By Summer Rain

Disclaimer: The characters portrayed here belong to MCA/Universal. No monetary units have exchanged hands for this story.

It had become a ritual of late. Iolaus would find some woman he wanted to be alone with and Hercules would go off and mope. Alone.

When they were between villages and simply traveling together he could forget about the outside world and lose himself in the companionship of his best friend. This time alone that he had with Iolaus made him almost forget the pain.

They could never be alone for long though. Eventually they stumbled upon another village or they would meet someone on their journey who would need his help.

Then the cycle would begin again. Iolaus would find some woman he was interested in and Hercules would sit alone, loving Iolaus from afar. The pain almost more than he could bear, until the next time that he traveled with Iolaus when he was allowed to forget again.

Hercules was so engrossed in his thoughts that he did not notice the shadowy figure creeping in behind him until it was upon him. He reacted instinctively, jumping up and grabbing the person to hold the other man still. His eyes widened when he realized who he was holding and he released him and crossed his arms over his chest to stare at the other man.

"Hi Hercules. Why did you grab me like that?" the other man said, wincing slightly rubbing his arms where Hercules had gripped him.

"Sorry, but you snuck up on me. It was a reflex" Hercules said as he sat back down.

"Oh well, reflexes are good. Lucky for you my warrior instincts didn't get the best of me, you could have gotten hurt" Joxer said.

"Yeah, lucky for me" Hercules said, hiding the small smile that played on his face by turning back towards the water. The smile turned into a sigh that he could not stop from escaping.

He felt as Joxer came to stand next to him for a moment before kneeling besides him. He turned to look into Joxer's concerned face.

"What's wrong Hercules? Did you lose a battle or something?" Joxer asked. He could see Hercules was in a strange mood and he didn't know what to make of it.

"No I didn't lose a battle" Hercules answered while thinking to himself that he had indeed lost a battle, the battle of his heart. Iolaus had won that battle without even trying.

"Well then what's wrong Hercules? Is there something I could help you out with?" Joxer asked.

Hercules looked at him speculatively. He supposed he could tell Joxer what was going on. After all, the situation couldn't get much worse could it?

"It's nothing Joxer really it's just..." Hercules took a deep breath "I'm in love with someone, this guy..." he looked over at Joxer to see his response but Joxer merely nodded signaling for him to continue "Okay, I'm in love with this guy but I don't think he feels the same way about me"

"Have you asked him or are you just guessing?" Joxer asked.

"No I haven't asked him. The thing is he has no clue about how I feel. It would come as a complete shock to him. I've tried hinting to him bringing it up in conversation in a round about way but he doesn't seem to realize what I'm getting at" Hercules said, turning to look back over the water.

It was unfortunate that he chose that moment to turn away because that was when the full impact of what Hercules was saying showed on Joxer's face.

"Uh, don't worry Hercules. I'm sure things will work out" Joxer stood up carefully and began to move off stopping before he left to glance back at Hercules who was looking at him, bewildered at his sudden departure.

Hercules shook his head as Joxer ran off. *Well, he was certainly a lot of help* he thought to himself.

Joxer traveled quickly to the nearby village. He looked around knowing that if Hercules was there then most likely Iolaus was around as well. He dodged a sword fight along the way. He was tempted to take sides, his warrior instincts calling to him but at the moment there were more pressing matters. He found Iolaus sitting by himself the a tavern staring miserably into a mug of ale.

"Iolaus!"

Iolaus' head whipped up at his name being called out. He smiled slightly when he saw who it was.

"Hi Joxer" he said, sputtering slightly as Joxer picked up Iolaus' mug and took a swig of ale.

"Hi. Sorry. Thanks." Joxer said as he sat down heavily across from Iolaus a still shocked expression on his face.

"What is wrong Joxer, you look like you have seen a cyclops or something" Iolaus said, looking around even as he said so in case there was indeed a cyclops about.

