Bitter Sweet Drabbles
I'm working on the last part of Bitter Sweet but for now I've been writing a series of drabbles based on the fic which lead to the sequal fic.
Getting back into the swing of things:
~A few days day after Leonie’s birth~
“She’s really small….”
Ares frowns as he surveys his newest daughter. Not only was she at lot smaller then he expected, especially in comparison to some of the other babies but she was a lot lighter too. However much Godly power she’d inherited, Leonie was still just a baby though she was definitely catching on quickly; She’d shown a distinct lack of power since leaving the sanctuary of Joxer's womb. As he held her up, taking care to support her head, her feet mimicked walking movements, which fascinated the War God.
“I’m not sure if she’s spending too much energy crying and pooping or if she’s just pissed at us for taking her out.” Ares murmurs as he turns to Joxer, sensing the other man behind him.
“Probably annoyed, I have the feeling she’ll be as stubborn as you. “ Joxer winds his arms around Ares middle, “speaking of coming out and stubborn, Apollo agrees we can start reaffirming our relationship again.” He grins, nipping at Ares earlobe, “And whilst I’ll be the first to agree our daughter is fascinating and perfect, she’s getting a little grumpy and needs her sleep. Besides tonight I think I could do with being the one who gets all your attention.”
As if on cue the baby starts to fuss and Ares sets her carefully down but as she continues to fuss he moves to pick her up again, only to be interrupted by Joxer’s hand gripping his ass.
“Joxer?”
Ares closes his eyes biting back the groan as the hand moves around to his crotch. “You’ve made your point, bed now.”
On the trials and tribulations of Pets:
“That thing is a demon; it’s done more mischief in two months then any of you have done in a millennia- including Strife!” His rant over, Zeus dejectedly sets himself down next to Ares, blithely ignoring the breakfast he’s interrupted. “And your Mother prefers it me,” he adds in a mutter.
Luckily Zeus was concentrating too much on his own woes to catch the amused smile that came across Ares face. The War God was definitely tickled by the idea of his father having a rival for Hera’s affections; Ares knew that despite Zeus affairs he did truly care for Hera but it was a novel experience to see the King of the God’s acting in such a manner. It was an even more novel experience to see Zeus pouting about it.
“All babies have mischief in them, animal or human, Serenity’s no different but if it’s really that bad why not ask Strife to take a look at her. With the exception of mother and the children, he’s the only other person she’ll go to. Besides mischief is his job so if anyone can calm her down, he can.” Ares clapped Zeus on the back, as he stood up, intent on whipping up a new breakfast since the old had become congealed and unappetizing. Rolling his eyes at the long-suffering sigh from his father, Ares throws Joxer a regretful look as his lover walks into the dining area carrying their fretting daughter. Ares grimaces at another sigh from Zeus and with an apologetic look to Joxer, he sits back down next to Zeus.
Joxer can’t help the smile that comes over his face as he rocks Leonie, speaking softly to soothe her as he walks back out.
Ares turns to look at his father not understanding why his father has such a problem with the mystical cub, “So what’s the problem? Hera has a new pet and Serenity’s really taken to her,”
“Ha!” Zeus jumps to his feet cutting Ares off mid sentence, “That blasted cub is a menace! Not only does she hiss every time she thinks I’ve been…straying,” he blushes as he uses the word but shakes it off, keeping up his gruff demeanor, “but she seems to think she own the place. Every time I try to sit down or rest up she’s there, hissing at me and batting those wing things. No matter how many chairs, I create she’ll find a way to sit on the newest one. I made up four chairs yesterday, just so I had one to sit on and when I came back what did I find? The blasted animal had peed on everyone of them!”
Ares has to smother a laugh at that as he leans back, listening to his father continue the tirade he was sure would last at least another few decades.
“And Serenity, what kind of a name is that? Mischief, chaos or even evils incarnate but Serenity? Blasted thing keeps coughing up hairballs everywhere, which I’m sure she does on purpose, leaving them everywhere. When Hera’s there she all purrs and kissing up but when she leaves it’s another story. You know the worst of it all? Hera thinks it’s cute! Cute! I’ve had all my dress robes torn up this week not to mention my…” As Zeus rant continues, Ares decides that maybe Hera did know what she was doing by looking after the cub; after all jealousy is a great deterrent for a straying husband, even if it’s only of their pet.
