Learning During a Study Break
Author’s note: We interrupt the current rambles of Date Everything to bring you an EPIC fic! This has been swirling around in my head since February (maybe even January-) and it’s FINALLY finished! It became longer than expected, per usual, but that just means I got to write more with this father, son, and goddess friend. I hope you enjoy!
Series: EPIC: The Musical
Characters: Odysseus, Telemachus, Athena
Word count: 3,506
Summary: Odysseus is trying to teach Telemachus a history lesson, but Telemachus, distracted by Athena’s joke, keeps giggling! He wants Telemachus to focus, so he needs to get those giggles out of his boy, one silly way or another.
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Staring at a marble statue of a lion with a sword in its mouth, and listening to the King of Ithaca rambling on about some ancient history about it, isn’t the most exciting thing, but Telemachus tries to be polite and focus on what his father has to say. Of course, he would rather be sparing or hunting, but his father instead wanted to teach his son the importance of the statue’s story in the middle of the palace’s garden. At least Athena is along for the speech, so Telemachus has a fellow “student,” and Odysseus has two audience members to listen to his riveting discussion.
Telemachus lets out a yawn. He covers his mouth and makes sure he’s silent, so he doesn’t disturb his father mid sentence.
“...and the pride, and strength of the lion, carved a path through the land with its blade so the first king could cross, and create a home in Ithaca that would help him start anew. Or so the legend states.” Odysseus gestures to the magnificent big cat made of marble.
The king turns to his crowd of two. “So any questions so far?”
Telemachus shakes his head. He already feels the fogginess of boredom rolling into his mind. Athena mutters to Telemachus, though she purposely allows her words to be heard by Odysseus.
“I can’t tell which one’s more stiff. The statue, or your father,” she quips.
Telemachus immediately snickers and Athena tosses Odysseus a smirk.
“Hey!” The king places his hands on his hips, smiling. He’s got to admit that was a good one. “Listen, I know all this information can be boring, but even if it’s boring or dull, it’s important to pay attention to it.”
“Really?” Athena exaggerates her question with skepticism. “Now where was that motto when I was teaching you?” she teases.
Telemachus chuckles again at her side, covering his smile with a curled up fist.
“I’ve learned. I’ve matured,” Odysseus sasses back as if he was sticking out his tongue at her with his response.
The prince gathers his giggles and turns to the goddess. “Was father a good student, Athena?”
The goddess shrugs. “Eh, he wasn’t a bad student. But he wasn’t a good student either.”
“Hey! I was a great student and you know it!” Odysseus crosses his arms, taking lighthearted offense to her comment.
Telemachus chuckles again at their banter. He has a little more trouble containing his giggles than last time.
“Now, back to the topic at hand,” Odysseus turns and faces the statue. The lion represents bravery, courage, loyalty, and–” he stops when he’s cut off by a giggle behind him. The king turns to see his son, who’s struggling to keep a straight face.
Odysseus lifts his brow at the sight, though he can’t help but share a short laugh. “Telemachus, are you listening?”
“I am! Sorry!” the prince tries to get out his remaining laughter. “I was still thinking about your conversation with Athena. I’m good now.”
“Well, as I was saying,” Odysseus returns to the statue, “the lion also represents persistence, and the sword–” another giggle from his son causes Odysseus to turn his way again.
Odysseus chuckles, “Telemachus!”
“Sorry! Sorry!” the prince nearly doubles over from his uncontained giggles.
Odysseus puts his hands on his hips. He glances at Athena.
The goddess straightens her posture. “Don’t look at me! I didn’t say anything this time.”
The response from Athena seems to only add to Telemachus’ laughter.
Odysseus shakes his head and sighs. He places a hand to his face as he processes how unbelievably silly the situation is, and… how familiar the situation is. When Odysseus lifts his head, there’s a smirk on his expression.
“I didn’t want to do this, Telemachus, but you leave me no choice.” The king struts over to his son. “I need you to focus, and I can’t achieve that if you’re giggling up a storm. So, that means I’ve got to shake the giggles out of ya!”
“What?” Telemachus responds, finally recovering from his giggle fit.
