Iolaus opened his eyes and lay drowsily with the light breeze caressing his naked skin and the sun warming his body. He could feel the weight of an arm around his waist and turned his head to look at his sleeping friend.

Hercules was deeply asleep, snoring faintly with each slow even breath he took. Iolaus turned carefully in the enfolding arms, put a finger gently to Herc's lips and traced the line of the slight frown the demigod always slept with.Strange to have suddenly realised how much he wanted this man.

His finger tenderly explored Hercules' cheek, running over the slight roughness of his chin, then back up to smooth away the long fringe of hair that fell over those long lashed eyelids. Hercules stirred, making an inarticulate noise of irritation and brushed away the tickling finger.

The demigod's arm didn't go back to its resting place on Iolaus' hip so he took this as a sign to get up. He would leave Hercules sleeping while he caught breakfast. He got to his feet, dressed, and went to find something suitable to make a spear of. Even if he couldn't catch a fish, it would come in handy for getting any one of the assorted animals that came down to the lake to drink.He just didn't want to be in the camp when Hercules awoke. That would just be too awkward.

He found a nice long strong length of branch laying handily for him by a tree, and sat down on a log, whistling softly to himself as he whittled away at the end of the branch with his knife, making a nice sharp point.

As he worked he thought about the night before. Why had he been so bloody stupid? Why had he told Hercules he wanted him? Suddenly he was sure that Herc would want nothing more to do with him. He had seen the shock that the demigod tried to hide. Why had he said such a stupid thing?

Lost in his reverie, his fingers slipped and the knife he was holding slashed across his hand. He swore and dropped the knife, cradling his wounded hand. It bled profusely for a few moments, spattering the dirt between his legs, and as he stared at it he suddenly saw it symbolised what he felt for Hercules - an accidental slip that could either close up leaving no scar, or mark them both.

He looked back at the campsite, wondering if it wasn't best if he left Hercules for a for a while - he could come to terms with his feelings and the demigod could get over his shock.

He got up, threw down the spear he was making, picked up his knife, and marched determinedly back to the site.

Hercules opened his eyes, sat up and yawned sleepily, running hands through tangled hair, trying to wake up properly. The first thing he saw was his friend bundling his belongings into his pack.

"Uh. Iolaus, I wasn't planning on leaving yet" he said. "I thought we could relax for a few days. We've been through a load of trouble recently and we could use the rest."

Iolaus ignored him and continued stuffing his blankets into his knapsack. His friend had a look on his handsome face, a familiar one that in Hercules experience, signalled Iolaus' most stubbornly determined flights.

"Iolaus?" The hunter looked up at the demigod.

Hercules was surprised to see tears in his eyes, making them even bluer than usual.

"This isn't going to work Herc. How can you and I be the way we were - now that you know how I feel about you?" Iolaus said, embarrassed that his voice was trembling slightly.

"Iolaus, it doesn't matter to me. You're my friend - nothing can change that," Hercules was starting to worry that Iolaus really meant to walk away.

Iolaus stood up. His tears were flowing freely and he looked angry as he dashed them away with his hand.

"Maybe it doesn't matter to you. Why the hell should it? But I can't stay - not right now! And not like this. I shouldn't have told you. Gods. I've made some dumb mistakes in my life, but this one sure beats them all," He slung the pack on his shoulder and turned, pausing. "I'll see you around, Herc."

"Iolaus! Wait!" Hercules got to his feet and ran to the distraught man. He reached out and touched the smooth shoulder, trying to give comfort. He couldn't let Iolaus leave, but how could he show him that nothing had changed?

Iolaus bowed his head, his body was shaking under Hercules' touch. Hercules couldn't believe that Iolaus was such an emotional wreck. This wasn't like him - the brave hunter reduced to tears. Maybe he had gotten sick.

"Don't touch me!" Iolaus said, sounding angry and ashamed.

Hercules let his hand fall. "You don't have to leave. We can talk about this. Where would I be without you?"

Iolaus spun round on his heel staring incredulously at the confused demigod. "You? Where would YOU be without ME?" he laughed. "Gods, Herc. That's rich! You're the Hero. You're the one who everyone turns to when they're in trouble. You're the half god, son of Zeus! Who am I? Some scruffy hanger on - your faithful side kick. No one sings songs about Iolaus the bold and brave. No one will name a constellation after me. You don't need me, Herc. You never have, and to be honest I wonder why you've put up with me for so long."

