Hercules and Iolaus stood back to back, viewing the ring of fallen opponents in various states of consciousness. Sure that there was no fight left in them, the villagers bound and gagged them, hauling them away to a makeshift prison.

Hercules and Iolaus relaxed, the adrenaline still flowing through them. Once again they had prevailed when outnumbered. Iolaus let out a yelp and started bounding around while Hercules calmly folded his arms and politely listened to the thanks of the headman of the village.

"Its Ok, Stratus, no thanks are necessary"

"But Hercules, we don't know what we would have done without you, we could not have defeated this band by ourselves. For almost a year now they have been plaguing on our village, stealing what we grow, killing anyone who stood up to them and forcing themselves on our women."

Hercules frowned, there was nothing he despised more than men who abused their strength to prey on the week, especially when the weak were women.

"It is the one crime which is truly unforgivable" Hercules stated categorically, "I hope your magistrate will punish them accordingly"

Hercules was so engrossed in his conversation with the headman that he failed to notice the peacock feather at his feet.

Hera watched and listened as her hated stepson delivered his diatribe. A smile crossed her pale lips as she heard his words.

"So, men who force themselves on women are truly unforgivable. But what, my dear stepson, when the man is your closest friend and you cannot forgive him. What then?" With the wave of her hand she set her plan in motion.

Iolaus and Hercules made good time on their homeward journey and before sunset on the third day they had arrived at Iolaus's forge.

"It's good to be home" said Iolaus, his hand resting possessively on the fire guard. "I miss this place when I'm away too long"

"I know what you mean", Hercules replied, "Its nice to have somewhere to come back to" his tone was slightly wistful, since Serena's death he had not felt like calling anywhere home.

Iolaus rested his hand on Hercules's shoulder momentarily before moving to the door.

"The sky is darkening, it looks like a storm is on the way" as he turned toward Hercules he missed the image of Hera's eyes in the clouds. As Iolaus advanced into the small room a lightening bolt seemed to follow him into the room and struck him, immobilising him in a burst of green light.

"Iolaus, wake up" Hercules's voice called Iolaus back from the darkness. He was lying on his bed where Hercules had placed him.

When the lightening bolt had struck Iolaus, Hercules had been horrified, fearing the worst for his friend as he lay so still on his front. A huge scorch marked the back of his leather jerkin and it crumbled to his touch. Surprisingly his skin was unmarked and as Hercules picked him up and placed him on the bed he was reassured by the strong heartbeat he felt below his hand.

"Iolaus, wake up". This time his words generated a response as Iolaus groaned and tried to sit up.

"What hit me? It felt like the roof fell on me" he groaned again and held his head.

"It was the strangest lightning bolt I have ever seen, it seemed to follow you indoors and then hold you" Hercules could still not quiet believe what his eyes had seen.

"Must be my magnetic personality" Iolaus declared.

"If you can make bad jokes you must be feeling better"

By the next morning Iolaus seemed to have shaken off all the after-effects of his ordeal. He was working hard at his forge, catching up with his outstanding jobs when the daughter of a neighbour came in with a large iron pot needing mending.

"Iolaus", she called "Mother is asking if you can fix this pot" She gave him her best smile as she played with her blond pigtail and looked at him coyly through her big blue eyes (her best feature Mother often said).

Iolaus slowly looked her up and down, noticing for the first time how she was growing up. He could make out the outline of her breasts and the impression her nipples made on her homespun shift. The pot resting on her hip drew his attention to the curve of her buttocks and he wanted nothing better than to put his hand up her skirt and stroke that firm young flesh.

"Will you give me a kiss if I mend the pot, Sara?" his fingers stroked her arm.

Iolaus needed no further encouragement, the pot was swiftly put aside as he gathered her into her arms and covered her mouth with his. His hands began to roam freely over her back and down to her ass. He grabbed the flesh and pulled her tight against him until she could feel his erection press against her belly. He broke the kiss and Sara gasped in a breath. This was far more than she had bargained for and she was starting to get frightened.

