A/N: The lemon chapter 'A Moment of Respite' has been posted under that name for those who wanted to read where Altair and Vivian left off last time so readers can come back and read this new chapter afterwards.
Music Inspiration: Ramin Djawadi- "The Kingsroad"
The Road to Madagascar
Vivian arrived downstairs in the coziest robe she owned and had added a scarf around the neck of her hood to prevent loss of her body heat. The morning after the storm had left the inn a bit chilly from the high winds but sunlight peering through the cracks under the doorway signaled the end of cloud cover. They could hardly see any sunlight before the storm struck the day before and she couldn't wait to feel the warm embracing rays against her skin. True, she'd probably had enough sunlight to last a lifetime since the start of her journey but she cherished each day. The floorboards creaked under her feet in the silence as she rubbed her hands together while walking to the nearest table. A cup with steam rising from its top caught her attention and she stepped up to it to find freshly brewed tea. A slip of paper with her name on it was placed in front of the wooden cup and she picked it up to turn it over.
Here is the tea as promised, I will make more later to ensure your health.
It was a no brainer to recognize Altaïr's writing since the man held beautiful penmanship in both his Arabic and Roman script. She was tempted to keep the small note in her bag of keepsakes just for seeing her name delicately written by his hand. Her cheeks tinted lightly in regards to the previous night when she'd shared her bed with him, humbled by the sweet but inconspicuous message. Surprisingly, he didn't snore beside her for the first time since their travels together (insomnia was her friend for the first month) and only woke her when he twisted in his sleep. Being an assassin, she expected no less from him since he'd witnessed many things throughout his young life. She'd woken him from the nightmare immediately to envelop him in her arms to comfort him and he slept soundly afterwards. He had been incredibly thankful for it and Vivian didn't release him to avoid the nightmares from recurring. Being a light sleeper, she caught him in the middle of leaving before dawn arrived as he changed and received a kiss on the cheek in farewell. Her deepest desire in that moment had been to pull him back into bed so they could sleep like normal human beings but they weren't exactly average people. . .nor were they meant to be together. All she could do was let him leave.
Quietly, she sat down to sip her drink eagerly because lacking decent contraceptives was nerve wrecking. How women managed to keep two children instead of seven was beyond her, not wishing natural selection on any parent since illnesses were abundant. It was admirable but Vivian was too modest due to society's norms to ask married women since she was officially 'single'. She jumped in surprise when Altaïr tumbled down the stairs with his paints and signs in tow, probably waking the entire inn with his heavy footsteps. Where had his assassin stealth gone? He placed everything on the table but didn't sit down, heading into the kitchen area to check on the breakfast he'd made. He'd prepared fruit, sweet bread, and other items for his friends and carried a plate for himself and Vivian.
"After numerous meals, it's only fair I make one for you" he stated as he bit into his bread square and sat down to begin his day after missing work due to the storm. She was tempted to say that he'd brought her meals before but he appeared so proud of his skills that she held her tongue. He really was a sweet man once given the chance and she smiled when he added in helpfully, "No salt added, I promise."
She accepted it with a welcome smile for the kind gesture and fought herself on what to say. Was she supposed to sweep everything under the rug and ignore it? She'd become accustomed enough to Altaïr that never mentioning it again would've been as easy as breathing. At the same time, she hoped he would return to their old dynamics without making the situation worse (he had such a notorious knack of doing so). She bit into the fresh pieces of sweet fruit and spoke softly, "Sleep well? To be quite honest, I didn't hear the storm at all."
"I had the best sleep possible, actually" he answered calmly without any hidden insinuation as his face was clear of any weariness or stress. His sleep during the prior night had been one of the best he'd had in a while as the human contact kept his mind at ease. He tended to be a light sleeper due to his training and often woke up during the night to chase away bad dreams. He perused through his fruit cubes with his fingertips and commented lightly, "Nightmares are a usual bother but they were cut short yesterday."
"I'm glad" she replied earnestly since he'd been twisting in his sleep quite a few times and pulled him out of the dream. He'd been thankful for it and appreciated her warm embrace that allowed him to fall asleep quickly. She had been the only woman he'd woken to since Maria had usually headed out to keep watch or maintained a physical relationship only. Vivian, however, had provided him with the comfort he sought and he'd appreciated it.
"Did you drink the tea?" he asked softly and she nodded quietly, showing him the empty cup. There was no way she'd skimp on the last drop of the liquid if it would help deter an unwanted pregnancy. He laid his hand on top of hers, the calloused fingers bringing back memories from their previous night and he admitted quietly, "I've never said this to anyone but I don't know much about lovemaking, merely gossip I've heard. I . . . I apologize if I disappointed you with my lack of knowledge, I'm not exactly a normal man . . . no matter how much I try."
"Don't apologize for things that aren't true, you're highly intelligent- never doubt it" she murmured gently and laid her other hand on top of his to squeeze it between both. He didn't know about the physiology of reproduction and was learning just as she was in the physical sense. There was no need to feel at a disadvantage and Vivian wanted to reach over the table to embrace him tightly. She smiled tenderly since she often experienced feelings of inadequacy and stated truthfully, "You made me feel safe and cared for, that is as normal as partners can be. Besides, I trust you with my life so as far as we're concerned- you're the best and uh, I won't lie about that part."
She cleared her throat awkwardly since her noises had been enough to prove it and watched a smile grace his lips, "Don't let it go to your head."
