Take Me Home

I'm simply moved to tears by you guys. Really. It's a great relief to see so many people out there being so supportive. If I feel down next time, I won't forget what you've said here. Thank you. Thank you very much.

Also not forgeting to thank everyone too for their invaluable feedbacks for my writing skills.

As for Orlando's eyes, if you're looking for POTC, I've got a short, sweet one. Not good with piratey talks and all, so better not get there. Arrr! Here's my site addy: http://breathless.shadowess.com

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Part 7

The Chariot of Fire blazed across the white sky with brutal harshness. The heat was scorching and while water surrounded them, it should have kept them cool but it was the opposite.

Since the effects were too strong for even the hardened man could endure, Achilles allowed everyone to cool off in the inviting turquoise-blue sea. However, no one was allowed to swim further than a few strokes away and the first sign of danger from any sea predator, everyone was to get back into the ship. Unfortunately for the wounded, they were forbidden in the water for their blood would attract unwelcome visitors. So they had to be content by pulling in buckets of sea water and dipping in their tunic to wet it thoroughly before draping over their backs.

Sound of merry laughter and playful splashing was heard where the men had gathered on the port side of the trireme. Men who had left the garden of saplings so many years ago, had now returned to play. Their faces were beaming with that of youthful joy, without a trace of line of hardship marring their features, tanned by sun and salt. It was a rare sight indeed when men dedicated themselves to the art of war and seeing their lost comrades waiting across the River Styx when in battle.

Those who did not know how to swim clung to the ropes tied to the sturdy bitts as they bopped about like floating sea gulls. They became spectators of the mock water fights among the boisterous boys, their voices the loudest as they urged the participants or laughing at their crazy antics.

Patroclus was among the players and it was the first time he had shown better moods since they had set sail. Achilles was glad seeing his cousin laughing once more.

One foot planted on the edge of the deck rail and forearms criss-crossed, resting on the knee, he watched the younger blond with mirth as Patroclus guffawed and giggled, joining his friends to bully another young man.

Even Paris had seemed to crawl out of his shell of depression for a short stretch. The young Trojan had opted to stay on the ship, sitting on the crescent seat of the stem with legs dangling over the edge and an arm hugging the carved upright prow to watch the ongoing contests. He would smile every once in a while whenever he thought the scene was funny.

That was a sight Achilles would not forget so soon. Ever since he had acquired the youth, he had never seen him smile once. Never had Achilles thought it was possible but he regretted that he had no talent in drawing for he wished to capture that beautiful wonder in a piece of paper so that he could reminiscence that rare moment always.

The way his pink lips stretched wider and the corners curled sent Achilles’ pulse racing. He started to think if he had done the right thing, taking this youth with him? He didn’t want to lock this pretty bird in a cage and never to hear it sing again. It would be a pity to doom him to a bleak life.

He continued to stare at the oblivious youth and imagined hearing his sprightly laughter filling his life in Phythia and the coquettish smiles greeting him every morning when they woke up together.

Achilles son of Peleus had led an army to war fearlessly and knew only victories. His confidence was the size of his ego and failure was not even a word he was used to. It never crossed his mind that such a simple matter as love could induce so many complications. This battle was different for he must conquer a heart. His palm sweated just thinking the possibilities of the outcomes that could shape his life forever.

The longer he gazed the deeper he sunk into this quicksand of fuzzy-heart-racing existence. He took a deep breath and feeling a sudden surge of new confidence in believing his success, he swore in the name of Ares, he would do his best to make Paris fall madly for him.
(Author’s note: Oi, look how love can make a mighty warrior weak in the knees and do silly things! ^_^)

“Why don’t you go into the water? It’s really hot here.” Achilles stood beside the young former prince, part of his shadows covered the youth.

“I’m all right,” Paris answered as he looked up from under his hand over his brow that was protecting him from the bright sun.

It did not escape the blond warrior’s sharp eyes that Paris was lying. The chemise he was wearing was soaked on the back and under his arms, turning the light blue colour a few tones darker. More beads of sweat clung to his forehead and some had dribbled down the side of his face.

“Are you worried that they would bully you?” Achilles asked with good intention. That earned him an angry glare from the youth.

