Music Inspiration: Inon Zur- "Leliana's Song"
A Detour from Destiny
The next week brought him insight to what she'd really been doing the day she arrived into his world and he'd laughed at the idea of people using his image in a life size paper object. Of course, his lungs almost burst at knowing she'd been frightened by the thing and wondered if that was what Isis meant by her arrival being done at his hand. With no malice in his reaction, his sincerity allowed Vivian to laugh alongside him without embarrassment- a feat he was glad to accomplish. He learned what she'd wanted to do with her life before appearing in Jerusalem and what she'd spoken about women's rights helped change his viewpoint as he wrote about it in his codex weeks later. He would never mention her by name as he kept her secret in case of repercussions due to her futuristic origins or slipped Maria's name in there as a decoy. Although, there were times when he wanted to buy paper and start his own rambles or ponderings about her because she'd done the same about him. Vivian's demeanor had always stirred an array of emotions in him but a new one had been forming since their trip in Uganda: affection.
Although he'd wanted to knock himself unconscious for desiring her in such a way, he could only accept it. She wasn't the wrong type of woman for him but her origins made it near impossible for him to have his sentiments requited. Why couldn't he have met the 12th century equivalent of Vivian now? Somehow, he doubted she'd be as quirky and fascinating so he was stuck with a unique little woman that made him smile. Who else could say the same? He found himself wanting to know more about the woman who'd been in his company for over a year and cast aside the normal role they'd had as seer-assassin. Now, it was simply a friend-friend equal relationship where neither dominated the other.
Malik awaited them on one of their returns home and he'd cornered Altaïr to demand that friendship was all he'd better seek from their historian companion. The dai had been catching onto the recent changes in his behavior and it didn't take a genius to translate Altaïr's nonverbal cues. Altaïr assured him it was simply friendship (and took a cue from Vivian by pointing out a cute random object to catch his friend's attention) but Malik didn't hesitate to point out he had two people at Masyaf. Of course, this led Altaïr to state that his son was always a high priority in his life but Maria had kept quiet on anything concerning them. She only mentioned in her last letter that she wanted him to look out for their son's best interest but nothing on their old entanglements- they hadn't been courting at all! He had held a fondness for Maria, yes, but Vivian . . . hers kept growing at an alarming rate as she fit him like a puzzle piece.
Vivian overheard the brief argument from the stairs and he didn't see her for an entire week after that encounter. He didn't dare to disrespect her room by breaking the latch open but he missed their daily chats. He began to question Malik's words then because Vivian was the one he sought when he needed to vent or escape his problems. There was a form of dependency brewing on his end and he worried for when the time came to bid Vivian goodbye. Could he do it? Could he bear severing that bond for the rest of his life without regret?
The last week before their leave, Altaïr could see the calmer change over the ocean and knew that it would soon be time to leave the port. He found it odd that he remembered each of the town people's names as he would his own assassins and the small time spent among them showed him this was what he fought for. All of his efforts were to protect free will, independence, and peace at all costs. When he happened to solve a mystery of stolen fruit that led to a gang of crafty seagulls, that was all part of his 'for the better of mankind' motto. Of course, when he left Malik to bear the angry squawks while he basked in thank you's. . .well, that was a bonus.
One evening, Vivian cornered him as he whistled a merry tune (yes, whistled) and pulled him into her dark bedroom in one yank. He was surprised by her strength since he was a foot taller than her but he'd recently been allowing his vigilance to drop inside the inn. Quelimane had indeed lulled him to resemble a fat lazy cat and chastised himself for being caught unaware by a civilian of all people. Vivian tugged him inside quickly as he tried to regain his balance, all while she smiled eagerly to ask, "Do you want to know how it feels to soar above the sky?"
When she said sky, he calmed somewhat because he had expected something scandalous or life threatening that would have him clawing at the wall for escape. Still, he didn't understand how he could see the sky in the middle of a room. She ushered him inside with a friendly wave of her hand as she plopped down on her bed and explained enthusiastically, "I can't believe I didn't think of it after seeing firsthand how the Animus works in the games. Abstergo had to gain the knowledge for such an advanced use of genetics from somewhere, right? Even my era isn't as highly advanced in that field as Desmond's so there has to be a point of origin for such a creation."
Altaïr didn't understand her flurried rambles as she basked in her discovery and only caught the main point, "Use the Apple and read my memory."
Her lips curled into an impish smile as she opened the book into her world and stated confidently, "I can show you the world Aladdin style but without the magic carpet ride."
He pinched the bridge of his nose to prevent the twinge of pressure that threatened to build every time she uttered something eccentric. Considering that he'd exploded into rants and chased her with a brandished weapon for it, he called this an improvement. He stood in front of her with a wagging finger in regards to that carefree smile of hers and sighed, "I am seriously considering writing a dictionary on your strange slang."
"Oh no, you might be discovered as a talented writer ahead of his time instead of staying in the dark" she joked gently and grabbed her pillow stuffed with bird feathers to drape it over her head like a hood. He directed a deadpan stare when her eyebrows wagged comically to her poor imitation of an assassin. She would never be assassin material but he appreciated her hand in helping his side gain an advantage.
Altaïr merely smiled cockily when she stopped her ridiculous brow wagging and feigned a sigh, "You wound my pride, Vivian."
"I am the delicious Zevran too, you know" she chuckled because her face was covered with her homemade makeup to conceal her identity. Altaïr shook his head because he didn't like Zevran in the slightest and looked to the nearest washing bowl, approaching it to grab a towel. He wanted to return the true owner of that petite form because he was fond of her, not her sickeningly charismatic character. Soaking the cloth in the lukewarm water, Vivian quirked an eyebrow to his questionable action and asked with a cautious low drawl, "What are you doing?"
He walked up to her to press the damp washcloth against her left cheek and rubbed the makeup off her skin. Vivian was ready to protest but he had a masseuse's hand as he rubbed circles toward her temples to wipe off the different powders. She didn't appreciate having droplets run down her cheek towards her neck but his dexterous movements were indeed relaxing. Hmm, if assassinating didn't work out, he'd be a master with the art of massage. He didn't move from an area until he saw her familiar beige skin peek out at him and told her simply, "You don't need to masquerade yourself here. I want to see you for who you are, not your characters."
She didn't have any comeback for that and smiled fondly to his words. It made her believe her sex appeal wasn't horrendous like she thought because the 12th century would destroy women accustomed to daily makeup, hair, and modern fashion routines. Her newly washed cheeks darkened when the tip of his thumb brushed against the edge of her bottom lip and the inner fangirl in Vivian burst into rainbow confetti. Her neatly folded hands began to wring together as she met his gaze to admit honestly, "I'm not a showstopper by nature and these characters give me a new of freedom in your time . . . but I'm glad you enjoy my company."
He found her admission delightful because she was a lost lamb too when it came to drawing others. She lit up his days like no other and he leaned down to squeeze her fretting hands protectively to say with a small smile, "I wouldn't be anywhere else- we're two odd fish in a barrel."
Didn't he know how perfect he sounded when he uttered words like that?
He left the room to retrieve the Apple from his safe space and Vivian quickly massaged her cheeks to lower the rosy tint engulfing them. What happened to her defensive humor shield or imagining him with beaver teeth? He was disarming her so easily now! Being in such close quarters only fueled her attraction to him and her heart was conflicted with guilt when the slightest touch from his hand delighted her. She was struggling to keep him at bay and hoped her strict principles wouldn't drown with her growing affection.
"You're going down a dark road, Poppin' Fresh" she muttered hopelessly under her breath as she combed her fingers through her tied hair. Her coping mechanisms concerning him were failing every day and his increasing proximity towards her wasn't helping matters any at all. There were times when he glanced at her or brushed his fingers against her hand that she saw a spark of something else in his eyes but it was gone a second later. Maybe it was her imagination or her deepest desires that perceived it that way but it wasn't helping her any. Altaïr didn't help at all by constantly seeking her company and shooing away anyone that was remotely interested in her. Shaking her head, she dropped her chin into her hand as her elbow propped against her knee and sighed, "Ubisoft got this eagle motif totally wrong with him. The man is a damn wolf with territoriality issues or a lethal mountain lion at the least."
