Sons of Sparta - A Story of the Spartans, Book 3
(inspired by the story 'Spartan' parts 1 through 4)
by argouru
Note: All credit for the creation of the Spartans and Amazons, as well as the Spartan mythos belongs to the author 'CF', to whom I owe special thanks for his allowing me to write about these incredible people.
WARNING: Portions of this installment of the series includes a section regarding mental illness.
Henry strode forward grimly, John following behind him with an even stride. The Spartan stopped in the center of the chamber and drew his blade before John reached his side with a swift and savage motion. He spun the sword around and went to stab downward viciously, but stopped himself from doing so, unwilling to risk harm to his weapon. He took a deep breath to calm himself slightly, then knelt and assumed the prayer position more politely, John following the motion in a calmer manner than his partner.
"Apollo be with me," Henry growled savagely under his breath, drawing several shocked looks from people who still lingered after the service. They each looked upwards as Apollo spoke to each of them silently, asking for privacy within the chamber, then they nodded and left quickly, yet calmly. As the last of them exited the chamber, leaving the couple alone in the presence of the god, the doors closed quietly on all sides, providing some privacy from prying eyes.
"Why?" Henry snarled. "Why did You lie to me?!?"
I did not lie to you, Henry, Apollo spoke calmly into both of their minds.
"But You said that You didn't bring John and I together!" Henry protested. "You said I found him on my own!"
You did, Apollo answered matter-of-factly. All I did was intervene in John's life. I acted in accordance with his will... Using... 'Creative interpretation', if you will.
"What do you mean?" John asked, looking first at Henry, then up to the face of the statue of the god. "What are you both talking about?"
You need to tell him, Henry. John deserves to know the truth.
"The truth about what?" John asked, wondering what was going on.
Henry sighed, lifted his head and looked at his partner with sudden shame. "John, there's something I haven't told you about my past... I... I don't know where to start."
I would recommend you explain how you came to feel the way you did first, Henry. Explain to John what it was that happened to drive you to the decision and behavior that you chose.
The Spartan nodded, took a deep breath, then explained to John what had happened to his great grandparents when the existence of the Spartan people had been revealed to the world after centuries of hiding. He told the human of how his human Great Grandfather Bartholomew had been gravely injured by a mob and taken to the hospital where he had laid in a coma for several days before he passed away without ever regaining consciousness. When his partner Mike had heard within prison of the death of the man he loved, he had become catatonic, then committed suicide three mornings later.
Then he told John what he had learned about how Henry's own parents had met, Sam had fled in panic, then Daniel had become suicidal, believing that his partner did not love him in return. Things had worked out, but then Sam had developed an untreatable brain tumor and was going to die. Grief-stricken, Daniel had made plans to end his own life once the man he loved had passed away. Sam had learned the truth and feeling fearful that Henry would become an orphan, the human had prayed to, then willing sacrificed himself to Lord Apollo that Daniel and Henry would find the strength to endure beyond his death. Apollo had been moved by the mortal's selflessness and restored his life, then transformed him into a Spartan that he could remain healthy and be there for his family.
Apollo frowned at that, seeing that Henry had ignored the fact that it was the supernatural healing force that resided within Sam as a descendant of Apollo Himself from a demigod ancestor of long ago that had truly healed him. The god had only nudged that ability into use in order to heal the mortal. Unbeknownst to the family, each of the sons also possessed this same power, but as He looked into each of their futures, Apollo saw that none of them would ever use this power for anything save having healthy sons of their own. He let the matter pass unchallenged.
Henry explained to John about how he had seen that so many people in his life were in strong bonds and had become mortified at the idea of being obsessed with his partner, thereby becoming unable to live without the man that he would eventually love. Becoming terrified of the notion of being in a partner bond, Henry had begun to do everything he could to avoid ever finding the man he was destined to share his life with, feeling that the bond would ultimately destroy him.
"So you don't want me?" John asked, feeling deeply hurt by the revelation.
