spice.

During this time, Achilles just died from Paris’ arrow and seeing Pat, Achilles assumes that Patroclus is brought back to him he has been given a second chance. He is determined to shower Pat with as much love as inhumanly possible to make up for his greatest mistake.

Pat is conflicted because on one hand, his crush’s doppelganger is acting like Pat is his heart and soul (something Pat thought he could only dream of) but on the other hand, Pat knows that this will never be Ace nor will he ever act this way to him.

Pat’s moral compass couldn’t handle the guilt and tells Achilles that he is in a different universe. Pat promises to send him back but Achilles doesn’t want to go. Suddenly, Ace bursts into the room and spots Achilles.

Chaos automatically ensues as Ace immediately tries to fight Achilles, angry at a stranger hugging, caressing and trying to kiss his best friend. Achilles thinks Ace is some kind of trick from the gods and protects Pat, gripping his spear tight.

Tjankfully, Pat is able to somewhat diffuse the situation by explaining that Ace is Achilles’ counterpart, which Achilles (who never hesitates to trust Patroclus) realizes that Pat is telling the truth and that he’s in a new universe or timeline

Achilles assumes that the two are already together but both automatically deny it. This stuns Achilles since it never crossed his mind that there would be a life where he wasn’t with Patroclus. Achilles doesn’t believe it so he teases his counterpart.

“What a shame. Don’t worry my philotatos. I’ll treat you better than this fake blonde ever will.” “Philo-what?” “Excuse me?! MY HAIR ISN’T FAKE AND PAT ISN’T YOUR ANYTHING! He’s my Patroclus so get your own!” “I’m yours?” “Uh I mean-he’s from MY universe, obviously. He’s not mine mine. That’s just crazy.”

Achilles huffs at his weak and flustered response and Pat’s obvious disappointment. He never thought his counterpart could be so cowardly.

Ace is determined to either kick Achilles out but Pat argues that they need to send him home and must let him stay. With no way to argue with his kindhearted best friend, Ace just rolls his eyes at his roommate.

“Whatever. Do you need help for tomorrow?” “It’s okay. I can manage myself.”

Ace drops his bag (filled with his uniform and football gear) and locks himself in his room. Achilles immediately begins his questioning. He’s amused by Ace’s blatant jealousy (since he was the same for his Patroclus even years after they confessed) and comes to to horrifying assumption that Pat shares no feelings for Ace.

Pat then quickly but very hesitantly explains that HE is the one with unrequited feelings and that Ace could possibly be protective over one of his only friends, not jealous.

Achilles can’t believe that there would be a reality that a version of himself wouldn’t be head-over-heels for Patroclus which just makes Pat cry, thinking that he is flawed to the point that his love is an outlier in the universe.

Before Achilles could start a rant about why that’s not possibly true, Pat asks Achilles what is it like to be in love with Patroclus. Achilles smiles softly at the memories, recalling how Patroclus made him feel human and how he couldn’t imagine a world without him. Achilles then starts trembling in anger as he remembers Patroclus’ death then takes Pat’s hands, begging him to believe that Achilles’ love for Patroclus can transcend time and reality so it’s an indisputable fact that Ace must be in love with him.

Pat wants to believe it but recalling his arguement with Ace and how Ace would rather deny Pat’s pleads than give up his honor and dignity, Pat cannot bring himself to hope anymore.

Achilles’ heart fractures at the same time as Pat’s. He stands and hugs Pat, bothing feeling a similar sensation of grief. They try to imagine a life with the other, transferring the hope and dream of loving who they wanted for their copy.

“I wasn’t lying. I can treat you like the wonder that you are. In time, we can learn to fall for each other.” “Oh Achilles. You have no idea how long wanted that but you know that’s not how it works. I’m not your Patroclus and you’re not my Ace.”

Achilles simply sighs as if he knew that there was no other answer.

“I know.”

Achilles is given the couch to sleep in but he wakes to Ace’s alarm. Achilles grows annoyed of it and bursts into Ace’s room and waking him up to destroy his alarm clock. Ace is angry at the destruction of his stuff and that Achilles is still here but Achilles doesn’t care to argue back. However, he notices that Pat is gone and Ace’s bag is gone.

Achilles asks Ace where did he go and Ace explains that Pat went to take his place for the football game. Ace got into an argument with Agamemnon about sexually harassing Pat’s other best friend, Briseis, and refuses to play. Pat, being the good-hearted person he is, offered to take his place and wear his jersey for him.

