It turned out, neither of them could actually shoot a gun very well, at least not at each other since the two couldn't have held still to save their lives. That of course didn't mean that they didn't end up blowing the pants off the five teenagers who'd joined their match. It was very obvious that the teens were used to aiming with double analog sticks, and not with a real gun which the two men found more than a little funny. They ended up tying in the match, both coming in first, and left laughing, while the teenage boys who'd played with them sort of sulked but didn't seem to upset to have lost to two old guys.
As they went to go find their next source of entertainment Malik once again had to find something to distract himself from Altair who still was wearing just a shirt and was now even more sweaty thanks to running around like an idiot during lazer tag. Eventually they settled on a racing game since Malik found it difficult to play some of the others. It took them a few minutes but eventually they found a pair of cabinets that let them play against each other. "Prepare to lose," Altair told him as they slid into the plastic driving seats, shoving tokens into the little game slot.
"I feel like I should be saying that to you," Malik said back with humorous malice, eyes bright with the challenge.
"I hope you like dust Malik, since you're going to be eating mine," Altair smirked as they went through the start up menus picking their car and track.
"You mean sand," Malik chuckled since apparently they were driving on a beach; which about made as much sense as a one armed race car driver.
"Even better," Altair shot him a look.
The game counted down and when the giant GO! flashed on their screens the race began. There was more than a little trash talking as they raced, like just ridiculous trash talk all for the purpose of making the other look away at the screen as if to make sure that the trasher had really just said that, and hopefully crash into a wall. So far it had yet to work since they both realized the other was doing that and were refusing to look no matter what crazy thing came out of their mouths.
Though finally Altair said something that actually made Malik have to look, "If I win I get to kiss you."
"What?"
"And I'm in first now Malik!" he yelled laughing and Malik cursed realizing Altair was just being an idiot and quickly turned back to his screen. Altair chuckled darkly when he did win and Malik scowled at him, "Told you you'd eat my dust Malik," he smirked.
"That was the cheapest shit I've ever heard," Malik growled. "Do over?"
"Okay. I like beating you," Altair grinned cheerfully and Malik pointedly looked away after jamming his tokens into the machine.
The next race Malik won.
—
It was getting dark when they finally left the arcade since a good part of it had been rented out for a birthday party and there was suddenly way to many kids than either men wanted to deal with. "That was fun," Altair said, his hood pulled up against the cool night air.
"Agreed," Malik said. "I feel like I spent way to much money," he added, lamenting.
"Worth it," Altair bumped against him with enough force almost make him stumble.
"To bad Ezio wasn't here, he would have enjoyed it," Malik said making a face.
"My cousin is to busy sulking about something to enjoy anything right now," Altair rolled his eyes, "He won't even tell me what either. I think some girl turned him down and his poor little Italian heart can't take it," he didn't sound impressed.
"Sounds like Ezio," Malik said after swallowing.
"Want to do something else tomorrow?" he asked as they walked over to where the cars had been parked.
Malik thought about that, it was Sunday tomorrow and he really didn't have anything better to do, "Sure," he said after a moment, "What do you want to do?"
"I've heard this city has a very nice museum," he said.
Malik looked at him, "You want to go to a museum?"
"They aren't like the ones I have back home," Altair shrugged, hands in his pockets. "America doesn't have any problem showing off every culture under the sun in their museums. It would be a nice change of pace."
"Ah," Malik nodded, "I see no problem with that idea then."
"Give me your phone number so I don't have to look for you when we're there," he said. Malik didn't think about it to much and gave him his number. Altair wasn't nearly as bad as he'd previously thought, though it was probably because he was talking, unlike he had before and had just been strange and silent. But no, he talked and Malik liked to listen, more than once catching himself not paying attention to what he was saying and just staring at him instead. Like now and whatever Altair had been saying had gone right though his head and he was only vaguely aware it was about meeting up tomorrow. "-your good with ten?"
"Yeah, that's fine," he said automatically. Altair opened the door of his car, well one of Giovanni's cars, but didn't get in right away.
"All right then," he nodded, "Oh, almost forgot," and Malik just stood there stunned when Altair leaned over and gave him a quick kiss on the lips.
"You were serious?" Malik managed to stammer and Altair slid into the car.