Voyerism:
Groaning in frustration at Joxer’s lack of participation, Ares opens his eyes and peers down at his lover. Joxer, blatantly interrupted mid ‘job’ is now resting his head on Ares chest and blushing deeply. Ares wonders what could have his lover acting so coy when he hears the soft sound of a giggle. His eyes flicking to the end of their bed, Ares watches as his youngest daughter pulls herself to her feet; she sways slightly keeping a grip on the wooden rim of the cot, unable to keep her balance for to long. Just long enough to embarrass Joxer into stopping his delightful activities.
“Sorry Ares, I just can’t with her watching, you know,” Joxer sighs turning his face into Ares chest, “I know she doesn’t understand but it’s…” At a loss for the right word he lamely adds, “icky,”
“Icky?” Ares incredulous look says it all, “Joxer trust me when I say she can’t understand what we're doing and making love is now Icky?”
“No not making love, just with her there; standing and watching like it’s a game or something, I know she can’t see but they’re saying new stuff about babies all the time, Gabby told about some new scrolls on the subject. Not to mention how clued up she was from the womb, I just don’t want-” Joxer’s cheeks colour as Ares bends down to capture his mouth in a kiss, the War God having learnt long ago that it was the best way to silence his lover.
As their kiss deepens to a point where Ares can feel Joxer becoming aroused again, the War God nips at his lover lips-ever hopeful; “So back to where we were,” His gaze slyly moves down his body and Joxer gets the hint, following it with a trail of kisses. Groaning as Joxer’s talented mouth picks up where he left off, Ares thrusts into his lover’s mouth his eyes opening to watch his lover at play.
“Ah ha!” The tiny giggle immediately catches Ares attention and his erection wilts rapidly when he catches sight of Leonie's curious brown orbs fixed on them.
“I agree, either we give up on sex or get her a room of her own.”
Taking up where we left off:
“So what happened?” Joxer asks wide-eyed watching as Strife recounts his tale.
“Well ya know how Uncs Warlords an that like tah get all intah yer face and try tah boss you around,” At a quick glance at Joxers expression, Strife amends, “Well ah guess ya don’t. Still thar was this big guy, Gaidaros, he thinks he’s tha best of tha lot an he’s not above tryin tah piss me off. Remember how upset ah got towards the endah mah pregnancy?”
Joxer frowns as he thinks back and almost immediately it hits him, “You mean when you went through your…heavy stage?”
Strife rolls his eyes, “Ya the heavy stage, good on tha tact there Jox. Gaidaros seemed tah think I’d still be as weepy as ah was when ah carried Dami, so he poked mah belly,” Strife unconsciously runs his hand over his flat stomach, “And asked if ah’d been raidin Hestia’s kitchen. Than he told me tah come see him when I got in shape and he might consider me enough ova God an man tah listen to me.”
Joxer scowls, his eyes flashing in anger especially as he remembers how sensitive Strife was over his body. Even now when the God was back to his normal, gorgeous self, he still worried about his appearance. “What did you do?”
Strife tosses him an innocent look and replies sweetly, “Mah Job.” As a look of confusion sweeps over Joxer’s face he continues, “Gaidaros is way tah fond of his look if ya ask me. An much as his body is like Herc’s it dun make him more ova man but since he finks havin a baby makes me less of one ah decided to go wun bettah then normal.” He smirks looking decidedly satisfied, “Ya shud ah seen it Jox, ah gave him the biggest, perkiest boobs in all Greece.”
Joxer can’t help the snort of laughter that escapes his lips, “You gave him breasts?”
Strife nods smugly, “Ta rival even Dite’s. Funny thing was the git looked like he liked it, he was playin all day wi them. Ah thought he’d nevah come outta his tent,” his smirk grows, “only wan he did, he fand he wasn’t tha only one who liked em; see Cupe wasn’t happy either so he leant me a few of his enamour arrows an Bliss an me played target practice.”
Both Gods are unable straight faces by this point and neither bother to hold it in. Letting loose with peals of laughter, which shakes Ares temple, the last snorted out sentence Joxer can make out, is…
“Last ah saw he was atop Unc’s temple tryin tah beat them down when they got close.”
Beginnings and Ends:
Joxer grins as he adjusts the blanket around his squirming baby, despite her squawks of protest she soon settles down and he flashes them both down to the Underworld. It had taken a lot of pleading and cajoling, not to mention a large dose of manipulation from Ares and Strife, to convince Hades to give Joxer what he wanted; one afternoon with the shade of his once-mortal grandmother, so his daughter could meet her namesake and his grandmother could see how well he’d turned out.
