Reprise of Poking an Enraged Badger
Maria scowled at the stubborn old poop stain on Darim's diaper that refused to budge under her grip. This had been the third wash at the river's edge and she was just about ready to admit defeat to the bothersome brown stain that mocked her skills. Her son soiled his diapers faster than she could clean them and there wasn't a day that she wasn't down by the river beside the village to wash her clothing. As if the walk to and from the fortress wasn't disheartening enough, she had to carry a fussy infant that was finicky about being carried now that he could sit up on his own.
Being more on the quiet side than the socializing type, Maria washed her laundry alone during the early morning when most women were still performing house chores. It was easier than having to hear chatter and keeping an eye on clothing and-
"Darim!"
She chastised her small infant as he tried to knock his basket over by shifting his weight to one side. His chubby hands were outstretched towards the grass he wanted to crawl over but he turned his head to his mother's voice. At a young age, he knew better than to upset the one who kept him cozy and fed. He puckered his bottom lip to earn sympathy because he'd only wanted to play with the grass since nobody else was there. His blue eyes watered to disappointing his mother and he was ready to sniffle until her face softened to show everything was fine.
Although her hands were soaked with soapy water from washing, Maria quickly swiped them clean against her brown skirt without a thought. She leaned over to scoop her whimpering infant into her arms and rubbed his back in soothing circles. Darim whimpered with content to her affection and his little hands grasped the front of her robes to show all he wanted was a little companionship. Maria sighed softly to the predicament she found herself in and murmured, "You are a lot of work, just like your father- who I'd very much like to kick right about now."
Her son had been rather quiet during his early months and it had allowed Maria to recuperate from the birth to learn her new role. Unfortunately, that false sense of comfort was yanked away when Darim learned to crawl and he'd become vocal about everything. She didn't know children carried a natural curiosity for everything as they explored their surroundings and it often hampered her chores. There were only so many times she could use poor Bashir as a babysitter and leaving her only child in a laboratory with dangerous fumes was not ideal.
She wished for a contraption that could keep him occupied while she did her chores because there was food to be made, clothes to wash, clothes to mend, housekeeping. . . ugh, she was not made to be homely.
"But you're still my number one" she smiled tenderly as she touched her nose to Darim's and watched his bright blue eyes blink comically. She knew he loved her and that was enough to forget most of his little morning snafus. The problem was that she couldn't keep watch on him every second of the day. As the days passed, it would be inevitable that her son wouldn't want to explore his world and she had to find a way to adapt to that.
"Gih" Darim responded with a happy giggle and shook his hands with delight, hoping for a friend to play with. Maria glanced at her little son with pity because she could only do so much throughout the day and couldn't focus on him entirely. She loved him dearly with all of her heart- how could she not?- and wanted him to live a loving and enriching life.
"I'm sorry for having you stay put but mother needs to work" she apologized as she placed him down inside his wicker basket to keep him in one spot. Otherwise, he'd be grasping grass and trying to eat it with the only tooth he'd gotten. It was all she could bring down to keep him occupied and the single wooden toy she'd added in failed to catch his attention. Being at a nibbling stage, she wasn't going to have painted toys out of fear he would ingest poisonous dyes.
Darim didn't like being constrained to a basket and whimpered when his mother turned her back on him to return to her washing. What had happened to her hugs? What about his playtime? Had he done something wrong? He'd fix it however he could and whimpered sadly at the thought of being left behind when she returned to washing the dirty clothes filling a nearby basket. If he could talk, he'd be calling for her but all he could do was utter 'geh' or the usual 'wah'.
Maria tried to ignore the sniffling as best she could because it tore at her but the faster she finished, the sooner they could return home. She didn't like being in the open, even in a small safe village, and could sometimes become irritated that Darim couldn't stay still for ten minutes. She didn't blame her little one but she longed for the sleeping two month infant that he'd been. Oh, how she'd finished her chores within two hours during that time and had time to spare to play with him. She slapped a white cloth diaper against a flat rock to begin rolling handmade soap over it to make it sudsy. Otherwise, the stains would never leave Darim's clothing.
When she heard Darim break into hysterical crying, she felt the need to join him because the day was not going as planned. They were already an hour behind on their other chores and every minute meant that Darim would not get his noon nap. If he didn't get that nap, he'd be cranky and would refuse to eat until he fell asleep at his next naptime. Turning around, she multitasked with washing the clothes and tried to soothe her son, "No, no, don't cry. There's no need to cry, mother's right here and she's not going anywhere."
Darim, however, needed physical assurance via hugs and his round face turned cherry red as he continued sobbing. Maria attempted to sing him a short lullaby from back home that usually worked to see if it would pacify his crying. Her soft melodic voice should have done the trick but the current of the river distorted her words and Darim didn't like that at all! Crystalline tears ran down his round cheeks as he shut his eyes tightly to beckon his mother to his side.
Maria looked to the heavens with a long sigh as she wondered what she'd done with her life to be stuck like this on that warm November morning. Where was Altaïr so she could summon a thunderstorm to electrocute him? No, that would leave Darim without a father figure and the man wasn't that bad to deserve that. The crying hurt her ears and pinched at the back of her head in an impending headache because her son had lungs that could break glass. Bashir hadn't believed her until Darim became fussy during babysitting time and his voice shattered one of his nearby beakers. She tried to overcome her son's volume with her own voice as she reassured, "Just give mother ten minutes, please? I promise to let you crawl all over the place if you just let me finish."
Her little one wasn't hearing it and Maria had to decide whether to continue or let the laundry pile up for another day. She hadn't anticipated how much of a pooping machine babies were and the smell from the diapers were strong enough to knock out a person. Deciding to head home, she pulled out the white cloth from the water but stopped when Darim's sobbing suddenly stopped. Her instinct led her to pull out a knife from the cloth belt around her waist to face whatever had quieted her son. Only an animal or a human presence would elicit that reaction and Maria would protect her little one at all cost.
"Put the knife down, everyone can hear him at the village" Ilias instructed as the quiet assassin's approach had cheered up the little infant and his chubby hands reached out for him. He had heard the piercing sobbing down the road while he'd done his usual perimeter checks in the early morning and recognized Darim's sharp notes. He'd never met a baby with such loud crying and found it oddly ironic since both of his parents were quiet. Leaning down, he grabbed the perky Darim into his arms to wipe away the lingering tears on his red cheeks. Darim merely babbled with joy to his presence and sputtered happy squeals to Ilias' coddling.
Maria sighed with relief as he turned from frustrated to happy within seconds and wondered if he'd be the same when Altaïr returned. Darim had become dearly attached to Ilias as the assassin gave her free time to relax by taking him throughout Masyaf to explore. He was the only one she trusted with her son for long periods and it had become incredibly easy for Darim to latch onto him as a fatherly figure. She'd be in sticky situation when Altaïr returned but for now, sheathed her knife to smile with thanks, "One can never be too careful in the open."
"I think the only danger here is the lingering ringing in our ears" he stated with light amusement to the small boy that cooed contently in his arm. Ilias understood Maria's worry for danger but he kept a close eye on their whereabouts after being ordered to do so. Well, maybe at the start but it had become natural nowadays for him. Darim poked at the side of his drawn hood since the assassin only lowered it inside of Masyaf where his identity would be safe. Ilias smiled to his natural curiosity as his crying had faded completely and chuckled, "Do you want a hood of your own as well?"
"Gih?" Darim babbled as he blinked his large blue eyes when the older man spoke and then clapped his little hands at nothing in particular.
"Finish your laundry, I will keep him company" Ilias suggested since his rounds around the village usually saw her heading down the northern path to Masyaf at that hour. It wasn't by coincidence that he did his watches during the time she washed her clothes since the two had become a normal part of his life for the past year and a half. He had witnessed the strong woman become flustered by new motherhood as she grasped the new role but she handled it well as a single mother. Tickling Darim's stomach to keep him in delight, he admitted to his mother, "Frankly, I'm finding myself bored because everything is rather peaceful now. I suppose I should enjoy it so I will not mind keeping Darim occupied whenever you require it, even if you might not think so."