A smile tugs at Athena's lips. She gives the king a knowing look and replies with a tone that tells him that she’s caught on to exactly where he's going with this. “Odysseus…?”
“No no, Athena. He needs this,” Odysseus wraps an arm around Telemachus’ shoulders and pulls him closer. He continues to address the goddess, “Haven’t you told me once or twice that laughter prevents you from paying attention?”
Athena crosses her arms. Her smile grows more smug. “More than once or twice…”
Odysseus narrows his eyes at her like a pout.
“I don’t understand,” Telemachus questions.
“The point is, son, that you need to focus, and you can’t do that while you’re laughing!” Odysseus shifts his arm from Telemachus’ shoulders to hold on to his side. “So, this is for your own good! I am not sorry for this in advance!”
As soon as Odysseus finishes his statement, the king's fingers deviously wiggle into Telemachus’ side. Telemachus gasps and flinches, with off-guard giggles immediately following.
“F-Father!” He tries to wriggle away from his father’s side hug and push Odysseus away, “Yohohou’re tickling me!” Telemachus twists to escape, but it only prompts Odysseus to get a better grip on his wriggly son from behind and use both hands to dig into his sides and tummy, sending Telemachus straight back into a giggle fit.
“What? Nooo, I’m not tickling you. I’m just pressing my fingers along your sides to help coax those giggles out of your system,” Odysseus’ helpful words are laced in sarcasm.
“Thahahahat’s CALLED thihihiickling!” Telemachus has his arms squeezed to his sides as he nearly collapses from laughter.
“Hmm, you know, when you put it like that, I guess you’re right,” Odysseus admits with a smirk in his voice.
“Athenahahaha! Hehehelp Me-HEHEHEHE!” Telemachus shrieks and he clasps his hands to his father’s wrists when Odysseus crawls his hands to the edge of his ribs. This time, his laughter makes him crash down on the grass. He rolls over and tries to fight against Odysseus’ hands that are still chasing after him.
Telemachus squirms on his back like a worm while each of his words remain in a frantic, giggly state. “Wait wait wa–AHAhahahait!” He kicks his legs in the air as Odysseus wrestles him down and hones his attack at his tummy.
Athena shrugs. “Your father’s right, Telemachus. You were giggling while your father was trying to teach you an important history lesson.”
“Buhuhuhut YOU were a part of thahahat! EEK!” the prince screeches when Odysseus claws a hand at his ribs in response.
“Telemachus! Blaming your mentor for something you did? Shame on you. Honestly, I expected better,” Odysseus makes a poor attempt at trying to sound anywhere close at being actually upset. His smile from seeing his son filled with joy gives him away.
“Oho, Telemachus,” Athena chortles from the sidelines, “I don’t think you want to drag me into this.”
“I don’t know, Athena. I think he’s really asking for it.”
“Nohoho! I’m nohohohot! It’s just– Shehehehe started it!”
Odysseus fakes a gasp. “Did my ears deceive me or is he asking for a challenge?”
“Your ears are working perfectly, Odysseus.” Athena steps forward. She locks her fingers together and stretches her hands out. “Move over.”
“H-hohohohold on!!!” Telemachus almost screams. “AthenaAAAAH!” the prince barely has a chance to speak before he squeals from Athena squeezing his hips.
“Where should I hold on to, Telemachus?” the goddess teases. “Here?” she squeezes one of his sides. “Or here?” she scribbles at his tummy.
Telemachus shoves at both sets of tickly hands. “Yohohou know thahahat’s not what I meheheheant!”
Athena replies, smiling wide, “Then you need to be clearer, Telemachus.”
“You’re stumbling over your words, Telemachus. Your giggles are still making you lose focus,” Odysseus adds.
“I wohohonder why thahahahat is?!” His statement is answered with Odysseus crawling his hands to his underarms while Athena scribbles at his sides, making the prince begin curling up into a giggly ball.
“Sassy are we?” Odysseus observes. “At least that still means you’ve got some fight left in you.”
“He gets it from you,” Athena looks towards Odysseus.
“The sass or the fighting spirit?”
“Both.”