"No, it's not that. I've just been talking to Hercules. I don't know what to do.." Joxer trailed off.

At the mention of Hercules' name, Iolaus grimaced slightly.

"What happened? Is Hercules in some kind of trouble?" Iolaus asked.

"No, no nothing like that. It's just that we were talking and...Hercules admitted that he was in love with me!"

Iolaus just stared in shock not even noticing when the mug of ale he had been about to drink from, slipped from his hand and fell crashing to the floor.

Hercules approached Joxer who sat unknowingly at the table after Iolaus had excused himself and run off, leaving a bewildered Joxer behind.

He sat down and stared into Joxer's eyes forcefully.

"I can not deny my feelings any longer Joxer. You are the one I have always loved" he announced.

Joxer jumped up knocking over the chair he had been sitting on, totally flustered by the outright admission of love. He left the establishment quickly, he needed time to think and he could not do that with Hercules so close by.

"Joxer!"

Joxer almost jumped three feet in the air when he heard his name called, he turned to see Hercules quickening his pace to catch up with him. He quickened his pace in response but wasn't watching where he was going. He turned around just in time to see the vendor's stall he was about to impact.

The next thing he knew he was on the ground, in darkness. He panicked for a moment until he felt strong hands lifting him off of the ground. The darkness lifted with the removal of the basket that had been covering his head. The first thing he saw was the face of Hercules so close to his own.

Hercules took hold of his arm and pulled him along to an inn where he had apparently secured lodging. Joxer was so flustered by the overwhelming presence of Hercules, that he did not think to resist until he found himself in the room alone with Hercules who smiled broadly at him.

He took a deep breath and straightened, removing his arm from Hercules' grasp and straightening his armor.

"Hercules" Joxer, winced as his voice came out as a squeak. He cleared his throat and began again in a deeper voice.

"Hercules, as much as I am flattered by this I must tell you that nothing can come of it" he said.

He found himself backing away nervously as Hercules took a step forward wearing an expression that could only be described as a leer.

He felt himself begin to shake as Hercules reached out and brushed a hand over his jaw.

"Why do you resist love, Joxer?" Hercules asked

Joxer found himself realizing that it was extremely difficult to talk when someone was looking at you as if they hungered and you were the first meal they would have in days. The look on Hercules' face was one that said 'make no mistake, I _will_ ravish you'.

"Hercules, I am a warrior. A warrior has no time for love" he said, not even trying to cover for the squeaking of his voice this time.

"You are right. You are a warrior. You are fierce." Hercules said. With each sentence he advanced more and more on Joxer until Joxer found himself pinned against the wall by the son of Zeus.

"Tell me Joxer.." Hercules said his hot breath tickling Joxer's ear "...are all of your parts as...fierce?" he asked as he reached under Joxer's top to squeeze at the hardness underneath.

Joxer didn't know how it happened but the next thing he knew he was on a mat, naked with the son of Zeus leaning over him and kissing him so hard he was sure it was going to leave bruises.

He gasped as Hercules stretched out over him, leaning on his elbows so that his weight did not fully rest on Joxer but enough so that there erections were pressed together.

Joxer's eyes widened as he felt Hercules' tongue press against his mouth, demanding admittance. He groaned helplessly, caught up in the heat of the moment and parted his lips, desire sparking in him tenfold as Hercules' tongue entered his mouth and began it's exploration.

He gasped as Hercules began to move against him. Hercules' tongue thrust against his own, keeping the same rhythm as his thrusts against Joxer's body.

The sensation of skin against skin and the delicious friction caused by the thrusting was too much. Joxer tried to hold on but couldn't. What felt like a white hot flame spread through his body finally concentrating at his groin. His essence shot from his body, shouting Hercules' name as it did so.

"Hercules!"

Iolaus blinked, disoriented for a moment as he came out of the daydream/nightmare he had been having. He looked hurriedly in front of him to make sure Joxer was still sitting there.