"Ilias, thank you for standing by me through everything" she stated softly for his kindness because nobody else had displayed the same. He had a mild-mannered and sophisticated air about him that always set him aside from the others as he kept to himself. His calm disposition was a welcome difference from Altaïr's intense dedication to run around the world without stop and his patience was immense. She wasn't the type to need someone beside her and while she rebuffed Altaïr, she didn't have that desire with Ilias. He gave her the space she needed and was there whenever she asked it of him so it was a perfect partnership- that is, if she thought in that manner, which she wasn't. She would never be ungrateful for his helping hand since her arrival and admitted truthfully, "I've had my sour moments but truly, I appreciate your efforts. You are my first friend in a long time after numerous bad decisions."
"There's nothing wrong with asking for help, Maria" he reminded amicably since he'd discovered early on that she tackled things head-on rather than asking for aid. She nodded quietly since she tended to do so when she was at wit's end and decided to work on that. It was her innate need to maintain her safety (and now, Darim's) that kept her from reaching out to anyone but she had someone to count on now. Ilias used his free hand to touch his fingertips to his chest and promised, "I am here for you."
"Because of Altaïr's orders?" she asked with a dull tone because she often wondered if he stayed by her side for her sake or Altaïr's. The two were longtime friends and that loyalty could have him waving goodbye to her once he returned. She agreed that Altaïr deserved every lost minute with their son but he wasn't the one she wanted beside her.
Ilias blinked with surprise because his orders hadn't risen since their first week together and he stated openly, "No, I'm here because I want to be. Otherwise, I would not be holding another man's child."
Maria's azure gaze met his brown hue to the sincerity of his words and her thinned lips broke into a warm smile. He would stand by her side through thick and thin then? She wrung the wet diaper between her hands as she cast aside her defensive warrior shield for the fretful new mother that she was and asked tentatively, "Even when Altaïr returns?"
He paused for a moment because they had naturally settled into a camaraderie revolving around Darim. The infant boy kept binding them through the weeks and although he didn't know what Altaïr would ask of Maria when he returned, she'd admitted that she held no inkling to be with him. All he could do to maintain a safety net with her that wouldn't risk disloyalty to either party was to state simply, "Only if you ask it of me."
"I do" she replied swiftly without hesitation and grabbed another article of soiled clothing from the basket. Dipping it into the cold river, her smile widened to the simple words that he'd uttered to brighten her day and she spoke with feminine delight in her voice, "I've never been surer of anything."
"Aga-goo!" Darim chirped sweetly at having his two favorite people beside him and waved his little hands with joy.
A few days after the boat captains declared cyclone season over, Altaïr burst into Vivian's room unannounced with loud and thunderous steps. The wild grin he wore on his usually frowning face would've given immediate heart attacks. She had absolutely no idea what had happened and hoped nobody had been stabbed along the way. Thankfully, it was just an update that had lifted his spirits as he declared with relieved joy, "I chartered the trip. We leave in two days!"
Their small idyllic life on the coast of Mozambique had come to an end and it was time to continue onwards.
"Get ready for a lack of bathing, rationed food, and flooring as a bed" Vivian murmured lethargically for their new adventure and wondered how Malik would react when he returned home from work. Being accustomed to a sedentary life after becoming a dai, his disguise in Quelimane had become natural for him and he fit perfectly into his character. Neither of them wanted to relinquish that for the harshness of the outside world but saving the world took priority.
"Quiet, we're finally leaving the land of fish!" Altaïr hushed with a motherly nag that caused her to smile but it faltered as she watched him strut around happily. In another situation, she would've been grinning madly to practically see him prancing from joy but this was a bittersweet moment. She knew what awaited her at the end of the Madagascar road and dreaded walking down that path. It was only natural, right? Her life had become ideal for the first time since living in his time and she feared disturbing that illusion. He caught the apprehensive look on her face because she wasn't joining in his celebration and asked slowly, "What is it?"
Her shoulders slumped as their lives in Quelimane had been wonderfully pleasant without danger and she'd fallen into a routine where life was normal. She wasn't ready to give that up for the harsh world outside of the town and what awaited her. She crossed her arms to compensate for the aching dullness settling into her chest and admitted sullenly, "I grew to love our time here, there was no danger and we've all become family. I . . . if Isis was correct and this next location can be my trip home . . . I wanted to add a few days before I lose all of this. I want to go home but the thought of waking up without seeing Malik with his books or you preparing a catch . . . it is going to be excruciating for me."
Her brow furrowed as her feelings struggled in an internal maelstrom and she confided with uncertainty, "I should be happy to leave here to return home but the friendships I've formed here . . . I don't want them to be dreams. I know life will be safer on the other side but part of me craves this life for the memories alone. I. . ."
Her voice trailed off as it trembled to echo her fears about returning home and losing them in the process. There was no win-win situation and she tried to calm her breathing as she admitted weakly, "I'm scared and torn about all of this. Everything is so confusing again . . . I'm not ready to face it."
He closed the door to maintain privacy and drew her by the arms to hug her close. Her fingertips clutched his shoulder blades with an unvoiced need for support and Altaïr used one hand to rub circles over her back. The other cradled her head to lend the same sympathy she offered when he was at his lowest and Vivian drew strength from it. She didn't want to lose her grumpy assassin when he'd become a dear friend and huddled closer to bask against him like a kitten.
"We still have a few days here" he reminded helpfully but her crestfallen expression slapped him in the face with reminder that she was destined to leave them at one point. He hated feeling selfish but he wanted her to stay with them because she had become a part of their life- his life, more importantly. He'd never been much for displaying affection but she stirred a painful twinge inside him every time her face crinkled with sadness. It was an expression that she should never wear and he held her tightly to assure everything would be fine. She deserved to go home to her loved ones since her existence wasn't voluntary and he could only offer comfort. Speaking his mind on the matter wouldn't help either of them because he wasn't a neutral party but suggested gently, "We can go on that small boat trip around the sea, for old time's sake."
Her fingers dug into the soft tunic he wore, knowing that gesture would soon fade as well, and she agreed gingerly, "That . . . would be splendid."
"There aren't predators about out there if I happen to fall out?" he asked for added security because being mauled was not going to make his day better. He cared for Vivian but he wouldn't die for her unless he needed to in a tense situation. Sharks were definitely not on that list unless they were heading towards her. She chuckled fondly, assuring she'd keep him safe from the big bad ocean. Now that brought a smile to his face since she could hardly lift him when he was dead asleep.
Her hands moved from his shoulders to settle on his forearms and she murmured faintly, "I'm going to miss you. You've become more than what I originally thought of you before I landed here."
She wouldn't delve deeper than that because a Band-Aid held the growing fracture on the dam holding back her feelings and squeezed his arms. He was going to make a lot of people proud, whether they acknowledged it or not, and he'd always be her hero. How could he not after being rescued from sticky situations? Not to mention, surviving from all the sassy remarks she spouted during their early weeks. Her brow furrowed at the painful thought of never hearing, seeing, and touching him again. She said nothing when his lips descended onto hers, embracing him close and Altaïr relished that she didn't downright refuse him. He kept the kiss fairly innocent but when he tried to sneak past her teeth, she broke away and stated, "I told you-"
"Would you rather leave here knowing the truth or guessing what could've been-" he interrupted as he encircled her hips with his arms to keep her from running off and she closed her eyes with a small frown. He was not letting her escape this easily after yearning to squeeze in another private moment with her. She stiffened in his grasp as he pulled her close and he tried again, "Vivian-"
"The 'could've been's' are the ones that'll ruin you" she pointed out worriedly because she wanted him to live a long productive life of Templar ass kicking. Moving him even an inch from his path could have serious repercussions and she needed him to understand that. He was insistent on creating his own path where his word was law but she couldn't make him see that she couldn't be included in that. If she was, everything would crumble and his future could be thrown into chaos.
His nose brushed against hers in a sensual touch to lessen her fussing and he stated matter-of-factly, "Stupid choices can sometimes be the best. I wasn't going to bring you on this trip, remember?"
She aimed a deadpan stare for his example of choice and replied dryly with sharp wit, "And do you see how that ended up? That's not the strongest argument for you at this moment."
