A modernized retelling of the last few books of the Iliad. History's classic war story, which is actually a love story. How deep goes grief run, and what do we leave behind after we're gone? The tragic tale of Achilles' rage and loss, the great warrior and his greater fall, comes together in this nostalgic, bittersweet tale. Content Warning: grotesque violence throughout out, grief discussed at length, extended battle scenes with high levels of carnage, sexual assualt discussed. Brief sexuality, characters are stated to have had sex, nothing shown on page. Characters kiss on page. Some crude dialogue regarding a character's sexuality. A character casually mentions sex or makes sexual implications towards a partner/parnters throughout. R-level violence and language, PG-13 level sex/nudity.

BOOK ONE Coming out was supposed to set Julian free. Instead, it left him with a broken arm, a mother who won't stop preaching, and a silence that grows heavier every day. High school feels like a cage, and Julian is certain he doesn't belong anywhere-until Paul crashes into his world. With his inked skin, effortless charm, and a following that makes him untouchable, Paul should be the last person Julian lets close. But in Paul's arms, Julian feels something he's never known before: safe. As their connection deepens, so does the danger. Loving Paul means risking exposure, rejection, and heartbreak all over again. Worse, it means facing the cruelest voice of all-the one inside Julian's own head. Tender, raw, and unflinching, Open is a story about first love, first heartbreak, and finding the courage to believe you're worthy of both. ::: I could feel it when his body finally went slack, when he'd fallen asleep and soft snores emitted. And I thought I was getting better at this breaking down thing... I honestly did but when I was alone, I seemed to fall apart. Endless serenades of how worthless I'd been and how destructive I was; I was a disappointment to literally everyone and I hated it. My breathing became shallow as I cried for the second time that day, finally feeling content being immersed in guilt. A shudder wracked through my body, tears escaping and Paul pulled me closer as he woke silently. Mumbling soft nothings against my skin and kissing it to slow my breathing, he tried to lull me to sleep, "It's okay, you're okay." Refusing to speak -my voice failing me- his arm came up to wrap around my shoulder and I held him there, placing a small kiss to his tattooed skin in a broken sign of gratitude, I must've run out of tears. And I felt at ease.

Patroclus and Achilles versus the world.

patroclus laughs and their teeth clash in a kiss and everything is golden and beautiful