⠀
⠀⠀ His body aches as he works throughout the day, lifting heavy objects over his shoulder along with tending to his regular duties in order to make up for his recent absence.
⠀⠀ Being away hurts, and he knows that all too well.
⠀
" See, why don't I believe you? "
[He pouts softly, trying to at least look annoyed. But he just looks silly.]
" What were you thinking so hard about, that made you even reject my presence? "
⠀⠀ ⠀⠀
⠀⠀“ Oh, didn’t realize you were there. “
⠀⠀ The man finally turned to look at him, arms folded against his chest. He tried his best to keep the smugness from entering his flat demeanor.
⠀⠀
⠀⠀ ⠀⠀
⠀⠀ His eyes trailed back towards the gift basket and all the handmade gifts inside with eyes narrowed. It wasn’t often now that he felt conflicted like this. It scared him.
⠀⠀ .. He’d put a name to this feeling later.
⠀⠀
⠀⠀ ⠀⠀
⠀⠀ “ .. Bye, then. “
⠀⠀He crossed his arms, watching the seemingly saddened god leave his sight out to the balcony.
⠀⠀
⠀⠀ Odysseus felt a pang in his chest, and he did everything in his power to ignore it.
—
⠀⠀
⠀
⠀``⠀. . .⠀alright.⠀Keep the jewelry.⠀I have matters to attend to.⠀``
⠀⠀—⠀a lie. An obvious one. He was going to rebandage his hand at some point, but his actual intentions for leaving were unclear.
⠀⠀And he definitely didn't have anything to attend to.
⠀
⠀
⠀⠀ The horribly hidden dejection in his voice caused an ache to stir in his chest, but it was quickly brushed off as nervousness for his own well-being.
⠀ “ I’ll be keeping those. Wouldn’t want all the bleeding for nothin. “
—
⠀
⠀
⠀⠀+⠀that Odysseus wouldn't wear the jewelry that the god made, not one piece. His expression was suddenly tense. He just.. he didn't know what he had expected.
⠀
⠀⠀ ⠀⠀
⠀⠀ A sad excuse, but it was an excuse nonetheless. Odysseus didn’t move from where he stood.
⠀⠀” …You’re a fool if you thought this would’ve sufficed. “
—
⠀⠀ ⠀⠀
⠀⠀ ⠀⠀
⠀⠀ With pursed lips, he gave the god a once-over and took note of his injured hand. He didn’t realize how awkward the silence had become after what Poseidon said ..
⠀⠀ “ I don’t need pity presents. “
⠀⠀
⠀⠀ ⠀⠀
⠀⠀ An apology?
⠀⠀ It’s the only few words that reach his ears before the rest blur out. Odysseus carries a more tense and contemplative look now, and he folds his arms against his chest as he listens.
—
⠀⠀ ⠀⠀
⠀
⠀⠀—⠀He looked away, staring at a pillar nearby.
⠀``⠀It's a gift as much as it's an apology.⠀I'm no good with words,⠀so gifts are the only thing I can do.⠀``
⠀⠀—⠀He huffed quietly once more.
⠀⠀
⠀⠀ ⠀⠀
⠀⠀ Even with their some-what tame acquaintanceship, he still treated the other like a pest.
⠀⠀ Oh, but he was no hypocrite. Odysseus didn’t believe he himself deserved forgiveness either.
⠀⠀ ⠀⠀