Bitter Sweet

Joxer paddled around the tub growing more then a little bored. It had
been well over an hour since Ares had left and he'd finished all the
fruit though for some bizarre reason the wineglass kept refilling
itself. The water may not have gone cold but Joxers hands were
starting to look old and wrinkly, so he climbed out. He spied a
couple of large silvery towels near the tub side and picked one up,
wrapping it around his hips.


He shifted uncomfortably for a minute unsure where to go or rather
where he could go. He figured the best bet was to stay near the tub
but not in it. He paused for a moment, at one end of the room there
were the double doors he had come through but at the other end there
were another set of double doors. He walked towards them wondering
where they led, after all the wine he'd drunk he was starting to feel
the need to relieve himself.


As he stepped up to the doors they opened and Joxer had to repress a
wince as bright sunlight flooded his vision. He blinked for a moment
and stepped out staring around the small garden area, as his eyes
grew used to the light. It was extremely pretty, he had stepped out
onto a small marble area with chairs and a bench but just beyond that
were some of the most colorful and strange looking plants Joxer had
ever seen. He didn't want to get too close, after all this was Area's
home and the plants could be harmless or lethal guard dogs, besides
the wine had made him a little sleepy.


He sat down in one of the chairs relaxing slightly as he took another
sip of the sweet wine and admired the garden beauty. He was hoping to
be as relaxed as possible when Ares came back and although he had his
doubts and worries he didn't want to voice them to his god. He knew
or at least had a pretty good idea of what Ares wanted him for and he
was pretty sure that Ares knew how he felt about that, he was a god
after all. It wasn't like he couldn't just look into Joxers mind and
see the attraction and the fascination there.


He knew what the opportunity of Ares would entail, sleeping with him
in return for becoming and warrior, if that ever happened. Joxer
wasn't too sure about that; his major worry was that Ares would see
him as little more then a prostitute and he couldn't deal with that,
not to mention the grief he would get if any of his friends found
out. Joxer was attracted to Ares and he wasn't going to look a gift
horse in the mouth. If he was honest to himself, if Ares had just
appeared in front of him and whisked him off for dinner somewhere and
then expressed an interest with him, he would have jumped at the
chance and then he wouldn't have so many doubt either.


Joxer sighed; he preferred the direct approach. He'd rather Ares
appeared before him and asked him bluntly to `get it on' then having
to go through what Joxer personally believed was a charade. He sighed
taking another sip of wine, that wasn't his real concern though.
Laughable as it sounded, Joxer knew he was a very tactile, emotional
person. He could hide it well most of them time, barring the
incidents with his crush on Gabrielle, but he was worried if he spent
time with Ares whether it was just sex or not, that he would fall for
the god. Even if it was purely sex and that was only when Joxer saw
him.


He sipped some more wine. He always seemed to pick them. The ones he
liked weren't interested in him and were often interested in someone
else, and the ones he didn't like were all over him. Joxer knew Ares
was a god, his god in fact but he hoped he wouldn't start looking
through his mind while they were together, it would be extremely
difficult if he realized what Joxer was afraid of. Joxer knew that
the gods grew bored easily which was why they usually had brief
affairs with mortals and relationships with other gods, He knew he
was setting himself up for heartbreak but he also knew he would curse
himself until the day he died if he didn't take Ares up on his offer;
whether it was as a lover, sex-relief partner or whore.

********


Ares almost growled as he appeared at his home. He managed to
suppress it at the last moment and seeing the inviting tub stripped
off and sank into it. It took almost ten minutes for him to remember
about Joxer and jump out of the tub to search for him, but he had a
lot on his mind.


Everyone knew about the prophecy and everyone was preparing for it.
Persphone was down in the underworld where Zeus had firmly told
Demeter she would stay until after the baby's birth but Hades
generously had allowed her to visit whenever she wanted. Demeter
wasn't pleased in fact she was in a filthy mood and snarling at
everyone. Hestia was the only one who didn't seem to bothered, she
just kept repeating that `she would come around'.


