Disclaimer: I don't own the characters in here, I only borrowed them. No money exchanged hands, no matter how much I begged! J
Note: Many thanks to the people on the Hercfic mailing list…without ya all this NEVER would have been possible! This is rated NC-17, it has H/I, I/S, and it does have a minor plot! *EEK* Lots of Betrayal, Retribution, and Gratuitous Sex. Hope you love it as much as I did! J

BETRAYL AND RETRIBUTION

Over the next few days (and those all too short nights) we grew closer, our friendship, and partnership, had grown into the most sincere forms of love possible. During the long hot days we walked side by side, hand in hand or not. Stopping to eat our noon meal, or take a drink, we'd playfully flirt, sometimes to such a point he would pin me to the ground and take me then and there, privacy or no. I'd kiss him, then he'd let me go and we'd continue on our way.
But the nights, oh the nights. We'd spend countless hours stroking, caressing, kissing, and sucking until we collapsed into an exhausted sleep. Once, he even let me take him as I had in the bath. I remember that the clearest. I had leaned him over a large rock and pounded him with the most powerful strokes I could muster, hoping I could give him the immense pleasures he had shared with me. To this day I still thank the gods (the good ones that is) that Herc had thought to buy some oils before we left town, or such an intense feat could never have been possible.
After three long teasing days, and four short, yet passionate nights we came across a large city.
"Iolaus.." Herc began, the smile dissolving from his face. "I have a little bit of a history in this town, it may be best for you to wait here while I go in for supplies."
"I nodded, my eyes finding the all too familiar toes of my boots, as was customary when I wasn't sure of the situation. He lifted my head, took a quick glance around, then kissed me, his tongue wrapping itself around mine. We pulled apart with a gasp, then I kissed his chin, down to his neck. I gently licked the soft flesh below his hard chin, then kissed it, sucking gently. The warrior's almost silent moan turned me into a ball of passion, kissing, sucking, nipping, and loving that simple piece of flesh. Then he cried out in pain as I bit into the tender skin, a red bruise already beginning to form from my furious kisses.
"Ow! You little vampire!" Herc said, the smile returning to his face. He gave me a playful swat to the backside. "How am I supposed to explain this one to the people I know?"
I grinned, then replied, "Tell 'em you're taken and that mark is proof!" Both of us burst into laughter. "Now, if you're planning on getting back by dark, you better get going." I said, thinking I sounded a little like a mother talking to her son.
I laid out a blanket in a grassy area under some trees. Before I knew it I was fast asleep, the warm sun gently heating my skin and hair.