He merely squeezed her hand in return to accept her kindness and she inquired tentatively, "Do you . . . wish for a normal life?"
He intertwined their fingers in a fond but subtle gesture, bringing a modest smile to her face, and answered, "Sometimes, I'd like to think I could've been a horse breeder or crafted weapons. However, I remember that generations of assassins count on me to provide them with a future free of Templars where they won't have to look over their shoulders in fear. If I must sacrifice the chance at a normal life for that- for the millions spanning generations- I will."
Her eyes turned downcast because she'd never expected him to dream of anything else besides assassinating. It was conflicting to know he had to carry on that path for decades when he was telling her he had an inkling to do otherwise. His admission only served to raise the respect she held for him because only he could place such eloquence to his destiny. He gazed at their hands, knowing that she'd never be there if it wasn't for his profession and added in, "Still, it would've been nice to make a well, till land for vegetables, chop some firewood, build my own home, and own a dog that barked happily when I came home."
"For what it's worth, you tried in this port and I'm proud of what you're doing on this mission" she encouraged kindly as she gazed at the paint bottles already laid out on the table for his work day. Whether he'd been born an assassin or not, he carried an innate devotion to carry out his promises. It was just one of many admirable traits he held and through the harsh road he had to walk in life, Vivian could only push him further with optimism, "You could always try each at Masyaf. I can't till land, maybe garden, or build a well but I'll do the rest in your honor when I go home."
His calm expression faltered to the last comment because she'd undoubtedly leave one day and murmured faintly, "Yes, I often forget that."
"I-" she began since her leave was imminent but footsteps brought their private conversation to an end. He pulled his hand away from hers to hide and protect what they shared. She wanted to remind him that no matter what happened in the end, their adventures and memories would never leave either of them. Tenants slowly descended the stairs to begin their day, glad that the storm season was ending. The open bazaars were often the ones that were hit with low sales due to the elements and with Quelimane being a port town, they all needed incoming business.
Malik bounded in a few minutes later with his papers in hand, sitting down next to Altaïr with a tired yawn, "I hope last night's storm was the last of the season."
"Sounded like a screaming banshee and a honey badger treading through the building" Vivian commented with mirth and dug into her breakfast to finish after waking with a rumbling stomach. Malik chuckled to her analogy since the wind had howled horribly through the night and he'd stuffed cloth into his ears to deafen everything. Thankfully, his blankets were warm enough to keep him comfortable and he hadn't woken at all until morning. Vivian glanced around the small dining area as everyone settled down to eat and remarked with an honest smile, "I didn't think I'd find myself so fond of a town but I will miss it. I've developed quite a few memories here that I wish I could prolong."
The security of a roof over her head, daily food, safety when walking the streets, knowing the faces of residents, and memorizing the dirt paths were just a few things she'd miss when she left. None of the places they'd visited had provided a safe area that they could actually relax in and not glance over their shoulders every minute. Leaving the port would bring all of those worries back in full force and Vivian hoped another deadly altercation wouldn't be at the end of that road. Altaïr chewed a piece of fruit, swallowing quickly in one gulp and added his own two cents in agreement, "Me too."
Malik smirked to that surprising answer because Altaïr had ranted like a madman for weeks and joked, "Really? You've done nothing but complain with the rage of a violent thunderstorm since arriving. Yesterday's storm might as well have been named after you."
Altaïr shrugged noncommittally because he could do as he wished since he wasn't killing anyone with his rants. Although Quelimane had brought out the worst possibilities of a civilian life, he had managed to find something better in the end. His gaze briefly meeting Vivian's since their own tumultuous relationship reached its boiling point and he replied casually, "I found a moment of peace away from all the turmoil of the outside world."
"Please don't tell me you killed someone's livestock" Malik sighed dismally since Altaïr tended to pent out frustrations by training. He'd been in the heat of practice with his crossbow in Masyaf one day that he didn't realize a poor chicken had crossed his path and been butchered. Of course, Altaïr reasoned that he didn't force it to walk his way and took it to the kitchens to cook it for himself.
"Do you think so little of me?" Altaïr retorted sarcastically because it only happened five times and he was working on it. Honestly, the dai had given him an entire list of behaviors to work on and he'd just finished Vivian's list. Self-improvement was starting to become a pain in the butt and wished to kick past Altaïr for being a pompous fool and his future counterpart for being too darn calm.
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. Besides, he was giving away free carpentry work so they weren't in a position to complain anyway. Instead, he caught Vivian changing as she switched from Zevran's beige tunic to her feminine gray robe and she exclaimed with embarrassment, "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 one and a half months. 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 to 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. He preferred the two in moderation, not exaggeration. 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 protectively 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."
"I didn't choose Africa, I wanted to travel through Asia but somebody wanted the isolated landscape" Malik reminded with a smirk since a coin toss had decided their route. The fact that he'd spilt ink over all of Altaïr's hand drawn maps had also not played in his favor when decision time came. The diverse cultures of Asia interested him and Malik had always had that curiosity to explore the landscape and its inhabitants. Altaïr, however, was more of an elusive hermit and had chosen the quietest of continents.