Ares had already been to see Aphrodite and after 30 minutes with her
and Hephaestus had succeeded in creating the first symbol and left
the two of them to enthusiastically congratulate each other. They
hadn't really missed him anyway, they were so wrapped up in each
other at the moment which was a good thing, better that the child be
raised by them together then by him and Aphrodite separately. Anyone
else would be embarrassed by the quick in and out technique Ares had
displayed but then most would think Aphrodite would be upset and
Hephaestus fuming. The truth was he cared greatly for both of them
and he did often join them in bed but they loved each other, they
sometimes enjoyed playing games and being wild but they were meant
for each other, and so they weren't bothered when Ares left. As long
as he was all right and the baby was created, they went back to
showing each other that love.


Athena had apparently taken a surprising route. Somehow the fates
must have know that she and Posidrons son were interested in each
other but hadn't managed to take the first step either that or
destiny kicked in. As soon as Athena had found out, she'd squealed
startling Zeus whose nerves were slightly frayed, raced down to
Posidrons, grabbed the unprotesting Caplet and locked them both in
her temple.


Apollo was stopped from doing his usual rounds and told to
concentrate on Melpomene, apparently the muse of tragedy was said to
be the one recognized by the fates. Neither Apollo or Melpomene
seemed too worried about sleeping together nor creating a child, both
of them had slept together before and several of Melpomenes sisters
had had children so she knew she'd always have support. They were
enjoying practicing the creation of the symbol according to Urania
who apparently had waylaid Hermes and giggled at him for over half an
hour and raved on about the baby.


Poor Acelepious really could have done with his fathers help, Eris
had cornered him just after he heard the news and was still digesting
it. She'd screamed at him and tried to beat him down until Acelepious
had called out frantically for some help. When Zeus had appeared with
Demos and Phobos she'd taken one look, screamed at them all and
locked herself in her temple refusing to come out. Most of the gods
who were not trying to conceive were busy trying to get her out, all
except Hera who was trying to convince Ace not to take it personally.


Ares hadn't expected her to be pleased but he had to admit she had
become a little unstable after losing Strife, he had tried to talk to
her but had been rebuffed. The fates decided to get involved and told
Zeus that only two people could convince Eris, one was Acelepious,
the other Strife. Which is why a slightly annoyed Hades had sent
Strife too them before jumping back into bed with Persphone.


Unfortunately no one remembered to tell Strife that he was being
brought back and why, so Ares had been elected to try to orientate
him, which he had done very well, he thought. He'd scraped out all
the unnecessary information and got down to it. It was only when he
realized Strife had gone paler then normal that he worked on actually
communicating with his nephew. It had taken hours, Strife had told
Ares all about the underworld, the things he'd wanted to say before
he died, some of which weren't very favorable to Discord and the pain
he'd felt seeing Ares walk off leaving him to die alone.


The was the hardest and Ares knew even though Strife understood what
Ares had done for them he'd never understand why and how Ares could
have walked away and left him. In short Strife was feeling
unappreciated and unwanted and he wasn't bothered about anything to
do with the symbols.


Ares didn't expect Strife to forgive him but he did make some headway
when Strife admitted he had watched Ares and the others fighting for
his return. When Ares had tried to tell him how proud he was of
Strife and how much he cared for him, without coming across as too
sappy, Strife had just shrugged it off as if he saw himself as
something to be used and then discarded.


Which was something Ares couldn't convince his nephew of. He might
have been able to work Strife around and understand a little more but
even before Strife was killed his self-confidence hadn't been that
high, and when he was killed it had really taken a beating. Ares did
know the best person to convince Strife that he did matter and once
he saw his nephew starting to get strained he called his eldest son
to him.


