Kadar sat on one of the chairs outside the headmaster's office, twiddling his thumbs as he listened to his IPod. Malik had turned up on his won on his motorbike and was called straight into the office. He had been in there for quite a while discussing what was going to happen. In other words, Malik was playing the responsible guardian and discussing a decent punishment for the rebellious teen in his care. In a way Kadar found it rather funny. The door to the office opened and Malik walked out, followed by the head master whose name Kadar still didn't know. Kadar stood up and loitered next to Malik who was ignoring him.

"It was a pleasure to meet you Mr A-Sayf, I hope the next time we meet it will not be in such a negative manner." The two adults shook hands.

"The pleasure is all mine sir" Malik said simply, turning away and out the door. Kadar followed after him, trying not to look sheepish; he knew Malik wasn't happy, he could tell by the way he forced that smile onto his face. They didn't say a word to each other as Kadar got the space helmet and settled down behind his elder brother. Malik didn't want to cause a scene, but Kadar knew he would be in for it when they got home. Altair wasn't inside the apartment when they arrived home. Malik didn't seem worried about it. Kadar hardly had time to take a breath before Malik started to rant.

"What the hell were you thinking? Beating that boy up for no real reason! You're on temporary exclusion Kadar, you've only been there one week!" Malik shouted, his patience had snapped and rage was bubbling in his eyes. Kadar glared at him, fists clenching, but unlike Vieri he wouldn't lash out on his brother, Malik was stronger and taller than he was and Kadar knew he wouldn't stand a chance. Not only that, but Altair would no doubt deck him when he returned.

"You were the one who told me to stand up for myself and my friends, he was harassing one of my friends, I wasn't going to stand back and watch." Kadar shouted back. "You're acting like the responsible adult who never did anything wrong, but you're wrong Malik. You were the worst; you were the one who ruined everything."

Malik narrowed his eyes.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"You left Malik. Have you any idea what it was like for a six year old kid to watch his older brother get into a car and drive away? I kept that a secret you know, even when the police were looking for you, even when Nan was certain you were dead, I never told anyone because you made me promise not to."

"But it didn't matter did it, because whilst I sat waiting for you to return, you were too busy shacking up with Altair to give a fuck." Malik's eyes flashed at Kadar's venomous words.

"What has Altair got to do with any of this?"

"He's got everything to do with this!" Kadar screamed, throwing his arms into the air "if he didn't come into the picture then you wouldn't have gone off the rail. You wouldn't have gone away, you would have stayed"

Malik laughed bitterly and Kadar saw a brief flash of what looked like pain pass through his eyes.

"You really think I left because of Altair don't you. You don't know anything Kadar, you were too young to see what was going on, so don't even bother dragging Altair into this because he was the only one who ever understood." Kadar could hear the pained straining in Malik's throat as the older man tried not to cry. Kadar blinked in shock; he had never known his brother to come close to crying. Malik turned away, storming into his room and slamming the door behind him.

Later

Altair got home with an armful of shopping bags. He went food shopping, knowing that Malik and Kadar would need time to themselves when they got back. Altair haphazardly unlocked the door, balancing the teetering bags on his other arm. The apartment was empty, but Altair could hear the music from his IPod that he'd given to Malik playing from inside their room. Kadar was probably in his own room.

Dumping the bags on the counter top, Altair shrugged off his hoody and kicked off his shoes before stepping into his own room. The sound of 'Paper-thin Hymn' by 'Anberlin' was playing loudly from his dock and Altair could make out Malik's outline curled up under the duvet. But over the music, he failed to hear his partner sobbing.

Sitting down on the bed, Altair pulled the duvet up off Malik's head. Malik looked up at him, eyes red and blotchy as he cheeks were streaked with tears. Altair hardly ever saw Malik cry, Malik had always been his brick, the strong yet comforting force that always put on the brave face in the face of danger. Altair's throat tightened and a flare of anger rushed through his veins. What had Kadar done to upset his lover?

Malik choked slightly and started weeping again. Altair quickly got under the covers and took Malik in his arms. Malik buried his head in his chest, curled up and vulnerable. Altair hushed him gently, stroking his hair affectionately, kissing his head and holding him tight. When Malik had finally finished, Altair shifted slightly.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Altair wasn't the greatest when it came to words; he did actions, such as wiping away Malik's tears and stroking his skin through his t-shirt.

"He thinks I left because of you... and I, I couldn't bear to tell him the truth." Altair nodded in understands, that explained the tears.

"You'll have to tell him one day, he can't just keep blaming you or me or anyone but her"

"Even if I did tell him, he'd never believe me." Malik mumbled into Altair's neck, breathing slowly and deeply, enjoying the comforting smell that flooding his nostrils.

"I guess that a chance you'll have to take one day... but Mal..." Malik lifted his head to look up at Altair.

"I'll be here when you do choose to tell him, I'll help you out, just like I know you'd do the same for me." Malik smiled slightly as Altair lent down to kiss him softly and affectionately. Altair pulled back grinning as he wiggled out of bed, not letting go of Malik's hand.

"c'mon, we've both had shit days, how about we make some hot chocolate... I brought those mini marshmallows you really like. "Malik chuckled, sniffing slightly and wiping his face with the back of his hand.

"You mean the marshmallows you really like." Altair shrugged opening the door and allowing Malik to go out first.

"Fine then, have it without marshmallows, I'm really not that fussed." Altair turned the kettle on and put two mugs of milk in the microwave to heat as Malik curled up on the sofa. . He stirred in coco powder and added a bit of hot water. Dropping a hand full of mini marshmallows into his mug, Altair sat down next to Malik, allowing the elder man to lean against his chest as he fumbled around for the remote.

Within an hour the two assassins were fast asleep, warm and cosy in the comfort of each other.

A/N: cheesy and lazy ending, but I suck at writing angst scene and I like to write fluff so yeah. I want to play a game with you all dear readers, I'm a great music fan and I would love to find out what songs you think of when reading this story so I can download them and shove them in the MFAHD playlist on my ITunes! Please help me out with that because if you do then you're awesome.

The next chapter may or may not