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Omnium enim rerum principia parva sunt.
(The beginnings of all things are small.)
- Cicero, De Finibus. Bk. v, ch. 21, sec. 58.
 

Part 1

Now this was a drawback he hadn't considered.

Autolycus cursed under his breath as he failed for the fifth time to "persuade" the lock to open. He'd been at this now for what must have been at least a quarter of an hour. That was a personal record and one he wasn't exactly proud of. He couldn't give up though, not after this long. Now it'd become a matter of pride that he accomplish this.

Taking a deep breath to steady himself Autolycus concentrated on the lock. It was a fairly simple one. He didn't need to be all that creative with it -- although his language was certainly taking a creative turn the longer he kept at this. The simplicity of the lock was a further affront to his pride and only made him try that much harder.

The intense concentration paid off a few interminably long minutes later when a small clicking sound announced his success.

"Well, it's aout time," he muttered to himself as he slid the lockpick back inside his vest.

Fortunately the hinges on the shutters were well-oiled so they made no noise when Autolycus pushed them inwards. Peering over the windowsill he couldn't make out much of anything inside the building which didn't help. He needed to make certain no one saw him entering the place. That was a mistake he really didn't want to make. Not here. Listening for a few moments didn't produce any results. It sounded quiet enough but that didn't mean anything without visual confirmation.

Taking a chance Autolycus levered himself up onto the windowsill and looked around inside. There wasn't much to see. The sunlight coming in from the open window showed clearly the deserted corridor below, but he knew he couldn't count on things to remain that way. He had to get moving if he wanted to pull this off. Of course "wanted" wasn't quite the operative word here -- he had to do this. He'd committed himself the moment he'd begun tampering with that damn lock.

"Committed." He thought the choice of words quite appropriate -- and pretty funny. He couldn't suppress the laugh that rose up but he managed to clap his hands over his mouth in time to muffle it. Unfortunately the quick move upset his balance. Before he could even attempt to regain it he was falling.

The marble was rather hard but thankfully he didn't make all that much noise when he hit it -- "thankful" being a somewhat relative term right then. He'd have some serious bruises on his backside later. Shaking his head in a vain attempt to try and clear it, Autolycus picked himself up off of the temple floor and looked around in indecision.

He stood in a narrow corridor with closed doors at each end. That gave him two obvious choices and figuring one was as good as another he stumbled off to the right end of the corridor. After a few paces he managed to find enough balance to straighten out his walk. Kind of.

A man had to be either certifiably insane or totally blitzed to attempt a robbery in one of Ares' temples, and the King of Thieves was quite sane. Under any other circumstances he wouldn't have gone near anything having to with the God of War. The Fates, however, had dictated that Autolycus be in the tavern of a nearby town having a quiet drink -- okay, make that a few drinks -- when some of the locals decided to discuss the topic of the solid gold broadsword some warlord had recently given as an offering at the temple.

The men in the tavern -- and Autolycus fully agreed with them -- figured that the warlord was a first-class idiot. Gold was the worst possible metal to use for weaponry. It looked pretty enough but it was too soft. The sword was useless for anything save decoration and what would the God of War need with a decorative sword?

According to the men Ares had yet to put in an appearance at the temple. The general opinion was that when the god did show he would be less than pleased with the gift. That warlord was probably living on borrowed time.

After listening to that kind of talk for a while Autolycus had suddenly discovered the urge to take up religion. After a few more drinks he'd begun to consider it something of a sacred obligation to "liberate" the sword. It wasn't like it would be missed, he reasoned. In fact he'd be doing everyone involved a great service by making it disappear. Ares wouldn't want it; he'd probably just throw it away or something. Besides that, if the sword disappeared the warlord's life would be safe -- at least until the next time he decided to do something stupid -- and it would all be thanks to Autolycus. After thinking that through the King of Thieves had been feeling decidedly noble.

By the time Autolycus had stumbled out of the tavern late in the afternoon, he'd been completely convinced that it was his destiny to take possession of that sword. The temple had only been about a league away and it hadn't taken long to reach it -- thanks to the horse he'd just happened to find back in town.

Now as he made his way along the corridor he'd started to think that just maybe the beer back in that tavern had been a little stronger than he could handle. His coordination was almost nonexistent and he'd also begun to suspect that his judgment was impaired. The lethal-looking weapons hanging on the walls to either side of him were doing a great deal to reinforce that suspicion, but it wasn't enough to make him give up.

That was another problem. His pride had been putting in a far greater appearance than usual. No doubt another result of what the tavernkeeper had been passing off as beer. Thinking back on it Autolycus became more and more convinced that whatever he'd been drinking had been as close to pure alcohol as you could get. That would certainly explain why he'd ceased being able to taste anything after the first mug of that stuff.

A grin crept onto his face as he thought about what would happen if he could get Hercules over to that tavern. After a few drinks of whatever that stuff had been, Autolycus felt certain the demigod would be much more fun to be around. Even if Hercules passed out he would still be more entertaining than he was now.

The mental picture that presented was enough to once again require Autolycus to clamp his hands over his mouth to keep from laughing aloud. A minute or so later after that bout of humor had passed, he did his best to refocus on the task at hand. Considering his condition, he'd need every bit of concentration he could muster just to keep from making a simple mistake.

Once he made it to the end of the corridor he spent a few moments leaning against the door there, waiting for things to settle down in his head. Walking would be difficult if he couldn't get the floor to stop tilting on him. Once the world looked as steady as it would likely get, he studied the latch holding the door closed.

How convenient. He just had to slide back the bolt and the door would open. There was a chance that there were priests or guards or something on the inside but he didn't figure the risk was all that great since the door had been bolted from the outside.

Autolycus hoped that he had the right room. He didn't think he was in any shape to be exploring the entire temple. He'd be caught for sure if he did that.

The bolt slid back easily but then he discovered that he'd forgotten one little fact. He was still leaning hard against the door. It swung inward quickly and Autolycus suddenly found himself getting better acquainted with the black marble of the floor.

"Ouch," he muttered, his voice muffled against the hard surface.

He really hoped he hadn't broken his nose. He'd have to go have it set properly so it didn't mar his looks and assuming he could find a decent healer that would cost him more than he had on him at the moment. Of course when he had the sword he wouldn't have to worry about money for a while.

Pushing himself up onto his forearms Autolycus was gratified not to see any blood. Apparently he'd just have one more set of bruises come tomorrow. He could live with that.

The unexpected rattle of chains immediately drew his attention away from his appearance. Looking up, Autolycus frowned when he saw the room he'd stumbled into.

He'd seen the inside of enough temples to know that this wasn't what he'd been looking for. Offerings would be left in the main room of the temple and this small place definitely didn't fit that description. However, the exact purpose of this room escaped him.

It was dimly lit by two torches on opposite walls. There were no windows to be seen and the door he'd fallen through appeared to be the only one there. Instead of the edged weapons that lined the corridor walls, various other items were in evidence here. Different types of whips were hung on the back wall along with a number of metal implements he didn't recognize and he was pretty certain he didn't want to either.

"Well if it isn't Autolycus, the King of Thieves."

The sarcastic voice drew Autolycus' attention from the wall down to the altar near the back of the room where a very naked young man sat watching him with a bemused expression. Naked and actually, rather cute with all that smooth, unmarked skin, pretty mouth, firm ass -- Autolycus couldn't believe he'd just thought that. He knew drinking had impaired his judgment but this was pushing it.

"So whatchya doing here?" the pale man asked casually as though none of this was out of the ordinary.

"Me? Oh, I was just admiring the stonemasonry. Great quality marble you got here." Autolycus rapped his knuckles on the floor, smiling lopsidedly. "So, um, you know me?" He couldn't help the pride that shown through in his tone.

"Heard of you. Couple of my relatives talk about you a lot. Think they wanna whack you pretty bad," the other man replied with a wicked grin.

"Oh. Wonderful." Autolycus' smile disappeared and he pushed himself up into a sitting position. He needed to get on his feet and get out of there. Cute or not, this guy seemed like trouble.

"Hey, chill for a sec, okay? I got no problem with you. In fact I'm thinking this is my lucky day." The young man held up his hands, revealing a set of manacles locked around his wrists. "I don't got the key. Dig?"

Gripping the edge of the heavy wooden door Autolycus managed to pull himself to his feet without falling over as the world seemed to spin around him. It was difficult to think straight and even more difficult to do it with any semblance of logic but he was trying.

This was Ares' temple. The door had been locked from the outside. This guy was chained up -- or at least his wrists were. It sounded reasonable to assume that the young man was a prisoner of some sort. But if that was the case then why did he seem so unconcerned about it? Unless he wasn't a prisoner and this was something else entirely. But there was only one other reason Autolycus could think of, and although he wasn't into that kind of thing, he thought he could understand the appeal when it involved a good-looking piece like this -- whoa!

That was it. He decided right then that he wasn't going to so much as glance at another drink again. But he had to be sure about his suspicions before he left. Maybe the man really did need help.

