Assassin's Creed: AltairxMalik

This is yaoi, sweeties! Don't like, don't read. Rated M for language and sexual innuendos.

*****

It tasted sweet to his tongue, the wine. Ships that had endured for months the sea's hardship finally arrived that day just in time for Malik to buy a bottle of their wine; before Altair had to leave for Masyaf again.

Altair approved of this amazing delicacy from the Occident. He approved even more of his friend asking him to stay one more night so they could enjoy it together.

"The new leader will not be fond of us idling away like this." The younger man shifted around the cushions to find a better position. They never sat too close – Malik made sure of it – nor did they get too tipsy to do anything inappropriate.

Altair passed the bottle back. "Then do not tell him." For a second, their hands brushed against one another as he managed to hold eye contact with his friend. Malik quickly looked away, though he did look embarrassed.

There was a…cute side to him that Altair was slowly uncovering.

"You should see this guy, Malik. He has barely memorized our names and already thinks he's king shit."

"Yes, I heard he's not too popular among novices-" Altair's glare would have been petrifying if the man wasn't sprawled everywhere like a dog that ate all the meat it could stomach. And if Malik wasn't Malik, that is. "I'm to meet him in two months."

"Lucky you. I'll see him tomorrow."

Altair grew silent as the Dai began to let his mind wonder. The night was warmer than usual. It was almost time to close the entrance on the roof, but he supposed he could wait a little longer since he wouldn't see Altair for a week. Malik cherished this moment together. It was theirs and theirs alone.

At first, Malik just plain wanted to sleep with him. That was years ago.

Sexual relations between men, though unusual, were not unknown to the Assassin's world. Their path was a lonely one; almost no way to marry when, at any given time, you needed to report to Masyaf A.S.A.P. and be sent to your death. No room for lovers or relationships. So who was to blame if two guys drank a little bit more than they could handle?

It was only natural that hands would wander… around.

Malik could always tell if it'd happened. The two people wouldn't look at each other in the eyes anymore, an awkward feeling floated around them. He had the impression other assassins, astute as they all were, could notice the signs also.

No one talked about it. Love was not part of their lives; thus it was an unspeakable rule that they had permission to get creative from time to time to let off some steam in non-violent ways.

Sex was permitted, love was not and that was exactly Malik's problem when he realized his lust went further than it should.

It was so natural to fall in love with the new Altair. He preserved the passion, the inextinguishable fire the old Altair possessed that had made a younger Malik weak on his legs more than just a few times. Together with that, the new Altair was a good friend, loyal, more mature and humble than before.

A little voice in the back of his mind added the word "hotter" and was duly ignored.

The best thing to do – the wise decision he should make – was to continue on being friends with him and pretend nothing was going on inside his heart. His feelings were doomed to fade if not given the proper fuel.

Leave it to Altar to ruin a perfectly good plan.

The hope-he-should-not-have was renewed as Altair kept coming back to Jerusalem more often than not; each time Malik could feel his presence at the door staring at him, as if noticing him for the first time. His steps were cautious and his tone was smooth like silk on Malik's skin; an alluring voice he didn't remember his friend to possess.

Malik had to make him stop, just stop! With the seductive ways that sent shivers crawling down his skin. The more attracted Malik felt, the more he taunted Altair into anger.

His behavior had become quite strange in the past few months. The voice, his attitude, the way he walked.

As he pushed his hood back a little when entering the Bureau, Malik couldn't help but wonder if this was a new habit of his, and how many more had the chance to thoughtfully memorize that handsome face. The older man gained so much more beauty as the candle light bathed his features; those eyes that kept staring at him, never looking away, turned into the most vivid apricot.

Malik loved apricot.

It didn't help that Altair could probably interpret his dazed expression for what it actually was. Malik wondered… It crossed his mind once or twice… A timid thought, really… If Altair was doing this just for him. To get his attention.

Could the fool not see he was uncomfortable? What. Did. Altair. Want. From. Him, goddamn it?

A lover, a friend with benefits? Those were things he could not give him. Even if they lay together, what would happen in a few months? He could picture Altair – his face dark as the night – ending their affair because he already had enough, because the others were talking about them.

An affair with a man, not founded merely on sex, would destroy their honor… and his feelings. Malik couldn't betray his heart like that just to satisfy a carnal desire.

Now, if only Altair would get a clue.

"He said… He does not want me in Jerusalem for a few months."

The younger man blinked.

The deep emotion he heard in Altair's voice made him look at his friend dumbfounded. The seriousness in that half-covered face took any doubts off his mind; he had heard correctly. "W-what? Why?"

"A mission somewhere else, I don't know. I can't disobey orders, but I told him my wishes to continue on working here." Altair's hands held each other nervously as he spoke. Maybe the wine was finally going to Malik's head as he almost blurted out that he knew work had nothing to do with his being there.

His brothers in arms came and went – sometimes to other cities, sometimes to their deaths – not Altair. He stayed as long as he could, stalling, pretending he was gathering information on the crusaders when he had gotten it since day one. It was an excuse and it worked for them.

Malik just wished he wasn't so alone.

"…And what did he say?" The breath he didn't realize he was holding escaped his mouth.

Finishing his last gulp of wine, Altair looked even more agitated. "That… if the Dai requests for me to stay, I may do so."

The older man looked at him expecting a reaction. Somehow, that simple statement seemed to carry a dozen hidden meanings. Malik could see hope in apricot-eyes and it hurt.

Was this some kind of test? Like a decision was being put in his hands and the choice he made would say if he passed or not.

Altair was looking at him anxiously. "Do you wish me to stay, Malik?" was the question.

If the older man really felt anything for him, chances were something would eventually come out of it. Thus, he should say no, make up an excuse, do it so Altair would go away and let him be the fuck alone. EVEN if he didn't want to be alone anymore!

A good friend would smile and say yes, of course, right away. A good friend wouldn't hesitate. Malik was not such a person; he was just a desperate man losing control over his life.

He didn't want Altair to stay. And he didn't want him to leave either.

Do it, do it, you idiot! This is your chance of ending this before it has a chance to begin!

His previous life back. Without Kadar.

Lips smiled without permission. "Of course, Altair, I shall write a letter right away."

Pure bliss took control over handsome features before it was quickly hidden. It took his breath away. "Thank you, Malik." He would never forget the care-free smile that lingered on his friend's face. The Dai was able to tell Altair could not suppress it.

His actions were getting careless. Altair was finding a way around his heart and he was letting him.

Malik could already taste apricot in his mouth.

*****

I think I should say it: this story completely disregards AC: Bloodlines and the Codex pages in ACII. YAY!

Short second chapter 'cause classes will start Monday. OMG!!! This is so exciting, you guys! College, finally!

Thank you SO much for adding this story to your favorites! Thank you also for all the feed back on both ffnet and DA. It means a lot!!

Don't know when I'll have time to write again, probably by the end of the month (here in Brazil, we have an entire week of holidays this month, how cool is that!). But no promises this time…

Especial thanks to Alex, my beta. I already thanked her, like, a thousand times, so one more time won't hurt! XD

For Bloodiemondei: thank you for the awesome message, I love you too! Only I can't send you a reply, 'cause ffnet says you don't take private messages… u.u

Okay, that's it! Write me back, people!!