Cities were wonderful. They had so many uses. There was always someplace to stay -- none of this sleeping on the ground and getting back to nature crap. Nature was all well and good, but there was a lot to be said for a comfy bed and a roaring fire. Cities also afforded countless opportunities, from run-of-the-mill pickpocketing to major thefts. But most of all, Autolycus appreciated the way large cities gave him the chance to hide out. A change in wardrobe and he could blend right in, eluding whatever authority currently wanted his head displayed on a pike.

He considered these times when he had to go into hiding as his vacation. Usually he had all the money he needed to hole up comfortably, so he just relaxed for a while and enjoyed life. When things cooled down, he'd go back to work, but there was never any real rush.

For now he'd settled for disguising himself as a well-off merchant. It gave him the opportunity to dress in some very nice, very expensive clothes -- which he'd of course "liberated" from a shop in another city. No need to pay for what he could easily take, after all. He saved his money for the room -- or rather, suite -- he'd rented for a few days in an upper class inn.

He'd found a long time ago that sometimes the best place to hide was out in plain sight. After that last job involving the rare vase and the psychotic prince it belonged to, he'd decided it would be a very good idea to take a break. The prince and his guards could comb through the slums all they wanted looking for a thief. Autolycus would be living it up as a rich merchant in the city's more affluent section in complete anonymity. Or at least that's how he'd planned it.

"So what brings you to Thermopylae, Auto? Let me guess: gold shipment? Royal treasury begging to be emptied? Or maybe you've just decided it's fun to make my life miserable!"

Autolycus rolled his eyes. "You know, Sal, despite what you think, I don't deliberately show up wherever you are! You always screw up my plans, so why would I want to be anywhere near you?" he snapped out his reply.

"Then why don't you get out of the city before you get us both in trouble?" Salmoneus suggested in an overly-pleasant tone.

"Hey, I'm on vacation. Why don't you leave?"

"Vacation? The King of Thieves is on vacation?"

"Keep it down!" Autolycus hissed, glancing at the people passing them on the busy street. "Yes! I actually take vacations -- usually when too many people are looking for me. So don't call any attention over here, okay?"

"Maybe I should get you arrested. Payback for all the times you've gotten me into trouble!"

"Is that right? Well, tell me, Sal, what kind of scam -- sorry, 'business' are you running right now?" He smiled sarcastically.

"It's a legitimate deal!" Salmoneus insisted, although he lowered his voice and glanced around nervously.

"Uh-huh. Why don't you go ahead and call the guards and while they're arresting me, we can ask them what they think of your 'business.'" Autolycus smirked.

Salmoneus glared at him, then changed the subject. "So...you're really not here to steal anything?"

"Nope. Just hiding out to save my own ass, basically," Autolycus replied truthfully. He knew Salmoneus wouldn't risk drawing attention to them now, so he had no problem with speaking freely.

Salmoneus nodded thoughtfully. "Okay, then maybe this time we could just, oh, I don't know, maybe stay out of each other's way?" The suggestion carried more than a touch of sarcasm.

"Fine with me." Autolycus shrugged.

"Good."

They lapsed into a slightly uneasy silence then, looking at the buildings around them, the people, the street, anything but each other. It was time to get moving, but Autolycus didn't have anywhere he needed to be. Besides, he had the uncomfortable suspicion that they were both doing a little too much protesting here.

He actually kind of...liked Sal. Not a lot of course. It was more like he tolerated the guy, but that was better than how he felt about most people. With Salmoneus around there was never a lack of excitement, even if that meant running for their lives. But that wasn't an unusual state for Autolycus, so it didn't bother him all that much.

The problem was that they were both opportunists. Their personalities were too closely matched. Greed, cunning, deviousness and just plain ego -- they both had it in about equal quantities. Autolycus could make a good case for him having the most courage between them, but Salmoneus wasn't exactly a coward either. Neither of them liked to give, in any way, and it made for a volatile situation everytime fate threw them together.

"That's, um, a nice change." Salmoneus was motioning to Autolycus' outfit.

Bright colors, silk, some jewelry -- Autolycus realized he was dressed a lot like Salmoneus. The irony, and humor of it made him smile. "Thanks."

Interesting. They'd gone from biting each others' heads off to an attempt at civility in a matter of minutes. It sounded like he'd been right in his assessment of things between them. He made a quick decision and hoped it wasn't a mistake. "Listen, Sal. I'm not gonna say that I'm not interested in whatever you're doing -- if there's a profit, I'm interested -- but I can't afford to get involved in anything right now. So you don't have to worry about me getting in the way. Okay?"

"That's...really nice of you," Salmoneus said in surprise. "So why does that make me suspicious?"

Autolycus chuckled. "'Cause you know me. But this time you can trust me."

Salmoneus snorted in amusement. "You're developing a great sense of humor there, Auto."

"Glad you noticed, Sal" Autolycus dropped an arm around the shorter man's shoulders. "So, feel like finding someplace decent to get something to eat?"

"Food is good," Salmoneus agreed. "I think I saw Falafel's stand back that way," he suggested, pointing back behind them.

Autolycus looked at him with raised eyebrows. "You know, Sal, sometimes you scare me. C'mon." He pulled the man with him as he began walking up the street. "I know a good place. It's really expensive, incredibly fancy and the food's good too."

"You're buying?"

"Of course." It wasn't like he was spending his own money, so he didn't mind.

"Then lead on." Salmoneus smiled in anticipation.

Autolycus couldn't help grinning again. The only way Salmoneus would ever turn down a free meal was if he was six feet under -- and even then he'd probably dig himself out.

As they walked, Salmoneus started explaining his latest money making scheme. He seemed extraordinarily pleased to have someone to share it with. Maybe because Autolycus would understand. Unlike a certain demigod they both knew, Autolycus wouldn't try to discourage him from cutting the corners to make a profit.

Salmoneus became extremely animated when he got into describing one of his "business ventures." It was interesting to watch, the way Salmoneus got so involved in his plans. Just like Autolycus did. Granted, Autolycus didn't run around talking about his jobs like this, but the excitement factor was similar. It made him wonder if Salmoneus saw the same similarities.

Salmoneus was in the middle of describing his plans for some "conveniently priced" artifacts, when Autolycus suddenly came to an abrupt stop, pulling Salmoneus to a halt beside him.

"Oh, Gods...," Autolycus whispered, his gaze fixed on a building some ways ahead of them.

There, in the shadow of the tall building, stood a familiar figure. The hood of the black cloak was pulled up over his head, hiding most of his features, but Autolycus recognized his entire stance. The way he stood displayed an attitude Autolycus knew well.

He'd spent days searching for Nysus after their argument in Asclepius' temple. But Nysus had always been the one to find him before, so other than searching Ares' temples one by one, Autolycus hadn't known where to look.

After the first week though, he'd given in and begun paying "discreet" visits to Ares' temples whenever he was near one, hoping to find Nysus. But there'd been no trace of him. It'd seemed like he hadn't wanted to be found.

So Autolycus had done the only thing he could: he'd tried to forget about it by going back to what he loved -- stealing. But it hadn't been easy, or very effective. Keeping his mind completely focused on his work was impossible. He'd had to continuously push aside thoughts concerning Nysus, and too often he'd found himself just staring off into space, thinking about how much he missed being with Nysus. Looking at him, touching him, fucking him -- the distraction had eventually proved to be too much.

This "vacation" he was taking wasn't due solely to the prince that was after him. It was in part because he'd been screwing up too much lately and he needed to take a break before he got himself into some real trouble. He'd escaped this last time, but he knew good luck would only carry him so far.

So he'd ended up here. He'd planned on hiding out for a few days, or until the prince called off the search -- whichever came first -- then going back out and searching until he turned up some hint of where Nysus could be. He'd had no intention of giving up.

And now luck had favored him once again. Nysus was just standing there, completely oblivious to Autolycus' presence -- to nearly everyone's, really. His attention was focused across the street. On the four men -- mercenaries by the looks of things -- that were having a heated discussion. Autolycus had little doubt that things would soon be escalating into a violent argument, complete with a body count, and he'd lose his chance here. He had to act fast.

"What're you staring at?" Salmoneus was looking around curiously.

Autolycus suddenly had an idea. "Quick! I need some parchment, ink and a quill!" he said urgently.

"What?" Salmoneus frowned at him. "Why ask me?"

Autolycus gave him a level look. "This is me you're talking to, Sal. I know you've always got something on hand. Just for those last minute contracts you like to draw up. You know, the ones that aren't exactly legal? Now hand it over!"

Grumbling about annoying thieves and untimely demises, Salmoneus nevertheless pulled the requested items out of pockets hidden in his robes. "This better be important," he said sullenly as Autolycus grabbed the stuff from him.

"I'll owe you, okay?" Autolycus looked around for someplace to write. There wasn't anything convenient. Then he looked Salmoneus, standing next to him. "Turn around."

"What? Why?" Salmoneus was looking at him like Autolycus had lost his mind.

"Just do it! I need someplace to write!"

"All right! You don't have to be so pushy!" Salmoneus turned around, muttering to himself under his breath.

Autolycus didn't waste time arguing. Using Salmoneus' back, he wrote out a quick note. He had so much to say but no time to write it, so he had to hope this would do. When he was done, he gave the quill and ink back to Salmoneus as he shook the parchment in an attempt to get the ink to dry faster. All the time he kept his gaze on the figure in the black cloak, hoping that he'd stay there for just a couple minutes longer.

"So who is it?"

"Huh?" Autolycus barely registered the question.

"I haven't seen you like this since that thing with Cupcake. So, who is she this time?"

That got Autolycus' attention. "I, uh, don't know what you're talking about," he said, knowing it didn't sound all that convincing.

Salmoneus grabbed the parchment from him.

"Hey!" Autolycus snatched it back, but not before Salmoneus had glanced over it.

"Well, Auto." Salmoneus' expression was a mix of humor and real surprise. "So it's that serious, huh?"

Autolycus glared at him. "Let's go." His tone was thoroughly unamused as he took hold of Salmoneus' arm and began pulling him along. The mercenaries had begun shouting at each other and weapons were being drawn. There wasn't much time left.

"Say, this isn't going to be trouble, is it?" Salmoneus asked suspiciously. "I mean, we're not talking some warlord's wife or daughter or something, are we?"

"No."

"Good. Well, in that case, if you need flowers or anything, I can get you a good deal on some nice ones. See, I know this florist over in...."

Autolycus had quit listening, instead concentrating on his timing. He'd guided them so that they passed directly in front of Nysus. The instant they reached the cloaked figure, Autolycus bumped into him as if by accident, transferring the parchment in the process -- like the reverse of picking a pocket. He caught a glimpse of surprise on the pale face before he and Salmoneus were past the black-clad figure.

He couldn't believe how nervous he suddenly felt. He'd been hungry a few minutes before, but now he doubted he'd be able to eat at all. He was too worried about what Nysus would do. If he'd respond or not. Autolycus couldn't recall the last time he'd been this uncertain. He was always so confident in everything he did. But then, he'd never found himself in a situation like this before, so maybe it was normal to feel this way.

"...married, I can get you an incredible deal on a honeymoon trip to Egypt--"

"Whoa! Hold up there!" Autolycus frowned down at Salmoneus. "Where'd you come up with this 'marriage' business?"

"I just assumed--"

"Well don't! It's not about to happen so just forget it!"

Salmoneus chuckled. "We'll see. But right now, where's this place you were telling me about? I'm getting hungry."

Autolycus let the other matter drop. He didn't even know if he could save what he had with Nysus right now. Talking about marriage was way too premature, not to mention impossible in the first place. Besides, it wasn't like he loved Nysus or anything. He just cared a little. And that's all there was to it.

Everything looked good. Not overdone or desperate or anything, just nice. So why did he feel like he was missing something? Every minute or so Autolycus would have to rearrange things. Pull the table out a bit, reposition the chairs, mess with the table settings, move the table again -- and in between that he kept pacing. His couldn't believe how damn nervous he felt! It was annoying but he couldn't seem to do anything about it. The more time passed, the more nervous he became, until he wanted to scream in frustration.

He'd asked for Nysus to meet him here around sunset so they could talk. He'd written down directions to the inn he'd taken up residence in so Nysus wouldn't have any trouble finding him. He'd even had dinner sent up here so they could eat when they talked. He'd done it right. He felt sure of that. So what was the problem? He couldn't figure that out.

The sun was only just now starting to set, so Nysus wasn't late or anything. Although, if he didn't show up on time, Autolycus wasn't sure he'd stay sane.

This was ridiculous! He was acting like a love-sick puppy again, and love had nothing to do with it! He needed to just take a deep breath, calm down, and get control of himself.

He stopped pacing and did just that. Breathing in deep as he reminded himself of how things really were. The King of Thieves didn't act like this. He didn't get nervous over something like this -- or at all, for that matter. He remained in complete control of his life. That's how it would always be.

He kept repeating that to himself until the butterflies that'd recently taken up residence in his stomach began to fade. After a couple minutes he felt relaxed for the first time in hours.

"Well, that was simple," he said to himself in a pleased tone.

A knock at the door startled him, and the perfectly "calm and in control" King of Thieves nearly tripped over his own feet trying to get to the door as fast as he could. When he regained his balance, he forced himself to stop and try to calm down again. He couldn't let anyone see him like this. He had a reputation to uphold here and falling on his face wouldn't do it any good. Once he felt as calm as he was likely to get, Autolycus took a deep breath and opened the door.

Nysus stood there, looking up at him hesitantly. Or at least Autolycus thought it was Nysus. He wore nothing resembling black leather or silver O rings. He was dressed, well, normally. Brown leather boots, pants and vest, green shirt and no weapons in sight. Even his hair was different. The strange spiked style was gone. It was now combed out straight. He still wore his usual silver earrings, but nothing else was the same. Autolycus couldn't believe how incredibly hot he looked.

"You don't like it?" Nysus raised an eyebrow.

Autolycus realized he'd been standing there staring with his mouth hanging open like the village idiot. "It looks great!" he quickly reassured Nysus. "I just, well, I wasn't expecting it."

"You never liked the way I looked before, so I thought I'd try something new." Nysus' shrug was almost indifferent, despite his words.

"I always liked how you looked," Autolycus corrected. "It was your fashion sense I had problems with. I was getting used to it, but this...wow!" He couldn't help grinning a bit as he looked Nysus over again.

Nysus really did look good. Those colors agreed with him a lot better than the black did -- and the pants were beyond tight. They outlined things...nicely.

"So, are we just gonna stand here or what?" Nysus asked impatiently.

