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1. How To Pick an Open Wound and Pretend to Kiss It Better by Violet_Eyed_Changeling

   Fandoms: The Iliad - Homer, Ancient Greek Religion & Lore  

   • Mature
   • Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
   • M/M
   • Complete Work

   26 Jan 2026

   Tags

   • Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
   • Achilles/Diomedes (Ancient Greek Religion & Lore)
   • Achilles & Diomedes (Ancient Greek Religion & Lore)
   • Achilles/Patroclus of Opus (Ancient Greek Religion & Lore)
   • Achilles & Patroclus of Opus (Ancient Greek Religion & Lore)
   • Achilles & Teucer of Salamis (Ancient Greek Religion & Lore)
   • Achilles (Ancient Greek Religion & Lore)
   • Diomedes (Ancient Greek Religion & Lore)
   • Teucer son of Telamon (Ancient Greek Religion & Lore)
   • takes place sometime after the Penthesilea episode
   • Grief/Mourning
   • Achilles Needs a Hug (Song of Achilles)
   • Diomedes Needs A Hug (Ancient Greek Religion & Lore)
   • but a hug they will not get. at least not the kind they need
   • Diomedes Has a Bad Time (Ancient Greek Religion & Lore)
   • sex as self harm
   • Suicidal Thoughts
   • both of them are kind of pathetic and on the brink of insanity in this fic
   • POV Diomedes (Ancient Greek Religion & Lore)
   • POV Achilles (Ancient Greek Religion & Lore)
   • Present Tense
   • for some reason
   • Dead Patroclus of Opus (Ancient Greek Religion & Lore)
   • Consensual But Not Safe Or Sane
   • actually the consent is a little dubious but theyre greek men in the bronze age a little dubious is tame
   • Painplay
   • this fic is not nearly as dirty as it seems 90 percent of the sexual stuff is off screen
   • Morning After
   • Pillow Talk
   • except the pillow talk is just more arguing
   • Author Is Sleep Deprived
   • Period-Typical Slavery
   • Period Typical Attitudes
   • Canon-Typical Violence
   • Mental Health Issues
   • Rough Sex
   • Intrusive Thoughts

   Summary

   Diomedes, son of Tydeus and king of Argos, the proactive asset to the Achaean army that he is, takes it upon himself to talk Achilles out of his latest grief-induced, barely disguised suicide attempt. It does not end well.

   Or: two fucked up living weapons almost have an actual conversation but somehow miss by a mile, no one breaks the cycle, and it is just a bit embarrassing and weird for everyone involved.

   Language:

   English

   Words:

   16,340

   Chapters:

   3/3

   Comments:

   8

   Kudos:

   10

   Bookmarks:

   2

   Hits:

   150