"If it makes you feel any better, Africa has more deadly animals that I've been mauled by" the assassin pointed out dryly to the diverse wildlife of the continent and hated that aspect. He doubted he'd find an ugly hippopotamus lurking in wait over in China after all of their encounters. There was no question that assassins would always lead mobile lives and travel was essential to maintain an upper hand against their enemies. He didn't have an inkling to visit the west coast of Europe due to the ongoing turbulence and decided with a friendly smile, "In a few years, I'll lead you through Asia to see the ocean on the east just like we'll see it here on the west. How does that sound?"
The dai felt faint at spending future years with the man on a daily close proximity basis with no privacy and stated dryly, "We'll see but I don't think I have it in me to survive you for another decade."
"It will be easier for you, especially without Vivian's presence" Altaïr commented to remind him that one member of their party would be leaving. He had spent most of his missions alone and having the two by his side had brought him a camaraderie he hadn't experienced in many years. He didn't want to travel by himself without Vivian's chattiness to keep his mind occupied and without her there, it would be even more desolate for him. Malik was the only person he could see as a travel partner since he'd become his most trusted and one who's brain could get him out of binds.
The door opened to reveal the newly dressed Vivian and she fiddled with her hood to smile, "Is everything in place? Last thing I want is indecency on my first day."
Altaïr was ready to say she appeared adequate but Malik grabbed her hood to cover her ears completely. Vivian would cut her hair short again soon to make it manageable with the hood but she needed the long length today for Zevran's exit. Smoothing out the fabric at the shoulders, Malik pulled the sleeves taut to remove any wrinkles and agreed with satisfaction, "Now you are presentable."
Vivian smiled appreciatively to his brotherly nature to watch out for her and gushed, "Oh, I wish I had a brother like you. My sisters would've loved you."
She scuttled away with glee to the top deck and Malik aimed a pointed look to Altaïr to remind, "Remember that."
"I didn't do anything!" he exclaimed indignantly because he couldn't decipher whether he meant it to leave her alone with his teasing or romantic inclinations. Either way, the answer was no to both.
"You were thinking it" the dai replied matter-of-factly since Altaïr's mind could be a maze at times with all of his ideas. All assassins were trained to think of numerous situations at one time and to multitask, leaving Altaïr at the top ranking with him being the grand master. With them being on a boat in the middle of an ocean, he did not want the two to do something indignant that would topple the other overboard.
As noon arrived, Vivian found herself enjoying the rolling waves next to the boat as it reminded her of boat tours around the marina in Berkeley. Their temporary life at the coast had indeed brought nostalgia and a place to call home after being in the hot foreign desert for the past year. Malik chartered the coordinates traveled in his log as he enjoyed a snack he bought back in town to savor along the way. Although the two were perfectly fine traveling overseas, one member of the trio wanted to throw in the towel. Altaïr surfaced around this time, nearing his friends with hasty steps to vomit over the wooden railing of the boat. Vivian and Malik dove for cover before the wind decided to carry any flecks their way with its eastern direction.
The assassin lost his balance and fell back on his butt as Malik helped him sit down before he accidentally fell overboard. Vivian immediately moved to shove a ginger root in his mouth along with a sip of lemon juice from a small canteen to help soothe his stomach. She had purchased a few items in the market to ensure his health through the trip since traveling the Nile had shown her how sick he could get. That trip, however, had allowed them to leave the water for land during the night but this one would not. Altaïr shuddered to the nasty bitter concoction, falling into her arms as she offered her support. Having friends by his side during his worst times were definitely better than facing them all alone. He groaned with disgust to the horror that the ocean created within him and asked, "How do you two withstand this?"
"No idea" Malik answered as he returned to plotting down notes in his book now that his friend was situated better. Altaïr frowned to his easy and unhelpful reply, turning to Vivian since she was the least to ignore him. She had always helped him with his motion sickness from the very beginning and it was until now that he began appreciating her efforts. There was guilt attached for pushing her aside and treating her worse than a disease ridden rat, especially when he developed a deep affection for her later on. He stopped a smile from crossing his lips when she wrapped an arm over his chest to keep him in place. Malik helped his lips twist into a frown when he remarked sarcastically, "I fear the day when we have to face enemies over the ocean and you lead us."
"Shut up, my stomach's already waging an unholy war within me" he shot back as he shifted to lie on his back, using Vivian's lap as a pillow. The hardwood floor of the boat was nothing compared to the rumbling in his stomach and he groaned miserably, "How long are we doing this for? Another hour?"
Malik burst into laughter since Altaïr had been impatient to leave and now, he was stuck on the boat for at least a month. The assassin didn't like the sound of that amused laughter and narrowed his eyes suspiciously. The dai shook his head to his hastiness and answered frankly, "We are going north of Madagascar which is the farthest point so we will be here for quite a while, a month or more."
This brought forth the most exasperated groan from Altaïr as he cried out with detestable anguish, "This isn't possible! Water travel is supposed to be fast!"
"This is an ocean, not a river" Vivian reminded gently and Altaïr felt a part of him wither and die to the truth. For the first time, he wanted to curl up and ignore the whole voyage completely for the sake of his stomach. He muttered curses under his breath as he vowed to never undertake another trip with water travel again. Why, oh, why didn't he listen to Malik and pick Asia to journey to?
Vivian's voice yanked away his dark thoughts when she requested calmly, "Altaïr, please stop cursing the boat we're on, you're spitting on my skirt."