"Let me go".

Iolaus released her temporarily, as she turned away from him he pulled her back one hand reaching over her shoulder and down her top to knead her breast while the other started to pull up her skirt.

"Iolaus please STOP" Sara sobbed "Your hurting me"

"Don't be coy, Sara. You know you want this" Iolaus continued to raise her skirt, slipping his hand between her thighs, parting them.

"NO" Sara struggled even harder against him, biting the arm that came over her shoulder, her arms flailing against him.

"Bitch" Iolaus pushed her away to make her release her teeth from his arm but as she fled he grabbed her, spinning her round and pinning her arms behind her.

"So you want to play rough!" He fastened both are wrists in one of his hands and hauled her over to the workbench bending her face down over it. His other hand quickly bunched up her skirt around her waist and then moved to stroke the pale flesh.

Sara struggled and Iolaus brought his hand down sharply on her backside. The sound of the blow rang out in the enclosed space and the bright red handprint stood out in relief against her creamy skin. Pleased with the result Iolaus struck her other buttock leaving a matching print. The fight seemed to leave Sara, she stopped struggling and began to quietly sob. Iolaus used his knee to part her legs and stood between them, his free hand spreading her and them sinking knuckle deep inside her. She was dry. He withdrew his hand and spat into it using his saliva to ease the passage for his hand. He finger-fucked her for brief time all the while ignoring her sobs and pleas for him to stop. Still keeping both her wrists trapped in one hand he struggled to unfasten his codpiece and breech cloth. So busy was he with this that he failed to notice the other man enter the small room until a hand on his shoulder made him loose his grip on Sara as it roughly spun him round.

"Iolaus! What in Hades name do you think your doing?" Hercules's disbelieving voice questioned.

Iolaus's face contorted in rage as he swung his fist at his best friend. Hercules easily blocked the punch and lashed out, the force of his blow slamming Iolaus up against the wall, a sickening thud echoing as his head made contact with the stone and his body sunk down to the floor, unconscious.

Sara wasted no time in re-arranging her clothes and running out the door all the time sobbing, ignoring Hercules attempts to stop her.

The tall man stood gazing down at the crumpled heap on the floor, wanting to pick him up and shake him, to scream at him, to get an answer. He wanted to hit him again and again until he was nothing but a bloody pulp. Knowing that if he stayed in the same room as his former comrade he might just start fulfilling his wish. He blindly left the house and started running fruitlessly trying to outdistance his thoughts.

When he finally stopped he was far from the village but still more angry than he had ever been in his life. Angrier than when Hera had slaughtered his family, angrier than when Ares's plotting had ended in Serena's death. He felt betrayed by Iolaus. The one man in the whole world he felt he could always rely on. Blindly he lashed out, his knuckles impacting on a tree trunk with a satisfying thud. Hercules wished heartily that it had been Iolaus's face. The tree groaned and split in two along the length of the trunk, one half toppling into the earth the other standing exposed to all the elements. 'Thats what I feel like' Hercules thought, 'As if I've been torn apart and stripped naked.' He sank down, his back against the exposed wood and rested his head in his hands.

"Hercules". Aphrodites voice called out.

"Aphrodite, I'm not in the mood. Go away." Hercules did not think he could tolerate anyone at the moment, even his favourite half-sister.

"Its important, its about Hera ... and Iolaus"

"Iolaus?" The very mention of Hera's name in the same breath as Iolaus's caused sudden hope to rise in Hercules's heart. "What about Iolaus? What has Hera to do with him?" He was on his feet and grasping her arm in urgency.

"Hey chill, big brother" Aphrodite didn't like to hurry when she had good gossip but one look in Hercules eyes had her relenting. "I overheard Hera gloating to one of her cohorts about how she was going to destroy your world before she got around to destroying you. You know, the usual. But this time she's going to attack Iolaus. She's cast one of her spells to make him aggressive towards his lover - to turn him into a rapist. Hercules, we've got to warn Iolaus before the spell takes affect"

"Its already has"

Aphrodite looked appalled. She was not given much to bothering with mortals but Iolaus was her brother's friend and deserved better

"Then my warning is too late" she sighed.