Autolycus quickly forced himself to concentrate on the situation instead of Nysus' appearance. This wasn't the time to be thinking about that. "Sorry. Come on in," he invited, opening the door wider.

"You really live it up, huh?" Nysus said, looking around as he walked into the room.

"When I can afford it." Autolycus closed and bolted the door. They didn't need any interruptions right now.

"Figures." There was humor in Nysus' voice, but it quickly faded, replaced by complete seriousness. "Auto, I gotta know: how'd you find me?"

Turning to face him, Autolycus was momentarily distracted by the way the candlelight reflected in Nysus' pale eyes. It was so -- he shoved the thought out of his mind. If he screwed this up there'd be no second chances.

"I didn't," Autolycus answered the question truthfully, noting the suspicion and worry in Nysus' expression. "I looked all over but I couldn't find any trace of you. Then suddenly you're on the same street I just 'happen' to be walking on. I thought maybe you'd followed me or something."

Nysus shook his head. "I keep track of you, yeah, but I don't tag along after you. I was doing a job for Ares. What I really wanna know is how you saw me."

"What d'you mean? You were just standing there. In all that black, you're a little hard to miss."

"You could actually see me," Nysys stated, disbelief creeping into his tone. "I thought you were just guessing where I was or something. Great," he said with a sigh. "I'm totally dropping my guard when it comes to you."

Autolycus wasn't sure what to say to that and Nysus said nothing further, he just continued to look around the large, lavishly decorated room, seemingly avoiding looking at Autolycus. But Autolycus found himself once again watching Nysus. Studying him.

Even when he was silent, Nysus spoke volumes with body language alone. The way he stood, arms crossed, most of his weight resting back on one foot, his expression of slight annoyance -- he was seriously uncomfortable being here. But even like this he looked good. These attitudes he affected were on the cute side -- at least to Autolycus. Maybe it was because Autolycus did the same thing, covering up his real feelings with an egotistical or uncaring attitude. It worked, but he could also recognize when someone else did it.

Autolycus wanted to cut through all that. Just talk without all these obstacles, but he didn't think he could. Simply being open and honest -- he didn't know if he could do that. The prospect of talking about how he felt and what he thought...it almost frightened him. But if he didn't say something quick, Nysus would leave.

Autolycus said the first thing that came to mind: "I had dinner brought up."

Oh, that was good. State the obvious.

"Cool." Nysus didn't sound all that enthusiastic, but he pulled out one of the chairs from the small table and dropped down into it.

Nysus never seemed to sit or stand like a normal person, instead he slouched, sprawled, leaned, or just draped himself bonelessly over whatever was convenient. It really was amazing to watch, and appealing. Especially now. His normal black leathers weren't exactly loose, but these pants were giving a whole new meaning to "form-fitting" when he sat like that. The sight was delicious -- and Autolycus looked away fast. If he continued to watch, he doubted he'd be able to think much beyond getting Nysus naked and under him. Taking a deep breath, regaining control of his thoughts, Autolycus pulled out the remaining chair on the other side of the table and sat down.

Silence fell again. Nysus, one leg draped over an arm rest, kept glancing around the room, taking in the expensive decor without further comment. The food sitting on the table between them was the best money could buy. Undoubtedly wonderful. Yet neither of them made a move to touch it. They just sat there. Autolycus realized he needed to say something, but he didn't know where to start.

Nysus solved the problem for him. "Do you even like me, Auto? Or am I just a good fuck or something?" Nysus didn't look at him, studying the furniture around them instead, but the bitterness in that tone was easy to pick up.

"I -- of course I like you!" Autolycus responded in surprise. "I told you that before! Plenty of times! Remember?"

Nysus chuckled humorlessly. "Yeah. Well, I been thinking about that, and you know how many times I told some chick I thought she was the hottest piece in the country just so she'd put out? Bet you've done the same thing."

Autolycus wanted to deny that but he couldn't. "Okay, so I've done that. But not with you!"

Now Nysus finally looked at him, pale face set in a cold expression, eyes like chips of blue ice. "Then what's up with you? You tell me it's over and then slip me a note saying you gotta see me? What kinda game are you playing here?"

"Now hold on a minute! I didn't say it was over. I said that if you couldn't listen to me, then it'd be over. See the difference?"

"What? You want me obeying you all the time?"

"No!" Autolycus sighed in frustration. "Look, all I want is for you to take me seriously. You know, show me a little consideration or something." He couldn't believe he was saying this. He sounded like a few of the women he'd slept with over the years. Of course, now he was getting a good idea of how they'd felt.

"Is this about me killing the dude that messed you up?" Nysus frowned, confusion showing through his mask of anger.

"It's about you not listening to me. No, I don't wanna be ordering you around all the time or anything, but there's some things that're important to me and if you can't understand that, then we've got a problem."

Nysus took on a thoughtful look, regarding Autolycus silently for a few moments before speaking again. "Think I'm getting it here. It's about your morals and standards and all that stuff, right? I mean, I know you don't got 'em as much as Jercules or anything, but you do have them, tucked away deep down in there. You just don't want me stepping all over them when they show up and start yapping. That what you're talking about?"

It took a couple seconds to work through that little speech, but finally Autolycus nodded. "Basically, yeah. I don't like killing. It's sloppy and amateurish. If I wanna pay someone back for something they did to me I'll be the one to do it and I'll do it my way. Understand?"

"Yeah." Nysus' expression now matched Autolycus' in seriousness. "You're saying that you can cover your own ass and I gotta let you do your own thing. If you need help then you'll ask."

"Well, waddya know, we're actually getting somewhere here." Autolycus risked a slight smile. That appeared to relax Nysus some.

"So, this mean you're not gonna dump me or anything?" Nysus asked somewhat hesitantly.

Autolycus had to do another quick mental translation before shaking his head. "Not if we can reach some sort of understanding here."

"Thought that's what we just did."

"Yeah, but there's something else I wanna talk about as long as we're at it."

Nysus smiled. Moving his leg off the arm rest and sitting up, the motion so enticing in its grace. "Why do you wanna keep talking, Auto?" He leaned forward, reaching out to take Autolycus' hand. "You know how long it's been since we've--"

"Don't." Autolycus sat back out of Nysus' reach.

"Huh?" Nysus looked momentarily surprised and for just a second, hurt. Then suspicion replaced everything as his eyes narrowed. "Don't play with me," he warned.

"I'm not." Autolycus forced himself to meet Nysus' angry gaze. "See, the problem is that I...well, I sort of -- damn!" he hissed. He didn't want to admit this but Nysus deserved an explanation. "I can't look at you without wanting to fuck you. Get it? I can barely think straight when I'm this close to you! I can't believe you're doing this to me!" he muttered, brushing his hair from his forehead in a nervous gesture. "The point is," he continued, "if you touch me, you're probably gonna end up face down on the floor with me on top of you. Now do you understand?"

The anger and suspicion was gone from Nysus' expression, replaced by surprise and obvious desire, but there was something else there that Autolycus couldn't make out. "You gonna make me beg for it here?" Nysus asked almost breathlessly.

Autolycus was so tempted to forget about everything else. He wanted to grab Nysus, rip those clothes off him and fuck him until neither of them could remember their names. It would be so easy...but he didn't do it. The patience and self-control he'd learned over the years made it possible for him to force the thoughts away. For the moment anyway. Still, it gave him the room he needed to think rationally.

"I want to talk first," he insisted.

Nysus slumped back in his seat, cursing under his breath in disappointment. "About what?" he asked in a bored tone.

"You."

Nysus sighed theatrically. "I'm not gonna like this, am I?"

"Probably not, but I'm asking anyway. I've been wanting some answers for months now and until I get them, nothing else is happening between us." Autolycus kept his tone firm, wanting to convey his seriousness about this without any doubt showing through.

"What?! but you can't -- I...why?" Nysus was suddenly sitting up straight, shock and maybe a bit of panic showing in his expression. "That's like, blackmail or something!"

Autolycus didn't deny it. "I really like you, Nysus, but I don't know anything about you. I mean, I know exactly how to touch you to make you come, but I don't even know what you like to drink!"

"Anything with a lot of alcohol in it," Nysus replied blandly, although he still looked worried.

"That's, um, great, but you're missing the point. I wanna know about you. It's not just about sex anymore, not for me anyway. I wouldn't be asking this if it was." Autolycus left it there and waited to see what Nysus would say.

Nysus appeared at a total loss for words, which had to be a first. After a couple false starts, he finally managed to get it together. "You're safer not knowing my name. You go around telling people you're boffing 'Nysus' and there's not a whole lot of 'em that're gonna know who you're talking about."

"I don't generally advertise my personal life," Autolycus responded with a touch of sarcasm. "But, fine. If you won't tell me that, then tell me something else."

"Like what?"

"I don't know. Whatever. I just want to know something about you."

Nysus didn't respond. He looked away from Autolycus, seeming to focus on the floor. Autolycus watched the emotions that moved across Nysus' expressive features, worried that maybe he'd pushed too far. Indecision was the most frequent thing he saw, and he didn't know what that meant. He was starting to reconsider his demand when Nysus suddenly stood and walked away from the table, slowly, a reflective look on his face as he approached one of the windows. He stopped there, pushing the shutters partially open. Crossing his arms, he stared out into the darkness beyond. Autolycus doubted Nysus was really interested in anything out there -- a suspicion backed up by Nysus' next words.

"I'm not supposed to be here, you know."

"Yeah." Autolycus nodded. "You're supposed to be running errands for the God of War or something."

"No. I meant, I'm not supposed to be here at all. See, Mom sleeps around, and that's okay. We all do. No prob. But she's not real careful when she does it, so me and my brothers and sisters, we're all just, well, accidents. We're not supposed to exist. We wouldn't except Gramps wouldn't let her get rid of us. He likes kids, I guess." Nysus shrugged in obvious discomfort.

Whatever Autolycus had expected, this wasn't it. He hadn't meant to force Nysus to dredge up a painful past -- or maybe he had. He certainly made no attempt to stop Nysus from continuing.

"I'm the youngest. All my brothers and sisters were grown up when Mom had me. Anyway, she didn't want anything to do with me, and none of the rest of my 'siblings' did either," he sneered the word, "so she dumped me with one of my other relatives. That's kind of how it went, you know? Spent the first few years like that. Getting shuffled from one relative to the next. None of them knew what to do with me. They weren't from my side of the family, so they couldn't deal. They didn't want me. Didn't even like me."

The way he said it, so casually like he'd resigned himself to his family feeling that way about him -- it was wrong. There was nothing Autolycus could do about Nysus' family, but he could end this before it got worse. "You don't have to do this --"

"You wanted to know about me, Auto?" Nysus interrupted him. "Well, first you gotta understand a couple things. So just keep quiet and listen, because I'm only going through this once."

Autolycus shut up and sat back in his chair. There was determination in Nysus' voice, and Autolycus doubted he'd be able to talk him out of this. He wasn't sure he wanted to anyway. This was what he'd wanted to know.

"When I was a few years old -- five or six or something. I dunno. Doesn't matter. I wandered off from whatever relative was supposed to be watching me -- one of my aunts, I think -- and I went to Ares' temple.

"See, Mom hangs with him. Guess I wanted to see her or something. See what kinda bitch would just toss me aside like I was trash and not her kid."

The pure hatred in Nysus' voice sent a chill through Autolycus, but he remained silent.

"Didn't find her, but I did find Ares." There was an abrupt change in Nysus' entire manner when he spoke of the War God. His tone softened some and he seemed to relax a bit, a small smile turning up a corner of his mouth. "He was waiting for me. Just sitting on his throne and looking all dangerous. He told me I was late. Said he'd been expecting me for almost a year. He -- he wanted me! He had a place for me and everything!" Nysus turned away from the window and leaned back against the wall, his smile widening. "He trained me, taught me what I needed to know, and trusted me to do stuff for him! And, when I was older, he even made me one of his lovers. You get how totally awesome that is?"

"It sounds like he took advantage of you," Autolycus responded honestly. He didn't know if it was the right thing to say, but he felt like he had to say it. "You were vulnerable and he used that to manipulate you, make you the way he wanted you."

Instead of getting angry like Autolycus had expected, Nysus just shook his head in frustration. "You're not getting it. See, I was already trouble. That's the way my side of the family is and it's why my other relatives couldn't deal. I just didn't have a clue how to control my, um, 'talent'. That's what Ares showed me. He took me in and showed me everything. He cared about me! Now you see why I'm so loyal to him? I owe him big time."

"Do you love him?" Autolycus had asked that before and gotten no answer. This time was different.

"Yeah," Nysus replied. "But not like you're thinking."

"What d'you mean?"

Nysus stared at the ground for a few moments before looking up at Autolycus, his expression suddenly unreadable. "Ask me later. 'Kay?"

Autolycus nodded, unsure of what Nysus had in mind, but willing to sit back and let things play themselves out for a while.

"I'm telling you all this so you can understand what I'm gonna tell you next," Nysus continued. "Now maybe I'm totally off here and this'll freak you out and you're gonna bail on me or something, but you're not gonna be happy 'till you do hear it. So let's get it over with.

"I'm loyal to Ares. It's not like a blind loyalty or anything -- I mean, I got my own opinions and all and maybe sometimes I do some rebelling and stuff like that, but when you get right down to it, I'm with him. Know what I'm saying?"

Autolycus nodded again. This was making sense so far. In fact, he could pretty much guess what was coming next.

"Okay. Good. Now, like I said, I got my own opinions, but in a lot of cases, I got the same ones as Ares. Not because that's how he wants it, just because it's the way I feel. Following me?" Another nod from Autolycus and he continued. "See, I'm not always agreeing with Ares, but...." He hesitated for a moment before taking a deep breath and pushing on. "When it comes to Hercules, I do."

"I figured that," Autolycus put in, thinking it might make things easier for him.

"That right?" An eyebrow went up but there was no humor in Nysus' expression. "Do you really get what I'm saying here, Auto? I know Hercules isn't like your best bud or anything, but you like him, right? Well, I don't. Actually, I hate the bastard, and if I ever get the chance, I'm gonna waste him! Now you get what I'm talking about?"

The viciousness and hatred in Nysus' tone was enough to make Autolycus feel a trace of real fear, but he pushed it away. He couldn't deal with that and this at the same time. "Yeah. I get it. And it's not exactly a surprise. What I wan to know is what he did to make you hate him."

Autolycus' words seemed to calm Nysus a bit. Or maybe it was the fact that he hadn't taken off running the instant he'd heard all this. Either way, Nysus appeared visibly more relaxed, although he did seem more...reflective now.

