the sky golden hues flashed to a bright shade then dimmed back to their normal tint from the bright lights. Soon a cluster of these 'sparkling fireflies' went off and made plenty of 'ba-boom's. At this point Altair was sitting at the edge of the roof, his hands placed between his parted legs. Dana returned with two cups of warm milk, since Alex denied the offer.

"Thank you." Taking the mug decorated with Eeyore he pressed the top to his lower lip, tipping the container and sipping. Lowering it a moment later he looked over his shoulder to see the woman offer him a soft smile. "...what are these things?"

"Fireworks."

Both glanced back to Alex, whom was sitting on the higher roof. "'Fireworks?'"

"...they're just a free show."

Adding that to the growing knowledge of this time frame Altair looked back over at the blossoming colors. "...they're nice."

"Ain't they? They're fucking awesome!" Dana exclaimed, spreading her arms out then laughing before bringing them back in and taking a sip from the mug.

"They shoot these off on the fourth, every year."

The Assassin glanced back at the virus and nodded. "A rare thing then?"

"...I guess you could say that."

Night

It concerned Dana when Alex suggested to go out for a walk. It frightened her when he looked over to a certain Assassin whom was fussing with the laptop, playing Solitaire, the look of what seemed like longing in her brother's blue eyes. It almost killed her when he added that he wanted to go to the lake, alone with Altair...and Altair only.

She almost shouted out a protest but Altair had by this time shut the laptop, grabbed his hidden blade and left out the window piggybacking on Alex.

Now at the lake, walking down a path covered in blood and guts - which has stopped bothering him after a few outings and hearing that this was going to eventually become a common sight - with a few small conversations being shared.

An occasional offer to stop when the other looks uncomfortable. Then some looks being tossed the other's way after a while of silence, at time looking at the other at the same time then looking away to the opposite side.

"...any leads on Greene today?"

"None."

"Tomorrow is another day." Glancing over to his comrade Altair shrugged, something he'd picked up from the Mercers when they didn't care or whatever else it was used as a gesture for. "I could assist you, if you would not mind."

"No."

That was a failed offer, just like all the others. This was either because he was from the past and if he was killed it could violently alter time or because Alex saw him as a bother.

"I am not useless," he grumbled, stuffing his hands into his pockets. Only to then feel a hand grab his shoulder and turn him harshly, the other hand capturing his other shoulder to then slam his back against a tree. "Nnn!"

Gritting his teeth Altair glanced up, his head cocking back and glaring at the other. Rather taken aback from this action.

"What was that for?" the Assassin demanded then blinked once he noticed the other leaning in slowly. "...Alex?"

"I don't want you to help -"

"I think that was clearly sa-"

The look he received from just interrupting the other's explanation had the Arabian reluctantly shut his trap with furrowed brows, rather reluctant to hear as to why the other didn't want him to go with.

"As I said..." Breathing in he then releases it slowly. "...'I don't want your help.' Not because I think you'll get in the way but..."

Honey shaded hues widened as Alex leaned in, his breath ghosting over his lips. It tingled, yet felt so...it was oddly appealing how such a strong willed, rough, daring individual was being so timid at this point. So...

...so gentle.

Then the distance between their lips closed. A tingled spark flaring as the contact was officially established, the dark haired Mercer moving his hand behind Altair's head to pull him in to deepen the kiss, cocking his head to the side as both parted their lips.

Tongues tangled, teeth clashed and bit down on whatever was available to get a chance to outdo the other. Soft pants came from one side while the other simply kept a normal level of breathing.

Until Alex finally pulled back, looking at the other's slightly flushed face.

"...because I don't want them -"

Swallowing he then let a soft smile broke the mask upon his face. "I understand."