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Love without anxiety and without fear
Is fire without flames and without warmth,
Day without sunlight, hive without honey,
Summer without flower, winter without frost

French, late 12th C, Chretien de Troyes

by Ruric

The door to the forge banged open with some force, as Hercules hauled Iolaus inside. He pulled hard, propelling the hunter towards the centre of the room, as he released his grip on his friend's wrist and turned to close and bar the door behind them.

Iolaus staggered slightly, at the result of the rough treatment, before regaining his balance. Then, with a small smile playing around his lips, he sauntered across the room and crouched in front of the fire, gently stirring the embers and adding a little more wood. This was turning out to be much more fun than he had anticipated. He idly wondered how much longer Herc would be able to hang onto his composure and what might be the final action that would precipitate the demi-god's breakdown. He stood slowly and languorously, before removing his purple, patched vest, draping it across the chest to the right of the fireplace.

Hercules, he noted, hadn't moved from the door. The demi-god rested his forehead against the timbers for a moment, his hands remaining on the bar sealing them within the forge. Better and better, thought Iolaus,Herc couldn't possibly hold out much longer. The demi-god turned and
leaned his back against the door, watching Iolaus, his arms folded across his body. Iolaus couldn't see the expression in his friend's eyes for the shadows. The warrior examined the larger man carefully, noting the rise and fall of his chest, the slightly laboured breathing, the muscles flexing in his arms, as his hands grasped his elbows, knuckles whitening in the subdued light. Iolaus wanted those arms wrapped around him, wanted to be enveloped in that strong embrace, ....... but not quite yet.

Hercules watched Iolaus watching him. He could feel the rough timbers of the door pressing against him, in fact it was the only thing keeping him on his feet. His knees felt weak with his desire for the hunter, who appeared to be surrounded by a shimming, golden nimbus as he stood, unconsciously graceful, in front of the fire. Hercules studied closely every move the hunter made, observing the ripple of muscles under the satin skin as Iolaus stretched his arms above his head, arching his spine and dropping his blond head backwards, leaving his throat exposed.
The demi-god had never seen anyone move or stretch like Iolaus, sometimes the movements were uncannily feline, occasionally he almost expected Iolaus to purr. Hercules felt as if all the blood in his body had rushed to his tightening groin leaving him feeling weak and dizzy
with a longing to bury himself in that golden form.

Iolaus slowly lowered his arms, and tipped his head forward again, directing a happy grin in Hercules' direction.

"Some party, huh" he smiled at his companion, all pretence at inebriation gone.

"What's a matter, Herc," he added teasingly, eyes dancing with suppressed laughter, "did you forget to get me a present?"

Hercules resisted the desire to growl at Iolaus' flirtation as he advanced slowly across the room, stopping inches from the smaller man and looking down on him. Iolaus gasped at what he saw, the demi-god's eyes usually deep blue and laughing, were now almost black in the
subdued firelight, the pupils dilated so widely, only the smallest rim of blue iris could be seen. The expression in those eyes was one of desire and total, unadulterated lust.

Iolaus felt a frisson of anticipation run down his spine. He *had* been teasing Hercules unmercifully all evening. In the months since they had become lovers he had resisted the urge to flirt with others. He recognised Hercules' relative inexperience and his shyness at the way their relationship had developed and he was unwilling to risk hurting the demi-god's feelings.

However, now they were six months into their relationship he was sure of the demi-god's affections and had thought that Hercules was sure of his. They had spent the evening amongst friends, who were all aware of the true nature of their friendship and tonight he had been unable to resist indulging in his old pastime.

He knew their friends would not take the flirtation as anything other than a game, and Iolaus *had* missed the game. His uncomplicated charm and friendliness had always made flirting such fun. He had begun tentatively at first, directing the odd comment to their closest friends, watching Herc's face keenly to establish whether the demi-god would be deeply wounded by his antics.

