Chapter Text
Polites coughed as he stared, with bleary and unfocused eyes, at the area above. He laid on the hard, cold rock in the Cyclops cave. Was this where he died? Was he just going to leave Ody alone? He couldn’t. He really couldn’t leave his best friend. But if he truly couldn’t, then why couldn’t he move? Why was it so hard to focus?
With everything feeling distant as he heard screaming and fighting, some sort of thud, he hadn’t even noticed someone grabbing him under the arms, until he was being dragged somewhere. To where? He had no idea. Who was dragging him? Still zero clue. He blinked a few times to try and focus his eyes, and himself, to no avail. Maybe this was where he died.
Eurylochus hoisted a limp Polites into his arms, dragging him from under his arms as he awkwardly pulled him over to Odysseus. “Captain, we really should get back to the ships. He’s injured, and we’ve lost some of our men, and the cyclops is wounded-“ He stopped and just shook his head as the captain just waved for him to follow.
“He should be more cautious, his luck is going to run out at some point,” The second-in-command grumbles as he set Polites on the ground, to which incoherent mumbles are heard from the captain’s best friend as Eurylochus moves a hand under the man’s knees, and another right below his shoulders, hoisting him up again. “We’re going back to the ships, Polites.” He says absentmindedly, despite the fact that the other probably wouldn’t understand him if the way he was acting said anything about it.
Catching up to the captain, Eurylochus walked beside him as the group trailed back through the forest. After a few rather quiet moments, he added, “I wouldn’t get your hopes up on survival. He looks pretty bad.”
Odysseus tilts his head towards the ground, shaking it slightly. “He’ll be alright.” He adds, covering up his guilt and worry with faux hopefulness and optimism.
”Are you sure you’re convinced? I’m not.” Eurylochus was met with silence once more as Polites’ head rolled against his chest, his comrades glassy eyes staring at nothing as another sound of pain escaped him. In response, Eurylochus just patted his leg with one hand.
The second-in-command silently carried the other soldier back to the ships, to which Odysseus promptly took Polites from him and dragged his friend onto his ship. Worried the captain may find some way to ruin things a little more, Eurylochus sighs and follows.
”Ody, what are you doing?” He asked as he trailed behind the captain, who was now dragging Polites across the deck.
“Bringing him to my quarters.” Odysseus replies bluntly, nearly dropping Polites. “Gods,” He huffs as he adjusts his grip on his friend and continues his attempt at aiding his friend. Eurylochus sighs and follows, opening the door for his brother-in-law to pull the other soldier into the captain’s quarters. He watched silently as Ody set his friend down on his bed, seemingly not caring about whatever blood or whatever fluids he was losing got onto his bed.
“Now what do you plan on doing?” The eldest of the three asks as he stood by the door, still watching as his brother grabbed some bandages and began to try and patch up Polites’ wounds. “Gods..” Eurylochus shakes his head, “I’ll be helping the crew if you need me,” as he left the captain’s quarters.
Odysseus continued shakily bandaging his friend, staring at him as he finished bandaging him up. Odysseus brushed some of Polites’ hair from his face, sitting on the edge of the bed. “Forgive me,” He mutters, quietly reaching out and taking the others hand, holding it and rubbing his thumb over his knuckles.
Polites stared silently at his friend with blurry eyes as the room continued its idle spinning as he tried to remain conscious. Was Odysseus always this handsome and sweet? Why did he feel like this now?
...Had he always felt it and just not realized it? Eh. He didn't care. He felt it now and he loved that feeling. He looked like royalty.. not like he wasn’t already. That brought to mind Penelope. Ew, Penelope.
Wait, why did she disgust him now? He had always been okay with her, why did he feel this way now?
"It'll be okay, Polites. You'll be okay." Odysseus' voice pulled Polites out of his thoughts. His voice sounded unsure. But now Polites knew.
He'd be okay. He'd heal quickly. For Odysseus. And Odysseus alone.
For he was all that seemed to matter to him now.