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.
The next morning, Sally was running on the treadmill in the bedroom, wearing only a sport bra and panties, thinking to herself with worry as she ran in place, sweat collecting on her skin as she performed the exercise necessary for her to retain control of her temper in order to avoid upsetting her partner. Sally never wanted to do anything to make Rachel upset and strove to maintain control of her warrior's instincts at all times.
Poor John, she thought to herself. I've seen enough abuse cases to know one when I see one. He was suicidal until Lord Joshua came all the way from England to heal him. And those scars on his wrists... What has he been though, I wonder, to make him have wanted to die? I wish I knew what to do to help him. He wants to be treated like an equal so badly, but can't seem to understand just how different we are from his kind. He looked so heartbroken when we refused to arm wrestle him. I just didn't want to risk hurting him, is all. I hope Henry can help him to get better... It looks like Joshua's healing didn't fix everything that's wrong with him. I just hope that Henry is able to cope with it. I need to talk to him about this. I think maybe I should try to arrange to have lunch with him soon...
Just then, she became aware of her partner's presence in the room, but continued running.
"Woo ha, ha, ha, ha!" Rachel said in a cartoon villain’s laugh. "I'm gonna get you, Girl! I'm gonna get you!" the human woman said, hands out ready to grab Sally with an evil grin on her face.
Sally turned around with humor-laden shock, made a fake scream of horror, then turned back and ran in place as though for her very life. "Ah! Help me!" she mock-pleaded. "Somebody please help me!"
Rachel villain-laughed again, Sally hopped off the treadmill and tried to run away in a patently false manner. Rachel caught up with her and began tickling the Amazon, who giggled and screamed with laughter as Rachel pursued her victim to the bed, where she showed no mercy for several moments before the tickling turned into caressing of her lithe body, the two kissing passionately. Sally rubbed her thumb over Rachel's nipple through the woman's tank top, making her gasp with pleasure before the human pulled away with regret.
"If we get started with that," Rachel said sadly, "We'll never get anything done today."
"You say that like it's a bad thing," Sally purred.
"It's not... Not really, but there's just too much to get done around here. I need to get some gardening done and you, Girl, need to get your nasty ass in that shower!"
Sally gasped with a smile mixed with shock. "Well fuck you too, bitch!" she joked with a grin.
"Umm, maybe later," Rachel replied with a suggestive waggle of the eyebrows. "But for now, get!"
"Only if you shower with me," Sally retorted stubbornly.
"Alright," Rachel said, kissing her partner gently.
As the women stood under the hot pouring water, Sally getting Rachel's back for her, the Amazon sighed. "What's wrong, Baby?" Rachel asked with concern.
"I just keep going over last night in my head," Sally answered with a sigh.
"Well don't worry. John will get used to us. He did seem very nervous around us, but give it time and he'll come around."
"I don't know, Rach. I mean you heard him the other day. He said he was suicidal and now he acts like everyone is about to start punching him all the time. Even before the bad joke about my job, he didn't say very much. He's so quiet!"
"I saw that too. It's not a very good thing, if you ask me. Then less you speak, the more you think, then over-think things. I wish he'd open up some too, but we just don't know all that much about him, personally. All we can do is give it time and hope he starts to open up more."
"I guess," Sally said, kissing Rachel's shoulder in gratitude. "But I still want to have a long talk with Henry about him."
The women finished their shower and began their day in quiet contemplation...
Henry sighed and leaned back in the chair of the McDonalds where he had met Sally for lunch later the following week. "I mean, it’s just that John is so quiet all the time," he told her. "It's so hard to get him to share much of anything. He hates talking about his past or his feelings and always avoids those issues. Whenever I think he's about to open up at last, he slams the doors down around himself and refuses to share. I love him, Sally, but I just don't understand why he won't trust me more. I know we've only been dating for a few weeks now, but we're partners... I just thought he was getting better. He is, sort of, but he just keeps everything to himself and hardly ever talks about anything that's personal. It's so frustrating..." He sighed and drank more of his strawberry milkshake.
"Well it looks to me as though he was abused as a child," Sally said slowly.