“Ohohohokay! OKAY!” Telemachus disrupts their conversation, “Mehehehercy!!!”
Hearing Telemachus’ giggly pleas, Odysseus and Athena pull back to allow the prince a breather. Telemachus sprawls himself out on the grass and catches his breath as the ghost tickles subside.
“And that, Telemachus, is why you always pay attention to your mentors,” Odysseus declares.
“Yeah… I got it…” the prince responds with breaths in-between.
Athena glances at Odysseus with another skeptical eye. “Interesting that you’re telling your son to pay attention to his mentors when I recall that you didn’t pay attention yourself.”
“Tch, what are you talking about? I always paid attention. We went through this already: I was a golden student.”
Telemachus sits up. “Wait…” he pauses for a moment to process. “But Athena said earlier that she told you more than once or twice to get rid of your giggles and pay attention.”
Odysseus concedes. “Oookay, so she had to tell me on the rare occasion. So what?”
“Now that I think about it…” Telemachus starts putting the pieces together. He speaks faster the more he uncovers, “Athena knew what you were going to do before you used that method on me, meaning that she must have used that method on you! Meaning that–” He gasps as he stares wide-eyed at Odysseus. “Father! Are you ticklish?”
“Wh-What? Noho! Of course not! I mean, maybe I was in the past, but not anymore!” Odysseus instinctively leans back. He sees the excited shimmer in Telemachus’s eyes.
“I don’t know, Odysseus,” Athena chimes in, “You’re acting awfully nervous for someone who’s not ticklish anymore.”
“Athena–” the king gives her a stern glare.
“Well we’re not going to get the answer just by sitting around! Let’s try it!” Telemachus exclaims. He lunges at his father. Odysseus catches his wrist in the air, almost being knocked over by Telemachus.
“Whoa! Telemachus!” a few giggles already pair with the king’s words.
Athena struts behind Telemachus, watching over him and giving him pointers as he tussles against his father. “That’s it, Telemachus! Shift your body weight to gain the upper hand and pin him down!”
“Athena! Don’t help him!” Odysseus shouts. In an instant, Telemachus shifts his weight and pushes his father to his back, just like Athena told him. Odysseus still holds Telemachus at bay, but the prince’s determination is fueled by his excitement.
“Then read his moves so you can take advantage and strike at an opening!” Athena coaches. Telemachus listens to her advice, then distracts his father with a ‘fake out’ attack towards his stomach, allowing Telemachus the perfect opportunity to plunge his fingers into Odysseus’s side. The king barks out a laugh, but quickly tries to suppress it.
“I found an opening!” Telemachus cheers, honing in on his father’s side and any other brief open spots now that the king’s defenses are crumbling.
Odysseus contorts his face in a poor attempt to hold back his smile, “S-see? I’m not ticklish!” Telemachus gets a scribble at his belly. Odysseus squeaks out another laugh, then slaps hand to his mouth to cover it.
With one hand less to defend himself, Telemachus has an even greater area of attack. “Father, you've told me tales about you outsmarting a cyclops and beating gods with your ‘cunning wit’ and you expect me to believe that lie?” the prince teases.
“Give me a break! I can’t work under these conditions!” Odysseus’ words strain as he struggles to keep in the building bubbles of laughter.
Athena imparts her wisdom once again, “Oh, we’ll give you a break alright. And by that I mean we’ll give you a break from containing your laughter. It's time to let it all out!”
“A-Athena! Don’t you dare!”
The goddess looks to the prince. “Telemachus, if your father is as ticklish as he was before…” she pauses to grin and for her words to sink into Odysseus’ ears. “Try his ribs.”
“Oooh!!! Okay!” the prince beams.
Telemachus shoots for his ribs and Odysseus instantly grabs his wrists; the king’s giggles of anticipation rise even higher, but he can’t deny that some of those giggles are from actually enjoying this playtime with his son.
“Telemachus! Hohold on! I think you’ve made your point!”
“No way! If Athena says that you’re ticklish there, then I’ve got to try it!”
“Oh, come on! What does she know?” the king scoffs as a joke.
“Excuse me?” Athena steps closer at Odysseus’ comment.
