In the au I made, I like to think the suitors cut Telemachus up with knives used for food- steak knives and whose big butchers knives yk. So when he’s back and is forced to cut his own food… I wouldn’t say he had a panic attack it was more….
Penelope: Oh, here darling have a knife for that
Telemachus:
Telemachus: oh- uh.. yeah- yup uh huh I’ll uh- yeah just gonna cut- *throws up in his mouth a little* the meat yeah-
Odysseus: …is everything alright son?
Telemachus, on the verge of tears: Uh you know what I’m not hungry! Actually I feel a little *fake cough* sick uh huh- gonna… gonna go now bye-
Odysseus: …he’s not always like that is he? Is it because of me?
Penelope: No dear you’re fine… that is weird though
I’ve officially decided he was gagged and cut up alive instead of his throat being slit so he REMEMBERS man