He isn’t expected the vibrant tension in the room, which hits him the instant they flash in. Aphrodite was leaning against Cupid, seeming more fragile and lost then Joxer had ever seen her. Ares, whom Joxer hadn’t expected to see till the evening since he was immersed in the latest War, is glowering at the God of the Underworld who ‘s trying to appease him; despite everything he mutters to Ares, Hades doesn’t seem to be getting anywhere, Ares is furious though Joxer has no idea why. Joxer moves closer to the small group, close enough to see the still-wet tear tracks on Aphrodite’s face, which ruin her perfect makeup.
Sensing it’s not the right time to say anything he watches in silence as his furious lover flashes out, undoubtedly to find something for target practice and as Aphrodite starts to silently sob, Hades deep voice breaks the silence,
“Iolaus is dead.”
Funerals:
The funeral is meant to be a somber one; Hercules himself has refused any of the God’s attendance when he burns the funeral pyre for Iolaus. Only Aphrodite, who’s always been deeply fond of Iolaus, and Joxer, who’d been friends with him as a mortal, were allowed to attend. Hercules is enraged that neither Hades nor Zeus could or would return Iolaus to him. He has never asked them why; he has left that up to Ares, stepped down off his moral high horse and begged him, brother to brother to find out why. So whilst Hercules and the others said their good-byes, Ares stops hating his brother for long enough to actually do him one favor, and search for his dead love.
“You were my best friend, my brother and if I’d been any less of an idiot, my lover too.”
Joxer keeps one arm around Aphrodite as he listens to the soft words of the demigod. He’s never seen Hercules so lost and so weakened. The man’s hearts been shattered and it’s visible for all to see.
As Hercules lights the pyre, Joxer looks around the small group in attendance; Hercules, himself, Aphrodite, Xena and Gabrielle. Given that is was Iolaus who has died, he expected more had Hercules not kept the funerals location such a secret. Joxer is sure had everyone know there would have been many more mourners, mortal and Godly.
He holds Aphrodite closely feeling the pain in his own chest, he considers Iolaus a friend and a great man; Joxer knows Iolaus’ death will leave a great hole in his own, not to mention many other’s, lives. He stares into the flames wondering how one stray arrow could have such a devastating effect and comes to the unhappy conclusion;
Mortals are such fragile things.
Searching for answers:
Ares looks down at his half brother; normally seeing Hercules upset would be enough to put a smile on his face given their relationship, but seeing him this upset sets an unpleasant feeling in the God’s stomach. Hercules looks ill and dirty; he’s obviously neither eaten nor washed in the last few days and Ares is willing to hedge his bets that had their been a Tavern nearby the demigod would have been drunk off his arse.
“Not only are you pathetic but you stink too,”
Ares hauls his unprotesting brother up and flashes them to the nearest river, which he dumps the hapless hero in. His words are meant to be harsh only to get a reaction but when Hercules merely shivers in the cold water Ares know he’s too far gone; not even their usual taunting relationship is going to work.
Silently Ares sets about gently washing his brother and flashing clean clothes on him, though he’d blast anyone before admitting it, he’s worried about Hercules. As he’s trying to force Hercules to eat he doesn’t expect the soft words which come from the demigod,
“He came to me you know,”
Ares pauses, sitting next to Hercules and keeping eye contact. The sentence is the first the Hero’s spoken since Iolaus’ funeral, “Who? Who came to you Hercules?” Ares voice is surprisingly gentle given its usual gruffness with Hercules.
Hercules pauses, his eyes truthful as he speaks, “Iolaus. He came to me in a dream surrounded by a bright, white light and told me not to worry. He said when I was ready to accept and move on we’d meet again.” The Hero runs his hands through the grass, “He said I’d see him soon but they wanted me to understand about sacrifice first. It is all for the greater good.”
Ares eyes narrow, he isn’t sure whether Hercules speaks of a dream or whether it could be real; when Ares had tried to find out about Iolaus’ shade, Hades had denied it being in the Underworld and Zeus had denied knowing where it was. Ares had looked everywhere for Iolaus’ shade, even gone to see the Fates but they’d merely giggled and spoken of how Iolaus died, sacrificing himself to save others. Something about what the Fates had said tied in with Hercules words; sacrificing for the greater good….
Ares looks down at his now clean and silent brother, whatever his thoughts Hercules was in no shape to hear them. What was best for the Hero was sometime away from it all, and he knew the best place and the best people for it. One arm loops around Hercules and he flashes them to Olympus.
