KICKIN AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME THUMBNAIL ARTWORK, ALEXIOS X LYKAON, IS A PATRON REQUEST DONE FOR ME FOR OCTOBER BY STUDIOKAWAII! THANKS! :)
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A/N: The characters of Alexios and Lykaon, Praxithea, Agave,Alkibadias and Barnabas do not belong to me; they belong to Ubisoft. Athena and the plot, however, are mine. I gave the name Timon to the civilian you talk to during Lykaon's romance quest in the Cjora of delphi, the man who looked after the animals. Lykaon, physician in the Chora of Delphi, anxiously awaits the visit of his lover, the former Spartan mercenary, Alexios.
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This fic takes place three years after the time ingame. There are some spoilers for Assassin's Creed: Odyssey. The online sources I used will follow in a separate chapter after the story is complete.
Written from the perspective of an Ancient Greek. I've taken a heck of a lot of liberties with the plot (and added some history) in order to flesh out my story better.
Prayers to the Gods and to Pasithea and Asclepius do not exist anywhere outside of my own imagination and are my own creations. Pasithea is the Greek Goddess of Rest and Relaxation, Mother of Morpheus
Asclepius is the Greek God of medicine, healing, rejuvenation and physicians. Lykaon's personal patron God.
Morpheus is the Greek God of Sleep and Dreams
Zeus is the Greek God of Thunder and King of All the Gods
Hera is the Greek Goddess of motherhood, childbearing and marriage. Also called the Queen of Heaven. Sister and Wife of Zeus
Poseidon is the Greek God of the Sea. Brother of Zeus.
Aphrodite is the Greek Goddess of Love. Daughter of Zeus and Dione.
Dione is mentioned in four places. One in the Phoenician religion described in the Sanchuniathon. Dione is translated as "Goddess", and given the same etymological derivation as the names Zeus, Diana, et al. Very little information exists about these nymphs or goddesses, although at least one is described as beautiful and is sometimes associated with water or the sea. Perhaps this same one was worshiped as a mother goddess who presided over the oracle at Dodona, Greece and was called the mother of Aphrodite. (taken directly from here: wiki/Dione_(mythology) )
Exomie: a knee length tunic draped over one shoulder (usually the left) and pinned with a brooch. Made of a lighter linen material.
Chiton: knee length tunic made of a lighter linen material draped over both shoulders.
Himation: a larger cloak worn over the peplos (inner tunic that was worn by women) or chlamys (men).
Chalmys: A rectangle, woolen, blanket-sized robe that men wore. Typical Greek military attire. Love and sex were very different affairs in the Ancient World than it is to us today. Marriages were arranged usually by the prospective bride and groom's parents. Girls in ancient Greece married anywhere from 12-16 and men from 25-40. My very first Assassin's Creed: Odyssey Lykaon and Alexios fic! Hope you enjoy! Not beta read There may be changes later on; always room for improvement!
Hope you enjoy! :)
Rated T, male/male relationships, Assassin's Creed: Odyssey, Romance/Drama, Alexios x Lykaon
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428 B.C.
October 16
Home of Lykaon
Chora of Delphi
Greece
5 A.M.
The singing of birds woke Lykaon early that morning and he laid there for some time listening, a sweet smile spreading over his face. This was his favorite time of the day and he relished the sweet song for awhile as he lay there. He opened his bleary eyes and blinked a few times in order to clear the cobwebs of sleep, running his fingers through his dark brown curls. Thank you, O Divine Pasithea, Mother of Morpheus, for having brought me through the night.
A few minutes later, he was fully awake, sitting up and swinging his legs over the bed to touch the rug on the floor, rose from his bed, shivering slightly in the chill morning air. He rubbed his shoulders and arms in order to generate some warmth before he stood up to get dressed for the day. He had the feeling that the day would prove to be the same biting chilliness as the seasons passed. Yawning, he sat up and stretched, getting the cramps out of his muscles.
There was a definitive bite in the air that morning, and he felt it more now that he didn't have a woolen blanket thrown over him. He hastily grabbed his exomie, the linen knee-length tunic that all Greek men wore, that was lying over the back of the small wooden chair next to the bed. He quickly pulled it over his head and smoothed out the wrinkles, reaching for a bronze brooch and pinning it on at the shoulder, the folds hanging in graceful pleats.
Nodding in satisfaction, he placed his necklace around his neck, tied the blue strip of fabric to his upper arm and wrapped his leather belt around his waist. He sat down on the edge of the bed and put on his sandals, tying the strips quickly before he stood and reached for his himation, a rectangular piece of wool that he threw about his shoulders to ward off the chill that lay on a small wooden chair to the left of the bed's headboard.
Now finished dressing, he could properly begin his day. Lifting his arms, he said his morning prayers to the household gods, thanking Them for bringing his safely through the night and then he turned to the shrine he had in a corner of his bedroom to the Greek god Asclepius, the god of medicine, healing, rejuvenation and physicians and his personal patron: O Divine Ascelpius, guide my hand this day and allow me to channel your healing power into my hands so that I may distrubute it to all who come to me. Let me be Your Divine conduit for their healing, and let my hand do no harm to anyone, be they friend or foe.
