Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Night had fallen by the time Penelope finally managed to calm Clymie down. They'd found a more secluded side of the park and sat there. No more distractions or obstacles.

Agamemnon, Clytemnestra's boyfriend of almost a year at this point, had broken up with her. Why? Well... they didn't even know themselves, really. Clytemnestra had called Penelope at around 6.20 crying and of course, Penelope had rushed to the park, where Clytie was, immediately.

She came right on time too, considering that the minute she was near enough, Odysseus Laertes of all fucking people decided to show up.

He was the second biggest gossiper in school, just shy of first place, which was taken by Helen. He knew everything about everyone in school and no doubt would he spread the scene in front of him to everyone. Penelope had gotten Clytie out of there immediately.

She had let Nestra vent all her emotions, had stayed by her side throughout, had listened.

"Penny," Nestra started, wiping away her final tears, "Thank you, really, I- I don't know what I would've done had you not arrived."

"Probably deck Odysseus Laertes in the face," Her cousin replied.

The two shared a laugh before Penelope smiled softly back at her cousin and friend, cupping her cheek.

"But Clymie," She said, looking into her eyes, "always."

The words were uttered with such sincerity that Nestra's heart was warmed even more. Gods above, what had she done to deserve her friend?

They sat in silence for a few minutes, Penelope's arm around her shoulder. They should've all seen it coming, really. She remembered Clymie telling her that her boyfriend... well... ex boyfriend, how he was suddenly getting meaner and more aggressive. Penelope had a sudden realisation. She looked at her friend, worried.

*TW starts*

"Clymie," she asked, hesitant, "he never... he never forced you into anything, did he?"

Nestra probably saw the worry and rage growing on her face when she didn't get an answer, because after a few seconds, her eyebrows raised and she spoke quickly.

"No, no of course not," Nestra said, reaching out to her friend, clasping her hand, "I stand by my words. Maybe he was getting a bit more aggressive, but I have full trust that he would never do anything of the sorts. To me, or to anyone."

*End of minor TW*

Penelope smiled back, gently squeezing Clymie's hand. The moment was cut short, however, when the silence between them was broken by buzzing and chiming. Nestra looked down at her friend's pocket, eyebrow raised.

"Geez Penny, who's texting you?" She asked softly, amused.

"Well, whoever it is is very impatient-" She replied, smiling as she took her phone put of where she kept it, glad to see her friend smiling again.

She sighed.

"Oh, nevermind," She said, looking at the contact number, "that makes a lot of sense-"

Without elaborating further, she opened the chat.

••••

6.45pm

Drug dealer: you back yet?

Drug dealer: *deleted message*

Drug dealer: never mind ignore that

Drug dealer: *image*

Drug dealer: argos says hi btw :)

Drug dealer: srry

Drug dealer: ill let you deal with whatever youre dealing with now-

7.29pm

Drug dealer: hellooooo

Drug dealer: you there?

7.32pm

Drug dealer: guess not

Drug dealer: never mind

Drug dealer: enjoy life

Drug dealer: but mssg me once ur done

Drug dealer: I'm soooo boooorreedddd

8.37pm

*TW: Suicidal Thoughts*

Drug dealer: life fucking sucks

Drug dealer: like

Drug dealer: do you ever just wanna die

Drug dealer: cause maybe things are better in the afterlife

Drug dealer: cause theres no fucking point in life anymore

Drug dealer: and everyone that matters left the moment they could

Drug dealer: cause why tf would they stay for you

Drug dealer: and youre stuck and you cant escape like everyone else

Drug dealer: and its tiring

Drug dealer: and painful

Drug dealer: and you dont wanna live

Drug dealer: cause youre hurt

Drug dealer: and you want it to stop

Drug dealer: and you want everything to end

Drug dealer: cause whats the point

Drug dealer: cause everything hurts

Drug dealer: and... fuck

Drug dealer: fuck im so tired

••••

Penelope's heart stuttered, skipping a few beats.

What?

She'd been smiling and cooing at the picture of the dog a minute ago, but then she scrolled down.

Her eyes grew wide as she read through the rant she'd just received over text. Had she just read that properly?

Her mouth fell slightly open as she processed the messages. They were so... out of place...

He'd sent her a usual text a bit more than an hour ago, what had happened to him?

Wait... who was he? Penelope realised with a start. She'd been referring to him as 'drug dealer' and 'wrong number guy' in her head this whole time. She just realised, she doesn't know who this guy is. She hasn't even thought about it since the first time he'd started texting during... calypso's party? Was it?

Heck, it didn't really matter to her anymore up to this point. Sure, this guy was hella cocky and full of himself, maybe he swore too much and talked too much, but she found it... endearing. She found him, endearing. She'd enjoyed reading the texts, always found a smile on her face when she read a message from him. Sure, it got annoying sometimes when he started becoming self obsessed, but she did get used to it.

And she didn't even know who he was. Someone had texted her at eight thirty at night ranting to her about being sick of life, about being suicidal, had trusted her enough to do so and she didn't even know who he was.

••••

8.39pm

Drug dealer: fuck.

Drug dealer: fuck youre online

Drug dealer: you read that

Drug dealer: you read all of that

Drug dealer: FUCK

••••

Predicting his next move in a fit of half-panic, Penelope screenshotted the rant.

It was private, she knew that. It was personal and she shouldn't save it, but he needed help, and she wasn't going to let him suffer all alone. But if he deleted the whole thing there would be no proof of his struggle, no evidence that his problems were becoming unbearable and no one could help without that.

As she took the screenshot, her eyebrows furrowed.

He hadn't meant for her to see that?

Perhaps he thought she was still busy and was just looking for somewhere to let out his emotions. Maybe because she hadn't texted him back yet.

Well... if it was, unfortunately for him, he sent them at the exact wrong time.

The sentiment still remained though, the fact that he'd chosen her to send it to of all people said a lot.

Plus, she'd just finished calming Clymie down.

Unfortunately for him maybe, but it was the luckiest thing in the world for her.

••••

8.40pm

Drug dealer: *deleted 18 messages*

Drug dealer: *deleted 5 messages*

Drug dealer: ignore that

Drug dealer: please

Drug dealer: please ignore that

Drug dealer: that was bullshit srry

Drug dealer: it was nothing

Drug dealer: its nothing just

Drug dealer: ignore it really

Drug dealer: please

••••

She was right to screenshot the rant. Now, as she read the messages being sent frantically, a few tears leaked out from her eyes and her resolve hardened. She was going to find out who this guy was and she was going to help him.

She was going to give him a reason to live.

Chapter Text

"Penny?"

Penelope turned to her friend upon hearing the worried voice that spoke.

"It's nothing," she smiled softly, wiping away the tears from her eyes, "I'll explain to you and the others tomorrow, kay?"

Nestra calmed down ever so slightly, "You okay though?"

Penelope nodded, getting off the bench and gently brushed off her skirt before determinedly helping Clymie up from the bench.

"Come on," she smiled, "Let's get you home."

Nestra laughed, happily taking her cousin's hand. All her problems from a few hours ago forgotten.

As they continued walking back the way they came, Penelope was fully focused on her phone.

••••

8.45

Penelope: Um...

Penelope: Are you... okay?

Drug dealer: I am i am

Drug dealer: yea um...

Drug dealer: srry

Penelope: oh, well if you ever need to rant, you could always do that here

Penelope: I don't mind

Drug dealer: oh... um-

Drug dealer: thank you ?

Penelope: pulling back the topic a bit, argos is SO CUTEEE

Drug dealer: i KNEW youd be happy to get those pictures for free

Drug dealer: i was right! Penelope: yes yes, now gimme more

Drug dealer: could i get-

Penelope: before you ask, no i'm not giving you any homework

Drug dealer: damit

Drug dealer: hold up

Drug dealer: the doggies playing in the yard

Drug dealer: lemme go get him

••••

Penelope smiled down at the phone, happy for things to go somewhat back to normal between the two of them.

Plus, if she wanted to find out more about him, she'd have to at least pretend to not have thought about his deleted messages.

"Or maybe we could pay Helen and get blackmail on him!"

Penelope looked back up to her friend, who was walking beside her with a determined look in her eyes, the grief at the breakup seemingly gone from her as she plotted ways to get her revenge.

"You wouldn't have to pay Helen, Clytie," She laughed in reply, "Heck, I'd be surprised if she isn't looking through all of her various notebooks as we speak."

"Ooh, right!"

Penelope paused, thinking about it for a moment.

"Wait, nah. That won't work. You ask Helen to blackmail Agamemnon, Agamemnon gets Odysseus to do the same and sure, Helen might be the best gossiped in out school, but Odysseus definitely wins when it comes to actually getting information and secrets. He knows everything about everyone in school." She replied, a hint of rage in her eyes at the thought of him.

Gods, he better not spread what he'd seen earlier in the park, that little-

Nestra suddenly came to a full stop, fists clenching.

"You have got to be fucking kidding me-" she said, all but growling lowly.

Penelope immediately turned to her, ignoring whatever thoughts she just had.

"What?"

Nestra stared... no, glared, into the distance.

"Speak of the devil-"

Penny's head whirls in front of her. Nope. No, no fucking way-

"He's still here?!" She whisper-yells to her friend.

"Apparently," Nestra replied.

As if summoned, Odyssey fucking Laertes himself was sitting on the bench right where they'd left him earlier, where Nestra was sobbing uncontrollably a bit more than 2 hours ago.

Penelope let out a sigh, about to step forward before Nestra grabbed her arm.

"No," she said softly, "I... I can't talk with him, not after just now. Can we just, wait for him to leave?"

Penelope looked at her friend's face. Her hands were clamy where they grabbed hers, her eyes pleading. She looked so desperate-

"Sure," She sighed, smiling, albeit somewhat forcefully, "Come on, we'll wait."

The two sat down under a large tree, both texting their parents and friends of their whereabouts while keeping a lookout on the strategist of their school's soccer team from where they could see him, but he couldn't see them.

••••

8.52

Penelope: you got the dog?

Drug dealer: uh-

Drug dealer: he may or may not have run out the gate-

Penelope: OMGS

Penelope: what are you waiting for

Penelope: get the doggy!

Drug dealer: im trying!!

••••

Penelope smiled, rolling her eyes before continuing to look at the boy a distance away from the two of them, her hair flying in the gentle breeze blowing.

He was just lounging on the bench on his phone, in the park at 9pm at night? Could he not have chosen any other day?

Suddenly, as a cherry on the top, his phone started buzzing. Penelope groaned.

She listened as he accepted the call, before hearing a female voice on the other end. Video call then.

"Hey Ctimene," she heard him say into the phone.

Unable to hide her growing curiosity with annoyance, she looked up, now intrigued in the conversation about to take place. She saw Nestra doing the same.

"... what's wrong?"

The two exchanged confused glances. Huh?

"He didn't ... say... anything?" Clytie mouthed.

Penelope shrugged, turning back to Odyseus with her eyebrows furrowed.

"Nothing's wrong," he said in some form of false confusion, "Why?"

There was a silence on the phone and Penelope could imagine the girl on the other side of the call was giving him a face for whatever reason.

"Ody, you never call me Ctimene."

"It's your name-"

Pebelope scoffed. For a smart ass, that was dumb.

"You know what I mean, dummy."

She agreed with mystery girl, that was a horrible attempt at a rebuttal-

"So," The girl continued, "What's wrong?"

Both girls witnessing the call perked up. Odysseus Laertes was having a problem that he couldn't solve? That was new information for them, considering how much he loved boasting about his smarts and problem-solving capabilities.  

"It's nothing Ctime-Cece..." He stuttered slightly.

Well, shouldn't have expected more from him, never mind. Of course he's unable to put his ego behind him.

"Ody, please."

He sighed.

"It's just-"

He paused, looking left and right, ensuring no one was around. He didn't see the two of them due to the angle of the tree they were sitting under. His voice dropped lower and Penelope was just barely able to hear.

"Can I stay at your place tonight?"

Penelope was probably just tired, but a part of her could have sworn that his voice sounded almost... small, maybe. Weaker?

She shook her head, clearing her thoughts.

"Why'd he need to look around to see if anyone was around to ask that?" Nestra asked.

"I have no idea," she replied, equally as confused.

"And who the fuck is she?"

"Girl, your guess is as good as mine."

"His girlfriend?"

"Maybe," Penelope replied, actually thinking about it for a bit. It made sense, "I mean, I wouldn't be surprised."

"True."

When the two turned back, they realised they'd missed a bit of the conversation, because the next line uttered by Odysseus was "Thanks Cici."

He was smiling, so it was safe to say that the Ctimene girl had agreed.

"See you soon," she said before the call presumably ended, seeing as he put his phone down afterwards.

Suddenly, there was a bark from the bushes right beside them.

The two whirled around just in time to see a ball of fur running towards where Odysseus was sitting.

Penelope couldn't see the specifics of the dog due to the poor lighting, but it bounded up to the boy sitting on the bench and jumped onto his lap. She watched Odysseus start running his hands through it's fur gently.

"Hey boy," he said in a voice Penelope had never heard nor imagined him talking in.

Gods, that sounded... gentle. Loving almost.

But then again, your pets tend to bring the best of out of you.

"Awww," Nestra cooed, looking at the dog.

Penelope wholeheartedly agreed. She couldn't see the dog properly but from what she could, he was bloody adorable.

Everyone stayed as they were for a few more minutes and honestly, Penelope was starting not to mind watching the dog and his owner for a bit longer.

But the moment ended when when Odysseus finally stood up, brushing stray fur off his lap before turning to the dog and crouched down in front of him.

"Buddy," he said, scratching the back of his dog's ear soothing, "I'm going to Mimi's house, I want you to go home okay?"

The dog let out a whine.

The boy smiled sadly, "I know, boy. You know her apartment doesn't allow pets, but I... I guess I'll see you in a few days, kay?"

He paused as if waiting for the dog to register his words fully, then shook his head, smiling, before continuing.

"Remember, stay outa trouble. I saved you food, use that brilliant nose of yours and sniff it out. I love you."

He picked the dog up and hugged him close to his chest. After a minute, he put the dog back down and nodded. The dog licked his face one last time, earning a laugh, before starting to away.

Penelope was just staring, watching the moment, watching Odysseus Laertes act like a soft, loving person...

She never thought she'd see the day but it was good to know that he had more of a heart than she'd originally thought.

When the dog was far enough, Odysseus stood up and started walking the other direction with one last glance his dog's retreating form.

When he turned the corner, Nestra let out a quiet whoop.

"Finally," she said, getting up and stretching, "That was adorable and all, but I'd like to get back home now, thank you."

Penelope chuckled, standing up after her cousin and they slowly walked back to their homes.

Chapter Text

Penelope let out a breath of utmost relief when she finally saw the door of her house in the distance, worn out from the absolute wreck of emotions and experiences that she just had and felt within the last three hours.

Helen had jumped on Nestra when they'd knocked on the door to Clytie's house, immediately going into protective sister mode.

It reminded her of how Ctimene had reacted earlier-

"OH MY GODS ARE YOU ALRIGHT?! I swear to the gods and heavens ABOVE Nestra I will KILL HIM- HE DARES BREAK UP WITH YOU. HE DARES!! You know what, you don't DESERVE him ANYWAYS. THAT-"

"HELEN!"

Penny let out a laugh at her cousin's antics before waving goodbye to Nestra, fully agreeing.

Oh, they'd make Agamemnon Atreus PAY.

She opened the front door of her house to be greeted by her mother's worried face.

"Penny!" She cried, immediately rushing forward and capturing her daughter in a tight embrace.

"Mom, I'm okay," Penelope said gently, voice slightly strained due to the lack of air as her mum was hugging it out of her.

When her mother pulled back, she was immediately dragged to the dinner table.

"Come on," her mother smiled, "You missed dinner."

The girl groaned lovingly, letting herself be pulled by the arm when she caught a whiff of the food on the table. She hadn't eaten anything since lunch in school earlier, she realised as she sat down, her stomach starting to growl. She was starving.

As she wolfed down the pasta her mum made, she made a mental checklist of the things she had to do for the night.

Eat dinner, then go up to her room and find out everything she could about Mystery Boy Who Needed Her Help, also check in on Clytie cause who knew how she was after the adrenaline rush she'd had just now wore off.

She sighed.

This was going to be a long night...

Oh shit, Pallas' homework.

"UUGHH" Penelope yelled, flopping down on her bed the minute she spotted the paper on her desk.

Right. She had history homework. How did she FORGET that?!

She was NOT in the mood to do the homework for what might be her least favourite subject by a large margin.

She contemplated trying to give an excuse and just not doing it, but this was Pallas.

Nearly every student's least favourite teacher, mainly die to the fact that she was the school's discipline mistress but definitely not just that.

Every student is practically terrified of her due to how strict she is. She apparently took no excuse for homework being incomplete, unless it was extremely valid. No one dared go against the discipline mistress.

Penelope's level was the worst type of unlucky because before this year, she'd been gone for two whole years. Only now she came back. Pallas taught by cohort, going with a single cohort from Year 2 onwards. Penelope's cohort had just graduated front Year 1- it only made her hate the subject more...

She glanced at the clock writing 10.29 on the wall and trudged to her table, grabbing her pencil case from her bag. Let's get this over and done with-

The corner of her eye caught the other worksheet set aside at the corner of the table, already completed and ready to be packed into her school bag. Parthenos.

A plan formed in her mind. Well, she would have to swallow her pride. But... Pallas calls for the extreme.

••••

10.31pm

Penelope: I give up

Penelope: I'll give you Parthenos' homework

Penelope: just PLEASE give me Pallas' 

Drug dealer: Athena?

Penelope: ?

Drug dealer: you need athena's homework

Penelope: yes did you not just read what i-

Penelope: wait what did you just call her?

Drug dealer: Athena

Drug dealer: u dont know her name?

Penelope: no, i do just

Penelope: ...

Penelope: you call her Athena??

Drug dealer: ... yes...?

Penelope: how has she not murdered you yet?!

Drug dealer: uhh...

Drug dealer: i actually pay attention to her class for one

Drug dealer: and i score well so

Penelope: oh wow-

Penelope: ...so

Penelope: homework?

Drug dealer: send yours first

Penelope: and how do i know your not just gonna go offline after i do that?

Penelope: how do i know you've done the homework?

Drug dealer: youre just gonna have to believe me then

Drug dealer: you are desperate right?

Penelope: uugh

Penelope: fine

Penelope: *sent 7 images*

Penelope: there

Penelope: happy?

Drug dealer: elated :)

Drug dealer: *sent 5 images*

Drug dealer: pleasure doing business with you

Penelope: btw this is NOT an everyday thing!

Drug dealer: yea no i guessed

Drug dealer: now imma go copy this then i need to get to sleep

Penelope: night

Drug dealer: NIGHT :)

••••

Penelope thanked him in her head before quickly rushing the homework, changing phrases here and there so Pallas wouldn't get suspicious.

Concurrency while doing homework, she called Nestra, killing two birds with one stone. The clock showed 10.59 at night when she finally finished, having hung up a few minutes ago.

After packing her bag for the next day, she sat back down at the table, pulling put an empty notebook. She wrote down the heading: 'Mystery Boy' on the front page before writing 'What I know about him' underneath it:

One: He's extremely full of himself and cocky, which does not cross anyone from my list besides Patroclus, he's an absolute sweetheart, and maybe, MAYBE a few others.

Two: He had a dog named Argos. This doesn't help at all now does it- I can't just go around asking more than 1000 people: ‘Hey! Do you know a dog named Argos?’ now can I.'

Three: He's on the soccer team. Finally, something useful! Okay, that limits it down to... what, 25 people? 11 official school team players, 5 benched and the others in the CCA (Yes I know about soccer-)? At most... what? 40ish people?

Four: He kn-

The door to her room opened, causing her to whip her head around, smudging a bit of ink on the notebook.

"What are you still doing up? It's 11.20 Penny, you still have school tomorrow," her dad chastised, leaning against the door frame.

A glance at the clock told her that her father was right.

She smiled, grinning sheepishly before scanning through the points the had so far, closing her notebook and checking she had everything needes for school before kissing her parents good night, washing her face and heading to bed.

As she lay down in the bed, her mind drifted to the random number.

'I'm so tired'

'...Everything hurts and it's too much'

She whispered a silent prayer to whatever god was listening in her heart.

Help him. Keep him safe, until she can find who he is, please. At least until she can take over.

Because she will take over. That's a promise.

And Penelope Icarius keeps her promises

Chapter Text

"Penelope! PENNY HEY-"

The girl in question's head shot up to look at her cousin.

"Hello? Earth to Penny?" Helen said, an eyebrow raised.

"What?" Penelope asked, confused.

Helen's smile widened watching her cousin's oblivion, eyebrows furrowing.

"Penny, you've been staring at that notebook for five minutes without moving, what the heck is in that?" Nestra asks, looking over.

Penelope shut the notebook quickly and her friends' heads swerved to look at her.

"It's nothing."

Now everyone was curious.

"Come on Penny, what did you write down?" Helen asked eagerly, grinning harder.

Penelope shook her head.

It was the notebook from yesterday, the one she had narrowed down the mystery boy on. So far, she'd added two more points to it:

Four, He knows both Parthenos and Pallas, so he's definitely in my cohort.

Five: He's for some reason so good in Pallas' class that he calls her 'Athena' and hasn't been murdered??

She had been staring at the notebook, both trying to narrow him down even futher while at the same time trying to find out a way to get in contact with the soccer team.

"Come on," Cassandra egged her on, shaking her shoulder and jolting her out of her thoughts once again, "Tell us!"

When she failed to answer again, Andromache leaned forward.

"Is it a boy?" She asked, grinning.

"No!" Penelope was quick to answer that question, a faint blush rising to her cheeks at the thought of it, before shaking her head.

She then paused, thinking about it for a moment.

"Well..." she said softly, tilting her head to one side.

"It is?!" Nestra all but squealed.

"No, but- ugh..." Penelope groaned, looking down at her notebook before looking all of her friends in the eye, contemplating what to say next.

Her eyes landed on Helen, an idea coming to life in her mind. Of course. Menelaus.

Helen's boyfriend was on the soccer team. Meaning that she could help Penelope get to the team.

She sighed. To help this boy, she would need all the help she could get.

"I'll tell you," she said, drastically lowering her voice, "but I need two things."

Sensing the atmosphere change, all her friends looked at her, their expressions ranging from serious and curious to concerned.

"What happened Penny?" Briseis asked, hand reaching out to grab hers in an attempt to comfort her friend.

"Okay, first of all, none of you can tell anyone about this. I'm tell you guys this because you're my best friends and I trust that you'll take this seriously, okay?" She said, smiling softly.

All of her friends nodded.

Well... here we go...

"You guys remember random number dude who was a bit of an asshole thinking I was his friend or something?" She asked, rolling her eyes slightly at the memory, smile still plastered on her face.

She remembered telling the five of them about the number , confused as heck about what he was talking about.

"Of course, what about it?" Andy asked.

"Well... we sort of started texting more after that," Penelope admitted, "and he's actually not that bad of a guy to talk to once you take away him bragging about his smarts every once in a while."

Her smile faded as she bit her lip, thinking of how to explain this next part to them.

"Penny?" Nestra said, worry written all over her face.

"Sorry, just... it was going well for a week or so, but then-" She paused, releasing a breath before letting go of Briseis' hand and getting her phone from inside her pocket.

She opened her photo gallery and opened her 'starred' folder.

"And then this happened."

She took a deep breath, turning her phone around to let them see the screenshots she'd taken.

And boy, could she see the change in their expressions.

Nestra's hand shot to her mouth almost immediately, eyes widening to near perfect circles.

"Is this..."

Penelope nodded, looking down. This is what she'd received last night, the one she'd promised Nestra she'd tell her the next day.

Originally, she had just said that to reassure her, but well... things turned out otherwise.

Briseis clutched her hand again, though this time it was cause Briseis herself needed it.

She saw tears well up is Andy's eyes, Helen's fists were clenched and Cassandra held her head in her hands.

After all of them finished reading them, Penelope continued explaining.

"He deleted the messages after realising that I had read them, but he was too late" she said, showing them the chat for proof.

They listened intently, still shook, as she flipped her notebook back open, explaining everything else she figured out.

How he was their cohort, their history and literature classes, how he was in the soccer team.

"So," she said, turning to Helen, "I need you to ask Menelaus a favour."

Her cousin nodded. The six of them glanced over to where Menelaus was sitting with his main friend group, the Acheans.

"We're gonna help him, yea?" Cassandra said, smiling weakly.

Everyone nodded, steadfast in that promise.

After a minute of calmly herself down, Helen stood up, gesturing the others to follow her.

They let her take the lead, watching as she walked over to their table. Helen slung her arms over her boyfriend's shoulders, hugging him from behind.

Menelaus turned around, smiling, and kissed her on the cheek. Helen whispered something into his ears.

They watched as his face grew serious and he excused himself from the table and started walking towards them.

Penelope could sense a few of the others', namely Agamemnon and Odysseus, eyes trail him, narrowing in confusion at the sight of his company, but she ignored them.

As the couple were walking, Helen was quietly explaining the situation to her boyfriend. When they got near enough, she gestured to Penelope, who handed Helen her phone with the screenshots opened.

Menelaus's eyes widened bit by bit as he read every one of those messages.

He was vice captain of the team, it was his job to teach everyone in the CCA. Those messages were from one of his players.

"So?" Penelope stepped forward, extending her hand, "Will you help us?"

He looked at her and without wasting time, shook her hand.

"Of course." His voice was shaky from the revelation that someone under him had been suffering this greatly and he didn't notice.

"Me and the others will check on everyone." He promised.

Nervous glances were exchanged among the group.

"No," Nestra said, "you can't tell the others, only you."

Menelaus frowned.

"Why not?" He asked, "that person is their team mate too, they can help."

Penelope sighed before explaining, "They'll spread the news and before you know it, the whole school is aware."

"They wouldn't."

"Really?" Briseis raised an eyebrow, "because, respectfully, you have the biggest rumour spreader and gossiper in school in your friend group"

He smiled in return.

"Respectfully," he said, "that would be my girlfriend here."

He wrapped an arm around Helen's waist as she leaned on his shoulder.

"And it's quite clear that she's aware of this."

"Helen knows where to draw the line, she knows what's personal," Nestra shot back.

"So? As does Odysseus," Menelaus replied, "I trust him. Plus, he's the smartest of all of us, us being my friend group of course."

"But-"

"Guys, please. As I said, they have the right to know, it's their friend too."

Penelope thought about it before letting out an annoyed groan. He was right, about all those points...

"Fine," Penelope said, relenting.

"They'll keep this a secret, you won't regret it," Menelaus reassured them, smiling.

Penelope nodded. They better.

She paused, suddenly aware of something they all forgot about.

"Clytie-" She started, concern filling her features.

"I can handle Agamemnon," she smiled weakly, "for the mystery person who needs our help."

"For mystery boy," Penelope agreed, squeezing her cousin's hand.

Menelaus turned to Nestra, eyes widened.

"Oh, my gods I forgot" He said, "I'm so sorry about 'Memnon-"

"Hey," She reassured him, "It's not your fault your brother's a huge jackass."

"Still-"

"No. No more apologies, I'm over him," she said, looking in front, where her ex boyfriend's back was facing her.

How fucking fitting, Penelope thought, scoffing inwardly.

"Come on," Clytemnestra said, squeezing Penelope's hand before starting towards the table, "let's get them informed."

Chapter Text

Of course, of all people, Odysseus noticed them first. While the others were chatting amongst themselves, he was staring at his phone screen and had looked up, cocking an eyebrow when he saw their group approaching.

He shook his head, choosing to ignore them in favour of turning to Menelaus.

"Oh yeah," He said casually, tilting his head to the side, "I'm not coming to practice next week."

Menelaus nodded, smiling slightly before grabbing Helen's hand and clearing his throat. He looked almost unsure of how to break the news. Penelope smiled sadly.

She could relate, having gone through the same trouble a bit more than ten minutes ago.

"About next week's practice," he started, resolve hardening, "We have to do a check up on everyone."

The Acheans stared at him, confused.

"Uh... don't we have medics for that?" Achilles asked.

"No as in- we need to make sure everyone is safe, happy, y'know?"

There was a silence among the group for a  few minutes.

"Uh- why now?" Diomedes asked, voicing out everyone's question.

"Well, easy. The girls brought... something up to my attention," he said, gesturing to the six of them.

Penelope cut in, "but before we tell you, you need to promise that you won't tell this to anyone. Please, I don't want to cause anyone else to worry."

She looked directly at Odysseus when she said that. In return, he blinked.

"Sure, but it must be one heck of a problem is you guys are coming to us for it-"

"It is," She was quick to reply, cutting him off.

They boys unanimously nodded.

They'd better keep their promise, or so help them.

"So?" Patroclus asked, "what's up Menelaus?"

The boy in question looked down, tightening his grip on Helen's hand as she looked at him, rubbing his arm to comfort him.

He gave her grateful look.

"One of the soccer team members, we don't know if it's a reserve, CCA member or official team," he started, looking around at his friends, "but they contacted Penelope and sent very, very worrying things."

"...Penelope?"

"I don't even know," Penelope admitted, "They accidentally texted my number, I have no idea how they got it, but hen we started texting more."

