Who: Achilles and Briseis What: Achilles runs into Briseis while visiting Patroclus. When: Friday night Where: Hospital Patroclus is staying at. Warning: None
There was some strength coming back to the old warrior. A sense of humility that had been missing for a long time. The regret still lay heavy on his heart, like a weight pressing on his chest. There was more to be done to earn his pardons, for the gods had been more than generous on him despite the disrespect he had given. It wasn't an easy thing for the mighty warrior to admit, but after being played as a mere pawn at the gods expense it more than opened his eyes at how little control he did have. That wasn't an easy pill to swallow.
Covering his neck with the collar of his coat as he walked into the corridor where Patroclus' room was located. It wasn't a comfortable place to be still, but Achilles would continue to pay his respects to his Leutinant despite how painful it was.
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[info]spoil_of_war 2010-12-03 10:58 pm (local) (link) Track This Briseis had spent the week in Montana with her in-laws. (David may be gone but she still considered those people to be her family. She was going to be upset when she eventually had to break off her contact with them.)
But now she'd returned and come to visit Patroclus since it was safe, although when she was leaving the room she didn't expect to run into Achilles in the hall.
Briseis stared at him for a moment and then she pulled the door completely closed after her before stalking up to him and slapping him so hard across the face that her palm stung and tingled.
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[info]chink_in_armor 2010-12-03 11:12 pm (local) (link) Track This His jaw clenched tightly after the hit of her hand on his face, the sting still burning even after a few seconds. His eyes closed, swallowing that heavy lump in his throat before he could put his gaze on her. Had this been him the previous week he wasn't so sure what he would have done to her, that in itself was a disturbing thought that still loomed over him.
He could have admitted his apologies to her, but not in front of everyone who had perked up to look at the scene. Some laughs, a lot of curious looks as people generally couldn't keep to themselves.
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[info]spoil_of_war 2010-12-03 11:15 pm (local) (link) Track This Briseis looked over his shoulder at people and then nodded with her head that he should follow her as she turned and walked away. It was an empty room she found with its bed neatly made up and ready for the next patient. She shut the door behind them and then leaned against it with a sigh before looking at him.
"You've stopped being a complete asshole now?" she asked, although she basically already knew that he had.
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[info]chink_in_armor 2010-12-03 11:29 pm (local) (link) Track This Achilles followed her into the empty space releasing a breath he hadn't known he'd been holding. He stood in that slightly dusky room with his hands in his pockets. After a long string of reparations, it didn't make it any easier to say. So, when she asked all he managed to give her was a simple, "Yes."
Removing his coat, Achilles tossed it alongside the bed before he sat down. "I..." he started, finding for once his words were lost to him. He'd already broken down in front of his mother, and that rattle inside made him feel sick again. "Briseis," he said in a hurtful whisper.
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[info]spoil_of_war 2010-12-04 06:56 pm (local) (link) Track This "I know," Briseis said, holding up a hand. "I warned you about her." She looked him in the eye firmly. "Tell me that you're sorry, Achilles."
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[info]chink_in_armor 2010-12-04 07:08 pm (local) (link) Track This There was a lot of regret, even more than Achilles had remembered. This burden was a heavy one. She wasn't going to pay him any pity, and he'd never accept it.
"I know," he agreed. "I put myself above all else." He shook his head. "I am sorry."
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[info]spoil_of_war 2010-12-04 07:09 pm (local) (link) Track This "Thank you," Briseis said and then she walked over and hugged him carefully, kissing his cheek. "I'm glad you're back."
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[info]chink_in_armor 2010-12-04 07:17 pm (local) (link) Track This Even if the embrace had been a short one, Achilles held on. His arms wrapped around her tightly, feeling his heart break a little. For that moment he didn't care if tears fell, though he fought to remain strong in front of her.
"If I hurt you," though he hardly thought she would be so firm with him now if he had, "I never would have in my right mind. You know that..." He never would have forgiven himself.
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[info]spoil_of_war 2010-12-04 07:24 pm (local) (link) Track This "I know that," Briseis told him, pulling back and looking at him sternly. "But you did let her in so while you might not have been in your right mind, you're not completely innocent in this. I know Patroclus is already fawning all over you again, but I'm not going to be as easy. I need time," she admitted, "to completely trust you again."
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[info]chink_in_armor 2010-12-04 07:31 pm (local) (link) Track This "I never claimed to be, I blame only myself in this. Part of me wanted it," he wouldnt deny that. He sighed heavily, nodding in agreement. "Neither of you have cause to be lenient."
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[info]spoil_of_war 2010-12-04 07:34 pm (local) (link) Track This "As long as you know that," Briseis nodded after taking in his words for a few moments. "You angered a lot of gods," she grumbled, still annoyed that she'd had to make herself known to so many Olympians because of him.
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[info]chink_in_armor 2010-12-04 07:44 pm (local) (link) Track This "I understand that," his hand reached to rub the bruise that had only begun to fade from around his neck. "I will not make the sky king feel his judgement was false." Zeus had been kinder than even Achilles had expected, that in part he held favor to his mother.