Malik let out a long, patient-as-possible sigh as he walked silently through the halls of the fortress. Despite his attempts at remaining calm, he must have still looked fearsome, because novices and assassins alike ducked out of the way to avoid him. Rauf had comically pressed himself flat against the wall as Malik had blown by, earning himself a nasty scowl.

Okay. So maybe he could not really get angry at Altair. After all, it was the man's firstborn son.

Three months, and the novelty of the baby had yet to wear off on Altair. No amount of screaming and god-awful messes had yet to make the man turn away from the infant Darim.

Maria had long ago thrown up her arms in exasperation, which Malik supposed really said something about Altair. The man had virtually no patience; but seemed to produce a neverending well of it for his son.

Malik slowed down as he thought about it- no, he could not get angry with Altair. The man had been so consumed by the Apple as of late... the baby was exactly what he needed. Three months, and the haunted look in the man's eyes was slowly vanishing, and he was eating properly once more. Darim was Altair's savior.

Malik reached Altair and Maria's quarters, and inhaled deeply to rid himself of his anger. He did not bother to knock- Maria was at the river with the other women, so he knew he would not be walking in on them doing that.

Again.

Malik shuddered.

He let himself in, squinting around through the dim room until he spotted Altair. The man was sitting against Darim's tiny bed, cradling his son in the crook of his arm. Darim giggled and made odd, gurgling noises in his throat. Altair was definitely aware of Malik, but did not look up from the baby.

"Brother," Malik said chidingly, but not cuttingly so, "...You are gaining a stack of papers as high as a mountain on your desk. Perhaps you should bring Darim and come attend to that."

Altair did not answer at first, then slowly looked up. His cowl was down around his shoulders, Malik noted distantly, letting his expression be seen. His mouth was twisted into a deep frown, and something oddly dark flashed through his golden-brown eyes.

"...And suddenly, I understand." Altair said, his voice hoarse. Malik tilted his chin up.

"...Understand what?" he asked, keeping his voice neutral.

"Fear. I understand now what it means to be afraid- to fear that I might lose someone. I have never felt like this before," Altair said softly, and Malik's breath hitched in his chest. "...Now I understand why... I understand your pain when you lost Kadar. If something happens to Darim... If I lose him somehow... I don't know- I don't know what I would do."

As disjointed as it was, it was one of the longest phrases Malik had ever heard Altair utter. He swallowed thickly.

"...Brother," he said, trying to keep his voice calm. "Bring Darim; let's go upstairs."

Altair was silent, then he leaned off the bed and slowly walked over to Malik.

"What if something happens to him?"

Malik shook his head, raising his single arm and placing his hand on Altair's shoulder. He squeezed in what he hoped was a reassuring manner, hoping that his camraderie would somehow chase away the darkness. He lead Altair out of the darkened room.

"I don't know," he admitted softly, "Nobody does. I did not know what to do when Kadar was killed- our only hope is that we can carry onwards, and find brighter days."

As he spoke, they came out on the stairwell, and the sun shone in brightly through the windows. Darim screwed up his face and made a noise of discontent, waving tiny fists around to show his displeasure. Altair smiled and bounced him, just a little, and Darim opened golden-brown eyes to peer up at his father and Malik.

"Have you find your brighter days?" Altair asked, after a moment, and Malik snorted. He lifted his fingers and wiggled them at Darim, who giggled out a squeal and grabbed for them.

"Something like that," he chuckled, and both he and Altair looked out the window overlooking the valley. "...I believe I have found my brighter days."


EHHHHHHHHHHHH I don't like this one so much. I had the idea, and then I waited to write it when I was really tired, so meh.

annnnd rest.