He bowed respectfully before the image, placing a bouquet of wildflowers in front of the statue along a small bronze dish of wine. Thank you, Divine One, for all of your help during the time of the Great Sickness. I shall sing of your mercy forever. Thank You, Divine Zeus and Hera. Thank You all the Gods and Goddesses of Greece for Your Protection. Grant that never shall such a calamity befall the Chora again and may You protect us from all harm.
His religious duties completed for the day, he turned and made his way down the stairs to the kitchen where he broke his fast with cheese, some bread, olives and grapes, washed down with a glass of wine. After he had eaten, he began his busy workday with a quick trip to the market to pick up some herbs for his poultices and some dried fish and meat for the evening's dinner. He stopped off at the local barber's shop for a quick haircut and beard trim. he chatted pleasantly with the barber, Melitus, hearing all the discussions and gossip of the Chora.
He returned to his home and saw a lineup of patients who had come to see him. He greeted each one pleasantly and tended to them as they needed, humming a merry tune as he went about his daily business as Physician with a spring in his step and a smile in his brown eyes, cheerfully greeting both neighbors and patients as he began his busy day. The air was crisp with the wonderful autumn bite that he appreciated after a long, hot summer, his woolen tunic keeping the chill to a minimum as he bustled about tending to his patients and visiting his neighbors when he had the time away from his duties or a short break for lunch.
Throughout the day whenever he wasn't occupied with making his poultices and potions or seeing his patients, his thoughts lingered pleasantly on his lover, and former Spartan, Alexios, who would be coming to visit him tonight.
Alexios... He sighed as he thought of the handsome Spartan who held his heart, the corner of his lips quirking into a smile as he beheld him in his mind's eye. Beautiful of body with hazel eyes that could express tenderness so well, strong of mind, a warrior to his very marrow yet he was gentle, tender even, in his lovemaking and in their private moments together.
He remembered with pleasure their last meeting four months earlier which had been the last time he had come through the Chora. They had enjoyed a swim in the nearby lake, had a picnic on the shore after they had dried off in the sun and then pleasured each other until Aurora's rays touched the sky. By Poesidon's beard, how he missed him!
So tough an exterior over a gentle interior.. He paused a moment over his herbs, chewing his lower lip thoughtfully before sorting them into two equal piles on the wooden table he had outside his home. How odd that a tried and true warrior could be so gentle in his dealings with people...and in private moments. A misthios with a soft side...
His train of thought was interrupted by Athena, a small raven-haired child of six years who stood waiting at the end of the dirt road leading to his residence. He smiled at her, handing her the packet of herbs for her grandmother who was doing poorly, the child taking it solemnly.
"Tell her to take these with a glass of wine once a day which should help her ward off the cough. And tell her to wrap up in a woolen cloak; the linen one she insists on wearing won't help very much with the cold to come."
"Thank you, Lykaon," the child said politely before turning and scampering off, her face wreathed in smiles.
Lykaon watched her until she was lost to sight before chuckling quietly as he returned to work.
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4:30 P.M.
"You seem to be in good spirits this day, Lykaon," his sister Agave remarked, her eyes narrowed thoughtfully as she watched him at work, tucking a lock of stray brown hair behind her ear. She'd come to his home earlier that afternoon for a visit and, though he was surprised to see her, he was nonetheless happy and welcomed her inside.
Lykaon hummed a merry tune as he made up his various potions and healing concoctions, his sister occasionally giving him odd looks as he bustled about. The potion looks just about right. In a few more minutes, it should be ready... He cheerfully ignored her pinched, sour expression, his mind full of thoughts of Alexios, marveling that there was more to the Spartan than met the eye.
A fighter with a heart as big as the Aegean.
"I am, sister." He smiled at her. "The sun is shining, the air is crisp, the leaves on the trees are beautiful. What's not to like?"
She looked at him askance. "What good tidings have you had, brother?" Her eyebrow raised. "If I didn't know any better, I would say that you were under some sort of evil spell!"
You aren't wrong, my dear sister...although it is not for the reason that you think.
He turned his head to look at her, a dreamy smile on his face. "I'm happy this day, that's all." He paused a moment, looking out the open window to his left momentarily. "I awoke to a lovely, crisp morning; my repast to begin the day was particularly good; the bird song especially sweet and I saved a family from the terrible sickness plaguing the Chora some time ago. I am gratified to hear that they have all fully recovered and have sent a generous stipend as thanks."
"Anything else?" Agave knew her brother too well to be put off.
Lyjaon wished that she wouldn't pry so much into his affairs but he answered her question in the same mild tone of voice. "This evening will also bring a guest to dine with me at my humble home and one in whom I have taken great pleasure in times past."
And not only of the conversational kind...
She snorted but not unkindly. "Ah, you mean that Spartan scamp that you are so fond of..." Her eyes softened momentarily as Lykaon looked down at the floor, a soft pink creeping into his cheeks.
