p a t r o c l u s

They would find a way, they had to. Apollo had designs, among many things he was a God of prophecy. But Hyacinth was always kept in the dark until his patron saw reason to bring him into the light, told and yet not told of what to expect - as if the future were some delicate tapestry that could unravel with a single wayward thread. “Hektor. Persephone.” because while Apollo was every bit the magnanimous God that stories painted him to be, Patroclus kept nothing from him. They had no secrets, no ulterior motives. It was just them. Hyacinth smiled, playful, because nothing excited him more than the prospect of winning a seemingly helpless fight. “Our list of enemies grows larger everyday.” If there was any who would see Hektor ended for good, it was the King of the Underworld himself. The man who’d conspired against the veil months prior. “We will need allies.” Hyacinth’s lips moved against the other rift’s, his hands found their way to the small of Patroclus’ back as the Spartan pulled him flush against his body. His nose brushed against the other’s, “Who should we take on next - Zeus? Whatever remains of the Titans?”

-

Patroclus huffed out a laugh, the idea of adding more enemies to their list a pretty good joke. He didn’t want to think about what they could possibly lose, more focused now on the Spartan’s hard body against his own, and soft lips that Patroclus swore he could feel even in his dreams. “I think all of them should fear us.” Wasn’t it said that even Zeus feared Nyx? She was a primordial goddess, trapped in the in between for now. There was another plan there, but Patroclus lost that thought when he felt the other’s hand against his back, “I feel like we could take on whomever we wanted together, before we can take our place in paradise once more.”

“He trains, he swims, we go hunting. Sometimes we both go bother Odysseus.” The more Theseus thinks on Elysium, the more he wonders what paradise it truly was. In life he’d been a hero, in death, he was supposed to be a hero, he was supposed to have earned peace. He’d often wondered if he wanted such a thing. If anything, the place had served as a domain for him to lick his wounds and reflect on what he’d lost in life. Pirithous, Ariadne, Hippolytus, Phaedra, Aegeus, the list went on. He had Asterius, he’d pleaded before the judges of the Underworld for the prince to be given paradise and later, he’d had Narcissus. Achilles had Patroclus, it’d seemed later on they’d had the lover of Apollo, too. And yet Theseus did wonder if Achilles missed life, missed war even. He’d never bothered to ask, such a thing felt more than a little rude. “You’ve been missed dearly. Who else is there to tell me it’s fine to hang around?” He grins, thinking of the multiple times that the Greatest of the Greeks had essentially dragged him by the arm from the villa. “But what about here? You seem comfortable.” 

-

With Theseus gone, Achilles was left to his own devices once more. He was certain Alexander was still stopping by; the other didn’t seem to get enough of Achilles, and Odysseus was probably getting tired of dealing with the demi-god as well. It seemed like a distant past, now, to Patroclus. He was certain that he would forget the smell of the ever blooming flowers, or the sound of the waterfalls raining down from the floating isles across Persephone’s lands. He gave a small smile, “I didn’t mind the company,” he teased, though Achilles preferred their alone time when Theseus stayed well over a full day at once. Patroclus crossed his arms over his chest as he thought for a moment, “I am...comfortable.” He figured that was a good enough term to use, “I live with Hyacinth. He’s here as well. We haven’t heard anything from Nyx – or Apollo – about what is to come next.”

He hears it before he sees anything. Panic is becoming something he’s accustomed to and it has him moving too fast down the side street only to pause at the mouth of the alley. Any fighting was done already, he thinks surprise is what keeps him planted. It’s not like he doesn’t know that Patroclus is capable, he’d reminded himself time and time again that while he was calmer than Hyacinth sure, he was more than capable of holding his own. It’s actually sort of…It’s not really the time to consider it attractive. There’s a lot of blood, but none of it is Patroclus’s, nothing smells like him. The worry wins out over the surprise and he finds himself wincing internally as he passes a couple of vampire bodies. “Ye alright?” Jamie’s voice is quiet, eyes flickering from blade to bright blues, to a headless body to the right of his feet. He keeps a safe distance, gives his partner space to process despite wanting to run to him immediately. Partner or not, he doubts the other wants another vampire rushing him. “They come after ye?”

