"Isn't this great? I mean, look at all of it!" Iolaus made a sweeping gesture with his hand, almost hitting a few nearby market-goers as he motioned to the vast array of produce and goods from foreign lands. "There's so much to see here! How could you not have wanted to come?" he demanded cheerfully.

"You said it, Shorty. It's great," Autolycus replied with a fake smile, then returned to his inner mantra, the one that had gotten him through the past half hour. //Must not kill Goldilocks. Must not kill Goldilocks....//

Ignoring Autolycus' rather obvious lack of enthusiasm, Iolaus continued to point out anything that caught his eye, talking almost non-stop, bouncing like a demented jumping bean, setting Autolycus' teeth on edge.

He didn't need this. He really didn't need this. Like he couldn't figure out why Iolaus had insisted on coming with him when he'd gone out for a walk. Hercules and Xena had sent Iolaus to look after him, to keep him occupied, to make sure their "useful" thief didn't up and disappear on them. Autolycus hated his freedom being infringed upon in any way, and that definitely included being "babysat" by a hyperactive Iolaus. Even if he did look cute.

Oops. Autolycus quickly turned his thoughts elsewhere, like to how much he could steal while at this market Iolaus had dragged him to, assuming blondie didn't catch him. He just needed to keep a close eye on the other man and wait until he'd focused his attention on something else. Not that watching him was any hardship.

Damnit! That did it. Autolycus promised himself that the next time he saw Nysus, he'd make him pay for putting these ideas into his head. Ooh, pay. Yeah. He could think of a number of ways he'd make Nysus "pay". Now if they could get Iolaus to join in--

Stopping in the middle of the walkway, oblivious to the protests of the people trying to get by around him, Autolycus dropped his head into his hands and contemplated throwing himself into the nearest well. He couldn't seem to think with the head on his shoulders anymore. This wouldn't work. If he couldn't keep his thoughts focused, he'd get them all killed.

"Hey, Auto; you all right?"

A hand on his arm made him pull himself together. Looking up at Iolaus standing before him, he plastered on another fake smile. "Sure, Iolaus. Life's good."

"Yeah, right." Obviously not convinced, Iolaus didn't let go of Autolycus' arm, instead he started to walk again, pulling Autolycus along beside him. "Look, can I talk to you for a second?"

"Could I stop you?"

Iolaus gave him an exasperated look, but quickly turned serious again. "I wasn't sure before so I didn't want to say anything, but now I'm pretty certain."

"Spit it out, Blondie." Autolycus sighed impatiently.

"Fine. Have you been looking me over?"

Autolycus stopped again, closing his eyes for a moment as he mentally kicked himself. How could he've been so stupid? Of course Iolaus would notice! Now, how to get out of this?

"I don't get it," Iolaus continued. "The gods know I did everything but jump you the last few times you were around, but you never noticed! What changed?"

That was news to Autolycus. He couldn't remember Iolaus ever coming on to him. He'd have to think about that later, but for now he decided to take advantage of the opportunity Iolaus just gave him, to satisfy his curiosity.

"I, um, ran into someone who knew you," he began, not quite certain how to go about this without revealing too much. "Knew you pretty well, actually." He let that sound suggestive.

"Okay," Iolaus nodded in understanding. "So what'd they say?"

"They mentioned something about you and...," Autolycus hesitated, not really sure he should ask that. But Iolaus gave him an encouraging look, apparently not bothered by this in the slightest. "Let's just say what it was on the kinky side," Autolycus rephrased it as best he could. "Not that I really believed you wou--" he was cut off by Iolaus' chuckle.

"Oh, is that all?" Iolaus grinned. "I guess I was on the wild side a few years back."

Autolycus just stared at him, eyes wide with shock.

"But hey," Iolaus' grin turned sly as he glanced at Autolycus, "if I'd know that's what it took to get you...," he let it trail off suggestively.

"Uh, no, I don't think so." Quickly pulling away, Autolycus started walking faster, putting some distance between them as best he could in the pressing crowd.

"Wait up!" Iolaus called, laughter in his tone. "Oh, come on, Auto; I'm just playing with you."

Reluctantly, Autolycus slowed down. Not that he didn't want to lose himself in the crowd and get out of this entire situation Xena had pulled him into, but he was still curious about Iolaus. Amazing how you could be acquainted with someone for years, even spend a day chained to them, and still not really know them.

"I haven't done that stuff in a long time," Iolaus explained as he caught up with Autolycus. "Herc isn't into it."

Was it just his imagination, or did he hear some disappointment in that voice? Not that it mattered of course.

"Seriously though, are you interested in me?"

Autolycus had hoped they'd gotten away from that but he supposed Ioalus deserved an answer. "Not really," he lied, "just curious. You didn't seem like the type to me, you know?"

Iolaus snorted. "You have some strange ideas, Auto. Who'd you talk to anyway?"

Autolycus really didn't want to tell him that, but he was saved from having to answer when Iolaus caught sight of something that took his mind right off the subject.

"Titus!" Iolaus called out, waving to someone.

Autolycus couldn't see who Iolaus had spotted, but before he could ask, Iolaus grabbed his arm again and pulled him over towards one of the merchants' stalls.

"Iolaus! Good to see you!" Titus, a stocky, heavily muscled man greeted Iolaus, clasping arms with him. "Is Hercules around?"

"He's back at the inn we're staying at. Titus, this is Autolycus," Iolaus introduced them.

"The King of Thieves himself, huh?" the dark-skinned man grinned at Autolycus, extending his arm.

"Ah, so you've heard of me," Autolycus commented in a pleased tone, clasping arms with Titus, trying not to wince at the strength of that grip.

"Titus here is one of Hephaestus' apprentices," Iolaus informed Autolycus.

Well, that explained the muscles -- and the incredible quality of the items laid out for show on the stall.

"You do wonderful work," Autolycus said honestly as he looked over the merchandise.

Titus smiled proudly. "If you see anything you like, let me know and I'll make you a deal on it. Any friend of Iolaus'." Looking away from Autolycus, he grinned at Iolaus. "So what've you and Hercules been up to lately?"

While the two men talked, Autolycus examined what Titus had on display. He'd managed not to snicker at the offer of a deal. Please. If the King of Thieves wanted something, he took it. Why pay when you could get it for free? That in mind, he looked closely at some of the more functional items, small kitchen knives and the like. Objects that could be turned to...other purposes. He'd found long ago that seemingly innocent things like a sewing needle could be the best lockpicks. Never hurt to have something like that on hand, something guards would overlook in case he happened to be caught.

In the midst of his perusal, his gaze fell on something that instantly took his mind off everything else. A dagger. Not too small but still easily concealable. And the workmanship...gods, the detail on the hilt design alone took his breath away. Absolutely gorgeous. Most of the other objects on the stall, weapons and mundane things alike, were well made but constructed of regular metal. This blade was among the few on display made of Hephaestian metal. Undoubtedly worth a small fortune.

Lifting it, Autolycus couldn't help but be impressed at how light it felt. And the blade looked impossibly sharp and strong. Totally perfect. Oh, the King of Thieves had no use for a dagger, but he knew someone who would more than appreciate it.

He casually glanced over at the Titus. Iolaus apparently had him captivated with one of his tales about his adventures with Hercules, told in his usual animated way, arms flying, compact body striking dramatic poses. In fact, he'd begun to draw something of an audience from the nearby crowd. The people starting to surround him and Titus easily concealed Autolycus and any actions he might make.

He could do this without a problem. In fact, he could pull it off and look innocent, even when Titus noticed his missing stock. It'd be easy to see to it that someone else in the crowd here got caught with some of his wares concealed on their person. The King of Thieves could plant items on people just as well as he removed them, and that would take all suspicion off him when this beautiful dagger came up missing.

Turning the weapon over to study the detail work on the hilt, Autolycus smiled as he thought of how this gift would be received. He doubted he could've come up with something more perfect than this.

-------

Finally getting back to the inn came as an incredible relief to Autolycus. He didn't deal with Iolaus too well, especially not now when Iolaus kept staring at him like that.

"I'm going to my room," Autolycus grumbled when they got inside.

"Uh, sure, Auto. Whatever you want," Iolaus replied in a pacifying tone that made Autolycus want to strangle him. "Are you sure you're okay though? I mean, you're not acting like you."

"I'm fine! Now just drop it!" Autolycus snapped.

"Okay." Iolaus put up his hands, backing away a step. "Just remember, we're all meeting down here tonight and we need you there."

"Yeah, fine. Whatever." He'd be there. Autolycus had enough brains to know better than to skip out on a meeting when both Xena and Hercules wanted him there. Xena for one would hunt him down just to demonstrate how "unhappy" she was with him, and since he liked all his appendages right where they were, things were easier all around if he just showed up.

Making his way to the room he'd rented on the upper floor, Autolycus considered his options for the rest of the day. He knew at the moment he didn't have a chance in Tartarus of getting out of the inn without either Iolaus or Gabrielle tagging along to keep an eye on him, and he didn't want to deal with either of them right now so that didn't leave him with much to do.

Eating, drinking or sleeping. At the moment a nap sounded good; he'd get some dinner after that. He decided to save the drinking part for later. He'd probably need it after his little get together at the heroes' convention. The things he got himself into....

Finally reaching his room, he felt ready to drop. Shoving the door shut behind him and throwing the bolt, he headed straight for the bed and collapsed on top of it, eager to let sleep take him away from this mess for a few hours.

He'd just started to drift off when a sharp knock startled him back to full awareness. "Can't a guy get any rest around here?" he muttered to himself as he sat up, expecting that Xena or one of the others waited behind the door, wanting to talk to him, again. Couldn't they just leave him alone for awhile?

"You want I should come back later or something?"

Autolycus didn't know a bad mood could disappear so fast. In an instant his frustration and exhaustion faded into the background, overridden by sheer happiness when he saw who was lounging on the sill of the room's only window. "Nysus," he whispered his lover's name as he pushed off the bed.