He smirked with amusement to her fussy tone as he shot back he wasn't complaining about their current predicament and her features smoothed to return a fond smile. Why did his words have an immediate therapeutic waterfall effect on her? Her fingers trailed over the edges of his lowered gray hood (there really were times he resembled a turtle more than an eagle) and he trailed kisses along her jawline before nipping down the side of her neck. He found success in luring a kiss from his historian when he added the third to her throat and she cupped his face in her hands to return it wholeheartedly. With Vivian, he realized, the first move had to be initiated on his part for reciprocation and hoped his awkward trial-and-error method worked. He found it easier when women reached out for a kiss (a complete reversal of tradition) because then, he wouldn't second guess himself.
"It's easy to take the wrong choice but it takes strength to do the right" she whispered faintly as she grasped the front of his robes and closed her eyes for a moment. Her contemplation clearly told him she was ready to reject him once more but he wasn't going to allow it. The original right choice of his life had twisted into the wrong road as time passed and he'd found a deeper connection with the one standing before him. He tried to meet her lips to wipe away those bothersome thoughts but a shift in the angle of her head stopped him as she objected firmly, "I can't blur those lines-"
"For all you know, your presence could be the right choice that could lend an advantage" he put forward since the woman constantly saw herself as the trespasser and tried to keep him at bay. They felt strongly for one another so it wasn't unrequited but that little badger was stubbornly righteous- always had been (a trait he admired). He tried to shift the negative perspective into a positive and reasoned with the hardheaded historian, "Have you ever thought that maybe you were placed here to change something in this era that didn't fit into the entire original puzzle? Maybe changing the picture is their idea! If they can see and alter time at their fingertips, what is to stop them from altering what they've already discovered? For all we know, we fail and this is their redo of history."
"I will not be a Sue demon! I . . . I. . ." she snapped outrageously to the heinous thought of altering events but faltered at a comeback. She didn't know anything concrete on those beings and making assumptions could be costly due to the lack of evidence. She couldn't impose that she was correct but at the same time, couldn't believe Altaïr's theory either. She placed her fingers on her temples as numerous questions flooded her mind and didn't want to acknowledge those that arose from his reasoning.
"There are facts from your world that never came to pass here so you should not yield a strong grip on those beliefs" he justified sharply and she gaped as he brought that pivotal point to surface. Yes, there were certain things that had been altered but that didn't mean that his path wouldn't follow 'digital' Altaïr's. She was adamant to stick to what she'd seen because the majority of the timeline was intact. If Malik hated his guts, Maria was still his enemy, Al Mualim ran off with the Apple, and Altaïr remained arrogant- then she would've cast the timeline aside. He wasn't letting her slide with her logic because he wanted her in his arms and stated, "Those beings hold powers that neither of us can comprehend and we can only trust in each other to find a way to build a better future."
"A future for the assassins would mean walking that road" she disagreed because having Desmond find the Apple was the key to everything in the franchise, even though she didn't know what it was for. For all she knew, he'd become a badass assassin to match his ancestors and be the next Luke Skywalker for the order. She'd been gone from her time for such a long period that she didn't know what had happened after the second game and the novel based on Altaïr's life. Oh, she cursed herself for reading that blasted thing!
"They are already fractured and if I can gather those fractured pieces to prevent it here, right now, I will" he argued her logic because he could take preventative steps to make a better world for them. She'd arrived in his world for unknown reasons and he couldn't find a better one than weaving together a new improved one for their order. For a woman that often thought outside of the box, she was rooting herself inside the box with a blindfold on! He wanted to shake her madly until common sense returned to that sharp mind of hers and sighed exasperatedly, "Vivian, why must you make this difficult-"
"Because I'm scared that I'm ruining your future with each word" she replied frankly because he needed to be lamenting over Maria, not her. Why couldn't the ex-Templar have been in Masyaf and come along for the trip when they left? It would've been so much easier to ignore him and he would've had googly eyes only for her. She wanted to smack him over the head repeatedly for his stubbornness and growled with annoyance, "I wish you would just listen and stop trying to break apart my words with your own logic."
And just like that, Altaïr realized they were both enraged goats butting into the same wall on opposite sides.
"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. Why couldn't he just admit defeat in this? 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 platter 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 Vivian 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 quickly with sincerity for the sarcastic defense that served as her last shield. Lying, silence, sarcasm, and evasion 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 agreeably, "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. He forgot that she could be quite daring in private as she was in public and was left speechless for a few seconds. 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."
She raised an eyebrow to this because he was the first to dive in for a kiss while she ran away like a chicken with its head cut off. What brought this on? She shook her head and leaned down to kiss the center of brow before lying down next to him like a faithful feline. They'd never laid together in an innocent fashion to relax as their tendencies to argue about their feelings usually lead to a kissing session. For once, she wanted to experience the calming mood of that affection and draped an arm over his chest to remain comfy. His left hand weaved into her loose hair to brush through the raven locks as he gazed down at her to admit openly, "I'm awkwardly inexperienced at charming women and I'm still grasping the basics from kissing to. . .other."
Vivian tried not to blush at that part and he laid out his past like an open book, "My previous experiences have always been more physical than talkative. It shouldn't be much of a surprise given my personality. My actions always speak for me but in our case, there isn't agreement on your part and I resort to my least favored forms of communication- talking."
"You hate talking" she chuckled softly with an empathetic smile and leaned over to offer a light kiss on his lips. He didn't push forward for anything more to maintain respect but he mumbled out an agreement. He did, however, lower her hood to comb his fingers through her unruly hair to style it in his own manner. The pad of her thumb grazed the bottom of his chin as she met his gaze without bashfulness and admitted, "I can see why you've been vocal with me about this but although experience is gained, instinct hasn't gone wrong with our species because here we are. And I . . . will show you, my perceptive eagle."
She grasped his face to meet his lips for a gentle kiss to test his comfort zone, lightly nipping his top lip before wedging hers between both of his. It was a sweet token that she'd wanted to give every time he sought her but wasn't able to. She would fall in love with him in a heartbeat if she could but fate ordered her not to. She chuckled softly when he murmured in between their kiss with halfhearted distaste as he focused entirely on her, "Definitely hate talking."
Five minutes came and went as they threw out the count with each playful jab leading elsewhere. Whenever she poked his ego with innocent humor, he led their dance by stirring laughter from the witty badger. By the ten minute marker, Vivian laid underneath him with both legs entangled around his right to balance their height differences while he draped over her and a pillow for comfort. His left arm and head rested on the pillow for the moment while she held his right with both hands. She kept his arm from delving to her left side since it held one of nature's weak points and chuckled nervously, "Five minute rule: ticklish areas are off limits."
He stilled from attempting a sneak attack on her ticklish sides and compromised with a soft kiss to the nape of her neck. Vivian toes curled instinctively to the sensation as she whimpered contently and he smiled to her peaceful expression. Her fingers trailed over the infamous scar on his lips as he withdrew from her and she smiled to modify her rule, "Five minute rule: previous rule is exempt if the other party admits his own."
He shook his head and her playful smile widened to the idea of finding a ticklish spot on the famous assassin. Altaïr, however, squashed her hopes when he clarified that he really didn't and proceeded to scratch his left side to prove it. Her body went flax in disappointment as she became the poster child for the stereotypical commoner to his invulnerability. She puckered her bottom lip comically as she became a tiny ant once more and sighed pitifully, "I forget you're physically perfect- well, minus the left ring finger. Still, that single mighty finger had a lot more talent than all of me."
"Five minute rule: those missing appendages earn two extra minutes" he stated quickly to seize their private moment for all it was worth and drew her close for an open mouth kiss. One hand brushed along his cheek while the other intertwined their fingers and he decided that whether he was an awful kisser or not, he was comfortable being the man he was. The lack of emotional conversation but meaningful action sufficed and with Vivian's emotional fortress, it suited both parties. He enjoyed her short gentle nips on his lips between kisses and whether she wanted to acknowledge it or not, he had made his choice of her quite a while ago.
Her eyes opened to focus on their linked hands, emphasizing on his missing ring finger, and she asked softly, "How did you bear losing it? It could've become infected or given you nerve damage-"
"You sacrifice many things for the greater good" he stated quietly but it was the type of pain he didn't want to undergo ever again in his life. He explained the proudest moment of his young life as he was full of promise (and bravado) but locked away any fear or nervousness that day. Weakness would not be tolerated by his personality nor did he want to appear as a disappointment to Al Mualim. Some students whimpered, others cried or yelled out, but he merely thinned his lips and bit down hard on his bottom lip to disassociate the pain. True, it bled similarly to the new gaping wound on his hand but he'd stood upright that day. His gaze briefly left hers as he locked away his assassin personality once more and contemplated, "It is not an experience I would want to relive but what can I do for younger generations?"
