Hello, everyone! English is not my first language, so I'm sorry in advance for any grammar mystakes.
This is my recent take on our beloved Achilles, Briseis and Patroclus. It takes place the day after Achilles and Briseis' first night. Enjoy!
The sun entered the tent and touched Briseis's feet. She woke up to the sound of men talking outside.
Even though her head felt heavy and her mind, somewhat foggy, she could discern Achilles' voice. The other one seemed to belong to an older, more seasoned, man. The clinking of cups meeting. They were chatting.
Allo f a sudden, there was yelling. She jolted, especially because the sound of steps approaching the tent was getting louder. Then Achilles came in, seeming to be upset.
His eyes met hers, and they soon softened.
— I'm sorry about all the noise. My cousin's temper got the best of him.
She nodded, slowly. Unaware of her own hands, she started bringing the sheet on the bed closer to her chest.
— Do not burden your mind, I'm sure your thoughts are already heavy as they are – he sat down on the stool facing the bed – It was just an argument about... how we are facing this war.
Briseis chose not to listen to what he said next. Instead, she focused on the feeling between her legs.
He saw she was thoughtful.
— What's on your mind?
— It didn't hurt...
— What?
— When you took my...
He interrupted her modest statement with an earnest laughter. He laughed. It as a rare sound.
— Would you prefer it had hurt?
— Of course not!
Odysseus did have a point, women have a way of complicating things...
— But I had always been told... stop laughing!
Achilles did try to get serious, but the just couldn't resist teasing her a little more.
— I'm just trying to figure you out! Only the gods knew what was going on in your head...
Then it was her turn to surprise him.
— You have such a beautiful laughter. You should laugh more.
He paused for a second. She seemed to be just as astonished at her own statement as he was.
— Well, then those stupid Greek kings should cooperate more so I can laugh. I hope things are different regarding Trojan royalty.
She flashed a pretty smile at him.
— They are, indeed. You should meet my uncle.
Briseis bit her lip, as if she realized what had just been said. An uncomfortable silence took place. Achilles knew it was painful to share things about her family with a man she barely knew, and that was presently her enemy. But he wouldn't let their precious little moment go to waste.
— I would be happy to – he aproached her, resting his cup on the floor – but not now.
His eyes and his tone were seductive, almost velvety.
— I'm more interested in his niece.
She blushed, almost hiding her cheeks behind the linens.
— What now? – he asked, amused.
— You have very strange eyes.
— How so?
— This type of eyes is just not common here. They are the same shade of blue as the sea... when the sun is high in the skies. Or when... it's summer and a gentle wind is blowing.
Her eyes were shining, as if her shoulders had been released of a heavy weight. He smiled and told her:
— I like to hear your voice. It's soft, and full of curiosity.
He curled his finger around a lock of her hair.
— Your eyes remind me of something too... of the autumn leaves, of dark cinnamon mixed with honey my mother used to prepare when it was cold. Yet – he said placing a kiss on her naked shoulder – you are warm as a gentle fire.
He kissed her neck. She let out a trembling sigh, still clutching the linens in her hands.
— You don't need to fear me, girl – he whispered in her ear – not when I'm awake, not when I'm asleep. Can I trust I won't wake up in the middle of the night with a knife against my throat again?
— Well, I... guess so... she said smiling – though you weren't asleep.
—Would you like to try it when I'm fully awake? – he nibbed her earlobe playfully.
— No...
— What would you like me to do?
She tried to form a coherent thought with his breath caressing her ear.
— I'd like you to...
— Yes?
— To guarantee you won't... give me away...
He placed a tender kiss to the palm of her hand.
— Any man in this camp you will be dead if he touches you in the way that bastard king and his soldiers tried to. You are safe around my Myrmidons and king Odysseus. King Nestor is an honoured man, too.
— King Nestor? The famous Nestor of Pylos? – she exclaimed – But he must be around ninety summers!
— You know your history. He is here.
— And king Odysseus...
— Sly as a fox. You could say he is part of the reason I'm here as well – he let out a humoured sigh – But you can trust him.
She nodded, feeling relieved. Then, to her own surprise, she let go of the linens and her hand cupped his cheek.
— Thank you.
Her lips curved in a shy, but honest, smile. He smiled back at her, kissing again the palm of her hand.
— I should get you a new pair of clothes – his hand caressed her chin – But first, let me inspect your body to make sure nothing is wrong...
Briseis felt shivers going down her spine. But the good kind of shivers.
— If you insist...
She stood up, revealing her naked form. Her cheeks were a little flustered, but she did not mind. The only move betraying her apparent confidence were her teeth biting her lower lip.
Achilles smiled at her. His hands found their way to her waist, and gently pulled her closer. His eyes traveled up and down her body, as did his hands. He placed a hot kiss on her belly.
— There seems to be nothing here...
His mouth traveled up.
— Or here...
His tongue dipped inside her belly button, making her shiver. Her hands found their way to his hair. Achilles slowly went up, until he was standing on his feet.
— Now... let's see.
He made her turn, standing with her back facing him. His hand placed her hair over her shoulder, just so his lips could touch the nape of her neck.
— Nothing here... or here...
