A/N: Hello FanFiction people. Hope all is well. I know that it has been a while since I have updated this fic. So, I hope you enjoy this fluffy-ish chapter. It's short, but Achilles and Patroclus have a brief midnight talk. As always no slash.

Also, because some of you asked: Patroclus is about six or seven in the prologue. And he is about the same age as the movie in the rest of the chapters.

Thanks for all of the support and enjoy.

OoooO

The scream causes me to flinch, and I blink frantically around the room trying to see who was upset.

Head pounding against my temple, my heart squeezes as a hand grips my shoulder.

"Shhh, Patrolcus." Achilles's concerned face appears above me. The pressure leaves my shoulder, and gently wipes at my face. "It was just a dream, Cousin."

Blinking a couple of times at Achilles's dark form, my head nods in agreement. "Just a dr- dream." I wince as my voice cracks. That was me screaming?

Achilles's frown deepens. "Are you well, Cousin? You were screaming like a dying warrior. Scared me to no end."

Shuddering at the his choice of words, I nod again, afraid that he would see my nightmares as a weakness. "Very well, Cousin, I leave with you and your men today. Are we leaving already?"

Changing the subject seemed the best way to distract him from my nightmares and any farther question. "This is true," he peers thoughtfully at me, then shakes his head. "Not yet though. Get some sleep, Patroclus. Morning will be here soon."

Licking my lips, my body eases back into my small bed wanting to appease him. Fiendish thoughts from my nightmare race through my head though, and it will be only luck if sleep comes at all. "Want me to wake early to help you pack the ship cargo?"

"Not your job, Cousin." Achilles turns, walking to a small basin, dipping a cloth in water. Silently, he wipes the remaining sweat from the nightmare off of my face.

The cool water surprisingly relaxes me. "What is my job then?"

"Listening. Learning. Obeying."

The three words seemed simple enough, but I read through their basic meaning. "So..stay out of the way?"

He chuckles, throwing the damp cloth back towards the basin, and then he sits beside me on the bed. "Cousin, you are young yet. I'm still not convinced that taking you is the right choice."

My stomach knots for the second time tonight. "What? But it is, I swear to be a loyal solider Achilles."

He nods his approval, bringing his hand back to my face. "I know, Patroclus. But surely, you understand my worry."

"Besides, are you sure you're ready to take my commands? And listen to all I say?"

I nod emphatically, "Of course, Cousin, of course."

"Patroclus, you're gonna see a whole new world. Experience the thrill AND the sorrow of battle. And you're not gonna understand some of my commands. You have to promise that you'll stand down when asked." He fixes me with a dark stare. "Promise me?"

The concern and worry eased from his face, as I nod. "Yes, Cousin. I promise."

"Good," he flops down in the bed beside me. "Now scoot over, your nightmares have messed up my beauty rest. And I have to be looking my best when all the fair ladies see us off tomorrow."

Rolling a few inches to make room for my cousin's large body, he scoots under the warm blankets. My body instantly relaxes as he slings a protective arm around me. "We will get to the bottom of these nightmares, I swear it, Cousin." He mumbles into my hair tiredly.

Glad that he isn't far and that nightmares seem to stay away when he is near, my eyes flutter close.

"My baby cousin going to war," Achilles mumbles and I know he's already half asleep.

"Hey," he grunts as I elbow him in the side.

"I'm almost as tall as you," I remind him for the second time tonight.

He chuckles sleepily, and pulls me closer. "Rest, O'tall Cousin. Tomorrow will be here soon."

And because I promised him that I would, I obey his command and let fatigue take me to a dreamless sleep.

OoooO

A/N: Thanks so much for reading. And for your continued support of this story. I know this chapter was short. BUT I already have the next chapter wrote. So after I reread and proof it a tad, it'll be posted soon. And it is a bit longer.

So what did you think of this chapter?