"Wasn't me," he said quietly. "I was used to him messing with me, making me look like an idiot to Ares. I could deal with that, you know? I didn't hate him, just really didn't like him. But a few years ago he killed someone. One of my kids."

Now that was a surprise. Autolycus knew Hercules had killed before. Those kinds of things happened sometimes even when you did your best to avoid it, but a child? He hadn't heard anything about that and it wasn't something Hercules would just shrug off either. "It had to be an accident," he said, utterly certain of it.

"It was. But the point is, he'd be alive now if Hercules hadn't been there! He was a good kid. Did me proud, you know? He didn't have to die!"

Autolycus heard the pain in Nysus' tone and almost let the subject drop. But he couldn't. He needed to clear up a couple things first. "Your son, he wasn't exactly a babe in the cradle, right?"

"No," Nysus admitted. "But he wasn't that old either."

"Okay. So, I'm guessing that by 'doing you proud', you mean that he was a real terror. A killer or something?"

"Well, he was getting there. I mean, he was young, so he'd only worked his way up to minor king. But if he'd had a couple years he coulda been a totally bitchin' emperor or warlord or something, you know?" Nysus smiled slightly. "I woulda liked to see that."

Autolycus couldn't help smiling too. Not that he approved of any of that, but if another oppressive dictator or warlord showed up, he wouldn't have let it bother him too much either. His morals were flexible, to some extent. If it didn't effect him directly, why worry about it? "How old was he?"

Nysus chuckled sadly. "No way, Auto. I tell you that and you're not gonna be thinking of me as a kid anymore. You still do that, don't you?"

"Yeah," Autolycus' smile widened a bit. "I know you're older than you look, but I can't help it."

"That's cool. I kinda like it."

"So, did you ever confront Hercules about what he did?" Autolycus asked, getting them back on the subject.

"Why? What's he gonna say? He's sorry? Big fucking deal! I'm not into the whole forgiveness thing, Auto."

"I know." But he suspected that having Hercules admit that he was wrong would go a long way towards helping Nysus deal with this.

"I don't got a lot of kids running around and I only had a couple I could be proud of. He was one of 'em. Fuck, this is depressing." Nysus turned to look out the window again, as if he were distancing himself from what he felt.

Pushing away from the table, Autolycus got up and walked over to the other side of the window. Stopping there, he just watched Nysus. Watched the emotions that played across his face as he struggled to get everything back under control. When he finally looked at Autolycus, he seemed far more calm than he had been.

"Well, you're still here, so I guess that's something," he said blandly.

"You really thought I'd run off screaming when I heard all this, didn't you?" Autolycus asked without accusation.

"Most people would."

"I'm not most people. What d'you know about me anyway? Besides me being the King of Thieves?"

"You're a totally cool guy. What else do I need to know?" Nysus shrugged.

"I had a brother once. When he was conned out of his land and murdered, I wanted to kill the man that did that to him. Instead, I took him for everything he had. Left him with next to nothing."

"That settled the score?"

"I thought it did. Until I ran into him again about a year ago. Then I realized I still hated him so much for what he did -- I felt like nothing would really be settled until I'd killed him."

"Sounds familiar."

"Yeah, well, Xena stopped me. I had the right to take his life, but she made me think about what I was doing. See, there's something I don't think you get, Nysus. I'm not gonna tell you that violence doesn't solve anything, because we both know it does. Or that killing is always wrong, because sometimes it's the only thing you can do. I'll just tell you what Xena made me remember: those aren't the only ways of getting something done. I did worse than kill that guy. I ruined his reputation. I made him look like a fool and it'll take him years to recover from that -- if he ever does. It felt so good to see his face when he realized that." Autolycus smiled with grim satisfaction at the memory.

"So, you're saying that I don't gotta whack Hercules, I can find a lot more fun ways of making him pay."

"Take it however you want, Nysus. I'm just telling you what I learned. Maybe it'll help. I don't know."

"Even if I use it against Jercules?"

"Look, you and the big guy can work out your problems any way you want to. Just as long as I don't get dragged into it somehow, I don't care."

Nysus nodded, but he was frowning. "You get hooked up with Xena and Hercules and all them a lot. How're we gonna work our way around that? I don't want you involved in stuff Ares has going."

"That makes two of us. All I can do is promise never to use this to force you to go against Ares. Does that work for you?"

"Well, guess I could probably warn you when Ares starts something, so you don't walk into it. But you know it's gonna happen sometime, Auto, no matter what we do. I mean, basically, you're on one side and I'm on the other. There's no in-between here. Not when things start heating up. Know what I'm saying?"

"Yeah." Autolycus sighed. There were definitely going to be problems ahead. "We're just gonna have to take things as they come. Sound good?"

"Sounds like the best we're gonna do," Nysus agreed.

"Then that's all I need to know. For now." There'd be other issues to deal with, but that was later. This was now. "C'mere." Autolycus put on one of his more enticing smiles.

Nysus frowned, apparently confused by Autolycus' abrupt change in manner. But he still took the few steps needed to close the distance between them.

There were so many other things Autolycus wanted to say. How much he'd missed Nysus these past three weeks. How he'd been scared that he'd really screwed things up between them. How the thought of never seeing Nysus again frankly terrified him. He didn't know where to start though, and he wasn't sure he could even put any of it into words without sounding like a total fool. Voicing his emotions like that wasn't something he'd ever been good at. Finally he just settled for what he knew.

Sliding his arms around Nysus' waist, Autolycus pulled him close. "Gimme some sugar, baby," he said softly just before kissing Nysus.

Gods, he'd missed this so much! The feel of Nysus pressed up against him, the taste of him, the sounds he made, those small moans that made Autolycus instantly hard -- he didn't want to lose this again.

When it ended some minutes later, Nysus was breathless, his lips parted and slightly swollen from the kiss. He would've looked incredibly desirable -- if not for the fact that he was giggling when he found the air for it.

"Gimme...some sugar...baby?" he gasped out in disbelief, leaning against Autolycus. "Damn, Auto! Can you get...more macho-like?"

That was one of his better lines and Autolycus was just a bit put out that Nysus found it funny. Then an idea occurred to him and he smirked.

"That wasn't a challenge!" Nysus protested, but it was too late.

In a quick move, Autolycus dropped down and grabbing Nysus around the legs, hoisted him over one shoulder. Standing, he walked towards the bed.

"Auto!" Nysus protested, trying to kick his way free, but the grip on his legs was firm. "Okay, cave-boy, I get the point! Now put me down!"

"No problem," Autolycus replied cheerfully, and tossed him onto the mattress. Without waiting for a response to his actions, Autolycus began undressing.

"You loved doing that, didn't you?" Nysus accused as he sat up. "You know, that's like, so...," his voice trailed off as he watched Autolycus pull off his brightly colored shirt, baring his chest. "...so, um, seriously hot," he finished, eyebrows going up in appreciation. Autolycus had his boots off and was starting on his pants now. "Fuck!" Nysus whispered, then began stripping as fast as he could.

Naked now, Autolycus watched Nysus undress, his arousal growing with every bit of pale skin that was bared. He knew he was leering, and he couldn't help it. "You're so damn gorgeous!" he said quietly, lust making his voice rougher than normal.

"You really think that, don't you?" Nysus asked with a slightly sad smile as he pulled off his pants.

Autolycus understood now where Nysus' poor self-image and lack of confidence came from, but he didn't pity him. Autolycus just wanted to convince him that he was desirable -- a lot more than that really. "Yeah," he replied seriously. "Everytime I see you I just wanna grab you and fuck you senseless!"

Nysus' smile turned...grateful, for a moment, then it quickly became seductive as he leaned back, bracing his hands behind him. A position that displayed his body perfectly. "Well? What's stopping you?" he asked, his voice lowering.

That tone sent a shiver through Autolycus, making his cock stiffen painfully. Not bothering with any more words, he crawled onto the bed, moving over Nysus and pushing him onto his back. Straddling him, Autolycus looked down at Nysus with an appreciative smile. "It's been way too long," he said, brushing a thumb over Nysus' lips. "You look good enough to eat."

"Go for it," Nysus whispered, then closed his lips over the tip of Autolycus' thumb. He began lightly sucking, running his tongue over it, until Autolycus suddenly pulled away.

"You're a real tease, you know that?" Autolycus commented a bit breathlessly. Nysus just smiled mischievously.

That smile disappeared when Autolycus moved. He stretched out on top of Nysus, his movements deliberately slow, the feel of flesh sliding against flesh making them both moan. "Much better." Autolycus sighed in satisfaction as he looked down at him.

"I can't move," Nysus protested, although he didn't sound all that unhappy.

"That's kind of the point." Autolycus gave him a quick grin before leaning down to kiss him, but not on the mouth. Starting at his cheek, Autolycus kissed his way down to Nysus' throat, barely brushing his lips over the pale skin.

"Get on with it, Auto," Nysus growled impatiently. "I -- fuck!"

Autolycus sank his teeth into Nysus' neck almost hard enough to draw blood. When he let up a few moments later, he left an angry red mark in the pale skin and Nysus was breathing hard beneath him.

"Now be a good boy and keep still and quiet," Autolycus instructed with a touch of amusement. He ran his tongue over the bite mark, making Nysus shiver. He was so responsive to just the slightest touch...this was going to be fun.

Autolycus moved a bit lower, gently nipping at Nysus' shoulder before letting his lips slide down over the smooth, hairless chest, stopping at a pierced nipple. He ran the tip of his tongue slowly around it, waiting until the nipple tightened before closing his mouth over it. Nysus gasped at the first touch of Autolycus' tongue, but it turned to a moan as Autolycus began to suck, flicking his tongue repeatedly over the hard nub.

When he heard Nysus start to gasp for breath, Autolycus moved over to the other nipple, giving it the same treatment as the first. Then Nysus groaned and arched up against him suddenly and Autolycus reacted immediately, biting down on the nipple.

Nysus cried out. A cry that turned to a whimper as Autolycus continued with sharp little nips. When Autolycus finally looked up, Nysus' eyes were shut tightly and he was panting. "Told you to stay still," he said as he ran a finger back and forth over the reddened nipple, drawing shivers from the body beneath him.

Nysus liked the pain of course, but that wasn't the point and Nysus had to know that. Otherwise he wouldn't be obeying.

Autolycus waited until he was sure Nysus wouldn't be moving, then he resumed his journey downward. Using his tongue to trace a wet trail down Nysus' stomach, pausing to run the tip of his tongue around the bellybutton, flicking the tip of his tongue over the silver ring there before moving lower. He deliberately avoided Nysus' hard cock lying stiff against his pale stomach. That would come later. For now he moved over to Nysus' left hip, casually sinking his teeth into the skin, making Nysus cry out again.

Each moan and cry Autolycus drew from him seemed to draw more blood into Autolycus' already too-swollen cock. He was sweating from the effort it took not to come just from the site of Nysus so turned-on and desperate. He hoped he could hold out long enough to do what he really wanted.

Pushing Nysus' legs apart, Autolycus settled between them and started on the inside of his thigh. The skin there was so sensitive, just the touch of his lips there made Nysus buck up. "Warned you," Autolycus said, then slowly scraped his nail down the soft skin.

"Oh, fu...." The words trailed off into what was almost a sob. Nysus was trembling now, his hands gripping the bed sheets tightly. He was a gorgeous sight like this.

"Gods, you're perfect," Autolycus observed with a sigh. Then he moved up and licked the head of Nysus' stiff cock, savoring the salty, clear drops he found there. Moving down to the base, he began slowly licking his way upward, running his tongue around the width of it, taking his time, enjoying the helpless little moans he was drawing from Nysus. When he finally worked his way back up to the head, he wrapped his hand around the shaft as he closed his lips over the head. Licking away the drops that had accumulated there, he started sucking, working the length of the cock with his hand. He loved it when this was done to him, he was betting Nysus would like it just as much. He wasn't wrong. Nysus' entire body shuddered and he groaned deeply.

Unfamiliar as it was, Autolycus loved the feel of him. But as much as he enjoyed touching him, licking him like this, he wanted more. He finally decided to take pity on Nysus. Releasing his him, Autolycus looked up briefly. "You can do what you want now," he said softly, then took a deep breath, relaxed as best he could, and deep-throated Nysus' cock, right down to the base.

He sucked hard, loving the sense of power this gave him. He could make Nysus scream like this -- and he was screaming, calling out Autolycus' name. Autolycus slid his mouth rapidly up and down the long cock, keeping up the suction. Then suddenly his hair was grabbed and his head held still. He didn't pull away as Nysus began thrusting hard down his throat, his movements rough and desperate. Just a few, quick thrusts and he came. Autolycus pulled back a bit despite the hand in his hair, needing to taste the hot semen spilling down his throat. He caught the last of it, the saltiness and its underlying sweetness making him shiver with pleasure as he swallowed.

Nysus went completely limp beneath him. Autolycus heard his frantic gasps for air and grinned. Placing a kiss on the scratches on the inside of Nysus' thigh, he moved off of him, trying his best to ignore the now-painful aching of his cock begging for release.

Watching Nysus for a few moments, Autolycus noted the sweat-slick skin and flushed cheeks. "You taste as good as you look," he couldn't help commenting truthfully. "I've been wanting to do that for months now, but you were always in control. So I took it away."

Nysus smirked slightly without opening his eyes. "I let you take it, Auto."

"I know. Thanks."

Nysus didn't respond, but his smirk turned to a real smile moments before he rolled over onto his stomach. "Fuck, I could sleep for a week," he muttered, crossing his arms and laying his head on them.

Autolycus rested his hand on the back of Nysus' neck, kneading the muscles there lightly. He waited until a look of enjoyment crept onto Nysus' face before he let his hand move lower, sliding down the curve of Nysus' back. Nysus moaned and arched a bit under the touch.

"You've gotta want to come by now, Auto," Nysus observed in an obvious invitation, looking at Autolycus from under his eyelashes.

"Oh, I passed 'wanting' a while back," Autolycus replied, surprised at how calm he managed to sound.

"Well, then maybe I can help you with that," Nysus suggested teasingly. When he started to sit up though, Autolycus gave him a hard slap on the ass. "Hey!" Nysus protested.

"Then stay put. You're always ordering me around and taking control of everything. Well right now it's my turn so just lay there and enjoy it. You can do whatever you want later."

"I'll hold you to that," Nysus grumbled, then gasped sharply when Autolycus gave him another slap.

"You know, you've got a great ass," Autolycus observed, running his hand over the now-red skin. "Perfect shape, tight, firm, and this color really works on you."

