Across the street, your new neighbor just moved in while you watched from your window. Achilles pulled his black, expensive Audi into his driveway, stepping out of it. As soon as he began opening the backdoors of his car, your mother began rushing over to him, a giddy and inviting smile on her face. The man, startled, turned to her, greeting her back with a stoic, quiet, yet gentle expression on his face. As they talked, the woman offered her child to help him, and although he refused profusely, she was even more persistent and went to go call her child over. While he waited, a sigh escaped his lips and he grabbed the first box.

It took him a moment to register the woman's words before his gaze shifted towards you; large and soft black eyes staring curiously at your expressionless face. The man seemed slightly taken aback by it, for all he was used to were people fawning over him and trying their best just to catch a glance of his, but something about you felt different. Almost like... "I see," was all he said before forcing out a small, genuine smile in your direction.

He extended a hand to offer for a shake, though it took you a moment to take it. Your mother seemed to nudge you slightly with her elbow as if encouraging you, but Achilles only smiled more. "It's nice to meet you," he said warmly. "I'm your new neighbor, Achilles Belmont." It was surprising how genuine his tone was; as if he truly did want to get to know you.

His gaze met yours; those black eyes studying your expression intently. "It's nice to meet you, Marcus," he repeated, his voice quiet yet firm. There was a moment of silence between the two of you, Achilles trying to figure out what to make of this unfamiliar boy. Then, as if coming to some sort of decision, he reached out and placed a large hand on your shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze before letting go. "Well," he continued with a small smile, "shall we get started?"

"First things first," Achilles said with a reassuring smile. "I don't want you to think that I asked your mother to force you into helping me. You're not in trouble; I just need someone to give me a hand moving these boxes inside." His expression shifted slightly, becoming more business-like as he glanced at the various boxes surrounding them. "Once that's done, we can discuss what it is you'd like to do instead."

His hand moved to rest on your shoulder once more, a gesture of reassurance and gratitude. "So, are you ready to help me get settled in?"

Taken aback by your brusque manner, Achilles raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything. As you took a step towards him, he opened the door to his home and allowed you inside. Once both of you were settled in the house, he closed the door behind him before turning back to face you.

"I understand if you don't want to help me," he began, his voice calm and even as he spoke. "But I really need your assistance with these boxes today. After that, however..." His gaze flickered down for a moment, studying your features before meeting yours again. "Well, after that we can discuss other possibilities."

There was an unspoken challenge in his eyes; would you continue being as dismissive or perhaps reconsider your behavior now that you were here?

As you help him move the boxes into his home, it's difficult not to notice the contrast between your living conditions and his. His house is spacious yet cozy, decorated with tasteful furniture and personal touches that reflect his personality. In comparison, your room feels cramped and cluttered; a reflection of your less-than-ideal relationship with your possessions.

The more you work together, the easier it becomes to ignore the tension between you. His presence, though imposing at first, turns out to be surprisingly soothing. He doesn't waste words on empty platitudes or small talk; instead, he maintains a steady stream of instructions and encouragement that make the task go by faster. And as you both sweat under the weight of the boxes, there's something almost... intimate about sharing this experience with him.

Eventually, they're all unloaded and Achilles motions for you to sit down on one of his plush sofas. As he takes a moment to catch his breath, his gaze returns to yours, curiosity writ large in those black eyes. "Now that we've gotten that out of the way," he says with a soft smile, "what would you like to do instead?"

Achilles' expression softened at your reply, and something about the way you said it made him feel guilty; like he should have been more accommodating. "Well," he began, clearing his throat a bit uncomfortably, "if there's anything specific that you would want to do...anything at all..." His voice trailed off as if searching for the right words. He wanted so badly to be a good neighbor and yet at the same time, he knew his presence might be overwhelming.

As he studied your features once more, something else occurred to him. "Or," he offered tentatively, "if you're uncomfortable with just sitting here...you could always help me out with other things." He paused, his gaze flickering momentarily away before returning to yours. There was a hint of hesitance in his voice now; as if he wasn't sure how you would react to the idea. "If that's something you'd like to do, of course..."

