Disclaimer : Hercules and Iolaus belong to Renaissance and Universal and we are only borrowing them for the purposes of playing with them. We promise to give them back relatively unscathed at the end ...!


A Love Discovered

By Tyndara



Iolaus shrugged off Hercules' hand as he headed for his forge. Hercules grasped his arm. "Iolaus, wait!" he demanded.

Iolaus threw off his arm as he spun and shoved the demi-god back. "Leave me alone, Hercules! I've had enough of you for one day!" he snapped angrily. He turned to walk into the forge, muttering curses under his breath.

Hercules caught up with Iolaus in two long strides, grabbing him by the arm again and swinging him around, shoving him against the side of the building. He lifted up so that Iolaus was barely standing on his toes and felt like his arm was being ripped from the socket. "You are going to listen to me, Iolaus, and you aren't going to say one word!" Hercules growled.

Iolaus glared at him defiantly and started to shake his head, but bit back his words as Hercules' grip tightened slightly. Hercules jerked him forward, pulling him into the room off the forge and shoving him down on the bed. "Sit down and don't move or say a word!" Hercules ordered.

Iolaus could tell that Hercules was furious, but so was he. He sat back on the bed, leaning against the headboard, legs stretched in front of him and arms crossed, glaring at Hercules with a sulky expression.

"Iolaus, you are my best friend, and I know you are a good man, but these incessant affairs of yours are going to get you killed!" Hercules paced back and forth in the confines of the small room. "You haven't got an excuse for what you did this time! You knew she was married!"

"I didn't...."

Hercules glared at him. "Not a word, Iolaus!" he warned. Iolaus growled at him, snapping his mouth shut and clenching his jaw. "Someone could have been seriously hurt or even killed in that fight back there! I had to step in to keep Rai and his friends from hauling you off! That man would've been within his rights to do whatever he felt like! You and I both know that men die every day because they get caught with another man's wife!" Hercules suddenly stopped and looked at his friend. "Is it the thrill? The danger of it? Just like when you go with me, not knowing what kind of danger we could be walking into? Is that why you seem so careless with your life sometimes?" Hercules looked at him with eyes suddenly full of concern.

Iolaus wouldn't look at Hercules. He shook his head. "You don't know what you're talking about," he mumbled, still angry.

"Don't I?" Hercules crouched beside the bed. "Iolaus, look at me." Iolaus stubbornly kept his head turned away. Hercules reached out and grabbed his chin, turning him to look at him.

Iolaus jerked away angrily, shoving his hand away. "Why do you bother? Why don't you just leave? You don't need me anyway, why do you care?" He started to slide off the bed.

Hercules eyes widened. A hand shot out to catch Iolaus in the chest, stopping his movement. "Why do I bother? Because you're my friend. Why don't I leave?" He shook his head. "I don't walk away from my friends. And yes, Iolaus, I do care, and I do need you, because I...." He stopped abruptly. For one second that stretched into eternity, their gazes locked, then Hercules stood and moved away, turning his back on his friend.

Iolaus was so shocked, he couldn't move, he even forgot to breath. What had he seen in Hercules' eyes? Had he really seen what he thought he saw?

"Hercules?" he asked questioningly.

Hercules turned his head, to show he was listening, but he wouldn't look at Iolaus. "What?"

"You said...you do care and you do need me, because...what?" Iolaus was licking his lips nervously.

"Because you're my best friend."

"No. That's not what you were going to say, is it? Because what, Hercules?" he asked insistently. He rose and walked over to stand behind Hercules.

Hercules closed his eyes and tilted his head back. He could hear Iolaus' breathing. He could almost feel the heat of the other man's body, he was standing so close.

"Say it, Hercules. Tell me," Iolaus whispered.

"Because I love you, Iolaus." Hercules could barely whisper the words. "I always have." He waited, sure that Iolaus would ask him to leave now. He couldn't turn around, didn't want to see the disgust in the eyes of the man who was his best friend, and whom he loved with all his heart.

Iolaus could only stare at Hercules for a long moment. Hercules loved him? Scruffy, mortal, trouble-making him? It just didn't seem possible.

Hercules swallowed hard. Iolaus hadn't said a word. Hercules couldn't bear the look he knew he would see in his eyes if he turned around, and started to leave, but before he'd even taken a step, he felt a hand on his back, and froze in shock. That hand touched the back of his left shoulder, slid across his back, then down. Moving to the small of his back, it slid up his spine. Hercules closed his eyes and whispered, "Iolaus, please."

