Malik/Desmond please?? I need some fluff and love after this past week.
I hope your week gets better, nonny!
This is set on the Desmond is Jerusalem’s Lighthouse idea. (Desmond as Jerusalem Bureau's Lighthouse (+ a short drabble where Desmond flashbangs a few novices))
“It’s a present one gives on the day of the recipient’s day of birth,” Malik explained in a slow dry tone.
“I know what it means.” Altaïr growled as he glared at Malik from over the counter, “I am not asking what it means. I am asking why you’re asking for my opinion on a birthday present of all things.”
“Desmond’s day of birth is the 13th of March and that’s two weeks from now.” Malik reminded him. Hearing the small hum that Altaïr made, Malik narrowed his eyes as he stated, “You didn’t know when he was born, did you?”
“It never came up.” Altaïr shrugged before saying, “I do not believe we have talked enough that we would be comfortable sharing such personal details.”
Altaïr tilted his head as he added, “Which makes this all the more strange that you’re asking for my advice.”
Malik sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose as he admitted, “You were not my first choice, I assure you, but…”
Malik glared at the counter between them as he dropped his hand and mumbled something so softly that Altaïr wouldn’t have heard it had he not spent his entire life honing his senses, “Desmond enjoys your company whenever you’re here so I had assumed you might have some idea…”
“Ah.” Altaïr shrugged before suggesting, “Perhaps something he can use would be good? Like a dagger he can easily conceal?”
“A dagger.” Malik dryly repeated as he stared at Altaïr with an expression that had gone past disappointment and had settled on a mix of acceptance for Altaïr’s part and disappointment on his own folly for believing Altaïr could be helpful.
Altaïr simply stared at him with that annoying stoic expression on his face as he added, “A simple dagger would suffice. Something that would not catch anyone’s attention.”
“So a cheap dagger then. Something that one can find a dozen in the market.” Malik sarcastically said, making Altaïr nod. Malik rubbed the bridge of his nose once more as he let out a deep breath, more to keep himself from shaking the man in front of him. The words to insult Altaïr was already at the tip of his tongue but he held himself back, knowing full well that Altaïr was trying to help in his own way.
Instead, he took another deep breath before saying, “I… will take it under advisement.”
Altaïr’s lips twitched into an aborted smirk before he said calmly, “If my suggestion is not to your liking then perhaps it would be better if you stop thinking like the Rafiq of this bureau and start thinking as a novice.”
“What you lack is information.” Altaïr stated before stepping to the side, letting Malik see the door that would lead to the front of the bureau where they had set up the shop that served as the bureau's front, as he said, “Then go find the information you seek.”
Malik was quiet for a moment before he stared at Altaïr as he said, “Perhaps you are maturing in your role as our mentor.”
Of course, he was unable to stop himself from adding, “Now if only you stop traveling to the nearby bureaus to escape the paperwork…”
“Stay your tongue, brother, less mine loosen enough that I may speak of this conversation to Desmond.” Altaïr warned lightheartedly as he walked towards the door behind Malik, patting him on the shoulder as he passed him by, “I will be in your office, checking the reports. Report to me once you have gathered enough information and I shall listen to your plan.”
Malik sighed, “Very well. We shall try it your way then.”
Desmond was free to do whatever he wanted. He wasn’t, technically, an Assassin nor was he an informant. Malik had assumed he would don the robes of an Assassin now that Altaïr was their mentor, perhaps even become his advisor or replace Altaïr on the field, he certainly had the skills to do either but all he did was remain in Jerusalem.
Malik dared not think of the reason why Desmond stayed, only enjoying the days he has with Desmond.
And it was because he was not an Assassin in the eyes of the Brotherhood that he was not held to the same restrictions as everybody else.
So Desmond could do whatever he wanted.
Which, it turned out, was to take afternoon strolls. Jerusalem is always the busiest during the afternoon so it was easy to blend in the crowds and watch Desmond as he goes on his walk.
As usual, two novices tail after him, one on ground level, the other on the rooftops. Malik would have preferred to watch from the rooftops as well but… his current body made that a bit… inconvenient.
Still, using the crowds made it easier for him to stay near Desmond, watching him as he talked to some of the civilians of Jerusalem.
A quick hello to an old man sitting in front of a house.
Gossiping with a few women having tea about the latest scandals they know of.
Talking to a few children and buying them bread from the nearest bakery.
There wasn’t really any information for Malik to get from all these though.
Other than the fact that Desmond enjoyed talking to people (which Malik had already known anyway), there was no useful information that Malik could glean.