Autolycus never been more thrilled to see him and it showed in the way he practically yanked Nysus off the windowsill and into a tight embrace. Closing his eyes, Autolycus just enjoyed the feel of him in his arms, letting the familiar smell of leather and metal mixed with Nysus' own scent drive away the stress of the past couple weeks. He knew if he said anything right then he might not be able to stop, and getting all sappy wouldn't do anything for his image, so he settled for pressing his lips to Nysus' cheek. No passion, just much-needed contact.

"Um...Auto?" Nysus' voice brought Autolycus back to reality some time later. He realized with surprise that his hold on Nysus bordered on crushing.

"Sorry." Autolycus released him, trying not to let his reluctance show.

Nysus didn't let him break the contact entirely though. Keeping one hand on Autolycus' arm, Nysus frowned slightly. "No prob. But like, what gives?"

"Nothing." Nysus shrugged with a smile, hoping that would end it.

"Yeah, right. Look, not that I don't dig getting that kinda welcome, it's cool, but something's up here. So start talking."

Another one of those orders Autolycus didn't much care for, but it didn't annoy him as much these days as it had in the beginning of their relationship. "Forget it. It's not important," he said, looking out the window. "So, what're you doing here? Thought you were hiding out for a while."

"I am. Kronos is over in the next town looti--uh, getting supplies so I just came over here to hang with you for a while until he wants to split. Now quit trying to change the subject. What's going on?"

Autolycus frowned. Kronos; now why did that name sound familiar? Well, he couldn't dwell on it right then, not with his lover standing there looking at him expectantly. Nysus wouldn't be put off this time and Autolycus knew it.

"I'm tired," he admitted. Actually, that about summed it all up.

"Tired of what?" Nysus prompted.

"Everything." Bitter sarcasm started to work its way into Autolycus' tone. "Xena telling me what 'a good deed' I'm doing. Gabrielle ranting on about 'The Way'. Iolaus making sure I don't steal anything and Hercules' endless little lectures on morality! I'm just tired of it all!" He sighed in frustration, pulling his temper back under control. He needed to stay calm. He didn't know any other way to deal with things.

"Hercules?" Nysus had gone very still and the look in his eyes...Autolycus hadn't seen that one before. Hate mixed with a good amount of fear. "You mean, he's here?" Nysus' tone sounded far too steady and controlled.

"Yeah. Next door." Autolycus motioned to his right, indicating the room Hercules and Iolaus had rented.

"Fuck!" Nysus released Autolycus' arm, turning away. "I knew you'd still be stuck with Xena and I can deal with her, but I never would've shown up if I'd known you'd taken up with Jercules!"

"Hey! You think I like it? I don't mind doing something every now and then to help them out, but a week of being stuck with Xena and Hercules is driving me crazy!"

For a few moments a tense silence prevailed, then Nysus seemed to relax some. "I know. It's not your fault," he conceded with a resigned sigh. "This thing with me and that bast--Hercules doesn't got anything to do with you so let's forget it. Besides, I guess, well, I probably would've shown up anyway, even if I'd known he was here," he admitted, turning to look at Autolycus again.

Autolycus nodded in understanding, remembering the time not so long ago when, despite his problems with Ares, he'd gone through some of the War God's temples looking for Nysus. "You're stuck here for a while, you know," he pointed out, thinking a change of subject might be good.

"What d'you mean?"

"They wanna make sure I don't run off so now that I'm up here, either Iolaus or Gabrielle -- maybe both -- are outside, watching that window in case I try to escape."

Frowning at Autolycus like he didn't want to believe him, Nysus went to the side of the window and glanced out. A few seconds later he cursed under his breath as he quickly moved back. "That self-righteous little bitch is out there now!" he almost snarled.

"Gabrielle?"

"That's what I said. She's out there preaching her 'Way' thing and watching the window. You know, someone oughtta take that superior attitude of hers and shove it so far up--"

"I'm taking it you don't like her all that much," Autolycus stated the obvious with a slight grin.

"Like, duh." Nysus rolled his eyes. "You know what I'm real tempted to do? I'm thinking about breaking Jett outta prison. Bet he'd like to get his hands on little miss 'I'm enlightened so I'm better than you', down there."

"Whoa! Hold up!" Autolycus quickly cut in. "Gabrielle wouldn't be the first one he'd go after. I was the one that betrayed him. If you know about that whole Cleopatra thing then you know that. Now, I'm damn good at what I do, but keeping ahead of the King of Assassins when he wants me dead? I don't think so."

"What makes you think I'd let him get you?" Nysus smiled at him, reaching out to run a couple fingertips down his jawline. "He doesn't kill family, you know, and you're almost family. Wouldn't take much to make it official-like."

"You proposing?" Autolycus smiled back teasingly.

But Nysus didn't return the look. He seemed serious as he moved closer. "Maybe," he replied quietly, then he leaned in for a surprisingly gentle kiss.

Somehow they'd gone from talking about Gabrielle to a subject Autolycus really didn't want to get into. He'd only mentioned it as a joke but Nysus seemed to take it completely seriously. Having Nysus as a lover was one thing, but marriage? He hadn't thought it possible to begin with, all things considered, but Nysus apparently thought they could do it. That didn't mean Autolycus wanted to though. He didn't feel ready for that kind of commitment -- had a suspicion he never would be either.

Taking Nysus by the shoulders, he stepped back a bit, putting some distance between them. He needed room to think and having Nysus close made sure his thought process shut down. "Nysus," he began hesitantly, "I like you. A lot. You know that, but I don't--"

"Hey," Nysus interrupted, "I get it, okay? So don't go getting all paranoid on me. You're not gonna wake up some morning and find out I got you wasted and we tied the knot, dig? Wouldn't be cool."

Relaxing under that assurance, Autolycus smiled a bit. "What would be 'cool?'" he asked with genuine curiosity. These little glimpses into Nysus' thoughts and dreams fascinated him.

"You kidding?" Nysus grinned. "If I ever got married the whole damn country would know it. I mean, the bachelor party alone would rock! Wouldn't be a whore or dancing girl left in Greece 'cause they'd all be there. And the wedding feast, oh man, that'd have Ol--my home closed down for a fuckin' week. Everyone'd be too tanked to get off the floor! See, I know how to party."

Autolycus couldn't help grinning back, not doubting for an instant that Nysus meant every word. "Sounds good," he said truthfully, pulling him closer.

"It would be." Nysus settled down some, fitting himself against Autolycus. "But I won't mention it again, okay? Not 'till you're ready to hear it anyway."

Before Autolycus could reply to that, Nysus' lips touched his, arms going around his neck and he forgot whatever he'd wanted to say. For a few minutes after that nothing existed in his world except the feel of Nysus' mouth against his.

For once overwhelming passion and urgency didn't enter into it. No ripping off each other's clothes or anything. They just kissed in a way that seemed almost chaste compared to what they usually did. But it still made Autolycus' heart speed up, his breathing come faster. And when they eventually drew apart, he could see that Nysus was in much the same condition.

"Wow," Autolycus whispered.

"Yeah," Nysus agreed, licking his lips.

Feeling the need to sit before his suddenly weak knees gave out on him, Autolycus dropped into a chair by the wall. Amazing what Nysus could do to him.

"You okay?" Nysus asked with a touch of humor. "You know, at your age, you should probably take a break or something. Maybe get a nap?"

Grinning at the teasing, Autolycus suddenly reached out and grabbed hold of Nysus' wrist, yanking him forward. With a surprised yelp, Nysus fell into his arms. "Doesn't look like I'm the one slowing up." Autolycus' grin widened as he locked his arms around Nysus' waist, holding him there.

Nysus didn't attempt to get away though. He made himself more comfortable, straddling Autolycus' lap, resting an arm on the back of the chair as he leaned in close. "I can't ever see you slowing up, Auto; like this or any other way. You're too good."

"Mmm," Autolycus tightened his hold on his lover. "Hail to the ki--" Nysus' mouth covered his, cutting off one of his favorite lines. But he decided not to be offended by it. The feel of Nysus pressed up against him, the way Nysus' mouth moved over his; it more than made up for it.

The kissing remained unusually gentle, unhurried. For some reason Autolycus didn't feel any need to get on with it and apparently neither Nysus. This light contact, lips moving against each other, bodies separated only by thin layers of cloth and leather; it just felt so damn good.

Getting closer would be better though. Autolycus let his hands wander, sliding them up under Nysus' vest, seeking the warmth of skin through the material of his green shirt. He heard Nysus moan in response, felt the slight shiver that went through him.

A moment later Nysus' lips slid away from his, brushing against his cheek, moving further back. At the same time his hand moved between them and Nysus began working open Autolycus' soft leather vest.

Autolycus couldn't help the soft groan that escaped him as warm breath moved over his ear, fingers occasionally brushing his bare skin as Nysus continued to work on the vest. Autolycus decided he had the right idea. Grasping Nysus' shirt, he pulled it free, baring smooth skin to his touch. Nysus shivered again and nipped at his ear reflexively.

Closing his eyes, Autolycus lost himself in the sensations, loving this sense of closeness without the desperate need attached to it. Lips moving over his cheek, his throat, then back to his mouth; fingers on his chest, occasionally brushing over his nipples, making him moan. And the feel of warm skin beneath his hands, the sensation of Nysus against him -- gods, he never wanted to stop doing this!

Sometime later, he couldn't say when, he heard his name whispered against his lips, more of a moan really, but still audible enough. Opening his eyes reluctantly, Autolycus realized that at some point both his vest and his shirt had been pulled open and Nysus' hands had moved around to his back, nails digging in slightly. It took Autolycus another second to figure out where his own hands were: beneath the waistband of Nysus' pants, on that firm ass, holding him close as they rocked slowly against each other.

Oh, so that's why he couldn't seem to think straight. They were both hard and that steady rocking motion sent pleasure shooting through him each time their cocks came into contact through the leather of their pants -- except that somehow Nysus' pants had gotten unlaced. In fact, his vest now lay on the floor and his shirt hung open. When all that happened Autolycus didn't know, but it sure made things convenient. Pulling Nysus even closer, increasing the pace of that delicious rocking, he licked at Nysus' lips. This light kissing was fine, but he wanted to taste more.