The golden haired boy nodded, asking a follow up question.

"So... what did they say? And why is it so worrying?"

Penelope winced softly before looking away. She unlocked her phone again.

As she gave her phone to Menelaus to show the other boys. She watched them closely, reiterating her request.

"Don't tell anyone."

His hart dropped to the bottom of his stomach.

No.

No, nonononono shit. SHIT-

He'd deleted this, why does she still have it? Had she screenshotted it? Why was she bringing it up? Why did she care? WHy the heck-

Why did she have it? Why? He DELETED it. It was a mistake. He hadn't MEANT to tell anyone!

Nobody had meant to see that. NO ONE. No one KNEW, not Cece, not Thea, not his bloody friends- ESPECIALLY not his fucking friends!

Why?! Why? whywhywhywhy-

The minute Penelope saw their reactions to the screenshots, all her doubts of them not helping or making fun of the mystery boy flew down the drain.

The thoughts she had about them daring to gossip about it left her brain.

Agamemnon was fuming, fists clenched. Penelope couldn't tell who he was angry at... maybe the person for not telling him, maybe others for not helping, maybe himself for not noticing.

Achilles sat there, seemingly frozen and numb. His eyes eyes widened as he stared at the screen.

Patroclus read the messages, then proceeded to immediately look away, leaning on Achilles for support.

Achilles subconsciously or on instinct, held his... boyfriend, apparently-? Penelope didn't really know too much about them except what Mystery Boy told her- close as he continued staring numbly. She heard Patroclus start tearing up.

Okay... bad time to say it, but Penelope could see them together, she could really see it. They were really bloody cute-

How hadn't she noticed earlier?

She shook her head. Fangirl over Patrochilles (a ship name already? Seriously-) later, back to the conversation at hand.

Odysseus's eyes were widened more than she'd ever seen anyone's eyes widen. His grip on his phone tightened so much she feared it would break and was he... shaking? Out of overwhelming emotion or rage she didn't know.

Diomedes's face fell. He shook his head, unwilling to believe it. Someone on his team... in his CCA- they didn't tell anyone? Penelope guessed it was more personal for him. Out of everyone here, he was always the most team oriented. He took time to get to know everyone in the CCA and really cared about everyone.

Menelaus gave the phone back to her, which she took back gratefully. Helen tiptoed to wipe a stray tear from his face, cupping his cheek and hugging him.

When she looked back at the others, Achilles had changed to staring into space, probably still processing his emotions and was also now burying his face in Patroclus' hair, his lips resting gently on the top of the mess of hair. She saw him squeeze tighter.

Penelope saw Nestra eyeing Helen longingly, her expression one of pain, so she held her hand, squeezing it comfortingly and glared briefly at Agamemnon.

"W-what?" A strangled choke came from Achilles.

Briseis put a hand over on his shoulder, rubbing it gently. Achilles looked up, his gaze going from one person to another, eyes pleading.

Penelope could only look away.

Patroclus let out a whimper and only then did Achilles finally seem to register him. He leaned back immediately, ever so gently lifting Patroclus's head up and cupping his face. He wiped the tears away before holding both his boyfriend's (okay, seriously it couldn't be more obvious now-) hands in his own, bringing them up to his lips and loving placing a kiss on each of them.

"Don't worry," he said, placing a last kiss of Patroclus's forehead, then proceeding to pull him into a gentle embrace again, "We're going to help him. Don't worry."

Patroclus nodded into his chest. Achilles closed his eyes and Penelope saw a thin stream of tears running down his face.

Diomedes spoke up.

"What do you need us to do?"

Everyone turned to him, everyone. His voice was... due to lack of a better word, powerful. He spoke with such, such- strength and power. There was a hint of danger behind it, a promise that whoever made his teammate feel like this would not be let off the hook whatsoever.

Oh, Penelope was sure they were going to get hell from everyone at the table, including her. But first, find out who the person is.

Menelaus looked at Diomedes in shock. This was definitely something new coming from him, but one pretty much everyone welcomed.

One thing about Diomedes Tydeus was that he was loyal. He wouldn't let one of his friends suffer like that, continue suffering like that.

A smile grew on Penelope's face as she looked around at the people before them. All of them wearing some form of a determined expression. They were all joining. All coming together.

Penelope would put all her previous distaste for them aside, Clytie was willing to ignore her and Agamemnon's break up and she could see by the look of the boy's face that he was willing to do the same.

They'd do this together but for now, they needed a plan.

They can't find out that it's him, they can't- they shouldn't KNOW-

He won't let them know, he couldn't let them...

Please, he pleaded to any god listening, they can't find out, please-

I can't let them know- he bit his lip to keep it from trembling.

He was determined to keep them as far away from the truth as possible.

Chapter Text

Before the bell rang to signal the start of classes again, they strategised:

They all planned to meet after school that day, but the conversation and revelation that they'd just had definitely affected and clouded their minds throughout the day in school.

Okay... something was definitely going on with Ody's group and the girls, but what?

That was the question Athena was trying to solve throughout all the lessons she had that day.

Achilles, Patroclus, Menelaus, Agamemnon, Diomedes, Penelope, Helen, Clytemnestra, Briseis, Cassandra, Andromache.

Being a teacher, she was always willing to find new mysteries to solve and things to scratch her brain and though she wouldn't  ever admit it out loud to anyone, she did love student drama.

Especially when it comes to this group.

Yes, of course she knew everything students said about her, people's opinion and she wasn't planning on going out of her way to prove it wrong. On the other hand, she also wasn't purposely acting like that to instill fear in her students.

She's the discipline mistress, of course she acts serious a majority of the time. She was a teacher, she needed to be strict.

As for the homework issue, she had been teaching for more than a decade. She had long since been able to pick up when people are giving her excuses for not handing or doing work and when they're being genuine.

If someone was genuinely sick, she knew the signs, knew the mannerisms and most of the time, students just missed school for the sake of it.

She would never hold it against them if they were genuinely unwell, if they were really attending a family member's funeral, that would be a real monster.

But despite all of the rumours and whispers of the students, those who got to know her (which really was just one student) know that she wasn't anywhere near as bad as that.

She did appreciate class and student drama, she did. Heck, she was invested in some cases, though that is what you would expect being friends with Ody.

Friends.

The word made her smile to herself as she continued marking homework.

She'd met the boy when he was five and just moved to the neighbourhood.

She remembered sitting on the same bench in the park right next to his house every day, watching the boy grow up. She watched him in silence, looking over the boy when he strayed away from his parents.

She remembered him one day running over, looking in awe at the book in her hand, pointing at the dragon on the cover.

He was smart, even at that age. She remembered pulling him onto her own lap as she continued reading. She had looked at him fondly, seeing his eyes sparkle in the sunlight, hair flying in the wind.

She remembered her shock when he started reading sentences from the book.

"He eyed the poisonous barb at the end of her tale."

He, as a five year old, had started reading sentences that should have been far past his reading level.

Of course she became fond of him since the moment she first saw the mischievous yet curious and intelligent glint in his eyes.

Was she biased? Yes. Definitely, at least a bit.

But the boy did excel in her class and she doesn't help him with anything except revision, no slips on what comes out for exams, absolutely no giving him the right answers, yet he still passes with flying colours.

She loved kid for his brain, his heart and everything in between.

So what could she say, she was curious what happened in Ody's life and if his friend group has something going on, he does too.

She cleared her head briefly, pushing all other thoughts to the back of her mind as the alarm beeped. The pop quiz was up.

She spared a glance at Patroclus and Briseis. The girl was still furiously scribbling away while Patroclus was staring into space.

She shook her head, standing up from her desk.

A quick glance at one of the furthermost end of the class told her that Briseis was on her third last question.

She started collecting from the other end.

Something was clearly wrong, considering Briseis took much pride in her time management during quizzes.

Athena knew she was always one of, if not the first to finish, write the bare minimum just so she could ensure that all of her questions were answered. Only then would she go back, elaborate on points, make her answers better.

As she neared Patroclus' table on the other hand, the paper hadn't been touched. He hadn't even started.

Okay, if there was any doubt something was wrong (there wasn't but still-), there was definitely none now.

"Patroclus?" She asked softly, out of range of the other students.

The boy immediately snapped out of whatever trance he was in, head whipping up to meet her gaze. His eyes widened frantically and he started stumbling to explain himself.

Athena held up a hand before he managed to find the time.

"You have a free period after this, yes?" She asked, recalling his timetable.

Patroclus nodded, lowering his head in shame and fear.

She didn't like that gaze, not one bit. She hated it even, especially coming from him, but she didn't say anything about it.

Probably best to get him after school instead. Let him enjoy the free period with his friends.

"Meet me after school later," she said, collecting the blank sheet, placing it at the bottom of the pile before continuing to collect from everyone else.

This had happened for everyone else in their friend groups too.

Agamemnon was even more insufferably angry than usual, Penelope was not answering as much in class, Achilles seemed to have lost the bright glow that oh so often surrounded him.

Helen was more fidgety, not only constantly spinning her pen, but also now using it to twirl her hair, leg bouncing in her seat. Cassandra had zoned out multiple times and wasn't grumbling at the quiz she had given the class. Menelaus looked defeated when he was usually the most determined in class, persevering to do his best.

She hadn't seen the others yet.

So, she relented as she set the papers, comparing Briseis' rushed pop quiz to the homework she was marking- you couldn't tell it was written by the same person, Athena was curious, she was concerned.

She wanted to find out what was wrong with the two groups and she was going to help any way that she possibly could.

Because they were Ody's friends. Becuase they were her students.

"-Hey, hey Pat, calm down okay?"

Frantic attemps at comfort spilled out of Achilles' mouth as he held both his boyfriends' hands.

Odysseus blinked.

He had completely zoned out ever since Achilles began ranting a bit too passionately and agressively for comfort about Patroclus.

It was a habit, one that made him seem uncaring and rude.

He closed his eyes, refusing to let that train of thought continue, before opening them again, trying to make sense of what was happening in front of him.

Well, for one, Briseis and Patroclus had arrived after having been released around three minutes late.

Everyone else was already waiting for them when Odysseus started zoning out. He'd just finished Literature with Menelaus, Cassandra and Penelope.

... Penelope.

Text girl. That was who she was, Penelope Icarius?

He held back a scoff or possibly a maniacal, desperate laugh.

The girl who supposedly hates him was so worried? Worried enough that she'd get his friends involved with something that... wasn't supposed to be shared.

No one knew and Odysseus was planning for no one to ever find out.

Plus, even if they did, why would they ever care? Why would his life be so important to... anyone? He certainly didn't care about it.

That was his thought process, every time he was pushed nearer and nearer. Every single time he so desperately wanted help, needed someone.

He's Odysseus- Odysseus... Laertes... he shouldn't be needing help, he can handle things himself, he can, he should be able to. He has to.

Why would Penelope care about all of this once she realises it's him? She hates him, she'll be going back to usual. After she's done, she'll leave.

Just like everyone else.

Because why would they care? He's no one important, he's Nobody.

His phone buzzed and when he looked up, Patroclus had apparently let out all his emotions and the minor panic attack was over.

Good.

Good for both Patroclus and him, he didn't like seeing his friends suffer, yet every time he did, he gets flashbacks.

Of himself, having to lay down, quite literally crying himself to the brink of exhaustion and eventually, sleep after some of him major panic attacks.

He really didn't want any of his friends to go through the same thing, he hated seeing that happen.

He was always unresponsive, nonchalant even, to others, when one of his friends was sobbing, panicking or when someone got hurt.

It's selfish of him, he knows.

He wants the habit to stop, he wants to help.

He's gone through all of these before, he can help, but every time he sees anything similar happen, it's like his body goes numb, like his brain want to save himself the pain of remembering when it happened to him.

Patroclus was, once again, in Achilles' arms. The two were sprawled across one of the benches in the alcove.

... Right.

The alcove.

After class, Penelope and Cassandra had brought him and Menelaus to a crowded area of the school to 'meet up with the others'.

Menelaus had, very reasonably in Odysseus's opinion, voiced his concerns about them being overheard.

The girls had only smiled, beckoning them behind one of the staricases.

They had gone down the main staircase, narrowly dodging many a flying stationery and books, as well as students themselves, before being brought behind the cafeteria, to the janitor's closet, an abandoned one which was, although in plain sight, still very empty.

"What?" Odysseus had asked, thoroughly confused, which was very justifiable in his opinion.

Penelope had looked up at him, rolled her eyes and opened the door.

They had a secret hideout in plain sight in their school.

Odysseus took immense pride in being known for having a reputation for knowing the most things about people and in the what, two and a half years he'd been there, he would not have the slightest clue there was a fucking alcove hiding in plain sight behind the door to a supposed janitor's closet.

Apparently, Penelope had stumbled across it during one of her first few days in school, mistaking it for the toilet and from then on, the girls had started using it as a hideout, their secret area. And now, they had shared it with his friends, to meet up, to help 'Mystery boy'... to help him .

His phone buzzed multiple times, jolting his back to reality for the second time.

Damn zoning out, he cursed in his head, noticing how Penelope, Menelaus and Diomedes had exited the alcove, most probably to buy food for everyone or something.

Odysseus looked down at his phone.

He stared blankly and empty, watching messages roll in from... her.

At the same time, apparently his 'parents' or well... guardians really, had just read his messages, telling them that he was going out after school.

He ignored the tears that pricked at the corner of his eyes while the texts flooded in, turning his phone off, mind going back to the situation at hand.

"What even happened?" He asked, "why the sudden panic"

Achilles looked at him from where he was holding his boyfriend... damn it, those two were cute. He was jealous.

"Pallas asked him to meet her after school later because he zoned out during a pop quiz earlier, he was thinking of the team member..."

That's it?

He always forgot that the rest of the school knew Pallas, not Thea. No, that was only him, only he gave her the chance.

He turned his phone back on.

1.27pm

Ody: what did you do to pat?

Thea: What?

Thea: Nothing?

Thea: ... What happened?

Ody: he just ran here having a minor panic attack

Ody: you asked him to see you after class?

Thea: Oh my gods

Thea: That was to let him sit for the paper again

Thea: I didn't mean to make him worry-

Thea: Gods...

Ody: hey

Ody: hes fine now, just a little shaken thats all

Ody: ur gd :)

Thea: Geez Ody, your grammar-

Ody: i turned off your auto caps!

Thea: I'm aware, yes

Ody: dam it thea

Thea: Tell Patroclus not to worry?

Ody: yea told him alrdy

Ody: "hey, im sure she'll js let you redo the paper, dont worry"

Thea: And he replied?

Ody: achilles did

Ody: and i quote, "not everyone is pallas' best student."

Thea: Is that a bad thing??

Ody: i dunno

Thea: Plus, Patroclus is a good student

Thea: Had he not have been the boy who I know can do better, I would never have given him the second chance.

Ody: help thats adorable

Thea: Shut up.

Thea: ... About that

Thea: What's up with your friend group and the girls' today?

Thea: Every one of them who I've had class with so far has been acting different

Thea: Everything okay?

Ody: yea

Ody: no everything's fine

Ody: don't worry

Ody: :)

Thea: ... If you say so

Thea: Tomorrow same place?

Ody: yea :)

Thea: Order for me if I'm late?

Ody: yea sure

Ody: yk i always do that anyways

Chapter Text

They had work to do and plans to make, but first, coffee and pastries because of course, of all places they could've gone to discuss this, they decided to go to a 24 hour cafe-

"Okay, Iced caramel macchiato for Helen, Clymie wants iced blueberry tea, Cassandra and Andromache are gonna share a milkshake, Berieis hot cocoa and I'll get an iced vanilla latte with whip, you guys?" Penelope asked Achilles, whom she was ordering the drinks first with, while going through her friends' orders in her head.

"Macha latte, iced or warm whichever's cheaper, for Odysseus. I'm getting an energy drink and Pat would want a coconut shake, he always orders one the first time 'round if a shop he hasn't been to before has it, unspoken rule," Achilles smiled slightly to himself, "Menelaus is sharing a few sips with Helen, Diomedes is skipping out on the drinks cause he only wants food and Agamemnon's skipping out on drinks because he's boring."

Penelope actually chuckled at his comment, glad they shared the same sentiment when it came to Agamemnon Atreus.

She ordered, playing tetris in her head trying to remember what drinks everyone ordered, size, sugar level and any other specifics.

Helen wants oat milk, Cass and Andy are sharing a 'large' drink, Clymie wants extra sugar, ect.

"Add marshmallows to the hot chocolate," Achilles added once she'd finished telling the barista Briseis' order.

The barista nodded before typing it into the system and at Penelope's look, he shrugged.

"She's been my friend since middle school, hung out with her every single day before she moved out," He reminded her, smirking slightly, "she loves and and all kinds of marshmallows, especially on smores and hot chocolate."

Right. Penelope always seemed to forget that Achilles, Patroclus and Briseis were friends ever since middle school, the two boys having met properly and became friends when they were nine. 

According to what Briseis had told her that Achilles and Patroclus said, Achilles and Patroclus were always neighbours though they never knew each other all that well.

Well... not until one day, when Achilles' mum had gone out for grocery shopping when it started pouring. She came back using the more sheltered way due to her not having an umbrella, the one that involved walking past Patroclus' house.

There, she was greeted by the sight of a nine year old Patroclus, sitting in the rain and curled up into a ball outside the gate surrounding the house.

"Hey, sweetie go back inside, you're gonna get sick," she had told him but Patroclus had just shook his head, tears streaming down his cheeks, barely visible in the downpour.

Without waiting for an explanation, Thetis offered him her hand, helping him up before she hurried him back to her house, the boy shivering and sobbing.

After drying Patroclus up and comforting him for a bit, the nine year old explained to them how his father had disowned him, told him to leave the house after Patroclus 'made a fool of himself' in front of one of his father's business clients and injuring the client's son on accident.

Achilles had apparently been watching from the staircase and had immediately offered Patroclus to use his room, it was the coziest and plus, he looked like he could use a friend.

From there, Achilles and Patroclus started becoming the more than best friends that they were today, from getting to first know each other properly, talking every day, most of the day, whenever they wanted to them becoming somewhat siblings? No... best friends, and so much more now, dating.

She remembers the panic in Achilles' eyes earlier in the day when Patroclus had run into the alcove, breathing ragged and eyes wide, the ever so soft smile on his lips when he spoke to her about him earlier, knowing by heart what he would want.

So that's love, Penelope smiled at Achilles.

And damn, if a small part of Penelope wished she had the same thing, some person who looked at her like that, loved her and knew her like Achilles and Patroclus had each other, Menelaus and Helen.

Her phone buzzed.

She took it out, smiling. Mystery boy.

He hadn't texted since yesterday, since before her friends found out about him.

It was relieving that he was texting her like usual, despite the deleted texts and what happened yesterday.

•••

2.18pm

Drug dealer: dude help

Drug dealer: I'm so bored

Drug dealer: mayday

Drug dealer: send help-

Drug dealer: T-T TwT

Penelope: *cry- laughing emoji *

Penelope: what's up?

Drug dealer: nothing

Drug dealer: that's why im boreddd

Penelope: okay then...

Penelope: wanna play something?

Drug dealer: ...

Drug dealer: how???

Penelope: idk... never have I ever?

Drug dealer: with two people?

Penelope: right-

Penelope: uhhhh

Penelope: two truths and a lie?

Drug dealer: heck

Drug dealer: sure why not

Drug dealer: you start

Drug dealer: ik what it is but I havent played it b4

Penelope: okie then

Penelope: ... let's see-

Penelope: My favourite colour is pink, I have a cat, I want to go to Rome some day

Drug dealer: so i have to choose the lie?

Penelope: yup :)

Drug dealer: uh-

Drug dealer: ............

Drug dealer: 1-?

Penelope: nope :)

Penelope: it's two

Penelope: i don't have a cat

Penelope: but I REALLY want one

Drug dealer: damn

Drug dealer: i saw you as more of a purple girl ngl

Penelope: i love purple too, but there's this one specific shade of pink that JUST beats it out

Drug dealer: im more of a dog guy

Penelope: you cant talk you HAVE a dog

Drug dealer: fine-

Drug dealer: my turn?

Penelope: yea

Penelope: I think we can do one more round before my drinks are done

Drug dealer: oh youre out?

Penelope: yea

Penelope: cafe with some of my schooates

Drug dealer: schoolmates?

Drug dealer: not friends?

Penelope: well half of them are

Penelope: the other half im not so sure

Penelope: theyre fine ig

Penelope: most of them

Penelope: i hate two in particular though but ig i kinda have to work with them

Drug dealer: oh...

Drug dealer: what for?

Penelope: uh-

Penelope: school project

Penelope: crafts

Penelope: yk the one Hephaestus asked us to do?

Penelope: ... you are in my class right?

Penelope: crafts is a full cohort subject-

Drug dealer: yea, yea no i am

Drug dealer: soo.... uh lets see

Drug dealer: i live in an apartment, my dog saved me and it changed my life, my friends are the reason i come to school everyday

Penelope: ...

Penelope: wow-

Penelope: um... 2?

Drug dealer: 1 :)

Penelope: you have a landed house?

Drug dealer: yea

Drug dealer: 2.5 floors

Penelope: 2.5???

Penelope: wait-

Penelope: what did argos do to save you?

Drug dealer: ...

Drug dealer: uh... shit-

Drug dealer: i shouldnt have said that-

Drug dealer: i uh-

Penelope: no

Penelope: no, its completely fine if you dont wanna tell me

Penelope: it's just-

Drug dealer: no, i...

Drug dealer: i wanna tell someone-

Penelope: of course

Penelope: take your time

Drug dealer: ...

Drug dealer: here we go-

Drug dealer: so

Drug dealer: my middle school was very far away from here, i stayed at one of my best friends house who lives near there

Drug dealer: so there was one time i was trying to play with these two kids at pne of the parks there

Drug dealer: and their older sister... sorta? came over-

Drug dealer: and i... i think she went into a protective rage or something

Drug dealer: and she just jumped at me cause she thought i was going to hurt them

Drug dealer: and i fought back

Drug dealer: and i won

Drug dealer: then she started smirking

Drug dealer: and proceeded to, in one move, push me against one of the nearest walls

Drug dealer: ... then um...

Drug dealer: fuck-

Drug dealer: how do i say this?-

Drug dealer: shit...

Penelope: hey, take your time its okay

Drug dealer: then... gods-

Drug dealer: ... then...

Drug dealer: her hand slid under my shirt...

Drug dealer: and um...

Drug dealer: i... can i assume you can guess what happened from there?

*two and a half minutes pass *

Penelope: gods-

Penelope: she...

Penelope: I... I'm so sorry-

Drug dealer: she didnt fully

Drug dealer: it went as far as her hand roughly... touching (?)

Drug dealer: ... below my waist...

Drug dealer: it was still above my clothes

Drug dealer: but i was... still just-

Drug dealer: ... so fucking terrified

Penelope: rightfully so...

Drug dealer: but then she screamed in pain and when she turned around, argos had apparently sneaked up on us and had bitten her calf when he was the fear on my face-

Drug dealer: and i told argos to stop

Drug dealer: and i apologised to her

Penelope: I-

Penelope: ... why??

Drug dealer: she had the same reaction trust me-

Drug dealer: she was just staring at me while I bend down to put pressure on thw wound, using whatever first aid id remembered 

Drug dealer: its just... i dont wanna cause unnecessary pain to anyone

Drug dealer: life already sucks as it is no?

Drug dealer: i dont wanna make it worse

Drug dealer: plus

Drug dealer: she was doing this for her siblings

Drug dealer: she looked both enraged and terrified when i saw her for the first time

Drug dealer: she thought i was a threat

Drug dealer: and seeing as i immediately fought back she was kinda right

Penelope: i-

Penelope: .... gods you're way too pure for this world

Drug dealer: i found out what happened to, why she did it

Penelope: you did?

Drug dealer: yea

Drug dealer: so apparently her and her siblings were alone at home once and when there was a food or package delivery or something, the dude saw they were alone

Drug dealer: and did the same thing to her what she wanted to do to me...

Drug dealer: so she cant trust boys anymore

Penelope: ...

Penelope: oh my gods-

Penelope: i'm so sorry for her...

Penelope: i mean

Penelope: what she did to you was WRONG.

Penelope: SO WRONG.

Penelope: I just-

Drug dealer: no, no definitely youre right

Drug dealer: she didnt deserve that

Drug dealer: no one does

Drug dealer: plus

Drug dealer: it actually happened to her for me it was just... almost

Penelope: hey, that doesn't make it any better

Penelope: like you said right?

Penelope: no one deserves that

Drug dealer: I know, I know

Drug dealer: ...

Drug dealer: but-

Drug dealer: um...

Drug dealer: is it toxic of me that she actually became my friend afterwards?

Penelope: in other cases definitely

Penelope: but this...

Penelope: did she apologise?

Drug dealer: too many times

Drug dealer: she wouldnt look at me for a week after that and still after she did, it was pure guilt in her eyes until a few months before graduation

Penelope: i mean, she did js try to do what she did to you and you proceeded to save and protect her

Drug dealer: i just-

Drug dealer: its what any good person wouldve done

Penelope: no...

Penelope: no i dont think anyone wouldve

Drug dealer: oh-

Drug dealer: ... anyways, I'm glad argos came when he did

Drug dealer: cause if not she wouldve actually... yknow-

Drug dealer: and i dont think i couldve dealt with it back then

Drug dealer: not yet-

(the 'not yet' is the deleted message btw)

*Drug dealer deleted one message *

Penelope: ... what did that say?

Drug dealer: nothing

Drug dealer: so um... thanks

Drug dealer: I needed to get that out of my system

Penelope: anytime

Penelope: as i said

Penelope: im here if you need to rant

Penelope: oh shit

Penelope: my drinks are done

Penelope: um-

Drug dealer: nah i have to go too

Drug dealer: text ltr?

Penelope: definitely

Penelope: :)

•••

It was a miracle that Penelope didn't let out a single tear throughout the whole conversation, though she had apparently not been as subtle as she hoped, considering that Achilles asked her multiple times if she was okay.

The table they'd gotten was upstairs on the second level, a spacious corner surrounded on all sides with bookshelves, a human sized hole where people enter and exit, it was the perfect place to sit down and chat.

But the time Penelope and Achilles successfully got all the drinks over, Diomedes and Briseis had finished getting the food. Pastries and cakes were around the table and Penelope's stomache grumbled at the delicious aroma of all of it.

She thought of Mystery boy while poking at her red velvet slice, what he'd just told her.

No- no that was private. He'd trusted her with that, willingly told her. It was something she'd hold close to her chest, she wouldn't tell a soul with something he had so dearly entrusted her with knowing.

There were certain things that Penelope had kept from her friends, things she hadn't let them know.

About Argos. That seemed too personal, it wouldn't help and honestly... Penelope thought it was something more private. It was something that bonded the two of them, him always sending pictures of his puppy to her.

Of course, this too now.

Chapter Text

After five to ten minutes of small, random conversations amongst the group, Patroclus appeared, eyes honestly brightened and he had a smile on his face.

"Pat," Achilles smiled, face immediately back to its normal, smiling appearance after the previous 'debate' with Helen about whether chocolate or vanilla is the superior flavour-

Patroclus sat down next to his boyfriend, their hands intertwined.

"So?" Odysseus asked, raising an eyebrow, "How'd it go?"

Patroclus rolled his eyes affectionately, leaning his head on Achilles' shoulder.

"Yea... you were right," he admitted, before his false annoyance softened into a smile, "she just had me redo the quiz."

"See," Odysseus said, "no need to worry!"

Penelope looked at him slightly distastefully as Patroclus started helping himself to whatever food they'd saved leftover for him. Achilles was right, he loved the coconut shake.

She smiled at the look in Achilles' eyes as he watched Patroclus, before shaking her head and standing up with her hands on the table.

After the revelation Mystery Boy had just told her, she was all the more determined to get to the bottom of this.

"So," she started, "let's get down to business. What do we do next week? How do we check on the team without making it too blatantly obvious why we're there?"

Everyone was deep in thought, processing and thinking about it for a minute, before Menelaus spoke up.

"Diomedes could go around and ask everyone. That wouldn't be out of the ordinary at all, no?" He suggested.

Odysseus shook his head, "No... no that wouldn't work. If Dio did that, we wouldn't be able to finish everyone before practice ends. Plus, it would put the pressure on him and gods knows he would go above and beyond. We don't want him to do that to himself."

He glanced at Diomedes, slight concern in his eyes as he gave his friend a soft smile- not unlike the one Penelope had seen him give his dog last night, she realised...

"Right," Menelaus nodded, "that wouldn't be any good to anyone..."

"How about if we all work together throughout the practice? That way, there'll be more people at once, more divided among the members," Patroclus asked, sipping his shake.

"Agamemnon Atreus asking someone how they're doing? Please," Clytemnestra scoffed, ignoring said boy's glare aimed at her.

"She has a point," Achilles agreed, resting a hand on his boyfriend's, "it would be way too suspicious if everyone here just started going around randomly asking people how they are."

Patroclus nodded in understanding.

"So," he said, turning to the girls "are you guys coming to the practice as well? Are you going to be there at least?"

Penelope thought about it.

