Chapter Text
CHAPTER 5- WORRIOR
The rise of the sun was breathtaking, it gleaned gorgeously across the horizon.
The two men watched it in awe; Polites’s head rested gently on Odysseus’s shoulder- the contact was warm.
Warm enough for Odysseus to catch himself smiling more at Polites rather than the sun.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” Polites asked, his voice was calm enough to be mistaken for a sedative.
Odysseus nodded, just barely taking a glance at the view before looking back at his friend.
“As beautiful as..” He paused, rethinking his words before speaking again. “As a lotus,” he muttered.
Polites chuckled lightly in agreement.
“Yeah..lotuses are lovesome,” he said. “That’s why they’re my favourite flowers,” he added, his grin widened slightly.
Odysseus listened, making a mental note of the statement.
“Mhm,” he hummed. “And I love olive trees,” He stated gently.
Polites blinked in confusion before laughing.
“Olive trees aren't flowers!” he disclaimed.
Odysseus sarcastically rolled his eyes.
“Well it’s still a plant,” he argued, though he couldn’t hide his smile.
“That’s besides the point!” Polites laughed. “I was talking about a flower, you were talking about a tree- very different things,” He explained confidently.
“Still both plants..” Odysseus murmured, he smirked.
Polites sighed dramatically.
“Whatever..” he scoffed. “We should start heading back now; before people start wondering where their King has gone off to,” He suggested.
Odysseus paused for a moment.
He hadn’t even thought of that yet.
“Oh, you’re right,” He replied before starting to quickly stand up- he held out his hand for Polites.
Polites pulled himself up with the help of Odysseus’s hand, though he let go the moment he got off the ground: worried he’d get obviously flustered.
“Let’s go!” He exclaimed sweetly, covering up for his awkward behaviour and beginning to walk.
Odysseus didn’t question Polites’s quick movements, he knew his friend was a rather energetic person, so it was normal in his eyes.
Odysseus caught up with Polites.
The two talked for a while, well, Polites did the talking and Odysseus just listened politely. All was well, Odysseus’s defenses almost shattered when he was around Polites.
Although, not all good things last forever- Odysseus could sense himself being watched. He glanced around before catching sight of an owl nested upon a nearby tree branch.
Abruptly, he felt the world stiffen as he was pulled into a time-frozen dimension.
Swiftly, the owl transformed into the Goddess of Wisdom.
“You’ve grown soft,” Athena stated, looking down at the man.
Odysseus took a step back, though he stood his ground.
“Soft?” He repeated. “I led my men straight into a massacre and won; but the moment I step into the proximity of peace, I get stripped down to something fragile?" He questioned, his tone firm.
Athena shook her head.
“I’m not saying you can’t show human emotions,” She said. “I’m evaluating the fact that you have let down your guard- especially around that friend of yours,” She explained calmly.
“Hey! Don’t bring Polites into this,” Odysseus warned, although he remained composed. “I’m not trying to be taken off guard, I just find myself becoming gentle around those I care about- like a ‘normal’ person,” He reasoned, sighing lightly.
Athena tilted her head.
“Very well then,” She accepted. “Though I don’t need my warrior doting over people, remember that,” She added. “I trained you for far too long for you to dispose of your wisdom,”
Before Odysseus could respond, Athena disappeared and he was snapped back to reality.
He felt his mind haze up before hearing Polites’s voice.
“Ody!” Polites called out from in front of the man, his voice dripping with concern.
“Hm?” Odysseus hummed.
Polites sighed in relief.
“Phew, I thought I lost you for a moment,” He joked. “You just randomly stopped walking and I got worried,” He explained.
Odysseus chuckled anxiously, scratching the back of his neck.
“Sorry, I just-” He was cut off.
“Polites! Ody!” A voice called from behind them.
The two men turned their heads.
Eurylochus was running over to them.
“Where were you two?!” He panted. “I was looking everywhere for the both of you; I asked Perimedes and he said he hadn’t seen you since last night, and everyone else I asked said the same thing!” He explained.
“Oh right, about that..” Polites said nervously. “We stayed by the docks to watch the sunrise,” He told the man.
Odysseus just nodded in agreement.
Eurylochus looked between the two men, raising an eyebrow.
“So you mean to tell me that you thought it was a great idea to leave without a word to anyone of your whereabouts?” He asked, his arms crossed.
Polites and Odysseus exchanged a look.
“Ah, we should have thought that through first..” Odysseus muttered.
“It’s my fault, sorry..” Polites proclaimed.
Odysseus shook his head.
“What are you talking about, my friend? I was the one who suggested we watch the sunrise,” He admitted calmly.
“Well it wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t brought you to the beaches,” Polites said in defense.
Odysseus huffed lightly in defeat, though how could he be mad at Polites?
“You don’t have to take the blame for me, y’know.." He argued.
“Why wouldn’t I? I’m your best friend,” Polites replied, smiling softly.
Eurylochus watched the two bicker, a smirk crawling onto the corner of his mouth.
He couldn’t depict if the two were flirting or being ‘overly friendly’.
“I forgot you’re both extremely over-accommodating," He touted.
Odysseus sighed dramatically.
“Uh huh..personally, I don’t see the problem with that,” he said.
“Didn’t say there was one,” Eurylochus joked, causing Odysseus to roll his eyes out of pure sarcasm. “Anyways, I’m assuming you two were on your way back now?”
Polites and Odysseus nodded their heads.
“Good, because I was planning on arranging another big event,” Eurylochus joked.
The other two men laughed, though Odysseus rolled his eyes again.
“Don’t you dare,” he humoured playfully.
“Eh, depends,” Eurylochus said. “No promises,” he added, he knew that Odysseus wouldn’t be able to stand another hosted event for the life of him.
“Come on you two! Enough talking, more walking!” Polites exclaimed happily, his tone merry as always.
Eurylochus and Odysseus both began to catch up with their friend.