Sorry this has been progressing so slowly XO I promise the drama will set in soon. Also I am so so so sorry I haven't included Connor or Ezio much yet (I find it really hard to write them for some reason) but I'll try to put them in more, promise! Thanks as always for the favs, follows, and reviews! Love you all!
It was another hour before Ezio and Connor climbed off the school bus after it had screeched to a halt by their house. The two boys walked inside chatting cheerfully and smiling. Frantic squeals came from the boy's room and Connor and Ezio found the living room void of anyone. Curious, they wandered into the room they shared with their other brothers to find the source of the commotion. It was there they came upon Altair who had Clay pinned to the toy strew ground and tickled him mercilessly.
"You ready to say it now?" Altair taunted.
"Okay, okay!" Clay cried madly between uncontrollable giggles. His little body twisted and contorted, but there was no escape from Altair's onslaught.
"Uncle! Uncle!" the blonde howled.
Altair finally released him, smirking triumphantly as he stood. It wasn't until then that he noticed the new onlookers.
"When'd you get home?" he asked.
"Just now." Ezio answered. His face showed his amusement at the scene he had been greeted with and he looked to Altair. "What did he do?"
"The little punk was feeding me toilet water." Altair replied.
Ezio couldn't help but laugh and even Connor cracked a smile.
"And you fell for it?" Ezio asked incredulously.
"Yeah, and I'll make you drink from the toilet too if you don't drop it." Altair threatened.
Ezio gave a little squeak and quickly vanished from the doorway, running off to some other corner of the house.
"Hello." Connor greeted docilely.
"Hey," Altair replied. "How was school?"
Connor gave a shrug. "Fine." he answered.
"Sounds exciting." Altair said sarcastically.
The two walked together back out into the main part of the house.
"It was...kinda." Connor slowly admitted, a slight blush touching his cheeks.
Altair cast him a sly look.
"Something happen?" he questioned.
"There is a, uh, a new girl in class." Connor muttered sheepishly, looking away.
A slow, knowing smile split Altair's face. "You like her, don't you." he concluded.
"No!" Connor burst out, his face turning a brighter shade of red. "Well...maybe a little." he confessed.
"What's her name?"
"Aveline." he sighed wistfully. "Aveline de Grandpre."
Altair couldn't help but think it cute how Connor looked so love struck. The sweet little boy didn't yet know how cruel and merciless romance could be. Altair should know. It had been over two years since he'd been in a steady relationship and he hadn't had much action since then. Again and again Maria had tried to get Altair to start dating, but now with the boys under his wing, it was difficult to find time for many recreational activities, least of all dating. Altair didn't think he'd want to be in a relationship right now anyway, it was much too much work.
The hours past quickly, far more quickly than Altair desired, and soon enough it was time for Altair's second job. When Maria arrived to babysit, all the boys were gathered at the couch playing video games. A knock at the door was what brought Altair's attention away from the flashing images on screen.
"Ezio, pause the game." Altaïr requested.
"Nope." was the devious little boy's answer.
"Agh, you asshole." he cursed, tossing his controller to the side and heading to the door.
When Altaïr opened the door Maria was waiting there.
"Great, you're here, come on in." he welcomed her into the house.
Maria stepped inside and set her backpack down by the door.
"Hey, boys." she called to the four still glued to the TV. A chorus of hellos came up from the zombies. Maria chuckled and rolled her eyes.
Altaïr ignored the exchange as he hurried around collecting his coat and keys. When he was ready he went to the door.
"Maria, you already know the routine, I'll see you at seven." he said.
"Have fun at work." she teased.
"Yeah, right." Altaïr rolled his eyes then darted out the door.
Altaïr's second job was as a barista at a Starbucks. This job wasn't half as bad as the pharmacy. His boss, Robert De Sable, was a fairly decent guy, or at least Altaïr presumed. The man was hardly ever around and didn't seem to care about the goings on when he was, so the place wasn't too tightly strung. It was actually almost amiable to fulfill orders for various drinks. Altaïr liked to show off for the customers and nearly always received cheers and often tips for his efforts. But the usually enjoyable job was marred by the appearance of a certain brown haired male that Altair thought he'd left in the past.