It wasn't long before he returned with the item and with it, sat down across from her as he held the ancient artifact between his hands. Vivian didn't dare glance at it out of fear for its power because she certainly wasn't an illogical Sue that would mindlessly grab or peek closely at it. Nobody knew the true powers of the Apple and she wasn't going to be sucked into its dangerous web. Altaïr looked to her for any last second thoughts because this was her mind- a private entity- that he would invade and asked carefully, "Vivian, are you certain about this?"
"I trust you- it's as simple as that" she replied earnestly with a sincere smile because she wouldn't allow the same risk with another person. Closing her eyes, she wiggled into the soft mattress as she sat cross-legged to rest comfortably for the ride. It was best that she didn't see the entire process but he didn't keep her waiting long when she felt a wave of tranquility wash over her. Her first expectation for the memory perusing would've been pain but instead, she fell into a calm sleep like a newborn kitten. She hoped that this was a mercy act on behalf of the Apple after seeing what it could do within the games.
Altaïr, on the other hand, ventured into her mind to the distinct memory of her first airplane ride so he could witness every moment. After meditating with the Apple for over two years, he was better able to handle the foreign object without harm to himself. He did have a flicker of worry about hurting Vivian because the Apple had not been kind to anyone but him. Thankfully, the Apple behaved benevolently as it led him down a long white shimmery tunnel until he reached a moving color portrait that belonged to Vivian. Instantly, he was drawn to the animate painting of strange chairs and his surroundings transformed from the white hallway to the interior of a vessel.
His first guess would've been a ship made of wood but the material was unlike anything he'd seen. Being a guest in Vivian's memories, he wasn't able to interact with the world around him and could only walk in her shoes. The 'plane' was indeed an odd vessel as he sat in a soft chair that was the plushest his butt had greeted in decades. No wonder Vivian loved her time! He already wanted to pry that chair out of her memories and keep it for himself. He was allowed a better view of the plane as Vivian plastered her face against the window to peek outside until her father lectured it was dirty. Little Vivian didn't care. There was unbridled eagerness in her young heart after traveling from the waiting area at the gate into the plane and felt entirely grown up for carrying a small suitcase all on her own. He wasn't surprised to her jubilant nature as a child as it carried well into adulthood to rain embarrassing terror upon him.
Altaïr saw through her eyes as people outside the vessel loaded rectangle boxes made of an unknown material underneath its belly for storage. He smelled the cold circulating air through the cabin and was drawn by her mother's voice as a brown eyed woman with raven hair smiled at him with endless affection. Vivian had her smile. Her hands clicked a metal belt, which was attached to the seat, over Vivian's stomach and Altaïr assumed it was there to protect her. It was soon followed by a cozy blue blanket that warmed the coldness he felt inside the large confining vessel and she leaned against her mother to chirp, "Are we there, mama?"
"No, honey, we're still on the runway- see the people outside?" her mother chuckled warmly to her eagerness to land in Madrid to see her grandparents. Vivian's eyes followed her mother's finger to where people holding odd sticks were waving them in specific directions. Her attention to the small people was snatched away by a woman at the front of all the rows explaining safety procedures. Being a small child full of curiosity, lectures didn't excite her and Vivian snuggled against her mother with a content smile. Altaïr sensed the deep attachment to her as she clung to her mother's hand and empathized with the eventual loss of her maternal figure. He might not have had a mother to tend to him but Vivian loved hers dearly to the point that she chose her as a connection to the future in her journal.
The first movement of the plane occurred when it slowly turned towards the takeoff field that was littered with symbols and roman letters. The sound of turbines powering up for takeoff startled Vivian out of her huddled form but her mother reassured everything was fine. Her simple explanations of the vessel preparing to lift into the air also helped Altaïr understand it because he was centuries from grasping any of it. Vivian was quick to return to the window to glue herself to it as the vessel moved forward and gained speed each passing second. Altaïr had never felt such fast speed in his life and feared for little Vivian's safety as she watched everything transform from solid forms into blurs. The tipping of the plane as she was pressed back from the force and the popping of her ears unnerved him. How did people feel safe in such a dangerous contraption?! The safety of solid ground was gone and the horrible noise, not to mention partial sensory deprivation, didn't comfort him at all. While Vivian felt excitement and a little dash of nervousness, Altaïr was a mess of fear to the unnatural speed.
Before he knew it, the plane lifted off as he remained pressed against the seat and couldn't fight against the force. How had mankind achieved such a machine? Had it been recent or had it existed for a longer time? He was shocked to see feathery white clouds floating by in a friendly wave of hello until they reached high altitude. Was he really flying at the same level as them? Puffy clouds soon greeted Vivian's eye as the plane soared through the sky to stabilize at a horizontal angle and the land was barely noticeable. Altaïr could only see brown-greenish land underneath him fade as Vivian tried to peek at the earth one last time before only clouds and a plane's wing greeted her.
He remained within her mind until she reached her destination to experience landing in that strange behemoth and left the rest untouched as promised. She had allowed him a glimpse of her time and he wouldn't betray that trust by pushing further. He could feel the energy of the piece fading as the last tendrils of control left her mind to avoid an abrupt leave that could hurt her. It was the first time he had attempted such an action with the Apple and would do his best maintain that control.
Vivian slowly regained her self-control, feeling as if she'd been entranced into a snooze fest the whole time without any recollection of it. The feeling to being on the receiving end of the Apple was eerie and she shook her head to clear it as exhaustion set in out of nowhere. Hadn't she just been mentally unconscious under its spell? Why did she feel as if she'd been awake for two days straight and ready to collapse?
"Are you all right?" he asked carefully as he watched her blink rapidly before yawning aloud. She leaned forward slightly as the sudden lethargy surprised her and grasped his right forearm for support before she toppled over like toddler. His strength was enough to keep her rooted to that spot as she balanced herself again.
"I feel tired all of a sudden" she answered drowsily as she tried to clear her mind from the sudden dog and flashed a little smile. Altaïr translated it as the 'everything's okay' face because there were times she didn't believe her own facial expressions as she struck a brave front. She sat back to straighten her posture and rubbed her eyes to renew the lost energy that had been zapped. She chuckled softly at being correct in never underestimating the power of a POE and stated, "I guess that's what happens during mind reading with unknown technology. Hey, we should read people's fortunes based on their personalities to make money in the next place we visit."
He shook his head to her get rich quick schemes (or 'shenanigans' as he called them) and pointed out simply, "I've had enough jobs here to last me decades and besides, nothing innocent dwells in your lair."
She stared at him with a curious gleam in her eye as it boosted her ego and he admitted flatly, "I am still having trouble comprehending that mechanical monster you boarded. I've never seen anything quite like it and frankly, it unnerves me that you're so advanced."
"That was a small plane, we have larger ones now with two turbines on each wing" she informed nonchalantly to avoid flustering his boggled mind further and he frowned to that knowledge. He could've lived without it! It was times like this that he felt inferior to her in intelligence due to her large grasp of history and the technology in her grasp back at home. He'd never admit it but seeing her eyes light up whenever he saved the day or solved a mystery made up for that insecurity. Yes, he could scale the walls of buildings but if she put him in the seat of one of those 'airplane' machines, he would fail horribly. She managed a lazy grin through the POE induced side effects as she preened humorously, "Believe me now when I tell you we can reach the stars?"
"With incredibly great reluctance" he murmured flatly and gazed at the item in his hand that lent a hand in building the world into what it was. It had been giving him knowledge for the past two years and nobody knew nor was ready to comprehend what it meant for world religions and technology. Instead of feeling gratified for the chance to finally know the truth about the world he lived in, he felt melancholy. Everything that existed was set in motion by those unknown beings and the visions he was given through his meditations were wisps of what was to come- without him.
He pocked the item in a leather pouch he'd brought in to avoid touching it for any longer and gazed at Vivian to admit solemnly, "I realize how short life truly is and how many things will come to pass centuries after I am gone. I will never experience any of it but I can thank you for allowing me one moment of being in your shoes. Nobody looks to see the past and whenever I glimpse into this, I see images of manmade creations that most will probably perceive as simple daily transportation but what I would yearn to experience with the eagerness of a child."