"Um, Auto?"

"Yeah, babe?"

"Don't call me that. And are you gonna fuck me, or just sit there and get poetic about my ass?"

"Dunno. Depends on how fast I can grab the olive oil verses how quick I can think up a word that rhymes with 'ass'...sweetie," he added with a slight smirk as he reached for the cruet of oil on the table beside the bed.

"Don't even think about calling me that again," Nysus responded in annoyance.

"Okay," Autolycus replied thoughtfully as he dribbled some of the oil into the palm of his hand. "How about 'sugar'?"

"No," Nysus said with an annoyed sounding growl, although it turned to a moan as Autolycus began massaging his ass.

"Well then, what about 'honey'?" Autolycus couldn't help grinning. He'd found a perfect way to tease Nysus. He'd have to explore it later. Much later. Right now he had more important things on his mind, like how good it was going to feel being buried inside him.

"Why can't you...oooh, yeah...just use my name?" Nysus moaned again as two fingers slipped inside him.

"I will -- when you admit what it really is." Removing his fingers, Autolycus pressed the head of his cock against the tight opening. "For now, I'll just call you 'babe'." He pushed in.

"Fuck, yes!" Nysus gasped as Autolycus worked his way in deeper.

"Gods...you're so hot!" Autolycus groaned as he pulled nearly all the way out, slowly, then shoved back in. He had to bite down on his lip, the pain distracting him enough to keep him from coming right then. The tightness and incredible heat surrounding his aching cock...it hurt not to come, but he wasn't ready. Feeling sweat starting to bead on his forehead from the strain, he continued the same pace, pulling back slowly, then thrusting back in, hard and deep. Each time he angled his thrusts just right, hitting the spot that made Nysus cry out beneath him and beg for more.

Nysus really was begging. Gasping out Autolycus' name, his body trembling as he pleaded for Autolycus to move faster. But Autolycus ignored the pleas, keeping his own pace as he fought back the almost desperate need to come. When Nysus tried to work a hand beneath him to jerk himself off, Autolycus grabbed his wrist and held it down.

"I...don't want you...coming yet," he explained through clenched teeth as he continued to rock into him. Nysus just moaned helplessly.

Finally he couldn't hold it back any longer. It all felt too damn good. Autolycus bit back the scream that rose in his throat as he threw aside restraint, pounding into the tight ass, coming so hard he thought he'd pass out.

But he didn't. Somehow he managed to hold onto consciousness as he pulled out and dropped onto his back next to Nysus. "Gods...," he gasped out, dizzy and breathless from the intense orgasm. "Can't believe...what you do to me."

Nysus made a small whimpering sound in response, reminding Autolycus that it wasn't finished yet.

"Turn over," Autolycus said, shifting onto his side so he could watch as Nysus complied.

He looked as bad off as Autolycus had been just a minute or so before. Flushed and gasping with arousal, cock hard and leaking, pale blue eyes wide and pleading...he looked so damn fuckable. But that wasn't what Autolycus had in mind. "I wanna try something," he announced, leaning in close. If he what he suspected was right, he could have a lot of fun with this in the future.

He kissed Nysus gently, barely touching their lips at first. He made the next kiss a bit deeper, letting his tongue move over Nysus' lips briefly before ending it. Autolycus continued that way, kissing him repeatedly. Slowly working his way up to ever greater levels of intimacy until he was nibbling at Nysus' lower lip, sucking at his tongue -- until Nysus was kissing him back almost frantically, his hands grasping at his shoulders, trying to pull Autolycus down on top of him. But Autolycus didn't move, didn't touch Nysus at all except to keep kissing him, barely letting either of them breathe.

Suddenly Nysus stiffened, nails digging into Autolycus' shoulders as he cried out. Autolycus pulled back just enough to watch Nysus' face as he came, self-satisfaction growing at the expression of total shock on Nysus' face. Autolycus was grinning by the time Nysus finished. He'd been right. Nysus was so responsive, all it took was a few kisses to bring him off.

"H--How'd you...do that?" Nysus whispered in obvious confusion.

Chuckling, Autolycus kissed him once more. "Hail to the king, baby," he responded, his grin turning wicked.

Nysus glared at him. "You're," he had to pause to get enough air to continue. "You're not gonna let me...forget this, are you?"

"Of course not," Autolycus promised pleasantly. "I'll use it every chance I get and you'll love it."

"Great." Nysus grumbled, but it looked like he was trying to suppress a smile. "Don't guess you're gonna quit calling me 'babe' either, huh?"

"Nope. But cheer up. I mean, it could be worse. At least I didn't decide on 'sweetcheeks'."

Nysus giggled. "Yeah, that's a bad one. But what's up with this whole macho thing anyway? You never pulled this crap before."

Autolycus was tempted to make a joke about it and let the question pass, but Nysus deserved better than that. "I thought I'd totally screwed up and lost you. I guess I'm just, I dunno, overcompensating or something." It wasn't an admission he felt all that comfortable with, but it was the truth.

The giggling stopped abruptly and Nysus looked at him appraisingly. "So, it's like a possession thing here or something?" he asked after a few moments.

"Maybe, but I'll get over it." Autolycus shrugged uncomfortably.

"That's actually kinda sweet, Auto." Nysus grinned at him.

Autolycus rolled his eyes and turned over onto his back. "You going to be in the city long?" he asked to change the subject.

"I can be." Nysus' tone was suggestive as he ran his fingers up the inside of Autolycus' arm. "Ares has a temple around here, so I could make some excuses, hang around a while. You want me to?"

"Yeah." Autolycus smiled as the fingers moved over to his chest, the touch light and teasing. "I'll be here longer than I thought, so maybe we could keep meeting like this?"

"Cool." Nysus leaned over and licked one of Autolycus' nipples just before speaking again. "So why d'you gotta be here?"

"Because Sal is," Autolycus responded, a shiver of pleasure running through him as Nysus continued teasing his nipple.

"Sal?" Nysus looked up with a frown.

"Salmoneus. He's got another one of his schemes going which means he'll get himself into some sort of trouble. He's...well, I guess he's my friend. So I'll stay here and help him." And he meant it. Autolycus was a bit surprised at his own sincerity, but he didn't let it bother him. Having a slightly dishonest salesman as a friend made a lot more sense than counting a do-gooding demigod as one.

"You're a pretty nice guy, Auto," Nysus observed with an amused smirk.

Autolycus knew he had a flaw in his personality, that little streak of caring and basic niceness that Xena and Hercules liked to use against him. He dealt with it, but he wasn't all that comfortable with it being pointed out. He usually changed the subject as quickly as he could, and now was no exception. "Why'd you accept my invitation to come here?"

"I was hoping you'd want me back," Nysus replied quietly, resting his head on Autolycus' shoulder. "Didn't think I'd have to let you in on the history of my life to do it, but that's okay."

"I'm not gonna tell anyone," Autolycus promised, lightly running his fingers through soft, short black hair. "Besides, it's not like you told me everything. Right, 'Nysus'?"

"We're not starting on the name thing again." Nysus' tone didn't invite an argument.

"Hey, no problem. You can call yourself that if you want -- but if you ever tell me your other name is 'Gaius,' I may have to hurt you," Autolycus added teasingly.

Nysus giggled. "Promise?"

"You're bad." Autolycus grinned as he slid an arm around Nysus, pulling him close.

"Tell me about it."

That sounded like something akin to a purr. The sound made Autolycus think about...other things. But he was too tired to act on the impulses. He needed to rest first. Just for a few minutes.

The bright light shining in his face woke Autolycus. He quickly turned onto his side, trying to get away from the intrusive glare.

"C'mon, Auto. I let you sleep all night!"

What? Two things were strange here: first, he hadn't meant to sleep at all, and second, Nysus hadn't pulled one of his usual disappearing acts. That latter fact was what persuaded Autolycus to get up.

"Nysus?" he muttered sleepily as he pushed himself up.

"Duh! Unless you got someone else stashed around here somewhere." Standing at a nearby window, Nysus grinned at him before closing the shutters, blocking out the sunlight.

Without the light half-blinding him, Autolycus had an excellent view of Nysus as he walked away from the window, wonderfully naked and obviously amused by the way Autolycus looked him over.

"You like?" His grin had turned to a smirk by the time he reached the table next to the bed.

"You know I do. What's all this?" Autolycus changed the subject with a slight frown of curiosity.

The table, where he'd had last night's untouched dinner laid out, had been cleared at some point. Now just one plateful of food sat there and it looked fresh -- smelled pretty good too.

"Breakfast." Nysus picked up the plate and the mug beside it, and moved carefully onto the bed.

"Why're you still here?"

Pausing in the act of settling back against the headboard, he looked at Autolycus with a mixture of worry and suspicion. "You don't want me here?"

"Of course I do." Autolycus sighed. "It's just that every other time you left as soon as you could. Hey, I'm happy you're here. No complaints about that."

"Oh. Okay." Nysus looked relieved. "Well, I'm usually way busy, you know? Ares doesn't got anything for me to do right now though, so I thought I'd spend some time with you."

"Works for me. So, where'd you get that?" Autolycus motioned to the food.

"Guess you could say I made it," Nysus replied with a quick grin.

"Really? How?"

"Forget about it, Auto. Just c'mere." Setting the plate down on the pillow next to him, Nysus leaned back against the headboard and stretched out his legs, getting comfortable.

Well, it looked like things were getting back to normal. Nysus giving commands and Autolycus obeying them. He moved up to the head of the bed, thinking he'd sit next to Nysus.

"No. Here," Nysus corrected.

Seeing what he was getting at, Autolycus shook his head in mock exasperation, but he still did what Nysus wanted. Sitting between his outstretched legs, Autolycus settled back against his chest, resting his head on Nysus' left shoulder.

"So what d'you have in mind?" he asked with some amusement, looking craning his head to the side to look at Nysus.

"You're gonna eat," Nysus explained as he took a grape from the plate and held it to Autolycus' lips. "Then, when you're done, we're gonna take a bath -- we're a total mess but that's not the point. I just wanna see how...flexible you are."

"Sounds good so far," Autolycus said as he chewed the grape. "Then what?"

"Then I wanna show you this totally kinky thing I learned with honey and a cucumber." Nysus fed him another grape.

"I don't like cucumbers," Autolycus pointed out.

"S'okay, you won't be eating it. Oh, and we don't really need restraints for this one, but it kinda adds something. Know what I mean?"

Autolycus hadn't stopped eating, but his eyebrows were working themselves right up towards his hairline.

"After that, I'll let you choose whatever you want me to do. Then -- well, if you're not passed out or anything -- we can try some other stuff."

"So, basically we're just fucking like bunnies all day," Autolycus observed as he took another grape.

"Yep."

"Good. Say, is that juice you've got there? And, can you get me some of that ham?" After the exertions of the night before, Autolycus felt like he was starving. He ate everything Nysus gave him and he could've eaten more, but too much more might've put him back to sleep, and he didn't want to miss out on any of the next few hours. Despite what Nysus seemed to think, he would stay conscious this time.

"Bath?" he suggested once he'd finished the last of the food. He was already moving away from Nysus, intending to throw on some clothes, run downstairs and ask for a bath to be brought up.

"Wait."

"Why?" He stopped at the edge of the bed, sitting there a bit impatiently, more than eager for the fun to begin.

Nysus looked uncomfortable, and definitely worried again. "I, uh...there's something I gotta tell you first, Auto."

Autolycus' impatience disappeared and he smiled encouragingly. "All right."

"I didn't wanna tell you at first, because I didn't think you'd take it too good, but you really seem to care, so I'm thinking I should tell you now."

"I do care," Autolycus insisted.

"Hope so. Still don't think you're gonna be happy hearing it, but I gotta admit it. See...I love you."

Whoa. Autolycus didn't have the first clue how to respond to that. It wasn't even close to what he'd thought Nysus was about to confess. Nysus looked more and more worried the longer Autolycus remained silent, but Autolycus just didn't know what to say.

"Um...okay." He brushed his hair back away from his forehead in a nervous gesture. "How long?"

Nysus shrugged uncomfortably. "It's complicated."

Autolycus wanted to hear about it, strangely enough. Usually in a situation like this he'd take off as fast as he could. He didn't feel like running though, not this time. Nysus needed to understand that.

The frantic pounding on the door cut off what Autolycus had been about to say.

"Autolycus! You've gotta help me!"

"Sal." Autolycus sighed in resignation.

Nysus was already off the bed and pulling on his clothes. He was dressed and at one of the windows by the time Autolycus managed to get on just his pants.

"Hold on!" Autolycus hissed at him.

"Come on, Auto! Let me in!" The pounding on the door continued.

Grabbing hold of Nysus, Autolycus kissed him hard, needing to show him how much he was wanted. When Autolycus drew back, Nysus' lips were swollen, his face flushed. He looked delicious.

"Gods, I don't wanna let you go!" Autolycus whispered.

"I can't stay. There's a chance Salmoneus could know me. I heard he hangs with Jercules enough." Despite his words, Nysus pulled Autolycus into another long kiss.

"Auto! They're going to kill me!"

"Not if I do first," Autolycus muttered darkly at the door as he released Nysus with extreme reluctance.

"I'll find you later," Nysus promised, pulling open the shutters.

Autolycus just nodded, watching as his lover climbed out the window, quickly disappearing from sight. He knew "later" wouldn't be until Salmoneus was out of the picture, so he forced himself to leave the window and head towards the door.

"What took you so long?" Salmoneus demanded, hurrying into the room the instant Autolycus opened the door. "I'm standing out there begging for help and you're...oh." Even a total idiot could've taken one look around the room and understood what had been going on there. The bed was a mess and most of Autolycus' clothes were still laying where he'd tossed them the night before.

"You couldn't stay out of trouble for just one more day?" Autolycus snapped, slamming the door shut.

"I didn't mean to interrupt, really," Salmoneus apologized nervously.

"I should just hand you over to whoever's after you." Of course Autolycus had no intention of doing that, but he was angry and it sounded good.

"Come on, please, Auto?" Salmoneus begged. "I just need to get out of the city!"

Which meant Autolycus would end up escorting him to the next safe town just to keep him out of trouble. It would take a good week at least. "The things I do for you," Autolycus grumbled as he went to get his clothes.

He ignored Salmoneus' profuse and rather theatrical thanks, more concerned with other things. Getting out of the city would be simple. He just hoped that Nysus understood his abrupt departure and didn't think he was taking off because of that love thing.