Surprisingly though, Nysus drew back. His hands resting on Autolycus' shoulders, he stilled all motion. Drawing in a deep, ragged breath, he grinned at Autolycus. "This is like, totally hot, but let's move it over there, huh?" He motioned towards the bed.

Trying to catch his own breath, Autolycus nodded. He wouldn't mind trying it in a chair sometime, just not at the moment. Pulling his hands free, Autolycus started to wrap his arms around Nysus' waist, intent on carrying him over to the bed like he had one other time. But before he got a good grip, Nysus pulled away. Moving off him, Nysus grinned wryly.

"Nice try, Auto, but I'm gonna walk this time."

Autolycus couldn't help smirking slightly. "What's wrong? Don't you think it's sweet when I carry you?"

Nysus shook his head in exasperation. "We'll see how 'sweet' it is when I do it to you sometime," he promised as he walked over to the bed.

"Yeah, right." Autolycus snorted, pushing the subject out of his mind a moment later when Nysus sprawled out on the mattress. Raising himself up on his elbows, Nysus smiled invitingly at him.

Kicking off his boots as he went, Autolycus walked over to the edge of the bed. Stopping there he just looked down at Nysus for a few moments, committing to memory the sight of him lying there, offering himself like that. Too damn sexy.

"You gonna get down here or what?" Nysus' tone held just the slightest hint of impatience, but more humor than anything else.

"Or what." Autolycus teased.

Suddenly Nysus duplicated Autolycus' earlier move. Leaning forward and grabbing him, he pulled a startle Autolycus down into a loose embrace. "Don't you think this is better?" he whispered.

Now lying on top of his lover, Autolycus had to agree. All humor gone, he braced himself up on one elbow and looked down at Nysus. "I ever tell you that you've got the greatest eyes?" he observed, brushing a strand of hair out of Nysus' face.

Nysus gave him a slight smirk. "No, and if you start comparing them to flowers or the sky or something, I'm outta here."

Autolycus smiled back. "I was thinking more along the lines of that last big gem I stole. Same great color." Then he leaned down for a long kiss. Some moments later when he finally ended it, Nysus had gone almost boneless beneath him.

"Romantic," Nysus accused, looking up at him through half-closed eyes.

"And you love it." Drawn in by that sexy look, Autolycus kissed his way slowly down from Nysus' lips to the base of his throat.

"Ooh, yeah," Nysus sighed. "Gimme some more of that."

"What? Poetry?" Pausing in his exploration of Nysus' neck, Autolycus looked up with a teasing smile. "Okay. How about I start comparing you to, say, moonlight on water? Pale and beautiful, sparkling, just like these gorgeous eyes of yours, graceful like -- hey!" Suddenly Autolycus found himself being flipped over and pinned to the mattress by Nysus' body.

"You know, Auto," Nysus said casually, crossing his arms on Autolycus' chest, "I really love these sappy moods of yours. You get all touchy-feely and it just makes me tingle in all the right places, but I gotta draw the line at that flowery stuff. I mean, if I wanna OD on sugar, I'll go hang at my Aunt's place and work my way through her chocolate stash, dig?"

"Yeah, sure." Autolycus agreed, trying not to sound disappointed -- because he wasn't. He couldn't even be bothered to wonder what in Tartarus chocolate was, as Nysus' fingers brushing lightly back and forth over his nipple did a good job of taking his mind off it.

"That's better," Nysus whispered, then lowered his head and flicked his tongue over Autolycus' other nipple.

Definitely better, Autolycus decided. Letting his eyes drift shut, he gasped at the feel of the mouth closing over the hard nub. Gods, he loved this, the light suction that had him shivering with pleasure, the weight of Nysus holding him down; but he wanted to feel more. Sliding his hands beneath Nysus' open shirt, he pushed it off his shoulders.

Nysus shrugged it the rest of the way off and tossed it aside without stopping in his slow, relentless teasing of Autolycus' nipples. Licking, nipping, until, unable to take the torment anymore, Autolycus grabbed a handful of Nysus' hair and tugged him up. "Enough," he said before pulling him into a deep kiss.

"What's wrong, Auto?" his lover breathed against his lips. "Think I'm gonna make you come just from that?" Autolycus didn't reply, just kissed him again.

They continued with that for a time, keeping their arousal at a constant, slow burn, but then Nysus pushed against him and Autolycus groaned, feeling his cock jerk in response. He decided right then that they were still wearing way too much.

Taking hold of the back of Nysus' pants, he started working them down as best he could. A task made nearly impossible by Nysus' attempts to undress him at the same time. Finally he gave up and let Nysus take over.

Never once stopping with his attempts to devour Autolycus' mouth, Nysus managed to pull off Autolycus' shirt and vest, tossing them aside, then he set to work on Autolycus' pants. He had to sit up to finish undressing them both. Autolycus, feeling slightly dizzy from lack of air, just lay there and let Nysus strip him. Finally naked, he watched appreciatively as Nysus then started to pull off his own pants.

Catching Autolycus' eyes on him, Nysus grinned. "Want me to do this slow? Really give you something to watch?"

Smiling back, Autolycus shook his head. "I love the way you look, but right now I'd rather touch you."

"Oh, yeah," Nysus breathed, then quickly finished undressing, tossing his pants in the pile of clothes by the bed. Moving back over him, Nysus moaned softly when Autolycus' hands slid down his back.

"See, touching's better," Autolycus murmured before kissing Nysus' throat. He heard another moan in response.

For a few moments Autolycus just held him, kissing the long throat, letting his teeth graze over the pale skin sometimes, leaving little marks. Then he felt Nysus shiver against him right before he pulled away, moving down, lips sliding over Autolycus' neck.

Autolycus groaned as Nysus continued to slide down, hot flesh moving against his, lips on his chest, his stomach. Then Nysus lay between his legs, and barely a second later, Autolycus felt a tongue begin to slowly lick its way up the length of his cock. A shiver went through him as it finally reached the head, licking, then...oh gods, the feeling of a hot mouth taking him in, all the way, sucking--

Grasping a handful of Nysus' hair, Autolycus tugged gently, ignoring his body's desire to just let Nysus suck him dry.

Nysus stopped, looking up with a frown, obviously wanting to continue just as much.

"Get your ass up here," Autolycus ordered, his voice sounding rougher than normal. But when Nysus started to move up, Autolycus shook his head. "No, you can keep your mouth down there, just get the rest of you up here."

Now Nysus grinned in understanding. A quick shift in position, moving onto their sides to make it easier, and Autolycus had what he wanted. That wonderfully talented mouth closed around him again, and he turned his attention to Nysus' already leaking cock. Licking away the clear drops, he felt a shudder go through Nysus' body and Autolycus hoped his lover could hold out a while longer. He wanted to take the time to enjoy this.

Trying not to be too distracted by the delicious sensation of fingers moving over his balls and down lower, he let the head of Nysus' cock slide past his lips. Gods, he tasted good! Autolycus worked the tip of his tongue into the slit, looking for more. He heard a muffled groan and felt the mouth around him tighten, sucking harder. Autolycus couldn't help moaning himself, moving further down the long cock.

One hand on Nysus' ass, caressing, loving the feel of the smooth skin, he began sliding his mouth along the thick shaft, pausing whenever he reached the head to tease it with his tongue. The muffled groans Nysus made in response encouraged him. That and the way Nysus seemed intent on practically devouring his cock. That tongue was slowly driving Autolycus crazy, and those fingers, if they moved just a little lower....

Autolycus cried out, a muted sound around the cock in his mouth, but still audible. He shivered, sucking harder at the shaft as those fingers pushed deep into him, finding the right spot, pushing against it. He thrust hard into Nysus' mouth, unable to stop himself, rocking back against the fingers, then shoving into the wet heat surrounding his aching cock.

And Nysus began to do the same. Pushing further down Autolycus' throat, whimpering as Autolycus' teeth grazed the sensitive head.

It didn't last nearly long enough for Autolycus. The delicious feeling of fingers and mouths and tongues, combining and becoming one incredible wave of sensation -- he barely had a chance to register it all before the orgasm hit him suddenly, taking him by surprise.

Nysus sucked at him hard as he came, intensifying it, making him cry out despite the cock buried halfway down his throat. Still caught up in his own pleasure, Autolycus felt his lover's body tense against him, and then Nysus shoved deeper into his mouth and came.

A few moments later they reluctantly let go of each other, falling back, breathing hard. Autolycus couldn't help grinning like a fool. They were acting like a couple of horny teenagers and it felt great.

"We gotta do that again," he muttered, struggling to sit up.

"Now?" Nysus raised an eyebrow but didn't make any other move. Lying there completely relaxed, face still flushed, lips swollen, he looked so...edible. Autolycus was seriously tempted to go for it right then, but he needed at least a few minutes to recover from the first time.

Shaking his head in response, Autolycus leaned down and kissed him. Autolycus felt hands slide up his arms, moving around to his back and holding him there while Nysus deepened the kiss. Autolycus moaned, tasting himself on Nysus' tongue. When Nysus finally released him, he sat up and took a deep breath, trying to calm down enough to think straight.

"Have something for you," he said, remembering what he'd done earlier that day.

"Yeah?" Nysus grinned suggestively, his thoughts obvious.

"Yeah." Autolycus got off the bed, hiding his smile when he saw the confusion on Nysus' face. Dropping to one knee on the floor, he sorted through the pile of clothing there until he came up with his vest. Finding the hidden pocket inside, he pulled out the dagger.

"I, uh, found this at the market Iolaus dragged me to today," Autolycus said as he moved back up to the bed. "I saw it and I just, well, I thought you'd like it, you know?" For some reason this suddenly became hard to do. Unable to say anything more without sounding like an idiot, he held out the dagger, hilt first.

Sitting up, his frown turning curious, Nysus took the offered weapon carefully. When he got a good look at it, his eyes widened. "This is Hephaestian metal," he commented. "What in Tartarus was it doing in a market?"

"Goldilocks said the smith's name is Titus, an apprentice of Hephaestus or something."

