A Game of Mouse and Wolf

CHAPTER 4: Tension

"Well, that talk went well." Iciro said to himself as he walked through the halls of the palace.

Iciro was making his way outside to Dimidius as he had promised while also thinking about the argument he just had with Antinous a few minutes ago. It was supposed to be waaaaay more subtle than it actually was...but in the back of his mind he knew Antinous deserved to hear every bit of what he had told him.

Lost in his thoughts he continued to walk until suddenly he was pulled into an empty room and pinned to a wall.

"Why the hell did you almost fight Antinous?"

At first, he thought it was one of the suitors...but noticed a very noticeable baby blue-ish color in the attire the person was wearing.

"What the shit Telemachus?!" Iciro shouted. "You scared me!! Give a warning next time!!"

"Answer me Iciro."

"Becaus-...wait why are you so worried about it?"

"What do you mean why am I worried!? He could have killed you if he wanted!!"

"He could have killed you too Telemachus!!"

"No...because I had help from a goddess!! You don't have that kind of help!!"

"Yes, I d-wait really?"

"Yes...Athena...Athena helped me but that's not the point!!"

"Telemachus...I know you did it to defend your mother, but you cannot fight!!"

"I did just fine!!"

"Telemachus!!"

"What!?"

Iciro starred at him for a moment then cupped his face in his hands.

"You have got to be more careful...Antinous is dangerous, and you can't fight."

"You almost fought him."

"Telemachus I can fight...with and or without a god's help...You cannot. There is a difference."

Telemachus pouted.

"So..."

"So..., that means you can't get into any more fights. I can't risk anything bad happening to you."

Telemachus unpinned Iciro and folded his arms.

"I don't see why. We aren't even friends."

"Back with this...again?"

"Yep."

Iciro was going to protest but instead he got a better idea.

"Well, that's too bad." Iciro said softly

"Too bad...why is that too bad? You're a suitor, remember?"

"Because..."

Iciro pulled Telemachus closer to him by his waist.

"It would be a shame if our relationship stays as it is, now wouldn't it my prince?"

Telemachus didn't know what to say...or even do. He just kind of starred at him for a moment before finally speaking again.

"I-...I'm sorry?"

"What's the matter? You usually have more to say than that whenever we have this conversation, my prince."

"S-stop saying that."

"Why?"

"Because it-...it sounds...I-I don't know ju-just stop it. I can't think straight when you say that. Especially when you say it all softly like that."

"Hm...then how about-"

Telemachus covered Iciro's mouth. He knew it was just going to be, yet another nickname said softly. Telemachus' brain nor heart could handle it.

"No more...from the medic." he said. "You're going to drive me insane if you keep calling me nicknames like that and saying them softly. And you know I'm starting to think you're flirting with me...just to tease me."

Iciro removed Telemachus' hand away from his mouth and chuckled.

"Maybe that's my goal...dear. Maybe I want to drive you insane."

Telemachus felt his face heat up.

"S-see that's what I'm talking about! And I know if I do it back-"

"You can't do it back."

That statement made Telemachus frown, and without thinking he pulled Iciro down to his level.

"I can show you that I can way better than I can tell you...Iciro."

Iciro chuckled.

"Go right ahead then. Show me that you can flirt back."

Telemachus wanted to do something...but in all honesty couldn't. He was too nervous at the moment so the two sat just there in silence for a moment...letting tension in the air fill the room. Little did they know that they were actually leaning in closer to each other...inch by inch, and before they knew it, they were only a few centimeters apart.

"Well...are you going to do something..." Iciro whispered finally.

"I would...but I like the anticipation in the air." Telemachus whispered back.

The two knew how they had gotten to this point...but they wondered why...and why so fast. I mean they both had an understanding that they were just..."Advanced acquaintances". It's been that way for so long now to be honest. But if that were the case then why...why did they want to give in to all the continuously growing tension that was in the room? Why did they want to risk it all and give in to each other? It didn't make any sense to them but they both wanted the same thing in that very moment... 

"Iciro..."

"Yes...?"

Telemachus was about to say something but right when he opened his mouth there was a knock on the door.

"Iciro..are you in here? There's someone waiting for you."

It was one of the handmaids of Penelope. Thankfully she never opened the door.

"U-uh yeah. I'll be right out!"

He silently cursed himself. He was supposed to be with Dimidius by now.

"Alright I'll let him know."

The handmaid walked away, and Telemachus looked at Iciro confusingly.

"Dimidius?"

"Yeah I...had to stop him from almost killing Antinous after your fight." Iciro told Telemachus. "I told him I would talk to Antinous while he cools off outside. I also promised him that I would meet up with him afterwards."

"Oh...well that explains your situation." Telemachus responded.

"Yeah."

They fell silent for a moment.

"Well...I guess I have to let you go."

"Yeah I...guess so."

Telemachus didn't Iciro to leave...Hell Iciro didn't want to leave himself, but he had a promise to keep. Iciro was a man for his word after all.

"Meet up with me later?" Telemachus asked him quietly.

"You want to meet up with me?"

Telemachus nodded. For some reason...that simple nod made Iciro smile.

"I'd be honored to."

After that Telemachus finally let Iciro go.

"Let's meet in the garden." He spoke. "That way no one will ask questions."

"I'll be sure to remember."

Iciro walked to the door and opened it...but before he walked out, he said:

"I promise I won't keep you waiting."

And gave Telemachus a soft smile. Telemachus smiled back and watched as Iciro exited the room.

After Iciro closed the door behind him, he took a deep breath...getting rid of any leftover tension that had come over him while in that room. Then he sighed.

"Today...has been a very...interesting day..."

-End of Chapter-