#ft. hermes | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

amazingmsme · 7 months ago

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Something Lost, Something Gained

AN: This fic was so much fun to write y’all have no idea! Just a lil birthday treat for myself because I’m in desperate need for more epic fics. Starts out kinda sad, but definitely doesn’t stay that way! I love these silly men so so so much!

Today's date crept up far sooner than Odysseus could've imagined, and when he made the realization, it hit him like a ton of bricks.

Today was Telemachus's 10th birthday. 10 long, arduous years spent away from his family. 10 long years Penelope had to raise their son alone. 10 long years without a father...

Odysseus slammed his fork on the table, making everyone jump and all conversation cease as the captain shoved his plate away, "I'm not hungry. Feel free to help yourself."

Polites watched, dumbfounded as Odysseus stormed away for seemingly no reason. When he turned back, Elpenor had already claimed Odysseus's plate as his own.

Polites stood to follow, hesitating as he looked at the table. He shoved his plate over to Eurylochus. "Watch my plate, I'll be right back." As he walked away, Elpenor already made a grab at his plate just for show. Eurylochus created a protective wall around both plates with his arms, hunched over and shoving Elpenor away with every attempt.

Polites followed him to the upper deck. He was stood at the front railing of the ship, staring at the horizon.

"So... wanna tell me what all that was about?" he asked, trying to keep his tone light.

"Not really."

"Well that's okay, you don't ha-"

"It's Telemachus's birthday," Odysseus suddenly spoke, cutting him off. Polites blinked in surprise at the unexpected confession.

"Oh."

"Yeah. Oh."

"You know, you're allowed to be upset about missing out," Polites said, resting a gentle hand on his shoulder. Odysseus heaved a heavy sigh.

"But it's not just this one. I've missed all of them," he spoke through clenched teeth, and he gripped the railing so hard his knuckles turned white. Polites lowered his hand to rest atop Odysseus's.

"Not by choice though. And he knows that," Polites insisted as his friend looked at him with sad, tired eyes.

"Does it make a difference if he's never even seen my face?" he asked, voice barely above a whisper.

"I think it does..."

"Yeah, well... I don't." He pushed away from the railing, starting to walk away when Polites called out to him.

"Odysseus, wait!"

Said man stopped in his tracks, slowly turning to face his friend. When Polites didn't speak, Odysseus gave a confused shrug, tossing his hands in the air as he waited for an answer. He finally found the words he'd been searching for.

"Telemachus knows you love him."

A painful sob lodged itself in Odysseus's throat, large enough to choke him. "How?"

"You don't think Penelope told him every day? That she didn't make sure that he knows you didn't have a choice?" Polites asked, desperate to get through to him.

His shoulders sag, "I do, but-"

"But what?"

"I don't wanna get my hopes up."

"Odysseus, please-"

"I've missed his entire life, Polites. A kid doesn't just forget that sort of thing. It hurts." Odysseus took a shaky, shuddering breath. "And I wouldn't blame him if he hates me for it."

Polites felt his heart break just a little hearing the words leave his friend's lips. "You can't say that!"

"Why not? He has every reason to resent me!" he exclaimed, holding his arms out to the side dramatically to make his point.

"Only if you give him one!" Polites argued, and for once in his life, Odysseus shut up. "But I know you won't. Because you're a good person Odysseus," he insisted, even as he snorted and looked away. "You're a good captain, and an even greater friend," he started, smiling when he saw the hint of a blush grace his friend's cheeks, so he continued. "I wouldn't really know, but I assume you're a good husband," he took the opportunity to tease, relishing in the way Odysseus chuckled and shoved his shoulder. "So I know you're going to be an amazing father," he finished off by gripping his friend by the arm, pulling him close to press their foreheads together. "I just know it."

They stayed like that for a few seconds before Odysseus pulled away, patting him on the shoulder. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"Now go finish your food before someone else does."

Polites chuckled at his attempt at a joke, relieved to see the hint of a smile on his face, however small it may be.