"I told you I'm always serious," Altair smirked and slammed the door closed. Malik couldn't even make his brain process what had just happened fast enough and instead watched Altair pull the car out of the parking spot. Five seconds later he got a text, 'see you tomorrow Malik.'
—
Malik didn't know why he was here, he should have just stayed in bed. That fact was made painfully clear too since the clouds outside were low over the city and dark as slate. He frowned and looked at the clock on his cell phone. Not only was he here but the only reason he was here on a Sunday was late. Once again he asked himself why he was here and stifled an irritated groan. He'd wait five more minutes then he was leaving and he didn't give a crap otherwise.
"Sorry I'm late," he jumped when the Syrian materialized next to him, he hadn't heard the man come up next to him and Malik usually wasn't one to get snuck up on. "I had to ditch my family," he shrugged helplessly at Malik who did his best to scowl but just wasn't feeling it.
"I was just about to leave too," Malik sighed.
"Sorry," he said again and Malik wondered how cousins could so damn similar, since he was giving Malik the same apologetic look Ezio gave him that always made Malik forgive him.
"It's fine," he huffed, "Lets go?" and Altair nodded following after him. Altair paid for their tickets, practically shoving Malik away from the counter just so he couldn't, before handing Malik his; now Malik could scowl. He didn't need anyone buying him stuff, not when he could afford it all on his own. But he took the ticket anyways and they both dropped off their rain coats at the coat check and Altair also handed over his umbrella before they went inside.
There was practically no one there. It was Sunday after all and the hours were shorter than usual, people where still in church and the threat of rain probably kept many out. So it was like they had the place to themselves except for the occasional museum employee or bystander who were staring at the artwork like they could unravel their mysteries. There were a few students at the museum though and sat in front of sculpture or paintings with drawing pads out and looking very intent on what they were doing, probably doing homework due on Monday more than likely.
Altair himself seemed to enjoy the trip immensely and to Malik's surprise was probably one of the biggest history nerds he'd ever met; after Shaun at least. He promised himself that he'd force the two to interact if only so Shaun had someone to freak out with when some new great discover came out since the rest of them didn't really care and he enjoyed calling them a myriad of slurs brits had for Americans when they didn't show any enthusiasm. It was kind of nice though, sort of like having a personal tour guide, though Altair knew more about the far near east and Europe than other places he was rather lacking when they walked the Modern wing.
"Hmmm," he said looking at one painting, it was some weird abstract thing that looked like Leo's color pallet had thrown up on it. "This is really ugly," he said after a few moments.
"This one's worse," Malik called from across the gallery room and heard Altair cross the quiet space.
"Yeah, you're right," and Altair copied Malik's posture, head tilted to the side in confusion about what they were looking at, only Altair crossed his arms. "This is really ugly."
"Anything like this in the museums back where you live?" Malik asked.
"It would probably be seen as-," he spoke the last bit in Arabic.
"What?"
"Sacrilege?" he said after a few moments of searching for an adequate English translation, "Though probably much worse. There is no word for it in English," and he padded away from the ugly abstract, Malik following and they left the wing with all the offending artwork. "But this is cool," he proclaimed, they'd come to the Egyptian wing which was several rooms filled with pots and jars and statues and old bronze weapons set behind glass as well as a few giant stone wall fragments with hieroglyphs carved into them.
"Somehow I knew you'd say that," Malik said and half zoned out when Altair started to talk about this or that. He had a very soothing voice Malik realized, like one of those guys you hired to read books for an audio tape. Of course Altair seemed a bit more enthusiastic than any audio book Malik had ever listened to.
"You listening?" Altair asked, "Or am I just talking to myself?" that jolted Malik out of his easy listening mode.
"I'm listening."
"Looked like you were zoning out."
"I do that," Malik said defensively, "Please continue," he encouraged as they moved into another wing. This one full of old Native American relics which while Altair was very interested in didn't seem to have a lot of information about besides what Malik had learned in high school. That suited Malik just fine since they were both on the same page it made it easier to talk about as the meandered from piece to piece before eventually leaving the wing.
"I have a question," Malik said at one point.
"Shoot," they were crossing through one of the larger atriums where the larger pieces like mobiles and large statues were put.
"Where the hell did you get all this information from?"
"Oh here and there," Altair said, "That and my father is a bit of a history buff, if he had it his way I'd have gone to a University in Europe or something to get a history degree like him," he chuckled softly.