The more frustrating part of all of these was that Desmond actually doesn’t talk about himself. Malik had received more information about the people Desmond talked to but no new information about Desmond himself.
He had been so frustrated by that fact that he didn’t even react when Desmond turned around and walked towards him. Desmond tilted his head and asked, “So I’m guessing by that face that you didn’t get what you wanted from me?”
Malik sighed, already knowing that Desmond was just as observant as Altaïr and asked, “When did you realize?”
They began to walk together and Malik let Desmond decide their path as Desmond replied, “Around the time I was haggling for these dates.”
He lightly shook the basket filled with the items he had purchased from the market, all of which were ingredients Malik would know would find their way into the food they would have for dinner tonight and tomorrow's breakfast and lunch. He kept quiet as Desmond continued, “I thought you were just, you know, taking a walk or something but you sat on the bench and stayed until I finished.”
Malik hummed. So Desmond found out that Malik was following him during that time but he had noticed Malik earlier.
“Soooo…” Desmond turned slightly so he could look at Malik while keeping an eye in front of them as he asked, “Did you need something from me?”
“In a way, perhaps,” Malik replied vaguely.
“And you can’t just ask?” Desmond pressed as they began to walk to a small alleyway that would lead them back to the bureau.
Malik frowned as he replied, “I could…”
Desmond stopped in the middle of the alleyway, making Malik stop as well. They both turned to stare at one another as Desmond tilted his head once more while asking, “But you don’t want to ask? Is that it?”
“It feels a bit… like cheating if I do,” Malik admitted with a sigh.
“So what?” Desmond snorted, “Assassins should be fine with cheating anyway.”
Malik sighed before finally confessing, “I was observing you… to… have an idea of what you would like as a gift for your birthday.”
Desmond stared at him for a moment and Malik braced himself.
It was stupid, he knew that. He wouldn’t be surprised if Desmond would laugh right now because of how foolish he had been acting.
The mature thing to do had been to ask Desmond directly, he knew that.
But Malik let his own stubbornness get the better of him.
He let hubris coat his thoughts into thinking he could figure it out himself.
“If I tell you what I wish to have the most …” Desmond took a step towards Malik and asked softly, “Would you grant?”
“If it is within my power, yes.” Malik answered before adding, “And, if it is not, I’m sure I can ask Altaïr for help.”
And that unnerving glowing ball of his that seemed to like Desmond so much.
“I’m afraid Altaïr can’t help with this one.” Desmond took another step toward Malik and waved his hand in the direction they came from like he was…
Malik scanned the alleyway, brows furrowing as he asked, “Did you just order the novices to lea-”
Malik froze when he felt Desmond place a hand on the side of his neck. He turned to face Desmond once more and his heart began to beat quickly when he saw the expression on Desmond’s face.
He felt Desmond’s lips touch the side of his lips, too quickly for Malik to react. Desmond rested his forehead against Malik and Malik opened his lips but could not let out any words as Desmond press his point and middle fingers against his slightly parted lips. Desmond smiled softly as he whispered, “I’ll wait for your answer on my birthday.”
Desmond took a step back and Malik could only watch in fascination at how flushed Desmond’s entire face was right now. Desmond cleared his throat and his soft expression turned to his usual cheerful face once more as said, “Imma go buy more ingredients for today’s dinner. I’ll see you later, Malik.”
He waved and quickly run back in the direction of the marketplace, leaving Malik standing in the middle of the alleyway, too stunned by the sudden development to even do anything.
He finally managed to compose himself just in time to take a step to the side as Altaïr dropped from the rooftop. He glared at Altaïr as he asked, “Were you spying on us?”
“And risk Desmond’s teasing? Of course not.” Altaïr dryly replied before explaining, “I saw the two of you walking back to the bureau with my sight. When you just continued standing there after Desmond left, I got tired of waiting for you to return to the bureau and came out to give you this instead.”
Malik took what seemed to be a roll of some kind of white fabric with red lace on either side from Altaïr as he asked, “And what is this supposed to be?”
“It’s a ribbon long enough for you to wrap around yourself.”
Malik’s expression turned to confusion as he asked, “And why would I even want to do that?”
Altaïr simply stared at him blankly as he explained clinically, “So you may present yourself as your gift to Desmond on his birthday.”
Altaïr began to walk back to the bureau as he added, “Oh, and you’re meant to wrap yourself with that alone. No other clothes.”
“What!?” Malik spluttered, turning to stare at Altaïr’s back as he tried to articulate the mess that was now his thought process, “What do you mean no clot- That would mean I would be nake- Why wou- Altaïr! Come back here and explain yourself!”
