| Part 24 Autolycus woke suddenly, something was out of place. He kept still, holding his breath as he listened. There was a small snuffling sound. He leapt to his feet, clutching the dagger he kept under his pillow. � Who�s there?� he whispered vehemently. There was no sound, except for more snuffling. Curious, he lit a candle. Huddled in the corner of the room, arms clutched tightly around her knees, was his Goddess. � Mistress?� he approached her cautiously. Eris looked up at him, the tears in her eyes drawing a concerned gasp from him. At the look on his face, the tears began to spill down her cheeks. Unsure of what to do, Autolycus crouched down beside her, and gathered her in his arms. With a small grunt, he lifted her up and carried her to the bed. She clung to him, sobbing quietly. Gently Autolycus stroked her hair, wondering what could have happened to make this impossibly strong woman, so upset. The fact that she trusted him enough to show him her vulnerability, touched him to his core. � Love me, Auto. Please, just love me,� she whispered. He pulled slightly to stare at her. Gently, he wiped the tears from her face, then he leaned forward and kissed her softly. Her breath hitched and her arms tightened around him. Her feelings towards the thief had been growing. And when everything had overwhelmed her, her brother�s hopeless situation, her son�s tentative attempts to bridge the gap between them, Strife and Cupid making her a grandmother; she�d turned to him, hoping against hope that she could trust him. His simple, unquestioning and loving gestures touched her heart. His tongue traced her lips, silently asking for entry. She opened her mouth and deepened the kiss, sucking gently on his tongue. His hands slid over her back, tracing random patterns over her shirt. He was determined to give the trembling Goddess in his arms, all the love and comfort she needed. Suddenly his hands were touching bare skin, and he felt fingers tangling in the hair on his chest. Her hands slid up to clutch at his shoulders and she pressed her breasts against his chest. He moaned quietly, grasping the back of her neck to pull her even closer, exploring the warm depths of her mouth thoroughly. He lowered her gently onto the bed, and her legs parted so he could lie comfortably on top of her. They continued to kiss, slowly, deeply. Autolycus clutched her hair with one hand, while his other, slid up and down her side, slowly caressing her soft skin. Her hips began to undulate under him and her legs wrapped round him. He lifted his head and stared into her eyes, she nodded. He lifted up slightly, and very gently, he pushed inside her. He groaned, she was so tight. She moaned quietly, and he stopped in concern. But she tightened her legs around him and pushed him all the way inside her. Eris gasped. It had been so long. So long since she�d allowed anyone to love her like this. She hadn�t realised how much she�d missed it. He pulled out and slowly thrust back into her. Her fingers dug into his shoulders and they began to move together. Soon the slow rhythm had her gasping and she started to move faster. � Please,� she whispered. Autolycus smiled gently at her and began to move faster, thrusting harder. He dipped his head to kiss her again and she moaned into his mouth. She started to shudder beneath him. Her legs tightened impossibly and her back arched. He lifted his head, and watched in wonder as she came. It was the first time they�d made love face to face. The beauty of her ecstasy and vulnerability filled him with love and he stiffened, thrusting into her once more as he came inside her for the first time. � I love you,� he whispered, as he collapsed on top of her. Her arms tightened briefly around him. � Thank you,� she whispered back. Autolycus raised his head and smiled at her. He smoothed back her hair and dropped a soft kiss onto her forehead. He rolled them over, slipping out of her, and pulled her into his arms. Eris waited until he was asleep, then she carefully extricated herself from his embrace. She dressed herself with a thought, then bent down to kiss him gently. � I love you too,� she whispered, then she vanished. � Please, harder,� Hercules gasped. Iolaus gripped Hercules� shoulders and began to pound into his lover. He reached under his body and grasped his hard shaft tightly, pumping in time to his thrusts. � Gods, yes!� Hercules cried out, his hot release spurting over Iolaus� hand. Iolaus� mouth opened in a silent scream as Hercules� passage clamped around him, squeezing his orgasm from him in long, shuddering jets. Iolaus collapsed, his body held up by Hercules� strength. Hercules lowered them carefully to the ground, panting harshly. After a few minutes, Iolaus pulled out and rolled over to lie next to his lover. � What�s worrying you?� he asked, casually flicking Hercules� hair. � What do you mean?� Iolaus raised an eyebrow, � Herc, I know you. You only want it like that, when something�s bothering you.� Hercules sighed and turned his head, to face Iolaus. � Okay, okay. I�m worried about Joxer,� he admitted. Iolaus smiled and stroked his cheek, � So am I.� � I just feel so helpless, I hate that.� Hercules sighed and rolled onto his back. Iolaus scooted over and rested his head on Hercules� chest. � Herc, you can�t help everyone. You do so much, and I love you for it, but even you have limits.� Hercules hugged him and nodded, � I know,� he sighed. � Xena?� � Gabrielle, I swear, if you ask me one more time if I think they�re all right, you�re sleeping on the floor!� Gabrielle sighed, � I�m sorry. I guess I�m just used to worrying about Joxer.� � I think if anyone can take care of him, Ares can, don�t you?� Xena said firmly. � I guess, but�� � What do I have to do to shut you up?� Gabrielle grinned suddenly, � I can think of a couple of ways.� Xena rolled on to her side and lifted her head, � Oh really?� Gabrielle nodded and reached up to pull Xena down on top of her. Strife took Cupid home soon after Aphrodite had explained the final test. His winged husband had not stopped crying since the revelation that Ares� and Joxer�s triplets would somehow bring down Zeus. Strife was starting to get seriously worried. He transported them straight to bed and held his weeping husband in his arms, rocking slowly. He started to croon quietly, a tune that he couldn�t quite place. Cupid quieted and pulled back slightly, � What�s that song?� Strife shrugged, � I dunno, baby. Why?� Cupid sniffed and wiped his face, � I just recognise it from somewhere.� � How�re ya feelin�?� � Shaky,� Cupid smiled weakly. Strife lay back on the bed and opened his arms. Cupid snuggled on top of him, resting his head in the crook of his shoulder. � The last test is so unfair, so horrible,� he whispered. � I know,� Strife kissed the top of his head. � We just have ta hope that everythin� turns out like tha prophecy said.� They lay quietly for a while, until Strife thought that Cupid had finally fallen asleep. � Baby?� Cupid whispered. � Yeah?� � That song you were humming.� � What about it?� � I think I heard your mom singing it, that time she looked after Bliss for us.� Strife�s throat tightened and he swallowed hard. � Really?� he whispered hoarsely. Cupid nodded and lifted his head, resting his chin on Strife�s chest. He smiled at his husband, � I bet she sang it to you when you were a baby.� � Ya think so?� Cupid nodded, pressing a kiss to Strife�s pale skin. Strife smiled, � I wish I could remembah.� � I know.� |