"Oh, right. Yeah, he is." Nysus nodded, his eyes never leaving the dagger. "Not that I'm not grateful or nothing, but that's really taking a risk, Auto, stealing from one of Heph's people."

"Yeah, well..." Autolycus looked away uncomfortably. "See, I sorta didn't steal it. I, um...well, I bought it."

"'Scuse me?" Nysus looked at him with raised eyebrows. "Thought I just heard you say you 'bought' this."

Leave it to Nysus to rub it in. "It was just one of those crazy impulses I guess." Autolycus tried to rationalize it. "Iolaus thought I'd gone crazy anyway," he added under his breath.

"So, you're saying that you, the King of Thieves, actually bought me a present?" Shock and disbelief showed in Nysus' expression.

"Yeah," Autolycus muttered, starting to wish he'd just stolen it.

"That's like...wow! I mean -- you're so totally cool!" Nysus grinned brightly.

Normally Autolycus didn't mind compliments. Actually he expected them. But this time he found himself uncomfortably close to blushing. "It's not a big deal," he insisted. "The money wasn't mine anyway. I stole it so it's not like I spent the family fortune or something."

"Yeah, but you had to work to get that money, even if you did steal it," Nysus pointed out.

"But it doesn't mean--"

"Auto, shut up for a sec, okay?" Nysus set the dagger aside, then turned his attention fully to Autolycus. "I'm gonna say something majorly clichéd and sappy, and there's no way I'm repeating it, so just listen, dig?" He waited for Autolycus' nod before continuing. "I don't care how you got the money or how easy it was. You bought something for me and it's the thought that counts. Now I'm gonna thank you for that."

A fraction of a second later, Autolycus found himself lying on his back, Nysus on top of him. Lips brushed over his forehead, cheeks, even landing once on his nose before finally reaching his mouth. Nysus didn't let up there, the kiss turning hard. His hands were busy too, one tangling in Autolycus' hair, holding his head still for the increasingly passionate kisses; the other sliding down over Autolycus' side, fingers lightly stroking.

Wrapping an arm around Nysus' waist, Autolycus held him tightly, shivering at the feel of those long fingers moving over his hip. His cock taking a definite interest in things again, he pushed up against Nysus who groaned at the movement and pushed back, then again, setting a hard, fast rhythm that Autolycus eagerly took up.

The constant friction, hot, slick skin sliding together; Autolycus had to have more of the sensations. Hooking a leg up around Nysus', he anchored them tightly together and began thrusting up harder. Nysus gasped and his kiss turned brutal, lips crushing against Autolycus'. In some still-functioning portion of his mind, Autolycus realized that he'd have bruises from this later, and he didn't care. Fingers digging into Nysus' pale skin, he returned the kiss just as roughly.

Intense pleasure shot through him every time their cocks came into contact, rubbing against each other, and the little noises Nysus made were driving Autolycus half out of his mind with lust. Just hearing Nysus moan like that, the breathless, pleading sound of it made Autolycus want to come right then. Digging his fingers into Nysus' ass, Autolycus tried to get him to move faster, pushing up against him urgently.

But Nysus pulled back. Prying himself out of Autolycus' grasp despite Autolycus' near-desperate attempts to hold onto him, he moved off to the side. Stretching out on his stomach, he looked at Autolycus invitingly.

"I want you in me, Auto," he said quietly, voice deepened with lust. "I wanna feel you on top of me, holding me down, fucking me until I come, screaming your name. Sound good?"

Autolycus didn't waste time replying. The words and the images they brought to mind sent blood rushing to his cock and he struggled not to come as he quickly moved over Nysus, straddling his legs. Too close to the edge to stop and hunt for oil, Autolycus spit in his hand and covered his cock with it. That brief contact sent shivers of pleasure through him, almost breaking his control.

He gritted his teeth against the desire to just jerk himself off -- the mental picture of Nysus lying there, covered in his come almost ended it all right then, but somehow he held on. Keeping one hand pressed into the center of Nysus' back, holding him down, Autolycus worked the head of his cock into the tight opening.

Nysus gasped and tried to push back, but Autolycus held him still. Slowly working his way in deeper, Autolycus ignored the delicious moans coming from beneath him. If he listened he knew the sound alone would make him come.

Closing his eyes, he focused on the sensation of that incredibly tight ass around his cock as he began a slow withdrawal, then a hard push in. Nysus tried again to thrust back against him with no success. Autolycus continued to hold him down, keeping a steady, slow rhythm that soon had Nysus begging. A continuous litany of "harder" broken only by the occasional whimpered "please", all of which Autolycus ignored.

This slow fucking just felt too damn good. He didn't want to rush it just yet. Never breaking the rhythm he had going, he leaned down and pressed his lips to the back of Nysus' neck. Sliding his mouth over the sweat-slicked skin, he paused briefly at Nysus' shoulder, then bit down just hard enough to bruise.

Nysus jerked beneath and cried out softly, hands clutching at the bed sheet so hard the material nearly ripped. Autolycus sucked lightly at the teeth marks, running his tongue over them, turning the pale skin dark red, almost purple. And Nysus shivered, ass tightening reflexively.

Autolycus bit back a desperate moan at the almost painful pleasure that caused. He couldn't hold on much longer, not with Nysus responding like this. He had to get control again.

Shifting his weight slightly, pressing a final kiss on the marked shoulder, he slid an arm under Nysus' chest and sat up, pulling his lover with him. Nysus gasped sharply, his head falling back on Autolycus' shoulder, face a mask of near-ecstasy.

For a moment Autolycus couldn't move. This had the opposite affect of what he'd intended. The feeling of his lover pressed against him, his cock deeper inside than ever before, it shredded his control. Suddenly he found himself gripping Nysus' waist tightly and thrusting up hard. The cry he heard in response only encouraged him and he continued, once more fastening his teeth on Nysus' shoulder.

When Nysus moved to touch himself, Autolycus grabbed his wrist, stopping him. Autolycus didn't want him getting himself off. When he came it'd be because of the cock pounding into his ass and nothing else. He heard Nysus pleading to be allowed to move but Autolycus just tightened his grip and increased the pace, driven on by the whimpers of frustrated pleasure coming from Nysus.

And suddenly Nysus stiffened, gasping out his name. A gasp that turned to a scream as he came, ass clamping down on Autolycus' cock, snapping what little remained of Autolycus' tenuous control. Autolycus shoved deep inside him, coming so hard he couldn't even remember to breathe.

"Auto? C'mon, Auto!"

"Yeah, babe?" Autolycus mumbled, not wanting to open his eyes. Except...when had he closed them? Before he could wonder anymore about that, his arm was punched. Not hard, just enough to sting.

"Hey!" Eyes snapping open, he glared up at Nysus. Up? Frowning, momentarily forgetting about the rude awakening, Autolycus looked around and found himself lying on the bed. Well, "sprawled" on the bed was a better description. "What...?" He didn't remember ending up like this, just the most incredible orgasm he'd ever--

"You passed out." The amusement in Nysus' tone stung Autolycus' pride just a bit.

"No way," he automatically denied the statement. "I was just...resting."

Nysus snorted. "Uh, yeah, sure, Auto. Whatever you say." He stretched out on his stomach next to Autolycus, chin propped up on his crossed arms.

"So why'd you hit me?" Autolycus asked without any real anger, turning on his side to look at Nysus.

"Why d'you think? You called me 'babe' again."

"You are a babe." He grinned tiredly.

Nysus rolled his eyes but didn't protest it again. "You actually wiped me out a little, you know?" he commented, changing the subject.

"Oh, just a little?" Autolycus responded with a touch of sarcasm, sliding an arm around Nysus' waist.

"Hey, can't help it if I'm insatiable, you know."

Smiling at the teasing, but too exhausted to return it, Autolycus rolled onto his back, taking Nysus with him. Nysus didn't protest, instead stretching out partially on top of him, head resting on his shoulder.

He could get used to this, Autolycus realized. Not the sex. That he'd already gotten used to, even come to expect on an at least semi-regular basis. But he really liked this lying here, holding his lover thing -- he refused to think of it as "cuddling". It felt...good. They'd have to do it more often.

He pressed a light kiss to the top of Nysus' head before closing his eyes. His thoughts drifting, for the first time he let himself wonder what it would be like to have this every day. Not marriage of course, never that, but an actual commitment-type thing. The "C" word had always made him run for the nearest exit before, but now...it didn't sound all that bad.

The feel of a mouth on his pulled Autolycus at least partially awake. Not a bad way to wake up. Reaching out he took hold of Nysus' shoulders, deepening the kiss, tongue licking at Nysus' lips. But he felt the naked body of his lover slip away.

"Damn," Nysus sighed, "you weren't supposed to wake up."

"Huh?" Still more than half asleep, Autolycus didn't get it.

"I just wanted to kiss you goodbye. I gotta go."

"Where d'you think you're going?" Autolycus reached out and grabbed hold of him as Nysus tried to get off the bed. He yanked Nysus back down, grinning at the surprised yelp he gave.

"C'mon, Auto. I really gotta bail here!"

"Mmm, is that right?" He pulled Nysus against him. Lying on their sides, back to front, Autolycus held him there with an arm around the chest.

Ignoring the continued protests, he began kissing the long, pale neck, working his way up to Nysus' ear. He lightly nibbled on the lobe, making Nysus shiver a bit.

"See," he whispered, "you don't really want to go anywhere." He ran his tongue up the back of the ear, smiling when it drew a small groan from Nysus.

"I don't, but I gotta," Nysus insisted, starting to pull away.

"Just a few more minutes." Finding the unpierced nipple, Autolycus trailed a finger over it, rubbing back and forth. Nysus gasped and arched up into the touch. Probably an involuntary movement, but it turned Autolycus on to see it. Pinching lightly, loving the way the stimulation made Nysus whimper, Autolycus slid a leg between Nysus', pressing his stiffening cock against that firm ass. Despite all his protests just moments before, Nysus pushed back against him with a soft moan.

Oh, fuck. When Nysus decided to get into something, he really gave it everything he had. The sight of it, Nysus lying in his arms, face flushed, tongue darting out to moisten dry lips, and the way he responded to every little touch -- suddenly all traces of sleep vanished and Autolycus found himself painfully hard.