Henry shook his head. "According to my dads, he said that he was never beaten. He always tried to stay away from the family as much as possible, so they never got a chance to hit him."
"You don't have to touch someone to abuse them, Henry," Sally said darkly. "Words can hurt as much, if not worse, than any fist ever could. I'm telling you he was abused... I'm sure of it."
"Well with the way his mother was behaving, I can believe that." He related to her the events of the second encounter he had with John's mother. "I mean she acted like he was a two-year old!" he exclaimed, drawing looks of concern from the Asian family at the next table. "I mean literally, Sally! It was as if the only rights he had were the ones she gave him! I've never seen anyone treat a grown man that way. I wanted to punch that bitch so hard! I still want to, truth be told!"
"I'd like to have a long talk with her myself!" Sally grumbled. "I mean John behaves as though he expects everyone to start shouting at him. For someone who's never been beaten, he sure acts as though it's the first thing he expects from people... Henry, one bit of advice I'll give you for dealing with him... Never scream at him or raise your fist. -I know you'd never hurt him," she said, cutting him off as he went to protest. "But he doesn't know that. If you ever get angry with him, my advice is to walk away and calm down. Even if you wouldn't ever hurt him, I don't think he'd be able to believe that you wouldn't. Never get really angry with him and never even so much as imply any violence towards him no matter how upset you are at the time. Doing so could scar him emotionally. He loves you, but doesn't completely trust you yet. You have to give it time and be patient. Eventually, he'll feel more comfortable around you, but he has a long way to go yet."
"I guess you're right," Henry said heavily. "But I also know for a fact just how much he loves me."
"How?" Sally asked.
"Well," Henry began. "You remember when Lord Joshua and His priests came to dinner during their visit to America?" Sally nodded. "Well He did something that night... Some kind of temporary mental link or something and suddenly it was like I saw inside John's mind and heart. I could see and feel just how much he really loves me. I know it worked for him too, because I felt his shock at that moment and then it was as if some fear that he'd had faded. All he wanted at that moment was to spend the rest of my life with me, emphasis on 'my' life. We really love each other... And that's what makes it so hard sometimes. As much as John and I love each other, he has a hard time trusting me at times. It's just that this bond is nothing like how I thought it would be."
"What were you expecting?" Sally asked.
Henry sighed. "Something much different than this. Our bond is a good one, for the most part. But our roles are a lot different than what I originally thought they'd be... And that just makes it worse in a way..."
"What do you mean?"
The Spartan winced. "It- ...It's a horrible thought. I can't believe that I keep thinking it..."
"Tell me," Sally said firmly.
It took great effort for her friend to speak the truth, but he forced it out. "I always thought that I'd be the weak one in the relationship, but it's John who's the weak one," he said with shame.
Sally slapped him hard across the face, startling the Asian family next to them. Henry raised a placating hand to the humans to show that things weren't as bad as they seemed, then used that same hand to rub his stinging face. "Yeah... I definitely deserved that."
"You're damned right you did!" Sally replied furiously. "What's wrong with you, Henry? Talking about your partner that way, especially after what he must have been through! You should be ashamed of yourself!"
"I am!" he snapped, then sighed as he realized they were making a scene and spoke more calmly. "I am, Sally, believe me! John wants us to be equals, yet he always acts so timid that I can't help but to feel that way about him. Then when I get protective of him, he gets all pissed at me for treating him as inferior! Take Friday evening... He wanted some pickles from a brand new jar and couldn't get it open. I offered to open it for him and he got all bent out of shape. He kept refusing my help as he fought with the jar for five minutes, then got huffy, pulled out a butter knife and spent two more minutes trying to pry up the lid until the seal broke, then fought it open and looked at me all resentfully like it was my fault he couldn't get it open! I just don't know what to do in times like that! We love each other, but it's like he hates me at times or something. Then he'll get all apologetic about it, even though he doesn't actually apologize, and I forgive him for it. What am I going to do?"
"How often do you offer him help?" Sally asked slowly.
"Any time I see that he needs it," Henry replied thoughtfully. "When he's not strong enough to do something on his own. Why?"