I awoke to find myself surrounded by the familiar armor of Ares' warriors. I gasped, to afraid to do anything but let out a few strained words and stare. Then my breath held in my throat as Strife stepped forward, a manic grin caressing the delicate curves of his face.
"Ah, I see our little love bird is awake. So, how have you been Iolaus? I heard all of your deepest, most carnal desires have been fulfilled by your own personal love slave, or put bluntly, You're screwing Hercules! Ha. Ares was quite pleased to hear about it, but I'm sure you'll hear all about that soon. Seize him!" the god said, finishing off with the command for the warriors to grab me.
I tried to dodge the warriors as the grabbed at me, but resistance was useless. In the end they won. I was hog-tied and thrown in the back of a cart. Within moments Strife entered and smiled at me wickedly.
Strife said, "We're almost there." Soon the cart stopped, and two burly warriors carried me into a temple, obviously belonging to Ares.
Strife's grin returned, even bigger and more childlike than before. He giggled once again as he untied my bindings, save for the ones at my wrists. He grabbed me by then neck and a jolt of energy passed through me.
"That was just a tiny piece of the power I posses at the moment. Remember that, when Ares isn't around, I'm the boss." He mocked. *Zeus, this guy sounds like a sadistic fifteen-year-old with a new horse. *
Strife tightened his grip on my neck, then led me through a secret doorway. The sight I witnessed next was amazing. A room that seemed to be filled with everything possible for both pleasure and torture.
"See anything you like particularly Iolaus?" Strife said, letting out another giggle out everything, leaving me in the dark. I heard the soft click of his high-heeled boots and the squeak of l. *Oh gods. What is he going to do to me?* He led me to a table that sported jars upon jars of exotic oils and other sexual implements.
I scanned the room and saw a device I had never seen before. It was a table of sorts, made of wood in the purest black. It sported four leather restraining straps and a lever to point the table at different angles. The very sight sent a cold rush through me.
Before I could even blink I found myself helplessly strapped to the table, naked and scared. Strife looked at me, then casually walked over to an impressive cabinet filled with every possible thing a masochist could only dream of. The few I could identify were whips of various materials and colors, sizes, and shapes. Also among the amazing assortment were wooden paddles, each one different from the other. "Hm...I believe we'll start out with this." Strife said, selecting a black wooded paddle. The board was thick, and wide, but not as long as the others that had been scattered. *Oh shit. He's gonna use that thing on ME!*
He slapped my calves a few times, the pain not even beginning to show. He then continued to paddle me until most of my body had taken on a rosy glow. The pain wasn't bad, though I was certain it would get worse, the bad part was the humiliation and fear. *Right now Herc should just be noticing I'm missing. I know he'll save me, but how much more of this can I take before I crack?*
He moved to the lever and put the table down flat, locking the lever into place. *What now?* "You may want to loosen up a little Sweetie. That was just the warm up." He let out another demonic giggle.
He then went back to the cabinet and stared inside. "We need something very special for you..." He giggled. Carefully he reached inside and pulled out a thin, yet long, black whip. The piece of leather had three barbed strips hanging off the tip.
"Hmm, Iolaus, so, what do you think of this one? It's another one of my favorites." He whispered, his eyes fixed on me. *Please Herc! Hurry!* "No, it's too soon for that one." He said, tossing it to the side. "I forgot you are still a virgin at the delicate art of love." Then picked up a blindfold from the array that littered the room.
He moved to me, and bent to whisper in my ear, "Shh...don't let Uncle know I'm letting you use this." He whispered, putting the blindfold on me. "Don't worry, just imagine that it's someone else. When ever I'm in your...ehem.... position...." Then he mumbled something about Aphrodite. *Did he just say what I think he did?* But, that's all I'm doing to help you!"
I felt helpless, the blindfold blocked leather against leather. I then heard the obvious sounds of Strife removing the constricting clothing, then heard his unmistakable sigh in relief.
I heard a soft creak as he opened the cabinet and rummaged through its contents. I heard a giggle, then his voice said, "Heh. Oh, I remember you. Ah, the memories. Perfect." *What is he up to?* I tensed my muscles, expecting to feel the paddle or a whip against my flesh, but instead I felt a gentle touch. The god gently ran his hands across my shoulders, then up my neck, the overwhelming scent of roses invading my nostrils. I began to blush profusely as I realized the gentle touch of the dainty, delicate hands had begun to make my cock slowly rise. *No! No, this can't be happening! Herc! Where are you?*
The hands ran down my arms, lovingly caressing my biceps, stopping to tickle the inside of my elbow. He rubbed the oil onto my chest, working it deep into the pores, lightly massaging my nipples. I cried out as he pinched one lightly, my cock (as though it had a mind of it's own) jumped to a full erection, my body temperature going throughout the roof. He giggled once again.
"I see,you want this as much as I do." he whispered, his voice strained with sexual urgency. He continued to rub my body, massaging my stomach, poking a finger into my nave. "If you do me a favor..." he lisped, "I may be able to let you go..."
My body tensed as I waited for him to keep speaking. Then he continued, "Since my last lover...left...I've been, well, unsatisfied. If you'll take me, just this once, as your lover, I'll let you go." *I can't do it! It would be wrong! No, I can't betray Herc like that...but I have to. Herc, please forgive me for what I'm about to do!*
I nodded, whispering an almost silent yes so as not to break the tension. In moments my bonds were gone, and I sat upright. He embraced me, then let me remove the blindfold. Slowly I ran my eyes over his naked body.
I ran my eyes over the gentle curve of his perfect forehead, the hairline hidden beneath his black locks. Then went farther still, along the curves of his neck and shoulders. The sharper curves of his chest and stomach, to the soft curves of his thighs. Then I saw the cock that sprung from a dark nest of hair.
I dropped to my knees on the cold ground, blinking in disbelief. I knew what I was about to do was wrong, but it was for Herc, but I also knew it was partly for me. I knew that I wanted to touch the god, to taste the god, to know the delicate, yet powerful figure. *How am I going to tell him? I can't just go up to him and say "Look, Strife kidnapped me, but released me after forcing me to give him a cheap thrill." It just won't work.*
I reached out and softly licked the already weeping cock. He moaned lightly, then I took the whole thing in my mouth, burying my face in the dark hair. I bobbed my head, feeling the tip of his cock brush the back of my throat and each time fighting the reflexes that still bothered me, even after being with Herc.
The god grunted, then began to moan, the echo filling the room as he spewed his seed into my mouth. I closed my eyes, wishing it were all a bad dream, fighting the urge to spit out the coppery fluid and scream.
Seconds later I opened my eyes to find myself naked and alone in the middle of a dirt path that ran through a grassy plain. After taking a moment to collect my thoughts I spit out the fluid and screamed out one word: Hercules. Then the world around me went black.