"What's going on here?" Autolycus asked.

The other man rolled his eyes. "Well if you must pry...."

"Oh, I must. I must," Autolycus assured him.

"Fine. Just close the door before someone else walks in. 'Kay?"

It was a good idea. Autolycus didn't need anyone else discovering him. He didn't think he was in any shape to fight one of the temple priestesses let alone one of the guards. He took a moment to make sure he wasn't going to fall again the first time he moved. Then, satisfied that he could function with some semblance of normality he pushed the door shut. Seeing that there was a bolt on the inside he slid it home for added safety.

"So what's all this about?" Autolycus asked as he leaned back against the door. It was much easier to do that then to continuously fight to keep his balance.

"I thought it'd be way fun to come here with someone and mess with some of Ares' toys, but my 'friend' bailed on me and left me like this," the young man said as he ineffectually yanked at the short chain linking the manacles together.

"Lemme get this straight. You thought this would be fun?" Even with his suspicions confirmed, Autolycus couldn't believe he'd heard that. "You've got a really twisted idea of what qualifies as entertainment."

"Oh, and you can talk?" The young man said defensively. "At least I'm not stupid enough to try and steal something from Ares! That is what you're here for, right?"

"Hey! Never call me stupid." Autolycus realized that his ego was putting in some serious overtime but again he couldn't seem to curb it. "I'm the King of Thieves and I know exactly what I'm doing!" He pushed away from the door as he spoke; standing up straighter in an attempt to look more dignified. Instead he lost his balance and once again found himself with an up-close view of the floor.

"Oh, man, you're like totally wasted!" The young man groaned in disbelief and disappointment. "This's just fucking great! I'm screwed!"

Autolycus looked and saw the other man, his head in his hands, muttering under his breath.

"--can't believe this's happening! The Fates are such bitches! Why'd I let him put these things on me anyway?! Knew Hephaestus made them...."

Autolycus tuned him out as he got back on his feet. At first he was a bit unsteady but after a few seconds he found what was passing for his balance at the moment.

"Hephaestus made those manacles?" he asked.

"Why d'you think I can't get outta them?" the young man replied in a depressed tone. "No one who's wearing them gets outta them on their own."

"Really? Does it work on gods too?" Autolycus could see a number of profitable possibilities for something like that if it could bind a god.

The other man looked back up and stared at Autolycus. "Ye-ah." He drew the word out while giving Autolycus a strange look. When Autolycus just continued to stare blankly at him he shook his head and continued. "Takes away a god's powers. That's why Ares had them made. Heard he likes to use them on Discord."

"That's more than I needed to know," Autolycus said with a grimace of disgust. "But I guess Ares would notice if they went missing, huh?"

"Does the word 'duh' hold any meaning for you?"

Autolycus didn't bother responding to that, mostly because it didn't hold any meaning for him. Actually he was having trouble understanding even half of what the young man was saying and he didn't think he'd fare much better sober. The guy may have been something of a babe, but Autolycus hadn't encountered anyone who spoke this strangely before and he wasn't sure what to make of him.

"What's your name, kid?" He decided to start there. He could ask the guy about his origins later.

"Kid?" The young man looked at Autolycus incredulously. "You really don't know, do you?" His eyebrows went up when Autolycus shook his head. "In that case, call me Nysus."

"Uh-huh." Autolycus didn't believe him but it wasn't anything to argue over. One name was as good as another at the moment. However, there were a couple questions he needed truthful answers to.

"Okay, 'Nysus'; you know way too much about what goes on around here. What's your connection with Ares?"

"I work for him, but like I told you before I don't got a problem with you. I'm not gonna go calling for the guards the instant you get me outta these things. I'm not supposed to be in here either, know what I mean?"

Autolycus nodded. "Is Ares around here anywhere?"

"Nope. He's off at some war with Discord. Don't think they'll be back for days."

Autolycus couldn't help but sigh in relief at that. There was always the chance that Nysus was lying but it didn't seem likely. He apparently had just as much to lose as Autolycus did if they were discovered.

"All right, let's see what I can do about those," Autolycus said, coming to a decision.

The room had stopped spinning at some point which made walking much easier. Autolycus made it to the altar without too much difficulty, although his pride was taking a bruising from the way Nysus was giggling at him.

"You're not gonna pass out on me or anything, are you?" Nysus asked with amusement.

"Think you're real funny, don't you?" Autolycus grumbled, leaning on the altar to steady himself.

"No, I know I am," Nysus replied, his strangely pale eyes sparkling with mischief.

Autolycus decided not to argue that point. He wasn't in any shape to match wits with a doorstop, let alone an annoying kid -- an annoying kid that, he decided, really was on the hot side, now that he was close enough to get a good look. Nice chest. Although why anyone would pierce their--

"Where're your clothes?" he asked, pulling his gaze back up to Nysus' face.

"Around," was the vague reply.

Nysus was smirking at him now and it made Autolycus a bit nervous. He turned his attention to the manacles, trying to ignore Nysus' expression, along with the rest of him.

The locks didn't look all that complicated but being made by Hephaestus looks were most likely deceiving. He'd have to really concentrate on this.

"Not bad."

"I haven't even started yet. Save the praise until I've got this open," Autolycus said, frowning at the distraction.

"Wasn't talking about that."

"Okay," Autolycus looked up, "if you want me to get this done then...." His voice trailed off as he saw Nysus blatantly looking him over.

"Are you insane?" Autolycus demanded once the surprise wore off. "How can you be thinking about that right now?"

Nysus smirked again. "Oh, like you weren't checking me out a few seconds ago?"

"No, I wasn't. Now be quiet and let me get to work."

"You're a real bad liar when you're drunk," Nysus said with a giggle.

"You want me to leave you here?" Autolycus threatened. The only reply he received was that same smirk. "I'm a lot better than 'not bad'," he muttered darkly as he focused back on the manacles.

"Prove it."

"What?!" Autolycus looked at Nysus in disbelief.

"Hey, you're the one saying you're all that. So prove it. 'Sides, you don't seem like the shy type to me." Nysus grinned at him.

"That's not the point! This isn't the time or place for this!"

"That's where you got it wrong." Nysus placed his arms around Autolycus' neck.

Autolycus shivered when the cold metal of the manacles pressed against his skin, but he wasn't frightened. Actually, he was doing his best to ignore the fact that the situation was starting to...interest him.

"This is exactly the right place," Nysus was saying, "and this is definitely the time. See, when my 'friend' cut out on me I was majorly turned on. He got me real angry, but looking at you is making me forget all about that."

Then Autolycus found himself being kissed. He was too drunk to put up a decent resistence, or at least that's what he told himself when he did nothing more than stand there and let Nysus' tongue into his mouth and half way down his throat, when he leaned into the kiss, moaned at the odd, spicy taste as Nysus' tongue stroked along his -- and Autolycus quickly came to the decision that this kid had more experience than anyone his age should. What he was doing with that tongue.... Suddenly realizing that he was in danger of really enjoying this, Autolycus tried to pull away.

Nysus' legs locked around his waist and yanked him forward. "Come on, Auto," he said sweetly, drawing back just enough to speak. "You know you're getting into it."

"I'm not--" Autolycus was cut off by Nysus' mouth covering his again.

His main problem was that he didn't mind this nearly as much as he thought he should. In fact, it felt good; another man pressed close to him, kissing him, undressing him -- when had that started? Nysus' arms weren't around his neck anymore, they were between them, swiftly undoing lacings and pulling off Autolycus' clothes -- and it finally registered with Autolycus that not only wasn't he resisting, he was actively responding, leaning into Nysus, one hand stroking a smooth, pale thigh as he flicked his tongue over Nysus'.

"Wait!" he gasped, somehow managing to pull back from that talented mouth, turning his face away to keep from being shut up by another kiss.

"What?" Nysus muttered, leaning forward a bit to nibble at Autolycus' ear.

"This is crazy! We can't do this!"

"We already are," Nysus replied, moving down to lick the skin of Autolycus' neck as he began unlacing Autolycus' pants.

"But, I can't -- I mean, I can but I haven't! Not with another guy!" Once the words were out, Autolycus felt ridiculous for having said them. It wasn't like he hadn't thought about it before. He'd even expected it to happen some day, but not like this. This was just so...strange.

Nysus was giggling while somehow still managing to lick and suck at his neck. This was really weird.

"What's so -- ooh, that feels good -- what's so funny?" Autolycus asked a bit breathlessly, his arms moving around Nysus' waist seemingly of their own volition.

Nysus' breath was hot near his ear as he answered: "You sound like a nervous virgin, Auto." And he was giggling again.

That was humiliating. True, but humiliating. Autolycus looked at Nysus again, glaring at him. Nysus quit giggling and smiled, licking his lips.

"Tell you what," he said as he finished undoing Autolycus' pants. "You can fuck me. I don't let too many guys do that so you can feel honored now." That last part sounded a lot like an order.