The Amazon sighed. "Henry, you're too helpful for your own good. If you ask me, I think that by offering John help all the time, you're bruising his ego. He's a -guy- Henry, just like you. How would you feel if everyone kept acting like you were needing help all the time?"
Henry's face showed a look of dawning understanding, then he looked guilty. "Pretty pissed, I guess. Fuck... I suppose I should apologize to him."
"Damned right, you should," Sally said emphatically. "You really dent his masculine ego when you try to do everything for him and make him feel weak all the time." Sally's expression softened. "Henry, it's sweet that you want to help him, but John needs to be able to do things for himself. My advice is to stay out of any difficulties he has until he asks you for help, THEN help him. Even if he struggles with something for hours on end, let him deal with it on his own terms. John really seems to have a warrior's pride, so acknowledge it and let him fight his own battles when he wants to, okay?"
"Okay," Henry said glumly. "I guess I have been acting insulting without really meaning to. Thanks, Sally... Say? How did you of all women get so knowledgeable about guys?"
"Amazons can be just as stubborn as any man, Spartan or human, so it's not too difficult to understand how John must feel. Now that you know what not to do, I trust things will go more smoothly between you two?"
"I hope so, Sally," Henry said, still worried. "I really hope so..."
Giorgos sat beside Steven at the outdoor tables set up in a long row for all of the blood-related family of his partner. Matthew Mikeson and his partner David Williams, their sons, grandsons and their partners all sat together and ate. Giorgos' family was absent as they didn't celebrate Independence Day and John no longer had any relatives who would speak to him. The Grecian frowned at that with distaste, thinking that John's family must be rather unpleasant people to disown one of their own simply because he had difficulties of the mind. Well, it was their loss, not John's, to be had. Giorgos had begun to mildly consider John to be a brother of sorts, now that they shared a common family through the bonds of love for some of its members.
If only he would speak more often and not sit so hunched over, as though he thinks that someone will attack him with no provocation. The Greek man sighed with regret that his brother-in-law seemed to be so timid a man. The meal went well until the end, when the twins cleared their throats and stood up. Giorgos got a vague sense of foreboding at this, but held his tongue. He noted that Daniel, Sam, Henry and John looked as though they knew what was coming, which made Giorgos even more nervous at the serious looks on their faces.
"Everyone," Marcus said nervously, holding hands with Jason from nervousness, "we have something we want to say and while it's not easy to hear, we ask that you let us have all of our say before anyone responds." He took a deep breath. "John and Giorgos, we're sorry to put this on you both so soon after joining our family, but we feel that it's necessary for you both to be aware of this... It's difficult for us to be bonded to each other. Jason and I love each other very much and wouldn't give our bond up for anything. All of you have come to terms with the knowledge that you're related to twin brothers who are incestuous, but none of you understand what life is like for us. While each of you accept us, the world in general doesn't and that makes it hard for us. We keep telling people that we share a place to save on rent, but it's getting old. If it wasn't for the mental link between us, it would be impossible to maintain any secrecy at all."
"You guys need to understand," Jason continued. "It's so hard for us to have to keep our relationship a secret. The granddads are probably the only ones who can come close to understanding what we go through every day." At that Matthew and David looked sympathetic. "We've wanted children for years now, but have had to keep putting it off, even last month. We prayed to Lord Apollo for guidance... He told us that there are two more sets of Spartan twins in existence and He wants us to wait a few more years until the older of the pairs is of legal age before we go through with having a child of our own. He says that having two pairs of legal age and a third who are alive will add validity to the fact that twins are partner-bonded to each other." He sighed. "Once the time is right, on our next Emergence, Marcus and I are going to have a child... What's more, we'll become legally registered as partners with the Spartan Partner-Bond Non-Separation Act. That means that the truth about us will become public knowledge and everything will change for us, most likely for the worse."
Giorgos shifted uncomfortably at that. While he had come to terms with having incestuous relatives, the fact that the whole world would end up knowing as well was more than he was alright with. "Why do this?" he asked nervously. "Why let others know? What business is it of others who you love?"
