Perhaps sleep is one of the only times that Malik could ever allow himself to shed tears anymore, their work, his duty to the brotherhood, it didn't afford him much time to mourn or deal with any feelings he might have locked up inside. So when he sleeps the walls come down and his heart grieves while his body and mind rests. He shifts easily when Altair pulls him in, unaware of being moved at all. Though the sound of his heart and the gentle words soothed into his ear are quietly echoed in his dream and memory like a voice from above and beyond. He is relaxed and warm, surrounded by comfort and peace. Kadar's ghost remains with him, but he's no longer awash with pain and guilt. His tears dry up and he slumbers against Altair's chest, lulled into a deep and honest sleep to the beat of his lovers heart.

Malik will get in a few good hours this way, so long as Altair remains holding him in his arms. Then, slowly but surely he'll stir, giving a soft noise in his throat to signal his waking. He blinks open dark eyes to realize they are no longer positioned how he'd fallen asleep, to listen to the rhythmic thumping of Altair's heart against his cheek. He shifts, lifting his head then to look up at the other, still a little groggily confused by the world. His vulnerable position dawns on him and he flusters, sitting up but not really pushing out of the embrace. He's moving just enough to straighten out his back and clear his throat to pretend like he hadn't just dozed off and softly cried in his sleep. Nope. He's still a hardass.

"...how long have you been awake?"