When I came to it was dark, and even in the summer sunlight a cool breeze shot through me, chilling my bones. *I'm going to die* All I could think of was death. I didn't know what to do. All I could do was lie there, sobbing. I had done the deed, and Strife had set me free. *Why? The thought of presenting me to Ares seemed to elate him beyond comprehension. He wouldn't give up that satisfaction for a one-stop trick like this. Something is up.* I stood up, and looked to the Heavens. Was Hercules in Ares' grasp? What did they want me for? I began walking to the South, following the tracks made by a passing wagon. The whole situation was wrong. Nothing mattered. I had betrayed Herc, and now I could never face him again. I felt completely alone.

Only the gods know how long I walked. Day and Night were one, I walked until I fell to the dirt in exhausted. My mind was set on one thing, punishing myself for betraying Herc. I didn't deserve to die, death was too easy of a way out. My walking slumber only ceased when I saw the familiar figure of Aphrodite in front of me.
"Iolaus." The honey-sweet voice said, the first sound I had heard in ages. "I heard about Hercules. I'm sorry. I know how much you love him." She said, zapping some clothes to my body.
I stared at her in disbelief, "What do you mean? What happened to Herc?" I said, shaking in fear at the possibility of Herc being hurt of even (if possible) dead.
"You don't know! Oh...my...uh...I gotta go!"
I grabbed her arm before she could finish, "Not so fast! Where is Hercules? Tell me now Aphrodite!"
She sighed heavily, "It's not my place to tell!" Then, noticing the pitifully concerned look on my face, "Look, Iolaus. Herc and Ares had a little rumble after Strife told Ares Herc had come to rescue you, and when you were nowhere to be found, Ares wigged out. And...well...Herc was hurt pretty bad. He's still alive, but only barely. He's up at Zeus' place resting. He sent me to get you, and poof. Here I am."
My mind reeled. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know what I would tell Herc, if I could even stand to look him in the face. All I could do was nod. Aphrodite hugged me to her chest, then led me to a doorway she created in a nearby rock. We came out in front of a large oak door, I assumed Hercules lay behind it.
"Go on in." Aphrodite said, nodding at the door. "Everyone else is long gone. He said he didn't want to see anyone until he saw you, and knew that you were in better shape than him." I smiled weakly at the goddess and entered the room.