"Find a way to change old unneeded traditions? Alternatives?" she suggested gently as she avoided telling him outright about changing the rules of society within their order. He had already begun working with Malik to change the hidden blade to prevent self-mutilation for the sake of commitment and they were heading in a good direction. His face shifted in uncertainty due to their old ways but she kissed the bottom of his chin to reassure, "You'll find an answer, I know you will. Despite the assassin life being all you've ever known, you are a brilliant man and can achieve anything you set your mind to. I've seen what you're capable of here and in my own realm. Don't doubt yourself for a single second."
Altaïr was never one to speak about his successes or qualities publicly but privately, it was a different story. Vivian's toes curled to the passionate kiss he delivered and she returned the same gusto as she embraced him tightly. Her fingers buried into his silky hair as she grasped his brown locks to continue their tongue tango and felt the same need on his end when he drew her closer by the shoulders. She could easily become lost in their passion induced haze but she managed to pry herself away for a second to remind, "You have enough practice, eagle man. Otherwise, you'll be heading towards a world's best record and you hold too many already."
"Why do you keep evading me, little falcon?" he whispered faintly as he delivered chaste kisses over her lips and gripped her by the waist to keep her close. She attempted to draw him into a kiss to avoid the topic altogether but he copied one of her moves by angling his head. He wasn't letting her escape that answer so easily because he knew now just how much she desired him. A coy blush and tightlipped kiss was nothing compared to the open mouth kisses and exploratory hands that Vivian unleashed as she became quite the animated lover.
"I'm a badger, remember?" she scoffed with a cheeky smile since the animal had become endearingly fitting to her. No other made sense in her mind after a year of being called that fluff ball of doom and it was his name for her. She wouldn't dream of being anything else and reminded him with a lecturing wag of her finger, "Feisty and witty to the end?"
"For now" he smirked with a secret twinkle in his eyes that caused hers to narrow in suspicion. Oh no, she was staying as the badger for a long time and nobody would take that title from her. He chuckled to her ruffled appearance as she'd grown shrewdly perceptive over the year and jested with a small grin, "Hmm, you really are a badger."
She laughed to his comment and embraced him close, relishing that private moment of freedom between them. The stress from keeping everything bottled up had lowered as they basked in their hidden affection temporarily. Even if she had to keep him at bay forcefully afterwards, she agreed that his idea helped to do so. It was easier to taste the forbidden fruit and cast it aside than scratching her brain without ever trying it. He dotted kisses along her cheek to lure another kiss from her end and teased her about luring grumpy eagles to her amorous burrow. Vivian replied that the eagle was more than welcome to leave but that only fueled him further to deepen their kiss. He wasn't about to let her escape his clutches that easily but Vivian put a stop to it a minute later.
"We have to stop, our invisible timer ran out more than fifteen minutes ago" she informed quietly with an apologetic look and traced a finger down the start of his nose to his cupid's bow. He tried to divert extra time by diving in for another kiss but Vivian moved her head to the side, giving him a face full of hair in rebuttal. His groan of complaint brought her laughter as she combed her hair away before he ingested any of it and kissed his cheek in restitution, chuckling that hair wasn't evil. Her fingers ran through his brown hair to gently scratch his scalp in affection as she mused playfully, "I think you'd look quite handsome with long luxurious hair-"
"I'm not an Italian bachelor" he interrupted with a disgusted grimace to the idea because he'd resemble the man if he did. If she was trying to say that his descendant was handsomer, he was going to keep her in the room for more than an hour. He was born a Syrian man and he'd die looking like a handsome Syrian man. She laughed to his apparent distaste (oh, if only she could show him how similar they appeared) and scooted to the left so she could sit up and call their five- more like ten- minute session over. His left hand grasped her right to keep her from leaving hastily without a glance back and he asked tentatively, "If I wasn't the hero in this tale and my future was uncertain, would you have chosen me?"
She squeezed his hand between both of hers to comfort him before planting a soft kiss on his lips. Her gaze softened as she gazed at the handsome man she could've called hers had he been born a different person and smiled coyly, "In a heartbeat . . . and I would've rocked your world."
He blinked to the latter jargon as she hid her feelings within her vocabulary and she sighed with feigned solemnity, "Another joke lost to the wind. Our spawn would've shamed the world with awful humor meant for another time, you know. Alas, I am not meant to canoodle with an assassin's noodle."
For the first time, he understood her euphemism perfectly and cleared his throat awkwardly to the, um, very tempting idea. Vivian's face reddened when she caught the quiet shift in expression because he had been awful at deciphering her jokes up until now. Leave it to her rotten luck that he would nab his first one in such close quarters with her. Her fingers left his to wring together to the sudden snafu she'd fallen into and she asked nervously, "You, uh, understood that one, didn't you?"
"It's hard not to, Vivian . . . because I would let you canoodle" he answered truthfully in regards to her offhanded joke and he smiled when a girlish squeak left her throat. When the tips of her ears reddened at realizing he was not kidding in the slightest, Vivian decided to use the neck of her own tunic to pull it over her head to resemble a quivering turtle. Was it possible to burst out of existence at that very moment? How was she supposed to react to that kind of reply? Altaïr pulled the tunic back down to its original position to reveal a flustered red faced Vivian as she managed a weak smile to her shabby escape attempt.
There were times he didn't know whether coy Vivian or feisty Vivian lured him the most with her endearing antics. He drew her into an embrace as she murmured that he was pulling her away from her invisible burrow for amorous 'snu-snu' (whatever that was) and he chuckled softly to her feigned frown. He buried his nose against the crook of her neck to inhale her familiar scent and felt her fingertips gently scrape down the back of his own. The sensation was wonderful as a shiver trailed down his spine and he squeezed her tightly to mumble against her skin, "You tantalizing little badger."
Vivian wished her earnest that her counterpart would be waiting in her own time because the passing days kept making Altaïr that choice. He was her opposite in personality but their core beliefs were the same and that allure only increased. Her days began and ended with him so there was no way for her to work around that- if she did, he followed.
"I don't regret bringing you on this journey but I will returning you home" he stated softly and lavished her with one last kiss to leave her breathless. If this was to be his last kiss of the week, he would make it one worthy for the long road ahead. His ears and pride were delighted to hear the lightest groan as she held onto his hand (feeling a tighter grip) and he ended their kiss. He heard her mumble that he had a way with words, among other things, and he mused, "Your nagging might have rubbed off but I won't be speaking the same way with anybody else."
"True, you're nitpicky when it comes to socializing" she grinned cheekily to his natural frown towards others and his tendency to isolate himself like a hermit crab. Instead of fussing about the fact, he offered a carefree grin as he basked in it and Vivian erupted in laughter to the rare sight. When had he ever smirked like a proud peacock for being deemed socially awkward?
"I have you, why would I need anybody else?" he pointed out with a confident smirk and she shook her head with amusement to his private personality. Altaïr could care less about what strangers thought of him but he'd definitely try to socialize more with his fellow assassins. He wished to have Vivian in his life because she would've helped figure out conversation starters for him that didn't begin with 'how's the weather?' or anything else as appalling. Vivian tried her best not to imitate the Pillsbury doughboy at that delightful comment and heard him mutter in afterthought, "All right, you and Malik but that's where I draw the limit."
She released his hand with a warm chuckle to leave the bed and Altaïr restrained from pouting at ending their private moment. Was it possible to kick destiny in the rear end? Vivian scuttled off to find the nearest outer robe she could slap on over her current outfit to maintain a respectful feminine appearance in public. He watched the wardrobe change with curiosity as she quickly styled her hair into a low ponytail under her hood to appear presentable. Each little action would have to be remembered because in the end, memories would be all that he'd be left with. She beckoned him with her hand to get their show on the road and smiled cheerfully, "Let's go on that boat ride. We can race across the beach to see who can row the farthest and the winner gets a free supper."