Before Autolycus could consider all the implications of that, a hand was working its way into his pants and suddenly he didn't give a damn what Nysus had meant by it.

"Oh yeah," he groaned as Nysus began stroking him. The kid was talented. Now if he'd just get his mouth down there....

"Kiss me."

Another order and some part of Autolycus wanted to rebel against it, but frankly his cock was doing all the decision making at the moment, so he obeyed, kissing Nysus hard, almost brutally, and Nysus loved it. He moaned against Autolycus' mouth and his hand moved faster.

He was going to come. It was happening too quickly and Autolycus wasn't ready for that yet. It was too soon -- but it was too good. He couldn't help thrusting up into that hand, breathing harder as the tingling started at the base of his spine. He felt his balls begin to tighten and he pushed up into Nysus' hand  -- and it stopped. He cursed aloud, drawing a low giggle from Nysus.

"You wanna come now or do you wanna fuck me?" Nysus whispered.

Autolycus responded by shoving him down onto the altar. Nysus grinned again, a strangely feral expression as he repositioned his legs, hooking them over Autolycus' shoulders. Finding the tight little opening, Autolycus pushed in hard.

"Oh, fuck!" he gasped as that incredible heat surrounded him.

There was no way he was going to last long, not when it felt so fucking good! He began thrusting fast, any hope he'd had of staying in control completely gone. The small part of his mind that was still rational was telling him that he had to be hurting Nysus. He was being too rough -- except that Nysus was pushing back against him, moaning in obvious pleasure, his hand moving down to touch his own cock.

Not questioning the impulse, Autolycus knocked Nysus' hand away and took hold of the thick cock himself, stroking hard and quick. Nysus cried out, bucking up, thrusting into his hand over and over as Autolycus pounded into his ass.

He wasn't going to last much longer. He was so close...Autolycus pushed even deeper, groaning as Nysus tightened around him. Then he was coming, clenching his teeth in an effort to hold back the scream that would undoubtedly alert the whole temple to their presence.

Unfortunately Nysus didn't even make the attempt. His cry echoed throughout the room and no doubt beyond it as his body arched up, warm semen spilling over Autolycus' hand.

Somehow Autolycus managed to remain standing. Although he wanted nothing more than to collapse and sleep for a few hours he realized they were on borrowed time now.

He quickly discovered that things were a lot less fuzzy than they had been a while before. It wasn't so hard to think anymore. Apparently a good fuck was a decent remedy for too much drink. Well, whatever the reason he didn't question it. They had to get out of there before they were found. But first there was one thing he had to make sure of.

"You okay?" he asked, carefully pulling out of Nysus' tight body.

"Huh?" Nysus mumbled, his legs sliding down off of Autolycus' shoulders.

"Did I hurt you?"

Nysus giggled tiredly. "Oh yeah, babe; it hurt good."

Autolycus rolled his eyes, giving up on trying to make any sense out of the guy. He knelt down and grabbed his shirt and vest off of the floor. As he did, he noticed something he'd missed before. On the floor near his clothes was a single large white feather. It looked so out of place in this dungeon-like room. Autolycus immediately decided he really didn't want to know what Nysus and his "friend" had been using it for. This was already strange enough as it was.

Pulling on his shirt, Autolycus dumped his vest onto the altar beside Nysus' still-limp body.

"Lemme see those manacles again," Autolycus said as he tucked in his shirt and began lacing up his pants.

"Don't feel like moving," Nysys replied although it was mostly a mumble.

"Yeah, well, thanks to you yelling your head off there, we're gonna have visitors soon. So do you wanna explain this to the temple guards, or do you want out of here?"

That got his attention. Nysus struggled up into a sitting position and held out his wrists.

"Thought so," Autolycus said with a slight smirk.

Ignoring the glare he received for that, Autolycus pulled a lockpick out of his vest and went to work on the manacles. With his mind clear and some of his coordination returned it wasn't long before he had the right one open, then he moved to the left.

"You really aren't bad at this," Nysus said.

"Fucking or lockpicking?" Autolycus asked without hesitation.

Nysus chuckled. "I think you're a natural at both."

As the left manacle clicked open, Autolycus met Nysus' steady gaze. "Of course I am."

That sent Nysus off into a fit of giggles.

Replacing the lockpick, Autolycus put on his vest as he walked over to the door. He felt like he'd been run over by a wild horse and he was in serious need of a bath, but the world had stopped spinning, he was alert and no longer in any danger of falling on his face again. Overall he thought things were looking up.

Then he unbolted the door and opened just enough to glance into the corridor beyond. Shutting the door he rebolted it and turned to Nysus who was still giggling, a sound that was becoming increasingly high-pitched and bordering on annoying.

"Nysus," Autolycs said pleasantly, getting his attention and fortunately, stopping that noise. "Is there another way out of here? Because if there isn't I hope you're up to a fight."

As if to emphasize his point, the door behind him suddenly shook as blows resounded against it.

"They're going to break in!" Autolycus snapped, abandoning all pretense of clam as he turned and set his shoulder against the door, trying to use his weight to brace it. He hoped Nysus had something in mind because he might've been feeling better but he was nowhere near being in peak condition. He wouldn't be able to hold off even one of those big guards trying to get in.

Then he felt warm breath near his ear.

"Sorry about this, Auto."

Autolycus felt a chill go through him in the second he had to contemplate the meaning of those words, then everything went dark.

*******

Autolycus slowly opened his eyes, wincing at the light that seemed to drive daggers into his head. The memories quickly came flooding back then and he felt like a world-class idiot.

He'd trusted the guy. Why? Because they'd fucked? How stupid could he get? Nysus worked for Ares so of course he'd double-cross a thief, especially the King of Thieves. Ares would no doubt reward anyone who caught Autolycus trying to rob his temple.

When he thought about it, Autolycus decided he didn't really blame Nysus for taking advantage of the opportunity when it presented itself. The kid worked for Ares and Ares would've undoubtedly punished him for helping Autolycus escape. Autolycus wouldn't wish that on anyone -- except for maybe Discord -- so he decided he didn't blame Nysus at all. The guy had only been trying to survive.

Blinking to try to get his eyes accustomed to the light, Autolycus pushed himself up. As he did he noticed the lack of sound, namely the rattle of chains he was expecting, being a prisoner and all. Now sitting, his vision a bit better, he looked down and found no sign of restraints at all. In fact, he found that instead of being seated on the cold, hard stone of a cell, he was sitting on grass still damp from the morning dew. He looked up and saw trees and blue sky.

What the...?

He touched the back of his head, expecting to find the spot where Nysus had hit him to knock him out. There was nothing. The pain in his head, the slightly nauseous feeling -- he had a hangover. Other than that, he was fine.

Standing up, Autolycus stared at the peaceful scene around him in disbelief. There was no indication of how he'd gotten here, or even where "here" was.

Checking his clothing he found, to his great relief, that all of his lockpicks and other professional necessities were right where they always were, even his money was still where he'd put it. It made no sense whatsoever, but somehow he was free and no worse for the wear. He didn't have what he'd gone to the temple for in the first place but considering everything that had happened he concluded that he'd come out ahead of things.

He decided that the best thing to do was to put the whole strange incident out of his mind, pretend it'd never happened. And maybe it hadn't. Maybe he'd gotten drunk, stumbled his way out here and imagined the whole thing. There was no proof to the contrary after all.

He liked the sound of that. It was all a crazy dream brought on by strong drink. That solved, Autolycus brushed a few stray leaves off of his clothes, picked a direction and began walking. He figured that civilization couldn't be too far away, and when he reached it he'd just get back into his routine and never think about this again. No problem.
 
 

Part 2

He couldn't believe this had happened again. The perfect plan, ruined because he wasn't able to focus. If this kept up his reputation was going to take some serious damage.

Well, on the bright side, at least he'd gotten away from the guards, but it'd been close. Too close. He was slipping.

Tying off the last stitch, Autolycus held up his shirt and examined it carefully for anything he might've missed. These last-second death-defying escapes from guards with very sharp weapons, were starting to take a toll on his wardrobe.

It was hard to tell in the flickering light of the campfire but it looked like he'd repaired all the holes. He wasn't much of a tailor but it would do until he found a good replacement shirt to steal.

If he was able to steal it, that is. The way things had been going lately, he doubted he'd be able to pull off something as simple as that!

Oh, he knew what the problem was. He just wasn't sure what to do about it. He hadn't had to deal with this kind of thing since he was a teenager and even then he'd done a poor job of it. It should have been different now that he was older. He should've been able to push this aside, not let it affect his concentration; but it wasn't happening.

His trouble wasn't with planning his thefts -- he managed that fairly well -- but when he tried to focus on pulling off the jobs, certain things just kept working their way into his mind, distracting him, throwing off his balance and timing. Frankly, he was starting to get rather disgusted with himself.

A cool gust of wind made him shiver, drawing his attention back to the present. He really didn't like having to make camp. He preferred a nice cozy room at an inn somewhere. But you needed money for that and thanks to his recent inability to keep his mind on his job, he didn't have any.