"Maybe not. I manage to stop him this time. I thought he had gone insane and I knocked him unconscious" Hercules silently cursed himself for not having more faith in his long time friend, for not stopping to question his aberrant behaviour, for blindly lashing out at him, hurting him.

"How can we break this curse?"

he asked urgently.

"That's just it. We can't. The curse will remain in effect until he fulfils it." Aphrodite looked as unhappy as Hercules at this. "There's nothing we can do".

"There's got to be! I know Iolaus. He won't be able to live with himself if he does something like this. Your the goddess of Love, surely there's something you can do? " He knew he was grasping at straws, if his sister could have done anything she already would have.

Aphrodite sadly shook her head. "Only Hera can lift this curse and she never will."

He nodded in acknowledgement of this fact

"Then if we cannot break it perhaps we can circumvent it" he suggested.

"How?"

Hercules looked her straight in the eye. "You have always been fond of Iolaus." He said no more but continued to watch her.

Aphrodite shook her head. "No, I'm sorry, but it cannot be with a god"

"Where will I find a mortal woman fond enough of Iolaus to be willing to help him in this". It was impossible and even if he found someone Iolaus would never forgive him.

"Hercules", Aphrodite paused as she marshalled her thoughts, "it need only be a mortal - it does not have to be a woman."

He blinked for a few moments as he absorbed this. "You mean that I ..." his words stopped but his thoughts continued "I could be Iolaus's lover. I could help him." The thought was foreign. He had never considered Iolaus as anything other than a friend, a brother. He had no interest in men. Would he do this for his friend? "Yes." the answer was unhesitating. No matter what it cost him personally he could not let his friend suffer.

"Thank you Aphrodite" he spoke quietly as he turned back to the village.

"Herc, wait" She closed the distance between them and kissed him on the cheek. "I hope he knows what a good friend he has in you." In a blink of light she was gone as suddenly as she had appeared.

As Hercules neared the village he could hear the angry shouts. With a sinking feeling he raced into the square. His worst fears were realised as he saw Iolaus held between two of the townsfolk. His face was bloody from many blows, his clothes were torn and most worrying was the rope around his neck. He was surrounded by what appeared to be the entire village, their mood was ugly. In the centre of the crown Hercules could see Sara with her mother, their faces contorted in rage as they egged the townsmen on to end Iolaus life.

"STOP!! Hercules's voice rang around the marketplace.

"Hercules, we know Iolaus is your friend but do not interfere in this." Hercules recognised the self-appointed spokesman as the local baker, a good and fair man.

"Territus, you must stop this. Iolaus is not to blame"

Territus shook his head. "Many people saw the state poor little Sara was in when she fled from him. We will not tolerate that sort of behaviour in anyone, even a man who calls the son of Zeus his friend." He signalled to the men holding Iolaus and they resumed attaching the rope around the smaller man's neck to a branch of the tree in the square centre.

"NO" Hercules's voice rang around the square and the look on his face as he rushed forward was enough to cause the men holding Iolaus to let go of him, unfortunately the rope round his neck was tightened by this manoeuvre and Hercules had to move quickly to loosen the knot from his unconscious friend's neck to prevent him from suffocating.

Hercules turned to the mob. They were angry with his interference but each one was waiting for someone else to make the first move.

"How can you defend him?" The voice of Sara's mother called out. "You, of all people, who saw what he did to my Sara, how can you defend him?"

Hercules turned to face her. He looked her in the eye and said "Your right, what Iolaus almost did to Sara was unforgivable... if he had been responsible."

A roar of disbelief me this and the crowd gathered tighter, threateningly around him.

"Hear me out!" Hercules had to shout to make himself heard. He faced the accusing woman again. "Ester, you have know Iolaus for many years. Would you have believed him capable of this?" He didn't give her a chance to reply but spoke to the crowd "Would any of you?"