Ace isn't too worried. Both Ace and Pat were trained by the NFL trainer, Chiron. Pat would've been a runner up for the university's MVPs but chose to major in sports med. Besides, Ace made him promise to not interact with the Trojans after the game considering that all them, especially the Hector the quarterback, pretty much hate him.

"They can hate me all they want. I don't really give a shit. Besides, what has Hector ever done to me?"

Suddenly, Achilles' blood goes cold.

Agamemnon and Briseis. Achilles quitting. Borrowed armor.

"Dude, you okay?"

Ace sits up from his bed and makes his way towards the oddly quiet and trembling Achilles. His prior distrust and dislike towards his copy quickly vanishes into genuine concern and worry. He recognized Achilles' frantic breathing as panic attacks, similar to the ones Pat get when memories of Clysonymus' death invade his mind.

"Okay, real quick, I'm going to touch your arm. Just breathe with me buddy. You're safe. Nothing is going to hurt you."

A a gentle hand on Achilles' biceps, Ace speaks with a gentleness often reserved for Pat. Ace figures that the ancient figure is just having war flashbacks but as Achilles regains his breath, he is able to mutter a couple words.

"No. No no. He's going to...Pat....he's going to-" "Pat? What's wrong with Pat?' "Patroclus. Your Patroclus. He's going to die." "What?" "I’ve seen it before. Tonight. At your game. Patroclus will carry our name to intimidate the Trojans and motivate the Greeks but won’t leave the field alive. "What the hell? What are you talking about? It's just a football game. Sure, we get really bad injures but deaths are rare. I don't know what kinds of games you do in Ancient Greece but-" "YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!"

Achilles is officially in a full-blown a panic and Ace can't help but feel like an untrained lion tamer, carefully circling a wild animal that’s in a manic state. So when Achilles grabs him by the shirt with fury in his eyes, Ace remains still like prey being inspected by his predator.

"Patroclus is going to storm into battle, defeating men left and right with ease, even me who some claimed to be godly and in the rush of victory, he will break his promise. He'll breach Troy's borders and in his attempt to save your honor, Hector will kill him."

"That's not...you're lying! Pat would never-I mean, he's not that kind of guy. He’s all I have. Pat knows that. He can’t die. I won’t believe it!

"LISTEN TO ME! YOU MAY NOT RECIPROCATE HIS LOVE BUT HE IS STILL YOUR CLOSEST COMPANION! THE ONE WITH SUCH A KIND AND SELFLESS HEART THAT HE STAYED BY YOUR SIDE EVEN AS YOUR HUMANITY SLIPS AWAY FROM YOU! THE ONE WHO NEVER FIGHTS FOR YOUR APPROVAL BUT WINS YOUR ATTENTION EVERY SINGLE TIME! SO FOR ONCE IN YOUR FUCKING LIFE, STOP ACTING SO GODDAMN PRIDEFUL AND SAVE YOUR THERAPON BEFORE YOU LOSE HIM FOREVER!"

Achilles' breaths feels hot against Ace's face and skin. His words were roared with such fury, Ace doesn't know if Achilles was even talking to him anymore. Maybe Hector? Himself? Ace doesn't know what a therapon is but he can safely deduce that Achilles' Patroclus was his therapon.

Regardless, Ace has millions of questions rushing through his mind. Is he telling the truth? Did Ace send his childhood best friend to his death? For his pride? That can't be right. Pat is such an integral part of Ace's life since they meet in 7th grade. There is no point of life if he isn’t there. The image is unfathomable. But the way Achilles roared with such fervor that nearly shattered Ace's ear drums, Ace doesn't dare to judge the sincerity in his words.

The two doppelgängers stood and stared at each other for a good couple beats. Achilles waits for a response while Ace searches his brain for a question to ask.

"Pat...loves me?"

Achilles felt slapped to the face. On one hand, this kid can't be serious. Out of all the things Achilles shouted at his face, the fact that Pat loves him is the one that stood out (in hindsight, Achilles can't help but understand).

But on the other hand, seeing as Ace's eyes gleam with a mixture of shock, fear and hope, Achilles can't help but pity the boy and hurt for his lover's counterpart: Neither of them knew. Ace is as doubtful of Pat's love for him as much as Pat is to Ace.

But Achilles doesn't have the time to play matchmaker. He was right; This IS his second chance. This universe’s Patroclus may not be his but Achilles refuses to make the same mistake of letting him slip through his fingers.

Achilles throws Ace onto the floor.

"Forget it. I don't have time for this.”

He grabs his spear leaning against the arm rest of the couch and makes his way to the door but before looking back at his dumbfounded and horrified younger counterpart. Achilles eyes gleamed with determination he hasn’t felt since he chased after Hector’s death.