"That... would be preferable, yes."

"Then... then maybe we could do something with the fact that you're all there as well?"

"But how?" Odysseus asked, "We can't just go 'Oh yeah! But the way the girls are here today, so don't trip over yourselves by their beauty and end up at the infirmary again. Speaking of that, could we check you guys beforehand? Is everyone okay??' Now can we?"

Penelope was about to roll her eyes at the statement when they instead widened in realisation.

"The infirmary," she said, before looking up at the boys, a glimmer of hope and cunning in her eyes.

The others looked at her, confused while Penelope's smile grew wider. She knew what they could do.

"Yes! I've helped out at the medics bay before and one of the only things that I remember is Asclepius-"

"Complaining about the soccer team!" Diomedes exclaimed, grinning as he caught on, "he does that every CCA session whenever someone gets injured!"

"Exactly!" Penelope smiled.

"So we can tell the team that Ascelepius sent us all to do a check up to ensure no injuries go unexamined," Andromache connected the dots first, "that's our reasoning!"

The others looked excitedly among one another. Yes! This was believable, it could work!

"But why you guys?" Odysseus asked, "of all people. Like, Penelope has helped out at the infirmary before, so she could be tasked with doing it, but the rest of you?"

Helen spoke up this time.

"Well, then we can say that we were walking with Penelope when Asclepius went to her for help and we decided to help as well."

Odysseus nodded somewhat sullenly, probably upset that he was getting outsmarted.

They had a plan. They knew how they would convince the soccer team to trust them, they had a convincing alibi. Now, to discuss what exactly they would do. How to check? What to check?

"Okay, first and foremost, are we privately doing it one by one or as a team?" Clytie asked.

"I mean... it would be more respectful to do it in private, right?" Patroclus said, eyebrows furrowed.

"But, do we have time to do it one by one?" Asked Agamemnon.

The answer to that was no. No, they didn't have time to individually check every single one of the fifty plus (?) members, one by one.

"Hmm..."

This time, Cass came up with the solution.

"Let's do it all together, but if someone seems too hesitant or scared, we'll take them to a separate room," She suggested and everyone agreed.

Now for specifics.

"We check their wrists first?" Helen asked, "have all of them take off their arm sleeves?"

"Isn't that a bit too... extreme? To start with straight away?"

Penelope shook her head at Diomedes' question.

"It... makes sense," she said, "maybe not check their arms straight away, but have them take off the arm sleeves at least."

"And shoes and socks too," Menelaus added.

Everyone nodded and the girl in question kept a mental checklist.

Okay, step one's done. Now, what's next?

Odysseus fiddled with the sleeves of the shirt he'd gone back home to change into before meeting up with the others and heading to the cafe.

He subconsciously pulled them lower over his wrists, covering the bottom of his palms.

He tried hiding his shudder as they continued on the subject.

He was really glad he told Menelaus he wasn't heading to practice when he did. If not, he would've sounded suspicious and right now, that was the last thing he wanted, to give them any reason to suspect him.

Based on the groups' reactions to being shown the screenshots, he'd assumed that Penelope, Menelaus and the others had immediately crossed out the idea of it being one of them.

But no. No, his reaction was due to being revealed, being found out instead of finding out.

Right now, he listened to the others' conversation.

Were they seriously, really doing this all for him? Well... no, he convinced himself. They were doing it for their teammate. If they knew it were him, they'd drop the case immediately.

He didn't matter. Not to his guardians, not to her , not unless it was for her own desires, not to them.

Yet, they were his everything. On rough nights, when nothing went his way, when he was hurting and in pain and he wanted to just... give up. On those nights, he would shake the pain off with a few whimpers and get up the next day.

Get up to go to school, to see Thea, to see them. Because they were everything to him.

Thea. Patroclus, Diomedes, Achilles, Menelaus, heck- Agamemnon too even.

They distract him from... everything. He loved school because it was a break from it, they were a break from it all.

Every day was a new hurricane to overcome and they were the eye of it. The peace, the calm and the tranquility. The joy and hope.

They made school... no, life , Worth it. Worth living and worth staying in.

Penelope genuinely didn't have a reason to worry about him actually ending his pain for good. He wouldn't, no matter how much he wanted too and it was a LOT , because of his friends being the light, his light.

Menelaus was passionate. So, so passionate and someone who would do anything for the people he loved. He would go through a what? Ten year long war for Helen? Heck, even more than that. He would go above and beyond for his teammate because he loved them.

Agamemnon was arguably, the best kind of 'ugh.' He was fun to talk to from time to time, any debates or arguements with him always got you heated up, all previous grievances and problems ignored, at least for the time being.

Diomedes with his caring heart and his love that he so willingly gives when he feels you deserve it. Odysseus's first friend in high school, his best friend in high school and one he wouldn't trade for the world.

Patroclus and his kind smile and concerned eyes. He's there whenever you're going through any problems. Need someone to rant to? Go to him. He'll listen, give advice, he won't pick sides in an argument, he sees every perspective.

Achilles, protective and sassy at times and other times, even more empathetic and comforting than his boyfriend. He was the best type of self confident, the one that makes you smile when he brings it up, he knows when and how to make you laugh.

You'd always feel better after talking to either him or Partoclus, left happier and your heart feeling more full, something that Odysseus didn't know was possible anymore at times.

His mind went to his middle school friends, the ones who he still keeps contact with, who truly know him and those who he trusted with his life. No... no he couldn't care less about that... he could trust them with Argos's life.

Those who had been there through thick and thin. When his mum passed and his dad was sent to the Mental Illness Health and Recovery Hospital, where he would stay for the rest of his life.

Euryochus, his brother in everything but blood. Straightforward and a voice of reason in the most loving and endearing way possible. Strength emotionally and physically, someone who you could easily confide in.

Odysseus remembered playing with him back when they were kids, since before everything went so... so utterly wrong. Playing hide and seek in the playground when he'd found Thea watching him with her dragon book, him, Eurylochus and Polites.

Polites. Ody let a smile grace his lips. His best friend's infectious smile, his tender eyes and warm embraces you never want to end. He always knew when something was up, even if you're hiding it and you're the best actor. He would know when something was up and it was almost impossible not to open up to him.

Eurylochus and Polites had gone to the same high school after middle school ended, so they stayed together while he went somewhere else. To a more... elite? School, nearer to home. He always did live the furthest away.

They made his day with every call, every smile and when they would chat about their day at school, rant about teachers they didn't like, though that was more of Eurylochus. They would ask Odysseus about his day and he felt remembered, acknowledged. Of all the people he cared about and loved, Eurylochus and Polites were two of four that he knew cared about him, he knew it and they reminded him during every single one of their calls almost daily.

Every time Odysseus met up with them he was filled either pure joy, laughter and love for the two people who have stayed, two of only four he could think of.

The other two.

Ctimene, Cici. His older sister, one who didn't deserve him yet showered him with all the love and affection that she could give. She moved out once their mum died and their dad was sent away, moved to her own apartment and for college, far away and Odysseus couldn't find himself blaming her for doing it.

He was grateful instead, grateful that she never had to endure his pain. He always had a home in her apartment, a place where he could stay if he was ever kicked out for a few days or if things got too rough back 'home'.

Did she know what happens back 'home'? No, but she has to be dumb to not at least have a strong suspicion. His state every time he came to her house should say a lot.

Thea. His mum in everything but blood, his longest friend. He remembered the day at the park like it was yesterday. Her bright eyes watching him and her wide smile, the way he noticed her laugh if he did something with childish enthusiasm or wonder.

She'd taught him from a young age, one of the reasons he was so good in History, or school in general, being because she started teaching him. She was never overly biased, he was judged on the same level as all other students. In fact, she told him herself that she marked and scrutinised his work even more.

She was so happy and proud when he told her that he was going to her high school. She was spinning him around in the air and hugging him tightly.

Poli, Eury, Thea and Cici. The only people in his life who stayed, even if three of the four were far away-

"-Odysseus, hey!"

He shook his head, turning back to the conversation at hand. He realised that he'd missed a big chunk of it, and that everyone was now looking at him.

"...yea?" He asked, trying to sound nonchalant and raising an eyebrow.

"Should we ask them to remove their shirts?"

He froze slightly. Yea... no he was really glad that he wasn't coming to practice next session.

Was he even listening? Penelope eyed Odysseus Laertes accusingly.

She let out a sigh before going through the list in her head. They'd moved down asking everyone to take out their arm sleeves to step two so as not to worry anyone too quickly.

1: Ask everyone how they're feeling (Downsides: people will most definitely lie, at least some of them)

2: Have everyone take off their arm sleeves and footwear because 'it's a mandatory procedure' (see who's hesitant and bring them into another room if they look uncomfortable)

3: Then ask everyone to hold out their arms for the twelve of them- no, nine, Odysseus, Andy and Cass aren't able to come, to check.

4: Everyone rolls up their pants and they repeat step three

5: Ask anyone if they're worried about any of their friends or if anything is put the ordinary (do this last, have them check on themselves first, then think of their other friends)

And... that was all they had so far.

"So?" Menelaus prompted Odysseus, "What do you think?"

It took him way too long to answer, in her opinion.

"You don't have to," he said, nonchalantly, "You already have two precautions already, no?"

Many frowned.

"But self-harm can come in many ways," Helen argued, "we should check every place possible because the less likely it seems that they would do it there, the more reason there would be to check because they'll think that no one could check there!"

"What does that even mean?" Achilles asked, confused.

"What she's saying," Diomedes explained, "Is that people will be more likely to cause harm to themselves on parts of their body that they think others wouldn't check."

"But taking off their shirts?" Patroclus said quietly, "we still need to consider their comfort and safety in this."

"Well the text guy literally wants to kill himself, it's a necessary precaution! We can't waste any time!" Added Briseis.

Menelaus replied this time, "We still need to treat it with respect, if they find out we know, which I won't be surprised if they'll already know by this point in the check up, we need to reassure them that we care, not scare them away by asking and pressuring them to reveal quite possibly their deepest, darkest secrets to us."

"But if we don't, they'll realise and who knows how they'll react! They might actually be moved to commit suicide because they don't want to be found out and face the consequences!"

"Hey," Penelope cut all of them off, " I agree with all of you, I do. It is necessary but we still need to tread carefully here."

"Then?" Nestra asked, "What do we do?"

Penelope weighed out the options, "Well, then maybe not take have them take off their shirts, fully exposing them and leaving them vulnerable, but roll them up, definitely."

"What if they roll it up only far enough so that we don't see the scars and marks?"

"Then we gently ask them to roll it up higher if we're suspicious of them, gently being the key word here."

There were grumbles and nods scattered around the table, but everyone generally agreed with this idea. They added it in between steps four and five, with the note that if they feel the need to ask any more questions, they add it later on.

They now roughly had a plan, a concrete one. Step by step, everything was coming together.

Penelope looked over the people sitting in the cafe at the table around her, each all equally determined to help their friend, teammate or schoolmate.

"We can do this guys," she said, eyes sparkling and fists clenched on the table, "We'll help them, we can find out who they are and we will make their life worth living. No matter how long it takes us, no matter who it is or how reluctant they are. We can do this."

She put her hand in the middle of the table in a cliche, hands in cheer, smiling and watching as every else laughed along with her, putting their hands one on top of the other just like how she saw the soccer team do before every game.

Once everyone's hand was on the pile, she looked them all in the eye.

"For Mystery Boy."

"For Mystery Boy!" They all cheered after her, raising their hands in the air in unison.

Chapter Text

Entry 1:

Four days until the Soccer Team Investigation, Mission: Mystery Boy is looking good so far.

So far, we have narrowed down what we’re gonna be doing during the check-up (Okay, we need a new name for that… ‘Check-up’ makes it sound like we’re doctors speaking to little kids for gods’ sake-) as well as how to convince people why we’re there in the first place.

A few setbacks along the way: Three (or possibly even five) of our twelve members are unable to make it to the practice itself. 

Odysseus is unable to attend for unknown reasons, one of the team members gone.

Andromache has piano lessons that she can’t afford to miss, then a date with Hector afterwards which I will not let her skip for the WORLD, she has loved this boy for TWO YEARS-

Cassandra has to be back early because her parents aren’t home and her younger sibling will rampage if she isn’t there, especially with Hector being on that date. We lost another

Briseis is trying to get someone else to babysit her younger cousin for her and Helen is ninety nine percent sure that she doesn’t have after school classes on that day but she needs to check with her tutor.

Setback number two: According to Menelaus and Agamemnon, there are twelve out of fifty to sixty plue people who aren’t attending practice and that number is quite certainly going to increase within four days

We are still trying to find a solution-

The door to the classroom slammed open, causing her to jump. Okay, why did that always happen when she was trying to write?

She quietly closed the notebook, giving Parthenos a quick glance to make sure that he hadn't seen her not paying attention to class.

She slid the notebook back under the table with a sigh or relief when she saw that he hadn't, quickly scribbling down whatever he had written down on the board in her Literature notebook.

"Odysseus Laertes," Parthenos said, raising an eyebrow with his head tilted sideways facing the door.

He was sitting on the teacher's table, one leg propped against the front board while he was reading handwritten haikus from a journal.

"Glad you could join us," he continued in a sarcastic voice.

Penelope, as well as everyone else who wasn't already doing so, turned to the doorway of the lecture hall.

Odysseus stood there, a mix of panting desperately and mumbling out apologies as he leaned on the doorway for support, eyes closed as his chest heaved.

Penelope looked at the clock hung above the door. It was thirty-four minutes into class already. He was really late.

He's also drenched, Penelope noticed as an afterthought, noting his absolutely soaked hair and clothes clinging to his body, the puddle beneath him, water and...

"Why's the water bloody? Are you okay?" Patroclus asked from somewhere in the front, clearly worried.

So she wasn't seeing things...

His head darted down to the pool beneath him before he blinked, as if trying to remember.

"Oh- I tripped and fell face flat on the pavement on the way-" He said sheepishly, face red from the embarrassment and also from still having to gasp for air. How fast did he run?

Parthenos sighed tiredly, wanting to get back to reading no doubt. He scanned the classroom, eyeing the people near the door, unfortunately landing on her of all people.

"Icarius, escort him to the infirmary please," he said, waving them away, turning back to the journal in his hand.

Before she could get up however, Odysseus' eyes widened tenfold, his skin going paler and he all but screamed out.

"No!" He yelled out, blushing beet red again at everyone's stare.

He composed himself a little.

"No, really, I'm fine," he said, walking to the first empty seat that there was and sitting down after taking off his soaked hoodie.

The first empty seat just had to have been beside her, didn't it?

She glanced at him, eyebrows furrowed. What's the point of a hoodie if you're already wearing long sleeves underneath?

Parthenos shrugged and went back to his dramatic poetry recitation.

Well... at least he's a part of Mission: Mystery Boy, so she doesn't have to hide her notebook from him.

Damn Cici's house for being an hour and fifteen minutes away from school even when he sprinted as fast as he could. He'd even left early that day!

Damn himself for not checking the weather forecast beforehand.

Odysseus winced as he shrugged his hoodie off. He'd torn open a quite a few wounds while doing said sprinting to school.

His heartbeat was still racing, more due to the bloodied water and the almost- visit to the med bay rather than the running.

What he said wasn't necessarily a lie. He did trip, but he'd been in the soccer team for two years and took outside classes long before that. He knew not to land too hard, how to catch himself on his hands and how to fall as gently as possible.

It was a lame excuse, one he was glad Parthenos took. Odysseus was lucky that Parthenos was in his 'chillax mode' today because the man can be scary when he wants to.

If he was in a bad mood or a more attentive one, Odysseus knew that he wouldn't have gotten away with that. Parthenos wasn't archery and track co/relief trainer for no reason.

He quickly settled down beside Penelope, who he'd rather not be sitting next to until the next soccer team meeting but he'd have to do with whatever he could.

He felt exposed the moment his hoodie was finally fully off.

Odysseus squirmed in his seat slightly when he noticed Penelope looking at his shirt, resisting the very strong urge to pull his sleeves further down.

That would only make him look even more suspicious.

His eyes travelled to the noteboom that she had opened under the table. She was documenting the case.

Mission: Mystery Boy? Really? That makes it sound so much cooler and less terrifying than it is-

He turned back to grabbing his bag from where he had plopped it on the floor, thanking the gods that he didn't have to visit the infirmary.

He didn't go to the infirmary. Ever. Not unless it was an extremely good week for his guardians or they were away. He knew that if he did, Ascelepius would one hundred percent notice other marks and scars and that could only end in the worst way possible.

He already had to train his facial expression into one of someone who's actually interested and thinking hard yesterday in the cafe.

Gods, he'd never realised how uncomfortable it is to talk about something so private to you, so clearly, so sensitively and concerned before that.

The offhand remarks by his friends of how, if the person catches on about their plans, they're more likely to actually end their lives. How self-half can come in many ways, shape and form and they should check the places that are the least likely.

They were on point with all of those points that they made, they really were.

He'd genuinely considered doing it an hour after he'd realised that they knew, before Polites and Eurylochus had called him immediately afterwards, erasing the thought from his head.

There were too many ways that he'd 'punished' himself over the years. Of course, he did do usual ones, they helped the most and were most effective in extreme cases. But he definitely didn't stop there, his body was proof.

So yes, yes they were very on point with all of the things they said, about where to check, how not to aggravate anyone, even the privacy thing. It unnerved him, the way they so vividly knew signs, knew how to check.

Yesterday was hard for him to say the least...

He didn't even mean for the slip up about the infirmary in the first place. He didn't know that he'd be giving them the one idea that would work when to him, it was just sarcasm.

His heart had skipped multiple beats throughout their revelation. He HAD to open his mouth and give a witty, smart ass response, didn't he?

He was hoping that they wouldn't be able to find a solution and just drop it altogether. He's still hoping that they'd drop the topic after they don't find anything during the inspection.

He'd been hiding this for years already. He couldn't afford to be found out now.

He was elbowed in the side before his mind could jump to another topic.

He gave a soft yelp at the sudden burst of pain. Right... there was one there too-

He turned to Penelope, who was eyeing him with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes?" He asked, trying to keep the pain out of his voice.

Penelope rolled her eyes before leaning over.

"Parthenos is getting everyone in the row to read a stanza of his poems to make sure we were listening," She informed him.

She received a blink in response.

"I just came?"

"Yes, but in the seven minutes since that's happened he's finished like... one and a half more."

It's been seven minutes since he came?

He grabbed his own literature notebook from his bag, flinching in surprise when he pulled out a smudged, soggy mess. Of course-

The next person started reading, two seats before Penelope.

Shit.

That was the only word running through his head as he frantically flipped the pages, being careful so as to not tear anything.

All of his poems and notes were barely legible...

He looked at the board, clenching his jaw when he saw all the newest stanzas already wiped off.

He glanced down the row. Penelope was reading next turn, then him.

As he continued panicking, he heard the girl sigh beside him, before she slid her notebook in between the two of them.

She probably knew he hadn't been paying attention at this point, so when it came time for her to read, she had her finger following her words, pointing out where she started and stopped reading, helping him keep track.

He read next. He held up his own notebook to make it seem like he was reading, but he was actually looking at Penelope's in front of it. Parthenos wouldn't notice it from a distance.

He let out a sigh of relief when his turn passed. He thanked his tablemate under his breath, making sure that she heard him and smiled slightly back, slowly pulling back the notebook.

She glanced at his notes, holding back a chuckle.

"Bring a new book tomorrow and I'll lend you all the poetry to copy," she said.

She was just as kind as she was on text in real life, she really was. It warmed his heart slightly.

As the girl turned around, his eyes were caught on her, unable to turn away. Hm, her hair was... nice... in the light.

"Sorry Thea!"

Athena looked up, eyebrow raised, as the boy in front of her frantically rushed over to where she was sitting in the corner of the cafe.

Odysseus's hair was messed up and thrown messily into some semblance of a bun from being ever so slightly too long and kept falling over his face. He had his hoodie tied around his waist and his school bag slung over one shoulder. He had clearly been rushing here, if the panting breaths that he was huffing out said anything.

He all but collapsed into the seat beside her, immediately leaning his head on her shoulder as she smiled softly at him.

"Same thing?" She asked.

He nodded tiredly.

She called for the waitress, who walked over before realising who she was. The usual waitress just stopped and smiled, winking and then proceeded straight to the kitchen. Her and Ody had been coming to this cafe ever since he was seven with his parents so they were usuals and ones that the waiters and waitress's recognised immediately.

After the waitress travelled out of sight, Athena turned her attention fully back to the boy on her shoulder. He was practically curled up into her side, knees both bent under him on the seat and his arms tilting towards her.

She put a hand on his hair, running her fingers through it with a chuckle when the boy leaned further into her touch.

"Hello," she said, "tired?"

He groaned and shifted, putting his forehead against the corner of her shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her torso, nodding.

She guided his head down to her lap, where she laid him down to rest while waiting for the food.

She his eyes fluttered closed, she frowned ever so slightly.

She knew something was wrong with him and the others. His texts yesterday were still filled with hidden truths, hopes that she doesn't catch on.

She'd known him since he was five, eleven years ago. She knew something was wrong.

The worst part about this was that she really couldn't go check on him. Once his parents had passed away four and a half years ago, he'd been put up for adoption.

She hadn't been the first one to apply.

His new parents lived even further away from her and now, the only time he was able to meet her outside school was once a week, always starting out at the cafe.

He hadn't spoken too much of his new parents and while, for the first year or so, she had just believed that it was due to him grieving for his parents, she was well aware that... something... was out of the ordinary.

She knew Ody, she knew him well. She had watched him grow up as a bubbly boy, one who's eyes was filled with the joy and curiosity of someone always eager to learn new things. He'd ask her questions, bouncing up and down, even when he grew older.

So of course she noticed his stark change.

He was so much more... withdrawn nowadays. He silently nodded in conversations and yes, while her Ody was still in there, his light was dimming. It wasn't as bright as before and Athena was smart enough to know that it wasn't just because of his parents death...

"Here you go, your usual."

Athena smiled at the waitress, nodding in thanks as the food was delivered.

She shook Ody awake gently, watching is sleep dazed form as he sat up, rubbing his eyes.

He looked absolutely adorable.

He saw the food on the table in front of them, blinking away sleep, and got up to wash his face.

Athena watched him retreat to the bathroom, smiling fondly at the boy she saw as her own.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket and she took it out, expecting it to be work or something.

Polites? When was the last time he had even texted her?

•••

3.38pm

Polites: Hey Thea! :)

Thena: Polites?

Thena: Hi

Thena: What's up?

Polites: So...

Polites: Something came up at school

Polites: And I think Ody's gonna be interested in it :)

Chapter Text

"Thea? You listening?" Odysseus asked, eyebrows furrowed as his friend looked up at him.

He was halfway through ranting about his day when he realised that Thea had been staring at her phone for nearly half the time.

Thea never did that...

It's fine, it's a work message, he thought to himself, looking at her and waiting for a response.

"Sorry," She replied sheepishly, putting her phone back in her bag, "repeat that again?"

Instead of doing that however, the boy looked at his friend, even more curious.

She's not telling him... it's not a work message then. She'd always tell him if it was one.

"Who ARE you texting?" He asked, "You're the one usually telling ME not to use my phone-"

"Ody. It's nobody, continue."

The boy inwardly scoffed. It's something alright, something she had some reason not to tell him...

He froze slightly, smile growing comedically slowly on his face.

Her wording. Oh, she made the wrong choice of wording.

"You're clearly not texting me, so?" He answered out of habit, playful grin now plastered on his face.

Thea, who had been taking a sip of her drink, blinked, processing his words, before bursting into laughter at the old joke. She choked on her drink, coughing slightly.

"You need to stop that-" she choked out eventually, "It's getting old."

"Yet you still act like that whenever I bring it up," Ody pointed out, smirk growing even wider.

The people at the table nearest to them glanced at the duo weirdly but the boy didn't pay any attention to them.

When he had been eight, this random person had cornered him and there were no other people or witnesses in clear view.

That was the first worrying thing.

He had been playing alone in the playground, his parents were at the mall nearby buying groceries and they left him to play at his request.

Odysseus had noticed the man standing in the corner of the place ever since his parents left him, but he only now came up to talk to the child, a few minutes after the last kid left.

This stranger comes up to him, crouches down and asks him what his name was.

Odysseus, being the 'surprisingly smart (Thea's words)' eight year old that he was, became suspicious.

So he asked the man questions. Who was he? What did he want? ect.

The man deflected all his questions with promises that he'd tell him if/when Odysseus followed him.

The eight year old him had tried running away, but the stranger grabbed his wrist, albeit gently, and cornered him against the playground structure.

"No, sweetheart could you at least tell me your name please?"

His grin was malicious. It didn't look genuine, even to an eight year old. Odysseus tried his best to get out. He said no, told him to fuck off- specifically, he said 'Get the fuck away from me asshole!' While trying to pull his arm away- but the man remained steadfast in his attempt.

Out of the corner of his eyes, Odysseus saw Thea on a bench nearby. She hadn't noticed him yet, seeing as the playground wasn't completely in her field of view.

The boy's free hand immediately reached for his pocket, frantically digging through it for anything that could catch her attention. A coin.

He took it out, hiding it in his palm and he looked at the guy in the eyes. Odysseus waited until he was looking back at him, suppressing a shudder at the evil smirk plastered on the stranger's face.

Odysseus then glanced at the sun for a split second. He waited until it was fully without clouds covering it before flicking the coin out of his hand, making sure some of the sun's rays bounced off against it and made it gleam in the sun.

Utter relief filled him when his mentor and neighbour's gaze caught on the coin and then proceeded to land on him. She stood up immediately upon noticing his predicament.

As she rushed over however, her mouth started to open and Odysseus realised she might be about to say his name. A part of him was screaming at him to not let this stranger find out who he was. Something in him told him that bad things would happen if the man ever did find out.

So he started panicking, naturally. His brain stopped working and to make sure Thea didn't say his name, he blurted out the first thing that came to his head.

"NOBODY! MY NAME IS NOBODY!" He exclaimed, making sure that Thea managed to hear him.

The man's grip on his wrist had tightened, clearly losing patience and self control at this point.

Get the hint, get the hint. Please, get the hint , he prayed, hopefully.

She did.

She caught his point thankfully and instead of saying his name, she looked like she changed her wording last minute.

"Sweetheart!" She called, pretending not to have noticed the man and instead looking down, digging around the tote bag she was carrying while slowing her pace significantly.

Odysseus had never seen anyone jump back as fast and sudden that that stranger did. Immediately, the grip on his wrist was gone and the man was at least a meter away from him.

Thea now looked back up, holding her hand out to him while smiling. She turned to the man, who was failing to keep his expression from looking absolutely terrified of being found out. She nodded politely, still pretending, before looking back at him.

Odysseus ran to her, grabbing her outstretched hand and hugging her thankfully.

His and Thea spent the next half an hour together sitting on the bench, Thea reading him her book while he was trying to follow along and understand.

After his parents came back from the mall, Thea had followed them home just in case the man was still around.

She then explained to them what had happened and advised them not to leave Odysseus alone by himself with no one else around anymore.

His parents had given him hugs and apologies and thanked Thea to no end. They checked him to see if he was alright and after many... MANY reassurances by him, they gave him one last hug and said good night to Thea.

Until now, Odysseus and Thea both had no idea what that man's intentions were or what would've happened to Odysseus if he followed him, but seeing as Polites was attacked by the same man a week after that incident with a baseball bat and dagger, it's safe to say that Thea helped him dodge a HUGE bullet.

"Oh my gods... Mum! Dad! Look at this!" Cici exclaimed a week after what Odysseus dubbed 'The Playground Incident'.

Her phone had been under repair so, in a desperate need of entertainment, she tuned on the TV and the news came on from when Dad had been watching it last.

Before she could change the channel to something she would like, the news changed.

Odysseus was sitting next to her, doing homework on the coffee table. He looked up and froze. There he was. The same exact man who cornered him the previous week.

His parents came into the living room and only after they sat down did Odysseus read the headlines.

'Man Attacks Eight-year-old With a Baseball Bat and Dagger'

Odysseus blinked.

"That's him," he said, slightly numb.

His family whirled to face him, eyebrows furrowed.

"What did you say sweetheart?" Mum asked.

"The... the man at the playground. The thing last week, that's him," he repeated, pointing to the screen.

He went by Polyphemus and had apparently, according to evidence, murdered about six more kids around his age the same way after they followed him to some abandoned alleyway.

The eight-year-old that he'd attacked now  had refused him, just like Odysseus had. In turn, the the man (his alias was way too funny to take it seriously-) had fully lost patience and lashed out.

The family now just gained a whole new, dark appreciation for The Playground Incident.

Thea knocked on the door a few minutes later, most probably already having seen the news. Her hair was slightly disheveled and she had been rushing, seeing as her shoelaces weren't tied.

Before Odysseus' parents could start thanking her again, she spoke.

"It was Polites," she said, "Polites was attacked."

Odysseus probably blocked out whatever became next, because everything in his memory was blurry after the drive to the hospital.

"Ody?" Thea asked now, drawing his attention back to the food in front of him.

He jumped slightly at the sound of her voice, spilling a bit of juice out of the cup he was holding throughout that flashback.

