Rebecca watched silently for a moment before rising. "Right, Des, if you wanna help me, I'm gonna navigate Baby to get Malik and the others. Otherwise, I'll let you practice with your new weapons."
Desmond nodded absently. Over the next few days, he practiced fighting with Ezio on the deck of the ship. It quickly devolved into just the two of them—wrestling, fighting, sleeping. It didn't matter what it was, but after ten years without a familiar companion, Desmond was glad to have his uncle back. Ezio didn't seem to mind the attention, and they would often curl together in the engine room where it was warm and doze off.
A couple days later, they were lying on the floor of Lucy's room, Desmond chewing on a piece of taffy with Ezio occasionally laughing at him as it got stuck in his teeth. Lucy was tucked into the bed, writing in a notebook and occasionally glancing at them. He and his uncle didn't need to speak with another in the room—their touches, their looks, they communicated without words. It was part of what they learned back at home.
It was even nicer his injuries were cleaning up nicely. There wasn't much pain at all now—more from sparring with Ezio on the ship, and the bandages had come off. He could stretch without pain in his side, and he was almost back up to par.
Shaun came strolling in, unbuttoning his shirt. Since they hadn't needed to land, he wasn't nearly dressed as usual. He sat on the bed and placed a hand on Lucy's thigh. She smiled and leaned in, giving him a peck on the lips. Desmond watched the exchange curiously.
"What are you eating, Desmond?" Shaun asked as he pulled Lucy into his lap.
Desmond tilted his head. He hadn't seen his father do that—his kisses were always hungry, passionate. He knew Ezio hadn't done that either. Kissing just briefly seemed odd, but they were warriors, so cuddling and sharing warmth was understandable.
"The mango taffy," he attempted to say around the sweet treat.
Shaun chuckled—Desmond wondered what had put in him such a good mood. "Can I have a piece, mate?"
Desmond raised an eyebrow, but reached around Ezio and grabbed a piece from his baggie before tossing it to him.
"Thanks, love," he said as he opened it and popped it into his mouth.
He didn't quite know what to think about that. Shaun was in an extraordinary mood. He watched Lucy and Shaun curiously as they lie there. He was watching Lucy write, occasionally offering advice, or exchanging a quick kiss here or there. The touching, he was used to seeing. There weren't many physical boundaries he had seen a home—he hadn't exactly paid much attention to the others after he fled. Their kisses didn't seem hungry: they didn't seem like they needed to fuck. He watched them well until they turned out the light and fell asleep, and he and Ezio slipped out.
"I think I'm gonna crash with Rebecca tonight," he muttered.
"Why?" Ezio asked.
"I've got some questions for her," he said as he smiled.
They said goodnight, and he crept into Rebecca's room. She was in her underwear and bra, jamming away to some tune playing on a radio. When she noticed him, she stopped, smiled, and turned down the music.
"Hey, Des! I haven't seen you for a while. I miss you in the control room."
He hopped on her bed, his feet bumping the footboard and making an odd noise when the weapons hit the metal. "I got a question for you."
She looked curious and walked over, flopping down beside him. "Sure. Shoot."
"I don't get it—why did Shaun do that?"
He caught the look of pride in her features, making him even more confused.
"What do you mean, Dessie?"
"He just… kissed Lucy."
"Yeah, and?"
"Why?"
"Why not?"
"What?"
She sighed and propped herself up on her elbows. "Des, they're in love. Why wouldn't they kiss?"
"They didn't even fuck."
"You don't have to fuck if you kiss."
"Why kiss if you don't?"
"Because they love each other. I gave Shaun a goodnight kiss 'cause I love him."
He blinked and settled on his stomach on her bed. "I don't understand."
She laughed and rolled on top of him. "Your parents never kissed like that because they were never in love as we are."
"What?"
She kissed his cheek. He shrank from the touch as he exhaled loudly. His stomach was playing games with him. "When you love somebody, you just want to show them how much you enjoy them. You do all the cutesy things like hold hands, cuddle, kiss without lustful intentions."
"Why would you do that? A partner is supposed to bear children."
"Not necessarily. A partner is supposed to love you."
She kissed his cheek again, and he squirmed. He did, actually, enjoy it a little. She was laughing on top of him, and he growled playfully, rolling over and smirking as she yelped. He wrapped his hands around her waist to keep her pinned. He growled playfully again.