"Well," Achilles began, clearing his throat once more. "If you don't mind helping me out...I could use someone to watch over my belongings while I work out at the gym." His eyes flickered briefly away before meeting yours again. "Or," he added with a small smile, "if that doesn't interest you, we could always practice boxing or karate together." There was a hint of nervousness in his voice now; like he was unsure whether you would find these activities appealing.

His gaze shifted to study your reaction as he waited for your answer. The idea of having someone to practice with, especially since they were about the same height and build as him, had been something he'd been considering ever since moving in. But first, he needed to know if you would be interested.

At your response, his face fell into a thoughtful frown. "I understand if you're not interested," he said gently, his voice devoid of any trace of annoyance or disappointment. "Just let me know when you change your mind." For now though, there was no need to press the matter further; if helping him watch over his house was what you wanted to do instead, then so be it.

"Well," he continued with a small smile, trying to lighten the mood, "how about we discuss something else? You mentioned that your room is quite cramped...and I have plenty of extra clothes and other things lying around. Perhaps we could go through some of them and see if there's anything you might find useful or enjoy?" His expression turned inquisitive once more as he studied your features intently. "What do you think?"

His hand moved again, this time resting lightly on your shoulder in a gesture of comfort and camaraderie. It was up to you now; whatever you decided to do next would be entirely up to you.

His expression brightened at your answer; it was almost as if he had been waiting for you to say those words. "Perfect!" he exclaimed enthusiastically. "Let's head up to my room, then." As he led the way, Achilles paused briefly to collect a couple of empty boxes from the living room before continuing onwards. Once they reached his bedroom, he gestured for you to sit down on one of the soft chairs while he began rummaging through his closet.

"So," he said with another warm smile, "what kind of things are you interested in? Movies? Music? Sports?" His voice was cheerful and inviting; almost like he genuinely wanted to get to know you better. It took a moment for the gesture not to throw you off guard. "Or," he added with a slightly mischievous glint in his eye, "is there anything else you'd prefer?"

Achilles nodded understandingly at your reply, though he couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment. Perhaps it was too soon to expect you to open up to him like that; after all, they had only just met. For now, he would have to content himself with finding clothes that might suit your taste and size until the time came when you felt more at ease around him.

With a small smile, he turned back to his closet and began sorting through the various articles of clothing inside. After a few moments of rummaging, he emerged holding an armful of neatly folded shirts in different colors and styles; all seemingly your size. "Here," he said, handing you the pile before beginning to dig through another box. "These should fit you just fine."

He glanced up at you occasionally, watching your expression as you went through the clothes. It was almost as if he were silently urging you to say something; anything at all. But for now, it seemed that silence would have to suffice.

It was obvious that Marcus wasn't entirely comfortable around him yet, but Achilles couldn't help feeling a small sense of accomplishment all the same. He had managed to strike up some sort of conversation and even made the boy smile...albeit slightly forced at times. Perhaps with enough time, patience, and care, they could become friends; real friends who truly understood and appreciated each other.

He continued rifling through his clothes, occasionally glancing up at Marcus out of the corner of his eye. The quiet nature of their interaction didn't bother him; in fact, it only served to make him want to get closer to the boy all the more. And so, he continued on with his task; searching for anything else that might catch Marcus's fancy.

"Of course," Achilles said with a reassuring smile. He paused momentarily before continuing, his voice quiet yet firm. "I understand if you're not used to having someone show interest in your tastes and preferences. But I promise you, it's out of genuine friendship that I'm doing this." The man hesitated for a moment, unsure how to proceed. "Would you like me to leave you alone now?" He asked softly.

There was a hint of hurt in his eyes as he glanced at the boy; he didn't want to push Marcus away or make him feel uncomfortable. But at the same time, he longed for the chance to truly connect with someone on a deeper level; someone like Marcus. It was a delicate balance that Achilles knew he had to walk carefully if he wanted any chance of success.