Vivian understood his conflicted feelings about mortality because a gap of centuries parted them and life would continue on without them until the sun died or the Andromeda galaxy cannibalized the Milky Way. Either way, they were mortal and fated to return back to the earth. She'd had her own solemn moments about him during the second game at knowing Altaïr was somewhere in that timeline within a tomb and no longer kicking ass. It would happen to him in this life as it would to any human being, her included. Well, unless there was some weird immortal piece out there for him but what were the odds of that?
"The future's not all it is led to believe and your descendants looked to you for guidance" she soothed and tried to mar the future since she wondered the same about what the year 3000 would look like. Yeah, she should really stop watching Futurama reruns. They couldn't wallow in the fact that they weren't immortal and smiled gently to comfort him, "You'll do enough to knock the socks off future generations."
Her hand tentatively touched his cheek for the first time as she broke the personal boundary in place for compassion. She believed her skin would turn to ice the second she touched it since the man only sported his stoic face and no other. The man lacked the acceptance of sympathy or kindness out of fear that it would show weakness after being taught to depend on himself by that crazy old man. He didn't need to worry about the fact that he wouldn't drive a car or learn how to work a cellphone and she advised kindly, "Forget the future. You make this world free of Templars and you'll find this time frame better than what the others will be. I mean, do you really want to live during the bubonic plague era? World wars? Forced colonization? Genocides?"
"Not when you put it that way, I'd rather stick to this" he agreed hastily to those dreadful scenarios and looked to the hand offering comfort. The old ways would've asked him to cast aside or use it as a stress reliever but he'd experienced new emotions since his journey for redemption and he no longer saw them as weak. His only friend had been Abbas in his youth and after being rejected for telling the truth in an effort to kindly console, he'd told himself that he didn't need it. But Malik, Rauf, Bashir, and Ilias showed him differently since his return to Masyaf and he liked that. Then there was Vivian. . .
Vivian was on a pendulum that swayed back and forth as she shielded her heart from immersing itself with him. They were friends and he wouldn't fracture that but when she behaved openly with others that didn't include him, he wanted to carry her off like a child would their favorite toy to protect it from dirty fingers. Well, more like a pet horse because he never had toys to begin with but it was all in the same category. Altaïr wasn't the sharing or the emotional type but it left him with a conundrum when he glanced at her. Those emerald orbs brightened every time he glimpsed into them and they beckoned him to grasp her by that unruly mop of raven hair to kiss her.
Her hand retracted when she felt the uncomfortable silence fill the room and stood up to announce awkwardly, "I'm going downstairs to help with dinner."
"Vivian" he called hesitantly, gently pulling on the sleeve of her robe before she could escape his vicinity. He didn't want her to leave his side just yet and although he'd probably made her uncomfortable about skin contact, he sought it. If anything, he desired it with Vivian only. Unfortunately, telling her that would warrant a quizzical eye because he wasn't the type to admit his feelings openly. Instead, he requested something she never thought she'd hear from the solitary man, "I . . . could you . . . keep me company?"
"Of course, is something wrong?" she agreed immediately to offer a friendly ear as she sat on her knees and huddled over to his side. He loved that selfless trait of hers and the fact that she always settled by his side whenever he needed to talk privately. It took away the brief hints of uncertainty whenever he gazed at her directly and preferred looking at other objects to remove that vulnerability.
"No, well . . . I'm at a loss sometimes" he murmured faintly and placed the bag with the item on the small table next to her bed to prevent an accidental activation. He looked to her with uncertainty on his face as the glimpse into the future brought questions he feared to ask himself, much less another person. Vivian had grown to be his closest confidante outside of the order and her knowledge helped to coax his worries to remove it from his shoulders. He asked one single question that often plagued him since meeting her on that fateful August morning, "Must I be the hero in this?"
"Someone has to be, otherwise, we're looking at psychological slavery or a fiery death" she sighed softly with sympathy and squeezed his right shoulder to the burden laid upon his shoulders. The survival of their species rested on his shoulders because they had a natural catastrophe looming and murderous Templars to defeat (and financing Assassin endeavors into the next century) but it couldn't be done alone. His work would echo through the centuries and hopefully, it would be enough to lend an advantage. His gaze avoided hers as she leaned forward to encourage his resolve by stating firmly, "You hold the best qualities and I know you're the one who will lead us out of this. There is no doubt in my mind you're the man to shift the order into a new century and finding these pieces is just the start. Don't underestimate yourself, even when you feel at your lowest."
"If you'd never played that fictional game of mine, would you believe it?" he asked skeptically because he hadn't made the best companion (if anything, the worst) but she merely smiled. His little companion held great patience that he was fortunate to have but he wanted to believe that time would allow it to rub off on him. She never doubted him and whenever they disagreed, he relented to her choice because it would always be the humane option. He wasn't perfect, far from it, but she made him feel like he could be.
"Of course . . . now c'mere for a badger hug" she chuckled softly and opened her arms to envelop him with an encouragement booster. It wasn't often that he voiced his insecurity about the future and his own life but she'd be there to set things straight. Everyone had those thoughts once in their life and the road he would walk would not be an easy one to bear but she'd be there to grasp his hand to pull him along.
Physical comfort was still new to him but he was adapting to it and Vivian leaned against the wall to pull him into her arms. Hmm, lifting produce crates had certainly helped her weightlifting skills. The assassin offered no resistance as he fell into it for the first time, releasing all of the pressure in his mind as his back faced her. Anxiety tugged at his instincts for turning his back to anyone but he knew Vivian would never harm him. His head rested against her right shoulder as her arms held him in place over his shoulders and gathered loosely around his neck as they relaxed together. The small room offered them privacy that the large cities lacked and the protection added to it was a rarity for an assassin.
He felt inclined to offer a reason for asking her the philosophical questions and admitted quietly, "My order looks to me for endless support and guidance as their grand master. I offer all that I can but sometimes it might not be enough to protect everyone or give them all the answers. My answers can either lead us in the right road or into catastrophe and it isn't easy to bear. When I look at myself for such aid . . . I don't really have anyone to do the same because I was taught otherwise. Malik is my dearest friend but there are some things that his mind will not be able to grasp, the images that the pieces show me, and I feel alone for that. You're the only one who's ever shown me compassion through my stubborn moments and you don't judge my way of thinking or question me about the pieces- you look out for me."
His gaze softened as he offered a faint smile towards the feisty badger that kept prodding him to be a good man and thanked her, "I've . . . never really had that outside of my order and I do thank you for it, Vivian."
"It's not easy being you, I still fight you a bit but . . . you're a good soul, Altaïr" she replied sincerely because he'd grown quite a bit over the year and could only see that road brightening. Her palms rested over his heart to carry meaning to her words because although he was incredibly prickly in demeanor, he cared for the good of others. She could feel the warmth of his body radiating through hers as she held him and stated confidently, "You are my leader and I won't hesitate to help- even if I'm not of your order. I'm not the strongest person out there, I don't inspire confidence, and I can't wield a blade with finesse, but you have my loyalty and knowledge. Anything that I have is at your disposal because I believe in you- you are my commander."
She wrapped her arms around his neck to squeeze him gently and his heart melted when she whispered, "I'd follow you anywhere on this earth without question. Apparently, something noticed and granted that by a dimensional change or whatever science wants to call this baffling phenomenon. Whatever words I might have uttered in the past, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else at this moment."
"So you don't regret all of the dangerous situations I've placed you in?" he preened flatly about all of their dysfunctional missions but appreciated her words. She might not be strong like she said but her tongue and mind definitely made up for that lack. Her help wouldn't be forgotten because it would tear at him to relinquish her and murmured softly, "You are my screeching bard of enlightenment."
