She narrowed her eyes slightly, expecting such a reaction from him. "I wasn't implying that you are any less now than the hero you've always been, and you know that," she retorted in a passionate tone. While he would never accept his moments of defeat Thetis knew they also ate away at his confidence. It was part of the reason he could be so easily provoked.
"I'm not asking you to do so permanently, just to take a break until you're feeling more like the Achilles both she and I would prefer to see." Thetis refused to point out that when he tried before she wasn't around to back him up. This time, she would ensure that he didn't muck things up with Briseis, though she would need to speak to the young woman first.
The hug caught her by surprise and she laughed softly, thrilled to see him so eager. "I do, you need to be away from upsetting influences. Let me take care of you once again." She gently ran her fingers over his hair as she considered how wonderful things could be if she were able to help him get past his troubles. It could be just like old times, and with the assistance of modern medicine and other luxuries she knew they could help make him as good as new. There was no place she'd rather be than where he needed her most.