Joxer turned over onto his stomach and stared at the wall. He couldn't believe this. He should have been getting fucked into oblivion, but instead he was lying here in bed, naked and all alone. No doubt part of Ares' plan.

After they'd arrived in the temple, Ares had promised Joxer that he'd be punished for his little fling with Autolycus. Ares had taken the time to get Joxer seriously turned on, stripped and shackled to the bed, and then had suddenly "remembered" something important he had to see to. He'd left without any indication of when he'd be back.

"Don't go anywhere," he'd said.

"Like I could," Joxer thought to himself sullenly as he ineffectually yanked at the chain binding him to one of the bedposts.

It could have been worse, he supposed. The shackle around his ankle was at least loose enough not to be uncomfortable, and it wasn't like Ares hadn't put him in chains before. Of course the other times Ares hadn't just left him here either.

Joxer let his head drop forward onto a pillow with a resigned sigh. He couldn't do anything until Ares returned so there was no point in dwelling on it.

He usually liked Ares' idea of keeping him in line. He definitely had a talent for...discipline. This, however, was new and Joxer really didn't care for it. If he'd had Autolycus' skills he could have been out of the shackle seconds after Ares left. Finding that Joxer had once again run off would've made Ares angry, but it would have been worth it. Payback for Ares leaving him here like this. But Joxer didn't have Autolycus' talents. He couldn't have picked a lock if he'd had Hermes himself standing there giving him instructions. Things just weren't fair.

Thinking about Autolycus made Joxer wonder how he was doing. What Ares had done to him had been funny. Of course, Autolycus would probably find Joxer's current predicament just as humorous. Or maybe not. He suspected that Autolycus might just take advantage of the situation.

Joxer smiled as another thought occurred to him.

Perfect. He still owed Autolycus for that great blowjob in the alley. What better way to get back at Ares for leaving him like this than to finish what he'd started with the King of Thieves? It sounded like a good plan to Joxer. He'd just wait until the next time Ares left him alone -- and unrestrained -- then he'd go find Autolycus.

He closed his eyes. Now that he had a plan for a bit of revenge he felt somewhat better. Whenever Ares got back, though, he'd be feeling a lot better.

Assuming that Ares ever did return. Joxer didn't know how long he'd been waiting but it'd been too long for him. He was getting seriously bored.

As if on cue, a flash of light momentarily lit the room. Bright enough to be noticed even with closed eyes. It was Ares, of course. He knew that, but he made no move to greet his lover. He wasn't too happy with Ares at the moment so he just continued to lie there.

He felt the bed give a little as Ares sat on it. A moment later the shackle around his ankle disappeared leaving him free, but he still didn't bother moving. He knew he was acting childish and, depending on Ares' mood, foolishly, but he was just upset enough not to care.

"Very nice," he heard Ares say quietly just before feeling a hand on his bare back, moving slowly, possessively downward.

That felt good. It didn't matter how annoyed he was, he couldn't deny that he liked Ares' touch. A little more of that and he thought he'd be willing to forget all about being upset. Ares seemed to be in a relatively good mood so maybe they could have a bit of fun after all.

"Pity you only seem to shut up when you're asleep. I like you much more this way."

Joxer's temper went right back up. Ares thought he was asleep, did he? Fine. Acting on impulse, he did the first thing that came to mind.

Faking a yawn he stretched under the hand still on his back. "Mmm, Auto, don't stop, I like that...," he mumbled as though just barely awake. For a few moments nothing happened; then he felt a warm current of air near his ear.

"Auto?" Ares' voice was dangerously soft. "As in 'Autolycus?'"

"Huh?" Joxer continued to mumble. "Oh, right." He yawned again. "Sorry about that, Cupid."

"Cupid."

Joxer knew that tone of voice. He was in for it now. Well, finally! A hand gripped the back of his neck and pulled him up to his knees. He feigned surprise, but inside he just grinned.

"Ares! Oh, wow! Didn't know you were here! I mean, I was dreaming you know, so, um, if I said anything, well, I really didn't mean it, and--"

"Shut up," Ares said with a low growl.

Obediently Joxer closed his mouth and waited, trying not to let his anticipation show. He couldn't read Ares' expression but the anger in his tone had sounded promising.

"You can drop the innocent act. Did you really expect me to believe you were asleep?"

It probably would've been better to keep quiet and let Ares draw his own conclusions, but once again Joxer found his mouth working ahead of his mind. "Um...yeah?"

"Right." Ares' eyes narrowed slightly. "And just exactly how long have you been under the impression that I'm stupid?"

