Disclaimer: Hercules and Iolaus belong to MCA/Universal and Renaisance Pictures. They
were used without permission. No copyright infringement intended. No money
was made.


FACING THE WORLD

by Tyndara



Hercules lay on his right side, head propped on one fist, watching Iolaus sleep. His eyes drank in the hunter's features. He looked so young right now, so innocent. Hercules reached out and lightly touched his fingers to Iolaus' temple, brushed his hair back, then laid his hand on Iolaus' neck, his thumb stroking lightly back and forth across his cheek. Iolaus was curled on his side, facing him, one hand under his cheek, the other lying over Hercules' heart. Hercules felt as if he could watch Iolaus all day. He just liked looking at him. He smiled as his love rolled onto his back with a sigh and opened his eyes. "Good morning," Hercules said, bending down to kiss Iolaus.

Iolaus threaded his fingers into Hercules' hair. His eyes were shining as Hercules leaned back. "Good morning. Mmm, what a way to wake up!" Hercules pulled Iolaus against him, kissing him again, slowly trailing kisses down to his throat. "We could spend the day in bed, y'know." One hand slid over Hercules' shoulders as the other caressed his arm.

"We could." Hercules sighed. "Unfortunately, I have to go up to my mother's and make sure everything's OK. I did tell her I'd keep an eye on the place, after all."

"I'll go with you."

Hercules chuckled, his breath sending shivers of desire dancing over Iolaus' skin. "No. There's something I want to get while I'm there, and I want it to be a surprise. I shouldn't be gone long, a couple of hours, maybe."

Iolaus sighed. "Two hours too long."

"I know." Hercules kissed him, long, slow, and deep, then rose and dressed. Iolaus hugged his pillow close, lying on his stomach, watching the demi-god dress through half-lidded eyes. "Gods, Iolaus! Quit looking at me like that or I'll never be able to go!"

Iolaus chuckled. He rolled over and stretched, cat-like. "Go on. One of us needs to go to the market, anyway, if we expect to eat around here."

"Here." Hercules threw him a small bag with a few dinars in it. "See if Terin's got any fresh veal."

Iolaus raised an eyebrow. "Splurging, Hercules?"

Hercules smiled. "Uh-huh. I know Mother has some of Marcus' good wine, too, I'll snag us a skin. She won't mind."

"Sounds like a celebration to me."

Hercules knelt on one knee between Iolaus' thighs, leaning over the other man, his hands on either side of his shoulders. "It is," he said against Iolaus' lips. "It's a celebration of us." His tongue flicked out to touch Iolaus' lips. Iolaus raised up to catch Hercules' lips with his, his tongue sliding between parted lips, bringing Hercules' tongue into his mouth to suck, his hands clutching Hercules' tunic as his demi-gods' fingers threaded into his hair and pulled his head back, so that Hercules could kiss his throat and suckle the skin over his pulse. Iolaus knew that Hercules was marking him, but he didn't care. He wanted to shout to the world that he belonged to Hercules. With a last light kiss, Hercules settled back to look at his handi-work, smirking in satisfaction. "Now, everyone will know you're mine," he breathed in Iolaus' ear.

"Yes...," Iolaus hissed.

"I love you, Iolaus."

"I love you, too, Herc." Iolaus brushed a kiss across his lips and nodded toward the door. "The sooner you leave, the sooner you get back and we can really start this celebration."

Hercules sighed and rose. He didn't turn around as he left. As he walked toward his mother's, he thought about the last few days. He'd never felt this way before. He didn't want to leave Iolaus' side for a minute. He couldn't keep his hands off of him. He smiled. Iolaus had insinuated himself into his soul completely, and the son of Zeus was totally lost. He knew he was a love- sick fool and didn't care who knew.

As Hercules walked up to his mother's home, he was surprised when she walked out. "Mother?"

Alcmene looked up and smiled. "Hercules!"

Hercules kissed her cheek. "What are you doing here? I thought you and Jason were still in Parthis visiting Aunt Aleda?"

"Well, Aleda's daughter-in-law went into labor a month early and had twins. Aleda went to lend a hand and Jason and I came home. We got here late yesterday. Where've you been, I thought you were going to stay here?"

"I...was. I spent last night at the forge...Iolaus and I had a really late night."

"I thought as much. Well, I'm glad you're here. I'll send Deidre for him and the two of you can have lunch with us." She looped her arm through Hercules' and they walked out to her garden, where Jason joined them a few minutes later.