"Whatever you say Captain."

~~~

The rest of the day went on as usual with everyone carrying out their daily tasks. Most of the crew seemingly forgot about Odysseus's earlier outburst, much to his relief. But he still made a point to avoid as many people as possible. He couldn't trust himself not to snap.

Eurylochus had been watching the captain from afar, having sensed something was wrong, but not wanting to pry. So he kept his distance, observing every sigh, every downtrodden glance. He knew it wasn't really in his place to ask.

So he went to the only person who would.

"So... what's eating him?" he asked, sidling up next to Polites and nodding in the direction of their captain. He followed his gaze and sighed.

"I don't really know if I should say. But, it's just you, I don't think he'd be too upset," he said, biting his lower lip in thought. He leaned in, motioning for Eurylochus to do the same.

"Today is his son's birthday, and it's really getting to him."

"I see," Eurylochus nodded in understanding. "That would be hard on anyone."

"Yeah, but he seemed really torn up about it," Polites said, tracing the wood grain beneath his fingers. "I just wish there was a way to cheer him up."

Eurylochus watched him from the corner of his eye. "Maybe there is."

~~~

They waited until after dinner to execute their plan, noticing the way Odysseus skipped that meal as well. They went about the ship, gathering the needed supplies for their surprise. When Odysseus would get close to catching them, they'd take turns causing a distraction. Finally, they were ready.

"Odysseus, can you come here for a second? I need to show you something," Polites said casually so as not to stir suspicion.

"Of course. Everything alright? I feel like I've barely seen you today," he noted. Polites felt his heart race in his chest, hoping Odysseus hadn't caught on.

"Yup, everything's fine! Just been busy, that's all," he said, guiding him below deck, stopping in front of a familiar door.

Odysseus arched a brow, barely holding back a smirk.

"You brought me to my room?" he asked skeptically, though clearly amused to some degree.

"Just go inside!"

"What? You telling me I need to go to bed or something?" he teased, but opened the door nonetheless.

He was greeted by scraps of rope tied in fancy knots hanging from the ceiling, a wine barrel, and... Eurylochus with a plate of food?

"Um... what's all this?" he asked, looking between the two with a bewildered smirk.

"A party!" Polites exclaimed. "What's it look like?"

"Not like any party I've ever seen," he taunted, finally stepping inside, closing the door behind him.

"We had to work with what we have," Eurylochus explained, lips tugging into a smile as he held out the plate of food. "Here, thought you might be hungry."

"Thanks," he accepted the food and sat on the edge of his bed, facing his friends. "You know, you didn't have to do this."

"Obviously! We did it because we care about you!" Polites chirped, taking a seat next to his friend while Eurylochus sat on the floor, leaning back against the desk.

"And we don't like seeing you upset," Eurylochus added. "So we thought you could use some cheering up," he said truthfully.

"I guess a little fun wouldn't hurt," he admitted. Polites snorted, nudging their shoulders together.

"Well don't sound so happy about it!" he teased, poking fun at his reluctant response. He chuckled and shoved him away as he took a bite of jerky.

"Oh I won't, believe me," he shot back, but he was already starting to loosen up.

He really started letting go after a few glasses of wine. Needless to say, they were getting rather loud and rambunctious as the night wore on. They passed around a cup, dipping it straight from the barrel. They laughed and shared stories, the sounds of their merriment faintly echoing down the hall, grabbing the attention of a certain passerby.

"Having a party without me?" Elpenor asked from the doorway before inviting himself in.

"Not at all! Just a... private little engagement," Polites slurred before breaking off into giggles as he bumped into Elpenor when sat amongst them.

"Well, care for one more?"

Odysseus shrugged, handing him the cup. "Sure, I don't see why not. The more the merrier, right?" He was met with a drunken chorus of agreement.

"Couldn't agree more," Elpenor said before downing the cup's contents, starting to play catch up. Before he knew it, he was just as drunk as the rest of them.

"So, you feeling any better?" Polites asked during a lull in conversation.

"You know what? I am, actually," Odysseus admitted freely, a wide smile stretched across his face. Polites and Eurylochus shared a proud look, clasping their hands together in a moment of mutual celebration and gratitude.

"And here I was, wondering what the hell you two were planning," Elpenor shook his head with a chuckle. "You could've asked me for help!" he whined, stretching out to nudge Eurylochus's leg with his foot.

"That would've been counterintuitive, we were trying to keep it a surprise," he taunted, smirking at the scoff that left his lips.

"You guys really didn't have to do this," Odysseus said in a slightly softer voice, head angled down towards the floor so he didn't have to look at anyone directly. "Thank you."

"You're welcome!" Polites exclaimed before tackling him in a hug. Elpenor piled on top, dragging Eurylochus in after him because it just wouldn't feel right leaving him out.