Momentarily abandoning the nipple he'd been teasing, he pulled Nysus' leg further back over his. "I love seeing you like this," he said against Nysus' ear, fingers trailing up the inside of a thigh, sending a shiver through the wiry body.

"Auto, I ca--"

"Shh," Autolycus whispered, drawing back slightly, watching Nysus as he pushed into that tight, sweet ass.

Nysus gasped sharply, biting down on his lip as a brief look of pleasure/pain crossed his face. Autolycus didn't stop, continuing to work his way in with slow, shallow thrusts, fascinated by the expressions on his lover's face.

The momentary look of pain had vanished and suddenly Nysus moaned and pushed back against him. Autolycus let him but didn't allow Nysus' abrupt eagerness to alter his pace. Taking it slow, savoring the way Nysus looked, and those wonderful little whimpers and gasps he gave.

Eyes now closed, breathing hard, Nysus looked absolutely delicious. A flush crept up the pale skin of his neck and each time Autolycus thrust deep into him, he rocked back against Autolycus with a small, panting moan.

Sliding a hand down Nysus' stomach, Autolycus let his fingers brush along the thick shaft he encountered. Nysus jerked, ass tightening, making Autolycus groan. Eyes still shut, Nysus' hand moved to cover Autolycus', closing it around his cock.

With Nysus' hand on his, Autolycus lightly stroked at first, until the pressure of the hand on his increased and he gave Nysus what he obviously wanted. Hard, rough strokes in contrast to the almost gentle way he continued to thrust into Nysus. He let Nysus set his own rhythm, pushing up into Autolycus' hand, then back against the cock deep inside him.

Just watching Nysus almost made Autolycus lose it. The expression of intense pleasure mixed with desire on that face had Autolycus wanting to fuck him so hard--

Suddenly Nysus shuddered, crying out, a short, sharp sound as his cock pulsed in Autolycus' hand. The feeling of hot semen spilling over his hand and the incredible look on Nysus' face did it. Autolycus shoved deep into him and came, biting back a groan that threatened to become his lover's name.

When he could breathe again without gasping for air, Autolycus started licking the come off his hand, still watching Nysus, amused by the dazed look on Nysus' face. "You okay?" he finally asked, somehow managing to keep the humor out of his tone.

"Mmhmm," Nysus mumbled.

Reluctantly letting him go, Autolycus pulled away and sat up, stretching sore muscles. He hadn't had this good of a workout in a long time. Next to him, Nysus rolled over onto his stomach with a low groan, muttering something incomprehensible under his breath.

Smirking in self-satisfaction, Autolycus glanced down at him -- and kept on looking. Teeth and nail marks showed clearly on Nysus' pale skin, on his shoulders and back, and probably on his front as well. Seeing it, Autolycus felt almost...proprietary. He liked seeing those marks there, wouldn't mind more actually. In fact, he had the sudden urge to do something about that. Deciding not to fight it, he quickly moved over Nysus, shoving his legs apart.

"Hey! What're you doing? I gotta go--ooh, that's nice." Nysus arched up against the teeth grazing the skin of his back.

Settling comfortably between his legs, Autolycus moved downward, nibbling and licking his way towards the tight ass he wanted to spend some time on. When he reached it, he immediately bit down, liking the sound that drew from his lover, something between a whimper and a cry.

Nipping his way down one firm cheek, he then moved over to the other. He heard Nysus' continued gasps, and occasional half-hearted protest about needing to leave, but Nysus never pulled away.

Working his way down further, enjoying the taste of the sweat covered skin, Autolycus suddenly encountered a different, if familiar taste; his own come. Without hesitation he licked it off the inside of Nysus' thighs, feeling the shivers working their way through Nysus in response. Grinning in anticipation, Autolycus moved up to the come-slicked ass. The first lick almost sent Nysus straight off the bed.

"Oh, fuck!" he cried out, bucking up beneath Autolycus. Autolycus' weight on his legs held him down though and Autolycus continued to leisurely clean away the come.

No more protests, now Nysus just begged him for more, pushing back against him, whimpering his name pleadingly. The sight and sound of it all was a total turn-on for Autolycus. Even when he'd licked away every trace, Autolycus didn't stop, pushing his tongue in, past the tight ring of muscle. Working it further in as Nysus' cries changed pitch, the wiry body tensing beneath him -- hearing the man's scream a few moments later as he came again.

Reluctantly pulling away, Autolycus reflected on how much he enjoyed having a lover who was so vocal. It really got him hot. In fact, the idea of fucking Nysus again held a lot of appeal.

Trailing a finger up the middle of Nysus' back, he started to lean down, intent on kissing the back of the pale neck.

"No way, Auto!" Nysus suddenly turned over and pushed him away. "I so gotta go! I don't have time for this!"

"Really?" Autolycus caught one of his hands and pressed a kiss to the palm.

"Knock it off!" Nysus giggled. "That mustache of yours tickles!"

"Didn't hear you complaining about it a couple minutes ago." Autolycus kissed his wrist, making sure to brush his mustache over the sensitive skin, sending Nysus into a loud fit of giggles.

"Would you shut up in there already?"

The shout surprised Autolycus, making him look up at the far wall. Nycus sat up beside him, frowning. "Like, isn't that Xena?"

"Yeah." Autolycus nodded. "Oops."

"No kidding." Nysus smirked slightly. Grabbing the dagger from where he'd dropped it near the end of the mattress, he quickly moved off the bed. "Well, if she didn't know what was up before, guess she does now. Where the fuck did all my clothes go?"

"What're you talking about?"

"You don't really think she totally bought the 'we're just partners' gig, did you?" Nysus shook his head as he tried to find his clothing in the mixed pile on the floor by the bed.

"Yeah, I do," Autolycus replied with certainty. "We played it pretty well. I think she believed it."

"Maybe, but I'll betchya she heard a bit of what we did that night."

Autolycus didn't quite believe it. Thinking back he felt certain that they'd been quiet enough. Xena and Gabrielle slept right through it. But he had to admit that Nysus had a point. If Xena heard everything that just went on here, she might put things together. Not that it presented a problem. She wouldn't bother Autolycus about it.

"You're leaving?" he changed the subject as Nysus continued to sort through their clothes hurriedly.

"Duh, Auto!" Nysus rolled his eyes. "I've been trying to bail for a while now! Just hope I'm not too late. I gotta get back to Kronos' camp before Ares figures out I'm around and makes me help him."

That name again. Kronos. Autolycus couldn't quite place it but -- oh. Oh shit. "Kronos?!" he demanded. "I thought you told me you'd be staying with some of Ares' warlords, I heard even the God of War doesn't have anything to do with Kronos."

"'Course not. The guy and his pals are total wackos. Look, it's the only place I know where Ares won't be looking for me, okay? He'd never expect me to risk hanging with those dudes."

"He's a vicious son-of-a-bitch and those others with him aren't much better," Autolycus pointed out, remembering some of the things he'd heard about the warlord and his companions. "You're not safe around him."

Nysus sat back on his heels and regarded him seriously. "Take my word for it, Auto, Kronos and his buds know how things are and there's no way they'd ever mess with me. I'm cool." His tone indicated the conversation ended there.

Not happy with it but knowing he couldn't do anything either, Autolycus sat there as Nysus finished finding the pieces of his clothing. He watched as Nysus gathered up his things and stood, walking over to the other side of the room where more of their clothes lay on the floor. By the time Nysus reached it, Autolycus had pretty much forgotten about the warlord, his thoughts occupied by the gorgeous sight before him.

Nysus dropped his clothes in the chair near the window and bent down to get the rest of his things, giving Autolycus a great view of that perfect ass.

Definitely hard now, and more than eager to do something about it, Autolycus pushed off the bed and walked towards Nysus, not stopping when Nysus stood and saw him.

"Umm...what's up, Auto?" Nysus asked uncertainly, piling the rest of his clothing on the chair.

"What do you think's up?" Autolycus grinned wickedly, still advancing on him.

"Oh, you gotta be kidding me." Backing away from him, Nysus smiled placatingly. "You know I don't got the time," he tried.

"Uh-huh. Turn around." Autolycus indicated the wall Nysus was about to back into, the one separating his room from Xena and Gabrielle's.

"C'mon, Auto! I'm serious here! Can't we do this next time when we can do some of that, you know, schmoopy stuff you like, foreplay and all that?" Now pressed up against the wall, Nysus smiled hopefully.

Autolycus smiled back. "You want foreplay? Fine. Turn around and brace yourself."

"I don't believe this! You're worse than Cu--my cousin on a sugar-high!"

Standing in front of him, Autolycus just waited, raising an eyebrow impatiently.

With a martyred sigh, Nysus turned around and braced his hands against the wall, spreading his legs. The sight sent a rush of blood right to Autolycus' cock, making him gasp. "You're the only one that does this to me," he pointed out, moving up behind him.

"What about Xena?"

"I guess she probably does suspect, so why keep it quiet? In fact, why don't you make it good and loud." Covering one of Nysus' hands with his own, Autolycus licked his bruised shoulder before thrusting into him, hard.

He didn't know if Nysus followed his suggestion, or if he simply couldn't help himself, but Nysus made it more than loud. Between his groaning, crying out Autolycus' name, and outright screams, Autolycus wouldn't have been surprised if half the town knew what they were doing. But he didn't care either. The noise just got him hotter, made him shove in faster and deeper, until his cries matched Nysus' in volume and he was coming so hard he thought his legs would give out on him.

Somehow he managed to stay standing, leaning against Nysus for support. "Wow," he muttered against the back of Nysus' neck.

"Yeah," Nysus agreed in a whisper.

No sound came from the other side of the wall and for some reason that gave Autolycus the urge to giggle, but he suppressed it as he pulled away. Moving to lean back against the wall, he watched as Nysus walked -- well, more like stumbled -- over to the chair where he'd dropped his clothes and started to pull them on as quickly as he could, which wasn't very fast when he kept dropping them.

"Need help?" Autolycus offered with a grin.

