| Part 36 Ares and Joxer stopped outside to talk to Hera. � I guess we�ll have to face the music about your using the title �Regent of Olympus�,� Ares said. Hera sighed, � I suppose so.� Eris ran past them and they watched her disappear in confusion. Autolycus was hurrying after her. � What was all that about?� Ares asked him. � She hugged Strife. I think she�s a little overwhelmed,� Autolycus replied. He shrugged and then continued after his Goddess. Ares raised his eyebrows and blinked. � Come on then, to the garden,� he wrapped an arm round Joxer�s shoulders and they walked out to face their guests. Silence fell when they appeared. Hera stepped forward and smiled, � I�m pleased to announce the birth of Volupta, future Goddess of Pleasure.� A murmuring spread out through the crowd. Once it had died down, several Gods stepped forward. � We�d like to know why you gave Ares, the title of �Regent of Olympus�,� said Morpheus. Hera cleared her throat, � Well, as you all know, Zeus has mysteriously vanished�� � Have I indeed?� There was a flash of lightning and a rumble of thunder and Zeus appeared. � Oh fuck,� Ares growled, shoving Joxer behind him. � Did you really think I wouldn�t have a back up plan?� Zeus growled at his son. Without warning he aimed a huge power blast at Ares. � No!� screamed Joxer, but before anyone could do anything, Demeter leapt in front of Ares, taking the blast in her chest. There was complete silence, even Zeus stood stock still in shock. � Demeter?� Zeus shook his head. � You mustn�t hurt them,� she whispered, before her eyes closed. There was a sudden explosion and Ares dropped to his knees as three globes of light appeared above him. � Oh Gods!� whispered Joxer in awe. � Subject?� a soft voice asked. � Zeus,� replied a second. � Mind?� � Power hungry, petty, jealous,� said the second voice. � Soul?� � Redeemable,� replied a third voice. � Judgement?� asked the second and third voices. � He is reduced to God of the Sky, he is made subordinate to Hera. Ares is made Regent of Olympus.� � What?!� screeched Zeus in fury. � What nonsense is this?� He tried to blast the globes but the energy ricocheted off them and hit him hard. The globes lowered and returned to Ares� stomach, leaving him gasping for a moment. Joxer dropped to his knees beside him, � Ares, are you okay?� � I�m fine, love,� Ares smiled and let Joxer help him to his feet. He walked over to Demeter, who was just starting to come round. He looked down at her as she opened her eyes. � Why?� She smiled weakly,� I had to. You let me feel them,� she sighed, � I knew then how wrong I was. They�re so beautiful, I couldn�t let him hurt them.� � Thank you,� he whispered. She nodded and closed her eyes again. Ares looked up at his father. � Come here.� Zeus frowned at him. He was about to refuse, when Ares lifted his hand and Zeus found himself in Ares� grip. His eyes widened in fear. � How did you?� Ares smirked, � Until further notice, I now rule Olympus, Father.� He smiled horribly when Zeus paled. � Now, who helped you?� Zeus snorted, still defiant, � Who says anyone helped me? Did you really think I wouldn�t plan for your untimely rescue? The chains weren�t Hephaestian, and did you really think you could hurt me? I was just biding my time.� Ares stared at him, then shook his head, � You disgust me,� he spat, � Get out of my sight!� Zeus disappeared at a wave of Ares� hand. � Mother, you have power over him now, I�d really love for you to use it, often!� Hera smirked, � It�ll be my pleasure.� There was a burst of laughter, which eased the tension in the crowd. Several Gods and Goddesses tried desperately to remember whether they�d done anything Ares might hold a grudge about, hoping that the newly married Ruler of the Gods would not focus his fury on them! The four heroes made their way through the crowd, anxious to hear about Cupid and find out just what had happened. � I can�t believe what Father tried to do!� exclaimed Hercules, � I�m glad you and the children are okay, Ares.� Ares stared at his half brother for a moment, before smiling,� Thank you, Hercules.� Iolaus whispered something in his lover�s ear, before stepping forward himself. � We didn�t really have time to congratulate you before, so congratulations.