"Sweet, I'm Leliana from Dragon Age" she grinned impishly since she already used Zevran and squeezed him once more. Altaïr uttered a small grunt of complaint for being squeezed like a piece of dough but relaxed once he realized that she wouldn't do this to anybody else. He was the heroic figure in her eyes and he basked in that honor, even if it meant bearing an uncomfortable squeeze. Besides, whatever didn't kill him only made him stronger. She was an odd little badger, after all, and he sighed dramatically when she piped up enthusiastically, "And you . . . you will be my Sten. The stoic but deadly qunari warrior that chops up people in his way-"
Altaïr placed a hand over his forehead to that deviation in conversation and leaned against her to mutter disappointedly, "You ruined the mood, Vivian."
She scoffed to his accusation because prying him away from grieving ruminations was better for one's spirits and pointed out, "Who's to say that wasn't my intent? Cast aside who you are for five minutes, become a normal man, and assume a fake life-"
Altaïr leaned his head back to offer a side glance to the crafty woman wagging her eyebrows and snorted matter-of-factly, "That's exactly what we're doing here in Quelimane. You're a vendor/charlatan abomination," she glared at this and he continued, "and I'm an artist/wood cutter in the making. We have deviated quite far from who we are and quite frankly, I'm surprised neither of us is clinically insane by now."
"At least you don't dive headfirst from four story buildings anymore" she admonished gently about his unbelievable acrobatics and smiled cheekily. He slumped in her arms for a moment because he missed that most of all! What good was an assassin that couldn't leap from buildings? People might as well tie them to the ground with rope! She squeaked in complaint because having him go boneless on her would only crush her under his weight. He hid a cocky grin to hearing that tiny noise and she exhaled through her nose as her chin rested on his shoulder to admit, "You don't smell like leather or sword cleaning oil anymore, neither do your clothes. I almost miss it."
"I actually miss your ridiculous songs, especially about the man 'who cast De Sable down'?" he mused playfully about her horrible singing voice and her rhythmic tunes about his life. They had been a hindrance ages ago but now, he rather liked them. Whenever she decided to use Ezio or some unknown person, he made it his mission to have shameful lyrics rather than catchy ones. Why should they have the glory when he was the one bearing her screeching voice? Vivian chuckled to the fact that he remembered one of the many songs she'd boasted and he asked with interest, "How does it go?"
"Who's the greatest assassin ever?
A hero of renown
Who slayed an evil Templar?
Who cast De Sable down?
Altaïr!
And that time the vile Templar
Captured a damsel fair
He, who saved Maria with such bravery,
She offered him a love affair?
Altaïr!
Also, he fought a crocodile!"
Vivian smiled proudly to remembering every lyric of her parody song and loosened her hold when he turned around to smirk, "You are a sharp little woman, aren't you?"
"I wouldn't be alive if I wasn't" she quipped with a warm chuckle to her odd skill set in his world but wouldn't give it up. She might not have the ability to use long-range weapons or heavy ones either but her mind would be her best weapon to wield. All of her gathered knowledge, however, wouldn't prepare her for what happened next.
His lips sought hers to plant a small kiss on her mauve lips and he grazed the apple of her cheek with his thumb as he closed the gap between them. He'd been growing rather fond of their time spent together and although they were teammates, wondered if she reciprocated. Could she reciprocate? Her norms were different than his but his nonverbal signs were pretty crystal clear for a man living in that century that he was interested. Vivian's instinct and fond emotions returned the innocent peck on the lips but before he tried to pull her into an embrace, she placed her fingers on his lips. After months of wondering what it would feel like to have her in his arms and his past experiences with women, he sighed with disdain to that particular movement, "Why does every woman do that? Am I such a horrible kisser? Are my lips the consistency of sand?"
Vivian sighed in dismay to what she'd done, remembering that similar maneuver from Maria, and immediately wanted to say no. Why had she used that of all gestures? A simple nudge on the shoulder would've sufficed! He had legions of women ready to fall at his feet in heaps and she was one of them but couldn't admit it out of fear. She couldn't sink his future on the pure basis of attraction when many depended on him to procreate again with Maria. Fortunately, the mission came first to stomp out her sentiments to knock logic back into its rightful place and she stated gently, "I can't. You already have your path and that's all I will say for your benefit. Now, we can either continue talking as two colleagues or-"
"You kissed me back" he interjected softly to the reciprocation and Vivian decided to exit the scene before she became red as a cherry to tell him he was right. The way the light reflected from his brown eyes only softened her resolve to keep everything locked up tight in her heart.
"I . . . uh, left some clothes in a soaking bowl" she excused herself quickly as she leapt from the bed to escape but guilt struck instantly for doing such a thing to him. She wasn't a coward or stricken with confusing teenage hormones; he'd taught her to tackle things head on. He was someone who deserved her utmost respect and she returned to sit at the edge of the bed again, brushing the side of her hand across his cheek. His sun-kissed skin was as soft as she imagined and the growing stubble gently pricked her fingers as her hand withdrew. He wasn't going to pursue another kiss or offer a 'come hither' stare to match Ezio's, leaning back against the wall to hear her say. Man, even his lazy pose was deliciously alluring.
Vivian's fingers tapped idly on the bedcover as she held back her nerves and spoke with regret, "It never happened . . . it just can't and you know why. Now, I suggest you rest your weary mind and I'll arrange your drawing items on the table downstairs so you can work and eat afterwards."
His mind wasn't weary in the slightest because he'd never been more certain of anything in his life and disagreed, "Vivian-"
"Don't delve into this, please, for both our sakes" she advised softly with a solemn smile since hearing her name from his lips knocked her socks off easily. She could have his voice as a voicemail message and never tire of hearing him say 'leave a message'. He had shifted from the kind of man she'd be happy to get a mere 'hello' from to the type that she'd happily spend all of her days with. She had been lucky to glimpse into the man behind the iconic robes and he was a modest man that was happy with simplicity. Unfortunately, both the man and the assassin were fated to wander into the road of another's- not hers.
He nodded quietly and they left the matter alone as neither acknowledged it, reverting back to their friendly dynamics.
Nonetheless, Altaïr found himself returning to her vicinity like a drunken honey bee to pollen when he found her perusing the market stands for produce. He had caught sight of a fluttering emerald skirt that he'd bought for her with a few extra pieces of coin that he'd had left over from their 'survival from severe poverty' fund. The delighted look on her face had been enough to bear through Malik's lecture when he lied about spending it on snacks. His little historian was easy to pinpoint through the crowds and it wasn't long before he approached her from behind without her being any the wiser. Her unruly mop of hair had been tucked into a messy bun at the base of her skull and the bare nape of her neck beckoned him to run his fingertips over her beige skin. Why was she so stubborn to admit her own attraction to him? It was no longer a secret since she failed to beat the living daylights out of him when he kissed her so he could only give chase to make the truth known.
He'd sneakily taken the purchased produce in her bag until she noticed it was gone as the weightless basket gave him away. It had been fairly easy to detect him when he'd worn his trademark white robes but seeing him clothed in a neutral brown hid him well. She feigned a thin lipped expression while mischief twinkled in his eyes for managing to steal her produce.
Vivian eyed the smooth assassin with mirth to chastise him playfully, "Stealing from a fair young maiden, are you?"
He returned her items to her basket before anyone actually thought he'd stolen them and answered wittily, "It's not considered stealing between friends."
"How is that excuse reasonable? You nag us when something of yours goes missing" she questioned cheekily as she paid the owner with polite thanks, leaving the stand to peruse for goods elsewhere. Whenever something went missing from his packs, he ransacked everything until he found it. He'd torn an entire desk apart for three straps of leather, which he later found inside one of his pouches. There were times she wondered whether he had an obsessive-compulsive disorder . . . until she glimpsed into his messy packs and bedding.
He mulled over the question as he led her onwards with a hand on the small of her back until finally, "I'm your leader, that's why."
"No, you're being cocky" she scoffed dryly to his double standard because he loved sliding out of the rules. Shade engulfed them as they entered a small street between residential homes and walked away from the busy stores at the port. Unlike Vivian who loved gazing at the sparkling calm water, he wanted to be leagues away from it.
