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.
Living together as husbands wasn't really any different for living as partners, yet John couldn't help but to stare at his wedding ring from time to time, admiring the plain gold band as it wrapped around his finger. The ring was the single nicest thing he had ever owned and the human resolved to always take extreme care with it. That Henry had actually wanted to marry him meant the world to John, who had thought that no one would ever want to marry him. He knew that his feelings for his husband would never fade and John resolved to be as good a husband to Henry as he could.
They had performed the ceremony on a Friday and the couple spent their time afterwards alone together at the apartment, enjoying being together and carefully making love by masturbating together as with the child growing within his filaments, Henry couldn't do anything too strenuous. The following Monday, John returned to work where many of the temple staff asked to see the ring (making him feel more like a bride at first until they gave him friendly slugs on the shoulder, which made him feel more masculine and thereby relieving his discomfort and helping him to feel more manly) and offering their congratulations. John found this a little odd at first as everyone made him the center of attention, but after awhile, he began to find it nice that so many people felt genuinely happy for him...
As the months wore on, Henry took to meditating three times a day to help keep his emotions under control so as to avoid making John nervous or afraid. He continued to work in the office of the paramedic dispatch at the hospital and had only two calls involving Spartans, guiding the technicians over the radio on treating the injuries of non-humans and fortunately, both of the incidents were non-life threatening. He spent much of his time during his breaks admiring his own gold wedding band, happy that John had accepted the offer to exchange them. He was so glad to be a husband as well as a partner and resolved to doing everything he could to avoid ever hurting the man he loved. He still remembered the traumatized look on John's face the night that his father Daniel had lost his temper with Fred and had broken down the lad's door in order to yell at him for his relentless teasing.
I couldn't stand the thought of ever making John fear me that way. Part of being a warrior is knowing how to use my strength responsibly and keep myself under control. I don't ever want John to be afraid of me. Having a human for a partner and husband is taking a lot of adjustment on my part. I always have been a passionate person and one who had to watch his temper. I have to maintain control for his sake. I think I understand now... John feels inferior to me, even though that doesn't really matter... Not to me, at least. I just wish he could see that too. Someday he'll understand. I just have to be patient and give him the time he needs to become confident in himself. I'd never hurt him, but deep down inside I can tell that he still needs more time before he can accept that as the truth.
He stopped by the temple after work to meet up with his Dad Sam. "Hey Henry," Sam said as his oldest son entered his office. "What bring you by in the middle of the work week?"
"I've been doing some thinking and there's a favor I'd like to ask, not just of you, but of Lord Apollo as well."
Oh? the god spoke to them, making Henry look around for a moment before he realized that Apollo most likely was either invisible or not in solid form as there was no visible sign of the divine being's presence within the room. What exactly do you wish to ask, Henry? the god asked, having been distracted by other things, yet drawn to their sides at the mention of His name.
"I can't help but remember just how badly frightened John was the night Dad Daniel lost his temper with Fred. I don't ever want to make John scared of me, so I'd like to ask to be placed under the oath of the sword cross so that I can't ever make him frightened of me. Would you both be willing to do that?"
"I am if that's what you really want," Sam replied with raised eyebrows.
I would be more than happy to help you, Henry. John is still learning how to believe in himself and although he does love you deeply, he is still nervous around you because of your superior physical abilities. Any help I can give I will do so gladly.
Sam rose, took his priestly swords from the rack he stored them on while working in his office and moved around the desk until he had enough clearance, then spun them around and formed them into the cross before him. Henry moved to him and placed his right palm against the point where the blades intersected.
"Do you," Sam spoke, "Henry Danielson, swear upon the swords of our faith that you will never do nor say anything that would cause your partner John to fear you in any way?"
"I do so swear," Henry said and felt the power of the oath settle over him. "Thank you... Both of you."
"You're welcome, Son," Sam said, then began to laugh gently to himself.
"What?" Henry asked, wondering what was so funny.
Sam sighed. "I'm just remembering the very first time you ever took the sword oath. It was the day we first met High Priest James and his partner Mike. You remember that day?"
"Some of it. I remember taking the oath and learning about your lineage... Why?"
"I'm just glad you got over your aversion to swearing," Sam replied with a smile.
"Dad!" Henry grumbled, now recalling how he had misunderstood the concept then and assumed that taking the oath was the same as using profanity.
