| Part 7 *Eris!* There was a flash, and the Goddess of Discord appeared in the Hall of War. � You called bro?� Ares turned towards his sister, fists planted on his hips. He glared at her. Eris narrowed her eyes. � What?� she snapped. � Your son.� � What about Strife?� she asked defensively. � Your son, has made my son, PREGNANT!!!� Ares� voice rose to a shout. Eris stared at her brother, eyes wide from shock. � I, I,� she stuttered, backing away. She stopped when she heard Ares snort. She looked up at her brother , he was shaking, leaning back against the table. When she gaped at him, he erupted into gales of laughter. � Your- your- your face,� he waved his hand and sat down on the chair which appeared. Eris folded her arms across her chest and waited. She tapped her foot, her face thunderous. � Well, I�m glad you think it�s funny,� she said, once he�d calmed down. Ares sobered up immediately. � I don�t think it�s funny, I think it�s great,� he replied seriously. � Don�t you?� Tears pricked her eyes. � I don�t know,� she turned away. � Eris,� Ares sighed and put his hands on her shoulders, rubbing lightly. � Cupid loves Strife as much as Strife loves Cupid. He won�t hurt him.� � Can you promise me that?� Eris turned and laid her head on his shoulder. � You know I can�t, love,� he wrapped an arm around her and stroked her hair. � It�s Strife�s life, and he has to live it. He survived when Cupid got married, just like Cupid survived when Strife died.� Eris refused to cry, but her breath hitched a little. � I think Cupid and Strife are for eternity, Eris,� he held her close. A thought suddenly struck her. � I�m going to be a grandmother?� Ares held her out at arms length and smiled, � Yes you are.� Eris smiled at last, � A grandma,� she breathed. She started to laugh. � So what are we going to do?� � I think we should surprise them,� Ares smirked. � What, like you surprised me?� Eris snorted. Ares raised his eyebrows, his lips twitching, � What a good idea.� ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Joxer lay on his pallet and tried to sleep. It wasn�t just Hercules� snoring that was keeping him awake, although how Iolaus managed to sleep through it was beyond him. The past few days it seemed his mind was a constant whirl of emotion. If anyone had told him last week that he would be, what, friends with Ares? He never would have believed them. He still couldn�t quite believe how loving and gentle Ares had been with Bliss, and how open he�d been. Or how sexy. Joxer groaned, when was Ares not sexy? He reached down to run a finger up his hardening cock. He shivered and gently scraped a nail along the same path, biting his lip to hold back a moan. He pressed his palm against his erection, then took a tight grip. Running a thumb over the tip, he spread precum, which was already leaking, over his cock to ease his movements. His fantasies took a different path than usual as he imagined a more tender Ares kissing him, pushing him gently back onto a bed. Joxer sucked on his fingers and reached down behind himself to explore his opening, picturing Ares preparing him. Joxer tugged harder and faster on his cock and plunged his fingers deep into his body, seeing Ares, wishing it was Ares. He rocked slowly on his fingers, reaching for his pleasure spot, his fist pumping his shaft. When his fingers brushed over the small protrusion, his orgasm exploded. He jerked helplessly, hot liquid spurting over his hand. � Ares,� he moaned. Joxer lay back, panting quietly. For the first time in a long time, he didn�t feel completely miserable and he curled up to go to sleep. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Iolaus shifted uncomfortably when he realised what Joxer was doing. He debated making Joxer aware that he was still awake, but it was too late to do that, without embarrassing him. So he just tried not to listen. Until he heard Joxer say 'Ares', then it took all his self control not to sit up in shock. So it went that far? He�d known Joxer was a dedicated follower of Ares, but he hadn�t realised love was involved. He sighed and rested his head on Hercules� shoulder. He just hoped Joxer wouldn�t get his heart broken. Although Ares� behaviour had been somewhat curious. Iolaus thought for a moment, what if? Ares and Joxer? He smiled, no surely not. He just couldn�t imagine Ares with anyone. Hercules mumbled in his sleep and turned over, pulling Iolaus into a tight hug. Iolaus snuggled in and closed his eyes. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- � Strife,� said Ares quietly. Strife blanched, his eyes widening in fear. He recognised that tone. He started to back away, wondering what he could have done. Oh Gods, he hadn�t found out about their plan, had he? � Uh, Unc, I, I can explain,� he stuttered as Ares stalked towards him. � Really?� Ares began to form a fireball in his hands. � Me an� Cupe, we, oh SHIT!� he dived out of the way. � Dad!