He would really have to have been a fool to attempt to answer that one. It sounded rhetorical anyway.

"You know," Ares went on in a conversational tone, "first I catch you with my feathers-for-brains son and then with Autolycus, and now you do this. What makes you think I'd let you get away with it?"

"But you had fun with me and Cupid." It came out before Joxer could stop it, and this was not the time to point out that the God of War was wrong.

Ares didn't say anything. He didn't have to. He just smiled. Not a particularly nice smile, and it made Joxer shiver with a combination of fear and desire.

He felt Ares' hand move up from his neck to his hair and gasped sharply when his head was yanked back. He managed to keep his gaze firmly fixed on Ares' face. Looking away would be a big mistake, but one he didn't really worry about committing. He doubted he could've looked away even if he'd wanted to. Ares was absolutely mesmerizing while in this mood.

"Ares, I--" Joxer's words ended in a short yelp of pain as Ares' grip on his hair tightened.

"Did I say you could talk?" Ares demanded.

"No, but--"

"Again with the talking! I think you need a reminder of your place here."

Joxer suddenly found himself pulled across Ares' lap, held down by a hand resting firmly on the center of his back.

"Not a sound. Understand?"

Joxer nodded, grinning openly now that his face was hidden.

Ares' hand slid slowly over his ass, the touch so light he barely felt it, but it heightened the anticipation, making everything feel more sensitive. The first hard slap almost made him cry out but he bit it back in time, savoring the sharp sting where Ares' hand had struck.

"Nice color," Ares commented.

Joxer held back the gasp as Ares' hand came down again and again, until each cheek stung and he'd become painfully hard.

"Don't even think about coming until I tell you to."

He nodded quickly, then stifled a moan as Ares continued the spanking. When he finally let up Joxer was drawing in ragged breaths, trembling with arousal.

A sharp yank on his hair pulled him back up onto his knees. Ares regarded him appraisingly. He let his free hand trail down Joxer's chest, stopping to pinch a nipple, making Joxer suck in his breath sharply. Moving his hand down further he circled Joxer's cock, stroking a few times before releasing him abruptly.

"Please!" Joxer clamped his mouth shut but it was too late.

"Please what?" Ares smirked again. "Beg me nicely enough and I might let you have what you want."

"Please...let me come, my Lord Ares." He knew Ares loved to be called that.

Ares kissed him hard. His tongue invading Joxer's mouth, leaving him breathless. When he finally drew back it left Joxer dizzy from need and lack of air.

"No," Ares whispered against his lips.

Then Joxer found himself free, the grip on his hair gone as Ares moved off of the bed.

"I don't think you've learned your lesson," Ares said as he stood at the side of the bed, crossing his arms over his chest. "You're still talking without permission. I think you need something to keep that mouth of yours occupied."

Joxer didn't need that spelled out for him. His hands went eagerly to the laces of Ares' pants -- and with a bright flash of light he suddenly found his wrists imprisoned behind his back. Ares' "new manacles." He'd been wondering when they'd put in an appearance. Joxer looked up him questioningly.

"Impress me," was the only reply he received.

He could do that. Leaning forward he began unlacing Ares' pants with his teeth, not an easy task. The hard cock beneath them stretched the laces tight, but he managed. As he worked the ties free, he paused occasionally to lick or nip at the leather around them, until Ares was snarling above him and the massive cock threatened to burst through his pants. Then the laces were undone. It was a challenge, working the pants down enough, and maybe he went a bit slow to tease Ares, but finally he succeeded.

"Suck it," Ares ordered, his voice nearly a growl.

Gladly obeying, Joxer leaned forward and slowly ran his tongue up the underside of the cock. Stopping at the head, he lapped up the drops of pre-come leaking from the tip before closing his mouth around it. He lightly sucked at the head, swirling his tongue around it, his own cock jerking when he heard Ares moan. He pulled back to lick his way down the hard length, nipping at the base, then drawing back to look up at his god.

Ares' dark eyes were heavy-lidded with desire, his lower lip caught between his teeth. Joxer couldn't help smiling slightly, loving this small bit of power he had over Ares.

Suddenly a hand grasped his hair and yanked him forward, bluntly reminding him of what he was supposed to be doing. He dragged his tongue over the head of Ares' cock again, loving the taste of him. Then he slowly slid his mouth down the entire length without pause.

"Fuck...you're good." Ares hissed, his hand tightening in his hair.