"I do love you John," Henry protested firmly. "I do love and want you. Back then, before we met, I was afraid that the bond would make me weak. I only thought about how the bond would affect me and gave no thought as to how it would affect my partner. I had no idea what the man I would end up with would be like. It wasn't you that I didn't want John. Back then, I didn't know anything about you at all. I'm so sorry that I felt that way. You'll never know just how ashamed I am of how I behaved back then. But I do honestly love you with all my heart and I'm not afraid of the bond anymore. John... I love you and never want to lose you. I only hope that someday you can forgive me."
"I already do," John said, surprising his partner. "Henry... I'm no stranger to pain of the heart. I wanted to die because I felt like I would never matter to anyone... That I would always be treated like shit. I felt so horrible that I would beat myself regularly and sought to end my own life more than once. I forgive you because I've been to someplace that's similar to where you've been." He looked up at the statue and sighed. "And speaking of apologies-" he began.
John, Apollo interrupted, There's something more that you should know. I interfered in your death two times, not just once.
"What?" John asked, feeling a mild sense of shock. "What do you mean twice?"
They heard the god sigh mentally. After I pushed you away from the car, you were taken to the hospital and operated on. During the surgery, there was a complication and your heart stopped for a moment. The nurse looked over your chart quickly and I... Kind of made her read the part about resuscitation wrong. I basically altered her perception and made her tell the doctor that it was alright to revive you. By doing so, I violated both the nurse's freedom and your right to die. It is because of Me that you are still alive John... Against your wishes. I am very sorry that I violated your free will in that way, but only because I had made a vow long ago that I would never interfere in the lives of mortals. By doing what I did, I broke my vow and forced upon you a choice you did not want. I do not know if you wish to forgive me for what I have done, but I will tell you that if I had to make the same choices over again, I would still do the same as I have already done.
Henry looked at John with shock. "You didn't want to be resuscitated?" he asked in horror.
"No," John answered wearily, wanting to be honest. "I was suicidal, Henry. I didn't want to live at all, let alone be brought back once I did die. You saw what I was like then. Can you really blame me for marking 'do not' on the reviving portion of the paperwork?"
"No, I guess not," the Spartan answered dully. "But... You did change it, right?" he added nervously.
John sighed. "Not yet... I was still trying to figure out my feelings. If you want to take me by the hospital after this, I can do it then. I'll also need to change my contact info too, seeing as how it's not valid anymore."
"Alright," Henry said, feeling somewhat better.
"But still," John said with a sigh, looking back up to the statue of Apollo. "To be honest, it doesn't matter how many times it happened. All that matters is the fact that You did interfere without asking. ...I've done a lot of thinking these last several days. If You had told me all of this back when I was depressed, I would've probably ended up having another attack... But now, Things are different. -I'm- different. I'm trying really hard to adjust to all of the changes in my life. For the most part, I like what all has come into my life. I have someone who loves me, a stable job that treats me much better than my last one... There isn't anything I can really complain about," he said, lying through his teeth.
Are you sure that you are happy, John? the god asked in a suggestive tone. Henry frowned at his lord's inflection, as though He doubted that John was speaking clearly. He had also noted the wording John had used, realizing that there was still something wrong with the Human, something he didn't want to talk about.
The human looked at the floor. "I just need to get used to how things are, is all."
"John?" Henry asked with concern.
The human hesitated. "Well, nothing in my life is like it was before," he said, omitting the truth he didn't want to face. "The environment I'm in now is completely different from any I was ever in before. It'll take time, but I'll be okay." Henry heard Apollo sigh, as if with regret. "But as I was saying... I forgive You. I don't understand why You did what You did, but I forgive You for it."
John, I see things in you that you still are unable to see in yourself. You have so much potential and all you ever wanted was to be loved and respected. I felt sorry for you and could not stand by and watch you destroy yourself when your life could be so much more than it was.
