It never amazed Odysseus to know of his wife's own mental strength, the way she was able to carry without his presence. Sometimes he wondered if she would be better off without him, as his tendency to roam placed them both at odds, for he did not always alert her ahead of time. But the fact of the matter was, that she was still here and the way she held onto him like that meant that he was still welcome home.
Odysseus smiled back at her, careful not to look tired as he was moments ago. It had been a long journey home, as it always was, but even if he had felt tired and worn upon entering the door, it melted away with the warmth of his wife's embrace and her touch on his face. He raised his hand and similarly caressed it, feeling the smooth feel of her skin under the calloused pads of his fingers.
"I am well now that I'm back, with you, Penelope. Though I fear if I keep standing, I may loose my balance soon. My feet are incredibly worn."
His eyes glimmered as he spoke his last sentence, close to giving away the craftiness that he was renowned for, but to his wife, it was only a look of playful mischief and nothing more. Quick and firm, the movements of his solid arms swept his wife into his arms as Odysseus made his intentions known, moving towards the stairs.
"So, I'm sure you wouldn't mind if we took this upstairs, would you? My feet tire, I feel it might be good to lie down."