After dark comes dawn

by SomewhereInWoopWoop

Summary:

Odysseus has chronic pain from an accident in the cyclops saga. Penelope and Telemachus help him when it spikes.

Notes:

• For knight_Eagan___Leigh_the_tree, Eagan-and-his-comics (knight_Eagan_29).

Note: I know basically nothing about chronic pain other than that it flares, it usually comes from trauma, and people get used to it after a while.
Wrote this at my brother's 18th birthday party instead of socialising lmao.

Odysseus had been in constant pain. He’d learn to live with it for the past ten years. Until he gets home. To his wife and son and comfort.
Resting, not being on guard at all times. The pain in his back became apparent. Rock shards from the cyclops. Eurylochus had never managed to get all the shrapnel out. The man wasn’t renowned for his medical expertise.
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He groans, laying on his and Penelope’s bed, his head in her lap. She shushes him, running a gentle hand through his hair. The pain sparks, aching and throbbing. He wouldn’t be visiting the swineherd today it seems, but he wanted to check on the goats. He voiced these concerns to Penelope.
“The goats can wait another day. They won’t be going anywhere”, she soothes. He wanted to be stubborn, but she knew how to soothe him in a way no one could. He nods, pushing his face into her stomach. She smiles softly, bending down to kiss his head. He smiles, arm curling around her waist.
There’s a knock at the door and Telemachus comes in with a lekythos [1] of opium tea, a kylix [2], and a couple figs. He pulled up a klismos [3] and sat.
“Hello father…how are you?” He asks softly, too softly, as if he was scared that he’d break him.
Odysseus smiled into his wife’s stomach, “I am in much pain, Telemachus”, he replied.
“I’ve brought you opium tea, for pain relief.”
“Thank you”
Telemachus poured a cup and handed it to Penelope, who helped Odysseus sit up. He groaned, wincing as the pain in his back flared. She gave him the kylix and steadied his hand as he sipped at the warm liquid.
The pain relief slowly sunk into his bones, a warm feeling coming over him after another cup. A soft euphoria clouded his mind and senses, his head sinking back into his wife’s lap. Penelope smiles softly as his eyes slid shut, a comfort coming over him as he finally drifted off to sleep.
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Penelope couldn’t stop her amused smile as a stupid smile creeped onto Odysseus’ face from the drug. Her husband had much pain in his life. She was grateful for every moment he got of respite.

Notes:

[1] ancient Greek storage container used for holding liquids (mostly olive oil)
[2] ancient Greek cup (shallow)
[3] ancient Greek chair