Jason was looking at Hercules. He knew something was going on. He waited
until Alcmene had gone to supervise lunch, then said, "You have a secret." He
brushed Hercules' vest back, revealing a very human bitemark at his collarbone.

Hercules shrugged Jason's hand off, his face flaming. "Maybe."

"Should Alcmene be getting her hopes up?"

Hercules looked toward the kitchen, then looked earnestly at Jason. "I need to talk to you. But not here."

"C'mon."

The two men walked out to the barn. Jason sat down on a bench and looked at Hercules. "Ok. Spill it."

Hercules jumped up on a stack of grain sacks. "Do you remember a wager you once placed, when we were at the Academy, with Triptolemus?"

Jason rolled his eyes. "I made a lot of wagers with Trip, Hercules, be more specific."

"You lost," Hercules said pointedly.

"Uh-oh." Jason shifted uncomfortably. "That was a long time ago, we were
kids. Why bring that up now?"

"You tried to seduce Iolaus, and he turned you down flat. How long did it take you to get over that?"

"A long time. He was so pretty, Hercules, you have to admit that. A lot of the guys were attracted to him. With the way you protested that wager, we all thought the two of you had something going, especially since you warned all of us off after that."

Hercules chuckled. "No, my friend, we didn't. Not then."

Jason raised an eyebrow. "Not then?"

"Not until a few days ago."

Jason leaned on his knees. "Hercules, you've loved Iolaus your entire life. You made me swear never to tell him how you felt, and I did. So tell me what happened!"

Hercules told him. Jason only barely managed not to laugh at the dreamy look on Hercules' face as he talked about the moment Iolaus admitted he loved
Hercules too. It was obvious the man was besotted.

Hercules looked at Jason uncertainly. "Jason...how do you think Mother will react to this? I mean, I told Iolaus I didn't think she'd have a problem with it...but what if she does?"

"You'll never know unless you tell her."

"How?"

"Just tell her. Hercules, no matter what, she's still your mother, and she loves Iolaus as if he were her son. You can't hide something like this from her."

Hercules sighed. "I know, you're right. I guess...I love Iolaus so much, and I want her to approve of us."

"Give her a chance, then."

Hercules looked at Jason, who was one of his oldest friends. "What about you? What do you think?"

"I think it's great!" He walked over and clapped Hercules on the shoulder. "The two of you deserve your happiness, Hercules."

"Thanks, Jason. That means a lot to me, and will to Iolaus, too."

Iolaus was surprised to find Deidre waiting when he got home, and returned to Alcmene's with her. He knew Hercules hadn't told Alcmene about them, and wondered if he was going to. He loved her with all his heart, and wouldn't want to do anything to hurt or embarrass her.

Alcmene hugged Iolaus, then tilted his head to one side and brushed her fingers across the mark on his throat. "Something you want to tell us, Iolaus?"

"Ahhh, no, really...."

Alcmene laughed. "Go wash up, lunch is almost ready."

When the men went to wash up, Hercules told Iolaus that he'd told Jason about them.

"Is he ok with it? With us?"

"Yeah. He's thrilled."

Iolaus relaxed, then tensed again. "What about your mother?"

"I'm going to talk to her after lunch, tell her about us. Don't worry, Iolaus." He smiled at his friend and lover.

Their lunch was a relaxed, happy affair, the two men entertaining Alcmene and Jason with some of their tales. They laughed as they told about Iolaus being chased by an irate father demanding that he marry his daughter, whom Iolaus had never even met, and the things he had done to hide from the man until her real lover could be found.

"Oh, Iolaus!" Alcmene laughed as she wiped tears from her eyes.

Iolaus grinned. "Hey, what can I say? Women love me!"

Alcmene kissed his cheek. "Yes, they do, and you love them! Admit it!" She rose to begin clearing the table.

Iolaus rose with her. "I'll do that, Alcmene. It was a wonderful meal, it's the least I can do."

"Mother, I'd like to talk to you, I have something I want to discuss with you," Hercules said.

"All right. Let's go to the garden, it's cool out there. Thank you, Iolaus." As she turned to go, she didn't catch the look Hercules sent Iolaus, who raised an eyebrow, widened his eyes slightly, and gave Hercules a worried look. Hercules winked and gave him a reassuring smile and followed his mother out to her garden. Jason smiled at Iolaus as well and helped to clear the table.