-

Patroclus looked more sorry than anything else, the blade in his hand hanging by his side now. He pulled it up, wiping the blood from it with his other palm to try and avoid staining his clothes more than they already were. “I’m fine, they can’t hurt me,”  he murmured, bending down and closing the eyes on the decapitated heads. “Something like that. But they didn’t deserve a second chance, not with the live they were living. And their deaths – more of a blessing, since Persephone’s curse won’t spread any further with them.” He looked over Jamie when he stood back up, “Thanks for coming – even though this isn’t what I had in mind.”

There was so much blood. It was more than Patroclus remembered, at least, for a human body. This one was a vampire, though, its head severed from its shoulders and bleeding in between the cobbled stones of the street. Another stood in front of Patroclus, his blade reddened with the crimson stain of the dead vampire. Killing was not in his nature, but he’d done it before. He’d found the reason, and the way that it was supposed to be. This time, however, his hands were forced. “You don’t deserve humanity,” he said simply, the vampire in front of him poised to attack once more. It was then that Patroclus felt Jamie’s presence, and he’d nearly lost track of the time. He’d asked Jamie to come, for other reasons, when the vampires had cornered him instead. His gaze locked with Jamie’s as he swung his blade, cleaving the last vampire’s head from his shoulders. 

Hyacinth wished to argue further, but doing so with Patroclus was never easy. There was a time when the Spartan had dreamed of the stars being rewritten in his honour, of a place in eternity where his legacy would be more than adjacency to Apollo. He would not run, and only a coward would simply give in. “Alright.” Hyacinth said instead after a hard beat had passed between them, “Then we will help them, together.” The Spartan thought of Jamie and could already imagine how the vampire was likely going to be wringing his hands together over this. Hyacinth’s arms folded around the other rift’s back as the shorter of the two pressed against his chest, the Spartan’s chin sat atop his head. There was no battle he would not willingly walk into for him, no storm he wouldn’t weather. “If we face him, we could kill him. But that still leaves Persephone to contend with.”

-

Patroclus sighed into Hyacinth’s neck, holding onto him now. “If we kill him, then it would have to be quick. If Persephone can still reach him across the veil, then she’ll be able to protect him like she always has.” He let out a hum, though what could he say to make the situation better? Nothing, at this point. Pulling back, he pressed his lips against the other’s in a gentle kiss, “And when we do, we can rejoin those in Elysium one day. I won’t let this jeopardize your place among heroes. It’s what you deserve.”

“If we move against him- against her,” Hyacinth did not need to explain to Patroclus what he would lose, and yet he felt compelled to do so if only to understand why the other rift would risk it all. “Elysium, Achilles…. Paradise together. We lose it all. Nyx cannot protect you on the other side, and I do not know what Apollo would be able to do for me. If anything.” There had to be more than martyrdom, more than sacrifice; when was it their turn to simply be happy? “Why Patroclus, why chance everything for strangers? This city hates us. That Vidalis witch made sure of it, we will never find acceptance here. They will never thank you for helping them.”

-

Persephone would ensure they did not gain paradise, and while Patroclus was less concerned about himself, it was not what Hyacinth deserved. But the alternative was to do nothing; to stand by as the world that hated them fell to whatever powers above. Achilles would understand, wouldn’t he? But Patroclus knew what his death had done once, and he didn’t want to think about what would happen again. “Because if not us, then who? Who will protect the weak, and those who...who need help more than others.” He leaned against Hyacinth now, needing the other’s strength, “The alternative is to be selfish, and to be everything she said we are. But we’re here to help – and....I just want to help.”

There were doubts in the Spartan’s mind on whether or not Patroclus could see this through until the end, it would not be enough to strip Hektor of his power. The man would never stop, and neither would Persephone. The grave would be what the original vampire needed, but it was hard to imagine the other rift taking it that far. They had both been to war and back, but that was a long time ago. Patroclus had the skills, and the mind, but killing was not in his nature. “You gave this world your life already, and you have given it even more since you have been back. No one can ask anything else of you.” The Spartan said instead, “We can find another way,” Hyacinth offered, “together. But I can not risk losing you. I love you.” Calloused fingers brushed the side of Patroclus’ face, the Spartan would gladly lay his life down for him, though Hyacinth knew that the other would never ask. 