The only light was coming from a single candle beside the bed where a motionless Hercules lay, silent. I took a step forward, then another, stopping to observe the demigod. He was always so beautiful when he slept. He was on his back, (though he preferred his stomach) and covered with a blanket up to his neck. His breathing was labored and feeble. I moved silently to the bedside, and leaned over, then kissed the man's forehead, watching with an uneasy stomach as he weakly opened his eyes.
"Am I dead? Is this the spirit of love I see before me?" he whispered, his voice barely a whisper.
"It's me Hercules. Aphrodite told me about what happened. You could have gotten yourself killed. You should have surrendered. Don't worry, we'll talk about it when you have strength to spare, and plenty of time. I'm going to kiss you now. I love you." I then leaned forward and kissed him, tasting the essence of pain in his body.
"Hold me..." he said, his voice softer yet. I grabbed a stool and sat beside his bead with my arms around him until the first rays of daylight began to spill in through the small window.

Herc stretched, then looked at me, his sleepy eyes twinkling in the morning sunlight.
"Good, you aren't a dream." Herc said, a smile crossing his face. "It hurts, but as long as you're here the pain doesn't feel so bad. I missed you. I want you to tell me everything, don't leave one thing out." He then looked at me, still weak and pale-faced.
"Okay, but you have to promise to let me check you out when I'm done, okay? I'm really worried about you. You took quite a beating."
"All in the name of love. Now spill it." Herc finished with a grin, then propped himself up on one elbow to get a better look at me.
I told him everything, every detail from the paralyzing fear Strife instilled in me to the awful taste of the fluid he had spurted into my mouth. I even told him that I had been momentarily turned on. After I confessed all I looked at him, only to see him smiling and giving a nod of approval.
"Thank you for telling me the truth. I can understand how he managed to have such an effect on you, and you on him. Don't worry about it, I forgive you. In fact, we may need that upper hand to corner Ares."
I looked at him, tilting my head in confusion, but he continued.
"Zeus told me that if I could get back the stones of Olympus, he could make it so the only time we ever encountered either Ares or Strife it would be on our own terms."
I nodded, begging to almost understand the obscure facts Herc seemed to be telling me, as though I already had knowledge equal to his.
"There are two stones, Strife has one, and Ares the other. Ares' stone is set in the earring he wears, and if I get close enough I can get it." Herc lisped.
I nodded, then recalled the ring that had adorned Strife's delicate pinky finger. "Yes, I think I can get to it. And I have a plan."
"Really Iolaus? I guess I don't want to know, right?"
"Pretty much, but you'll know soon enough. Right now I want to see what that asshole did to you."
Herc tried to protest, but I had yanked down the covers before he could stop me. I gasped in horror as I saw the bloody bandages that wrapped around his waist.
"It's not really that bad Iolaus, I'm healing, I'll be better soon."
I could never forgive Ares, he'd hurt Hercules, and he was going to pay.
"Iolaus, I know that look, don't you dare go near Ares, he'd rip you in two before you even saw him." Herc looked at me, his dark eyes piercing into my light. "Please, if he hurts you, I'd never forgive myself."
I felt my heart begin to melt as he gave me a look that could set any ladies heart aflame. I only nodded, it was impossible for me to even bend his will.

I stayed with him for three more days, until he was almost healed. He sent away ever visitor that came to the door, allowing only Aphrodite to enter. We formed a plan, first concentrating only on getting Strife's stone. From the information I had gathered while I was kidnapped, Strife had quite a lusty heart for Aphrodite, which she found extremely funny when I told her, so she should be the one to call on him, then I would take over.