You were so adorable that day, Apollo added with amusement, making His grandson blush furiously, which only made the god and His priest laugh all the harder...
Life was good for them for the most part. Only Henry's physical complications from his gestation, which affected his mood at times, were any cause for concern with the couple. At the end of the fourth month, the Spartan took faternity leave from work, promising to be back in six months. The next day, they moved into the family house, taking the room that had been Steven's. Feeling that he and Giorgos deserved their own place, Kosma and Inna had helped them to get a small apartment of their own halfway between the restaurant and the temple so that they could get to either place easily. Ash and Will seemed slightly put out at having their oldest brother move in with them, having been born after Henry had moved away from home, but relented once they realized just how much help their oldest brother really needed in his condition.
Henry was moody, but self-sufficient until the beginning of the sixth month when the expectant man became bedridden. After that, it was Will who spent a lot of time with him during the day, tending to his needs. "It really hurts that much, Henry?" the boy asked with concern.
"Yes... But it'll all be worth it once the baby is born," he answered with a sigh.
"Becoming a dad means a lot to you, huh?"
"Yeah... It does. I see how happy the dads are with all of us and it makes me want children of my own. You mind becoming an uncle?"
Will shrugged. "I don't really know much about that," he said nervously.
"Well you can always call Uncles Liam and Ryan and ask them for advice, you know."
"I know."
"Oh shit..." Henry grumbled.
"You mean...? You don't need to actually...?" Will began, paling visibly. Poo duty was the one thing about taking care of his gestating brother that Will really found revolting.
"No, just piss. Could you?"
Will relaxed, grabbed the bottle and fitted the opening over the head of Henry's penis. This he didn't mind too much. "You really can't even get up to go to the bathroom?"
"I don't dare try," Henry said, letting his urine flow into the empty bottle. "The filaments of my womb are fragile and could easily tear. If that happens, the baby will die instantly."
"How's come you don't go to the hospital instead of staying here?"
"Because even with my benefits from work, the bills would be ridiculously high after three months. Also, all of us were gestated and born at home, so I want my son to be born the same way."
"I guess that makes sense. It won't be much longer now, huh? Less than three months left before he's born." Henry nodded. "I wish I could touch it," Will said, gazing at Henry's womb, "But it'd hurt too much, won't it?"
"Sorry... I wish I could touch it too, but the pain would be too much and risk harming the boy."
"Man, being gestant sounds like a pain in more ways than one!"
Henry could only nod silently at that...
Sam and Daniel sat John down and explained the birthing process to him. "You mean I literally have to tear the baby out of Henry's womb?" John asked, looking faint.
"Not tear, pull," Daniel said kindly. "The womb splits open down the middle and once the opening is wide enough, you reach in, get a secure hold on the baby, then pull him out of the filaments, being careful of the umbilical cord. Then we tie it off at both ends, cut the baby's end, then Henry's end last. After that, you clean him up and dress him to keep him from getting cold and then sick. Once Henry comes to, we help him back into bed and hand him the boy."
"That sounds really painful," John said weakly. "Isn't there another way?"
Sam shook his head sadly. "No, any painkillers that would work would affect the central nervous system and that would be deadly for the child. The only thing you can do to ease Henry's suffering will be to do it all as quickly, yet carefully as you can. The longer you take, the more danger the baby will be put under and the more agony you'll cause to Henry himself. Don't worry John, we'll help you through this."
"Alright," John said nervously...
John came over to the house every workday to spend lunch with his partner and tend to his needs. Henry was half flattered and half concerned with that, as he felt that John should be using his time to rest, but John argued gently that his duties weren't very strenuous and he missed his husband. The human stared at Henry's chest thoughtfully for a few moments one day and finally asked "Henry? Is it my imagination, or are your pecs too large?"
"What do you mean?" Henry asked sharply, looking at his partner suspiciously.
"Well, they're slightly bigger than before... Not a lot, but enough to be noticeable."
Henry, who's emotions were a bit high from a hormone spike, glared at him. "Yeah, I'm gestant, so they're going to be bigger. What? Does that bother you?"
"Well... A little..." John replied honestly. "I mean you aren't going to grow tits or anything, are you?"
"No!" Henry snapped. "Are y-?!?" His throat locked up before he could finish the sentence by asking John if he was stupid or something for asking such an idiotic question. Realizing what was happening, he stopped and took a deep breath to calm himself.