“I am NOT afraid of them,” Paris bristled.

“Forgive me, Paris. I… I didn’t mean it that way,” the older man apologized quickly. He felt a lump in his throat and did not know how to continue.

Seeing that Achilles was shuffling awkwardly, Paris slump his shoulders in defeat. “I don’t like deep water,” he explained in a rather soft voice and looked out to the sea sadly. He was teased quite relentlessly by his brothers when they were growing up except Hector who had patiently tried to help him get over with this fear.

“If you want, we can go in together. I’ll hold you while we cool off. How about it?” Achilles suggested.

The idea was innocent enough but Achilles was ecstatically exited himself. For once he wanted to do something nice for Paris but there was also a sneaky advantage to it – that the young man would definitely cling to him like a desperado. Admittedly, it was one of many things that the blond warrior hoped for Paris to start depending on him without feeling of being judged to be weak or subjected to humiliation.

The youth was tempted to jump at the offer because it was really unbearable in the heat but he had his pride. He was about to turn it down but Achilles was giving him that hopeful look, a vulnerable feature so unusual to be found in a fearless man such as him. Despite the mask of confidence Paris wore while in the presence of others, he was really soft-hearted inside and right now, the warrior was succeeding in melting his pride like butter under the sun.

Paris didn’t understand why the temperature in his body risen a notch higher and his stomach made little somersaults. Perhaps he was just nervous by the idea of floating in the middle of a huge ocean. He nodded his consent finally and that acknowledgement alone caused sweat to breakout.

Achilles’ face broke into a huge grin. He looked like a little boy happy to receive a new sword from his father.

Faster than a hare, Achilles went to fetch a piece of rope and tied it to the bitt securely. They were going to use the other side of the trireme, away from the others. He wanted to be alone with his lover without the others interfering them with stares and whispers of gossips.

“Take off your chemise. Then wrap your arms around my neck and your legs around my waist. I will lower us down using this rope,” Achilles explained his plan.

Paris blushed slightly even though his pale face was already quite reddened by the sunburn. He was rather apprehensive by the mere thought of their naked torsos pressed against each other.
(Author’s note: Achilles was already shirtless because he was hot too, hehehe…in many ways.)

Impatient that Paris was stalling, Achilles pulled the youth to him. When he grabbed the small buttocks, intending to support the prince while he wrapped his legs around his waist, Achilles overheard the youth exclaimed indignantly. However, Paris did not say a word.

Unluckily for Achilles, that was not the only incident. Apparently, his cock had a mind of its own and reacted naturally at the wrong time. With their sweaty bodies rubbing together had triggered an amorous libido in the older man.

Paris felt it immediately and the top half of him reddened completely like cooked prawns; his features no longer coy but shocked. Meanwhile, Achilles smiled sheepishly.

“Sorry. It will calm down once we’re in the cold water,” he tried to pacify his squirming lover. There wasn’t anything Paris could do but trust him; anyway Achilles refused to let go of him.

With the young Prince safely secured on him, the strong warrior swung his leg one at a time off the side and slowly lowered them into the aquamarine water. The sea was not very deep and they could see distorted underwater landscape beneath them.

Half-way down, Achilles found that they were not alone. Another couple was with them but they were almost at the other end, engaged in passionate kissing. It didn’t need any imagination to see their pleasuring each other with the way their hands were moving erratically below the water.

The man with dark brown hair saw Achilles first and stopped kissing. Immediately, he hid his face at the crook of his lover’s neck. He was embarrassed to be caught.

His partner was baffled by the sudden change so he turned around to find out the source of his trouble. He saw his lord watching them while suspended in mid rope with his war prize attached to him. He gave Achilles a naughty wink and returned to pleasuring his lover.

Achilles had suspected for awhile that these two were together but they had been most discreet with their behaviour until now. He let them be and focused his attention back to his shivering prince.

Paris’ eyes were squeezed tightly shut and he tried to hide his distressed whimpers under his heaving breaths. He didn’t want to appear unmanly. Quite contrary, his features turned childishly adorable that softened Achilles’ heart on sight.

Unable to restrain himself, Achilles gave the Trojan youth a big, wet kiss on his forehead. Paris didn’t react to that, being too occupied with his deep water phobia.

