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“They’ve been gone for what? 19 years now? 20?”
A man scoffs, walking through the bustling town of Ithaca “About time the Queen does pick a suitor, eh?” The first man strikes a chuckle “It’s not like any of those men are coming back,” he rolls his eyes
“Let’s face it, They’re all dead.”
You gulp after overhearing the conversation, quickly gathering what you need from the outdoor shops and heading back to the Palace. You walk back— “They’re all dead.” It echoed in your head dreadfully. Lost in thought, you run into Telemachus, holding scrolls in his arms. He looked like he was in a rush, “Hey Y/N! I was looking for you all over and I—“ He looks at her for another second, “What’s wrong?” You knew he could read you like a book, but he looked busy right now. “Oh, Telemachus—! I’m just— tired. I’m sorry, babe” You quickly spat and nodded as you helped gather a paper he’d dropped. Telemachus sucks his teeth, he shouldn’t push her. “Well— okay. Let me know if you need anything, anything at all!” He plants a soft kiss on your forehead and strides off again. You head in the opposite direction, after setting down the basket of groceries, walking to your room in the Palace.
As you sit on the bed, the realization hits you once again like a truck— You might never see your father, and everyone’s accepted that.
The townspeople
suitors in the palace
your aunts—
Gods, your mother!
You rock softly, as hot tears roll down your face. “They’re all dead.” They’re all— dead. You’re just stuck with stories, Empty words— and… Well, It’s not like you knew him… But it still hurt. You sniffle and sob, curling up on the bed. Your thoughts swirled, and everything felt blurry and loud, you rocked softly, rubbing your eyes and that’s when—
Click!
“Y/N, Are —“ Telemachus looked at your tear-stained face and red eyes, your panic was thick in the air. He rushes over to your side, keeping a bit of a distance. “C—Can I touch you?” You nod softly and his arms wrap around you from the side, gently rubbing your back. “Can you explain to me what happened?”
You sniffled and inhaled shakily, get— a word out! J—just talk to him! As much as you tried it felt like you would choke on the words, barely able to muster anything out.
“Hey, hey… You don’t have to talk. I’m here, it’s okay” He reassures you, seeing you upset and sad is something he hates, but he understands how difficult it can be to handle emotions when overwhelmed. “I’ll be here.. Whenever you’re ready” He rubs your back softly, not minding the stain of your tears on his tunic. After a bit of time, his comfort helped calm you down. He turns you softly, sure to be gentle, You face him, eyes still watery, and your body trembles softly. Your boyfriend grabs your hands, shushing you comfortingly while thinking of.. what to say.
He remembers when he’d be upset after not being able to fight, or when he couldn’t write letters facing the right direction— His mom, Queen Penelope, would do an exercise with him. Maybe it could help Y/N, “Can we try something?” You look towards him intrigued, nodding softly “I—If you’re ready to talk. Can you tell me um— five things you can see?” You sniffled and looked at him puzzled “T—this is stupid,” you let out “Just try? For me, okay?” You sigh and look around, things aren’t as blurred now, “T—there’s a vase,” He nods towards you “Mhm, keep going!” He squeezes your hand reassuringly, “You, I can see you, the—window? A— um..the bed and the closet.” He smiles softly “Yeah, that’s good! Now what about four things you can… feel?” Your breathing has calmed now, and just Telemachus’ presence made you feel a bit better, “The... bedsheets, your hands, m-my clothes?” You sniffle again and then turn back to him “I-that’s all..” While it wasn’t four, Telemachus was content anyway, you seemed more calm and relaxed, which is all that mattered right now “Three things you can hear?” “Your voice—“ You fidget softly, trying to focus on listening to something “Wind… and footsteps.” You nod.
“Only a few more okay, love?” Telemachus holds your face softly, he can tell something is still in your eyes, there’s a cloudiness of thoughts and heavy emotions, “Now, two things you can smell?” he strokes your cheek softly, gentle words. You inhale “Fresh.. sheets and— the ocean.” You exhale. Telemachus’ expression remained calm.
His voice drops softly and he leans closer “And now, one thing you can taste..?” He leans closer, inches away from your lips, and with a playful smirk, he leans— And you swipe backward, dodging the kiss. “I—Um! A—Apples!” You exclaim, flushed a violet red “From lunch.” He purses his lips, mocking annoyance. “Don’t pout,” You say innocently. Telemachus scoffs and plops down backwards on the bed, holding your hands still, so you go down with him. His hand returns to your cheek softly, “Wanna talk now?” You nod slowly and sigh “I was thinking of the crew. Our father’s I mean. What if—“ They words can’t even flow out from between your lips now “They’re all dead” You shake the thought softly and inhale “I just— It’s hard to… Not have a dad.” He sighs in return, a feeling he also knew too well.
Telemachus nods in understanding. “Y/N, they’re comi—“ You turn to him quickly, “How do you know they’ll be back?!” You exclaim with a short gasp. Telemachus looks at you with a wavering expression, for his playful demeanor turned serious, “I—“ The man was speechless- “I don’t.” Not very reassuring. “We don’t know. If there’ll come a day we’ll see them. We…We just don’t.” He squeezes your hand once more, “All we can do is hope, pray.. and.. in the end” He lifts your chin, looking you directly in the eyes, “In the end— all we have is each other. I’ll be here, always. I’ll never leave you, I swear by it, Y/N.”