"Remind me again why I am doing this?"

"Because, Mom, now you at least know that I reached my destination."

"Why can't you stay with you cousin Ezio, Desmond?"

"I thought you said Ezio was even worse then cousin Altaïr, Mom." Desmond rolled his eyes as he watched the landscape that flew by outside of the buzzing city.

"Yes, but I called his mother, your Aunt Maria, and she said Federico is staying with him. That changes everything. It's much better to have him looking after you," she explained.

"Federico is only one and a half years older than Altaïr," Desmond huffed.

"But Altaïr has been a source of trouble ever since his parents died."

Desmond rolled his eyes. His mother never liking took much liking to either Altaïr nor Ezio's family. Actually, Desmond couldn't figure out how his father and mother had ended up together... well, Desmond's father wasn't quite like his three brothers. Probably only because he had a different mother than his three siblings.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay with Ezio and Federico?" his mother almost pleaded.

"I've already settled it with Altaïr, Mom!" He was getting severely annoyed with her.

"I don't understand why you don't want to attend a school that is closer to home."

"Well, that's the problem: it's too close to home!" Desmond hissed, refusing to look at his mother. Even if Altaïr wasn't the nicest of his relatives, living with him would be like being able to breathe again after nearly drowning!

"I've been checking out the student list on that school you're going to attend."

"Mother!" Desmond growled. Why did she have to do that?

"Let me finish, Desmond. Not only are Ezio and Altaïr attending the school, but also that De Sable boy and those dreadful Al-Sayr siblings, as well!"

Desmond bit back a venomous reply. His mother didn't like Robert De Sable because he was often mentioned whenever Altaïr was in trouble. She didn't like the Al-Sayrs because they are Altaïr's closets friends...or, at least they were. Desmond didn't know anymore. He hadn't seen the oldest Al-Sayr, he believed his name was Malik, since the funeral of Altaïr's parents, two years ago. He thought he'd seen the younger as well, but he wasn't sure. He'd only talked to Malik a few times.

"Won't you please reconsider-" his mother began, but Desmond swiftly cut her off.

"We're here," he announced as he got out of the car, barely giving the woman time to bring it to a stop.

Desmond got out his backpack, his duffle and suitcase from the back, not allowing for his mother to help or start "chatting" again. He looked up from his baggage at the same moment that Altaïr opened the door and stepped into the evening air. Desmond almost smirked when he noticed his relative hadn't changed at all. He was still wearing those white, loose hoodies.

"Hello, Desmond," he greeted when said man walked over with his bags. He nodded in return.

"Now, please look after Desmond," his mother urged.

"I'm not five, mom," Desmond sighed in annoyance. Altaïr moved so Desmond could pass him, then nodded to his mother before following his guest inside.

Desmond stood in the hallway, a little uncertain for what to do next. Altaïr helped him out. "Your room is down the hall and to the left," he instructed.

"Okay, thanks," Desmond mumbled.

"Oh, and I haven't cleaned it, by the way. I was going to, but my lazy side wagered against it."

He could almost hear the smirk in his voice. Altaïr hadn't changed a bit. He gritted his teeth, but forced a smile. "That's okay...if you can bring me a rag and some soapy water, I can clean it right away."

Desmond sighed and got up from his crouched position on the floor. The room was finally clean and smelled of soap. Minutes before, Altaïr had declared that he was ordering take out, and that was fine with Desmond since he wasn't a picky eater. Then it suddenly struck him, like lightning from the clear sky. He was free! No parents to hover over his shoulders at every movement and word. He felt the excited shivers run up his spine. Finally! It was almost pathetic to admit that a nineteen-year-old, soon to be twenty, was still controlled by his parents. He had planned to run away if he couldn't convince them to let him attend the school there.

Funny thing really... the school had literally sent him an invitation to join. Schools didn't do that normally, right? How would he know? He'd been home schooled for most of his life and he hated every minute of it. Hated every minute of sitting in the living room with his mom and the text book.

After he unpacked most of his stuff, he began walking towards the kitchen, knowing that he'd heard the doorbell ring not too long before. When he found no one in the kitchen, he went in the direction he believed was the living room. He was about to ask about the take out when he froze and stared. He'd found the living room and Altaïr... and a girl that was using his lap as a seat. They were literally eating the other's faces.

Desmond shivered, but not because it was hot or anything. He shivered because of the expression on the girl's face. Even if her eyes were closed, she had that overly possessive aura around her that reminded Desmond all too much of his parents. It didn't take long before the girl's scent reached Desmond, successfully making Desmond want to run and avoid it. He may have been home schooled, but he knew girls weren't supposed to shower in perfume!

The girl opened her eyes and stared at him, not removing her lips from Altaïr's. Desmond twitched. It was almost like she was threatening him with her eyes, daring him to even dare touch her man.

Desmond coughed, desperately seeking attention from Altaïr, desperately wanting the woman's eyes off of him! Altaïr broke the kiss and turned his head to Desmond with a bored look on his face.

"Who's he?" the young woman asked in a British accent.

"He's just my younger cousin. He's staying with me while he goes to school," Altaïr explained.

"Oh, the new guy that's coming even though the semester already started?"

"Yeah..."

"Care for an introduction?" Desmond asked sarcastically, feeling safe once more as the woman's eyes were off him.

"Whatever. Maria, this is Desmond. Desmond, my girlfriend, Maria." Maria's sugar sweet smile made Desmond wince inside.

First impression: he didn't like her...