"Like, no way! You're staying right over there!" Nysus insisted as he tried to pull on a boot, only succeeding on the third attempt. "You're really messing me up here, know what I mean?" he accused, working on the other boot.

"What? I thought you were insatiable," Autolycus teased. He couldn't help looking Nysus over, admiring how good he looked shirtless in those tight-fitting pants.

"Yeah, but even I gotta take a little break here and there. What got into you, huh?" Nysus frowned at him, pulling on his shirt, then tucking the dagger inside of his vest.

"I dunno," Autolycus shrugged. "You, I guess."

That made Nysus laugh. "Not yet, but we're gonna get there."

"You think?" Pushing away from the wall, Autolycus thought that over as he approached Nysus. "Okay," he finally decided. "Sounds good to me."

"What?" In the middle of fastening his vest, Nysus paused and stared at him.

"Next time we meet up like this, you can fuck me. Work for you?" Autolycus stopped in front of him and reached out to run a finger down his cheek.

"Fuck, yeah!" Nysus breathed, pale blue eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Then let's hope this little problem with Ares gets solved soon so we can have some fun, hmm?"

"Definitely!" Nysus grinned, moving a bit closer to Autolycus. "Gimme a kiss goodbye, huh?" he said quietly.

Autolycus certainly didn't have a problem with that. Pulling Nysus into a tight embrace, Autolycus kissed him hard. He didn't want to let go. When Nysus tried to end it, Autolycus just held him tighter, deepening the kiss, working a leg between Nysus'.

At first Nysus moaned and his arms went around Autolycus' neck, but then he turned away from the kiss. "Okay, I'm leaving now," he said, but the breathless sound of it just encouraged Autolycus.

"Sure," Autolycus agreed, his voice now muffled against Nysus' neck, "in a couple minutes."

"Not again! C'mon! You can't -- mmm, right there -- can't be serious! We just got finished -- yeah, like that -- doing this!"

Ignoring the fading protests, Autolycus pushed the vest and shirt off Nysus' shoulder, giving him access to the once-pale skin that he'd marked earlier with his teeth. Pushing against the growing bulge in Nysus' pants, he gently nibbled at the bruised shoulder.

Nysus gasped softly, one arm locking firmly around Autolycus' neck as his other slid lower. Autolycus moaned at the feel of the hand moving over his ass. There was no way he'd be getting it up again this soon -- or anytime this week even -- but damn that felt good!

Nysus kept the rhythm Autolycus started, rocking against his leg, fingers starting to dig into the firm ass. Autolycus shivered at the sensation, biting down with more force than he'd intended on the shoulder. Nysus yelped in what sounded like pleasure and pushed harder against him.

Well, if that's what he wanted.... Autolycus waited a few moments, then bit down again, prompting the same reaction from Nysus as before, only more intense.

Nysus' protests had long since stopped. Now he just clung to Autolycus, panting and rocking fast against him. His forehead rested against Autolycus' shoulder, nails leaving marks on his back and ass. The next time Autolycus bit down, Nysus groaned loudly, pushing hard against him. Seconds later he went limp in Autolycus' arms, wiry body trembling.

Autolycus continued to hold him, lightly kissing his shoulder, licking away the traces of blood -- blood? Pulling back slightly Autolycus clearly saw the deep teeth marks in Nysus' shoulder, blood slowly oozing from them. He didn't remember biting that hard. Certainly he hadn't meant to!

"Hey, I'm real sorry about that," he quickly apologized.

"Huh?" Nysus replied a bit incoherently. Releasing his clenching grip on Autolycus, he touched the wound on his shoulder. When his fingers came back with traces of blood on them, surprisingly Nysus grinned, even giggled slightly. "Way cool, Auto. Think I'll keep it."

"What?"

"The mark. Thanks." His grin widened at Autolycus' look of confusion. "Don't worry about it. Now, um, you gonna let me outta here this time, or are you gonna try to fuck me to death?"

Autolycus actually gave that serious consideration, wondering if it the possibility existed. But then he saw Nysus glaring at him and shook his head. He knew he had to let Nysus go now. They'd had a lot more time than he'd hoped for and it would have to do for now.

"You going out the window?" he asked.

"Yeah, it should be clear now."

Doubting that, Autolycus looked outside to check for either Iolaus or Gabrielle. Surprisingly though, neither one of them appeared to be down there. "Where'd they get off to?" he muttered to himself.

"Think about it, Auto," Nysus replied sarcastically. "They have to know you're screwing someone in here, so it's a pretty safe bet you're not going anywhere."

"Yeah," Autolycus agreed, moving out of the way so Nysus could pull himself up onto the windowsill. "See you soon?" he asked hopefully.

"Count on it." Nysus winked at him, then jumped.

Autolycus rolled his eyes. Of course Nysus would jump down two stories. When he didn't hear any crashes or yells from people though, Autolycus shrugged and turned away from the window, never doubting Nysus' skill to just disappear like that.

He needed a bath, desperately. No way could he face his friends looking like this. Maybe they -- and everyone else in the town -- knew he'd spent the past few hours fucking like a sex-starved teenager, but he didn't have to look like it.

Grabbing his clothes off the floor as he made his way back to the bed, Autolycus dropped them on the mattress. He grabbed his pants and pulled them on, then sat on the edge of the bed to get on his boots.

He'd definitely had a much better afternoon than he'd expected. Smiling, he recalled how Nysus responded to the dagger he'd gotten it into his head to buy for some reason. He'd have to give Nysus presents more often if he got that kind of response though.

Of course that only happened because Nysus thought it meant something special or whatever. But it didn't. It was just a gift, a nice thought, nothing more. Maybe Nysus did said something corny about it being the thought that counted but that didn't--

"Oh shit."

The boot fell from Autolycus' hand as he tried to grasp what his mind just told him.

"No. No way!" he whispered to himself vehemently. He had to be looking at this wrong. Another explanation existed. It had to, because he couldn't accept this!

He quickly finished dressing, his mind working, trying to come up with another way to look at this. But his thoughts were too confused, too mixed up with his emotions. He needed to clear his head somehow.

Then he remembered the public baths in the town he'd seen on his earlier outing with Iolaus. He figured he'd go there for a bit. He had some time before he had to meet the others, he could spend it getting relaxed, calming down. Maybe then he'd be back to normal and not feeling like...this.

Decision made, he left the room fast, hoping that this time he could slip out without an annoying blond tagging along.

-------

A little over an hour later, hair still damp from the bath he'd only recently pulled himself out of, Autolycus sat at a table working his way through his fifth beer. Or was it the sixth?

The dimly lit tavern housed on the first floor of the inn they were all staying at, served decent food as well, but despite being hungry Autolycus continued to finish one drink after another. Dunking himself in a cold bath hadn't helped, so maybe getting plastered would.

He ignored the way Hercules and Xena silently watched him, well, at least the way Xena did. Actually he found Hercules' reaction amusing.

Sitting on the opposite side of the table, Hercules couldn't look at him too long without turning an interesting shade of red. Apparently Herucles had overheard some of what went on in Autolycus' room. Autolycus was tempted to ask if it'd given he and Iolaus any new ideas, just to see if Hercules would faint. But he resisted, grinning at the thought as he downed the last of the beer.

Signaling a tavernmaid for another refill, he slouched down in his seat, avoiding looking at the woman seated to his right. The way Xena regarded him, it just made him nervous. He couldn't read much in her expression and he didn't like that. That little stunt he'd pulled with Nysus had seemed funny at the time, but now he wondered if he'd made a mistake.

He'd just gotten his new beer when Gabrielle and Iolaus finally showed up. Pushing their way through the crowd to the table where their friends sat, they looked tired and frustrated.

"Sorry, Herc. We couldn't find h--" Iolaus broke off his apology when he caught sight of Autolycus slumped down in one of the chairs. Autolycus just smiled at him and took a long drink.

"Great," Iolaus grumbled, throwing himself down in the chair next to Hercules. "Wasted all that time looking and you're right here."

"Anything to make your day brighter, Shorty." Autolycus' smile turned overly-charming.

Iolaus rolled his eyes but didn't respond. Too bad, in Autolycus' opinion. He wouldn't mind a good argument, or even a fight. Might make things feel more...normal.

"You've been here the whole time?" Gabrielle asked, sitting beside Xena.

"Nah, went out for a while. But I'm here now so let's get this over with," Autolycus replied with a notable lack of enthusiasm.

Iolaus shook his head. "In a couple minutes. I want something to eat first."

"What a surprise," Hercules muttered before waving a hand to get the attention of the nearest tavernmaid.

"Get me another while you're at it," Autolycus said, holding up his mug.

"You've had enough," Hercules refused.

"No, I haven't."

"You've had more than enough, Autolycus. You have a job to do tomorrow, you know."

Great, now things were being decided for him. He watched as Hercules ordered for Iolaus, wondering if Hercules couldn't be happy unless everyone was an exact copy of himself. Autolycus knew the alcohol had made him a bit on the critical side, but he was already upset enough without Hercules adding to it. He needed to get out of there.

"Look, I know the plan and I don't need to hear it again," he said, pushing away from the table. "I'll be fine tomorrow, just lemme get some sleep now." He started to stand up -- and a hand on his arm yanked him right back down.

"Stay there," Xena ordered. "There's been a slight change."

He didn't even think about disobeying. She intimidated him far more than Hercules ever could.

"Are you all right?" Gabrielle asked.

He considered giving her a biting, sarcastic reply, but realized she was just trying to help, so he nodded. Thankfully she let it drop there. But Iolaus didn't.

"Last time I saw you like this was when Cupcake got married," Iolaus pointed out.

Autolycus resisted the impulse to yell at him to shut the fuck up. That was the second time he'd heard the comparison to his former infatuation, and he didn't care for it. "That was nothing like this. It's completely different. I mean, this is just having a good time. At least it was supposed to be." Oh, great. His mouth decided to start running without any guidance from his brain. He quickly shut up.

"That's who you bought the dagger for, huh?" Iolaus raised an eyebrow curiously.