Well, he supposed he'd just have to make do with what he did have until his self control decided to kick back in. He just hoped that happened before winter set in and he ended up freezing to death.

Satisfied that his shirt was as repaired as it was going to get, he started to pull it back on -- and froze in mid-motion when he heard the sound of branches cracking. He couldn't see much of anything beyond the small circle of light the campfire provided, but instinct told him that he wasn't alone.

Dropping the shirt he grabbed the dagger he always kept within easy reach and stood, readying himself for a possible fight. He thought he'd left the city guards far behind, but maybe they were more dedicated in their jobs than he'd given them credit for. In that case it would probably be better to make a run for it. His grappling hook was on the ground next to his vest but he thought he could get to it if he had to, only now wasn't the time to go for it. First he needed to find out just what the threat was.

"I know you're there so come on out," he said, watching the trees around him for signs of movement, hoping he hadn't been surrounded while he'd been sitting there lost in thought.

"You know, if I'd been looking to hurt you, you'd be in some serious trouble right now."

The cloaked figure stepped out from behind a tree, standing near the edge of the firelight across from Autolycus.

"I've been here like, forever and you didn't know it 'till I decided to make some noise. Thought you were better than that, Auto," the familiar voice said critically.

"Nysus?" Autolycus frowned.

"Duh!" Nysus responded sarcastically, pulling the hood of his cloak back.

"How'd you find me?" Autolycus asked without relaxing his stance. He didn't trust Nysus one bit despite their previous encounter. Maybe the kid had changed his mind about letting him go and had come back to kill him.

"He-llo! This is Thrace. Ares is The Man here -- temple in every city, shrine in every town. See what I'm saying?"

"Not really," Autolycus replied. He couldn't understand what Nysus was trying to get it. It didn't help that his mind was trying to wander again, focusing on the way the firelight was illuminating Nysus' pale face, wondering how it would look on the rest of that well-remembered body....

"You still here?"

"Huh?" Autolycus forcefully pulled himself out of the revere, concentrating on what Nysus was saying.

"I said, when you pull a stunt like you did today in Odessus, word gets around to the city temple pretty quick. I was there and I figured you'd be heading this way. I mean, you fucked up that bad, you've gotta find a place to hide quick and the guards aren't gonna follow you into the forest."

"But you did." Autolycus' suspicions were hardly put to rest by that explanation. "How'd you just 'happen' to be in Odessus when I was?"

"You're seriously paranoid, you know that? I didn't plan it. If I had my choice I'd be down in the Thriasian Plain stirring up some trouble," Nysus explained defensively.

"What's stopping you?"

"Ares! Who d'you think? Look, I fucked up too, 'kay? I'm being punished. I gotta stay here 'till he says different. Happy now? The past couple weeks've been like a total mess, know what I mean?"

"Actually, yes." Autolycus relaxed slightly, lowering his dagger but not putting it away. "It's been...difficult."

"Difficult? C'mon, Auto, I've been hearing about you lately. Don't you think that's understating it a bit?" Nysus asked, raising an eyebrow.

Well, so much for his hopes that he hadn't been recognized on those last few jobs he'd messed up. "Fuck!" Autolycus said with a hiss. "There goes my reputation!"

"Hey, at least you had one to trash! I didn't even have that. Ares just thinks I'm even more of a screw-up than usual." Nysus sighed in frustration. "So, can I like, sit down now without you stabbing me or something?" he asked, motioning to the dagger.

Autolycus thought it over. "Yeah." He finally decided. "Just keep your hands where I can see them."

"Wow, you're on a major suspicion trip, ain't you?" Nysus said, looking at him strangely.

"I'm the King of Thieves -- or at least I used to be. If I wasn't suspicious I wouldn't live very long."

"Guess you got a point."

Nysus pulled off his cloak and laid it carefully on the ground, then he sat down, clasping his hands in his lap.

For a few moments Autolycus just stared at him, trying to decide whether to feel amused or just pity the kid.

"Is, um, that part of your punishment?" he asked.

"What?"

"The outfit."

"What's wrong with it?" Nysus looked down at his leathers.

"Well, the term 'fashion disaster' comes to mind," Autolycus ventured, remembering Salmoneus using that description once.

"I like my clothes," Nysus said darkly.

"Reminds me of another kid I know, except he does it with scrap metal."

"You're comparing my style to Joxer's?"

"You know him?" Autolycus asked in surprise.

"We're related, but I dress way better than him!" Nysus insisted.

"He never mentioned you."

"He doesn't know me."

"You just said you were rela--"

"Just drop it, 'kay? And no more cracks about my clothes." It was an order.

Autolycus was reminded of how Nysus had given him orders before. He hadn't questioned it then, he hadn't been thinking too straight, but now it was different.

"Only if you quit ordering me around," he replied.

Nysus' eyebrows went up in surprise. "Oh, that right?" He looked as though he were about to make an issue of it, but then he just shrugged. "Whatever."

Autolycus really didn't know what to make of him. He moved around to the side of the fire so he could keep Nysus completely in his line of sight, then he seated himself, still keeping the dagger firmly grasped in one hand.

Silence fell as they looked at each other. It was impossible to tell what Nysus was thinking, his expression was just too vague, but he certainly looked a lot calmer than Autolycus felt.

Autolycus had been on edge for days, his continued failure to pull a successful job making him nervous and frustrated. This afternoon's debacle had only made it worse and then this unexpected visit from someone he'd hoped never to see again -- or at least that's what he'd been telling himself. So why couldn't he seem to quit looking the kid over, remembering their first meeting?

Suddenly he realized what was really bothering him about those clothes. It wasn't that outfit in particular. Nysus could've been wearing the most fashionable thing in Greece and Autolycus still wouldn't have liked it because he wanted the man naked.

He could've kicked himself. This was not the time to be thinking about that, not when he still wasn't sure if he could trust Nysus. Except, that's all he'd been thinking about for days. It's what kept distracting him at crucial times. It prevented him from thinking straight when he needed clarity of thought. It's what was invading his dreams every night.

He was obsessed. He'd been denying it, but now it was impossible. Not when he was sitting here looking at Nysus -- his oddly ice-blue eyes, the pale skin Autolycus knew was wonderfully smooth and soft, and that hair. It would've looked strange on anyone else but on Nysus it was perfect. Hades, the man was gorgeous! Not in the conventional sense maybe, but all of his features combined to give him a unique beauty, one that Autolycus could certainly appreciate in his growing state of arousal.

"Wanna know why I followed you?" Nysus asked quietly, his expression still betraying nothing.

Autolycus nodded, noticing that Nysus had a pretty nice voice, but suspecting that if he lowered it just a tiny bit it would be incredibly sexy.

"Same reason I'm such a screw-up lately. I can't quit thinking about you."

Autolycus blinked, not quite sure he'd heard that right, thinking that maybe his imagination was supplying what he wanted to hear.

"See," Nysus continued, "what happened before with us fucking, I thought I did it 'cause I was already turned on. Sure, you're handsome and all, but I didn't think it was anything special. Thought you were just convenient, you know?"

Autolycus nodded again. He'd thought the same thing. In fact, he'd been sure it was just a casual fuck to Nysus, and now he understood just how much that'd been bothering him. He still wanted Nysus, almost desperately, but he'd thought that there was no chance of it happening again. Had he been wrong?

"I thought I could just dump you somewhere and forget you," Nysus was saying. "No prob. Only, I guess it was. A problem, I mean, because I couldn't drop it. I just kept thinking about things, like how you tasted when I was kissing you, or how good you felt against me and how totally incredible it was when you were fucking me. But mostly I kept thinking about stuff like the expressions on your face, the way you looked at me -- I dunno, it's just way weird for me. I'm obsessing big time here and it's really messing with my mind. See what I'm saying?"

"Um, well, not really," Autolycus replied in confusion. "What exactly did you just say?" It sounded like Greek, but the kid was talking so strangely that the words didn't seem to make any sense.

Nysus sighed in exasperation and rolled his eyes. "You're as bad as Unc," he muttered. "Next you're gonna be telling me to start talking 'normal.'" The sarcasm was thick in his tone.

"I like how you talk, it's, I don't know, unique," Autolycus said truthfully. "I just don't understand it very well."

"Oh." That obviously surprised Nysus. "That's, uh, pretty cool of you." He smiled slightly.

"I think I understood some of what you said," Autolycus ventured. "The part about you thinking about me, about what we did. Do I have that right?"

Nysus nodded.

"Well, then that makes two of us," Autolycus admitted, "because I can't get you out of my mind either, and it's ruining my life! I go to steal something and suddenly I'm thinking about you and everything gets screwed up! It's been like this every day and I don't know what to do about it!"

There was no immediate reply. Nysus just looked at him, studied him, his face again expressionless.

"Fuck me again." His voice, calm and quiet, broke the silence.

"What?" Now Autolycus was sure he was imagining things. His luck had been too bad lately to just suddenly turn around like this.