The first night was the worst for Altaïr as every shift of the sea surrounded him and felt that the planks would give way to swallow him whole. He absolutely hated the journey on the boat as he held no control over the environment and wanted the boat to stay still. His forehead remained broken with sweat since feeling uneasy and he tried to keep his stomach calm but nothing worked. He couldn't hold down their dinner and had emptied all of his stomach contents again into the ocean. Vivian had dragged him away from the railing when he'd insulted the water that he'd sullied it before he fell overboard. He'd spent the whole day wedged in one of the corners to make sure he stayed still rather than rock with the boat but it did nothing to help matters. When nighttime approached, everyone had easily plopped down to sleep on their blankets while he struggled to find a flicker of sleepiness to take him away from reality. Malik, that lucky bastard, was already snoring away like nothing was wrong along with two of the crew as the captain steered the boat from above. He poked the body next to him for hope in help and received a swat to the hand as Vivian hissed sharply, "Poke lower, that was my boob."
He couldn't even laugh or offer a sarcastic comment as he turned closer to her and admitted, "Vivian, I feel awful. I can't sleep."
Vivian wiped the sleepiness from her eyes as she blinked into the dimly lit room with lanterns and asked softly, "How did you do this in Cyprus? This can't be your first trip overseas."
"Maria tied me down on a beam so I was immobile . . . I think she was trying to help" he answered sluggishly since the woman had been trying to either outrun or kill him back then. He remembered having a horrible time keeping his balance and while Maria simply stood with perfect posture in the rocking boat, he smacked himself back and forth against the walls. Aside from walking into walls with a bad stomach, he had broken his nose as well. He was not looking for a repeat of that and combed his fingers through his hair to sigh miserably, "I have thrown up more time than humanly possible. I'm surprised my stomach hasn't fallen overboard too."
Vivian looked to her companion with worry since she couldn't do much with her strength and pointed out, "There's no way I could keep you from budging the whole night and I'd sooner end up flattened into a pancake."
"This isn't helping me from dying in a pool of vomit, Vivian" he shot back hastily because he needed a helping hand at the moment. His skin was hot to the touch but he wanted to curl up in his blankets for warmth that didn't seem to seep into his bones. He absolutely hated his current condition and from what Vivian could see in the dim light, he needed a peace of mind quick.
She couldn't risk him losing too many fluids in his body and remembered her father mixing odd concoctions in their kitchen whenever she or her sisters were ill. It was hard to live in an archaic era with no telephones or decent medical care and Vivian could only do so much. Despite her lack of skills, she had to try something for his sake and sat up to run the back of her hand over his forehead. He had been perspiring more than normal since morning and since everyone was sleeping soundly, she removed the blankets he was keen on keeping. He groaned in protest to that sudden shift in temperature and she used one to dab at his face, lifting his sleeping tunic to do the same to his torso. Keeping his skin dry would prevent damp clothing that would keep him cold but she needed to find a tight spot for him to sleep in. The entire lower deck was an open space and the only small room was the public storage space.
"Okay, how do you feel about tight spaces?" she proposed uncertainly as she motioned for him to sit up, aiding him by the shoulders. He fought down the urge to gag from the change in balance and Vivian wiped away beads of sweat from the nape of his neck. His brown hair clung to his skin as his clothing stuck to his backside and his condition beckoned her to embrace him. She would do everything in her power to make him better and Altaïr appreciated the human contact. Not wanting to add more body heat than required, she pulled away and ushered gently, "Come on, we're doing to find you a new bed."
Altaïr tried his best to make his weight manageable as Vivian helped him onto his feet and led him to the closed storage room. If he felt at his best, he would've commented about seeing the top of her messy raven hair but he just wanted to sleep it all away. Quietly, the two managed to make their way to the door as the boat rocked and Vivian opened the door slowly. Dim trickles of light pierced the pitch black darkness of the small room as the two entered and Vivian helped him maneuver around luggage. Vivian bent her knees to help him sit down in a small cleared area and squeezed his left shoulder before leaving the room.
Quickly, she fetched his dry blankets from the sleeping area to return to his side. Altaïr had decided to imitate a koala as he clung to a box to maintain a fixed position and Vivian quickly spread one sheet over the floorboards. She kneeled down on the floor and gently massaged his left arm to coax gently, "Come on, I'll fix you a nice bed. You can let go, I'm here."
"I've grown rather attached to this box in the last minute" he stated uncertainly because his new friend had managed to stay put over the rocking waves. Vivian gently grabbed his hands to pry his fingers away from the wooden crate and placed them on her shoulders. She would be his safety tether and carefully, she helped him settle into his new sleeping area until he lay on his back with a single blanket on top to prevent overheating.
She wasn't kidding about tight spaces as Altaïr found himself wedged into the storage room with a luggage surrounding him on all sides. Vivian left to retrieve a candle lantern in one hand to help her move the luggage around his body to form a wall. She would make sure he couldn't budge an inch in the new space and didn't stop rearranging luggage until he was firmly in place. If he'd had the slightest inkling of how the eternal sleep felt, this was a pretty close match. Vivian's cheerful smile didn't help matters when she piped up hopefully, "Better?"
"Yes, but now I fear living entombment" he sighed tiredly with exhaustion and nausea to his horrible day. His skin felt sticky, his bed sheets were scratchy, his feet were cold, and he wanted dry land underneath him rather than water. He would make it a rule that whenever missions with sea travel were involved, he would send everyone but himself.
