AresJoxerCupidStrife - StarEarthAngel

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16

Title: Down In Hades
Author: Starearthangel
Fandom: Xena
Pairing: A/J, C/S
Rating: R for now
Category: drama, romance
Archive: Ask first please :)
Warnings: cursing for now
Summary: Strife is hiding something after coming back from his visit
with Hades.

P.S. I would like to thank my WONDRFUL beta Beth, because without
her, who knows where I'd be! :) And I also want to thank Avid Reader,
without her, this fic wouldn't have been possible! You two are the
*best* peeps ever! :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Part One


"Now Strife, don't be a stranger." Hades patted the
mischief god's back and gave him a weak smile. Strife nodded,
patting the Lord of the Underworld in return.
"I'll see ya later." Strife forced a smile, preparing to flash out
until he was interrupted.
"Oh, and Strife, tell Cupid I say hi." Hades threw in.
Strife paused and stared at Hades' back as his great-uncle walked off
in the opposite direction. Strife frowned and disappeared in a flash
of blue sparks.


Strife appeared in Ares' temple and plopped down on the war god's
black throne. Strife sighed to himself, thinking about Cupid. Strife
couldn't understand the love god, no matter how hard he tried. The
more he tried to help Cupid, the more his cousin seemed to push him
away. He tried everything and Cupid just kept quiet. Strife sighed
and thought back to his visit with Hades. True, Ares had merely sent
him there to stay out of trouble for a little while, giving him
a "break", as his favorite uncle called it, so he and Joxer could
spend a little quality time alone.

That's when all the trouble started. True, he did go down to visit
Hades against his own will. Also true, it was extremely boring! Well,
at least it was until Cupid came.....


A few Months Earlier……


Strife walked quickly into Hades' throne room and began speaking
immediately.
"Yo, Hades! Persephone is kinda pissed. Maybe you should.. . " Strife
halted in mid-sentence as he spotted Hades in deep conversation with
the winged love god.
Cupid looked over at Strife and smiled broadly at him, nodding
slightly. Hades stopped speaking and looked at Strife.
"Strife, do you mind?" Hades shooed him off, closing the door behind
him. Strife frowned, crossing his arms. The curious god leaned beside
the doorway on the cold brimstone wall. He was only able to catch
snippets of the conversation inside, but it seemed to be something
about an argument between Hephaestus and Hades earlier that day.
Strife was startled as the huge wooden door was suddenly flung open
and Hades stormed out of the room and down the hallway without a
backward glance. Cupid also exited the room, but stopped when he
spotted his cousin.

"Hey." Cupid smiled and leaned next to Strife.
"Hey." Strife echoed, shifting uncomfortably.
Joxer was the only one he had told at the time, but Strife had, in
fact, developed a "thing" for Cupid. However, the mischief god just
could not bring himself to tell the winged god about his feelings.
Since his cousin was with that bitch Psycho and all, what would have
been the point?

"So, what was that about?" Strife questioned, turning toward the love
god.
Cupid shrugged.
"I don't know. Hades was trying to use Hephaestus, and Mom wasn't
gonna stand for it." He smirked at his cousin.
Strife gave a muffled chuckle.
"So." Strife reluctantly began. "How's things with, uh, Psyche?" He
asked as casually as possible, but not meeting his cousin's eyes.
"Not so good. I don't think we'll last much longer." Cupid said,
without any obvious trace of sadness.
Strife frowned outwardly, but on the inside he was beaming.
"You're not upset?" Strife asked eagerly. Cupid shook his head slowly
and looked down the dark hallway. The two young gods stood in silence
before Cupid spoke.
"So, what's with Ares and Joxer lately?" he smirked.
Strife grinned back.
"I guess they're celebrating their engagement or something, That's
the reason Ares sent me down here. So I wouldn't bother them." He
said, forcing a smile.
"Is there something wrong?" Cupid asked, raising his eyebrows.
Strife just shook his head and gave his cousin a weak smile.
"No, why?"
The love god shrugged.
"You just seem . . . lonely. That's all." Strife looked at his cousin
for a second, then tore his eyes away and back to the cold marble
floor.
The two gods stood quietly for a few moments before Cupid broke the
silence.
"Well, I'd better get going, or Mom's gonna freak!" Cupid nodded at
his cousin.
Strife nodded back sadly and began walking down the dark hallway.
"I'll come visit you later." Cupid added.
Strife stopped in his tracks, and whirled around, and looked at his
cousin.
"You're gonna visit me?" he asked casually.
Cupid cocked his head to one side.
"Yeah. Is that ok?" He questioned, crossing his arms.
Strife nodded, smiling at the love god. Cupid smiled back before he
disappeared in a flash of gold sparks. Strife grinned broadly and
continued walking down the hallway in a much better mood then than
he had been.


Present Day….


Strife opened his eyes and took in his surroundings. He was still in
Ares' temple, and all alone. Still dizzy from his memories, he slowly
got to his feet and crossed the temple.
"You really did it this time, Strife!" He said quietly to himself,
locking the temple doors.
The troubled god then went around his uncle's temple, locking all
the windows and any other possible entrances. Strife then put up an
invisible force field around the entire building, to ensure that
neither mortal nor god could enter without his permission.


Strife stood in the middle of the dimly lit room, making sure he
hadn't missed blocking any possible entrance. Satisfied, the now
exhausted god flashed onto a bed in one of the temple's private
chambers and collapsed onto it.
"Gods, Strife!" He said quietly, "You really fucked up."



~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*



Ares found himself standing outside his temple puzzled. He attempted
to flash himself inside the
temple, but for some reason he couldn't. The war god stood back and
looked at his temple.
"Strife." He groaned with annoyance, sensing his nephew's force field
surrounding the temple.
Ares walked up to the temple doors and pounded on them.
"Strife!" The frustrated god yelled in between his pounding.
"Strife, I know you're in there!" Ares boomed, pounding even harder.
"Go away!" Strife's voice replied weakly from inside the temple.
Ares paused and scowled at the doors.
"Strife, if you're going to have a hissy fit over me sending you to
Hades, please *don't* do it in my main fucking temple!" Ares
bellowed, causing the ground to shake.
"Whatever." A somber answer came from the other side of the doors.
The seriously annoyed war god sighed loudly and took off in a flash
of sparks.



~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~



Joxer looked up as his extremely agitated lover appeared in
front of him in one Ares' other temples. Joxer gave the war god an
encouraging smile before carefully standing up.
Ares held back his anger to smile back at the gentle man before him,
plopping down on a black couch.

"What's wrong?" Joxer frowned, moving over to Ares and sitting next
to him. Ares scowled.
"Strife. I don't know what's wrong with him." The war god replied,
crossing his arms in frustration.
Joxer smiled and gently moved one of Ares' hands down into one of
his.
"What do you mean?" The mortal said softly, trying to calm Ares down.
"He's locked himself in my best temple!" Ares fumed, breathing
deeply.
"And Your just mad about him being in your temple?" Joxer said
raising his eyebrows.
Ares rolled his eyes.
"Okay, Im kinda…worried too." He admited. "But he's locked himself in
my best temple."
"Do you why?" Joxer questioned in slight puzzlement.
The handsome god sighed and looked over at his mortal lover.
"Ok. I'll tell you, but you have to promise not to tell anyone."
Joxer nodded and looked expectantly at his lover.

Part two

"So, in other words, he's heart broken." Joxer nodded
understandingly.
Ares nodded.
"I guess Cupid and Strife were together down there a lot and Strife
fell for him. When Cupid didn't break up with Psyche, I guess he
flipped. Now he's sulking in *my* temple!" Ares groaned in annoyance.
"He's hurt. What do you expect?" Joxer replied.
"Well, from what I've heard, Cupid and him weren't even a `thing'. I
don't get it! And Im getting really worried," Ares raised his voice
slightly.
Joxer smiled at the concernded god.
"And I *want* my damn temple back!" He pouted.
Joxer shrugged.
"Well, why don't we just talk some sence into him?"
Ares shook his head.
"I've tried! He wouldn't even open the doors."

Joxer looked sympathetically at his lover.
"Let me try talking to him then." He suggested.
Ares looked at his lover and smiled. If anyone could get to Strife,
it was Joxer.
The war god smiled and moved in towards the mortal, kissing him
softly on the lips. The god flashed the two of them in front of the
temple and pulled away from his lover.
"Okay, but don't be long." Ares whispered, running his hand down his
beloved's arm. Joxer nodded, biting his lip as the war god vanished
in a burst of sparks. Joxer focused his mind on the task he had to
achieve and approached the temple, knocking loudly on the doors.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*


Months Earlier……

Strife sat on his bed tapping his foot impatiently and looked at his
door expectantly. Cupid was supposed to be coming in a few minutes
and Strife just couldn't sit still.
The pair had been hanging around eachother quite often in the past
few weeks and Strife loved every second. But today, for some reason,
he was nervous.
((Where is he?)) Strife thought, squirming in excitement. As if in
answer to his thoughts, Cupid suddenly appeared through the doorway.
Strife froze.
"Hey!" Cupid smiled.
"Hey, Cupe!" Strife said as casually as possible.


Cupid smiled at his cousin and began to walk over slowly. The love
god approached his cousin, sitting beside him silently.
"Me and Psyche had a fight," Cupid began, "I think it's finally
over."
Strife looked at the winged god, trying to read the statement on his
face. He didn't seem that depressed about it, which the mischief god
took as a good sign. Strife slowly inched closer to his cousin and
put a reassuring hand over his.
"I'm here, ya know, if ya ever need ta talk." Strife said soothingly.
"Thanks. I knew I could count on you." Cupid smiled, looking into his
cousin's deep eyes.
Strife looked back, unable to drag his eyes away. Mischief cautiously
moved towards the love god's mouth and captured his lips in a soft
kiss. Cupid pulled back and looked at his cousin.
"Look, Cupe, I'm sorry.. ." Strife tried to explain quickly.
The love god put a finger to his cousin's lips, silencing him.
"Don't be." Cupid replied, moving in and kissing Strife again.