Autolycus still couldn't quite comprehend that, Nysus being in love with him. He needed some time to think about it. So maybe this problem with Salmoneus wasn't such a problem after all. He could use the time to get things together. Well, at least if he looked at it that way, he'd probably be able to resist the urge to throttle Salmoneus.

Near the door, Salmoneus was babbling on about how exactly he'd gotten himself in trouble and Autolycus could already tell the next few days were going to seem endless.
 
 

Part 8

"Are we there yet?"

Autolycus fought back the urge to strangle the man seated in the cart beside him. For nearly three days now he'd been listening to Salmoneus talk almost constantly -- complaining mostly, or so it seemed anyway. It was getting on Autolycus' last nerve and if they didn't find that inn soon, he thought there was a good possibility that Autolycus do something rather unkind to him.

Logically he knew that Salmoneus wasn't the real problem here. He really wasn't any more annoying than usual and under normal circumstances Autolycus probably would have found him to be almost enjoyable company. But right now the only company Autolycus wanted was his lover's, and Salmoneus was keeping him from that.

At least the journey had been shorter than he'd anticipated, thanks to the cart and horse he'd "acquired" back in Thermopylae. An entire week of not seeing Nysus while having to listen to Salmoneus' chatter would've probably driven him completely crazy.

They'd been moving at the fastest possible pace since leaving the city, putting as much distance between themselves and the guards as they could. Salmoneus had gotten himself into trouble when his latest money making idea hadn't turned out quite the way he'd expected. Autolycus hadn't really understood it, but it had to do with something called "property insurance", buildings being deliberately set on fire and people demanding money from Salmoneus. Salmoneus hadn't had enough dinars to pay off what he called "claims" so he'd come to Autolycus for help in getting out of the city. It was nothing new for them, running for their lives, but Autolycus wished his friend had picked another day to screw up.

Salmoneus obviously realized he'd seriously messed up this time, and not about his business. He'd tried numerous times over the past three days to apologize for the way he'd interrupted Autolycus and his lover. He'd also tried, in a roundabout way, to get Autolycus to talk about this mystery lover of his, but he'd been ignored on both counts.

Autolycus knew he was acting a bit childish. Refusing to say more than a few words to his friend, sulking, as it were. But he was fairly upset, and besides, he figured a good guilt trip might make Salmoneus think a bit more before jumping head-first into his next scheme -- okay, so maybe he was deluding himself there, but he was still angry.

They were in Anthela now though. A helpful citizen had recommended a good inn -- one where people didn't ask too many questions -- and once they found it Autolycus could leave Salmoneus there and not have to worry about him anymore. Or at least not until the next time Salmoneus got himself into trouble and needed help. But hopefully that wouldn't be for another couple months at the least.

"There it is." Salmoneus pointed to one of the buildings on the right side of the street, almost hidden by the shadows of the late afternoon. "Right across from the, uh...house of negotiable virtue. Like the man said."

Autolycus couldn't help the slight smile that turned up the corners of his mouth as he watched a blush creep up Salmoneus' neck. The guy spent most of his life on the road, he'd probably seen everything at one time or another and yet he was still embarrassed by the sight of a simple whorehouse -- or more to the point, the women who were calling out offers to them.

"You outta go on over, Sal," Autolycus couldn't resist teasing him as his bad mood lifted slightly. "Wouldn't hurt you to get laid once in a while."

"Auto!" Salmoneus looked at him in shock, but he relaxed when he saw the amused look on Autolycus' face. "Really funny," he said sarcastically.

"I never did get that about you," Autolycus said with a shake of his head as he reined the horse up at the stable beside the inn. "What's wrong with a bit of quick, impersonal knocking boots every now and then? No worrying about commitments or emotions or any of that stuff. Just good, fun sex."

"That's exactly what's wrong with it," Salmoneus replied as they got down from the cart.

The conversation was put on hold for a moment as Autolycus did some quick negotiations with the stablemaster. Then Autolycus led the horse and cart into the stable, Salmoneus following close behind.

"I'm just not like that," Salmoneus continued, his voice quiet, tinged with embarrassment although they were the only ones in the stable at the moment. "I'm into...you know, meaningful relationships. Maybe you don't understand that but it's just the way I am these days."

Autolycus thought about that remark as he unhitched the horse from the cart. Salmoneus had a point. A few months ago Autolycus wouldn't have known or cared what Salmoneus was talking about. But that was before Nysus. "No," he said quietly, leading the horse into one of the empty stalls. "I think I know what you mean, Sal. And I guess I can understand it."

There was silence for a few moments. He concentrated on the task of feeding and watering the horse, not looking at his friend, suddenly and inexplicably uncomfortable.

"You're really in love, aren't you?"

The question startled Autolycus, making him look up with a frown. "What're you talking about?"

Standing by the stall door, Salmoneus' expression was unreadable. "Whoever you're seeing, you're in love with her."

Autolycus smiled slightly. "No way, Sal. Look, I'll tell you how it is." He set down the bucket of oats he'd been using to fill the trough, turning all of his attention to his friend. "It's about obsession and sex -- incredible sex. I won't say I don't care. I do, but it's not love. I'm not going to fall in love. Not after last time. It hurts too much and...I can't go through that again." That was a lot more than he'd intended to reveal. In fact, the last bit came as something of a surprise to him. But as much as Salmoneus loved to talk, Autolycus trusted him not to go around blabbing about this.

Looking completely serious for once, Salmoneus reached out across the small distance separating them and rested his hand on Autolycus' shoulder. "I understand, Auto, but did you ever think that maybe you won't have a choice? I mean, sometimes you fall in love and there's...there's nothing you can do about it."

Autolycus couldn't say he hadn't thought the same thing, but hearing it was a bit frightening. He never liked to be helpless no matter the circumstances but it was worse when it came to emotions. He did his best to always be in control of himself and the thought of that being taken away from him....He didn't think he could deal with it if it happened again.

"I know." He sighed, looking away from Salmoneus. The slight pressure of the hand on his shoulder felt somehow comforting, but the intensity of Salmoneus' gaze was a bit disturbing. This "discussing emotions" thing was becoming too common lately and he didn't care for it at all, regardless of how much better he felt afterwards. He needed to end this before he made himself look like a complete fool.

Salmoneus seemed to sense what was going through Autolycus' mind though. His hand tightened on his shoulder, making Autolycus look back at him. "We don't always get along, Auto, and sometimes I wonder why you, you know, put up with me. I...I wonder if you could ever...," he stopped, looking away uncomfortably for a moment. "Guess that doesn't matter now," he said, seemingly to himself. Then he looked at Autolycus again, his smile genuine if slightly nervous. "If you need to, I don't know, really talk or whatever, I'll always listen, okay?"

Autolycus smiled back. Sometimes Salmoneus could be the most annoying man in the country, but then there were times like this when Autolycus was glad he put up with the rest of it. They didn't always get along, that was true enough. But under all their bickering and petty arguments, they cared, and that felt good. "Thanks, Sal."

Salmoneus nodded. "Um...Auto? I know you wanted to get moving, but it's getting late." A hesitant look crossed his face a second before he spoke again. "Maybe you could, umm, stay? We can have dinner, if you want, and you could stay, with me. It can be just for tonight and it'd be all right with me because I....You mean a lot to me, Auto," Salmoneus finished, looking a bit apprehensive.

Autolycus briefly rested his own hand on Salmoneus' arm, reassuringly. "I care about you too, Sal. I think you're probably my best friend. Of course I'm not going to tell anyone that." He grinned teasingly. "Thanks for the offer. It's not that a good night's rest in a real bed doesn't sound great, but I really want to get going. You can keep the horse and cart. I travel better on foot anyway."

"Best friend, huh?" Salmoneus said quietly, dropping his hand.

"Yeah." Autolycus frowned a bit. "Why? You don't think so?" Autolycus almost began to worry when there was no reply for a few seconds, but then Salmoneus took a deep breath and smiled at him.

"Sure, Auto. Friends," he said brightly.

"Good," Autolycus grinned at him again. "I'll get this taken care of for you, then I'm outta here. Okay?"

Salmoneus nodded and turned away. Autolycus watched as his friend left the stable without another word, trying to ignore the nagging feeling that he'd missed something.

"Well, fuck me."

The quiet, serious tone of the voice startled Autolycus more than hearing the voice itself so close to him. Looking to his left he saw -- not surprisingly -- Nysus standing next to the stall. Thankfully he'd left off the usual black leather outfit again, opting instead for the brown one Autolycus liked so much. That wasn't what drew Autolycus' attention this time though. It was the way Nysus stood there, the look on his face as he stared at the door Salmoneus had just left through. Autolycus had seen a number of expressions on Nysus' face over the past few months, everything from cold fury to intense hurt, but this was the first time he'd ever seen pity. There wasn't a lot of it to be sure, more surprise than anything else, but it was there, and it confused Autolycus.

"What's wrong?" Autolycus asked, stepping out of the stall, watching his lover with concern.

Nysus looked at him, and then after a second or two his eyes widened in disbelief. "You don't know?" he asked, shock coloring his tone.

Autolycus just shook his head.

"Damn!" Nysus breathed, glancing at the door once more before focusing on Autolycus. "I mean, I know you can be a little dense sometimes, Auto, but I didn't think you were that clueless!"

"What're you talking about?" Autolycus demanded, not liking the feeling of being left out of whatever was going on here.

Nysus started to reply, then stopped, a thoughtful look on his pale face. "You know," he finally said a minute or so later. "I really can't believe I'm gonna do this -- you gotta be a bad influence on me or something -- but it'd be better for everyone if you never got a clue about this. So just forget it."

Autolycus didn't want to forget about it. Intense curiosity gripped him now. But Nysus had that determined look, the one that said it'd be impossible to make him change his mind. So there was nothing to do but drop the subject. For now anyway. Besides, there were a couple other things Autolycus wanted answers to.

"You followed me this time." That one he felt absolutely certain about. He just wanted confirmation.

Nysus nodded. "That was some serious trouble back in Thermopylae. I figured I'd better watch your back. I know you can take care of yourself, Auto, but you had Salmoneus to worry about too, so I thought I'd stick around just in case."

Autolycus thought about that, then decided not to get upset over it. If the city guards had followed them he doubted he and Salmoneus would've been able to fight them all off. They would have been grateful for the help then. "Okay. So how long have you been here?"

Nysus snorted. "You mean, how much of that conversation did I hear?"

"Yeah."

"I heard enough." He looked at Autolycus seriously. "Do you really think I'm gonna end up hurting you, Auto?"

On impulse, Autolycus brought his hand up and gently touched Nysus' cheek, letting his fingers trail over the warm, pale skin. "No, Nysus," he said, smiling softly, almost regretfully. "I know you will."

"Wha..?" Autolycus' fingers against his lips cut off the protest.

"Don't. Okay? Don't start promising things you can't do. You're in love with me, right?"

Nysus nodded mutely.

"Well, I'm definitely flattered," his smile disappeared, "and I'm sorry. When...things happen -- and they will eventually. Even you admitted that, remember? When something goes wrong, you're gonna be hurt a lot worse than me, and I'm sorry for that, but that's why I can't love you." He let his hand drop and waited.

Nysus stared at him for a few moments, then turned away. He crossed his arms on the top of the crude wooden wall that surrounded the stalls, his head dropping down, hair obscuring his face. He stayed there, unmoving for a while, his lean body visibly tense. When he finally did speak, his tone seemed almost completely emotionless. "Salmoneus should be getting dinner right about now. You oughta go take him up on that offer, Auto. Go get something to eat and have a good long talk with him, then stay with him for a while. You'd have a way more normal life."

"Yeah," Autolycus agreed. "Guess I would."

"Then you'd better do it now, because I don't think I'm gonna be able to let you go later."

Autolycus wished he could do it. It would save them both pain in the long run. But he couldn't even consider it. He found himself reaching out and resting his hand on Nysus' back. There wasn't anything intimate about the touch, but Nysus gasped and a visible shiver went through him.

"Just go!" he ordered, an edge creeping into his tone.

"You know I'm not going to," Autolycus replied quietly, letting his hand slide up to the bare skin of Nysus' neck. Nysus made a sound, almost like a whimper, then he practically threw himself at Autolycus, nearly knocking him to the ground. Somehow Autolycus managed to stay upright, holding onto Nysus who was plastered against him, barely able to breathe as Nysus' mouth devoured his desperately, hungrily.

Nysus' hands were as busy as his mouth, undoing laces and buttons fast and with a carelessness that normally would've concerned Autolycus, as vain as he was about his clothing, but right now he couldn't have cared less. He was pulling open his lover's clothes with equal speed. It'd only been a few days since they'd last been together, but right now it felt like an eternity, and Autolycus had the frightening thought that maybe this would be the last time.

Suddenly Nysus' arms locked around his neck and the smaller man pulled himself up, wrapping his legs around Autolycus' waist, pressing their now-bare chests together. Autolycus groaned and tightened his grip on him. They didn't stop kissing for a moment. Autolycus was starting to feel dizzy from the lack of oxygen and he didn't care. He just wanted to fuck Nysus as hard and as fast as possible, and he couldn't do that like this.

He moved fast. Only a few steps into the next stall, barely aware of the clothes they were somehow managing to struggle out of as he went. Hearing the sound of hay under his feet, he stopped and with no warning, released his grip on Nysus. Nysus, who'd been letting Autolycus support his weight, fell, landing on the rough hay with a surprised gasp.

Autolycus wasted no time, quickly pulling off the remainder of his clothes. Taking the cue, Nysus did the same. Within a couple seconds they were finally naked and a fraction of a second later, Autolycus was on top of him.

Their kisses were bordering on brutal now, reflecting the increasing urgency they both felt. Nysus struggled a bit beneath him, trying to get into a better position. He hooked his legs around Autolycus', then pushed up, grinding their cocks together. Autolycus groaned and thrust hard against his lover. He wanted to be deep inside Nysus, but neither of them were going to last long enough, so this would do.

He continued rocking against Nysus, kissing him, biting his lips, licking his throat. Autolycus couldn't get enough of him and the feeling was obviously returned. Nysus' hands were grasping at his back, nails digging into his sweat-slicked skin, maybe drawing blood. It made Autolycus move faster, harder. The feeling of their cocks sliding against each other, the ache and the pressure building by the second...he couldn't think beyond the desire to make it last -- and the feeling of Nysus stiffening beneath him, telling him it was ending now.