Once he had confirmed that Hercules was willing to go along with his game he had pulled out all the stops, becoming more scandalous as the night progressed, much to the amusement of the bar's patrons. He had captivated the crowd with his stories, jokes, and overt flirtation, soon
becoming the centre of attention. However, the covert glances he had directed at Hercules, when the big man wasn't looking, had revealed to everyone in the bar where his true interest lay. Iolaus also admitted to himself that he had relished provoking Hercules, and savoured the
occasional dark and brooding looks that the demi-god directed at him.

Hercules stood looking down at the blond hunter. He was used to seeing Iolaus' natural magnetism cast an enchantment over those surrounding him, and had seen how much the blond had enjoyed himself this evening, however, that didn't stop him feeling jealous. He gazed down into those seemingly innocent, azure eyes before sweeping Iolaus from his feet into a bear hug. Holding the smaller body close to his he became aware of the wild beating of both his own and Iolaus' hearts and he could feel the hunter's erection brushing against his own. Hercules crossed the room in several hurried strides, before dropping the hunter, none too gently, squarely in the centre of the bed.

Iolaus lay sprawled easily, arms flung wide like a sacrifice, tousled blond hair forming a halo around his face. His eyelids were lowered, shading his amazing eyes from view, features schooled to show a demure expression, he looked chaste and almost vulnerable. Hercules nearly laughed out loud, he knew how deceptive *that* appearance was.

"I haven't forgotten your present, Iolaus, or what you were doing in there this evening. It's time for a little divine retribution" he stated huskily.

"Why, Hercules, whatever are you talking about?" remarked Iolaus, gazing up into Hercules' eyes, striving to sound virtuous, whilst wondering whether he may have been just a *little* reckless in his earlier behaviour. The eyes that looked down upon him promised pleasure, but also held a subtle threat.

Hercules straddled the prone hunter's hips. Arms resting either side of the blond head he leaned closer Iolaus' face, breath caressing his cheek and stirring the blond curls as he growled gruffly, "Stop it Iolaus, sweet and innocent won't work tonight".

"Me? Sweet and innocent?" the hunter giggled infectiously, arms reaching to twine around the demi-god's neck, as his body arched upwards. "Oh Herc, I think you have *definitely* confused me with someone else".

"Stop it, Iolaus" he growled, reaching to untangle the arms from their grip and pin the hunter's wrists to the bed above the tangled curls. "Tonight you played a game with me for your own entertainment and now it's my turn for a little amusement and revenge".

Iolaus' eyes widened slightly as he peered up into his lovers face and their eyes locked. The hunter was hypnotised by the pledge he saw there, and shivered slightly with an undeniable thrill, wondering *exactly* what sort of reaction he had provoked by his earlier impulsive behaviour.

Hercules transferred both of Iolaus' wrists into his left hand, as his right moved slowly downwards, fingers tangling in the blond hair for a moment, before caressing the face of the hunter, his thumb slipping to trace the line of the slightly parted lips. Iolaus flicked his tongue along Hercules' thumb, then nibbled lightly at the fleshy part of the teasing digit.

The demi-god's hand slid lower still, gently stroking the tender golden skin of Iolaus' neck, hand almost encircling the throat as he felt the pulses there beating wildly. Iolaus gasped as Hercules' fingers sensitively traced the outline of the collarbones, to his shoulder and back again, and circled the hollow at the base of the hunter's throat.

Hercules looked away from Iolaus' mesmerising gaze, as his lips brushed the hunter's blond curls and he breathed hotly into Iolaus' ear. His tongue delicately traced the shell-like outline, before nuzzling the ear lobe and gently nibbling. He smiled as he heard Iolaus' sudden ragged, intake of breath. He would enjoy his revenge for Iolaus' imprudent activity earlier this evening.

His hand continued its journey onwards, brushing across the muscled chest, tantalisingly circling each nipple in turn, until they budded in hardness in reaction to the exquisite caress. Then he slipped his hand lower still, running his finger nails downwards, across the sensitive
skin of the abdomen and belly, feeling the muscles tense in response. His hand finally halted as he reached the waistband of the hunter's leather trousers.

