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Iris	By : RotSeele Category: +A through F > Assassin's Creed Views: 2843 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Assassin's Creed. I do not make any money from this story.

Chapter List
- 1-Iris
- 2-Hibiscus
- 1
- 2
(Disclaimer: These two appear in the previous chapter, and this story takes place at the same time as the previous chapter. All characters in Hibiscus are original, but as it is set in the Assassin's Creed world, I'm treating the story as a fanfiction.)

Now

Hakim studied Ali as they walked the horses down to the stables outside Masyaf. Ali had his hood drawn up still, obscuring his face. He hadn’t spoken since he’d returned only hours before, but Hakim could be patient. Eventually, Ali would say something. A breeze wafted over the pair and Hakim took a deep breath. The smells of horses, people, bread, meat, spices, dried blood, and hibiscus were intermingled on that breeze. Hakim loved the smell of hibiscus the most – Ali smelled that way, as if he rolled in the flowers. That imagery made Hakim snort and he earned an odd look from Ali. Hakim shook his head with a smile. Ali’s lips quirked in a smile in return and he continued to lead the way to the stables. Hakim sighed when they reached the gate of Masyaf, and he was grateful the stable-hands were there to take the horses from them. Oh, he knew how to take care of his own horse, but that didn’t mean he liked to do it.
“Master Malik is promoting me,” Ali said at last. Hakim gave him a startled look.
“What?”
Both he and Ali were novices of assassin rank. Neither had been granted a hidden blade yet – Hakim glanced at Ali’s right hand, his dominant hand, and tried to imagine it without its ring finger. If Ali got promoted, he would be granted that hidden blade – he would be sent to places Hakim couldn’t follow.
“He said he wants to promote me.” Ali replied. He reached up to remove his hood, revealing a youthful face with just the slightest hint of stubble. His hair was black and long, a complete break from tradition. His eyes, though, were green instead of brown or black – his father’s eyes.

Then

Ten-year-old Hakim clutched his mother’s hand as she walked with other mothers also holding the hands of their sons or, in the case of a few, daughters. They had all been summoned by Master Altair to the keep in Masyaf, but why Hakim didn’t know. He knew his mother had looked at him with pride in her eyes and his father had told him he was going to be a man now. Hakim didn’t know he was part of only a handful of children picked by the Dai Malik al Sayf to learn the ways of the Assassin. He didn’t now it meant he’d likely never see his parents again. He didn’t know he was about to enter a world of blood, fear, murder, and brotherhood. He didn’t know he’d be learning secrets that went against everything he’d learned so far. But he went without argument because he didn’t know how to argue against his involvement, and he didn’t want to bring shame upon his family.
He glanced around him and recognized several faces. There was Fatima, Jafar, and Mohammed. He saw a few others, but couldn’t remember their names. Then his gaze locked with the set of eyes that would fascinate him for the rest of his life. They were as green as emeralds, set into a tanned face that made them stand out even more. Hakim studied the other boy, and knew he was being studied in return. The other boy looked away first, up at the man beside him. Hakim realized the man wasn’t from Masyaf, wasn’t even from this land. His skin was pale, his hair blonde, and his eyes the same green as the boy’s. Hakim’s mother tugged on his hand. He followed her, but kept staring over his shoulder at the outsider and the boy.

Now

“Can’t you refuse?”
Ali looked up at Hakim. “Refuse the Dai and Master Altair? Do you have a death wish?”
“No,” Hakim said, trying not to sound sullen. “If he does promote you–”
“Then in all likelihood, I’ll be sent on missions befitting the rank I’m given, while you’re still a novice, is that it?”
“You don’t have to be so blunt…”
Ali sighed. “Hakim, I think the Dai has other things to worry about right now.”
“You got that feeling too, huh?”
“He hides it well enough, but anyone with a brain could figure out how much they mean to each other.”
Hakim chuckled softly. While relationships between men in the assassin brotherhood weren’t exactly frowned upon, there were still certain expectations a man had to meet. And this made Hakim look at Ali again. They were both barely into their twenties, but Hakim knew his parents were already trying to find him a wife.

Then

Hakim stared at his mother for the longest time. “What?”
“She’s a beautiful, strong girl.” His mother said, unfazed by her son’s disbelief. “She’ll certainly make you a better companion than that half-breed.”
“His name is Ali.” Hakim bristled, insulted on behalf of his friend.
“Just get to know her. If all goes well, we’ll get the negotiations started.”

