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.
Sam and Daniel had laid there, next to each other in bed and listening with amused smiles to the sounds of Henry and John making love. They'd been deeply worried for their oldest son, who had possessed a partner-phobia, for lack of a better term, for nearly two decades now. But he had found his partner, overcome his fears and now was beginning to build a relationship with the man who seemed to need the bond even more than Henry did.
Sam grinned as he heard his son orgasm. "That's my boy," he said proudly in a low voice.
Daniel groaned in suffering. "You're impossible."
"What?" Sam asked, looking at his partner as they laid in bed together. "Don't tell me you're not happy for him."
"I am," Daniel said slowly, "but you don't need to act so vulgar all the time. I still haven't forgiven you for that pedo joke you made in regards to Henry."
"That was years ago!" Sam replied in shock. "You sure know how to hold a grudge!" he teased with a smile.
"For a joke like that, you'd better believe it!" Daniel said firmly, then softened his expression. "I love you Babe, but sometimes your warped sense of humor goes too far. Yet at the same time, I don't want you to feel like you have to change. You'd think after nearly thirty years together I'd have gotten used to it." He leaned over and kissed Sam deeply with passion, then pulled away. "So you think they'll be okay now?"
"They're finally starting to get used to each other," Sam said slowly, then sighed. "But I think John has a good ways to go yet. I'd recommend he stay here for a while until he gets on his feet both financially -and- mentally. I don't think we'll ever be able to truly understand what all he's been through. It's like he didn't have a single person in his life who treated him decently... No wonder he ended up suicidal. It's funny... When I was his age, I would've given anything for a family. He seems as though he wishes he'd never had one at all."
"You really identify with him a lot, don't you?" Daniel asked softly.
"Yeah," Sam replied in a whisper. "I used to be very much like him. Daniel... There's something I never told you. Back before we met, I didn't want to live anymore."
"You were suicidal?" Daniel asked gently.
"I was originally, but no matter how many times I tried, I couldn't go through with it. I eventually gave up on trying and just waited for my life to end. I hated myself for being so weak that I couldn't go through with it. I felt weak... I gave up on caring about anything and became a bitter and lonely person. That's what I was when we first met. I felt like it was a trick. Like I was being offered what I wanted most and that without warning, it would all be snatched away again. That's why I had such a hard time accepting our bond at first."
"I figured you'd been that way. All that matters is that you're happy now."
"Thanks," Sam said, kissing him again. "I think it would be better for them if John stayed here a few months so they can take their bond slowly and get to know each other better."
"Sounds good," Daniel yawned and stretched. "I'll make us all some breakfast," he said, climbing out of bed.
"Want some help?"
"Sure, but let’s shower first."
Sam rose and stretched, then followed his partner nude downstairs, grabbing a pair of robes along the way, and went to the downstairs bathroom to shower together...
After breakfast for the six of them, the twins looked to their parents. "We prayed to Lord Apollo," Marcus began, "and He said He'll do everything to support our decision, but we should make sure the rest of the family is alright with it first. We want to tell you guys so you'll know in advance."
Jason took a deep breath, wincing slightly from the pain it caused to his filaments. "We've decided that we don't want to hide our bond anymore. We know it's only a matter of time until it comes out and we want to be the ones to choose when that happens. We won't do it until all of the family has had adequate warning, but we really want to do so."
"Won't that be difficult?" John asked. "In a family this big, there's bound to be someone who will object."
"We know," Marcus said heavily. "And we figure that if they want to publicly disown us for their own protection, we'll understand."
Henry was shocked. "Disown you?!? Bullshit!" he exclaimed. "That's absurd! I know you guys only want to be able to not have to hide your relationship, but letting anyone disown you because of it is crazy! We won't allow it!"
"Henry," Daniel said gently. "That's unfair to others. You can't force them to behave the way you want them too. I'd hate to see it happen too, but we have to respect the wishes of each individual."