Joxer pulled back just as slowly, working his tongue against the underside of the thick cock -- and suddenly plunged his mouth back down, sucking hard. Hearing his god cry out, feeling Ares begin to rock into his mouth, Joxer had to fight not to come. He continued sucking, letting Ares do most of the work, swallowing around the cock buried in his throat. Then Ares pulled out, releasing his hair.

Joxer found himself pushed back on the bed, his legs being draped over the god's shoulders as Ares positioned himself.

"If you stay quiet, I might let you come," Ares said in a low voice.

Joxer nodded, bracing himself for the pain -- which never came. Instead, pleasure raced through him as Ares pushed in deep, taking him hard, slamming into him repeatedly. With every swift thrust, Ares hit that spot inside him, the one that almost made him scream at the incredible sensations it sent through his body.

But he kept silent. He didn't know how, but he did it. He pushed back against Ares, trying to drive him closer to the edge, wanting to make Ares as desperate as he felt.

Ares just grinned ferally and shifted the angle of his thrusts. This time Joxer barely held back the shriek. Oh, gods. This was torture! He tasted blood and realized he'd bitten into his lip. Sweat dripped down his face, stinging his eyes, and he thought he'd go insane from it all. It was too much!

"Come," Ares ordered.

He let go, all of the control he'd been hanging onto so frantically -- and felt like he'd fallen off the edge of a cliff. He couldn't scream, couldn't make the slightest noise as he arched up, feeling like his cock was exploding. And Ares came inside him then, groaning his name...it was too perfect.

Ares lay on top of him. His hands were still shackled behind his back and his wrists hurt. He knew they were cut and he didn't care; he wanted to do it all over again. Then the restraints disappeared and Joxer managed to work his hands out from beneath him.

He reached up and ran a hand through Ares' sweat-slicked curls. Enjoying the feel of being this close to his lover, having pleased him so well.

"You are pleasing," a trace of humor colored Ares' tone, "when you're not talking all the time."

Joxer dropped his hand and did his best to sulk with a god on top of him.

Chuckling, Ares raised himself up and looked down at Joxer. "You did pretty well, but I think you still need a couple more lessons."

"Please?" Joxer couldn't help asking. He wanted anything Ares would give him.

"Later." Ares kissed him, hard but too briefly.

Suddenly Joxer felt the shackle reappear around his ankle. "Hey!" he protested.

"Don't want you running off, now do we?" Ares smirked at him as he got up.

"Y--You're leaving?" Joxer pushed himself up on his elbows.

"I'll be back in a while." A small flash of light and Ares' clothes were in order. "I've got something I have to see to."

Joxer let his disappointment show. "I've been bad, but if I wasn't bad enough then I guess there's some stuff I could--"

"Don't even think about it!" Ares ordered. "When I get back, I'll make sure you're properly 'punished.'" Kneeling on the bed, he leaned down and kissed Joxer brutally, then pulled back a bit to lick the blood from Joxer's lips.

Joxer moaned and kissed him back -- and found himself kissing nothing. Ares had vanished and he saw spots from the flash of light.

"Damn!" he swore, kicking at the chain binding him. Just when they'd been starting to get into it too. That really annoyed him. If he'd been free he would've gone right out and found Autolycus, see what Ares thought of that! But as things were, he was stuck here.

Falling back on the bed, Joxer stared up at the ceiling of the bedroom. A while, Ares had said. Wonderful. That could mean anything. Well, he probably had plenty of time to himself. His hand slid down to his recently satisfied cock as he contemplated just how he'd be spending that time....

Swallowing the last of his beer, Autolycus signaled the serving girl for another one. He hoped to put this off as long as possible.

"Come on, Auto. Talk. You said you'd tell us why you were out there like that." Iolaus stifled a snort of laughter.

"I need another drink."

"You've had enough," Hercules said firmly.

Autolycus glared at him but realized he'd stalled as long as possible. He'd have to tell them something. He supposed it really didn't matter how he said it, there was no way to make it sound good.

They'd found him earlier that day, and had given him their spare food, water, and clothes. He'd eagerly taken the food and water, but the clothes...he'd seriously considered just walking to town naked. Chances were he would've looked better. Somehow, the purple vest and baggy brown pants just didn't do a thing for his image.

Common sense prevailed though and he'd made do with what they offered him, but he'd had to endure the humiliation of being laughed at. At least Hercules had stopped after the first few minutes, but Iolaus couldn't seem to get over it. All the way into town, through dinner, and now it looked like he'd be laughing it up the rest of the night. Autolycus had visions of throttling Iolaus.

"Autolycus," Hercules prompted, drawing his mind back to the issue at hand.

