Edward has promised up and down and around the corner that he'd come to Altair's audition at BC. He said he wanted to see it. Since the Conservatory audition Altair had kept practicing but he wasn't nervous for the BC one, not when he'd already done so well at the Conservatory. He left early and told Ed when his time slot was and arrived with time to spare to stretch and practice and talk with some of the other scared dancers like he'd been too stressed out to do during the Conservatory performance.

Altair went on stage when he was called. "Altair Thorpe?" there were seven faculty this time.

"Yes," he nodded.

"What will you be dancing for us today?"

"Ballet inspired by hip-hop and parkour," he said and that got raised eyebrows of interest. He wasn't nervous this time, or at least as nervous.

"Where else have you applied?"

"The Conservatory, and BU," which was his fall back honestly, though since it was a much larger, public, school they didn't require auditions. They nodded and motioned for him to take his spot and when the music came on he honestly thought it was better than his first audition. He wasn't nervous this time and just flowed through each movement perfectly until the song ended.

"Thank you Altair," they said but that was it, though he saw them talking to each other quietly and writing furiously. Altair walked off stage as the next girl went up and she had the look on her face like how was she going to top that? He felt good knowing that.

He was surprised when he left the auditorium and saw not just Ed, but his mom. She looked so proud of him, nearly to the point of tears. "Mom," he said in surprise, he thought Ed was just coming by himself.

"Oh sweetie," and she hugged him fiercely, "You were so amazing," and he hugged her back. Maria never really saw him dance. She was always busy and could never come to his shows or competitions. He never blamed her though. She was trying to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads.

"Thanks," he said and she kissed him on the cheek adoringly.

"I thought you were just coming," he said to Ed.

"Ah well I might have fibbed a bit," he grinned. "Ezio's at home watching the kids," he added since that was Altair's next question. "Now, c'mon we're going out."

"We are?" Altair asked, he was kinda just floating and feeling stunned at everything.

"Yeap. Out to eat. And we need to tell your mom about the thing," he gave Altair a significant look.

"Think?" Maria asked, "What thing? Are you two keeping something from me?"

Altair grinned, "It's a good thing mom. Me and Edward'll tell you all about it," he promised.

"C'mon c'mon, it's raining out and I don't fancy being out in it too long," Edward beckoned them. Maria took Altair's hand as they followed Ed out of the school to the end of the B line.

—

"You what?" Maria asked.

"I may have bought a house," Edward said and Maria stared at him. Altair was very quietly eating his cod and looking at how Ed was going to get out of this one.

"Edward-

"What?" he just shrugged and sat back in the chair like the muppet Ezio always called him.

"You didn't ask me," Maria said sharply.

Edward leaned forward and Altair knew he was about to see something good when he took her hand gently, "I know dear, I'm sorry. But I wanted to surprise you. And it isn't bought yet. So if you don't like it, we can get a different one," and Maria tried really hard to scowl at him. "Altair assured me you'll love it though. I let him pick it out."

Maria turned to him, "You knew?" she asked him.

"Yeah," Altair said before continuing eagerly, "it's a really great house mom. It's big and has a backyard and is in a really nice neighborhood. It's also closer to where you work."

"We can go see it if you want," Edward added.

"Really?" Maria asked and she was clearly being swayed. Edward nodded.

"You'll love it," he said in a sweet, sort of sing song voice.

Maria huffed, "Okay," she said.

"Excellent," and kissed her on the cheek. He winked at Altair who just rolled his eyes and went back to his fish.

—

Maria was properly impressed by the house. It was dark but the lights still worked and Edward turned on the lights as they walked in. "Oh my," Maria said, Altair followed behind the two.

"This is the house Altair picked out," Edward said, it was number six on the list, the one Altair had fallen in love with instantly.

"Really?" she turned and asked Altair.

Altair nodded, "This was the best one," he said.

"He has good taste," Edward said and took Maria's hand to lead her through the house, as he did he talked, building a picture for her of how great it would be here. Altair mainly stayed in the living room. "And when the kids are acting up we can throw them in the basement and lock the door," he said which made Maria laugh.

"I don't think so," she said, patting his chest.

"Ah well, it was just a thought," he shrugged, "So, what do you think?" he asked as they joined Altair back in the living room, he was sitting on a window sill waiting for them to finish the tour. He'd already seen the house.

"It's wonderful," she said softly and hugged him, "But I really couldn't ask you to buy it Edward. It's probably so much money."

"Hush," he put his finger to his lips, "This is for all the things I've missed," and Altair looked away cause he was a giant baby who couldn't handle seeing his mom and her boyfriend be adorable. Or kiss. Which they did. Maybe he should just go wait outside or something until they were done? "And this is for all the times I'm going to be around from now on," and Altair glanced back to see what they were doing.