"We should have the whole family together for this," Sam said. "Can you guys hold off until next month's family get-together? It would probably be the next soonest time we can get everyone together so you can tell them all at once."
"I guess we can wait that long," Jason said.
"What about all of you, though?" Marcus asked. "Are you guys okay with this?"
"I've known for years," Henry said. "It's alright by me. The hospital would be really stupid to fire me as I'm the only person on staff who knows any medicine for Spartans and Amazons. If they do try to fire me just because of the way my brothers live their lives, I'll sue them for discrimination."
"Same here," Daniel said. "I didn't make it all the way up to manager of the agency just to be chucked out over something like that."
"Dad Sam?" Jason asked nervously.
Sam sighed. "Well, the temple has survived everything else. I'm not too worried for myself or it. I'm actually more worried about you guys."
"Lord Apollo said He'd do everything He could to help us," Marcus said, then he turned to the human nervously. "John? Are you okay with this. I know we only just met, but still... As a member of the family now, this will affect you too."
John shrugged. "I never really had much of a life to be affected by any kind of scandal. The important thing is that you're both happy."
"You're awfully open-minded," Daniel said, looking at his new son-in-law with surprise.
John shrugged again. "Well, it's certainly different, but it's just not that big a deal to me. Your kids will be healthy and that's the only real argument against you being a couple, so what the hey?"
"Thank you," Jason said gratefully. "That really means a lot... Especially after the way I treated you yesterday. I'm really sorry about that. I didn't know what you'd been through. It was wrong to make assumptions about you. I'm sorry for how I behaved."
"It's alright," John said simply, turning his arms over and staring at the faded scars on his wrists thoughtfully. "Your hormones were acting up. Besides," he added, looking up at Jason. "It helped me in an odd way..."
"How so?" Daniel asked while Sam looked at John curiously.
"Well," John answered. "If you'd said all that to me back when I still had the illness, I would've got really depressed and suicidal... But I didn't. For the first time since I can remember, I was able to handle being treated badly. It helped me to see that I truly am free from my depression, so thanks for that. Also, I accept your apology. If you guys want to come out, then I won't object."
"Well, thanks for being so supportive," Marcus said. "It's good to see that Henry's partner turned out to be such a nice guy."
"Yeah," Sam added. "It's... Okay that you're a good person, I guess," he said with a slightly strained smile.
"Sam," Daniel said in a mild tone of warning, glaring at his partner.
"What? Can't I at least dream that he was otherwise?" Sam protested.
John stared at the bearded man questioningly, Jason sighed. "Dad Sam, enough with the evil mastermind routine... It's too early in the day for that."
"Not until you two finish the weather control device!" Sam retorted in a crotchety manner. "You should have had it finished ages ago!"
Henry groaned and buried his head in his hands. John saw this and turned to the priest. "I'll help," he added enthusiastically. "What do you need?"
Everyone stared at him, all looking at the human and feeling stunned and worried... All except for Sam, that was, who grinned broadly. "A supply of plutonium to act as the power source is the main thing we still need for the device."
"Um..." John said slowly, looking thoughtful. "I'll have to do some digging around, but I'll get back to you on that once I check with a few of my sources."
"Oh no..." Daniel groaned in intense suffering. "Not another one..." He could only stand there numbly, staring at John with a horrified expression...
Steven laid there in Giorgos' bed, staring at his human partner with worry. Giorgos had taken the revelation of the twins' bond in the predictable fashion, with horror. All the way here in the back of Steven's grandparents' van, he had hardly spoken and they had remained that way once they arrived at the Grecian family's house. His mother Inna had noted her son's distress and asked what was wrong, but he only told her that Jason had been Emergent and moody, blaming his own foul mood on that.
They went into the human's bedroom for the night, where Steven had thanked him for not saying anything to his mother about what he had learned. Giorgos scoffed sourly. "What to tell my mama, huh? That my in-laws are inbreeders?" He'd seen the look of deep hurt on his Spartan partner's face at that and relented with a sigh. "Enough. We go to bed."