Cupid had appeared in a flash, been stunned shocked and then pleased
to see Strife until he'd realized what an emotional wreck he was.
Then he'd glared at Ares despite knowing it wasn't his fault, grabbed
Strife and transported him away. Somehow Ares thought it would turn
out all right. Cupid and Strife had always been good for each other
and now they had the chance to prove it. He knew despite the twos
differences and Strife insecurity issues they would come out ahead.


He sank lower into the tub then cursed realizing that Joxer was
missing. He almost tripped as he vaulted out of the tub and strode
out onto the terrace as he tracked his soon to be lover. His anger
faded as he saw Joxer curled up peacefully asleep on the chair. Just
looking at the man made him realize why Xena and Gabrielle could
never be constantly annoyed with him. Slightly sunburnt Joxer slept
on as Ares watched him and moved closer, he had an extremely innocent
look about him as he nestled in the chair, just watching him made
Ares feel more relaxed.


A quick scan of Joxers body told him the fertility potion was already
working and the golden apple had worked. Slightly regretful at having
to wake him up and disturb the peaceful image Ares shook him gently.


Slowly Joxer woke up, at first he didn't seem to remember what was
gong on as he stared at Ares a slightly confused expression on his
face, then as reality kicked in he jumped up almost tripping over his
towel and began stammering out apologies. Ares couldn't abide the
stammering ramble of apologies and he did the one thing he knew would
quieten Joxer; he kissed him.


More startled then anything else, Joxer responded to the kiss. Slowly
he kissed Ares back before grabbing him closer and enthusiastically
exploring his mouth. Ares managed to stop himself from moaning as
Joxer teasingly nipped his lip. He was surprised and delighted at
Joxers response and leant in too deepen the kiss as Joxer pulled
away. Ares managed to hold his growl for the second time that day
when he realized Joxer was looking uncomfortably around him and
blushing deeply, not to mention sporting a considerable bulge under
his towel, Ares noted. He raised an eyebrow and smiled slightly as he
watched the blush deepen on Joxers face as his eyes traveled down
Ares body. "Like what you see?" he asked smiling again at the almost
scarlet Joxer.


"Yes, of course how could I not..." Joxer flushed "Could we go in
doors? I'm all for outside activities but its just here I'm a little
uncomfortable." He broke off an Ares grin widened into a smirk,
without waiting to see if the man would follow him he transported
them both into the bedroom and tumbled them to the bed giving Joxer
another passionate kiss.


Slightly breathless Joxer murmured "That works too." As he captured
Ares mouth with his own. Ares ground himself against Joxer, his
throbbing erection pressing into the soft towel and Joxer moaned, his
own cock desperately needing the friction. Joxer kept up the teasing
nips on Ares lip his hands winding around the neck as Ares's trailed
over his body.


Tearing himself away briefly and taking a breath to calm himself,
Ares stared down at the man beneath him. Joxers eyes were flushed and
he was trying, demanding even, Ares kiss as he tried to pull the god
back down. Ares pushed the hands away gently ignoring his pout. "Are
you a virgin Joxer?" He could have just looked but it seemed impolite
and he knew Joxer would tell him the truth anyway.


He did repress a grin as Joxer flushed a deep red and wriggled
awkwardly "Not exactly, no I mean I've been with girls and other guys
but not recently." He assured Ares unsure of how he would react. Then
blushed a deeper color "A friend told me I sort of was, she said
if you go three years without sex you become a virgin again, a reborn
one." He bit his lip, looking embarrassed.


Ares repressed a laugh, he knew what Joxer meant and t was true in
certain cases but not this one, still though Joxer looked adorable
when he was embarrassed and Ares was hoping to nail him into the
mattress.


He nodded pretending to consider it "I think Aphrodite told me
something like that..." he said "So how about we consider it true."
He murmured kissing Joxer until he moaned, one hand reached to caress
his cheek whilst the other moved lower to rub and taunt his nipple.

