I would just like to apologize to anyone whom I've caused emotional trama to and know that I am not legally responsible. Thanks all for the favs, reviews, and follows! I'm glad (not to mention surprised) that this story is so well recieved. And I want you all to know that I have an end planned.


The days were finally starting to warm up. For now the spring showers had let up and the sun decided to stop playing behind clouds, giving sunny, clear days. Thus today was the perfect day to be at the cooped up inside the nickel arcade. The building would have been dark if not for the glowing screens of various video games and colorful lights lining the room. Kids of all ages played here, causing the sounds of firing weapons, pinball machines, tires squealing, and the thunk of balls going in the hole as they played the array of games the arcade had to offer.

It had been two days since Sofian's disaster of a visit and Altair had finally recovered, somewhat, and he had resolved to spend as much time with the boys doing fun stuff as he could before the next dreaded Friday. Today that meant going to the nickel arcade. The boys had thought it was a great idea and squealed at the very idea. Altair was surprised they had managed to somehow forget the emanate separation of their family and enjoy this pleasure. But none the less he was glad they were having fun. Currently Connor was playing a hunting game, being not too shabby at it too, Ezio was playing a classic racing game, and the boys...Altair wasn't really sure what they were doing. The machine they sat at said it was a taxi game, but when he went over to watch Desmond was driving like a mad man with Clay pressing the gas to the floor because the brunette's legs were too short. The little digital guy in their taxi jumped out going eighty on the highway, probably deciding that was a better option than staying in the car.

Altair himself was sitting off to the side at a set of tables made for adults so they could relax somewhat while they watched their kids. Surprisingly enough, at his side was Malik. Ever since hearing about the result of Sofian's visit, Altair's friends had chipped in and helped out wherever they could. Even Malik, who, Altair recently decided, wasn't such a bad guy after all.

"Altair," Malik called, accompanied with a thump to Altair's forehead.

Altair jolted slightly and tore his gaze from his brothers to stare at Malik.

"What?" he asked, slightly irritated by the thump.

"Didn't you hear what I just said?"

"Uh,"

Malik rolled his eyes. "That's a 'no' then. I said Maria was talking about taking you and the boys to this amusement park tomorrow. She said something about wanting to see you being a dork again before it all really goes to shit."

"How thoughtful of her." Altair said sarcastically. "I'll give her a call. I'm still trying to decide if I want to keep the boys out of school for the week or not."

The pair fell into silence again, listening to the sound of playing children and watching Altair's little brothers. It wasn't until a minute or two later that Malik spoke again.

"You two seem pretty close." he observed.

"Who two?" Altair asked dumbly.

"You and Maria. How long have you known her?"

Altair blew out his cheeks, trying to think.

"God, it must have been since I was...eight? So about eleven years. Pretty much all our lives." Altair said with a shrug.

"Uh, huh." Malik nodded and looked away again.

Altair watched him closely.

"Why?" he suddenly questioned. "Are you," Altair leaned towards Malik and wiggled his eyebrows a bit. "Jealous?"

Malik scoffed and pushed Altair away by his face.

"You wish. I wouldn't touch you with a ten foot pole."

"Is that right?" Altair quirked an eyebrow and smirked, coming up with a devilish plan.

But Malik was no fool. He watched Altair carefully, leaning farther away.

"Try not to do something stupid for once." the brown eyed man warned.

"I can not do stupid things." Altair spoke as he leaned closer across the table. He only stopped when he was mere inches from Malik, both staring at the other to see what they'd do. The intense moment was broken when Desmond and Clay bounded up.

"Alty, we ran out of nickels." Desmond said, holding up his hands for more.

Altair rummaged through his bag for a minute before coming up with another tube. He tossed it to Desmond, who surprisingly caught it, and said, "Don't blow it all at one place."

The two youngest boys grinned happily as they hurried off to go play more games. The two older boys at the able however were left in a smothering silence, the moment having passed.


After a long day at the arcade was over, Altair wrestled the boys into the van and drove off. Back home he had already planned on making boxed mac'n'cheese. The boys were released to do whatever they wished while Altair started on dinner, Malik lingering nearby.

"Do you want to stay for dinner?" Altair offered over his shoulder.

"Thanks, but I've got an essay I have to finish before tomorrow. Kadar should be here any minute to pick me up." Malik responded politely.

Altair wouldn't admit it, but he was a little disappointed.

True to what Malik said, only a handful of minutes passed before Kadar pulled up and whisked his older brother away. A while longer after dinner was ready and Altair called the boys to their small dinning room table. It was rowdy at first as everyone hastened to dish up the golden deliciousness, but settled again when they were all back in their seats.

"So," Altair began around a mouthful of noodles and cheese. "Maria wants to take you guys to an amusement park tomorrow."

Instantly the two youngest burst out in exclamations of surprise and pleasure.

"But!" Altair had to raise his voice to quiet the boys. "You all better behave yourself." He gave a stern look to them all, even the older ones. The boys were all quick to agree to Altair's terms.

"Will Malik be there?" Connor asked, surprising Altair.

"Uh, I don't think so, no. Why?" Altair replied.

"I like him." he said firmly. "He's smart and doesn't treat me like a kid."

"Maybe you'll see him around more often." Altair mused.

"Oh really?" Ezio suddenly jumped into the conversation.

Altair eyed him carefully.

"Yeah...Why are you so interested?" he asked suspiciously. Altair remembered Ezio's encounter with Malik at the pharmacy only a few days ago. Come to think of it, Malik had been more pleasant since that meeting.

"Oh, uh, no reason." Ezio quickly tried to cover up his previous interest and looked down at his meal.

"Uh huh." Altair kept his gaze on the questionable boy. He would have to keep his eye on him.