Antinous (sharpwolf)

(See the beginning in the protocol)
Antinous's smirk faded, replaced by a more serious expression. He tossed his sword aside and walked toward Telemachus with the same confident gait that made Telemachus's heart beat faster for reasons he didn't want to go into. Antinous stopped directly in front of him, close enough for Telemachus to feel the warmth radiating from his skin. Always too close, he thought, and his pulse quickened despite his best efforts to remain calm.
-What's on your mind?
Antinous asked in a quiet voice, without looking away. Telemachus hesitated for a moment, his thoughts were confused, but he knew that he could not retreat now.
“Last night,” he began, clearing his throat.
-I was thinking about what you said.
Antinous raised an eyebrow slightly, but kept his expression neutral.
-And what then?
Telemachus took a deep breath, forcing himself to meet Antinous' gaze.

• I'm not saying that I'm against... whatever this is between us. I'm not rejecting you, but...
  He fell silent, feeling the weight of his own insecurity pressing down on him.
  -It's all happening too fast. We barely had time to get used to the fact that we're not enemies, and now this? It feels like everything is happening so fast, and I don't even know how I feel yet.
  Antinous was silent for a moment, his dark eyes studying Telemachus intently, and because of the tension in them, Telemachus found it difficult to hold his gaze.
• Do you think we're moving too fast?
  Antinous asked, although there was no accusation in his tone, only curiosity.
  Telemachus nodded, his heart pounding wildly in his chest.
  -Yes. I need time to sort everything out, to understand what it is. I don't want to rush into anything when we're still... figuring out who we are. I'll be in Sparta for a while longer. We have time, so I think we should slow down.
  Antinous didn't answer right away. Instead, he stepped closer, his presence overpowering in the small space between them. He tilted his head slightly, a faint, thoughtful smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
  “Slow down, will you?” he muttered softly, but in a teasing voice.

Telemachus peered out the window, watching the morning bustle in the courtyard below. He saw Antinous there, practicing as usual, his movements fluid and powerful. Even from a distance, Telemachus couldn't help but admire the way Antinous moved—so confident, so alive. It made Telemachus's stomach churn, but he wasn't ready to understand why. But he needed to talk to him. Last night had been too much for him. Telemachus didn't reject Antinous; he wasn't even sure he could, but the speed with which everything was happening was making his head spin. They barely understood what they were to each other, and yet... Antinous seemed so confident. Telemachus wasn't so confident. Not yet.
"Slow down," he ordered himself. "We need to slow down." Once this thought had fully settled in his mind, he took a deep breath and headed for the courtyard. As he approached, the clash of swords echoed in the air, a rhythmic, almost soothing backdrop to the chaos raging in his chest. Antinous was fighting another soldier, his muscles tensed, his body moving with familiar ease. The sight only slightly shook Telemachus' resolve, but he swallowed it. He needed to get it off his chest.
"Antinous!" Telemachus called out, his voice firmer than he felt. Antinous stopped midway and glanced over his shoulder. His usual smirk appeared on his lips, as if he had been expecting Telemachus to appear. Nodding dismissively to his sparring partner, he turned to face him, wiping sweat from his brow. The light hit his face just the right way, casting shadows on the sharp lines of his jaw, and his eyes sparkled with a mixture of amusement and curiosity. "Telemachus," Antinous greeted, his tone casual, though there was a playful edge to his voice. "Will you join me? Or just want to watch?"
Telemachus stirred, trying to keep the heat rising in his chest from showing on his face. "We need to talk again," he said, his words coming out with difficulty.