"It was Ares, okay?" he admitted with a sigh.

"Ares?" Iolaus' eyebrows went up in amusement and surprise. "Ares left you standing out in the middle of nowhere, naked? So...what exactly were you two doing when he left?"

"It's his idea of humiliation," Autolycus explained in a too-patient tone. "Just like that time he chained us together. Remember?" It felt good to point that out, remind Iolaus that he had no room to joke.

Glaring at him, Iolaus started to respond, but Hercules cut him off before the situation could escalate into a true argument. "Why did Ares leave you out there?"

"I made a mistake. But it wasn't my fault! There was no way I could've known I was messing with his property!" Autolycus wanted to make that perfectly clear.

"You stole something of his?"

"Do I look suicidal?" he asked sarcastically.

"Then what did you do?"

"Well, I sort of, um...." This would really make him look bad. "I slept with someone, Ares' lover -- but I didn't know that!" he insisted.

Hercules shook his head in exasperation. Iolaus just rolled his eyes.

"You're lucky all he did was strip you and leave you out there," Iolaus informed him.

"Thank you for that wonderful insight, Iolaus. That would never have occurred to me if you hadn't mentioned it." Autolycus wasn't in the mood for Iolaus' comments.

Again Hercules jumped in before things got rough. "You should probably travel with us for a few days, just in case Ares isn't through with you yet."

Autolycus started to refuse, but then Iolaus began protesting and it changed his mind. Anything to annoy Shorty. "Sure, Herc. Sounds just fine to me." He smirked at Iolaus.

"Good. Then we should get some rest." Hercules got up from the table, followed by Iolaus who still glared at Autolycus.

"See you in the morning," Autolycus said cheerfully. Getting on Iolaus' nerves really perked him up. He watched as the two men went upstairs, waiting until they were gone before beginning to look around for a suitable companion for the night.

He had to admit that it'd been nice of the guys to get him his own room, although he suspected it had more to do with the fact that putting him and Iolaus in the same room for too long would likely result in someone's murder. Still, he had no intention of going to bed alone. After what he'd gone through he wanted something to make up for it. He just needed to find something that appealed--

"Gods! You've got to be kidding me!" he whispered to himself in shock.

On the other side of the inn stood an all-too-familiar form. Bad armor, goofy grin. But why was Joxer here? He seemed to be talking to the innkeeper about a room or dinner or something. It didn't matter. If he was here, Autolycus needed to be elsewhere. He couldn't risk being in the same town as Joxer, let alone the same building.

Autolycus got to his feet and started towards the door. He'd just have to camp outside the town for the night. It wouldn't be comfortable, but it was preferable to being dead! Then why, he had to wonder, did he suddenly find himself walking towards Joxer?

Bad idea. No, this went beyond bad. More like extraodinarily stupid! But he kept going. Against all logic, some part of him seemed determined to confront Joxer -- the part that had jumped to attention almost the instant he'd laid eyes on the man. Great. Once again his cock was doing the thinking.

"...don't have any rooms left. Sorry." Autolycus drew close enough to hear the innkeeper.

Before Joxer could reply, Autolycus dropped an arm around his shoulders. "Joxer, my friend! What a coincidence, seeing you here! I've got a room and I insist you stay there tonight." He put on his most winning smile.

"Well, I guess. But--"

"Then it's settled." Autolycus grinned. Then he pulled Joxer with him as he headed towards the stairs.

Joxer needed a place to stay, he told himself as they went up to the room, that's all this was about. Being a thief didn't mean he left his friends out in the cold. He'd just let the kid stay in his room for the night, wouldn't touch him, wouldn't even look at him. They'd just keep their distance as best they could.

He glanced at Joxer when they reached the door. Those wide, questioning brown eyes, mouth that could make a guy forget his own name, deceptively flexible body.... Yeah, who was he kidding? They were gonna fuck like bunnies.

Grabbing hold of him, Autolycus shoved the door open and pushed him into the room, throwing the bolt behind them.

"Strip," he ordered, pulling off his own clothes without hesitation.

"Auto! Are you crazy?!" Joxer demanded. "Do you know what Ares is gonna do to you if he catches us again?"

"Where is that psychopath anyway?" Autolycus asked calmly.

"Psycho--? At a war, I guess. But we can't risk it!"

"Yeah, we can. You owe me, Joxer. It's dangerous, I know. But what's life without a little danger?" His grin turned seductive.

"So...you don't care that I belong to Ares?"

"Yeah, I care, but I still want you. Besides, he doesn't have to know."