"Why, Vivian, thank you for offering" he smirked smugly since his endurance outmatched hers and she stepped over his left foot as she headed for the bedroom door. His toes throbbed to the sudden weight but it was nothing compared to other injuries and he scoffed to her petty attack, "A sore toe won't stop me, woman."
"Vivian Shore is no quitter either" she shot back playfully and held the door open to apologize for stepping over his foot. As feisty as she could be, she would never be rude unless it was called for. Altaïr merely flicked her right ear with his fingers as he passed by and she gently poked the center of his back in return. Closing the door, Altaïr sighed mentally in lament that he wouldn't be returning there to bathe his little partner in kisses. Their days were numbered now and had to cherish each one before reaching Madagascar.
Vivian had expected the end of the wet season to bring the least storms but one tropical storm burst in three days before their departure. The entire port was drenched in rain from dawn until dusk as the last storm of the season bared over them with its hardest strikes. Altaïr had never been a fan of thunder but the loud clashes in the sky unnerved him as the ones from Lake Victoria paled in comparison. He and Vivian resembled wary cats the whole time since the wooden roof had shaken every once in a while under the storm's strength. The first hours had gone by smoothly as they helped with indoor chores or read under the dim light that peered in through the cracks. Once the sun set above the thick cloud cover, Altaïr paced relentlessly around the first floor until Malik ordered him to sit down to calm his restlessness.
Not being accustomed to a sedentary lifestyle, Altaïr tried to lure the dai into a game of checkers that he'd crafted from Vivian's descriptions. During their days in camp, she had taught him the game and he found it enjoyable to wind down. He had kept pushing the wooden board nonchalantly towards his friend but Malik had become invested in filling small metal bottles with black ink for the trip ahead. Between all three of them, they wasted more than three bottles a month from all of their journal writings. Malik was certain they would have an encyclopedia of handwritten books by the end of their journey-
"Would you control yourself?" he intervened when Altaïr's wooden checker board nudged his hand and almost spilled his ink. He was almost tempted to splash the entire board in black ink but he wasn't that cruel to ruin his friend's game. Altaïr had a tendency to wear people down to do what he wanted but Malik was not the type to break. The assassin scowled as he was rejected for the fifth time and slumped in his seat, pushing away his small checkerboard in distaste. Malik paid him no attention because he knew the man would grab it again within two minutes and lectured, "Don't resemble a child, Altaïr. You're twenty-eight years old, not five."
Altaïr left the table to simmer down his annoyance because it was his own restlessness that stirred his emotions. Malik muttered under his breath that he'd play a game after he finished his task to comfort his friend since he wasn't that cruel to ignore him. The caged assassin pocketed the reminder and made his way to the last member of their group as she fiddled with a silver necklace. One of the little emerald stones had fallen off the round pendant and Vivian was trying her best to glue it back next to the candlelight. It was the only trinket to follow her and with it being an heirloom, she wasn't going to risk losing anything belonging to her deceased mother. The tip of her tongue stuck out comically from the side of her lips as she pressed the round flat stone against the silver metal and her eyes were narrowed to match her concentration.
"Vivian, I'm bored" he muttered despondently as he plopped down across from her and almost blew out the candle's flame from the force. Her green eyes opened to their fullest as he snapped her out of her task and deadpanned to his words. How many times had he done this over the past year? When Malik denied him of his wishes, he always slinked back to her to try his luck once more. Whether it was for food, leisure, or ranting, she was his rock for comfort.
She was tempted to try Malik's tactic but the part that held fondness for him demanded to comfort the flustered eagle. Besides, he was there to seek support from her and she would abide him. Placing her necklace on the table to dry the glue, she raised an eyebrow and asked softly with light amusement, "And how am I to help?"
Vivian realized early on that Altaïr wasn't one to verbalize his needs unless they were in private and guessing was half the battle with him. When he eyed the wooden checkerboard that he'd discarded, Vivian withheld a sigh of disbelief and amusement to his grumpy nature. She decided to take the direct attempt this time rather than pacify him by enabling him further and asked gently, "Altaïr, why couldn't you just ask me? I don't bite."
"I'm . . . not used to asking . . . and I can't demand without sounding imposing" he stated uncertainly to the root of his tendency to tiptoe around his wants and pretended to be fascinated with a stain. If that wasn't a perfect textbook example of avoidance behavior, Vivian didn't know what was. He could order around his assassins due to his higher rank but when it came to being a normal man without the assassin affiliation attached, his demeanor shifted. He didn't want to be cold or arrogant in his social interactions and quietly admitted, "I demanded a lot from you last year and my assassins for even longer- I don't want to return to that. I'd rather have you fuss and tell me whether I'm right or wrong than sound condescending."
She smiled to his confession because he wasn't rude to her in the slightest and encouraged gently, "Just ask with a calm voice and you'll have an answer. There's nothing wrong with asking and if you keep tiptoeing around everything when it doesn't concern your profession, we'll be at this guessing game for hours."
Malik sighed from behind them to the toughest puzzle in the past year and groaned, "Ugh, that dreadful sock incident. All you had to do was ask and it would've spared us two hours from figuring out you needed socks."
"And have Vivian mad at me?" Altaïr shot back since Vivian made his socks by hand and he appreciated that kindness. Losing them had been embarrassing enough but asking her to find them for him was mortifying because he hadn't wanted to upset her. It would've been rude to ask her to find something she'd made for him.
Malik was one hand away from face palming at his logic and pointed out with emphasis, "I was mad at you by the end of it all."
"But that's an everyday occurrence" Altaïr reasoned offhandedly and Malik resisted from chucking his ink bottle at the man's head. No, the ink was worth more and he could find something else that was cheaper to do so later at night. Vivian couldn't help but laugh to their banter and the sound deafened the high winds banging against the small inn. She missed spending relaxed days like this as their lives in Quelimane took away the long hours they'd normally had together while traveling. The brotherly banter between the two always brought a smile to her face and their separate lives in the town had decreased much of their daily interaction.
"Give me the board and I'll play with you, you awkward little eagle" she chuckled softly to make him happy and keep his focus away from the storm. He'd already yelped once in surprise when a bolt of lightning had illuminated the inn so she needed him occupied. Otherwise, he'd drive Malik insane and they couldn't have that.
Altaïr tried to downplay her comment with an indifferent expression but he treasured the warmth in her voice with it. His fingertips briefly brushed against hers purposely as he stood up and left to retrieve his handmade checkerboard. Vivian tried to keep her cheeks from betraying her and smiled into her hands as she pretended to warm them.
The rain had slowly decreased but the high winds followed into the night as they screamed against the tightly locked inn. Supper had been small but the trio kept themselves entertained with Altaïr's checkerboard as they decided to make a tournament out of it. The master assassin was eliminated first and became the unofficial commentator whenever Vivian and Malik made a move. Most of the time, however, he just stated what the one losing pieces should've done. This quickly led to him having said pieces flung at him in protest by both. He had expected Vivian to win since she had been the one to introduce the game to them but when Malik eliminated her, he'd been ready to cry blasphemy. Vivian, however, had merely cooed that her student had become a master and applauded her friend for winning.
The lack of people wandering the town and the cold settling in from the storm sent everyone scrambling to bed earlier than usual. Altaïr, however, remained downstairs to master the game of checkers because he absolutely hated being ranked number three. Malik and Vivian had gone to bed for an hour before he grew tired of playing alone because it held no challenge. He had folded his checkerboard to prevent losing the pieces and headed upstairs with a candle in hand to quietly grab a book from his bedroom. Unlike Malik, it took him quite a while to fall asleep due to the normal stress in his life and often read to lull him into it.
He had barely stepped onto the second floor of the inn when he heard loud banging and flinched to the sharp echoing sound. Normally, he would let that resolve itself because carrying a candle and a hidden blade didn't fill him with enough confidence. When the noise continued, he pinpointed the origin from a particular room that housed a certain little historian and his protectiveness shoved his apprehension aside. Uncertain or not, he had to check on Vivian! What if someone had burst into her room undetected? What if an animal had crawled in? What if she'd fallen and couldn't get up- wait, that one made no sense whatsoever.
