Let me be the arms that hold you tight (Odysseus x Polites)

Chapter 5 - Polyphemus

"Ody.." Polites mumbled, his eyes slightly glossy and unfocused. "I love you, y'know that, right?"

"Mhm." Odysseus didn't give himself the luxury of responding to Polites. No, he had to remain loyal to his wife, Penelope. Even if that meant resisting Polites.

"Ody, always be kind, okay?" His voice was strained and Polites frowned as he said it. "Don't ever become a monster." Odysseus nodded, not fully understanding why he was saying that but he promised anyway. He would stay just a man, for Polites. Polites was moving with uncertainty, unbalanced as they walked back to the fleet.

The forest was no longer tranquil; instead it reminded him of his infidelity. He had failed to stay loyal to his wife, who he was supposed to love. Polites almost fell over and Odysseus had to wrap an arm around his waist to keep him steady. Imagine it's Penelope. Odysseus could feel him clinging to him, arms tight around his chest. It's Penelope. "Ody.." he mumbled. It's Penelope.

Suddenly, he was no longer moving, eyes closed as if he was just asleep. Odysseus was forced to carry him, unsure if he was even breathing. As he walked through the luscious forest, stepping over roots and ducking under branches, Polites' head rested against his chest. His head bobbed up and down with each movement, his fluffy hair tickling Odysseus' skin as they moved towards their fleet.

"Ody.... Ody, no...don't..." Polites mumbled in his sleep, Lips brushing against Odysseus' chest as he spoke.

Goosebumps rose on Odysseus' skin as the brunette's lips pressed against his chest. No. I can't, I have Penelope. He pushed his thoughts aside, keeping his eyes focused on the ships ahead.

Arriving at the shore, the crew turned to see their captain with his 'best friend' unconscious in his arms.

"Captain?" Eurylochus jumped down from the ship, walking over to the two men. Odysseus could see that he wanted to ask more, press further but he didn't and Odysseus was glad. He could trust Eurylochus to remain loyal unlike him with Penelope.

"There's a cave in the east with food to eat." It was the only thing he would say before climbing onto the ship; Polites still held within his arms. He set him down next to the barrels, hoping he would stay safe for the time he would be gone. Even if he was unmoving and hardly breathing.

The lotus he had taken a bite out of was still clutched within his hands. Carefully, Odysseus removed it from his hands. They lingered there, gently touching the lotus and, by extension, Polites before he pulled away; taking the glowing fruit with him.

Briefly, he considered pressing a kiss to Polites' temple before deciding against it. Think of Penelope. "We leave for the cave now." He ordered his men, forcing himself away from Polites. A chorus of, "Yes, sir!" responds his crew as they follow him towards the cave.

"Is Polites..?" Eurylochus begins his sentence before trailing off. Odysseus couldn't give an answer, no matter how badly he wanted to. Gods, he wished Polites would be okay. At this point, he couldn't be sure.

Out of the corner of his eye, Odysseus noticed Elpenor carrying a barrel of wine with him. Of course had; he could barely ever part from alcohol (or Perimedes). Eventually, they arrived at the cave. It was large, dark and filled with sheep. Someone -Odysseus didn't know who- fired a single arrow at the nearest sheep. It let out a single bleat before dropping to the ground dead.

"Who are you?" A loud, booming voice demanded. A large bulking figure walked towards them. Instead of two eyes; the figure only had one. A cyclops.

"We're just travellers. We come in peace ." Odysseus raised both hands, trying to appear as non-threatening as he could. It didn't work and he could see the rage within the cyclops' gaze.

"You killed my sheep. My favourite sheep." Odysseus could see the anger building within the cyclops. He could sense the rage directed to him and his men.

"What gives you the right to deal a pain so deep? Don't you know that pain you sow is pain you rеap?" The cyclops demanded, fist raised; prepared to come crashing down upon Odysseus and the men he had taken with him. "You came to my home to steal but now you'll become my meal. A trade, you see? Take from you like you took from me."

"There's been a misunderstanding, we never came here to steal but now that I see we've done some damage. Maybe you and I can make a deal?" He offered, trying to smile towards the one-eyed beast. He gestured towards Elpenor, telling him to bring the wine over. Subtly, he dropped the lotus into the wine. "Have a drink, one sip and you'll understand the power that's in your hands. A wine so fresh, ! Then we shall be on our way, no bloodshed here today." Odysseus tried not to glance at the sleep bleeding out on the ground.

"Ah, I'd like to thank you, stranger, what's your name?" The cyclops grinned at him before chugging all the wine. Odysseus didn't miss the glare Elpenor gave him.

"My name is Nobody." He recalled Athena telling him to never allow a possible enemy to know his name. Especially if he wasn't sure if he could kill them.

"Nobody, for your gift I've one to reply....." The cyclops paused and for a moment Odysseus wondered what it'd say. "Yes, you shall be the final man to die."

"What?" Odysseus was in shock; not fully sure he heard the one-eyed beast correctly. "Watch out!" He cried, shoving his men away from where the cyclops' fist came crashing down.

A/N- We decided on 2 chapters today just because chapter 4 is so short.

Wordcount : 960