Iolaus pushed his hips upwards slightly in reply to the touch, and was dismayed to feel Hercules sit up. The demi-god retained his grip on the hunter's wrists as his right hand unbuckled the belts at Iolaus' waist. He pulled the leather belts free of the trousers and then leaned forwards, knotting the supple leather tightly around Iolaus' wrists, tying them together. Then he knotted the remaining ends of the belts to the headboard of the bed. He'd left about a foot of leather free, so that Iolaus could move his arms slightly, but not lower them from above his head.

The hunter lay quiescent as Hercules completed his task, his eyes dark with desire at this unpredictable turn of events.

"Why, Herc, I never knew......." he began, before a silencing finger was laid firmly across his lips.

"Not *one* more word, Iolaus" muttered Hercules, passion obvious in eyes.

"You've done quite enough talking for tonight. You say anything else and I'll leave you here all night as a lesson. Nod if you understand".

As Iolaus nodded, his tongue flicked from between his slightly parted lips to caress Hercules' finger. The demi-god snatched his hand away as if he had been burned, and Iolaus smirked. So close, the hunter thought with satisfaction, his companion and lover was so close to losing his tightly governed self-control.

Hercules sighed deeply, and the bed lurched briefly as he stood, to gaze down at the alluring picture Iolaus made. His arms were tied to the headboard and the unruly golden curls surrounded the angelically beautiful face. A flush of colour was clearly visible across the high cheekbones, his eyes were heavy lidded with desire, lips slightly parted and body sprawled wantonly across the bed. It was altogether far too rousing a sight and more than enough to test the patience of a Hestial virgin, he thought grimly.

He fought the yearning to give in to his desire, to bury his face in that hair, wrap himself around and within that compact form, to posses Iolaus now, completely. Hercules' skin burned feverishly with his need, sweat running slickly down his neck and back. He drew in a ragged breath and at the sound Iolaus looked up. The hunter's eyes were impassioned, there was a wilful set to his chin, as he bestowed upon Hercules that 'Come hither' look that had never failed to turn the demi-god's knees to water.

Hercules moved quickly to the bottom of the bed, putting space between himself and temptation. Iolaus' eyes tracked him, a small smile playing around that delightful mouth. Hercules knew the hunter was justifiably confident, so sure of the hold he had over the demi-god's feelings. He
couldn't remember when Iolaus had become the one obsession in his life, only that he was now the centre, without whom he would be totally lost.

Tonight, however, he felt impetuous. Iolaus had heedlessly provoked his jealousy all night, but now Hercules would be the seducer, the aggressor. Tonight he felt reckless and uninhibited, he wanted to surprise Iolaus with his spontaneity ..... to control...... to make Iolaus ache for him as much as he yearned for the hunter. To hear his lover gasp and moan in his desire ... and to do that he needed to restrain his own craving for fulfilment for a little longer. Which was almost impossible under the scrutiny of those bewitching blue eyes.

"All right, Iolaus, close your eyes." His voice was hoarse, barely able to speak around his passion.

The hunter shook his head. It would be hard enough not to speak, he was very vocal by nature, used to expressing his needs and wishes to Hercules, but not to see him, that would be torture.

"Do it, Iolaus ..... now," the demi-god demanded, "otherwise, I swear I'll blindfold you".

Iolaus' eyes met his once more, expression enticing, beguiling, before he slowly lowered his lids, shading his eyes from view.

Hercules fought not to give voice to a sigh of relief, now he was no longer caught in the light of that enthralling gaze. He stooped and gently removed Iolaus' boots, then slowly moved his hands up the slim, leather clad legs until he reached the waistband of the trousers. Iolaus
responded to that gentle touch, pushing his hips to meet the demi-god's hands.