"Auto...I don't know about this." Joxer looked worried, but not unwilling.

Stopping in the unlacing of his pants, Autolycus reached up and yanked that ridiculous helmet off Joxer's head and tossed it aside. Then he grabbed Joxer and kissed him hard. When he received almost no response, he drew back and looked closely him.

"You know, after being stuck with Ares for a couple days, I'd think you'd appreciate something a bit less...intense."

Joxer smiled, one of those sexy smiles that made Autolycus painfully hard just looking at him.

"Actually, I like what Ares does," Joxer said. "I bet you would too."

"Whoa!" Autolycus released him and stepped back. "I'm not into pain, sorry." This was unfamiliar territory for him. He waited to see what Joxer would do.

"I didn't mean that," Joxer assured him. "I could just show you a little of it. Nothing much. All you have to do is lie back and take a few orders."

"Orders?" Autolycus' eyebrows went up.

"Yeah. But you're afraid of giving up control. Aren't you?"

"I'm not afraid of anything!" Autolycus protested, ignoring the voice inside his head that warned him against being too impulsive.

"Well, then, do you trust me?"

Autolycus thought about that. "Yeah," he finally decided. Well, as close as he got to trusting someone anyway.

"Then get out of those pants and get on the bed." Joxer continued to smile as he began removing his makeshift armor.

Hesitant, but curious enough to see where this went, Autolycus finished undressing and moved to sit on the bed. "So, what now?"

"Lie down on your back. Arms above your head."

"Why?" Autolycus was just suspicious by nature. He couldn't help it.

"I'm gonna tie you up," Joxer replied with a sigh as he pulled off his boots. "Why're you so worried about it?" he asked when Autolycus started to object. "You're the King of Thieves. If you're not comfortable with it then you can just untie yourself."

"Good point." Autolycus nodded. Joxer had a point there. Well, why not? He lay back, stretching out on the bed. He placed his arms above his head and waited, wondering what Joxer had in mind. A few moments later Joxer sat down beside him, holding a length of rope that looked familiar.

"I'm borrowing yours. Hope you don't mind." he said conversationally. Seconds later, Autolycus found his wrists bound together by a surprisingly good knot. He tested the strength of it and found little give. He wondered if maybe he should worry.

"Now, here's what I want you to do." As he spoke, Joxer lightly trailed his fingers down Autolycus' cheek, his throat, stopping at his chest. "Keep your hands right where they are. In fact, I don't want you moving at all. Not a sound either. You aren't gonna do anything unless I tell you to. Got it?"

Autolycus nodded, the excited gleam in Joxer's eyes fascinating him.

"Good. Here's the last thing." Joxer held up a strip of cloth. "I want you focusing on what you're feeling. Not what you see."

Now this he hadn't counted on, but he didn't protest when Joxer placed the cloth over his eyes and tied it behind his head. He was willing to try something different. When he and Joxer had been together the last time, Autolycus been the one in control for the most part. So this would be an interesting change.

He wanted to ask what would happen next, but he had a suspicion that Joxer would gag him if he didn't stay quiet. That in mind, he forced himself to just lie there and wait.

The sensation of fingertips brushing across his forehead came as something of a surprise, as did the caresses that followed. Light strokes down his cheeks, to his throat, over his shoulders. He'd expected something more. What exactly, he couldn't say, but certainly more than these barely there touches. Touches that slowly worked their way down his body. Over his chest, avoiding his nipples, down his stomach -- the pressure of those fingers so light he almost hadn't felt it at first. But as the touches progressed lower, he began to feel them more. Not from any increase in pressure, but from his own anticipation of them. His body became attuned to the fingers that moved over him, exploring his hips, thighs, skipping his cock which had begun to show a definite interest in this, moving down towards his feet.

Then it stopped. For a few moments he felt, heard nothing. The silence and lack of contact worried him. What if Joxer had left him? Left him in a rather humiliating position actually. If Iolaus found him like this--

He almost cried out. The warm, wet sensation of a tongue moving over his throat came as a shock, but it didn't last long. It disappeared after a second or two -- and then he felt it along his upper arm, briefly accompanied by the sensation of teeth, lightly grazing his skin. He shivered, repressing a moan -- and it stopped.

Almost eager to feel the moist caress of the tongue on his skin again, Autolycus still wasn't prepared for the sensations when it suddenly flicked over his nipple. All the anticipation, the heightened awareness of touch the blindfold gave him -- that slight contact sent shards of pleasure straight through him. And he gasped.