� Cupid appeared in the room. He ran over to Strife, who was cowering on the floor. Ares was already laughing. � You ruined my fun,� he gasped. Cupid frowned, � I know, I just got away from Discord�s idea of �fun�!� He turned to his lover, � Strife, you okay, baby?� Strife nodded, � Cupe, he knows.� � About the baby,� Cupid interrupted quickly. � Oh yeah, right, about the baby,� Strife said hurriedly. Ares frowned, but then Eris appeared in the room and went to stand next to her brother. � Well,� she crossed her arms, � I guess our fun got cut short.� Strife stared at his mother almost longingly, then shook his head, � Mom, what did ya do ta Cupid?� � Me? Would I do anything?� she asked innocently. Strife gave a half-smile and she frowned quizzically. � It�s okay Strife, just some stuff about, how could I possibly get pregnant without you knowing. Nothing physical. Dad how could you?� Cupid glared at his father. � Oh come on, I wouldn�t have actually hit him. It was just a bit of fun.� Cupid continued to frown. � Did I mention how happy we are?� Ares crouched down beside his son and nephew, � We really are happy for you.� � Thanks Pops,� Cupid relented and smiled. � But did you have to try and scare us like that?� � Try?� exclaimed Ares. � Okay, okay,� he raised his hands placatingly at Cupid�s expression, � we shouldn�t have done it.� � No,� Cupid turned back to Strife and pulled him to his feet. � Now, we�re going to pick up Bliss.� � He�s here,� Ares grinned. Cupid frowned, � Here? That�s how you knew!� Ares nodded, � Your mother had a thing apparently. Does she know?� � Not yet, we were going to tell you all together,� Cupid replied. Ares transported the sleeping Bliss into his arms and handed him to his father. � Oh nearly forgot,� Ares concentrated and transported the kitten into Strife�s arms. Strife and Cupid stared at the kitten in shock. � Joxer gave Bliss his kitten, is that all right?� Ares asked. � Uh, sure,� Cupid glanced at Strife, who shrugged minutely. � See you later Pops,� Cupid and Bliss disappeared. � Later, Unc,� he cleared his throat, and on an impulse, kissed Eris� cheek, � Mom,� Strife hurried after him. � What was that?� asked Eris, she touched her cheek in wonder. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cupid put Bliss in his bed and kissed his son gently so as not to wake him. Strife smiled at his loved ones and went to stand by Cupid who was staring at Bliss. He wrapped an arm round Cupid�s shoulder. � Ya looking forward ta anothah one?� Cupid sighed and nodded, � Not so sure about being pregnant though, food is really starting to get to me.� Strife chuckled and squeezed him, � How �bout next time, I do it?� � You did do it remember?� Cupid said with a snort of laughter. Strife rolled his eyes, � Ya know what I mean.� Cupid nodded and kissed him, � We�d better think about announcements you know, and talk to grandma about getting hitched.� � Okay, but I really don�t want anything major, ya know.� � You think we should invite Joxer?� Cupid grinned. Strife burst out laughing and Cupid quickly transported them away, so they didn�t wake Bliss. In their bedroom, Cupid paced. � So, Dad spoke to Joxer and we weren�t there. Damn, I wonder what happened.� � Well, if Bliss was there, not a lot,� Strife said thoughtfully. � Do ya think we should give him anothah present?� Cupid nodded, � But what?� Strife smiled, � I have an idea, something a little more obvious I think.� He leaned over to kiss Cupid before he disappeared. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Joxer woke up feeling sticky. Seeing Iolaus and Hercules still asleep in each other�s arms, he took the opportunity to wash himself quickly. He went to pick up his clothes and stopped. Sitting on top of them was a belt and scabbard. He picked it up cautiously. The handle of the dagger was ornately carved with two entwined figures. He peered closely and gasped, they were both male. He flushed lightly. He pulled out the dagger. The blade was Hephaestian silver, deathly sharp and intricately wrought. On the belt was another note. � To go with your new clothes, and for your protection, with love, your secret admirer.� Joxer sat on the bed and stared at the blade, gaping slightly. � You trying to catch flies?� Joxer blinked and looked up. Iolaus was grinning at him. � What�s that?� he asked. Joxer shrugged. � Another gift?� Joxer nodded. � My aren�t we popular,� Iolaus smirked. � Who�s it from?� � It doesn�t say,� Joxer spoke at last. � Same as with the kitten.� He wasn�t lying, although he was beginning to have an idea about who it could be. Iolaus extricated himself from the still sleeping Hercules and got up. � Can I see?� Joxer handed him the note. � Secret admirer huh?� Iolaus shook his head. � It�s kinda freaky isn�t it?� Joxer nodded. � Do you have any idea who�� he stopped when Joxer�s eyes widened slightly. � Could you not tell the others, please Iolaus,� Joxer asked. � I don�t think I could face any questions today.� � Sure.� Joxer strapped the belt on under his leather armour. He went downstairs to order breakfast, while the others got ready. |