Blind Justice

Chapter 5:

The pounding was what made him aware that he was alive. His head felt like it was about to explode! He let out a faint groan and almost jumped a feet in the air wen he felt a hand on his forehead. Well Joxer would have, if he hadn’t been in so much pain.

“Owch”

The hand on his forehead disappeared only to move to his neck. Lifting him gently and pressing a cool cup to his lips.

/Hum... feels familiar... / the tangy concoction slid down with out much effort. He falls back against his pillow, sighing as he felt his head ache disappear. He almost whimpered in relief. But he bit his tongue has he finally placed the scent from the hand that helped him. Leather, woods and believe it or not a tang of lemon.

“Ares ... “he breathed out. A deep chuckle was heard true the room.

“How did you know? “ Ares asked the still dazed man. His brown eyes ones more seemed to sparkle with light, as they before had been flat and dark with worry. He halted his hand just quarter of an inch above Joxers cheek.

//Get a grip Ares! Control yourself.//

“You smell like leather, woods and lemon…. “Joxer drifted of to sleep before he could add /and I could recognise your chuckle anywhere... /.

Ares pulled the cover up over his sleeping friend. //yeah right buddy, keep telling yourself that! // His inner voice sounded allot like Dite. Ares shock his head and smirked. //I must be going Crazy! //

***
For 3 day Joxer drifted in and out of sleep, his head needing to heal. He seemed pretty coherent wen he spoke to Apollo or Ares. Psyche had looked him over as well, and said that she could not sense any “scars” on his psyche from the intrusion. They all had breathed a sigh of relief wen that had happened.

Ares went back to his duties, ones more trying to push down the feeling he was having for the mortal. Still his mind slipped back to the mortal recuperating in his bed, at any time of inactivity. So he kept his mind busy.

***
Joxer was seated in the large bed. He was now coherent and awake most of the day.
He always seemed to have fallen asleep when Ares came back home. And he never seemed to be awake as the God left.

He sighed and leaned deeper into the down pillows that he rested against. He missed the war god’s easy companionship. He missed how they had spent time together in the cave. Joxer sighed. He was in love with his god. He knew that, he had been carrying a torch for the dashing being for years. But spending whole days together, it made him se more then just the sexy war god.

//my life... my future… but he will never know that … he does not feel what I feel… // he sighs and pushed the blankets of his legs. He needed to get up and move. Settling on the edge of the bed he took a breath and stood on shaking legs. He was afraid to stand, because he knew that his legs would be weak from being bedridden for so long. Without his sight he felt like he was walking into a void.

He grappled on the wall closest to his bed. Finding his walking stick, still standing there, were Psyche told him that she had left it. He breathed a sigh of relief and took a step forward. His knee’s feel like they were about to buckle. Taking a firmer grip on his staff he used it to support his weight.

After a few steps his gait was surer and less wobbly. He smiled to himself and started to feel his way out the door of the bedroom. He started to get familiar with the temple, moving slowly from room to room. Sometimes he bumped into people, furniture and things. Absentmindedly humming a tune he had heard somewhere long ago. The tune had been stuck in his head for days, for no apparent reason.

“By the god’s bloodied floor, by the just ones hallowed doors…. “He whispered into the air of the temple. He found his way into different chambers. Stumbling into a torture chamber, a study… before finding the exit to the gardens. He could tell it was the gardens, or at least a door to the outside, because of the sunshine warming his skin. He found that the stone steps out into the garden made a quite comfortable perch. He took a deep breath. Magnolia blossoms, olive three’s, and roses mixed together in an absolutely breathtaking mix. He sighed deeply and leaned back on his hands. Tilting his face up against the sun. It didn’t warm as much as it did back in the valley.

“I thought I might find you here … “A deep familiar voice, spoke from behind him.

…

Ares had been standing watching Joxer for a few minutes. He allowed his eyes to drink in the sight of the lithe body, the beautiful brown hair, and his golden eyes. He repressed a naughty shiver, as he thought about what he wanted to do to that body.

He had been fighting the urge to spend time with the young mortal. He had told himself that he was needed elsewhere. He had for days called himself a complete fool. Leaving before the break of dawn and had not come home until he was sure Joxer was asleep. He had spent hours gazing down into Joxers face, desperately trying to find something. Something to explain, why he felt so captivated by the mortal.

He had not discovered any answer in the mans face. Nor in his body, he was ashamed to admit that he had sneaked a peek during the mortals bath.

“I thought I Might find you here … “ Ares walked closer to Joxer , and took a seat beside the mortal on the steps. “.. Wen I found the bed room empty.”

Joxers smile could light up a room. His sightless eyes seemed to sparkle in the gentle sunlight of Olympus.

“Well you see Ares , I was going crazy just laying in bed. I am used to walking around you know.”

Ares smiled and unconsciously leaned closer to Joxer. He licked his lips, stopping a inch from Joxers lips. Holding his breath , he froze indecisive for a bare moment.

“Ares?” Joxers voice was faint , and held a questioning note to it.

It was Joxers sweet voice that spurred him into action. Closing the gap between them , capturing Joxers lips with his own. The motion was made in a almost involuntary fashion. He lost control of his head for a brief moment, and followed his heart.

Joxer’s eyes widen as he felt lips descent on his own. The shock kept him from responding, for a small window of time.

/What are you doing man , the god of your dreams are kissing you! kiss him back you fool!/

Listening to his inner voice he melted into the kiss , parting his lips for Ares questioning tongue. A small whimper escaped him as Ares plundered his mouth.

The sound of that whimper , was what snapped Ares out of his passion. He was panting for breath , his eyes closed as the kiss replayed over and over in his head. His voice was rough as he whispered to Joxer.

“I’m sorry… “ Before disappearing with a rush of air.

Joxers eyes widens as Ares disappears. He sits there for a while, like he was cast in stone. Only the breath leaving his body, told the tale if he was alive or dead.

// why did he run , did he make a mistake ? was it pity that made him kiss me ? or .. what did I do wrong , something I must have done. What did he mean by ‘I’m sorry?’ . Was he sorry we kissed , or was he sorry for some other strange reason?//

All those thoughts was running true his head. Giving him a bit of a headache. Standing up on shaking legs he walked back into the temple. All the way he was fighting tears. He knew you who to call , sure that she would help him. How he was not sure jet. But he was sure that he would figure it out.

By the time he had got back to his room , and gathered what small amount of worldly things he had. He was sure of what he would do. And he was sure of just who would help him.

“Aphrodite?” he whispered into the air. Barely 30 seconds later the air around him filled with the scent of the love goddess perfume.

“What’s the matter Joxie? My boys been bad towards you?” Her voice was cheerful as always but with a under tone of worry.

“NO ! “ Joxer almost screamed, “ They have been great.. very nice and welcoming. But… I can’t stay , could you please return me to the mortal realm?” His voice was soft , and Afrodite, as a love goddess , could feel the heart break coming of him in wawes.

(Oh Ares what have you done?) “Sure thing sweetums!” She snakes her arms around Joxers waist. “Where too Joxie?”


The ones so jokeable warrior smiled at the goddess that embraced him.

“Athens… were this mess started.. “