"Indeed, sister." He returned to the potion bubbling on the fire in the hearth, stirring it with a thin, wooden stick. "I am looking forward to his arrival with great joy."
Silence reigned for a few moments between them until Agave broke it, her eyebrow raised. "You really care for the Spartan, don't you?"
He nodded. "I do." He bit his lip. "Indeed, I...must confess that I have lost my heart to him."
"And what of him?" Her tone was hard and he knew the reason why without having to ask. "How does he feel for you?"
He shook his head before turning to face the hearth where a potion flask bubbled on the fire. "I'm...not entirely certain. I'm sure that he has had other lovers in the seven months we have been apart but that does not concern me." He shrugged his shoulders. "All I can say for sure is that my thoughts are only of Alexios and my heart yearns for him."
"What if he doesn't feel the same toward you? What will you do then?"
He turned to face her, a grave look on his face. "I don't know, sister; we'll deal with that once we get to it." He sighed in exasperation. "I know that your first meeting with him was unhappy but could you not set aside your animosity for my sake?"
"Brother..."
He reached out to her, catching one of her hands in his own and squeezing it affectionately while she did her best to hide her angry expression. "I know not what the Fates, or even the Gods, have in store for me but I do love this man with all of my heart; that much is a certainty. Whatever time we have together we will have, for as long as it has been decreed."
"You are a fool, Lykaon." Her voice was flat.
He smiled wanly. "Perhaps but that still does not change my feelings for him." He sighed. "Sister, please...I love him and whatever time we have is most precious to me. Could you not be happy for me?"
She gritted her teeth. Their relationship had been strained since the incident involving their grandmother, Praxithea three years earlier, but it was slowly being rebuilt, little by little, over the past seven months. It had been a difficult transition for all of them: Lykaon to forgive Praxithea for her deceptions as the Oracle of Apollo, Praxithea to forgive herself for being used by the Cult of Kosmos, ruining lives and bringing about the destruction of Alexios' own family years earlier and Agave to forgive Praxithea for being impious and for her own hardness of heart.
Even though she and Lykaon often butted heads over various issues, she loved him dearly and wanted only his happiness, a happiness that she was not entirely certain he would find with the Spartan. Her hand curled into a fist as she thought of it and the implied insult to her brother. She wasn't deaf; she'd heard plenty of rumors, and spicy gossip, about Alexios' sexual prowess with other men freely in Chora's Market. And it infuriated her that Lykaon seemed to take it all in his stride, as he usually did. Why did he not stand up for himself? Why this continued ignorance of what the Spartan was doing away from him?
He can be such a jellyfish, she'd thought unkindly at the time, I have more spirit in my little finger than he does in his entire body! This was part of the reason that she and her brother had been at odds for so long; it was her continued insistence that he stand up for himself and his mild reassurances that he had no problem with either gossip or rumors of Alexios' infidelities didn't mollify her at all. Instead, it only infuriated her all the more.
When she continued to press the point, he'd pointed out, in exasperation, that they were not promised to one another and he was free to court whomever he pleased. He also told her that he was free to do the same although he chose not to and he was sure that Alexios would come back, as he always did, and that was the end of the matter as far as he was concerned.
You are such a fool! With a growl and muttered curse, Agave had stormed out of the house, slamming the door pointedly behind her. They hadn't spoken for some time after that and, much to her surprise, it was Lykaon who'd sought her out to soothe hurt feelings nine months later; she was stunned to learn that it had been Alexios, himself, who had encouraged Lykaon to mend fences with his sister. Agave still didn't fully trust him but her hard feelings toward Alexios did soften somewhat although she still thought that the mercenary was not a good match for her brother.
Hera forgive me for I am sister to a fool! She was silent for some time before she spoke again and when she did, it was with resignation, her arms lying limply by her side.
"Are you truly happy with this man, Lykaon?"
"I am."
"Very well; if I can't talk some sense into you, Zeus forbid, then I leave you to do as you wish." She turned and then stopped in mid-pivot, turning once again to look at him. "Grandmother passes on her greetings and hopes that you will come to see us again soon." She paused, her hand lying on the wooden doorjamb. "Please forgive my harsh words, brother; I..I just don't want to see you hurt, that's all, nor do I wish to see you used as a mere plaything for a Spartan's momentary amusement." She made a face. "You know how fickle they are with their affections."
I know how freely Spartans love and I truly hope that you take my warning to heart.
Silence reigned between them for a few moments before he broke it. "Tell Grandmother that Alexios and I will come to see her two days from now. I'm sure that we would both enjoy the visit."
She didn't respond but merely nodded her head and he once again took her hand in his, squeezing it affectionately.
"Thank you, Agave," he said simply before he dropped her hand and went to take the potion, now bubbling merrily, from the hearth, placing it beside the fire on the stone sheet. She watched him for a few moments before she turned and walked outside, closing the door behind her. She leaned back against the door, letting out the breath that she had been holding, closing her eyes.
I hope, for your sake, that you are right, Lykaon. Agave opened her eyes, and looked up at the velvety black sky above, frosty stars twinkling merrily overhead. I hope that you are right. The Gods go with you.