Knocking on the door, he hoped she would answer before anyone awoke from the noise. The howling wind bearing down on them, however, made it a bit unlikely since the cold weather made anyone sleepy. He wouldn't have paid it any mind if he hadn't heard the underlying banging noise and just as he was ready to bash in her door, it opened. Instead of meeting a frightened Vivian, her face showed calm relief to see him as her wavy hair had puffed to resemble wool around her head while her sleeping tunic hung off one slender shoulder. She pulled him inside by the arm with haste before the noise woke anyone and sighed to ramble worriedly, "The window burst open while I was sleeping and I'm having one hell of a time closing it."
The open window held two wooden panes that closed it against the elements with a wooden latch over both. Unfortunately, the strong wind had rattled against the wood until the latch popped open and gusts of cold air had spilled into the small room. Vivian had been trying her best to shut the panes but when she managed to pin one down, the other was a struggle. She couldn't do it alone, especially with her short arm span, and thanked her lucky stars that one of her friends had come to help.
Altaïr didn't waste any time in pushing back one of the panes (after placing his handy candle somewhere safe) and Vivian took care of the other as she shifted her weight against her shoulder. Living in Berkeley, she'd never expected storms like this since regular downpours or thunderstorms were the common occurrence. This is why she avoided traveling near Florida or hurricane-prone areas for fear of her safety but it seemed life alongside Altaïr brought a thunderstorm of danger. The two slid the panes back against the windowsill as the wind screamed against the wood and Altaïr quickly bolted it down with the latch to lock it into place. Vivian quickly handed him a leather tie that she had retrieved from her drawers before his arrival and Altaïr wrapped it around the prongs holding the latch in place.
She could only watch his strength outmatch hers as he managed to lock the window in less than two minutes while she'd been struggling for five. Her breath was heavy and erratic from the cold that had seeped into her skin from trying to close either pane without any avail. She'd been having such a good dream about her days working in the museum back home until the loud banging woke her. Altaïr leaned against the window to make sure it wouldn't pop open unexpectedly and looked to Vivian to assess her safety.
"Thank you for helping me" she shivered with chattering teeth from the lingering cold and rubbed her arms to bring back warmth. Vivian grabbed the nearest blanket at the end of her bed to wrap around it around herself as every bone in her body shook. Jumping out of bed like a jackrabbit had not been the best idea and now she felt like a wet cat left out in the rain. Altaïr had to rub his hands to bring back lost body heat and grasped her shoulders to make sure she was all right. The night would endure high winds and he didn't want to return to find her as a frozen statue. He didn't want her catching her death from that gusty wind with sprinkling rain but she assured with chattering teeth, "I-I-I'll be okay."
"You aren't very convincing" he stated dryly to her shivering and she chuckled softly while rubbing warmth into her arms. She grabbed the small candle lantern that she'd placed on the table beside the window to place it on a stool next to her bed for better lighting. The 12th century had worst lighting than the 19th century and Vivian could safely say nighttime was her least favorite time. She placed her cold hands over the glass and reminded herself to check the docks every day for merchants that sold kerosene lamps from the Middle East. Altaïr shook his head from behind her as he watched her nonverbal behavior contradict her words and stated simply, "Don't be afraid to speak up your mind concerning fears or weaknesses. I won't judge you for needing help, Vivian."
"I . . . I don't want to be seen as weak" she murmured faintly about her faults in the field of strength because being needy was shameful in her book. He'd taught her to be self-sufficient and be strong in the face of danger but there were many obstacles against her. She wasn't strong due to her size, agility could only take her so far, and she'd tried to tackle things head-on to show herself she had a chance. Her fingers curled around the blanket as she admitted openly, "You're a man I respect and needing constant vigilance is not the way to earn it. If anything, I'll hinder your concentration and become a burden. A man like you needs someone by his side that he can depend on in all aspects, not someone that needs rescue-"
"I have no problem being needed" Altaïr answered easily to wipe away her insecurities and brushed back tendrils of hair behind her ear. She had become a common part of his life for the past year and he wouldn't part with her for anything in the world. The only time he considered her a burden were during their first weeks together but even then, it was more of his own making than hers. He grasped her blanket covered shoulders to squeeze them in support and whispered gently, "You've proven yourself to me time after time and I will provide strength where you can't. All you have to do is ask, Vivian."
She smiled with gratitude for his generosity but on the inside, she was a bashful flower for requiring aid when they were in a safe town. It was impossible to be Wonder Woman but Vivian liked to think she could pinch off a tiny dab now that she knew basic defense. Nonetheless, she considered him sweet for offering the rare calling card of an assassin at her beckon and murmured, "Thank you."
"It is no problem" he said softly since he wanted her safe by his side and cupped her cheek to admit, "I'd never let anything happen to you, never in a hundred years."
Her lips parted to speak but he leaned over to capture them with his own, enveloping her for a warm kiss that sent shivers down her spine. Their lips were cold from the air that had rushed in from the storm and it only increased the sensation with their varied temperatures. The warm tingling of his breath against her cold lips was marvelous and her thirst for heat conservation sought more. As alluring as he was, she didn't hesitate to voice when she pulled away to breathe into her lungs, "Alt-"
"Don't argue with me tonight, Vivian" he interrupted in a hushed whisper and although she wanted to push him away and send him back outside, she paused. Her respect for him never faltered and she cared for him like no other, protecting him even now with her blanket. After everything they'd endured, two sides were at conflict within her and the one that wanted to bask in affection was threatening to engulf rationality. It would've been far easier if he didn't feel any kind of attraction towards her so they could've maintained a platonic relationship. Instead, they were riding on a doomed ship over a tumultuous sea ready to strike an iceberg.
He didn't help matters any when he locked their gazes and requested quietly, "Agree and fall into this attraction of ours for once. Liberate yourself-"
"You're in my room in the middle of the night, I should be whacking you over the head-" she reasoned sharply but faltered when he kissed the start of her ear and he smiled in victory to hearing a defeated whimper. His little badger could fuss all she wanted but he knew she desired him just as much as he did her. She was quite the feisty being to admire as she stuck to her principles but he was winning the battle this time. Her emotions were her weakness and while she helped him to acknowledge his own rather than contain them- that would be her undoing. Vivian palms pressed against his chest in objection and she pointed out, "For impropriety, stubbornness, recklessness-"
"Trying to win your heart" he cut in matter-of-factly to run his lips down the side of her neck with small nips. Being shrewdly perceptive, he'd been able to find her most sensitive points within five minutes and would be exposing them to lure her his way.
Vivian, however, was a tough competitor as she angled her head to block his kisses and replied sternly, "With the wrong woman."
"Right woman" he shot back to ensure any of her insecurities because she was the one he wanted. Maria hadn't sought emotional ties to him since she had her own missions to undertake and he'd respected her choice (mostly because she could snap his head if he didn't). Vivian, on the other hand, cared for him but removed herself as a possibility to protect him. Who said he couldn't protect both of them? He'd protect her until the end of time if she asked him to be with her- he'd give her anything her little heart desired.
"Wrecking your future" she cut across with an exasperated sigh to his stubbornness but her heart was slowly cracking to his words. He was nothing but persistent and although she could keep up with him during arguments, he was overwhelming her. Every word she uttered had a rebuttal and when he nipped the crook of her neck, her legs almost gave out. How the hell was he figuring out her sensitive points?
"Carving a better one" he replied easily with a confident grin because she'd given him an advantage on their journey. Without her, they would've been puzzled on translating foreign languages and she managed to sneak into places that assassins would've been spotted in. It wasn't every day an assassin sang their way into a Templar stronghold and lived. She had done everything asked of her without complaint and because of that, he couldn't help but adore her. He kissed her upper lip and she uttered a small whimper of regret as he broke through her reluctance. His right hand buried itself in her fluffy hair since she failed to brush it and quickly added in, "My life wouldn't be the same without you so don't contradict me."
She was ready to hiss at his attempt to be dominant but the sound died halfway in her throat. Any other woman would've flung herself at him from the minute he spoke but this time, it was the other way around. He had deflected all of her rejections and as she huddled against him in the cold, she admitted defeat. When he murmured against her ear that she would always be his badger, she replied weakly, "I will be forever cast as 'Dumbass of the 12th Century' for agreeing with you. A million AC fans will cry in horror and kill me if they ever find out."