He sighed in relief. He was still sitting at the table with Iolaus and a worker was next to him cleaning the floor where he had dropped the mug of ale. He smiled apologetically to her before looking back at Joxer. He was being silly. Hercules and Joxer? It would never happen he was sure of it.

"Why are you calling Hercules' name?" He asked.

"He's at the doorway. What do I do?" Joxer said nervously.

Before, Iolaus could answer Hercules had reached their table.

"Joxer, why did you...." he stopped when he saw who Joxer was sitting with and smiled nervously.

Iolaus didn't know what to make of the nervous smile until Hercules spoke his next words.

"What are you doing here?" Hercules asked

Iolaus had to stop the gasp that threatened to escape as he realized that Hercules didn't want him there. He had probably come in search of Joxer to express his undying love. Iolaus' daydream of before played in his mind and he stood up quickly.

"I just came in for a drink, but I'm leaving now" he looked back and forth from Joxer to Hercules.

"Have a nice life" he said, turning quickly to hide his face and rushing out of the room.

Hercules' stood dumbfounded in the middle of the room staring after Iolaus' retreating figure, trying to figure out what just went wrong.

Hercules approached Joxer who sat unknowingly at the table after Iolaus had excused himself and run off, leaving a bewildered Joxer behind.

He sat down and stared into Joxer's eyes forcefully.

"I can not deny my feelings any longer Joxer. You are the one I have always loved" he announced.

Joxer jumped up knocking over the chair he had been sitting on, totally flustered by the outright admission of love. He left the establishment quickly, he needed time to think and he could not do that with Hercules so close by.

"Joxer!"

Joxer almost jumped three feet in the air when he heard his name called, he turned to see Hercules quickening his pace to catch up with him. He quickened his pace in response but wasn't watching where he was going. He turned around just in time to see the vendor's stall he was about to impact.

The next thing he knew he was on the ground, in darkness. He panicked for a moment until he felt strong hands lifting him off of the ground. The darkness lifted with the removal of the basket that had been covering his head. The first thing he saw was the face of Hercules so close to his own.

Hercules took hold of his arm and pulled him along to an inn where he had apparently secured lodging. Joxer was so flustered by the overwhelming presence of Hercules, that he did not think to resist until he found himself in the room alone with Hercules who smiled broadly at him.

He took a deep breath and straightened, removing his arm from Hercules' grasp and straightening his armor.

"Hercules" Joxer, winced as his voice came out as a squeak. He cleared his throat and began again in a deeper voice.

"Hercules, as much as I am flattered by this I must tell you that nothing can come of it" he said. He found himself backing away nervously as Hercules took a step forward wearing an expression that could only be described as a leer.

He felt himself begin to shake as Hercules reached out and brushed a hand over his jaw.

"Why do you resist love, Joxer?" Hercules asked

Joxer found himself realizing that it was extremely difficult to talk when someone was looking at you as if they hungered and you were the first meal they would have in days. The look on Hercules' face was one that said 'make no mistake, I _will_ ravish you'.

"Hercules, I am a warrior. A warrior has no time for love" he said, not even trying to cover for the squeaking of his voice this time.

"You are right. You are a warrior. You are fierce." Hercules said. With each sentence he advanced more and more on Joxer until Joxer found himself pinned against the wall by the son of Zeus.

"Tell me Joxer.." Hercules said his hot breath tickling Joxer's ear "...are all of your parts as...fierce?" he asked as he reached under Joxer's top to squeeze at the hardness underneath.

Joxer didn't know how it happened but the next thing he knew he was on a mat, naked with the son of Zeus leaning over him and kissing him so hard he was sure it was going to leave bruises.

He gasped as Hercules stretched out over him, leaning on his elbows so that his weight did not fully rest on Joxer but enough so that there erections were pressed together.

Joxer's eyes widened as he felt Hercules' tongue press against his mouth, demanding admittance. He groaned helplessly, caught up in the heat of the moment and parted his lips, desire sparking in him tenfold as Hercules' tongue entered his mouth and began it's exploration.

