#THIS IS SO GOODFJVSJDL

[futchbrownie]

🥹

“i’m taking you home. we’re going home.” for patroklos and pyrrha?

you're safe now prompts

Patroklos's eyes passed over each man in front of him with contempt. His arms were down by his sides, his fists clenching and unclenching. "You think it appropriate to bully an innocent woman on account of her appearance, knowing nothing of her affliction?" he scolded. "And you call yourselves men?"

Pyrrha stood behind Patroklos with her eyes plastered to the ground. Her human hand reached over to cover her monsterous claw, and her cheeks warmed. She willed herself to look up at the men who dared to jeer at her, and incur her brother's wrath. Her heart stopped for a moment as she caught one of them accusatorily glance in her direction, as though the barrage of insults being slung their way was her fault, before he looked back at Patroklos with defiance.

"You shame yourselves," he concluded before walking away. "Come, Pyrrha. I'm taking you home."

The men did not move from where they stood. Pyrrha opened her mouth to apologize to them for her brother's harshness but she could not find her voice.

"We're going home," Patroklos said as he stopped and turned back to her.

Pyrrha forced herself to look away from them and followed after Patroklos. For a long moment, they walked in silence.

"Don't listen to idiots like them," Patroklos said. "They only mock because they don't understand."

Pyrrha said nothing. Her eyes drifted down to watch his boots as she trailed after him. Being met with silence, Patroklos slowed down to allow her to walk by his side.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

Tears began to pour down her face at the question and she stood still. Her eyes were still trained on the ground, not daring to look up at her brother's face as she sniffled. What must a brave man like Patroklos think of his meek sister? Was it normal for women to need their younger brother to defend them so constantly?

"I'm sorry," Pyrrha sobbed.

"Don't apologize," Patroklos ordered. "You did nothing wrong. It's them who should be apologizing."

She shook her head then looked up at him. "I'm sorry I'm a burden on you!" she mustered up the courage to say. Patroklos frowned and looked down at her with concern but said nothing.

"No one in Athens is ever going to accept me," she continued. Her heart and mind raced and her breathing quickened as she allowed herself a rare moment to speak her mind. The tears flowing down her face quickened. "They all think I'm a monster." She held up her clawed hand to emphasize her point. "And now everyone associates you with me. I cause you nothing but trouble because I don't know how to speak up for myself."

"Pyrrha..."

She looked to the side on shame, her breathing now staccato. "It's not fair to you..."

Patroklos's arms encircled her and pulled her close and he held her protectively. "You're not a burden. Don't say that."

Pyrrha sniffled but said nothing.

"You are my sister. I am honored to be your first line of defense, no matter who it is that opposes you or why it is they are."

He loosened his hold on her and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Family are meant to stick together. Never apologize for leaning on your family."

Family. It was a concept she was still getting used to. Pyrrha took a deep shakey breath to steady herself before nodding.

"We should get home soon," Patroklos said, once again facing the path. "You know how Uncle Lucius can be when we are late for supper."

A small smile cracked on Pyrrha's lips and she nodded. She reached her human hand up to wipe her tears away before once again following after her brother.