The Story of a Rafiq
Chapter 10
Two days into the trek to Jerusalem, the two sat in a small wooded area. Altair begged Malik to allow them to stay the day and overnight, leaving in the morning. Malik only caved in when his room mate wanted to give the horses a break. He'd never admit it out loud, but he had a soft spot for most horses, and since the other used it against him he assumed he had found out somehow. He patted his horse's side, watching his friend from the corner of his eye as he scrambled around making a fire.
"I'm assuming this is one of the stop offs that the assassins set up?" Malik asked, just wanting to break off the silence.
"Yeah, looks like this ones been abandoned or the Rafiq in Jerusalem has had his hands full with other things. There's barely any fresh hay left, and the wood pile is almost out," he plopped on the ground, leaning back against a log and sighing, "I'd cut more, but I didn't bring an ax, did you?"
"I did not anticipate staying in one spot for a day," Malik stated, walking over to the fire and sitting down. His eyes shot from the fire to Altair, who leaned back, stretching his back to crack it against the log. Upon doing so he sighed happily and stood up swinging his arms around as he looked about the camp. He seemed a bit antsy as he moved about, but the younger teen knew his partner all too well, and knew he was happy with the spot they were in.
"Hey Mal, look," he pointed at a trunk of a tree, making the other raise his brows and get up peering down at the spot he was pointing. "Tamir and Majid stayed here too."
Malik gazed at the two's names etched in the wood and lightly smiled. It brought back all the tales that they told him and his brother, all the happy memories and good times that they must have had in the past. He looked to Altair who smiled and pulled out a small throwing knife, getting on a knee and began to carve into the tree underneath their names. When he was finished, he stood and smiled wider, looking to Malik as he read their names now etched into it as well.
"They're best friends, partners, and excellent assassins. I hope we'll be like them someday," Altair stated, turning around and walking back over to the fire and sitting in his spot by the log.
Malik frowned lightly and nodded his head, placing a hand on his chest, "I hope we will be too," he said softly, knowing just how much deeper their relationship was than what was shown on the outside. He rubbed his hands together slightly, the cool air of the day time was starting to get to him. Winter was approaching quickly, something he wasn't looking forward to in the slightest. He hated being cold, and although snow was pretty to look at, especially in the morning, he hated being in it. Turning and walking back over to his spot, he sat down and hugged himself, trying to keep his hands warm under his arms.
Altair frowned at the sight of his friend being cold, and got up on his hands and knees, crawling to Malik's side, and laying down, his head laying against his partner's lap. He reached up and held his hands in his own making the younger teen sigh in content at the warmth of his bigger hands. "Better?" the younger nodded and looked down. It would be so easy to just lean down and kiss him. Should he do it? He knew he shouldn't, but the more the idea wormed around in his mind, the more he leaned down until their lips met.
Both of the boy's eyes widened slightly, before Altair's arm reached up to place his hand behind Malik's head and leaned up deepening the kiss. The younger opened his mouth slightly to voice out something, but was cut off by the other's tongue, which dove in and rubbed against Malik's making him groan softly.
He was a little lost at what to do. Malik had only kissed once before, and that was with the same man as now. He wasn't sure about Altair, but the more he explored his mouth, the more he decided to not bother asking who he practiced on before. They pulled back reluctantly, panting lightly as they stared into each other's eyes. "What... about the woman you love?" Altair asked after a moment of silent staring.
Malik didn't know how to answer that. He simply stared down at him, then looked away, his cheeks turning a light pink color, "You're... the woman..." An odd choice of words, but as he looked at Altair from the corner of his eye, he knew he got the meaning behind them. Altair sat up, and stared at him. He sat down, sitting upright and gawked, not really knowing what to say. The silence was scaring Malik. Did he hate him? Was the kiss just an instinct on his friend's part? Was he going to tell them that they couldn't do that again, or tell him they couldn't be friends anymore? "Please," the younger boy begged, "Say something..."
"I don't know what to say," he admitted, looking down at his hands in his lap, "I'm beginning to think I never woke up this morning. That this is just another dream I'm having. That you are going to be shaking me awake at any moment and tell me that we have to move on. You see..." he was struggling with his words, the first time Malik had ever seen the other so scared, and lacking in confidence, "I've loved you for a long time now. I didn't start sleeping in your bed just for the warmth, or because I was lonely... I did it because I thought it was the only way I could be close to you without risk of being pushed away."
"Another dream?" Malik asked softly, making Altair half laugh.
"That's all you got out of that?" the other asked, smiling almost grimly.
"No I... Why didn't you say anything before?"
"I'm human too, Mal... I get scared sometimes, even if I don't always show it."
"Kadar and Majid have been after me," he started after a moment of silence, "Telling me I should tell you my feelings. I just didn't want to lose you... I tried to tell you once before, when I asked you about love... I also thought about telling you a few days ago until I heard you masturbating-"
"You heard that?" Altair gasped, his eyes widening, "I thought you were asleep!"