He heard what might've been a slight giggle, but he couldn't be sure. "You made a sound, and I didn't say you could." Joxer's voice said softly, almost teasingly. "Guess I'll have to punish you, huh?"

Now Autolycus started to worry. He really didn't want to go down that road -- nevermind that he seemed to find the thought of it a bit...interesting. He wondered how fast he could get the rope off his wrists. Then the tongue brushed over his other nipple and his concentration scattered.

Gods, that felt incredible! The light touch, swirling around the hard nub, occasionally moving over it, and then he felt fingers on his other nipple. He tried not to, but he couldn't help arching up into the touch.

The fingers suddenly twisted, pinching, and he yelped, immediately taking the hint and settling down. That hurt! He tried to ignore the fact that somehow it felt good too. He didn't like pain in sex. He knew that. Now if his body would just remember it -- teeth bit down on his other nipple and his cock jerked in response, but he didn't make a sound.

"Hey, will you look at that? The man's learning."

The cheerful, amused voice almost annoyed Autolycus, but the feel of a tongue soothing his sore nipples completely derailed his train of thought. Then fingers trailed down his stomach, stopping, frustratingly, before reaching his cock.

"You're a real babe, you know?" Appreciation, and a touch of humor colored Joxer's tone. The mattress shifted then and the next touch nearly sent Autolycus straight up to the ceiling.

Fingertips brushed over his upper thigh, lightly up, then back down, teasingly close to where he wanted it. Warm breath moved over his skin and his muscles tensed slightly as he waited to feel that wonderful tongue. But it didn't come.

"Spread your legs."

He obeyed the command without thinking. Hey, it went right along with what he wanted, so why not?

A weight settled between his legs and this time when the fingers touched him, they trailed, so slowly, up the inside of his thigh, again stopping just short of where he needed to be touched.

Lips brushed over the top of his thigh, tongue flicking out to taste his skin. Then a warm current of air moved over his aching cock and he nearly thrust up towards the mouth he knew had to be there. But he managed to stop himself, knowing he'd never get anything but more of this slow teasing/torture if he gave into the impulse.

"You want me to suck you?"

The question almost made him moan, but he didn't fall for the trap, didn't speak.

"Good." A light kiss pressed to his thigh. "But if you want it, you'll have to beg me. So go ahead and speak -- if that's what you want."

The teasing tone couldn't get on Autolycus' nerves now; his thoughts were too caught up in getting what he needed. "Please." On some level he was shocked at how rough his voice sounded, but the rest of him didn't care. "I want you to suck me, please."

"Maybe."

The feel of a tongue briefly flicking over the head of his leaking cock sent an uncontrollable shudder through him.

"Mmm, you taste awesome." Another lick. "But I'm not hearing any begging."

And Autolycus did. He'd always thought himself above begging, but desperation overcame any and all reluctance. "Gods, please suck me! Please, please...." He kept on repeating it, not caring how he sounded.

A soft laugh, then the sensation of heated wetness closing around him, sliding down, and Autolycus almost screamed. Somehow he managed not to come right then and there. He didn't want it to end that fast and he had a feeling Joxer would be very disappointed in him if it did. Why that mattered he couldn't say -- and then he couldn't think anymore as the mouth on him settled into a steady rhythm of tight suction, sliding up and down his cock, tongue moving along the underside, driving him slowly insane.

"Oh, gods! Just let me come!" he cried out -- and knew instantly it'd been the wrong thing to do.

It all stopped. That wonderful mouth left him and he almost sobbed from the loss of sensation.

"No." Joxer refused calmly. "I'm thinking you need a lesson in self-control."

Autolycus didn't know if he cared for the sound of that, but then he felt slick fingers brush down, below his balls, teasing the tight entrance to his body before pushing inside, stretching, caressing.... He bit down on his lip to distract himself from the need to rock back against those fingers, fuck himself on them until he came.

After a few long, torturous moments, the fingers were withdrawn. "Turn over."

Autolycus started to protest that he couldn't, that his wrists were bound too tightly, but a sharp slap on his thigh stopped him. It didn't really hurt; more of a shock than anything else, and it shut him up.

"Do it," Joxer ordered.

This time Autolycus just did his best to obey. With some maneuvering he managed to pull himself up and turn over, but he had to remain on his knees or risk cutting off the circulation in his wrists.

"Oooh, now that's nice." A hand moved lightly over his ass -- and then gave him another slap, making him jerk reflexively. Now he was sure he heard Joxer giggle, but before it could bother him, he felt the blunt head of a cock nudging him.