The next morning, Aphrodite had set me up in one of her private chambers, one that oddly enough almost mirrored the room Strife and I had been in. I felt really bad about what I was about to do, even though Herc had been the one who thought of the idea.
"Okay, now this is a safe room. Once an immortal enters, they can't leave unless I let them out. The events that occur in this room are forgotten once the immortal leaves the room. The last one effects everyone, even mortals. So be sure to put that ring in a secure, easily found place on yourself as soon as you get it. The signal for me to open the door is to rattle the doorknob twice. I'll be sitting right by the door. As soon as he comes out I want you to hide behind the screen in the corner by the door, then I'll tell him that I summoned him to help me with a chore or something, I'll think of an excuse while get that stone, okay? Ready?" Aphrodite said, opening the door for me to enter.
I nodded doing up the last lace on the shiny leather outfit she'd cooked up for me. She withdrew a whistle, made of the most beautiful ivory, and blew it twice, the high thin sound sending a chill down my spine.
Within moments the young god appeared, sending yet another chill through me.
"Ah! My dear sweet Aphrodite! What may I do to be of service?" He said, planting a kiss on her hand.
I almost couldn't help but laugh when Aphrodite put on the "I'm so helpless, please, chase away the awful spider" routine, and got Strife to enter the room, then she slammed the door, locking it behind him. *Now it'' my turn to put on the act.* I wiped the smile off my face, and replaced it with the best seductive look I could muster.
"Ah, I see, I didn't think you'd ever dare to come near me again Iolaus." He said, scanning the leather that had been fitted to my body, hugging every curve. "Mm. I like your new look. It suits you well."
I ignored his comments and walked towards him, then pressed my body to his. I led him to a contraption (That according to Aphrodite was an exact copy of the one I was strapped to.), then pressed him firmly to the upright board. A huge grin crossed his lips.
"So," Strife said, his dramatic eyes scanning my body, "I take it you wish to continue our fun."
As an answer I clamped my lips onto his, then moved my hands from his biceps to his wrists. *He's so much smaller and lighter than Herc.* Quickly I clamped down the leather restraints on his wrists. The god grinned, giggling as I stripped off his clothing and clamped his ankles.
I frowned seductively and grabbed a paddle form the large bed that sat in the center of the room. His face became flushed with wanting. My act seemed to be working quite well. &I hope he doesn't notice that I've never done this before.&
"Why so silent Iolaus?" the god said grinning, "Don't you want to do it? Or are you too afraid to break the mood?"
I smiled again, and moved in front of him. His pale, delicate, body glistened with sweat. I pressed my body to his once more, the erotic sweat dripping onto my leather bodysuit. Softly I applied my lips to his neck, then left a train of kisses to the nipple that lie above his heart. He let out a muffled grunt as I took the hard, dark bud into my mouth. His body tensed as I bit into the moist flesh. I then backed off, a sigh of wanting emanating from the god's mouth.
I held the paddle firmly and applied it to his legs, chest, arms, stomach, each time gaining grunts of approval and tiny cries of pain.
Soon I grew tired of using the wooden paddle and scanned the room for a more suitable implement. *Hmm...What would cause both pain and extreme pleasure for him? I want him to suffer before I get that stone.* I smiled, noticing a thin strap of leather.
"Are you just going to leave me here like this?" The god asked, his child-like voice adding to the sarcasm.
I fetched the strap and snapped it lightly, causing him to turn his head towards me. I paced around him, applying the leather to his feet, ankles, then legs. I enjoyed watching him squeal and squirm, his cock begging for me to finish the job, but he still said no words, only moaned and screamed, and cried out in pain. I wouldn't finish, not until I heard him beg and plead, and promise. When he grew silent I began strapping him again, this time on his stomach and chest, being extra rough with his sensitive nipples. No response. *I need something more painful.* Then I saw it; an exact replica of the barbed whip Strife had called Ares' favorite. I walked to the table where it lay and grasped the large handle. Instantly I felt power surge through me. I cracked the whip, the grinned evilly as I heard the loud snap followed by an excited giggle from Strife. I cracked it again as I drew nearer to the god. I felt like the instrument was made for me, the energy flowed from it into my body, giving me complete control of the situation. I swung the whip over my wrist, then propelled it froward, the barbs pricking tiny holes in the pale, fragile, skin of his chest. I whipped him again, then again, the twenty times more. Each cry of pain, along with the sight of the god's blood, driving me into higher levels of sexual gratification. After long I couldn't take it anymore, I needed immediate release. I quickly stripped off my bodysuit, then moved the lever on the table, locking it in a down position with his feet slightly higher than his head.
I climbed on top of him and slid my cock into his tight ass while wrapping my fingers around his. I winced at the initial pain of entering the unlubricated ass at such an odd angle, but soon the pain turned into an exalted pleasure. Moments later his seed spilled onto my hand and his stomach. I came soon after, shouting obscenities and crying out, not believing that I was essentially raping the god. He sighed once more, then passed out. Quickly I grabbed the ring from his finger then, hiding the stone in my codpiece as I did so, slid off him and into my bodysuit. I then unshackled and dressed him, dragging him to the door. I signaled for Aphrodite, then fell out the door as she opened it. *Why am I holding up Strife? Do I have the ring?*
"Iolaus! Hide!" Aphrodite whispered, pointing at a screen set up in the corner. I flung myself into the protective covering just as the god began to come to.
"Wha? What happened?" He said groggily. "The last thing I remember was opening that door to go shoo your spider."
"Well"Aphrodite said, then relayed a well thought out lie that I marveled at. She told him he opened the door, but she forgot to remove the magic that used to keep all but her and Ares from entering, and anyone who touched it would blackout for an unknown period of time. It was genius, pure genius. Right after Strife disappeared she said a quick good-bye and zapped me into Herc's room.

