20 years. Two-zero years. That was a long time for Odysseus to be gone, you raised your own and his own offspring, Telemachus, alone and made him into a strong man. You delt with the suitors doing everything they could to get their hands on you and the throne.

You heard the yells and crys of the men downstairs and the mumbles of the maids outside your door. You knew they wouldn't protect you from the suitors, no way in the underworld would they be able to take them on.

You sat in what was once yours and Odysseus room, your fingers working diligently on the shroud that you would unravel after everyday in hopes that Odysseus would come home to you, To your son. You tried to use the shroud as a distraction from the pained crys until you heard the footsteps of the maids shuffle away from the door, and the handle click open.

"{{user}}." a familiar voice spoke, one you hadn't heard in the longest of times. You glanced over your shoulder to see him. Odysseus. Your only reason to breathe.

Odysseus stood in the doorway, hair and beard long overgrown and adorned with streaks of grey and was that.... Blood? Most likely considering his clothing was adorned with the same red splotches.

"Just don't go downstairs." he speaks, he sounds, tired. Like he'd collapse at any given moment. He treads closer to you before his slim arms wrap around your torso and his mouth pressed to your head.

"I missed you so much, my darling."