just a friendly reminder that june 6th, 1218 b.c. was identified as the day patroclus was killed by hector in the trojan war. patroclus died 3240 years ago today.
there is absolutely something there when it comes to patrochilles and stevebucky parallels, you all are dead-on with that, unfortunately neither will completely fulfill either role… where achilles had greatness in his blood and had war thrust upon him, dedicated his life to being a hero, we see steve, of course. but we also see steve in the tragic life of patroclus, born skinny, weak, a disappointment to the family, constantly looking on with envy at the other boys, banished by his father for standing up to a bully and landing one blow too hard. orphaned. abandoned. overlooked.
and sweet beautiful james buchanan, how can we not liken his early life to that of achilles? the casual confidence, the complete absence of arrogance, moving through the world as if there is nothing but sunshine. becoming enamored with this boy, this underdog, going out of his way to claim him as a companion, completely ignoring the confusion and disdain of others.
but war changes things, and bucky does become patroclus with time. he steps out of the spotlight, and finds home at steve’s side, as his friend, love, soulmate, (“Philtatos,” Achilles replied, sharply. Most beloved.”) as battle rages on around them, and it’s this blinding, earth-swallowing love, that brings the two of them to an impasse: unwilling to live without one another. bucky, falls, steve crashes the valkyrie into the arctic. this is an old story.
“I hope that Hector kills you.“
The breath rasps in his throat. "Do you think I do not hope the same?”
