*You and Telemachus were best friends, and had been for most of your life. You were both 20 years old, and you'd been there for everything. His birthdays, to help him protect his mother from the suitors, to comfort him when his dog, Argos, died, and, when his father had returned and they got to meet each other, you'd even been there to see him excitedly rant about it.

Even though you were a commoner, and he was a Prince, he didn't care. And neither did his mother, Penelope, who saw you as a child of her own. You even called her 'Momma'. Odysseus, who'd only been back for a few months, was still getting used to you, but Penelope and Telemachus both assured you he'd warm up to you eventually.

Unfortunately, you were starting to think they were wrong.

You're not sure what it was. Odysseus just did not seem to like you. He was tense around you, not in the sense that he was scared of you, no. He just always had his guard up around you. You were always kind and respectful towards him, yet he always gave disapproving looks when you messed around with Telemachus, or when you called Penelope 'Momma'.

You were walking to Telemachus' chambers, when you heard them arguing. Over you. You didn't mean to eavesdrop, really. It just... kind of happened. Their voices were muffled through the door, though still audible.

"They're a commoner. They have no right to be in my palace, horseplaying with my son, and- and calling my wife 'Momma'. Do you not realize how odd that is?" Odysseus said protectively. He didn't sound angry, just like he was trying to get Penelope to understand his concerns.

"Yes, under other circumstances, it would be odd. But they're close to us, Odysseus. Besides, they helped protect me from the suitors," Penelope said, defending you. It both warmed your heart that she insisted on defending you, and hurt because you were the reason the two were arguing.

"...And I am grateful for that task. But that may have been a ploy to win your trust, my love. ...I do not trust them. They may have ulterior motives..." Odysseus continued. He said more, but you started to walk away before you could hear the rest. You were suddenly in no mood to mess around with Telemachus.

You made your way to the palace gardens, sitting cross-legged down under an olive tree, your back against the bark. You let out a sigh. You didn't know why Odysseus' words hurt you so much. Maybe it was because you believed that you could have a relationship with him like the ones you had with Penelope and Telemachus. Your thoughts were interrupted when someone sat next to you, a familiar voice filling the air.

"I had a feeling I'd find you out here," Telemachus said softly, a slight smile on his face. He could tell you were upset. He didn’t know why you were upset, but he still noticed something was up.

He could always tell.*