Iolaus grinned. His other hand reached down to entwine in Hercules' left hand, fingers clasping tight. "Look at me, Hercules."

Hercules shook his head. "I can't."

"Yes, you can. Look at me."

Hercules looked at him. Iolaus was smiling. "Iolaus?" Hope blossomed in his chest.

"I wish you had told me. I love you, too, Hercules. Maybe I always have...but I knew I did after Telemecus died, and you took care of me. I was so lost, I just wanted to be with my wife and son on the Other Side, but you wouldn't let me go. You gave my life a purpose. You were so good to me...and I... saw you in a different way." He broke off, ducking his head shyly.

Hercules looked at their entwined fingers. He raised Iolaus' hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to his palm. Iolaus caressed his cheek. "I love you so much, Iolaus," he whispered. "Always."

"Then show me."

Hercules' gaze locked with his. "Are you sure?"

Iolaus nodded. "Yes. I am."

Hercules took a deep breath. "Iolaus...as far as I know, you've never had a male lover before, have you?"

Iolaus shook his head. "No, tho that's not to say there haven't been offers." He cocked his head. "Have you?"

Hercules nodded. "Yes, I have. Some might even surprise you."

Iolaus giggled. "Just don't tell me you slept with Jason." He remembered how 'popular' Jason had been at Chiron's Academy.

Hercules blushed. "Well....."

"You didn't! You did? When?"

"While we were at the Academy. You didn't wonder about those private 'practice sessions'?"

"I...I just thought you wanted to be as good a swordsman as he is."

"That, too." Hercules pulled Iolaus into his arms. He lowered his head. "I would never hurt you, Iolaus. If you want to stop at any time, just say so." He touched his lips lightly to the other man's, giving him a chance to pull away.

Iolaus' hands went to Hercules' face as he leaned into the kiss, opening his mouth. He traced Hercules' lips with his tongue. Hercules groaned into his mouth, making Iolaus giggle. Hercules' hands tightened on his waist. Their tongues met, dueled, tasted, then took turns sliding into the other's mouth, getting to know each other's taste.

Hercules' hands slid up Iolaus' back, into his hair. It was so soft, like the finest silk. He couldn't believe he was finally getting to touch it, to thread his fingers into it as he'd dreamed of doing for so long.

Iolaus leaned back. He smiled as he looked into Hercules' eyes, and saw the love he knew was in his own reflected back at him. But there was another emotion there, as well, one that made his stomach tighten in anticipation: lust. Pure, undiluted, unbridled lust. That look sent a thrill through him as nothing ever had before.

Iolaus shook his head, a rueful smile on his face. Hercules cocked his head at him quizzically. "What?"

It's just...I've dreamed of this for a long time and now...I don't know what to do."

Hercules caught his hands in his and raised them to his lips, kissing his wrists. "This time, don't do anything except feel. Let me do everything." He put a hand to Iolaus' cheek. "Iolaus, I have dreamed of seeing you looking at me like that almost my entire life. I will never do anything to hurt you. Do you trust me?"

Iolaus nodded. "You know that I do."

"Then just relax and let me make love to you."

Iolaus' smile broadened as he heard those words. He nodded. "Yes. Make love to me, Hercules," he whispered.

Hercules guided him toward the bed, sitting him down on it. He knelt in front of him and lifted first one foot, then the other, to remove his boots, setting them aside. His hands stroked Iolaus' feet, massaging them with feather light touches. They were small, like the rest of him, but well-shaped and strong. Hercules wanted to kiss and caress every inch of his hunter's body. He wanted Iolaus to feel nothing but pleasure.

Hercules' hands returned to Iolaus' waist as he sat up on his knees and kissed him again. His hands slid over Iolaus's stomach, up his smooth chest, to his shoulders. He pushed Iolaus' vest off, following it down his arms and laying it across a nearby chair.

Iolaus reached for the buckles of his belts, but Hercules caught his hands. "Let me," he whispered throatily. Iolaus leaned back on his hands. Hercules brushed his hair aside and nuzzled his neck, down to the hollow of his throat. His warm breath sent shivers across Iolaus' sensitized skin. He gasped as Hercules' mouth closed over his right nipple and his tongue licked across it, then swirled around it, and his teeth gently grazed it. With a part groan, part whimper, he let Hercules lay him down, his mouth never ceasing its gentle suction.