He grinned at me, then held up the earring containing the precious blue-gray stone. I didn't even bother to ask how he'd gotten it, I was certain he'd do the same.
"Ugh. Iolaus, I hope that's not going to be an often worn outfit. You look so wrong in leather."
I smiled and pulled off the clothes, the ring tumbling out as I did so.
Herc moved in close and wrapped his arms around me, "I Love You " He said, punctuation each word with a kiss.
I kissed him back, then handed him the ring.
"I've missed you so much Iolaus...I miss kissing you, and making your muscles clench when I touch you. I'm so glad this is over." Herc said, then added, "But the true fight is never over, is it?"
I kissed him again, then put on my clothing. He left the room, saying he was going to give Zeus the stones.

He came back hours later, right before sunset. I went to him and kissed him as he walked through the door.
"It's done. The two troublemakers are supposed to keep their distance. But, I'm sure we'll have to go through a couple hundred warriors before he gives up though." Herc said, removing his clothing. I took the initiative and followed suit, then held him close, loving the fiery feel of his skin against mine. I kissed him, the energy pulsating into my body. I turned him around, then pushed him to the bed, trailing from his lips to his cock with tiny kisses. I took his cock in my mouth and sucked him dry, pleasuring myself to a climax in the process. Worn out from the day's tedious events I collapsed onto the demigod, his still ragged breathing lulling me into a dreamless sleep.

I awoke to find myself alone on the bed. I raised my head to find Herc fully dressed and sitting across the room with Aphrodite.
"Hey sleepyhead! Don't you try to fool me by faking sleep, get over here. I have something for you." She said, smiling broadly.
Herc only grinned and nodded. Quickly I got up and put on my trousers, then walked over to where they were. I took a seat on the floor at Herc's feet and let him run his hands over my chest.
"Would you two cut it out for a second. It's like you're married or something." She whined. Herc and I both laughed softly as she handed me a black bag. Herc gave first me, then Aphrodite a strange look, then I opened the bag to reveal the same whip I had used to bring Strife to his knees (figuratively of course). Inscribed on the handle was: Beware Iolaus, the trickster to the gods. I grinned at the gift and laughed silently.
"Well," Herc said, standing up, "I always knew he was a tricky little thief, he stole my heart after all."
I blushed and stood up beside him, our lips meeting in a fierce kiss.
Aphrodite just shook her head. "Men." She said, looking at us. "Anyway, I'm sure you have more to do down there on the soil than up here, so wave good-bye!"
Herc and I waved, holding each other with the free hand, in which I also grasped my whip.

We materialized in the same plain Strife had left me in, and decided to change direction. We headed off towards the warmth of the Eastwardly winds.

Are you ready to go back Yet?