C&C, C&C, can I have some C&C? I would like it here or there,
I'd like C&C anywhere. ^,^V
The field went silent as a clouded burst filled the room. No sparks or bright flash accompanied the God of war this time as he stepped into the mortal world. Xena and Iolaus quickly latched onto their partners and held them back with a glance. Ares looked like he was dying inside.
Joxer was sprawled out on the cold ground. //You'll died a hero, my own.// The God thought as he knelt by the slim man and lifted him into a tight embrace. "Joxer."
Those open and guileless eyes turned to him and Ares wanted to cry. "Ares. . . I m-messed up again."
"No Joxer, Xena's alive, you took the blade for her."
"S-so you're h-h-happy now."
"I. . . Joxer." //I hesitated. In war I never hesitate, but you weren't war to me. You were life.//
He slipped deeper in Ares arms as his strength faded and Joxer smiled brokenly. "i l-love you. . . l-l-ord ares. b-but the-there's no time for us."
He nodded and was shocked to feel moisture on his cheeks. "There's no. . . no place, for us."
Joxer's smile faltered a little as a sharp pain lanced up his side. "i j-j-ust want your happiness."
//Oh Joxer. You have it. But you'll take it with you when you leave me.// "I'm happy." He blinked his tears back. "You're here. I'm happy."
The would-be-warrior sobbed painfully and Ares pulled him closer. the blood was flowing strong now. "m-my blood."
"What is it love?"
"my. . . my b-bl-blood is staining y-your silver."
Ares chuckled and watched Joxer's grin rise at his laughter. He just couldn't do it. He couldn't loose him! A golden apple flashed into his hand and he pressed it to Joxer's lips, "Take it. Please love."
Cupid and Strife burst into being, "Ares! you stole from Hera! she's. . . Jox?"
"Joxer." The war God's eyes were closed in defeat. Joxer was gone. He could feel the moment his soul slipped away. "Cupid. . .What is this thing that builds our dreams, yet slips away from us?"
"Dad?" The winged God knelt by his father and softly closed Joxer's blank eyes.
"H-he was my soul."
"Mortals die." Strife hugged his mentor, "They live such short lives."
"Well, Who wants to live forever."
"Hercules!" Iolaus stared at the demi God in disgust.
Ares nodded. "Who wants to live forever....."
"Dad!"
"Unk!"
The war God flashed out and Strife and Cupid stared at each other and flashed after him, leaving the four heroes in stunned silence.
"HADES!!!"
"I could hear you fine without your shouting." The dark God entered and sat down, "What do you want?"
"His soul."
Hades shook his head, "Oh no Ares. You had your chance with that one. He's in Elysium now. Why would he want to come back?"
"Look at him."
"I don't. . ."
"LOOK!"
He jumped a bit, shocked at his nephew's emotion. "all right." A wave of his hand showed the golden fields of Elysium, but Joxer wasn't in the sunlit field or forest or lake. He frowned and looked harder, focusing on that single soul. He found it. Curled in a dark corner sobbing. "But he isn't in Tartaurus."
Cupid ran into the chamber and threw his arms around his father's shoulders, "You Can't!"
"I. . ."
"There's no chance!"
"for us."
Strife sobbed quietly and shook his head, taking Joxer's body from his shocked Uncle. "Come on unk."
"Please, Hades. . ."
"It's all decided for us. . ." He began.
"Just let me see him! I won't even ask for his soul back just let me see him!"
"This world has only one sweet moment set aside for us."
"Bullshit!"
"If you want to see him again, it will be at your death."
"SO I'll die! Who wants to live forever?!"
"You're a God."
"I don't care."
"But Dad!"
"Unk! You can't just leave! You're War!"
"Take my sword."
"What?"
"Take my sword Strife."
"But you'll. . ."
"I'd be mortal."
"But. . ."
"With a clean slate."
"Ares. . ."
Hades nodded, "Listen to the boy Ares, Who dares to love forever."
"When. . ."
"My Nephew, even love must die."
"Just let me see him."
Hades looked at the grieving soul and nodded slowly. "Go. You have one day."
Cupid and Strife walked behind Hades throne and watched
through the scrying glass.
_______________
Ares flashed into Elysium and Joxer's Soul stood up in shock.
"But. . ."
The God grabbed his lover up and sighed, "touch my tears with your lips."
The shade kissed the silver droplets away and pulled Ares to him with all of his strength.
"Touch my world with your fingertips."
"Ares. Ares I missed you. I loved you. I love you!" He cried and cuddled closer.
"Kiss me." He whispered, "And we can have forever."
Joxer smiled even through the tears and kissed Ares softly. "And we can love forever?"
They slid to their knees, never letting go, and Ares Lay Joxer back into the golden wheat. "I love you. I'll love you until everything in creation is gone."
Joxer nodded "Me too Ares. I love you so much. Forever."
"Forever is our today." Ares kissed him again, their tears pooling in their mouths. The kiss tasted of tears.
The shade ran his hand over Ares cheek. "Who wants to live forever."
"Yeah." Ares kissed him again and held him close as their eyes began to droop. "Who wants to live forever."
"Forever is our today." The War God breathed and
stilled in his lover's arms.
_______________
Cupid wailed in grief and Strife choked on his sobs when his Uncle's sword appeared in his hand. the two young Gods held each other and wept, unaware as the fates pronounced the new God of war.
Hades just sat in his throne. Staring at the two laying Dead in paradise. "The tears of a God and a Hero. The perfect poison, even to a soul." He blinked at the scene in amazement. "Who waits forever anyway?"
~end~
Challenge by hergerbabe -
Fic to Who Wants To Live Forever
A/J and C/S
It was a fight to keep it angsty I kept wanting them to have a happy ending. Tell you what though, if you guys want me to I'll do a happy ending version ok? I'd hate to ruin my rep!