Alcmene hummed softly to herself as they walked through the garden. Hercules listened as she began to softly sing to herself. He loved listening to her sing. She had a beautiful voice, and he remembered many times she had sung to him when he was a small boy. Alcmene sat down on a bench and looked at him. "Are you going to sit down and tell me what's troubling you or just stare at me the rest of the day?" she teased gently.

Hercules sat down, taking her hand. "I was remembering how you used to sing to me when I was a boy. I like hearing you sing. It brings back good memories."

Alcmene laughed. "When you were a baby, I always knew I only had to sing to you to calm you down. You were a good baby anyway."

Hercules couldn't help the laugh that burst from him. "And then I met Iolaus and let him lead me into all kinds of trouble." His sharp hearing caught the whisper of sound that was Iolaus' stifled giggle, and he knew his lover was standing at the door, unable to stay away, unable to join them.

"Nonsense. Neither of you were bad children. You merely had more energy
than you knew what to do with. Especially Iolaus, and he still does!" She smoothed her skirts. "What you both need is to get married again."

Hercules leaned on his knees. He took a deep breath, letting it out as a sigh. His smile slowly faded. "Mother. You have to stop this."

"What?" she asked innocently.

"Matchmaking. Mother," he looked at her and took her hand. "Mother, you know that I'd never do anything to hurt you."

"Of course, Hercules!" She put her other hand over his. "Tell me what's troubling you."

"You have to stop this matchmaking. Mother...my heart already belongs to someone very precious to me." He smiled dreamily.

"Does he know that?" Alcmene asked quietly, looking at him.

"Yes." Hercules nodded, then jerked his head around to look at her. Alcmene laughed at the expression on his face as he sputtered, "B.but...h.how did you...."

"Oh, Hercules!" She put a hand to his face. "You're both my sons. I couldn't love Iolaus more if he'd been born to me." Behind her, tears sprang to Iolaus' eyes. "I've watched the love between the two of you grow since the moment you met. I tried to stay out of your business, though sometimes I just wanted to smack the both of you!" Hercules laughter joined hers. "Hercules, all that matters to me is that you're both happy."

"Thank you, Mother." He squeezed her hands at the same time as strong arms slid around his shoulders. He smiled up at Iolaus.

"Thank you, Alcmene." Iolaus kissed her cheek. "I love you, too. I...sometimes wished you were my mother."

"I'm glad she's not." Hercules tugged Iolaus down into a kiss. Iolaus blushed as Alcmene gave a delighted giggle.

"Finally!" Alcmene kissed both of them. "I want to know what broke the ice between you! Will you indulge an old woman that much? Stay for dinner, we'll celebrate!"

They agreed and Hercules let Iolaus tell her about their fight and how Iolaus had dragged the truth out of Hercules, then admitted he felt the same.

That night, after dinner, Hercules and Iolaus took advantage of the fact that Alcmene's home was built next to a small hot spring, over which they had built their bathhouse. They came back into the house, towels wrapped around their waists, and Alcmene saw bruises on Iolaus' waist.

"Hercules, you should be ashamed!" Alcmene scolded. "Are you all right, Iolaus?"

Iolaus blushed and Hercules looked at bit guilty. He'd apologized profusely when he'd seen the bruises he'd left on Iolaus after their first encounter, but Iolaus had shrugged them off.

"I'm fine, Alcmene, they're not even sore." He looked slyly at Hercules. "Of course, he's not exactly unmarked himself."

Alcmene looked at Hercules and saw what Iolaus meant. Hercules was nodding his head. "Oh, yeah, he inflicted some punishment himself! He *bites*! Can you believe it? How did Anya put up with you?"

"I never bit Anya. I bet you never bruised Deianeira, either." Iolaus winked at Alcmene, who was trying not to laugh. "Don't worry about me, Alcmene. All I have to do is get my hands on his hair and he'll do whatever I want." Iolaus sounded very smug.

"Is that so?" Hercules asked incredulously. He stepped toward Iolaus, who stepped back. "We'll just have to see about that, won't we?"

Iolaus backed up as Hercules advanced, the smile never leaving his face. "I think we will. But you have to catch me first!" He spun and ran toward the
room that had been Hercules' before, and was now going to be theirs.

Jason and Alcmene laughed as they heard Iolaus yell when Hercules caught him. Alcmene was glad they were happy. That was all she'd ever really wanted.

