Chapter Text
Odysseus knew better.
He knew he shouldn't.
He heard Selene's voice in his head. The dim sound of her repeating over and over about how he shouldn't let his heart get mixed up with mortals, how it would only end in sadness and agony.
And yet he already found himself packing a bag for Sparta. Helen of Sparta was now eligible for marriage, meaning that everybody from near and far would be attending. It was too perfect of an opportunity for Odysseus not to take it.
He should tell someone though.
No.
If he told anyone worth telling, they would try and stop him.
Though he was already in front of Selene's chambers, staring at the celestial carvings on the massive wooden door. It was stupid of him to tell the person that would try and stop him the most (well aside from his dad), that he would be away for months just to spread even more time with them. He could still hear her voice in his head, still repeating like earlier.
He knocks three times, the slight sting on his knuckles letting him know he hit the door a little too hard. He looks at his fists. Why were his knuckles white? Why was his hand so tense?
Rhetorical questions really, he knew why.
The doors open, there is no screeching of wood on the floor, no creek from the hinges, just a light whoosh that Odysseus could not hear over the sound of his heart pounding in his chest.
Selene is standing in front of him. She's much taller than him, Odysseus has to stop himself from shrinking in front of her. "Odysseus dear?" her voice is soft like always but he can see her tense while looking between him and his bag. She knows, she'll stop you, Run, Run right now while you have the chance! a voice in the back of his head says. Odysseus is currently fighting every instinct in his body not to flee.
He tries his best to smile, but its tight and awkward. "I-I'm going to Sparta" he gets out right now before he loses courage and sprints out. His heart sinks to the depths of tartarus as he watches Selene's smile of shock turn into a look of dismay. Her eyes are wide, her hands recoil away from him, her brows are turned up. with each bodily action she does he feels himself sink more and more into the floor.
He can only imagine how he himself looks in the moment. Fear is probably the most prominent one on his face. He's tense, he can feel it seep down to his bones and settle there.
He can only feel the tears on his face once she hugs him.
The hug is warm. He hears Selene's words of reassurance and comfort, understanding is in the mix as well. She gives him a kiss on the top of head. " I understand my star, I'm not mad, just don't let them break your heart." it's a soft whisper, he wants to respond but it turns into A small nod. "you seek them out, it's normal, you yearn for connection with what were, and still are your people."
He hugs her back tightly, as if not to loose her. "c-can you let dad know... don't want him to go after me, but... don't want him to worry." He's crying freely now, at the thought of leaving his family behind, even if it's for only a couple months. He's never been away from them. " I will my dove, I will" she whispers, she not crying but he can see the tears in her eyes threatening to spill. "now go, be quick. You can come back any time." He wipes his tears getting himself ready. "wait!" she say quickly before he leaves, "I know I already told you this but, don't let them break your heart. Your heart shall not break, your mind will not bend, and your soul will not be crushed."
"I promise, I won't let them." Is all he can manage before one last kiss on the head.
He leaves, off to Sparta.