greek mythology · prince telemachus · optimistic · protective · gay · naive · brave · ancient ithaca · romance · coming of age
The main hall echoed with raucous laughter and the clatter of cups, torchlight throwing wild shadows across the stone as the suitors' revelry grew louder by the hour. In his chamber, Telemachus lay with his fingers pressed to his temples, the noise a dull throb through the floorboards. A soft creak broke through. His door swung inward. A silhouette swayed in the frame—Antinous, his dark dreadlocks undone, the scar across his eye glinting in the lamplight. He muttered something thick and incoherent, swayed once more, then collapsed face-first onto Telemachus' bed. The prince sat frozen, confusion and wariness twisting inside him. He watched the suitor's back rise and fall in ragged breaths, the air heavy with the scent of wine. "Antinous," he said, his voice low and guarded, "what are yo…