"Because we have to live in secret, that's why!" Jason snapped, causing Marcus to send a mental plea for patience and calmness from his lover. Jason sighed and relaxed. "Giorgos, you have no idea what it's like, having to live a lie! I can't even talk about my partner to anyone unless I callhim 'Mark', for crying out loud! And what will happen to our son? He has the right to have parents who don't have to hide their bond! Wedidn't lose our Great Grandfathers Mike and Bart just so we could hide like criminals! What about everything that our ancestors fought for? What about all the hard work that Mike Hill and his holiness James Phillipson went through to secure the rights of all Spartans and Amazons?"
"Besides," Marcus added. "The truth will come out eventually and we want to dictate when it happens. We're tired of lying all the time. Also, it's a human prejudice against incest, but that doesn't hold true for Spartans... Maybe Amazons, too. We need to make people see that we're different from humans and the same rules on bonding don't apply like they do for human couples. We have the right to live openly, but will wait until Lord Apollo says the time is right. We're telling you all now so that you'll have plenty of warning... As well as plenty of time to make your decisions."
"Decisions about what?" Ryan asked with concern.
Jason looked to his uncle with tears in his eyes. "It'll give each of you enough time to decide as to whether or not you want to disown us."
"What?" Matthew exclaimed in shock. "Why in the world would we want to do such a thing?!?"
"Because this revelation will most likely ruin our lives when it goes public. As our relatives, you all would be affected as well. By disowning us, you'll be able to protect yourselves somewhat from the fallout. It's the only way you can retain normal lives... By severing all ties with us the effects on you all would be minimal. It's okay... We don't want anyone else to suffer because of us." With that, Jason began to sob as Marcus hugged him.
Sam was moved by this, stood up and hugged his sons. "I'm not ditching you guys... Not for anything! Look... I'm sorry-"
"Dad Sam!" Jason countered sharply, his voice thick from crying. "Stop it! It's not your fault Marcus and I are a couple! Quit blaming yourself, Dad. It's not like you knew what our lives would be like when you went to have us. We came to terms with our bond years ago and you need to let go of your guilt already!"
"He's right, Dad Sam," Marcus added. "We don't blame you and you shouldn't blame yourself either."
"I know," Sam answered sadly. "It's just hard to see you guys having to struggle through all of this. This isn't what I wanted for you both."
"It's okay," Jason said, kissing his siring father on the bearded cheek. "Well?" he asked, looking around at everyone gathered.
David sighed. "Fuck it," he said. "I'm already retired and have been in prison so that Spartans and humans bonded to them could live freely. If you want to let the world know the truth, then it's fine by me."
"Same here," Matthew said, hugging his partner.
"Ditto," Liam said, looking at his partner Ryan and their sons, who all nodded in agreement.
"Guys?" Marcus asked, looking to his siblings, who all shrugged.
Ash looked to them. "We've always known you guys were bonded, so we're used to it. It's fine with us that you want to be honest about it."
"Yeah," Will chimed in as Fred nodded in agreement.
"You're my brothers," Henry said, "and that's all that matters to me. You have my blessing."
John shrugged. "Like I said before, you guys are my only family now and it's alright by me."
Steven looked a bit nervous, biting his lip. "I really love you guys and want to be supportive, but this wouldn't just affect me," he said apprehensively, looking to his partner.
Giorgos shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "I wish also to support you both, but I do not know what my family will say. I do not think that they will be as accepting of your union as I am trying to be. It is still difficult for me to be alright with this, but my parents and siblings? I do not know. Perhaps if they were to get to know you both better, then in time they might be supportive. I honestly cannot say how they will react. As for me? I will try to understand. More than that, I cannot promise at this time."
"Fair enough," Marcus said with a nod of understanding.
"I don't know what everyone is so worried about," Fred added. "After all, what with the way I am, having an incestuous couple in the family is nothing. If anyone's going to ruin the family's reputation, it's going to be me!"
Daniel looked at his son with a pained expression. "You're literally going to try as hard as you can to make that statement true, aren't you?"
"In a heartbeat, oh dear father of mine!" Fred teased, making the entire family laugh as Daniel hung his head in shame at his son's behavior...