He went south, spreading kisses over the line of her spine and her back. She sighed, feeling his fingers drawing lines on her belly, her thighs, between her breasts, and her neck. Briseis never imagined the touch of a man could feel this good.
After their intense session of caresses – and what his fingers did in her... inner thighs – Briseis did her best trying not to blush, but it did take her some time to finally get dressed and poke her head outside Achilles' tent. She decided to go for a stroll, but that was when a sharp pain went through her lower belly.
She knew that pain all too well. What a moment for her period to come.
Briseis found a safe, hidden spot where she crouched and reached for her womanhood. Yes, there it was. She contemplated her bloody fingers trying to figure out a solution, when a young figure seemed to notice her.
— Are you alright, miss...
— Briseis – she answered – No need to calm me miss, though.
— Briseis. Can I help you with... that.
He seemed to understand her current situation. She felt somewhat relieved and flustered at the same time.
— Yes, thank you so much.
That was Patroclus. Achilles' young cousin, with whom he had apparently had an argument earlier that day. They bore a striking resemblance, but Patroclus' hair had a darker tone, the colour of sand, and his eyes were younger and softer, though they also seemed to be clouded by pain – if that was the pain of doubt or resentment, she couldn't tell yet.
Patroclus found her a new dress, and even offered to wash the other one, but Briseis said it wouldn't be necessary, she could wash it herself – she only needed to find a clean stream or course of water. He showed her one, and they chatted while she washed the dress and then left it on the rocks to dry under the sun.
— Could I maybe ask... why you and Achilles had an argument?
Briseis eyed him carefully. Patroclus hesitated, furrowing his brow as if he was searching for the right words.
— My cousin has... his own way of looking at things. He came here for the glory, so that his name would be forever known, as I'm sure you already know – Briseis nodded – so when Agamemnon, the high king, insulted him, he didn't fight. Now he wants to go home.
Briseis would be relieved, if she hadn't noticed his deep disappointment.
— We can't do that. Not when our countrymen, our own flesh and blood, are out there dying.
She thought about Hector. He would certainly say something among those lines.
— I'm sorry. I didn't mean to... your people...
He stumbled through the words, but she comforted him.
— It's alright. It really is, I understand your feelings. You actually remind me of my own cousin...
— Hector?
— Yes, the one. He also cares deeply about his men, to the point of shedding tears for them.
Patroclus remembered his own tears earlier, when he shouted at Achilles. He felt embarrassed, but he didn't regret shedding those tears.
— Well, I guess... I should be honoured for being compared to him...
Briseis laughed at his attempt to lighten up the conversation.
— What you and my cousin feel is very noble. And I can't tell exactly how I know this, but I think your cousin understands what you feel.
— How could that be? He's as stubborn as a...
— I think Achilles is trying to protect you. Of course, I've only known the two of you for a few days now – she hugged her knees – But it strikes me how protective he is of you. I guess he is simply trying to prevent that any unecessary harm comes to you.
— But it was my decision to come to this war! I am aware of what might happen to me.
— Maybe you are... but maybe what you don't fully understand yet is how much pain it would cause to him if you were to suffer... in any way.
Patroclus seemed to be caught off guard. He noticed the glint of honesty in Briseis' eyes.
— Achilles loves you deeply, this much I can tell...
— I... love him too. With all my soul. Even if... he drives me mad sometimes.
They both fell in a warm silence. The storm in his chest seemed to be gone for now. Briseis allowed herself to smile.
— I bet he says the same thing about you!
— What? That's just not fair! – he said dramatically raising his hand to his chest, as if he were truly offended – Do I look like the troublesome kind to you?
— Well, I can't tell for sure... we barely know each other, after all!
— So if that's the case, then I'm certain your beloved cousin Hector thinks you are just as big a headache as Achilles thinks I am!
— Hey! Paris is way worse than me!
— Oh, I don't know if Paris of all people ia a fair standard...
He has such a beautiful smile, she thought to herself, so full of life. I hope he can always maintain his kindness.
— Well, I love him – she straightened her back, pretending it was her time to feel offended.
— You have to, he is your family.
Briseis laughed outloud, followed by Patroclus' own boisterous laughter.
— Hector did have to rescue us a number of times when we were children... but rest assured, it was always Paris' brilliant ideas that got the two of us in trouble! And I was too gullible to doubt my cousin's intentions...
— As the youngest ones in both our families, I say we are always the victims.
The sun was already setting over the ocean, but they barely noticed. And Achilles' heart sore high when he heard their laughter.
He had been watching them for some time since they came back from the river where Briseis washed her clothes, and he couldn't be happier with what his own eyes were seeing. Two of his loved ones were getting along. One, ancient as the first dawn of the world, for as long as he could remember Patroclus had always been there. Seeking his counsel, his teachings with the sword. Young, radiant, fierce. Endearing in his own right. The one he would gladly give his life for.
The other one, as new and fresh as the first damp in the grass that shines through the morning. Beautiful and courageous, sweet in her every word when she felt understood. Curious, attentive, blooming to the world. He felt happy to be stimulating her to be more open minded. And to be receiving her affections. So yes, he could tell she was quickly becoming his loved one.