~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Strife was brought back to the present as he heard a knock at the
temple door. He sighed, annoyed.
"Go away, Ares!" Strife moaned in frustration.
"Uh . . . it's Joxer." The mortal's voice replied from the other
side of the doors.
Strife scrambled to his feet and jogged over to the door.
"Joxer?" He inquired, twisting his shirt in his hands.
"Strife, let me in." Joxer suggested, tapping on the door.
Strife frowned and shook his head.
"I'm sorry, Jox, but I can't. I uh . . . I'm going through a
difficult ordeal." The obviously troubled god stuttered, fidgeting
slightly.

"Look, Strife, I know you're sad because Cupid rejected you
but . . ." Joxer started but was interrupted by the god on the other
side of the door.
"Rejected me? He didn't reject me!" Strife said, sadly looking down
at his feet.
"What do you mean?" Joxer asked, obviously bewildered.
Strife sighed to himself and leaned against the doors.
"Just . . . come back in a couple of weeks, Jox. I'll tell you all
about it then. I promise." Strife sighed, closing his eyes sadly.
There was a pause before Joxer replied. The mortal was going to
object, but thought that Strife needed the time alone to think on his
own.
"Uh . . .ok. I'll be back in two weeks, ok?" Joxer said.
The mortal was a bit confused, but didn't protest. Strife stumbled
back over to his bed after he heard Joxer descend the stairs leading
up to the temple. The usually cheerful god collapsed onto his bed and
looked up at the ceiling. Strife placed a hand over his stomach,
feeling the life that was growing within him.
Strife closed his eyes and rolled over, falling asleep in exhaustion.


Part Three

Cupid paced back and forth in his temple, anxious and worried. Just
about two weeks ago, Joxer and Ares told him about Strife. And to be
honest, Cupid was blaming the whole thing on himself. He shouldn't
have been such a moron. How could he have been so insensitive? He
lov . . . loved Strife. And look what he had done; all he could think
about was that night, that night he had been with Strife.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Several Months Before . . .

Strife pulled away from his cousin and looked deeply into his eyes.
"But Cupe, what about. . . what about Psyche?" Strife frowned at the
love god.
Cupid looked down and sighed deeply.
"I don't love her anymore Strife. I'm not sure that I ever did."
Strife smiled at the love god, relieved. Cupid smiled back and moved
in, once more capturing mischief's lips in a kiss.
Strife moaned and deepened the kiss, exploring his cousin's hot mouth
with his tongue.

Strife tried not to rush things along, but he couldn't help it. He
had waited so long for this, and now it was actually happening.
Strife slid one of his own hands behind Cupid's neck and pulled the
winged god down on top of himself. The mischief god wrapped his legs
around the love god's waist, gently thrusting up. Cupid moaned and
slowly moved his mouth down, gently placed soft kisses all over
Strife's neck.

Cupid pulled away and pulled Strife's shirt up over his head, tossing
it aside. The love god began to move down his cousin's warm body,
planting hot, wet kisses all over his chest. Strife gasped as Cupid
moved lower. Mischief cried out loud when he felt his clothes vanish,
and felt Cupid's hot skin pressed against his own. Strife resisted
thrusting up as the love god moved even lower down his body.
"Ple…please Cupid…gods." Strife managed panting.
Cupid moved his hand and grasped Strife's hot cock and began pumping
it gently. Strife groaned as Cupid moved back up, kissing him deeply
while keeping steady strokes on his cousin's cock.

Cupid managed to drag himself away from his cousin's mouth and moved
down, placing his mouth over Strife's hard cock. Mischief thrashed
his head from side to side, arching his back slightly. Cupid
languidly moved down the length. He then gently withdrew, keeping a
slow, steady rhythm. Strife ached with passion. He wanted the love
god so badly, he just couldn't take it anymore. Strife drew Cupid's
mouth back up to his own and kissed him passionately, rubbing their
hot, writhing bodies together.
"Cupid, I want you…" Strife managed to say before kissing him again.
"I want you, too." The love god panted, rubbing their painfully hard
cocks together.
"I want you in me." Strife whispered, looking into his lover's eyes.
Cupid looked back and nodded slowly kissing his cousin once more.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Cupid was quickly brought back to the present when Ares flashed in
front of him. The god of war watched his son silently, cocking his
head to one side.
"What's wrong with you?" Ares inquired.
His eldest child shrugged.
"Nothing. I was just. . . thinking." The love god answered.
Ares looked at him skeptically before shrugging dismissively.
"Well, Joxer went to talk to Strife." Ares stated casually.
Cupid immediately looked over at his father.
"Well, what happened?" Cupid asked anxiously.
Ares shrugged again.
"I don't know yet. He's still there." Ares eyed his son once more.
"Why do you care so much? I thought you. . . "
"He's my cousin. Can't I worry about him?" The love god snapped,
interrupting the war god. Ares raised his eyebrows.
"Fine. When Joxer comes back, I'll fill ya in." The elder god
smoothly replied, disappearing in a flash of light.
Cupid sighed with frustration and worry, sitting on the edge of his
throne.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Joxer tapped lightly on the door.
"Yeah?" A distressed sounding voice came from the other side.
"Strife, it's me. Joxer." The mortal announced, looking up at the
night sky.
Strife reluctantly removed the barrier around the temple and fumbled
around with the locks to open the doors. Finally, Strife pulled them
open and quickly pulled Joxer inside, causing the mortal to stumble
slightly. Strife then hurriedly locked the doors once his friend was
inside. "Strife, what's going on?" Joxer asked, bewildered.
The god paced around the room, breathing heavily with exhaustion.
Joxer studied Strife's face and frowned. The young god had bags under
his very red eyes and he looked exhausted.
"Gods! Strife, what's wrong with you?" Joxer asked, immediately
moving to the god's side in time to catch him before he collapsed.
Strife panted as Joxer caught him and lifted him away from the
ground.
"I … haven't . . . rested in days … even … gods ... gotta rest, Jox!"
Strife said, his eyelids lowering.
With his last ounce of strength, Strife flashed the pair into one of
the sleeping chambers, finally closing his eyes. Joxer managed to
drag Strife over to the bed and lay him down. Strife sighed
thankfully and rolled over, cuddling a pillow. Joxer smiled worriedly
and looked around the room. It was a mess. Towels were thrown
everywhere and there was trash left and right. Joxer jumped as he
heard a faint cry coming from a smaller bed. There were white
curtains around the bed, hiding whatever was in it from view.
Curious, Joxer slowly approached the hidden bed and gently pulled
the curtains open. Joxer poked his head in and saw something he
certainly didn't expect. On the bed laid a sleeping baby with dark
black hair and …
"WINGS?" Joxer cried out in surprise, waking the baby. The baby
hesitantly opened its eyelids, revealing light blue eyes. The baby
immediately looked around and began to cry.
"Uh-oh." Joxer fidgeted, not knowing what to do.

Part Four

Strife closed his eyes and drifted into a deep sleep, remembering his
visit to Hades again. But all he could remember was the part when
everything began to go down hill.

Several Months Earlier . . .

Cupid nodded and kissed Strife again, breathing heavily. Strife
slowly turned around as Cupid straddled him gently, tenderly kissing
his neck. Cupid then slowly inserted one finger into his cousin's
firm entrance and began to carefully fuck him gently with one of his
fingers. Strife cried out and pushed back as Cupid brushed against
his pleasure spot. Cupid gradually removed his fingers, drawing
Strife up onto his knees and placing his hard cock at his cousin's
tight entrance.
"Please . . . Cupe . . . need you." Strife whispered with passion.
Cupid bit his lip and began to push inside of the mischief god's wet
warmth. Strife cried out when Cupid finally sheathed himself
completely inside of him. The love god slowly drew out and thrust
back into his cousin making him cry out in intense pleasure, hitting
his pleasure spot each time. Cupid's movements became faster and
faster as Strife pushed back with him. Cupid wrapped his arm around
Strife and stroked Strife's hard shaft to match his own quick
movements.
"Gods ... Cupid!" Strife cried out, finally coming over the other
god's hand, and collapsing in a mass of pleasure. Cupid thrust back
into his lover once more before he came.
"Psyche…" Cupid barely whispered, before collapsing next to his
cousin.
The two men panted, recovering. Strife reluctantly looked over at
Cupid.
"Hey Cupe, what did you . . .what did you say?" Strife questioned,
slightly embarrassed.
"When?" Cupid asked.
"Um . . . just now?" Strife replied, trying to hide his hurt.
"Nothing." Cupid said simply, rolling over and falling asleep.
Strife stared up at the ceiling, confused and hurt.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The next day Strife slowly opened his eyes, not realizing that he had
actually fallen asleep. He rolled over and looked beside him. Cupid
was gone. Strife sat up quickly and hopped out of bed, flashing his
clothes on. Strife jogged out of his room, down the hall, and over to
Hades' throne room. Hades looked up as the younger god entered the
room.
"Hello, Strife." Hades greeted him with a smile.
"Hey, Hades! Um . . .was Cupid here earlier?" Strife asked, casually.
Hades nodded.
"Yeah. He was here real early, but he left a while ago with Psyche."
Hades replied, without looking up from his desk.
Strife gulped.
"Psyche?" the younger god asked in a shaky voice.
"Yeah. She came down and asked if they could work it out or
something." Hades shrugged noncommittally.
"Oh," Strife replied, and slumped out of the room.
Strife slowly walked back to his room and collapsed onto his bed.
Strife closed his eyes and rolled over, sighing deeply. How could he
have ever thought that Cupid would even fall in love with him, and
how could he have thought he was over that bitch. Strife opened his
eyes, noticing a white feather on one of the pillows. Strife casually
reached out and picked it up, examining it closely.
"Now what?" Strife sighed to himself, pounding his fist down on the
bed.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Present Day . . .