"Where are we going?" he asked with confusion as she linked her arm through his to lead him elsewhere as she took control. He secured the grip, keeping her close rather than afar as they strolled through the area together. The port was safe . . . but he rather liked the feel of holding her arm like a couple wandering the area on a shopping spree. If they were actual civilians, he'd be buying feed for livestock and his wife groceries for their home. Ugh, this port was making him long for the impossible every time Vivian traveled by his side.
"I am treating you to lunch" she answered perkily and he allowed himself to be led, but kept an eye out for trouble. One could never be too careful and he'd rather punch someone unconscious before Vivian beat him to it by kicking them in the groin. He'd never been invited to eat with anyone and decided to let her lead their new adventure as she explained, "There's a very nice eatery that prepares fish dishes. Wouldn't it be nice to take revenge on what made you smell like death?"
"Only because you're paying" he remarked smartly just to see her little frown but he'd pay for both dishes since it was the polite thing to do. He didn't understand the customs of her time but his own ordered that he protect the bold historian from harm, not that he minded anymore. He wanted to shower her with whatever she wished but he couldn't afford any of it with the lifestyle he led. It was a reason as to why he feared intimacy with another because women expected men to be providers and his life required him to be away from Masyaf quite often. His abilities to offer gifts to the fairer sex were also horrible because he doubted presenting a dagger to Vivian would suffice. His shoulders slumped to the realization that they would be poor when they arrived at Madagascar and muttered despondently, "We will need to change currency again, won't we?"
She nodded with disappointment since they'd managed to live like everyday people for a few months and soon, they'd be piss poor and in danger. Alas, that was the life of an assassin. With their humble jobs, life hadn't been very hard as they set up a temporary life at Quelimane without wondering when food would run out. Once on Madagascar, everything would be crucial again because they wouldn't know where the POE would be. Vivian wasn't afraid to say she'd picked up a few pounds as the lack of travel and ample food filled out her curves.
It didn't take long for them to arrive at the eatery and Vivian soon returned with two plates of freshly made food. They found a nice bench to sit by as it overlooked the calm sea but Altaïr would have a better sight with his plate. The smell was aromatic enough to drive him over the edge and he dug into his food like a ravenous wolf while Vivian uttered small prayer. She stuck to her religious beliefs despite the artifacts had shown otherwise but he assumed it was due to her goal of returning back where she belonged. True, she already immersed herself in his world but she wasn't from there. Just because religion would be thrown into chaos in his own time, hers still had the possibility that life had a higher meaning in the end. Her life belonged to the twenty first century while his was a thousand years in the past, one that mortal years wouldn't allow to bridge their gap. His body would be dust by the time she inhaled her first breath of life . . . it was rather somber for him.
She noticed his lingering stare when she finished and chuckled nervously, "I might look foolish to you but something's kept me safe thus far-"
"Me" he pointed out matter-of-factly without shame to the numerous times he'd saved her from danger. He had never been the type to believe in anything but he'd like to think that he'd meet the special people in his life once they all returned to the earth.
She ate a grilled piece of fish from his plate in retaliation and reminded, "And it's a tie to my world, one that I have to return to."
He wanted to offer that it wasn't necessary to return to her world but he couldn't impose his thoughts onto hers. That was more of a sneaky Templar thing. He nodded quietly and returned to his meal, which wouldn't be leaving him anytime soon. Vivian watched him pick at his food lethargically, a contrasting change from seconds prior, and nudged his shoulder with hers to cheer him up. She didn't like speaking about the future because it meant that they wouldn't be together and it was best to avoid that for the moment. She held up a piece of roasted fish with creamy sauce slathered on it and smiled to coax, "Try this. It's scrumptious."
Instead of grabbing the piece, he ate it directly from her fingers and she chuckled to the action. It didn't strike either as odd after their time together and although he was a clean person by nature, he didn't mind anything from Vivian. He nodded agreeably, returning his own morsel to share and she accepted it with a smile. If they happened to get sick from improper hand hygiene, at least they'd be bedridden together. With her lips sealed around his fingertips, he joked about her appearance, "You eat like a little bird."
Her foot lightly kicked his for the wisecrack and he chuckled as she swallowed her bite to reply, "Better than an eagle."
Grabbing another bite from her plate, she bit into it as sauce smeared over her lips and she smiled joyfully, "But this beats both."
He chuckled softly as they picked off items from each other's plates and traded quips about their eating habits. When Vivian managed to get food stuck over one of her teeth, his forehead touched hers and it paused her eating to the invasion of her personal space. Before she could remind him that she'd rejected his advances, he pointed out nonchalantly, "I believed this would lessen the embarrassment of telling you there's food on your teeth."
Her cheeks darkened immediately to his method of revealing information and she squeaked embarrassingly, "This is ten times worse and couldn't be more mortifying. I could summon enough humiliated strength to implode on this."
She proceeded to turn around and scrubbed her teeth clean with her finger (all she could do was improvise) before she melted into a small puddle of her own embarrassment. Altaïr found her bashfulness amusing but said nothing of it; his small smirk doing enough damage to Vivian's ego. When she smeared sauce over his lips, it withered immediately but it brought her a laugh as he reminded her of a fussy baby. Despite his infamous intimidation factor, he managed a soft chuckle as she evened out the playing field to feel adequate.
"I'm not that frightening, Vivian" he assured gently because he didn't want fear to drive her away from him. Yes, his lifestyle was dangerous and he could break people's necks in seconds but he was a human being as well. He wasn't a machine fueled by missions and had begun to enjoy his civilian life with Vivian helping him to grasp long forgotten skills. She was the one he owed his current progress to since she fussed relentlessly but he treasured the fact that she cared enough to do so. He peered at her flushed cheeks as she tried to appear miniscule next to him and Altaïr stated simply, "I'd sooner stab myself than harm a single hair of yours."
"It's not that . . . it's your aura" she admitted sheepishly because anyone would fly into the nearest cart to escape his path when he was tracking down an ass to kick. Her early encounters with him left her rattled enough to use a sarcastic defense mechanism and nowadays, her feelings landed her in sticky water. She picked up scraps left on her plate to leave it clean as she avoided his gaze and stated, "You're naturally prickly by nature and I'm not looking to poke that with a stick. I like you-"
The charming smirk he sent her way only darkened her cheeks in response but she restated swiftly, "I like it when you're not in assassin mode but it's naturally leaked into your physical appearance. Your sharp features don't help matters either but it's okay, it's just my reaction to your awesomeness."
Altaïr would've rather had her bathing his neck in kisses instead of shying away in the nearest corner to maintain propriety. Still, he would take what he could get from her.
Malik watched the two enter the dining chamber of the inn as he practiced his sketching skills. His days off were spent wonderfully on his hobbies and his time was long enough that he'd begun painting landscapes again. What did manage to pry his eye away from his hobbies was Altaïr's constant vigilance over Vivian and her whereabouts. The man was never able to stay still when she wasn't around and when Malik searched for one of them, he usually found both together. It didn't take a genius to figure out his friend had begun to see their historian friend as something more and he was having none of that. There was already a child waiting for him at Masyaf, along with his mother, and Malik wouldn't allow him to slip out of those duties. He couldn't sow a field and expect to find another to dilly dally with after a year- not on his watch.
His eyes pinned Altaïr with accusation for tailing after Vivian as they piled inside and the man justified, "I said hello and she dragged me to eat. I was fed handsomely against my will by this conniving but generous badger."
"I highly doubt a man of your size and strength could be overpowered by a smaller woman" Malik stated dryly but Altaïr scoffed since the dai knew nothing about Vivian's capabilities when fueled by badger rage. Curses, he was already thinking like her too! Vivian tried to distract Malik by handing over the basket full of his grocery list to show that they hadn't been dilly dallying around town. She smiled serenely to maintain a 'good girl' defense and Malik ignored Altaïr as he told her, "Thank you, Vivian."
"I was the mastermind that kidnapped Altaïr so he's completely innocent" she explained with an innocent smile that Malik didn't buy but it was better than Altaïr's shabby attempt. It was either a horrible grimace or one that resembled a psychopath's manic grin- this time, it was the latter. Vivian had been his little lamb once but now that she'd grown into her shoes, he needed to guard her from the amorous eagle looming above her. Their historian, however, was a woman on the move during her free time and informed the two with a carefree grin, "Now, I must return upstairs to destroy my ransom notes."
