By kirasmommy

Disclaimer: The auther does not own the characters from Hercules: the Legendary Journeys. Those characters belong to MCA/Universal and were used without permission. No copyright infringement intended and no money was made.

"I'm bored, Herc. Bored bored bored bored bored and bored." Said Iolaus in a sing-song voice.

"So what you're saying is you might be a little bit bored." Smiled Hercules.

"Just slightly," Iolaus responded sarcastically.

"Well what do you suggest, we are still a day away from the nearest town." Hercules had to admit that he was a little bored himself.

"Weeelllll it's almost time to camp let's just camp here and we can tell stories to one another."

"Well don't that sound tame, are you serious?" Herc asked with a slight grin.

"What can I say? I'm bored and there is nothing else to do."

The two men went about making camp and eating their evening meal before finally laying down for the evening.

"Well tell me a story," said Iolaus.

"You were serious?"

"Yeah tell me a story. I'm still bored you know."

"I wouldn't know where to begin."

"Okay, How about this? I hear tell that there are deserts popping up around the world now do you have any idea why this is, after all you talk to the Gods all the time."

Hercules looked a little sheepish and turned to Iolaus. "Now Iolaus I don't like to gossip."

"So there is something going on. Come on give." Iolaus said as he came over to sit by Hercules.

"Listen it's really none of our business."

Iolaus' eyes twinkled now. "Oh all you've done now is make me all the more curious. Tell me now or I will never leave you alone."

"Oh alright it's like this," Hercules leaned closer to Iolaus with a grin. "You remember Hephaestus and Aphrodite are an item right? Right. Okay well a certain other god who shall remain nameless," he said with a grin, "started to take an interest in Aphrodite and tried to 'woo' her from Hep. He even went so far as to give her some land that he kinda owns, Some of it very beautiful, anyway, he gives it to her and Hep found out. He went ballistic."

"I bet he did. He has a real temper," chuckled Iolaus almost nose to nose with Hercules.

"Yeah, and being the God of Fire he used his powers and whoosh, deserts!"

"Whoa, what did Aphrodite say about it?"

"Not much really she isn't into land so much as she is into waves, and besides she, believe it or not, is really faithfull when she is with someone she loves."

"Well that's good to hear her being the Goddess of Love and everything," laughed Iolaus.

"Okay now you," said Hercules wrapping his blanket around himself shivering slightly.

"What?"

"Now you, remember the deal was to tell one another a story, now it's your turn."

"Oh okay, jeez it's getting chilly."

Hercules opened his blanket up a little and wrapped Iolaus in it also.

"Thanks, buddy," smiling faintly with a blush as he turned his head away.

"Well go on I told you the latest god oriented gossip and now it's your turn to tell me a story."

"Okay, I know these two guys right? Right, anyway one of them fell in love and got married. Nice wedding, nice wife, eventually had a couple of kids the whole sheebang. And his buddy was happy for him because he had gotten married at some point too. So here's these two guys totally happy with their life until BANG! Their families die."

"How sad, very familiar tho, go on," said Hercules with a look.

"Anyway these guys start traveling together..."

"And let me guess they have adventures together," Hercules interrupted.

"Yeah have you heard this before?"

"Could be, but go on." said Hercules leaning closer.

"Well as I was saying they go on adventures together and meet all sorts of people until finally one of them gets married again, and it really upsets his friend."

"It upset him? Why?" Asked Hercules a little a taken back.

"Because he discovered he was jealous of her, He didn't want his friend to be with her. Then she died and it really upset the first guy and then the second guy felt bad because he sorta wished she would die and when she did..."

"He felt responsible?" Asked Hercules as he put his arm around Iolaus. "Iolaus you didn't make her die, and besides I told you she's alive now but she doesn't know me."

"I know that. Anyway he still felt bad because he realized that he would never be happy for his friend no matter who he chooses to marry."

"Why?" Asked Hercules looking deeply into Iolaus' eyes and leaning down further till their noses almost touched.

"Because he wouldn't be happy unless the person his friend chose was him."

"Ah I see, well I guess the only real choice he has is to be his friend's chosen." Said Hercules as he kissed Iolaus.

"I love you too Iolaus."

"I love you Hercules."

"I think I have an idea on how to alleviate your boredom for the rest of the night."

Iolaus smiled as Hercules took him into his arms. "Tonight and everynight?"

"Yes for the rest of our lives."

THE END

E-mail the author at kira@q-com.com