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Home Unknown	By : katecooley Category: S through Z > Xena Views: 15191 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Xena, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 19
- 20
- 21
See part one for all the semi-legal song and dance. I'm so glad you guys are patient. I've had a hell of a time updating.
Anything in // is mental discussion from here on in. Just to keep things from getting confusing.

***

Part 21 - Wakey Wakey

Morning came awful early when Apollo was a neighbor.
Joxer's eyes cracked open to blaring sunlight and he wondered if they'd passed out right in the garden last night. He scrubbed his face with one hand and sat up slowly, mindful of every single sore spot on him. One in particular was making itself known and he smiled sleepily. Sitting was going to be adventurous today. Adventurous and delightful.
Slowly, Joxer took in his surroundings which were not the garden outside Ares' Olympian Hall. It was a brightly appointed bedroom with cathedral ceilings and large colorful windows that stretched up so high they made his neck hurt to look at them. The walls were cream-colored and decorated with tapestries. A large armoire stood on one side of the room, alongside a door and the smoky residue of candles still hung in the air, a pleasant vanilla smell wafting with it.
And the bed.
Joxer ran a hand along the bed he was in, feeling the smooth, cool cotton of the sheets and the fuzzy plushness of the blankets that surrounded him. It was easily the nicest bed he'd ever seen, let alone been allowed to sleep in. The wood was a highly polished mahogany with many intricate, decorative carvings along the head and footboard. That there was even a head and footboard was far more than any bed he'd occupied, but these were artwork, seen to by a master's hand. He ran a finger along the headboard softly, as if not to disturb any of the designs. There weren't any figures, just a beautiful swirling, like an active night sky.
The whole room was impossibly beautiful and calming, which was all the more shocking considering who was also in the bed with him. A tangle of dark hair spread out on the other pillow, framing a face far too innocent to ever belong to the God of War. Joxer almost expected him to be sprawled out decadently, covers just barely draped over him to make him enticing and alluring. As if anyone could actually sleep that way for real. No, Ares was just asleep, one hand under his pillow and the other clutching the fluffy throw that covered them, drawing it to his chest. Sweet, if not a little vulnerable. It was an incredible sight - and it only added to Joxer's image of his former god, helping flesh out the areas he'd never been privy to as a follower. There was a man behind the mystique and mythos, a man who probably wasn't all that different from Joxer himself in many ways. Which was nice to know. It was one thing for him to be Ares, Prince of Olympus, Son of Zeus, Protector of Greece, Tormentor of Heroes. It was quite another for him to be someone worth knowing and talking to� and loving.
He knew it was serious, as he blushed straight to his feet. Whether or not it was welcomed would remain to be seen. Reciprocated? He didn't dare dream. Even if this was only something sticky and fun that passed in the night, he'd take it. Whatever Ares was willing to give him was more than enough.
A gurgle sounded in Joxer's belly, astonishing him. After all he'd eaten yesterday, he was sure he wouldn't need another meal for at least a week. Of course, considering all the activity last night� he blushed again just thinking about it. His stomach protested its empty state again, louder this time. OK, OK, I hear you already. Reluctantly, Joxer hoisted himself out of that magnificent bed, noting that he still had on those sandals with the shimmery laces that bowed behind his knees. And nothing else. More heat infused his skin as his attire - or lack of attire, as it turned out - enforced the reality of last night. As if he'd need reminding. No, last night was one for the scrolls, and he doubted he'd be forgetting it quite so soon.
Before he even considered leaving, Joxer pondered where his clothes might have gotten to. Not the toga, but his other outfit, the one that Strife had whipped up for him. His sore posterior ached a little at the thought of those ultra-tight pants and he guessed maybe he shouldn't be greasing himself into them so soon. Casting an eye to the bed, he guessed Ares wouldn't mind him borrowing some pants, unless he had some kind of 'clothing optional morning after' rule. Vowing to give them a good washing out before returning them, Joxer located a pair of flowy linen trousers in the large armoire that would suit the situation without giving him too much grief. There was an astonishing amount of leather in there, along with some surprisingly non-War-God types of garb. He shrugged to himself, guessing that everyone needed to go casual once in a while. The soft breeches were a little big on him, but a drawstring at the waist kept them from sliding down to his feet after a few steps. He disposed of the sandals in the corner, his feet eternally grateful for the freedom once more. He couldn't figure out when he'd put them back on last night, but he was too groggy and hungry to nitpick right now.
Modesty in place, Joxer almost headed for the door, but was drawn back to the bed. He didn't want to just disappear - that would be entirely too rude. He'd woken up in a cold bed more than he'd liked to and it wouldn't matter how nice the bed was. It would still suck. And Ares deserved better. But he didn't have any paper for a note and didn't fancy waking a grumpy War God, so he hoped for the best.
Joxer leaned back over the side of the bed he'd vacated and pressed a kiss to Ares' slack, sleeping lips, letting go just before Ares would rouse. "I'm going to breakfast. I didn't bail. Come find me when you wake up. OK?" A deep-throated murmur sounded like an agreeing noise and that would have to do for now. To seal it, he kissed Ares again, mindful to pull back before waking him. The War God only stirred briefly, smacking his lips and burrowing back down into his pillow with a faint trace of a smile.