Nysus stood with a sigh of exaggerated patience. Autolycus was certain Nysus was about to leave, but then he was closing the distance between them and in seconds was standing so near Autolycus had to crane his neck practically all the way back in order to see Nysus' face. But that didn't last long.

"Look," Nysus said, sinking to his knees, ending up straddling a startled Autolycus, "we both got the same problem." He placed his arms around Autolycus' neck as he settled on his lap. "So let's find a solution. 'Kay?"

Autolycus nodded, his heart pounding from the sudden closeness of someone he could finally admit to lusting after for days. "You...want me?" he was still having trouble comprehending this.

"No, Auto," Nysus' voice dripped with sarcasm, "I'm sitting on you 'cause I just wanna be friends. Duh! Of course I want you! What d'you think I been telling you about?"

Autolycus didn't respond. Instead he reached up and slowly ran his fingers back over Nysus' pale cheek, feeling the smoothness of the skin, memorizing the sensation. Moving to Nysus' ear he let his fingertips lightly touch the numerous earrings there, remembering everything else Nysus had pierced. Autolycus didn't understand why anyone would do something like that, but on this man it looked good.

From there he slid his hand back, running his fingers through the unruly black hair standing at impossible angles. It was surprisingly soft, but resisted all attempts to smooth it down. He'd have to ask about that later when he didn't have other things distracting him, like how hard he was getting just from touching Nysus.

Arms tightened around his neck, and looking into Nysus' ice-blue eyes, the lust he saw there almost made Autolycus moan. Then Nysus' lips were brushing over his briefly, returning a second later for a longer kiss.

As quick and violent as their first encounter had been, Autolycus could tell that this was going to be just the opposite, and that was fine with him. Resting his hand on the back of Nysus' neck, he leaned into the kiss, enjoying the feel of Nysus pressed up against him -- although he'd enjoy it more if he could get the kid out of that ridiculous outfit.

When they drew apart, Nysus smiled with a touch of humor. "Uh, Auto? You're not gonna need this." Reaching between them he gently pried the dagger from Autolycus' hand, then tossed it aside.

Autolycus didn't protest. He figured that if Nysus had wanted to kill him, he would've done it by now. Even if he was wrong, it looked like he'd at least get fucked first, and Autolycus couldn't think of a better last request.

"I'm not gonna hurt you," Nysus whispered before kissing him again.

Autolycus wondered when he'd become so easy to read, then he didn't care as Nysus' tongue slid between his lips. Wrapping an arm around him, Autolycus held him close. As their tongues went exploring, Autolycus used one hand to search for the elusive fastenings to Nysus' outfit. He could feel that it laced up in back -- strange but he expected nothing less from Nysus. Finally he found the ties and began undoing them.

"Why do you wear so damn much?" he muttered when they came up for air, struggling to untie laces that seemed stuck in a permanent knot.

"Goes with the job. Here, let me." Nysus reached back and brushed Autolycus' hands away. In just a few moments he had the knot undone. "There's a trick to it," he said with a wink.

Autolycus wanted to help -- well, he really just wanted to see Nysus naked, but Nysus didn't need any assistance. He was slowly working the laces free, the smile on his lips making his intentions obvious.

"Didn't know you liked to tease," Autolycus said, sliding his hands up Nysus' leather-clad thighs.

"There's a lot you don't know about me," Nysus replied, the pitch of his voice lowering slightly, and just as Autolycus had suspected, it sounded incredibly sexy.

"Like what?" Autolycus asked, moving his hands around to cup Nysus' ass through the leather pants.

"Well, I do a damn good strip tease," Nysus answered with a seductive smile that sent delicious little shivers through Autolycus. Then Nysus was pulling off his leather shirt, his movements completely unhurried but utterly sensual. By the time he finally set the shirt aside, Autolycus was breathing hard, his cock pressing uncomfortably against his now too-tight pants.

Stretching his arms up above his head, Nysus arched his back a bit, showing off his wiry frame to its best advantage. The firelight shined off of the silver nipple rings Nysus wore, and off of --

"That's new," Autolycus said, surprised he was able too form the words considering that all the blood in his body was doing its best to work its way towards his groin.

"Just got it." Straightening back up, Nysus slid one hand down his stomach, momentarily obscuring the silver ring piercing his navel, then moving down to his belt.

"Did it hurt?" Autolycus couldn't believe the lame comments coming out of his mouth, but he supposed it was excusable considering that his brain was otherwise occupied with determining just how exactly he wanted to fuck the man straddling him.

"Ooh, you bet it did," Nysus replied, licking his lips as he began unbuckling his belt, his movements still leisurely.

"You're strange." Autolycus's tone was dark with desire, "but I can't get enough of you."

Finally his brain seemed to catch up with events and Autolycus realized that he could do something to speed this up by getting himself undressed. Reluctantly releasing his tight grip on Nysus' ass, he began unbuckling his own belt, never taking his eyes off the man before him.

"Don't." Nysus took hold of Autolycus' hands and pushed them away. "I'll do that when I'm done with my clothes."

Autolycus almost growled in frustration.

"Well, if it's too...hard, for you to wait, I could always tie you up," Nysus suggested with a leer.

Autolycus closed his eyes and took a deep breath, calming down as best he could. He didn't want to be restrained. Later maybe, but not now. He wanted his hands free to touch Nysus. He shook his head, giving his answer.

"Good. Then watch me."

Autolycus didn't care that it was an order, he obeyed, opening his eyes and watching as Nysus finished pulling off his belt before moving on the lacings of his pants.

Then Autolycus couldn't have looked away if he'd wanted to. His gaze was fixed on Nysus' hands as he worked the laces free, slow and steady, no rushing. It was torture. And it was making Autolycus harder than he'd ever been before.

When the pants were unlaced, instead of taking them off, Nysus slid his hand down the front, a soft moan escaping his lips as he began stroking himself.

"Oh, fuck--!" Autolycus gasped, his cock jumping in response to the sight.

Nysus smiled, his eyes half closed with pleasure. "I've been doing a lot of this lately, thinking about you," he whispered, "but it's way better with you watching."

Autolycus clenched his hands, nails digging into his palms as he fought the urge to grab Nysus, rip those pants off of him and fuck him until they both dropped from exhaustion. But as much as this felt like torture, Autolycus had to admit that he was really enjoying it, so he forced himself to just sit there and watch.

"You're getting the idea, Auto." Nysus took his free hand and ran a finger along Autolycus' jaw line. "Just relax and enjoy it -- or watch me enjoy it anyway." He made a sound that tried to be one of his odd giggles, but it failed, sounding like more of a groan. He'd increased the pace of his hand on himself, and he was starting to thrust up, little jerks of his hips that had Autolycus' breath catching with each sharp movement.

Now Autolycus did growl.

"Poor baby," Nysus teased in a whisper, then he kissed him.

Autolycus tried to hold him there, sucking at his tongue, but Nysus drew back only a few seconds later, leaving Autolycus ready to beg for some form of release. He was starting to feel like he was going to burst.

Thankfully, Nysus picked that time to quit teasing -- well, maybe not totally, but he did quit touching himself. He went back to undressing, still slow about it but at least he was getting it done.

The boots went first, then he rose up on his knees and began working the leather pants down his hips. When his cock sprung free they both moaned. Long and thick and leaking heavily from the nearly purple head -- it was gorgeous. Autolycus couldn't help leaning forward and licking the salty droplets from it.

Nysus gasped. "Oh! You--!" His voice trailed off as Autolycus continued to lick him.

Autolycus felt fingers grasp his hair but he didn't stop. It tasted too good, plus he knew it was torturing Nysus, fair payback for all that teasing. Then his head was pulled back, not painfully but firmly.

"Lie down, Autolycus," Nysus ordered quietly as he released Nysus' hair, but his tone didn't invite argument.

Again, Autolycus obeyed without question. Lying back, he let his arms fall comfortably to his sides, his gaze locked on Nysus above him.

"Very good." Nysus smiled, his tone so incredibly sensual. "Now stay. You don't move 'till I say so."

Autolycus nodded.

A quick grin crossed Nysus' face, then he stood and worked his pants the rest of the way off. Autolycus thought his heart might just pound its way out of his chest as he watched, almost panting by the time the pants were kicked aside.

Nysus walked over to where he'd set his cloak and rummaged through it for a couple seconds. When he returned he gazed down at Autolycus, lying there motionless, and a look of raw hunger and lust crossed his features.

"Please...." Autolycus didn't mean to beg, but he was getting fairly desperate.

Nysus straddled his legs again, setting down a small vial within easy reach. A brief, slightly wicked smile settled on his lips and he set his nails against Autolycus' stomach. Then he began slowly drawing them downwards, exerting just enough pressure to leave red trails behind.

Autolycus cried out softly and arched up into the burning sensation. He couldn't explain it but he liked it.

"Don't move. Remember?" Nysus reminded him, giving his thigh a light slap.

