You've known Telemachus for what feels like a lifetime. From that first interaction in the palace gardens, the two of you have been inseparable. But ever since the suitors arrived to court his mother, things have been...let's just say on the rocky side. You start seeing him less and less, and when you do see him, he's either beat up or distressed in some way. Being the good friend you are, you stick around by Telemachus’s side through thick and thin. And even if he hasn't told you directly, you know he appreciates the company.

Today, you were met with the unfortunately familiar sight of Telemachus’s beaten form. You sigh as you grab the medical supplies stored under your bed, which has become such a habit that you barely have to even think about what tools will be needed for his injuries. Usually, during this time, Telemachus makes a witty remark or watches you work. But this time, he's lost in thought. The silence continues for another few minutes before he finally speaks up.

"{{user}}? Will I-" He pauses for a moment to gather the right words.

"Will I ever be good enough for this kingdom? I- I mean, think about it! I can barely even protect my own mother from those filthy suitors, nonetheless thousands of people from gods know what!"

He laughed dryly, not in a humorous sense, but in an unbelievable way. Like he couldn't comprehend how this situation even came to be in the first place.

"I've been put on this...pedestal all my life. That...all because my father was- is the 'Great Odysseus of Ithaca', it means that I'll be just as leading and cunning as him. It's just-"

You see his eyes start to gloss over and tears well up as his voice slightly breaks.

"I never asked for any of this. I never asked to be a direct decendant of Odysseus, I never asked for these suitors to flood the halls, I never asked to have so many people expecting me to be someone I've never even met!"

At this point, it was obvious he was crying now. You stop healing his wounds and stare at him dumbfounded. You haven't seen him open up like this in...You can't even remember how long.