The smell of food outside the room was unmistakable and impossible to ignore. Something was very good out in the temple, doughy and sweet and filling and hot. Joxer had no trouble finding his way to the dining hall without a map, navigating with ease until he was all but floating through the door on tasty vapors. By the time he got to the door, though, he could see that the main dish on the menu was anarchy.
A handful of different conversations were chattering on at once, the noise preceding it by a good few feet. Joxer peered into the room cautiously, not wanting to jump into chaos without being prepared. No less than eight gods were sitting at the round dining table that Joxer swore was rectangle the last time he saw it. That he could pick them all out was a testament to how long he'd actually been around Olympus.
Strife was sitting next to his mother, who was busy loading up his plate with food when he was busy trying not to look at Cupid, who was across the table helping Bliss wipe a good portion of breakfast off his face. Next to Cupid on one side was Anteros, looking smug and sleepy as he surveyed the nonsense over a goblet brimming a shimmery, telltale pink. Next to Anteros were the twins, busy stealing food from every plate they could reach. Between the twins (he'd have to figure out later which was which) and Strife was Aesclepius, which surprised Joxer a little. Not that the God of Healing looked out of place, as he seemed as comfortable as any of the others, but Joxer would have never placed him in the Halls of War.
There was only one empty chair at the table, positioned next to Discord, but Joxer could see there was enough room for anyone adventurous enough to brave sitting in the line of fire. And the spread laid out there was enticing enough to squash any hesitation for Joxer. There was bacon. He could smell bacon. And bacon overcame a lot.
"Hey, hey, HEY!" That voice was like a bugle, clear and loud. Strife grinned up a storm, with plenty of mischief dancing in his eyes as they focused on Joxer, who was already blushing at the mere tone of the words coming. "Look who's back from Sleepaway Camp!" Heads whipped in his direction and Joxer wished he knew enough to make himself invisible. But there wasn't any sting coming, so Joxer knew he could weather this. Even as several of the boys drummed their hands on the table and hooted. "Everything� OK there, Jox?"
He made a big show of rolling his eyes. "Everything's fine, thanks for announcing."
Discord patted the seat next to her. "Come sit by me, Jox. And don't listen to these chimps. They're just all upset they couldn't jump in there and wake Big Grumpy up this morning." And Joxer could just about imagine who'd stopped them, too. Something for which he'd be eternally grateful. "Careful with that," Discord lowered her voice as he approached. "Eternal ain't just a theory for you anymore. I might just hold ya to it." Her smile was genial enough to be teasing, but she had a point. There were a lot of things that would be different for him now and he had to be careful.
Gingerly, he lowered himself into the chair, grateful that a cushion somehow appeared underneath his butt. Inquiring looks came from all points of the table. "I'm fine."
"You sure?" Aesclepius' sharp eyes were on him and looking very clinical.
"Very." And Joxer couldn't control the big grin that spread out. Not that he wanted to.
"If you're sure�" A quick slap to the arm got delivered by the nearest cousin to the god of healing, which happened to be Strife.
"He's sittin', ain't he? Sheesh! Let 'im alone already!"
"Children...." Discord scolded as she rolled her eyes and snuck another sweetcake onto her son's plate, determined to get some meat on that boy if it killed her. Every so often, since his return from Hades' domain, she found herself on mothering overload, maybe trying to compensate for being so damn busy before. Either way, he needed to eat. To his credit, he didn't protest, just absently cramming food into his mouth as he talked. Which made for colorful viewing for everyone else.
Joxer found a plate in front of him filled up much in the same manner. Had she not been the Harbinger of Chaos and Discord, Joxer suspected his cheek would have been pinched vigorously, too. There were sausages and round, floury cakes and fruit and some kind of hot cereal goop in a bowl. And, of course, an entire platter of bacon that was under siege by constant fingers. A few planks found their way to his plate and his mouth was watering at the sight of them. He managed not to follow Strife's lead, though from the look Cupid was sending his cousin, Joxer guessed it wasn't considered THAT rude.
Of course, it was with a mouthful of bacon and biscuit that he felt the hairs prickle up on the back of his neck. The voice that sounded so close behind him was sleepy silk and molten gold that trickled down his skin.
"Morning, all." The answer came back with smug smiles and an enthusiastic "GAMPA!" from the youngest god present. The slightest brush of fingertips teased the back of Joxer's neck, making him suppress a shiver. The ghost of a voice that slipped into his head almost did him in right there. //I found yoooou�//
Joxer sighed and was determined to return the favor. It couldn't be that hard. If transporting was thinking of a place and pushing yourself there, talking to someone without talking couldn't be much different. His mind boggled for a second, that he was even pondering this. Not that he'd been lacking for pondering back when he was a mortal. Back when I was a mortal. As the slaves in Egypt say, oy veh. A chuckle infiltrated him, seemingly through Ares' fingertips, as the god was no doubt privy to the rambling in his head. Joxer swallowed hard, and gave it the old 'here goes nothin'.