Suddenly Nysus pulled his mouth away from Autolycus'. "Love you, Auto," he gasped out, then his head fell back and a long shudder went through his body. And he was still saying the same thing over and over, more moans than words, but it was audible enough. That, and the feel of Nysus coming between them was too much for Autolycus. A few more short, quick thrusts and he came hard, biting the inside of his lip to keep from crying out his lover's name. It was so good -- and over far too quickly. But he felt exhausted all the same as he collapsed on top of Nysus.

Nysus had gone completely limp, one arm draped over Autolycus' back. They both lay there gasping for breath. Long minutes later, Nysus sighed.

"We're like, so totally screwed," he said almost conversationally.

Autolycus couldn't help smiling. "You mean that literally or figuratively?" That earned him a light slap on his shoulder.

"Both, smart ass." There was some humor in Nysus' tone, but it was outweighed by the regret.

"Better explain that to me, babe." Autolycus pushed himself up on his elbows so he could look at his lover. The usually pale face now flushed, lips swollen, eyes half closed...okay, this'd been a mistake.

"Don't call me that, and you know what I'm talking about -- hey! Where you going?" Nysus frowned as Autolycus rolled off him.

"Nowhere," Autolycus replied, stretching out on his back beside Nysus, "but if I keep looking at you I'm gonna fuck you again. And probably again after that. So if you want to talk, I need to be over here."

"Whatever. Look, you know what's up here. I don't gotta spell it out for you."

"Yeah. Tell me something, Nysus: how did we get from that great night in Thermopylae -- good sex, you telling me you love me -- to this? It's like we're talking ourselves into ruining things here."

"I dunno. I mean, a few nights ago I really thought we could work it out, but now...I just dunno. Reality's a bitch, Auto, and she loves to fuck with people's lives. Something's gonna happen sometime and I dunno if I wanna sit around and wait for it. Know what I mean?"

"Yeah, but are you willing to give it all up right now?" Autolycus glanced over at him.

Nysus met his gaze. "Why d'you think I said we're screwed? I can't let you go now. I warned you."

"I know." Autolycus nodded. "I think that's the way I wanted it."

"Better hope so, because you got it."

Before Autolycus could say anything more, a loud snort from above distracted him. Looking up, he found the white horse he'd "borrowed" in Thermopylae staring down at the two of them.

"Do you mind, Binky?" he said reasonably. "I'm trying to have a meaningful conversation here."

The horse snorted again and turned away.

Shaking his head, Autolycus turned his attention back to his lover who was giggling.

"Binky?" Nysus asked through his giggles.

"I've always liked the name," Autolycus said defensively.

"Word of advice, Auto: if you ever have kids, let their mom name 'em." Then Nysus broke into true laughter.

Autolycus rolled his eyes but couldn't help smiling. He loved it when Nysus was in this kind of mood. When he seemed truly happy, despite their situation. Autolycus knew there wasn't much in the way of real happiness in Nysus' life, so it made it all worthwhile, seeing him like this.

When Nysus finally calmed down a couple minutes later, he frowned slightly at Autolycus. "You're looking at me funny, Auto."

"Just thinking." Autolycus reached out to brush strands of black hair back from Nysus' face, letting his fingers trail lightly down a pale cheek. "I don't think I'm ever gonna regret this, no matter what happens later on."

"Yeah?" Nysus caught the hand caressing his cheek and brought it to his lips. "Me neither." He closed his mouth over two fingers.

Autolycus couldn't repress a shiver at the feel of the light suction on his fingers, the tongue wrapping around them...."Gods, you're a tease!" he groaned. Drawing his hand back, Autolycus leaned over and cut off Nysus' giggle with a hard kiss.

Almost instantly, Nysus' arms were around him, pulling him close. Nysus was already hard again and Autolycus wasn't far behind him. He'd quit questioning his rather amazing endurance where Nysus was concerned. Autolycus just figured Nysus...inspired him. All he really cared about was enjoying it.

And that's exactly what he intended to do now. Last time had been far too quick. He wanted to take his time and enjoy this, preferably for the next few hours--

"Oh, fuck!" Autolycus hissed to himself, pulling away.

"That's the idea," Nysus muttered, trying to draw him back down.

"No, it's not that." Autolycus sat up, looking around for his clothes. "I have to go."

"What?"

"It's complicated and I have to get moving before...," Autolycus stopped when he saw the mixture of anger and hurt on Nysus' face. Nysus deserved a lot more than a brief roll in the hay, so to speak. He deserved an explanation. "Okay." Autolycus settled back down next to Nysus. "I heard some rumors a few days ago back in Thermopylae. Seems someone I worked with a couple times before she went into the bounty hunter business, is after Xena."

"And you want to help Xena? Warn her or something?" Nysus looked at him with raised eyebrows.

"Or something." Autolycus nodded.

"So this doesn't got anything to do with money?"

"No -- well, maybe there might be some gold involved, but that's not the point. Look, Xena can be a real pain sometimes, but she is my friend. I have to try to help her."

"Yeah, I get that." Nysus smiled slightly. "Just so long as you're not tossing me aside for some pile of jewels or whatever."

"You kidding?" Autolycus leaned towards him and kissed him gently, briefly. "I can get that stuff anytime I want. You--"

"You can have me anytime you want too." Nysus grinned.

"Maybe now, but who knows about later?" Autolycus replied with a resigned smile.

"Yeah." Nysus' grin faded and he looked away. "Well, you better get going."

Autolycus didn't say anything as he quickly pulled on his clothes. There wasn't anything to say. They knew where the relationship stood and how it would likely, fall. No need to dwell on it.

"I'll see you...?" He left the question open, knowing it wasn't a matter of "if", but rather, "when".

"After you ditch Xena." Nysus answered, lying back in the hay, his arms crossed behind his head.

Autolycus nodded as he left the stall.

"Auto?"

"Yeah?" He stopped to look back down at his lover.

"Love you." Nysus smiled at him.

"I know." Autolycus smiled back, then walked away.
 
 

Part 9

Night was closing in fast. Barely ten minutes of good light left, and yet he still considered making a run for it. Traveling at night in the forest would present problems, but he could handle it. He wasn't exactly nature-boy, but he knew how to survive when he had to. He just didn't know if it was worth it right now.

Autolycus looked back at the faint light from the campfire, then out into the increasingly dark forest indecisively. Escape would take a lot of effort and as much as he hated to admit it, he didn't really think he stood a chance. Besides, even if he did make it, his conscience probably wouldn't leave him alone. Better to stay put. For now anyway.

"This totally sucks," he muttered to himself, then grinned slightly, realizing how he'd just sounded -- or more to the point, who he'd just sounded like. He'd have to be a bit more careful. He was starting to borrow some of his lover's vocabulary, and there were certain people who would wonder, or worse, suspect where he'd learned to speak like that.

Well, no point in standing around. He didn't have a lot of time to waste anyway. He had to get back before someone came looking for him. Turning, Autolycus started towards the camp.

He figured he'd just have to make the best of things. If he'd had a choice, he never would've gotten involved in this, but he had to admit, at least to himself, that he'd never really had one to begin with. A few years ago, before meeting Hercules and the rest of them, he would've been able to turn this down without a problem. Sure, he'd never been entirely cold-hearted. Sometimes he'd done a bit of that "steal from the rich, give to the poor" thing, but his main concern had always been himself. Looking out for number one was how he'd survived, how he'd become the best.

But now, well, thanks to those hero types, he just couldn't turn his back on things like this anymore. No matter how much he tried to get out of it, somehow he always got talked into these situations, and he almost never profited from them. He risked his life for nothing, except the gratitude of his friends. And for some reason, that was usually enough.

"What the fuck did you do to your hair?"

Autolycus had been too caught up in his own thoughts to pay attention to his surroundings, so he was taken completely by surprise. That was incredibly stupid, given his current situation.

Nysus was leaning back against a nearby tree, dressed in his brown leathers and green shirt, looking at Autolycus in confusion.

"Damn," Autolycus whispered to himself, glancing around in sudden apprehension. "This really isn't the time," he said, keeping his voice just loud enough for Nysus to hear.

Nysus didn't take the cue though. He spoke again, his voice at a normal level. Much too loud for comfort. "I leave you alone for a couple weeks and what happens? You go in for the 'Caesar' style." He shook his head sadly. "Next time you see one of these new fashion trends, Auto, remember, just say 'no.'"

Pride stung by the comment, Autolycus found himself reaching up to run his hand self-consciously through his now-short hair. "What's wrong with it?" he asked, just before reason interceded and he remembered why he couldn't stand around talking. "Nevermind. Look, Nysus, it's great to see you, but now is one of the worst times you could've picked to show up. You have to go!" he insisted.

"What's up?" Nysus frowned, pushing away from the tree. "You know, forget it," he said before Autolycus could reply. "I was hoping to spend some time with you, if you know what I mean, but that's not the real reason I'm here. I gotta warn you about something, Auto."

"There's no time--"

"Won't take more than a sec," Nysus interrupted again, walking towards Autolycus. "See, Ares is doing his 'dominate the world' gig again and I just wanted to let you know so you could keep outta the way. 'Kay?" He stopped in front of Autolycus.

"I already know what he's up to." Autolycus sighed in resignation. Nysus apparently had no intention of leaving until he'd delivered the warning. Sweet, but very ill-timed. Not that it mattered anymore.

Nysus frowned again. "How'd you know?"

"Xena told me. She wanted my help to stop him."

"So you told her to kiss off, right?"

"No. I couldn't. We're on our way to the Halls of War now."

"What d'you mean 'we?'"

"I mean, that should be her right now, coming to find out why I've been gone so long."

The snap of a twig revealed the presence of Xena just before she walked into sight. She came to an abrupt halt when she saw who was with Autolycus.

"Oh shit," Nysus breathed, pale blue eyes widening slightly. Then it seemed as though some sort of mask dropped into place and his expression became unreadable. His body however, was visibly tense, as though he were prepared for a fight.

Silence descended for a few moments as they stood there, Nysus and Xena watching each other warily, each looking like they were about to attack. Autolycus realized that if he didn't break it up soon there would likely be some serious trouble.

"Xena," he said. Her cold, steady gaze flickered towards him briefly before settling back on Nysus, but Autolycus knew he had her attention. "This is my partner, Nysus," he explained calmly. Well, it was the truth. Depending on how you defined "partner" anyway.

"I thought you were through working with others," Xena commented, her hand coming to rest on her chakram.

"I make exceptions. When it's worth it." He couldn't help adding that last bit. He glanced at Nysus, wondering if  he'd gotten the veiled message. He found his answer in the quick, slight smile that crossed Nysus' lips.

"Were you following us?" Xena asked Nysus, her eyes never leaving him.

"Not really. I was tracking Autolycus, wanted to talk to him. Didn't even know you were here," he replied, his tone somewhat flippant, although his body remained tense.

"You're a thief and a tracker?" she asked, her tone heavy with suspicion.

"I'm a whole lot of things."

Autolycus could tell this wouldn't be settled in the next few minutes and it would soon be too dark to see clearly. "Hey, you guys think we could take this back to camp?" he suggested. "I'm hungry and it's getting cold and dark out here."

Nothing happened for a few seconds, and then Xena nodded once. When she didn't move after that, he realized she was waiting for them to go ahead of her.

"C'mon." He motioned for Nysus to follow him as he walked off towards the light from the campfire.

"Well, this bites," Nysus commented in a whisper as he fell into step beside Autolycus.

"I tried to warn you." Autolycus didn't bother to keep the I-told-you-so tone out of his low voice.

"Yeah. Whatever. Could be worse, I guess."

"The night's young," Autolycus replied by way of warning, then they were entering the camp and they couldn't risk talking anymore.

"It's about time!" Gabrielle greeted them as they walked into sight. "I was really thinking about starting dinner without--" She stopped speaking when she saw Nysus. She frowned at him curiously, but without the suspicion that Xena had shown. "Who are you?"

Autolycus was surprised when instead of answering, Nysus walked right up to Gabrielle and looked her over, disbelief apparent in his expression.

"What happened to you?" Nysus asked, crossing his arms as he walked slowly around Gabrielle. "I mean, what's up with the new look and all?" He made a slight motion indicating her short hair and new outfit. "The tattoos are totally cool, but it's like, way strange."

"Do I know you?" Gabrielle asked in confusion when he stood in front of her again.

"Nope," he replied, still looking at her curiously.

"But you know us." Xena had joined them and stood near the edge of the camp, watching Nysus closely.

"Kinda." Nysus shrugged, then walked back over to stand beside Autolycus, putting some distance between himself and both women. "So now what?" He sounded as though it didn't matter to him, but the wary look in his eyes belied that.

Autolycus decided to step in again. He had a feeling things might go better if this particular conversation was put off for a while. "We eat," he answered, looking towards Xena to see if he'd get an argument. He didn't.

There were three bedrolls opened near the fire and Autolycus pointed Nysus towards the one furthest from the other two. "That's mine. You might as well sit down there. I'll get some food for you, too."

Nysus looked like he wanted to argue, but he remained silent and did as Autolycus said.

They picked pieces of meat off the two rabbits roasting over the fire and ate quietly.  Xena never taking her eyes off Nysus.

"You know," he suddenly spoke up, his quiet voice intended solely for Autolycus who sat next to him, "this is actually pretty good." He sounded surprised as he ate another piece of the rabbit.

"Hope so," Autolycus replied just as quietly. "I spent a while trying to get the seasoning right."

That made Nysus look at him. "You made this?"

"Yeah. It was my turn to cook."

"Huh." Nysus looked away with a shake of his head. "Who would've thought?"

Autolycus didn't know what to make of that and he didn't have the time to think about it.

"I've seen you before." Xena's comment drew their attention. She watched Nysus with narrowed eyes.

Nysus met her gaze for a moment before looking away. "Yeah, just bet you have," he said calmly, continuing to eat.

"Where?" Xena persisted.

Glancing over at Autolycus, his expression once again unreadable, Nysus sighed. "I dunno. Coulda been anywhere you saw Ares, because I work for him."

Autolycus stared at Nysus in shock. "Are you crazy?" he demanded, not bothering to lower his voice. Xena was already standing, drawing her sword.

"That's what they tell me," Nysus smirked briefly at him before focusing on Xena. "Chill, okay? Maybe you wanna hear the rest of it before you go trying to cut off my head or something, huh?"

"Xena," Gabrielle got to her feet, placing a restraining hand on her friend's arm. "Hear him out. It's only fair."

Xena didn't look too happy about it, but she nodded. "Go on." She remained standing, sword drawn.

Apparently unfazed by the display of anger, Nysus continued, "Yeah, I work for leather-boy, so what? Doesn't mean anything here. When I'm not with him, I don't answer to anyone but me, got it?" He held Xena's cold gaze unflinchingly.