The low murmuring gave him his answer and so he pressed on. "This was Hera's doing. She knows Iolaus is my friend and so she attacks me through him. She placed a hex on Iolaus forcing him to act that way, he didn't know what he was doing."

Hercules looked at the familiar faces around him. He could see that they were listening to him, that the tide was turning. He looked at Ester, knowing that if he could convince her then he and Iolaus could walk away from this situation. He stepped toward her, placing his large hands gently on her shoulders. "Ester, Let me take Iolaus out of here, I know how to cure him. Think how long you have known him, all the good he has done for this village, doesn't he deserve another chance?" His heartfelt plea moved Ester as she looked into his gentle eyes.

"Take him with you Hercules" she consented quietly. She gathered Sara up with one arm and quietly walked away from the square, back to her house, without a second glance.

Without the presence of the victim the crowd began to break up, many feeling ashamed of what they had almost done, some because they trusted Hercules but many just wanting to have nothing to do with any plot of Hera's in case her infamous rage spilt over onto them.

Hercules stepped over to where Iolaus lay prone. His body was bruised and bloody, his clothing torn. He loosed the ropes that bound him and lifted him up into his arms. He decided not to take Iolaus back to his home but rather to head out into the woods with him. He paused long enough to toss both their travelling sacks over his shoulder before leaving the village, Iolaus still cradled in his arms.

It was nightfall before Iolaus regained consciousness. Hercules had stopped by water and build a camp. He was preparing food when he became aware of Iolaus's gaze on him.

He turned to his friend, smiling. "Awake at last, sleepyhead. I thought I was going to have to carry you up and down the breadth of this land"

Iolaus said nothing, keeping his eyes on the fire, refusing to look at Hercules.

Hercules brought across a bowl for him. "Here, eat this, you'll feel better when you have something hot inside you."

Iolaus shook his head without looking up. He felt so ashamed inside that he could not bear to look at Herc. He wished that the villagers had just finished him off and then he wouldn't have to bear this humiliation.

Hercules looked down at the lowered blond head. He knew he had to reach Iolaus somehow if he was going to save him. He put down the bowl he was still carrying and used his freed hand to raise Iolaus's chin until his friend looked up at him.

"Iolaus, stop blaming yourself, this is not your fault." He realised suddenly that his friend had missed the explanation of Hera's involvement that he had given the village. "It was another of Hera's plots to attack me and I'm afraid that since your my friend she tried to hurt me through you. You are not to blame, if anyone is, its me, I bring nothing but misfortune to those I love.

"Hercules, you must never blame yourself for Hera's actions" he remonstrated his friend. "And your friendship is worth any danger Hera may pose." His good mood threatened to spill over and he slapped Herc on the back "Come on man, stop looking so worried. Thanks to you Hera's plot came to nothing and now I'm back to normal" he grinned up at his friend

Hercules looked grimly down at Iolaus, taking his time to frame his next words, knowing how important it was to present his solution in just the right light to make sure that Iolaus accepted his offer as the only possible course.

"Aphrodite?" He could see Iolaus consider the possibilities and beginning to look pleased.

"No! Not Aphrodite, me!" "Damn" thought Hercules, "so much for subtlety"

"I mean" he rushed on filling in Iolaus's silence "it can't be a god and its got to be someone who you won't hurt so I thought..., I thought I could be your lover until you got this out of your system"

Iolaus was stunned and blurted out the first thing that came to into his head "But, Herc, you don't like men"

"Iolaus, your my friend and I won't let anything happen to you while its in my power to stop it."

He raised his hand to stop any further protests "The only way to break Hera's curse is to fulfil it. Now, you can either wait for the next woman you meet and spend the rest of your life listening to your own self-recriminations or you can let me help you. After all, it is because of me that your in this predicament." Hercules paused and then tried a different tack "Iolaus, I'm your friend ... let me help you."