He gasped as Hercules began to move against him. Hercules' tongue thrust against his own, keeping the same rhythm as his thrusts against Joxer's body.

The sensation of skin against skin and the delicious friction caused by the thrusting was too much. Joxer tried to hold on but couldn't. What felt like a white hot flame spread through his body finally concentrating at his groin. His essence shot from his body, shouting Hercules' name as it did so.

"Hercules!"

Iolaus blinked, disoriented for a moment as he came out of the daydream/nightmare he had been having. He looked hurriedly in front of him to make sure Joxer was still sitting there.

He sighed in relief. He was still sitting at the table with Iolaus and a worker was next to him cleaning the floor where he had dropped the mug of ale. He smiled apologetically to her before looking back at Joxer. He was being silly. Hercules and Joxer? It would never happen he was sure of it.

"Why are you calling Hercules' name?" He asked.

"He's at the doorway. What do I do?" Joxer said nervously.

Before, Iolaus could answer Hercules had reached their table.

"Joxer, why did you...." he stopped when he saw who Joxer was sitting with and smiled nervously.

Iolaus didn't know what to make of the nervous smile until Hercules spoke his next words.

"What are you doing here?" Hercules asked

Iolaus had to stop the gasp that threatened to escape as he realized that Hercules didn't want him there. He had probably come in search of Joxer to express his undying love. Iolaus' daydream of before played in his mind and he stood up quickly.

"I just came in for a drink, but I'm leaving now" he looked back and forth from Joxer to Hercules.

"Have a nice life" he said, turning quickly to hide his face and rushing out of the room.

Hercules' stood dumbfounded in the middle of the room staring after Iolaus' retreating figure, trying to figure out what just went wrong.

Iolaus rushed outside not even knowing where he was walking. Truth be told, he didn't care. He snapped out of his thoughts when he bumped into an older woman, who glared at him as he apologized profusely.

He began to take deep breaths, trying to calm down before he alienated all the town folk by knocking into them. It was then that he realized he was carrying nothing with him in the way of provisions. He turned when he noticed a group of vendors and made his way over so that he could stock up on provisions for his journey. He didn't know where he was going and it didn't matter so long as he got away from Hercules.

He was buying wine and bread from a merchant when the mention of Hercules caught his attention. There was a man chatting to the vendor next to him and Iolaus listened in to see what they were saying.

"It's true I tell ya. My cousin heard from his friend's brother's friend that Hercules has declared his love for Joxer" the merchant said.

"But Hercules and Joxer, who could ever imagine such a thing?"

"I know, but it is true. Who knows what the fates have in store for us after all. If they are meant to be together then so be it" the Merchant said, shaking his head in disbelief.

"There he is now" the other man whispered.

Iolaus' head snapped up to see Hercules walking in his direction. He paid the woman not even bothering to wait for change and walked away briskly, trying to ignore Hercules.

Hercules followed after Iolaus. It had taken him a moment before to recover over Iolaus walking out of his life. But he came out of it resolving to find out from Iolaus what was going on and to beg for forgiveness if need be.

His heart clenched in sadness when he saw how Iolaus increased his pace to get away from him. He sped up too knowing Iolaus could not outdistance his longer gait.

Iolaus turned around to check for Hercules' location only to see that he was right behind him and reaching forward to grasp his arm. He was to surprised at Hercules' nearness and so did not evade him when he grasped him.

"Iolaus.." Hercules stopped. Now that he had Iolaus he wasn't quite sure what to say.

"Hercules, let me go" Iolaus said, once he had recovered.

"No, not until you tell me what is going on" Hercules said, confusion making it's way into his voice.

"Nothing, I just... Look, why don't you go back to Joxer, isn't that where you belong?" Iolaus said, wrenching his arm from Hercules grasp and running off.

