Chapter Text
Dinner was lovely, my beautiful wife had prepared my favorite meal for the celebration of my arrival. Things seemed peaceful, my family was together for the first time in 20 years, we were smiling, laughing, talking. I missed them so much.
“Hey, dad?” Telemachus said softly. His eyes not quite reaching mine. “How- Um… what do you think of the news?”
The table seemed to freeze, Penelope set down her fork and sucked in a breath, Telemachus looked from me to her. Everything stilled.
“What news?” I asked, my voice and eyes hardening. After Eurylochis, I didn’t appreciate secrets.
Penelope looked away, “let’s just enjoy this dinner.”
I turned my attention to her, “Penelope, look at me.”
With a heavy sigh she turned to me, her eyes heavy with worry. “Please, just one dinner.”
I brought my hand over hers that rested on the table. “Okay, but please tell me the truth after.”
I kept my soft grip over hers while we returned to conversation. Telemachus had plenty of questions to distract us.
“So, did you meet Zeus?” Telemachus asked with wide curious eyes.
“Mm, yes…” I replied and turned my head away. “He… was… Nevermind.”
Telemachus was clearly still curious but he didn’t push. “Okay! Did you really meet a cyclops?”
“Yes, I stabbed his in the eye.”
His eyes widened and his mouth dropped, “really!”
“Yeah.”
—after dinner—
“So, who’s going to tell me about ‘the news?’”
Penelope shrunk a bit, “please don’t be angry.”
“Angry?”
“Please, promise.”
“Alright, I promise I won’t get mad at you or Telemachus.”
She looked up, “no, please promise to not be mad at him either?”
“Him?”
“Him.”
“Who is he?”
“I can’t tell you, just promise. Please.”
“Sorry, my love. I promise you both will be safe.”
She sighed heavily, accepting the answer. “He’s in here.”
I rounded the corner to find the large closet. Penelope took a step to the side, letting me open it.
I grasped the copper handle, twisting gently. My eyes met those of the quivering body on the ground. I was filled with hot rage.
“You.” I spat like a slur.
Penelope followed to me, grabbing my shoulder. “Dear, please.”
My shoulders shook from rage. I reached out and grasped his throat. I threw my body over his, pinning him as I choked him.
He cried through my grasp on his windpipe. I couldn’t hear anything else, just the disgusting gurgling sound he made as his weak hands reached around my own.
Penelope’s cries faded out with Poseidon’s. His hands fell to his sides. I released my own, warm liquid coating both them and my cheeks. I reached up to my cheeks, tears.
Penelope wrapped her arms around my shoulders, sobbing into my shoulder as silent tears poured from my own eyes. Telemachus watched from the corner, mouth agape at the scene.
Penelope whispered softly in my ear, “please, please let me explain.”
I wiped my tears away and turned for an explanation. “Why is he here?”
“Zeus, he failed Olympus.”
“That doesn’t explain much, please tell me the truth.”
“I don’t know.” She choked out, “that’s all he told us.”
I turned my attention back to the barely breathing god. I slapped him firmly on the face.
His head rolled back from the force. His eyes slowly opened after. “W-what…?”
The moment he met my cold eyes he threw himself back, trying to get as far away as possible.
I reached forward, grabbing him by the neck. My grip wasn’t meant to choke, just to clearly display who was in control here.
“Tell me what you want.” I spat.
“P-please…”
“That doesn’t answer my fucking question. What are you doing here?”
He shook his head, tears poured in a quick stream now.
I tightened my grip on his neck.
He gasped and quickly choked out, “Zeus- h-he made me. I- I failed after our fight. Please- don’t hurt me.
“Why are you here?” I demanded.
“A-as punishment I have to serve your family for life.” He sobbed.
I took a moment to respond, “serve us? Like a slave?”
“Yes…” he cried.