"This isn't-"

"No," Edward said, since he had a ring, "I wouldn't ask it so suddenly. I'm not that dumb," and he kinda laughed at him. God Altair was going to puke. He knew he and Malik and Adha had been kinda like this for a while. How did Rauf stand it? "But, I bought this seven years ago. It's for you, a promise that I won't leave again like I did," he was so sincere and yeah Altair was going to puke. His mom smiled, took the ring and put it on and kissed Edward again. Yeah Altair needed to leave.

"I'll be outside, if you need me," Altair said but they weren't listening. He walked out of the building and into the crisp spring night. He made a note to go to bed well before his mom and Edward or he'd get no damn sleep tonight. The walls were pretty thin after all.

—

Never in his life was Altair more glad to see a sign. It said 'FOR SALE' on it and made him ridiculously happy. School was winding down and Boston finally allowed it to be spring and warm enough to not freeze just standing on the sidewalk. Edward had finalized the sale of the house in Allston and that week everyone started packing, the last few days of packing everyone even got to stay home from school. The movers were moving the boxes and furniture out of the house and Altair felt like he could breathe. Edward was coordinating the movers wearing one of his shirts that said something offensive on it. Something like 'if people could read my mind I'd get punched in the face a lot' or something stupid like that.

He'd since heard back from BC, the Conservatory and BU. He'd been accepted into all of them. The Conservatory seemed especially interested in 'acquiring' him though since his acceptance letter had also come with a big, fat, scholarship for his merits and ability as well as one for kids from low income homes. Between those, the money he'd been trying desperately to save since he could work, and some help from Ed he wouldn't have to take out any loans.

On top of that his family was happy, the kids loved Edward and they were excited to move to a new house, though they were sad they had to leave their friends. Altair's entire life had done a one-eighty in the few weeks Edward had come home and it was like the sun was shining on them personally.

Then a little dark cloud came to rain on them.

Robert showed up, skulking about on the other side of the street before finally showing his face and coming to Altair. "What's going on here?" he asked and gave Altair a withering look.

"What's it look like?" Altair asked, "We're moving."

"Yeah, where?"

"None of your damn business-

"Don't you talk to me like that brat-

"Excuse me," Edward suddenly spoke up, appearing out of nowhere in his dumb shirt, his long hair pulled back and looking like he was about to fuck someone up with his eyepatch. "Who are you?"

"Who am I? Who the hell are you you cyclops?"

"Ed, this is Robert," Altair said, "the one I told you about."

"Robert," Edward said slowly. Edward didn't like Robert. He knew all about how Robert used to hit them, all of them, including the twins, "I've heard about you."

"Yeah, what's it to you?" Robert glared.

"Word was that Maria didn't wanna see you around here anymore."

"Woman doesn't know what she wants. Bitch doesn't even know what's good for her."

Edward looked like he needed to restrain himself from decking Robert right in the face. Altair had told him all about how Robert had abused Maria, called her a million horrible names and kicked the shit out her on more than one occasion. "Well, I know what I want. And I want you to leave. Now."

"Yeah, who're you anyway."

"I'm Edward Kenway," and Robert of course recognized him now, Maria hadn't gotten over Edward in months and months even after he left. Edward was, in Robert's eyes, the asshole he kept Maria away from him. "Now, leave before I make you."

"Fuck you. You can't just come in like you own the place."

"Oh I can. And I have. Now are you going to leave or do I need to remove you?"

Robert's reply was to throw a punch. Edward ducked and hit Robert so hard Robert was sent flying. "That was for hitting my kids," Edward said very calmly, "Though I have five of those so maybe you want some more?"

"Fuck you," Robert spat and scrambled to his feet. He'd have a beautiful shiner for that.

"I have plenty left for what you did to Maria too," Edward said. "I'd suggest you leave, now, before I have to show my kids that I don't mess around with chum like you," and now he was threatening. Robert glared at him but he did scuttle away like the insect he was. "Fucking piece of shit," Edward growled, "You okay, boy?" he asked Altair, he nodded.

"Ed?" he asked carefully.

"Yes?"

"What you said-

"What part?" he asked when Altair faltered.

Altair looked down, feeling really dumb, but he wanted to know, "You said you had five kids."

"Well of course," Edward wrapped his arm around Altair's shoulders, "You might not be mine, but you might as well be," he smiled at Altair brightly.

"Really?"

"Yes," Edward squeezed his shoulder.

"I'm so glad you came back," Altair said.

"Me too, son. Me too. Now c'mon the movers are done, round up your brothers and lets get the hell out of here."

"Okay," Altair smiled so hard his face hurt. He had them together in no time at all and all together they got into a car Edward had rented for a few hours so they didn't have to take public transport.

"Bye house," Desmond called as they pulled away from the curb, the moving truck following them. Desmond waved out the back of the car before Altair told him to sit the right way in his seat. Altair didn't bother looking back at their old house, it was history and he had a brighter future to think about.