Iolaus thoughts raced. He tried to think of any other way he might cheat the curse, of any other way out of this. But there was none. He could either go his own way knowing that he would not be able to continue living with himself if he ever hurt a woman in that fashion or he could accept Hercules's offer. He chose life.

"Thank you Hercules" he said quietly.

Iolaus sat down on the blanket he had spread and removed his boots. He watched as Hercules found a thousand different things to do around the camp. Iolaus could sense his tension building and realised that Herc was nervous. It was not an emotion which he associated with the son of Zeus who was usually so self-assured and confident. He wanted to reassure his friend.

"Herc, come here."

Hercules looked up from his chores, without meeting Iolaus's eyes he answered "I just need to finish this" he indicated the wood he was spreading out to dry.

"Leave it, come sit beside me"

Hercules straightened his spine and then walked, stiff-legged across to where Iolaus was waiting and sat down, carefully leaving space between them.

"Hercules, you've never been with a man, have you?"

A faint stain reddened Hercules cheeks, he shook his head "No...have you?"

"Yes, when I was younger" Iolaus considered going into more details about his past relationships but he didn't think it was what Hercules wanted to hear.

"Herc, I wish I could promise you that it will be Ok and that I won't hurt you, but I can't. Hera's curse probably means that its going to be brutal".

He moved closer to Hercules and put his hand on his shoulder, kneading the tight muscles he found there.

"Herc, I need you to know how much your friendship means to me." Iolaus moved his hand from his friend's shoulder up underneath his hair, continuing to massage his neck "how much it means that your willing to do this for me" he leaned forward and brushed his lips against Hercules closed ones. "Thank you"

He bent his head again and kissed Hercules's mouth a second time, this time lingering slightly, pressing against the closed lips until his tongue gained entry. He took his time, tasting him before breaking the kiss and gazing into Hercules's eyes. He tried to look into his soul, to judge his reaction to the kiss. Hercules, never one to back down, met his eye.

The kiss had surprised Hercules - it had not been so different from kissing a woman and he found the taste of his old friend enjoyable. He smiled at the worried look in Iolaus face.

"Don't worry" he reassured him "I'm not going to run off into the night screaming" he mocked himself "at least not yet" he added sotto voice.

This time it was Hercules who shortened the distance between them and kissed Iolaus. He moved his arms around him and slowly ran them up and down his friends bare back. This time when they broke the kiss, Hercules stood up and removed his tunic then his boots and finally his leather trousers.

Iolaus lay back and watched him strip naked. He ran his eyes from the broad torso covered in a fine smattering of hair, down his clearly defined abdomen, on past his narrow hips, his eyes lingered on his member, nestling amongst thick hair, for the moment it was limp, and then down past muscled thighs to his calf's and on down to his large feet. He reached out with his hand and began to caress the calf of his left leg. Running his fingers down the fleshy part, digging his thumb beside the bone and then releasing it.

He repeated this movement several times and then let his hand continue its downward motion to the heel of the foot. He supported the heel and with Hercules's co-operation gently lifted the big mans foot in the air until he brought it to rest on his own shoulder. Hercules shuffled slightly to find a new center of balance. He flung his head back, eyes closed as Iolaus used both thumbs to massage the ball of his foot. Iolaus continued this sensuous movements until Hercules could feel his other leg which was supporting all his weight begin to shake.

"I've got to sit down" he said, matching action to words. He lay on the ground, facing Iolaus, propped up on his elbow, his foot still balanced on Iolaus shoulder as the fingers kneading his foot never broke their rhythm.

When Hercules was on the ground Iolaus shifted his position slightly in order to bring the foot round to his mouth, he then slipped his mouth over Herc's middle toe and began to suck on it.

For Hercules the feel of Iolaus's mouth, sucking his toes was a revelation. He could feel himself practically purring with the pleasure and his thoughts naturally turned to the image of Iolaus's sucking another part of his anatomy instead.