"You can't win all the battles, Altaïr" she informed gently with a soft chuckle and yawned before fixing the last piece of luggage at the top of his head. She had to make sure the wall of luggage wouldn't fall and crush him throughout the night. Otherwise, she would have one hell of a pissed off assassin on her tail tomorrow morning. She fixed the top blanket around his sides with a warm smile to reassure him everything would be fine and said, "Good night."
Her words stiffened his body immediately and his hand reached out to grasp her wrist to keep her in place. He was more than ready to return back to the larger room with his friends and stated hoarsely, "You can't leave me here."
Vivian gave him a wry stare for his irrational fear of sleeping alone on a boat and reminded, "You're a grown man-"
"And this man fears a watery entombment" he hissed back sharply and tried to sit up as his mouth felt drier than the Sahara desert. Where was water when he needed it? As for that matter, why wasn't anyone letting him drink sea water? It was still liquid! Vivian grabbed his hands into hers to help him sit up as the candlelight illuminated the small room and he sighed, "Please stay with me. This is one battle I can't win alone and Malik will chastise me if I ask him. It's not exactly gentlemanly to ask for aid as a man."
"I. . .oh, give me a minute" she mumbled in defeat when he decided to use the most honest look of self-pity that she'd ever witnessed. It was a rarity to hear him ask for help and Vivian had never been the type to deny it. What kind of cruel person would? As she fell for his helpless guy charm, a rare sight, she left to grab her own blankets and left Altaïr with a faint smile at his success. He really did appreciate her staying with him when he felt at his lowest.
She won't be here forever, the back of his mind reminded him since each little gesture from her brought a bittersweet emotion. He didn't want her to leave him but he cherished each moment that she did spend at his side.
Closing the door, Vivian tiptoed to his makeshift bed to throw her blankets next to his since she didn't need much space to be comfortable. She blew out the candle inside the lantern to shroud them in darkness and reassured her friend that she would stay. Kneeling down, she smoothed out a spot next to him to make sure he wouldn't budge from his position and lay down on her side. The night at sea was cold but with the blankets and luggage shielding them, she was warm as a hibernating bear.
She used the corner of her blanket to dab his damp forehead since he needed to stay dry compared to her. His health was her top priority since their journey had just begun and it would last over a month. Her free hand ran through his damp hair to cool him slightly and she suggested with worry, "Altaïr, if you can't handle this, we might have to turn around and just forget it."
"No, I have to see this through-" he interjected because he needed the next piece after relinquishing the one in Lake Victoria. At the same time, he had promised Vivian to help her return home and he would keep his word. He might not like it one bit that she'd be leaving him but he was doing it to keep her happy. In the end, she was the one that mattered to him- not his heart.
Vivian resisted from batting him over the head due to his condition and pointed out sharply, "There's a danger with you losing electrolytes-"
"What the hell is that?" he blurted with bewilderment to her foreign words since he was in no mood for riddles.
"They're essential for survival and the drink I made you can't keep you healthy till we get there" she answered in archaic layman's terms before he began to rant madly about her speaking in correct terms. Quite honestly, she didn't know how they worked either since she zoned out whenever her father rambled into medical jargon. Knowing how ill Altaïr currently was, she'd allow him to sass her all he wanted. Altaïr grumbled under his breath because he didn't want to learn at that hour of the night but reasoned Vivian was only trying to help. He wasn't fond of his prickly nature when he was upset and brushed his thumb across her chin when she leaned over to wipe his forehead. Vivian smiled fondly to his affectionate gesture and soothed gently, "Try to get some sleep and we'll plan more tomorrow."
"How do fish survive in the water? All it does is sway- it's never-ending!" he groaned miserably and she shushed him, wrapping an arm around his chest to keep him still. She didn't want anyone to investigate their makeshift bedroom and kick them out when he wasn't feeling well. Vivian ran her fingers through his hair in an attempt to focus his worries away to the relaxing sensation. It often helped when they were together in private and he leaned into her touch immediately, whispering modestly, "Thank you for staying with me, nobody else would have."
"You always help me and I'll return the same" she reasoned sincerely because she'd do just about anything for him. Whenever he was injured or ill, she felt the same discomfort as if she experienced it herself. Outside of her family, she had never felt that kind of bond with anyone else and cherished that honor. Regardless of the emotional mess they had unleashed within each other, Vivian would remain loyal by his side. She dried her hands on her skirt before running her fingers through his hair to dry it and assured, "It will get better. Think of happy moments on land when you were kicking Templar asses and ranting madly at storeowners."
"I did not rant, I merely enlightened" he stated matter-of-factly to add a nicer touch to his manner of speaking with the public. Vivian had known since their first interaction with a vendor that the assassin had no barter skills whatsoever and if anything, their prices hiked higher because of it. She eyed him with a knowing look with amusement shining in her eyes and he offered a halfhearted smirk.
"Don't be fresh" she chuckled softly and ran her thumb over his cheekbone with a kind smile. He was a fighter to the bitter end and she encouraged it with her physical gestures. Altaïr merely snorted because he'd be as fresh as he'd like with his words and already knew she enjoyed it. Otherwise, they would've driven each other mad with their words.
"There are days I really don't like this job but I have to bear it" he sighed softly to confess his innermost thoughts and she squeezed his right arm supportively. She would have no say on those private opinions when he was in such a condition and would simply listen. Moments like this required fortifying inner strength rather than demolishing it and she kept quiet. Altaïr regretted choosing a trip that required sea travel but he wanted a fast route that would allow him to return to Masyaf soon. Becoming grand master was a great responsibility and he had to maintain stability within his order to ensure his orders wouldn't be questioned. Being farther away in Asia would've kept him far from his people and an order without its leader would only crumble. He looked to the only person that held no ties to his brotherhood and mused softly, "It has given me a lifetime of adventures and brought us together . . . but I never want to do this again."