“Oooh! Are you challenging her too?” Telemachus witnesses.
“Because you do understand what happens to you if you do, yes?” Athena wiggles her fingers at the king. Athena takes another step closer.
Odysseus squirms backwards, bracing himself already as Athena approaches. “N-No! I- Athena! S-Stay ba–AHACK!” While Odysseus was distracted by the impending goddess, Telemachus pushed his hands aside and finally scribbled at a pair of his ribs, making the king burst out with all the laughter he was stashing away.
“Yes! We got him!” Telemachus celebrates. He dodges around his father’s grabbing hands to scribble further around his ticklish spots.
“Nice sneak attack, Telemachus,” Athena praises.
The prince briefly smiles up at her. “Thank you, Athena. I learned from the best.”
“Hehehehello?! Giggling king ohohohon the floor hehehehere! Re-hehehe– Remember?!”
“Oh, yes. So sorry, Odysseus. We were disrupted by this sudden burst of laughter,” Athena acts innocent. “Did you have something to add?”
Odysseus growls through his giggles. “Yeheheah! Thahahat thihihihis is unfahahair!” he tries to playfully shove Telemachus away.
“Unfair?” the prince chuckles. “You and Athena double teamed on me! You only have one person tickling you right now—me! But not for long…” Telemachus grins at the goddess beside him. “Come on, Athena! Let’s get him and really send his giggles flying!”
“Now, now, Telemachus. We shouldn’t wear out your father,” Athena’s tone, surprisingly, shifts to one of concern.
“Aww… Really?” The prince sounds disappointed, though he’s still smiling.
“Thahahahank yohohou!”
Athena’s concern quickly switches into a smirk. She slides behind Odysseus. “But I’m sure your father can handle it,” she says as she’s already kneeling down and hooking her arms under his to lift him into a sitting position. She doesn’t delay the tickles that follow, scribbling into his underarms and adding a few tickles to the side of his neck too. The king jolts from the surprise attack; his laughter rises once more.
“Ahahahaha– Athehehehena! Wahahahait!” Odysseus curls his arms to his side and scrunches his shoulders.
“You see, Telemachus, if you really want to get your father to laugh, you need to take him off guard. An important lesson, especially for your father, that you need to pay attention to your surroundings to avoid any surprise attacks.”
“Understood!” Telemachus nods.
“Ahahathena! We neheheheed to teach Te-hehehelemachus the lehehehesson! Nohohohot me!”
“Oh, well, it’s always good to have a refresher on a lesson here and there, right?” Athena says.
“Ohohoho that’s it! Thihihihis is war!” Odysseus declares. He boldly tries to reach around him and grab Athena’s side, but Athena snakes her hand back into his exposed underarm, sending Odysseus’s arm crashing back down to his side. He’s not giving up yet though.
“Ha! You’re declaring war against the goddess of war?” Athena gloats. “I think you should think twice before you–AHACK!” surprise jumps through her body as Odysseus successfully gets a squeeze at her other side. Athena reels back, just enough for Odysseus to spin around and tackle Athena to the grass. The two wrestle and roll around like lion cubs, batting at each other’s hands, until Odysseus takes the upper hand; Athena is pinned on her side, while Odysseus sits on top of her, Athena pushing and shoving at him with her one free arm.
“Ha! Ha! Who needs to pay attention now?” Odysseus smirks.
“Odysseus! Don’t you even think–EEEK!” Athena kicks her legs and tries to knock Odysseus off of her as he scribbles into her stomach and ribs. Her giggles soar from her mouth and she flails her free arm at him as much as she can, while momentarily covering her face with her other hand before dropping it and trying to use it to help defend herself.
Telemachus’ eyes sparkle. “No way! Athena is ticklish too!?”
“Yep. It’s not just mortals who are ticklish—immortals like gods and goddesses can be ticklish too,” the king punctuates his sentence with a grin.
“Yohohohou just gohohot a luhuhuhucky shot!”