As if Iolaus had read his thoughts he abandoned Herc's foot and gradually worked his way up the long leg, planting hot kisses and small bites along the way until he reached his destination. There he slipped a callused hand under Herc's balls and raised them gently, bending his head he engulfed them in his mouth. Herc let his head fall back and uttered a wordless sigh. The feel of Iolaus's mouth on him was incredible and when his friend began to stoke fingers up and down his shaft he felt he was going to come almost immediately. Hercules was in a state of confusion. When he had come up with this solution to subvert Hera's curse he had been prepared to submit his body to Iolaus's needs but what he had not expected was to enjoy the attentions of his best friend. He had never considered Iolaus in any light other than that of friend and yet here he was, ready to explode, after only a few moments of his lovemaking. So lost was he in the sensations he was feeling that it took a few moments for him to sense the change in Iolaus, he stifled his cry of disappointment as the other man removed his hands from him, stood up and swiftly removed the remainder of his clothes. Iolaus stood over Hercules, his erection standing out stiffly from his body, his eyes almost fever bright with lust.

"Get up on your hands and knees" he ordered hoarsely. Hercules mentally squared his shoulders as he obeyed. He turned onto his knees and rested his head on his folded arms, spreading his legs slightly he felt very vulnerable in this position. "Remember this is for Iolaus" he told himself.

He felt his friend move behind him, positioning himself between his legs. He felt the hand that ran down him spine and then to the crack between his legs, the finger that inserted itself into his anus and then the tip of Iolaus's penis being inserted into him. The sharp pain as it bludgeoned its way past his ring of muscles and the burning sensation as he was stretched and filled.

Hercules bit down on his own forearm to prevent his crying out at the pain as Iolaus withdrew almost entirely from him and then plunged forward into him again. He threw back his head and thrashed from side to side as Iolaus continued his merciless penetration.

There was no preparation, no gentle explorations, no lubrication. Only pain and blood as Iolaus continued until with a harsh cry he came, shooting his load into Hercules before resting his weight on Hercules's back momentarily before withdrawing from him. The withdrawal sent another wave of pain through Hercules, who collapsed forward burying his head in his arms. His body felt on fire, he was torn and bruised and he felt used.

He stumbled to his feet and made his way to the water where he submerged himself and allowed the cold water to numb his body. It could not however numb his thoughts. When he decided upon this course he had no real notion of what he was inviting upon himself. Never before in his life had he felt so .. so .. he didn't have the words to describe how he felt but he knew that he could not go through that again. "But what if Iolaus still needed him? " He knew he could not let his friend down no mater what it cost him.

Iolaus woke, yawning from the short nap. He felt invigorated. He looked around for Herc but could see no sign of him but he was not worried as he won't be far. It had felt so good to be buried deep inside Herc's hot tight ass. It had felt like he was being squeezed as he had pushed his way in.

Slowly it dawned on Iolaus's sleep drenched thoughts that maybe the pleasure had been one-sided. Hercules had never done this before and he had not taken it easy on him. He had been so absorbed in pleasuring himself that he had not spared one thought for his friends comfort. He had not even used oil to aid his passage, instead he had selfishly used brute force to facilitate his penetration. Iolaus had a memory of blood when he withdrew from Hercules. Iolaus started to worry as his friends continued absence took on a whole new meaning. He hastily jumped to his feet and shouted "Hercules".

Hercules emerged from the water. "Iolaus, what is it?"

"Are you Ok?" Iolaus tried to read Hercules's thoughts from his eyes.

"I'm fine" Hercules brushed off Iolaus's concern.

Iolaus touched Hercules shoulder. "Herc, don't, we have to talk, I know I hurt you and I'm sorry."

"Yes, you hurt me". Hercules acknowledged "but I know it was not your doing - you have nothing to apologise for. How do you feel?" Hercules wanted to know if Hera's curse was gone.

"I don't know, I guess I won't be sure until I try again"

Hercules sharp nod acknowledged the truth of this but inside he felt sick. Despite his body's ability to heal extremely quickly his anus was still torn from Iolaus's last penetration.