She left with lightning speed that didn't allow Malik to put a word in and Altaïr used that time to leave the inn once more through the front door.
Malik sighed aloud to their abrupt exit as they escaped one of his lectures and muttered under his breath, "Confound it, those two will drive me insane on that boat."
Vivian pried her door open with a giddy grin for the pleasant outing, cheerful to the day's events. It was an improvement that she and Altaïr hadn't pelted each other with food or blown into a competition, basking in the calmness of the sea instead. He did have the capacity to relax now in comparison to a year ago when he forced her to eat his own measured portions so she was proud of that. Her smile widened when she spotted his familiar figure already sitting on her windowsill, surprised he made it up there quite fast. The man wielded Superman speed so she wouldn't ponder too much about his capabilities.
"You're going to earn another of Malik's lectures for this" she warned with a cheeky smirk to his daring actions because Malik had the nose of a bloodhound whenever Altaïr was concerned. Despite his grumpy demeanor, the man was a magnet at drawing her attention and Vivian soaked it all up like a sponge. Yes, she cared for him but she found him interesting just the same to keep spending time with him. Who wouldn't want to hang out and learn from a badass assassin?
"It's worth it" he scoffed smartly as he sat against the windowsill with a casual air about him but she shook her head to his sudden confidence. The idea of relaxing against a window lacking glass didn't appeal to her and she tried to tug him away from it by the hand for obvious safety reasons. He withheld a chuckle to her effort and stood up to enter the room, causing her to fall when he leaned forward to stand. She hit the floor on her butt and uttered a groan from the impact since she'd only tried to keep him from falling out of a window, not inadvertently hurt her tailbone. He snickered under his breath to ward off the laugh forming in his throat at seeing her crumpled form because her strength really couldn't do much.
She kicked his lower leg from her spot as she caught his amused expression and declared sarcastically, "Laugh it up, you big ham."
He uttered a low laugh to relieve the pressure in his chest but leaned down to help her stand upright. Grabbing her hand into his, he easily lifted her onto her feet in one move without even trying. His strength never failed to surprise her and she tried to amend for her lack of it by stating confidently, "One day, I'll lift you up."
"You'll more than likely break your back and never walk again, Vivian" he dismissed with a smirk to her defiance as he walked around her room to observe any suspicious changes. Usually, he'd just enter to either reprimand or seek answers from her but he'd never taken the time to study it until now. Her travel packs were kept in the empty second bed across from hers as they bordered the windows. Being the finicky man that he was, he commented about its size in comparison to his with a displeased frown, "It's small."
"I'm an unmarried woman with a nonexistent sexually ambiguous brother sharing it so we don't need much space" she pointed out easily and grabbed her travel pack to fumble through her clothes. She wasn't fond of skirt robes since the moment she left Masyaf and wanted to use breeches for her last hours inside the inn before sleep. It was aggravating to keep up her lady routine in the 12th century but she wanted to survive and keep a decent reputation. She opened her arms to what she considered an ample room (contrary to the assassin) and smiled widely to boast, "Plus, I get a free bed to use when I don't feel like cleaning mine. It reminds me of home because I actually have freedom and independence reminiscent of my time- even at this small size. I own this area and can do what I want. Welcome to Viviantown, Altaïr- population 2 and counting."
Altaïr found himself smiling to her bold enthusiasm since current laws kept women without much choice for independence in life, denied formal education, and no careers in comparison to the freedom of men. When she hitched her full skirt to tie it into a knot at the left side of her thighs, he tried to avoid looking at her bare legs out of respect. The other half of him that was more akin to being a man than an assassin itched to sneak a look but his strong will persevered. He tried to avoid glancing at her completely when she began wiggling her butt comically as she sorted through a pile of clothes in the pack. That image was not helping matters any after being rebuffed as a romantic interest and he chided her in reminder, "You forget this is my time, Vivian."
She turned to him with a bright smile and shook her head to state smartly, "But you're different than any other man so it doesn't count here. You've discovered truths that render religion driven laws of men useless . . . so don't undermine women."
"When have I ever?" he tried to evade the question since he'd given her a tough time for quite a while until leaving Egypt. A little smirk on her lips told him she knew of his intention but she allowed it to slide in order to pull out her leisure clothes with a triumphant grin. It really could get annoying separating her Zevran clothes from her ambiguous casual clothes since women were expected to wear skirts only. He picked up on her displeasure to female fashion as she frowned at a brown skirt that spilled out and lightened her mood when he said, "Thank you for kidnapping me today."
She laughed to his small joke because nobody could ever kidnap him (of all people) and replied earnestly, "No problem and thank you for pretending to steal my produce. If you need another kidnapping, let me know."
He chuckled softly as he watched her fold her rumpled clothes neatly over the bed. She balled up her ivory sleeping tunic and tapped him on the tip of his nose with it, smiling in amusement to his unimpressed expression. He grabbed the crumpled ball to throw it on the bed and pulled the petite historian by the shoulder to press his lips against hers, seizing the private moment for a real kiss. She froze immediately to the action, fighting against her better judgment when he drew her closer. Goodness, she kept underestimating his strength and could only compare it to an iron bar holding her in place when he used both hands. His soft lips left hers for a brief second as he embraced her close and they brushed against her jaw as he whispered, "Relax, Vivian."
"You relax" she shot back nervously since they weren't treading anywhere good and cursed her feelings for gushing happily to their current position. He was an amazingly handsome man in her view, especially when she could see the golden flecks in his brown eyes so clearly, and their friendship had only served to fuel that bond. If she hadn't known his future path, she would've put on her Ezio charm but that wouldn't be respectful in their current situation. His right eyebrow quirked to her weak comeback since he was pretty peachy compared to her and she mumbled lifelessly, "I know, it was awful."
"Agreed, but we are due for this" he pointed out since he'd been chasing her romantically before arriving at Quelimane and this was the boiling point. He wanted to hold her close like any longing admirer without outside interference and knew what he felt wasn't wrong. There was something pure brewing for her that surpassed others and he met her gaze to draw a reciprocating response, "No more running, little badger. We've done enough of that since leaving Lake Victoria and it is time we face it."
Her muscles relaxed as she fell into his embrace for the first time after spending another perfect day with him and felt a gentle kiss press against the side of her lips. There should've been a law against him uttering her name or fond nicknames in that timbre. It had 100% persuasion! His kisses, on the other hand, were rather sweet in their gentle style as she clung to him with a regretful smile. How many times had she wished to be in that same position outside of her own imagination? He was innocently suave, she'd give him that.
His lips met hers to close the distance to test the water once more with his reluctant partner. All he could do was reassure her that his feelings were real and his heart skipped a beat when she eventually returned it. It was a gentle kiss on her part as she tried to maintain her stance about professionalism but he wasn't having any of that. He had tried being impartial about it during their arrival but the thought of her courting another while he stood by was unbearable.
"It has become extremely hard to pry you from my mind" he admitted softly as their second kiss ended and he gazed at her, smiling to the rosy tint on her cheeks and ears. How many times had she done that and scuttled off to ignore him? It was far too many for him to count. Her green eyes tried to dodge his to prevent falling into his piercing gaze but his forehead touched hers to prevent it, cupping her chin in one hand to keep her from moving. Their close proximity tugged at her heart as it debated whether to run or stay but his intentions were quite clear. A chaste kiss to the tip of her nose stirred an instant smile as he whispered, "We are in the most private place imaginable and I've waited months to have you in my arms. You have me mesmerized and walking around without the possibility of touching you is slowly driving me to madness. Show me what you feel, I have no issue using actions instead of words."
