I hope I'm not ruining this story by posting this chapter the way it is. I hope you like it. Thankl you to reviewers, please keep reviewing.
Paris opened one bleary eye the next morning, his memory fogged. The first thing he felt was pain, sharp, stabbing pain, and he stifled an agonized whimper.
His cheeks flushed in shame at letting it happen, and then blaming Achilles for it. Achilles had obviously been locked up or something. If he could've saved him, he would have.
The Trojan winced as he shifted his body so it was facing Achilles. He reached out a slender hand and stroked the soft skin of Achilles' face. To his dismay, he found that the cheeks were tear streaked and the skin around his eyes red.
He must have caused Achilles so much pain....
When he had woken up, he had looked up and first saw the first man who had.....raped him. The man's sneering, lustful face had disappeared the handsome, concerned face of Achilles had appeared. Paris had acted rashly and he would do anything to take it back. Yes, it felt like he had been betrayed, but now he knew better.
"A-Achilles," he whispered softly, and continued stroking the man's face, "Please c-come back to me." He felt so isolated and alone, he felt tears well up in his eyes.
Achilles slowly opened his sea blue eyes, and looked confused at the position they were in. "Paris? Are...are you alright?" he asked, his voice groggy.
Paris smiled sadly. "P-please forgive me, Achilles. I-I acted wrongly. I was still filled with the recent horror of the....event....and I felt betrayed."
Achilles lay silently, listening to the voice his loved so much. Could it be that Paris would forgive him? The Trojan's eyes looked hurt and were filled with tears, and he wanted nothing more than to wipe those tears away.
"I k-know that if you could have helped me...you would have. I was f- foolish and disoriented. Please forgive me. I...I love you even more after this whole ordeal," Paris murmured, and distanced himself slightly. . He knew that he could trust the man fully and that he would never lay a hand on him in an unkind way, but he was still nervous.
"I...I was so afraid you would never trust me again, but I understand why you acted the way you did. I was afraid you would never be the same," Achilles muttered, and then opened his arms out as an invitation. Paris, who was feeling miserable, nervously pressed himself into Achilles' strong embrace. He flinched at first, but then relaxed slightly. He felt cold and alone, and being held was a welcome but at the same time uncomfortable affair.
"I won't ever be the same again, Achilles. What those men did to me was a life changing event. It does not, however, make me love you less. It...It will just be sometime before you can touch me."
Achilles nodded, and then soothingly stroked Paris' curls. Paris' brown eyes were still filled with tears, either from humiliation or pain, Achilles didn't know. He tightened his hold on his lover, and was happy when Paris didn't jerk away.
"It was not your fault, Paris. Never think that it was your fault," Achilles said softly, but Paris' sobs only got louder.
"It-it was my-my fault. I c-can feel them, Achilles...I can feel their hands...groping me..."
Achilles tucked Paris' head under his chin, and held the trembling body close. He felt Paris' sobs quiet, and the Trojan tried to stand. With a small cry of pain, Paris fell ungracefully in a heap.
"Don't move, Paris. You are still healing. You will probably experience more pain if you move," Achilles said, and placed a gentle kiss on Paris' head.
"What...what will we do, Achilles? Agamemnon has only been stalled temporarily. They will find us," Paris, said, and rubbed his face in an exasperated gesture. His head ached from lack of better sleep and the stabbing pain below his waist.
"I have thought about it. I would need your consent, but I believe that it is best if we leave Troy, and sail for Greece. I do not believe in this cause and you are not safe, and I will do anything to change that. You would most likely never see your family again, Paris. We may have to live in a secluded area for sometime.
"I also think it would be best to leave tomorrow. You are out of danger now, and Agamemnon is growing restless. He will come for us within the next few days. I just need to know if you would be willing to sail." Achilles spoke quietly, and took Paris' hands, gently rubbing the skin.
Paris' face was sad and his eyes were troubled. Troy had been his only home, and while Greece was beautiful, he was leaving his family behind. Yes, he knew that he wouldn't see them even when he was in Troy, but now it settled in.
He didn't want to put Achilles in danger. The man had risked his life by keeping him in his tent, and it was his fault if Achilles had to deal with any pain by Agamemnon.