Hercules stepped forward as if to follow but turned back around, eyes narrowed towards the tavern. He didn't know what was going on here but he knew he would get no answer from Iolaus who seemed to be wrapped up in his own pain. If he was going to get any answers it would have to be from Joxer.

He made his way back to the tavern where Joxer still sat nursing his ale.

"Hercules" Joxer exclaimed, greeting him with a silly smile on his face.

"Joxer, do you have any idea what is going on with Iolaus?" Hercules asked in exasperation.

"Iolaus?" Joxer, asked in confusion. He had thought Hercules had come to discuss their future together so why was he asking about Iolaus?

"Yes, he was practically running to get away from me. Said I should be back here with you where I belong" Hercules said.

"Oh, I guess because I told him that you loved me" Joxer said thoughtfully.

"You what?!?"

"I told him about you talking to me earlier, about hinting to someone that you loved them. I naturally assumed that...." Joxer's voice faded away at the incredulous look on Hercules' face as the impact of what Joxer was saying hit him.

No wonder Iolaus had run from him. He thought he was in love with Joxer. Hercules would not deny that Joxer was handsome in his own way but there was absolutely no comparison to Iolaus. Iolaus was his best friend, the other half of his soul. The only one who knew the true Hercules. Not the Hercules who was the son of a god, defender of those who could not defend themselves. Iolaus knew Hercules the man.

Hercules was not about to let him walk away all over a ludicrous misunderstanding.

He spared Joxer another look, thinking to himself *Why me* before running out of the tavern again in search of his soul mate.

Hercules ran in the direction that Iolaus had been heading. There were less and less people milling about and then eventually there was no on simply the forest spreading out before him. He had to assume that Iolaus was somewhere in there, now the problem would be finding him.

He looked around and shook his head. Iolaus had left clear tracks behind. Broken branches signaled where he had gone crashing through not watching where he was going. There was upturned dirt where Iolaus stumbled around in the forest. Now he knew Iolaus was really distraught, he knew better than to leave such obvious tracks behind him. Hercules increased his pace, Iolaus had about a 15 minute head start on him. Just enough time to get hurt if he didn't watch where he was going. If he ran at full speed he should be able to catch him.

Hercules crashed through behind him until he was stopped by five men that jumped out from behind the trees. Had he not been so distracted he might have been aware of their presence before, but as it stood he was not paying attention

Iolaus was running blindly, not knowing where he was going. In too much pain to care really.

*Hercules and Joxer, can life get any worse?* he thought to himself as he went crashing through the trees.

Branches whipped against him snagging in his clothes. He had seen before a path through the forest made by years of people traveling along the same area. He didn't want to use the path though. He didn't want to bump into any other people. He just wanted to be alone.

He felt so empty. Mentally he reviewed the events that had led to this, emotionally he reviewed nothing. He felt nothing...except a desire to escape.

He slowed down, his aching lungs forcing him to stop and catch his breath. It was when he stopped and looked around that he realized he didn't know where he was going. He had no plan. He shook his head at the thought that he had been crashing through the trees like a madman, not even staying on the path for protection.

He sat down, leaning against a tree for support trying to figure out what to do next. His mind was still whirling but calmed down as he drew in deep breaths trying to bring his body under control. It was almost worse for him though. As his body wound down his emotions kicked in.

Despair and loneliness kicked in. He did not fight them, he knew they were destined to become his constant companions. After all without Hercules in his life what else was there. Nothing. That was the answer. Even beyond losing out on love, he had lost his best friend. He could always go back with his tail between his legs and fight by Hercules' side once again but he knew it would be just be a pretense. There was no way he could act normally around Hercules....and Joxer.

He sighed and rested his head back against the tree and closed his eyes letting his mind calm and his emotions run over him. It was in that stillness that he heard the shout and then the sounds of struggle.

He sat up abruptly and listened again, the sounds were coming from the direction he had just come from. He stood and sighed, shaking his head. It sounded as if someone was in trouble. He turned and ran back, reflecting on the irony that he was going back to where he started from.