"Vivian, just forget about the world for once and do as you want" he chuckled softly and watched her cheeks darken as she avoided his gaze. He didn't want her to be ashamed of her emotions because he certainly wasn't and doubted that would change. Her legs weakened when he nipped the top of her ear with a delicious graze of his tongue over her skin that left her a muffling mess of whimpers from that single move alone. Why was she having such a hard time forcing her body to shove him away? Vivian wanted to slap herself silly for being drawn every time he moved or uttered a single word. Curse those handsome genetics and natural prickliness of his! His voice tore through any lingering reluctance when he whispered with a velvety tone, "Give in to this temptation, you won't be disappointed."
"Temptations usually cause chaos in the end" she reminded since there were historic tales to point that out. It was an uphill battle that she had lost already but her honor demanded to fight to the bitter end. He was a compelling delegate and Vivian doubted she could win against a grand master at this hour of the night. She tried one last time before they did something regretful and pointed out, "Did you learn nothing about the siege of Troy because of that idiot Paris?"
"Vivian, all I ask is for one night with you" he requested quietly as he cradled her head in his hands and pressed his lips to hers. She was a nervous wreck to the idea as her heart hammered away but when he kissed her . . . it faded away. Vivian wanted to believe there was nothing that could flourish from their attraction but each interaction kept forcing her to think otherwise. Each word from his lips was a droplet in a glass that was full to the brink of overflowing. He tipped the balance when he traced his fingertips down her neck and admitted openly, "I was in agony every time you stepped out of that door with that market boy and you make my day just by staying by my side. Every time you run from me when I touch you, it strikes my heart to know I can't draw you near-"
"Because you're not supposed to . . . but I wish you could" she whispered sullenly because she did want to be in his arms and frolic like all canon love interests that were lucky to earn that right. She wanted to love him through his best and worst moments to show that he mattered dearly to someone. Her fingers wrung the front of his tunic as she wished to tell him everything that dwelled in her heart but it would only worsen their situation. She was meant to admire him from afar and shook her head to sigh softly, "I . . . you know this can't end well-"
"Ask me to stay the night" he intervened as he held her close in one last brave attempt at her heart- at least, temporarily. The storm had proved a lucky break for him to nab a private moment with the woman he cared for and he would exhaust his voice until she agreed. It was a battle of wills but he was notoriously stubborn to win at all costs. However, he wouldn't lower himself to begging to pressure her into anything intimate and stated clearly, "I will never ask you again but I don't want feigned attention out of pity."
"You know why I hold back, if your path wasn't cemented-" she began shrewdly and saw his questioning stare in the candlelight's glow for the answer. Her voice trailed off as she verbally cornered herself and her hold on his tunic weakened as she took a long sigh. The howling wind and night were already covering their tracks to remain inconspicuous so she might as well be truthful for once. She allowed one piece of truth to slip from her lips as she mumbled sheepishly under her breath, "I would more than likely never walk again or see the light out of this bedroom."
The answer both surprised and pleased him to hear after endless 'no, this' and 'no, that' in regards to his feelings. It set his gnawing fears to rest about her attraction being physical for his sake and he managed a modest smile to joke lightly, "Well, I'm pretty certain you'd walk eventually."
She chuckled softly as his sense of humor rose only at her side and she asked tentatively, "Will . . . will you stay with me?"
"I'd be delighted to" he accepted sincerely without regret and assured her everything would be fine when he felt her arms shake. She was nervous to cave to his wishes but he could only reassure her everything would be fine. Why wouldn't he give her anything but a caring touch? A soft kiss to her temple eased her trembling somewhat and he smiled when her lips touched his chin to return the gesture. He felt the timidity behind it and held her closer to sooth her with a whisper, "Cast your fears aside and trust me."
"I do and that's what frightens me because each step towards you . . . hearts are very fragile things, Altaïr" she replied weakly about the effects that would leave because she had a photographic memory. Everything that would come to pass would not be erased and they would have to live with it.
"I assure you that my intentions are nothing but genuine" he insisted to banish any fear on her part but he could see that wasn't the problem. She feared having her own heart broken in the aftermath and he saw it clearly for the first time. They shared such a rare friendship and risking a fracture in it for a night of passion would devastate them. It was why she was fiercely against him to maintain that level of respect but he wanted her to know how much he treasured her. He thought of her whenever she wasn't by his side and his day couldn't begin without greeting her. His supposed future was unimportant because she became his sole focus for the night and reassured her, "Vivian, we will walk this road together and whatever happens in Madagascar. . ."
She pulled him into a kiss to silence the rest of his words to numb the inevitable parting and murmured, "Forget the past and the future then. It will only make things worse in the long run."
He heard the pleading undertone in her voice as she asked to abandon everything for that moment. It was what he'd asked for and she'd allowed it; nothing else would interfere. His kiss deepened as she leaned into the warm embrace, wrapping her blanket around his shoulders to share the comfort. He'd heard her constant reminders about body warmth and hers was more than inviting in the cold room. Since Malik was sleeping like a bear in hibernation, there was no constant vigilance over his actions and Altaïr didn't hesitate to grasp her hips to mold them against his own. The tunic was her only layer and it was large enough that he could outline her form- why was she wearing a man's tunic? He'd given her fabric numerous times- forget it! He wasn't there to focus on her attire but the petite woman swimming within it. Her breath tickled his upper lip as he parted them to offer her an open mouth kiss, declaring a valiant success when she allowed it. He explored every crevice like a treasure cove, his tongue dancing alongside hers in a slow kiss since time was not a factor.
She would not fight him that night and said nothing more, allowing him to lead their amorous dance.
A/N: Alas, they reach the tip of the iceberg in their yes-no relationship because Altaïr is no quitter. Apparently, little Darim carries that as well with his adorableness. We can expect to see Vivian keeping up a stronger defense to her feelings now that they'll be leaving because a boat is an even tinier space. I can safely say Altaïr will not be a happy camper for the first water travel for over a month and it won't be easy on his sensitive aquaphobic stomach. I'll have the next chapter posted after I post the continuing excerpt of this chapter, which I hope won't be too long but I've had an added caseload in my new nursing class (in which I aced my first to keep that awesome 4.0). I cannot express how much it makes my day to make my patients smile and it is an honor to care for the veterans (and active soldiers) of my country.
And for the first time, I have a flaming reviewer and I'm sure all of you can see the numerous comments on the story. Out of hundreds of reviews, it was only inevitable, right? Still, it doesn't deter me because I'll keep writing for my readers but it encourages to research more. One thing that I do disagree with is that Vivian has always worn clothing to fit the female population of the lands she travels to and I've never had her make offending comments to anyone's religion (she's an optimistic character, not spiteful). Was something written that was wrongfully misinterpreted? That's not the type of character she is at all, especially not in current chapters. I find it rather peculiar that instead of writing one comment and simply never clicking the 'next' button to ignore the story completely, they continue. I guess beating a dead horse isn't enough? Either way, I don't make my story to be everyone's cup of tea because we all have our different tastes. I'm sure there's plenty of other stories with more interesting characters in the fandom that have the reviewer's taste and again, this is fanfiction- you're perfectly free and capable to choose to read what you want. That's all I will say without resorting to the use of expletives (I've never shuddered so much at reading the word rape) and will thank those reviewers that haven't.
Oh, and thank you for the new alerts and favorites from the past weeks because I do appreciate it.
Dolce Latte van Crème: Vivian's a flustered little ladybug now that Altaïr's made his intentions clear and its hilarious after hearing her use so much lecherous lingo about his life. Malik and Vivian will return to their sister-bro dynamics again once they leave Madagascar since they've always had their little chats. It's really interesting to see how the story will flow because this is the point in my outline that really begins to define all of their bonds and how strong they really are because they will be tested.
Keely: Vivian's definitely been a reluctant one but we saw her slowly break in this chapter, especially now that she knows her days are limited. I'm glad you were excited for their first kisses since Altaïr savored the victory too. Lol. Now the two will be spending their little smexy time to prove that affection- leave it to a thunderstorm to bring the two little hurricanes together.
storyreader900: Thank you for reading all of it! I love you guys as much as you do my writing.
Anna: The sound the Pillsbury Doughboy makes reminds me of Vivian's peppy personality for some odd reason. I found it even funnier when we used him in our physical assessment class as an example when a patient has water retention and again, I thought of quirky Vivian.