Ares had been waiting outside of the temple for a good hour now, and
was beginning to worry even more than he had been.
"Oh well, it's worth a try." The war god shrugged, and tried to flash
himself inside the locked temple.
Surprisingly enough, Ares found himself inside his temple. After
smiling smugly to himself, Ares began to wander deep into the temple,
searching for the two men. Ares paused as he heard a faint voice
coming from a bedchamber.
"Buggy, buggy woo." Ares cocked his head.
Did hear that right? Was someone using baby talk? Ares quietly
approached the room where the noise was coming from, and pushed the
door open. Joxer sat on the edge of the bed where Strife slept,
looking down at a bundle of blankets.
"Jox?" Ares questioned.
"Ishy, boo . . . Ares!" A Startled, Joxer looked up allowing, the
blankets to slip a bit revealing the baby, along with its wings.
Ares' eyes instantly widened.
"Holy Hera! What the fuck, Jox!" Ares managed as his legs gave out
slightly.
"Ares, you okay?" Joxer placed the baby back in its bed and walked
over to his husband.
"Cupid . . . Strife . . . Cupe-trife?" Ares stammered.
Joxer chuckled, slightly amused, helping the war god to his feet and
over to the edge of Strife's bed. As soon as Ares sat down, Joxer
went back, got the baby, and sat beside his lover.
"Isn't he cute?" Joxer beamed, looking down at the winged baby.
"Cute! It's Strife's and Cupid's. It's a mess!" Ares sighed, still
not believing his eyes.
Joxer scowled.
"Ares, he's a baby. He's cute. Don't be a meanie!"
Ares sighed again and held out his hands.
"Ok. Let me hold him." Ares said, waiting with his arms out.
Joxer looked at his husband doubtfully.
"C'mon!" Ares added.
Joxer sighed, and carefully gave the baby to him. The war god took
the baby under the arms and held it out at arms length, in front of
him. Joxer laughed loudly.
"What?" Ares said, looking over at the mortal.
"Ares, you hold a baby like this." Joxer took the baby and placed it
in his husband's arms the right way.
Ares cradled the baby and smiled.
"Aw. This is fun!" He smiled, looking down at the winged baby.
"Yeah, well, get used to it." Joxer muttered, looking away and
sighing deeply.
"Get used to it? What . . ." Ares began, but was interrupted by
Strife waking up.
The tired god bolted into a sitting position, looking from Joxer} to
Ares, to the baby.
"Oh, Gods!" He sighed, falling back down onto the bed. Ares twisted
around on the bed and looked down on his nephew.
"Is there something you want to tell us?" Ares grinned.

Part Five

Strife got ready to answer but couldn't. He swayed slightly and fell
back onto the bed. Ares quickly went to his nephew's side and
examined him. Strife looked up at his uncle with puffy eyes, his
complexion even paler than normal.

"What's wrong?" Joxer asked anxiously, looking over with the baby
still in his arms.
"The birth. He shouldn't have done it alone. This isn't good, Jox."
The war god frowned as he placed his hands on the younger god's
forehead.
Glancing sadly at Strife, the mortal asked in concern,
"Should I go tell Cupid?"
"No. . . no . . . Joxer . . . I hate . . ." Strife managed to pant,
breaking out in a cold sweat.
Joxer and Ares exchanged worried looks.
"Don't tell Cupid, please." Strife said weakly, just before he
finally passed out.

"I think I can help him." Ares assured his anxious husband.
Joxer gave Ares a sad and worried look.
"Its ok. I've done this before. Stand back, Jox." Ares cautioned,
placing his hands on either side of Strife's head, at his temples.
Joxer got to his feet slowly. With the baby still happily laughing,
he crossed the room, watching the two gods curiously. Ares took a
deep breath and closed his eyes tightly. The war god's hands began to
glow a dark green color as healing light flowed over his nephew's
body, beginning at his head, and moving down to his toes, filling the
ailing god with Ares' own energy. As the green light drew back up to
Ares' hands, the war god yanked his hands away. Panting with
exhaustion, Ares collapsed on the side of the bed. Joxer cautiously
approached, looking at the two gods with curiosity.

"Is he gonna be ok?" Joxer asked, rocking the baby gently.
Ares nodded, catching his breath.
"I just gave him some of my energy, which should have been done when
he was giving birth. But, better late then never. He should recover
in a few days. He'll be fine." Ares confirmed, nodding and getting to
his feet.
"Should I, uh, tell Cupid?" Joxer asked, still very unsure.
Ares shook his head.
"Nah. Strife's not ready to let him know. These things take time."
The war good soothed his husband.
Joxer nodded understandingly and looked down at the now sleeping
baby. The mortal smiled at the winged infant.

"Hey, do you mind if I go rest? That healing thing took a lot out of
me." The war god asked, grinning.
"Yeah, ok." Joxer replied. "I'll stay and take care of the baby."
Ares moved in and captured Joxer's lips in a soft kiss. Joxer leaned
forward as Ares moved his hand up and cupped Joxer's cheek. Just as
the war god began to deepen the kiss, the baby interrupted by letting
out a long, loud cry. The two lovers sighed in frustration. Ares
pulled away and looked deeply into his husband's eyes.
"Later?" Ares added, smiling affectionately at the gentle man.
Joxer bit his lip and nodded as his beloved disappeared in a flash of
blue. The baby continued to cry loudly.

"When you're older, you'll understand." Joxer said with a chuckle.
The new step-grandfather looked down at the baby. The baby watched
Joxer for a minute through sparkling blue eyes before he started to
cry even louder.

"Oh great! What am I suppose to do?" Joxer asked himself, looking
over at the still sleeping Strife.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Cupid sat on the edge of his throne, deep in thought about Strife and
the horrible thing he had done. A flash of light interrupted the love
god's thoughts.
"Go to Hades, Psyche." Cupid moaned, rubbing his forehead.
"Touchy!" Psyche gave a mocking pout, cautiously approaching her
estranged husband.
The winged god looked down at the marble floor, still thinking about
Strife. Psyche looked around anxiously.
"Where's Bliss?" She asked, as she reached the side of the throne.
Cupid immediately looked up at his former wife, scowling.
"You know you don't get to see Bliss!" Zeus and Hera said I get him,
remember"! He said coldly, pushing her away slightly as she moved
closer.
"Aw, but it's my baby, too." She stated.
"Not anymore." Cupid said smoothly, looking coldly into her eyes.
Psyche looked back, wetting her lips. Cupid gave her a confused and
frightened look, leaning away from her.
"Why the fuck are you here, anyway?" Cupid demanded.
Psyche moved forward seductively, gazing lustfully into the love
god's eyes. Cupid quickly got to his feet, backing away slowly.
"I thought we could, ya know, re-kindle the flame lover." She said,
slithering up to Cupid.
The confused god gave her a disgusted look, and put his hand over her
face, He shoved her to the floor.
"In your dreams!" He walked away, scowling. "I don't go for skanky
whores anymore." He laughed slightly without much humor.

"What the fuck, Cupid!" Psyche yelled from the cold marble floor.
"Nobody will ever love you again!" She laughed nastily.
The love god turned and gave her another icy glare.
"Get the fuck out of my temple before I throw you out, you bitch!" He
threatened, making a fireball grow within his palm.
Psyche, noticing the fire growing in Cupid's hands, disappeared with
a small annoying laugh.

Cupid sighed loudly, the sound echoing throughout the temple and
eventually returning to him. He couldn't leave Strife alone. He
couldn't wait for Ares. He HAD to go see the man he truly loved! And
he had to go now!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Joxer the mighty, he's really ti…" Joxer paused to yawn. "Everyone
admires him...he's so handsome it's a...sin." Joxer nodded off,
singing softly to the baby (who was still crying). Joxer had been
singing for hours and was near exhaustion. Joxer closed his eyes, but
immediately sprung them open as the baby's cries seemed to grow even
louder.
"WHEN you're in jeopardy . . . . don't . . . call . . ." Joxer began,
then quickly nodded back off. The baby's cries continued to echo
throughout the temple.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Cupid appeared in the temple and looked around. It was empty. Where
was everyone? Cupid wandered towards the back of the temple,
searching for someone, anyone. Cupid stopped in his tracks as he
heard a small cry.
"Hello?" Cupid called out.
No answer.
Thinking it was his imagination, the handsome god continued his
search. The cry sounded again. This time, Cupid followed the noise,
and found himself in front of a wooden door which was slightly ajar.
Cupid carefully pushed the door open. The door creaked in response as
it slowly swung open. The first thing Cupid noticed was Strife, fast
asleep on the bed. Then, he spotted Joxer, sitting by another,
smaller, bed surrounded by white curtains. Cupid rushed to Strife's
side, and kneeled beside him. Cupid frowned at the sight of his
cousin. Strife was even paler than normal and had huge red bags under
his eyes. Cupid placed a hand on the god's forehead and felt cold,
clammy skin. Cupid frowned and stroked Strife's head, brushing his
hair off his forehead. A cry startled Cupid, and he quickly jumped to
his feet. The startled and puzzled god looked around anxiously until
his eyes finally rested on the hidden bed. The winged god walked
over, cautiously to the curtain hidden bed and drew the curtains
back, careful not to wake Joxer.
"Holy shit!" Cupid gulped, staring at the baby.
The tiny winged baby contently chewed on his hand and looked up at
his father, smiling broadly as his wings fluttered happily.
"Oh . . . My . . ." Cupid managed, before he did something that even
surprised himself.
Cupid fainted.