"How," Autolycus gasped out, "can you expect me not to--"

"No talking either. You can scream and moan all you want, but nothing else. Got it?"

Autolycus just nodded again. He didn't want to argue, he just wanted to get fucked, and if this is what it took, fine.

"Good." Nysus bent down and drew his tongue over one of the scratches on Autolycus' stomach.

Somehow Autolycus managed not to move, but he did whimper.

Nysus giggled a bit, but it was a dark, seductive sound, completely unlike his other, high-pitched giggle. It made Autolycus shiver.

Still licking the scratches, one by one, Nysus finished unbuckling Autolycus' belt, pulling it off and tossing it to one side. When he'd done he suddenly moved down.

Autolycus nearly bucked up as he felt Nysus' mouth on his cock through the leather of his pants. But he restrained himself, fingers digging into the dirt beneath him as he cried out. Nysus' mouth was moving over him. He could feel the warmth of that tongue as it flicked out occasionally -- and then he realized what Nysus was doing. He was unlacing the pants with his teeth.

"Oh gods...!" Autolycus moaned helplessly. He was going to come and he'd barely been touched at all.

How did the kid do that? Just the slightest brush of his lips or tongue and he had Autolycus teetering on the edge of orgasm, but then he'd back off a bit and work at the laces some more. He continued in that fashion until Autolycus was begging for release.

"Anything!" Autolycus gasped. "Anything you want...just let me come!"

"Tempting." Nysus smiled wickedly. Suddenly he sat up and quickly pulled off Autolycus' boots, then he took hold of the waistband of the pants and worked them down. Autolycus lifted his hips to make it easier, groaning in relief as his cock was freed from the confining leather, shuddering as the cool night air caressed his heated flesh.

His pants were cast aside, but for a few moments nothing further happened. Nysus just sat there, straddling Autolycus' legs again, looking down at him with a strange expression.

"You're totally hot for me, aren't you?" he finally said, his tone sounding...unsure.

Thinking he understood what the words meant, Autolycus nodded. "Yeah." His voice was rough with desire. "I've never needed anyone this much!"

"That's what I wanted," Nysus whispered. Then he grabbed the vial he'd set aside earlier and uncorked it.

Autolycus watched with growing anticipation as Nysus poured what appeared to be some type of oil into his cupped palm. "You were planning for this," he accused without any anger.

"Nah," said Nysus, letting the vial drop to the side. "I was just hoping real hard."

He rubbed his hands together for a few moments, smearing the oil on both hands and warming it up before he reached down and began spreading it over Autolycus' thick cock in torturously light strokes.

Autolycus couldn't remain still. He thrust up into the teasing touch, a noise of utter desperation escaping him when Nysus pulled away.

"Sorry," he forced out through the haze of lust gripping him. "I--I'll keep still! Just don't stop!"

Nysus chuckled. "I like you turned on and desperate, Auto. You look good enough to eat -- or just to fuck." Nysus moved up, straddling Autolycus' hips, grasping his cock and positioning it.

Autolycus gasped as Nysus pushed down, feeling the head of his cock slide past the tight ring of muscle.

"Faster!" he groaned.

"No," Nysus replied simply.

Autolycus nearly sobbed as his cock was gradually enveloped in that tight heat. He wanted to thrust up but knew it wasn't what Nysus wanted, so he continued to restrain himself as best he could. He bit into his lip, his fingers digging into the firm muscles of Nysus' thighs, his body trembling as Nysus slowly impaled himself.

Long, graceful fingers reached down to toy with his nipples, lightly circling, rubbing -- then pinching hard, making him cry out in pain that felt suspiciously like pleasure.

Then he was completely buried deep inside Nysus, and he felt like he was going to come right then.

"Get some control, Auto," Nysus teased breathlessly. "You're not coming 'till I do."

Autolycus realized that everything he was feeling must've been showing on his face -- and he didn't care. "Then...don't drag it out," he said between gasps for air.

"But I want to," was Nysus' reasonable reply. Rising up and settling back down, he repeated the process, finding a steady, unhurried rhythm. "I love how you feel inside me," he continued, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. "I wanna keep you here as long as possible."

Autolycus whimpered again, both from the words and from the incredible feel of Nysus riding his cock. And the sight of it...Nysus, his eyes bright with hunger, his lips parted as he moaned, his wiry body tense with need...."You're gorgeous," Autolycus breathed, unable to help himself.

"What?" Nysus frowned, pausing in his movements.

"You -- so gorgeous," Autolycus groaned. "Don't stop!" A second later, he sighed in a mixture of relief and torment as Nysus began moving again, although he was still frowning.

"You mean that?" Nysus asked.

"Fuck, yes!" Autolycus said, his voice deep, nearly a growl.

Suddenly Nysus smiled. "You can move now, Auto." The words were barely out of his mouth before the grip on his thighs tightened and Autolycus thrust up hard. Nysus cried out in unrestrained pleasure as Autolycus continued pushing into him, again and again.

Autolycus wrapped his hand around Nysus' cock, stroking in the same rhythm as his deep thrusts, drawing increasingly incoherent moans from Nysus above him. Then suddenly Nysus gasped sharply, his body stiffening as his cock pulsed in Autolycus' hand. Autolycus groaned as he felt that tight ass clamp down on him, driving him straight to the edge -- and over.

When the world righted itself, he found Nysus collapsed on top of him, still gasping for breath. Deciding that he liked the feel of him lying there, Autolycus slid his arms around him. Suspecting that this peaceful moment wouldn't last long, he fought the urge to close his eyes and nod off for a while. Instead he lay there staring up at the clear night sky, one hand slowly rubbing Nysus' back.

"Didn't peg you as the 'cuddle after fucking' type," Nysus finally spoke, his voice a bit muffled against Autolycus' shoulder, but the sarcasm still working its way through.

"I'm not. Usually. You just...bring out some strange things in me." Autolycus shrugged as best he was able.

Nysus giggled quietly, the sound trailing off into silence for a minute or so. This time when he spoke, he pushed himself up a bit on arms that were braced on Autolycus' chest.

"It didn't work, did it?" he asked solemnly.

"No." Autolycus replied in the same tone.

"I still want you. We just banged each other and all I can think about when I look at you, is doing it again!" Nysus snarled in frustration. "I wanna feel you sucking me off, and then I want you to fuck me on my hands and knees! After that I want you to hold me down -- screw that -- I wantchya to tie me up and do me like that!"

Autolycus listened in amazement -- and growing arousal, as Nysus continued with an incredible list of things he wanted them to do. His pale eyes were lit with growing hunger as he spoke, his cock already hard again against Autolycus' stomach.

As exhausted as he felt, Autolycus surprised himself by feeling the first stirrings of another erection. Damn! The kid really did bring out some things in him!

"Sounds good to me," Autolycus said eagerly, cutting him off. Before Nysus could say another word, Autolycus pulled him up into a long kiss. Finding the tongue stud Nysus wore, stroking the tip of his tongue over it, he wondered what it would feel like on his nipples -- or his cock. The thought made him even harder.

But then Nysus pulled away. "That's the bitch of it," he said, breathing hard. "I can't stay."

"What?!" Autolycus couldn't believe that. Here he was, hard and ready, faster than he'd ever managed it before, and Nysus was leaving?

"I've been gone too long," he explained, not sounding any happier about it than Autolycus felt. "Someone's probably already noticed me missing and if I don't get back quick, they'll tell on me and Ares'll come looking."

That was about the only thing that could have made Autolycus release him. He nodded and dropped his arms, letting Nysus move off him.

He almost felt...abandoned without Nysus' warmth resting on top of him. He didn't like the implications of that feeling, so he pushed it aside and sat up. "So, what now?" he asked, realizing that there wasn't going to be an easy way to resolve this.

"Fuck if I know," Nysus said with a sigh as he quickly pulled his clothes back on. "I guess -- well, are you gonna be in Thrace long?"

"I don't know. Maybe. Why?" Autolycus didn't bother dressing. As soon as he was alone he'd jerk off -- Hades, he'd do it right now if he thought it'd get Nysus to stay! But there was no point in messing up his clothes, so he left them where they'd been strewn.

"There's an old temple not too far from here," said Nysus. "Off to the East a bit. Anyway, if you wanna risk it, turn up in a couple nights. I'll try to be there."

"Why is it such a risk? Because of Ares?"

"Yeah, and other stuff too. But I'm not even saying I'm gonna make it. I'll just try."

"I'll be there," Autolycus said with absolute certainty.

Now dressed, Nysus nodded. "Cool." He started to grab his cloak off the ground, but stopped suddenly. "Oh, yeah," he said, almost to himself as he knelt. "There's another reason I followed you, Auto."

"Uh-huh?" Autolycus was starting to feel suspicious again as he watched Nysus carefully unfold his cloak.

"I had to getchya outta that temple way quick last time -- good thing Ares always has a hidden door around somewhere in all the rooms."

Well, that explained how he'd gotten out of the dungeon, or whatever that room was. Autolycus had been wondering about that.