"What?" John asked with a slight edge to his voice at Henry's tone, then he realized what was happening. "Did you go and take a divine oath again? What's being hidden from me this time?"
Henry sighed. "Since the oath directly affects the two of us, it's okay to tell you. I asked Lord Apollo to make it so I could never hurt you and I almost did just now. I'm sorry."
John was touched. "You took an oath for me?"
"Yeah," Henry replied, looking up to see John beginning to smile and feeling better that his partner was so moved by his gesture.
"You didn't have to do that," John added softly, "but it was still the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me... Thank you. I'm sorry I don't understand Spartan ways very well yet."
"You know more than you think you do," Henry replied gently as he calmed down. "I won't grow boobs or anything, I promise. This is as big as they'll get. I'm starting to produce milk for our son once he's born."
"You mean he'll suck milk out of you? Like the way women do for their babies?"
Henry nodded. "All the men in my family were chest-fed by their birth dads. I want to do the same when this little guy comes along," Henry said, gazing at his womb.
"Well..." John said slowly, mulling things over. "I guess it's not too bad. I just didn't know you guys could do that, is all."
"It's okay."
They sat and talked more, Henry beginning to explain all of the things about their son as to his rates of growth and mental maturation, along with everything else that John would need to know about helping to raise a Spartan child...
John was working in the store room, taking inventory for the head chef when Dennis appeared at the doorway nearly breathless. "John! Get to the house right away! Henry's gone into labor!"
John dropped the clipboard on a rack and took off running. Several people who knew what must be happening gave him verbal support as he passed them by rapidly, him offering his thanks in a distracted manner as he went. He reached the house and entered into the ground floor bedroom where he and Henry had been staying to find Henry breathing slowly and rhythmically. Daniel was with him and Sam came in just behind John, bearing towels which he began to spread onto the floor. Once the priest was finished, he went to grab some of the baby clothes, knife and string that would be needed to deal with the umbilical cord. John, meanwhile, removed his robe to avoid getting it messed up for what was to come. Will entered the room silently and held a video camera as Henry had asked him to video tape the delivery. Ash, Fred and Steven were all at school today, Daniel having taken the day off from his work to help care for Henry.
"John," Daniel said, "we need to move him to the floor."
"Come on Henry," John said, taking his husband's arm in his hands. "It won't be too long now."
Henry screamed in pain as they moved him to the floor, but said nothing. John knelt on his knees facing his love who leaned forward onto his shoulders, drenched with sweat. John spent the next twenty minutes saying soothing nonsense gently into Henry's ear until Daniel announced that it was time. Will got into position with the camera as John apologized to Henry. "I know... Just pull him out," Henry replied in a strained voice.
John reached down, put his hands into the tear in the filaments and felt around carefully until he was certain he had a good grip on the baby's head and middle back, then pulled while Henry screamed from the pain that lanced through him as the child was pulled free of the painfully sensitive filaments. The baby began to cry then and Daniel worked quickly to tie off the ends of the cord, making father and child cry out in agony. John was handed the knife, which he quickly, yet carefully used to cut the umbilical cord as close to the baby's stomach as he could, causing Henry to scream in pain yet again. John felt horrible about that, but the baby needed to be cleaned and dressed, so he couldn't take the time to comfort his husband. He did pause, however, at the strangled gurgle that came from Henry as his end of the cord was cut. John turned and saw his husband keel over as Sam caught him, laid his now unconscious son down and began to remove the filaments from his stomach.
"John, the baby," Daniel reminded him and feeling embarrassed, John returned to tending the child. "Don't worry," Daniel said to him, "we all pass out from the cord cutting. Henry will be just fine."
Once the baby was cleaned and clothed, John carefully picked the boy up as Sam went to help the groggily, but now conscious Henry to his feet. John stared at his crying baby and smiled at him. He's so damned small! And he's my son, no less!
Henry was put into bed and John brought their new child over to him. "Oh wow..." the new Spartan dad said, taking his baby into his arms as the child began to slowly calm down. He moved the child to his chest, who immediately began to nurse from him. "Ooh!" He shuddered as the child worked away on him. "That's going to take some getting used to."
Together, the proud parents stared at the baby until John had a sudden mental image of the baby turning to them with an angry glare and said "Stop staring at me you weirdoes!" John couldn't help it, he burst out laughing so hard that it took several minutes for him to get himself back under control as everyone stared at him.
