Chapter Text
Everything was better after Odysseus got back. He was finally able to meet his son whom he had not seen since infanc,y while being able to slay the suitors who had been taking refuge in his home and plotting to do horrible things to his family. He was able to make up with his old friend and mentor Athena and was able to finally reunite with his wife after twenty long years.
Of course, not everything was better. Odysseus still had to deal with the trauma of his past and what he had to do. There had been far too many nights of him waking up screaming out the names of those he had lost. It was also hard to tell all the families that their son, husband, lover, or partner was long dead, especially hard to tell his sister the fate of Eurlochus. He sometimes had days where he would zone from reality think of all the horrible things that had happend to him in that damned ten long journey. But he always had the help of Penelope and Telemachus to ground him in reality and always bring a smile to his face.
So even though everything was not perfect, it would never be, but Odysseus was happy. Everything seemed to be better until that tragic day.
It was a sunny day outside in the evening in Ithaca, nearly two months after Odysseus returned home.
Penelope smiled as she watched Odysseus train Telemachus with a sword. They had been getting a lot closer since Odysseus came back, and Penelope was always happy and content when she saw them bonding. She spent many days wondering what their relationship would be like when Odyssus returned. If he returned.
Penelope shook that thought from her head. Here Odysseus was with her son, now showing him a new tequine that Athena had yet to show him.
"Ok, yes, now put your foot right here," Odysseus instructed Telemachus. Penelope would admit she did worry that Telemachus would be nervous and awkward when he met his father, and she was happy that she had been wrong.
She watched as Telemachus was able to pin Odysseus down as they laughed.
"You are really good at this, Athena taught you well," Odysseus praised.
Telemachus blushed at the compliment. "Thank you, Father". He helped Odysseus up and picked up his sword. "Do you want to go again?" he asked.
"Now, now, boys, I think that's enough training for today. Come eat now," Penelope said.
Telemachus' face showed disappointment, but he relented. Odysseus came over to Penelope, smiling, and gave her a quick kiss. Telemachus gave a face of fake disgust, and they all chuckled lightly, then started eating.
Telemachus quickly filled the table with endless chatter about the most random things. About an oddly shaped bird he saw that day, about when he trained a little with Athena earlier that day, about a random kid giving him a flower and him being confused out of his mind (Penelope was a little concerned about that one), and other nonsense like that. Penelope and Odysseus would occasionally add to their son's loose mouth, but mostly chuckled lightly as he talked.
Once they were done, Penelope saw that the sun was about to come down to the horizon. Odysseus and her were going to retire to their chambers for an early night before their excited son stopped them.
"Wait! The sun's about to go down," Telemachus said eagerly.
Odysseus gave him a look of confusion. "Yes, and?"
"We should watch the sunset down at the beach, Father," Telemachus responded eagerly.
A common thing Penelope and Telemachus had done when Odysseus was still overseas was watch the sunset on the beach. It brought a sense of comfort to them because of the beautiful colors and knowing that Odysseus was out there somewhere. Telemachus said one day that he hoped that he could show the sunset to his father when he came back. But whenever Penelope or Telemachus said any kind of prospect of going down to the beach, her husband always became still for a second and came up with some excuse not to go. Penelope still does not know everything Odysseus had to endure during those twenty years, only bits and pieces, but she could assume none of it was pleasant. She knew he would come around and explain everything, but he still needed time.
Penelope noticed Odysseus freezing at the idea of going down to the beach like those times before.
"Um, why would we do that now?" Odysseus said. Penelope noticed how his whole body was tense. Penelope was about to intervein, but Telemachus cut in.
"Come on, it's so pretty with all the colors and the sound of the waves," Telemachus rambled, starting to pull his father. He sometimes could not understand a person's motives to say no.
"Now, Telemachus, maybe we should-" Penelope tried to stop Telemachus from pulling Odysseus.
"Stop!" Odysseus shouted immediately, stilling everyone in the room.
Telemachus immediately let go of him with a guilty look on his face. Odysseus shook a little more then was able to compose himself. "I-Im sorry," Telemachus said weakly.
Odysseus took a deep breath before responding, "No, I'm sorry for snapping,".
"No, I um-" Telemachus was at a loss for words, feeling guilty for making his father upset. "J-just I'm gonna go watch the sunset by myself," Telemachus immediately dashed for the door.