"Wasn't easy carrying you, by the way," Nysus said sarcastically. "You picked a bad time to pass out."

"Pass out? I didn't--" Autolycus stopped himself. He'd been pretty drunk and his memories of the last minute or so of being in the temple weren't so clear. Maybe he had passed out.

"Anyway," Nysus got his attention, "we had to bail before you could get what you came for, so I brought it for you." He pulled a gold sword out of his cloak, holding it up so the firelight glinted off it. "I'm guessing this is what youwere after, right?"

Autolycus' eyes widened in surprise and not a little greed. He hadn't dared to go back to that temple so he'd thought he'd lost the sword.

"Y--Yes!" he replied in a whisper, then reason kicked in and suspicion quickly returned. "What d'you want for it?"

Nysus giggled. "You're like, so paranoid! I know you gotta be a little, but c'mon already! If I wanted to kill you I would've done it weeks ago!" He tossed the sword to Autolycus who caught it easily by the handle. "It's a gift, 'kay?"

Autolycus studied it for a few moments, then gave Nysus the same close scrutiny. "Okay," he finally agreed. He wasn't quite sure he believed this, but he was willing to wait and see if anything came of it.

"You know," Nysus said acidly as he stood, fastening his cloak around his neck. "I can already tell you're gonna be worse about this than Ares. I mean, at least he knows I'm being serious when I give him a present."

Autolycus realized he'd hurt Nysus' feelings, but before he could apologize, or even think of what to say since apologizing wasn't something he did all the time -- Nysus was walking away.

"Later," Nysus called without looking back. Then the darkness of the forest swallowed him up.

Autolycus thought about going after him but he wasn't going out there naked and in the time it would take to get dressed, Nysus would be long gone. So Autolycus just lay back with worried sigh.

He hadn't looked like the sensitive type, but Autolycus was starting to realize that Nysus was a lot of things he didn't appear to be. Autolycus just hoped he'd get the chance to find out more about him.
 
 

Part 3

This was insane. Nearly an entire week had gone by since their appointed meeting, and Nysus hadn't shown up. Yet, Autolycus was still here, night after night, waiting around like some wide-eyed teenager with his first crush.

No, it wasn't insane. It was pathetic.

Autolycus knew he needed to face some facts here. One, he was totally in lust with the kid; and two, Nysus had stood him up for six nights now, and there'd be nothing different about tonight. He had to forget Nysus and get on with his life.

The problem with that plan lay in the former part. You didn't just "forget" someone like Nysus. Autolycus had discovered that after their first encounter, and it hadn't changed after their second. If anything, it'd only gotten worse.

That last, rather intense meeting had helped. For the next few days he'd been able to work without distraction -- but lust only remained satisfied for so long. And that's what it was of course -- lust, plain and simple.

In that short amount of time, he'd at least been able to pull off a couple decent jobs. He'd had hopes that he could regain his former reputation, and maybe he could've -- if Nysus had met him like he'd said he would. Now, while Nysus had never said for sure that he'd show up, the implication had definitely been there. But he hadn't turned up, and Autolycus had found himself growing more and more distracted as the days passed.

Of course he dreamt about Nysus. He'd expected that. But when the dreams began to creep into reality, as they'd done before, that was when the problems started. Lack of concentration in his line of work could, and often did, lead to disastrous results.

He hadn't attempted a robbery in the last couple days. He was too afraid that he'd drift off into a daydream about Nysus and be caught and arrested as a result. He really didn't know how he was going to deal with things if he never saw Nysus again. Somehow he'd have to find a way to forget.

Drinking was starting to look better and better all the time.

No. Autolycus quickly decided that he didn't want to go down that road again. Look where it'd lead him last time. He'd find another way to get through it. There were always other ways.

Autolycus leaned back against a portion of a broken marble column, sighing wearily. Searching for something to take his mind off his situation, he turned his attention to his surroundings. He hadn't bothered to explore them beyond making sure that he was safe there.

From his seat on the crumbling remains of a wall he could see most of what was left of the temple, illuminated by the small fire he kept going nearby. The place was too far gone to know who it'd been dedicated to, but he doubted it had been one of Ares'. The marble appeared to have once been white, and the God of War didn't go in for that color much.

Autolycus smiled bitterly as a silly thought occurred to him. What if there was a god of lust, and this was his temple? That would be irony. Well, at least then he'd have someone to pray to, and some hope of getting out of this situation.

The place was really starting to depress him. It was probably all in his mind, but a change of scenery sure wouldn't hurt. He decided that he'd move on in the morning, out of Thrace entirely. Maybe putting some distance between himself and this part of the country would help. If he could pull off a big job somewhere, he knew he'd be fine. Down South, maybe. It sounded as good as anything else at the moment. But he needed to get some sleep if he intended to make that kind of journey.

After stretching a bit to ease the soreness in his back from sitting for so long, he started to take off his vest. He didn't need to get completely undressed, just enough to be comfortable. Sleeping on the ground was bad enough. He didn't need all the tools he kept hidden in his vest, constantly digging into his skin all night.

"You waited for me."

This time Autolycus didn't reach for his dagger, nor did he turn around to look at Nysus. "I'm leaving in the morning." He pulled his vest back on, not wanting to give the impression that he was too comfortable in Nysus' presence.

"I thought you'd be gone by now."

"Sorry to disappoint you," Autolycus snapped, ignoring the way his pulse had speeded up at just the sound of Nysus' voice. He was angry -- all right, so maybe he was just hurt, but he still wasn't about to welcome Nysus with open arms or anything.

He heard muffled cursing, and then something that was truly a surprise.

"I'm sorry."

"Why?" He knew why, but he also suspected that Nysus didn't like apologizing any more than he did, and he wanted to make Nysus a little uncomfortable. Autolycus realized he was acting a bit like a petulant child, but at the moment he really didn't care.

"I did it on purpose, okay? I didn't show because I can't stand being this hung up on someone! I wanted you to get angry and leave. Get you outta my life, you know?"

"No problem," Autolycus replied conversationally. "I'll be gone tomorrow. You won't see me again."

"No!"

Nysus could definitely move fast. Suddenly Autolycus found himself looking into a pair of wide, pale blue eyes. His arms gripped tightly, almost painfully.

"You can't!" Nysus' voice was soft, but it had a desperate edge to it.

"Hey, I can do whatever I want," Autolycus pointed out.

"I know. I didn't mean it like that." Nysus almost immediately released his grip on Autolycus and crossed his arms, his nervousness apparent in his movements. "I just...I was wrong."

Autolycus' eyebrows went up in response, his disbelief showing.

"I'm telling the truth! Look, I still can't get you out of my mind. I thought maybe I could just not see you again and it'd all be okay, but it didn't work. I guess I should've known it wouldn't. I mean, it didn't the first time, but, well, I had to try."

Autolycus almost said something truly cruel, but instead he took a deep breath and let it out slowly, calming himself down and reining in his temper. It was time for a bit of honesty here, with himself as well as Nysus.

"I thought about doing it too," he confessed. "I wanted you out of my mind and definitely out of my life! But it's not gonna happen. It's not just that you're the best fuck I've ever had -- you are, by the way --" he grinned slightly before continuing, "the problem is that I actually like you and it's not making things easy."

Nysus grinned back, relief plain in his expression. "Yeah. I like you too. Guess that's why I can't just toss you aside like my other lovers."

"Other lovers?"

Nysus shrugged. "I get around. But it's all about fucking with them, not about what we think of each other. Know what I mean? You're the only one I've really liked in a long time. It's kind of strange for me."

"I wasn't even thinking of us as lovers," Autolycus explained. "I thought it was just gonna be the occasional meeting like this or something."

"Well, see, it's like this: if I bother with someone more than twice, then they're one of my lovers. If it lasts more than a month, then it's a long-term relationship."

Autolycus couldn't help chuckling. "You're as bad as me. I usually don't do more than a quick one-night stand."

"So, you never been like, obsessed with anyone before?"

He thought for a moment before replying. "Came close once, but it wasn't as intense as this. You?"

Nysus nodded. "It's why I didn't wanna go through this again. It was bad enough last time."

A suspicion Autolycus had been harboring for a while started nagging at him again, and he had to ask. "You're talking about Ares, aren't you?"

Nysus stiffened a little, his expression becoming apprehensive.

"It's okay," Autolycus quickly reassured him. "He doesn't do much for me, but you've got a right to your opinions. If you want to lust after him, then go for it." He shrugged.

Nysus didn't appear too comforted by that. "It's, um, kinda more complicated than that."

"Oh." Autolycus nodded as comprehension dawned on him. "You and he are already--"

"Yeah." Nysus cut him off. "I know you don't like him too much, Auto. So if this is a problem or something, then--"

"It's not," Autolycus said truthfully. "You told me the first time that you worked for him. If I had a problem with what you do then I wouldn't have gone along with things then."

"You're like way more understanding than a lot of people I've run across," Nysus said with a nervous smile.