Hercules, hands trembling slightly, fumbled with the fastenings, finally managing to get them open and slowly, so very slowly, as Iolaus raised his hips to help, he peeled the trousers from the hunters' body. He gloried in the sight revealed to him, the smooth skin, the delicate join between hip and thigh, the golden thatch between the hunters' legs finally revealed, and the undeniably gratifying response of the hunter's body to his touch.

Hercules turned, walked across the room and dropped the leather trousers on top of Iolaus vest before starting to remove his own clothing. He tried vainly to concentrate on the dancing flames of the fire, trying not to think about Iolaus' body, desperate to distract his mind, otherwise the night would be over before it started.

Iolaus lay still on the bed, senses attuned to every sound, listening attentively as Hercules disrobed. The soft thump of boots hitting the floor, the gentle whisper of a shirt being removed, and the quiet rustle of the woven leather trousers being stripped from his lover's body. The temptation to peek was unbearable, however, there had been something in the demi-god's tone this evening.

Stubbornness, in Iolaus' opinion, was not one of the better character traits of the demi-god. Iolaus had learned through many years association with Hercules that the he could be pushed so far and no further. Iolaus had no doubt that should he speak, or open his eyes, Hercules *would* leave him here. He was obstinate and mulish enough to make them both suffer, just to make a point. Iolaus was unwilling to take that risk, so he conjured within his mind's eye the sight Hercules would present in the golden and subdued light of the fire.

He heard the muted sounds as Hercules moved around the room, the noise of bottles being picked up and replaced and finally the light footsteps as they approached the bed once again.

Hercules smiled as he looked down on Iolaus, noting the rapid and shallow breathing, the sheen of sweat clearly visible across the hunter's forehead, clinging damply to his hair and moistly across his upper lip. He reached out to tenderly grasp the hunter by the right shoulder and hip and turn him face down onto the mattress, checking that there was no unnecessary tension in the bound arms and shoulders.

Iolaus nearly yelped aloud at the shock generated by that gentle touch. He burrowed into the mattress, trying to sink his body into the coolness, welcoming the soothing touch of the cotton sheet against his hot forehead, and the additional pressure against his throbbing groin.
He wanted Hercules, hungered to feel the pressure of the demi-god's body wrapped around and in him, craved the merging of their bodies now. Surely Herc couldn't hold out much longer, he thought with some desperation. He doubted his ability to restrain his own desire, sure that the next time Herc touched him he would spill his seed into the sheets, his control was so far gone. He heard the sound of a bottle being uncorked, of hands rubbing together. 'Yes', he yelled mentally. 'Now..... oh gods, ...... please now'.

Hercules stood above Iolaus, noting the tautness of the muscles in his friend's back, and grinned wickedly. It was his turn to enjoy himself, and before the end of the evening he fully intended to drive Iolaus to scream out his need. His rubbed his hands together once more, feeling the oil coat them liberally. Then he moved to stand closer to the bed, and bending down, he placed his hands just above Iolaus neck, about an inch from contact with the hunter's skin. He ran his hands down the hunter's back, from neck to rump and back again, still not making contact.

Iolaus lay on the bed, barely breathing. What was Herc doing? The hunter could feel the hair on the back of his neck standing on end, he felt a tingling down his spine, a slight disturbance above him, he could swear he almost felt a touch.

Hercules finally lowered his hands to touch the hunter's back, at the base of his neck. Then with a long, slow movement, keeping his hands together, he stroked firmly down Iolaus' spine to his backside, before separating his hands, pulling them slowly back up the hunter's sides to
his shoulders.

Iolaus couldn't help himself, he groaned aloud. He was burning with need, felt like his body was about to burst into flame, and Hercules was going to give him a back rub!

Hercules smiled again, at Iolaus' strangled groan, yep, this was going to be fun. He concentrated totally on his movements, turning his thoughts inwards, ruthlessly blocking out any feelings of desire, for the moment.

He repeated the long strokes until he felt the hunter begin to relax. He changed the movement then, continuing with the slow, fluent strokes down the spine, he altered the return movement to describe large circles, from buttocks back to shoulders, gradually feeling the muscles in Iolaus' back ease under his touch.