How long had he felt this way? Vivian expected a random attraction fueled by their constant proximity and asked uncertainly, "Months? At Lake Victoria, you were so-"
"I know, an ass of epic proportion" he agreed with more colorful language than hers and kissed her temple with a soft sigh of regret. She had stirred a myriad of reactions as he worked through his feelings but it hadn't been in the most respectful way possible. He'd hurt her more than once in attempts to shield himself emotionally but he cherished that she stayed by his side and that in itself impressed him. Vivian squished her inner fangirl as she melted against his embrace and he admitted modestly, "I didn't want to make the same mistake I had with Maria and you were incredibly different from me. A small energetic woman that I could crush but you drew me like a moth and although you burned me repeatedly with your shenanigans, I am still drawn. Do I . . . am I the same . . . to you?"
He'd never been told what was desirable in him as a partner nor if he attracted women physically. His face was always shrouded, he didn't shave regularly, and his hair shared the same fate but if he could afford to do so, he would. His work took up so much time that he barely looked at himself unless it was to bathe or wrap a wound. Vivian could see the awkwardness on his face as he asked a question that had never been uttered nor did he think it ever would. Although she was inclined to reject his advances, she peered into the man that hadn't had the same social exposure to develop intimate bonds and sympathized with him.
"Yes, I don't think you need to ask that- you have romantic admirers all over the world" she admitted earnestly as she spoke for herself, the people in her time, and for those that needed that boost in their self-image. There was no question whether he was attractive physically and he doubled that with his beliefs, not to mention honor. How many times had he saved her life? How many dinners had he attempted to cook for her and served when she didn't feel well? He could knock her socks off with a single wag of his eyebrows and complimented his best physical features, "You have the healthiest skin color I've seen on any person here, your hair is ridiculously soft for a man, and you have these gorgeous jewel toned eyes. . ."
He smiled to having that long age question answered and she finished softly with a fond smile, "You're handsome to me in every way- inside and out. There's no question about it."
"Thank you" he murmured sheepishly since being called handsome was a new one since most females chased after Malik. It was a boost to his confidence because he could now say that he didn't repel all women with his looks. He wanted Vivian to want him after investing in his feelings in her and squeezed her shoulders to coax gently, "Show me how much you desire me."
"Altaïr-" she blushed furiously to his words because they could head down multiple roads and her face turned tomato red within seconds.
"Not like that!" he reassured quickly because they'd barely shared a kiss or two and he wouldn't act disrespectfully to her wishes. She was a stubborn one as she hid her feelings from him but he was determined to crack them with patience. His nose nudged hers as he angled his head to dot a kiss on the cupid's bow of her upper lip and whispered, "I just want you to share this moment with me."
Her hands snaked towards his shoulders, wrapping behind his neck as she leaned against him. She'd never touched him outside a professional setting and breathing air into his lungs didn't count but he'd already attempted it once. Her gaze flickered to his once in a single second before meeting his lips to return the kiss. There was no hesitance in his kiss as he embraced her close, sending shivers down her spine with his agile tongue. Why couldn't she have stronger willpower? Or colder logic? She could feel the concealed passion underneath his strength as he cradled her close and her whirling emotions were satisfied with each graze of his lips. He wasn't the best or worst kisser in her life but the fact that she cared so much for him made him perfect in every way.
A shaky smile appeared on her lips when he ended the kiss and he smiled with gratification at seeing her instinctively reach for him once more. Once she saw that he wasn't continuing their kiss, she cleared her throat awkwardly as her cheeks darkened. Great, that would not be putting points in her corner to stop his shenanigans. He stirred a sharp surprised gasp from her when his lips lowered to kiss the crook of her neck and his warm breath tickled her damp skin. Her shoulders arched towards him in reflex, embracing him closer as she breathed his name to call his attention. Why couldn't she just throw him aside- easier said than done- or kick him in the nads? She shook her head against his, nudging the tip of her nose against his cheek as she dissuaded quietly, "We can't. You can't."
"Tell me to leave and I will" he dared with the ultimatum, molding her hips against his as he kissed the artery pulse of her neck. She drew him like no other, inhaling her unique scent to memorize it, and whispering her name made their intimate moment even more private. His voice sent a shiver down her spine as she became the number one woman in his sights and wished he couldn't render her nervous system useless. His nose grazed hers as he kissed her lips lightly with the softness of a modern pillow and whispered, "You've been in my mind for months and I know the same must dwell in yours."
She would've been happy to roam over pastures with a silly grin on her face like her fantasies but she couldn't. Altaïr was meant for another and she couldn't stand in the way of the future merely because her heart fluttered at the mere sight of him. With the future of the order in mind, she made the hard choice and placed her palms on his chest to order, "Please leave."
He stilled to her decision after hoping that he'd broken through to show his feelings were true and murmured disbelievingly, "I didn't think you'd do it."
She closed her eyes briefly with regret at having to tear her own heart into pieces and reasoned, "You taught me that the mission comes first and this isn't it. If anything, it is far from it and the repercussions. . ."
He cupped her face to run his calloused thumbs over her cheeks with gentle care that she wouldn't have believed existed with his strength. It was enough to make her savor that display of affection for just a moment and wished that he could've been a random assassin she'd fallen for- not the grand master himself! Why was fate so fickle to her? Altaïr, however, was confident that he could make a worthy future all on his own and reassured, "My line will continue and the scientific laws of your time might not apply here-"
"The laws of time cannot be altered, a mere change could become catastrophic" she whispered solemnly, closing her eyes with restrained emotion when he kissed the side of her lips. Oh no, he wasn't going to lure her bitten heart with those soft kisses. Her principles ruled out her heart because the future was more important than mutual attraction. She attempted to have him see her reasoning as she grasped his tunic and pointed out, "What if this moment here decimates a third of your future lineage?"
"What if it doubles it?" he countered smartly since his badger was a fertile woman in her own right with many productive years ahead of her. He would bed her than any other woman in existence for the rest of his life after the adventures they had lived through over the past year. Who was to say she couldn't give him the same quality of life another woman could offer? When he looked at her, he didn't see a woman worthy of a temporary fling but a permanent life partner he couldn't be without. It was already troublesome imagining a life without her and it was one he wasn't keen on facing.
The insinuation wasn't lost on her and she coughed awkwardly to that possibility because she didn't think he thought of her to that extent. Their embrace wasn't helping the sudden ringing in her ears as blood rushed to her head and she replied with a firm tone, "What if Desmond becomes a woman named Desiree for mentioning him to you?"
He scoffed to the scenario because a woman would probably work just as well. This 'Desmond' was an unknown character to him so who was he to know that there wasn't a better descendant of his out there? His lineage went in multiple directions throughout the centuries so there could always be an ample number of assassins to carry on his work. Who wouldn't want to be his descendant? He raised his chin in defiance to her opposition of having a future together and pointed out, "What if he ends up being a grand master of his own instead?"
She wasn't going to take the bait of boosting Desmond to an even better position because that could heavily alter his core traits. He would not get a pass on their attraction merely because it could possibly improve the future. Being a natural worrier when it concerned him, she stuck to her opinion and shot back firmly, "What if this injures you months down the line? We don't know what will happen and it will be arrogant of us to assume otherwise!"
"You can't spend your life worrying about the future" he rebuffed and she aimed a skeptical look for his choice of words because they were trying to preserve a fighting chance. Wasn't this the goal of their travels? It was all about saving the future and nabbing POE's, not fending off attracted lure and canoodling under the blankets! Altaïr could see by her restrained shaking that she was a little pot ready to burst at his audacity but he was endeared completely by her.
He captured her lips for a tender kiss to shower her with that affection, parting her lips for a slow kiss that muffled the words on her tongue. They weren't what he wanted to hear but the fact that she reacted to his action a second later spoke volume. She was a fighter to the bitter end but he would win the last battle of the amorous war they had begun on each other. Her fingers curled against his tunic, resisting the urge to pull him forward to fall into a passionate embrace, and she murmured faintly with regret, "I'm sorry, Altaïr, truly. I-"
A knock to the door broke them apart when Malik called from the other side, "Vivian, I need your help with supper."
"I was never here" Altaïr breathed quickly and proceeded to literally jump out of the open window as he left a wide eyed Vivian behind. Did he just dash away in an Ezio-like moment that sharply contradicted his personality? What was the world coming to? Then again, he had left Maria after their amorous rendezvous so maybe genetics demanded the two to flee their swooned women. Seeing him run across the field like a madman just made their situation even more ridiculous . . . but he was sweet.
