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Eurylochus was tired of his best friends. One day, he was hanging out with Polites, and somehow Poli ended up ranting about something ‘adorable’ Odysseus had done. The next day, Odysseus was sighing over ‘his light’. Yet, whenever Eurylochus tells them to just confess their love to the other, they swear it’s nothing more than a ‘strong friendship’.
Eurylochus wasn’t having it.
And so, he devised a plan.
Odysseus walked out of the clearing he had been training in, wiping sweat from his brow. Athena had done a full day of sparring, leaving him breathless and exhausted. He walked shakily along the path, trying to regain his stamina as he headed over to the river to wash off.
A while away, Eurylochus and Polites were waiting for Odysseus to return. Eurylochus had thought up a perfect plan. A bit before, Eury had shown Polites a beautiful section of the forest, filled with flowers and a small stream. Eurylochus and Citimine loved to stargaze there, and Eurylochus knew what the first thought that came to Polites would be.
“Oh wow, I have to show this to Ody!”
And so the two hurried back to where they knew Odysseus would emerge from the brush, hair still dripping and his sword in its sheath around his waist. He had a few new cuts and bruises, but looked normal as ever.
Polites, overreacting as usual, rushed over to his ‘best friend’ and fussed over his wounds, eyes wide with a mix of panic and affection, as if he had spotted a wounded animal in need of care. “What were you and Athena even doing to get this?!” He says, gesturing to the bloody cut along Odysseus’s nose.
Odysseus shrugged, “She just grazed me with her sword, I’m surprised it’s not deeper.”
Polites splashed some water onto the wound and furiously dabbed at it with his shirt, the fabric clinging to his palm, “It sounds like you want it to be deeper!”
Eurylochus rolled his eyes at their usual banter, then stepped into the next part of his plan. “Well, I’ll see you guys some other time. I haven’t eaten since this morning, and my mom wants me home around sunset anyway.”
Odysseus's eyes narrowed slightly, “She’s never said that be-” Polites cut him off, “What if I forget the way to the place?” He pouts, making Ody look even more confused.
“I’m sure you’ll be fine,” Eurylochus said before walking off, leaving the two other boys alone at the edge of the woods.
Polites straightened himself and stepped away from Odysseus, making sure that all his wounds were covered. After reassuring himself, Poli grinned and grabbed Odysseus’s hand, causing Odysseus to flush the smallest bit, though Polites didn’t notice, of course.
“Come on, I want to show you something!” Polites said, staring at Odysseus with those wide, gorgeous eyes. Ody smiled back and let Polites lead him through the forest, on some winding trail. Poli skidded to a halt once they reached a small clearing, and Odysseus let out a gasp.
The area was a plethora of colors, vibrant wildflowers swaying gently in the breeze, their sweet scents mingling with the crisp spray of a small stream. The sunset filtered through the stray leaves above, dappling shadows onto the soft, mossy ground. Odysseus found his gaze traveling from the spector to settle on someone that, for some reason, his brain found more beautiful than the entire world. Polites’s skin was aglow in the sunlight, his eyes like liquid gold in the rays. His curls were gently flowing in the wind, and suddenly, Odysseus was much more conscious of their intertwined fingers.
Polites suddenly plopped down onto the grass, pulling Odysseus down with him, causing the older boy to almost fall over—and instead fall into Polites. Polites laughed as Odysseus started away, face heating. Somehow their fingers managed to stay connected through that whole thing.
“Struggling?” Polites teased.
Odysseus mock-glared at him, but a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “You’re insufferable, my light.” He said, nudging Polites gently in the shoulder.
Polites felt his face redden at the nickname, as it always did. “Same to you, my… rock…” He stammered.
Odysseus’s eyebrow raised. “Because you’re strong- and- I’M TRYING HERE.” Polities leaned into Odysseus dramatically as the shorter boy cackled. “Don’t laugh at meee,” Polites pouted. Odysseus looked down at Polites, smiling fondly as they both shifted to be more comfortable. They ended up lying down, Polites curled in the crook of Ody’s neck, and Odysseus wrapping his arm around Polites, their hands still intertwined. They chatted for a while, Polites unaware of Odysseus’s rapidly reddening face. His curls brushed Odysseus’s chin, and the slight weight on his chest sank straight into his heart. Odysseus absentmindedly traced shapes onto Polites’s arm, letting his mind wander and his heart blossom.
After a while, the sun had fully set, and Poli began to slightly shiver. Ody sat up slightly, lifting Polites up at the same time. “Are you cold?” Odysseus asked, concerned. Polites moved slightly away to nod pitifully at Odysseus. Odysseus laughed, then undid his cloak, leaving him with only a thin shirt. It was Polites’s turn to look concerned, “Oh, but won't you be cold then?” Ody leaned forward, buttoning the cloak, “I’ll be fine.” He murmured, smiling warmly at Polites.
Polites stared at him, his almond-shaped eyes, his well-built muscles, his gorgeously smooth skin. Poli pulled him into a hug, unsure why he felt so appreciative, so… loving. Ody resisted out of shock for a second, though it shouldn’t be much of a surprise- Polites is pretty affectionate. Then why did it feel so different? Ody wrapped his arms around Polites and rested his head on the taller boy’s chest, feeling his face heat again. Polites’s curls draped around him as he squeezed Odysseus a little bit tighter, resting his head on Ody’s. Poli’s hands found Ody’s hair and began to softly twirl it around in his hands.
They stayed like that for a while, until Polites heard soft snores from the boy he had grown to care so much for. Ah… he must have been tired from training… Poli leaned them both back to lie down again, not wanting to let go of Odysseus or wake him. Polites stared at the ink-black sky, the small rumbles from Odysseys offering a warmth to the cold night air. Before he even knew what he was doing, Polites pressed a kiss to the top of Ody’s head. Polites’s heart skipped a beat when Odysseus stirred the smallest bit, but he only murmured into Poli’s chest, “I love you…” Polites gazed fondly at Odysseus.
“I love you too, my rock.”