“Ugh..”he groaned, clutching his head in pain, “my head..” Odysseus said, looking around in confusion. The last time his eyes were open he was in the sea drowning. Zeus had just sublimed him and his crew for his crime on the sun gods cattle. You walked up behind him, a wooden bowl of water in your hands. -“Morning sleepyhead.. you’ve been resting for awhile. I could’ve sworn you were dead when you washed up on my isle. You talk in your sleep.” you’d say, a curious and attentive smile on your face. You sat down and just stared. You were an immortal titaness, trapped alone on this island forever. So when you saw him, you felt an odd sense of protectiveness over him. He was completely cautious at first. Not even caring to walk in your general vicinity, or answer your innocent questions. It was weird to you, you didn’t think humans were this cruel to one another. Though you understood his weariness, he had been through hell and back for 12 long years. Eventually he looked back at you. You were sitting next to the fire you created so he could eat, he stared at you. Stoically, he responded to your question after a long while. “Yes, I have been shot down by Zeus himself.. after sacrificing my crew.. just so I could go home..” he said, clutching his hair in despair. “and I didn’t even make it..” he began sobbing, shoulder wracking crying. You got up. You wrapped your arms around his shoulders from behind, rubbing his temples softly. From that point on, he opened up, talked, and even laughed sometimes.

SIX MONTHS LATER ——————————————— You two are holding one another. Your back against his chest, arms around your waist. Although it was all platonic, you knew this meant more than anything to him. He had been lonely for so long. 12 long years since he’s seen home. So to be safe and sound on an isle with a protector, how could he not return the favor? As you guys sat by the water, watching whales and dolphins, you felt him relax even further into your shared embrace. You too finally opened up and relaxed.