He braced himself for a hard thrust and the pain that would come with it -- but it never happened. Instead, Joxer slowly pushed inside him. Barely any discomfort, just the feeling of that thick, oiled cock working its way deeper into him. And Joxer didn't seem to be in any hurry. The movements were gradual, almost leisurely, and it soon had Autolycus ready to beg again. He'd been wary of pain before, but now he just wanted to be taken hard and fast, to feel the man behind him pound into him over and over until they both came. But apparently that wasn't what Joxer had in mind.

By the time he finally felt Joxer's balls resting against his ass, Autolycus was panting, trying not to push back or plead with him to move faster. He'd never wanted to be fucked so much in his life, but he knew if he said or did anything, Joxer would just draw it out even more.

"Remember, you don't come until I say you do." Warm breath on the back of his neck made Autolycus shiver.

He had to bite down on his lip to keep from crying out as Joxer slowly withdrew, then pushed back in, rubbing over that spot inside him. Joxer continued in that same slow rhythm, gently rocking, but not always hitting that spot. That made it worse. His control already pushed to the limits by the wonderful feeling of that cock filling him, stretching him, again and again; Autolycus could barely hold back the cries of pleasure threatening to escape each time that place inside him was slowly stroked. He felt beads of sweat breaking out on his forehead, dripping down onto the pillows below him. He didn't know how much longer he could take this.

"You have any idea how damn tight you are?" Joxer asked a bit breathlessly. "You feel so good.... You want it harder don't you? You can answer."

Autolycus eagerly nodded, unable to respond vocally without begging for release, which he knew would get him just the opposite. Then a suddenly hard thrust hit that spot inside him again and this time he couldn't stop the sharp cry that escaped him.

"Poor Auto, you just can't deal anymore, can you?"

Autolycus had to agree with that, especially when Joxer finally began moving faster, thrusting deeper, giving it to him hard like he needed. he found himself pushing back against Joxer, the feel of that thick cock pounding into him shredding his control. He wanted to come so badly it hurt, but something held him back.

"Let it go, Auto. I want to feel you come."

That did it. The order, delivered in a lust-deepened voice, sent him hurtling into one of the most intense orgasms he'd experienced in years. Tightening around the cock buried deep inside him, a scream torn from his throat as his whole body shook.

It left him weak and trembling with exhaustion, barely able to stay on his knees against the force of Joxer's increasingly hard thrusts. Then he heard a strangled gasp, felt Joxer coming inside him, and almost collapsed under the weight that suddenly fell on top of him.

"Oh yeah..." a satisfied moan near his ear.

When Joxer finally moved off him, Autolycus gratefully turned over and flopped down onto his back, still out of breath. He just wanted to lie there and sleep for a few days....

"Was that good?"

That voice had a little too much self-satisfaction in it, but Autolycus supposed it was well deserved. "You know it was," he mumbled the slightly slurred response, coherent speech still a stretch for him at the moment.

"Better than you ever had?"

"Close." More than close, but he wouldn't admit that.

"I'll remember you said that." The promise was accompanied by a high pitched giggle. It set off all of Autolycus' internal alarms.

Suddenly it all made sense, what that little voice in his head had been trying to tell him, why things hadn't seemed exactly right, why Joxer had sounded just a bit different. Immediately he set about trying to untie his wrists, desperate to free himself.

"Give it up, Auto."

Suddenly his blindfold disappeared and for a few moments he couldn't see, the abrupt transition from dark to bright blinding him. When things finally became visible again, he focused on the naked man reclining on his side next to him.

Tall, wiry and pale, but definitely not Joxer. If he'd made himself look like Joxer though, then that could only mean one thing. Autolycus took a guess, "Strife?"

"You've heard of me." Strife seemed pleased by that.

"Yeah," Autolycus whispered in shock, "but I never heard anything like this."

Strife giggled again. "Going with Uncle Ares to check up on all those armies, well, I've got this thing for soldiers, so I get a lot of practice." He grinned widely.

"Oh." Autolycus didn't know what else to say. Who ever would've thought Strife was a slut -- or that he was good at it. Still in shock from the turn of events, he said the next thing that came to mind. "So, where is that psycho uncle of yours anyway?"

For a moment Strife just stared at him, then he laughed. A true laugh, not his annoying giggle. Shaking with mirth, he made a motion to the other side of the room, then fell back on the bed, laughing even harder. Autolycus had a sinking feeling in his stomach as he turned his head to look.

Leaning back against the door, arms crossed over his chest, Ares regarded them both with a smirk.