Henry frowned at that, wondering what it was that wasn't being said, but knew that it wasn't for him to know yet as if it were, Apollo would've spoken more openly. Feeling slightly put out that both his partner and his god seemed to be withholding something from him, the Spartan turned to the statue of his lord and sighed inwardly, deciding that the matter could wait for now. Forcing the issue, whatever it was, would be counterproductive at this time. "I'm sorry for how I reacted, Lord," he said with sincerity.
I accept your apology, Henry. The reason I had not told you this was because it was a personal violation of John's rights and I did not feel it would be appropriate to speak of it to you without his permission.
"That makes sense," Henry said simply. He returned to the prayer position. "Thank you Lord Apollo for all that you provide," he said.
John also returned to the prayer position. He spoke his words silently within his mind, having been told by Walter that Apollo could hear people's thoughts. He had been very nervous about that at first, but was slowly getting used to the idea and relaxing. Clearly he hadn't thought anything too offensive, seeing as how he wasn't a charcoal brickquette quite yet.
Lord Apollo, he thought. Offer Your blessings to Henry and my new family. Help Jason and Marcus to overcome the adversity they will face in the future and help Daniel to overcome his stress so he becomes a calmer person, the human thought with a shudder at how the older Spartan had lost his temper so severely only last night. Help all of this new family of mine to live long and happily and aid them in all of their times of need. He stopped there, even though there was more on his mind. The rest wasn't appropriate to say. He had no right to ask such things, so instead he fell silent until he suddenly felt the god's touch upon his bowed head.
Thank you for praying to Me, John. And thank you for your forgiveness as well. I will answer -all- of your prayers when the time is right. For now, know that I shall always be here for you. The hand upon his head tightened slightly, as if to add emphasis to His words, then the hand was lifted away. John looked upwards, frowning in confusion at the immortal's wording.
Henry rose smoothly, but John had to struggle his way upwards, waving away Henry's offered hand. "Thanks," he said, "but I need to get better at doing this on my own."
They raised their swords and saluted the statue of Apollo, sheathed their blades and left the chamber. Outside, John removed his sword belt, but paused thoughtfully as he went to hand it back to Keith. "John?" Henry asked, noting his partner's behavior.
The human looked to the Spartan head of security. "I want to invoke my employee's privilege and put a sword on permanent reserve," he said slowly.
"Sure thing," Keith said with a smile. "Yours will be down at the end of the first rack with your name above it anytime you want it."
"Thanks," John said with a slight smile of gratitude before turning away and walking with Henry over to the cubby holes to collect their belongings, the Spartan grinning broadly with joy that his partner had found his way to Apollo.
They headed back to the house, Sam watching them go hand in hand and then seeing Keith using a label maker to create a label to place above the sword John had returned, which would now be for his exclusive use. Sam stared into the open doorway of the altar chamber, noting that the statue of Apollo seemed to be different somehow. After a few moments of careful scrutiny, he realized with concern that the issue was that the face of the bronze sculpture now had a slight look of conflicted feelings to it...
After swinging by the house to let Steven and Giorgos know that everything was now alright, but refusing to go into details, Henry and John left and headed down the road towards the hospital. Along the way, Henry surprised John by stopping at a phone store. "I just remembered that I have to pick up a new cell phone," he explained to John as they parked, then entered the store.
Inside, Henry debated for what seemed to be forever before he narrowed his choices to three. "I can't decide which one to get," he said to John, scratching his head. "Hey John, which one should I go with?"
The human shrugged. "Which one do you want?"
"If I knew that, I wouldn't still be standing here," Henry answered dryly.
"Well what features do you want?" John asked.
"Internet connection, camera feature and GPS are good, as well as downloadable ringtones are the main features I'd like to see on it. What kinds of fun features should I get to go with those?"
They spent some time debating features, Henry eagerly taking most of John's suggestions and making a few of his own. It seemed to take forever for Henry to decide on everything that he wanted to go on his new phone before he made his way to the register. "Say," he asked, clearing his throat. "Wanna go pick us up some sodas from the Seven Eleven down at the end of the shopping center?"