-

“And I love you.” Patroclus held himself to too high of a standard to agree that he had done enough. There was always more to be done, and there was always more he could give. And he wouldn’t give up on the world just yet, knowing that they would have to leave it one day. The roughness of Hyacinth’s hands offset the gentleness of his words, and he leaned into the touch gladly. The Spartan was a rock, the solid force that helped Patroclus remain standing when he felt like collapsing. “Then help me find a way. Where I can make a difference, and where he won’t come for Jamie, or for me – and you are not in his line of sight.”

“Then let me be unfair. Let me be selfish.” Hyacinth defended, his hand ran over Patroclus’ as the other rift cupped the Spartan’s cheek. “What if you did win? What would Persephone do to you after you stripped her of her champion? We are not like them-” Hyacinth said as he gestured with a cant of his head towards the outside world. “You and I can not stay here forever.” Hyacinth’s hands took Patroclus and held it against his chest, his heart beat steadily within with all the frequency and patience of a veteran soldier. “After everything- have we not earned some peace?”

-

Patroclus felt like his resolve was fading, and no matter how much he wanted to curse Hyacinth, he couldn’t. “I know we can’t. We don’t belong here,” he looked down, though the words were difficult for him to say. It had taken him months to come to an understanding, no matter how much he hadn’t wanted to. “I just feel like I’m not doing enough. That I haven’t done enough.” He felt the beat of the other’s heart beneath his palm, and he looked up finally, “We do. We do deserve it. I just – I feel like I need to do more.”

All he could do was shake his head. “What should I care about anyone else?” Hyacinth ask, the sword he’d been gifted clattered to the ground as the Spartan gestured to either side. “What would I be without you?” The Spartan pressed instead, Patroclus was willing to martyr himself over a stranger in the street and would never make the selfish choice. It was as maddening as it was unfortunate that it was one of the reasons Hyacinth loved him as much as he did. “Do not go to him.” Hyacinth said instead, “I can not force you to do anything, but I am asking you. Please, for me. Stay away from him.” 

-

There was so much he had worth fighting for, and no one was giving him the chance to. It was frustrating and disappointing, to say the least. Patroclus stepped forward, framing Hyacinth’s face with his hands, “You already know I have a hard time saying no to you. What you ask is unfair,” he murmured, a hint of sadness etched across the hard lines of his features. “What if I would win? What if I could make him mortal, and end all of this?”

Hyacinth pressed forward, their sparring match already forgotten despite Patroclus’ sword to his chest. “I am still saying no.” He didn’t care what the other’s rational was, Patroclus had done enough for these oneiroi - for the vampires that he’d helped around the city become human again. Enough for Nyx. “If anything happens to you-” he thought about the other’s compromised place in Elysium, of Achilles who would be kept waiting. This was bigger than Hektor, they both knew that. “giving him what he wants does not solve anything.”

-

Patroclus dropped his arm now, the sword now hanging at his side as Hyacinth came forward. He’d lost track of both their shirts, but that was simply a bonus maybe because he didn’t want to argue with the other, and staring at his chest seemed to help. “And denying him what he wants means there are more people he can hurt that stand between me and him.” He tilted his head now, “Protecting me doesn’t mean that I stay hidden and useless, Hyacinth. You would refuse if our positions were switched.”

“No.” The Spartan’s response was absolute, if Patroclus was what Hektor wanted then Hyacinth would not allow the other to willfully give himself over. Metal clashed on metal as the blade that Apollo had gifted him met with Patroclus’, though he broke the exchange as his arm fell to his side and he shook his head lightly. “I will confront him and put an end to this. You are the one he is looking for.” 

-

“I wasn’t asking,” Patroclus pointed out with a small smile, moving now to hold his blade out towards Hyacinth’s chest. He didn’t drop it even when the other dropped his form. “Yes, we’re both away it’s not you he wants to see. I told Jamie I don’t need protection. This is a fight that I need to handle. If you were to be involved, then I – you know how much it compromises me.” 