Thea raised an eyebrow, rolling her eyes fondly.

"Zoned out again?" She asked.

The boy in question nodded, sighing in slight relief. Thea was one of the few people who knew he did that, though the reason he'd given her was that he just had problems focusing on things sometimes.

She'd taken that excuse thankfully.

"So," Thea said, shaking her head and turning back to her friend, "you were telling me about your day, yes?"

Athena absolutely adored the way her mentee and protoge's eyes lit up again. It's like he was so excited to share what she'd heard so far to be quite a tiring day.

She furrowed her eyebrows at the thought. Was he that happy that someone cared about his day? She cares about his every day.

Always have, always does, always will.

She cleared her mind, fully paying attention to him this time.

"Where did you stop paying attention?" He asked.

She furrowed her eyebrows, trying to think.

"Uh- Around when you burst into class thirty five minutes late and you had to sit next to Penelope with everyone staring."

"Thea, that was forever ago-"Ody deadpanned.

Was it?

"... Sorry-" she apologised quickly, smiling.

Ody rolled his eyes before sitting straight up again.

"So right," he started as if they'd never even paused it, "Then when I sat down I was still bloody panting for breath, then I zone out because OF COURSE my brain decides to do that!"

The redhead chuckles, taking a sip of her drink again. His stories are always captivating and enjoyable, no matter if he's describing the most boring and mundane things. His creativity, his MIND, that's on a whole different level.

"Anyways, then Pathenos decides to make sure we were Paying attention and listening to class SEVEN MINUTES after I come! Like, come ONN-"

That morning might have been the most terrified he had ever felt in his life.

Okay... that's exaggerating quite a bit, not the most terrified, but it was terrifying.

The rest of the day after that went... normal by his standards.

Lunch that day with the crew was much more relaxed than usual, the topic of 'Mystery Boy' only came up once or twice.

The worst part was probably Penelope texting him while the whole group was looking and waiting for a reply. It was a good thing that he was already using his phone when she did and could answer straight away after she sent the text.

"I'm sure Apollo was just making sure," Thea smiled.

Odysseus' mind paused, loading... loading... Oh right, he was telling Thea about his day-

Wait a damn minute-

"Seven minutes!" He complained, "Like, I KNOW you and the other teachers are practically family but really?!"

Thea laughed and he crossed his arms comically after throwing them in the air in protest.

"Like... my books were SOAKED, did I tell you that?"

"They were?"

"I ran in the RAIN! For an HOUR!" He complained, "Like, My ink was all smudged and I couldn't read ANYTHING on ANY of the pages!"

His friend winced.

"I had to read from Penelope's notebook and hope Parthenos didn't notice!-"

"Not to burst your bubble, but knowing Apollo, he probably did."

Odysseus smirked slightly.

"Nope," he said, popping the 'p', "He was in a 'I-wanna-read-my-own-poetry-everyone-else-shut-the-fuck-up' mood."

Parthenos (it seemed weird calling him Apollo, sorry Thea but he's not calling him that-) wasn't in the mood for paying attention today, which Odysseus was VERY grateful for.

That day, most of his teachers were lax and mostly inattentive.

Parthenos's was the clearest. His shoulders were relaxed and down and his usual aura of light was noticeably dimmer. Then his posture: sitting on the table, legs crossed. He wasn't in the mood for scolding or noticing the smallest details like his usually was at times.

Aetnaeus, Hephaestus, was standing in the fromt of the classroom cross armed. His eyes were more warm, not the raging fire that many students had seen before when he was upset and there was a hammer and mallet in his hands. Hyper focus that day was for the projects and not really the students.

Aphrodite, Apaturia as the other students called her though in Odysseus' opinion she didn't deserve that respect- Was bouncing on her heels when he walked in, eyes brighter than usual. She was standing behind the table excitedly. She had something to share and would be using up all her attention on that thing.

Coach Ares, he 'didn't need an epithet to show others he's capable' his words, not Odysseus's, wasn't clenching his fists and his frown only went slightly down. He didn't even scold the class for being two minutes late that day. He wasn't tapping his legs impatiently or glaring at the class randomly, wasn't scrutinising them for every single imperfection in their game.

Finally, Vice Principal Hera didn't even mark him down for being late that day, or notice the blood staining his pants slightly and although they were quite unnoticeable, she would've noticed on other days.

Odysseus could tell when someone was in a bad mood, could read their emotions and from there, he knows how to approach them or when not to come two meters near them. Which teachers would scold you for asking a genuine question and how would you know, that was something Odysseus had perfected.

Different people had different ways that they let their emotions slip or show, but there were some that were pretty much the same across majority of people.

When someone's in a bad mood and you lnow that they are, don't go anywhere near them. If you have to, follow and do whatever they tell you to, no excuses or buts or pleases.

If they blame you for something that wasn't your fault, don't object, give an 'I'm sorry' and look down. If they ask you to look them in the eyes instead and then proceed to tell you 'how dare you face me?' a few minutes afterwards, just say sorry and look down again. If they snap at you for rolling your eyes even though you were just keeping back tears, apologise. Don't fight them, don't get annoyed and do NOT show any discomfort or disrespect out loud.

Control your facial expressions, no eye rolls, not even what may seem like one to them. No tuts or sighs, breathing as silent as possible and don't let them notice your heart racing.

If you're scared for whatever reason, gods above do not show it. Dig your fingernails into the palm of your hand, bite your lips or the inside of your cheek until it draws blood, use pain as a distraction. Just don't ever let them see you cry, not until they're gone, until they leave and you're alone, the echoes of their screams ringing non stop in your ear.

Never let them see you cry, not even a tear.

Don't give them the pleasure and satisfaction or seeing you break.

Chapter Text

2 Days until Soccer Team Investigation (STI), This is Entry 3:

Updates:

. Briesis and Helen are both able to come for the investigation, which is good because I honestly don't know what I would've done otherwise, 5 is too many people lost-

. Three more people unable to come to practice, that's sixteen people after one from yesterday, which means higher chances Mystery Boy is among the people unable to come.

But regardless, we try.

We try and we help Mystery Boy however we can.

•

Now, future me or anyone else reading this, you might be wondering why we aren't telling anyone, authorities, teachers or just adults in general.

Well, this is a very, very sensitive topic, one that might result in more trouble if we tell someone in power.

I need to see who Mystery Boy is, how he's doing in school, in ... life. We need to let him know first that we're trying to help, need to ensure that we have solid proof of anything at all before telling anyone else.

I really hope Mystery Boy is doing better now. We've sent normal texts, well... as normal as it can get between the two of us- More pictures of Argos, homework (Look, I know I said that was a one time thing that night but damnit why are all of our teachers giving us difficult papers now, it's the middle of the year!-) And we even try solving questions (*cough* Math *cough*) Together at times when both of us are unable to solve a particular question.

I've made up my mind (I say as if this hasn't been what I wanted ever since this mission started-). I want to get to know him more after we help him, honestly, it's like having a friend that you can always talk to, seeing as he's for some reason most of the time online-

He seems like a nice person, like you can debate with him, banter yet he'll genuinely help you when you have a problem.

Does he still act like a know it all asshole at times? Yes, definitely.

Do I find that part extremely annoying? Of course. Anyone would-

But do the things I like about him outweigh the ones that I don't? Absolutely, yes. By a LARGE margin.

And for the know it all attitude, at least it's not whatever I got on the night this investigation started, four-five nights ago. Anything would be better than that.