"Okay," John said as Henry fished out his wallet and handed John a twenty. "Grab me a large orange Gatorade and two hotdogs with lots of chili and cheese, but get whatever you want for yourself too, okay? I'll meet you there."
John repeated the order to confirm, then left the store as Henry leaned over to the sales associate. The human made his way across the parking lot, entered the store and got the requested food, ladling on the chili and cheese as he remembered that Henry had request heavy amounts of both. He picked up the Gatorade and his Cherry Coca Cola, then made his way to the register after placing the hotdogs and his corndogs in a cardboard box-tray. By the time he had gotten through the line and paid for the food before exiting the store, Henry had finished and just come outside, playing with his new phone. They met at his car, then ate over the hood.
Once they finished, Henry wiped his hands off and fished his keys out of his pocket. "Say," he said. "Your license is still good, right?"
"Yeah," John said, then was startled as Henry tossed him the keys, which he fumbled the catching of. They bounced mildly off his chest and fell to the asphalt.
"Sorry," Henry apologized. "You okay?"
"Yes, it was just my ego that got wounded is all. What's the deal?"
"Why don't you drive? I want to put all the numbers into the new phone."
"You sure it's okay for me to drive your car?" John asked nervously.
"Yeah, why not?" Henry replied.
John found he had to move the seat forward and up to reach everything alright as Henry had longer legs and torso than he did. Following his partner's directions, they made it to the hospital where John changed the details for the contacts section of his medical records, as well as the resuscitation checkbox to 'resuscitate', much to Henry's relief and happiness. Afterwards, they went back to the Spartan's apartment for the evening. Henry entered every phone number he knew for all the members of the family and their friends, his work, his Dad Daniel's work and the temple. He only just finished as they arrived at the Spartan's home.
"Finally!" he sighed. "There's too damned many people in our family!" he teased with a smile.
They watched TV together, focusing on the scifi channel and eating a box of fried chicken they ran through the microwave, then cuddled up in bed together until they fell asleep in each other's arms...
Henry drove John home Sunday evening, ate dinner with the family and Henry spent the night so as to have as much time together with his partner as possible. The following morning he awoke and stayed in bed with his still sleeping partner for as long as possible, not wanting to leave. Finally with a heavy heart, he got up and showered, then came back to snuggle as much more as possible until John yawned and awoke. He smiled at Henry, kissed him gently then glanced at the clock and felt a surge of concern. "You'll be late for work if you don't get going here," the human said, unable to keep the regret out of his voice as he said that. "I love you and hate to see you go," he added sadly, "but you do need to make a living."
"I love you too," Henry sighed. "I just find it more and more difficult to have to leave you every week. It's difficult to be away from you so much..." I hate leaving you more and more."
"I hate it too, but my work is here and yours is across town. If I had a car it would be easier, but you work earlier than I do and there's no way I'm having you drive me all the way over here every day."
"I don't mind John," Henry said gently.
"But I do. I love you too much to make you play taxi driver to me all the time. That's why I've made up my mind to start saving up for a car."
"Really?" Henry asked with surprise.
"Um hmm," John answered. "I want to be able to go where I want to when I want to, rather than rely on buses or other people. I want to have a little self reliance, rather than depend on everyone else all the time. I really appreciate what everyone has done for me these last few weeks, but I need to be able to take care of myself so I can be as much of an equal to this family as I can as soon as possible. Now you'd better get going or you'll get in trouble for being late."
Henry had noted John's phrasing with a frown, but when he tried to speak, John saw the expression on his face and kissed him deeply for several moments. The Spartan lost all thought with that kiss and by the time it ended, he had forgotten what they had been talking about. He sighed with regret as the kiss ended, pulling away with deep reluctance and tempted to call in sick. But lives depended on him, so the Spartan looked into the eyes of the man he loved. "I'll call you later, okay?"