Patroclus was usually good with distractions. He’d seen enough in his day, and despite his practice with a blade, it was almost too easy to let himself get lost in the feelings – and the sight. The sun beat against bronzed skin, the sweat on the other’s features making his hair go wild in the way that Patroclus loved. And muscle beneath skin moved easily and fluid, as it always had for the Spartan. The former prince liked to watch, even as their blades clashed and the sound of metal rang out over the courtyard. “Jamie told me Hektor was looking for me. And I think I should let him find me,  before this gets worse.”

“I would love tae forget he can compel me.” It was something he hadn’t been able to shake for months after it had happened. He’d dragged someone down into those caves against his own will and the rage he’d felt against Hektor was nothing in comparison to how helpless he’d felt then. It was the same kind of feeling now, except it wasn’t just him around, worst case scenario now would be that he’d be compelled to cause harm to either partner, someone he cared about this time. Jamie’s fingers slid from Patroclus’s hand to his wrist as he stepped back to sit back on the edge of the bed. “I’m nae gonnae sit an’ watch anything happen tae the tae of ye.” Or anyone he cared about for that matter. “I get it. I’m a wee bit of a liability at this point.” In more ways than one, the bad luck that had seemed to plague him for his entire existence seemed to be extending to his partners. “Whatever I can do behind the scenes, I’ll do.” Even if it meant sitting around at home and frantically researching, he’d rather just outright kill the bastard, but that wasn’t a feasible option, not this time.

“I’m nae gonnae lose either of ye.” His eyes go from where he’s laced his fingers with Patroclus’s to his face. He didn’t know if he could handle it at this point. 

-

“You are a liability,” Patroclus had held back words for far too long, but it was a place of love that he forced them out anyway. He turned towards the vampire, intent on ending their conversation for now. He had more planning to do, especially now that he understood who was in danger and why. The oneiroi were his to protect, and if he was the only one who was going to do so, then that was how it would be. “And I won’t lose you because of it. Not when our time here is – unknown.” It was the easiest way to put it. Jamie didn’t want to be human; therefore, they’d have to part ways one day. No matter how much Patroclus wished he could change his fate. Patroclus pulled the vampire in for a kiss, holding onto it for a few seconds, “We will be fine.”

    “I am aware now that it was a mistake to let him get to me.” Sofia liked to think she was smarter and stronger than to let a vampire like Jamie get to her head, but she had been wrong. She could be at fault just like anyone else – but she was not above admitting that. Hyacinth meant a lot to her, and it had felt as if losing her temper meant losing him. But Patroclus’ approach made her wonder whether maybe not all was lost. If she decided to be the bigger woman. “You are a very kind man to come here and talk to me.” It was not a compliment that slipped easily from Sofia’s lips, but it had to be said. “Do you… think Hyacinth would listen to me as well, if I went to him?”

He does want to talk about it, he would benefit from knowing about what happened while the veil fell, what the aftermath was like. And yet, Theseus can tell the topic brings distress to Patrocus’s usually at ease disposition and so he drops it. Shifting in his chair, he slouches down a little, he can afford to do so in the company of a friend. “Terribly boring without you, I’m afraid.” The smallest smile brings his lips to a curve as he stretches out his legs and crosses them at the ankle. “Achilles keeps busy, Odysseus goes on about his wife and his travels, Dionysus makes visits.” It’s not like it’s a lie, paradise is still paradise, even if he does think he got too far into a routine. “I think we’ve all grown a little restless, seeing you here.”

-

Theseus was his closest connection to Elysium at the moment, the newest to enter from its fields. Parts of Patroclus ached to go back. It was a feeling that lingered deep within his soul, one that he tried to ignore more often than not. If he had given into it, he would’ve left the moment the veil had fallen, and Hyacinth had pressed him to return with him. “Is it? I would hope no one is having a good time without me,” he managed a smile, but he looked down now, finding the words for the question he wanted to ask. “He keeps busy?”