| Part 33 Two Months Later � I can�t believe you�re moaning about this again!� exclaimed Joxer. � It�s just, well look at me!� Joxer looked at Ares, � What?!� he snapped. � I�m huge, I don�t want them to see that.� � Ares! Number one, yes, you�re starting to show, but compared with Cupid, it�s nothing. Number two, since when do you care what anyone else thinks, anyway?� Joxer was starting to get irritated. � Anyone would think you were getting cold feet,� he muttered. He glanced up at Ares, who was staring at him. � Well, are you?� Ares continued to stare at him, then he shook his head. � No, I�m not, how can you even ask that?� � Because you�re being a jerk,� Joxer said, putting his hands on his hips. � Oh, I�m being a jerk? Jox, I�m the pregnant one, but I�m not the one who�s throwing fits every five minutes,� he sighed and his shoulders dropped. � I know something�s bothering you, why won�t you talk to me?� Joxer stared at him and his irritation diffused, replaced quickly by guilt. � I�m sorry Ares, really.� He walked over to his lover and pulled him into his arms. � I�m really nervous and worried about this, I�m sorry I took it out on you.� Ares pulled back to look at him and cupped Joxer�s cheek. � Is that all it is?� Joxer looked up into his eyes and nodded. � Sure?� Ares whispered, leaning down. Joxer nodded again, his head tipping back and eyes sliding closed as Ares� lips gently touched his. When Joxer opened his eyes they were in the middle of Xena�s camp. He kissed Ares for a couple more seconds then pulled back to grin at his friends. � Joxer! How are you?� Xena exclaimed. Ares had taken her and Gabrielle to visit Joxer a couple of times when he was still recovering, so they knew how badly he�d been hurt. � I�m good,� he smiled at them. � Wow, Ares, you�re really starting to show,� commented Gabrielle. Ares grimaced at her. � I hear Cupid caused an uproar last week,� she continued oblivious. Ares nodded, � He made an appearance in Cyprus to take supplications. They weren�t expecting an eight month pregnant God, that�s for sure!� Gabrielle snickered, � I can�t imagine what your followers will think!� Ares� eyes narrowed, but Joxer touched his arm warningly. � They won�t think anything,� he snapped. � From the end of this month, I won�t be making anymore personal appearances until the kids are born.� � Don�t you think they should know?� asked Xena quietly. Ares snorted, � Oh come on, Xena. If you were still one of my warlords, how would you react to the news of my pregnancy?� Xena sighed, � Okay, you may have a point there.� � The reaction to Joxer being declared my consort, and now the announcement of our marriage, was interesting enough!� Ares growled. Joxer rubbed his back. � Are your high priests going to be at the wedding?� Xena asked. � Of course. Their lives wouldn�t be worth living if they didn�t. Besides they heard what happened to some of Cupid�s priests who left him.� � That was true?� Gabrielle gasped. Ares nodded, � They left his service because he was married to, and pregnant by, Strife. That pissed off Strife big time, it was him who punished them.� � Oh, that makes more sense, I didn�t think Cupid would be that vindictive,� Gabrielle breathed a sigh of relief. � Oh, I don�t know,� said Ares, � I think he was going to take love from their lives, that�s pretty vindictive.� Gabrielle actually shuddered. � Anyway,� said Joxer, � We�re here to invite you to the wedding. It�s at the end of the week.� Xena and Gabrielle smiled at them. � I assume someone will pick us up, as it were,� asked Xena. Joxer nodded, � We�ve got to go, we�ve got to invite Hercules and Iolaus.� � How�s Hercules doing?� asked Xena curiously. � We only told him Zeus had disappeared, we didn�t tell him the rest,� said Ares, � So he�s coping okay.� � Probably best,� Xena nodded. � See you later,� Joxer hugged them and then backed into Ares� arms. They flashed to another camp. � Joxer! Hey you�re up, how�s it going?� Iolaus asked, giving him a hug. � Good!� Joxer exclaimed, with a massive grin. � We�re getting married!� � Cool! Are we invited?� Joxer nodded, � Course, that�s why we�re here.� � Hey Herc! We have visitors,� Iolaus yelled. Hercules jogged out of the trees. � Hi,� he called out. He gave Joxer a hug. � You�re looking better,� he said. � Ares,� he greeted his brother with a nod, � Any news?� Ares shook his head, � He�s gone, hopefully for good, cause we�re getting married.� Hercules stared, then smiled, � I�m glad, really, I am.� � Thanks,� said Joxer, giving him another hug. � Someone will come for you at the end of the week, if that�s okay?� � You betcha, wouldn�t miss it for the world!� Iolaus exclaimed. Ares suddenly pulled Joxer into his arms and Joxer barely had time to wave before they disappeared. When they reappeared in their bedroom, Ares was devouring Joxer�s mouth. Joxer clung to him, kissing him back, but trying to slow the urgency. He pulled away finally, breathless. � What is it?� he gasped. � I just,� Ares shook his head. � I need you.� Joxer touched his cheek and smiled, � Ares, I�m here.� He took Ares� hand and put it over his heart, � I�m alive. I love you and I�ll always love you.� � I�m sorry, I�� � I know, I�m the same. But you can�t keep dragging me off, every time you get scared,� Joxer whispered, pulling Ares into his arms. � I don�t get scared,� Ares mumbled against his neck. Joxer chuckled quietly, � Don�t give me that crap. I know you.� Ares snorted and nodded, � I know,� he whispered. � Now, where were we?� Joxer took Ares� hand and pressed it against his groin. He groaned as Ares began to rub his erection and gently nibble his neck. � I still need you,� Ares whispered. � I know,� Joxer pushed him over to the bed. � Clothes.� Ares made their clothes disappear and lay down on his side. Joxer spooned up behind him, his shaft nestling between Ares� buttocks. He kissed and licked the back of Ares� neck and across his shoulders, as he let his hands explore the broad expanse of smooth, hard chest and rounded belly. Ares groaned and started to rock his hips. Joxer found himself lubricated and he slowly pushed into Ares� slick hole, reaching down to stroke Ares� leaking cock. Ares twisted his head back awkwardly, so Joxer could drop soft kisses on his lips as they moved slowly together. The rhythm built up, the loving intensity between them growing, until Ares� face twisted with joy and his climax tore through him. Joxer held him tightly, thrusting into Ares� quivering passage, filling it with his hot seed. � Love you,� he whispered, kissing Ares gently. He cradled his lover in his arms, quietly whispering endearments, his face buried in Ares� neck. |