Malik grinned and nodded his head, smiling wider as he watched his friend turn red and look away. "I didn't see anything, your back was turned away anyway."
"If you were awake you should have heard me after, when I was in your bed."
"Huh?" Malik blinked and raised a brow. He thought he heard something, but he couldn't make it out. He was sure that whatever he heard was all in his head since he was half asleep and half awake. "I thought I heard something... but I couldn't make it out. Your arms were around me, I didn't know what to do."
"I told you I loved you," Altair whispered softly, so soft that Malik almost missed it for the second time.
Malik gulped and looked down, his cheeks turning pink once again. It wasn't one sided. This wasn't a dream, and he was at a loss of what to do. He grinned slightly and looked up, the other smiling when he noticed the grin on his lips. It was silent after that, but nothing more needed to be said. The younger teen wished he had enough courage to tell Altair he loved him back, but knew his feelings were shown as he reached out and held his hand.
That night the two slept in each other's arms, Malik's face pressed against Altair's chest, and Altair's chin resting on top of Malik's head. Now that they didn't have to fear about what each other would think about their feelings, the only thing they really had to worry about was keeping it a secret.
Malik glanced upward as Altair entered the room. He didn't look to happy to see him, but since Malik had just been writing about their love confession, his heart ached and pained for the other. The master assassin's look softened as he noticed the pained look on his love's face. He sighed shaking his head and closing his eyes, "What have I done, Mal?" he whispered. "I broke your heart not once, but twice... You must think I'm a monster..."
"You are a monster," Malik stated, narrowing his eyes and frowning, "You should feel terrible." He lightly smiled and stood up, rubbing the back of his head, "Is that what you are looking for me to say?"
"Anything. Say whatever you like. I can handle it."
"You're a git. A stupid, self-centered imbecile who needs to learn when someone is just angry and when they mean something," he turned and picked up the book and shoved it at him, "Ever since we parted I have been writing in it. Read the last page," he ordered.
Altair stared at the cover of the book he had given him many years ago. He grinned at it for a moment, then opened it, flipping it to the last page with writing in it. His eyes drifted back and forth as he read the page, then slowly looked up at him, "It's us.."
"And I'm not done yet. There's a lot more to write about," he snatched it back and pointed the edge of the book at him, "I'm not forgiving you just yet, but just know I may hate you more, but I'll never love you less," he stated, lowering his arm and placing the book on the table.
Altair looked dumbstruck, staring at him in a mix of confusion and horror. "Do you still... want me?" he asked, softly. Malik raised a brow looking to him, not answering, "What I mean is, when you forgive me, if you do, will you still want to be with me?"
"You're an idiot for asking that. You should know the answer."
Altair shook his head, "I want you to say it."
"When I forgive you, I do want to be with you. It hurts to be away from you, no matter how annoying your actions are," He narrowed his eyes slightly, "Does this answer satisfy you?" Altair nodded, "Good, now figure out what your next move is and leave me to think," he ordered.
Altair stared at him a moment, then nodded his head, leaving the room. Malik simply smiled as soon as the door closed and let out a soft sigh, shaking his head. Why did he feel like a teenager again? His heart pounded in his chest, to the point where he knew that it could be heard. He sat back on the bed, and glanced out the window. 'Stupid Novice... All he has to do is look at me and I melt,' he thought, shaking his head and rubbing his eyes with his thumb and index finger.
He glanced to the side and took the book in his hand, placing it on his knee and opening it. He stared at where he left off, grabbed his quill and began to write again.
They arrived in Jerusalem at nightfall. The Rafiq was not exactly happy with them, questioning why they arrived a day later than Al Mualim had stated, and grew angry with their fake story that they had to go around a group of Templars to avoid being caught by them. The man seemed to be so angry with them that he threw a key at them and told them to sleep in the stables and out of his sight. This, however, wasn't exactly a punishment. They'd rather had been alone anyway. They crawled into the empty stable outside of the city and laid next to each other, quiet and simply enjoying each other's company.
"The look on his face was pretty funny," Altair stated, breaking the silence. He wasn't exactly sure if Malik was awake or not and rolled over, leaning his head against his arm. "Malik, can I ask you something?" he asked, softly.
"Mhm," Malik rolled over and looked at him, squinting slightly so he could see his room mate in the dark.
"What are we? Lovers? Still friends? What?"
Malik smiled, "I think to have the title of lovers we'd need to do an unthinkable act," he stated, looking off to the side as Altair blinked. "So I suppose... Together would simply do until then."
"Unthinkable act?" he asked after a moment of silence.
"Sex, Altair."
"Oh...right," he blushed as he suddenly grew shy of the mere mention of it. "Have you ever... masturbated like I had?"
"Of course."
"Wha? When?"
"I'm not so stupid as to do something in the room with my room mate."
"Hey... I thought you were asleep."
Malik smiled and leaned forward, kissing his forehead, "Yes, well. Maybe we should sleep now, since we will need to wake up and see our new friend the Rafiq, hmm?"