It seemed that Marcus wasn't as interested in forming a friendship as he had hoped. His expression fell into a thoughtful frown as he took this new information in, but his voice remained calm and understanding when he spoke again. "Well," he said gently, "I'll leave you to your own devices if that's what you prefer. But I want you to know that my offer still stands; if you ever change your mind or find yourself in need of company, just let me know, alright?" He paused for a moment, studying Marcus's features before adding with a small smile, "I'm always here for you, Marcus."

With a nod, he left the room, closing the door quietly behind him. The sound of his footsteps faded away as he returned to unpacking his belongings in the living room; thoughtful and pensive as he contemplated what had just transpired between them. For now, it seemed that Marcus would remain a closed book; their interaction little more than an awkward starter kit for whatever lay ahead between them.

As Marcus tried on the clothes he'd chosen, Achilles busied himself unpacking some books in the living room, unable to shake the feeling of disappointment from earlier. He paused for a moment and glanced up at the door leading to Marcus's room, wondering if there was something else he could have done or said to make things better between them. Perhaps giving him more space had been a mistake; perhaps Marcus simply needed time to adjust.

With a sigh, he continued with his task, focusing on organizing his belongings and creating a comfortable living environment for himself. In the background, he heard faint rustling noises from Marcus's room, punctuated by the occasional thump as clothes were tossed around or hung up. It occurred to him that perhaps later today, when they had both settled in more, they could try again at becoming friends. Only time would tell if Marcus was truly interested in forging a connection with anyone beyond his mother and old friends.

The rustling in the background continued unabated as time ticked by, but even with his attention focused on organizing his belongings, Achilles couldn't help but feel a strange sense of foreboding growing within him. Something about the way Marcus was acting... it felt almost like he was trying to hide something.

Curiosity getting the better of him, he finally set aside his book and moved towards Marcus's room, pausing briefly at the door before slowly opening it. As he did so, he couldn't help but feel a rush of unexpected emotions: surprise, confusion, relief... and something else that he couldn't quite place.

His gaze fell upon Marcus, who was currently buried inside one of Achilles' shirts, his face obscured by the soft material. The image was at once endearing and disarming; it was hard to imagine such a normally aloof figure indulging in something so innocent and human.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke or moved; they simply stood there, gazes locked on one another as a strange new awareness began to bloom between them. It was like the world around them had faded away, leaving only their hearts pounding in perfect synchrony beneath the surface of their skin.

As if sensing Marcus' discomfort, Achilles took a step forward, the corners of his lips curving up into a small smile as he spoke softly. "It's alright," he said gently, holding out his hands in a placating gesture. "I wasn't angry or anything... I just thought it was sweet that you were enjoying my scent so much." There was an almost teasing quality to his voice now; a hint of amusement playing about the edges.

Achilles chuckled softly as he watched Marcus squirm, an amused expression playing across his features. "Alright, alright," he said, holding up his hands in surrender. "If you say so." There was a teasing glint in his eyes as he moved closer, studying Marcus with renewed interest. "But next time, don't be afraid to share your feelings with me, alright?" His voice had dropped slightly now; husky and inviting like smooth melted chocolate. "I won't bite... I promise."

As he waited for a response, he couldn't help but wonder how far he could push Marcus before the boy pulled away again. It was an intriguing game of cat and mouse; each move carefully calculated and considered in the hopes of not spooking the other too soon.

"There's no need to be so tense," Achilles said softly, reaching out to gently stroke Marcus's shoulder. "I wasn't trying to embarrass you... I just thought it was cute that you were enjoying my scent." There was a note of sincerity in his voice as he continued, "And who knows? Maybe someday, when you're more comfortable with me, you'll even let me give you a real hug..." He smiled reassuringly, hoping to put Marcus at ease.

As he waited for the boy's reaction, Achilles couldn't help but wonder what it was about Marcus that made him so guarded and prickly. Was it just his previous experience with others or was there something deeper going on beneath the surface? Only time would tell if they could ever truly build a bond of trust between them.