He did not have to run far before coming upon the source of the sounds of struggle. His heart clenched as he saw Hercules groggily standing, blood trickling down his face from a wound above his eyebrow.

Around him stood five men, one of them with a club in his hand. Iolaus saw that the end of the club was stained red with blood. It was fitting, as he began to see red as the anger coursed through him that they had dared to hurt Hercules.

Iolaus ran forward and jumped on the back of the man holding the club and the others turned around in shock when the man yelped. None of them had heard Iolaus coming since they were so focused on taunting Hercules.

They rushed forward and just as they reached him Iolaus yanked on the man's hair painfully causing him to turn and knock the other's over with the outstretched club in one fell swoop.

They got up again, each clutching their sides. They raised their swords and sprang forward, Iolaus slipping off the man's back suddenly and using him for cover. His own mates ran the man through in their desire to get him out of the way so they could get at Iolaus.

Iolaus grabbed the fallen man's club narrowly missing the sword that swung for his side by jumping back. He looked quickly behind the men to see Hercules shaking his head as if trying to clear it. He had to buy some time as Hercules was obviously hurt.

"We don't want to fight you. Just give us your money and we will let you be on your way" the man closest to him said.

"Right! That is why you clubbed my friend over there, most likely before he had a chance to react" Iolaus said, eyes narrowing as they moved to surround him. He realized that he had to take the offensive. Merely waiting for them to attack would give them time to completely surround him and then all would be lost.

He moved back nervously watching as the thief closest to him laughed and advanced on him recklessly, he drove forward and caught the man in his head. He barely had time to see the man go down in surprise before the next man was upon him.

This man was tougher and was not going to be fooled as easily. Iolaus watched from the corner of his eye as one of the other men moved behind him. He could feel the man breathing heavily behind him and thrust forward suddenly. There was no where for him to go! If he moved forward the man before him would run him through, moving back meant the man behind him could do the same. He could not even hazard a guess as to what the third man was planning.

He braced himself, hoping that the stab would not run deep and would leave him enough strength to fight when he heard the man behind him grunt in surprise. The expected jab did not come from behind but the man in front of him thrust forward. He was able to bat the sword thrust away with the club which was almost sliced in two by the impact. He picked the sword up of the man who had fallen before and jumped back trusting the grunt from the man behind meant he had fallen and was no longer there.

Thrust and parry, it was endless. Iolaus jumped away missing a vicious attack and found himself facing where Hercules had stood shaking his head groggily before, except now he saw Hercules fighting the other two thieves that were left. Iolaus saw however that Hercules' was having troubles, his strength flagging. What was once a trickle of blood before had turned into a steady run.

Iolaus doubled his attack against his opponent. He had to rid himself of this man if he was going to help Hercules. He heard his opponent shout out instruction to his partners and realized that this might be the leader of the group. Perhaps if he could defeat him the others would give up the attack.

The man was distracted giving the others his orders and Iolaus chose that moment to sweep his leg under him, bringing his sword up against the man's neck as the man lay sprawled against the ground.

Time stopped as everyone involved turned towards Iolaus seeing what he would do next. The other two thieves stood glancing uncertainly towards their leader as if waiting for some sign as to what to do. Hercules just stood trying to catch his breath, trying to keep aware enough and not sink to his knees as he wanted to.

"Tell them to drop their swords" Iolaus said.

The other man's defiant stare angered Iolaus and he pressed the sword to the other man's neck. Just tightly enough to cause a line of droplets of blood to form on his neck but not hard enough to really make him bleed.

"Okay, okay. You win." the man said, trying to press further in to the hard ground underneath him to get away from the sword pressed against his neck.

Iolaus eased up only slightly and looked out of the corner of his eye at the other two. They still had their swords drawn.

"Tell them to drop their swords" Iolaus side to the man on the ground.

"Drop them...drop them!" the man said.