"So you're not here to spy for Ares, right?" Gabrielle asked.

"What're you, slow? That's what I just said," he snapped at her. "Look, I'm on my own time here, Ares doesn't got anything to do with it."

"Does he know you're here at all?" Xena asked, suspicion still heavy in her tone.

"Do I look suicidal? 'Course he doesn't! He'd totally mess me up if he knew I was here when I wasn't working for him!" Nysus sighed. "Look, I got my own life and it doesn't got anything to do with Ares. Okay? Now, that everything you wanted to know?"

"No." Xena looked like she wanted to go on, but a look from Gabrielle stopped her, "but it'll do for now," she conceded. Not seeming too happy about it but apparently unwilling to argue with her friend, she sat back down, leaving her sword out and well within reach as she resumed eating.

Autolycus wanted to say something to Nysus but he didn't dare. Anything he said right now would probably reveal their true relationship and Xena's reaction to that was not something he wanted to deal with at the moment. So he just continued eating, trying to ignore the tense silence that now prevailed.

"Where's you staff?" Nysus asked suddenly, looking at Gabrielle.

Autolycus knew Nysus was trying to fill in the silence, draw the attention away from himself, but this was one line of questioning he'd probably end up regretting.

"I threw it away," Gabrielle replied with a smile.

Autolycus gave Nysus a slight nudge with his elbow. "Don't ask," he advised in a whisper.

"Why?" Nysus asked aloud, the question meant for both Autolycus and Gabrielle.

"Nevermind. Too late." Autolycus sighed, stretching out his legs to get comfortable.

"It's not The Way," Gabrielle answered brightly. "You see, it started when I went to India. Before then I was lost and...."

Autolycus, having heard it all before -- at least five times now -- tuned it out and concentrated on the last of his dinner. When he'd finished, he lay back on his bedroll, not caring if it looked rude or not. He knew this story could go on for hours, depending on how detailed Gabrielle wanted to get, and he had no interest in it. Sleep, however, sounded good. This problem with Nysus could be dealt with in the morning. Assuming of course that he was still there in the morning, which Autolycus seriously doubted would happen. Nysus would probably sneak off as soon as he could, and he'd be smart to do so. Xena was too sharp. She'd start figuring things out before long.

After a while Autolycus found that sleep wouldn't be coming anytime soon, so he just lay there, listening to Gabrielle drone on about India and The Way. That was certainly boring enough, but for some reason, it wasn't the insomnia cure it usually was.

Maybe it had something to do with the tension that still hung in the air, or the frustration coming from being so close to his lover without being able to touch him. Whatever it was, Autolycus realized he wouldn't be getting any sleep because of it. At least not anytime soon.

After a while he opened his eyes and looked over at Nysus to see what he thought of Gabrielle's story. He couldn't help grinning when he saw Nysus' face. An expression of mild interest shown there, but his eyes had a glazed-over look. Autolycus couldn't be quite sure, but he thought that Nysus may very well have gone to sleep with his eyes open.

Knowing that neither Xena nor Gabrielle could see he was awake from where they sat, Autolycus took a few moments to just look at his lover. He didn't get to do that much; usually they were both in too big of a hurry. There had only been a couple times when they'd been able to take it slow, but even then they'd spent the time fucking, not looking at each other. Not that Autolycus didn't want to tumble into bed with him right now, but that wasn't an option.

He had to settle for this. Watching him, studying him, wondering at the strange appeal Nysus held for him. Nysus wasn't good looking in the classical sense. He wasn't extremely well-built, didn't appear strikingly handsome, and at times his mannerisms were beyond annoying, but Autolycus still found himself drawn to him.

Nysus could be clever when he put his mind to it; witty, too. The way he talked probably had something to do with it. While incomprehensible much of the time, Autolycus still enjoyed hearing it, trying to translate it. Hades, he was even starting to use some of Nysus' phrases himself. That thought made Autolycus smile.

Nysus wasn't unattractive either. Especially when he got out of that ridiculous black leather outfit. Like now. The light brown wasn't nearly as harsh as the solid black had been, and that green shirt added some color to his otherwise pale complexion. But even when naked, Nysus still looked good. A lot of it had to do with the way he moved, always so graceful -- not to mention flexible. Oh yeah, definitely that. And the expressions he had; they could make Autolycus fall over laughing, or drive him nearly out of his mind with lust.

He had a good body too. Not as thin as he seemed at first glance; more wiry than anything else, but strong. He had muscle there, even if it wasn't as obvious as on say, Ares or something, but it was there. And him being so pale wasn't a drawback, especially not when they were fucking. Autolycus couldn't help smirking slightly as he recalled how well that skin showed every mark he left on it. That in itself was beautiful.

Autolycus quickly looked away, fixing his gaze on the countless stars above them as he worked at slowing down his breathing. He'd spent a little too much time contemplating his lover. Now he was stuck trying to force back the arousal that gripped him.

He should've known better than to do this. Nysus always got to him. Just being near him was enough, but lying there studying him had been a stupid -- although definitely fun -- move. Regardless, he had to clam down before the others noticed. Actually he was more worried about Xena than Gabrielle, who was still droning on about herself and The Way. Mostly about herself.

Taking a deep breath he turned his thoughts well away from Nysus. His judgement really suffered whenever he was around his lover. One of these days it would put them both in danger, if it hadn't already.

"What'd you just say?"

The question from beside him surprised Autolycus enough to make him turn his focus back on Nysus. Nysus was awake. More than that, he was watching Gabrielle intently, his expression a mix of anger and disbelief, and something else Autolycus couldn't identify.

"What?" Gabrielle sounded a bit confused, and maybe a little upset at being interrupted. "Well, I said I found Najara being attacked and while Xena defended us, I talked with her. She really seemed liked she'd changed and after the battle I--"

"You said something about Joxer," Nysus interrupted again.

"Oh. That." Gabrielle sighed. "I think he got hold of a dagger or something and accidentally killed the warlord Cryton. But I didn't really see it because I was with Najara and I had to try to protect her," she continued in a brighter tone. "I won't fight now, of course, but I did what I could and when it was over I--"

"Oh, get over yourself already!" Nysus snapped.

That shut her up. Gabrielle stared at him in shock.

Autolycus was caught between satisfaction that someone had finally told her off and worry at the sudden change in Nysus' mood. He pushed himself up, watching Nysus carefully, wondering what exactly was going on.

"Lemme get this straight," Nysus continued. "Joxer went and killed someone right in front of you, and you didn't really notice?"

Autolycus expected Xena to jump in to defend Gabrielle. But strangely enough, Xena remained silent. She just sat there, watching the proceedings expressionlessly.

"Did you at least talk to him? Or did you just let him deal on his own?" Nysus asked sarcastically.

Gabrielle looked over at Xena pointedly, apparently expecting her friend to say something to help Gabrielle justify her actions. But Xena remained silent, meeting Gabrielle's gaze calmly. After a few moments Gabrielle looked away in obvious discomfort.

"Yeah. That's what I thought." Nysus' opinion of Gabrielle was very plain in his tone. For a few moments nothing else happened. Nothing was said and everyone remained still. Gabrielle and Nysus were both contemplating the ground at their feet, likely for far different reasons, while Xena and Autolycus watched them.

Suddenly Nysus stood. The movement startled Autolycus, and apparently Xena as well. Instantly she had her sword raised and she was tensed for a fight. Nysus just rolled his eyes.

"I'm gonna crash over here," he said dismissively, moving a few paces behind Autolycus' bedroll. It would be difficult, if not impossible, for the women to see him over there. Apparently this was Nysus' way of cutting them off entirely.

He dropped to the ground, stretching out, hands linked behind his head to serve as a pillow. And that was it.  He, quite obviously, wanted nothing more to do with any of them. Eyes closed, body apparently relaxed, Nysus seemed to drift right off.

At first Autolycus couldn't help feeling a bit angry. Why was Nysus acting this way towards him? He hadn't done anything, and Nysus didn't have to be this standoffish. They could at least be civil without betraying anything. Then he remembered, and thought he understood.

The second time they'd met, Nysus had mentioned being related to Joxer. But he'd downplayed it, made it seem unimportant. Apparently that had been some sort of defense. Whether to protect himself or Joxer, he couldn't be sure, but one thing was for certain, Joxer was a lot more than some distant relative.

There was nothing more to be done right then. Nysus had gone to sleep, Gabrielle certainly wasn't in the mood to do anymore talking, and Xena, well, she hadn't lost her suspicious look, but at least she'd put her sword down again. Although, Autolycus had little doubt that she'd be spending the night with one hand on that sword and the other on her chakram.

Sleep seemed to be the best idea. Assuming he could get any of course. But it wouldn't hurt to try. He had a feeling the morning wouldn't go much better. When Nysus turned up missing there'd be questions, and Autolycus knew Xena wouldn't stop until she had the answers. When that happened, he just hoped she let him live.

Autolycus wasn't sure what had woken him. At first he just lay there, somewhat surprised that he'd actually gotten to sleep in the first place, listening for anything that could have awakened him.

There didn't seem to be anything though. No hushed whispers or breaking twigs that would signal an enemy trying to sneak up on the camp. In fact the only thing he could hear was the sound of the fire crackling off to his right. A glance over that way showed that it hadn't died down all that much, so he hadn't been asleep long.

Apparently there wasn't anything to be worried about. Xena hadn't woken and that was a good enough sign for him that they weren't in any danger. He just needed to go back to sleep. Morning would be there soon enough and he'd have to be at his best to face what would come with it.

Autolycus turned over on his side, back to the fire, trying to get more comfortable -- and froze.

Nysus lay there watching him. Reclining on his side, head resting on one arm, Nysus' face was expressionless, but his eyes...the look in those pale blue eyes was so intense, and it had nothing to do with sex. There was nothing seductive there at all. Autolycus found it all confusing, and more than a bit troubling.

"I never wanted to care."

The sudden, whispered statement surprised Autolycus but didn't do anything to lessen his confusion. He bit back the urge to question Nysus, instead remaining silent, waiting to see what would come next.

"I mean, I never thought I did care," Nysus continued, his gaze fixed on Autolycus, "not about Joxer or much of anything else. But you changed that and now -- now I...shit," he muttered under his breath. "I hate this. I mean, what's next? I start getting sentimental about Jercules or something? I so can't believe this is happening -- that I let you do this to me."

"So, you're saying it's all my fault because you fell in love with me and that made you start caring about other people?" Autolycus didn't like what he was hearing from Nysus, and it showed in his tone.

"Well, yeah!" Nysus responded defensively. "If you hadn't gone and stumbled into my life I'd still be totally cool about it all, know what I mean? None of this love and caring crap. I'd be off making trouble and living my life, see? But you had to just crash the party and turn everything upside-down!

"I thought things were okay the way they were, but you had to show up and make me rethink it all, didn't you? I mean, how could you do it to me? Come outta nowhere, tell me I'm gorgeous, treat me like I actually mean something to you, listen to what I got to say, don't tell me to fuck off when I screw up, make me feel like I'm worth something, and...and...oh fuck. You -- you made me love you." The accusation had left Nysus' tone and now he just looked...resigned.

Autolycus had to hold back the pity that threatened to put in an appearance. Nysus definitely wouldn't appreciate that. But the sheer depth of his insecurity got to Autolycus. It made him angry at everyone who had contributed to it over the years, and it also made him feel strangely protective of Nysus. Another thing he needed to keep to himself. Instead he gave Nysus a way out, if he really wanted it.

"Okay, if that's the way you feel about it, then maybe we should try to cool things off a bit. Try not to see each other so much, that kind of thing. Who knows, maybe with some distance you'll get over me or something." He shrugged, surprised that he'd managed to voice such a horrible thought so calmly.

Nysus' eyes widened and for a few moments he seemed almost frightened, then suddenly the look disappeared and he smiled, albeit sadly. "You had me there for a sec, Auto. Thought you were serious."

Autolycus wanted to protest that he had been serious, but if he were honest with himself he'd have to admit that letting Nysus go wasn't really an option. But he'd still had to make the gesture, if only to see how far Nysus' fears would take him.

"I guess, well, I think I sorta, you know, panicked there," Nysus admitted with some discomfort. "Took me a while to deal with just loving you, you know? I'm not real ready to be caring about anyone else."

"I know." Autolycus held out his hand. After a second or two, Nysus reached out and clasped their hands, lightly lacing their fingers. The space between them was too great for anymore contact than that -- which was probably a good thing, since that simple touch already had Autolycus thinking of...other things. He forced the thoughts aside.

"It creeps up on you," he continued. "You start out only worrying about yourself, then it's just one or two others, then a couple more come along, and before you know it, you're getting pulled into playing hero every now and then and it doesn't bother you all that much. I tell myself every time that I'm not gonna let it happen again, but I'm still here with Xena, aren't I?"

Nysus' smile widened. "You got any idea what Ares would do to me if he caught me helping people? I don't wanna think about it! Beides, I'm never gonna be the hero type. It's just not me."

"You think I'm the hero type?" Autolycus returned the smile. "I'm the King of Thieves. But here I am. And I know that if I survive this, no matter how I try to talk myself out of it next time, I'll do it again. It really bites."

That made Nysus giggle, fortunately though he remembered to muffle the noise behind his free hand. Their conversation had been low enough not to disturb the women, but Xena would undoubtedly wake at the first too-loud sound. They had to be extremely careful.

"Nice to see I'm influencing you somehow," Nysus observed once his giggles had subsided.

"Oh, you do a lot that 'influences' me." Autolycus replied just to tease, not with the intention of starting anything. Unfortunately Nysus had other ideas.

"Oh, really?"

It still surprised him, the way Nysus could change moods so suddenly. His tone had lowered in a way that never failed to get to Autolycus, and he looked at Autolycus from beneath his long eyelashes. Everything about him had suddenly turned seductive.

It surprised Autolycus mostly because of the inopportune timing of it. Nysus had to know they couldn't do anything, not with Xena and Gabrielle sleeping so close by. There was no point in playing at this when it would only lead to frustration for both of them.

"What're you doing?" he asked, frowning as he felt Nysus' thumb begin to slowly brush back and forth over his wrist.

"What's it feel like?" Nysus grinned mischievously, continuing the small movement.

Autolycus couldn't repress the shiver that went through him. Nysus knew what he was doing, that was for certain. That simple motion had a far bigger effect on Autolycus than he wanted to deal with at the moment. That, combined with the suggestive look his lover was directing at him, had Autolycus hard in seconds.