Next he moved his hands to work on the hunter's neck. Using his thumbs, he pressed hard, continuing from the top of the spine into the golden hairline. He repeated this until he heard another soft moan from Iolaus. The demi-god continued to ease the strain from the muscles, digging his strong fingers into the ridged trapezius either side of Iolaus neck, he probed hard to release the stress he found there. Iolaus gasped deeply again, this was pleasurable to the point of pain. He wanted to tell Hercules to stop, but the sure hands working diligently on his muscles were bringing such relief.

As Hercules finally felt the tension dissolve from the hunter's neck, he moved to work on his shoulders. His hands followed one another around the left shoulder blade, from the base of the neck, out to the ribcage and back to the neck. He started to knead across Iolaus' broad shoulder, using each hand alternately, squeezing and gathering pockets of flesh, letting his hands follow the contours. He repeated the process on the other side. Then he allowed one hand to circle around each shoulder, before bringing them back to the base of Iolaus' neck.

He rested his hands there for a moment, before working slowly down the hunters spine, pushing his thumbs alongside the groove beside the spine, first working on the left side and then on the right. He continued down to the middle of the hunter's back before pausing again for a moment, to pad a few careful, quiet steps until he stood near the hunter's waist.

He then started from the base of the spine to work backwards up to the hunter's neck. One thumb either side of Iolaus backbone probed deeply around each vertebrae in turn, as his hands moved with agonizing slowness upwards. Iolaus sighed, well, almost purred like a cat, at the
pleasure this touch brought.

Hercules left one hand gently resting on Iolaus' back, whilst he reached for more oil with the other hand. He described broad circles over the whole of the hunter's lower back, before his hands slid downwards to caress the hunter's buttocks. He kneaded the flesh here for a few moments, then, moving a few quick steps to the bottom of the bed, he trailed his hands down Iolaus' strong legs.

Cupping both hands and starting from the left ankle he moved in protracted, slow strokes up to the top of the leg. Where leg joined backside, he allowed his left hand to trail up over the buttock and hip, whilst his right moved down and across the inner thigh, then both his hands slid back down to the hunter's ankle. He repeated this several times before switching to the right leg.

Iolaus was now squirming against the sheets. He had thought Herc was only going to give him a back rub, but this was turning into one of the most intensely erotic experiences of his life. The hands that glided over his body were so sure in their movements, so controlled, and there was nothing he could do to affect the way they touched him. Finally those hands reached his left foot.

He felt Hercules gently lift his foot from the bed, and then holding it steady in one hand, the demi god's thumb traced small circles over the sole of his foot, starting from the heel and working towards his toes. Iolaus whimpered and tried to throttle the need to scream with pleasure. He thought he was well acquainted with all his erogenous zones, but this was incredible. Hercules grasped each toe in turn, gently pulling and twisting it slightly, and Iolaus felt as if all the tension was draining slowly from his body. Hercules then repeated the whole process on his other foot.

Finally, the demi-god slid his hands back up the hunter's body and, starting again at his neck, he trailed feather light, gentle fingertip touches from his neck all along his spine to the base of his backside, before lifting his hands from Iolaus' body. The hunter couldn't help himself and sighed deeply at the broken contact.

"Do you like your present so far?" murmured Hercules quietly as he once again turned Iolaus, so he lay face up on the bed. Iolaus nodded and tried to smile serenely, knowing he was fighting a losing battle, and that his desire must be written plainly on his face, as well as in the more obvious responses that his body was making.

Hercules gently placed his thumbs at the centre of Iolaus' forehead, just above his eyebrows and slid them out to the side of his head. He repeated this steady stroke until all the hunter's forehead had been covered. Iolaus couldn't believe quite how relaxing and sensual this touch could be. The demi-god moved his thumbs to just under Iolaus' eyes and tenderly stroked across his cheeks out to the side of his head, sliding his touch lower with every repeated stroke. Then he rested two fingers of each hand against the hunter's temples, which he could feel
throbbing. He lingered here for a moment, matching his breathing to that of the hunter's letting their mutual desire wash over both of them.

