Wavering Love

Chapter 4: A Second Glance

Mist like a white veil came down from the hills, drifted around the house and wound its way in and out of the flowering walls of the courtyard. Since spring has been well in for a while, the air has been most fragrant with the scent of trees.

Achilles always came out at this hour of the morning to breath in that smell, reflecting on the world around him. Today he didn't because of the nagging presence of Patroclus was well in his mind. Finally knowing for sure he was hiding behind the small tree he craned his neck over his shoulder to see the creeping boy. Now seeing Achilles knew where he was Patroclus hesitated for a second before leaving the courtyard.

Later on Achilles was twisting a new rope for the horses out in the front of his home. No sooner did the twig snap he knew Patroclus was again watching him. And the same event happen when he was practicing fighting, petting his horses, sharpening his armor, and taking a walk on the beach. For the past 2 days Patroclus has been here, there wasn't a time where he didn't know where Achilles was or was watching him.

It wasn't until when Achilles was about to unclothe to take a swim that he again heard Partroclus' clumsy steps that made him ripped out his anger. He had torn the youth from his standing place to be pressed against Achilles' breast and smelling his hot breath blow on his face after each word. "Now, I fought against you staying with us you little runt! But I will not tolerate you stalking me after every turn!! You got that!"

His fingers dug deep into Patroclus' shirt and skin leaving a lasting red mark on his collar bone after barely nodding yes. Then being shoved away and running (but manly) away. Achilles knew his words alone can only keep the young man away from him. He wanted more. The warrior wanted him gone and staying gone out of his life. It sickened him to know such a straggly coward slept under the same roof as him. Such a plan can not become without superior help.

"MOM!"

"No, I won't even dare it Achilles. He's too young"

"Lair! He's not too young and you know this! What is the real reason why you have the heart to take in this boy! WHY!"

Thetis looked at the basin of water she was carrying from the spring. She hoped she would find a better explanation then the truth but none prevailed. "I...pity him." Her words were barely heard from Achilles. She knew this wasn't enough so she continued on.

"His father today remains unknown. The only one that knew him was his mother that now rots underneath. For years Patroclus has been living off of sanity and love itself for all of his childhood. The reason why his mother and I have lost touch was because of the distances they went. I've heard from other voices and rumors that they traveled from city to city always finding nothing but the same coldness. The same barren alleys they would sleep in..."

She knelt down next to the pile of clothes and began her scrubbing and scraping to take her mind off the tears that slowly feel. "I knew she was dieing long ago before signs of it took hold. She came to me when you were off with your father somewhere and she left Patroclus by himself next to a shop when he was four. She begged for some food and clothing. But her skin! It was stretched and stained from mud and soot. I could already picture how drenched her son must have been. Imagine not knowing that you are going to live the next minuet, and if you get nothing; then you don't know how to live with wanting to die.That was the life Patroclus lived it, and no women or man should ever have to endure that. That's what I want to do."

The mother looked at her son to see him staring at the ground. "I wanted to give him a life that he didn't have the chance to have. And here you are, whining, like the princes you despise to rid him of it." She got up and collected her things to carry into the kitchen. With a toss of black curls, her words stung Achilles, leaving him distorted with guilt.

Achilles couldn't handle being near his mother at the moment. The smell of her made him feel hatred towards himself. He had to get away from her, from Patroclus, even from himself since it was him that he now wanted to shun away from. He climbed those steps that lead him to his sanctuary on top of the hill at the ruins only to hear grunting that did not come from his own.

It was Patroclus, trying to copy his sword tactics. He could recognize what moves he was trying to copy and he chuckle out loud learning that this stick was meant as a sword. His laughs were heard from Patroclus' ears and he turned in horror to find that it was Achilles laughing at him. He quickly threw the stick to the ground then began off. He would have been clear out of Achilles' sight if it wasn't for the warrior's demand for pause.

"Wait! Come here." He jumped down to land on the sandy landing where he always created new combat moves. Patroclus stood where he was and watched Achilles pick his stick up and another for himself. "Here." Achilles threw the stick to land in Patroclus' hands. Is this a tease? Or a test to prove my ability that it is a tease? Achilles' feet brought him up close to Patroclus.

Terror was in his eyes but the boy tried harder not to show it yet he kept eye contact no matter how much it pained him. Looking at Achilles like this was like looking at the sun, you either had to turn your eyes away or lose your pride with the show of tears from its rays. But not a drop fell from Patroclus' blue eyes which Achilles noticed from the first time he saw him. Yet the boy that now stood before him looked different from the past time.

He suddenly noticed that Patroclus had blue eyes but went hazel as they circled closer to his pupils. A fait scar that was usually missed stained right underneath his jaw. His skin was not as olive as his own but in its freshest of years it glowed with no imperfections. What was he thinking? He's looking at him too closely.

"You've been gripping your sword to tight." The boy's eyes grew wide and his mouth dropped but a little. That's it, he thought to himself. "See if you hold it firmly but loose enough"

"That's what you wanted to tell me?!" Achilles took his attention from his own stick to again Patroclus. "I could have sworn you were going to kill me with that stick!" "Now why in the world would I do that for?"

"Because you're Achilles! The walking immortal of men." It was Patroclus' time to be cut off. "Just because I've lived through a couple of battles and maybe even was the factor that we've won them doesn't mean I have the right to kill without guilt." Patroclus' stare of awe slowly disappeared behind his face. "What do you mean?"

A short pause came between the two before Achilles answered. "Nothing...But it was your fighting that has brought me here. Hold your sword looser and keep both feet planted on the ground. Without balance there is no skill." Achilles drew distance between them then lunged forth Patroclus who ran from his point. "No! Defend me, not run!"

Patroclus now understood the new intentions of this great tyrant, and the hours went by with them two rustling each other on the dirt coated floor teaching one another. For Patroclus it was to defend himself, and for Achilles, it was to be patient. Very patient. Because it would take a couple of minuets for Patroclus to learn a move that took Achilles seconds to make up.

The afterglow had not yet faded from the sky, but already the summer night was enfolding nature in its tender soothing embrace. The shadows grew longer and when they finally reached the two men's feet their panting and slashing stopped. "We'll stop for the day its late and I don't want my evening to be wasted away." He was about to make his way down before Patroclus spoke. "Achilles!"

"Can we continue this on tomorrow?" It was like he didn't give it thought but it was long before that Achilles had the answer. "I was planning to." He left Patroclus alone to reflect what just happened.

When he first saw the warrior in all his splendor he was in awe of his stature. But now, on how much Achilles surprised him with his vulgar distance to his newly helping self; he was fascinated by this creature.

Please Review after you've read this. I really want to know how I am doing, because I am a little known to messing up real good stories by real bad grammer and spelling. Alright, secrets out, I'm not a walking dictionary. But not even that tell me what you think about this story. Dose it sound chessy, or an original, the worst thing you've read. ANYTHING!