Iolaus wiped his eyes and sat up, pushing his hair out of his face and wiping his nose across his wrist.

"Bastard! Bastard!" he cursed. "Ares was right. Why am I wasting my time on him?"

"Told you."

Iolaus didn't even have to look round.

"Go away, Ares," He really didn't want to try and deal with this immortal pain in the ass right now.

"Go away? No one tells me to go away and lives," Ares' breath was hot by Iolaus' ear and he shivered at the oily tone.

"For Zeus' sake, just kill me and get it over with," Iolaus said. He was really starting to get fed up with the threats.

"I don't think so."

"Hercules just didn't want to see me with a pathetic excuse for a god."

"You know, he really wants you," Ares remarked casually, helping himself to the hunk of left over cheese on the table. "Hmm. Nice. Where did you get it? I don't need to eat - being a god, but this is nice."

"Phaedra in the village makes her own... What the fuck am I discussing cheese with you for?" Iolaus asked, shaking his head, trying to make sense of this conversation.

"Mmm. I'll have to get some off her," Ares finished off the cheese and smiled like a shark at Iolaus.

"Where were we? Oh yes. Hercules. He's jealous of you and me, you know."

"In your dreams buddy!"

Ares raised a jet black eyebrow. "In 'my' dreams? Interesting phrase. Gods don't dream either, but mortals do. And I can make your dreams very...interesting."

"I've had enough of this," Iolaus moaned. Today was possibly the most emotionally fucked up day he had ever had in his life.

"So have I," Ares said.

In one swift stride he cornered Iolaus against the table, and pulled him close. "Let's fuck," he said.

"Screw you!" Iolaus returned.

"No. I'd rather screw you," Ares said, kissing him.

Iolaus wrenched away from the hold Ares had him in and spat. Ares wiped away the spittle that landed on his cheek and wiped it on his black leather trousers.

"You know, I don't mind a little spunk in my lovers and I realize you're probably overwhelmed by the honor," Ares looked at him with that eyebrow flying again. "But I'm really starting to get pissed."

"The day you have me willingly is the day you wear a pink and white peplum and become the god of love," Iolaus vowed.

Both of Ares' eyebrow rose sharply. "Ok. I'll rape you... It's all the same to me," he advanced and Iolaus backed off, going for his sword.

"Oh please. You know that can't hurt me," Ares scoffed.

"Yeah, but I'll have fun trying," Iolaus returned.

Ares put out his hands in a placating gesture. He sighed and gave Iolaus his best 'look, I'm gonna level with you' impression.

"All this fuss because of Hercules - when he doesn't want what you're offering? He is curious...did you know that? Even if he gives in, it won't make any difference in the way he feels about you."

"Then you two are more alike than you think," Iolaus said quietly.

Ares moved forward until the point of Iolaus' sword touched his chest. He ran his palm down the long sharp edge, letting the sharp sword cut deeply, then offered his bloody hand to Iolaus.

"I've had an eye on you, hunter, for a long time. I don't need to satisfy my curiosity. I know you don't care about me, and you don't like me...but I want you."

"I loathe you," Iolaus interrupted.

"Yeah, yeah. Tell me something new, but Iolaus, I do need you. Don't you know how that feels? Just give me one night?"

Iolaus shut his eyes. Ares wanted him? Ares was practically pleading for him?

Woah!

Iolaus wasn't sure he could take all this. It was enough to drive a poor confused mortal nuts. Would Hercules still want to be his friend if he was a gibbering wreck?

Hercules isn't your friend. Look what he said to you, knowing how you feel about him.

Iolaus thrust away the thought, but it kept on coming back and waving its arms, screaming and shouting in his face. The hunter abruptly gave up fighting. What was the use? Ares could have him any time he wanted and Iolaus had a feeling that it would hurt if he resisted. He may as well go willingly to the god... who knew... it might be pleasant, and it would certainly relieve him of his frustration.

He dropped the sword and took hold of Ares' still outstretched hand. He brought it to his lips and lapped at the blood that covered it, licking at it gently.

Ares let out a long slow breath, his whole body tingling at the hunters touch.

Oh, yeah, this was gonna be...

Iolaus took the bleeding finger in his mouth and sucked slowly, licking round the nail and twirling his tongue round the tip. Ares let out a soft sigh. If this was what he felt like when Iolaus was just sucking his finger, what would happen when the diminutive hunter sucked his cock?

He reached out and touched the soft tousled waves of Iolaus' hair, tugging slightly, wanting Iolaus to come to him. Iolaus raised his head with a look of acceptance, lifting his mouth for a kiss and Ares caught hold of the sides of his face, claiming his lips with fierce desire.

"Oh, yes. Yes. Iolaus. You have no idea," he moaned through the kiss, pressing his body up against the hunter's trembling torso. Iolaus too was moaning softly. Ares could feel him shaking beneath his hands as they kissed deeply. It had obviously been a long time for the hunter. He could almost feel the waves of lust and need pouring off the mortal.

He thrust his tongue inside the smaller mans mouth, exploring and tasting. He wanted to pick Iolaus up in his arms, throw him onto the nearest bed, rip his clothes off and just take him forcefully, but he nobly restrained himself.. He wanted to be able to savour the memory of this night and gloat, so he concentrated on Iolaus' pleasure, gently invading his mind with his godly powers, enhancing every touch, every caress with delicious sensation.