"Alright," John answered softly. "I'll try to be near a phone today."
Henry turned away quickly, an odd gleam in his eye, snatched up his bag and left rapidly. John laid back, missing his partner already as he heard the man descending the stairs and head out the door. John sat up and saw that Henry had left his new cell phone behind, still in its charger on John's dresser. "Fuck!" he exclaimed, tossing off the covers. "HENRY!" he called out, running to grab the phone. He ran over to it, but stopped dead in his tracks when he found a note next to it reading 'Surprise! No, I won't take this back no matter how hard you try to make me! Enjoy it with my blessings. Love, Henry.'
"Oh you gotta be kidding me!" John grumbled as he picked it up, then sighed with annoyance that was marred by a slight smile. "Dirty rat!"
"Trouble in paradise?" Steven asked from the doorway with a smile.
John sighed. "That brother of yours is the most thoughtful jerk on the whole damned planet," he said, holding up the phone.
Steven took a moment to work that out in his head, then chuckled. "Well good, he did get it for you," the Spartan said with a look of approval.
"What?!?" John exclaimed in shock. "You knew he was going to do this?!?"
"Yep, we tell each other almost everything. Nothing sexual or such, but... Well... You know what I mean," Steven finished, looking slightly flustered. John sighed with disgust. "Anyways," Steven pressed onwards. "Little bird has it that you're Apolline now."
"Oh come on!" John exploded in exasperation, throwing out his hands with emotion. "Does everyone on the whole fucking planet know everything in my life?" He groaned with disgust and collapsed on his back on the bed, dragging his hand down his face with an air of intense suffering.
"We're a close-knit community here John, both friends and family. The temple is like one big extended family, so word gets around pretty easily. How the twins have managed to remain a secret couple for so long is clearly only due to the will of Apollo. We don't gossip, but we do talk and share. That's how families are, you know."
John propped himself up on his elbows to look at his brother-in-law thoughtfully with a slightly haunted expression. "I guess... Normal families at any rate."
"Well we're not like those assholes you grew up with. We Spartans know who to be respectful... For the most part. Don't let Fred get to you too much. If he does, just say the word and I'll sit on his head for you. Shower's free, by the way. See you downstairs."
With that, he left, leaving John feeling yet another spike of resentment and not being able to hold his own against the Spartans. Shoving his feelings down yet again, he walked nude over to the bathroom and showered, wondering how much resentment and inadequacy he would have to deal with in his new life. After he cleaned up, he grabbed his robe, sandals and the phone that he had helped Henry pick out. At least now I know why he needed so much 'help' deciding what all to get on it!
Still nude as the family had no nakedness issues, what with the way they worshipped their god, he felt no qualms with strolling downstairs with his robe over his arm to head for the kitchen where everyone was eating breakfast. As they ate, Fred seemed fairly reserved and Daniel was downright timid, refusing to lift his eyes and looking deeply ashamed of himself. He barely spoke to John at all, but each time he did, it was in a submissive whisper thick with politeness. John found the man's behavior first shocking, then flattering and finally amusing. He and Sam finished breakfast then donned their robes after the head priest fastened his sword belt and the pair left the house, heading to the side door of the temple as usual...
John was taking his lunch break later that day when the phone rang. Pulling it out of the pocket of his robe, he saw from the display that it was Henry calling. Feeling an odd mixture of emotions, mostly excitement and annoyance, he answered. "That was really rotten of you to pull a bait and switch on me like that!"
"~Sorry, but I knew you'd refuse if I said it was for you.~"
"Henry!" John growled with annoyance. "You should be spending your money on yourself! Look, I grew up poor, yes, but I don't need handouts! Do you know what your parents went and did? While I was at your place last weekend, they threw out all of my old clothes and bought more new ones to replace them. You guys can't keep doing this or you'll spend yourself broke! I'm not worth all of you ending up penniless!"