Iolaus reading some of Hercules's reluctance said "but that can wait for another time. Lets get some sleep."

The first sun's rays had just started to chase away the chill of the night when Iolaus woke. He watched his friend sleeping and was filled with a tender love for him. How many people in the whole world would risk themselves for him? Only one. He was scared that last night had somehow changed their relationship forever and that in some small measure Hera would have her victory. He wanted to gather Hercules in his arms and reassure him that their friendship would last forever, and in turn be reassured. He wanted to wash away the memory of the pain that Hercules had had to endure for his sake. Iolaus knew that he would only have the one chance because he felt in himself that Hera's curse was gone. He knew that Hercules would share himself one more time with him and he wanted it to be memorable - for all the right reasons.

He ran his thumb over the sleeping man's lips before kissing them gently. Hercules had such a sensuous mouth and Iolaus indulged himself. Hercules gave a slight groan but still did not wake.

Better and better. Iolaus wanted to arouse Herc's body before his mind got a chance to kick in and protest that this was wrong. Iolaus knew that Hercules thought of himself as totally heterosexual and he wanted the opportunity to let him expand his horizons. He placed an open jar of oil within arms reach before he moved the blanket down the large chest and began to rotate a nipple between his finger and thumb while his mouth latched onto the other one. With licks and sucks he got the response he wanted as both nipples grew large, satisfied he moved southward. Letting his hands and tongue have free reign over the supine form was delicious. Hercules, still asleep, rolled slightly onto his back, spreading his legs giving Iolaus even more to work with. Iolaus, never one to let a golden opportunity pass bye, moved his head down and grasped the already semi-erect penis. He applied a few rhythmic strokes to harden it before slipping his lips around it. He let his tongue rove over the roughness, swirl round the corded veins which were starting to stand out before raising his mouth to the tip and with a probing tongue licked at the split. He then opened his mouth and drew the now erect member into it. His head bobbed as he moved his mouth up and down the shaft, swallowing the saliva that gathered in his mouth and so increasing the pressure . Hercules began to unconsciously buck his hips in time with the rhythm, a groan starting in the back of his throat as he neared a wakeful state. Iolaus increased his speed as Hercules heartrate pounded, careful to keep time with the beat and so avoid inflicting pain. As his mouth raised to the top of the shaft he opened his eyes and looked straight into the startling blue of Hercules's. Keeping his eyes locked on his friends he started down the shaft again as Hercules bucked his hips in order to crawl even deeper down his friends throat. Quickly greasing one finger in the open jar he slowly eased it passed the tight ring of muscles in Hercules's ass, maintaining his rhythm he pushed the finger deeper and deeper inside until he brushed against the prostrate. This joint attacked pushed Hercules over the edge and Iolaus watched as his friend came hastily swallowing the huge jets of cum that were rushing down his throat. Dainty as a cat he licked away the last traces before turning his grinning face to Hercules.

Hercules was in a state of shock. He could not recall ever having cum so hard before. Waking to the incredible feel and sight of Iolaus's mouth on him was the most erotic thing he had ever experienced.

In his own mind when he had entered into this deal he had been prepared to sacrifice himself for his friend, and last night that was what he felt he had done, but this morning ... he had never expected to gain pleasure ... he was thoroughly confused.

Iolaus read some of the confusion his friend was experiencing "Herc, its Ok to enjoy it - its just an automatic response, your body doesn't care who is pleasuring it - it just reacts."

When the laughter had eventually subsided into giggles Iolaus turned serious and grabbed Herc's hand. He interlocked his fingers with his friend and was glad to have the pressure returned.

"Herc, will you trust me enough to let me make love to you, to show you what last night should have been like?"

The laughter dropped from Hercules face as he considered the request. He remembered the pain from last night but with absolute clarity knew that he would deny this friend nothing. "Iolaus, I trust you"

Iolaus could feel the tension in Hercules despite his words.

