Self-control and mental preparation allowed Altaïr to merely maintain a pleasant smile as he waited for Darim to come to him. He wouldn't have minded if the boy had run and jumped and squealed just as much as his little brother—such behavior wouldn't mean he hadn't been there for Maria and Sef over the past months.
But Darim was growing up all too quickly, and Altaïr had an idea of how important it was for him to remain dignified. Let him show it.
He held his shoulders straight and his head high as Darim bowed, just as he would to any of his men speaking a formal audience. It was difficult, in this moment, to remember the red, squalling baby his son had once been, and easier to picture the man he would be sooner than his parents would like.
"Thank you, Darim," he said, and held out his arms. Sooner than his parents would like, but not yet. "And what about a welcome for your father?"
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But Darim was growing up all too quickly, and Altaïr had an idea of how important it was for him to remain dignified. Let him show it.
He held his shoulders straight and his head high as Darim bowed, just as he would to any of his men speaking a formal audience. It was difficult, in this moment, to remember the red, squalling baby his son had once been, and easier to picture the man he would be sooner than his parents would like.
"Thank you, Darim," he said, and held out his arms. Sooner than his parents would like, but not yet. "And what about a welcome for your father?"