Hercules grew more and more angry as he listened to Iolaus' tirade. Was that really how the hunter thought? Did he think that little of himself? Hercules glared at the stiff set of Iolaus' jaw and hard blue eyes, not trusting himself to speak for a moment.

Right now he wanted to punch some sense into the diminutive man, and knew if he lost control he would do something he'd regret later. Taking a deep breath, he tried to calm the tumult of pain, anger and bewilderment that Iolaus' irate words had caused.

He glanced at the cool, inviting lake beyond them, and imagined himself sinking into its deep dark waters. It had the immediate effect he wanted and he felt his temper dissipate.

"You are without doubt the bravest man I have ever met," he said at last, his voice soft, as if to calm a frightened animal. "No person could have a truer friend, and I consider myself lucky to have met you all those years ago."

Iolaus was suddenly unable to meet his gaze. Hercules took a step forward and pulled the hunter to him, holding him close and hugging him tight. He knew that Iolaus got insecure occasionally about being his friend, but he usually got angry, not upset like this. He hoped the outburst was over now. He hated seeing Iolaus so agitated

"Please," he begged. "We can work this out between us. I won't let all this finish us."

Iolaus tentatively put his arms around Hercules' waist and briefly hugged him back.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I'm just so… confused right now. I don't know what to do."

"Come on," Hercules broke the hug and patted Iolaus on the shoulder. "I'm starving. Let's catch breakfast, then we can talk."

Iolaus shook his head. "No, Herc. Forget about what I told you. It must have been moon madness or something. I think I can deal with this now and you're right, we can't let it finish our friendship."

Hercules raised an eyebrow and shrugged. "If that's the way you want it?"

"It is!" Iolaus said firmly. "Let's find breakfast."

The two men managed to catch some silver trout and Hercules cooked them. He noticed the cut on the hunter's hand but didn't ask about it. The demigod had a feeling he wouldn't get a straight answer anyway.

After they had eaten. they broke camp and continued on their way. They were going back home after a month away, and as the road got more and more familiar, their hearts lightened and they picked up their pace a bit.

On the surface Iolaus seemed like his normally gregarious self, but every now and then, Hercules would see a shadow cross his eyes and his constant stream of chatter would subside for a moment, then his butterfly brain would flit off on another subject and Hercules would find himself smiling at the wide range of ideas and anecdotes his companion could dredge up from his vast store.

"…Those trout tasted good. How come it took you so long to catch two? Were you looking for water sprites or something? They don't taste so good, you know. Or perhaps you were taking a bath. You need one. I can smell you from here…"

Hercules knew the hunter's incessant babbling was intended to distract them both from and prevent any talk about what had to be on both of their minds. He took the insult in the spirit it was intended and only swiped at Iolaus half-heartedly, rather than picking him up and depositing him in a tree.

When at last Hercules' cottage appeared down the road, the demigod grinned at Iolaus.

"Home at last," he said. "I guess I should start doing some work on the place."

"Aww. Why bother. You'll just get started and some villager will run up the road crying for help."

"Maybe but... well... have to keep busy, you know. While I'm waiting for that villager."

"Yeah," Iolaus shuffled a bit, then grinned his brightest grin at Hercules. "Better get on myself. I bet I have a ton of work to do too."

Hercules clasped Iolaus forearm. "Hey. How about we meet up tomorrow?"

Iolaus gave a rueful smile and shook his head. "I think I need to spend a little time alone," he said, his voice sad, then he cheered up. "I'll come over soon though, and remember… if that villager knocks on the door, just holler and I'm there."

"I will," Hercules promised, and stood and watched as the jaunty little figure waved and walked down the road whistling.

Hercules spent the next few days deep in repairing the roof of his cottage (which seemed to have sprung a leak while he'd been gone); and mending a fence some rampaging sheep had knocked down. He worked slowly, taking delight in the simple things that kept his attention. It was a pleasant change to not have to charge off with Iolaus every few minutes to slay the local dragon, or put down an uprising.

Ah yes. Iolaus. What was he going to do with him?

Hercules winced as that thought crossed his mind. Perhaps not the best phrasing he could have thought of, but a sneaky little fantasy had crept into his brain. It played itself over and over and refused to go away.

...He was laying next to the hunter laughing and naming the constellations, when Iolaus turned to him and stroked Hercules' arm, then back up to his neck, pushing the hair away from the demigod's face and leaning in to kiss his mouth, Iolaus' tongue lightly flicking at his lips seeking entry.