Joxer moaned slightly, thrusting slightly against Ares and almost
whimpering as his God pinned him down. "Definitely." He agreed
gasping out the words as Ares launched a fresh assault on his mouth.
Joxers hands stroked Ares back gripping slightly as Ares rained
kisses up his neck and along his earlobe. Joxer groaned, twisting his
neck to give Ares better access as he nipped and kissed up and down
Joxers neck.


Wanting to touch his lover, Joxer moved his hand down to stroke Ares
cock, slowly moving up and down it as the god nipped at his neck.
Slowly Joxer edged his hand further down and began to massage Ares
balls, using his thumb to rub the base of his cock.


Ares pulled back fast, and Joxer stared up at him pouting slightly,
his lips swollen. He opened his mouth to say something but didn't get
much of a chance. In an instant the towel was gone transported away
to who-knows-where by the aroused God.


Ares pulled back slightly to plant a kiss on the top of Joxers cock
which twitched slightly, a smile on his face he ran his hand slowly
up and down it, teasing Joxer as he Ares. Joxer whimpered slightly
and tried to thrust into Ares hand his body demanding attention.


He didn't have to wait long; Ares slowly ran one finger up and down
his cock, using his godly powers to coat it with lubricant just
before he reached Joxers small entrance. Joxer tensed slightly as
Ares flicked his finger over it and leant forward to kiss Joxer. He
slowly explored it, easing the finger inside until his knuckle
touched flesh. Slowly he moved it in and out until Joxer relaxed and
got used to it.


Joxer bit his lip slightly his hand moving down to his cock stroking
it slightly before Ares slapped it gently away. Joxer bit back a
groan; the sensations were nice but not enough. He suppressed a moan
as a second finger joined the first, continuing their slow torture.
He tried to stroke his cock again; frustration growing as Ares
slapped his hands away again.


Ares watched his lover, he was becoming impatient, his body craving
release and Joxer panted and pushed back against Ares fingers
demanding more. Ares grinned, Joxers eyes were closed, his face
flushed and pouting as he tried to push back on Ares fingers wanting
them to move further. He pushed the fingers in deeper and began
massaging Joxer from inside, scissoring them and rotating them around
inside the man.


Joxer groaned as Ares brushed his prostate lightly, the flush hitting
him for a moment. Ares grin widened, he wanted nothing more then to
thrust into Joxer but he still wasn't ready. Ares rotated his fingers
faster and faster, massaging Joxers prostate hard. He watched as his
lover whimpered and bucked underneath him, and with a groan began to
lube his cock.


He pulled out his fingers ignoring his lovers groan of frustration
and the pleading thrust of his hips and positioned himself at Joxers
entrance. Ares slowly eased in, thrusting ever so slightly as Joxer
continued to thrust against him. Ares had to clench his fists not to
thrust in hard and accidentally injure him.


Gripping Joxers hips, he gradually thrust in groaning slightly as
Joxer unconsciously tightened around him. Slowly he started to pull
out and then thrust hard gripping the mans hips tightly and pushing
his legs apart further.


Joxer shuddered, tightening harder against Ares and Ares released a
shaky breath. He slammed back into the man, Joxers legs tightened
around his waist and his back arched as he rose to meet Ares'
thrusts. Joxer could feel his body shuddering; all he needed was a
little friction. He opened his eyes, locking them with Ares, who
nodded. Joxer groaned in relief as his hand closed around his cock,
giving it a few hard jerks, he barely had time to do more before his
body gave out and he came.


Ares felt the warmth against his stomach and thrust harder, Joxers
moans and shudders driving him over the edge. With a loud groan, he
came, filling Joxer with his seed. He thrust a couple more times as
his erection died and promptly collapsed onto of his lover kissing
him softly.


The two lay entwined and panting, Joxer needing time to recover.
Ares decided he'd better keep practicing with Joxer at creating the
symbol. He couldn't sense whether it had worked or not and even if it
had he was determined to keep practicing, at least for a few weeks if
not more. He laughed at himself silently for not considering the man
as a potential lover before and determined not to let him go for
quite a while.