Anyways, this has for some reason become more of a diary than a place to write down updates so this Entry is done.

~~~~~~

Penelope sat back, re-reading her writing and checking for any grammar mistakes.

'Parthenos would be proud-' She thought amusingly.

“Why does Soccer Team Investigation make it seem like we're trying to solve a murder?”

Penelope let out a yelp of surprise as she whirled her head around to face Odysseus, who had apparently sneaked up on her from behind and was now reading over her shoulder.

He had his usual smirk on his very punchable face and an eyebrow raised, arms crossed.

She suddenly became very self conscious of the notes she had been writing.

“I-” She blushed furiously, “Mind your own business!”

She glanced back at the notebook, slamming it closed.

He was not supposed to have seen that. Of all people to see that, it just HAD to be him.

Before she could get up leave however, the boy spoke up again, tone curious this time.

"Is that Scarlet?"

Penelope froze, turning back to face him, eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"What?" She asked.

He pointed and Penelope followed the direction his finger was pointing in to the art on the cover of her notebook. A bright, deep, royal red dragon with a marred face stared back up at them.

Queen Scarlet... he knew her then?

"Uh- yea," She replied, automatically excited by the newfound knowledge, "You know Wings of Fire?"

His smile immediately warped to one of genuine joy.

" Know it?" He said, "That's like... my favourite series EVER, I've loved it since I was five!"

Penelope raised an eyebrow, eyes widened.

"You started reading when you were five?" She asked, incredulous.

Odysseus probably realised how surprising that was because he rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, plopping down on the space next to her on the bench that she was at. She moved aside, giving him a bit of space.

Forget any of their previous arguments or hatred for the time being, she desperately wanted someone she could talk about this series to.

"Well... one of my neighbours started reading it out loud to me from the first book, then the minute I turned like... eight to nine and I could actually read and understand the story, that was my first proper novel and series," He shrugged, turning back to the notebook, "I had NO idea there was merchandise for it-"

He glanced at Penelope, waiting for her nod before taking the notebook from the table, mouth slightly agape as he ran his fingers over the art on both the front and back covers.

Penelope furrowed her eyebrows as she glanced at the dragon again.

"Okay, here's what I don't get," she said, "Now, I am only done with the first arc so far, keep that in mind, but what is the hype about Scarlet?"

He turned to her, a newfound gleam of excitement in his eyes.

"I mean, I have read arguments online about people saying she's their favourite character," She continued, "heck, there are multiple people arguing that she didn't deserve to die. Speaking of which, she's dead?!"

Odysseus winced, smiling growing wider.

"Oof, spoilers-" he chuckled, "but yeah, she's..."

He mimed snapping his own neck. Penelope blinked.

"Of all things, she was snapped in the neck? How did anyone get to her?"

He looked like he was about to answer before he paused, processing her words.

"Oh, that would be a spoiler," he said, sitting up straighter.

Damnit- Penelope groaned.

"I mean, like... she's a really good villain, but she IS still a villain," she said, thoughtfully.

"Hey," Odysseus rejected, nudging her shoulder while looking mock-offended, "Villains make or break a story, I'll have you know!"

"Oh don't tell me you're a villain apologist-"

He chuckled, "Well, I wouldn't say apologist , majority of them are definitely still horrible people, but I love those villains with a backstory y'know? It's really interesting seeing how they came to be... them, really."

"Scarlet has an interesting backstory?"

"Oh, nope," he said, shaking his head comically quickly, "She's thrillingly terrifying for the sake of her own entertainment, that's what everyone loves about her."

Penelope shuddered.

"That word I swear," she said, scrunching up her face, "Great job Scarlet I can say that you have officially ruined an inherently positive word for me..."

She turn back to her surprisingly newfound Wings or Fire fan-

"So, read any other books?... Harry Potter?" She asked, saying the first book she could think of.

"I gave up halfways through the fifth book," he admitted, "Have you seen how thick that thing is? Though... I suppose Achilles told me the ending is worth it and the next two books are good so I might try finishing it over the next long holidays or something."She shrugged in response.

Okay, definitely fair game, Penelope took a two week break three quarters into the book that thing IS long...

**Harry Potter Spoilers**

.

.

.

Wait- so if he was halfway through Order of the Pheonix he doesn't know about Voldemort. He doesn't know his whole backstory, or the horcruxes or The Deathly  Hallows yet... he hadn't seen R.A.B, 'Not my daughter you bitch'. Baby Teddy, heck, even Romione and Hinny- Shit.

He hasn't seen Sirius' death. Or Dumbledore, or Snape, or Lupin, Tonks, Fred-

... hold up-

**All clear now**

"I'm sorry, Achilles reads??" She asked.

Don't get her wrong, Achilles Peleus was extremely talented. Star pupil of the team, single handedly can win a 3v1, with his eyes closed and shoot like... four goals (That was a fun day-), pupil of esteemed mentor and teacher Chiron.

But of all the Acheans besides maybe Agamemnon, Achilles was the absolute last person you'd expect to enjoy reading, not just read, to LIKE doing it-

"I know! Like, he's the absolute LAST person you'd expect!" Odysseus laughed, "He's the only other person in my friend group besides me who reads as a hobby."

Okay, that was news to her-

"Really?" She said, smile on her face.

"Mhm! He likes Wings of Fire too, matter of a fact, Qibli's his favourite."

Qibli? That small sandwing from the Scorpion Den that befriended sunny...

so he's probably going to become a bigger character then.

"Okay, from book five I can definitely see that," she nodded, purposefully adding the book number.

She didn't mind spoiling this small part, because truth be told, she really liked Qibli too, she'd be more excited to read the next arc if he's in it.

She got her confirmation when he paused slightly.

"Shit- I forgot you haven't read past arc one, uh..."

"No, no it's fine," she said, grinning wider now, then thought harder, "So we see more of him then? Wait... is he a main character now?"

She looked at him for confirmation, eyes wide and excited.

"Just checking, that's a question and not you thinking out loud, yes?" He clarified.

She nodded enthusiastically, crossing her fingers. She pumped them in the air excitedly when he nodded back.

All hatred (but was it really at this point or was she just keeping a grudge?) for him out the door, she was REALLY happy that she now had a new book nerd to talk too.

"Hmm..." She thought, practically bouncing in her seat, tapping her fingers on the table, "Favourite book tropes?"

He adjusted his seating position a bit before being in a more comfortable one, eyes sparkling.

"Okay... so I like, you know... okay it's VERY specific, but I love a hero corruption arc and when the main character manages to find a balance, like they're still the monster but they have vulnerable moments still, they don't just become an unkillable beast they're just more... ruthless? I think that's the word.

Like, say, they're still a monster to others but there is still people who they're soft with, they do have breakdowns. So many hero corruption arcs that I've seen is just, character faces big loss, character decides to change, character goes from well written deep character to immortal beast, emotionless and merciless.

I don't like those corruption arcs because I mean- come ON- they were such a complicated diverse character before the change! You just basically strip them of their whole personality!

I want one where it's like... they are conflicted on the inside. They want to be the monster to spare themselves and the ones they love from any further future pain but at the same time, that really just, isn't who they are as a person. They are the person who only uses violence when necessary and at the same time isn't afraid of doing whatever it takes during those times.

I also want to see that they're still human. I want them to break down, show both the audience and the characters in the story that they still have a weakness, they're not perfect now they still have things and challenges they need to overcome.

Bonus thing, but I LOVE the ones where they like... they learn from every villain or enemy they've fought and somehow, somewhat incorporate them into like, a strategy.

Like, I've seen a thing where Anti Hero main character goes on a LONG journey and along the way he slowly changes to become the villain and he basically becomes the final boss of the whole story!

So anyways that's my favourite trope," He said, "Uh- sorry for the mini rant-"

"No, no, I totally get it," she reassured him, "I get WAY too excited over my interests and hyper fixations!"

"Right?" He said, laughing slightly before turning to her, "So? What's yours?"

"It changes literally every book I read- but I think currently? Probably between found family and platonic mentor-student family dynamics."

She always had a soft spot for those kinds of platonic relationships in books or just, media in general really.

The Dragonets of Destiny in Wings of Fire, Gryffindor and the Order of the Pheonix in Harry Potter, the Crows in Six of Crows {I didn't add this in the spoiler thingy but this is technically not a spoiler?-}.

"I absolutely ADORE the dynamics and relationships, especially when uh- they are pretty much using each other in the beginning with every one of them only a part of the mission or journey for their own purposes. Then along the way, they go through life or death situations with each other and they get to know each other better and realise 'Oh shit, they're my family now-' I LOVE those!"

Odysseus nodded, smile wider and more enthusiastic than Penny had ever seen it, "I love those where like... they know each other's phobia, fighting style, strengths and weaknesses, weapon of choice, way of strategising and then we get to a very relaxed of the book and-"

"And they just sit down and go 'So um... what's your favourite colour?"

"Exactly!" He exclaimed, "I know your whole background and character arc but how old are you?"

"Or even better, they're strangers shoved into this and immediately have enemies and trauma thrown in their faces. After that, they all gather around and are like, 'So... I have no idea who ANY of you are, what's your guys' names?'"

The boy beside her snorted due to the irony that the situation would bring.

Penelope smiled, chuckling along with him before she paused inquisitively.

'Huh,' she realised suddenly, 'I'm having a conversation with Odysseus Laertes about books and character arcs... AND I'm enjoying it-'

"Penelope?" Odysseus asked, "You okay? You... kinda just stopped smiling suddenly?"

Penelope looked up, eyebrows furrowed with a smile on her lips.

"I... just realised that this is the first positive conversation I've had with you... ever-" she said, looking at him like she never had before.

The two shared a look of realisation and he looked down slightly.

"I... I guess it is..." he said, "y'know, I always got the notion that you... kinda hated my guts."

Penelope nodded, "Oh, I definitely did and I... I'm not really sure I still do after this conversation, not gonna lie... I might, but if I do it's a LOT less."

She could've sworn, his face brightened up just a little bit at her words. His eyes widened and his mouth fell slightly agape before he smiled at her.

He smiled, not a sad one like she'd seen him give his dog or Diomedes, not faked like he'd given Ctimene, not even excited or enthusiastic like he'd given her multiple times throughout their earlier conversation.

No.

This was a different smile, it was peaceful and genuine . His eyes most definitely gained a brighness and shine to them, his smile reached his eyes. He looked happy , like... really, truly joyful that she didn't hate him anymore.

It warmed her heart slightly and she realised that she'd been keeping a grudge against someone who hadn't been mean to her for a year already.

"Well, I'm glad to be in your... okay... books?" He asked, raising an eyebrow with the smile still plastered on her face.

She could... really get used to seeing that smile...

She nodded back once again, her own smile growing wider.

"You know Odysseus Laertes," She said, speaking so that only he could hear her, "Maybe you're not so bad..."

5 hours earlier

The bus broke down-

DAMNIT the bus broke down!

It stopped in the middle of a usually empty road winding through the forest.

A woman in front relayed the message, urging everyone to remain calm and to at all times remain inside the premises of the bus. Visible groans and screams of protest could be heard from everyone inside.

"AGH!" A voice groaned from the back of the bus, "Fucking heck-"

There was a reassuring hand on his shoulder and he calmed down, glancing at the person sitting beside him.

There was a smile plastered on his face before lightning struck and a crack of thunder spooked everyone. It sounded like it was near to them.

Many people raised their hands up to their ears as a second round of thunder and lightning came immediately after that. Even without a single glance outside the window could tell you that it was absolutely pouring. Rain crashed heavily against the side of the bus, on the roof as well.

Another flash of lightning and this time, the bus shook. Light flashed everywhere outside the windows and the following Bang was louder than ever heard before for the occupants of the bus.

There were screams everywhere and people jumped away from the windows and the sides of the bus as it was struck by lightning.

Quite a few of the occupants had burns and bruises across their bodies due to having been in contact with the surface of the bus when it was struck.

They were all left in a daze as the deafening sound rang non stop in their ears. The injured winced and whimpered slightly, clutching their wounds. The lights flickered off as electricity was cut throughout the bus. People immediately tried calling for help but there wasn't service deep in the forest.

The sound of rain became even louder as the occupants started panicking. The same woman from earlier stood up once again, this time clutching her belongings with her.

All passengers on the bus are to gather in the middle, absolutely no contact with any of the surfaces beside the floor.

There was an immediate rush as all the people unbelted themselves and stood up, some requiring help due to fear and shock.

The two boys behind stayed close to each other, one eyeing the windows outside warily while the other was mumbling silent prayers.

Another bus came up from behind them and after a couple minutes and stopped beside the bus that had broken down. The bus driver exited the second bus and all the people on the right side of the bus were curiously looking out the window, squinting.

Though they were barely able to see anything, a few occupants with good eyesight managed to spot the outline of the other bus, lights off and all the passengers in that bus gathered inside.

The occupants of the second bus watched as their driver helped pry open the door to the bus.

In the first bus, the two drivers and the lady in front checked on the safety of the other passengers. After a bit of talking, a plan was made.

Injured passengers and passengers with disabilities would be transferred to the second bus, which would drive out the forest and call a tow truck for the first bus the moment signal was regained.

As the last of the passengers was transferred, they were held up by the boy at the back. He whispered something into their ear and after getting a nod in return, went back to his friend.

The second bus driver carefully transferred all occupants, one by one, until every seat in the second bus was filled up. The first bus driver and the woman in front worked together to retrieve said passengers' belongings, specifically two in particular who needed their inhalers from their bags.

The occupants in both busses were filled with anticipation as people in the second bus immediately moved to make way for the transfers. The last transfer boarded the bus and they immediately walked over to a girl in the middle, sitting beside her as they conveyed the message.

The girl in question nodded, before noticing that there was a burn travelling across their arm. She immediately took out her water bottle and a ziploc bag that she had previously packed snacks in.

She poured the cold water into the ziploc bag and the burned student put their arm into the bag, letting it rest in the water. It was the best they could do in the meantime.

The girl looked the first bus's retreating form as they drove on. She replayed the message in her head:

'You're gonna arrive first, if you see him and he asks, don't give it away. Leave it a surprise :)'

She chuckled slightly to herself, awaiting her arrival at Illian High School.

Poli and Eury haven't called or even texted in four days...

Odysseus glanced at his phone with a flash of childish hope when it pinged, only for it to be crushed even more when it was just from his 'guardians'...

He froze, accidentally clicking open the message as he was trying to exit the app. His eyes scanned the six words on the screen.

... He could come back 'home' now...

Of course, 'could' means that he was expected to be back 'home', that he had to be. His 'guardians' had once again realised that they couldn't function without him back at that place and he was to come back and be their servant and fucking punching bag and dummy.

He bit his lips slightly at the thought of returning, as he did on most days.

Obey. Just obey, no matter what. Breathing normal, eyes trained down, follow orders.

His fingers subconsciously went to the new injuries that he'd gotten, under his clothes and covered, away from the eyes of anyone who might find out.

He sighed and put his phone back down on the table, shaking away any thoughts from his head. That was for him to worry about after school.

He turned back to the empty space beside him where Penelope had gone to get a drink for Helen, Cassandra and herself. Odysseus glanced at the Queen Scarlet notebook she'd left where she was sitting and a smile started forming on his face.

He thought of the conversation that they'd had earlier, a conversation that he only had a chance to have with Cici nowadays and even then, she was at college for most of the day, even when he did stay there.

He'd already discussed everything that he could with Achilles and Thea and while he could rant about it to Polites and Eurylochus, those two were never really huge readers.

He furrowed his eyebrows again at the thought of them. He shook his leg under the table as he replayed all of their previous conversations with him.

They'd both seemed fine, was it something that he did? Was he too aggressive? Was he too energetic? Did he say something insensitive?

But if he did, why didn't Eury and Poli tell him? That's what they always did... but he was sure he didn't. He's known them since they were kids, since before they moved. There isn't anything that triggers them, he knew that.

Polites could absolutely joke and have a laugh about the Polyphemus incident, Eurylochus only got sheepish when the topic of the Thrinacia 'Cow Plushie' Incident came up, even he could smile about the Argos-Circe Incident (The thing in chapter 7-) with said girl around, though he was the one who brought it up first.

They were best friends, Ody KNEW they would tell him if he did something. So it wasn't him... then... did something happen on their end?

No... no Polites would've told him if he and Eury had a fight and even then, the two still call him, just separately.

Odysseus had fond memories of sitting in the park toggling between the two of them as they both, yes... Polites too surprisingly, start ranting about the other, or the fight, or their day.

He tried calming himself down. He was being narcissistic, acting like he was the only thing that mattered in their minds. They could very well be busy, a lot of homework or a project.

The anxiety and common sense of his brain on the other hand told him that that couldn't be the case either. They call him nevertheless, placing the phone down in a corner of their desk as they work on assignments. Heck, they preferred doing that, seeing as Odysseus could help them whenever they got stuck on a question.

Maybe... their phones were confiscated? Nope- no, Polites' parents don't do that at all, they give him as much freedom for phone usage as long as he keeps up he 'A game' for studies. It couldn't be that their parents don't allow it either. Those two are still neighbours, their parents love him like their own child.

Polites' parents showered him with all the love they thought he needed after his own parents passed away and he came back from the funeral and passing of guardianship or whatever you call that.

He stayed in their house the whole time he was in middle school because he lived too far away. All three pairs of parents adored their childrens' friendship and all of them even asked why they weren't calling at times because it was such a common occurrence.

So they're not busy, they didn't get into a fight, it's not his fault, their phones weren't confiscated, it's not their parents ... what else?

He started wracking his mind for any possibilities, and reasons at all why they hadn't contacted him at all. Not a text explaining why, not an explanation or warning the last time they called before the fucking message situation even started.

Before things got so bad he started randomly venting to Penelope anonymously and his whole LIFE was about to change, that was the last time he had contact with his best friends.

The hours he got in the park or with Argos in his room, on the phone with the two of them before his 'guardians' got home were his favourite parts of the day, they made his every day brighter.

They didn't know about his guardians either, absolutely not, but they were patient with him nonetheless. They understood when he didn't like talking about his guardians, because they thought he still missed his parents.

Those last few days at Cici's were lonely for him, the only ones he really texted were Penelope as Mystery Boy and his friends. Cici wasn't home most of the day, those days where he stayed at Cici's were always his favourite because he could call them longer, they could call into the night, all the way until one of their parents told them it was bedtime.

He missed them, he REALLY did. They hadn't even seen each other in person since the beginning of the long holidays at the end of the previous year. He really missed them...

Tears prickled at the corners of his eyes without warning and he had to blink them away as fast as possible and when he failed to, he stood up abruptly, deciding to go for a little walk with his thoughts. He didn't know where he was going, just that he couldn't keep sitting there with his tsunami of emotions for much longer.

He started walking, hands hugging his sides as he prayed to himself.

Please, please, please pleaseplease please ... they were his best friends, they were his whole world, his family, his life . He couldn't loose them too, he doesn't want to loose them.

Not now, especially not now not when he needed them calling him the most, when he needed them by his side, needed their talks, needed THEM. His life was about to go to pieces, it was inevitable, he needed them here... he needed them...

There was a yelp as he bumped into someone else, both of them tumbling to the ground upon the impact. He was shaken out of his thoughts immediately, getting up and looking at the person he knocked over.

"I am so sorry are you oka-" he started, holding a hand up for them to grab, before pausing slightly.

The girl he'd bumped into had dark brown hair and caramel skin, her eyes were warm brown with a hint of gold outlining it. She wore a dress which was a mix of pale and dull medium pink. There were gold bangles on her wrists and her wavy hair was tied into a braid.

She was looking at him, eyes wide and he... he recognised her, knew her well, those eyes were so familiar, he knew them. They always looked away for the longest time any time she used to see him out of guilt, those same eyes that begged for forgiveness after he helped her when she hurt him.

Those eyes that crinkled upwards when she finally managed to talk to him, the sound of her voice rang in his ears as he remembered his final months of middle school...

"...Circe?"

Circe Aeaea stared back up at him, her hair slightly askew with wide eyes.

"O-Odysseus-" she said, stuttering slightly as she blinked in surprise, "uh... hi..."

He quickly shook his head, getting out of his stupor before reaching a hand out to his friend, helping her back up to her feet.

The both of them brushed off dirt and dust from their clothes before Odysseus went back to look at her.

Circe had grown a lot since he'd last seen her. She was taller than him for one, which Odysseus was a bit salty about but that didn't really matter, and her style only got more pronounced and refined.

He furrowed his eyebrows, lips slightly apart as he looked at her a bit more closely. His smile grew wider at the realisation and he let out a quiet laugh of success and joy when he noticed.

Her eyes looked a lot brighter and happier, no longer filled with guilt and the way she stood tall and prideful and confidently honest made him happy. His own pride became evident when he was the way her hair was pinned up and a smile was ever present on her face.

He smile at her, genuinely ecstatic for her.

She'd started her healing journey. She was recovering from everything that she was put through, the trauma that she had endured.

When he saw her last time, she always hid behind her hair, she only smiled ever so slightly once smiled at and she almost always walked with her shoulders scrunched and crossing her arms. She was timid, scared and shy.

The girl he saw in front of him now was none of those things. She was happy and healthy. There was an aura of comfort surrounding her and she glowed, her eyes shone.

It was a difficult thing to do, to recover and heal from such a traumatic experience and he was so, so proud of his friend for managing to start hers.

Based on Circe's look of realisation, she understood why he was looking at her the way he was. Her smile instantly grew gentle and much softer. She reached out and held his hands in her own and she pulled him into a gentle embrace.

Due to the warning she'd given, Odysseus welcomed it and immediately hugged back, closing his eyes as he marveled in the shared joy and warmth evident in the hug. He couldn't help but melt slightly into her touch, immediately comforted by the sight of a familiar face.

He let out a sigh of both relief and just... content at the embrace. He was so happy for her, he was, but he couldn't help but find all of his worries leave his brain at the contact.

Her eyes shone even brighter when they pulled back. She still held his hands, her smile becoming even more excited and enthusiastic.

"You're healing," he said, voicing both of their thoughts out loud.

Circe nodded, seemingly unable to comprehend the fact herself before she started laughing, unable to contain the tears of absolute joy that welled up in her eyes.

Her grip on his hands tightened in the best way possible as she spun the two of them around in a childish way, chuckling and so utterly overjoyed.

"Thank you," she said, stepping closer to him, beaming as her voice gained so much emotion, "I never would've gotten here without you."

She pulled him into another hug, this time squeezing slightly tighter. He rested his forehead on her shoulder, seeking his own shelter in her embrace.

He definitely wasn't as subtle about the comfort he was inevitably experiencing from the hug as he would've liked though, seeing as he heard a soft 'oh' of realisation from her before the hug somehow became even warmer.

He hadn't had a hug in a long time, he really hadn't. The last one was probably Cici, the last time he'd come over to her place before the previous one a few days ago... a month back? Two?

He honestly hadn't realised how much he loved them until then, when he felt nothing but warmth and safety in his friend's arms. He felt protected, loved even...

He hadn't texted Circe in a long time, specifically because he didn't exactly have her number, but now that he was reunited with her, now that he saw her again, he had hope...

Maybe... just maybe... he had someone else on his side. Circe knew at least some of what he was going through, she'd experienced it herself.

Her smile and joy when she saw him again filled his mind.

He'd found someone else who loved him, he realised as Circe hugged tighter... he'd never realised before then, but the number had grown from four to five a long time ago.

Chapter Text

Okay... Odysseus' reaction to getting hugged wasn't normal, Circe Aeaea knew that much.

The way he immediately melted into it, she didn't even realise that he was tense at all until the way he relaxed into the contact made it so painfully obvious.

He was desperate for the touch, or at least hadn't experienced that much of it... and from what Polites and Eurylochus had told her thus far, he had his own friend group now, five others besides him if she's not mistaken-

His reaction really shouldn't be the case.

If there was one thing Circe was absolutely certain about Odysseus Laertes, it was that he was a) The most forgiving person you'd ever meet- and b) someone who's love language was most definitely physical touch.

Not even just with Polites and Eurylochus either, most anyone who met him really.

Whenever she had a panic attack and he was there to calm her down, one thing that was inevitable was that he'd one way or another end up holding her hand.

In fact, if she had a panic attack anymore nowadays she'd ask for someone to do that because she'd gotten so used to him doing it. It provided her with a sense of grounding, a sense of support and companionship that worked wonders for her.

Pats on the back, shoulder nudges, arm brushes, fingers intertwining for people he's a bit more used to. He marveled in contact, she knew that within the first week of knowing him... like, genuinely getting comfortable with him.

It was the middle of his second year at school already, that fact should've been obvious a LONG time ago to his new friends, to anyone really, so why did his body language say that he's been touch starved?

She furrowed her eyebrows before sighing slightly, pulling out of the hug slowly and instead, she held his shoulders gently, smiling.

Circe examined his face, committing it to memory. He'd changed so much since she last saw him, he had. She wanted to memorise everything new now. She probably had to re-learn him, though hopefully not.

The Ody she knew during those last few months at school was happier than he had  been in a while according to his best friends.

Circe found out from Polites and Eurylochus a bit into her first year at High School that his mum had passed on a few weeks before it had happened and by the ever loving gods did that make her feel SO MUCH WORSE ...

She didn't deserve Ody, she really, really didn't. She was SO lucky and thankful to have a friend like him. He helped her start her healing journey, had he not reached out she truly might still be the same person she was last time...

'Odysseus Laertes, you changed my life...' She thought.

She smiled once more before gesturing over to a table she'd seen nearby, the two walking over to continue catching up.

She hadn't meant to run into him, she was searching for the washroom when it had happened. Polites' words rang in her head as she looked up at him, though only after she noticed it was him she'd bumped into.

It took her a few seconds to recognise him again, his hair was longer, he was more tanned, like he had been running a lot. Mostly though, the air around him felt... different...

Ody had always been happy, whether it was a fake smile or not there was always a smile on his face. He'd been frowning when she'd bumped into him, she realised that now...

She could just chalk everything up to 'he'd changed'. It was simple, it really was. He could have just undergone a change in personality and she might just have to accept that the Ody that she knew and loved was gone.

And she did.

She accepted it, that he'd become a new person... all the way up until she saw him realise her change.

Because the smile that blessed his face, the way his eyes widened, he looked more excited than anyone had before that, he looked so proud of her. His laugh when she recognised all the growth she'd been through.

That was her Ody, the one she knew and loved. He was in there, she knew that now.

So what happened to it?

What happened to him ?

Circe Aeaea wasn't expecting... this... whatever it was, when she first entered the school and had been thinking him. No, she was expecting to meet him through a whole different scenario.

Now though, now her plans had changed.

Because now, what she wanted more than anything was to bring out her Ody as much as possible, not pushed down into the depths of his heart.

She was going to get her Ody back, hers and Polites' and Eurylochus'.

Odysseus couldn't help but feel much more at ease with Circe around. His shoulders were definitely less tense and he found himself smiling easily throughout the whole reunion earlier...

Wow... he was smiling a lot today wasn't he-

He looked at Circe again, who had her head tilted where she sat, arms crossed and looking somewhere past him, though that was probably just her zoning out.

That same pang of happiness for her returned as he noticed how healthy she was and looked. She'd been eating and exercising regularly by the looks of it. He spent most of his last year at middle school worrying about her and if she was okay, of course he noticed that she'd been healing. Plus, it was the opposite of him -

He cleared his throat, pushing all thoughts out of his head as he caught his friend's attention.

"So," he began, sitting up straighter and propping his arms on the table separating the two of them, "You're good it seems?"

Her smile reached her eyes when she grinned back at him, which made his own lips upturn slightly.

"Better then ever," she replied.

Her voice.

Gods... he forgot how much he missed her voice, missed their conversations with one another...

He missed her - not as much as Poli and Eury obviously, but he did miss her-

She'd joined his life fairly later compared to everyone else in his middle school days, but that didn't make any difference to him whatsoever.

Because it was quality over quantity wasn't it? It wasn't about how much time she spent with him, it was about how much it meant to him.

It was about how she made him happy, and how her smile made him all the more relaxed, how she made all the problems in his life feel insignificant. Made them feel like droplets because now that she was here, he had a tsunami backing him up, to lean on, one that would wash away his struggles and swallow them whole.

Just like Poli and Eury... where were they?-

"Hey," Circe said, placing her hand on his with her eyebrows furrowed. Her smile grew sadder, which made his throat choke up slightly, "how about you? Are you okay?"

Those words-

Damnit, damnit stop it-

His heart pounded in his chest, emotion flowing and being pumped throughout his body. It was overwhelming. He was almost unable to hold back any surprise and pain that could have shown on his face.

He desperately tried to push away any tears that stung in the corner of his eyes to stay back...

He saw the moment Circe noticed the tears glistening in his eyes from the way she moved her hand to presumably cup his face.

Shit.

He pulled away from her gently, pretending to run his hand down his face for the sake of rubbing the tears away. He hoped the movement went unnoticed but he could tell deep down that it wasn't. Not one bit.

"Ody-" Circe started, reaching out to him.

"It's fine, I'm okay," he said, forcing a smile on his face even though he knew she was aware it was a fake one, "Y-You never told to me why you're here, did you?"

Take the bait, take the bait, PLEASE take the bait...

He let out a visible sigh of relief when she sat back down on her seat, getting comfortable. He looked at her gratefully as she stared talking.

She smiled back slightly, shrugging.

"My school's here for a quick, few-day-long trip," she said, "Y'know, cause your school's one of the more elite ones and all."

Oh, he probably should've guessed that, he realised. The only reason the Acheans and the girls were waiting at the benches near the school entrance in the first place was because Helen asked for help welcoming an arriving school from a town a few hours away.

It was pretty surprising that all twelve of them were there and waiting, but hey, they get to skip class to do it. Who'd refuse that?

He paused, mind trying to go back to the briefing that Helen had given them earlier in regards to the school. He remembered that by the time he'd come down, which was slightly late due to losing track of the time, the first bus had already arrived at school and the students were sent... wherever they were- the hall? Cafeteria?

Whichever, the rest of the student had yet to arrive for... unknown reasons, apparently.

Which school was it? He wasn't sure, no one had explained to him or maybe he hadn't asked... or maybe someone did tell him and he had been zoning out...

Which school was Circe in? He was certain that she told him what school she had in mind multiple times. Had he been in sound mind and not worrying about Poli and Eury or trying his absolute best not to break down in front of Circe, he's absolutely sure that he would've been able to remember.

What school did she end up going to anyways?

Circe froze as the question was posed to her. Um... she hadn't planned this far-

"What school did you get into?" Ody asked, eyebrows furrowed as if trying to remember which school she'd wanted when they last met.

Okay... although it was worrying her a lot, it was somewhat fortunate that Ody seemed to not be in a right mind....? She'd told him her dream school probably a million times and she made it into that school. And she knew Ody. Ody in his right mind would never forget.

But now, she was trying her very best to think of a way to lie to him, which she usually wouldn't be able to do... she really needed to find out what was wrong with Odysseus...

"Uh... I-" She started when her phone suddenly buzzed, "hold up a sec-"

She was hoping to stall the most time she could while trying to think of a school... any school near her house but she was drawing a serious blank.

The unlocked her phone.

*Unread message from-*...

Oh thank the gods-

Circe opened the chat and pretended to look shocked at the message, jolting up as if she had forgotten something or lost track of the time.

"Oh shit-" she said suddenly, eyes widening as she froze slightly. She turned back to Odysseus, who was staring back at her, worried.

"Everything okay?"

She turned to him, nodding hurriedly as she abruptly stood up, "Yeah, yeah, uh- Ody I'm so sorry, but I really need to go I think their taking attendance."

"Oh! Oh yeah, sure it's absolutely fine," He replied, standing up himself and brushing himself off a bit.

Yeah no... either she was getting really good at lying or he was really deep in his thoughts because Circe could have one hundred percent easily just told him the name of her school before rushing off.

Okay, forget that, be thankful for small blessings. Next part of the plan is afoot.

She quickly turned to rush to the assembly area when she paused, scanning her surroundings. She hadn't had the school tour yet, she had no idea where she was did she-

"Uh- could you point me in the direction of the... great hall?" She said, trying to recall the area her teachers told her they'd gathered at while waiting for the other bus.

She ran off in the pointed direction (Thank goodness it was on the second floor-), pausing after she was out of sight of Odysseus.

She sighed in relief before sitting down on the steps for a minute. She texted in the chat: 'Operation is a go'.

It had been five hours since the bus broke down and the lightning strike. The first bus had finally reached Illian High School.

Walking back to the Acheans and the others, Odysseus couldn't help but continue the train of thought that had been cut off earlier. Without warning, his mind was immediately brought back to his twelfth birthday.

He'd woken up with that uncomfortable feeling that something wasn't right, but he chalked it up to it being the first birthday he'd ever experienced without Cici, or Dad... or Mum-

The inner voice of his that sounded an awful lot like Polites was reassuring him that there was absolutely no way that they'd forgotten and the voice was right. He'd unlocked his phone excitedly, awaiting the messages and calls that were usually sent around this time.

... nothing...?

Odysseus would be lying if he said that his heart didn't immediately sink to the bottom of his stomach and he began to have the slightest bit of doubt about his family. Before he could wallow in his confusion and disappointment alone for much longer though, Polites had barged in.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY- Ody...?"

The boy in question was staring blankly at his phone screen, trying to figure out if there was some... strategy behind this, a surprise maybe?

"Ody, what's wrong?"

He double checked the time at the top left of the screen. Ten twenty-seven in the morning. Mum always sends 'Good Morning' texts at eight thirty maximum - No. No she had a long day at work yesterday, she only called once didn't she? Albeit the call was three hours long but it's still less than usual.

But mum wasn't even at work yesterday, he remembered. She'd fallen ill and had ended the call to get some rest. He remembered she'd been sick for around a week already, a bug that had been going around the town. She was getting a lot better and she promised she'd be well enough to call him tomorrow, she promised she'd do it as soon possible.

Last seen 7.45pm last night.

That was right after their call ended...

"Ody? Hey-"

His vision refocused on Polites, who was sitting in front of him, worried. His hands were hovering over Odysseus' body, seemingly nervous about how he'd receive the touch.