Getting back into the swing of things:
~A few days day after Leonie’s birth~
“She’s really small….”
Ares frowns as he surveys his newest daughter. Not only was she at lot smaller then he expected, especially in comparison to some of the other babies but she was a lot lighter too. However much Godly power she’d inherited, Leonie was still just a baby though she was definitely catching on quickly; She’d shown a distinct lack of power since leaving the sanctuary of Joxer's womb. As he held her up, taking care to support her head, her feet mimicked walking movements, which fascinated the War God.
“I’m not sure if she’s spending too much energy crying and pooping or if she’s just pissed at us for taking her out.” Ares murmurs as he turns to Joxer, sensing the other man behind him.
“Probably annoyed, I have the feeling she’ll be as stubborn as you. “ Joxer winds his arms around Ares middle, “speaking of coming out and stubborn, Apollo agrees we can start reaffirming our relationship again.” He grins, nipping at Ares earlobe, “And whilst I’ll be the first to agree our daughter is fascinating and perfect, she’s getting a little grumpy and needs her sleep. Besides tonight I think I could do with being the one who gets all your attention.”
As if on cue the baby starts to fuss and Ares sets her carefully down but as she continues to fuss he moves to pick her up again, only to be interrupted by Joxer’s hand gripping his ass.
“Joxer?”
Ares closes his eyes biting back the groan as the hand moves around to his crotch. “You’ve made your point, bed now.”
On the trials and tribulations of Pets:
“That thing is a demon; it’s done more mischief in two months then any of you have done in a millennia- including Strife!” His rant over, Zeus dejectedly sets himself down next to Ares, blithely ignoring the breakfast he’s interrupted. “And your Mother prefers it me,” he adds in a mutter.
Luckily Zeus was concentrating too much on his own woes to catch the amused smile that came across Ares face. The War God was definitely tickled by the idea of his father having a rival for Hera’s affections; Ares knew that despite Zeus affairs he did truly care for Hera but it was a novel experience to see the King of the God’s acting in such a manner. It was an even more novel experience to see Zeus pouting about it.
“All babies have mischief in them, animal or human, Serenity’s no different but if it’s really that bad why not ask Strife to take a look at her. With the exception of mother and the children, he’s the only other person she’ll go to. Besides mischief is his job so if anyone can calm her down, he can.” Ares clapped Zeus on the back, as he stood up, intent on whipping up a new breakfast since the old had become congealed and unappetizing. Rolling his eyes at the long-suffering sigh from his father, Ares throws Joxer a regretful look as his lover walks into the dining area carrying their fretting daughter. Ares grimaces at another sigh from Zeus and with an apologetic look to Joxer, he sits back down next to Zeus.
Joxer can’t help the smile that comes over his face as he rocks Leonie, speaking softly to soothe her as he walks back out.
Ares turns to look at his father not understanding why his father has such a problem with the mystical cub, “So what’s the problem? Hera has a new pet and Serenity’s really taken to her,”
“Ha!” Zeus jumps to his feet cutting Ares off mid sentence, “That blasted cub is a menace! Not only does she hiss every time she thinks I’ve been…straying,” he blushes as he uses the word but shakes it off, keeping up his gruff demeanor, “but she seems to think she own the place. Every time I try to sit down or rest up she’s there, hissing at me and batting those wing things. No matter how many chairs, I create she’ll find a way to sit on the newest one. I made up four chairs yesterday, just so I had one to sit on and when I came back what did I find? The blasted animal had peed on everyone of them!”
Ares has to smother a laugh at that as he leans back, listening to his father continue the tirade he was sure would last at least another few decades.
“And Serenity, what kind of a name is that? Mischief, chaos or even evils incarnate but Serenity? Blasted thing keeps coughing up hairballs everywhere, which I’m sure she does on purpose, leaving them everywhere. When Hera’s there she all purrs and kissing up but when she leaves it’s another story. You know the worst of it all? Hera thinks it’s cute! Cute! I’ve had all my dress robes torn up this week not to mention my…” As Zeus rant continues, Ares decides that maybe Hera did know what she was doing by looking after the cub; after all jealousy is a great deterrent for a straying husband, even if it’s only of their pet.