He wanted Iolaus to remember this, and compare the experience when he finally slept with Hercules - and it would happen... eventually. But Iolaus would always feel something was missing, and wonder what it was.

Tomorrow, Iolaus would hate him again, but at last Ares would have gotten what he wanted, and it was sweet, having his brothers best friend - and having him willingly.

Ares pulled away from their passionate embrace at last and stroked his finger down Iolaus' cheek, smiling at the sleepily aroused blue eyes.

"Shall we go to bed?" he asked gently.

Iolaus just nodded, and clasping Ares' hand, began to lead the way.

"Iolaus?"Hercules' voice came from outside.

Iolaus froze and looked at Ares. The god could see his thoughts plainly written in his eyes... his shame and guilt - the understanding of his own betrayal of his friend.

"Do you care?" Ares answered his thought.

Iolaus nodded. "I'll always care," he whispered.

He was about to go on when the door opened and the demigod entered.

"Iolaus? I wanted to…" Hercules stopped dead as he spotted the two would-be lovers, Iolaus' still clutching Ares' hand.

"I think I'll leave you two to talk about it," Ares said calmly. He could see that Hercules was shocked and devastated by what he saw and was perfectly delighted. His dumb oaf of a brother would end up shooting off his mouth and hurting the hunter again. Couldn't he see he was driving Iolaus away with every word?

Ares grinned, took hold of Iolaus by the chin and planted a passionate kiss on his lips. "See you later, blondie," he said and disappeared in a melodramatic flash of light.

Iolaus didn't move. He watched Hercules warily, wondering what he would do. Now Ares was gone he remembered he was supposed to be angry at his friend, but seeing the look of betrayal and pain on the demigod's face, Iolaus felt nothing but remorse and love.

"Why?" Hercules asked quietly.

That simple heart rending query brought tears to Iolaus' eyes. He dashed them away and swallowed.

"He cares," he replied, his own voice a whisper of agony.

"Ares! He's the god of war. Hate and death is his specialty. He doesn't know how to love you. He can't... not like... not like I do," Hercules finished in a rush and turned away.

Iolaus raised his head and saw Hercules' broad back, slumped in abject pain and he was angry. Why the sudden change of heart? He didn't want the demigod feeling this way out of jealousy or - because he hated his brother - that was more Ares' line of work.He began to speak, starting mildly, but becoming more impassioned as he spoke.

"You told me yourself, Herc. You couldn't love me the way I want you to. Are you so possessive that you would deny me a chance to get over you? Do you like me trailing after you like a puppy hoping for a kind word? Does that amuse you... to know I want you so much? Are you raising my hopes just to keep me with you?" Iolaus bit out the words, wanting to make Hercules pay for what he had said.

He knew deep down that every word he said was wrong, but right now he didn't care. He was tired - tired of laying awake over the last few nights, telling his absent friend much he loved him in the silence of his soul; tired of hoping that one day Hercules would take the hunter in his arms and tell him that he wanted him.

Hercules turned back to Iolaus. "Since you told me how you feel I can't get you out of my mind. Yes. I have wondered what it's like to sleep with another man, and the fact is that the more I've thought about it, the more I want to make love with you. You and no one else. Gods, Iolaus. There are any number of willing men out there. You know how often we've both been propositioned. I could have tried it any time... I guess I didn't see you for what you were before."

"Until the other night. Great! That makes me feel good!" Iolaus shot back.

Hercules went to Iolaus and put his hands on the smaller mans shoulders. "I do love you. You know that. I love you with all my heart and soul and I would do anything to keep you by my side. I want to love you the way you love me, but I just keep... Fucking it up. I say the wrong thing and hurt you, or I get the wrong idea and you get angry. Please, Iolaus. Give me a chance. I want to love you," Hercules bent his head and kissed Iolaus tenderly on the cheek.

Iolaus bit his lip, tears spilling down his face. He looked up at his friend and saw matching tears in the dark blue eyes. He reached up and caught up one of those bright points of sorrow on the tip of his finger.

"You have to be sure of this, Herc," he said seriously. "I don't want you doing this out of pity or because you're jealous of Ares."

"I'm doing it because I love you."

"Then go away for a while. Think about it. Really think. Come back in a week. I'll still be here - and if you decide that we shouldn't do it. well. I hope we can be friends the way we always were."

"I don't think I'll change my mind, but if that's what you want. In the meantime... you won't... with Ares?"

"No. I won't. I don't want him. He got me at a bad time," Iolaus said slowly.

Hercules nodded. "I think I understand. So... a week?"

"A week," Iolaus said firmly. He smiled at his partner and tried to lighten the moment. "And don't go getting into any trouble while you're away."

Hercules looked at him. "I'm not the one with the god of war after my ass. Are you sure you're going to be all right by your self?"

"I can deal with him."

"Be careful, Iolaus. He's a god, he can do anything he wants to," Hercules warned.

"Why does every one keep saying that?" Iolaus complained. "Now go, before I chase you off with my sword."

Iolaus sat down as he watched Hercules leave his home, then realisation came to him abruptly.

"Herc just said he wants me! What the fuck have I done?" he smacked himself upside the head. "Ares is gonna be back wanting to ream me, and I just told my best chance of survival to think it all over? Am I NUTS?"

Go to Naming Stars part 5