"I'm the King of Thieves. Remember? I'm not exactly the most moralistic or self-righteous guy around."

"No, that'd be Hercules."

That started them both laughing.

"Anyway," Autolycus continued a minute or so later when they'd calmed down, "I don't care who else you're seeing. I don't own you. Do what you want."

Nysus was visibly more relaxed now, and when he smiled there was a touch of mischief to it. "C'mon, Auto. Don't you wanna get just a little possessive?" His voice lowered a bit, taking on that tone that sent shivers of lust right through Autolycus.

"You want me to?" asked Autolycus, returning his smile.

"It's up to you." Nysus closed the small distance between them, his arms sliding around Autolycus' neck. He brushed his lips over Autolycus' cheek, moving over to his ear which he nibbled on as he whispered, "You know, I haven't had any interest in most of my other lovers since I met you. Well, besides Ares, and that doesn't really happen much. He's got other people he likes more."

"I always said Ares was a bit dense," Autolycus muttered as he wrapped his arms around Nysus. "You're too good to pass up." He moved a hand down to the tight ass. "Too hot." He licked the side of Nysus' neck. "And way too cute."

Nysus moaned, but it wasn't a sound of pure pleasure. There was something else there. "When I'm not working for Ares, then I'm all yours," he said, resting his head on Autolycus' shoulder.

Autolycus frowned. He'd been expecting something like them agreeing to meet occasionally to screw around a bit, not a declaration of ownership, or whatever that was. He had to know what the kid was thinking here. "Why?"

Nysus' arms tightened around him. "Because no one ever said stuff like that to me before."

"Oh." Autolycus was used to men and women alike telling him how good-looking and desirable he was. He'd never considered that Nysus might not have had the same experience. Autolcyus wanted him to know that he'd been serious. "I meant it. Everything I said."

"I know." Nysus drew back just far enough so they could look at each other. "That's one of the reasons I can't get you out of my head. You're nice to me."

Autolycus didn't care for the implications of that statement. It sounded as though Nysus was used to being treated badly. Maybe he didn't like it, but he expected it, and that wasn't right.

Generally speaking, Autolycus ignored his conscience. It was a liability in his job. However, there were times when it demanded to be heard, like now, when it was practically screaming at him, dredging up something else he rarely dealt with. Guilt.

"I could've been nicer," he found himself admitting. "Last time I saw you, I mean. I didn't have to act that suspicious. I guess I was just upset that you were leaving. Sometimes I do stupid things like that." He shrugged a bit uncomfortably. Talking about his feelings wasn't exactly something he loved to do.

Nysus smiled. "That's cool. You saying that."

Before Autolycus could respond, Nysus kissed him gently. It was barely more than a peck on the lips and Autolycus wanted more. He quickly took it further, licking at Nysus' lips until they parted, allowing his tongue entrance.

One of Autolycus' favorite things about him was that tongue stud he wore. Autolycus had never encountered anything like it before, and he loved the way it felt when they kissed like this. From the way Nysus moaned and leaned into him, it was apparent that he loved it too.

But then Nysus was drew back. Autolycus didn't let him go far, keeping his arms tight around Nysus' waist.

"I don't got much time, Auto," Nysus said regretfully. "I didn't even think you'd be here when I came. I was wishing you would be, but I really thought you'd be long gone. So I didn't set aside a whole lot of free time. If I don't get back to the temple soon, Ares is gonna break me into a bunch of different pieces."

Autolycus forced himself to release Nysus. "You should probably go then -- before I tie you down and fuck you the rest of the night."

Nysus' eyes widened and he moaned softly. The sound slightly desperate but mixed with desire. "We got about ten minutes."

Looking at Nysus' leather outfit, Autolycus resisted the urge to grab his dagger and slice the ridiculous thing off him. "It'll take that long just to get you out of this," he said, his tone tense with sudden frustration.

"Maybe, but how long d'you think it'll take just to get my pants down?" Nysus grinned suggestively, his hand dropping to the laces. "Interested in finding out?" He giggled when Autolycus made a grab for him, easily avoiding it by stepping back. "I'll take that as a 'yes.'" He started to untie the laces.

This time Autolycus just lunged at him, grabbing him around the waist and pulling him down to the ground. He cut off Nysus' giggles with a hard kiss, grinding their hips together, making them both moan. But there wasn't time for this kind of foreplay, no matter how good it felt.

Reluctantly breaking the kiss, he rose up on his knees and swiftly unlaced his own pants. Grinning again, this time with anticipation, Nysus quickly finished undoing his, and without pause, began to work the tight, black leather down.

Impatiently, Autolycus flipped him over onto his stomach, then took hold of the back of Nysus' pants and yanked them down roughly.

"Oooh, I love it when you're all forceful like this!" Nysus practically purred, wiggling his ass invitingly.

Lust overriding any coherent response, Autolycus just growled he as moved over him. Some small part of his brain was telling him that doing it like this was really going to hurt Nysus, but everything else was reminding him that Nysus liked pain and he needed to get on with it before he came just from the sight of Nysus offering himself so desperately.

Licking the back of Nysus' neck, Autolycus pushed in slowly, gritting his teeth against the urge to come the instant he felt the heated flesh close around his aching cock.

"What're you waiting for?" Nysus asked with a low groan.

"Don't...want to hurt you...too much," Autolycus gasped out as he worked his way in deeper.

"Fuck that! Give it to me as hard as you can!" Nysus demanded, trying to push up against him. "Whenever I walk, I want a reminder that you were inside me! I still wanna be feeling it next week! Got it?"

The words were an incredible turn-on. Autolycus couldn't help his response. He thrust in as deep and hard as he could.

"Oh fuck, yes!" Nysus cried out.

Nysus' enthusiastic response encouraged Autolycus. He pulled almost all the way out before ramming back in, repeatedly, the sharp cries and moans from beneath him spurring him on. Setting his teeth in Nysus' shoulder, he moved faster. He was so close already, and he wanted to bring Nysus with him. He knew exactly how to do it. Pounding into that tight, hot ass, he bit down hard, through the leather, breaking the skin of Nysus' shoulder.

Nysus' response was abrupt. He screamed. Pain and pleasure mingling in his tone as he came.

He screamed Autolycus' name.

That was all it took for Autolycus. His own cry muffled against the leather, the intense orgasm gripping him until he thought he'd pass out.

Then it was over and Autolycus was collapsed on top of Nysus, thoroughly exhausted but very satisfied. Now if they could just do this a couple times a day--

"I really gotta go," Nysus said regretfully, interrupting Autolycus' thoughts.

"Uh-huh." Autolycus didn't move.

"You gotta let me up."

"Thinking 'bout it," he mumbled.

"C'mon, Auto. Snap outta it or we'll both be in some serious trouble!"

Finally managing to get his mind working well enough to understand the urgency in Nysus' tone, Autolycus slowly rolled off of him, groaning at the effort.

Nysus abruptly started giggling again. "You know, if it helps," he said conversationally between giggles as he stood and fixed his clothes, "you're like, holding up way better than most dudes your age would. You're a real stud, Auto." He grinned.

That cleared some of the fuzziness in Autolycus' thinking. "I'm not that old!" he protested, pushing himself up.

"Don't care how old you are," Nysus shrugged as he relaced his pants. "Ares is the only one that's fucked me better than you, and he's a god, so you're totally amazing me here. That's cool."

Autolycus considered that for a few moments before deciding to take it as the compliment it was no doubt intended to be. "Thanks. So, what happens now?" It was taking a lot to remain upright and coherent. He was really tired.

"We can't do it like this. I mean, I don't got a lot of control over my schedule. You know? So if we keep trying to meet each other, I could end up standing you up again because something important came up or whatever."

Autolycus nodded in agreement. "Then how do we do this? I need to see you again."

Nysus' grin widened, his eyes reflecting his happiness at that statement. "Only one way I like the sound of. I'm just gonna have to find you whenever I'm free and hope you got the time for me then."

"I'll make time," Autolycus said without hesitation.

"You're pretty cool, Auto." Nysus sighed. Then a troubled look crossed his face. "I just kinda wish...well, there's some stuff and, um...I dunno." He gave up with a shrug. "Don't think you'd understand."

Autolycus smiled slightly. "You'd be surprised what I understand."

Nysus looked down at him silently for a few seconds before shaking his head. "It doesn't matter right now. I gotta bail. I'll see you later."

"Not too much later?" Autolycus said hopefully.

"No. Not too much later." Nysus agreed in complete seriousness. Then he walked from the ruined temple. Moving quickly, he was out of view in moments.

When Nysus was gone, Autolycus fell back on the ground, deciding to sleep right there. Moving would require more energy than he had at the moment. Nysus sure knew how to wear him out and he was looking forward to more of it.

Maybe next time he'd get Nysus to talk about what he'd been struggling with before. And maybe, if that happened, they could have a serious discussion. There were a few things Autolycus needed to know, and if they continued with this...relationship, he intended to get his answers.