#BZHWJSHSKJSMSSJ

[missdarhk]

YOU- THEM- SHE- I-

Little Wolf pre-War fluff

*Ithaca, a few months before the war. Penelope came and interrupted Athena's and Odysseus' training bc of important King stuff. She had Telemachus with her. Odysseus said "Athena, you can watch him for a minute, right?". Athena just nodded. She's standing by a tree now, watching the small human take some unsteady steps. He stumbles, and she squats down to catch him. He grins at her.*

Tel: Theee-ah

Athena, vaguely amused: Yeah, something like that.

*He waddles around her toward her wings spread behind her for balance*

Athena: No. Fates, what is it with children and the wings? Telemachus, I said no.

*She folds them behind her. Telemachus looks at her, big eyes filling with tears. He points at the wings accusingly.

Tel, confused: Biiird!

Athena, firm: No, you cannot touch the bird.

*His lip quivers. Athena looks around to where Odysseus and Penelope are still talking, then back to the child that is about to start crying. She sighs*

Athena: It's those moments when I remember you are related to my brother Hermes.

*She spreads her wing again. Telemachus giggles with joy, making for it so fast he falls on the grass. Athena waits for a moment, seeing if he's hurt, then bites back a grin and covers him with her wing. A slightly softened cheerful shriek and giggle sounds from under it. Athena lifts it up, looking at the laughing child.*

Tel: -a-boooooo

Athena: Peek-a-boo? (hums) You are a fascinating little creature.

*She covers him with her wing again and he giggles happily. When she lifts it, he makes a chirping sound.*

Athena: That is not the sound an owl makes.

*She considers for a second, then produces a soft hooting sound through her hands.*

Athena: That's a burrowing owl.

Tel: Hoooo!

Athena, totally not caring about the child, totally not having chosen an owl that doesn't screech so he won't be scared, nu-uh, no sirreee: Yeah. Hoo.

Tel: A-booo?

*Athena sighs, then covers him with her wing again*

-----

Odysseus, later: You are better with kids than I thought.

Athena: Son of Laertes, you are this close to being sent for a run around the whole island.