Polites let out a visible sigh of relief when he'd noticed his friend zone back into reality, though only for a second before beginning to absolutely bombard him with questions.

"You okay? Is something wrong? What's happening?"

Instead of answering, Odysseus just leaned into his friend's touch, letting Polites hold him while resting his head on his shoulder. Polites knew better than to question him and just let him lay there, eyebrows furrowed worriedly while trying to find out what was wrong with Ody.

Odysseus felt a single tear slip out and closed his eyes, a million questions buzzing in his head.

"...Mum and dad haven't texted anything yet... neither has Cici-" he mumbled into his best friend's shoulder, loosely wrapping his arms around Polites' torso, "That's it..."

The look of worry and concern on Polites' face morphed into one of realisation. He knew how much they meant to Ody and held him tighter, smiling sadly.

"They will eventually, they always do. They wouldn't miss your birthday, Ody."

Odysseus' only response to that was to burry his face further into his friend's shoulder.

Eventually he sat up, rubbing his eyes and smiled weakly at Polites, intertwining their fingers in reassurance. The rest of the day went by way too quickly for Odysseus' liking, it was the last by far one of his best birthdays he'd ever celebrated had.

He still had so many of his middle school friends'/classmates' presents even until now in high school.

Perimedes had given him a semi-real hard plastic sword which he kept on a stand on his bedroom shelf, Elpenor gave him a chalice which uses often. Various gifts from Polites and Eurylochus included a headband, a cape/scarf and a drawstring bag which when opened, contained plushies of a cow and a cat-like creature that had a tornado as its bottom half. The trio named it a winion.

He had a collection of plushies given by people from his middle school, he realised. Circe hadn't been there on the day itself due to not even having met him yet, but by the time the two became close, she'd given him a soft toy pig that she'd crocheted or knitted herself as a belated birthday gift. Thea had also given him a stuffed owl once, though he couldn't remember when.

A 3D metal wire artwork of a Moly flower from Hermes, Thea's younger brother, sat in a vase from her in a corner of his desk.

Odysseus had glanced at his phone constantly the whole day. Call him clingy, but was desperately waiting for a call, a voice mail, a message, anything at all- Anything .

The phone finally buzzed at 8.42 at night, Odysseus, Polites, Eurylochus and the latter two's parents just returned back to Polites' house from the restaurant they'd eaten at for dinner.

It was from Cici.

His face lit up and he answered immediately, opening his mouth to tell her all the fun he'd had the whole day.

"Hey Ody, you okay?"

He froze immediately in the middle of the living room, effectively halting his best friends behind him. His face fell upon hearing the tears in Cici's voice.

"Cici?" He asked, voice cracking slightly, "What's wrong?"

"I-it's mum-"

The phone slid out of his hand onto the carpet as he stood there, hand still lifted up to his ear as if he was still holding the phone. No. Nope, stop thinking the worst, she could just be... in hospital? He doesn't know, anything really-

He blinked rapidly, crouching down and picking the phone back up. He listened out for Cici's voice and it seemed like she'd stopped talking when he dropped the phone.

"C-cici?" He repeated, alerting her that he was listening.

There was sniffling on the phone and what sounded like a choked sob but he could also hear a car engine. His heart was beating a mile a minute and he could barely hear Polites and Eurylochus' worry and questions through the white noise and buzzing in his head.

"O-Ody, hey I-" another sob, "Just... I'm coming o-over to p-pick you up o-okay?"

... What?

"Cici-" He started.

"Ody- Ody listen... can you do that?- I need you t-to pack your bag, bring clothes for a... a week? I think you still have clothes at home... three to seven days then, okay?"

"Cici what's going on-"

"Look, I'm going to pick you up from Polites' house and- and we're g-going back back home for a bit mhm? I'll tell you everything when I get there- I... I promise."

"CICI!-"

The call cut.

"... Cici...?" He whimpered one more time as he fell to his knees, phone resting on the carpet and a hand over his mouth.

The rest of the night had been a blur. Somewhere, somehow, he'd managed to pack enough clothes for five whole days with Poli and Eury, explain to them what the call had been, cried a bit after telling them how terrified he was for everything about to happen and he was left sitting at the dining room table, chair facing the door and hugging the winion plushie close to his chest.

The doorbell rang the plushie was immediately discarded on the table and his bag thrown on the floor by the chair legs. Odysseus nearly fell thrice trying to reach it and actually did fall the fourth time due to his body trembling way too much.

In the end, Poli held him while Eury opened the door to reveal Cici, who looked like a teary mess standing in the pouring rain.

The second the door was wide enough, she staggered inside, she removing her soaked jacket before collapsing to the floor in front of Ody, pulling him onto her lap and engulfing him in a hug immediately, tears streaming down her face.

"Ody M-mum's dead-" She sobbed out.

His pounding heart skidded to a stop so fast he had whiplash. Despite the fact that he was already on the floor, his vision blurred, the room was spinning.

He wasn't breathing. How do you breathe again?

How was he supposed to breathe? How, when his chest was already so tight?

The room was deafening. Why was it so loud? Please quieten down, please .

He slammed his eyelids shut, digging his head as far into the crook of Cici's neck as possible. He clutched onto her, clung onto dear life.

Protect him. Please. Help. Help . Save him, save him from the storm inside him because she's not dead. She's not dead, she was fine yesterday.

She was at home, she was healing, he'd seen mum smile. She was SMILING! -

It hurts- it hurts it hurts so much-

No. This was all a joke, please, please- She's not. She's not gone, not gone not gone notgone notgonenotgonenotgone-

It was so overwhelming and he didn't know how to feel. He was dying, he was dying he didn't want to die-

Everything's blurry. Everything's muffled. Everything's so loud -

There's buzzing. Why was there buzzing? Wby was he so numb ?

He's crying- no. He's screaming . He's sobbing and clinging and yelling and it's not enough . He wants to stop hurting , to stop being numb .

He wants his mama ... He needs her...

He stopped in his tracks as he was about to turn the corner to the benches. His face was wet. He looked horrible, he was sure-

He took a deep breath and wiped his face again . Gods what was with him today?

He turned the corner after a few minutes, checking his face one last time in his phone to ensure he didn't give anything away. He mentally reminded himself to ask for Circe's phone number the next time came across her...

The thing was, this current situation was painfully similar to his twelfth birthday, wasn't it?

Poli and Eury had called and texted and acted absolutely normal five days ago and they suddenly stopped. He sent them memes, messages, videos, they hadn't even read them yet.

Every. Single. Time he checked their group chat the knife dug further into his chest.

Nothing...

What if... what if the same thing happened to them? What if they're gone? What if something happened at their school? What if he lost two more people he couldn't live without ? What if-

"And where, pray tell, were you?" Agamemnon asked, looking up from his phone as Odysseus approached the group.

He shrugged nonchalantly, putting his hands in his hoodie pockets, clenching them to prevent shaking and forcing his thoughts back to the dark pit of his brain.

"Went for a walk," he said.

His mind flashed ti the conversation that he'd just had with Circe, the violent flashback he'd re-experienced.

"I was bored."

"Well, you're late!" Helen chastised, gathering her things from the table she'd been sitting at for the past fifteen minutes or so, "The second bus is here."

The statement made him perk up slightly. He never did get Circe's school before she rushed off...

"Helen, what- school did you say we're here to welcome again?" He asked, looking at her.

She paused slightly, raising an eyebrow.

"You should know, it's near your middle school no?" She said, pointing at the school's entrance behind him.

He turned around, prepared to recognise a school crest maybe? He was met with a pair of arms pressing onto his shoulders, pushing him down before wrapping around them. He let out a yelp of surprise. He heard laughter behind him.

He closed his eyes out of instinct but his body... didn't flinch...?

He never took people touching him well after he joined middle school. He jumped, screamed, froze, had a panic attack even- There was always something .

His body leaned into the touch, he let out a breath that he didn't even know he was holding.

He was so confused -

But he caught a glimpse of curly, hazel brown hair from where he was and he laughed .

He laughed, just like how he had for Circe, when he realised how she'd been healing. Circe's school, he remembered it now. Of course she'd made it, she'd been so excited during those last days.

He understood why he hadn't responded in any way after the jump attack. He was familiar with this touch, he knew it so well .

All his worries, all his fears and concerns were cast to the side. All his questions were answered in that split second.

The tears that stung in his eyes were ones of pure relief and joy and the amount of pain he'd been holding was bursting out of him as laughter . Did he mention the joy ?

"SURPRISE!" Polites exclaimed from behind him, hugging him tighter, "WE MISSED YOU!"

Chapter Text

Odysseus was overwhelmed with emotions, the relief coursing through his body, the pain still lingering in his heart, the laughter bubbling out of his throat and the way his vision went blurry from the tears of joy and fear leaking out of his eyes.

He could feel the Acheans and the girls' eyes trailing him and following his every move. He was aware how confusing the situation was for them, he could see exactly how his reactions might be off putting.

He was cracking. His mask was faltering and honestly, he couldn't bring himself to care about it one bit.

Safe .

The word rang and echoed throughout his mind as he turned around to face Polites.

His curly, light chestnut brown hair swayed in the gentle breeze coming from the school entrance. His hazel brown eyes sparkled in the light, shone bright with joy. He had their trio's signature headband wrapped around his head and round glasses framed his face.

Odysseus barely got a good glimpse of his best friend before his knees buckled and he was collapsing into his arms. He let out a choked sob as he burried his face in Polites' chest.

He felt arms embrace him, rubbing soothing circles into his back.

He was safe, safe in Poli's arms and being held close by the one person who never failed to make his world brighter.

He was protected, protected from what he's sure must be the utter confusion on the Acheans' faces, protected from home, from his guardians. He was from her , safe from the storm inside of him.

His mind kept flashing to suppressed memories, ones that he'd kept hidden throughout the past five days in attempts not to being further pain to himself in that aspect.

They were in third grade and Odysseus had just won model student of the level for the whole year. Poli and Eury had run up to him the minute prize-giving was over.

They were here . They were alive , they were safe .

Back to when they were kids, during their first interaction when Polites' family introduced themselves as new neighbours to Odysseus'. Ody's first memory he had of Polites was the two of them sharing a plate of Sugar Cookies.

His legs gave out and the two of them were lowered to the floor.

Polites and Odysseus were four and Cici had noticed Eurylochus playing alone while watching over the boys at the playground. That day's meeting had changed Odysseus' life in the best way possible.

He melted even further into the warmth from Poli's figure. He didn't care if he looked like an actual mess in front of his high school friends, he decided then and there.

The trio was sitting on one of the built in stone benches at the beach. They were having their own version of a picnic using convenience store- bought food. It had been an absolute nightmare to carry all the pre-microwaved food all the way across the road to the beach. It was their last meeting.

He missed them. He missed them so much -

They were in his thoughts even if his mind was shut off, the first thing his mind ever went to if he needed company, needed protection. When he needed Safety.

... He could be safe now...

After what seemed like forever, Odysseus pulled away. Poli never pulled out of hugs first if he wasn't the one who needed comfort.

He was left sitting on his knees on the concrete floor outside of his high school. Polites reached out and cupped his face, wiping away stray and excess tears from his cheeks.

"Y-you're here-" Odysseus managed to choke out before letting slip what sounded like a mix of a sob and a laugh.

Polites gave him a sadder smile in return, frowning ever so slightly.

"Oh, Ody you didn't actually think that we left you, did you?" He asked softly.

Yes. Yes that's exactly what Odysseus thought.

He thought that his two best friends in the whole entire fucking universe finally realised how absolutely shitty he was and left him like any sensible person would.

He thought that they'd finally had enough of him and he couldn't bring himself to blame them from doing and thinking so because why lie to them? It was the truth, wasn't it?

Polites. Eurylochus. Athena. Cici. Heck- Achilles. Patroclus. Diomedes. Menelaus. Fucking Agamemnon .

They were all still by his side and though that was probably just because his high school friends didn't want to get on his bad side, he was still just... overwhelmed.

Why?

If he were to ask each and every one if yhem one singular question it would be that. Why? Why are they still here ? Don't get him wrong, he loved them. He loved them, he loved them ALL SO fucking MUCH , but why did they still bother with him?

He didn't deserve it, deserve THEM.

They were all so kind and loving and just... why? Why did they stay?

He was horrible, he was secretive and a liar and a fucking hypocrite. He hides things from them, he never participates a lot and yet they still invite him to things. They still make sure he's having a good time, they make sure that he gets a say in things.

Odysseus always thought that it was because he was the smartest, because he was the brains of both of his friend groups. Now, now he wasn't really sure...

He let out a breath that he'd been holding, opting not to answer his best friend's question and instead just leaning into him once more.

This time the embrace was much more gentle, Odysseus could breathe and he could savour the moment because they were here. They were here and everything was going to be okay.

He eventually pulled away somewhat reluctantly after realising just how confusing this muct be for his High School friends right now...

"Oh yeah," He thought, turning to his friends, "I probably have some explaining to do..."

Achilles, as well as probably the rest of the Acheans he wasn't really paying attention right now- was staring at the scene before him.

Processing...

Processing...

Downloading information...

Yea, no download failed- What the heck was going on right now?-

Well, these two people who just arrived clearly knew Odysseus, that was certain, but how or why he had reacted the way he did was... confusing to say the least.

Achilles wasn't oblivious, he'd noticed how Odysseus reacted earlier. The way his friend had suddenly stood up and rushed off to gods knows where after mumbling something incoherent.

Achilles had been sitting at the table beside him and Penelope earlier. He overheard part of their conversation but only after hearing his name being discussed.

They were talking about books.

Achilles could immediately see why his name would have come up at all in that conversation, he was the one who introduced Odysseus to some of his current book obsessions.

Achilles smiled when he thought about Odysseus' reactions back then. He always started smiling and got immensely happy-

...Odysseus always got excited when that conversation came up...

Odysseus loved books, loved talking about any of his interests and his face gained a look of joy and... surprise... when anyone asked about him. How he was, his opinion on things, even just smiling or nodding at him when he entered a room. Achilles always took notice and made sure to acknowledge him first after Pat, make sure he was noticed.

Agamemnon just liked being in charge, the one thing that the Acheans have unanimously, wordlessly decided never to give him unless absolutely necessary. He was already captain of the team and he was controlling as it was. Other than that, he liked proving his point. He welcomed aggressive 'debates' so naturally, Achilles always gave him one.

Diomedes always valued a conversation. Small talk was always one of his favourite things. He was always into medieval times and fights and whatnot. His room had a painting of a battleground with a fortified kingdom/city in the background for crying out loud- Achilles always talked about those to him. Battle strategies, armor strength, weapons of choice in specific tactics.

Menelaus was much more relaxed. He liked making sure the person that he was talking to was okay. And Helen- He LOVED talking about his girlfriend. Achilles had heard the story of their first date at least twelve times, at LEAST. It always put a smile on Achilles' face. It was the Vice Captain's favourite thing to talk about. Give him gift ideas for her, let him tell you what her favourite things are, sprinkle in how there's a smile on Menelaus' face whenever he sees her and you're one of his favourite people.

And Pat...

Pat was Achilles' favourite person to talk to in the entirety of the universe. His favourite colour was gold- Achilles always made sure to wear something gold every day for him, His favourite food was the tomato soup his mum used to make- Achilles told his mum that and they managed to recreate it as best as they could and the family had it every week, he loved Coconut Milkshakes, helping his friends and he had a not so secret crush on Achilles since the fourth month staying at the Peleus Household.

Pat loved talking about his life. He'd tell you stories of everything that's happened to him and he can make even the most mundane trip to the grocery store last Tuesday seem like a fucking fantasy. He's a medical nerd who grew up reading books on how to make all types of ointments and medicine. He wants to help everyone that he possibly can in the world, he's selfless and kind, and caring and so, so much more and Achilles wanted more than anything to shower him with all the praise and love that he deserves. But he couldn't do that in his whole lifetime.

Achilles knew his friends, it was something that he took great pride in. He was the reason the Acheans were made in the first place, hence he was the group's namesake.

When the gods forsaken Paris-Helen situation happened within their first semester of school, Achilles had helped Helen during one of his parties. This lead him to be on good terms with Menelaus, who was always by Helen's side despite the situation.

From there, he was introduced to Menelaus' brother, Agamemnon. He got closer to the Atreus brothers through their shared gym class schedule in their first year. Of course, all of this included Pat as well, though he was never fond of the parties and opted to stay in his room.

Speaking of the parties, he got closer with Odysseus during one of those. Everyone wanted a shot at the smartest kid in the level who didn't seem to want to get close to anyone.

During one of Achilles' parties, some fucker tried spiking his drink with gods knows what and Achilles managed to prevent it by slipping beside Odysseus and starting a conversation as if they were besties. He eyed the drink, pointed to it and asked if he could have it.

The same asshole was fortunate that he was smart enough to know not to try anything with the parties' host and took the drink away, claiming it was his. Diomedes came into the picture because he was Odysseus' first and best friend.

Or well... who Achilles and everyone else had always assumed was his best friend at least.

Achilles always paid attention to every member of his friend group. He'd noticed Odysseus' small breakdown earlier, tried to reach out to him but paused when said friend stood up in a rush and all but bolted after mumbling something incoherent. When he started going after Odysseus, Pat held him back and Achilles didn't even need to look back at him to know that it meant 'give him space'. So he did. He kept his eyes on his friend until he disappeared out of sight.

... He didn't know his friends as well as he thought, that much was clear now. Odysseus was currently on the floor and sobbing his heart out. The way he absolutely melted into the hug...

Odysseus never liked physical contact- right? He always flinched when anyone put a hand on his shoulder, he always pulled away first if not immediately, he always kept to himself. The scene in front of him was basically a slap in the face of 'he's touch starved people!'.

One more thing, Achilles had never seen Odysseus cry, he's sure none of them have. There were rare occasions he came back from places with red eyes or times he was hurt, verbally, emotionally or physically where he hadn't shed a tear. In fact, Odysseus was always withdrawn when someone else was crying, would zone out.

Achilles would be angry if not for the fact that his grip on his arm tightened and he was shaking. He wanted to help, he always did, but he doesn't want to force him into anything. He needed space and it's times like this where if you touch him and he doesn't want to be, it could lead into a severe panic attack. He learnt that from Pat when he first moved in.

Odysseus was a really good actor. Well, he had that reputation at least. The VERY few times he forgets homework he's able to convince even the teacher about his reasoning. Upon further questioning from the Acheans he'd shrug and say that he was just very busy. Had any of them been caught for doing something not allowed or if any if the other Acheans were skipping class, it would be Odysseus that helped with a cover story.

Hmm... Odysseus was basically a 'get out of jail free' card- Okay where did that thought come from?

Achilles shook his head. Nope, wrong time to use joking as a coping mechanism brain. He took a deep breath as he kept his eyes on his friend.

Never once did Achilles think that he was acting about his wellbeing as well, that he was acting about... being him . How much of it was an act? How much of his friend group's struggles had he not noticed?

Most importantly: Was Odysseus not as okay as Achilles thought? Did he need help? Because Achilles would always do what he could.

He was there for his friends. He would do his absolute best to be there whenever he could, do whatever he could.

He was the peacemaker and peace keeper of the Acheans and he took that role with pride.

Okay... so blondie is Achilles.

His boyfriend was the one who always seemed to be glued to his side and the two always seemed to be holding hands which was absolutely adorable-

Agamemnon is the big bulky one who looks at him and everyone else like they're lifelong enemies despite having just met them.

Diomedes is the tall one who keeps looking at them warily and ...protectively... okay this is Polites' best friend back the fuck off-

Menelaus is the nice one who's girlfriend is supposed to be the main tour guide, he had to thank her for the chance to surprise Ody in the first place. As for Menelaus it's clear he really cares for his friends, which greatly relieves Polites.

His girlfriend is Helen, who is apparently the prettiest girl in their school according to Ody.

Clytemnestra is Helen's sister and Penelope's cousin, though you could never guess beforehand by looking at them. Clytemnestra had dark brown hair in contrast to her sister's dirty blonde and she was more tall and lean.

Cassandra looked like she really needed a break due to the bags under her eyes that were covered by makeup, Polites knew how to see through that , he learnt the hard way from experience with Ody .

Ody hadn't said much about Briseis, but she was apparently close to Achilles and Patroclus so he guessed she was the caramel skinned girl standing beside them.

Penelope is the girl who hates Ody's guts for reasons he doesn't know but is also allegedly a genuinely kind person who would do anything for her friends. Ody started telling him more about her these past few days so he knew that at least-

As far as Polites could tell he has no reason to believe she isn't the way that Ody described her as, but like.. seriously Ody- was the fact that her smile was pretty really needed?

Polites was reading all the messages Ody sent him and Eury was too just in case there was something worrying that appeared in one of his messages. Plus, he couldn't bear to be completely no contact with Ody. To him, at least knowing how Ody was doing was enough.

... Ody on the other hand...

He spared a glance at his best friend, who was trying to explain to his high school friends about the whole situation that just happened.

But the thing is- even Polites didn't know what just happened.

Ody was mostly fine the last time the three of them met. He was laughing, his smile reached his eyes, he made all the inside jokes he could throughout their picnic. Sure, he did have a small breakdown in the middle of a rant of how school was handling up but that bare minimum considering how much they'd seen him change after his twelfth birthday.

The Ody that he'd just seen had been downward spiraling and it worried Polites that he couldn't tell for how long. Seeing him and Eury looked like the last straw.

But what happened? There was nothing off about him during any of their calls so something must've happened over the last five days. What could've changed something so severely impacted Ody to this point?

Crying was Ody's final and most severe coping mechanism when he was going through something.

All his tears were shed by the start of his mum's funeral, he wasn't crying. Heck- he wasn't moving during the whole thing. He froze when he was asked to tell guests about her to honour her (his first mechanism) and then curled into himself for the rest of the ceremony (second) before proceeding to stare blankly at the tombstone for the rest if the time, devoid of any emotion (third). Only after he approached her coffin to place a daisy on it and caught a glimpse of her body did it finally sink in.

Ody absolutely broke at that sight...

He never cried much after his mum's death, which was when Polites made the coping mechanism ranking. So that being said, what happened this time?

Polites never forced any of his friends to tell him the truth, but he knew Ody and Ody always told him the truth.

So what could he be willing keeping from Polites that had him so broken he was crying at the sight of his two best friends?

He turned to Eury, standing beside him with a similar expression on his face. Something was wrong with Ody and they were going to find out what, particularly due to the fact that Polites didn't think he could rest properly without knowing his best friend was safe.

...Well one thing's for sure-: This was going to be a very interesting stay at Illian High School.

Chapter Text

The sun shone from the windows of the usually dimmer class as the student sat at their desks, 'writing' the day's essay to be done as classwork.

'Writing' because any teacher who pays attention to their students knows that only at most fourteen out of sixty (?) students were actually doing their work.

The others were starting into space, sending messages to their friends (using very creative ways to their credit), outright whispering to each other, fiddling with literally anything they could find, or doodling.

Or sleeping. A lot of them were sleeping too.

The teacher rolled her eyes affectionately as she looked around the class from where she was standing at the back of the room.

Some students really thought they could hide a sketchbook under their desks without her noticing? What did they think she was blind to the fact that they were bending down or stretching their neck to look and draw on said sketchbook? Seriously, give your teachers some credit people. Stop underestimating them-

On any other day, she would have been quick to call out anyone who she caught doing so but they were lucky that she was in an extremely good mood today... okay this is how she almost always is outside of her 'strict teacher' persona but the fact still stands.

She clapped her hands abruptly, causing an absolute multitude of reactions throughout the class.

Many's heads snapped up to look at her as she walked back to her desk, the same kids with the sketchbooks shoved them under their desks so quickly it was quite impossible for her not to notice and the kids taking a nap jolted up out of their slumber, one even falling out of her seat with a yelp. Her whole bag fell with her and all the school supplies fell out.

The teacher wasn't exactly sure why but warmth blossomed in her chest as the class bubbled with laughter at the kid in a friendly manner- Astraia, her name was Astraia- as Astraia sheepishly apologised and the people around her rushed to help.

The bond between the people in this class in particular was overwhelming in the best way and although all might deny it, teachers all most definitely have a favourite class.

This was Athena's, for more than one reason.

She glanced to where Ody's seat was supposed to be... no she was not biased shut up. (She was. She absolutely, most definitely was.)

But not just becuase of Ody. The atmosphere of this class was on a whole other level and people always helped each other out. There was a competitive spirit that never seemed to be able to cease, you could feel the motivation in waves if you stepped into the classroom in the middle of a QnA session.

There were many things Athena did with this class specifically because she felt that no other class would benefit as much. All her pop quizzes are in groups and there's a point system, as well as the fact that she was the tiniest bit more lenient with the class.

She was biased in that aspect, yet at the same time it was well deserved. She could see the work and effort people put in in this batch and class so she knows that one or two homework assignments don't really make a difference.

She'd be more than willing to do stuff for all her other classes, don't get her wrong- but whenever she asked, people seemed more than content with how she was handling them (that meaning that they didn't like them most of the time but still-)

All teacher's favourite classes are going to be the ones that give them the least trouble and the most joy and peace, that should be obvious.

Athena felt all the class' eyes on her now as she reached her table in the front of the class, picking up her phone charging at the corner of the desk. Eh, fifty six percent should be enough, she gets to leave early because of the arriving school... Speaking of which...

Athena turned around to face her students, making sure Astraia was okay before nodding her head and raising her voice to speak to the class as a whole.

"Alright, class dismissed for today thank you students," Athena smiled.

She arose from where she was sitting on the desk, her lips tilted upwards in a rare grin as her students looked up from their tables. Shocked and happy remarks were whispered amongst the students, scattered across the room.

Athena glanced at the overhead clock and sure enough, there were supposed to be fifteen minutes left of class.

Pallas Athena was releasing her students fifteen minutes early.

She noticed several worried glanes her way as students began packing slowly, probably wondering if she was testing them or something. The answer was no of course- she definitely wasn't.

Athena raised an eyebrow, amused at the skepticism of her students. She expected a lot of them to be eager at the news if she was completely honest.

"Okay, if you all don't get out in the next five minutes, your classwork becomes homework!" She hurried the class, voice growing lighter with every word.

In her many years of teaching, Athena had never seen a single group of students rush out faster. There were a few nods of goodbye and scattered greetings of 'Thank you Pallas' but besides that, the only thing filling the room was the scuffling of shoes as students raced out of the room.

She watched the door as they all filled out, chuckling at the vibrant and unbelieving chatter. She heard a whoop of joy and quiet shushing before the class walked away, probably still thinking this was some kind of test.

She picked up her phone, opening the teacher's group chat and scanning it for any updates. She scrolled down, shaking her head at the argument that had carried on between Artemis and Aphrodite. Seriously, and students thought their teachers were formal and civilised-

She kept scrolling, muttering to herself as she read, "Debates... arguing... Class disruption- not mine... more arguing about bloody love of all things... Ithica Hig- ah there we go!"

•••••

0 hours since Chaos last Chaosed

10.15am

Festus ;) : First bus from Ithica High reached

WARmotherfucker : Only the first?

Festus ;) : Second bus is stuck in the forest, lightning struck and bus broke down

Festus ;) : All with injuries are on bus one, everyone in bus two is physically alright

Festus ;) : Called a truck already

•••••

Hold up what the fuck-

Athena froze upon reading the message, stomach falling and heartbeat rising is speed rapidly.

What the hell- are they okay?? Were Polites and Eurylochus on this bus or number two? Why haven't they texted her yet? Have they reached? Are they safe? That message was the last one there was IT WAS FOUR HOURS AGO!-

•••••

Lovesick : The student volunteers?

Festus ;) : They're here

Festus ;) : Helen's crew right?

Lovesick : Yeaaaa!

•••••

That did absolutely nothing thanks a lot.

Athena stared at her phone screen, hand clutching the device tensed and clammy. Her mind raced with a million thoughts per second and the next thing she knew, her vision grew blurry.

Fuck. She almost slammed her phone onto the table with the speed she set it down. She shook her head, starting to pace the length of the empty classroom.

Fucking hell, she felt dizzy.

Calm down. She doesn't even know what bus Polites and Eurylochus were on. And plus, they're fine. Hephaestus said all the students with injuries were on bus one, Poli and Eury are fine... They're okay...

Think of something else, anything else. BREATHE.

"Um... 'Thena?"

The history teacher had never whipped her head around faster.

"Whoa!" Apollo said, raising his hands in surrender, "It's just me 'Thena!-"

Oh. Athena's breath caught slightly as she noticed the Literature teacher standing in the doorway.

"Hey," she greeted, deflating slightly as she went to sit down.

Apollo's eyebrows furrowed slightly as he looked her up and down.

"Everything okay?" He asked.

She debated asking him about the bus before deciding, screw it. What's the harm in asking?

"Do you by any chance know about the second bus from Ithica high?" She asked, very slightly hopeful.

She saw the moment something in his brain clicked and the hope selfishly rose. Apollo's mouth fell slightly open at some realisation.

"Oh yeah... you're from there right?" He asked, smile growing slightly sadder.

"Yea, live and grew up around there. Not to mention Ithica High was the school I taught before I was posted here," she chuckled and memories filled her mind at the mere mention of her home.

She left around two and a half years before Ody, Poli and Eury would have entered middle school. She would come back for a day every week to see the boys because there was no way she could go more than a week without doing so- and besides she had to tutor Ody anyway.

Ody's family moved here right before Ody moved to middle school because of Ctimene, who now lived much nearer to Illian than Ithica. There was still a two hour walk from her house here though and Ody's house was around... thirty minutes distance, but going away from Ithica.

She couldn't be happier that Ody's nearer now, but she hadn't seen Polites or Eurylochus for so long, Athena doesn't even remember when the last time she saw them was.

'So please be safe,' She prayed, fists clenching as she looked back at Apollo, 'Not just for me but Ody too.'

"So?" She asked, voice going an octave higher than ususal as she awaited his answer.

Apollo's smile widened back into his usual grin, making her heart jump at the hope that filled her with.

"Yes 'Thena, they've arrived."

"Ody? You okay?"

Odysseus turned back to his best friend, blinking repeatedly in confusion. Polites rolled his eyes, walking up to him and slipping a hand in Odysseus's. He squeezed tightly.

"You've been struggling with a single sentence for three minutes," Polites said, raising an eyebrow with a smile on his face.

Oh... yeah he had been hadn't he...

But really, how was he supposed to explain to his friends why he had reacted the way he did to seeing his best friends?

What was he supposed to say: Oh I started sobbing harder than I had a long time because my best friends stopped interacting with me for FIVE DAYS and I was scared they finally decided to leave me because of course they should have.

Because I'm the fucking worst and they should leave.

Because I don't deserve them, no matter how much I love them and they love me.

Because my life has been fucking hell especially these past few days and I'm scared someone's going to find out everything I've been keeping. I'm terrified people will realise how pathetic I am. I'm just scared. (Open arms not now stop it-)

Scared of my guardians, scared of her , scared that no one will miss me when I leave, scared that you guys will find out, scared that you'll leave.

Leave like everyone else did. Mum, dad, Cici the minute mum died, Thea for a few years until I stayed with my guardians.

I'm fucking terrified and hurt and I can't tell anyone but now my best friends are here and everything's going to be okay with them.

Because I haven't seen them in SO LONG and I miss them and they didn't abandon me and-

"Odysseus?" Achilles stepped forward, arm reached out cautiously as if to calm him down.

Immediately, he shoved all thoughts to the back of his mind and rolled his eyes. He placed on of his own palms on Achilles' outstretched one.

"It's fine, Aristos Achaion," He said, using the Acheans's nickname for him after an incident in their first year, "I just..."

He took a deep breath, looking at Polites and Eurylochus standing beside him.

"I'm sorry, I haven't heard from them in four fucking days and the last time I saw them in person was... how long? Like- half a year ago, no?" He clarified.

"End of last year, yea," Eurylochus nodded.

That was so long ago... no- nope. Focus on your friends now.

"Anyways," he said, speaking to both parties as well as himself, "Guys! Let me introduce you to my two best friends: This is Polites and Eurylochus."

Odysseus pointed to each of them as he talked to his high school friends. Polites smiled at them, waving and Eury nodded in acknowledgment. He turned to Poli and Eury, opening his mouth for an explanation before Polites held his hand out."

"Wait-" he said, scanning through the crowd in front of them before pointing at Achilles in the right corner of the group and moving his finger left as spoke.

"Achilles, Patroclus, um... Briseis I'm guessing? Then... you're Diomedes, Cassandra, Andromache, Clytemnestra, Helen, Menelaus and Agamemnon," he said before pausing, probably realising he skipped someone around the middle, "Oh wait- Penelope, sorry-"

There was stunned silence as the crew (Odysseus decided to stop calling them 'The Acheans and the girls' because that sounded very sexist in his mind even with context-) processed what just happened. Odysseus himself and even Eury looked at Polites in disbelief.

He'd told them about the Acheans, yes. But the girls?

"Did I get someone wrong?" Polites asked, worried.

"No! No-" Menelaus was quick to say, "just... how? We didn't even know you existed until five minutes ago, no offence-"

Polites glanced at him, eye widening, "Wait really? Ouch Ody, oof-" he cried, falling backwards dramatically.

Odysseus yelped, jumping forward to catch his friend. He winced slightly as he fell onto his knees, Polites laying in his lap. Everyone broke out into surprised laughter at that. Odysseus tried convincing himself Polites was teasing when he faked being hurt.

"Come on, give me a warning next time!" He protested, dropping his friend when he was close enough to the floor.

"Ow! Mother effer," Polites laughed, rubbing his head once he sat up, "Well, I knew you would catch me dummy!-"

Odysseus rolled his eyes, brushing off his knees and accepting Eury's hand as he stood up. Thank goodness these past few days had been gentle on his wounds and they were mostly closed now.

"No, but seriously," he asked Polites, "how do you know their names?"

Polites raised an eyebrow, elbowing his shoulder as he turned back to the crew.

"Well, Ody's told me all about you guys and I'll always listen to my best friend's rants. Plus, I wanna know more about who's taking care of him now that I can't." He shrugged, signature smile bright on his lips.

"The girls?" Odysseus asked, confused, "I only started getting to know them these past few days..."

Polites nodded, expression making it seem like it was the easiest reasoning possible and he was dumb for not knowing it-

"Yea, exactly," Polites started before thankfully realising that no one else was catching onto what he was saying.

He groaned good-manneredly, "You told us all about them through text just two days ago, remember Ody? Sent two minutes voice messages trying to explain the chaos that's going on here- which I still don't understand by the way-"

Odysseus paused, freezing slightly. He'd forgotten everything to do with Poli and Eury that happened throughout the past few days if he was being completely frank-

