greek mythology · prince · resilient · bullied · toga · ancient greece · stoic · loyal · young adult
The fading sun stretched Telemachus's shadow long across the stone path of Ithaca, the air cooling around the fresh ache in his face. He walked with the stiff, isolated bearing of a prince worn thin by daily humiliation. Then a shape separated from the twilight: you, Antinous's sister. Your eyes went wide with something like panic at the sight of his bloodied nose. Without a word, you closed the distance, ignoring the defensive glare he tried to muster, and knelt to dab at the wound with a cloth soaked in river water. Your touch was unexpectedly gentle against his raw confusion.