Her growing affection had been validated by his willingness to pursue something solid and although her heart swelled to seeing him duck behind the corner, it wasn't right. It would be cruel of her to whisk him away from the one he was meant to be with, the one who already had a small infant with him, for something that wouldn't last. Just like sea levels dipped to reveal mountains with time, so would she fade to recede back to her own time and she would only be memories in the back of his mind.
A/N: Squee! The two finally begin their romantic duel as he tries to claim her heart but Vivian is stubborn out of care for his future. Altaïr has an awkward boyish display of affection when they're in public as he tries to find footing in the archaic dating scene he's never encountered. I can't believe it's been 40+ chapters since the story started and we're just getting to the romance since the two have taken quite the time to build what they have. The next chapter will be their last in Quelimane as the typhoon season ends so Altaïr will be teeming with joy while Vivian worries about her future. After that, I'll post the separate intimate piece between Altaïr and Vivian for the fans so I'll inform you of the title. I love this story so much that I wonder about the possibility of vignettes since the trio has a long road in this story and the sequel will span decades (can't wait to see baby Darim and Sef grow). Quelimane has been and probably will be Altaïr's only experience at a civilian life which will add insight to his wisdom as he ages.
Thank you for the recent faves/alerts, I love seeing new readers, and the same love goes out to my reviewers. You guys make my day when I'm exhausted from my nursing classes because it's been taking up the majority of my life now (this week alone I had a presentation, an exam, 100+ pages to read, six pages of patient paperwork, and 18+ hours of patient care). I'm fighting my way to an A at 92% just like Altaïr on every mission and I'm finding myself listening to a lot of the songs I've used for this story, especially the one I chose for Darim and Sef. I hope you all enjoyed this whopper of a chapter (25 pages!).
EpicJACI: You're not the only one, some fans have thought the same too. Lol. Malik has that great brother bond with her and I definitely could've seen the two together since they're very friendly approachable individuals. Due to Vivian's affections entering Altaïr's orbit, that means Malik must have an awesome lady of his own by the end of it all. ;)
Lostwithoutdoubt: That fish gutter job was the worst for him since he's used to being a mobile person rather than stationary so running around town is definitely good for him. I totally should've included a part where Malik cracks a window at night to let out the smell and Altaïr closes it to prevent a draft. Lol. Altaïr hasn't had many experiences with sentiments but the thought of competition for Vivian definitely drew out his protective side. She's slowly helped him recognize and mature his emotions (she and Malik definitely had their work with his short temper), which will keep forming as he grows older. He still had flashes of his short temper in Revelations but he'd just lost Sef so I don't blame that on him at all. I'm having a tough time myself writing out that death for the sequel because I've written Sef so darn sweet from childhood to adulthood. Altaïr and Vivian will definitely keep opening up as the chapters progress but it will be a struggle as they (meaning Vivian, lol) try to keep everything platonic.
Lissa: Lol, I'm in the same boat with the ongoing tug of love between the two. Altaïr's the type to get something when he wants it while Vivian is the rational thinker that takes everything into account. The two will definitely be having chats about their future and we'll be switching back to Masyaf soon to check in on the gang.
Dolce Latte van Crème: Vivian is greatly conflicted due to the knowledge she has for the future (pre-Brotherhood, anyway) and will be a chagrin to Altaïr, who would rather carve his own path. Vivian left her time on December 2009 so she's missed a load of things and she'll return to catch up on years' worth of lore and missed time with her family. She'll learn of all of Desmond's ancestors, even the ones that aren't tied to Altaïr like she thought they were. I hope you're having fun with the Mass Effect series, I loved the first game the most due to the plot but the graphics were great in the second.
KrnYong: Thanks for the correction, it has been fixed. The story definitely has its climaxes and the resolution for friendship between the two was the first, admitting their affection will be the second (in the next chapter), and the future of Vivian's hidden bundle from that will be the next one. I'll stop now before I spoil the story, hehe.
Fuzzball: Thanks for loving the chapter. Right now, time is only allowing me to write three stories- maybe two because I'll be returning to work soon since nursing school isn't cheap- so it will be a while. I'm very sorry for that because I love little Oliver.
twilit angel: I'm always glad to make someone laugh, it helps dull pain and any stress away. It's great that most of the readers root for Altaïr since the poor guy deserves it and he really will grow to love Vivian (and so will she). The upcoming chapters will be filled with sweet and humorous fluff from the two so thanks for loving the story.
Next Time: Reprise of Poking an Enraged Badger
"Are you as attracted to me as I am to you at this moment?" he inquired to cut straight through their impending argument by disclosing his thoughts at the most inopportune time. Her mouth gaped like a fish's to his bold comment and a myriad of emotion flashed through her face- anger, embarrassment, coyness, and surprisingly. . . acceptance. He closed the distance between them to loom over her and he remarked suavely, "I do enjoy a challenge and stubborn historians have never been added to my list of accomplishments."
She wasn't ready to twist her head around his idea because her way of doing things meant a second baby would be ensured instead of one. For all she knew, he and Maria would pop out a bunch kids but they wouldn't survive childhood due to disease. Her best offense was to avoid everything but he was imperviously insistent. Every attempt she tried to dissuade him failed and she was forced to relinquish control to pacify him. She flicked her thumb towards the bed to pent out their frustrations and proposed with an airy sigh, "I'll give you five minutes on the bed. No inappropriate touching."
"And you called me cold and indifferent once" he stated curtly since he found the offer a bit insulting after building his true feelings for her. She was a fortress trying to protect his future but he wanted to break free for just a moment to see if the grass was brighter on the other side. He knew what he wanted but Vivian refused to give leeway for her own affection, choosing to ignore the truth. He shook his head to her detached choice for affection and reminded coldly, "Attraction is very different from connection, Vivian. You're afraid of the latter but there is no reason to be when I hold the same affection for you. Just as you offer me five minutes, break from those logical shackles just like you did a minute ago and show me what you hide."
She shook her head to the idea of forfeiting her entire heart to place it on a figurative table for him to see. If she did, there would be no place for her to hide when he confronted her about their sentiments. He walked to the bed with an allure that caused her inner fangirl to burst into subatomic particles and raised his hand to state, "I have protected, taught, fought, and trusted you for over a year. Offer me the same courtesy, you have nothing to fear."
"For five minutes, you sure are milking it" she murmured softly as lowering her emotional shield was the equivalence of running naked through town. Didn't he know what kind of floodgate he was opening? His narrowed gaze carried annoyance and dejection to her response but she apologized for the sarcastic defense that served as her last shield. Lying, silence, and loop holing were gone as he exhausted all of them. Gazing down at her current ensemble, she realized her Zevran outfit was still on and made her decision. She was allowing five minutes of bliss into her life (not that he needed to know that) and nodded agreebly, "Good, I have pants on."
Altaïr was barely able to ask why when she launched herself into his arms on all fours like a rabid koala to match his height and he caught her by the waist to bear the sudden weight. Unfortunately, his brain didn't get the memo about keeping said balance and she used her momentum to push him backwards onto the bed. It was safe to say she'd surprised him entirely as she hovered above him on the bed while his legs dangled off the edges. She took advantage of his initial shock to trace her hand through his hair (which needed a haircut soon) and smiled with amusement, "Ladies can't do that fashionably with skirts. Well, maybe the Disney jump-in-your-arms-gently-and-hug-sappily version."
"Five minute rule enacted: no future jargon" he ordered quickly to avoid any communication mistakes and scooted up on the bed to be comfortable, not liking lying horizontally. Vivian kneeled on the spot she landed and eyed him carefully to see whether he was enacting another rule or deciding to forfeit her offer. She wasn't going to the gambling table all in without seeing the same commitment from her opponent- er, partner. He pulled her close by the hand to reassure he wasn't leaving and pressed his nose against her cheek, "You can lead."
Thanks for being faithful readers and I'll be back next time with a brand new chapter. Please review if you can, it feeds poor Vivian cookies (which she'll need once they leave Quelimane), hehe.