As the days passed, Alcmene and Jason became used to Hercules and Iolaus' new relationship. They were very loving with each other, touching and kissing often. Alcmene only smiled as Iolaus began calling her Mother more often.

Hercules and Iolaus didn't exactly announce their relationship, but they didn't hide it either. They were surprised to find their friends and family accepted them as a couple easily and were happy for them. Some were even jealous of their obvious love and happiness.

Iolaus threaded his way through the throng of people in the tavern, holding a pair of tankards and trying not to spill them. He set one in front of Hercules and took a sip from the other, glancing around. "Is there a festival around here someone hasn't told us about? Where are all these people coming from?" he asked

Hercules shrugged. "Nah, a couple of trade caravans are on their way through."

Just then, someone slapped Iolaus on the back. "Hey, Iolaus, Hercules!"

The two men grinned at the newcomer. "Hey, Damon! Join us, please!" said
Hercules.

"How long have you been back, I thought I heard someone say you were in
Athens?" asked Iolaus.

Damon nodded. "I was, but I just got to missing home so bad, I decided to come back."

Iolaus chuckled and glanced at Hercules. "Yeah, there's no place like home."

Damon looked smug. "I heard about the two of you. I see it's true." He gestured at the marks on Iolaus' throat. "Hercules, you're as bad as that girl of mine. Danaea keeps Kyros' neck looking like he's been throttled. She just smiles and says she's marking her property."

Hercules grinned. "Yup."

"Hey!" Iolaus said with mock indignation. "Just who belongs to who here?" He couldn't help the giggle that escaped him. "I seem to remember something about a bath yesterday, and what was that you said when I...."

"Iolaus!" Hercules clapped a hand over his mouth and flushed with embarrassment. "Please, love."

Iolaus pulled his hand away, laughing. "I rest my case."

Damon was laughing at their antics. "You know, everyone around has known how the two of you feel about each other for years. It was always written on your faces whenever you looked or talked about each other."

"So how come it took us so long to figure it out?" asked Hercules, laughing. "Are we really that blind?"

"No, you just didn't want to risk the friendship you did have, would be my guess."

"He's right, you know," said Iolaus, looking at Hercules.

Hercules took a long drink of his ale, nodding as he set his tankard down. "Yeah."

Just then, one of the caravan guards roared as the serving girl, who'd been bumped by a man behind her, dumped a tray of full tankards of ale into his lap. She tried to apologise, but the man slapped her, knocking her to the floor and cursing her. Instantly, Hercules and Iolaus were on their feet. Hercules put himself between the man and the girl, Divia, preventing him from kicking her as he'd intended. Iolaus went to Divia's side, making sure she was alright and helping her to her feet.

"I think you owe the lady an apology," Hercules said, his voice low and full of warning.

"Apology?! Like hell I'll apologise to that whore! Look at what she did to me!"

Hercules hand shot out to grasp the man's shoulder and squeeze. "She isn't a whore, she's a very nice young woman working in her father's tavern, serving drinks and meals. Nothing more, nothing less. And you do owe her a profuse apology and a large tip, as well, I think."

The man was starting to bow under the pain of Hercules' grip, but he still refused to give in. "It'll be a...cold day...in Tartarus!" he gasped. He swung at Hercules, who merely tightened his grip further and forced the man to his knees.

At that point, his comrades joined in. There were only four of them and most of the other patrons of the tavern moved back out of the way to enjoy the fight. They would let Hercules and Iolaus handle this bunch of rowdies, for now at least.
Iolaus pushed Divia toward Damon, who caught her and pulled her out of harm's way, then he dove at two of the men who were rushing forward. He caught them around the waist and drove them back. They all crashed into a table, which
flipped over. Iolaus was instantly on his feet.

The other two men had charged Hercules. He flipped their captain away and
met their attack, his fists catching them in the face and sending them flying backwards out the door. When the captain came at him with a knife, he kicked
him.

Iolaus caught the guard who'd gotten to his feet the quickest and dove at him, falling back and flipping the man over his head and into another table, which crashed to the floor under his weight. He leaped to his feet in time to catch a solid punch to the face that staggered him, then he hit back, driving a fist into the guard's face, followed by a side-kick to the stomach that doubled him over, allowing Iolaus to bring his knee up into his face. The force of the blow flipped him backwards into his comrade, who'd been getting to his feet.

