The last time she'd seen him he'd been just as broken. Ragged and tired from lifetimes of war. Vietnam had taken something from him, it had embedded itself into him deep and when he'd first returned with the suffering troops he was in a very bad place in his mind. The fact that he had so easily prior to her appearance this time, been one step closer to that mindset was off-putting at best.
His mother had intervened in every possible way at times before, and she was the one goddess he would listen to and readily. She was the parent that had struck a strong influence on his life, be it the first or this one. When she'd left the last time, he had wanted it as much as she expressed it. He had to move on into this life, alone and without war. It wasn't easy. That burn inside, a torch he would always carry high for the lifestyle he'd grown accustomed to.
Whether he meant she was late for their appointment or her presence in general was uncertain. Regardless he kept his eyes sharp on her.
"No, that will be unnecessary." His words were still cold, but the expression he held was giving him away. He may be able to hold a strong demeanor around Briseis and Patroclus as they had yet to break through him completely as they once had; but his mother held a stronger power.
After a long and intense moment, he spoke again, feeling like she was drawing everything out of him in her presence alone. His tone was gentler, and not nearly as cold, a break in his armor.
"You should have come sooner." When he'd called for her, when he'd all but pleaded for her to show her face.