Chapter Text
Not long after Odysseus and Diomedes returned from Skyros with Neoptolemus, Agamemnon called yet another meeting. Diomedes hoped he would get straight to the point, but instead, the general gave the scepter to Odysseus and asked him to tell them how Philoctetes had become the first casualty in this decade-long war.
It was a story everyone knew, but at least Odysseus told it well. Diomedes listened as the Ithacan recounted how Philoctetes had led him and a few others into the woods to perform a sacrifice. His voice grew grave as he explained how Apollo had wounded Philoctetes, and Odysseus and Menelaus had stayed with him while the rest went ahead.
"We soon realized that there was nothing we could do," Odysseus said. "The poison was spreading too fast, and our attempts to move Philoctetes only caused him more pain." Odysseus ran his hand through his hair in apparent distress. "He asked us to kill him, but, of course, we refused. So then, he told us to leave him behind. 'Please,' he said, 'don't let me become a burden. I don't want the men to remember me like this.'
"So we left him, along with what we had with us in the way of food and water, though I doubt he lived long enough to need any of it." Odysseus paused, then quietly finished, "He was a true hero."
Silence fell in the tent, and Diomedes saw somber expressions and even a few tears on the faces of the other commanders. But Menelaus, the only one to have stayed with Odysseus until the end, looked a little green.
"Calchas tells me we need Heracles' weapons," Agamemnon said gruffly. "You left them with Philoctetes, did you not?"
"We did," Odysseus confirmed. "And I'm sure I can find the spot. I always intended to return, you see. He deserves a proper burial."
"Good," Agamemnon said. "Will you go alone, or-"
"I'll go with him," Diomedes declared.
Odysseus gave him a questioning look.
"Someone needs to keep you out of trouble."
"You make it sound as though I go looking for trouble," Odysseus replied with a grin. "I assure you, I do not."
"And yet," Diomedes said dryly, "trouble always seems to find you."
Odysseus laughed. "I'd be glad to have you, my friend."
His warm brown eyes held Diomedes' gaze a moment longer, and then he passed the speaking stick back to Agamemnon and returned to his seat. Agamemnon had more topics to discuss, and the meeting continued long enough for the dull ache in Diomedes' heart to subside.
Afterwards, he fell into step beside Odysseus, like he had a hundred times before. And, as had become usual for them in the past few weeks, neither of them spoke.