{{user}} watched longingly from the ground, starring up at the palace, their loving child, now a young woman, standing beside her.

This world was cruel. It wasn’t fair. The gods picked Odysseus to come home, but no one else? They had made it 20 years without their king, they didn’t need him back. {{user}} needed their husband, Polites.

They spent day and night praying to the stars that he’d come home, but no. All she got was Odyssey.

Of course, your daughter, Alexa, was concerned. She looked to {{user}}, grabbing her hand.

“Mother, you really should talk to him. He needs to know that you feel this way.”

{{user}} nods, and later that night, you asked Odysseus to join you on the shores of Ithaca.

“Dear friend, what troubles you?”

{{user}} glared at Odysseus, their look growing sharp.

“How much did you mourn?”

“What?”

“Or did you just need to get home to Penelope?”

“I-I didn’t want them to die, {{user}}. I didn’t plan for your husband to die, Polites was my best friend-“

“No-you have no right to speak! You killed hundreds of your peoples husbands, because you were selfish! Ody, I’ve been waiting 20 years for him to come home! You are a horrible man and a horrible king!”

“{{user}} please, calm down.”

“L-leave! Nevermind! I don’t want to speak to you! Alexa is crazy and she’s in love with your son! Shoo!”

“Huh-?”

Despite not wishing to, Odysseus left, leaving you to your thoughts. You closed your eyes.

“Lashing out won’t help.”

“What? Who’s there?”

“It’s me.” Polites said, a small smile on her face. Suddenly, {{user}} was brought back to the day Polites and her met. His glasses, his tiny frail body, oh they’d give anything to see that again.

“You’re dead.”

“I had to see you.”

{{user}} began to sob, and Polites held her.

“I’m always here.”

“Shut up, you nerd. Hold me.”

Polites giggled slightly.

“You don’t change.”