Studying

A/N: For Nuuoa Eclaire because she was about to harm herself while studying the other day. Even though Archie couldn't come and save you from that horror, I am sure he wanted to: )

// I Long To Reach My Home And See The Day Of My Return. It Is My Never-Failing Wish //

-Homer

Archie sprinted into Atlanta's room, brandishing his whip, ready to kill the crazy God of Time for attacking Atlanta in her own house! He slammed the door wide open only to find Atlanta sitting on the ground, books everywhere, papers scattered and a huge hole in her wall.

"Atlanta! Are you okay?" He yelled, dropping beside her, searching for fatal wounds.

She laughed hysterically, "Fine, I am great! I only threw my Biology text book straight through my wall into Theresa's! I can't study anymore!"

Archie straightened, his mouth open.

"This is about studying! I thought it was something… serious!" He exclaimed.

She turned on him, her look deadly.

"Shut up! You don't have to do anything to get good marks! I have to study to even be half as smart as you!"

Archie snorted, "Atlanta, I am failing math."

She grinned, "Well, other than that. You have like… over one hundred in Language!"

He nodded smugly.

"Would you like me to help you study?" He asked hesitantly.

She cocked her head. It was a bad idea. She would be distracted by his chiseled jaw, his purple hair, and his deep beautiful eyes. But she wanted it!

"Would you? I just can't remember anything…" She said.

He laughed, "Go sit on the bed…"

She complied and he tidied her room, lifting a Language textbook. He sat down beside her.

"What are you on right now?" He asked, flipping pages. She blushed red.

"Homer's the Odyssey. I know all the characters personally, but I can't remember things I need to…" She laughed nervously.

"That's my favorite book! Okay, well, you have Odysseus, and he sets off on this huge quest, wrought with monsters. He fights at Troy, and spends sixteen years out at sea, meeting nymphs, witches, Cyclops, monsters, battling gods. His only wish to return home…."

Archie's voice continued reciting the story and Atlanta felt herself being absorbed. He had a commanding voice, and it lilted and boomed when needed, adding characters in her mind. She felt a movie going on in her head.

"Is that why you fight Arch? Like Odysseus, to go home?" She asked, right before Archie finished the tale of Odysseus' adventure.

He laughed quietly, "No, I fight for the same reason as Odysseus, although it isn't to return home. He is fighting to go back to the world he loves, the world he worked to build."

Atlanta nodded, absorbed once again.

Archie's hand lifted towards her face but dropped back between them once more, his smile hesitant and nervous.

"And when he finally returns to his world, to Penelope, to Telemachus, he knows that all the fighting he has done has been worth it. He fought for his life in Troy, but he fought the very gods to return and stay with Penelope and his family."

Archie's courage seemed to return because he lifted his hand and set it against her flushed cheek, making her heart beat double time.

"I fight Cronus, the God of Time, to stay with my world. I fight to keep my family. And I fight for you."

Atlanta grinned, "I am your Penelope?"

Archie chuckled, "Well, not nearly as clever. But yes."

She smacked his hand away and kissed his cheek quickly.

"Thanks Arch."

She aced the test the next day.

// My World Will Never Crumble As It Is Held Within Your Heart //