Part six

Cupid stirred, slowly opening his eyes. He gazed up at a blurry dark
figure before he finally managed to focus on it. It was Ares.
Cupid sat up slowly and eyed his father.
"So. I guess you know now." Ares glared at his son in anger.
Cupid sighed deeply, rubbing his face.
"Fuck! Yeah! I know! Holy shit! Was he ever gonna tell me? I mean,
shit ! It's mine! You think he could have at least had the decency to
fucking tell…." Cupid was immediately interrupted by his father.
"DECENCY?! All this coming from my stupid son who fucked Strife and
then left him to rot in Hades while he went and got back together
with his whore of an ex-wife!" The war god bellowed at the winged
god, turning slightly red. Cupid looked away from his father in shame.
"I did it for Bliss." Cupid said quietly in protest.
"Bullshit! You did it because you were scared!" Ares shot back.
"You don't think I did it for Bliss? I LOVE Bliss. And I didn't want
that woman taking `care' of him."
"I know you love Bliss. And I know you took him away from Psyche out
of love. But that's neither here nor there. You Left Strife hurt and
alone. There is no excuse for that!"
Cupid continued to look away from his father. He refused to meet the
war god's dark eyes, which he knew held the truth.

"I want to talk to Strife." Cupid demanded getting off the bed.
Ares got to his feet as well, and stood in front of his son.
"No. He's not ready to let you know. Leave it be Cupid." The son of
War glared at his father for a moment, then scowled.
"It's my son and the man I love. I WILL talk to him!" he said in a
dangerously quiet voice.
Ares let out a huge sigh.
"Listen, Cupid. Strife has been through a lot. Having his heart
broken, being alone in this temple for months, then giving birth…
alone. He doesn't need any more stress. He's really sick, and can't
handle much more."
Cupid sighed and looked at his father with glassy eyes.
"Trust me, Cupid." Ares added. "Please, trust me."
The love god paused momentarily before nodding slowly. Ares gave his
son an encouraging smile.
"I'll just, go to my temple." Cupid said sadly, preparing to flash
out of the temple.
"Cupid." Ares interrupted.
"You're a good man. No matter what anyone says. Don't worry, it'll
all work out."
Cupid gave his father a weak smile.
"I know it will dad." He responded, just before disappearing in a
burst of gold dust.

Ares took in a deep sigh and turned. Only to find his husband, Joxer,
standing in the doorway. Joxer stared at his mate in shocked silence.
"How long have you been here?" Ares asked soothingly, approaching his
lover.
"Long enough." Joxer replied with a shaky voice.
The two men stood in silence as Ares took Joxer into his arms.
"What are we going to tell Strife?" Joxer finally asked, breaking the
silence.
Ares just sighed and kissed his lover on the forehead.
"We'll tell him what he needs to know for now."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Cupid lay in his dimly lit bedchamber, staring at the ceiling. What
had he done? Ares was right though. He didn't want to put any more
stress on Strife. But he HAD to talk to him. HAD TO! Cupid sighed and
rolled over, closing his eyes. Cupid's eyes shot open as he suddenly
felt a presence in the room. Cupid sat up, looking around
anxiously. "Mom, I know your hiding. Come out." Cupid sighed getting
annoyed. But nothing happened.
"Ow!" The love god cried out as he felt a prick on the back of his
neck.
He reached around and felt the painful spot. He brought his hand back
to his face and could just make out the dark color of blood in the
dim lighting. Cupid waved his hand and all the torches in the temple
lit up. The winged god scanned the room, then looked down at his
blood stained finger.
"Psyche." Cupid said flatly.
A burst of light confirmed his guess.
"None other!" She announced, smiling at him.

Cupid looked at Psyche with raised eyebrows. She was wearing next to
nothing and was apparently still trying to get back into his good
graces.
"What in Hades do you want Psyche?" Cupid sighed, frustrated.
Psyche smirked, moved to her former husband's bed, and perched
herself on the side.
"Ok. I know I've been a bad mother. And I know why you took Bliss
away. . ." She began.
Cupid cut her off mid-sentence.
"Of course! You nearly got him trampled by horses, while you were on
earth visiting your lover. Bliss was too young to be on Earth! You
were . . ." Psyche silenced him, placing a finger to his lips.
"I can't watch the little darling ALL the time, now, can I?" She
said through gritted teeth.
"And besides, he didn't get hurt, now, did he?"
Cupid nodded almost automatically.
Wait. Was he actually agreeing with Psyche? What was going on?
"Anyway, you know we belong together. ME and you, Cupid. It's always
been us. Me, you and Bliss. One big happy family!" She reasoned.
Cupid looked away. It made sense. What was happening to him? He was
looking at Psyche in a whole new light. "You're right. I mean… you're
right." He sighed.
Psyche smiled smugly.
"Just in case, sleep on it, baby. I'll see you in the morning." Cupid
nodded again as Psyche disappeared in a flash of light.

This was perfect ! He could have everything going his way. Bliss
would be happy because they'd all be one big happy family, and Strife
would announce Cupid as their new baby's father, and he could work
things out with him. Yes, it would all work out. Cupid thought,
falling into a deep sleep.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Psyche laughed hysterically as she arrived outside Cupid's temple.
She knew she could get him back. A pinch of charm, a dash of sex
appeal and one love arrow.
Psyche looked at the golden arrow in her hand, which was now tipped
with a drop of Cupid's blood.
She brought the arrow up to her mouth and licked it lightly.
The devious goddess smiled as she thought to herself. She couldn't
let Cupid get away. If she broke up with Cupid, she would become
mortal again! She couldn't have that, now, could she? She'd simply
act faithful to the love god during the day and be a `good mother'.
But at night, she could sneak out and do whatever she pleased. She
could dump the `bundle of joy' with Cupid, and then do whatever she
wanted. Hell, she could fuck the whole village and the love god
wouldn't find out, as long as she covered her path each night.
Yes, it would all work out. Psyche smiled evilly as she snapped the
arrow in half and disappeared.
The sound of insane laughter ringing through the air.

Part Seven

Strife woke up and focused his eyes. The exhausted god rubbed the
sleep from his eyes and looked over at his uncle and his uncle's
husband on the other bed, playing happily with the baby. Strife
smiled at the pair. It would be too perfect if they had a baby of
their own. Strife watched Ares and Joxer in awe as they played
lovingly with the tiny godling. If only he and Cupid could be like
that. If only…. If only things weren't so fucked up!
Strife continued to watch as the baby made hopping movements, hitting
Joxer in the eye with the end of one of his snow-white wings.
"Oh, Gods! My eye!" Joxer cried out.
Not able to hold back, Strife began to laugh. Ares and Joxer quickly
looked at the younger god, and smiled.

"Feeling better?" Ares asked, rushing to his side.
Strife nodded.
"Yeah, I feel great!" Strife smiled.
"Next time, Strife, I swear to Zeus, if you don't tell us that you're
having a baby, I will personally kill you! You could have been
seriously hurt!" Ares fussed over his nephew, feeling his forehead to
make sure there was no fever.
Strife rolled his eyes at Joxer, who smiled back.

Joxer went, picked up the baby and brought it back over to Strife,
placing the infant tenderly in the mischief god's arms. Strife looked
down at his baby boy in awe. The baby looked back with sparkling blue
eyes.
"So," Strife began bravely. "Has Cupid come by yet?"
Joxer glanced quickly at the war god, who looked at the floor.
"No…I'm afraid not." Ares lied.
"Oh." Strife replied sadly. "Anything new with him?" He asked
casually.
Ares sighed deeply.
"Strife, Cupid is back with Psyche." The war god admitted, still
unable to meet his nephew's eyes.

Strife stopped rocking the baby with a small jolt and looked up.
Silence hung over the men as the baby continued to coo lightly.
"Oh. Well…well. That's great." Strife smiled.
"Strife, it's ok. We know you're hurt. . ." Joxer began. "Having a
baby alone and all . . ." He trailed off.
"No, Jox, it's ok. I can raise my kid by myself. My mother did it
with me, didn't she? I can do it, too." He shrugged casually.
Ares and Joxer gave their nephew encouraging smiles.