"Telemachus no-" Penelope tried, but he was already out the door.
Odysseus sat down, sighing. "I really messed up, didn't I?"
"No, no," Penelope reassured, rubbing his shoulders. "He will be fine, I'm more concerned about you,". Penelope said.
"I-Im just not ready yet, I'm sorry," He said, defeated.
"It's ok, love, take however long you need."
Odysseus nodded. "Ok, can we just go to bed now?"
"Eager are we," Penelope smirked.
They laughed a little, forgetting about the events, and then walked up to their chambers. Penelope knew Telemachus would be alright, he was a grown man. She was sure
'Stupid stupid' Telemachus thought as he ran down to the beach. His mother had told him not to push his father, yet he could not follow one stupid rule. He hoped his father was not upset at him, even though Telemachus doubted it.
At least the beach could always clear his mind. The waves always had a calming effect on him, and he could get lost in thought easily.
This was something he wanted to do with his father and mother together. Just watch the sunset together, forgetting all the hardships in life. Telemachus briefly thought of whether he would ever get to travel the sea, but seeing the state his father has been in while doing that, it might be a while before he can explore the vast ocean.
Telemachus was so lost in thought that he did not notice the storm clouds suspiciously appearing after a clear day. He did not notice the waves becoming ruffer and splashing around more violently. He did not notice the strong breeze chilling him to the bone. He did not notice that he could barely now see the sunset. He especially did not notice a huge, mysterious figure appearing in front of him.
He did not notice until it was too late.
He looked up and was met with a terrifying figure, to say the least. He was huge and had long, dark hair going down his back with scales over his body and sharp fangs that looked like he would eat him alive without a second of hesitation. The worst was his eyes, which looked red and filled with vengeance and anger.
Poseidon
That was all Telemachus could think as he feebly reached for his sword, even though it was back on the training ground, and even if he did have it, it would be of little to no help.
Poseidon looked at him with a scrutinizing look. He looked at him with a deadly look while Telemachus was frozen up. Telemachus did not know close to every foe Odysseus made on his journey, but he was aware that one of them was Poseidon, though he did not know why.
Telemachus opened his mouth to scream for help, but nothing came out. He noticed that it was heavily storming, so hopefully his father would come out and help him, but that seemed to be cold comfort to Telemachus.
Then he felt a large hand lift him, and finally, Telemachus found his voice to scream.
Poseidon just smiled, "Yes, scream for your father, I want him to watch this," He said with a cold, sharp voice. Telemachus still kept despretly screaming for help even though it was probably useless
Telemachus was also to move his muscles again and started thrashing in Poseidon's grasp, trying to get out. Telemachus tried to claw and bite at him, but nothing worked. Poseidon just tightened his grip, making Telemachus feel all his bones were going to be crushed. Telemachus could feel himself slowly going unconscious from the fear and the pain.
"Let him go!" Telemachus heard a voice yell that he was able to register that it was his father.
Poseidon chuckled, "Odysseus of Ithaca!" he bellowed.
"Let him down!" Odysseus said sternly, "Or do you want to have a repeat of last time?"
Telemachus could feel Poseidon flinch a bit, but quickly regained his composure. "Do not taunt me, I should have done this months ago!" Posedion then brought his hand up to Telemachus' face.
"Don't!" Odysseus said desperately, "He is not responsible for my faults. Haven't you already had enough vengeance!" Telemachus then noticed that his father was wielding his bow that he had not used since the suitors. Huh. Telemachus was just trying to comfort himself with thoughts of anything other than the pain and fear he was in.
"No," Poseidon said coldly. Then he brought up his finger with his long jagged nail and struck across both a Telemachus' eyes.
At first, Telemachus did not feel a thing; he did not even notice it was happening when it happened, he just heard the distant scream of his father.
Then he felt a searing pain on his face like someone had poured lava all over it. He felt warm all over and wondered if the pain would make him pass out immediately. He felt a warm liquid pour down his face as he felt something being violently ripped out of his face.
It felt to him like this was going on for hours when it was probably only a few seconds.
Then he distantly felt his body fall to the ground, but that pain was nothing compared to what he was feeling all over his body. He felt a dark haze fall over his mind, and the distant voices of his mother and father as he passed out.
The last thing he thought of was that he was never able to finish watching the sunset.