Steven got into bed, feeling a mixture of emotions... Sadness at Giorgos' anger, guilt at having lied to him and anger at the human's bigoted reaction. How could Giorgos act this way? What as worse was the fact that he acted as though he felt betrayed by Steven for not having been warned about this in advance. Feeling completely sour of mood, he turned his back on the human and slept facing away from him.
Steven awoke first to find his partner still asleep, yet now facing him. He laid there, watching the human slumber, feeling sad. He remained that way for some time before the Grecian's face screwed up and his mouth opened. Steven smiled slightly in spite of himself as he watched the man he loved begin to yawn.
"ACHOO!" Giorgos exclaimed, suddenly sneezing.
"EW!" Steven exclaimed in revulsion, wiping spittle from his visage. "Right in my fucking face!" he added, scrubbing frantically with his hands.
"Sorry," Giorgos said, awkening at the sneeze and Steven saw the man smile at him... But then the smile fell to be replaced by a look of discomfort. He rolled over, snatched a shirt off the floor and handed it to his lover. "Here."
"Thanks," Steven said dispiritedly, wiping the offending discharge from his face and tossing the shirt aside. He laid back down as Giorgos settled down beside him, the pair staring into each others' eyes. "Do you hate me?" Steven asked timidly.
"No," the human replied with a heavy heart. "But I am hurt that you did not tell me sooner. Steven... A thing this big? I had the right to know. You should have told me the truth of your brothers."
"I couldn't," Steven whispered sadly.
"It is not your fault they are lovers. I would not have blamed you. You should have told me. I have met them before and have begun to know them. You should not have kept this from me. It hurts that you did not trust me enough to say the truth."
"Giorgos..." Steven said firmly. "I -couldn't- tell you. It had nothing to do with wanting to, which I did, for the record. I literally -could not- tell you."
"What does this mean? 'Could not' tell me?"
"I was under the power of a divine oath! I wasn't permitted to tell you, even though I really wanted to. If I had tried, Lord Apollo would've prevented me from getting the words out."
"What?" Giorgos asked in confusion. "Steven! This makes no sense!"
"Giorgos!" Steven exclaimed. "My god literally forbade me from speaking about it to ANYONE who didn't already know!" Steven said fiercely, keeping his voice down to avoid having all of the Grecian family hear them arguing.
The human shook his head in disbelief. "Steven, I know you believe this strange cult of yours, but for me-"
"It's not a cult, Giorgos!" Steven retorted, feeling deeply offended. "I'm Apolline and proud of it! I thought you were more tolerant of my religion!" he added, feeling hurt and sitting up in bed.
"Steven, do not be this way," the human said, feeling upset that the Spartan was taking his skepticism so harshly. "You cannot expect me to believe in this... God of sunlight of yours."
"But I came to church with you!" Steven said. "I sat there and listened to that priest of yours spout on and on about a divine plan for all humans and that Spartans were a part of it. I was horrified and offended, but I said nothing! I sat there and behaved myself instead of telling that man that he didn't have a clue."
Giorgos looked guilty. "My parents insisted that we go with them. They are believers and I want them to accept you."
"Wait... 'They' are believers? What about you? Don't you share your family's faith?"
"I... Do not know what to believe," the human admitted with difficulty. "I go because it is expected of me, but I enjoy it no more than you."
Steven wanted to laugh, but felt too shocked and offended to do more than scoff derisively. "So you let them drag you along and made me go too? And now you dump all over my beliefs because you don't have any of your own? Giorgos... That's just wrong!"
"What can I do? Say no to my mama and papa? I cannot do that but neither can I believe in this pagan god you worship!"
"So I got dragged along to your church where you only pay lip service and then ridicule my faith? No," Steven said, shaking his head. "No, no, no! If you're going to slam my religion, then you're going to know what it is you're slamming! We're going to next Saturday morning prayer and I'm not accepting no for an answer!" Giorgos opened his mouth to protest, but Steven cut him off. "I said I'm not taking no for an answer. We'll spend the night at my home and go with the family. It's only fair, Giorgos," he finished, looking hurt.