Voyerism:
Groaning in frustration at Joxer’s lack of participation, Ares opens his eyes and peers down at his lover. Joxer, blatantly interrupted mid ‘job’ is now resting his head on Ares chest and blushing deeply. Ares wonders what could have his lover acting so coy when he hears the soft sound of a giggle. His eyes flicking to the end of their bed, Ares watches as his youngest daughter pulls herself to her feet; she sways slightly keeping a grip on the wooden rim of the cot, unable to keep her balance for to long. Just long enough to embarrass Joxer into stopping his delightful activities.
“Sorry Ares, I just can’t with her watching, you know,” Joxer sighs turning his face into Ares chest, “I know she doesn’t understand but it’s…” At a loss for the right word he lamely adds, “icky,”
“Icky?” Ares incredulous look says it all, “Joxer trust me when I say she can’t understand what we're doing and making love is now Icky?”
“No not making love, just with her there; standing and watching like it’s a game or something, I know she can’t see but they’re saying new stuff about babies all the time, Gabby told about some new scrolls on the subject. Not to mention how clued up she was from the womb, I just don’t want-” Joxer’s cheeks colour as Ares bends down to capture his mouth in a kiss, the War God having learnt long ago that it was the best way to silence his lover.
As their kiss deepens to a point where Ares can feel Joxer becoming aroused again, the War God nips at his lover lips-ever hopeful; “So back to where we were,” His gaze slyly moves down his body and Joxer gets the hint, following it with a trail of kisses. Groaning as Joxer’s talented mouth picks up where he left off, Ares thrusts into his lover’s mouth his eyes opening to watch his lover at play.
“Ah ha!” The tiny giggle immediately catches Ares attention and his erection wilts rapidly when he catches sight of Leonie's curious brown orbs fixed on them.
“I agree, either we give up on sex or get her a room of her own.”
Taking up where we left off:
“So what happened?” Joxer asks wide-eyed watching as Strife recounts his tale.
“Well ya know how Uncs Warlords an that like tah get all intah yer face and try tah boss you around,” At a quick glance at Joxers expression, Strife amends, “Well ah guess ya don’t. Still thar was this big guy, Gaidaros, he thinks he’s tha best of tha lot an he’s not above tryin tah piss me off. Remember how upset ah got towards the endah mah pregnancy?”
Joxer frowns as he thinks back and almost immediately it hits him, “You mean when you went through your…heavy stage?”
Strife rolls his eyes, “Ya the heavy stage, good on tha tact there Jox. Gaidaros seemed tah think I’d still be as weepy as ah was when ah carried Dami, so he poked mah belly,” Strife unconsciously runs his hand over his flat stomach, “And asked if ah’d been raidin Hestia’s kitchen. Than he told me tah come see him when I got in shape and he might consider me enough ova God an man tah listen to me.”
Joxer scowls, his eyes flashing in anger especially as he remembers how sensitive Strife was over his body. Even now when the God was back to his normal, gorgeous self, he still worried about his appearance. “What did you do?”
Strife tosses him an innocent look and replies sweetly, “Mah Job.” As a look of confusion sweeps over Joxer’s face he continues, “Gaidaros is way tah fond of his look if ya ask me. An much as his body is like Herc’s it dun make him more ova man but since he finks havin a baby makes me less of one ah decided to go wun bettah then normal.” He smirks looking decidedly satisfied, “Ya shud ah seen it Jox, ah gave him the biggest, perkiest boobs in all Greece.”
Joxer can’t help the snort of laughter that escapes his lips, “You gave him breasts?”
Strife nods smugly, “Ta rival even Dite’s. Funny thing was the git looked like he liked it, he was playin all day wi them. Ah thought he’d nevah come outta his tent,” his smirk grows, “only wan he did, he fand he wasn’t tha only one who liked em; see Cupe wasn’t happy either so he leant me a few of his enamour arrows an Bliss an me played target practice.”
Both Gods are unable straight faces by this point and neither bother to hold it in. Letting loose with peals of laughter, which shakes Ares temple, the last snorted out sentence Joxer can make out, is…
“Last ah saw he was atop Unc’s temple tryin tah beat them down when they got close.”
Beginnings and Ends:
Joxer grins as he adjusts the blanket around his squirming baby, despite her squawks of protest she soon settles down and he flashes them both down to the Underworld. It had taken a lot of pleading and cajoling, not to mention a large dose of manipulation from Ares and Strife, to convince Hades to give Joxer what he wanted; one afternoon with the shade of his once-mortal grandmother, so his daughter could meet her namesake and his grandmother could see how well he’d turned out.
