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Altaïr thought he had merely dozed off, though that thought changed when he felt a presence beside him. He looked to his side where he saw a visage of Malik whole and youthful. The sight of him stealing the master assassin's breath, it took him a moment to realize he didn't have breath left within him. He had so many thoughts racing through his mind and he couldn't seem to find words to express any of them.
His golden eyes were glassy, tears threatening to spill, "Malik?" His voice came barely audible as though if he spoke too loud he would disappear.
Malik smiled warmly at him, offering one of his hands to the mentor, "Altaïr."
The sound of his name in Malik's voice caused any resolve he may have had to shatter, his vision blurring as tears streamed down his cheeks.
"I never thought I would see you again..." He said, placing a trembling hand in the other's, watching as he changed, becoming youthful again as well.
"The time has come.”
Altaïr, overwhelmed with all of this, shook his head, "I-I don't understand. I failed you. First at the temple and then..." He choked back a sob.
"Safety and Peace, Altaïr ." Malik began reaching with his other hand, gently pushing Altaïr ’s hood back before he brushed his fingers along the other’s cheek to catch the tears that coated it. "You have done so much. It is time for you to rest now. Death may have separated us for a time. Though it could not keep us apart forever."
Altaïr placed his other trembling hand over the one at his cheek, looking a bit more confused, "Your arm..."
Malik only smiled again, helping the other assassin stand. "I am whole as are you." He squeezed the hand he had been holding, causing Altaïr to look down at it, noticing his ring finger was no longer missing.
"I am now." He said softly, shifting to hug the other assassin tightly.
He could no longer hold back his sobs, his tears soaking the familiar black dai robe his companion wore, his hand clinging to the fabric. Altaïr had no idea how long they stood there in that embrace he had so desperately yearned for. It didn't matter now, time didn't matter, nothing did besides the fact that they were together again.
"I have waited so long to have you back in my arms." Malik said softly, rubbing soothing circles into Altaïr's back, hoping to comfort him.
"I am so sorry." Altaïr's voice came muffled against Malik's shoulder.
Malik gently coaxed his partner to pull back enough to look at him, bringing his hands to either side of the other man's face. He then shook his head, "You have nothing to be sorry for. What happened wasn't your fault."
More tears welled in his golden eyes, "I should have stayed. I should have protected you. I should have stopped him."
Malik presses his forehead to Altaïr's, lightly brushing their lips together and lingering there for a moment. "No."
Altaïr's lips parted as though he was going to speak, however he didn't.
"You were doing what you thought was best for the order, for all of us. You have come so far and done so much not only for the brotherhood that exists now but for the future."
"But I would have traded all that to save you."
"I know you would have and I love you for that. However what you did, all of your work, it will make the world a better place. It will not solve all of man's problems, he will always create more, but you have improved things overall. No mentor has ever done as much as you, changed as much as you and it was for the better."
"I trust in your words, Malik..."
"Yet?"
"All of that time without you... I..." He swallows thickly, in what could be an attempt to push his heart back down into his chest. "I could never forgive myself for what happened... I may have done so much to... to cover up my guilt. If I was distracted I couldn't think about how much I missed you. I how badly I ached to hear your voice again, to see your face, to feel your touch..." His golden eyes shifted down, and his hands grasped Malik's robe tightly. "I am not sure, my pursuits were as noble as you make them sound."
Malik pulled back from the other, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead, "It seems you have become modest in your old age, Novice."
Altaïr made a soft sound almost akin to a chuckle.
"Come now, unless you wish we spend our eternity in your library here, while it is impressive, your physical body should be left in peace as well."
Altaïr looked back at where his body sat in the chair for the first time since he had touched Malik's hand. He couldn't catch the gasp that left him, though he now understood the scenario, seeing his own body in such a state was still jarring. After a deep breath he no longer needed to take, he turned back to Malik, again taking his hand, "Lead the way?"
"What a pleasant surprise, you following me." Malik teased, gently tugging his partner forward.
"I would follow you anywhere." Altaïr said softly, pressing a chaste kiss to the other man's jaw as they walked.