Achilles has a point there. But a strange life doesn't mean a bad one. It might even mean a better one than could have been expected.

Hermes smiles as he's pulled up against Achilles, feathers fluffing up and air warming with his contentment. "I love you, my darling." Hermes kisses him again, and he tastes like fresh adventure. "And I'm glad to have this little fledgling with you."

Hermes coils his fingers in Achilles' hair. "Do you want to try to celebrate with wine and music again?" Maybe this time without Patroclus, so he and Hermes don't bash heads again?