Holding My Last Breath

Chapter Four-Overlap

Achilles loved when Briseis slept. While she rested, any trace of pain or hurt melted away from her soft skin. She didn't move much in her sleep, her hair blowing around her from the porthole window being open. Her dress was miraculously undamaged or dirty from the dash through the city. The purple of her dress contoured to her curves, showing how skinny she actually was.

He remained still, watching from his seat against the wall on the opposite side of the room. He changed out of his armor, still wearing black. His hair was brushed back from him running his hand through it a few times. Eyes were bright and alert to every tiny detail in front and around him.

The blue orbs traced the length of Briseis' body, checking for differences or injury. He smiled internally. He was looking at her because now he could. He knew that this was the first of many times he would be able to follow the pale curves over with his eyes and hands.

They didn't say much as they reached the free air. She held tightly to his waist, face turned away from the city. He took her hand and held it, feeling her squeeze back. She would mourn the loss of her life, her family, her city; but she saved him and wanted to go with him. And that was the only thing that mattered to him. She was alive and with him.

His vision slid up to watch her stir and begin to wake. He kept quiet, wanting to watch her reaction to the world now around her. He put his hands over his mouth in patience.

Briseis slowly blinked her eyes open, registering the light coming through the porthole. She could make out the sound of waves and men shouting on the deck above. Her eyes fell to the beore ore specifically her arm and hand. She flexed her fingers slowly, allowing the blood within to circulate without much change.

I'm still the same physically, she thought. By otherwise, nothing is the same. Memories of leaving Troy bombarded her mind again and again. She closed her eyes and put her hands over her face. She saw the fires, Agammemnon, his blood on the blade, the guards' swords unsheathed, Achilles holding her, Paris' arrows, running in the din of the back halls, riding through the gates, the feel of the bed, Achilles' hand stroking her hair as she slept.

She became aware of his presence in the room. She figured him across from her, by the wall, hidden in shadow. He loved to be that way when she woke up. But she still had things in her head to work out before getting lost in his eyes again.

Her mind traced its path from her vows as a priestess to Hector's pyre. One the beginning and the other far from the end. The sensations of happiness, worry, fear, pain, confusion, exhilaration and love came from that that time period. Now she was on a new path, unsure of where she was going. But she didn't care; Achilles was taking the journey with her.

"How long have I slept?," she asked, moving her hands and rubbing her eye.

"Its only mid morning," he said in a soft but firm voice. She sat up, brushing her hair back with her fingers. She turned and found him sng wng with an unreadable expression. She smiled lightly, locking eyes with him. Even from this distance, she felt like a drop in the ocean of him. "I'm sorry if I woke you."

"My memories woke me, don't worry," she sighed, looking to her feet that stuck out under the sheet. Achilles crossed the room and sat behind her on the bed. No movement, then he stroked the side of her cheek, leaning in so his breath was on her hair. He inhaled slowly, the scent of jasmine lingering in his sensory memories.

Briseis closed her eyes and savored the strong touch of his hand. Without thinking, she leaned back, his arms closing around her torso. Her head leaned towards right, the sun shining on her face. He leaned in and kissed her cheek close to her eye. He stayed for a brief second, then trailed more kisses down her face and onto her shoulder. She opened her mouth slightly, moaning very softly.

The touch they denied themselves for two weeks crept over them with no impediment. Achilles shifted and she turned into his arms. They stared at each other for a second, then locked lips. A shudder of anticipation racked Briseis' body drawing arousal from deep within Achilles. He pushed into her mouth, fiercely reclaiming what was only ever his.

Rolling onto her back, Briseis' fingers laced through his hair, pulling him closer to her face. She felt his hands pushing her gown up her thighs. She lifted the small of her back as the dress came up and off, tossed onto the floor. His lips found the places on her chest and belly that sent shivers up and down her spine.

She undid the ties of his shirt and pushed it off his shoulders. She felt the giddiness pass through her appropriately. His arms connected and meshed perfectly into his chest. His muscles stretched and moved like liquid fire beneath his tan exterior. She acknowledged his toga skirt sliding off and onto the floor as well.

They lay together, skin against skin, heat rising with each passing second. Achilles touched every inch of her body, lips leaving moist impressions on her belly button and breasts. They locked lips again, Briseis allowing him to settle between her legs. They were still for only a moment, eyes meeting and fingers lacing each other.

She threw her head back and gasped loudly as he rocked into her. He held for a second, kissing her exposed neck and licking up to her chin. They moved in synchronized motion, pressing and rolling their lower bodies together. He watched as the pressure built up, showing its progress with her moans and facial expressions.

He gripped at her one wrist, his index finger pressing into her palm. Her fingers remained limp and listless, submitting completely to his control. His grip tightened increasingly as he felt himself slip futher into the sea of sensations that engulfed them.

Briseis arched her back and cried out his name, eyes squeezed shut. He pushed in once more, stiffening with a groan stiffled by the skin pressed against his mouth. All the nights she was alone in Troy, she only remembered the tiniest of this sensation. She denied herself the pleasure the last time they were together.

When she laid in the bed, tears in her eyes, she feared that she destroyed ever remembering it again. But now, within the steel of his arms, encased beneath a body sculpted by the Gods, she knew she would never forget.

They returned to the flat of the bed together, panting, heartbeats racing but in time with one another. She smiled as his now moist lips pressed against the column of her neck. Her one arm came over his shoulders, pulling him against her. He gave in without protest; Briseis loved the feel of his weight on her. He was heavy, but she craved the warmth and protection it gave her.

They looked into each other's eyes for the longest time, slowing breaths and sweat cooling. The infinite blue and swirling brown made the connection final. They were meant to be here, in this moment, in these circumstances, in this emotion. Spiritually, they married then and there.

Late into the night, they shifted into their respective and comfortable positions. But his hand still gripped her wrist, fiercely clinging to those memories.