"Just try to sleep, okay?" she soothed to lull him to sleep as she dabbed at his forehead one last time with her blanket. He smiled to her concern since he'd never had a caring hand waiting for him in all of his twenty-eight years. Being raised under Al Mualim hadn't exactly granted him a coddled childhood and it taught him to be self-reliant without interference from others. There was strength in having others to protect and Altaïr considered that a better honor than remaining solitary with no emotional ties to anybody. He drew courage from Vivian's faith in him and her touch on his forehead augmented his loyalty to her as well. He didn't want to lose that skin contact after experiencing a myriad of sensations but she reassured, "I'll be here for whatever you need. Wake me immediately if you worsen."
"I'm lucky to have you because quite frankly, nobody's ever cared after me like this" he admitted softly since everyone looked up to him for help than the other way around. Injuries and illness were meant to be tolerated with stoicism, even in private. He'd never had anyone to hold his hand or offer kind words during his worst moments but life had turned a brighter outlook for him. His experiences alongside his friends would help form future rules for his order because emotional ties would never be a burden. He ran his fingers over her left forearm as she fiddled with her own blanket and murmured faintly, "I'd kiss you if I wasn't so sure my breath would repel you."
She chuckled to his personal jab and sympathized with his discomfort because it wouldn't be ending with the sea's motion. Appreciating his thanks, she granted him that longing and pressed a soft kiss to his lips to soothe both their worried minds. He was in such a depressed condition that she added another to his forehead to bolster his spirit because she needed him- everyone did. A soft sigh from his end told her he was thankful for her affectionate token and she cupped his face in the dark to encourage, "You are the strong eagle of the Levant and nothing will phase that. Do not let illness weaken the strength that is in your heart and bones."
"When you utter words like that, it's hard not to be enticed with you" Altaïr remarked fondly as her strength lied in fueling him onwards. She never abandoned him, even when infuriated with him, and he would hate losing his partner when the time came. He had turned the defensive and fearful woman into one of his most trusted confidants, giving her the structure and confidence she needed to survive alongside him. Vivian brought a smile to his face when she fussed playfully that he better think about his health first rather than her. Her head rested against his shoulder as she settled down next to him and he scoffed softly, "My mind, my rules, little badger. There is one error about where my strength lies though."
Vivian refrained from humorously commenting about his toned muscles and Altaïr informed, "It lies with you as well. Whether you'd like to admit it or not, you've become a part of me and you hold that strength in your own bones."
She smiled in the darkness for his support of her as they reciprocated each action simultaneously and Vivian had yet to meet another who behaved that way with her. Although their differences were vast physically, their core principles were equal as they thought of the betterment of others rather than themselves. Her fingers fiddled with the edges of her sheet and she murmured with amusement, "We tend to become quite insightful at night, don't we?"
"The night has always brought our innermost truths into the open" he agreed with a yawn since the quiet solitude gave them ample time to ponder. Vivian agreed with a sleepy groan as their tiny cozy area kept him budged in place and shrouded in absolute darkness. The faint creaking of wood echoed as the ship moved against the currents and Altaïr hoped none of that spelled danger for them. He didn't know anything about sea travel and he hated being blind about all of it.
"Relax, nothing will happen" Vivian coaxed gently when he stiffened involuntarily to the noises around them. His stomach was already at turmoil as it was and he didn't need stress adding into that to worsen his motion sickness. Her hands settled on his shoulders as she shifted towards him and she massaged the tense muscles. He relaxed slightly as she kneaded his muscles and she objected to his lingering uncertainty, "Mister, you better release all that tension before I do whack you on the head and make you dwell on that."
"If you were any other woman, I'd send you away for that" he muttered flatly for her sudden flicker of feistiness but melted into her touch. The last time she'd attempted a massage, he'd been left with footprints on his back and red welts on his shoulders from her nails. It was a good thing he had a high pain tolerance against her petty swats and raised a hand to run it through her loose hair to dote, "You are my loyal badger, aren't you?"
"Always" she whispered fondly as she hummed softly to lull him to sleep and settled next to him. It would help to block the noises that made him uneasy and the soft tone would incite sleep. Remembering old songs that she hummed to Penelope during her 'monsters under the bed' phase, Vivian comforted her partner into sound sleep within ten minutes. He'd been terribly exhausted from vomiting and walking the decks that he'd fallen into quiet snoring immediately.
She smiled to herself in the darkness and thought warmly, My strong eagle.