"Oh, you again." Altair greeted dully.
"What, lost your job at the pharmacy?" Al-Sayf returned sourly.
"No." Altair snapped. "For your information, I have two jobs."
"I don't care." Al-Sayf responded bluntly. He ordered and Altair has never filled an order so quickly. The grumpy customer gave a curt 'thank you' and left, much to Altair's pleasure. As he watched the other exit the store he couldn't help but think how strange it was to have seen the man twice in one day, odd, but not unheard of. Just a rare coincidence.
The rest of the day passed sluggishly and it seemed an eternity later by the time Altaïr climbed into his car and returned home. The younger boys had long since fallen asleep on the floor, curled up together under a blanket, and Connor and Ezio were playing old maid. Maria greeted him upon his arrival and gathered her things to leave. Altaïr paid her as always and bid her goodnight before she departed.
By now Altaïr was tired from working all day, but he still had work to do. The brunette put on an apron and headed to the kitchen to make dinner. Tonight was Ezio's turn to choose the meal and he had picked spaghetti. Altaïr went about the kitchen and gathered the ingredients. He moved about mechanically, working in a funk. By this time everyday he was wore out and just wanted to eat. After hardly getting started, he decided it wasn't worth it and botched the meal, opting for pizza instead. None of the boys complained.
Another couple hours later the house had settled into a lazy state where the boys wound down for the night before going to bed. The kids were off playing quietly in their room and gave Altair the quiet he needed to complete the paperwork set out before him. Since Sofian would be coming by for a home visit, it was Altair's job to file the proper paperwork that gave an analysis for the boys' home life conditions. He sighed as he stared dully down at the papers. He hated paperwork work with a fiery passion.
"Alty." Desmond called, padding up to Altair's side.
Altair was to engulfed in his work to notice.
Desmond tugged on Altair's sleeve.
"Alty."
Altair grumbled something and shook the boy off, muttering about how he was busy. But the boy persisted. He continued to pull on Altair's sleeve and poke him.
"Alty, I drew a picture for you." Desmond insisted.
"Desmond!" Altair snapped, glaring over at the little boy. "I'm working right now and I don't have time for your stupid picture!" As soon as the words left his mouth, he regretted them.
Desmond's eyes watered and his lip quivered. "O-okay..." he managed, then turned to leave.
"Wait, Desmond, come back." Altair called, getting to his feet.
The four year old reluctantly halted at the mouth of the hallway that led to his room. Altair knelt down before him and tried to give him a little smile.
"I want to see your drawing."
"But you said it was stupid." Desmond whimpered quietly.
"I know, but I really wanna see it." Altair recurred.
Desmond finally lifted the now slightly crumpled piece of paper he had been holding and showed it to Altair. The older boy took it and looked at the stick figures that cluttered the page along with a bright yellow sun and green grass.
"Who are the people?" he asked.
"This is you, this is Connor, this is Ezzy, this is Clay, this is me, and this is mommy and daddy." Desmond pointed to each figure in turn.
Altair felt that special well of sadness inside him that had been created especially for their parents open up a little. His gaze softened as he stared at the poor depiction of their mother and father.
"I miss them." Desmond said softly.
"Me too." Altair sighed.
"C'mon, you wanna put this on the fridge?"
Desmond nodded. Altair took the younger's hand and led him to their small, currently dirty, kitchen. The fridge already was cluttered with various drawings, some by Desmond, others by Clay or Connor, sometimes even works by Ezio, and other things like pizza coupons or important phone numbers to remember. Desmond selected an older drawing and pulled it off, letting it flutter to the ground and took its magnet. With the new magnet, Altair attached the family photo to the fridge. Desmond smiled, pleased by his work. Altair wondered how long it would be until the boys stopped adding their parents to family pictures.