"By the Gods, you're crushing me!" Odysseus wheezed out through drunken chuckles.

"What's that? Crush you more?" Eurylochus asked, pressing more of his body weight against the dogpile. He was met with a slew of groans and a shrieky, "Don't you dare!"

"Okay, okay," he relented, starting to crawl off of them, Elpenor following suit.

Polites started to sit up, resting a hand on Odysseus to push himself up. His hand slipped and shoved itself under his arm and Odysseus immediately barked out a laugh, pressing his arm to his side, "Noho don't!"

Polites sat up, hold his hands out as a sign of surrender. "Sorry, it was a genuine accident."

"Yeah, that's what you always say," Odysseus accused, and a curious Elpenor popped over Polites's shoulder.

"What's an accident?" he asked, looking between the two.

"My hand slipped and I guess it tickled," Polites answered casually, as if this wasn't the best news Elpenor had ever heard.

"Oh, you guess," Odysseus couldn't help but mock under his breath, but Elpenor talked right over him.

"You mean he's ticklish and you didn't fucking tell me?" he exclaimed, voice cracking slightly in his drunken state. He reached out and shoved Polites as "punishment" for keeping such valuable information from him. He was already reaching out for him, and Odysseus tucked his knees to his chest just in time before he could latch on.

"Elpenor, no," he warned, but there was a wide, nervous smile stretched across his face. He held his arms in front of himself protectively, quick to smack away the approaching hand.

"Elpenor yes!" he exclaimed, giggling at the way Odysseus crawled away from him.

"Seriously! I'm too drunk to try an' fight you off," he slurred, kicking a leg out to keep him at bay.

"That sounds like a perfect opportunity to me," he chirped, not deterred in the slightest. Odysseus tried to scramble to his feet to make a run for it, but as soon as he stood on his knees, Eurylochus gently shoved him back down.

"Traitor, the hell's that for?"

"Thought maybe we could cheer you up," he shrugged, not even bothering to hide his smirk.

"But you already did!" he tried to justify, but his pleas fell on def ears.

"Maybe we just want you to be extra happy!" Polites teased, slinging an arm around his shoulder, ruffling his hair as he did so.

Odyssues brushed him off. "You started this..." he accused, though he didn't sound mad.

"Technically Elpenor did," Polites corrected.

"Yeah, don't give him credit!" he mock scolded, reaching out to poke his stomach. He flinched away with a slight giggle, a hand reaching down to shove him away while the other hid his wine-flushed face and bright smile. Encouraged, Elpenor poked him again, and again in rapid succession until Odysseus fell on his side in a fit of bubbly, drunken giggles.

"I can't believe I've been afraid to get revenge all this time! You have a lot to answer for!" he teased, scribbling from his sides to his stomach. He looked at the other two and scoffed, "What are you waiting for? An invitation?"

"No no no dohohohon't lihihisten to hihihim!" Odysseus pleaded, but the smile on his face was too encouraging for his friends to listen.

"We're just gonna make sure that good mood is here to stay," Polites reasoned, shooting him a playful wink.

"It will! I promise!"

Eurylochus chuckled as he ruffled his hair, even using him to lean against, "For some reason, I seriously doubt that."

"You too, Eurylochus?" Odysseus huffed and pulled away, causing him to stumble slightly.

"Hey!"

"Hey yourself! Three against one is so unfair!" he whined in hopes of masking his giddy excitement.

"You're so right, three against one is pretty unfair, isn't it?" Elpenor asked with mock sympathy. Odysseus eyed him skeptically leaning as far from him as possible.

"Um... why are you agreeing with me?"

Elpenor placed a condescending hand on his shoulder as he shook his head slowly, "Oh Odysseus, you're not too drunk to remember all the times you three ganged up on me, are you?"

Memomories came flooding back in a fuzzy haze; ones of Elpenor pinned to the ground, screaming for mercy through shrill hysterics. A sly, proud grin found its way to the captain's lips.

"Yeah, but you make for such an easy target," he taunted. Elpenor's jaw dropped in shock at the sheer audacity before he lurched forward, latching onto his sides with scribbling fingers. He was way too drunk to have any hope of holding back his laughter as bright, carefree cackles fell past his lips. He was apologizing profusely the very moment he touched him.

"You know, if you wanted me to just start, all you had to do was ask," Elpenor spoke smugly. Odysseus shook his head, slapping away exploring hands.

