Altaïr x Male!Reader

Your Gods of Gold

Before you stood the giant mouth leading into the caves which connected to Solomon's temple. You cocked back your left hand, making sure the hidden blade was working. Your right hand was balled into a fist, tightly. Altaïr discreetly side-eyed you, assessing. He was still concerned about whatever was 'off'. He couldn't quite place it. But then again, if he tried to ask, it was more than likely you'd shut him out again. He couldn't help that, he supposed. After all, he had been a little forceful before. Well, maybe not just a little.

"Are you ready?" He asked you. You turned, snapping back into reality.

"Huh? Oh, yes. I am." You replied. He glanced over you once, then behind him, and entered the temple. You also looked behind you before passing into the caves, quickly catching up to Altaïr.

The energy inside was like nothing you had felt before. Surely, it was nothing from this earth. It seemed warm, and inviting, but at the same time it was like as if a friendly person was standing but holding a knife behind their back. It was hard to explain, to say in the least. It almost felt.. inexplicably thick. Like a curtain was wrapped around your body, smothering you.

You surveyed the cavern's walls carefully. They didn't seem to hold any useful information, but you couldn't help but be interested.

"It... It is a strange aura in here, no?" Altaïr asked.

"Yes, I wouldn't trust it if I were you. As with many strange feelings." Altaïr seemed to relax a tiny bit before returning to his normal alertness.

The only sound came from both of your feet, echoing into the deeper parts of the tunnels. You watched Altaïr, he seemed focused on just walking forward. Suddenly he turned his head and returned your stare, almost as if he knew you were observing him closely. Quite abruptly, he stopped, and faced you.

"I know I have no right, I know after all I've done I shouldn't even ask but, what happened to you?" He said gently. Your heartbeat quickened, perhaps you couldn't keep lying or avoiding the subject anymore.

"Why do you ask?" You probed, tilting your head ever so slightly.

"Because ever since the hanging you've been acting different. I can't help but feel that it has something to do with your past. Please, tell me." Altaïr explained. You almost started crying then and there. He was being so careful, so kind. What happened to that arrogance you experience first hand? What happened to that, 'I could care less about you' attitude? Maybe, just maybe, you could trust him with this.

"Listen, there is no easy way to share what happened but, from what I remember, I was just a boy, I had a happy, normal life. I loved my mama and papa very much. Heh... loved, that is." Although you desperately didn't want them to, tears started to sting at your eyes. "One day, a group of men broke into our house. They called themselves Templars.

"Mother tried to hide me, of course that didn't work. They found all of us. They tied up mother and father then handed me a knife. I had to.. to...." The words choked in your throat. Altaïr was already in front of you, pulling you into a tight hug. Fat, heavy tears rolled down your face. The older man sighed, patting your head a bit.

"You're no different than anyone else involved in our creed. We have all lost something or someone. But that is exactly why we fight." Altaïr separated himself to look at you directly. "You must use those emotions to your advantage. Control, but with passion, yes?" You nodded, wiping away your tears. How like a small, lost child you must seem to Altaïr. He was so calm and understanding.

"Come now, we have to get going." He said while starting towards the temple. You followed silently. Already, a weight seemed to lift off your chest. You let out a deep breath, steadying your heartbeat. Suddenly, a question popped into your mind.