Hercules let his hands glide from Iolaus' face down to the middle of the hunter's chest. He firmly stroked down the torso, allowing his hands to mould to the form of the hunter's muscles. As he reached Iolaus' navel, he let his hands drift apart, and curve out to the sides, over his hips, before pulling them gently back to the top of the hunters chest. Again and again he repeated the strokes, gratified to see the result in Iolaus' obvious arousal. His hands drifted lower, one hand carefully resting on Iolaus hip, whilst the other inscribed a gentle clockwise movement around the abdomen.

Then he trailed both hands down the hunter's left leg to the ankle. He started once again with firm, broad strokes from ankle to hip, mimicking the movement he had made whilst massaging the back of Iolaus' legs, allowing one hand trail over the hunter's hip and return along the outer side of his leg, whilst the other stroked his inner thigh.

Iolaus began to twist with excitement at the touch and moaned aloud. If Herc kept this up much longer he really didn't think he could contain his arousal. Hercules transferred his attention to Iolaus' right leg, as the hunter tried to concentrate on anything, anything at all, apart from the effect Herc's touch was having on him. However, since he had his eyes closed, and was unable to speak, it was difficult to distract his thoughts from those all encompassing hands.

Finally Hercules laid his hands side by side on Iolaus' belly, slowly sliding his left hand up Iolaus' chest and down his left arm, as his right glided lower down Iolaus right leg. Then he replayed this touch over right arm and left leg, before removing his hands totally from the hunter's body.

Iolaus was lost and cried aloud as the hands were removed. His skin was sensitised to every touch, responsive beyond belief; he seemed to be on fire. He longed for Hercules to return, to continued what he had started.

He felt the bed give slightly, as Hercules knelt between his legs, then the demi-god's body covered his. Feather light kisses were dropped onto his forehead, cheeks and jawline, then the demi-god's tongue traced a trail of fire down his neck and onto his chest.

The lips moved teasingly to one nipple, tongue gently circling the sensitive skin, until the hunter's body responded and the nipple hardened under such careful ministrations. Iolaus could feel Herc smile against his skin. He carefully nibbled on the nipple, and Iolaus gasped as he felt the heat enclose his body. Then Hercules blew out gently; the contrast between heat and cold nearly sent Iolaus screaming over the edge. Hercules traced kisses across the hunter's chest to the other nipple and repeated the process. Iolaus was panting desperately now, self-control almost gone.

Hot kisses led the demi-god down the muscled abdomen, to the gold thatch between the hunter's thighs. His tongue teased, gently circling the head of the hunter's engorged cock, working its way, oh so slowly, into the slit, and out. His lips closed around the head, and Iolaus tried to push upwards into the welcoming warmth, only to find Hercules' hands on his hips, forcefully holding him to the bed. The demi-god's mouth continued to tease the tip of his lover's cock, tongue finding and tracing the sensitive underside of the head, before his lips continued their journey downwards, sliding along the length of the hardened shaft.

He removed his lips, and straightened slightly, glancing up along Iolaus' body, wanting to see the expression of need and desire on the hunter's face. Iolaus' hair clung damply to his forehead and his teeth were sunk into his lower lip to stop him crying aloud.

Hercules could hear the blood pounding in his veins, his body trembled with the desire to unite with the hunter; not much longer, he thought, trying to control his traitorous emotions. Just hang in there for a few more minutes.

He lowered his gaze again, and his left hand reached out, fingers gently caressing Iolaus' tightened testicles. He stroked around the scrotum gently, feeling the hunter's response and with his right hand, trailed his fingers from scrotum to anus and back again.

He'd oiled his fingers whilst his lips had been occupied with teasing Iolaus' cock, and he now felt the tightening in the hunter's body. Slowly, he let one finger rest against the hunter's tight anus for a moment, before gradually slipping it inside, waiting for his lover to relax a little, before pushing further. He waited, breathing heavily, listening to Iolaus pant, as the hunter's muscles clamped tightly against the invading finger.