Now

“Aaliyah doesn’t seem like a bad person,” Ali said softly.
Hakim glowered at the smaller boy. “Well, I don’t love her.”
“Love has nothing to do with it.”
“Love has everything to do with it. Your father loved your mother, didn’t he?”
Ali winced. “Don’t talk about them.”
“He did. I know he did. And he loved you, too.”
“Hakim–”
Hakim latched onto Ali’s wrist and pulled him into an alley, covering the smaller man with his body. None could see them here, and Hakim cupped Ali’s chin to lift his head up so he could look into those emerald eyes. Ali studied his face, his body tense beneath Hakim’s grip. Hakim took a deep breath.
“Look, I might have to do that duty, but that’s what it’ll be – a duty. Ali, since I’ve known you, I’ve loved you. While you were gone, I missed you.”
“You’re an idiot.” Ali whispered.
“I know.” Hakim crushed their mouths together.
Ali struggled for a moment, but Hakim wouldn’t let him go. He bit Ali’s lower lip and got a soft gasp that let him explore the warmth of his partner’s mouth. Ali’s hands curled in Hakim’s shirt, creating new wrinkles. Finally, Ali began to respond, to return the kiss. Hakim sought to deepen their connection, and lifted Ali up to press him against the wall. Ali’s legs wrapped around Hakim’s waist and Hakim felt blood rushing to his groin. He needed to have Ali, right here, right now. His hand had just start to open Ali’s coat when a woman gasped.
Hakim’s head jerked up. Aaliyah stood in the ally’s mouth, dressed in her assassin whites. She stared at them both, disbelief clear in her dark eyes. Ali was suddenly shoving Hakim back and all but feeling the alley, barely giving Aaliyah a glance. When Hakim finally looked at her, the disbelief had been replaced by raw amusement.
“What?” Hakim snapped.
“He may be the most skilled of our generation, but he worries too much, doesn’t he?”
“You just had to ruin it didn’t you? You’re the one who said I should tell him!”
Aaliyah waved her hand dismissively. “And you did. The rest is up to him. Trust a woman’s advice and intuition.”
“Just wait until I tell Fatima.”
“You do, and future husband or not, I’ll kill you.” Aaliyah said sweetly.

Then

Hakim and Aaliyah stood with their chaperons for their first meeting. Both were Assassins. Both had loyalties to each other already. It was Aaliyah that made the first move. She approached Hakim and gestured for him to follow. He did so, until they stood out of earshot of the families.
“I don’t want to marry you.” Aaliyah said.
“Good. I don’t want to marry you, either.” Hakim replied.
“But I will, if that will allow me to be with the one I truly love.”
Hakim stared at her. “What?”
Aaliyah’s head tilted toward a young woman hovering just far enough away to be considered polite. “And I know you love Ali,” Aaliyah continued. “I’ll marry you on the condition you never breathe a word to anyone about Fatima and me. And I’ll never tell anyone about you and Ali.”
“And when grandchildren are expected?”
“Ali was right. You are dense.”

Now

Hakim found Ali up in the tower, sitting on the edge of a Leap of Faith platform. His hood was up once more, and his right hand was cradled in his lap. Hakim crouched beside him, and was relieved to see all five fingers were still intact.
“Is she mad at you?” Ali asked.
Hakim snorted. “She yelled at me for moving too fast.”
Ali looked up at him sharply. There was surprise and so many questions in his eyes.
Hakim rubbed his neck. “She knew. Knows. For the sake of duty, we’re going to do it, but that’s all.”
“…Fatima said the most interesting thing to me,” Ali said softly. “She said you’re a clumsy monkey with no sense of subtlety or tact.”
Hakim snorted. He rose from his crouch and stepped to the edge of the platform. He held out his hand to Ali. “Come on.”
Slowly, Ali rose and took Hakim’s hand. He stepped up beside Hakim and looked down at the hay piles so far below.
“Take this Leap of Faith with me, Ali.” Hakim said softly. “Let it prove we’re meant to be together.”
Ali looked up at Hakim. “Romantic idiot.”
Hakim grinned. Still holding tightly to Ali’s hand, he jumped. In perfect synch, Ali followed him. Together they fell. Together, they landed in the hay pile below. Hakim rolled to cover Ali, and crushed their mouths together once again. He breathed deep, breathing in Ali’s scent of hibiscus. When he pulled back, he found Ali smiling at him. Hakim brushed straw away from Ali’s face and smiled back.
“I’m still taking that promotion.” Ali said after a moment.
“I guess I’ll just have to catch up.”
Ali sighed.
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Iris