A Lovely Exchange
p2 here
Telemachus x Servant! Reader
Synopsis: Telemachus already fights off his mother’s suitors, but what if he manages to become one? To… one of the palace’s servants?
warnings: slow burn, flustered Telemachus, puppy love, assault, threats
A/N: This is fluffier than what I usually write, but I couldn't help it. I love him sm wtf
Part 1 of ???
You went about your routines as usual—watering the garden, cleaning the halls, fixing any imperfections in the palace, and even helping other servants when needed.
It wasn’t unusual to see you wandering around the palace; after all, you were the queen’s favorite assistant.
No one really knew why or how you and the queen were so close, not even you. But you knew there were both benefits and drawbacks to it.
Including being a target of the 108 suitors now living under the same roof as you.
As much as you wanted to continue your duties as usual, they never failed to hinder your responsibilities.
You were heading toward the palace dining room. Though it was the last place you wanted to go, you had to pass through it to reach the kitchen to prepare something for the queen—who also refused to set foot in there.
So far, so good, until you stepped into the hallway. The once loud and distracted suitors were now eyeing you.
You swallowed nervously, the lump in your throat growing, but continued forward, treading slowly so as not to attract more attention than you already had.
You made it to the end of the hall, believing you were safe, until you felt someone grab your wrist and pull so hard you almost lost your balance. You looked up and saw one of the queen’s most persistent suitors: Antinous.
The man had a proud smirk on his face as he looked down at you, still holding onto your wrist. He’d made multiple attempts to converse with you, all of which you declined, so you weren’t entirely surprised that he’d resorted to these measures.
"Ah, well, if it isn’t the lovely slave herself.”
That pissed you off.
You knew you couldn’t do anything about it, but if you could, you’d have slapped him by now. Instead, you jerked your arm away from him.
But that didn’t stop him. He grabbed you again, this time by the arm, with a much tighter and more painful grip, making you gasp in pain.
“Whoa now, where do you think you’re going? You don’t think you can just run off that easily, do you?” he taunted, leaning closer to your neck, his voice low.
“We want the queen, and since she’s unavailable, I guess we’ll have to settle for you.”
You glanced behind you, noticing all the men in the hall staring at you with intense gazes filled with hunger, desire, and thirst.
Frightened, you hurriedly tried to break free from Antinous’s grip. He chuckled softly, holding you tighter and pulling you closer. You struggled with all your strength until, finally, he let go. But it wasn’t because of your effort.
His gaze had shifted—he was no longer looking at you, but at something, or someone, else.
Backing away from him, you looked behind him and saw none other than the queen’s son, Telemachus.
He was gripping his sword, pointing it at Antinous.
“Leave her alone.”
You were surprised, to say the least. You and Telemachus had never really spoken. He usually avoided you whenever he ran into you.
You never understood why. Every time you saw him, he’d dash away like a startled deer.
But now, here he was, standing in front of you, holding a sword to one of the suitor’s neck.
Antinous raised his hands sarcastically, a smug grin on his face as he glanced between Telemachus and you.
“Alright, I’ll leave her be, little wolf.”
He walked past you, but as he did, he whispered, “Don’t think I’m done with you yet, slave.”
You recoiled instantly as he let out a shameless laugh.
You and Telemachus watched him walk away, and then you quickly exited the dining hall.
Catching your breath, you adjusted your hair and robes, trying to calm yourself. No suitor had ever approached you with such aggression before, and now Antinous had gone to these lengths? It was terrifying.
Your thoughts were interrupted when you realized Telemachus was still standing in front of you, staring at you like a deer caught by a hunter.
You raised a brow, confused. Did he see something?
“My prince, are you… alright?” you asked, still somewhat shaken. After all, he did just save you. Maybe he was in shock?
“Shit, shit, shit, shit—” was what was running through Telemachus’s mind as he stood there.
He hadn’t really thought he’d get this far. All he saw was you in danger, and his instincts had taken over.
But now that he had actually saved you, talking to you afterward wasn’t part of the plan—if he even had a plan.
He was practically begging the gods that you wouldn’t notice the inconvenient pink hue on his cheeks because that would only make things worse.
He had gone to such lengths to avoid you, to ignore you, to ward you off—foolish attempts, all of them—and now here you were, standing right in front of him.
He waited for you to tell him that you knew. Knew he admired you, probably too much.
His lips quivered slightly as he stared at you, unable to stop himself. Come to think of it, he’d never noticed how beautiful you were up close. The shape of your nose, how perfectly it fit your face. The look in your eyes, with the soft tint of color. And your lips, how pretty they looked, even when they smiled just a little.
“Fuck, I’m staring,” he muttered under his breath, snapping out of his trance.
Which you definitely heard.
You tilted your head slightly. Was he okay? Had Antinous done something to him?
No, he was just a nervous wreck because his childhood crush was standing right in front of him, and he was so not prepared.
If Athena was watching him right now, this was definitely not a battle she had prepared him for.
With a silent, desperate cry, he cleared his throat, trying to make the situation less embarrassing than it already was.
“I-I’m fine. How are you?”
…
Seriously? THAT’S the best you could do?
He stared at the ground, trying to mask his shame. Maybe if he couldn’t see you, you couldn’t see him either, right? Zeus might as well strike him down with lightning.
He was about to punch himself when he heard something.
You were… laughing?
He looked up to see you covering your mouth, short giggles escaping your lips.
Was it bad that he found them so pretty?
Eventually, you calmed down.
“Thank you, my prince, for saving me back there. Truthfully, I wouldn’t know what to do if you hadn’t come to my aid. So, thank you.”
You bowed your head, expressing your gratitude.
“How can I repay you, my princ—”
“N-No! It’s fine, please! I don’t need anything. You’re safe, that’s all that matters. I wouldn’t want anything bad happening to you, so just…”
And now he was rambling.
Nice going, Telemachus. Might as well confess to her right here and now, right? Just go for it!
Before he could continue his spiral, both of you noticed a familiar silhouette approaching. As she got closer, you immediately recognized her.
And she did not seem pleased.
“Queen Penelope! Forgive me, I was delayed on my way to the kitchen. I’ll quickly fetch your meal as you requested—”
“No, it’s alright, Y/n. You are not the one I am concerned with.”
Her gaze shifted sharply to Telemachus, her eyes almost piercing through him.
The boy’s soul nearly escaped his body when he saw the way his mother looked at him.
“Son, come with me.” Penelope turned and walked away without another word.
Telemachus glanced back at you, taking in your beautiful presence one last time.
“I…”
“Quickly, Telemachus.”
If there was one thing he didn’t want to do, it was anger his mother. He feared her more than any god.
“I’lltalktoyoulaterbye!” he blurted out as he hurried to catch up with her.
That… was something. For a first impression, it wasn’t that bad, right?
Right?
Ah, shit.
He followed Penelope as they walked through the halls, still unsure of where they were headed, but he kept his pace with her.
Eventually, they reached the palace garden. A place where Penelope liked to unwind, where Telemachus often rested, and where you, conveniently, loved to work.
The queen sat beside the marble fountain, and Telemachus followed suit. A comfortable silence fell between them as they enjoyed the peaceful moment. It had been some time since they’d spent time together, and both of them treasured even the smallest moments.
“You like her, don’t you, son?”
…
Wait… WHAT?
So, what do you think?