Eurylochus noticed his new expression and his eyes narrowed in on him, newfound guilt and realisation gleaming in them.

"You... actually thought we left you..." he said.

What hurt the most wasn't the words themselves but the way he said it with so much certainty. It wasn't a question, it was a statement.

And a one hundred percent true one at that, which only dug the knife deeper into the wound with the hurt and guilt in his voice.

He'd really never considered the possibility of Poli and Eury reading the messages that he'd sent, let alone remembering what he said or taking the time to listen to the voice mails. He had no way of checking if they've read it and the hadn't replied or answered calls so...

"Um... maaaybeee?" Odysseus admitted, shrugging his shoulders with an apologetic expression on his face. He was hoping the crew didn't catch the guilt in Eury's voice.

"I mean- you guys weren't answering my calls or replying to me and you guys ALWAYS and I mean always do that and like... you know there's a lot going on with what's coming up soon and-" He tried explaining himself before he was cut off my Polites.

"Oh my gods-" his friend said, eyes widening tenfold as he froze on the spot (Survive! Come on!-), "Shit- Ody I forgot... I'm so sorry I-"

No- his high school friends don't know about that and they don't need to-

He felt his eyes sting instantly at the mention of that and pushed the tears back. Gods above he's already cried enough in front of others save it for back at the house damnit-

What the fuck was with him and saying things he didn't need to that inevitably got his high school friends closer to finding him out.

"Pol', it's okay," Odysseus assured him, blinking rapidly as non-conspicuously as he could, though there was an evident pain in his voice no matter how little.

It wasn't for another two days... it's okay... you're absolutely fucking not going to be okay. You have to will be okay until you get back to the house.

He cleared his throat, looking back at Poli and Eury.

"So, I believe you guys need to head to the... great hall?" Odysseus tried remembering where Circe had told him she was going.

"Nope, that was only until they came."

Everyone turned to the sound of the voice and he saw Polites and Eurylochus smile. Circe Aeaea stood in the walkway where he'd came from after his conversation with her.

She walked towards the group, holding up her phone.

...He should have guessed that she was a part of this, shouldn't he have?

"Circe..." he said, letting out a breathy chuckle and giving her a genuine smile.

The girl smiled back in return, squeezing his hand before letting go and focusing on her school mates.

Odysseus looked at the Acheans, who were staring at her with a variety of different expressions. His eyes drifted to Penelope and he froze.

She was looking at Circe with a curious expression and something in Odysseus' brain just clicked. He brain blasted the conversation he'd had with her over text in the coffee shop three days ago.

He hadn't ever mentioned Circe's name he was ninety nine percent sure... Penelope wouldn't be able to tell it was Circe would she? Don't get him wrong- Penelope Icarius was smart and intuitive, but no way she could connect the dots when she only knew Circe's past and nothing about who she is as a person and her change.

And other than that, he realised, she's also extremely easy to talk to. Penelope is someone who, true to her word, is fine with letting you rant.

She's understanding, she'd let you explain and reminds you not to cross your own boundaries and to take your time. That was the whole reason he'd even told her about the incident at all.

It'd been on his mind quite a bit lately and he felt the need to tell someone. He could rant to Poli and Eury but he had absolutely no idea if those two even knew about it.

He couldn't risk them not knowing though, because he felt like that would be ruining their perspective of Circe even after all of her change and what she herself went through, which the two do know.

Plus, he was holding back a fucking mental breakdown every millisecond because that meeting at the cafe happened on the SAME DAY everyone else found out about Mystery Boy and he found out she knew.

He managed to keep it in, thank the heavens above, but the minute he arrived back at Cici's place and ensured thag she was at school, he fucking lost it so hard he was still sobbing by the time Cici came back hours later.

He blinked back to attention when Circe turned to him, holding up her phone.

"Um... you don't mind that I recorded that, do you?" She asked, looking at him. Her eyes eyebrows were furrowed and her eyes looked... sad...

His heart stopped for a few seconds before he forced it to start beating properly and normally.

"Yea, no I don't mind," he shrugged nonchalantly, sending that train of thoughts to the back of his mind.

Okay... He should know how out of the ordinary he'd seemed to both his high school friends and his middle school ones when Poli and Eury arrived, right? Yea... definitely.

"I see the plan worked then?" Eurylochus observed, smirking and gave Circe a high five.

"Oh absolutely," she grinned, glancing back at Odysseus, "He had no idea."

Oh- he must seriously be getting sloppy, because something about her expression and voice told him that she felt that something off about him.

"So... uh- where do we go then?" Polites asked, looking around.

Helen's expression turned into a smile as she stepped forward, clearing her throat.

"Well, since we've already welcomed the cohort and the teachers took attendance, I think you guys should be free to explore the school on your own for now!" She explained, grin growing wider at the end.

... Did all that happen when he was gone and bumped into Circe? Okay-

Anyways- he clapped his hands, getting everyone's attention as they turned to look at him. He flashed a grin before turning to Polites, Eurylochus and Circe.

"Well then, since admin matters are finished, I think it's time for a school tour!"

Illian High School was absolutely beautiful.

The plants and vines that covered the archways separating parts of the school, the warm atmosphere of the place, the sound of laughter filling the hallways from inside the classrooms.

The students' artwork and photographs hung on the hallway walls making the school truly made it feel like students were a vital part it.

Polites could see why Ody loved it here so much.

He walked through the halls, mouth hung agape as he was lead through the place. He glanced into empty classrooms as they walked past them.

All of them were structured like lecture halls, shaped like half an arena. Students sat on leveled platforms, each one higher than the one before with the teacher's table and board at the very bottom. The desks were curved, one per platform with maybe twenty five seats for each of them. Different clasrooms varied in number of platforms, seats and desks.

"This is absolutely gorgeous," Circe said, voicing all of his thoughts as they paused for a bathroom break.

"Very," Odysseus agreed, nodding, "I love it here."

There were benched every few hallways and apparently it wasn't uncommon for there to be students spending time there. Playing board or card games in between classes, eating during lunch, last minute homework.

The group sat at one of the benches, waiting for the others in the toilet. Polites watched as Penelope took out a notebook and started scribbling in it. Cassandra looked over and whispered something in her ear, waiting for Penelope to nod before picking the notebook up and showing Diomedes.

Polites' eyes narrowed at the notebook.

"Why did you guys start hanging out together?" He asked, looking around at the group members.

Ody said that they only started hanging out over these past few days and considering what Ody told him and Eury about the girls' opinions on him and his friends, combined with how everyone was interacting now, something must've changed.

The question now was what.

Polites watched as everyone turned to him, some freezing in place while others wore dumbstruck expressions as they stared.

You know those scenes in the movies where everyone frantically whispers amongst one another and you think 'Wow, this is unrealistic because surely people don't do this. They know the other people can hear them'? Well apparently it's not that unrealistic because that's exactly what happened.

Everyone started talking at the same time 'to each other' but Polites and he's sure Eury and Circe too, could here every part of their conversation.

Polites couldn't exactly pin point who said what, but the conversation went something like:

"What the heck do we tell them?"

"I don't know, not the truth???' Penelope.

"I mean... do we wanna tell them?"

"They don't know who it IS though." Who is... what?-

" WE don't know who it is though!" That was Achilles- seriously what are they talking about?

"I don't know can we trust them with this? We don't know what they'd do!"

"Guys they're staring at us" Thank you for that observation Cassandra-

"What do we tell them?"

"I dunno? Anything-" We can HEAR you you guys Y'know?!-

You know those other movie scenes where everyone panics and fails to come up with a coherent lie and proceed to yell out random things or reasons that somehow magically fit together? Haha happy accident-

Once again, movies seemed to take more inspiration from real life because that was what everyone proceeded to do... minus the 'everything magically fits together' part-

Penelope screamed 'Project', Achilles said 'planning', Diomedes said 'party', Cassandra yelled 'school gossip', Briseis answered 'homework', Menelaus told them 'sleepover' and Patroclus slapped his forehead. Same Patroclus- same...

"We're uh- planning for a school project, our homework!" Cassandra said.

Polites met Eury's eyes and they both gave each other a 'are you kidding me?' Look, rolling their eyes.

"Uh huh," Circe said, also clearly unbelieving their answer, "Which requires a sleepover party and has to do with school gossip?"

"... yes?" Penelope tried, shrugging her shoulder.

"Come on, we're here because your school and you guys re supposed to excel in everything including teamwork, surely you can coordinate even slightly better than that?" Polites said amused, chuckle bubbling out of him.

He saw Achilles start to speak before they were interrupted by a door opening abruptly. Everyone turned to see the people at the toilet returned and standing near the table, blinking in confusion.

"Um... what's happening here?" Ody asked, just having gotten out of the toilet.

Now the Acheans (that was what Ody called them right?) who were sitting with them and didn't go to the washroom just looked at each other.

They all seemed to have a conversation with their eyes- see where was this earlier?- before they turned to Penelope, who was silent for a bit before nodding.

"Odysseus," Patroclus led, "are your friends trrustful? Do they like... understand people well?"

Ody's eyes filled with confusion as he nodded hesitantly, unsure of what was happening right now.

"...Yes..." he said, looking around at his friends before snapping out of the confusion and actually nodded, "yea- why?"

Penelope took a deep breath and Polites exchanged glances with Eury and Circe again. What were they getting themselves into- what was this a cult?

"Well," Penelope turned to them now, "what would you guys say? Are you?"

"I mean- it's not really fair to ask is now is it?" Polites replied, tilting his head, "we're curious and clearly want to know so what's stopping us from lying. Yes, Ody's answer might be biased because he's our best friend but ours might be downright selfish-"
Everyone stared at him and Eury and Ody chuckled, Eury elbowing him gently.

"What?" He asked. Did he say something wrong?

"I mean- I think that says everything you need to know about him at least," Patroclus said, a smile on his lips and a laugh spilling out of him.

Achilles's face immediately softened and he looked at Patroclus like he was the most precious thing in the world. Okay... they're absolutely adorable-

"I mean," Diomedes added, "anyone from their school's going to be no help. Plus, they don't know anyone here, student or teacher. Why would they tell anyone? They wouldn't have anyone to tell."

Everyone nodded. Okay then, were they going to get their answer now?

Penelope took her phone out of her pocket as everyone leaned in, her voice only slightly higher than a whisper.

"Someone in our level sent me... worrying texts to say the least," she said.

Her eyebrows were furrowed, eyes worried and she bit her lower lip, pursing it.

...Worrying?

She sighed, leg bouncing under the table as she probably debated telling them for the last time. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath before turning her phone around.

Polites peered at the phone. Things looked okay at first. (Drug dealer? Okay he wants to know the story behind that-)

' never mind'

' enjoy life'

' but mssg me once ur done'

' I'm soooo boooorreedddd'

Polites smiled at those messages.

As he read down, he noticed the next few messages were around an hour after the previous ones.

"That's... a lot of deleted messages..." Circe said, furrowing her eyebrows.

"What-" Penelope said, turning her phone around, "Oh shit- wrong thing..."

Polites waited for her to find what she was... supposed to show them? He looked around at the others surrounding them. They all looked at him, Eury and Circe, anticipating their reaction Polites assumed. Wait where was Ody?-

"Here," Penelope turned the screen too face them and Polites looked slowly, unsure of what to expect.

Circe reacted before he had the chance to, breath catching in her throat. He turned to her, watching as her eyes read through the texts so quickly, blinking rapidly as the light of the screen was reflected in her eyes.

Polites watched as they very slowly welled with tears. What was happening- he whirled around so quickly after that, expecting the worse as he read, preparing for whatever he would see.

He was no prepared- Gods have mercy, he was so not prepared.

His heart dropped as he read the messages. From the child-like complaints and whining to... this?- Goodness... white noise was the only sound in his head as he focused on the screenshots in front of him.

The texts and words spun around in his head like a tornado, wild and terrifying.

life fucking sucks

do you ever just ... wanna die

...no fucking point in life anymore

... stuck... cant escape like everyone else

its tiring... hurt ... want it to stop

everything hurts

fuck- im so tired

Polites felt his own heart start beating faster, he hurt inside. He didn't even know who this person was and he was hurting for them.

Who wouldn't? They were going through something so hard and painful that they think that ending their life would be a better alternative. Polites could hear the pain and tiredness from the texts alone

And the fact that it was so out of the ordinary too. The way it came out of nowhere, the ranting, the cry for help almost. They, he- that's what Penelope said right? He wasn't really paying attention to what she was saying at the moment- he went through something or got a flashback that brought it out.

And not only that, turning to someone in your school that you barely even know about instead of someone close to you spoke wonders. Either he truly didn't have anyone or he was so desperate for no one to find out yet something inside him really was screaming for help.

"We'll help you," Circe said immediately, a tear falling into her face.

They will. They absolutely would and High School has their word. They won't tell a single soul about this.

"Hey- you guys okay?" Diomedes asked, looking at both him and Circe. Eury apparently seemed to have disappeared, probably going into the wachroom to gather his thoughts. You know- that didn't sound like a bad idea right now.

"Yea," he replied, "um... it's just- where's the bathroom again?"

Achilles stood up, expression understanding and beckoning them along, "Here, I'll bring you there."

They walked for a bit, probably both lost in thought as they went in silence. Geez, his legs were wobbly-

He entered the toilet and immediately stopped in his tracks the minute he closed the door. Seriously people, this is a SCHOOL-

The toilets looked straight out of an effing palace in books! There were pillars of stone running from the top to the bottom in the middle, the sinks in a circle around them- there was an INDOOR WATERFALL . WHAT?!-

"It's beautiful isn't it," Eury said from one of the seats (to wait for friends to be done?) near the entrance.

"Very- show this to middle school students and I will guarantee you that this is enough to get them to work harder for their final exam," Polites said, walking over to sit down next to his friend.

He stared at the waterfall as the sound of it's current hitting the water below it filled the silence of the place.

"So... that was... something- wasn't it," Eury started, looking away.

"It was," Polites agreed. It was a lot to take in, a lot to process, a lot to think about.

They need to help him... even if they only have three days here. Ody could keep them updated, right? There was suddenly a weight on his shoulder, like he had to do something just because he knew this information.

"You will help too, won't you?" He asked Eury

"Of course."

The two exchanged smiles and stood up, both walking back outside. Achilles was still waiting, scrolling through something on his phone, though it didn't look like social media or anything.

He saw the two of them and kept it, waving his hand. He updated them more about the whole situation as they walked back to the group, something that apparently Penelope was doing as he was lost in thought so thank goodness for the repeat.

So they did apparently know that the person was in the soccer team (which makes sense why the Acheans in specific were confronted to do this) and that everyone was planning on doing a check.

"When is it?" Polites asked, curious.

Achilles turned to him, winking, "don't worry. It's in two days, you'll still be around. We could have you guys be there 'to see how things work out in this school' so you're fine."

In two da- oh no. Oh- no....

"Odysseus isn't going though, so um... there's that-"

Polites winced, immediately looking away. Okay... that's going to be difficult for him to toggle both things at once...

"You see, we're a bit low on 'staff' in a sense. Odysseus isn't coming for whatever reason, Andromache can't come and neither can Cassandra. One has a... date? Apparently- and the other, Cassandra, she had like... a shit ton of siblings who she needs to take care of."

So that explains why she had to cover what polites can only assume to be heavy eye bags. Someone should really help her out...

They nodded, beckoning for him to continue.

"Okay, so we're going to do a check on everyone there, we have like- a whole plan for what to do. You see, most all of us are in higher up positions in the team so hopefully that means that the team would share more with us or not be so nervous."

Wow... how big is this team exactly? How many people are there in the CCA?

"All of you?" Polites said, surprised.

"Well... most of us," Achilles shrugged, "Agamemnon's captain, Menelaus is vice, Odysseus is the strategist- literally the only one- also he's the central midfielder. Diomedes is the main goalkeeper and I'm the best striker that the team has! Pat's not on the team, but he is my backup and comes to games for moral support."

(I don't know soccer this is all from google search please help me-)

"Your boyfriend?"

Achilles' eyes lit up and he opened his mouth before pausing in speech and in steps, stopping in place before turning around to face them. His eyes narrowed.

"I mean... you guys are dating, right?" Polites asked for confirmation because if they weren't he must've really misread something Ody had sent.

Achilles nodded slowly.

"Yea... but- wait did Ody tell you that?" He asked.

They both nodded unanimously and Achilles groaned, "Oh I swear to gods I'm going to fuckin-"

A scream shattered the silence of the hallway, followed by the sound of what Polites can only assume to be someone hitting the ground with a lot of force.

The air around the three if them stilled, everyone freezing.

"What the heck...?" Eurylochus asked, looking around.

Achilles was immediately on the alert, looking around with his eyes wide and furrowed eyebrows. His hands clenched into fists as they all stood around, Polites waiting for Achilles to do something. This couldn't have been normal around here right?...

"Get your hands off me you pervert!"

The voice was female, someone who sounded absolutely terrified. Polites and Eurylochus looked at each other, concern clear in their eyes.

"Oh that fucking bitch..." Achilles all but growled under his breath, loud enough for the two behind him to hear.

He started rushing into the corridor beside them and Eury wasn't far behind. Polites took a deep breath, following the two of them.

The yells of insults continued as they ran, but Polites paid them no mind, focussing only on pushing through the rush of students.

There surprisingly wasn't a crowd at all when they reached the site of the situation, so Polites could quite easily see two people involved.

He faltered in his steps, falling down with a yelp as Eury caught him just before he hit the ground. He looked back at the scene, blinking before double taking.

The insults came from a girl who looked about their age. She had long, wavy black hair tied up into a ponytail. Her front hair was in two box braids, one on each side with little hair beads in them. Her dress was floral with asymmetrical sleeves, flowing as she stepped back seeing them approach. It was an off-white colour, matching fairly well with her espresso coloured skin. It was wavy and flowing, sinched in the midle with dark orange accents.

That wasn't what he was surprised by though.

Ody laid on the floor, his hands holding him up from behind and his leg bent and propped upwards. Polites could see a bruise forming on his left cheekbone as he stared into space, eyes watering.

"Calypso," Achilles practically snarled, "Get away from him."

The girl- Calypso? She whirled around to look at them and started tearing up.

"ME?" She screamed, tears freely falling, "HE TOUCHED ME! HE PUSHED ME AGAINST THE LOCKERS! HE GROPED ME!"

Okay... she officially lost Polites.

That wasn't Ody, not in a twenty years, not in a million. Her tears and screams seemed genuine but her claims definitely weren't.

This was Ody, who respects his friends and family more than anything. This was Ody, who's mouth drops open whenever non-con in brought up or mentioned in media. This was Ody, who forgived Circe after she attemped what she did.

This was his best friend. He was his best friend who he knew more than anything. He was his brother in everything but blood and Calypso's claims were absolutely. Fucking. Bullshit.

Polites knelt down beside Ody, pulling him close as he sat up properly, letting Ody lean onto him as he hid his face. This was something Ody hated more than anything, him being accused of doing it hurt Polites, let alone himself.

Calypso let out a wail and it sounded like nails on a chalkboard. Polites couldn't believe he ever felt bad for her.

"Shut up."

Achilles spoke the words for him and the girl stepped forward, eyes displaying a pathetic attempt at a pained expression. Like... actually this time- no one would believe her with that look. No one-

Eury put his hand on Ody's back, standing on his other side and glaring at Calypso.

"I'll say this one more time," Achilles said and you could feel the threat coming off of him in waves. The sunlight and warmth from just now was absolutely no where to be seen, "Get. The fuck . Away from him!"

Polites watched as Calypso looked at all of them, stepping back at every plare sent her way. She turned around and ran, tears still running down her cheeks.

"YOU ASSHOLE!" She screamed in Ody's direction before she ran off, making Achilles quite literally send a metal ruler flying in her direction. It clanged against the lockers with a loud noise.

Ody flinched, whether because of the clang or the yelling from Calypso he didn't know, but he did know one thing.

Whether for best or for worst, his was going to be a long three days...

Chapter Text

It's too quiet- it's too fucking quiet in here-

The door to Cici's apartment creaked open as Odysseus staggered inside, legs wobbly and breathing hard.

He doesn't know how he managed the rest of the school day, he doesn't know how he got through the cafe meeting and he absolutely did NOT know how he got through the bus ride back and twenty four flights of stairs.

Because his head was spinning and tears welled and he felt like crying.

He wanted to die, he wanted to curl up, he wanted to get away from this world and the pain and the suffering and everything-

Because he didn't know how he could handle anything anymore. Because the person he'd accidentally texted is Penelope Icarius and she knows Helen and Helen knows Menelaus and everyone tells each other everything-

Because Penelope cares, she cares and Helen knows and Menelaus knows and he told everyone!- Achilles knows, Dio knows, Agamemnon, Pat. They know and they're gonna find out. They're going to find out that it's him and they're going to blame him for it like his guardians do, like she does-

They're going to leave him and he doesn't want them to leave he needs them!- He needs them and he doesn't want it! he didn't ask for it! He didn't want any of it he doesn't want it take it back! World, gods, anyone listening PLEASE ! Take it back take it back takeitback PLEASE !

The tears came hard and fast as he spiraled and Odysseus tried everything that he could to push every single thought to the back of his mind.

Shit- shit shit no nonononononononono wait-

Not now, not yet not in the doorway. Close the door first, close the door, go to your room and then break down damnit-

He was shaking. He was shaking as he fumbled with the keys, vision going blurry and hands trembling.

"You're fine, you're g-going to be fine- you-you have to be-" he said out loud, heart racing.

He bit the inside of his cheeks to keep the desperate sobs from coming out. He clenched his fists hard . Both actions resulted in the drawing of blood.

He savoured it didn't care.

The door was locked shut and Odysseus couldn't even remember what else he needed to do because he couldn't keep it in any fucking longer-

He felt suffocated, he was trapped. Everything was closing in around him and it was encasing him- he was trapped here- why were things going so blurry? Why couldn't he see anything anymore?-

He started hyperventilating, mind yelling at him. They're gonna leave him- he's pathetic and weak and he should get out of this alone but he CANT- He needs help and he can't ask for it because who's gonna believe it? He's fucking useless as a person and he's not bloody good for anything and... fuck-

The first tears spilled and he ran. He ran to his room, stumbling every few steps. He all but collapsed the minute the door was closed, legs immediately giving out as tears filled his eyes, blurring everything even more.

Odysseus grabbed onto his desk before he could hit the floor, blindly grabbing for the pen knife at the corner of it's surface. His fingers made contact, gripping it so hard his knuckles turned white as his hands continued trembling violently.

... They. Knew. Everything.

He broke completely for the first time that day. He fell to the floor, the sobs flowing out of him in jagged bursts. They knew, they knew they knew theyknew

theyknewtheyknew-

He sat on his knees, mind and body giving out as he sobbed. His right hand dropped the pen knife for a minute before closing in on his hair, clutching chunks of it and pulling. His cries and sobs filled the room, unrelenting and showing no signs of stopping anytime soon.

It hurts- it hurts, he hurts, everything hurts make it stop-

"You useless fuck! You're LUCKY we need you in the house!"

"I'm sorry," Odysseus whimpered, hands clamping his ears shut though it did nothing to stop the voices yelling in his head.

He didn't mean to mess up, he didn't!-

"Oh please, your mother left you on your birthday for a reason. You think she wanted to be there? Why would she stay for you?"

He choked on the tears, mind running wild no matter how much he pulled his hair, no matter how much pain he inflicted onto himself right now. He drew his legs up to his knees on the floor, curling up into a ball.

"Oh Ody, come on, you know you don't need to keep it from me. You feel so good!"

His cries grew harder as he felt hands everywhere, grabbing him, hitting him, touching him all over.

"Stop!" He sobbed, "please, it hurts- please- get off- get off getoff getoffgetoff it HURTS! "

"You? Seriously?"

Agamemnon. Odysseus flinched and his eyes widened, tears still flowing.

"Of course you're the one who can't handle this. Who the hell else? No one else in the team's weak."

His heart was pounding in his chest, palms moving to cover his ears. It wasn't real- they-they haven't said it before they haven't-

"We think so. You're pathetic. Weak. Your fault this is happening, all your fault."

The voices saying the insults kept changing. Achilles. Patroclus- Then Diomedes, Menelaus- he heard Cici, Eury, Thea, Poli-

"Weak... Pathetic... Just die ."

Odysseus screamed .

He screamed as the voices grew louder and louder, everyone and everything becoming unbearable as they yelled the same time. Get out- getoutgetoutgetout-

As a new wave of sobs washed over him, he grabbed the pen knife from the floor. His hand trembled as he picked it up, breath hitching as he struggled to slide it open, grip tightening on the tool as an anchor, it's edges digging into his palm as everyone continued yelling.

"Fucking Worthless! Filthy! Miserable!-"

He let out a mix of a sob and a scream, the voices getting ten times louder and more accusing. Odysseus held his hands close to his chest, as if keeping his heart from bursting out of it. He heard mum, he heard dad.

"You don't even tell me to stop anymore, slutty whore."

He cut.

When the blur of panic and fear passed, Odysseus realised that he was sitting against one of the lockers, Achilles crouched in front of him with Poli and Eury on either side. His heartbeat slowed down and he registered his breathing again, his mind still fuzzy and trying to comprehend what just happened.

"There we go, that's it-" Achilles said almost encouragingly, stepping back. He held his arm out to his side, holding Poli and Eury back presumably to give him space.

Polites shook his head, putting a hand on Achilles's shoulder.

"It's fine, touch grounds him," he said and his voice alone cleared up Odysseus's mind a bit. Everything became less blurry.

He heard Achilles voice concerns, Polites reassuring him and Eury siding with Poli. He heard Achilles step back, telling the two to be careful, still wary. He heard the voices of three people he cared about...

He could see now, make out where he was. He took in his surroundings, the school hallways and the classrooms in his field of vision. His breathing grew less ragged and he saw Polites smile.

His friend walked closer and kneeled beside him, taking his hand and squeezing it. The buzzing dulled and he could hear the vibrant chatter from inside the classrooms, the sound of someone opening their locker, footsteps.

Subconsciously, Odysseus leaned into Poli's touch, leading to the other wrapping an arm around his shoulder. His heartbeat slowed down and he could hear Polites breathing beside him. He drew his knees in, mentally counting his breaths. Breathe in... and out. That's it... just like Cici taught you...

His eyes slipped closed, chest falling and rising slower yet still rapidly. The grip on his hand tightened and as the last of the fog cleared his brain and he could think properly again, he started thinking back. Back to right before he encountered her , he was- his heart skipped a beat... oh.

Shit. Polites and Eurylochus knew about Mystery Boy didn't they...

Odysseus escaped the scene the minute Penelope took her phone out, stumbling away from the table. His eyes widened and he had to physically grab onto a nearby water cooler to stop himself from tripping over his own two feet.

He ran in the opposite direction, thoughts clashing in his mind.

This wasn't supposed to happen... no... them coming here was supposed to be a vacation for his mind not this DAMN IT.

But of course it was bound to come up once throughout the next few days, Odysseus was naive to think otherwise. Poli, Eury and Circe were staying until after the Soccer Team thing was over.

He'd been panicking so much after the fact that he didn't even register Calypso behind him until she grabbed his wrist. His mind was filled with blurred terror at the time and when he registered her presence, the subject of his fear was shifted.

He yanked his arm away from her or well... he tried. Her grip remained strong and when Odysseus realised how close she was getting, the next thing he tried was pushing her off of him. Wrong move.

She screamed, raising her arm- he flinched, hard - and backhanded him. Odysseus landed on the floor with a thud.

Screaming, footsteps drawing nearer, running, he couldn't really remember the specifics. Then he registered Poli there and at the time, relief overwhelmed him. His mind went fuzzy from there on and his body took over instinctively... just like at home... just like it usually did with Calypso ...

But now he was here with his friends and Calypso was gone-

Shit. Calypso.

"Ody," Polites said suddenly, "Calm down, it's okay-"

He was hyperventilating again. He couldn't help it.

They... they didn't know about Calypso now did they?- This was Calypso, it happened to multiple people it wasn't just him...

He forced his eyes open, tears leaking out of his eyes as he looked at his friends.

Polites moved in an instant, going back to his side from where he had moved to give Odysseus space when he was calming himself down.

He looked at Achilles and Eurylochus, trying to make their faces out from the tears blurring his vision. Eury had a look of pity on his face. Odysseus' heartbeat spiked. Achilles...

Achilles looked worried. Oh thank the gods above- Odysseus forced his breathing to slow down.

Achilles' reaction to any of his friends and Patroclus getting hurt was rage. Pure, unfiltered, overwhelming RAGE. He would avenge them, wouldn't stop until the person who hurt them paid . He would get protective (though Odysseus had only seen that with Patroclus so maybe not for the others-), wouldn't leave their side.

Achilles wouldn't have calmed down by now if they'd known about Calypso. At least, if they thought this wasn't a one time thing. Polites wouldn't have given him that much space too now that he thought about it... whatever the case, he was safe for now

And that was all that mattered currently, the fact that they didn't know.

The minute the blade hit his skin, the pain came and the voices dimmed. Relief.

He felt the blood, flowing out of his skin, just barely felt his arm start throbbing. He didn't care. The voices dimmed down, the pain receded. Just for a little bit, just while everything stung.

He was still breaking, sobbing, shaking. The blade trembled as his hand as his hand shook. It was a break. A respite.

The scars covering his body weren't only from his guardians, weren't always from her , a lot of them were from himself. It was his coping mechanism, however unhealthy.

Scars littered his skin, his wrists, thighs, calves. His sides, arms, hell- his palms. Anywhere available, anything that would take away the pain.

The pain was a distraction, it took his mind away. Away from the pain at home, with her , from the screaming in his head throughout the day, at school too it seems now. It was an addiction and he was a serious addict. He savoured the pain he felt when he dug his nails into his palms, pulled hair out of his scalp, when he cut . Its relief, it's respite, it's needed. He can't stop. It's too much. He can't-

He can hurt himself too, it's not just them. He's still real- he's not just a punching bag right... he's a person too- None of them own him... they don't- they're...

He's not broken...

... Right? He's not just letting all of this happening- he's not weak... right? He's fighting. He doesn't want this, he wants it to stop-

" Worthless."

His hands flew up to cover his ears, to stop the voices inside his head, invading his mind , the ones telling the truth . The voices came back. They always do. They never leave-

He cut. Again. And again. Every time they yelling got louder, every time it got too much. Every time he was pushed to his limits. When he heard mum, heard dad, Thea, Cici.

Again.

When Poli and Eury reminded him that they hadn't contacted him in two whole fucking days and why else than because he was worthless to them.

Again.

The Acheans screaming how they should've known someone as weak as him wouldn't be able to handle everything. How they spent all their time helping someone who didn't deserve their help.

His hands trembled so hard he dropped the pen knife.

Both wrists were red, blood dripping on the floor below him. His hand still trembled as he lifted it to cover his mouth, he still let out sobs as his right hand clamped over his mouth as well, his shoulders still shook with the weight of the sobs. His body was still frail and he sat on the floor.

They'll leave- they'll him now... he'll be alone again, won't he-

They'll know soon. They WILL find out.

Everything he ate came out of him as he leaned over, throwing up until he had nothing left in him and still he dry heaved. He sat there, tears still flowing and his throat burning.

He was so focused on how they would react that he didn't even consider that they would know . They were going to find out about his guardians- they'll were going to find out about her, what he did to himself.

He knows the Acheans, knows his friends , and he knows that they won't stop until they find out... they're going to find out...

Odysseus just sat there, numb. Wrists bleeding, throat burning, tears still flowing. He was sobbing, his mind was racing and he stayed there. There was blod dripping from his hand, onto the floor. There was a opened, blood stained pen knife on the floor, a pool of vomit beside him.

He sat there. The house around him waiting in total silence.

So when the sound of a key being inserted into the apartment door was heard, it vibrated nearly deafeningly around the building.

"I swear to the gods above I will kill that bitch," Achilles growled as the four of them walked back to the others.

You know, Polites might just follow him up with that, he certainly shared the sentiment. Calyso's words wouldn't leave his head, her claims and screams.

"HE TOUCHED ME! HE PUSHED ME AGAINST THE LOCKERS! HE GROPED ME!"

Polites' fist clenched as he struggled to keep his calm. He knew that there was the chance she was telling the truth, truly.

People aren't always as they seem around others and however bewilderingly unlikely, Ody could very well have been one of those people (he wasn't. He absolutely wasn't. Never). But standing there in front of the two of them, seeing the situation, it was clear who the victim was.

C@lypso wasn't the problem. No, she'd never played her 'role' disgustingly well. The desperation, the way her tears fell, her looking frantically at everyone else. It was so good that you'd almost believe her, and Polites did.

Almost.

Because the minute you saw Ody, all the flaws in her acting would be painfully clear and you'd have no doubt in the world that she was.

Because Ody was shaking. Polites' best friend was hyperventilating and on the verge of a panic attack, sprawled on the cold, hard floor. There were tears falling out of his eyes, tears . Actual. Genuine. Tears.

He was small, curled into himself and his eyes fluttered closed at every word yelled. He flinched, flinched . He was terrified and scared and helpless in that moment. It broke Polites' heart.

Because this was the same boy who from five years old had always asked for permission, whose least favourite and most hated people were people who hurt and took advantage of others.

Because Odysseus spent the next ten minutes having a panic attack against the locker, spent half of it sobbing into Poli's shoulder at the mere thought of being that kind of perpetrator. Had apologised to them, he apologised .

Apologised for breaking down, for crying, for them having to help him, for being hit to the floor.

Because this was the same, kind and caring person who was currently assuring Achilles that he was fine and not to worry about that girl.

And apparently Polites thought too much about that because by the time he looked back up, the table where the others were was in sight. Circe sat nearest in the direction they were coming from, eyes red as Briseis rubbed her back comfortingly.

"Where were you guys?" Menelaus asked as the others turned, noticing the four of them approaching.

Before any of them could answer, Diomedes frowned, standing up from where he was previously seated. He looked their way, worry clear on his face. He walked closer, stopping in front of Ody, eyes scanning him now that he was nearer to them.

"What happened?" He asked, a hand resting on Ody's arm. He probably noticed the tear tracks running down Ody's face or the way he held himself.

Polites saw the scoff coming before he heard it from Achilles, who's grip on his own arm tightened.

"Calypso fucking happened, bloody asshole," he spat, glaring at his clenched fingers, and the reaction from the others was immediate.

There were gasps from a few in the group, some yelled disbelieving 'What's, many swore and Diomedes even physically stepped back to punch his sports bag that he'd been carrying with him.

Menelaus glanced at Ody with a concerned look in his eyes, Andromache's hand flew up to her mouth and Penelope stood up from her seat too, mouth falling open.

So she was well known to do this stuff then? Somehow that made Polites despise her even more.

He saw Circe's confusion as she looked around among the crew and realised that she had no idea who Calypso was or had a clue of anything that just took place.

"How severe was it? What did she do?" Patroclus asked, rushing up to Ody.

"Achilles-" Ody started.

"Wait- who's Calyspo and what did she do?" Circe cut it, expression both confused and concerned at the others' concern for her friend.

Polites was curious too. Well, obviously now he knew who she was and had an idea of what her reputation is, but he was still in the dark about it too. The way Achilles immediately rushed to the scene despite not even knowing who she hurt, the others' severe reaction to her name, gods- why the teachers weren't doing anything.

