#;patroklos

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@phantomised

Patroklos does not know how he is still alive.

It took a few days for the numbness to leave his legs, but all that did was leave agony in its place. The wound in his shoulder screams. All he can do is think about Achilles and how he will eventually come for him. Patroklos knows his life is valuable, that he's certainly nothing more than a bargaining chip. He doesn't know what god is cruel enough to keep him living when he can hardly walk or even think. Will he die as soon as he's returned? Or did he somehow manage to defy the will of the fates, and this is his punishment?

He doesn't know. He doesn't have the energy to think too hard on it. As he sits there in his cell, he laments his own stupidity. If only I had stayed on the beach, then I wouldn't be in this damn mess.

His head lifts when he hears the door open, and he squints. "Hello?" he quietly calls out, surprised by how hoarse his own voice sounds. "Who is it?" He's only spoken with Hektor once, and he really thinks that's enough, but he's not entirely sure who else would be curious enough to lay eyes on Achilles' dearest companion.

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@overyourhubris

"Where do we go from here, Achilles?"

It is the dead of night, Patroklos breaking the deafening silence with his question. He thinks it's a reasonable one, considering everyone believes Achilles to be dead and likely Patroklos a deserter with the haste in which he left the Greek camps behind. There is nothing for him in Troy without Achilles. He is oath-bound, but that's it. He never found the glory or the honor in so much killing.

Even still, Achilles is not dead. Or...he was, but now he's not, much like himself, and Patroklos isn't sure if he has been cursed with the same immortality or not. He's not too keen to find out, but he will follow Achilles to the ends of the Earth for as long as he's alive. So he sits up, reaching over to gentle stroke his cheek, pushing the hair out of his eyes. "Do you have any ideas? I..I wish I did, but I don't, but know that wherever we go, I will remain with you. There's nowhere I wish to be without you by my side."

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also something something patroklos' role in the iliad is to die. his death is set in stone before the story ever begins. his death is what causes achilles to fight again and thus causes the wheels of fate to turn once more....he was never going to leave troy alive. he knew that from the moment he stepped foot on troys shore. bc if achilles was to die then he would, too.

he just never expected to go first. to be the first fall of the dominos. and i JUST. KICKS THINGS. YELLS.

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what if we left  …  ran away ? for patroklos !

Morbid curiosity || Accepting

"We could, but how far do you think we would actually get before someone tries to stop us?"

As much as Patroklos would love to leave and return back to Phthia, or, really, anywhere else, he is trying to be logical. The logistics of it feel impossible in a lot of ways. There is always someone on watch, and how would they gather enough men to row their ship? Or would they try and build a smaller boat for the two of them? Maybe find one in Troy's harbor? He sighs, resting his head on Achilles' shoulder as he stares out at the horizon.

"I'm not sure how we would do it. Everything I think of comes to a dead end," he mutters, frowning. Patroklos could spend hours going in circles with himself and it never really amounts to anything. He glances back up at Achilles, leans over to press a kiss to his cheek.

"If we can figure something out, you know I'll go with you. Wherever you go, I go, too."

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Astyanax did not understand why they all were so worked up here. To him the world still was simple. Why could he not go home again? This would only cause more trouble, for everyone! Trying to balance a few little pebbles on top of each other as he sat on the ground inside the tent, Astyanax looked over to Achilles’ friend as he entered. Patroklos.

“The Fates say that you are tragic… why? You're nicer than Achilles.”

Patroklos doesn't like this. Keeping a child hostage for the sake of bargaining feels...wrong. Then again, he's always had a bleeding heart. He'd never be here if he didn't make that oath, and if not for Achilles. He's been tasked with watching the boy because, well, there's not really anyone better suited for it, is there? Except for maybe Briseis...

When he enters the tent, he quirks a brow at Astyanax's question, moving to sit next to him. "I'm not sure why they would say that. How are you privy to what the Fates say, hm?" For now, he just chalks it up to the imagination of a child, but something in his gut twists nervously.

"As for Achilles...ah, he's just a bit brusque, but he'll come around eventually, I'm sure. Why don't you tell me a little bit about your life in the palace?"

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❝ you've seen me at my worst but you're still here... ❞ for patroklos

A tender glimpse beneath the surface || Accepting

"Why wouldn't I be? Where else would I go?"

Patroklos says this as he makes himself comfortable in Achilles' arms, huddled underneath the blankets of their shared bed. True, he has seen Achilles at his worst, rage-filled and prideful and hurt. They see the consequences of that now, with his newfound immortality, yet Patroklos thinks that there's still nowhere else he'd rather be than by Achilles' side. Ever since they met, he couldn't envision himself anywhere else, no matter what hardships life would bring.

"Do you still think of my love as conditional? Achilles...there is very little I wouldn't do for you. I would follow you anywhere, wherever that may be." Besides, he's enjoyed traveling through Greece, seeing all the different towns and people. The future is uncertain, but hasn't it always been?

"I am still here, and I will continue to be here. It will take quite a bit for you to get rid of me...and even then, I will still remain." He grins, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "Now sleep, won't you? You look exhausted."

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[ HEAT ]:      while in the middle of a make-out session, sender pushes the receiver up against the wall, unwittingly heating things up even more. for patroklos.

Pinned to a wall || Accepting

One would think that after so many years, they might tired of each other, that they might not spend every night in each other's arms or loving each other like it might be the last time. That is entirely not the case, however. With each passing year, it feels like they're inching closer and closer to their deaths, which means more desperation, more desire. Every day, Achilles leaves to fight, and every day, Patroklos wonders if that'll be the last time they see each other.

It explains things, doesn't it? Patroklos cannot bear the thought of a single moment without Achilles. They eat dinner, he lovingly washes the blood off of Achilles' hands and out of his hair, and...things lead to other things. Patroklos lets out a shaky whine as they stumble back into the tent, Achilles pushing him up against one of the walls and then proceeding to lift him. Patroklos knows he's quite small, but fuck, if that doesn't get him going--

"You'll be the death of me," he stutters out in between desperate, hungry kisses. He wraps his legs around Achilles' waist, bites at his bottom lip. No, he can't live without him, and let him show him exactly how much he means to him.

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❝ you occupy my thoughts. day and night, even in dreams you're there. i want you to never stop haunting me. ❞ for patroklos lucius.

Devoted, yearning, and obsessive || Accepting

Lucius feels his face flush, staring up at Achilles with wide eyes. He had been invited over to the emperor's residence for dinner, but didn't expect to be left alone with Achilles at any point. He quietly excused himself to go into the gardens, wondering why he felt so...overwhelmed. Anyone might be overwhelmed by suddenly being brought into Somnus' inner circle, but it isn't that, is it?

He didn't expect Achilles to follow him. They had been eyeing each other all night, Lucius feeling desire rising up within him. Ever since their discussion of his dreams, they've only grown more and more frequent. It's like he's on the verge of something, on the edge of stepping off a cliff, but what awaits him, he still doesn't know.

"Achilles, I--" He breathes shakily. They are so close, Patroklos' heart racing in his chest. He's been backed up against one of the many pillars, but he finds that he doesn't mind. There is something familiar about this. The night is warm, the sound of the ocean lapping against the shore. Everyone has fallen asleep, it seems, except for them. They laugh and grab at each other desperately, still finding time to love each other despite their circumstances, despite all the cruelty--

Lucius breathes.

"I..think about you often," he murmurs, hands coming up to cup his face. "I don't know why, but I can't get you out of my head. You occupy my every waking thought..." He trails off, hesitating, and then suddenly leans up to kiss him. There's no going back from this now, he thinks. Whatever happens from this point on is in the hands of the gods.