Hercules looked at Iolaus. He was so beautiful, with his white/blond hair framing his face like a cloud. Hercules couldn't keep himself from thrusting both hands into that glorious silken mass and kissing Iolaus until they were both breathless.

Iolaus' hands threaded into Hercules' hair, slid down to his back. He continued to stroke and caress Hercules as he undid Iolaus' belts and pulled them off, then he was raising his hips so Hercules could pull his trousers off. His codpiece and breechcloth quickly followed, freeing his straining erection. He blushed at the hungry look Hercules gave him.

"Hey, Herc?" he said softly, fingers tracing Hercules' lips.

"Hmm?" Hercules asked, sucking Iolaus' fingers into his mouth.

"You've got too many clothes on," Iolaus giggled.

"That's easy to fix." Hercules stood and began to undress. Iolaus' eyes were hot on his body as he pulled his tunic off and dropped it to the floor, followed by the chamois undershirt. His boots were next and then his trousers. He was pleased to see the desire in Iolaus' eyes as they raked over every part of him, and quickly rejoined him on the bed as Iolaus held out his arms.

Iolaus pushed Hercules onto his back, smiling. "I want to touch you," he said softly.

Hercules laid back and guided Iolaus' hands to his chest, first pressing a kiss to the palm of his right hand. He watched as Iolaus smiled, like someone had given him the greatest present in the world, and slid his hands up to cup Hercules' face. He kissed him, then leaned back. He reached out to stroke Hercules' broad forehead with the fingers of one hand, tracing over his eyes, his nose, his cheeks and lips, over his strong jaw and chin, down to his throat. He slid both hands across his shoulders. He nudged Iolaus and gestured for him to straddle his stomach, which he did, settling himself comfortably on his knees. He could feel Hercules' erection against his backside, but ignored it for now.

Iolaus wanted to touch every part of Hercules, to let Hercules know that he loved him, and they belonged only to each other. As he stroked and caressed, cataloguing which spots his lover seemed to enjoy having him touch the most, he tried to imprint himself on Hercules. He didn't want Hercules to ever look at anyone else again.

Hercules was moaning softly when Iolaus shifted, moved back, and reached for Hercules' cock. Hercules caught his hands and shook his head. "If you touch me, I won't be able to control myself," he said. He pulled Iolaus up, turning so that Iolaus lay on his back and it was Hercules' turn to straddle the smaller man. He grinned. "My turn."

Hercules knew what he was doing, as he caressed and kissed and nipped from Iolaus' throat all the way to his groin. When he lightly grasped Iolaus' shaft, he thought the hunter would come right then, but he didn't. Hercules bent his head and lapped at the weeping tip and Iolaus' hips bucked involuntarily. Hercules pumped him lightly, twirling his tongue around the head, then suddenly sucked it into his mouth. He didn't move, giving Iolaus a moment to regain control, then began to slide the shaft slowly in and out of his mouth, taking a little more each time, as one hand played with his balls, gently rolling them between his fingers.

Iolaus knew he wasn't going to last much longer. One hand clenched in Hercules' hair, the other was grasping the bedclothes, and then Hercules' mouth was gone from his shaft and he was being pulled against a hard chest as hungry lips caught and devoured his.

Iolaus clutched Hercules tight. Hercules whispered softly to him, holding him until he felt the fires die a bit. Hercules chuckled. "Soon, Iolaus, but not yet. The best is yet to come."

Hercules walked over to a table on which sat several jars. Iolaus watched him as he opened and sniffed them, finally finding one to his liking. Iolaus recognized the jar, it was massage oil.

Hercules sat back down on the bed. He looked at Iolaus, who smiled at him. Hercules put a hand over Iolaus' heart, and pressed one of his to his own. "My heart is yours, Iolaus. Until the end of time and beyond."

Iolaus nodded. "And my heart is yours, Hercules, to the end of time and beyond."

Hercules again kissed Iolaus' palm. "No matter what, I will always love you and I will be faithful to you."

Iolaus suddenly gasped. He sat up, catching Hercules' face in his hands. His eyes searched Hercules' face as he suddenly understood what Hercules was saying. Tears filled Iolaus' eyes. Hercules was pledging everything he had and everything he was and would ever be to the hunter, as his mate.

Iolaus' breathing was ragged as he said, "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 leaned forward as Hercules' arms slid around him and their mouths met, sealing their bond.