A/N: Finally, I am back to write again! My nursing school journey has given me a real life déjà vu of Altaïr and Vivian's story life as I've met my fussy male counterpart that's trained in deadly arts (due to military life) to call Altaïr humorously. Of course, he shares the same exact quotes of Altaïr towards Ezio about his flamboyancy. We both share the height difference of the humorous duo with him being more than a foot taller. Anyhow, he's become an extra inspiration to breathe further life into my fictional Altaïr and I've found a fellow writer too. Unfortunately, we've been separated for our next clinical rotation but we're inseparable by phone. Lol. The trio is officially heading to Madagascar to find the next temple but we can already see that sea voyage will not be agreeing with Altaïr's stomach. He's such a tough cookie but there's only so much the man can bear so it's a good thing he's not alone. None of us are truly invincible and we'll be seeing that from our brave hero.
storyreader900: Altaïr definitely isn't a happy camper at having to give up his faithful traveling buddy. I'm glad to know my story has cheered you up when you haven't been your best since it does the same to me as well when I've been stressed. I'll keep writing this story to the end because you guys love it so much (which is a whopping number that I cherish) and I've seen worse things in the world than one flamer. Lol
twilit angel: The two were definitely intimate after that last chapter and you can check out the standalone chapter for it under my stories tab in my profile. It did make me laugh at seeing a flaming review for each one but after 30 chapters, I think that train would run out of steam and it did. I'm surprised I've written so many chapters and we're not at the half point but the readers inspire me to push forward.
Tachibana Natsu: Thanks for loving the story and oddly enough after the numerous flaming reviews, I received an influx of follows from new readers and kind reviews so there's a good positive side to every bad one. I loved the 'haters gunna hate' quote!
RandomCitizen: Altaïr likes to be a problem solver after years of training and to be honest, I think it's all he's known. He reminisced about it to Darim in the game and I just wanted to say 'there's so many if's that we don't know which the right one is' and give him a pat on the back. I can't wait to see his first meeting with Darim because somehow, I know that little guy will be crying for his mother. I giggled like mad to the Abbas remark but he'll pop up eventually again to irritate the masses.
feet269: I laughed at the image of Altaïr dancing in his socks because it's so inconceivable and hilarious.
lone green leaf: Indeed, the assassin's noodle has been compromised by Vivian. Malik is definitely aware of Altaïr's intentions and with Darim at Masyaf, he doesn't hesitate to remind him of that fact. We wouldn't want another little assassin baby, would we? Lol. On the trip to Madagascar, the dai will be more protective of Vivian at her request to keep him on track to his destiny.
Keely: Vivian and Altaïr do indeed make you warm inside and it will continue as they head to the north of Madagascar. Altaïr has subtlety when it comes to his romantic displays and he carefully lays out his plans to pounce. He's not an eagle for nothin'.
Lissa: Thank you so much for loving the last chapter, I'm sure many readers were waiting for the two to reach a breaking point with that sexual tension. Their odd relationship is built out of numerous layers but their foundation is definitely strong with how deeply they confide in each other.
Datenshii: Oh, I'm so glad to know you loved it and I want to hug you since I know the dreadful feeling of having to await the next update. The journey has taken them, as well as us, a long while and it's still ongoing since they have to reach Masyaf again. Vivian is a quirky being that's slowly mellowing and the same goes for Altaïr- I love your comment on him being a teddy bear. He will definitely be one to his children. Malik will always be the best friend to have on your side and after they return from Madagascar, we'll be adding another familiar character.
girl falcona: Darim is the cutest thing with those blue eyes and I feel like using Andrew Lincoln as his adult physique model for the sequel. Vivian and Altaïr definitely had that moment of freedom as he pushed her to the limit. The perfect storm, of course, brought the two together to express that love that's already formed. Neither wants to admit it out of fear of losing each other which will be inevitable and it will be explored in future chapters.
Momiji Angel: Aw, I'd love to use My Little Pony song (with horses instead) with the children as they grow up since the boys will love their animal companions.
Johanna Night: Thanks for finding the story hilarious, I appreciate it!
Hulk Smash You: I love new readers, I'm glad you enjoyed the story so much!
Next Time: The Mongoose Guardian
Vivian's peaceful view of the ocean was broken by Altaïr's vomiting over the side as he clutched the railing. It wasn't hard to pity the man that had been felled by the element of water and she soothed, "A few more days, the north is close."
"I'm tempted to breach land prematurely and just travel north on foot" he muttered as he wiped his mouth distastefully to appear decent in front of her. The taste in his mouth, however, was bitterly horrendous and reached for his leather canteen to drink water. He used the liquid to swish his mouth clean and winced slightly at having to swallow that rather than spit it out to maintain respect. His brown eyes narrowed as he caught sight of the emerald island in the distance and grumbled distastefully, "The coast is right there, mocking us with its pretty lush forest."
She rubbed his upper back in sympathy to lower his stress and assured, "We'll be there soon . . . and forests don't mock people. I think you might be hallucinating, you didn't bring strange mushrooms on board, did you?"
He shot her a glare for the wisecrack but it faded as seagulls floated overhead with their racket. As if it wasn't bad enough that the swaying sea annoyed him, the loud squawking of those birds had added to the fuel as they followed the coast line northwards. He pointed a finger towards the birds with a mad gleam in his eye and declared, "I swear if one of those things craps on my shoulders, it's getting an arrow as food."
"That's the Altaïr we know so you must be feeling better" she joked with a peppy smile to lift his mood before he decided to spear a bird with his crossbow. The man never shied away from eating new food that he caught himself so it was an ominous possibility. She tried to raise her voice so it could drown out the birds so he wouldn't have to fuss over them.
"I miss home, I like working towards the east and away from the sea" he sighed tiredly as he eyed the coast longingly, wishing that it approached the north soon. Otherwise, he'd be tempted to throw himself overboard and swim off towards it. He wanted to feel sturdy ground under his feet once more after years of familiarity and leaned against the railing. The dry climate and gusts of air filled with dust were what he wanted to experience rather than salty air that left his clothes clinging to his skin. Vivian's gaze softened when his head drooped and he murmured quietly, "I knew that this journey would be perilous and although I've yet to see that, this boat is increasing those chances. I didn't really care about the danger but seeing that I've fallen into the clutches of water more than once is quite embarrassing."