Manaxsavior: Thank you for loving the chapter, I'm glad I paced it precisely well. I didn't want Altaïr chasing her forever because he's always been a straightforward man, even with the new emotions. He'll keep climbing each stair as his affection for her deepens further and since he's always asked Vivian for help in that domain, it won't take long for her to fall down with him on that ladder.
girl falcona: I love all my reviewers so never be afraid to post to voice your thoughts to me. Thank you for rereading the story numerous times because I always have the knack to correct earlier chapters but with life demanding a lot of me nowadays, it doesn't offer me the time. Enjoy the story and I will update as soon as I can again.
PicoDulce: I could never find anyone stupid (it's such a nasty word for fellow human beings) so never be afraid to speak your mind because I like hearing from international readers. I'm glad you like the pacing of the story and since it is AU, I'm trying my best to keep the timeline intact. Both Altaïr and Vivian have been on a slow road to being mellow but it's a good change compared to the beginning. The world is pretty much theirs to explore right now on their journey as Malik maps everything and the other two write down memorable entries. I will do my best to be consistent with updating once or twice a month but until December, I'll be piled under 35 pounds (15.9kg) worth of books. Thank you for reviewing the story and you did just fine with your writing so don't worry.
RandomCitizen: 'his ol' pal Assa-what's his face'- this comment made me laugh so hard after reading it, I loved it! Were you referring to Abbas by any chance?
Next Time: On the Road Again to Madagascar
The day arrived for the trio to bid farewell to the port they'd called home for the past two months and board the ship to Madagascar. For the assassins' comfort, Altaïr chartered an Arab boat for easier communication that would drive them along the Indian Ocean's trading route to the island. There were scarcely any ports on the island due to the lack of exploration into its depths so the trek to the next site would be a long one. The good thing was that trade existed on the coast between African and Arab merchants so they would hopefully find a route to the southern tip of Africa. Altaïr would've rather fast-forwarded the entire thing because he hated the thought of being onboard a ship due to his motion sickness tendency. The canoe down the Nile had been bad enough and he could only imagine how he would fare now.
Altaïr tightened his grip over the strap of his pack as he stepped onto the bridging platform warily. In a brief second, he allowed himself to peek at the sparkling ocean and reeled back a second later to declare uneasily, "I cannot do it. The vile sea dizzies me already."
Malik didn't encourage his dramatics because his friend could swim now and flatly stated, "We haven't even touched the ship or left the dock, it's illogical. Hurry up and get on, you're holding up the line."
"You just want me to fail, don't you?" he shot back snippily because he wanted to prolong stepping into a possible watery tomb. In hindsight, maybe he shouldn't have celebrated their departure now that he knew what awaited him. He stood upright with his shoulders straight as he purposely kept up the line this time and stated, "It's been your lifelong dream."
"Yes, I've wasted years of my life just to see that" Malik scoffed with a smile to his indignant squawking and nudged him from behind to force him forward. Altaïr wasn't easily deterred until he put in his last word and Vivian hoped that the two wouldn't be putting up a show. Bodies of water unnerved Altaïr and he needed time to adjust to it before jumping headfirst. When he didn't receive that, he tended to argue until he was blue in the face but she hoped it wouldn't happen in public. The dai pressed his palm against the man's back as the line began to grow and pointed out quickly, "Don't be so arrogant, now get up there."
"Don't be so . . . damn it" he muttered as he ran out of steam to continue and abdicated the argument to his friend. If he couldn't win it with a last minute word, he automatically lost. He couldn't linger forever against boarding because time was ticking and the sooner they sailed, the faster they'd cover distance. Walking up the thin flat plank, he ignored the light ominous shake as it connected the dock to the boat and quickly hopped onboard. He didn't even bother looking at the merciless water and the creaking of the hardwood floor under his boots comforted him immensely.
Vivian and Malik followed at a normal pace since they carried no fear of the water but said nothing more of it. Altaïr already knew of Vivian's fear of fat large insects but the dai had yet to show fear of anything. Now that he thought about it, when was the last time he'd been afraid for comedic purposes? Vivian snapped him out of his mayhem seeking daze when she squeezed his shoulder supportively to remind him they'd be there for him.
"I'll be here for you every step of the way, just like I'll need you to squish fat spiders for me" she promised with a comforting smile since they all had a fear for something. Hers just happened to be creepy insects and arachnids that she couldn't expose herself to for longer than a minute while he feared water. Just as she'd helped him learn to swim, he had begun to bring her fat nonvenomous spiders to show there was nothing to fear from them. Well, unless they happened to carry venom.
Altaïr never saw the woman move faster as she waved goodbye to the small group of acquaintances that had come to bid them adieu and told them she'd be getting Zevran. She had told him the end of Zevran's story would be a departure from Quelimane towards Egypt as the man decided to become a spice merchant. It had been the easiest story to believe but harder than just killing him off in a freak accident. It meant playing two characters at once because she'd have a small window of time to switch between outfits. Three minutes later brought the final performance of the man as Vivian declared that her meek sister self was too heartbroken to resurface before blowing kisses to the crowd. Malik waved goodbye to his coworker friends who came by to show their support while Altaïr only had a goodbye wave from their inn couple for his work around the house.
He quickly scrambled below deck to lick his wounds for lacking popularity.
He found Vivian in the only room which served to hold baggage for travelers (if they were trustful enough to leave their belongings) as he opened the door to store his travel pack. By store, he meant ripping pieces of wood panels on the wall to make his own secret compartment before anyone realized it. It was a safety measure for him when he couldn't carry his belongings constantly during his wanderings on a boat. He'd never been caught once nor did he plan on stopping his secret modifications. Instead, he caught Vivian changing as she switched from Zevran's tunic to her feminine gray robe and she exclaimed with embarassment, "Get out! Occupied!"
"You don't own a public room" he argued quickly but she shut the door in his face before he could illegally alter the boat. Really, she was out of her mind sometimes . . . and it wasn't like he hadn't seen her nude before. It was more important for him to hide away his belongings before anyone caught him doing so. Saving the world was far more important than temporary modesty.
Malik joined him a minute later below deck as he came to assess the living area they would have to eat, sleep, and sit on for the next long weeks. He had never been a fan of boats due to the lack of privacy but he did agree that they were fast for travel. Altaïr remained rooted by the door because he would be next in there and would lock it to ensure privacy for his alterations. Malik merely looked to him for deliberation for his new lookout posting and the assassin informed him simply, "There's a furious badger in there."
The dai merely quirked an eyebrow because the situation could be interpreted in several contexts and asked carefully, "Did you happen to lock in that badger?"
"No, why do you assume I had a hand in it?" Altaïr questioned indignantly because he'd been on good behavior the past two months with her. If he did happen to lock her somewhere, he'd let her out eventually. The cycle would try to repeat itself with Vivian trying to redeem that embarrassment but he'd foil her plans like usual. By the end of the day, they would be laughing and sharing a drink while planning their outings for the next day. Life had become peacefully simple in Quelimane and he was grateful for that moment of respite.
"You two tend to revolve around each other in the oddest of ways" Malik replied with humor since the two were enough to give him parenting expertise for a lifetime. He cherished his friends for giving him an interesting life but he didn't want them to build it to a point that would drive him insane. The boat they were traveling was already small so the two would have to be on cordial behavior now that they were in the public's eye. They were no longer shrouded by the privacy of the desert, forests, rivers, or inns so they would have to tone it down considerably for the first time. He looked between the closed door and Altaïr to run a hand through his raven hair and sighed, "By the time we finish this journey, I'll be praying thanks if I don't turn gray."
"Hair doesn't work that way, it . . . well, something scientific happens, I'm sure" he disagreed as he tried to find tangible evidence in his mind but failed. The only worry in his mind regarding old age was the elasticity and stamina in his body because assassins depended on it. Otherwise, an assassin with the speed of a turtle would not bode well and Altaïr had never been the type to stay in one place. He enjoyed exploring the diversity of the world and enriching his life with new knowledge along the way. He leaned against the doorway since Vivian was scrupulous about maintaining a modest appearance and stated with mirth, "Otherwise, mine would be white by now after the early shenanigans Vivian put me through."
Thank you for reading and your support so have a safe day out there in the world or good sleep (as will be my case- I love not waking at 4am on weekends).