| Part 10 � Okay Cupe, we�re all set,� Strife kissed his lover. � I knew Morpheus wouldn�t be able to resist messing with Unc�s head.� Cupid grinned, � So everything�s in place.� � Yeah, they�re nearly at Lerna, and Autolycus is with them.� � I love it when a plan comes together,� Cupid dragged Strife closer and kissed him again. Strife straddled his lap and pressed up against him. � Strife,� Cupid gasped, � We don�t have time.� � Oh yes, yes we do,� Strife panted, pushing his erection against Cupid�s. � Oh Gods,� Cupid gripped Strife�s ass and pulled him closer. � Clothes.� Strife grinned and their clothes disappeared. Their cocks slid together, as Strife leaned forward to capture Cupid�s mouth again. He nipped gently at moist lips, Cupid opened his mouth, his tongue snaking out to meet Strife�s. they rocked together urgently. Cupid slid his hands between Strife�s buttocks, exploring his opening, before slipping in a finger. Strife pulled his mouth away and his back arched. He jerked helplessly as he came, mouth working soundlessly. The feel of hot come against his chest was enough for Cupid, and he joined his lover, teeth clamping down on tender flesh as he exploded. Strife rested his head on Cupid�s shoulder panting harshly. When he�d recovered, he waved his hand, leaving them clean and dressed. � Gods, I love you,� whispered Cupid. � Yeah, but did ya havta bite so hard?� Strife moaned. Cupid chuckled, � You know you like it.� Strife sat back and grinned, � Yeah.� He stood stiffly and pulled Cupid to his feet, kissing him again. � I�m ready now.� � Oh really?� Cupid grinned. � Let�s go then.� They transported themselves to Bliss� room and picked up the napping Godling. Bliss mumbled and snuggled into his father�s arms. Strife wrapped his arms around them both and they disappeared, reappearing in Hera�s temple. Hera smiled at her grandsons. Ares, Aphrodite and Eris were already there, waiting. Aphrodite bounced over excitedly, and took Bliss from Cupid. Strife and Cupid stood in front of Hera and held hands. � Are you ready?� Hera asked, they nodded. � Strife, in the sight of your parent, do you swear to love and honour Cupid and remain faithful for all eternity?� � I do,� Strife answered seriously. He smiled gently at his mother, when he saw her surreptitiously wipe at her eyes. � Cupid, in the sight of your parents, do you swear to love and honour Strife and remain faithful for all eternity?� � I do,� Cupid smiled when Strife squeezed his hand. � Exchange the tokens of your union.� Cupid and Strife exchanged rings. � You may kiss,� Hera paused, � Briefly please,� she added as an afterthought. She grinned as Strife gave Cupid a chaste kiss. Bliss clapped and reached out for Strife. Strife took him from Aphrodite. � Happy, cutie?� � Yes daddy Stwife,� Bliss gave Strife a big kiss. � Oh Cupie, Strife, I�m so happy I could burst,� exclaimed Aphrodite, hugging her son and then her nephew. Eris snorted. � Mom?� Strife gave Bliss back to Aphrodite and approached his mother. � Thanks for bein� here.� He reached out to hug her, but she pulled away. His eyes pricked with tears and he swallowed. � Yeah, well, how often does your son get married?� she said, trying to ignore the hurt look in his eyes. Cupid stared sadly at his husband and mother-in-law. He knew the survey Strife had stolen had given him renewed hope. That he wanted to try and get closer to his mother. Cupid walked over to them, unable to quite keep the glare off his face when he looked at Eris. � Come on, baby,� he pulled Strife away. � Give her time,� he whispered. Strife nodded and hugged Cupid tightly. � Would you like me to make the announcement now, boys?� Hera asked. They nodded. Hera turned on her announcement voice, which would be heard by all Olympian Gods and Goddesses. � I declare before all Olympus, the union of Cupid and Strife, and the blessing of their union with a child.� Gods and Goddesses began appearing in Hera�s temple, there was an uproar. Only a few congratulated the happy couple, most were not happy about a union between the houses of Love and War. Cupid and Strife beamed at the chaos they�d created. They�d known that their marriage and child would not be accepted and they didn�t really care. Besides with Ares and Eris standing by them protectively, glaring at the crowd, no one dared to make any real protests. Then Zeus appeared. Strife clutched Cupid�s hand nervously. Zeus glared at the crowd, which immediately quieted down. � No protests, I don�t want to hear anything about this. The union has my blessing.� He winked at Cupid. Even Hera looked shocked. � Thank you grandfather,� said Cupid. Zeus smiled, � Just keep Mischief in line.� He vanished. � What�d he mean by that?� Strife asked in a slightly offended tone. Cupid laughed and hugged him, � I bribed him, told him I�d keep you out of his hair.� Strife snorted, � You shit!� He kissed Cupid hard. The family all went back to Cupid and Strife�s home. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Joxer strode ahead of the others, the town walls were visible now and he was anxious to get there. Iolaus glanced up at Xena. They shared a knowing smile, and picked up the pace slightly. � Are we in a hurry?� asked Gabrielle, not wanting to speed up. � Well, I do need to see that swordsmith before he shuts up shop,� said Xena. � Oh, okay.� � I have things to do too,� Autolycus chimed in. � I�ll just bet you do,� Hercules frowned at the thief. Autolycus ignored him, much to Hercules� annoyance and Iolaus� amusement. Iolaus hugged Hercules, � Leave it,� he whispered. Hercules pouted slightly, then shrugged. � Fine.� Inside Lerna, they stopped. � Right, Gabby and I are going to see Richus. We�ll meet you at the Traveller�s Rest later,� said Xena. � Sure,� Iolaus said, � Jox, you want to come with us?� Joxer shook his head, � I have a couple of people to see.� � Okay, see you later,� Iolaus dragged Hercules away before he could ask who. � Maybe see you later,� Autolycus waved. Joxer was left alone. He bit his lip nervously and headed for the Temple of War. Inside were a couple of Warlords and some priests. They stared at him, but he straightened his shoulders and walked past them through the outer chamber. Further inside the temple he knelt down in front of the altar and waited. He wanted to be alone before praying. Eventually the Warlords left. The priests lit torches on the walls. One of them approached Joxer. � Would you like to leave an offering?� Joxer shook his head, � I�ll wait here thanks.� � I really don�t think�� Joxer interrupted, � I really don�t think you�ll want to explain to Ares why I wasn�t here, when he specifically told me to come,� Joxer spoke with a lot more confidence than he felt. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ares felt Joxer�s presence as soon as he entered the temple, but he was still with Cupid and Strife. He smiled to himself when he heard Joxer stand up to his priest. � Cupid, Strife, I need to be going.� � Aw, Pops. Come on, stay a little longer,� Cupid pouted. They were all having a celebratory meal, although Cupid had touched little, except some ambrosia. Ares gave in and sat back down, he knew Joxer would wait for him. A few minutes later, he stood abruptly, knocking his chair back. � By the Gods!� he exclaimed. � Unc?� � Pops?� � I really have to go. Now!� Ares disappeared before anyone could protest. |