� He leaned forward to hug Joxer. � What did you say to make Herc blush like that?� Joxer whispered. Iolaus chuckled, � Just told him what I was going to do to him later, cos I�m so proud of him!� Joxer smirked. � I�m glad everything worked out, Father,� said Xena, giving Ares a hesitant hug. She pulled back, � How�s Cupid?� � He�s fine, their little girl is gorgeous. So like Strife when he was tiny,� Ares smiled fondly, remembering the first time he�d seen his new born nephew. Strife had been a small, pale bundle of fluffy hair and big, blue, curious eyes. Ares had been smitten at first sight, not that he�d ever admit it! Xena grinned, � Sounds cute.� Gabrielle laughed, � I can just imagine Strife as a baby! He never really grew up did he?� � You could be right there,� laughed Ares. He stopped, stunned. He was agreeing and laughing with the blonde harpy? Gods, how things had changed! Joxer nudged him and grinned *Time to go, don�t you think?* Ares licked his lips *Oh, and why would that be?* *Don�t tease Ares, or you won�t find out* Joxer smirked at Ares� expression. � Um, we�re going now,� said Ares hurriedly. There were quick hugs all round before Ares impatiently dragged Joxer into his arms and they vanished. � Ah, newlyweds,� sighed Iolaus, before bursting out laughing. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Joxer found himself on their bed, wrapped tightly in Ares� arms. He snuggled back with a contented sigh. � I�m so glad I got to see them,� he whispered. � I know,� Ares kissed his neck. Joxer turned in his arms and looked up at him. � Make love to me Ares, I want to feel you inside me,� Joxer breathed. Ares groaned and rolled them over so that he was on top. He met Joxer�s eyes for a moment, sighing as he smiled at the happy, loving expression he saw there. Then he leant down, gently sucking on Joxer�s lips, before urging them open with his tongue. Ares got rid of most of their clothes with a thought. He left Joxer�s shirt on, although open, he loved the way Joxer looked in it. He thrust gently against Joxer, so their hard cocks slid together. His lips wandered across Joxer�s neck and throat, feeling the vibrations from his moans. Joxer slid his hands up and down Ares� back, scratching and rubbing lightly, trying to urge him on. � You in a hurry, love?� Ares whispered. Joxer nodded, pleading wordlessly for completion. Ares smiled and lifted himself up slightly, to reach between them, gently starting to explore his husband�s tight hole. Joxer moaned and pushed his hips down, wanting Ares inside him. � Shh, I�m coming,� Ares breathed. He pushed in a finger, already lubricated, spreading the oil round Joxer�s passage. He could feel through their bond how much Joxer needed him, and he quickly stretched him. He moved into position and pushed quickly but gently inside the smaller man. Joxer sighed ecstatically, enclosing Ares in his arms and legs to pull him closer. Ares pulled back slightly, and claimed Joxer�s lips, his tongue plunging into his husband�s mouth as he thrust back inside him. Joxer pushed his hips up to meet him, groaning loudly against Ares� lips. � Please, my love,� he gasped. Ares responded eagerly, plunging into Joxer with long, slow, controlled thrusts. Joxer panted heavily, trying with arms, legs and lips, to get Ares to speed up. Ares resisted, torturing him with pleasure as every thrust brushed his sweet spot. Before long Joxer�s urging and the contractions of his passage, became too much for Ares and he started to speed up, his movements rougher and less controlled. Suddenly Joxer cried out and Ares felt hot liquid splash his chest, as Joxer�s muscles clamped down around him. � Jox,� he roared, jerking against his husband as he filled him. They lay in each others� arms for a long time, simply enjoying being together, thinking about eternity. � Are you okay?� Ares asked. Joxer twisted his head and looked up at Ares, � Yes, of course. Why?� � The urgency,� Ares shrugged. � I think Zeus� return affected me more than I realised,� Joxer sighed. Ares kissed him softly, � Everything�s going to be fine now, you know that?� � I know. I love you.� � I love you too.� |