Cassandra ushered the three of them closer before she started to speak, voice low and the others gathered around. Achilles was still keeping a light grip on Odysseus' arm and the others all wore similar angry or dark expressions. Well... time to learn more about Calypso it seems-

Cassandra cleared her throat and started, "In the middle of last year, when we were in out first year here, there was a huge commotion on the local news. The police found a girl a few years old older than our age stuck inside a house, all alone. Caylpso Ogygia, since the age of six, had been living alone, stuck inside that house and not allowed to go outside. She was kidnapped, in a way, by her own parents."

... what?- Polites sat dumbstruck where he was, head empty and trying to process everything that just came out of Cassandra's mouth.

Circe gasped, mouth hung agape and even a few of the Acheans apparently didn't know this part of the girl's life because their eyes widened tenfold in shock.

"Her father, Atlas, is a huge businessman here and he's always constantly traveling everywhere. So Atlas has a daughter who no one knew about and he was keeping her in their house. She wasn't allowed to leave the house and was completely walled off from the outside world."

She continued before anyone had a chance to interfere her explanation.

"There's a catch though, that being that she was probably the most well-off girl in our whole neighbourhood and considering the families living here, that's saying a lot. She had anything she wanted delivered straight to the front foor of her house to be collected by the one maid working there: leisure, all the food you could ever ask for, she has seemingly endless money too. Her father gave her access to any and all the various credit card and banks the family had. That house was her lonely paradise."

"The poor girl," Circe started before she looked around at the others, seemingly trying and failing at connecting dots, "but... what did she do to earn the reputation that got you guys all... you know-"

"Trust me, we're getting there," Patroclus assured her.

Andromache continued, taking over from her friend, "So, she was 'saved', freed, taken out of her father's custody and sent to school here because... uh- okay we honestly don't know why either there are other schools nearer to her house than here-

But she did, for some reason. She's a few years older than us yet she was put only a year above us solely because of her lack of studies. She is however, quite smart and managed to keep track with everyone else. Of course, naturally, she quickly became the girl in school everyone empathised with. Her story and home life got leaked from somewhere and shared throughout the school and it spread like wildfire," Seeing the expressions from most of the crew at this point, Andromache continued, "She was lonely for most of her life and, though I'm sure I'm one of the only people in this group right now who think so, I still do feel sorry for her. That does not by any chance though mean that I excuse her actions."

If you were looking at the scene, you could see the Ithicans bracing themselves with one unanimous thought in their minds as they exchanged glances with one another: based on the beckstory they were given and what they knew about Calypso (genuinely nothing for circe), combined with the others' reactions to her, whatever she did... it was bad.

Like... really bad.

Ctimene heard the silence of the house and immediately knew something was wrong.

College was simultaneously the best and worst decision she ever made in her life. For one, she was having the time of her life with new experiences and friends. There were so many more opportunities and at the same time... it helped her get over mum and dad. 'They would want this for me, they always have.' Those words were the best motivation she could give herself and the repeated mantra was the only reason she still persevered when things got too difficult. Well... that and Ody.

The downside to being in college though- she was So. Bloody. Tired. Her last class ended at six fifteen and thankfully fifteen minutes early, so she packed her stuff and came straight back after getting take away from Ody's favourite restaurant.

She sighed to herself as she climbed up the staircase because of course the elevator wasn't working when she lived on the twelfth floor-

She looked around the familiar estate as she climbed, taking in all the views she'd seen a million times. She'd moved in four years ago, back when she'd first started college at nineteen. Well... she was eighteen when she moved in, but that was only because she physically didn't have a place. Ody had gotten adopted by then and she was of age to not have to be put in the centre.

It was supposed to be a 'for now' thing.

She was only spending five to six years in college and afterwards, she wanted a bigger place but alas. The two bedroom house was starting to feel like her own. This little apartment that she'd gotten herself with the money her parents had left was genuinely starting to be a home for her.

It could never even equate to what she had though, their old house was too important to her for that to be the case. Because that was the house where her parents raised her and Ody in, that was the house of her childhood and of her dreams.

The house where she found laughter and joy and wonder. The house that, since a young age seemed magical. A safe space for her family, paradise in a building.

It was the house where Ody invited his friends over ever since they were five, where they had Athena visiting and tutoring the boys, helping Ody become the smart, wonderful boy he was today.

They copied the house almost exactly when they moved to their current house, the house which was now lost to whoever the heck was living there now.

Because their mum's death and dad's mental health deterioration was so... out of nowhere, none of these things were ever planned. What do you do to the house? And adoption? What do you do with everything in the house, the money, the medical bills? How much money do you give the kids?

Thankfully, their solution wasn't just 'throw it all onto the shoulders of the oldest kid who JUST turned eighteen and at the same time also lost her parents.'

Every single thing that she had to do after the funeral was fuzzy in her head. She forgot what the officers settled, everything that she had to do, all of that.

She remembered meeting Ody's adopted parents for the first time, remembered watching him enter their house for the first time. She saw how nervous he was and how he kept clinging to her. He was twelve and just lost his mum and dad, being separated from his older sister and the only family he had left... he shouldn't have been going through that as a child.

Crimene remembered stepping into her apartment for the first time, looking around at the empty place with a mix of joy, tears, fear and anticipation.

It had been four years since all of that happened... it was going to be exactly four years in a week. Four years since the worst moment of her life, coming into her mum's room after hearing her dad scream, seeing her mum pale and her body fallen onto the floor. Dead.

Four years since the day her dad absolutely lost it and was permanently transported and checked into a mental health institution, trying to be healed every day and failing to be every time people tried.

Four years since she lived under the same roof as her baby brother for more than a few days with months in between each visit.

And right now Ctimene Laertes was on one of her last years of college and Ody was in high school. Speaking of which... Ctimene checked her watch, quickening her pace when she saw the time. It was getting late and she still needed to heat up Ody and hers' dinners.

Although she would usually help drop off notes to her classmate who lived in the same building as her, something inside Ctimene told her that she needed to get home as soon as possible that day. So instead of taking a break at the top of the stairs or walking the opposite corridor to Polyxena's place, she just started walking the short journey to her apartment from the lift lobby, unit number 12-600.

She fumbled for her keys as she approached the unit, pace quickening subconsciously, struggling with the bags before unlocking the front gate and the main door.

The house was dark, dead quiet.

Ctimene paused, hand still gripping the door handle. Her older sister instincts kicked in and although she didn't know why yet, she knew that much: something wasn't right there.

"Ody?" She called, panic creeping into her voice as she looked around the dim apartment, closing the main door with a 'click'. She stepped forward, nearly tripping over his bag on the floor.

She glanced at the doors leading to her bedroom and his, eyes landing on her younger brother's closed door. Her heart clenched and she walked towards it. She smelled the stench of vomit clearer in the air the closer she got to the room, along with a sharp, metallic smell, like rusted nails and coins. Blood.

Her breathing hitched as she took a step back, eyes widening. Ody...

Ctimene changed direction and ran to her room, grabbing the spare room key for Ody's room. The door was locked, surely, and there's no way Ody would willingly open it considering what Ctimene realised was happening. Tears stung her eyes as she ran back, careful not to make too much noise as she approached the room.

What triggered him? Their mum's death anniversary in a few days? His birthday coming up? Ody turned twelve on the day their mum passed... it was supposed to be one of the happiest days of his life and he didn't even get to hear his mum or dad wish him happy birthday. Of course it's anniversary coming up triggered regression...

She inserted the key into the door lock, gently turning it before pulling the door open. She knew what she was going to be met with even before she was greeted by the scene in front of her, but that didn't make it any less heartbreaking.

Ctimene placed a hand over her mouth and held back a gasp.

Her sweet, smart, kind baby brother was on the floor in tears, shaking and grabbing his hear. There was blood flowing down his wrists and vomit pooling beside him.

No... not again...

"Around five-ish to six months ago, Calypso held a party at her house."

Circe's mind blanked, "her house? Like-"

"Yup, apparently somehow she was able to stay in her house. Don't ask how we really genuinely have no idea-" Andromache deadpanned, "and uh- I can't really tell what the party was cause I kinda ditched after ten minutes to go to the convenience store across the road. When I came back, there was chaos, people were storming out and Penelope had a random ass dude's number who she didn't delete, thank goodness."

Circe nodded slowly, still trying to process things. She didn't know what to think about the 'Calypso' girl if she's honest. Because as far as she's been told, her story seems really sad. Circe feels sorry for her, she does. Yet... yet at the same time she noticed how extreme everyone's reactions had been to her when Polites, Eurylochus, Achilles and Odysseus, who by the way Circe hadn't noticed had even left, came back from wherever they were.

She saw Odysseus' expression when Achilles said what happened, she saw Polites and immediately knew this girl was bad news. Polites was angry. His fists were clenched and his grip on Ody's hand tightened. This girl was bad news if she managed to make Polites of all people pissed.

"Wait-"

Circe and the others turned to Menelaus, who looked very surprised by something. Actually, now that she was paying attention... a few of the boys looked like they just realised something-

"You got Mystery boy's number at Calypso's party?" Menelaus said.

Oh- oh that was mystery boy she was talking about. Yeah no Circe missed that detail- also did the boys not know this? The girls looked like this was old news to them, Helen even echoing Andromache's last statement.

"Yea," Penelope answered, eyebrows furrowed, "It was during the chaos of the revelation and I really don't know how the heck he got it- I do know that I didn't have his number before that, which doesn't help because I didn't have anyone in the soccer teams' number. Why, does it help with the mission?"

Menelaus shook his head, "continue the story first, it was just a detail we never realised is it."

"So..." Andromache said, looking around.

"Oh, I'll continue," Menelaus added, "I was there in the middle of everything as it happened anyways."

Circe turned to look at him now, as did everyone else who was curious about the incident.

"So, a bit of backstory for this whole situation that the girls forgot to add. Remember, Calypso's been trapped in her house for ages. She doesn't know any social queues, doesn't know what's considered acceptable but what she does know his what isolation and being trapped feels like."

Circe heard multiple people start interrupting, all looking at least somewhat pissed at the light Menelaus was putting this girl in.

"I know, shut up," Menelaus reassured his friends, giving them a quick smile, "But with all of that also came the mindset that love was something you owned. Till this day, she sees love as something she can take, something that belongs purely to her once she owns it. She thinks she keeps the love that's given on her and isn't at all past keeping it no matter what."

"Wait are you telling me she-" Circe blurt out the thought the minute it came to mind, horror growing as gears started turning in her head.

"Not yet," Achilles was quick to clarify, catching onto what her mind went to.

"...yet?"

The thought horrified her and her understanding of why this girl was so hated hit her like a baseball to the head. Circe knew what it was like to be a victim of that kind of monstrous deed. To be unable to move or to scream out for help. To be trapped and for your innocence to be taken from you. Anyone who abused others like that or even at all, they had her hatred.

Menelaus sighed, "Achilles-"

"What? I'm telling the truth." The blonde shot back frustrated.

"We've talked about this. She's not going to go to those lengths-"

"Says who?" Achilles asked, "Because it's nearly happened before. Because every. single. time it's gotten worse and considering what happened at the party-"

"Okay, enough-" Patroclus stepped forward. He put a hand on his boyfriend's shoulder, giving him an understanding look, "'Chilles, you're just confusing and making the new students more worried. Let's calm down first okay?"

Achilles closed his eyes, talking a deep breath and visibly relaxing, "you're right... sorry."

Judging from the 'oh he's so in love' looks that the acheans gave each other, this was something only Patroclus could do-

"But the answer is no, she hasn't actually 'taken' anyone in that way. Not by force," Menelaus reiterated, "but she does get pushy at times."

"Pushy seems like a bit of an understatement but okay-" Eurylochus muttered beside Circe.

Menelaus seemed to ignore both the comment and the fist bump Diomedes gave Eury as he continued, "And as I was saying earlier, people would say that she acted the way she did because of how she grew up, alone and away from everyone and everything."

"But that doesn't justify her actions!" Polites claimed, getting more annoyed himself.

"And you're absolutely right," Diomedes said, nodding, "but back then the school thought otherwise."

"You know I'm actually invested in this story I didn't start going to parties until literally the one a month ago-" Cassandra remarked, "So? What happened I don't think I know..."

"Well surely you know something , you reacted the same way we all did when you heard her name," Penelope asked.

"Yea, that was because I actually saw her treat someone else... you know- and immediately started rethinking everything I knew about her. Plus, there's no way the whole entire school would go from loving her to hating her in a literal night so she must've done something bad."

"Okay can I just continue the story? Please-" Menelaus deadpanned.

"Please do," Circe said before anyone else could interrupt.

"Thank you," he said as silence fell over the group once more, "So, because clearly I'm not going to have much time to tell the story before someone cuts in, I'll just skip straight to the party. So those who don't know, get comfy because this is going to be a shitshow."

The three from Ithica High all sat up straighter and Circe saw Andromache and Cassandra sit down on the bench opposite them. Diomedes passed around a fucking bag of chips from his bag like this was a performance- gods Circe already loved this place.

"So, a few months after Calypso came to school, she got her house back somehow as the girls mentioned just now. Around three months after that , around the beginning of this year so five-ish months ago, she hosted a party. Anyone who wanted to go was invited. And naturally, besides Cassandra apparently everyone else here went. She wasn't lying, her house is absolutely huge. Honestly, for a minute a few people were jealous that she lived there, me included- So it was a normal party, drinks, dancing, chaos. Wait have you guys been to a party before?-"

"Yea," Polites assured him, "don't worry."

Ody did a double take, whirling to look at his best friend, "I'm sorry what-"

Polites chuckled, "I said I've been to one, not that I liked it- I only went there cause it was at Peri's house. Too much chaos for me thank you very much-"

"Me and Eury have been to multiple," Circe added, smiling.

Menelaus nodded, smiling back, "Okay, so the party was basically going as usual parties do except slightly calmer than usual because I think some were still uncomfortable with the fact that this was the place Calypso was kept prisoner."

100% Understandable-

"Music was blasting around the house, peope probably went up to the bedrooms who knows it's a high school party- and I was at the drink table when the music stopped abruptly.

There was silence all throughout the house, people looked around confused. I got my drink and managed to find Helen and gather up with the rest of the Acheans with her before the sound started back. The projection screens showing the music lyrics went back on. But it wasn't the music playing nor was it the song lyrics being shown..."

Andromache sat up, eyebrows rising and Cassandra's were furrowed. Circe just wanted to know what the heck was going on.

"Now, people had complained about Calypso before. People said how she was too pushy, there were a few who said she never respected boundaries. One in particular claimed to be hurt by her, physically and emotionally. But no one ever thought much about it, people just chalked it up to them being jealous she was popular or again, her home situation and lack of social intelligence.

But the sound that played from the speakers the completely changed everyone's views on that, on Calypso , because in the audio she was screaming."

"... Screaming?" Circe asked, hesitation seeping into her voice. Like... a 'help me I'm getting hurt' scream or the 'What the hell is wrong with you you're the worst!' Kinda scream...?

"Screaming," Menelaus repeated, "screaming and a slap. You could hear footsteps stumbling back and yelling. She was screaming about how someone had hit her, she was on the floor in the video, eyes wild and crazy. She cowered away when someone came up to her. You could hear footsteps, seniors rushing to the scene, students."

"Isn't this-" Cassandra started, confused.

"The Hallway incident," Andromache nodded, "It happened a few weeks before the party, I was one of the people near there when she screamed. When I reached she had a handprint on her cheek and a bruised eye."

"She did, but who did it to her?" Achilles asked.

"I... what?-"

Achilles nodded for the vice captain to continue the story with a grim smile on his face.

"The video changes after people started arriving. Changes to before the screaming happened, when it was just her and the kid that was accused of hurting her."

"Here we go..." Agamemnon muttered under his breath.

"The videographer was hidden behind one of the lockers, out of sight of both Calypso and the kid- Leo I think? That's his name I'm pretty sure."

There were a few winces from the Acheans.

"Poor boy..." Clytemnestra muttered.

"Yea..." Menelaus agreed, "The video showed Calypso basically as I said earlier, not caring whatsoever about his personal space. She was near him and he was just at his locker as she was yelling. I can't remember the specifics but she was screaming something about how Leo was heartless for not doing something for her when she needed help?-"

"Come on you know my situation! How much of a heartless ass are you?!"

Circe yelped in surprise at the sudden scream as everyone turned to Helen. The sound came from her phone. She'd found the video while they were talking.

"I do feel sorry for you, really! But I'm not doing that, I'm sorry... it's too much to give."

Calypso let out a 'sob', "You're hurting my feelings!"

Her hand shot out and she grabbed Leo's. Odysseus flinched and Polites returned to gripping his hand. Circe focused on the video.

"What the hell!?" Leo exclaimed, confused. He stepped back, lifting his hand to get her hand off of him. Calypso flinched. Hard.

Andromache's eyebrows furrowed, eyes narrowing, "he didn't touch her nor did he even raise his hand much... his actions were all gentle what triggered her?"

"Nothing," Penelope said, gesturing to the phone, where Leo was reaching out in shock.

"Hey, are you oka-"

Calypso slapped herself. Leo paused in place, eyes widening, "No don't do that hey-"

He stepped forward and Calypso punched herself right in the eye. Circe stared at the video, brain unable to process what was happening in the video. This girl just hurt herself after... Leo was it?- after Leo said no to whatever she asked of him. Why would she...

"HE HIT ME!" Calypso screamed and there were gasps heard from the ones who hadn't seen this yet.

Circe watched as Calypso yelled, as Leo looked around panicked, confused and angry, as people gathered around and people started protecting Calypso... as if protecting her... from- Leo... oh...

Oh Calypso just framed him didn't she...

And from Andromache's expression, no one else knew until the party. Everyone bought it. She listened to Menelaus' continuation of the story after the video ended. Leo was shunned, pushed away. Calypso made it seem like HE hit her because she was pleading for help.

The realisation came and Circe fully understood now why Calypso was so hated around the school and how she went from loved to hated in the span of a night.

Calypso Ogygia was trapped her whole life, was shunned away and she knew what it felt like to be alone. She knows what it means to be abandoned and by herself and yet by doing... whatever she did to Leo, she was making him the hated one, she made sure he was the one alone.

Calypso couldn't blame this on her upbringing at the party, couldn't because this wasn't unknown to her, it was the opposite.

"Exactly," Achilles said and Circe realised that she'd spoken out her thoughts because when she looked up everyone was facing her.

She nodded and Menelaus continued explaining. He told them how Calypso had even done that after the party, multiple times she made herself seem like the victim after, one way or another, being the perpetrator.

One time it was like Leo, where she hurt herself and pretended it was the other person. Another time it was making it seem like someone else was hitting on her after she rejected them despite it being the other way around. Once she played with someone's feelings, reminding them of when they were at their lowest and blackmailing them afterwards.
This girl sucked and Circe was hating her more with every instance and story the Acheans were sharing with the Ithicans.

"She's never gone across the line?" Circe asked, sligjtly worried about the answer she was about to receive.

"No, she's never done physically hurt anyone before in any way. Only emotional pain and what we've told you," Menelaus reassured.

Achilles scoffed and Menelaus turned to him, "Achilles-"

"No. No that changed," Achilles said, "Actually. After today that's a line she's willing to cross. Maybe not as far as what you said earlier, though I wouldn't put it past her, but physical harm? She'd do that too."

"She would," Polites said, "and she did."

"She... wait-" Penelope started, turning to Odysseus, anticipation present in her eyes, "Odysseus... what happened? What did she do?"

Chapter Text

Odysseus made the mistake of looking up at the shadow of the person standing over him and couldn't help but let out a sob at the sight of his big sister standing in the doorway, tears running down her face.

She stepped away from the door almost instinctively, hands going up to her mouth in a watery gasp. Her feet were wobbling, and her eyes... her eyes looked pained- she looked hurt, terrified yet at the same time expected this from him. Odysseus felt like the worst person in the universe.

Because she was looking at him with hurt in her eyes, guilt for something he'd tried to hide. Because she wanted to have stopped this from happening but she couldn't have. He knew that.

Because Odysseus would've done this to himself either way, because he has done this to himself before...

Because the first time Cici ever walked in on Odysseus hurting himself, he was twelve.

It was a few nights after his birthday, after the funeral and before his guardians took him back to their place, his new... prison cage home house. He was in his old room. It was the last day he ever spent there in his old house.

In the house that was supposed to be home yet he'd almost barely even been in the building, having started middle school the year they moved there. It was the house his family stayed in while he was away, where mum... died...

Tears pricked in his eyes till this day at the mere mention of his birthday, of her... of mum's... of his mum. That was the reason why Odysseus had never told any of his friends in Illian when his birthday was, because it hurt too much . 

Anytime any of them asked- they did ask, a LOT (he never understood why they wanted to celebrate anything about him)- he would push down any and all negative emotions, gain 'the smug grin' as the Acheans called it, wink and say "stay tuned to find out" before walking off. Plus, it's not like he deserved being celebrated.

Because Odysseus knew that if they ever found out, they'd throw some kind of party, they'd celebrate it and knowing his friends they'd probably get everyone Odysseus cared about to come too. 

Odysseus couldn't have that. He couldn't... the last time he celebrated his birthday he... well the night ended the worst night of his entire life. 

Cici never reminded him either, just left a small gift on his bedroom table when he woke up in the morning because his birthday somehow usually happened to be on a school day. 

The first time he cut, it had been the funeral that triggered it.

His mum's disappearance only truly hit him after the funeral, specifically after meeting his 'guardians' for the first time. He was back at the house and Cici was out buying dinner for the two of them when he entered mama's room and just... stood there.

Everything was gone and empty. The room was quiet... it felt... wrong.

And it hurt like fucking tarturus because he could still imagine the furniture there, the room's occupant there, alive...

The house wasn't somewhere he lived... at all really, bar summer. But it was a copy-paste of the only home he's ever known and grown up in. 

So he could see himself in the room at three years old, helping mama paint the room her favourite dusty purple. On a ladder leaning against the far right corner of the room, Cici stood on her tiptoes at the top of the small ladder, getting as high up as she could at nine years old. A younger version of himself was running around all over the place, splattering paint all over the wall as dad chased him around.

Odysseus could remember Mama's laugh as he stood in that same 'paradise', her giggles and amused chastising about how messy three-year-old him was getting the floor. The way her hair glistened as sunlight shone through the windows, the way she smelled when he ran into her for protection against 'the monster' (Dad). 

As Odysseus is now sitting in his room at Cici's house, he remembers standing in that room after everything. After the revelation, after the funeral. After seeing mama's grave and realising that she was gone. Gone and he was never getting her back. 

The room was devoid, devoid of everything that made him feel warm and happy, devoid of the person who made him laugh, smile, shine.

His mum was his protector, his everything, and now that she was gone he'd lost everything. He was alone in constant storms and hurricanes and tsunamis of problems and she wasn't there... she was never going to be there again.

Odysseus remembers remembering her in that moment, how twelve-year-old him had the reality of everything hit him and he wishes that he could knock some sense into past him. For being in denial, for making the current him struggle so much more, he wants to scream to that boy: 

Mum isn't coming back, EVER. She's GONE. 

So remember the dinner Thursdays where you would make food with her in the kitchen because you're never going to experience that again. Remember how fucking warm and safe her hugs were and how you used to melt into them because now the warmth is gone and you're never getting another one of those hugs again. Remember the house you're standing in, keep those memories with mum, with dad, because no matter how hard you try you're never going to get to relive them.

Dad's fucking insane and you can pray all you want, you're never getting the dad you loved back. No more running to the front door because dad's back from work. No more late night pastries from his office. No more breakfast with him before he left to do whatever the heck he did during the day.

No more playing with him on those sweet, sweet off days, no more doing activities with him and Cici. Heck, you won't even live in the same house with Cici anymore. 

No, she's in college. No more big sister to help you with homework, to read you stories before bed because stories were her favourite thing to tell and she knew you loved them. She won't be around to tease you, play pranks. You MISS all the damn pranks you swore you'd always hate.

You have no one. You're stuck. Stuck in a house, a goddamn prison full of people who treat you like a toy. They hurt you, call you names, treat you like you fucking deserve to be treated you don't deserve any better than abuse.

You're. All. ALONE. 

Silence... his brain went quiet at the sheer pain he internally screamed the word. To himself of course, always to himself and no one else. Always hidden. Always hiding.

Past him ran to his room, started sobbing and breaking down in the empty house. He hated being alone back then and how ironic was it that the current him would give everything to be left that way by certain people in his life?

Past him wanted Cici to come back, to help him, to stay. 

Past him remembered how terrifying it was to step into a new house, to be with wholly different people- it gets so much worse... 

He had taken out a pair of scissors, one of the few remaining things in his near- empty room. He'd done it in a blur of emotion- confusion, pain, fear, pure heartbreak- but all of a sudden, his mind could only focus on a sudden, sharp pain in his arm. 

Odysseus had looked down to see the trail of blood flowing, had pressed his hand down to stop the bleeding and made it hurt worse. He'd winced, drawn his arm closer to him, only minutes later realising that when he was zoomed in on the physical pain and bleeding, everything inside disappeared. The pain, the loss, the terror.

So he'd tried it again, accomplishing the same effect. And again. And again. 

For his first time the cuts were never deep, never too many, just enough to make the physical pain more than the internal. Little did past him know that it was the start of an addiction that hasn't stopped even four years later.

But what him at twelve years old hadn't comprehended was that Cici was coming home soon and that she would find him crying. Would find him in the state that he was in. She'd drop the food, literally, and run over like he was the most important thing in her whole life (Odysseus had gotten a pang of guilt when he realised that he probably was at that point of time). She'd respond to the scene by dropping down to her knees and immediately, ever so gently pulling the knife away and pulling him into a hug.

And gods, he remembered what that felt like... how it felt to be feeling warm inside again. 

It was a different kind of warm than what mum brought him, but it was warm and precious and it felt like Cici. His big sister, his family, the only family he had alive. It felt new, comforting, like for once he could relax and let the pain go for as long as the embrace held strong. 

And he clung to her like a lifeline and Cici held him there, bandaged him, started crying as she held him close again afterwards. 

She was caring for him, loving him and giving him the protection that Odysseus thought he'd never receive again in his life.

So remembering that in the present, Odysseus hears the front door unlock, hears footsteps running from room to room and hears keys jingling. 

Hm, he thought before the door was unlocked and opened, warmth would be nice right now...

Is Penelope very conflicted right now about Odysseus Laertes? Yes. Yes, she very much is-

Part of her wanted to punch him in the face throughout their tour of the school for the Ithicans yet she found herself smiling and even laughing at his dumb jokes far more than once.

Was Penelope Icarius 100% sure what her relationship with Odysseus Laertes was currently? No, absolutely not. 

Did she hate him the same way she did before today? No, that was for sure.

Were they friends per se? Not yet... that was far from what they were.

But was Penelope worried because Calypso motherfucking Ogygia did something more violent than ever before to him? Hell yes she was. She was terrified to bits for him.

Everyone there was, considering how the boy in question was currently squirming under all the stares. She should probably help him out here somehow huh?-

Well... from what she could deduce by looking at everyone's reactions, everyone was curious. Yes, everyone. Including Achilles and Odysseus' middle school best friends who she didn't remember the names of yet, meaning that the three of them weren't there for the whole debacle. She could start there.

"Okay, okay," she cleared her throat, stepping up from where she was standing at the back, "let's all give him some space. We don't want him reliving anything after Calypso."

She smiled sadly as the people who rushed up to him stepped back and apologies were quickly offered from many. She turned to the four who disappeared (that made it seem so much more mysterious oh wow-).

"So," she started again, addressing Achilles and the two boys, "You guys also look curious so you don't know everything, yet you clearly know something because of the statement Achilles made. So you three, tell us what you guys know first."

She quickly turned to Odysseus and asked for his permission, to which the boy nodded, thankful to her for getting the attention off of him. 

The hazel-haired glasses boy spoke first, the one who was holding Odysseus' hand the whole time seemingly, "Okay, so we came out of the toilet after the um... news-"

The girl from their school with them, Circe (?), winced.

"We were just walking back and Achilles filled the two of us in on what you guys have done so far for the... operation? I believe that's how he worded it-"

Okay, so at least that means she wouldn't have to explain more to them, which is reassuring-

"Anyways halfway through filling us in we heard a scream, followed by the sound of someone hitting the floor. Like... hard."

Everyone perked up at that, some already realising what that meant and through contextual clues, Penelope could too. Whatever Calypso had done had been hard enough that Odysseus had literally fallen to the floor. 

Glasses boy continued, "Me and Eury obviously had no idea what was going on, but Achilles immediately geared up. I think he... expected it? Like, he expected her behind it, Calypso, because the minute we heard her shout he let out a string of insults and bolted."

"I did," Achilles confirmed, "expect her, I mean- but the rest too if you guys needed confirmation-"

He paused before deciding to take the story from Polites.

"Anyways, so I start running in the direction of the voice. I didn't even know who it was but I knew from what I heard that Calypso had taken things to another level so I was going to help. Then I came into that clearing and saw Odysseus and I… uh-”

“Went ‘Protective Mode’?” Menelaus offered.

“Yeah-” Achilles nodded, rubbing the back of his neck, “That.”

The other guy, Eury? Penelope thinks that’s what she remembers glasses headband boy calling him. Anyways, he snorted, crossing his arms.

“Protective is an understatement,” He deadpanned, “He looked like he was resisting every urge to beat her to a pulp.”

“I was!” Achilles defended, “I saw one of my friends on the floor with a handprint on his face that had already started bruising! What was I supposed to have done?! "

Wait a fucking second-

“A handprint!?” Penelope yelled, the same time as Diomedes, she realised.

“Ody, the fuck did that bitch do?” 

And once again, all attention was on the mentioned boy. A handprint? Did Calypso actually hit him?...

“Nothing, guys I promise,” Odysseus tried reassuring them, which was a shit way to do so because why would she believe that the guy known for lying is promising the truth?

And clearly the others had their doubts too because Agamemnon scoffed and Helen raised an eyebrow at him, as if asking ‘are you actually fucking with me now Odysseus Laertes?’

Odysseus shrugged, “She tried hitting on me, I said ‘No get the hell away from me’, she tried grabbing my wrist to stop me from leaving. I pulled away a bit too roughly, she backhanded me and started yelling shit. That’s all, swear.”

Yeah… because the dried tear tracks staining his cheeks really proved his point-

“Odysseus, what were you even doing away from the group?” Briseis asked, “I will be so real with you right now, I didn’t even realise that you left.”

“I had gone looking for Polites and Eurylochus,” he replied, pointing back at his friends.

Okay, so if ‘Eury’ was short for Eurylochus, then the tall, muscular dark skinned guy with the buzzcut was him. That left Glasses boy as Polites, then.

“No you weren’t,” Polites cut him off, “Ody, you were gone before I left for the bathroom.” 

Another lie. Gosh, this boy was filled to the brim with them, it seemed. 

“Okay, Odysseus, how about you tell your side of the story.”

The smartass had the gall to open his mouth before Agamemnon interrupted him with “The actual truth.”

And thank goodness Odysseus seemed to have some common sense because he raised his hands up in surrender and sighed. People shifted around and Penelope ended up with the bag of Calbee’s Hot and Spicy potato chips, which she gladly accepted from Patroclus. She popped a chip into her mouth before taking a seat on the empty chair that Helen had gotten up from.

“Where do I start?” Odysseus asked, putting his hands into his pockets as he shifted nervously in front of everyone. 

“Right after the revelation to the Ithicans,” ‘Nestra said, “Because that the point where you disappeared, apparently.”

Odysseus nodded before taking a deep breath in, “Okay, I’ll admit that I wasn’t prepared to hear you explain the ‘Mystery Boy Situation’ to Polites, Eurylochus and Circe. Nor was I in the right mental state to hear the details of the situation being explained.”

Oh… right.

Penelope remembered the seeming emotional breakdown Odysseus had experienced less than two hours ago, after seeing his friends. She hadn’t realised that he was still thinking about it when they’d shared ‘Mission: Mystery Boy’...

Okay, in hindsight, they probably should have warned their gang before dropping the Mystery Boy Backstory™-

Penelope winced in apology and caught Odysseus’s subtle nod in her direction.

“Okay, so I heard the explanation begin and I think internally, I just… completely malfunctioned. I blanked out and did the first thing that came to mind, which apparently seemed to be ‘get the FUCK out of here, RIGHT NOW.’ Don’t ask why, I genuinely have no idea myself.

I really have no idea how I ended up in that corridor. I don’t know why I went there, I don’t know when Calypso appeared, I don’t even remember leaving the group. I wouldn’t even have realised if it wasn’t for the hand on my shoulder.”

And here comes Calypso Ogygia…

Penelope wasn’t one hundred percent up to date with the latest school gossip, she was never that kind of person, but her cousin had a reputation. Helen Tyndareus was THE number one gossip girl in Illian High School and Penelope spends nearly every waking second with her cousin, so she knew that currently (and for the past few months-) Odysseus had been Calypso’s latest ‘target’.

The smart, nonchalant and asshole jock who was also somehow charismatic and funny at the same time. Penelope would be lying if she said she couldn't see the appeal.

Plus, he wasn't all that bad-looking.

“I was in my own mind, so obviously someone clapping my shoulder out of fucking nowhere scared the living shit out of me. I whirled around and lo and behold, Ogygia was standing behind me. Again. For like- the fourth time this week-”

Odysseus said that so casually and normally that Penelope would've been worried for him if it wasn't Calypso they were talking about. 

Scratch that- 

She WAS worried for him- 

ESPECIALLY since this was Calypso Ogygia they were talking about-

So Penelope listened as Odysseus told them how Calypso had held onto him after he tried tugging away (Agamemnon had abruptly stood up and started pacing), how he tried pushing her away when she started getting too close, how she had slapped him- backhanded him across the face- hard before accusing him of touching her.

And yes, this was Odysseus Laertes. This was the person who Penelope had spent years hating without truly knowing him. This was someone who Penelope had only really had a conversation with a few hours ago.

But since those few hours, Penelope has seen Odysseus cry. She's seen him hug someone like he was scared they would leave and never come back. She's seen him squirm under attention and talk with so much joy and excitement and something that made him happy.

And now, Penelope was hearing how he had gotten harassed and accused.

And Penelope hadn't felt this protective of a boy, ever.