Title:Twenty Years of Waiting
(Polites x fem!Reader)
Note:this is an au where polites makes it home alive
~~♡~~⚔🎀☀✧☀🎀⚔~~♡~~
THE BATTLE FOR HOME
The great hall of Ithaca's palace was thick with the stench of roasted meat, spilled wine, and the arrogance of men who had overstayed their welcome. Polites adjusted the ragged beggar's cloak around his shoulders, his calloused fingers brushing against the hilt of the sword hidden beneath the coarse fabric.
Beside him, Odysseus—his king, his friend—gave an almost imperceptible nod.
Soon, Polites thought. Soon this will be over, and I can go home.
The suitors' laughter grated against his patience. One particularly loud noble—a man named Antinous—flung a chicken bone at Odysseus' feet, grinning as if the act were the height of comedy.
"Here, beggar," Antinous sneered. "A feast for the likes of you."
Odysseus, still in disguise, bowed his head in false humility. "Your generosity knows no bounds, my lord."
Polites clenched his jaw but remained still. He had spent twenty years learning patience. He could endure a few more moments.
Then—
The bowstring sang.
Antinous collapsed, an arrow protruding from his throat.
Chaos erupted.
Polites moved with the quiet precision of a man who had spent too long in war. His blade found its marks—not with the fury of vengeance, but with the sorrowful duty of a man reclaiming what had been stolen.
When the last suitor fell, the hall was eerily silent.
Odysseus exhaled, rolling his shoulders. "It's done."
Polites wiped his sword clean. "Now I can go home."
His king clasped his shoulder. "Give her my regards."
~~♡~~⚔🎀☀✧☀🎀⚔~~♡~~
THE REUNION
The path to your home was overgrown, but Polites remembered every stone, every twist in the road. His heart hammered against his ribs as he pushed open the garden gate—and there you were.
Kneeling among the herbs, your hands stilled the moment you saw him.
For a breathless eternity, neither of you moved.
Then—
"(Y/N)," he whispered, voice breaking.
Your eyes filled with tears. "Polites?"
He opened his arms, and you ran.
The impact nearly knocked him over, but he held you tight, his face buried in your hair as you trembled against him.
"You’re real," you sobbed. "You’re here."
He cupped your face with gentle hands, thumbs brushing away your tears. "I’m sorry it took so long, my love."
You traced the new lines on his face, the scars that hadn’t been there when he left. "You’re home now," you whispered. "That’s all that matters."
A soft voice interrupted. "Mother?"
Polites turned to see a young woman standing in the doorway—*his daughter*. Her eyes, so much like his own, widened in shock.
"(D/N)," you said softly, "this is your father."
She hesitated, fingers twisting in her tunic. "I… I didn’t think you’d ever come back."
Polites’ heart ached. He took a careful step forward, giving her space. "I would have returned sooner if I could have," he said gently. "May I… hug you?"
She nodded, and when he wrapped his arms around her, she melted into the embrace.
~~♡~~⚔🎀☀✧☀🎀⚔~~♡~~
A FATHER’S LOVE
Over the next week, Polites quietly learned everything about his daughter.
Her favorite flowers (the blue ones by the creek). Her habit of humming while she worked. The way she smiled when she thought no one was looking.
And then, one evening as he helped her carry firewood—
"Dad?"
Polites froze.
(D/N) bit her lip. "Is… is that okay to call you?"
Tears welled in his eyes as he pulled her into another hug. "More than okay," he whispered.
~~♡~~⚔🎀☀✧☀🎀⚔~~♡~~
TELEMACHUS & A KIND WARNING
Polites noticed the way Telemachus looked at (D/N)—like she was the dawn after a long night.
One afternoon, he found the prince helping (D/N) gather olives. The boy straightened immediately when he saw Polites.
"Sir," Telemachus greeted respectfully.
Polites smiled warmly. "Walk with me, Telemachus."
As they strolled through the grove, Polites spoke softly. "You care for her."
Telemachus nodded. "With all my heart, sir."
Polites placed a hand on his shoulder. "Then promise me you’ll always treat her with kindness."
The prince met his gaze. "I swear it."
Polites pulled him into a fatherly embrace. "Then you have my blessing."
~~♡~~⚔🎀☀✧☀🎀⚔~~♡~~
ODYSSEUS & OLD FRIENDS
A week after his return, Odysseus visited.
You grinned when you saw him. "Took you long enough to come see me, you old fox."
Odysseus laughed. "I figured you’d need time with him first." He jerked his chin at Polites, who was helping (D/N) in the garden.
You swatted the king’s arm. "You brought him home. That’s all that matters."
Odysseus’ smile softened. "I owed you both that much."
~~♡~~⚔🎀☀✧☀🎀⚔~~♡~~
THE FIRST NIGHT TOGETHER
That night, Polites held you as the firelight danced across the walls.
"You kept everything the same," he murmured, fingers threading through yours.
You turned to face him. "I never stopped believing you’d come back."
He kissed your forehead. "I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you."
You snuggled closer. "Just stay. That’s all I need."
And as the stars watched over Ithaca, Polites finally slept—safe in the arms of his family.
~~♡~~⚔🎀☀✧☀🎀⚔~~♡~~
THE WEDDING
Years later, under a canopy of stars, (D/N) and Telemachus were married.
Polites walked his daughter down the aisle, his heart swelling with pride. When he placed her hand in Telemachus', he leaned in and whispered, "Remember your promise."
The prince smiled. "Always."