"So you have one in what instead?"
"Don't have one," he said.
"Me neither," Malik shrugged, "My brother is working on his Masters now though."
"He smart?"
"To much for his own good," Malik rolled his eyes and Altair 'mmmed' in agreement. "So what do you do if not be a history geek… well a paid history geek, like your father wanted?"
"A little of everything."
"Well isn't that vague and annoying," Malik didn't bother hiding his annoyance either.
"It's kind of my motif," Altair said.
"I could just ask Ezio," Malik said thoughtfully.
"He wouldn't tell you."
"He's my best friend, he's tell me anything," Malik shot him a look.
"He's my cousin," Altair reminded him, "Family first right?"
"I'm just going to guess you do something shady since you won't tell me then," Malik said putting his hand behind his back as they walked.
"Thanks for that," Altair said in an annoyed groan.
"You're welcome. So what do you know about this stuff Mr. Wikipedia?" he asked looking around the room full of paintings from America done during the turn of the century.
"I find that offensive," Altair huffed.
"Would you prefer Encyclopedia?"
"It's much more official sounding," Altair said purposefully bumping into him.
"Okay then, I'm going to call you that from now on," Malik proclaimed.
"All the time?" Altair asked disbelievingly.
"What fun would it be if I didn't?" he meandered around the walls looking at old paintings of landscapes done in oils or of the average lives of people which seemed to be a popular choice of American artists of the time. "Well Mr. Encyclopedia?" he asked casting a curious glance at Altair who was staring at him irritably.
"You really are going to call me that aren't you?"
"I said I was," Malik smirked and Altair started to mutter to himself in Arabic. At seeing the confused look on Malik's face he brightened and started talking in Arabic, obviously about the pieces in the gallery. Unfortunately Malik was very much out of practice in the language and only caught every tenth word or so as they spilled from Altair's lips.
"So you're going to do that huh?" Malik asked.
"Na'am," and he nodded walking around Malik hands behind his back looking pleased with himself.
"That's not helpful in the slightest," he said frowning. Altair just smirked and started talking again. This time though Malik didn't bother listening to what he was saying, he couldn't understand it anyways so just let himself listen to the tone his eyes sliding from the paintings to Altair, to his lips without thinking about it and watched the words literally tumbling from his mouth.
A security guard found them in that gallery and told them the museum was closing in ten minutes and they needed to leave. At that Altair tossed his arm lazily over Malik's shoulder and said (finally) in English, "Another perfectly enjoyable day."
"Except where you started talking in a language I don't know."
"I feel it is fair, since you and Ezio can talk to quickly for me to understand too," he gave Malik a measured stare. It was easy to forget Altair wasn't a native speaker despite his accent, because he did had such a good control of the language. "Or Claudia… she always talks to quickly," he made a face.
"Sometimes I can't understand her either," Malik admitted and Altair chuckled.
When they got to the front foyer it was a delight to see it was just shy of pouring outside. Malik stared at the glass doors miserably while Altair got their coats. "Want me to walk you?" Altair asked presenting his umbrella.
"I feel we'll get soaked regardless," Malik sighed and expertly pulled his thick rain coat on one handed.
"Umbrellas never hurt," Altair noted.
Malik looked at him for a moment then got a wicked look on his face, "I think you're just excited to use an umbrella. How often must it rain in Syria hmm?" he asked.
"I'm not six thank you," Altair said hotly, almost pouting.
"Could have fooled me."
"Do you want to use my umbrella or not?" he sighed as they stood just behind the glass doors. Malik looked outside and didn't look forward to going out in it since his coat didn't have a hood.
"Sure," and they stepped out of the museum and Altair opened the large black umbrella. "I should have thought ahead to bring my own," he lamented wedging himself next to Altair who held it between them and slanted slightly to the side to better catch the rain as it came down at an angle.
"Where did you park?" he asked and Malik pointed as they walked down the steps of the large building. "Out of curiosity, how did you manage to get a driver's license with one arm?"
"Had one when I had two," Malik shrugged.
"Yes but-
"A cop's never pulled me over to see it was expired," he said and Altair chuckled, barely audible over the sound of the rain slapping against the roof of the umbrella.
"I approve," Altair smirked and Malik just shrugged. "You parked in this mess?" he asked when they came to the main parking lot for the museum; a good part of it was flooded.