"He'll be happy to see us, you'll see," Altair scooted forward, pressing his lips to Malik's. It was a short kiss, but it left Malik feeling a bit frustrated. The older teen sensed this and chuckled, taking his hand in his and kissing his fingers, "Night Malik."
"Goodnight Altair."
Morning came quicker than the two would have liked. Altair groaned, rolling over so his back was facing the window, which was wide open the sun coming in and shining in their eyes. Malik chuckled at the sight, and reached out taking both of his hands, and standing up, having to pull him up as well. "Come on, lazy bum," Malik said, letting go of his room mate's hands and heading out of the stables.
He had to admit, although winter was coming, Jerusalem was a great sight. It was so lively, the way a city should be. If he would ever have to chose a permanent home, he didn't doubt that this would be one of his choices. He looked back at Altair and smiled as he exited, stretching and pulling his hood up for a bit of shade from the sun. "I feel like we slept on a pile of rocks all night," he complained.
Malik shook his head and started in the direction of the city. He knew that the Rafiq wasn't going to be very pleased with seeing them. He looked about and smiled, walking over to a man selling fruit. He looked through them and picked up two pears, and paid the vendor the money for them, and walked to the gates.
"What's the fruit for?" Altair asked, walking to his side, peering at him curiously from under his hood.
"An apology gift for arriving late," Malik explained, flashing the taller teen a smile and entered the city.
Stalking the streets and heading to the bureau during the peak of morning was a very beholding sight. People laughed, smiled, and seemed to be enjoying each others company as they discussed their early morning gossip. The two grinned at each other as two boys ran across their paths one calling after the other to wait for him.
"Do you ever wish life turned out differently?" Malik questioned as they headed down an alleyway and to a ladder.
"Hm, I suppose. But how could you wish for something you know nothing of? This is the only life I've known, but from what I've seen I do grow envious of how easily normal people can make friends." Altair smirked as he headed up the ladder after Malik, "But honestly, I like the friend I have now. He may be a bit of a brat, but I can't complain."
The younger boy stood over the ladder and scoffed, "Are you sure you aren't talking about yourself, now?" he questioned, raising a brow as the other peered up at him.
"No, no. I'm positive that you're the brat in this relationship. So spoiled to have me, the soon to be greatest assassin of all time, as a best friend and soon to be lover," he stated arrogantly, smiling wider at the dumbfounded look on his room mate's face. "Nearly there Mal, keep up," he hopped from one building to the other with ease, looking back at the other, who only rolled his eyes and followed.
As they hopped down into the bureau they noticed an eerie silence from inside. "Hello? Rafiq?" Altair called out, turning around the corner and skidding to a halt. Malik blinked, following him and smiling along with the other as they peered at the sleeping man. "It would seem that the stables should have been for him. Maybe he would have slept better there?"
Malik nodded and walked over to the pile of cushions, sitting down and leaning back against the wall, pulling his sword to his lap and rubbing it's hilt with a cloth. Altair smiled at this sight, walking over to his side and sitting down, reaching into Malik's pocket and pulling out one of the pears, as the other gave him a disapproving look, he simply smiled innocently, "He's asleep. Why does he need these delicious fruits for breakfast? You sleep, you lose out."
The younger of the two rolled his eyes and pulled out the other as the other assassin bit into his fruit. "I suppose you are right," he grumbled, biting into his own and grinning at the sweet taste that invaded his mouth. He missed these sort of treats. It was possibly the only thing he missed from the streets. After finishing their pears, the two took to talking softly, or just sitting in silence, staring up at the clouds overhead as they waited for the Rafiq to wake. The two were a little anxious to be doing such a mission, and could both honestly admit they wanted to start sooner rather then later...
Notes:
Made the chapter longer than the last as an apology for the lack of length D: Like I mentioned before, I'll most likely not have internet access for about 2 weeks. I will, however, be working on the next chapter and possibly the one after it if time is good to me, or my computer doesn't explode like it's been threatening to do... heh.
On a final final note, since I have until Tuesday (March 5th, 2012) to finish this project... What animal do you all think suits as a good representation of Malik? As few of you know, I have been planning out a project of designing my own Assassins Creed Shoes. I've already got the sketch down on one shoe, and half of the other, but I'm debating between a mass amount of animals that suit Malik. Please if you could let me know what animal you think would be a good representation of him it would help tremendously!
Hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and are happy that the two nincompoops finally confessed xD
Please review~ x3
Review Responses:
Uccan: I've been told that I have a habit of building up tension a little to well Dx Hopefully their confession was just what you needed :D
BADAZZtoldya: xD! I'm just happy you are able to say "awww" in any way at all. It makes me happy :)
dippychick16: I felt a bit sorry for her myself, and even so I'm not very fond of her. Alty really is a villian, but also he is a bit oblivious to what he does wrong and right, so I suppose that has something to do with it. We will find out why Altair went with Maria in the first place, but later on when Malik gets to that point in the journal.