Autolycus wished he could just walk away, but he couldn't with Xena there. He'd gotten himself into this, now he'd have to figure out a way to end it.

"Yeah," he replied, trying not to give Iolaus anything else to latch onto.

"Guess it's really serious then?"

The man wouldn't quit! "Iolaus, shut up," Autolycus finally said, hoping that would be clear enough.

Instead Iolaus grinned. Wonderful. Now Iolaus wanted to mess with him. Autolycus wasn't in the mood for that anymore.

"What's he like?" Iolaus continued, regardless of the way Autolycus glared at him.

"What? You want details or something?" Autolycus snapped.

"Sure!"

"Iolaus!" Hercules and Gabrielle chorused, looking at him in shock. Xena just rolled her eyes at the smirk he gave them.

Autolycus almost smiled. That was the kind of smartass reply he liked to give. "He's great. Okay?"

Iolaus nodded and seemed about to say something else, but thankfully his food arrived just then and he immediately started in on it. Hercules had ordered what looked like...water, for everyone else to drink. Leave it to Hercules to be the sole champion of sobriety in a tavern. Autolycus shook his head in exasperation and finished off his beer.

"So," Iolaus said around a mouthful of food, "what's this guy's name?"

"Oh, for Zeus' sake...." Autolycus was tempted to bang his head on the table out of frustration. Iolaus just looked at him, waiting. "Fine." Autolycus gave in. "He calls himself 'Nysus'."

A minute or so later, after they were sure Iolaus wouldn't choke to death, Hercules spoke up. "Are you crazy?" he demanded.

Great. More problems. "I know you don't get along with him--" Autolycus started, but Hercules cut him off.

"Is that what he told you? No, let me guess. He told you he was the victim here, completely misunderstood, and it's all our fault or something."

"No, he didn't." Autolycus straightened up, glaring at him. "Listen, Hercules; I know who he works for and what he does. He never tried to lie to me about that, or about why he hates you."

Before Hercules could say anything else, Iolaus spoke, giving his partner a look that told him to keep quiet. "Autolycus, do you know what kind of trouble you could get into here?"

Autolycus nodded. "Yeah, I got a pretty good idea."

"And you're okay with that?"

Another nod.

"Okay. None of our business then, right Herc?"

There's something Autolycus never thought to hear Iolaus say. And surprisingly this time it was Hercules who wouldn't let the subject drop.

"Yes, it is!" Hercules insisted. "He needs to know wh--"

"Let it go," Xena said, surprising everyone. Autolycus, and apparently everybody else there, thought she'd side with Hercules.

Hercules looked at her for a few moments, then nodded once with obvious reluctance. "What could you possibly see in him?" he muttered, sitting back in his chair.

Autolycus really wanted the entire subject to disappear, but he couldn't let that comment go. He didn't want to hear anyone, especially Hercules, insulting Nysus. "He's a great guy," he said, his tone daring Hercules to contradict him. "Funny, cute, sexy--" A snort of disbelief interrupted him, but he went on. "He doesn't judge me either. He's not a hypocrite. Doesn't lecture me on how bad thievery is, then turn right around and ask me to steal something for him."

Hercules looked away, not meeting his eyes, which Autolycus found some satisfaction in. He glanced over at Iolaus and saw the look of understanding on his face. Iolaus had a past with Nysus so he knew what Autolycus was talking about.

"But you think his name's 'Nysus,'" Hercules said, still looking out into the crowded room.

Autolycus couldn't help chuckling at that. "Not likely. He hasn't told me his real name, but I can't believe anyone would be stupid enough to buy 'Nysus' as a name."

Suddenly Iolaus seemed uncomfortable and he looked away from Autolycus. A slight flush started creeping up Hercules' neck as he shifted nervously in his seat.

Glancing over at Xena and Gabrielle, Autolycus didn't see them acting strangely, only looking curious at Hercules and Iolaus' reactions. Then it made sense.

"You fell for it, didn't you?" Autolycus asked with a grin. "He used that name and you two bought it."

"Jason too," Iolaus mumbled.

"It was years ago," Hercules said defensively. "Back at the academy. We were just kids."

"Uh-huh," Autolycus nodded, his grin widening. "So -- and this is just a guess here -- but did he tell you his other name was 'Gaius'?"

Iolaus winced and Hercules looked like he wanted to disappear somewhere. That got Autolycus laughing hard, joined by Gabrielle a second or two later when she couldn't hold it in anymore. Even Xena seemed to be trying to suppress a grin.

"But we figured him out in a few days," Hercules said to Autolycus over the laughter. "How long have you been with him?"

Autolycus shrugged, thinking back. "A few months. Six, maybe seven. Something like that." He grinned at Hercules' look of disgust. "Hey, I'm sleeping with him, not you, so don't worry about it. I'm enjoying myself." Glancing at Iolaus, he smirked mischievously. "Yeah, I'm definitely enjoying myself."

Hercules turned that funny shade of red again. Xena just smirked in amusement.

"Now, can we get on with this?" Autolycus asked reasonably. "I wanna get to bed. Feel like I'm sobering up and I don't like it."

That finally seemed to get things moving, and get the subject of his lover dropped. Oh, he knew it would probably come up again in the future, maybe even cause some problems, but for the moment anyway things had settled down. Now he just had to deal with tomorrow. Once he got through that then he'd have some time to spend with Nysus, assuming Nysus could get away from his own job at the same time. Well, they'd work it out somehow.
 

Finalè

Shifting his balance carefully to his right foot, Autolycus checked his handholds on the marble once more, eyes focused on the green gem just an armslength to his right.

All this fuss over one stone. Neither Hercules or Xena had bothered to tell him what this thing could do, only that combined with the other pieces in the God of War's possession, it gave him too much power, maybe even enough to overthrow Zeus. So while they and Iolaus distracted Ares, they'd sent Autolycus into the Halls of War to steal this piece of the Chronos Stone, whatever that was.

To Autolycus it looked like nothing more than an oversized gem -- one he could no doubt get a good price for. Certainly he deserved the reward after disarming five lethal traps, scaling a huge marble statue of Ares himself and now balancing there near the top as best he could while trying to reach the brightly colored stone. The damn thing sat just barely within reach in the hand of the statue.

Normally Autolycus wouldn't put himself in this type of danger, balancing precariously, trying to grab hold of something. Usually he would examine the place for a couple days, determine what tools he needed, then find a nice, safe way to do it.

But he didn't have that kind of time here. Hercules, Xena and Iolaus were outside the Halls of War fighting Ares. Occasionally Autolycus could hear the muffled sounds of the battle, but he tried to ignore it so he could concentrate. It wouldn't be much longer before the War God figured things out and showed up to grab the Chronos Stone and kill a thief. That thought alone tempted Autolycus to rush this, but he didn't dare. One slip and he'd be a big stain on the floor far below him.

Now sure he had his weight distributed right, he slowly reached out towards the green stone.

"Hurry up!"

"Fuck!" Autolycus hissed as he almost lost his grip. Years of experience combined with excellent balance stopped him from falling, but just barely. He managed to get a good grip on the black marble of the statue, saving himself from a quick but messy death. A few moments later, certain he wouldn't be taking a fast trip to Hades right then, he risked loosening his tight grip on the marble enough to allow him some movement.

"Are you trying to kill me?" he demanded without looking down.

"Oh, sorry, but we really have to hurry!"

"We who?" Autolycus grumbled, then refocused on finding the right balance to allow him to make the stretch again towards the Chronos Stone piece.

"A slight change in plans", Xena said last night. Yeah, right. Translation: Autolycus gets to babysit the little blond pacifist. They'd saddled him with Gabrielle so the rest of them didn't have to worry about her when they fought Ares. Great in theory maybe, but it totally sucked in reality.

She didn't seem to understand that he couldn't afford the distraction of someone tossing out odd, pointless comments at him. He knew they had to get out of here soon. He didn't need a self-righteous Gabrielle to remind him of that.

She'd done the same thing when he'd disarmed the first trap at the entrance and her yapping had almost cost him his hand. Asking her to kindly shut up had only worked for a few minutes, up until she felt the need to remind him that he had to be careful while taking care of that poison arrow trap. For some reason she hadn't appreciated his suggestion that she step on the trip wire to save him the trouble of disarming it. Autolycus didn't know how he'd made it this far without her getting them killed.

But he couldn't think about that now. Later maybe, when he could think up a suitable way to "thank" the others for leaving Gabrielle with him. He needed to focus here.

Attention split between his balance and the Chronos Stone fragment, he very carefully reached out. This time his efforts went uninterrupted and moments later he had it in his hand. He didn't take time to congratulate himself, that would come later. For now he tucked the stone into his vest and worked at climbing back down the statue as fast as he safely could. He wanted out of there now.

"Got it," he said a bit breathlessly as he reached the bottom. "Now let's go before my luck runs out!"

"Sorry, Auto. I can't let you do that."

He froze for a moment as the implications of that sank in. Oh gods. Autolycus forced himself to turn around.

Once again dressed in the black leather and silver accessories, hair spiked up in that strange fashion, and holding a choking Gabrielle by her throat, Nysus stood there well out of reach. He watched Autolycus regretfully but with determination. Well, that explained why Gabrielle had been so wonderfully quiet while Autolycus climbed down.

"Ares find you?" Autolycus asked, trying to stall for time to figure out what to do.

"Yeah. Told you I had to go, but you wouldn't listen and he found me. Now gimme the Chronos Stone," Nysus ordered, holding out his free hand.

Looking at the way Gabrielle's face had started to change colors from lack of air, Autolycus reluctantly took the stone out of his vest. Instead of handing it over though, he looked at Nysus appraisingly. "Will you kill her if I don't?"

For a few seconds Nysus looked surprised, maybe because Autolycus hadn't obeyed him, then he frowned. He looked down at Gabrielle, then up at Autolycus. A moment later he shoved her aside. "Get outta here, little girl."

Gabrielle didn't question anything, she just pulled herself to her feet and half ran, half stumbled towards the entrance. Autolycus knew she'd go for help, but he didn't know if any could get here in time.