When the two men Hercules threw out the door returned, they brought reinforcements in the form of four more of their comrades. Hercules and Iolaus moved back to back and met their attack, fists and feet flying. Iolaus took a flying leap and kicked one guard in the chest, knocking him through a window. Hercules threw another through the door, then grabbed two and slammed their heads together. They sank to the floor and didn't move. Iolaus hit another guard in the face with three hard blows, right-left-right, then an uppercut to the chin that sent him back into the crowd, which parted to let him by. He hit the wall and slid down it and didn't move again. Hercules backhanded one of the remaining soldiers and turned to face another, when a sudden shout made him spin around. Iolaus was on his knees, blood running down his face from where it welled from a wound in his left temple, and the captain had his fingers in Iolaus' hair, head pulled back, a knife to his throat.

The captain smirked. "Now what, hero?" he growled, his voice rough. "You willing to sacrifice your lover to get to me?"

Hercules stood very still, fists clenched. Iolaus blinked. His eyes flicked to Hercules' and his mouth quirked up at the corners. Hercules relaxed imperceptibly, but remained poised, ready to move.

Iolaus moved quick as lightning. One hand shot up to grab the captain's wrist, at the same time he flung himself backwards. Hercules lunged forward and grabbed the man's wrist, squeezing until he let go of the knife, then hit him in the jaw, knocking him out.

Hercules looked around. The other men had been taken in hand by some of his friends and were being detained. He looked around for Iolaus and saw Divia
kneeling next to him, holding his head in her lap, a cloth pressed to the wound at his temple.

Hercules walked over and knelt beside Iolaus. "You ok?" he asked, putting a hand on Iolaus' chest.

Iolaus grinned crookedly. "I'm just catchin' my breath, Herc, I'm ok."

Hercules patted his chest. "I'll take care of these guys while Divia takes care of you."

"Sounds good."

Hercules arranged for the men to be brought before a magistrate. Most of them would have to pay a fine; the captain would have to be more heavily punished for abusing Divia and threatening to kill Iolaus. He would probably spend a few months in prison at hard labor.

Hercules returned to the tavern, to find that Iolaus had already headed for the forge. He found him sitting on the bed, holding a damp cloth to his now stitched wound. Hercules got his wrist and pulled his hand away from the wound. He winced. "How's it feel?"

"It hurts, what do you think?"

Hercules put a salve on the wound and bandaged it, then helped Iolaus undress. Iolaus grumbled through the whole thing. He quieted when Hercules undressed and slid into bed beside him, holding him close. Iolaus was soon asleep, despite the pain. Hercules woke him several times during the night, to make sure he was alright, kissing and caressing his irritation away.

Iolaus knew that his injury was a good test of their new relationship. He was pleased to find that Hercules didn't, as Iolaus had feared, become over-protective and over-solicitous. He commiserated the first day, going to the local healer for something for his headache, but by the third day, he had Iolaus out helping him mend the corral fences at Alcmene and Jason's.

Iolaus grunted and looked up as something cool touched his cheek. Moving his arm from over his eyes, he found Alcmene smiling down at him, holding out a cup. "It's fresh lemonade. With plenty of sugar for you."

"Thank you, Alcmene, you've just saved my life." He shot a murderous glare at Hercules, who laughed at him. "Your son's trying to kill me."

Alcmene laughed. "He forgets his own strength sometimes." She saw Iolaus wince as she brushed his hair back to check his stitches. "Those stitches can come out in a couple more days."

"Would you mind doing it? I am *not* letting Herc near me with a knife."

"I heard that," Hercules voice drifted to them. "Just for that, I won't scrub your back tonight."

"That's ok, I won't wash your hair for you."

Hercules looked up and Alcmene threw her head back and laughed at the look on his face. "Give up, Hercules, he has you wrapped firmly around his finger!"

Hercules walked over, taking the cup his mother handed him and sitting down beside Iolaus. Fishing out a piece of lemon, he ate the pulp. Just watching him made Iolaus' face draw up. He caught Hercules in the chest with one hand as he leaned over to kiss him.

"Ah! Wait a minute! No way! You've been eating lemons!"

Hercules nodded. "That's right. They're nice and tart and you're nice and sweet, so...." He swooped in and caught Iolaus' mouth with his before the hunter could react.

Alcmene slapped Hercules' shoulder, which made both men look at her. "Would you two stop? You're as bad as a pair of teenagers in love for the first time."

"Good description, Mother," Hercules said, looking at Iolaus. "I've never felt this way before. Not for anyone."