"Are you totally nuts?" he hissed at Nysus, trying desperately, and failing to ignore his arousal.

"Yes." There was no hesitation in the reply and Nysus' grin didn't dim in the slightest.

"No, you're not." Autolycus sighed in frustration, then moaned when Nysus slowly wet his lips with the tip of his tongue. "You're not crazy, but you're starting to drive me there! Knock it off, okay? We can't do anything!" He pointedly glanced back over his shoulder.

"Yeah, we can't do anything," Nysus agreed easily, "but you and me can."

"Huh?"

His grin turning positively wicked, Nysus slid his free hand down the front of his shirt to the lacings of his pants.

"Oh, you gotta be kidding me." Autolycus watched in mixed disbelief and arousal as Nysus began undoing the laces.

Nysus kept his motions slow and deliberate, his gaze fixed on Nysus as he worked. "Well c'mon," he prompted when Autolycus continued to just lie there and stare. "This isn't a one-man show here, know what I mean?"

Autolycus started to protest again, to explain just how foolish and extremely dangerous this was -- but before he could get the words out, Nysus had the laces undone. "Oh, gods...," Autolycus breathed, watching as Nysus slid a hand inside his pants.  But still he resisted, determined not to participate in something that would probably get them both in serious trouble -- then Nysus bit down on his lower lip, stifling a gasp, and Autolycus forgot all about trouble and consequences and boring things like that.

Not bothering with the slow pace Nysus had used, Autolycus had his pants open in a matter of seconds. When his hand closed around his cock, he moaned as much from the pleasure of the touch as from the expression of pure desire on his lover's face.

"You know how much I get off doing this while you're watching?" Nysus whispered, his voice slightly unsteady. "Fuck, I can't even...oh yeah...can't even jerk off anymore without thinking about you."

"Yeah," Autolycus agreed a bit breathlessly as he settled into his favorite rhythm. Light strokes, up and down at a steady pace, thumb occasionally moving over the head, spreading the drops of pre-come gathering there.

He knew exactly what Nysus was talking about. Lately, whenever he'd felt the urge for a quick fix, he hadn't been able to do it without images of Nysus coming to mind. Not that it was a deterrent. If anything, thinking of Nysus made it more intense. Sometimes it worried Autolycus. What did it mean when he couldn't even touch himself without thinking about his lover? But he couldn't think about it now. Not when Nysus was so close, breathing hard, hand moving along his cock while he watched Autolycus through passion-darkened eyes. Oh gods, it was a gorgeous sight. Almost enough to make Autolycus come.

"Not yet," Nysus gasped out the order.

Once again, Autolycus found himself obeying despite his intense desire to just let the pleasure overwhelm him. He slowed down the strokes on his aching cock until he'd pulled himself back from the edge.

"Wait for me."

Another order, but now that he wasn't on the verge of coming, Autolycus didn't mind so much. Seeing Nysus' face when he came...coming right along with him...oh yeah, he could go for that. The only problem was that Nysus had ridiculous self-control when he wanted it. He could draw this out forever and Autolycus couldn't wait that long.

"Make it quick." Desire and need turned his voice into a growl.

"Maybe," Nysus teased, licking his lips.

Autolycus almost whimpered in frustration but held it back in time. Hearing that would just make Nysus tease him more. But he didn't think he could hold out much longer. He was harder than he'd been in a long time and each touch brought him that much closer to losing it.

Fortunately Nysus didn't appear to be in any better shape. Face flushed, eyes half-closed, Nysus looked incredible.

"You should see yourself," Autolycus found himself whispering, voice tense. "You're so gorgeous like this. So...fucking...perfect."

Nysus gasped, a shocked look crossing his face seconds before he bit down hard on his lip, a visible shudder running through him as he came. The sight, and the feel of Nysus' hand holding so tightly to his, was enough to send Autolycus over the edge too, teeth clenched against the shout that threatened to escape him.

Some minutes later, when he could breathe again without hyperventilating, Autolycus opened his eyes and regarded Nysus with a slightly smug smile. "So I don't really even have to touch you to make you come, huh? Interesting."

Nysus glared at him but not with any real anger, mostly just embarrassment.

"Guess I'll have to play with that one later...babe," Autolycus continued to tease.

"Laugh it up, Auto. I'll find out something about you eventually," Nysus said with a low growl.

"Yeah, you keep telling yourself that." Autolycus grinned. He released Nysus' hand, deliberately letting his fingers trail over his palm, delighting in the shiver that sent through his lover.

"And you call me a tease!" Nysus breathed.

Autolycus just continued to grin as he started cleaning up as best he could.

"Wanna go for it again?"

Autolycus looked at Nysus like he'd lost his mind. "That's a joke, right?"

"Nope." Now Nysus was the one grinning.

"Forget it! This was dangerous enough. I'm not risking it again!"

"Aww, c'mon, Auto, where's your sense of adventure?"

"Adventure...?" Autolycus didn't know what he wanted to do more: throttle Nysus or take him up on his offer, and that indecision got on his nerves. "You know, Nysus, you're the only guy I know who would actually call a circle-jerk near Xena an 'adventure!' The rest of us call it 'suicidal!'"

"You kidding? She'd probably pull over a log and watch."

That wasn't something Autolycus really wanted to think about. "Um, yeah, well, it's bad enough she knows I'm fraternizing with the enemy, without her knowing I'm fraternizing with the enemy, get it?"

"Whatever.  Besides that wasn't a circle jerk. We'd need at least one other guy for that." His grin widening, he began to slowly lick the semen from his wrist and hand.

Autolycus rolled his eyes. "Yeah, and I bet you've already got someone in mind."

"Iolaus." No hesitation in that answer.

Autolycus froze in the midst of wiping his hand off on an edge of his bedding. "You're not serious." He made that a statement, almost certain that it had to be a joke.

"'Course I am, but if you're not into it or something, then don't worry about it. Just a suggestion." Nysus shrugged.

Autolycus was starting to wonder when he'd stepped into the alternate universe. "Um, hate to burst your bubble here, but we're talking about Iolaus, Hercules' friend, remember?"

"Yeah, and I don't care if they are in love, he's got to be getting tired of Mr. Vanilla by now."

"What?" This conversation had taken a sharp turn somewhere and left Autolycus far behind.

"Iolaus was always totally fun, you know? Got all that energy, loves to explore stuff. Can't believe Hercules has clue one how to keep him happy all the time."

"Are you talking about what I think you're talking about?" Autolycus asked with raised eyebrows.

"What? About me and Iolaus?" Nysus smirked slightly.

"You and....You had a relationship with Iolaus?" This went beyond strange.

"Well, yeah -- if you can call fucking our brains out every now and then a 'relationship'. It was more like we'd fight, get all worked up over it, then jump each other, know what I mean? 'Sides, it was like, a long time ago. You don't gotta be jealous or nothing." He continued to smirk.

"I'm not jealous," Autolycus said calmly. He thought it sounded truthful, but maybe something on his face gave him away because Nysus snorted.

"Yeah, right." Nysus shook his head. "Kinda nice though, you feeling like that over me. But you don't gotta worry. Even if Iolaus showed up right now with shackles and flavored oil, I wouldn't be looking twice at him -- unless maybe you wanted me to." There was definitely a hopeful note in that voice.

Autolycus didn't respond to it though, he was still trying to wrap his mind around the image of Iolaus and shackles. His confusion and mild shock must have shown on his face because Nysu giggled, but at least he kept the volume low.

"Tell you what, Auto, why don't you sleep on it. Let me know what you think about it later."

Autolycus nodded a bit absentmindedly. He wanted to leave it at that, not dig himself in any deeper, but his mouth seemed to be working independently of his mind at the moment. "Iolaus...shackles...?" He almost cringed at the questioning sound of his tone, not doubting that he'd regret showing any interest in this.

Nysus giggled again. "Oh yeah. My favorite way to remember him, you know? On his knees, hands shackled behind his back, begging for me to take him....Well, it was a long time ago. Maybe he grew out of it. Anyway, he can't compare to you so it doesn't matter. 'Night." He turned over onto his back, closing his eyes.

That'd gone too fast for Autolycus to quite grasp it. Oh, he understood what Nysus had in mind and he had to admit that the idea held some appeal for him, but Iolaus? Unexpected didn't even begin to cover that.

Although...Autolycus couldn't help thinking that maybe Nysus had been teasing him. It sounded like something he'd do, playing with Autolycus' mind a bit to get even for the embarrassment he'd suffered a few minutes before.

That had to be it. Autolycus knew Iolaus. They'd spent enough time together for him to say that with some confidence. Iolaus had never once given any sign of being interested in the things Nysus had alluded to. Of course Autolycus knew he didn't pick up on subtle cues from other men that well, not in the sexual department anyway, but he felt almost certain that he was right about this. He'd have a little talk about it with Nysus some other time though, just to clear it all up.

Autolycus woke abruptly the next morning when someone's foot shoved him right out of his bedding.

"What the...?" Suddenly fully awake, he wanted to strangle whoever'd had the nerve to knock the King of Thieves out of bed. Unless of course it was Xena. He didn't have a death wish.

"Would you get your ass moving? I don't got all day!"

Nysus? Still here?

Sitting up, Autolycus found Nysus standing on the other side of his recently vacated bedding, looking down at Autolycus impatiently. Behind him both Xena and Gabrielle were already awake and apparently had been for a while. Xena was in the middle of packing everything up for the continuation of their trip while Gabrielle did her usual morning meditation routine.

Autolycus knew that Nysus' brisk attitude was just a show so the women wouldn't suspect anything, but that didn't do much to lessen Autolycus' annoyance.

"You're gonna pay for that," he promised, although it sounded fairly petulant, even to him.

Nysus smirked. "Yeah, right." Then his voice lowered so only Autolycus could hear him. "We're pretty even here, you know. I could've bailed last night and left you to deal with Xena when she found out. That's what you expected me to do, wasn't it?"

Autolycus nodded. "Why didn't you? It would've been the smart thing to do, on your part at least."

Nysus' smirk changed momentarily, becoming a true smile. "I couldn't just throw you to the wolves, Auto. If Xena's got more questions she can ask me and I'll think up something. I didn't wanna get you in any more trouble with her."

"You could've saved me some trouble by not telling her who you worked for," Autolycus pointed out, getting to his feet.

"Nah. She's too smart. She would've remembered where she saw me sooner or later and then you would've been in even more trouble because you didn't tell her. Better to just admit to it now."

Autolycus knew Nysus' motives hadn't been that selfless. If Xena had remembered where she'd seen him, she also would've known who he really was and Nysus still wanted to keep that from Autolycus. But Autolycus didn't say anything about it. He figured Nysusr would admit everything to him soon enough, and if he didn't...well, then they'd have a problem.

Dusting off his clothes, he walked past Nysus, intending to see what the others had in mind for breakfast. It was Gabrielle's turn to come up with something.

"Wait."

Autolycus stopped when Nysus grabbed his arm. "What?" Keeping up appearances, Autolycs pulled out of his grasp.

"I'm outta here, 'kay?" Nysus said it aloud so everyone could hear it.

Xena stopped in the middle of loading their supplies onto Argo and looked at Nysus suspiciously. Gabrielle didn't pay any attention, too lost in her meditation to notice anything.

"Look, I'm gonna try to stay outta the way of what Ares is doing," Nysus continued, speaking to Autolycus but keeping his voice loud enough to be overheard. "I've been taking off a lot lately anyway, hanging with some of his cooler warlords, so it won't be like, real strange if I'm not around or something."

Autolycus nodded. "Thanks."

"Yeah, well, don't thank me yet. If Ares calls for me to be there then I don't got a choice. I'll have to show or he'll nail my ass to the wall."

"I know."

"Cool. Guess I'll see you whenever then." Nysus held out his hand.

Autolycus wanted nothing more than to grab Nysus and give him a proper "good-bye," but he ignored the impulse and instead clasped arms with him. They held the grasp a few moments beyond what was really necessary, communicating that way what they couldn't say aloud. Then Nysus let go and with a curt nod to Xena, turned and left the camp.

Xena watched until Nysus had disappeared from view into the forest, then she focused her attention on Autolycus. "All right, what exactly was that about?" she demanded.

"Nothing." Autolycus tried for an innocent expression, but the look Xena gave him told him he'd failed. "Okay," he gave in with a sigh, "Nysus and I agreed that while we're partners, we'll try not to get involved in the 'other' parts of each other's lives. He wants to stay away from you and the big guy, and I wanna keep as much distance between me and Ares as possible. That's it."

"And you believe he won't run straight to Ares and tell him we're coming?"

"Yes," Autolycus replied without hesitation. "Besides, he doesn't have to. Ares has to be expecting us. I keep telling you this isn't gonna work."

"You're giving Ares too much credit. He thinks he has the perfect weapon. His ego won't allow him to believe he can be defeated this time." Xena returned to loading the supplies as she spoke. "He will be expecting either me or Hercules, you're right, but not both of us, and not you."

"We're meeting Hercules there? Why do you need me then? You two can handle it fine. I'll just grab my stuff and be on my way and--"

"Autolycus," she cut him off without raising her voice, "We need you. Hercules, Iolaus and I can distract Ares and whoever else he has with him, but you're the only one who can do the rest."

"I really don't like the sound of this," Autolycus observed.

"You'll be saving the world from Ares."

"Now I know I don't like this. Can't you find someone else?" he pleaded.

"No. Now hurry up so we can get moving. We have to meet up with Hercules and Iolaus in the next town. Let's go, Gabrielle," she called to the other woman, who was still meditating.

Gabrielle opened her eyes with a happy sigh. "You know, you really should try this, Xena. It's so relaxing."

Autolycus tuned out the two of them for a few minutes as he finished gathering up his things. He didn't need to hear another lecture on how that meditation thing helped in The Way.

It was hard to judge, but he felt pretty sure they'd pulled it off, that Xena thought they were just partners in crime.  She even seemed to accept that Nysus wasn't totally on Ares' side. Still, they'd have to be much more careful from now on.

Autolycus intended to have a little talk with his lover about his habit of just popping up unexpectedly. That'd almost gotten them both into serious trouble this time. Nysus would have to quit or sooner or later he'd get them into something they couldn't get out of so easily. Assuming they had a "later," of course.

This latest thing with Ares gave Autolycus a bad feeling and he couldn't seem to shake it. He couldn't do anything about it though; Xena wouldn't listen to him. She seemed convinced she and Hercules knew what they were doing and they could defeat Ares the way they always had in the past.

Autolycus just hoped they were right.