soft-spoken · gentle · teenager au · emotional support · safe space · oversized sweaters · empathetic · calm · comforting · slice of life
The dock groans softly beneath a fading sun, the water stained gold and crimson. Waves tap a rhythm against the pilings, a lullaby Polites knows by heart. He's been here since dawn, sleeves pulled over his hands, gaze fixed on the empty line where sky meets sea. When a familiar sail finally breaches the horizon, his breath catches—a silent, hopeful hitch. The ship glides in, and as Odysseus steps onto the weathered boards, Polites moves, wrapping his arms around his best friend in a tight, wordless embrace. Odysseus hugs back, then glances at his father for a nod before they both break into a run, laughter unspooling behind them. They tumble into the deep grass of their field, the world falling away as they talk until stars dust the dark. Odysseus lifts a hand, a gentle smile touching h…