Title: Apologies AN: It came to me while I was laying around with Todd, honestly. This idea of having their own way to tell each other that they're sorry, or that they regret something. You could say it spawned from a vague In-Character interaction. I hope you like it, baby. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Author: Daisy
Fandom: Assassin's Creed
Setting: Shortly following the events at Solomon's Temple, before the mission in Jerusalem to kill Talal
Pairing: Altair/Malik
Genre: Romance/Hurt/Comfort
Rating: T
Chapters: 1/2
Word Count: 892
Type of Work: Two-shot, gift for Drkfrg
Status: Complete
Warnings: Malik POV, mentions of violence, regret, unrequited love, mentions of heavy slash.
Disclaimer: I do not own Altair, Malik, or any of the AC universe. It's probably a good thing or slash would be more than canon.
Summary: Malik has his way of apologizing, and Altair has his.
Everything with him has to be a fight. He always, always feels the need to show everyone and anyone how superior he is to them. I've thought it ridiculous ever since I first met him, but it's gotten worse as of late. Before Solomon's Temple, even, before the losses we suffered, before we even had that mission... He has had this need to prove he is the best, no matter what. I like to think that it was letting him out of my shadow, but I fear it may have something to do with the man who made him an assassin, himself. Al Maulim has had so much influence over that stupid Novice's stupid head, and it clearly blinds his judgment. You can't go telling a man as bullheaded as Altair that he is the best at everything he does, because he will grow to believe it and his head will soon be too large to fit into any building known to this world.
But, I still find joy in the little things that prove to me there's still some of that stupid, joyful, witless child in there that I fell for when we were younger. There are things, ways he behaves, that Al Maulim hasn't tainted, and wouldn't be able to touch even with his ability to dig and eradicate things that displease him. It's the one reason why I'm even thinking of still giving him a chance.
These last few days, after the painful removal of my arm and the harsh recovery I've been through... All I've been able to do is think about him. I was too out of my mind with grief and pain before, to notice that he'd been there...
There was a pot of flowers, though, beside my bed almost constantly, the rich smell of lilies keeping out the scent of death in this wing of the compound. After three days of being unable to do more than whine and moan in pain, I was able to realize just what waited there beside my bed. A pot, likely hand-made by my true assailant due to its lopsided corners and 'fuck it, it works' attitude, filled to brimming with red lilies. He knows that's my favorite flower, but aside from that alone... It's his way of apologizing.
I can never be too sure on how deeply he thinks about the gifts he leaves for me, but my own mind supplies enough knowledge and familiarity with such things to think too much into it, just in case. The red lilies that stare at me are a form of apology for several reasons.
The first is to apologize for his own vanity.
Had he not been so arrogant, my brother would still be alive, and I would not be in this uncomfortable cot wailing my head off because of the pain in my arm that doesn't really exist. I know he will never admit to it, either in spoken word or writing, yet I still like to believe that this is his way of communicating such a thing to me.
The second is simple enough; he wants me to know how brave and confident I have been through this entire ordeal, and that while I haven't been particularly caring for his feelings, he finds it's still attractive for me to behave as such. We've always been at each other's throats, it seems, though it's almost always I who start the fight because of his ridiculous behavior. While it may be true, however, he still finds me to be what he wants.
I can tell because these also prove how he still loves and desires me.
There is a little box beside the pot, rich with a smell that I recognize from being out with him on several occasions. Chocolates, likely filled with some kind of alcohol. He's always liked to get me drunk before admitting his secrets and inner feelings, and even now it seems to be no different.
Last, but not least, I like to think that he still thinks I'm noble, or worthy of being here.
My life's worth never seems to bother him until he almost loses me. Not that that has happened often, but in the few times it has, he's always been out of his mind with worry. It always makes me smile when I wake from what seems like just another bad dream, and he's above me, yelling that if I died on him, he would find a way to punish me. Punishment... It's always been a way for him to try and hold himself above me, no matter what.
I close my eyes and drift a little, letting my head fall to the side closest to my new treasure. I think I am almost on the cusp of sleep before I feel warm, soft lips on my forehead, and hear a soft, mumbled, "I love you, Malik. Pull through, if not for me... Then for us. Please."
It's fleeting, and the touch is gone before I can open my eyes. Perhaps it was a hallucination, perhaps it was reality, I don't know and possibly never will. Altair doesn't talk about his feelings, but he will leave me little gifts that speak volumes for him.
This still doesn't mean it's over, however. I will have to make him understand, one way or another.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ AN: I found something on red calla lilies, and this is what I based the majority of this on. "Red calla lilies come in a wide range of shades. Red calla lilies can be as light as hot pink or as deep and rich as burgundy. Red calla lilies symbolize love, desire, vanity, bravery, confidence, attractiveness and nobility. Give someone a red calla lily if you want to convey the message "I love you and will remain by your side through thick and thin." Or "You're beautiful, smart and fearless; I would love to take you out on a date." It isn't uncommon for brides to have a wedding bouquet made of both white and red calla lilies. If you are planning a wedding and plan to feature red calla lilies as your wedding flower of choice, expect to pay in the range of $350 to $400 for a set of 100 red calla lilies." So, yes. I hope you guys liked the story. ^^ It's time for Altair's version...