"I will sail," Paris murmured, and then lay his head on Achilles' chest. He was surprised that he could deal with someone being this close to him after such a traumatic event, but he attributed it to the fact that he loved Achilles, and trusted him deeply.
The next day, Achilles went to Odysseus' tent to tell him of Paris' recovery.
The man smiled with joy when he heard that Paris still trusted Achilles, and was happy that he had had a hand in helping the Trojan recover.
Achilles also told him of their plans to sail.
"Will you come with us, Odysseus?" Achilles asked, his voice hopeful. He couldn't bear to leave his good friend behind, especially after he had helped them so much.
Odysseus' kind eyes smiled. "You know I would do anything for you and Paris, Achilles. I'm tired of all of the battles and fighting, and it's time I went home."
Achilles sighed in relief. "Good. My men are coming with me as well. We will sail tonight."
Odysseus' smile faded. "How is Paris taking this?"
Now Achilles frowned. "I can tell he is uncomfortable about leaving his family and past behind. He does know that this is the only way we will be safe, though. We really don't have a choice." Achilles deeply regretted putting Paris in this position, but it was the only way they could be together.
And Achilles was sure that he could not live without his beautiful lover.
Paris looked up at the night sky, happy to find the stars twinkling brightly.
"It is good weather to sail," he said, and then looked to the water. Gentle waves caressed the shores, and the rest of the sea was calm as a lake. Salt air played with his curls tenderly, and he heard the cry of a lone sea bird nearby. The setting was very tranquil and calmed his nerves.
Achilles wrapped his arms around Paris' thin form and nodded. Paris flinched very slightly at the contact, but then melted into Achilles' form. "Yes, it is perfect weather to be on a boat. We will leave within minutes." Achilles looked down into Paris' eyes, and was saddened to see pain present.
Paris eyes had been the main way to tell what his emotions were these days. They always had that same haunted, darkened look, full of past suffering. The chocolate brown orbs were still lovely, but they no longer sparkled as much. Dark circles were always under his eyes also. It made Achilles cringe that Paris had been hurt so badly and he desperately wished that he could have helped his beloved somehow. He would have given anything to be able to take back the night when they had made love, so Agamemnon would not have seen them. He would have sacrificed his life so that Paris' soul could fully heal. Yet, that would most likely never happen.
Paris broke their gaze and looked over the hills toward the city of Troy. He could see that the city was lit up by candles and lamps in houses. He had missed his home when he had first came to the camp, but knowing he would not even be able to set eyes upon it grieved him.
Achilles sensed Paris' turmoil and called to his men to ready the ship. Paris took one more look towards his former home, and then walked with Achilles to the shore.
Odysseus was already on the ship, and waved when he saw Achilles and Paris.
The two stepped onto the ship carefully, Achilles minding Paris' injury still. The Trojan still had stabbing pain sometimes, but he was recovering nicely. It was the emotional damage that Achilles most wished he could soothe and take away.
Paris turned to view his homeland one last time, and could not stop a single tear from sliding down his cheek. Achilles tenderly wiped it away.
"This is the best thing, my love. We will be able to be together in peace; we will not have to live like fugitives," Achilles said in what he hoped was a soothing tone. The gentle rocking of the ship felt peaceful, and he surrendered to the comforting atmosphere.
Paris nodded. "I know, but I am leaving my home. This is hard for me; so much has changed in this past year. I doubt my family thinks I'm alive."
Achilles nodded. "But you are alive, Paris. This way, we will be able to lead happy lives together."
Paris nodded, and then turned toward the water. Achilles led him to a small personal cot that was on the deck for resting. Achilles had not slept near him in the past few nights, knowing Paris wanted to be a short distance away from him for a time. It didn't hurt Achilles at all; he understood how horribly Paris' soul had been violated.
Yet Achilles had hope that one day he would be able to touch his love tenderly once again, and that Paris would heal.
Achilles walked toward the wall of the small ship, peering over the edge. He didn't stray too far from Paris, but then he looked toward Troy one last time as well.
The war had changed his life dramatically, and had given him love as well. He silently said a prayer of thanks to the Gods, thanking them that Paris had been returned to him, and that they had given him this beauitful love.
Please review. Will have 1-2 more chapters.