"Nah, he just likes to dig his own grave. Right Captain?" Eurylochus asked, scratching the nape of his neck. Odysseus snapped his head back with choked back snickers, his nose scrunched adorably.

"Ihihi dohoho nohohot!" he cried, somehow even his mirth sounds indignant as he complained weakly.

"Come on Odysseus, you know you kinda do," Polites teased, squeezing his knee and drawing out a snort.

"Wait wait, do that again!" Elpenor demanded. Polites grinned as he repeated the motion, and another giggly snort escaped their friend.

"Oh, you didn't know he did that?"

"No," Elpenor practically purred, cocking his head to look at the giggly mess their captain had become. "I didn't. And you were giving me a hard time," he taunted, scratching behind his other knee. Odysseus kicked his legs frantically, burying his face in his hands to hide from the giddy embarrassment.

"A-ahahat least mine's ahaha normal spohohot!" he snapped through his hysterics.

"Hey, don't bully him, you fucking hypocrite!" Polites mock scolded, managing to trap his foot in a headlock. The obvious move would be to go for the sole of the foot, but his fingers stopped just short, tracing slow circles around his ankle. Odysseus tugged on his trapped leg with renewed strength, helpless snickers tumbling out. Though no matter which way he thrashed, their hands remained glued to his skin.

Elpenor made note of where Polites was tickling and arched a brow, glancing at Odysseus with a look that was half skeptical, half severely amused. "Ankles? Really?"

"S-shuhuhut UHUHUP!" he cried, screeching when he drilled his thumbs in his hips in retaliation.

"I wouldn't be so bossy if I were you."

"You know what? I agree!" Polites exclaimed, grabbing ahold of his other leg to give his left ankle the same treatment.

"You ahahasshole!" he yelped as blunt nails traced thin skin stretched over bone. Polites let out an exaggerated gasp at his words.

"Excuse me?" he asked, and by the playfully indignant tone in his voice, Odysseus knew he was in trouble. "I throw my best friend a party to cheer him up, and I'm an asshole?" Polites growled, squeezing up his calves.

Odysseus arched his back with a surprised squeal, kicking and thrashing as much as he could, but he remained pinned. Maybe if he weren't so drunk, he would've stood half a chance.

"Wow," Eurylochus tutted, shaking his head, but it was downed out by Elpenor's sarcastic little quip, "Some crimes can never be forgiven."

Both Elpenor and Odysseus giggled at the joke while Polites shared a fondly annoyed look with Eurylochus.

"Aren't they just a piece of work?" Polites asked, hands resting on his hips to give Odysseus a break.

"Little bit," Eurylochus agreed with a warm smile, chuckling at the tandem cry of "Hey!" that their words sparked. He returned to the task at hand, lightly pinching up and down Odysseus's ribs, making him yelp and twist side to side.

"Nohoho dohon't!" he giggled, tugging on his trapped arms.

"Give me a good reason why I shouldn't," he bargained, not even bothering to hide his smirk.

"Oho come ohohohon!" Odysseus whined, tossing his head back in frustration. "It tickles, that's why!" he snapped, but the flush to his cheeks and wide grin took away any bite his words would've had.

"Do not let him off that easy!" Elpenor exclaimed, delivering a barrage of pokes and scribbles to his belly. Odysseus buried his face in the crook of his arm, desperate to hide the deep chuckles and snorts that escaped their usual prison.

Eurylochus raised a brow at Elpenor's adamant insistence. "And why not, exactly?"

"He's so mean to me!" he exclaimed, borderline whining.

"You deserve ihihit most of thehe time!" Odysseus spoke up through choked back giggles.

"More like only half!" Elpenor corrected, kneading his sides to effectively make him shut up. If he could talk, they weren't doing their job right. In his opinion, anyway. His hands traveled down, relentlessly squeezing his hips before moving on to his thighs.

Odysseus snorted and threw his head back as carefree belly laughs escaped his lungs. His feet drummed against the floor and he bucked for any kind of leverage.

“Nohot there, NOHOHOT THERE! Elpenor stohoHOHOP!” Odysseus shrieked as he squeezed just above his knees. He relented and decided to trace the backs of his knees, which might as well be just as bad.

“So, are you having fuuuun?” Polites asked, leaning in with a teasing grin as his fingers slipped inside his sandals, tickling the trapped soles. Odysseus kicked and cackled in response.