"Why were you laughing?"
"You're just the best thing since sliced bread, duh."
She rolled her eyes and leaned forward. He moved his head up to brush their noses, something his mother had done. Rebecca smiled softly and rubbed their noses together.
"That's an Eskimo kiss."
"What? That sounds stupid."
"That's what it's called!"
"That was a sign of trust among the others back home."
"You know: when you first arrived, you seemed like you didn't remember anything about your home life."
"It's slowly coming back. It just seems familiar to me."
"Like Eskimo kisses."
He rolled his eyes. "Like Eskimo kisses."
She hummed, tapping her chin. Desmond studied her, enjoying the weight of her body against his and the feel of their skin touching. He rubbed small circles against her hipbones just to feel it. She was bone-thin compared to the women back at home, but he liked the way her skin was stretched out over her frame, long and lithe. He liked her black hair and her bright blue eyes. There was definitely something enjoyable about Rebecca. He tensed when she leaned forward again, touching their noses.
"You trust me enough to let me do that, hm?"
He nodded, his breath hitching when she tilted her head and pressed their lips together for a brief moment.
"That wasn't so bad, was it?"
He wasn't going to lie: he loved it. He loved it a lot. She was close enough he leaned up and pressed their lips together a second time, a third time, and even a fourth time before she laughed and met his lips on the fifth. He grinned when she pulled back. He liked those kisses that served no purpose whatsoever.
"I'm going to take that as a 'no.'"
"Good idea."
He stared at Rebecca, who was smiling, her legs kicking in the air on top of him.
"So, what did Ezio mean when he said genetically I couldn't handle your strength?"
He squeezed her hips, and she winced. "Back at home, they made us take these pills from the time we were ten to the time we were fifteen. They helped reinforce our bones, I think, because around there we started any serious strength training."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I had just graduated when I was shipped out. I would've been fighting in the front lines if it weren't for my mom."
Rebecca leaned in and kissed him again. He smiled.
"I'm glad. You're here. You know—I won't be on the couch anymore after tonight."
He tilted his head.
"You should come join me in Lucy's bed."
He pulled back a little, but she leaned in and touched their noses together. He growled slightly at what she was asking him.
"We don't have to do any raunchy bedtime activities. We can cuddle."
He made a low whining sound, but Rebecca rubbed their noses together.
"Come on, Dessie. For me?"
He was silent, staring at her for a minute before pursing his lips. "I'll think about it?"
She smiled, kissing him again. "Awesome. I'll look forward to it."
"I-I didn't say yes!"
She winked and wrestled one of the blankets up around them. "So? You'll come. I know you will."
He scowled. "Maybe I'll stay with Ezio just to spite you."
She laughed and scooted down to lay her head on his chest. He watched her as she turned out the light and drifted off to sleep. He wasn't entirely sure what to think. When morning rolled around, he found her snuggled against him, her breath warm against his neck. Desmond curled around her, holding her tightly, his mind still hazy from waking. He was certainly enjoying this, even if he had gotten used to cuddling and whatnot from training (nights in the desert were fucking cold).
His stomach was tight as he watched her sleep. He really enjoyed being with her. She yawned and stretched out along him, murmuring something as she kissed his skin. He smiled, his heart fluttering. She looked at him, blinking.
"Mornin' Dessie."
He smiled. "Morning."
"We should get there today."
He hummed, leaning in for a kiss. She smiled and kissed him, drawing up the covers farther around her shoulders. He smiled at her and rolled them over, kissing her again. She made a muffled noise, but seemed to relax into the kiss, letting go of the covers to wrap her arms around his neck.
"Pleasant surprise."
He grinned, kissing her again. She hummed, pressing his head closer and licking his lip. It quickly evolved into a wet, open mouthed, sloppy kiss as he trailed his hands up her sides and over her breasts, feeling desire pool in his belly at the breathless gasp he got. He growled softly and unhooked her bra, nipping to her jaw.
"Let me see just how animalistic you are."
