#(lowkey based this off me and my long distance queer platonic partner. she's romantically dating as well and i am... so fine abt it)

[little-cereal-draws]

Hc that Polites has a massive squish (platonic crush) on Odysseus

a follow up to this post, this post, and this post. you don't need to read them to understand this post tho

It's difficult to explain because in a lot of ways it feels a lot like a romantic crush but it's not. He spent a few years when they were younger debating if what he was feeling was romantic or not but when he saw how Odysseus and Penelope acted, he knew that wasn't right. He had all the same intensity and the longing that they had but he just wanted to hang out, nothing more. It's a weird thing, to be laying in bed, kicking your feet, and giggling with joy like you've got a crush because you spent all day with your bestie but know that you never want it to go any further than that.

Admittedly, he was jealous when Odysseus was falling in love with Penelope. Who did this girl think she was?? Sure, she was smart, pretty, and talented but what about him? He had known Odysseus almost for their entire lives, did that mean nothing to him? Why would he not want to spend time with Polites in favor of this random girl he didn't even know existed until a few months ago??? It didn't make any sense. He was bitter and angry; he wanted to take it out on Odysseus by acting distant and closed off but he couldn't do it. He thought if he acted like he had other people he'd rather hang out with then Odysseus would realize what he was missing. But every time he came by, it felt so much better to let all the giddy affection that buzzed in his heart out. Polites found he didn't care one way or the other about Penelope when Odysseus was talking to him.

By the time Odysseus and Penelope got married, he had made peace with it. Penelope might be Odysseus' first choice now but that didn't mean that he would stop hanging out with Polites entirely. Seeing Odysseus' blinding smile as he celebrated with his new wife made everything worth it. If Penelope made him happy, Polites could be happy for him too. He finally stumbled home from the festivities feeling warm and content.

When Telemachus was born, it rekindled an aspect of his relationship with Odysseus that had been forgotten lately. His friend was stressed, sleep deprived, and bursting with love for his tiny son. Polites would let him lean on his shoulder while he rambled incoherently about how amazed he was that such a small person could fit so much poop in him. It melted Polites' heart that his friend felt so comfortable with him; that he would press into his side, half asleep, and finally let himself relax. Odysseus had always been very tactile in showing his affection for people, but it had been reserved more for Penelope lately. Polites' heart felt like it was going to beat out of his chest.

They sailed to Troy and the war slowly, very slowly, began. They stopped spending as much time together -Odysseus was needed by the kings- and as the years dragged on, Polites thought he had finally gotten over his feelings. The ones that Odysseus would unknowingly entertain but never understood the full depth of. When he laid in his tent at night and thought of his friend, no strong feelings came. Just two friends who enjoyed each other's company a normal amount. Honestly, he was fine with this. Odysseus wouldn't shut up about how much he missed Penelope even though Polites was right there with him and the unrequited yearning was starting to grow old. No matter how close they were or how much time they spent together, Odysseus would never return the level of feeling that Polites had for him.

After the ambush of Troy, the whole camp spent a night celebrating before they packed up to finally go back home. People were drinking, singing, making sacrifices to the gods, and admiring their new treasures. Everyone was having a good time- except Odysseus. He stumbled into Polites' tent and collapsed to his knees. Polites was by his side in an instant, pulling him into his arms so he wouldn't completely fall. His friend sobbed and sobbed as Polites gently rocked him back and forth. He didn't know where this had come from, not a single man under Odysseus' command had died, but he would spend as long as he needed to comforting his friend. Odysseus eventually cried himself to sleep, still in his armor and still in his arms. As Polites gently laid him down on his mat, his heart gave another kick of longing. It startled him -he thought he was over this- but when Odysseus refused to let go of his hand, even in sleep, he decided that he was more than happy to get pulled back in headfirst.

They start the trip back home. Time was running out until Odysseus is distracted by Penelope again. If Polites ever wanted Odysseus to feel the same way about him, he needed to do something now. But he wasn't sure what to do; he didn't want to do anything besides what they're already doing. Hanging out, talking, teasing each other, etc. He jumped at the chance to explore the island alone with him and to cheer him up. He was still not sure why Odysseus was upset but if he could help him... then maybe that'll be the thing that finally get Odysseus to return his feelings. It's a long shot but he had to try. And if not, then he still got to spend a day with his friend, making him feel better.

The club came from above and Polites didn't see the shadow until it was too late. There was a split second of wind in his hair. Then pain. So much pain. He was sure his ribs were piercing through his lungs. He doesn't remember calling out for Odysseus. He doesn't remember reaching out for him either. He only remembers the look of terror on his friend's face and the tears already pouring down his cheeks.