Iolaus watched as they lay their swords down and Hercules picked them up. He eased the sword off of the man and stepped back, allowing the man to stand and back away.

"Go! If any of you come near us again I won't hesitate to kill you" Iolaus said, hoping he sounded convincing.

The men ran off, not daring to retaliate without any weapons, leaving Hercules and Iolaus alone.

Hercules gave a small smile to Iolaus, watching him warily to see if he would run off again. Iolaus however, merely walked over to him silently and placed Hercules' arm on his shoulder so that Hercules could lean on him. He turned them around towards the village and they made their way back slowly.

There was none of the usual bantering that would have accompanied them traveling together. Hercules was still feeling the pain from the gash on his face and was also wary of breaking the uneasy truce of sorts that had developed between himself and Iolaus.

Iolaus for his part did not speak because he did not trust himself to speak. All he wanted to do was declare his undying love and pledge to always watch Hercules' back but why should he say that? Hercules was with someone else and there was nothing he could do that would change that. He was still Hercules' friend though and always would be even if they could not be together so he would stay by Hercules' just for now. Just until he knew Hercules was safe.

They came upon the village and made their way over to an inn. Iolaus asked for the room for the night. Iolaus would watch over Hercules this night and be gone in the morning before Hercules' woke. That way there wouldn't be any need for long good-byes or guilty looks.

Iolaus paid for the room and he walked Hercules up the stairs, glad that Hercules was merely shaken and not unconscious because there was no way he could have coped with Hercules in that state.

He set Hercules on the bed and brought a cloth moistened with water from a bowl on the small table in the room and brought it up to wipe the blood from Hercules' face as Hercules lay on the bed apparently asleep already.

Hercules let Iolaus tend to the wound. It really didn't hurt much anymore but he didn't want to stop Iolaus from what he was doing, afraid to move let alone speak lest it send the other man running.

Iolaus wiped the wound clean and then stared at Hercules' features trying to memorize them, knowing that it didn't really matter because he could never forget that face anyway. That strong jaw, the warm blue eyes that could make you feel so right. The shoulder length hair that he longed to reach out and touch. The bronzed skin and the fine lines around the eyes. Eyes that held laughter even as they had seen more than their share of pain.

Hercules' eyes were closed but Iolaus didn't need to see them, they were clear enough in his mind. Eyes that were always warm when directed at him, he had even imagined they held more than friendship at one time or another.

*Looks like I was wrong. I was just imagining things* he thought to himself as he turned away sighing.

He moved to get up when he felt his arm caught in a strong grip preventing him from rising from the bed.

"Wha.." Iolaus began, startled to see Hercules very much awake holding on to him.

"Don't leave, Iolaus" Hercules said, letting his emotions show through his gaze.

Iolaus stared back at him confused for a moment. He shivered at the heat in the look Hercules turned on him. He snatched his arm away from Hercules' grip and turned his face away, taking a deep breath as he did so.

"Hercules..You and Joxer.."

"Iolaus..."

"Wait Hercules let me finish." Iolaus said, his voice wavering for a moment. He wanted to wish Hercules the best in the future and leave. He didn't know how much longer he could resist the urge to throw himself on Hercules' body and offer himself to him. Bad enough that he was imagining that Hercules was looking at him *that* way.

Hercules watched as his friend tried to regain his composure.

Iolaus took a deep breath and stared at the bed not daring to raise his eyes to meet Hercules' gaze.

"Hercules...Joxer came and told me that...I just want you to know that no matter what I'll always be your friend a-and I-I'm h-happy for you"

"Liar" Hercules whispered, a small smile on his face as well as in his voice.

Iolaus looked up startled to see Hercules smiling and jumped up from where he sat on the bad and headed for the door.

Hercules stood as well, reaching out for Iolaus' arm clutching at him, not willing to let him run away again.

"Your laughing at me" Iolaus accused him, sounding hurt and confused as he faced away from Hercules.