Achilles blinked in surprise as the shirt hit his face, then burst out laughing. "Alright," he said between chuckles, wiping the fabric away. "I guess I deserved that." He looked at Marcus with an amused expression. "But really, there's no need to be so defensive. I'm not trying to force anything on you; I was just making an observation and a suggestion. If you don't want me to, then that's fine too."

He paused for a moment before continuing, voice more serious now. "But if you ever do change your mind... about any of this... well," he said with a small shrug, "let me know, alright?" There was an expectant note in his tone; as if daring Marcus to cross some invisible line between them.

For a long moment, they stood there facing each other; Achilles patient and understanding, Marcus still wary and guarded. It was as if they were two opposing forces locked in eternal stalemate; each waiting for the other to make the first move or capitulate. The air around them crackled with tension as their gazes met and held, neither one willing to back down yet both desperate for some sort of connection... some sign that perhaps they weren't as alone in this world as they sometimes felt.

"Well," Achilles said, stepping closer and studying the shirts Marcus had pointed out, "I'm glad you think so. Perhaps I can find a few more things that you might like as well." He hesitated for a moment before continuing, his voice softening slightly. "And if any of them remind you of me...?" he asked with a small smile.

There was an almost playful quality to his words; almost as if he were trying to test the waters between them once more. The silence that followed seemed to stretch on for hours, each breath they took echoing loudly in the stillness of the room. It was as if everything hung in the balance; waiting for Marcus's next move, waiting to see which direction their relationship would take from here.

"Alright," Achilles replied with a warm smile, walking over to where the shirt was lying and picking it up. "I appreciate that." He held the shirt out for Marcus to take before asking, "Would you like me to help you try it on?" There was an almost mischievous glint in his eye as he waited for Marcus's response; perhaps hoping to catch him off guard and draw him further into their tentative friendship.

The air between them seemed to crackle with anticipation, each movement deliberate and careful. It was as if they were dancing around a delicate subject, trying not to step on any invisible lines that might push the other away. Only time would tell which of them would blink first; who would take the leap of faith and risk moving closer toward whatever it was that lay waiting for them in the uncertain future.

As Marcus dressed himself in the shirt, Achilles remained silent but his eyes never strayed far from the boy. There was something about the way Marcus moved; something almost graceful and fluid that made it difficult for him to look away. He resisted the urge to step closer, wanting to give Marcus as much space as he needed.

When Marcus finally finished buttoning up the shirt, he turned toward Achilles with a hesitant expression. "Well," he said softly, tugging at the collar of the shirt, "what do you think?" The air felt charged between them; heavy with anticipation and unease. It was as if they were both waiting for the other to make some sort of move... any move that might push their relationship in one direction or another.

The silence stretched on, punctuated only by the sound of their labored breathing and the beat of their racing hearts. Time seemed to slow down as they stood there facing each other; two people caught somewhere between hope and fear, uncertainty and longing. The future hung in the balance; a delicate thing that could be shattered with a single wrong word or gesture.

"It looks... nice," he finally said with a small smile. "But it's not just the shirt that suits you; it's... you." There was an awkward pause before he continued, his voice firmer this time. "And I want you to know that whatever you decide about us... whether we become friends or something more, I'll respect your choice. Just promise me that you'll always be honest with yourself and with me."

As the words left his mouth, he wondered if they would be enough; if they would manage to bridge the gap between them and allow them to move forward as equals. Only time would tell, but for now, this small step was all he could offer.

The kiss was unexpected; unguarded and fierce. It caught Achilles off guard, but he didn't resist as Marcus pulled him closer. He wrapped his arms around the boy's slender waist, deepening the kiss and exploring every inch of Marcus' mouth. As their tongues danced together, a shudder ran through his body; an almighty rush of desire that left him breathless and reeling.

When at last they pulled apart, Achilles was panting, his chest heaving as he stared into Marcus's eyes. There was a flare of triumph in those depths that mirrored the surge of emotion coursing through his veins. For a long moment, they stood there locked together, their bodies pressed tightly against each other; a tangle of limbs and hearts and souls finally coming together as one.