As soon as they submerged into the water up to their necks, Paris trembled even more violently. He tightened his hold around his master’s neck, almost suffocating the man.

“Calm down, Paris. It’s all right. I am here with you. I’m still holding you.” As his right hand was still gripping the coarse rope, he reached the left around Paris’ back and rubbed in circles to placate him.

While waiting for the youth to ease down, the gentle roll of the waves pushed their bodies to rub against one another unintentionally. The squeaky friction was maddening, causing Achilles’ cock to swell even more. He moaned mentally, grudging his current predicament.

If things had been different, he would have taken Paris just as the other couple was doing. However, he had to restrain his urges. This was not the time to have a screaming panic lover that could drown the both of them in the struggle.

He had to find a solution, fast.

Winding his left hand around Paris’ back, he squashed the slender body tight against his chest, stopping the grinding immediately. “Don’t worry, Paris. See, I’m holding you really tight so you won’t sink into the water.” It was a sneaky cover up to his action but the youth believed him.

Minutes later, Paris lessened his hold and his trembles were subsiding.

“Open your eyes, Paris. Look at me,” Achilles commanded his lover gently. The youth obeyed.

For a long time they stared into each other’s eyes in silence as they bobbed up and down like drifting wood. Achilles ha con constantly kick his legs in the water to avoid them going against the hull and getting cut by the sharp barnacles.

An unexpected loud moan caught Paris’ ears and he turned to the direction of the source. He was surprised to see two men in the midst of throes of passion. He had not realized them before until now. Paris felt uneasy all of a sudden, recalling a similar violent act days ago. He wanted to get out of the water immediately.

Guessing the youth’s thoughts, Achilles tried to distract him. It was difficult to get the opportunity where Paris would wrap his body around him so willingly and he was not about to cut it short.

“Look, we’re floating,” Achilles let go of the rope and lifted his hand as emphasis.

“No! Hold the rope!” Paris shrieked hysterically. He grabbed onto Achilles even tighter and started to tremble again. Achilles reacted swiftly.
“I’m sorry, Paris. I’m sorry.” He went on apologizing until the youth unclamped himself.

“Please, can we get out of the water? It’s getting cold,” Paris spoke finally and shuddered involuntarily. His eyes unconsciously traveled to Achilles’ chest and found two nubs stood out proudly. When he looked at his own, to his shame, his own nipples were equally as aroused.

Paris’ scrutiny did not escape the older man and he was curious what would the youth be thinking about right now. He grabbed the rope above his head and started pulling them out of the water.

The way up was more difficult as Achilles was working to carry two full grown man’s weight. The muscles in his arms corded with strains.

Once on deck, Paris searched fis cis chemise, now dried, and donned it quickly. Still in his wet and dripping trousers, he sat on the deck against the side and hugged himself tightly.

“You should take off that wet trousers. You’ll catch a cold,” Achilles said thoughtfully.

“No,” Paris answered curtly.

Realizing his stubbornness, Achilles went to his piles of personal belongings and started searching for something. He came back moments later with a pair of kilt in his hand.

“Change into this,” old old the youth and left to give him some privacy.

Paris looked around to see if anyone was watching him. The few men who stayed on the ship were all leaning against the deck rail, still watching the games in the water. After changing quickly, he wrung the trousers of water and hung it on the ropes meant for drying clothes. Then he went back to his usual spot and waited quietly until dinner time.

{@}--^--

Author’s note: Did you guys noticed Achilles’ inner turmoils?

Beasty Achilles: Rape! Plunder! Paris mine! (Growl)

Angelic Blond Warrior: Oh no! (shakes head furiously) Look at that cute boy? Isn’t he cute?

Beasty Achilles: Take him now! Take him now!

Angelic Blond Warrior: Stop that you brainless dope! Look at how sweet he is? Aw, he’s frightened.

Beasty Achilles: Aaaeeeeiiiiiii!!! My cock needs that tight hole!

Angelic Blond Warrior: Shove it in your mouth. Is that tight enough for you?

Beasty Achilles: (nods head vigorously and happily sucking away)

Author: Oh sweet Apollo! Lydia’s Disease is running amok in my system! LOL.