2. First Meeting

It hadn't stopped raining when Jean and Desmond exited the train station. The latter had pulled the hood from his favourite black hoodie over his head as a protection from the raindrops, while he and Jean quickly hurried to the next available cap. The drive took fifteen minutes and they soon found themselves standing before an inconspicuous little house. Jean, who obviously didn't want to spend another second in the rain, walked up to the door and ringed. They didn't have to wait long for the door to open.

Curiously Desmond let his gaze wander through the hallway, while he put down his suitcase. Jean was meanwhile speaking with the homeowner.

"Desmond," Jean called for his attention, "come here."

Desmond did as he was told and stepped next to his social worker.

"Desmond, meet Altair Ibn-La'Ahad," she motioned towards the man and Desmond finally looked up, "Altair, this is Desmond Miles."

Jean looked expectantly at the two males, who just silently observed each other.

Altair was at least a head taller than Desmond. He was casually dressed in blue jeans and a white t-shirt. His posture was tense, but what Desmond really shocked, was the man's face. Altair looked exactly like Desmond, just a little bit older and he had a little scar running over his lips. His unusual gold eyes seemed cold when he looked Desmond over and the teenager felt suddenly nervous and uncomfortable under the scrutinizing graze.

"Well, the first step is always the hardest, but I guess you will soon become used to each other." Jean tried to ease the tension in the room.

Altair's gaze stayed a moment longer locked on Desmond, before his eyes flickered to Jean.

"Anything I need to know?" the man asked in a rather deep and accented voice.

"Excuse me?" Jean asked confused.

"Does he need any medicaments, does he have allergies or are there any appointments I should know about."

Jean thought for a moment, before answering: "There are no medicaments Desmond needs to take and there shouldn't be any allergies either. About the appointments, I will check on him in a few days, I won't say when, because it has to be an unexpected visit."

Altair hummed in agreement.

"I think this is everything then." She turned to Desmond. "If there are problems, don't hesitate to call me, alright Desmond?"

Desmond nodded in understanding and escorted Jean to the door.

"Behave and try to smile." Jean teased the younger male.

"I'll do my best." Desmond whispered as a reply.

"We'll see in a few days." She waved her goodbye and hurried back to the cab that was still waiting before the house, leaving Desmond alone with his so called brother.

Altair had been more than surprised when a call from a social worker came, especially when it turned out that he had a younger brother, a few years younger than he was. The social worker, her name had been Jean Amber, only said that his and Desmond's mother had died and that Desmond now needed a place to stay. Altair almost immediately agreed. He hadn't parted with his parents on good terms, at least if he remembered correctly. He had been very young back then after all. Most of what he remembered was what his grandparents had told him. It wasn't the boy's fault however, so Altair saw no reason not to take him. Even though he hadn't the slightest idea of what would await him, but Altair was sure his grandmother would have done the same.

When the social worker and his brother were on their way to his home, Altair started to doubt his decision. He had absolute no idea of how to raise a teenager, nor was he very keen on meeting him. He hadn't even known that he had a brother for over twenty years and Altair maybe was even a little afraid that Desmond would look like his mother. Because, if Altair was completely honest with himself, he regretted never again making contact with his mother to finally settle thinks. Now it was too late and Altair wasn't sure if he could bear looking in the kid's face and see his mother in there.

It turned out that his concerns had been in vain, because it turned out that Desmond looked exactly like a copy of him. The only differences were the dark brown eyes, the missing scar and the younger features. Desmond was at least a head smaller than Altair was. He wore a black hoodie with the hood pulled up and brown jeans.

Altair barely got what the social worker was saying, he was more focused on his new room mate. After a moment however, Altair eventually turned towards the woman, who looked a little bit too enthusiastically for Altair's liking.

"Anything I need to know?" Altair eventually asked.

"Excuse me?" the woman asked obviously confused and Altair mentally sighed in annoyance.

"Does he need any medicaments, does he have allergies or are there any appointments I should know about." He clarified.

"There are no medicaments Desmond needs to take and there shouldn't be any allergies either. About the appointments, I will check on him in a few days, I won't say when, because it has to be an unexpected visit."

Altair hummed in agreement, the boy was healthy and he had not to worry about such things at least.

"I think this is everything then. If there are problems, don't hesitate to call me, alright Desmond?" the woman said and headed towards the door, the boy in tow.

They exchanged a few more sentences, but Altair didn't catch the content.

Probably just saying goodbye, or something I am not supposed to catch.

When the woman finally had left, Altair wasn't sure if he liked her, the boy stood awkwardly in the hallway, avoiding Altair's gaze.

"So… hey." Altair wanted to slap himself for such a stupid attempt of making small talk.

Desmond looked up, but his gaze immediately turned away again.

"Hey." He the teenager whispered.

"How was your ride here?" Altair tried.

"Alright, I guess." Desmond replied, still without looking at him.

"You guess? What's that supposed to mean?" Altair raised an eyebrow, but Desmond didn't reply, just shrugged.

Altair sighed and started to massage his brow, he could feel a headache forming. What have I gotten myself into?

"Grab your things, I am going to show you your room."

At least that seemed to get Desmond's full attention, because the boy's head snapped up abruptly and he looked truly baffled: "I get my own room?"

"Yes…? Or do you prefer sleeping on the couch?" it was meant as a joke, but Desmond's eyes widened in shock for a moment and he quickly shook his head.

"No, it's just that I… um… never mind." The looked back to the floor, almost ashamed or embarrassed.

What was that about?

"Come on then." Altair just said and took the suitcase. "Is this really everything you got?"

"Yes."

Altair chose to not comment on that, even though he found it worrisome that a teenager owned only so little things.

Altair sat the suitcase down next to the bed and looked at the younger boy, who was curiously looking around.

"Nothing special and maybe a little cold and empty…" Altair said and also looked around the spartanly furnished room, "but at least you can set it up as you like."

Desmond nodded and Altair turned to walk out of the room. He stopped himself on the doorstep and turned around once more to the teenager who was watching him with an unreadable expression.

"If you are hungry, just tell me and I'll make you something. We will discuss everything else tomorrow, it's late and I am sure you want to unpack and take a look at the place. Just don't go into my room, it's the one opposite from yours."

"Alright and… thanks."

Altair nodded and finally left the room to sit back down at the kitchen table where he had been studying before his new room mate arrived. Why do I have the feeling that he not just thanked me for the room? Altair sighed and shook his head to clear his head, before focusing on the books again.

This time a larger chapter! ^^ Hope you liked it.

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