//No chance to hide. Got ambushed by family. Next time, won't find me.//

A thumb brushed appreciatively across the knob of Joxer's spine as a hand settled on the juncture of his shoulder and neck. A luxurious sigh rippled behind him. //I wouldn't bet on it�.//

A wave of fingers scooted everyone down a space without disturbing them, a chair appearing between Joxer and Bliss, who made the gimme-gimme motion with his fingers until he got a hug and kiss from Ares before he sat. Joxer faintly wondered what the world-at-large's opinion would be of a God of War in family mode, let alone one who delivered big smackery kisses to his grandson.
As if by magic, Bliss settled down a little and ate some more after getting some love from his grandpa. The general rumble of activity picked up again, enfolding Ares into its noisy embrace. Joxer was about to wonder what, if anything, was going to be said about his staying the night when a knee clad in pants similar to the ones he'd liberated brushed against his. It was a little shocking that Ares would engage in Olympic Footsie with his kids at the table, but there wasn't anything lewd in it. Just a companionable touch. It was reassuring. As it had been since he'd arrived on Olympus, he was still expecting to get the ol' heave-ho. Every time he didn't was a nice surprise.
Ares' voice jerked him out of his self-deprecation. "I have some business to take care of today. Care to join me?"
It took Joxer a second to realize that the god of war was addressing him. "Sure. I don't really have anything to do today�"
A chuckle that was both lush and a little sad puzzled Joxer. "Don't worry. That'll change real soon. Good. We can try out some of that new power you've got buzzing around inside you. Help you burn a little of it off." //Though, I can think of some far more interesting ways to do that than working.//

Joxer tried not to blush too hard as Ares' voice invaded his head. That was definitely going to take some getting used to. Bad enough he'd been thinking it himself� He cleared his throat and took a long drink from the cup in front of him. It was cool and fruity and refreshing� until the aftertaste kicked in. Then, it was old turnips and shoe leather. He gamely swallowed it rather than what instinct told him to do. Showering gods with a mouthful of ambrosia probably wasn't the best idea.
"Besides, it wouldn't hurt to get a few things under your belt early. Get a handle on a few basics." And although there was a slew of smarmy things attached to the whole 'under your belt' remark, Joxer could sense that Ares meant what he said. "You never know when you might need it."
A murmur of consent drifted around the table, heads bobbing in agreement. Joxer couldn't find it in him to disagree, either - as it was, he felt like he was charading around in god's clothes. At least if he learned something, he could protect himself a little. Maybe earn his keep.

"And anyway, you know Corinth well enough. I can always use someone with an 'in', so to speak."

Yeah, I know it well enough. Grow up in a place and you tend to know it. But Joxer wasn't sure how much of an 'in' he actually had. He hadn't been back in Corinth for any length of time for a long time, usually keeping it to "yust pissing through' as Jayce called it. Not that he disliked the place, but the less he was around, the less likely he was to run into� people. Family-type people. His father, in particular. The old man had little use for him and the feeling was mutual. Though now� I wonder how he'd handle having a god for a son..

//Poorly, much like he handles everything else.//
Not looking at Ares, Joxer lofted an eyebrow. //Eavesdropping?//
//No, you think very loudly. Don't worry, we'll fix that for you.// Ares looked up at the large picture window on the other side of the room with an inquisitive gaze. "Well, would you look at that. Now that's something you don't see every day."
Everyone at the table shifted to see what Ares was on about. Joxer was about to squint to see it for himself but found his chin turned to face the god next to him instead. Ares' dark eyebrows flickered up once and he planted a quick, warm kiss on the former mortal with fast, vigorous lips. It was over before everyone turned around, though from the giggles and snorts that passed around, it hadn't gone completely unnoticed. And unless he was mistaken, his face was probably a good rose-pink from it.
For his part, Ares was completely nonplussed, digging into a plate full of food as if nothing were out of place. He nudged Joxer with his elbow gently. "Eat up. You'll need the energy."
Joxer didn't doubt that for one minute.
-tbc-
- 19
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- 21
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