"What are ya gonna name him?" Joxer asked anxiously.
Strife gave a weak chuckle.
"I donno. He's a little treasure, isn't he?" He paused, gazing down
upon the tiny winged being in his arms.
"Treasure….Tre, for short!" He said in a shaky voice.
Ares and Joxer smiled at him with a mixture of happiness and sadness.
The new father forced a laugh.
"Don't look so depressed, you guys! I'm happy." Strife looked at the
couple, both of whom had raised eyebrows.
"Really. I'm fine."
Ares grinned.
"Then you won't mind the party that Zeus arranged to `welcome' the
baby to Olympus, will you?"
Strife stopped smiling.
"You're kidding!?" Strife exclaimed.
"Nope." Ares replied.
"But, Cupid, I mean…" Strife began.
"Ok, Strife, Cupid knows." Joxer blurted out.
The god of mischief gave Ares a confused look.
"But, you said . . ." He began, but was interrupted by his friend.
"He lied. He lied to protect you."
Ares gave his husband an annoyed look.
"He would have found out sooner or later." Joxer told him.
The war god shrugged.
"It's ok," Strife said. "I can handle this." An evil grin suddenly
appeared on his face.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Zeus' Hall was full to the brim with the entire pantheon of Olympus.
At the front, of course, were Strife, Treasure and Zeus.
The new father scanned the crowd, pausing when he spotted Cupid who,
oddly enough, was not accompanied by Psyche.
"May the meeting of Olympus come to order!" Zeus boomed, and the Hall
immediately fell quiet.
"Strife has just recently given birth to a new member of Olympus. I
introduce to you, Treasure. Or, as most will call him, Tre. He is
designated as God of Friction, Son of. . ." The King of the Gods
paused, looking at Strife.
The new father smiled, but remained silent.
"Strife?" His grandfather asked.
"Yo." The God of Mischief replied casually.
"Who's the other father?" Zeus asked.
"Um…Ya know, I'm not gonna say." Strife shrugged, smiling amiably.
The Hall erupted with murmurs as those present discussed this
unexpected situation.
"Strife, isn't it Cupi..." Zeus began, but his grandson interrupted
with vehement denial.
"No! Why would Cupid be the father? Just because my baby has wings?
That doesn't mean he's Cupid's! Ares and Dite had Cupid. Do either of
them have wings? I don't THINK so!" Strife stated, crossing his arms
defensively.
The murmuring of the crowd intensified throughout the Hall,
interspersed with a few chuckles. "Um." Zeus concluded. "Um….Okay.
Dismissed."
"WHAT?!" Cupid yelled out, lurching to his feet in anger.
"Strife! You damn well know that's MY baby!" He shouted over the loud
chatter of the crowd as everyone began to leave.
Strife smirked to himself, flashing away with Tre.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Ares appeared in his temple where Joxer was sitting quietly.
"So? How did it go?" The mortal asked, sitting on the edge of his
seat.
Ares hesitated in disbelief before replying.
"He didn't announce the father!" He finally replied, unconsciously
leaving his mouth hanging open.
"But… but, Cupid's the father!" Joxer stated in confusion.
Ares nodded in confirmation.
"Yeah. I know that, you know that, Strife knows that…" The war god
paused again. "Strife didn't say Cupid is the father, but, he didn't
say Cupid isn't the father, either."
Joxer looked at his lover, puzzled.
"I don't get it. Why would Strife do that?"
Ares rolled his eyes.
"He's Strife!" Joxer smiled at his husband in understanding.
"Should we go talk to Cupid about it?" Joxer suggested, uncertainly.
"Naw. I'm more interested in what YOU meant when you said I should
get used to holding babies." Ares said seriously.
"Oh." Joxer replied, looking away.
"Well?" Ares encouraged softly.
Joxer looked back up at his husband, trying to find the right words.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Cupid fumed, pacing around the now empty Hall.
How dare Strife do that! Everyone knew he was the father! What was he
going to do now? Who could he talk to? He couldn't talk to Ares or
Joxer; they'd just be on Strife's side. He certainly couldn't face
Strife now that he had denied they were ever together! And Psyche
said she was out on an official business mission.
Cupid sighed deeply.
Who did that leave? The frustrated god thought for a moment before
sighing in resignation. "Mom." He sighed again, disappearing in a
burst of gold dust.



Part 8

Cupid appeared in his mother's temple to find her gazing in her
mirror, fixing her hair.

"Oh, hey, Cupid babe!" She smiled, spotting her son behind her in the
mirror. "Trouble in paradise?" She smirked, turning around and facing
the younger go.

Cupid sighed deeply and crossed his arms.

"How are things with Psyche?" His mother enquired. Cupid shrugged.

"She's off on business somewhere." Cupid paused and sighed
deeply. "Isn't she great?"

Aphrodite cocked her head to one side and eyed her son curiously.

"What?" Cupid asked, suddenly confused.

The love goddess circled her son, stopping when she was behind him.
The love goddess urged Cupid to bend his neck slightly, examining him
closely.

"Uh-oh!" The love goddess frowned. "I knew something was wrong!"

"What?" Cupid demanded, looking confused.

"She put a love spell on you, Cupie!" The goddess of love frowned.

Cupid slowly began to shake his head.

"No! I love Psyche!" He stated, growing worried.

"Look, you know what a love and lust scar looks like, right?" His
mother asked.

Cupid nodded.

Aphrodite led the winged god to her mirror to see for himself. The
love god titled his head slightly and set his eyes upon a small heart-
shaped scar. Cupid snarled, and quickly looked back at his mother.

"That bitch! I'm going to KILL her!" He fumed, clenching his fists
tightly together.

"Cupid, you know as well as I do that spell wouldn't work if you
didn't WANT it to work!"

"But…But I only wanted it to work for Bliss. I wanted him to grow up
with parents." He said with a shaky voice.

"Well. Still, Cupid, that was enough to trigger the arrow!"

Cupid and his mother stood together without speaking for a few
moments before the younger god broke the silence.

"Well, can you…can you at least help me and Strife?"

Aphrodite shrugged.

"Cupid this is Strife! He's mad for right now, but honestly, he was
in love with you! He'll get over this. I doubt he'll stay mad for too
long. And maybe you can even help him. I mean, you've been raising
Bliss! You know how crazy it gets! He's going to want help."

Cupid nodded in agreement.

"Plus, I'm EROS! Strife will always love me! How could he resist?" He
sighed, putting his hands on his hips.

Aphrodite rolled her eyes as the love god continued to babble.

"I can also help Bliss by being with Psyche until I fix this whole
mess!"

Aphrodite sighed, allowing Cupid to talk to himself.

"So, after I figure out what I should do about Psyche, I can go help
Strife and get back in his good graces." The love god nodded to
himself.

"Exactly! What are ya waiting for?" The love goddess smiled,
crinkling her nose. Aphrodite kissed her son on the forehead lightly.

"Well, you better go!" She smiled at him.

"Thanks, Mom." The winged god smiled back and flashed out.

Aphrodite sighed in triumph and returned to her mirror, continuing to
fix her hair.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Ares walked out into his temple garden, glancing around looking for
Strife and Tre. He finally spotted the two under the shade of a large
tree. Tre was flapping his wings quickly, and hovering several
inches off the ground while Strife panicked and gently guided the
godling back to the ground.

"Hey, Strife!" Ares announced his presence, smiling down at his
nephew and new grandson.

"Hey, how's it goin'?" Strife replied, holding Tre gently in his
arms.

Ares sat down happily next to the pair.

"So, how's everything going?" Ares asked, chuckling.

Strife shrugged.

"It's hard, but it's fun. I love Tre. He's everything to me." He
smiled down at the cooing baby.

Ares smiled and shook the baby's hand lightly.

"Well, I talked to Aphrodite… she's talked to Cupid . . ." The war
god began.

"And?" Strife urged.

"And. . . it turns out that Cupid is under a spell . It wasn't his
fault that he got back together with Psyche. He was tricked."

"Oh." Strife replied, slightly shocked. He didn't know whether to
feel sorry for the man he loved or not.

"And, Aphrodite thinks that you'll get over it in a while, and you
and Cupid will be together in no time." Ares continued.

Strife snorted.

"Excuse me! They don't know me very well, do they? I hold major
grudges! After all, I learned from the best!" He grinned evilly at
his Uncle.

Ares chuckled and gazed at Tre fondly.

"As for this little guy, don't worry. You'll know exactly what to do.
It just comes to you naturally."

Joxer stood silently behind the pair not bothering to announce his
arrival.

"Besides, if you need any tips, I'm the expert!"

"Well, that's good ! I'm glad one of us will know what's gonna
happen." Joxer finally spoke.

"What do you mean?" Ares asked, still marveling at Tre.

"I'm pregnant, Ares."

The war god froze, then slowly got to his feet.

"Pregnant?" Ares croaked, unable to believe what he had just heard.

Joxer nodded.

"But…But how?"

Part 9

"I'll just leave you two alone." Strife said quietly, and disappeared with Tre.

Ares continued to stare at his husband in shock.

"What do you mean `how'?" Joxer replied. "I may not have god powers, but technically I am a god."

Ares nodded, remembering what Joxer had told him about his family when they had first started dating.

Joxer's mother was Terpsichore, the muse of dance. One night she was attending an annual party which the graces always threw, and at which everyone from gods to mortals attended. Terpsichore had been dancing quite a lot that night and, naturally, had the attention of everyone present. But there was one dark haired man in particular that caught her eye. Shyly, he approached her and suggested they get to know each other a little better. After hours of talking together, the two grew very fond of each other and eventually ended up sleeping together. It was nothing but a one-night stand and, after that night, they never met again. Two months later, when Terpsichore found out she was pregnant, She eagerly sought out her former lover, but he was nowhere to be found. Four months into her pregnancy, she was told by Aphrodite that, in fact, Dionysus, god of theater and wine, in disguise. Terpsichore attempted to talk to Dionysus, but he was always busy working. She finally gave up when she realized he would never marry her, and she gave birth alone.

Terpsichore had three very lovely, but VERY different boys. She had then married a mortal man and told her sons that he was their real father. It wasn't until Joxer and Ares started dating that his mother told him all about this.

"I just don't want you to get pregnant and left alone." She said quietly to Joxer after she discovered that he was dating Ares.

"I'm telling you, gods are nothing but trouble."

"Ares?" Joxer's shaky voice brought his husband back to the present. "Are you mad?"

Ares quickly looked into his lover's eyes.

"No! Of course not, Jox! I love you!" Ares finally managed to find words after a rather long stretch of silence.

"Good. I'm glad." His husband replied quietly.

The couple stood in silence until Ares moved closer to his husband, stroking his cheek.

"Ares," Joxer whispered. "I'm scared."

Ares leaned his forehead against Joxer's.

"Don't be. I'm here. I'll protect you, no matter what."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Strife smiled as Tre happily flapped his wings happily, splashing water everywhere.

"Tre, now don't get your Pops wet!" Strife laughed.

Tre paused for a moment before he began to kick, slap and flap water all over the bathing room.

"Ahhh!" Strife cried out, covering himself as best he could.

"Need some help there?" An unexpected, yet familiar, voice came from behind him.

Strife turned around to find Thanatos god of death.

"Oh, hey." Strife smiled weakly.

He hadn't seen Thanatos since the last time he had been down in Hades. Since he had been, had been….with Cupid. Strife shook his head slowly, forcing himself to push the memory of the love god from his mind.

"Do you need any help?" Thanatos asked again, growing anxious.

"Um…yeah! You can help me dry him off." The new father replied.

Thanatos nodded and looked around for a towel. Spotting one, he quickly seized it and brought it over to Strife. Thanatos wrapped the towel gently around Tre, and smiled fondly. The baby smiled back, and pulled on one of Thanatos' wings.

"Ouch!" The god laughed good humoredly.

