private log #2 [ft. givestheslip]

[agestocome]

[ Altaïr tries not to make a habit out of standing outside his quarters in the middle of the night in midwinter, but he indulges in some personal conflict occasionally and now is one of those times. He only just finished debriefing the Assassin who accompanied him on the mission, and it isn't late enough that he can't get some work done; the stack of scrolls and documents locked in his office can only have grown in his short absence.

That considered, it's his right to indulge himself once in a while, and this time his indulgence is choosing to sleep with Maria in their quarters rather than at his desk with a quill in his hand and ink staining his sleeve. He pushes the door open quietly, but not quietly enough that his presence next to the bed seconds later will startle her, and begins the process of unbuckling his armour whilst he still has some remnants of hand-eye coordination. ]

Comments

[givetheslip]

[Of the two of them, Maria is the heavier sleeper most of the time, and she doesn't stir right away, despite the soft sounds Altaïr makes. Burrowed beneath the blankets, she's spread out nearly diagonally across the bed. If pressed, she'd say she's taking the opportunity to enjoy the extra room, never admitting that on the nights she sleeps alone, she tends to start out on her side before moving around in a subconscious attempt to find the one who should be beside her.

Eventually, though, whether it's a noise he makes or a sudden awareness on her part, Maria rolls over and blinks herself awake, knowing only that something is different now. Exactly what that is becomes quickly obvious, and she smiles up at him before reaching one hand out to him from under the covers.]

You're here.

[agestocome]

Did I wake you? [ It would have been an apology from someone else. He doesn't sound particularly repentant as he finally loses his last entirely superfluous belt of daggers and his overcoat, and takes her hand to be tugged into the bed. ]

[givetheslip]

If you did, I'm glad.

[Maria doesn't hesitate to wrap her arms around his neck as he joins her, pulling him close in a tight hug. Her eagerness is frightfully undignified, but at the moment she cares nothing for dignity.]

I didn't expect you back until tomorrow at least.

[agestocome]

[ what the novices don't know about their vaunted leaders won't hurt them. Most of them likely believe the grand master sleeps in a coffin deep underground, rather than here, gladly returning Maria's embrace and bring one hand up to trace over her cheek and through her hair. His tired smile is unseen in the shadows between them, but colours his voice regardless. ]

The brothers in Halab had the situation under control... and both I and Nizar wanted to return.

[givetheslip]

I hope Nizar has as warm a welcome waiting for him.

[Damn, but it feels good to have him in her arms again. She pulls back just far enough to be able to plant a quick kiss on his mouth before tugging at his arm.]

Come on, get under the covers. It's cold and you're not dressed for the chill now.