His mouth once again took possession of Iolaus' throbbing cock, before he eased a second finger inside the hunter's body. He moved his fingers around inside Iolaus gently, feeling the tight ring of muscles relax. He heard Iolaus gasp once more as his teasing fingers sought and finally
found that special point of pleasure.

When he knew that he couldn't wait any longer he removed his fingers, and slid upwards, his body covering that of the hunters' once more, their erections brushing together. He pushed the damp hair from Iolaus' forehead. He looked at the beloved face. The hunter still had his eyes tightly closed, and the demi-god could see the strain and tension, in the chin and jaw, and tightly corded muscles of the neck, noting that Iolaus had clamped his teeth together to stop from screaming out his need. Hercules' mind and body clamoured for his attention, 'Now, now'.

"What do you want, Iolaus?" he whispered to his lover, his revenge almost complete. "I need you to tell me what to do."

"Fuck me." Iolaus drew in a shuddering breath. He had intended to command, .... to demand, .... but instead his words had come out as a desperate plea. He was delirious with desire. He wasn't sure he could survive the ache that seemed to encompass the whole of his lower body.
He surrendered self-control and pride and delivered himself into the demi-god's hands.

"Fuck me, please, Herc," he gasped. "I can't stand this much longer. I need you, I want to feel you inside me......." He trailed off with a sob, desperation and longing evident in his voice.

Hercules moved down the bed a little, so that his cock could push against Iolaus' anus. He held the position for a moment, letting the passion rage throughout both their bodies. He could feel Iolaus trembling beneath him, and his own body's response to the hunter's need.

He revelled in the feel of Iolaus' wildly beating heart, and felt his own answer in reply. Their breathing was ragged, Iolaus lips were slightly parted, his hands wrapped around the leather straps to the headboard, like a drowning man would grasp at survival.

Slowly, oh so slowly, Hercules pushed his throbbing cock into Iolaus body, stopping as soon as the head penetrated, as he felt the hunter clamp tightly around him. He felt ridiculously light headed and his vision swam, threatening to black out, to push him over the edge, before he was ready.

He remained like that for a few moments more, terrified for once that his body would betray him, that he wouldn't be able to sustain himself long enough to satisfy Iolaus. As he slowly returned from the brink he felt Iolaus relax slightly around him, and he gently pushed the rest of
the way into his lover's welcoming body.

As his cock finally slid fully into that desirable warmth, his lips captured the hunter's in the kiss which he had withheld until now. His tongue plundered the sweet mouth of his friend, lover and companion, just as his cock possessed Iolaus. The hunter wrapped his legs around
the demi-god's waist and Hercules' mind screamed in satisfaction, 'Home'. This was where he belonged, how could he have doubted for so long, why had he wasted so much time, when he could have had this pleasure for years.

As their tongues danced and teased, Hercules gradually began to move, long, slow movements, in and out of Iolaus' body. Supporting his weight on one hand, he managed to create a small space between their bodies so he could reach to grasp Iolaus' erection. His fingers curled around the base of the strong shaft, leaving his thumb free to caress the velvety head, which glistened wetly in the subdued firelight. As Hercules moved into his lover's body, his hand slid from the head to the base of hunter's shaft. His tongue continued to ravage the hunter's mouth, until, desperate for breath, he reluctantly disengaged from the kiss. Iolaus groaned aloud and matched his movements to those of the demi-god, lifting his hips allowing Hercules to move deeper, and pushing himself harder into the demi-god's hands.

Hercules continued with the long strokes, his movements becoming quicker, more frantic and more demanding, pushing them both onwards. He dimly heard Iolaus muttering under his breath, words of love, words of approval, hot words, sex words, intended to drive him into a frenzy. He was no longer conscious of breathing, only the pounding of his pulse and his heart, the need for release, and the need to ensure that he took Iolaus with him.