Strife grinned.

"He's never seen anybody else with wings before." Strife explained.

"But, hasn't Cupid.. ." Thanatos began, but Strife quickly interrupted him.

"So, anyway, what brings you up here?" He asked, quickly changing the subject.

The other god sighed before shrugging.

I thought you could use some company. Persephone said she talked to Aphrodite, and she thinks you're lonely."

"Oh…" Strife replied.

"Here. I made little Tre a present." Thanatos said, beaming with pleasure.

Thanatos produced a very dangerous chewing ring for the baby, which was dotted with small metal spikes. Strife looked down at the dangerous toy and subtley pulled Tre away before the child could get ahold of it.

"Uh thanks…I think." Strife mumbled.

He took the toy and threw it into the full bathtub when Thanatos wasn't looking.

Thanatos smiled pleasantly.

"So, I was wondering if you would, ya know, like to come back down to Hades and visit with me and everyone else down there for a while." Thanatos asked hesitantly, looking down at the jade tiled floor.

Strife paused for a moment, not knowing what to say. True, he COULD go down there with Tre. Jox and Ares would probably think it was good for him. Plus, that way, Tre could fly around the Elysian Fields safely. Besides, Thanatos was very nice, not to mention sexy. On the other hand, what about Cupid? Oh! Who was he kidding? He wasn't gonna let Cupid ruin his happiness. Cupid was off with Psycho, anyway! NOT him!

"Uh..." Thanatos broke Strife's train of thought.

"Sure! I'd love to!" Strife answered, smiling.

Thanatos smiled back.



Six years later……

Cupid sat behind his mother's work desk, shuffling through a pile of parchment. Growling to himself, he did the same with a pile of scrolls.

"Cupid, babe, you really GOT to stop this!" Aphrodite announced, arriving in a burst of rose petals.

Cupid looked up at his mother in frustration, running one hand through his hair impatiently.

"Mom, you don't understand!" Psyche wants this done by the end of today. She's been really busy!" Cupid said with a yawn.

Yeah, she *has* been busy. The love goddess thought to herself, recalling her little research on Cupie's little so-called lover. She had made Cupid do all her work these last few years, and the love goddess couldn't stand it. Psyche wasn't busy with anything other than sleeping with most of the local warlords. And poor Cupie! Wanting to do anything for the stupid slut because he thinks he's in love with her again. If only she could talk some sense into her sweet, but stupid, son.

Just then, a flash of light interrupted the love goddess' thoughts as Psyche appeared. Cupid quickly hopped to his feet, scrolls in hand.

"Done yet, lover?" Psyche demanded coldly, holding back a laugh.

"Almost, my love! I'm about to get the rest of the work. I'll be back in a second!" Cupid quickly explained, sounding a bit worried.

Cupid disappeared in a flash of gold dust, leaving Aphrodite to deal with his lover by herself.

"What have you done to my son!? The goddess of love demanded, scowling at her wayward daughter-in-law. "Your treatment of him has gotten worse over the years!"

Psyche let out an insane chuckle as she glared at the love goddess.

"Nothing, really. I just told him to do my work for me if he wanted us to stay together and be with Bliss That's all." She replied smoothly.

Aphrodite's scowl deepened.

"You won't get away with this! I'll make sure Zeus knows all about this! And I'll make sure my son knows all about the whore you really are." Aphrodite held back her strong urge to zap Psyche off her feet.

Psyche let out another laugh.

"Yeah? We'll see about that."

Aphrodite scowled again, and disappeared in a bright burst of rose petals and pink light. Cupid appeared after his mother's departure with the rest of the scrolls.

"Here you go, my love, all done." Cupid beamed, proud that he had actually finished the task within the time frame he had been given.

"Excellent. Now, be a good little boy and deliver them will you?" She commanded flatly, crossing her arms.

"But Psyche, I was going to talk to Strife.. . " Cupid began, but was instantly interrupted.

"I told you NEVER to see Strife or his little demon EVER! You don't want to make me leave you, do you?" Psyche gave a phony pout.

"No, no! Of course not!" Cupid exclaimed, quickly growing worried.

"Good. And check on Bliss while you're at it. I don't trust Ares and that fool he supposedly loves watching my precious little baby." She snapped, preparing to flash out of the temple.

"Wait! A kiss before you go?" Cupid entreated with a smile.

Psyche scowled.

"Sorry, no time." She shrugged indifferently, flashing out in a burst of light.

Cupid sighed deeply and sat down. This wasn't how love was supposed to be, was it? No, love was what he felt when he was with Strife. He just didn't have that feeling around Psyche. The feeling around Psyche was more of an .. . obsession.

That's it! Psyche could wait for the scrolls to be delivered! Right now, it was time to do what he should have done a long time ago. Talk to Tre!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Strife sat on a bench in the bright sunlight of the Elysian Fields, with his new lover Thanatos The pair watched and chatted with each other as Tre fluttered around with Bliss. Joxer and Ares had other things to do and thought it would be good if the three godlings got to know one another (the third one being the War God's and his consort's daughter, Jade.)

Strife had been happy with Thanatos, but that was it. He wasn't even sure that he was in love with him. He hadn't loved anyone. Well, anyone besides, besides….. Oh, why did it even matter? And why was he even thinking about it? He was happy with Thanatos and he needed to stop thinking about Cupid.

"Hey, Strife! How about we…go somewhere that we could be alone?" Thanatos suggested with a smile.

Strife smiled in return and nodded. Persephone was nearby and would watch the children while they were gone.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Cupid appeared in a flash of gold light just in time to see Thanatos and Strife disappear behind a mass of trees.

Cupid scowled and ducked behind some trees, quickly spotting the three godlings playing nearby.

"Well, at least you guys have two parents. My mom is gone all the time. It's always just me and father." Bliss complained to the other two.

"Sorry about your mother almost letting you get trampled again." Tre gave his best friend a reassuring smile.

"It's ok. I don't love her." Bliss replied matter of factly, and shrugged. "I don't think Dad does either."

"My Dad still doesn't like yours, does he Bliss?" Tre asked.

"Nope." Bliss replied with a giggle. "I wonder what happened between them?"

"My parents told me it's because they were in love once." Jade nonchalantly. She then shrugged and walked over towards Persephone.

"Well, Duh!" Bliss stated, shrugging at Tre, chased after his young friend.

Tre sat on his own, playing in a patch of flowers.

"Hey there, Tre!" Cupid greeted him, coming out of the bushes smiling.

Tre hopped to his feet, startled.

"Oh, Sorry! Didn't mean to scare you." Cupid apologized, still smiling at his son.

Cupid continued to smile as he examined Tre. The godling had gotten' so big, the love god could hardly believe it. His hair was light, like his, but the piercing eyes were definitely from Strife.

"Oh! Bliss went over there," Tre explained, sitting back down.

"Oh, ok. But I really came to talk to you." Cupid said in a calm voice, sitting down across from the young child.

Tre smiled, somewhat confused, but nodded.

"So how are your parents?" Cupid asked curiously.

"Parent. I'm not related to Thanatos." Tre stated.

Cupid threw a puzzled look at his second son.

"Who told you that?"

"Nobody. Me and Bliss just know that we're brothers. You're my other father, aren't you?" Tre asked with a smile.

Cupid sat in silence, speechless. Before he could say anything more, two shadows were cast over them.

"Long time no see." A familiar voice chimed.

Cupid looked up to find an angry Thanatos and, strangely enough, a smiling Strife.

"Yeah." Cupid smiled nervously, and stood up.

"What are you doing here?" Thanatos demanded calmly.

"I came to talk to my son." Cupid shot back.

Thanatos glared at Cupid as Bliss rushed to his side.

"I'm ready, Father." He announced, smiling at the others. "Father, can Tre come too?"

Cupid shot a puzzled look at Bliss, then looked up at Strife.

"It's up to his father." He said flatly, dodging Thanatos' cold glare.

Strife smiled again. "Sure! I can pick him up later."

Cupid nodded, taking the two godlings by the hands, and flashed away in a burst of light without saying a word.

Thanatos kissed Strife on the forehead, and led him back towards the bench.



As soon as the love goddess disappeared in a shower of rose petals, Ares smiled devilishly at his husband, moving to lay soft kisses on his partner's neck.

"Maybe we should have helped a little more Ares." Joxer said, with a concerned statement.

Ares gave a snort of frustration as Joxer got to his feet.

"Where do you think you're going?" The war god demanded, following Joxer to his feet.

"To help Dite and Cupid." Joxer simply replied, and pulled a shirt sleeve up his arm.

The war god pushed his husband roughly down to the bed and straddled him.

"Oh no, you're not." Ares announced with a grin.

Before Joxer could protest, Ares seized his mouth in a rough, passionate kiss. Ares kissed his mate hard and deep as his hands wandered down his chest, and tore the shirt from his body. Joxer took in a ragged breath as the war god moved his hands down to his leather clad cock and began to fondle him roughly.

"Ar, Ares we…" Joxer tried to protest, but found it quite difficult to do so between his loud moans of passion.

The god of war smiled, and ripped Joxer's pants open quickly, pulling them off of his lover's hot skin before tossing them aside. Ares moved lower on his husband`s writhing body, pausing at his now hard cock. The war god looked up at Joxer with a fiendish smile before he carefully sucked the head of his cock. Joxer let out a sharp gasp of pleasure as he wound his fingers through the gods' thick dark hair in an attempt to get his lover to suck him harder and faster. Joxer let out a sigh as he felt a tight throat close around the head of his cock while a soft tongue massaged the rest. Ares pulled away reluctantly, and moved back up to his mate's mouth with swollen, wet lips.

"Gods, I want you so bad." Ares moaned huskily, rubbing his hot body against that of his husband's.

"Ares," Joxer moaned, resisting the urge to thrust against his lover.

Ares licked Joxer's lips as he slid his hands around his husband's body, and parted his ass cheeks slowly.

