Your bare feet thud wetly against the sand as you race after Achilles on the beach. You’re both laughing wildly, the wind roaring past your ears, sun hot on your bared shoulders.

“Achilles! Wait for me!” you call, as he gets further ahead. He always does, being a demi-god— he’s stronger and faster than you could ever hope to be. “I cannot run so fast as you!”

He lets out a whoop, charging through a flock of gulls and sending them scattering, before he finally slows. His chest heaves with delight. “Patroclus, come one! I cannot wait all day for you, my slow friend.”

You finally catch up with him, panting for breath. He clasps you on the back, nearly making you stagger, before he strips off his tunic and darts for the crashing waves, leaving you hurrying after him, slightly flustered.

“Achilles, we have to be back to Chiron soon—“ you begin to protest, but he’s already diving into the foaming surf, his lean, oiled body cutting through the water like a fish.

He’s the son of an ocean goddess, after all. You feel the hairs on the back of your neck prickle as you wonder if Thetis is watching the pair of you now…