"Not even Deianeira?" Iolaus asked in a low voice.

Hercules sighed. "I loved both Deianeira and Serena. Deianeira grounded me, gave me children, made my life peaceful and normal. Serena was a blaze of passion. What I feel for you is like a wild storm, out of control, free and clean. Blowing away what came before and leaving everything pristine and new." Hercules reached out to put a hand to his face and stroke his cheek.

Iolaus nodded. "That's the way I feel, too." He put his over Hercules'.

Alcmene sighed happily. "I'm so glad the two of you are really together now." She kissed both of them and stood. "But that fence isn't getting repaired sitting here."

Hercules looked at Iolaus and laughed, then pulled him to his feet and they returned to work.

Hercules watched Iolaus. He was sitting cross-legged on a bench in a bright shaft of sunlight. He was polishing something small, using tiny tools to etch it. Hercules had seen him working in the forge the night before, had thought he was pouring arrowhead molds. Now, he wondered what Iolaus was doing.

"Iolaus?"

"Mm-hm?"

"What are you doing?"

"Working."

"On what?" Hercules felt like he was trying to pry a secret out of one of his kids.

"A present." Iolaus sounded like he was barely aware of Hercules' questions.

"Oh? Something for Mother?"

"Uh-uh." Iolaus hadn't once looked up or lost the look of concentration on his face.
Hercules walked over and Iolaus hid what he was working on and looked at him.

"What?" asked Hercules.

"Not yet. Not till they're done."

"Iolaus....."

Iolaus shook his head. "Go away."

Hercules blinked and smiled. "C'mon, Iolaus."

"Please, Herc?"

Hercules sighed and shook his head. "Alright."

Iolaus worked on whatever it was he had made. He seemed very pleased with
himself. Finally, after dinner that night, as Hercules sat in front of the fire, Iolaus handed him a small, wrapped package.

"What is this?"

"Open it."

Hercules opened it. He stared at what he found inside. As he reached to trace a finger over one of the items, a slow smile spread over his face. He looked at Iolaus. "You made these?" There was wonder and awe in his voice.

Iolaus nodded. "Yes. What do you think?"

"Iolaus...these are beautiful." Hercules picked up one of the rings he had unwrapped. It was gold. He looked closely at the etching and smiled. This was the smaller ring, for Iolaus. He looked at the other one, his own. Iolaus had etched a pair of large cats twined around each other on both rings. He grinned at Iolaus, who shrugged.

"You said I purr when you stroke me. And I *know* you do." He grinned mischievously.

Hercules held out a hand. "Iolaus, I don't know what to say. I've always known you were very talented...."

Iolaus took Hercules' hand and crouched beside his chair. "These rings symbolize us, Hercules. Gold, the most precious of metals. We are most precious to each other. We are each other's greatest strength and greatest weakness." He tapped the rings. "Can you read what it says inside?"

Hercules held the rings up. Inside, both said the same thing: 'love without bounds'.
Hercules looked at him, reaching out to caress his face. "I love you." He leaned down to touch his lips to Iolaus'.

"I love you, too, Herc." He took the larger ring and slipped it onto Hercules' finger. "Everything I am, Hercules, everything I ever will be, I give to you, and I swear on our love to be faithful to you," he echoed the words he'd spoken their first night together. "Let this ring be a symbol and a proof of that love."

Hercules slid to his knees in front of Iolaus, taking his hands. He looked Iolaus over. The firelight danced gold over his skin, made a blazing sun of his hair. His blue eyes shone with love. Hercules heart swelled with love for this man. Iolaus' love was a precious gift, and he prayed that he never took it for granted.

Hercules held the other ring in his hand. He slid it onto the third finger of Iolaus' left hand. "I love you, Iolaus. I always have. You are my strength. Without you at my side, I am nothing. My heart is yours, my love, until the end of time and beyond. No matter what, I will always love you and I will be faithful to you." He kissed the ring. "And this ring will be a symbol and a proof, to the world and to us, of that love."

Iolaus sat up on his knees, his hands going to cup Hercules' face. He slid his arms around his demi-god as Hercules pulled him against him. Their lips met, in a tender, loving kiss. Iolaus' hands kneaded Hercules' back, sliding down to his hips. Hercules' hands went to Iolaus' hair, holding his head as he plundered his mouth.
Iolaus clutched at Hercules' arms and whimpered into his mouth. Hercules pulled back and Iolaus let his head fall back. Hercules grinned and began lavishing kisses to his throat. "Gods, Hercules," Iolaus whispered. "I can't get enough of you!"