The human opened and closed his mouth, trying to come up with a valid argument, but could not. In the end, he sighed with resignation. "My parents must not know," he said quietly. "They will not understand."
"Fair enough," Steven answered calmly...
Henry had to leave for home for a while and John was sad to see him leave the kitchen. He got a shock, however, when Daniel sighed with relief once his eldest son was gone. "I thought he'd never leave," the man muttered. He turned to John with a smile. "Okay, get dressed. Time to take you out shopping!" the Spartan said with a smile.
"Shopping?" John asked in confusion. "What for?"
"Clothes, of course!" Daniel said, then his smile softened to a pitying look. "No offense John, but your clothing is practically falling apart. When's the last time you bought new clothing for yourself?"
John shuffled in place nervously. The truth was, it had been several years since he had last bought clothes. Since Jim had bled him dry financially by making John pay most of the rent and all of the utilities, there'd barely been enough money left to buy the minimum amount of food he needed to survive, leaving none for anything else. His clothing was all at least second hand, save the shoes, and he kept his arms at his sides to avoid showing the holes he'd worn into the armpits of the shirt he wore now. Admittedly though, there'd been a second reason. His depression had made him to feel as though nice clothing was a wasted effort on him. Why look nice when you, along with everyone else, didn't care? He couldn't bring himself to answer the question.
"Too long then," Daniel said gently, seeing the human fighting not to show his discomfort. "So come on then," he added.
"I uh... Can't afford to buy very much," John said, looking ashamed of himself.
"Oh nonsense!" Daniel countered. "I'll buy it all for you." John looked at the Spartan with shock and guilt, then slowly shook his head and opened his mouth to protest. "I insist!" Daniel added, interrupting him. "If it'll ease your conscience, just think of it as an early birthday present. Um... When is your birthday, exactly?"
"Early December," John answered.
Daniel did the math and realized it was half a year away. "Right then," he said with a nod. "Belated birthday gift, it is! Come on, get ready to go!"
"But I c-" John began, but Sam interrupted him, having watched the entire conversation with interest.
"Forget it, John," the bearded Spartan said, shaking his head sadly. "You won't win an argument against him. Daniel was debating champion in high school and had a near perfect record, from what he said, so arguing is a lost cause from the get-go."
"Alright, I guess," John said, feeling guilty.
"What about you?" Daniel asked his partner. "Want to tag along?"
"No," the priest said slowly. "One person flinging clothes at him to try on is enough. I'll swing by Matt and David's, pick the kids up and go spend some time out with them. Maybe go see a movie, or something. Spend a little quality time with them, you know?"
"Okay, we'll see you later then," he said, kissing Sam briefly, but passionately. The pair pulled away reluctantly despite having sated their lust only this morning in the shower. "Love you, Babe."
"Love you too, Love," Sam said tenderly, then turned to the human. "I wanna see what you end up in for your date with Henry tonight, okay?"
"Sure," John said numbly, still shocked at the gentle, yet firm way the Spartan parents were treating him.
"Well," Sam said. "I'd better get dressed. Since I'm not at the temple I can't go around in a robe all day. The boys would never let me live it down if I was out in public with them in my work clothes or a variation thereof. Have fun guys," he said cheerfully with a wave of the hand as he left the kitchen.
"Okay," Daniel said with a grin. "Let's go shopping!"
John rose slowly and went to go get ready, feeling apprehensive...
"Now," Daniel said, looking through the rack of shirts on hangers. "We need to find out what colors look good on you."
"Colors?" John asked in confusion.
"Well yeah," the Spartan replied, surprised at the human's confusion. "You don't want to end up in the wrong colors and look strange, do you?"