Odysseus ignores her claim. “You see, Telemachus, in order to pin the goddess of war, you need to get her on her side so that one arm is trapped to the ground. Now you have two hands! One to grab her free hand when she tries to shove you away, and the other is free to attack!” Odysseus demonstrates by grabbing Athena’s wrist in one hand and skittering across her sides with the other, showing her that he’s taking clear advantage of her so-called ‘lucky shot.’ The goddess cackles even louder than before.
Odysseus smiles at his son, “Care to join me, Telemachus?”
“Are you kidding? Absolutely!” Telemachus says, already sprinting over.
Odysseus is so proud. “Great! Now you take her stomach, I’ll get her underarms!”
“Tehehehelemacus! Dohohohon’t listen to yohohohour fahahather!” Athena flips onto her back, then attempts to sit up and shove the king from sitting on her lap, but Odysseus’ wiggling fingers at her ribs diminishes her strength.
Odysseus gasps. “Well that’s just rude! Telling my own son not to listen to me!” The king scoots off her legs to allow Telemachus the room to tickle her tummy, while Odysseus shimmies forward to get her underarms.
Athena squeezes her arms to her sides and throws her head back. “Ohohoho, yohohohou know whahahahat I meheheant!”
“And why shouldn’t I listen to father? He’s teaching me a great lesson about how to tickle a goddess!” Telemachus says.
“Right you are, Telemachus! You would think that the goddess of war would easily have the advantage, but she’s just as ticklish as the rest of us,” Odysseus smirks at her.
“I’m lehehehess ticklish thahahahan bohohoth of yohohohou combined!” Athena shouts.
Odysseus defends himself, “Hey! I didn’t say that we weren’t.”
Telemachus nods, following his father’s lead with a tiny smirk of his own as an accessory to his smile. “Plus, that’s coming from someone who’s wiggling on the ground with their mouth full of giggles.”
“Wha– I-” Athena is shocked—at a loss for words as any potential comeback is swept away with her laughter. Usually, she verbally fights back if Odysseus is the one bantering at her, but Telemachus? Now that’s a surprise.
“Tehehehelemachus!” she shouts, clearly flustered.
“Well done, Telemachus!” Odysseus praises, “It looks like I didn’t even have to teach you the ways of how to tease a goddess. You’re a natural, just like your old man! I’m so proud.”
“Hehe! Thanks, father.”
“Ohohohokay bohohoys!” the goddess manages to sit up and place her hands on their shoulders, prepared to try and shove them off. “Yohohou’ve had yohohour fun! Nohohow knock it off behehefore I throw yohohohou off!” she jokes.
“Alright alright. I can pay attention to a hint,” Odysseus replies, then pulls his hands away. Telemachus follows and allows the goddess to rest. She drops her hands from their shoulders and leans back on her arms, letting her chest rise and fall with the air she replenishes.
Odysseus leans closer to her, grinning. “Guess my teachings turned out not to be stiff and boring anymore, huh?”
Athena scoffs and playfully shoves at his chest. She stands, then dusts herself off. “Don’t get ahead of yourself. You still haven’t finished your lesson about the statue yet.”
“True.” Odysseus holds up his index finger. “But we’ve already learned a valuable lesson today, haven't we?”
Telemachus and Athena glance at one another, sharing each other’s confusion. Odysseus walks between them. He slings an arm over his son’s shoulder and ruffles his hair.
Athena crosses her arms, “Please don’t say friendship…”
“Or family…” Telemachus smiles.
“We all collectively learned the importance of paying attention,” Odysseus says. He pauses before also declaring, “And we learned the importance of friendship and family!”
Telemachus and Athena both groan in unison, but a chuckle from both of them follow.
Odysseus unwraps his arm from Telemachus’ shoulder. “In all seriousness though, I do want to finish teaching you about the statue. I hope you’re ready to listen?”
“I am, father,” Telemachus nods. “I’ll try not to let another ‘distracting giggle’ slip this time,” he smiles.
“Glad to hear it, my son,” Odysseus returns a smile of his own. “Now… where were we… Oh, yes!” Odysseus turns to the statue and continues his educational monologue about the statue in the garden. Telemachus listens intently and Athena takes a little more interest this time around. Even Odysseus’s words sound more enthusiastic. Looks like all they needed was a little study break to reset their focus.