"~What kind of way is that to talk about yourself? John, you -are- worth it and I never want to hear you speak like that again! You lost your home, your job and you clearly could barely afford to live as it was! We're your family now and that's the kind of people we are. We help each other out in times of need. You haven't even gotten your first paycheck yet, your clothing was rags that were falling apart and what if there was an emergency and you weren't near a phone? You need to think of these things, you know.~"
John sighed. "It's just... First I was treated like a burden and now..." He couldn't finish the thought.
"~What is it, John? What were you about to say? Please tell me.~"
"Well... How am I ever going to be a self-sufficient man if everyone always makes me feel like some helpless damsel in distress? I'll never be more than a burden to people if I don't start taking care of myself." He couldn't bring himself to admit the other reason for feeling like he did. He couldn't hurt Henry's feelings. "It's not like I don't appreciate what all everyone has done for me, but I'll never gain any sense of independence if I keep leaning on everyone else for help all the time. I do appreciate what you all have done for me, but still..."
"~We don't think of you as weak, John. Honestly. It's just that you have so little and we believe in helping each other in any way necessary. As for the phone, I'm sorry. I only did that because I knew that you'd refuse it if I told you the phone was for you. No offense, Beloved, but you can be so stubborn that it's really irritating.~"
"Alright, I'll grant you that much," John answered slowly, feeling a twinge of pleasure at the word of endearment.
"~Besides,~" the Spartan continued thickly. "~I already miss you. It's hard to be away from you for so long each time. This way I can at least hear the sound of your voice, if nothing else.~"
"I feel the same way. It's strange... I don't want to be apart from you, but the thing that keeps me going and handing life now is knowing that it's only a matter of time until we see each other again. I mean you only left this morning, but it already feels like ages since we were last together. I don't understand. Will it always be this way? Will I always miss you this much every time we're apart?"
"~Maybe you can talk with Dad Sam, who has a strong bond with Dad Daniel, or maybe even Apollo Himself. He's the one who gave the partner bond to Spartans. Maybe He can help us to understand it better than we do. I'd ask you to move in with me, but I have the feeling you're not ready yet.~"
"I'd like that, but I need my own transportation in order to get to and from work on my own. There'll never be any guarantee that you can drive me to work every day, not when your work could call you in early without warning. I want to have my own car before we move in together. If I'm not paying much here, I should be able to save up enough of a down payment on a car. Then we can be together without me feeling like a burden to you. I couldn't feel comfortable living with you like that. I'm sorry Henry, but that's the way I feel. I love you too much to hurt you by feeling bad because of my feeling that I'd just be living off of you. Please try to understand."
"~I do. You have a warrior's pride and that's something I can definitely understand.~"
"A warrior's pride?" John asked doubtfully. "I don't know about that. I just want to stand on my own two feet, is all."
He was unaware of Henry smiling to himself silently on the other end of the phone, knowing John's behavior better than he did. Then he remembered something. "~Oh, I almost forgot. Once a month I get together with Sally and now Rachel for an evening. Since you're my partner, you're automatically included in on that. And before you say anything, Sally said to make sure you know that she was the one who said that you're automatically invited and no arguments.~"
"I don't know..." John said uncertainly. "I didn't exactly make a good impression on them the other day."
"~John, relax. Sally and Rachel are completely understanding. They'll treat you just fine, so don't worry about it and know that they won't take no for an answer, so be ready with some extra clothes for Saturday. I'll come pick you up Friday evening, but I also want to call you later. Call you after work?~"
"I'd like that," John said. "But Swe're going to burn through your minutes at this rate," he added with a chuckle.
"~Don't worry, we have unlimited minutes. It's the same with all of the family.~"
"Isn't that expensive?" John asked with worry.
"~Don't worry about it. We have a discount plan.~"
"Alright then."
"~Love you, John.~"
"Love you too, Henry."
They hung up, feeling sad that they had to part ways for now, but both looked forward to chatting again tonight...