"What was that for?" Henry asked, so John explained, half-laughing as he did so. Sam found it funny, but Henry and Daniel only groaned at the warped sense of humor the pair of them shared. Henry sighed and looked to the infant in his arms. "I guess we should name you, huh?" He turned to John. "What name do you think he should have?"
"I thought you were supposed to name him," John said softly.
"He'll have my name as his last, so I want you to be the one to give him a first name."
John was deeply touched by that and kissed him gently for several moments. "Thank you," he said softly to his husband, then looked at the boy. "I could always give him an 'M' name," John said slowly with a sadistic smile, remembering what Matthew had told him about the curse of the 'M's that was on the family.
"Do that and I can't guarantee your safety from Dad Matthew!" Daniel replied in an amused tone of warning.
"True... Well... How about Glenn, with two 'N's? I don't know anyone with that name."
"I like it," Henry said with a smile. "'Glenn'. Well, that's your name now, son. Welcome to the world, Glenn Henryson."
Daniel, Sam and Will left the room quietly to give the couple time alone to bond with their new son...
John sat on the living room couch alone with his new son two weeks after the boy had been born while Henry was in the bathroom. He sat there, holding the baby and smiling at him as the boy explored his human parent's face with his hands, making sounds of interest and curiosity. John was making nonsense sounds to the boy, refraining from using baby-talk as he found it too strange a thing for him to feel comfortable with. Besides, he thought to himself, I can't help but wonder how many kids end up messed up in the head from being talked to that way. Glenn stared into his parent's eyes, studying them. John couldn't resist a joke. "You are in my power, you will do as I command," he said in a dreamy, mystical voice. "You will never throw a tantrum, nor soil or wet your diaper... This I command."
"That won't work on me," another voice said in a light, child-like tone full of mysticism. "I am immune to your powers..." John looked up to see Henry chuckling as he leaned over the back of the couch and smiled at them. Glenn stared up at Henry and made what sounded like an inquisitive vocalization. Henry smiled down at the baby then looked to John with an expression of sympathy. "Hate to break it to you, Beloved, but hypnotism isn't a reliable science."
"Hey!" John retorted gently. "I can dream, can't I?"
"Are you always going to be this weird with our son?" Henry teased.
"Well... I could be weirder, but I'd have to grow a beard."
Henry mock-gagged, knowing full well who John was talking about. "Okay, I withdraw the implication." He walked round and sat on the couch slowly so as not to disturb Glenn. "He's awfully quiet today."
John nodded. "He only seems to act up when he's hungry or needs changing, from what I can tell. He's remarkably well behaved, I'd say. I thought babies were supposed to be a lot more troublesome than this," he said thoughtfully. "He's awfully quiet when he's not messy, wet or hungry."
"Good," Henry said. "My worst fear was that he would be crying all the time. If he's a quiet baby, then my worries are groundless." He turned to the baby and smiled. "I'm so glad you're so well behaved."
Just then, Glenn began to look sad and reached for Henry, so the birth father moved his hand forward for Glenn to touch, but the baby wanted more, then began to gently cry. "I think he wants you," John said, carefully lifting the boy from his lap and handing him to Henry, who took the boy. "What's wrong, Gleeny-poo? What's got you so fussy?" Henry asked in baby talk. He felt the baby's bottom. "Well your diaper's okay... Maybe you're hungwy?" he asked, making John stare at him with a furrowed brow marring his smile.
Henry set Glenn in his lap, then reached up to open the pocket flap over his right nipple of his Spartan-designed faternity shirt as Glenn continued to cry. "That's a pretty distinctive cry there," he noted. "Try to memorize it, John." The human nodded, studying the cry for several moments before Henry moved the baby to him, who latched on and began to nurse. "Yep, he was hungry. Remember the sound of that particular cry, John. That's the sound of a hungry boy, isn't it?" he asked the baby.
"But he's only two weeks old! Surely he can't be coming up with codes like that already!"
"Sure he can," Henry countered. "You've never hung around babies much before?" John shook his head. "Well, you'll pick it up quickly enough. You already have the basics down, so I'm not worried about your capacity to take care of him. I have confidence in you."
"That makes one of us," John answered skeptically.
"Oh come on, John, you should have more confidence in yourself. All you need is experience. Pass me the burp towel, will you?" John handed over the small towel which Henry put over his shoulder and the held the infant to him, patting the baby's back gently until he belched, making both of them laugh...