"Or I you." Hercules' hands had gone to Iolaus' chest and now his thumbs were lightly stroking over Iolaus' nipples. Hercules laid him back on the soft woven rug in front of the fire, then reached for his belts, quickly undoing them. He slid Iolaus' pants off and threw them to one side. He grinned wolfishly at Iolaus, then attacked.

Hercules bent his head to softly kiss the hollow of Iolaus' throat. He pressed feather-light kisses all across his throat and chin, then down his chest, stopping to barely flick a tongue across each nipple. Iolaus began to make urgent noises and to caress him hotly, until Hercules grasped both his hands with his, pinning them over his head, stilling his movements with a hand laid flat on his lower abdomen. Iolaus only quivered under him, breathing hard, as he continued to kiss his way down, his kisses continuing to be feather-light, teasing him, and then he was skipping over Iolaus' erect cock, to kiss tantalizingly down the inside of his left thigh, while stroking the right with his free hand, which then slid up to cup his balls.

Iolaus suddenly gasped. Hercules was nuzzling his balls, licking them, sucking on first one, then the other. After a moment, he moved to the base of Iolaus' cock and began to slowly kiss and lick his way around it, from base to tip.

"Herc!!" Iolaus cried as he felt Hercules' tongue slide across the tip of his cock.

Hercules only chuckled. He suddenly sucked all of Iolaus' cock into his mouth, sucking on it, as his hand caressed his balls. He hummed, deep in his throat. Iolaus thrashed under him, trying to thrust, but Hercules held him down. Iolaus moaned and whined, getting louder and louder. When Hercules wet a finger and slowly inserted it into him, he shouted. When that finger brushed across his prostate, he finally screamed and came, pumping his seed into his lover's waiting mouth.

Hercules gathered Iolaus' still quivering body into his arms, holding him close. He brushed his hair back; he could feel Iolaus' heart still beating rapidly, his breath coming in short gasps. "Iolaus?" Iolaus looked at him with sex-fogged eyes. Hercules smiled. "You ok?"

Iolaus nodded. "Never come like that before...never felt anything like that before. Herc...that was ...indescribable. It was...wonderful."

Hercules hugged Iolaus close, holding him until his trembling ceased and his hands began exploring. They went first to Hercules' hair, sliding through the fine strands as he pressed slow, languid kisses to Hercules' jaw, down to his left ear, where he nipped his earlobe, then licked it and sucked it. He nuzzled the soft skin under the earlobe, knowing this was one of Hercules' g- spots, and grinned as the big man moaned.

He leaned back and lightly traced his fingers down Hercules' face, tracing his forehead, his eyebrows, smoothing his thumbs lightly over his eyes, running the tips of his fingers down his cheeks, caressing his lips with one finger, not letting Hercules do more than touch the tip of his tongue to it before it had moved on to his jaw and then he laid both hands against Hercules' throat, feeling the pulse there, how wildly it was already beating, and smiling into Hercules' suddenly dark blue eyes, knowing that he was the cause.

Slowly, his hands moved down Hercules' chest, stopping to lightly caress his nipples, before moving down his ribs, his stomach, to his legs, all the way to his feet. And then he started over. By the time his fingers had returned to Hercules' hair, Hercules was whimpering.

Iolaus turned his attention to Hercules' straining cock. He let just the tips of his fingers dance over it, one hand sliding under it to weigh his scrotum, rolling that tender sac between his fingers, the fingers of his other hand lightly stroking up and down his cock. Hercules was clutching the sheets, gasping. "Iolaus," he begged. "Please...oh, gods...Iolaus...."

Iolaus grinned wickedly at him, then bent and took the organ into his mouth. Hercules groaned as his tongue swirled around the head, the tip going into the weeping slit in the end, slowly taking more and more in, until he was deep in Iolaus' throat. He continued to play with Hercules' balls with one hand, the other slid up to tweak his nipples. In only a moment, Hercules was pushed over the brink, shouting Iolaus' name as he came.

Iolaus swallowed as Hercules' seed pulsed into his mouth, but couldn't take all of it, and it ran from the corner of his mouth. Hercules pulled him up to him, kissing him, licking the come from his chin and lips. They cleaned each other up with cloths dipped in the basin of water they kept on the table by the bed, then curled around each other and slept, content.

The End


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