Nysus wouldn't use his friends against him, that was good to know. At least Nysus cared for him enough to do this face to face, not hiding behind others. But that left the question of just how far Nysus would go with this. Where did his loyalty to Ares stop? Autolycus had his answer sooner than he'd expected.

Nysus didn't watch Gabrielle leave, he seemed to be staring at the ground. But once they were alone, he looked up and his gaze was cold and hard. He'd obviously made a decision. He held out his hand again. "Give it to me and get outta here while you got the chance," he said calmly.

Autolycus knew he wouldn't get a better offer here, but he couldn't take it. The others had trusted him to do this and while he didn't always get along with them, didn't even like them sometimes, they were right this time. Ares couldn't be allowed to gain more power. The world might not survive it.

"I can't," he said, backing away a step.

"Then I gotta take it from you." Nysus started towards him.

Autolycus backed away further, but then the cold marble he suddenly felt behind him told him he had nowhere else to go. Running was pointless, he wouldn't be fast enough. So that left standing his ground and fighting. He knew his chances there but he'd do it anyway, Nysus had to know that too.

"Think you can do this?" Autolycus asked, hope and morbid curiosity warring as Nysus approached him.

"Guess we're gonna find out, aren't we?" came the reply, no uncertainty in that calm tone.

Autolycus forced down the panic that told him to just hand over the damn stone and get out. He'd made his choice already and he'd face the consequences, whatever they were.

"Autolycus! Throw it!"

Recognizing the voice, Autolycus latched onto the hope it presented and immediately obeyed. He threw the Chronos Stone as far up as he could manage, hearing the sound of metal slicing through the air moments before the chakram cut into the stone, shattering it into countless tiny shards.

"No!" Nysus screamed as the little pieces fell around them, on them. "You bitch!" He turned on Xena, his whole body trembling with fury. "It took Ares years to find that! I'm gonna--" abruptly he stopped his tirade. His gaze dropped to the sparkling shards laying on the ground, on his leather clothes, what little color he had in his face draining away. He looked at Autolycus, his expression a strange mix of relief and regret. "Auto, I...I'm sor--I mean, I'm not sure if I would've...well, maybe I would but I can't--"

"Would you've killed me to get that stone?" The question just slipped out and Autolycus didn't know if he really wanted the answer.

Nysus regarded him silently for a long moment before finally replying. "I dunno."

"Yeah." Autolycus looked away, brushing the shards out of his hair, trying to hide just how much that response hurt.

"Look, Auto," Nysus continued. "I told you how things are here and I thought you--" A loud explosion suddenly cut him off and the whole Hall shook for a few seconds, sending dust and little pieces of the marble ceiling raining down on them.

When Autolycus regained his balance, Nysus had a disbelieving look on his face. "I can't believe she did it!" he said to himself.

"What?" Autolycus frowned.

"Discord," Nysus replied, distractedly. "She tried to get me to go against Ares but I wouldn't this time, so she's doing it herself! You gotta get outta here!" His attention abruptly focused on Autolycus, concern showing in his expression. "She doesn't know the stone's gone. She wants it for herself so she'll bring this whole place down to keep Ares from getting it!" He pointed behind the throne in the back of the Hall. "There's another way out. Take Xena and the blond twit and haul ass outta here, okay?"

Another explosion rocked the Hall, sending more debris down on them.

"Where will you be?" Despite what happened, Autolycus still wanted to see him safe.

"I gotta help Ares," Nysus replied like the answer was obvious, already moving away. "Discord's turned on him, I can't let him think I did too!"

Autolycus nodded in understanding, watching as Nysus hurried towards the entrance, passing by Xena and Gabreille without acknowledging them. The women were already running towards the other exit and Autolycus quickly moved to join them. They were out of time. Another couple hits and the Hall would start to collapse.

"We're finished here?" he asked as he caught up.

"The stone's destroyed. We're done," Xena replied in her usual eloquent fashion.

"Thank the gods," he muttered, coughing a little at the dust starting to fill the air.

"Lemme go! I don't wanna mess with you right now!"

"Drop him, Herc! We don't have time!"

The voices brought Autolycus up short. He turned around in time to see Hercules dragging Nysus back into the Hall, Iolaus following close behind, trying to be a voice of reason. But Hercules wasn't listening. Nysus struggled in his grasp, trying with obvious desperation to pull away, but without any noticeable success.

The Hall shook again, making them all stumble and struggle for balance. This time a few large chunks of marble dropped from the ceiling, one barely missing Iolaus.

"Hercules!" Xena yelled from beside Autolycus. "It's over with, so forget him and let's go!"

Hercules didn't respond despite Iolaus' continued protests, he just continued towards Xena and the rest of them. Finally when he got closer, he shoved his captive forward. Nysus stumbled and fell, barely catching himself on his hands before his face could hit the floor.

"Autolycus," Hercules got his attention. "I thought it was about time you met my 'nephew,' Strife." A satisfied look on his face, he stood there and waited for a response.

Iolaus threw up his hands and turned away, muttering something about "dense demigods". Xena simply nodded and shrugged. Gabrielle actually looked completely shocked.

Autolycus just glared at him. "Hercules," he began conversationally. "I know you don't think too highly of me, but I didn't know you thought I was stupid. I can't believe you're risking our lives to tell me something this obvious!"

"What?" Hercules frowned at him in confusion.

"I tried to tell you," Iolaus said to his partner, "but you just wouldn't listen."

"You knew?" Hercules couldn't seem to understand that.

Reigning in his anger, Autolycus replied in the most appropriate way he could think of, "Duh."

Between them all, Strife just sat there staring up at him in shock.

Then another explosion shook the Hall. The sound of the marble walls and ceiling cracking filled the air as the ground shook beneath their feet.

"The place is coming down. Move!" Xena yelled, shoving Gabrielle towards the exit.

Autolycus moved out of the way as Iolaus followed them. Hercules tried to grab hold of him and push him out the doorway, but Autolycus easily evaded him, stepping back out of his reach.

"I'll be fine," he said.

After a second or two, Hercules nodded and hurried out after the others.

Autolycus needed to be alone with Strife to deal with what came next. His friends already had too much of an insight into his personal life. No need to give them a front row seat to this.

He looked down at the godling, still sitting there, watching him. Without saying anything, Autolycus offered a hand to help him up.

Then a loud cracking sound from directly overhead grabbed Autolycus' attention. Looking up, he forgot to breathe as he saw the huge section of marble hurtling down towards them.

Suddenly a body plastered itself against his, arms locking around his neck and a bright flash of light forced him to squeeze his eyes shut. A moment later everything went silent. No, not quite silent. He heard birds close by and leaves rustling in the breeze he felt against his face.

Opening his eyes, Autolycus found himself in a clearing, the sun shining down warmly on him -- and Strife still holding him tightly. Taking a deep breath, grateful for the dust-free air, he took a moment to get his emotions under control. Putting on a calm expression he grasped the arms around his neck, tugging at them without much force. Taking the hint, Strife released him, his reluctance obvious.

"Strife." Autolycus sighed, forcing back the sudden rush of combined anger and hurt he felt when he looked Strife.

"Yeah. Um...how long have you known?" Strife asked nervously.

Autolycus shrugged, keeping his expression unconcerned. "If I hadn't been drunk that first time, I probably would've guessed then. Definitely by the third time I saw you though, when you just showed up out of nowhere at those temple ruins. But, you never suspected, did you?"

Strife shook his head. "I thought I was hiding it pretty good, you know?"

Smiling slightly, Autolycus put a few paces between them, needing the space to continue this. "So, even after everything you told me about your past, about you and Ares, you never thought I'd figure it out just from that alone?"

"Uh...no." Strife sounded confused.

Autolycus nodded, then got to the point. "Yeah, well, I guess it makes sense. I mean, we're all the same, right?"

"What?"

"Mortals," Autolycus clarified, leaning back against one of the trees, crossing his arms as he regarded the god calmly. "We're all the same to you gods, aren't we? Just basically stupid?"

"I never said that!" Strife protested.

"Yeah, you did." Autolycus kept his tone unemotional despite wanting to scream at him, demand an apology or something. It wouldn't do any good. "All this time I thought you knew I knew who you were and you'd just confirm it for me at some point, but all along you've thought I was stupid. You never once gave me any credit for having some intelligence. Only a complete idiot couldn't have figured out who you were in a few days, but you never thought I caught on." he paused for a moment, trying to come up with the best way to say this.

"You know," he finally continued. "I expect that kind of thing from people like Hercules, but not you. I thought you knew me, but I was wrong."

"You can't be seri--I love you, Auto!" A hint of desperation entered Strife's tone.

"No you don't. Sure, you think you do, but it's all about possession and sex to you, nothing else."

A panicked look settled on Strife's pale face. "That's so not true! I know exactly how I'm feeling about you!"

Autolycus sighed again. He couldn't let this drag out any further. Time to end it. "Just tell me one thing: were you ever going to tell me who you are?"

Silence fell as Strife opened his mouth to reply, then closed it again. After a few moments he just shook his head.

"Didn't think so. You know what the irony is here?" Autolycus asked as he stood up, straightening his dust covered vest. "I finally realized that I loved you. But I guess I loved who I thought you were, 'cause I don't know you."

Strife watched him silently, his expression just shy of heartbreaking, but Autolycus didn't respond to it. "Well, like you'd say, it's been a total blast," he said with a shrug. "Bye."

Leaving it at that, he turned and walked off into what looked to be something close to a forest. He didn't know where he was and it didn't matter. He'd find his way somewhere. Right now he just needed to put some distance between him and his former lover before he totally lost it right there.

It'd cost him everything he had to play it so calm and cool like that, but there hadn't been another way to break it off clean. Shouting wouldn't have done anything but leave them both with more hard feelings and there were enough of those already.

He didn't doubt that Strife would soon realize that he wasn't in love and he'd get over it. As for himself, well, he'd recovered from it before, he could do it again. After all, he was the King of Thieves. He didn't upset over some stupid love thing.

Yeah. And if he said it enough maybe he'd convince himself. One of these days.
 

"Just remember - when you think all is lost, the future remains."
-- Unknown
 
 

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