He isn’t expected the vibrant tension in the room, which hits him the instant they flash in. Aphrodite was leaning against Cupid, seeming more fragile and lost then Joxer had ever seen her. Ares, whom Joxer hadn’t expected to see till the evening since he was immersed in the latest War, is glowering at the God of the Underworld who ‘s trying to appease him; despite everything he mutters to Ares, Hades doesn’t seem to be getting anywhere, Ares is furious though Joxer has no idea why. Joxer moves closer to the small group, close enough to see the still-wet tear tracks on Aphrodite’s face, which ruin her perfect makeup.
Sensing it’s not the right time to say anything he watches in silence as his furious lover flashes out, undoubtedly to find something for target practice and as Aphrodite starts to silently sob, Hades deep voice breaks the silence,
“Iolaus is dead.”
Funerals:
The funeral is meant to be a somber one; Hercules himself has refused any of the God’s attendance when he burns the funeral pyre for Iolaus. Only Aphrodite, who’s always been deeply fond of Iolaus, and Joxer, who’d been friends with him as a mortal, were allowed to attend. Hercules is enraged that neither Hades nor Zeus could or would return Iolaus to him. He has never asked them why; he has left that up to Ares, stepped down off his moral high horse and begged him, brother to brother to find out why. So whilst Hercules and the others said their good-byes, Ares stops hating his brother for long enough to actually do him one favor, and search for his dead love.
“You were my best friend, my brother and if I’d been any less of an idiot, my lover too.”
Joxer keeps one arm around Aphrodite as he listens to the soft words of the demigod. He’s never seen Hercules so lost and so weakened. The man’s hearts been shattered and it’s visible for all to see.
As Hercules lights the pyre, Joxer looks around the small group in attendance; Hercules, himself, Aphrodite, Xena and Gabrielle. Given that is was Iolaus who has died, he expected more had Hercules not kept the funerals location such a secret. Joxer is sure had everyone know there would have been many more mourners, mortal and Godly.
He holds Aphrodite closely feeling the pain in his own chest, he considers Iolaus a friend and a great man; Joxer knows Iolaus’ death will leave a great hole in his own, not to mention many other’s, lives. He stares into the flames wondering how one stray arrow could have such a devastating effect and comes to the unhappy conclusion;
Mortals are such fragile things.
Searching for answers:
Ares looks down at his half brother; normally seeing Hercules upset would be enough to put a smile on his face given their relationship, but seeing him this upset sets an unpleasant feeling in the God’s stomach. Hercules looks ill and dirty; he’s obviously neither eaten nor washed in the last few days and Ares is willing to hedge his bets that had their been a Tavern nearby the demigod would have been drunk off his arse.
“Not only are you pathetic but you stink too,”
Ares hauls his unprotesting brother up and flashes them to the nearest river, which he dumps the hapless hero in. His words are meant to be harsh only to get a reaction but when Hercules merely shivers in the cold water Ares know he’s too far gone; not even their usual taunting relationship is going to work.
Silently Ares sets about gently washing his brother and flashing clean clothes on him, though he’d blast anyone before admitting it, he’s worried about Hercules. As he’s trying to force Hercules to eat he doesn’t expect the soft words which come from the demigod,
“He came to me you know,”
Ares pauses, sitting next to Hercules and keeping eye contact. The sentence is the first the Hero’s spoken since Iolaus’ funeral, “Who? Who came to you Hercules?” Ares voice is surprisingly gentle given its usual gruffness with Hercules.
Hercules pauses, his eyes truthful as he speaks, “Iolaus. He came to me in a dream surrounded by a bright, white light and told me not to worry. He said when I was ready to accept and move on we’d meet again.” The Hero runs his hands through the grass, “He said I’d see him soon but they wanted me to understand about sacrifice first. It is all for the greater good.”
Ares eyes narrow, he isn’t sure whether Hercules speaks of a dream or whether it could be real; when Ares had tried to find out about Iolaus’ shade, Hades had denied it being in the Underworld and Zeus had denied knowing where it was. Ares had looked everywhere for Iolaus’ shade, even gone to see the Fates but they’d merely giggled and spoken of how Iolaus died, sacrificing himself to save others. Something about what the Fates had said tied in with Hercules words; sacrificing for the greater good….
Ares looks down at his now clean and silent brother, whatever his thoughts Hercules was in no shape to hear them. What was best for the Hero was sometime away from it all, and he knew the best place and the best people for it. One arm loops around Hercules and he flashes them to Olympus.