Hercules reached up to grasp Iolaus' shoulder and turned him gently around. "I'm not laughing at you. Not really Iolaus" Hercules said.

"Then what?" Iolaus asked, gazing up at him confusion on his eyes, body tingling from the nearness of Hercules.

"Us. We have both been denying our feelings for so long. Neither of us willing to believe that the other one could feel the same way. We even let Joxer come between us" Hercules said.

Iolaus stared up into the warm eyes before pulling away and stepping back.

Hercules let him go knowing he did not mean to run, he simply needed distance.

"Hercules. I need to know for certain. Do you mean that...Are you saying that?"

"Am I saying that I love you?" Hercules finished for him.

Iolaus nodded and held still as Hercules moved forward and placed his hands on his arms.

"Yes Iolaus. I love you. I don't and never have loved Joxer. I only love you. It's always been you" Hercules said leaning forward to brush his lips softly against Iolaus'.

Iolaus felt like jumping up and running through the village and letting everyone know that Hercules loved him. He wanted to let the world know. Then again he was not willing to leave the haven of Hercules' arms.

He pressed his body against Hercules' and changed the kiss from the soft brushing of lips to something deeper. He wanted to convey his feelings through the kiss. He wanted to give himself to Hercules through the kiss.

Hercules moaned and pulled him tighter as if trying to meld their bodies together, to make them one as he fell backwards onto the bed. Iolaus falling with him to lay on top of him, never breaking the kiss.

Hercules kissed all over Iolaus' face, growling as he felt Iolaus' erection grind against his own as Iolaus squirmed above him.

He stood them both up again, planting a hard kiss against Iolaus' mouth to still the protest Iolaus was about to make about the separation of their bodies.

He smiled down at Iolaus and began to remove his own clothes slowly. Iolaus stared at Hercules for a moment, licking his lips subconsciously before realizing that he should disrobe as well.

He took off his clothing in record time and watched as Hercules pulled his pants down. Well muscled flesh being revealed to him. Iolaus licked his lips again as Hercules engorged cock stood at attention. The head leaking fluid. He reached out tentatively looking up into Hercules' face.

Hercules smiled his permission. The smile turned into a gasp as Iolaus' hand engulfed him.

Iolaus was in heaven. To be able to touch that which he though would be denied to him. He gazed upon the magnificent body before him. He had seen Hercules naked before of course but this was different. No longer was he afraid to touch. He leaned forward and licked at the bronzed chest before nipping gently at the nipple. He heard Hercules gasp and gasped in surprise when Hercules pulled him away from him.

He had no time to question Hercules' actions however as Hercules turned him and pushed him backwards so that he lay on the bed.

Hercules looked down at Iolaus and Iolaus felt himself overwhelmed at the depth of emotion he saw held in those eyes. To think those emotions were there for him!

He was overwhelmed for an entirely different reason when Hercules lay over him, careful to support his weight just enough so as not to crush the smaller man but not so much that it stopped contact between their groins.

Hercules moved against Iolaus slowly, hoping to draw this out. But his body betrayed him, it demanded completion. It demanded him to surrender himself to the man writhing against him.

His thrusts came faster and faster. His thoughts spinning out of control. All of a sudden he felt Iolaus stiffen against him and felt the warmth of Iolaus essence as it spread between them.

Hercules gave one last thrust before hearing Iolaus whisper something to him.

"Hercules, let go for me"

Hercules shuddered as his own seed spilled between them and mingled with Iolaus own as he gave into his best friend and now lover's request.

He awoke later to the feel of a hard chest beneath his cheek and a hand caressing his hair. He smiled and snuggled closer to the body pressed against him.

"I love you" he said.

"I love you too" Iolaus said stopping his caress for a moment.

He smiled as he felt Hercules snuggle against him and fall asleep again. He bent his head to place a soft kiss on the top of Hercules' head and brought his arm around Hercules' shoulder.

"I love you too" he said again softly as he joined his love in sleep.

THE END