#the 2nd meeting had me blocked for most of nanowrimo

[darlingpoppet]

Where The Dead Forget — Chapter 7: Known

Hades Gameverse Memory Loss AU | Achilles/Patroclus | E | Chapters: 7/22 | Words: 71,247 (Ch 7: 10,825 words)

Chapter 7 Summary: Achilles & Patroclus have a second meeting which goes somewhat better than the first. Patroclus is curious, and goes on a fact-finding trip where he sees some familiar faces.

Excerpt:

“A servant of Hades…. He comes all this way, only to return where he belongs after a brief chat… quite curious. Am I really worth the trouble? How is someone like him even given the privilege, I wonder, to simply walk back and forth between realms as he does… who even is he?”

The statue continues to appear thoughtful, pondering this carefully, and does not answer.

Patroclus sighs. “My friend, I must admit as good as you are at keeping secrets, I find it to be rather inadequate in a situation such as this. Dare I say I can find someone else around here with a tongue a bit looser than yours. After all, this realm is hardly lacking in rambling gossipmongers and blowhards… I should have no trouble at all.”

Making up his mind all at once, Patroclus rises. He has not moved from this spot since the last time he stood to watch Achilles’ previous departure. In this place where time is imperceptible, he is uncertain if it has been been thirty minutes, or thirty years, or indeed even thirty hundred years since then. He wonders if his folded legs might feel stiff and sore from disuse—miraculously however, they feel as light and springy as if no time has passed at all.

He takes the staircase down, crossing the bridge over the river, making his way to the gate opposite from the one Achilles passed through. It is a bit irrational perhaps, to worry that they might stumble upon one another again out there, in a realm that already seems alive, and enjoys playing tricks on its inhabitants, shifting its paths and holding familiar spots as well as destinations out of reach. It is this which makes Patroclus wonder with some trepidation if he will be able to find his way back again once leaving. Still, his curiosity has made the imperative of an errand like this too great to ignore, and he allows himself to have faith that he will be able to return.

He turns, and looks up to the statue once more as his hand grips the latch of the gate. It ignores him as it stands there, dignified and imposing—the largest presence in this space.

“Watch things over for me while I’m away, please,” Patroclus calls to it softly before passing through the gateway, the hem of his cloak whispering after him.

Read the rest here:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/43292178/chapters/137115583

Previous Chapters: 1. Drown | 2. Grief | 3. Grace | 4. Weakness | 5. Together | 6. Guilt