They kissed for a long time, the demigod getting more and more aroused as the little hunter knelt above him exploring his mouth and lips. He lay still, letting the hunter do as he wished, nibbling at his neck and ear lobe, then going down to tenderly suckle at a small hard nipple. Hercules let out a soft sigh when Iolaus started to undo his belt, and warm fingers crept downwards... oh so slowly... to tease at his navel before stroking the line of hair running downward toward his...

Hercules let out an oath as the hammer he was aiming at a fencing nail hit his finger. He dropped the tools and stood up, pacing back and forth and sucking on the throbbing digit... pain was a sure cure for any other sort of throbbing.

"Gods. What am I going to do?" he muttered aloud and stopped pacing. "We have to talk, but am I going to say?"

He was about to resume pacing when he heard a voice behind him.

"Confused, little brother?" Hercules span round, startled that someone had been listening to his bewildered musing, and saw his least favourite relative.

"What are you doing here?" he spat, scowling at the black leather-clad deity leaning nonchalantly against the fence.

"Just visiting family," Ares said examining his nails and buffing them on the front of his tunic.

"Yeah, right. Why don't you come in for herbal tea and cakes!" Hercules said scathingly, not believing for a moment that Ares was up to anything but no good.

"Why am I always misunderstood?" Ares begged the heavens for sympathy.

"I can't imagine. Go visit somewhere else. I'm busy," Hercules snapped, picking up his hammer and starting to bang the forgotten nail into the fence.

"Brother, brother." Ares sighed. "Are you really concerned about all this mortal tomfoolery with hardware?" he waggled a finger at the fence.Suddenly it was mended, and even had a coat of nice new paint - black paint.

Hercules scowled even harder. "Put it back!"

Ares shrugged and gestured again, putting the fence back in its original state.

"What is it you want, Ares?" Hercules asked, getting even more annoyed with his immortal brother for playing with his fence.

"Well. I could see you were... shall we say a tad confused, and thought I'd come and help."

"You?" Hercules scoffed.

"I'm in a good mood. A few wars of mine went well."

"Well good for you, now buzz off," Hercules growled.

"It's that delicious little hunter friend of your isn't it?" Ares said, declining the hint. "Just go and fuck his brains out. He wants you to."

"I'm not... I can't think of him that way... I don't want to fu... I can't make love to him," Hercules stammered, feeling a blush creep up his face and hoping Ares - for once - wouldn't see it.

But Ares did and he smirked evilly. "Oh, poor little Herc. Isn't it just like you to be all stiff and proper? You can't even say the word "fuck". Look at you - blushing like a bride. I don't know why Iolaus hangs out with you, and I especially can't see why he loves you so much. The guy must be nuts. He's such a horny little mortal. If he had the hots for me, I'd take him to bed and screw his ass off in a minute. What's your problem, bro?"

Hercules said between gritted teeth. "He's my best friend."

"You'd let a little thing like that bother you?" Ares asked, genuinely surprised.

"You wouldn't understand," Hercules muttered.

He was finding it hard enough to come to terms with his own feelings for Iolaus, let alone deal with the lust on Ares' face.

He clenched his fists, fighting the urge to walk away from his pain of a sibling and be alone with the recognition of his newly awakened desire. He had to find out what was on Ares' mind.

Ares was grinning at him. "No. Perhaps I wouldn't, but you know. I've had my eye on your little hunter for a while. I think I might just take him anyway... and he might be desperate enough to let me. I can think of several things I want to do to him..." Ares trailed off meaningfully.

"Don't you touch him!" Hercules yelled, his arousal and confusion forgotten. Ares would do as he threatened, and Hercules was abruptly afraid for the hunter's safety... and his will power. Faced with a horny god lusting after his ass, Hercules knew the hunter would be at the mercy of his own considerable libido.

"Or what? What you gonna do, hero?" Ares sneered, and giving a cheerful wave, he disappeared in an overly dramatic flash of light.

Hercules clenched his fists tighter, his blood was boiling.

"Better get over to his place," came Ares taunting tones from thin air. "He might be gone when you get there."

"AHHHHHH!!!" Hercules shrieked. "Why can't my family leave me alone!"

He pounded a fist into the nearby fence and watched as it collapsed into several hundred assorted bits. "Needed a new fence anyway," he muttered resignedly, mentally plunging himself once more into cold dark water. It had worked before, and it worked now.

His anger fell away with his calming, watery thoughts. He stood indecisive for a moment, then swiftly making up his mind, told himself he would just drop in on Iolaus to see how he was doing, and if any spare gods of war were floating about making mischief, well, he would deal with them too.

Go to Naming Stars part 3