"Come on now, you're Altaïr Ibn A- I can't pronounce your name for the life of me" she tried to encourage but failed horribly and chuckled sheepishly to her mistake. Her ears turned red to the smug smirk on his lips as he directed a glance at her in sudden amusement. Did she really not know how to say his name? His sudden intrigue to her admittance led her to ramble nervously, "But you're the best of the best and nobody will change that. So one little thing hinders you, who cares? You'll learn things through the years that put boating to shame."
Turning around, she called out to nobody in particular in case someone had overheard her, "No offense, just trying to lift a man's spirits."
Altaïr's eyes never left her face as she tried to maintain a polite demeanor on the empty deck. Being in the past with no law or close civilization, murder over a simple comment taken the wrong way could happen and Vivian liked living. Altaïr didn't really care because he could fight ten men singlehandedly without breaking a sweat and spoke simply, "Ibn-La'Ahad."
"That right there, my friend, is a mouthful of vowels" she sighed listlessly since it had more pronunciations that her entire name combined. The accent on several of the letters was lost on her and she wasn't keen on tackling the name. She already knew him by the first name and that was enough for her since she wasn't going to be using his full name unless he did something heinous. Altaïr snorted to her complaint since he wouldn't accept defeat from her and she muttered flatly, "Ibn-Laad."
"La'Ahad" he corrected firmly as he struggled not to sigh and laugh at her drawled words. A young child would fare better at it but he said nothing since he'd started it all.
"Lad" she squeaked simply with a deadpan stare and he gave her a look that told her knew she didn't even try. When Vivian attempted anything under his guidance, she didn't half-ass it and this time she was. He used his taller height to show who was the boss in that conversation and she stared him square in the eye to portray her own dominance against him. His left eyebrow rose to see whether she'd fight or concede and the small woman's shoulders lowered as she tried again, "Lah-Ahad. La. La. Aay-had. La'Ahad."
"Close enough" he sighed in defeat this time since she had no problem pronouncing Malik's last name. His name, however, she butchered on a thousand rusty swords in one swipe. This was why Malik was the instructor out of both because he didn't have the patience to wait twenty minutes with any student. It was something that he needed to work on but being on a rocky ship with cawing birds threw that thought out the figurative window.
"It's not my fault you have the name of three men in there" she defended hastily at her shabby job and crossed her arms to comfort herself. Out of all the names in the franchise, his was undoubtedly the hardest for her to grasp but loved the exotic sound of it. Altaïr furrowed his brow for the wisecrack but she flashed him an innocent smile to slide her way out of it. Those green eyes of hers would be the end of him if she did attempt to truly charm him one day and crossed his arms to maintain that strong will. Vivian failed to read that signal as she believed it to be one of his random 'don't cross me' stances. She waved her hands in front of her for pity on the matter and explained truthfully, "Ezio was the easiest to pronounce and Desmond was a piece of pie. My sister can't even get past Altaïr and I managed to reach the ibn part at best. If anything, I should call you Altaïr Ibn My Lad."
He shook his head to her cheeky attitude but enjoyed that it held nothing but friendly jesting. Somehow, he'd get the same response if he used Vivian Bore for hers and wanted to see her cheeks fluster pink as they always did when she corrected him. His fingers cupped her chin gently as he closed the distance between them and he murmured softly, "Say my name."
"Altaïr Ibn. . .La. . .A'had, Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad" she pronounced carefully as she watched him for any telltale signs that she was butchering his name. Seeing an error with the first name as his lips thinned at the ends, she slowed her enunciation to make the last one her best. Altaïr nodded agreeably to her second attempt to spare her the embarrassment for both their sakes but it sounded decently enough. Vivian felt pride at clinching the last three pronunciations at last, even if they weren't perfect, and smiled brightly at her companion. She truly did want to know how to say his name after being in his company for almost two years and teased lightly, "Really, you have too many a's in there."
"Vivian Shore" he said smoothly and she fought the small blush creeping onto her cheeks from his voice alone. The timbre in his voice held enough masculinity to draw an instant smile to her face and flutter her heart. She loved his low calm voice most of all as it held a rich sophistication that his quiet nature concealed underneath that iconic hood of his.
Glancing at her feet, she backed away from him to prevent being more flustered by his familiar touch. A single brush of their fingers sent tingles down her spine and she tried to keep their skin contact at a minimum to prevent delving deeper into her feelings. She hadn't exactly been honest on her full name since two names were the common variety in the states and mumbled sheepishly, "Vivian Marie Shore, actually."
"So I'm not the only one with three people in my name" he chided in jest and she chuckled softly to her joke being shot back towards her. Her name must've sounded as odd as his did on the tongue and let him have the win in that conversation. Middle names rarely came up in daily life unless they were written on forms so Vivian didn't pay much attention to it. Altaïr was curious about this new extension of her name due to a familiar sound in it and suggested, "Your middle name is Marie? Shifted in a different tongue, it would sound very close to Maria, you know."
Thank you for reading this next installment and I hope everyone has been safe and sound in the world. As always, I wish nothing but the best for each of you in this new year.