"You want me?" Ares managed in a ragged tone, teasing Joxer's entrance with one finger.

Joxer could only manage a desperate nod as he arched his back, pressing against his lover. Ares grinned widely as his lover began to spread his legs, allowing better access. Joxer traced his hands down his husband`s back as Ares carefully placed his throbbing cock at his tight entrance. Joxer began to suck Ares' neck roughly as the war god buried himself inside his lover's tight passage. Joxer bit down on Ares' neck to suppress a gasp and pushed down on his lover's cock, urging him to continue. Ares pulled out of the slick heat, pushing back as Joxer writhed against him. Ares gradually sped up, pounding into Joxer, brushing against the pleasure spot in his lover with each movement. The war god could feel Joxer tighten around him before his hot come spilled over his stomach. Ares grunted at the sensation before releasing his hot seed inside of his lover.

Joxer leaned up, and kissed his war god as Ares slowly slipped out of his lover.

"Oh gods." Joxer panted, running his hand through Ares' hair as he collapsed next to him.

Ares grinned and kissed his lover`s nose.

"Now, aren't you glad that you didn't go to help out just yet?"

Joxer's mind wandered back to the task he had completely forgotten about in the heat of the moment.

"Oh, well, I guess we'd better go now, then." Joxer joked, cuddling up to Ares.

The war god chuckled lightly before he drifted off to sleep.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*



Strife sat in the corner of Ares' weapons chamber. He watched as Tre struggled to pick up a large sword, ultimately failing. Thanatos encouraged Tre, shooting smiles at Strife now and again. Strife returned the smiles and chuckled as Tre whimpered in frustration.

"Tre, come have a break." Strife chuckled, motioning for his son to come and sit beside him.

The frustrated godling nodded with a sniff, and scurried to his father's side, and crawling on to his lap.

"Good idea! I'll be back in a few." Thanatos announced, kissing Strife softly on the lips before exiting the room.

"Daddy?" Tre implored.

"Hum?" Strife muttered, watching the door close behind Thanatos.

"Why didn't you close your eyes?" The young god inquired, locking his matching blue eyes with his father's.

"What do you mean?" Strife asked, a little puzzled.

"When Thanatos kissed you, he closed his eyes, but you didn't. Why?" The boy repeated.

Strife thought to himself for a moment before answering. He hadn't even realized that he had actually done such a thing. Strife gave his son a slightly amused look.

"How come ya know so much when you're only so little?" Strife dodged the question bouncing, the winged boy on his leg.

"Dite says I get it from her." Tre answered with a little giggle. "But you still didn't answer my question, Daddy."

Strife laughed at his son. Knowing it was impossible to avoid the subject, Strife decided it was best to answer honestly.

"Well, Tre, I'm not sure how I feel about Thanatos at the moment.." He explained quietly, in case anyone was eavesdropping.

"Is it because you still love Cupid?"

Strife felt his heart skip a beat.

"How is it you know so much!?" Strife laughed. He made sure to answer his boy's question. "In a way, I guess I still do."

"What happened that made you guys stop loving each othah?" Young Tre went on, strongly resembling his father.

"Well, well…um." Strife struggled to explain it to his young son. "Say you were, were…you were playing with Bliss and he said, 'Oh I love playing with you, Jade!', how would you feel?"

Tre thought for a moment.

"Sad, I guess."

"And, what if, after that, he left to play with Jade and didn't come back for a long time? And when he finally did come back, he expected you to act like nothing ever happened and that nothing ever changed?"

"That'd make me mad and sad, Daddy." Tre exclaimed, looking into his father's eyes.

"That's what it's like for me and Cupid." Strife finished.

Tre thought to himself for a moment, eventually breaking the silence.

"But, Daddy, I'd give Bliss another chance if he did that to me! He's my bestest friend!" The young god exclaimed with a laugh.

His father gave him a weak, sad smile.

"Yeah…I'll have to think about that." Strife croaked, quickly clearing his throat to cover up the sound.

"Now, go find Thanatos, Tre." Strife managed to say as the godling nodded, leaping off his father's lap trotting out the door.

Strife struggled with his feelings, staring off into nothing.

"Get ahold of ya self Strife!" He commanded in a hushed voice. "He doesn't love you! He never did!"

"That's not true!" An all too familiar voice sounded from a dark corner.

The winged love god slowly stepped out of the shadows, revealing himself to Strife.

"Cupe! How could ya, ya just hide like that! You coulda given me a heart attack!" Strife lied, making the most loathsome face he could manage in his sorrow.

"Strife, I, I heard you talking to Bliss and I wanted to, to tell you that…"

"THAT YOU CAME TO LOVE ME AND LEAVE ME AGAIN?!" Strife fumed.

"Strife I'm sorry. . ." Cupid began, as he gently placed a hand on Strife's shoulder.

"I don't want your pity!" Strife growled, slapping his one-time lover's hand away and plopping back on his seat.

Cupid cautiously sat next to his cousin, placing a comforting arm around his slumped shoulders.

"Strife, give me a second chance. Please?" Cupid pleaded in a gently hushed voice.

"I don't want to be hurt again." Strife replied roughly, looking across the room, determined to avoid meeting the other god's eyes.

"Please?" Cupid repeated, taking Strife's chin and moving his face towards him.

"What do ya say?" The love god asked hopefully, looking deep into Strife's eyes.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*



Strife flashed out of the room, and out of Cupid's presence immediately, leaving the winged god alone and confused. Forgive Cupid? Yeah, right. So he can repeat the same thing that he did down in Hades? Strife didn't think so, not again. He couldn't take the pain if that ever happened again.

And what about Thanatos? Strife felt incredibly bad for not loving him back. Thanatos had not only been there for him, but he had been there for Tre, the exact opposite of loverboy. Strife felt weighed down with guilt as he exited Ares' temple and began down the garden path, looking for his companion. Strife paused as he found the pair, playing in the garden pond. Strife leaned against a nearby tree and watched the pair.

The little godling splashed water at the other winged god with a mischievous smile, much like Strife's. Thanatos just laughed at the godling and splashed him back.

Strife couldn't believe himself! Why was he doing this to Thanatos? He had always been there for him and what did he do to repay him? Absolutely nothing. Strife thought to himself for a second before turning back around quietly and walking back up towards the temple. He knew what he had to do. He had to set everything right, he had to go see Aunt Dite.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Strife appeared in the Love Goddess' temple in a burst of blue light and found the goddess immediately, admiring her new golden statue.

"Yo, Dite, I kinda…need a favor," The younger god asked, immediately walking towards his aunt.

"Kay, what with?" She replied, keeping her eyes locked on the statue.

"Well, it's Thanatos, I mean….I guess I love him but I'm not IN love with him ya know? And I, well I…he's been so good ta Tre and me. He's so caring and I want ta repay him for everything he's done, seeing as he's great and all, and I just well…."

The Love Goddess blinked her eyes and urged Strife to calm down.

"Wait, wait, wait! Slow down. Where do I come in?" The Love Goddess enquired, growing interested.

Strife took in a deep breath and finally managed to reply.

"I…I want you to give me a spell…. A love spell so I can love him back." The younger god finally managed, looking down.

The Love Goddess starred in shock at her nephew.

"Are…are you sure?" She asked, growing more and more concerned.

"Well, I, I guess so."

"Have you really thought this over Strifey? Are you positive that this is what you want to do?" The Goddess asked, growing serious.

"I-I don't know! I mean, yes. I mean....I donno..." Strife trailed off, sighing deeply.

Aphrodite sat Strife down onto her pale, pink couch and examined the younger god's face.

"Maybe you should talk this over with Ares and Joxer. they always have an opinion, one way or another." She joked, giving a weak smile.

Strife let a tiny smile escape his lips, which Quickly faded back to serious.

"Well...what do you think?" He asked relunctly, still looking down.

"Well...I don't think you should make your heart do what it just won't do naturally." The Love Goddess answered honestly. Concerned by the hurt in her nephew's eyes.

"But first, go talk to Ares and Joxer before you make any major decisions."

Strife paused and the couple sat in silence.

"You're right." Strife finally managed to reply. "Will you come with me?" Strife asked quietly. "So I won't screw up?"

"You won't screw up, Strife. You'll make the right choice." She said quietly to the younger god. "I know you will."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Strife and Aphrodite appeared in Ares' and Joxer's place on Mt. Olympus in a daze of pink and white light. Ares and Joxer jumped in surprise, but smiled warmly when they saw who had come to visit.

"Look, Unc…" Strife began, but was immediately cut off by a 'shush' finger from the War God.

Strife immediately went silent when he noticed that Joxer was still tucking little Jade in for bedtime.

Ares motioned for his sister and nephew to follow him out of Jade's nursery and into the brightly-lit hallway. Strife waited for the War God to close the door behind them before he even thought of talking.

"Unc, I…I have a problem." The usually un-shy god began.

Ares waited not knowing what to expect. He had never in his whole existence, seen Strife act this way.

"Well…I told Dite about how good Thanatos has been to Tre and I lately and all. And I suggested that since I love him but am not IN love with him that maybe I should, well…get a love spell so I can love him back."

Ares stood still, scratching his chin with one hand and nodded.

"I see. What do you think, sis?" Ares asked his uneasily silent sister.

The Love Goddess shrugged.

"I don't know, I would say no, but it's up to Strife."

Joxer exited Jade's nursery quietly and joined the already active conversation. The mortal looked around at all the gloomily faces with a frown.

"What's wrong?" Joxer asked, growing worried.

"Strife wants a love spell so he can love Thanatos since he's been so good to him and Tre, but he still has feelings for Cupid, right?" Ares stated, checking with Strife.

Strife nodded slowly, looking down.

"Well…is the reason you don't love Thanatos *because* you're still in love with Cupid?" Joxer asked softly.

Strife nodded again.