"Oh, fuck," Autolycus groaned, closing his eyes.

"Well?" he heard Ares ask.

"Hey, you saw how he jumped me," Strife replied, his laughter dying down. "Not like I minded or anything, but I'm guessing you have a problem with it."

"You did well, Strife. You'll get your...reward later. Right now though, beat it." Ares ordered.

"Sure thing, Unc. Just give me a second here."

Autolycus opened his eyes when he felt fingers sliding up his chest. Strife, propped up on one arm, looked down at him with a wicked smile. "You were totally fly, know what I mean? If you're not pushing up daisies when Ares gets through with you, I'll be seeing you again, dig?" With a wink, he disappeared in a flash of blue light.

That left Autolycus alone with the God of War, tied up and helpless. He pulled himself up into a sitting position, trying not to show how frightened he really was as Ares pushed away from the door and approached the bed.

"You didn't learn your lesson last time, did you?" Ares asked almost conversationally. "I told you to stay away from Joxer. So what do you do the instant you see him? You go after him."

"But it wasn't really him, so why don't we just forget all about this?" Autolycus tried to reason with Ares, knowing how foolish that sounded but unable to come up with anything better.

"You wish," Ares snorted. "No, Autolycus, I think you need another lesson."

Before Autolycus could protest again, Ares pulled off his vest, revealing a well-muscled chest that Autolycus couldn't help but admire. Then Ares started unbuckling his belt and Autolycus realized what was going on.

"You're kidding me," he said in disbelief.

"No. Joxer and Strife seem to think there's something...interesting about you. It's about time I found out what it is. Besides, after what I saw with you and Strife, I think you may have some potential," Ares held up his belt, looking at it thoughtfully. "With a little discipline, of course."

Autolycus swallowed hard, eyes widening. "Uhh...no thanks. You know, I just forgot all about Joxer. Never heard of the guy, wouldn't know him if I saw him. You can let me go now."

Ares just chuckled darkly, smiling in obvious anticipation....

He wasn't sulking. Slumped down in his seat, glaring at the table before him, Iolaus continued to deny it. So what if he hadn't gotten much sleep last night because of the noises coming from the room next door, and it didn't matter that those noises had embarrassed Hercules too much for him to be receptive to Iolaus' advances. Iolaus was a grown man and he could handle that. He thought he'd dealt with it very maturely when Hercules had told him he wanted to leave early so they didn't have time for breakfast that morning. But Hercules didn't think so.

He'd told Iolaus to quit whining! Iolaus knew he did not whine. Iphicles whined, he didn't! He'd just tried to...encourage Hercules to stay for a good breakfast. But he'd refused and then he'd told Iolaus to quit sulking.

He slumped down further in his chair. He wasn't sulking! He just didn't feel all that social this morning. Sitting down in the tavern, surrounded by people eating didn't help things either. And neither did that recurring noise coming from overhead.

Iolaus glanced upward in annoyance. A muffled thumping sound coming from somewhere upstairs, from one of the rooms. It'd started just after he and Hercules had come downstairs and hadn't quit since.

He wished Hercules would hurry up. The smell of the food was starting to drive him crazy. Hercules had gone back upstairs to get Autolycus who hadn't made an appearance yet. No surprise to Iolaus. He'd always been convinced that Autolycus was basically lazy. No doubt he was lying around in bed right now, trying to sleep 'till noon.

Still, Iolaus couldn't help being surprised when Hercules came back downstairs alone. Hercules had never let Autolycus get away with anything if he could help it, so something had to be going on.

"What's up?" Iolaus asked curiously, sitting up straight.

"I'm not sure." Hercules had a strange, perplexed expression on his face. He looked up at the ceiling where the muffled thumping continued.

"So, where's Autolycus?" This really seemed weird.

"He's, uh, not coming." That expression never left Hercules' face and he continued to look upwards.

"Huh? And what is that noise?" Iolaus demanded, his annoyance starting to show.

"That's...well, that's Autolycus."

"What?" Iolaus' eyebrows rose and he looked at Hercules in confusion.

Finally taking his attention away from the ceiling, Hercules ran a hand through his hair, betraying his own confusion. Looking at Iolaus, he shrugged. "He's up there banging his head against the wall. He says he's not leaving until he knocks some sense into himself."

"Oh." At first Iolaus didn't know what to make of that, then he grinned. "Well, guess that means we have time for breakfast, huh? And lunch and dinner too. Hey, can we get some service here?" He waved to attract a serving girl's attention.

Hercules rolled his eyes. And the thumping overhead continued....
 
 
Fin