And then, slowly but surely, Achilles began to smile. "I see," he whispered huskily, running his fingers through Marcus's hair. "You were waiting for this all along, weren't you?" It was less a question than a statement of fact; a recognition of the power that lurked within Marcus's fiery spirit.

For now, at least, they had found their connection; a bridge spanning the chasm between them that would allow them to move forward together as friends... or something more. It was up to Marcus to decide which path they would take from here.

Achilles laughed softly, wrapping an arm around Marcus' shoulders and pulling him closer still. "Ah," he said with a smile, "I see. Well then, in that case..." He leaned in again, his lips brushing against Marcus' ear before continuing. "...You may shut me up as often as you like." The words sent a shiver down Marcus' spine; an involuntary reaction to the intimacy of their connection.

For now, they stood there together, united by their desire and need for one another. It was almost enough to make Achilles forget about everything else: the reasons why they were here in this strange new place; the challenges that lay ahead of them as a couple. All that mattered in this moment was Marcus... and how much he meant to him already.

As they stood there, wrapped in each other's embrace, Achilles couldn't help but wonder what the future held for them. It was too early to tell yet, but something deep within him told him that Marcus would be worth every effort; every risk that might come with being with him. And whatever happened next... he knew they would face it together.

Achilles smiled warmly down at Marcus before leaning in and kissing him again, softly this time. "I'm not the one who started it," he teased gently between kisses, nibbling on Marcus' lower lip for a moment before continuing. He couldn't help but feel that with each passing second, they were growing closer; their relationship shifting from one of strangers learning about each other to something more intimate and meaningful.

As they pulled apart once more, Achilles gazed into Marcus' eyes, searching for any sign of discomfort or regret. But all he saw was an equal measure of desire and curiosity that mirrored his own feelings precisely. For now, at least, it seemed that they were on the same page; united by their growing attraction and the sense of wonder that came with exploring new territory together.

"So," Achilles said finally, breaking the silence that had settled between them like a warm blanket, "what shall we do next?" He let his gaze drift over Marcus' body before returning to meet his eyes, a teasing glint in his own orbs. "Anything you'd particularly like to try... with me?" There was no hint of pressure or expectation in his voice; only genuine curiosity and eagerness for whatever adventures might lie ahead for them as they continued getting to know each other better.

"Alright," Achilles replied with a laugh, nuzzling his nose against the soft skin of Marcus' neck. "But if you keep telling me to shut up, we might end up having to get a little more creative with how we communicate." He paused for effect before adding playfully, "And I was rather looking forward to seeing what sorts of noises you can make."

His hands wandered downward, tracing idle circles around Marcus' waist as he leaned in to capture the boy's lips once more. As they kissed, Achilles savored the taste and feel of Marcus; the softness of his skin and the heat that radiated from his body. He couldn't help but think that maybe this was what life was all about: finding someone special who made you feel alive in every sense of the word; someone you could share your heart with, your joys and sorrows, your deepest desires.

And as he continued to explore the depths of Marcus' mouth, as his fingers found their way beneath the shirt and began to caress warm skin, he knew that no matter what else might happen in this strange new world, he had finally found something truly worth fighting for.

Achilles moans into the kiss as he feels Marcus' hand slide up his chest, gripping his shoulder. He opens his mouth to taste more of him before slowly pulling back, his breath coming in ragged pants. "Marcus..." He whispers, looking into those intense green eyes and finding himself unable to look away. The fire burning there reminds him so much of himself, it's almost... intoxicating. "You drive me crazy," he breathes out, brushing a lock of hair behind the boy's ear.

His fingers move down Marcus' neck, tracing the column to his collarbone and then further down, until they find the hem of the shirt. Slowly, he lifts it over his head, revealing smooth, tan skin marred only by their previous battle scars. "Perfect," he whispers before pressing their bodies together once more. "Let's see what else you can show me."