He snapped, and it wasn't until he had her on her hands and knees, a tight grip on her hips as he set a brutal pace, that he even registered perhaps she was in pain. She moaned when he bit the skin on her neck, and he growled, tensing, his fingers digging into her skin as he released. He heard his name somewhere in there as Rebecca found release, and his hips twitched as he rode out his orgasm. He forced himself to let go of her as she collapsed, turning tiredly around to look at him. He felt incredible. He licked his lips as he sat back and watched her wince when she moved her hips.
"Sorry," he murmured.
"Sorry?" she groaned. "Fuck, man. I feel like I got run over. Damn."
"I'm really sorry. I tried to follow what Ezio said."
"You shouldn't be sorry, that was great. Totally worth it. Damn," she groaned, "I'm gonna have bruises all over my hips."
"I'm sorry, Reb—"
"No, man. Don't tell Shaun, but I'm a bit of a masochist. Lucy's somewhat sensitive. Stupid fluffy clothes are seeping into her skin."
"Isn't she a good fighter, though?"
"Well, duh." Rebecca winced as she shifted, and Desmond grimaced, moving to sit beside her. "Shit, that was good."
He shook his head.
"I wonder if letting you fuck me counts as bestiality."
He laughed.
"God…"
There was a knock at the door. "Rebecca. We need you to land it."
She groaned. "Damnit, Shaun."
"What today? I gave you time to sleep in."
"I just got brutally fucked. Des is gonna have to carry me."
"Just what did he do? Bloody animal."
"Don't go dissing him, prissy boy. He was better in bed then you are, and he was a virgin."
"I can't help it if you prefer to sleep with Neanderthals with a good taste in candy."
"I think you should let him fuck you, Shaun. Des, can you get me a shirt?"
Desmond moved from the bed to do what she asked.
"He could push that pole up your ass out your mouth."
He could practically hear Shaun roll his eyes.
"I'll remember that, Rebecca, in case I ever feel like going in the red light district."
He tossed her shirt and pants.
"Come on, Shaun, I know you like getting a little wild sometimes."
"Do you need the shower?"
"It's not as messy as gay sex, Shaun. Not all of us are as anal as you about being clean. 'Sides, we're both just gonna get dirty landing Baby."
"That's disgusting."
"You're disgusting."
Shaun sighed, but Desmond could hear him walk away.
"Grab the towel in the bathroom and wet it down if you want to clean off. I'm not too terribly concerned about being dirty. I get oil all over the place sometimes."
He dressed quickly, slipping his pants and shirt over Leonardo's contraptions. He threw open the trapdoor that led to the control room. He followed Rebecca's orders without complaint, still feeling guilty about hurting her. He was all over the place as he cranked levers and oiled knobs so he could land it. Their plane was old. The landing was shaky, but Rebecca complimented him anyway when he climbed back out.
"Thanks, Dessie. Can ya help me out to meet Maria? You'll like her. She's a little rough, but she gets dirty."
He smiled and scooped her up, laughing when she yelped and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"What happened to your injuries?"
"Huh? Oh, they still hurt a little, but I haven't been paying attention."
"Haven't been paying attention? Dude, they're cuts on your skin and bruised ribs."
"Yeah, I'm cool. They don't hurt nearly as bad as when I broke my leg out training 'cause my partner ran."
"Really?"
"I had to carry myself home. From the desert. It sucked. Turns out, that wasn't the first time he had run, so the Order took him away."
"Really?"
"Yup. They put him to work somewhere else."
"In the graveyard," Rebecca said. "Hey, there's some painkillers in Lucy's bathroom. Let's stop there real quick."
He pushed open the door with his feet and set her gently on the bed, fetching the painkillers and giving her some. She popped them back; he put the bottle away, and then he carried her out to the deck where everyone else was. Ezio raised an eyebrow, and he looked away sheepishly.
"What's up, you two! Long time no see!"
The one-armed man raised an eyebrow. "And just why is he carrying you?"
"Your Farm-bred human murder machine doesn't? You haven't been training him enough: you're slackin', Malik."
He scowled. "We've been busy trying to keep him from our newest child. He seems to think that he's actually good enough—"
Desmond snarled, and Ezio growled. "Watch what you say."
Malik scoffed, eyeing them critically. "I see you brutes are just as bad."
"Aw, you're coming down awful hard on them," Rebecca said.
Lucy shook her head. "It's not like they can help it, Malik."
Malik rolled his eyes. "Maria, go check on the baby. We've been away long enough he's probably gotten to the crib."