"And where did you?" demanded as if Altair had any right to question where he'd parked.
"I walked from the subway," he said simply, stopping any amount of righteous fury Malik might have had.
"I should have done that."
"Where's your car?"
"Mmmm," he stood up on his toes to see over the nearby cars and had to search the mostly empty lot a few moments before spotting it. "In a dry spot," he definitely sounded thankful and grabbed Altair's elbow to make him follow as they navigated the large puddles and cars before getting to Malik's. "Thanks," he told Altair.
"You're welcome," he still understood that much Arabic at least and he fished around in his pockets for his keys before pulling them out. Altair stood just outside the arc the door would take, next to Malik, still holding the umbrella, while Malik unlocked his car door. "I assume you're busy tomorrow," he said.
"Work," Malik agreed.
"Well that's annoying."
"Not all of us are here for visits," Malik reminded him yet to pop open the door since he'd have to do it quickly so not to much rain didn't get inside.
"I know, I was just thinking out loud is all. Now I'll have nothing to do," he made a face.
"I'm sure you'll find something," Malik shrugged.
"Eventually," Altair raised his shoulders in annoyance and kept them there for several seconds before letting them drop as if he didn't know what to do with himself. "I guess I'll see you later?"
"Probably," Malik said a bit distractedly as he prepared to open the door and jump into his car. He still should have been expecting it but he didn't and didn't know why he hadn't been in the first place when once again like yesterday Altair gave him a quick, soft kiss.
"Bye Malik," and he pulled the umbrella and himself away so Malik could get into his car.
"Hold on," he grabbed Altair by the arm, "You can't just do that," he said.
"Do what?" he asked innocently and Malik wanted to throttle him for playing games. It really wasn't fair that Altair was acting like this.
"You just kissed me… again!"
"I'll stop if you want," he said.
Malik just growled and before he knew what he was doing, only knowing that it was exactly what he was supposed to do, pulled Altair closer and pressed his lips against his. The reply was hungry and intense, the Syrian's hand reaching up to cup the back of Malik's neck and pressed him against the soaking side of his car. Malik let go of his arm to wrap around his neck and at one point the umbrella dropped to the side and out of Altair's hand which found itself in Malik's hair. Rain struck against his face and slid down skin so that their kiss tasted like the storm and Malik could feel the water dripping inside his coat and down the line of his spine.
They came up for air, gasping and almost like a switch was flicked from one extreme to the next Malik shoved him away. Altair just looked immensely pleased with himself though as he scooped up the umbrella, though now it was basically useless since they were both more than damp under the downpour and had a grin on his face. "You-" Malik didn't even know what to say. He was pissed and confused and knew he didn't want to be anywhere near Altair. Altair just raised both brow at him in silent question as Malik glared at him, obviously amused.
"See you later Malik," he said and left.
Only once he'd put some distance between them did Malik finally dart into his car. He didn't start it but just sat there and slammed his head against the steering wheel a few times not knowing what to do with himself, each strike punctuation by a loud "fuck!" He'd really just done that! He'd really just made out (briefly) with Ezio's cousin. Why would he do that? He'd had a crush on Ezio since they had been in middle school together, he'd never acted on it of course and had found other people to occupy his time but it just hadn't ever gone away, even when he'd been on tour. In fact it had just gotten worse when he'd been away and then when he'd finally come home sans one arm and his brother in a coma. Ezio had always been there when he'd been recovering and yes, it had made his longing worse. But just-
"FUCK!" he slammed his head into the wheel again and just left it there before grabbing at his hair in a self induced agony. He stayed that way for a while before finally the clammy wetness of his coat and body made him turn the car on enough to turn on the heat so he didn't get sick, pulling off his coat as he did and throwing it into the back. He was still relatively dry but was a bit damp all over and Malik leaned back in his seat, catching sight of his face in the rearview mirror and seeing the harsh red mark on his forehead from where he'd punished himself against the steering wheel.
Finally he rubbed his face and turned the engine on. Sulking and beating himself up wasn't doing anyone, including himself, any good. He wanted to go home and shower and try and brush the taste of Altair out of his mouth.
He doubted it would do any good though.
na'am= yes in arabic
Just so I don't get any questions about not making it obvious enough; Yes Malik is a war veteran, so is Kadar. Malik lost his arm on tour and Kadar ended up in a coma, which I did instead of killing him.