"I guess so. If Cupid was out of the picture I could probably fall for Thanatos, I think I could." The god managed to reply.

"Well…I don't know if this is possible," Joxer began. "But couldn't Dite just put a temporary spell on Strife to make him forget his feelings for Cupid and see if he can just fall for Thanatos without remembering what happened between him and Cupid?"

Ares looked at the Love Goddess, who shrugged in response.

"Yeah, I could do that, but you'd be aware of the spell the whole time, and I can take it off at any time you want," She said matter-of-factly.

"Good idea, Jox," Ares complemented his lover, then kissed him softly and shortly on the lips.

Joxer smiled as a tinge of red came to his face.

Strife smiled. Maybe if he didn't have Cupid on the brain, he and Thanatos could be like that some day.

"Well?" Ares asked. "What do you think?"

Strife paused and thought for a moment. What did he have to lose? The younger god nodded.

"Let's do it."



Two years later.....

Strife awoke quietly, and slowly looked to his side to see Thanatos sleeping peacefully beside to him. Strife slowly got up and flashed his clothes on, then exited the room.

It just wasn't working out.

It had already been two years since Aphrodite put the love spell on him so he could forget his feelings for Cupid and try to fall for Thanatos naturally. But it didn't work out the way Strife had hoped. True, it was nice not having the painful feelings caused by Cupid, but Strife knew they were there. And they would come back; they'd come back soon.

But even with his feelings for Cupid out of the way, he just couldn't love Thanatos the way that Thanatos loved him.

Now, Strife dreaded the thought of telling Thanatos that he wasn't in love with him, everything seemed to be falling apart.

Strife would explain it all to Thanatos, after the spell was removed, about the whole situation. He would understand, he always had.

Strife's thoughts were immediately interrupted by a flash of rose petals.

"Strifey!" The Love Goddess chirped, entering the large hallway.

Strife couldn't help but smile at his perky Aunt.

"Dite, what's up?."

"Are you ready?" The LoveGoddess asked, preparing to remove the spell.

"As ready as I'll ever be," Strife replied with a small smile.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Cupid stared at the woman in front of him in disgust.

"So, while you put that *stupid* spell on me to be your SLAVE, you were out fucking warlords?" The winged god fumed.

"Oh c'mon, you know you loved being with me again." Psyche smirked as she lay casually across Cupid's bed.

"I don't even want to look at you! You disgust me. Hera will hear about this!" Cupid yelled.

"Cupie, you know you can't live without me, you love me." The goddess drawled with a smirk.

"I LOVE STRIFE!" Cupid boomed, shaking the temple.

"FOR GODS' SAKE! If I hear about that pale bastard one more time, I'll scream!" She yelled back, getting to her feet, her fists clenched at her side.

"Well, that's cause you're jealous!" Cupid stated, trying to control his anger.

"PLEASE, he's *nothing*! NOTHING!" She screamed.

Cupid lost it.

With a quick thought, Cupid sent Psyche flying across the room. The goddess landed on the other side of the temple, slightly dazed.

"That's IT! It's over!" She shot across the temple before disappearing in a flash.

"Thank the gods." Cupid's reply echoed through out the temple.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Can you ever forgive me, Thanatos?" Strife finished as he sat next to Thanatos, holding his hand.

Thanatos nodded slowly.

"You love Cupid, I understand. I'm just disappointed that you could never love me like I love you," The winged god replied, forcing a small smile.

Strife frowned.

"I do love you Thanatos, and I always will. It's just, it's just that I'm in love with Cupid."

Thanatos nodded.

"I understand, I just want you to be happy."

Strife gave his ex-lover a sad smile and kissed him on his forehead.

"Friends?" Strife smiled, extending his hand.

Thanatos looked down at Strife's hand and smiled warmly.

"Of course," He answered, taking Strife's hand and shaking it firmly.

The two sat in silence for a few seconds before Strife broke in.

"Well, I got to go pick up Tre, he's at Jox and Ares'. You'll still come and play with him every day, right? He loves ya ta death!"

Thanatos actually let out a genuine laugh and nodded.

"Of course, I love that little guy."

Strife smiled and gave Thanatos a friendly hug.

"Catch ya around." Strife grinned before disappearing in a flash of blue light.



Cupid appeared in his mother's temple in a burst of gold light.

"Woah, Cupie! I haven't seen you flash in so brightly in such a long time! What's the good news?" The love Goddess smiled.

Cupid gave his mother a genuine smile. For the first time in years, he was happy.

"Me and Psyche, over! And Hera's forbid Psycho to ever come near Bliss or set foot on Mt. Olympus." The winged god explained with a happy grin plastered on his face.

The love goddess beamed at her son as he continued.

"And now, I can go back and set things right with Strife!"

Aphrodite leapt to her feet and bounced up and down, getting a laugh from her son.

"Aw, Cupie! I'm so happy!" The Love Goddess said through happy tears.

"Oh, mom!" Cupid laughed as the goddess sobbed.

"OH! Celebration! Party time!" The goddess announced, clapping her hands.

Cupid began to protest but was immediately cut off.

"I won't take no for an answer, Cupie." She smiled.

He should have known better then to try to fight it.

The Love God smiled and nodded. Maybe a little recreation after the torture he endured would do him good. Besides, everyone would be there, including Strife…or at least he hoped.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The party was a huge success. Everyone seemed to be just as glad as Cupid that Psyche, or "Psycho" as everyone were referring to her as, was gone, and gone for good. Even Athena and Poseidon were being nice to him! Cupid also had some time to talk to Ares and Joxer, who seemed more then just happy with their married life.

He had seen and talked to everyone…everyone except Strife.

It wasn't till the party was in full swing that Cupid was able to break away and check on his children that were playing outside in the courtyard.

Cupid exited one of the huge doors and was greeted by the crisp night air. He was happy! For once in his life, he was happy. The only way he could be happier was if Strife would forgive him. Cupid stopped as he saw Jade, Bliss and Tre playing around a large fountain.

"Dad! Come play with us!" Bliss laughed loudly over at his father.

Cupid smiled warmly and joined the three godlings.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Strife hid silently in the night shade of a tall hedge and watched the man he loved play with the three mini-gods.

Strife couldn't help but smile.

He watched as Cupid picked all three children up and pretended he was about to throw them into the oversized fountain.

Strife laughed quietly as he stepped out of the bushes.

"Congrats on ditching the Psycho," Strife said loudly, announcing his presence.

Cupid smiled and told the children to go play as he walked across the courtyard and greeted the man he hadn't seen for what seemed like forever.

"Thanks. What's what the deal with you and…"

"Thanatos?" Strife grinned, finishing the Love God's sentence.

"Oh, that was over about a week ago, we've both moved on."

Cupid nodded; now was his chance.

"Strife, listen," The winged god began but was cut off by his cousin.

"No, Cupe, it's my turn. So just shut-up and listen." Strife laughed before continuing. "Cause I'm only gonna say this once."

Cupid didn't protest, he just waited for what he hoped was good news.

"I've tried everything to forget you Cupe, including a spell to forget you and your stupid ass. So, here's the deal. I forgive you, I give you another shot, we see how things work out, and you remember my name when you come." Strife joked with a smirk on his face.

The winged god gave a small laugh and nodded.

"But you forget again and I'll sick the new threesome of Thanatos, Phobos, and Deimos on you. And I promise not to abuse my power over you like the nutcase Psycho you just got rid of. So, do you think you can handle the new deal, fly boy?" Strife finished, crossing his arms, waiting for a reply.

Cupid stood there, just smiling back at his cousin.

"Well?" Strife prompted with a nervous laugh.

"Can I talk now?" Cupid laughed.

Strife returned his smile. "Of course."

"I love you, Strife, and I'd do anything for you. Of course, yes. Yes, I can handle the new deal."

Strife smiled as Cupid slowly approached him, placing a soft and sweet lingering kiss on his familiar lover.

"Finally," Bliss said aloud, joined by a chorus of laughter from Tre and Jade.

"You three be quiet!" Strife smiled as he walked hand in hand with the Love God towards the godlings.

"C'mon you trouble makers, let's go back to the party. You can teach me and Cupid how to dance." Strife smiled, winking at the Love God, who returned his wink.

The three mini-gods rushed inside, yelling for the two older gods to follow.

"Cupid?" Strife said quietly.

"Hmm?"

"I-I love you."

Cupid beamed at his companion.

"I love you too."



Strife leaned on his side, propping up his head with his arm and chuckled slightly as the Love God slept beside him.

Nothing had been less then perfect since they got back together a few years before.

True, sometimes Cupid did over do it a little with all the "STRIFE, OH STRIFE!" orgasms he made sure to yell almost *everytime*. But he had relaxed again, after Strife told him he was sure the winged god would never make that mistake again, if he knew what was good for him.

Strife smiled as he continued gazing upon Cupid. He hoped that he and Cupid could get married one day, and be like Jox and Unc Ares, who were renewing their vows that very week. Strife was looking forward to the ceremony; maybe it would give Cupid some ideas.

And as for Thanatos, he was probably with his lovers right now. True that at first Thanatos was rather bashful, to say the least, when his feelings for Deimos and Phobos were revealed. But they quickly faded as soon as the duo welcomed Thanatos into their life and loved him the way he loved them. ((In more ways then one.))

The three lovers even had children; a gorgeous boy with black wings, which clearly resembled Thanatos, and a beautiful girl with silver white hair, which Bliss had proceeded in following around every chance the young godling got.

And as for Cupid and Strife having a baby. Well, Strife decided he wasn't going to go through *that* again. Well…not just yet anyway. But who knows, maybe next time Cupe could carry the baby, get a taste of his own medicine.

The Mischief God laughed excitedly and curled up to the Love God beside him, resting his head on Cupid's slowly rising and falling chest and closed his eyes. Dozing off, Strife reflected on how grateful he really was for what happened down in Hades.

The End

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