"Can we see?" Ezio asked.
Maria sighed and gestured for them to follow. Rebecca squirmed from his grip, and Desmond jogged off behind them, leaving the three smart people, Lucy, and Rebecca to talk. He walked beside Ezio into the quaint little house in the middle of nowhere, and she led them through the kitchen and up the stairs to a small room. There was a crib in the middle of it, and Altair sat, in a pair of canvas pants, in the rocker with a small bundle in his arm. The bundle was quiet, occasionally making a soft gurgling noise as Altair rocked it. He was practically beaming.
"Altair," Maria said, folding her arms.
Altair looked up, scowling and beginning to wrap his arm tighter around the child.
"Ah—stop. Altair," she growled.
The child whimpered, and he looked down at the bundle. He held a finger to the head of the bundle, and Desmond crept closer to peek at the small, pink baby holding onto Altair's finger. Its bright brown eyes blinked at him, and he smiled. Altair leaned forward, touching noses with him. Desmond smiled and looked at the baby again as it watched them. He held a finger out, lightly tracing its cheek. He felt Ezio beside him. The baby gurgled, pulling Altair's finger into its mouth to suck on it, and Desmond laughed quietly.
"Altair, let me have Darim."
He snarled, and Desmond looked to the woman. "Can I hold him?"
"We don't let any animal hold our children in case they kill them."
The baby started babbling, holding onto Altair's finger.
"A strong child," Ezio murmured, smiling.
"Darim will no doubt be a good addition to our legacy."
"Well," Maria said as she shoved Ezio and Desmond out of the way, "there won't be a legacy if you don't give him back to me. He needs to nurse and stop sucking on your finger. Give me Darim. Go play with your animal friends."
Ezio snarled, and Altair slowly handed the baby over to Maria. She sighed as she took it.
"You three go kill babies elsewhere."
"It's not our fault you're so weak," Altair murmured, gesturing Desmond and Ezio out. He led them back out the ship.
"So you are the infamous Altair!" Leonardo said, rising for a hug.
Ezio stepped between them. "Leonardo."
"Right, right, my apologies, Altair. I do enjoy hugging."
Desmond perched on the railings by Rebecca. She smiled at him, and he smiled back.
Shaun was on his other side, and Lucy on Rebecca's. Malik and Leonardo sat across from them, and Ezio sat at Leonardo's feet, leaning against his legs and letting his head fall into Leonardo's lap. Leonardo smiled, running his hands through his long hair.
"How have you been, Desmond?"
Desmond smiled at his old mentor. "I've been doing better since these guys found me."
"Heaven knows we've had enough problems with him. You'd better be doing better."
Desmond grinned.
"You haven't been slacking off in your training?"
"Well, it took a couple of days with Ezio to really remember everything. I didn't fight much on the run. I just… ran."
"He is quick: we were training with Leonardo's new weapons."
Altair raised an eyebrow, and Desmond stuck a foot out, letting the claws unsheathe and laughing when Shaun jumped.
"Bloody Hell."
"He was always quick to learn back home."
Desmond smiled, pulling his foot back.
"When are we leaving? The masquerade is in a week."
"We'll leave soon enough," Rebecca said. "I take it Maria's not coming, then?"
Malik shook his head as Altair hopped onto the railing and crawled over to Desmond, perching beside him. Shaun shifted, looking back to give Altair an once-over, distrusting and almost afraid. Altair curled his lip as he was analyzed, causing Shaun to pull back and settle in his chair uncomfortably. They sat there, listening as the others talked about whatever they were going to do.
"What about the beasts?" Malik said.
"Well, we were thinking of letting them remain hidden as a back-up in case we get caught. Heavens know there'll be enough security there we could use some extra manpower if all goes to shit," Shaun said.
Desmond yawned. These people were boring. He met Ezio's gaze and grinned, and the two walked into the open area in front of the Al-Sayf house, growling playfully as they began sparring. He could feel Altair watching him as they fought, and the hours passed quickly until it was nighttime, and the others were saying goodnight.
Rebecca shouted they were leaving in the morning, and Malik warned Altair not to run away because he hadn't put his collar on, and that left the three of them alone. Desmond paused from fighting Ezio, smiling at him. He grinned in response.
-Let's get him.-