Brothers on a Hotel Bed

A/N: The story takes place during Hector's fight with Achilles. Basically it's a bunch of flashbacks in no specific order. The italics are his fight, the bold italics are the song lyrics and the regular writing is the story.

Disclaimer: If you must know, I'm poor and own nothing. Are you happy now? Events are based off of Homer's Iliad and the song is "Brothers on a Hotel Bed" by Death Cab for Cutie. Now read!

This chapter takes place the 1st time Hector returns home from war since marriage


Hector's POV

Achilles's sword came down, splitting the air between us. Deflected quickly by my shield. I do not wish to dishonor my father, for he is watching from the palace walls, but I can't go on much longer. Achilles is running on anger from his cousin's death. All I have is love for my country. I'm getting tired, slowing down. I must keep on, I know. But it's so hot…

You may tire of me, as our December sun is setting. 'Cuz I'm not who I used to be…

"Hector!" my wife Andromache screamed as I stepped off of my ship. I forced a smile onto my face as she flung herself into my arms. I had been away for months aiding in the war taking place in Crete.

She pulled me through the palace, towards our chambers and I followed obligingly. I vaguely noticed the guard outside our door bow his head as we passed.

I sat down on the edge of our bed as she took off my sandals. She then sat on my lap and gazed into my eyes, her own alight with passion and the joy of my return. A frown then came to her face.

"My Hector, what is wrong?" I hated seeing her worried.

"Oh nothing." I said trying to fake another smile. I failed miserably and gave her what I expect looked more like a grimace.

"You are my husband Hector, and I am your wife. You cannot fool me." I sighed and stared at my hands as if they were the most interesting things in this world or the next.

"I saw men die. So many men. Never to return home to their wives. I saw children die. Innocent children. Their bodies lined the blood-stained streets of Crete."

Andromache loosened up a bit but the concerned look remained on her face. "But my love, you are the Hector of Troy. Son of Priam and heir to the Trojan throne. People adore you and you control one of the greatest armies in the world. You are a warrior my love. You will see many men die—"

I cut her off. "—Yes but this is different. I have never seen what happens to the citizens during war. We arrived in Crete early because the Gods had blessed us with a safe journey, but Agamemnon's army was winning thus far.

"As soon as we stepped off of the ship, the smell of decay was overwhelming. I heard men dying in the streets, their children murdered, wives taken as concubines and slaves against their will. It broke my heart.

"I saw a priestess, still in ceremonial garb, raped and slaughtered like an animal on the libation alter," my voice broke and tears threatened to fall down my face. I was a warrior. Warriors should not be prone to such weakness.

I looked into her eyes and kept on, whispering now. "I buried her myself."

"Oh Hector!" Andromache flung her arms around my neck. "It'll be okay. Everything will be okay," she repeated over and over again.

By now she was crying herself, probably thinking that one day I will become one of those men who will never return home.

"Eventually you will forget what you saw and everything will be okay," she repeated once more, trying to convince herself more than me.

But that's where she's wrong. I'll never forget…


A/N: So, how'd you like it? Yeah I know it was pretty sad and depressing but there's a war going on while he's thinking this. How happy can he possibly be? Well, review please. The story gets better, I promise.

xox Timmy xox