He heard the hunter shout his name aloud, felt the spasm in the cock he held, as Iolaus spilled his seed over Hercules' hand, to splatter onto their bodies. The tightening of the hunter's body left Hercules no option, and with a groan he finally exploded, deep within Iolaus. He felt like every muscle and bone in his body had been turned to water and he more or less collapsed over the smaller man, trying to support his weight on his elbows so as not to suffocate his lover.

He buried his head between Iolaus' arm and neck, reaching to unknot the leather belts from the headboard. Iolaus' bound arms dropped around Hercules' neck, fingers tangling in the honey brown hair. Hercules tucked Iolaus' head under his chin to rest against his shoulder. Then he pulled the smaller man to him, gathering him close, one arm sliding beneath Iolaus' body to rest across his shoulder, the other encircling his waist as he turned them onto their sides. Iolaus threw a leg over Hercules' hips, as he felt the demi-god start to slide from his body, reluctant to lose any contact.

As his breathing gradually slowed, returning to normal, Hercules became aware that the hunter was trembling. No not trembling,..... he corrected himself, the hunter's shoulders were shaking and Hercules was suddenly aware of the dampness against his chest. He locked his fingers into the golden thatch of hair, forcing the hunter's head up so he could gaze into the blue eyes, for a moment frightened of what he might see there. He couldn't have hurt Iolaus, could he?

Iolaus raised his face, eyes still dilated and fogged with desire, but also damp with tears. He raised his lips, bringing them to meet the demi-god's and kissed him with startling tenderness and gentleness. Hercules could taste the slight saltiness, and raised his hand to brush away the remains of the tears from his lover's face.

"Iolaus..." he began, "I didn't hurt you, did I?"

"Gods, no, Herc, you couldn't hurt me if you tried," the hunter replied and Hercules heaved a sigh of relief.

"It was just a little..... intense, that's all." Iolaus smiled up at him, light reflecting off the water caught in his eyelashes. "Do you have any idea how incredibly erotic that was?" he questioned huskily.

"So, you enjoyed your present, then," queried the demi-god, smiling down at the hunter.

Iolaus nodded. "Remind me to make you jealous more often," he joked as he unhooked his arms from Hercules' neck and presented his wrists, so the demi-god could undo the bindings.

Hercules fumbled at the knots, finally getting the belts loose and, removing them from Iolaus' wrists, he dropped them over the side of the bed. He took each wrist in turn, eyes taking in the slight bruising visible and placed gentle kisses around them. He raised his eyes to see
Iolaus watching him.

"Good job I wear wrist guards," the hunter stated. "Those could cause some interesting comments".

"I think half the village heard you yelling your head off earlier, so I wouldn't worry," Hercules teased.

"I'm going to have to try that on you someday," the blond threatened, laughter dancing in his eyes. "But of course, leather wouldn't really hold you, would it?" he said deliberately.

Hercules saw the speculative look enter Iolaus eyes' and resisted the urge to shiver. That look usually meant trouble.

"What?" he questioned quickly.

"What, what?" replied Iolaus thinking, 'this sounds familiar, we've had this discussion before!'

"Iolaus," Herc replied, trying to restrain an urge to shake the smaller man. "I've seen you when you get that look in your eyes. It usually means trouble, frequently for me. Now are you going to tell me what you were thinking, or am I going to have to find some other way to make you confess." His fingers reached for the sensitive spots on Iolaus' ribcage.

"Okay, okay," muttered the hunter, batting the large hands out of the way.

"I was just thinking, Aphrodite's a pal," he said, gazing up into Hercules' eyes, mischief obvious in every line of his face, "do you think if I asked her nicely, she could get Hephaestus to make say ...... a pair of gold or silver manacles, strong enough to restrain a god?"

"You wouldn't, would you?" asked Hercules, blushing bright red, mortification obvious in his expression.

Iolaus grinned up at him "We'll see," he said, yawning with exhaustion, before snuggling down into the demi-god's embrace.

FINIS

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