"Don't worry, friend" he reassured, "we'll take this slow" so saying he reached for the jar and smoothed a dollop of oil onto his hands, he rubbed them together to warm the oil and then began to gently massage Hercules neck and shoulders. As Herc relaxed Iolaus instructed him to lie down, then sat astride him and began to work his fingers into the long spine.

Hercules lay face down conscious of the weight of Iolaus on his back, As Iolaus moved back and forth kneading his strong hands into either side of his spine he could feel his friends balls brush against his back. Soon Herc felt that he would melt as all his muscles relaxed. This was what Iolaus was waiting for. He scooted down the long body of his friend and settled himself on the strong thighs, before continuing the massage. This time it was Herc's buttocks that received his attention. He kneaded his knuckles into the hard flesh as he leaned forward and gently traced the outline of his hips on the way back. Stopping to pour more oil onto his hands he changed his position so that he was now sitting between Hercules outstretched legs, allowing better access for his roving hands. He let the surfeit oil drip of his cupped hand and into the crack between Hercules's cheeks. Herc flinched at the unexpected sensation as the oil dribbled down his skin closely followed by Iolaus's fingers.

"Iolaus..."

"Shhh, don't talk, just feel". Iolaus trailed his fingers over Hercules flesh, tracing a path up from the base of his shaft, up the velvety skin to his tight, puckered hole. He gently whirled his finger around the rosebud. Leaning forward he allowed his tongue to follow the route his fingers had taken. Hercules jerked at his touch and then let his body enjoy it. He was past the point of reasoning all he could do was feel and respond to each touch of Iolaus, his entire being was centred around the point of contact between himself and his partner.

Hercules shifted, trying to ease the discomfort he was feeling. Iolaus spotted the movement and knowing from personal experience the pain of lying face down while sporting an erection he moved back from Herc's body.

"Roll over"

As Hercules obediently turned on his back Iolaus moved between his legs and helped raise them over his own shoulders.

The long length of Herc's leg meant that he could easily fold his legs over Iolaus's shoulder allowing Iolaus perfect access to his body.

Iolaus took advantage of this to ease a well oiled finger inside his friend, gently easing it inside as Herc's body tensed in anticipation of remembered pain.

Shortly after he added a second and then third finger. Soon his fingers were moving easily in and out and Hercules quiet grunts of pleasure were all the encouragement Ioleuas needed. He removed his fingers and carefully oiled himself up.

The feel of is own fingers on his shaft was enough to draw a sigh of pleasure from him. He opened his eyes and found himself staring into Hercules's bright blue ones. Iolaus smiled with sheer pleasure at the sight of his friend and tentively Hercules returned one of his self-depreciating smiles.

"Hold on big guy, almost there" Iolaus waited until Hercules nodded and taking it as permission he guided his penis to the Hercules's entrance and gradually pushed forward. After a moment the head of his shaft had passed the ring of muscles and he paused allowing his partner time to adjust before pushing further into him. He could not believe how tight and hot Herc's body felt around him, just how right it felt. A sort of homecoming. For a while he held still, wanting to imprint this moment on his memory forever, knowing that if he never got another chance to experience the reality of loving Hercules again that this memory would have to last his entire life. Knowing that, no matter how long a life he had in front of him, that when his final moments came, that this brief instance would be his last ever conscious thought.

Iolous began to pump his friend, concentrating all his efforts into pleasuring his partner refusing to give into his own needs until Hercules had cum, loudly, and then his own cries of satisfaction joined those of his lover. Shaking with the efforts of his own climax he slowly withdrew from Hercules and lowered his legs gently to the covers. Without thought he lay beside the big man and wrapped his arms round him. Hercules responded by gathering the shaking, sweating body close to his own, resting Iolaus head on his chest he dropped a kiss on the smaller man's hair and whispered "Thank you" in his ear. Locked in each others arms they fell asleep.

Hercules last conscious thought was that today they had survived. Once more together they had managed to beat Hera, "Everthing will be allright as long as Iolaus and I are together."