“Whahahat?” he cried out, cheeks flushing almost as dark as the wine they drank.

“He definitely sounds like he’s having fun,” Elpenor chimed in.

“But you’re not still sad anymore, right? Did we tickle it out of you yet?” Polites continued to tease, scratching his arch with blunt nails.

“Ohoho fuck you, yehehes, okahahay? I’m hahahappy you sahadistic assholes!” he yelled through his laughter, and they finally showed mercy. He curled in a protective ball as residual giggles stumbled out.

“That’s all we ever wanted,” Polites chirped, doing a poor job hiding how smug he felt as he threw his arms around his friend in a bear hug, nuzzling into his neck. Odysseus giggled and scrunched his neck, shoving him away by the face.

“Speak for yourself! That little shit wanted nothing but revenge,” he pointed an accusatory finger at an admittedly very guilty Elpenor.

“Yeah, and I still got a lot to make up for,” he promised, smirk firmly in place.

“Seriously though. Did you like your party?” Polites asked, worrying his bottom lip between his teeth.

“I really did,” Odysseus nodded, a softer smile finding his face. He glanced up, looking at his three friends. “You didn’t have to do all that.”

“What can we say? That’s what friends are for,” Polites shrugged and returned his warm smile.

“Just- yeah. Thanks.”

“Anytime.”

“Yeah, seriously, anytime,” Elpenor butted in, skittering a few fingers across his belly. Odysseus jerked away with a surprised shriek as he grappled with the hands.

He managed to snatch one up and scribble over his palms, sending him into a panicky giggle fit as a string of apologies fell past his lips. Odysseus let him go, snickering to himself when he heard Elpenor mutter under his breath, rubbing at his hand.

“Well, it’s pretty late. Guess we should all turn in for the night,” Eurylochus spoke up when he saw Odysseus yawn, which sparked a chain reaction. Only now did it set in how bone tired they truly were.

They stumbled to their feet, beginning the drunken bumbling walk to their respective rooms. Polites lingered in the doorway, watching Odysseus with fond look in his eyes that was mirrored back at him.

“I really meant it. Thank you. For… everything,” he admitted, ducking his head as that creeping blush returned. “I uh. I needed that.”

Polites grinned wider and shrugged. “I know.”

“Yeah yeah,” he waved him off, before the realization set in. “Wait, what?”

“G’night see ya tomorrow byeeeee!” Polites rushed out his words before rushing out the door. Odysseus rolled his eyes, knowing he’d get back at them tomorrow. Which was technically today. Damn was he tired after that…

But there was one last thing he needed to do. He didn’t know if it would work, if he’d even hear him, or even agree to this favor. Still, he knelt in the center of his room, a few pieces of paper and a toy wooden horse spread out before him. He pressed his hands together, taking a deep breath. He closed his eyes and prayed.

“Hermes, if you can hear me… All I ask is for you to deliver this to my family. I haven’t seen them in what feels like forever, and today is my son’s birthday. And, well… I just thought it would be nice for him to have a gift from his father.”

He heaved a sigh and stood, making his way to his bed. He collapsed face down, falling asleep almost immediately.

Sometime in the middle of the night, a cloaked figure snuck into his room. An answer to a prayer.

Hermes nearly tripped over some of the fallen decorations, but he swiftly managed to avoid them. It didn’t take him long to find what he was looking for. He folded the letters and picked up the hand carved toy. He studied it for a moment, running his hands over the smooth wood.

“You did good. Think he’ll really love it,” Hermes praised aloud, though he knew Odysseus couldn’t really hear him. He dropped the items in his satchel, walking over to the unconscious man. He squatted down so he could be more level with him. His snores were loud and deep, indicating a peaceful slumber after such an ordeal.

“You have some good friends, I hope you know,” he mused, glancing at his sleeping form, noticing the gentle smile that still lingered. He chuckled and shook his head, “Oh who am I kidding, of course you know.”

He stood up, slinging his satchel over his shoulder. “Well, I guess I won’t keep your son waiting.” And with that, he left, dashing into the night.

When Odysseus awoke, he immediately noticed the offerings he’d laid out were gone. He smiled to himself, sitting up in bed as he sent out a silent prayer in thanks.

And in a palace across the seas, Telemachus woke up to a new toy sitting on his bedside table, along with a written letter from his father.