"What are you talking about?" John asked, baffled by his... Well... Father-in-law, he supposed... 's words.
Daniel looked at him for a moment, then looked along the rack, picked out a neon orange shirt and gestured to the mirror. "Stand there a moment," he instructed, grabbing another shirt from the rack and walking over. "Now," he said, "note how your skin looks in comparison to the white shirt you have on. Looks kind of pinkish, right?" John nodded. "Now," he said, holding the orange shirt up to the human's chest. Notice how you skin looks against the orange."
"Urgh!" John exclaimed, seeing that his skin now looked a horrible orange-yellow peach color, like a badly exposed pic.
"Exactly," Daniel answered. "But... Compare your skin to this dark blue shirt," he said, holding it to John's chest. The human had to admit that this looked much better, giving his skin a more flesh-tone color. "That's what the importance of color is," Daniel instructed. "Now... dark colors work better on you. Let's see... Dark blue, green," he said, holding a shirt of that color to John's arm to see the effect, "Grays work okay... And black always works... Then... Dark brown. Okay then, now that we have the colors down, what style of shirts do you like best?"
John pointed to a table display. "Those are alright."
"John, those are t-shirts! You can't go on a nice date in a t-shirt! Pick a nice one! Like... This one," he said, picking up a long-sleeved button front shirt.
"That's way too fancy!" John protested, looking at it uncomfortably.
Daniel rolled his eyes. "It's just a button-front shirt John, not a tuxedo!" He dropped it into the shopping cart.
"But-" John began.
"No! No buts!" Daniel countered stubbornly. "If you're going to be bonded to my son, you'll look nice for your dates with him!" He looked at his son-in-law sadly. "Haven't you ever worn nice clothes?"
"Not really," John replied casually. "It's always been jeans or sweats with t-shirts."
"Why?" the Spartan asked.
John shrugged. "It never really mattered."
"What?" Daniel asked, shocked by the man's answer.
"Well," the human replied simply. "You know what they say: 'You can take the trash out of the trailer, but you can't take the trailer out of the trash'." He turned away.
Angered, Daniel grabbed his shoulder and spun him back to face him. "Don't say that! You're not trash, John!" He lifted his hand and placed it gently against the lad's cheek. "I mean it," he said sadly. "Don't you ever think that way about yourself. Not ever!"
"Sorry," John replied in a defeated manner, looking downward. "Guess I'm just used to thinking that way about myself... Force of habit."
"What kind of monsters are those humans who raised you?" Daniel asked, his eyes misting up with pity. "How can anyone treat a nice guy like you that way? To make you hate yourself this much?"
"Look," John said thickly, hanging his head. "I don't really want to do this here."
Daniel looked around, remembering where they were. "Right," he said, letting the human go reluctantly even though all he wanted to do was hug the man fiercely. He couldn't resist patting his shoulder gently before letting go, however. "Well," he said, recovering. "You're dressing nice from now on, especially when you're out on dates! No arguments! We need to look at pants, next," he said, tossing several shirts into the cart then wheeling it away, John following him and feeling guilty at just how much all of this would end up costing.
At the shoe department, John balked again. "Why do you want those ones?" Daniel asked when he saw the shoes John wanted. "They have Velcro!"
"I like Velcro," John countered gently. "Easier than laces and they don't come undone. I like shoes I don't have to fight all day."
Daniel sighed in disgust. "Fine, some Velcro ones too, then. But you're getting some with laces too!"
John's face scrunched up. "What do I need more than one pair for?"
Daniel sighed in disgust. "Go pick out some socks! Black ones and some other dark solid color ones too. And get both short and long ones!"
"Alright," John said, walking away and shaking his head sadly and the Spartan's attitude about clothes.
Once he was gone, Daniel snatched two more pairs for him, both black. One was similar to the Velcro ones, but with laces and the other a set of nice dress shoes. He stashed them under the shirts and moved to follow the human to the socks, feeling sad that he had to practically ram his generosity down the human's throat....