Chapter Text
Malik was not a forgetful sort of person. So Altair’s surprised when Malik calls him during lunch and asks him to get something from the dorm.
“I’m sorry.” Malik sounds embarrassed and it had to be important because Malik hated asking anyone for help. “I’d go back and get it myself, but it’s all the way across campus–”
“It’s fine.” Altair is already standing up and cramming another bite of the sandwich into his mouth and leaves the rest of his lunch behind.
Malik did not ask him to hurry, but Altair runs anyway.
He gets the keys for the storage room and to the building Malik is waiting (read: pacing) in front of in record time and he’s out of breath when he hands them to Malik. He feels sweaty and disgusting but Malik smiles at him gratefully and it makes the butterflies in his stomach flutter.
He expects Malik to just grab the keys and leave, but he grips Altair’s hand, briefly.
“Thanks.”
“Yeah.” And Malik is probably in a hurry but Altair is stupid and holds onto his hand and doesn’t let go. “Hey. Don’t I get a kiss?”
He expects the way Malik’s face flushes (it was cute though any mention of that is sure to get him slapped), even the way Malik glances around furtively.
He did not expect the way Malik purses his lips and says, “Fine.” Altair’s jaw drops even as Malik tugs him purposefully closer. The motion is surprisingly bold given that Malik was still blushing bright red and not meeting Altair’s eyes. “Close your eyes.”
Altair does so even though a part of him thinks this had to be a trick. He waited for a beat, then two and it feels like forever before he feels Malik’s mouth on his, fleeting and soft. Then it’s gone and he opens his eyes again as Malik steps back, pulling his hand back as well to cover his mouth with the back of it, as if anyone who sees it would be able to guess what he’d just done.
“Go get changed. You stink.” Is the last thing he says before he turns and goes back into the building.