Hercules held Iolaus against him and lowered him back to the bed. His hands suddenly seemed to be everywhere on Iolaus, caressing and stroking, with his mouth following hotly. Iolaus was soon thrashing with need, not knowing exactly what he needed. Hercules' hands suddenly were gone, and Iolaus cried out at the loss.

Hercules took the jar he had set aside a few minutes earlier and opened it, pouring oil into his palm. He coated his fingers and returned to stroking Iolaus' erection and down to his scrotum. His fingers glided further back, sliding between the cheeks of Iolaus' ass. Iolaus quivered as Hercules stroked a finger across his anus.

"Iolaus, you have to relax now. Take a deep breath and let it out."

Iolaus did as instructed, trying to relax. As he breathed out, Hercules inserted a finger into him. Iolaus tensed for a second, then relaxed. Hercules began moving the digit in and out, slowly moving in further and further, rotating it until Iolaus suddenly gasped.

"Oh, gods...." His eyes shot open as pleasure surged through him. "Herc...."

"I told you it would only get better," Hercules whispered. He slowly inserted another finger and finally another. Iolaus' hips bucked and he began to press into Hercules' hand, wanting more.

Hercules removed his fingers and oiled his cock. He guided Iolaus onto his hands and knees. "Iolaus, are you sure?"

"Yes! Now, Herc, please!"

Hercules guided the head of his cock to Iolaus' anus. "Breath out, Iolaus, and push back against me. It may hurt a bit at first, but we'll take it slow and easy." He pressed forward.

Iolaus did as Hercules instructed. He felt Hercules' cock enter him, felt a burning pain and a cramping fullness. He grit his teeth, determined to bear it, sure that it couldn't last. Slowly, as he relaxed, the pain subsided, replaced with a slowly spreading pleasure. Hercules moved in slowly, then out. As he moved further in with every stroke, he searched for that spot inside Iolaus that would bring him the greatest pleasure. He knew he'd found it when Iolaus gasped. He pillowed his head on his arms, moaning as wave after wave of pleasure surged through him. Hercules leaned over the broad, golden back under him, hugging him against his chest. Iolaus leaned back into Hercules, his arms going around his neck.

"More," he whispered. "Harder."

Hercules kissed him and complied. He grasped Iolaus' shaft, pumping it in time with his thrusts. Iolaus wasn't able to hold out any longer. With a cry, he came, his come spurting up onto his belly and covering Hercules' hand. The tightening of his body around Hercules precipitated Hercules' own orgasm, and he spilled deep into Iolaus' body.

"Iolaus, Iolaus!"

Iolaus leaned back against Hercules, who was holding him tight, trembling. Hercules laid back, slipping from Iolaus' body. Iolaus whimpered at the loss. Hercules pulled him over, so that they lay face to face. He caressed Iolaus' face and hair. "I love you, Iolaus."

Iolaus kissed Hercules and put a hand to his face. "I love you, too, Herc." He laid his head on Hercules' shoulder, one arm over his chest. Hercules twined his fingers with Iolaus', caressing the back of his head as they drifted off to sleep.

The sun was streaming in the window when Hercules awoke. He blinked sleepily at the window, then looked down at the man still sleeping in his arms and smiled. He pressed a kiss to the top of the tousled curls and laid him on the bed. Iolaus sighed and turned onto his stomach, hands going under the pillow. Hercules rose and stretched. Deciding he'd like a hot bath, and knowing Iolaus was going to be sore and could use the soak, he went out to the forge. To one side was an enormous tub Iolaus had built when they were home one summer, to use for hot soaks after a hard day's work. He set about to heat some water, wanting to have it ready when Iolaus awoke.

Iolaus sighed and awoke. He frowned, then jerked his head up and looked around. He was alone. For a second, he thought it had all been a dream, but when he moved, his body hummed with a delicious soreness that said otherwise.

At that moment, Hercules came in the door and smiled at him. "Good morning." He walked over and leaned over Iolaus, kissing him. Iolaus put one hand to the back of his head, the other to his neck, and leaned into the kiss.

Iolaus giggled. "Now that was worth waking up for. Hey!" He threw his arms around Hercules' neck as he was lifted from the bed.

"C'mon, I got something for you," Hercules said, laughing.

"C'mon, Herc, put me down!"

Hercules shook his head. "No." He touched his forehead to Iolaus'. "I've got you right where I want you and I'm never letting go."

Iolaus looked into Hercules' eyes and knew it was true. He tightened his grip and laid his head on Hercules shoulder. Hercules had the right idea. He was right where he'd always wanted to be and he wouldn't trade this for the world.




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