AresJoxerCupidStrife - Hergerbabe

Part 1 Part 2

Title: Surprise
Author: Hergerbabe
Fandom: Xena
Pairing: Ares/Joxer, Cupid/Strife, Eris/Auto, other m/m discussed
Rating: R
Category: angst, romance
Archive: AJCS, Druid
Series/Sequel: Part of the Life Sucks Series, set after Life Sucks and
Coming Out
Disclaimer: Nope they’re still not mine, which totally sucks!
Dedicated to Kevin Smith

Surprise

Joxer hummed happily to himself as he pushed the cart round the freshproduce section. He stopped suddenly and looked over to his left.Strawberries! Oh, he had to get strawberries. Joxer’s face lit up in amischievous grin as he remembered the last time he and Ares had hadstrawberries. Plus he knew how much Cupid and Strife had, uh, enjoyedthem. Chuckling, he picked up a large pack and checked them, taking anappreciative sniff.

“Gonna have to get whipped cream now,” he muttered with a chuckle. Hecontinued to hum as he moved slowly around the store, picking up thebasics as well as a few treats, various things that he knew members ofhis and his boyfriend’s extended family would appreciate. He felt a bitsilly doing this. It was his birthday, but he hadn’t told anyone, hewanted to make it a surprise for them, a thank you of sorts foraccepting him into their lives.

He hadn’t even told Ares, although he suspected his lover had alreadydug up that information from somewhere. But Joxer was pretty sure Areshadn’t arranged anything like a party for him, rightly knowing thatJoxer wouldn’t like that. No, Joxer wouldn’t like to have a partysprung on him at all, but it wasn’t stopping him from arranging hisown. Joxer chuckled again and headed for the bakery.

“Hmm, chocolate or vanilla sponge,” Joxer pondered, “Or maybe a tart.”He sighed, the selection of cakes was huge.

“Ares likes chocolate.” A voice whispered in his ear.

Joxer stiffened and straightened up. “Yes, th-thank you, I know,” hesaid coldly, wincing at his stammer. He picked up a large doublechocolate cake that he’d pretty much decided on anyway. “I wasc-considering the rest of our family’s p-preferences too.” Moving awayfrom the bakery, Joxer had to grit his teeth when Apollo followed him.

“Family?” Apollo laughed, “You really think you are included in thatfamily?! A little weirdo like you! I don’t know what you think you’vegot going with Ares, but it won’t last,” Apollo smirked, “He needs areal man, like me.” The last words were practically purred.

“Really?” Joxer said quietly. He somehow managed to keep a quiver outof his voice. His heart was pounding and his chest hurt fromcontrolling his breathing. While he knew Apollo was taunting him andnothing he was saying was true, it still niggled at his confidence. Hecleared his throat, suddenly angry with the arrogant man who’d hurt hislover. “Which is why he l-laid you out when you t-tried to kiss him?”

Apollo’s face tightened unattractively in anger. “Not before I felt howmuch he wanted me,” he spat.

Joxer’s eyes widened, “G-get away from me, before *I* h-hit you.” Onlyyears of hiding his distress from his father was keeping him undercontrol now.

Apollo laughed again, “While I’d like to see you try, I have people tosee.” He sauntered off leaving Joxer seething and feeling nauseousbehind him.

His happy mood now completely shattered, Joxer moved quickly round thestore to finish off the shopping and get out of there. Talk about badtiming! He’d known for a while that he and Ares were going to have tohave a proper talk about Apollo one day, but he’d been reluctant tobroach the subject. Now he’d been confronted by the situation face toface, Joxer knew that he couldn’t get past it completely until theydid.

“Why today?” he groaned as he sat in the car, staring out of thewindow. The passenger door opened and he jumped.

“Hey bud!”

“Strife! You scared me, man,” Joxer shook his head at his friend.

Strife snickered, “That was the plan, dude. So Jox, whatcha doin’,huh?”

Joxer blinked innocently, “Just shopping.”

“Yuh huh, and since when did that take you over an hour?” Strife raisedan eyebrow.

Joxer sighed, “It was supposed to be a surprise.”

“Hmmm, and you really thought *I* wouldn’t notice you acting funny?”Strife shook his head disbelievingly. “So anyway, what was thesurprise?”

“I thought I’d turn video night into a bit of a party, to say thanksyou know? It’s kinda my birthday, but I wanted to do something for youguys,” Joxer explained.

“Aw, dude!” Strife stared at him, “You didn’t have to do anything likethat. Ya should have told us! Me an’ Cupe ain’t gotcha nothin’.”

“Strife, you have no idea what you, Cupe, Auto and Ris have given me,”Joxer’s mouth lifted in a half smile.

Strife shook his head again and chuckled, “And Res?”

Joxer smiled, “That goes without saying. You’ve got Cupe, you know.”

“Yeah I do,” Strife sighed happily, “If I could marry him, I would, yaknow, especially after his folks…” he trailed off.

“Yeah, that sucks. But he’s got you, and us too,” Joxer patted Strife’sshoulder.

“Yeah,” Strife grinned at him, “You gonna give me a lift home? Whenyou’re done moping. You okay by the way?”

Joxer shrugged, “Kinda yeah, we’ll see later.” Strife blinked but keptquiet.

@>*~

Joxer accepted Strife’s offer of help thankfully, there were a lot morebags than he’d realised.

“Watch that one, or we’ll have squashed cake,” he warned Strife.

Strife’s eyes lit up, “Cake? What kind of cake?”

Joxer laughed, “Chocolate, of course.”

“Aw, dude, you are the best!” Strife bounced happily into the kitchenwith the groceries. Joxer carried on laughing as he followed his friendinto the house.

“So, now you know, you going to help me out?” Joxer asked.

“Sure, what do ya need doing?” Strife asked.

Joxer snickered, “Well, I reckon you’d be good at blowing up balloons.”

“Hey!” Strife tried to look offended, “Are you referring to Res’comment about hot air last night?” Joxer just snickered louder. Strifemade a rude noise, “Well, Cupe has nothing but good things to say aboutmy blowing skills!” Strife looked at Joxer and Joxer looked back atStrife, and they both collapsed laughing.

When they’d recovered somewhat, or could at least look at each otherwithout collapsing again, they started sorting out the food.

“I take it this is a party of six, like usual?” Strife asked.

“Yeah, but remind me to save some cake, Res is taking me to see Jetttomorrow,” Joxer said earnestly. Strife nodded. “Hey, how come you’renot with Cupe? I made sure you guys would all be out this morning.”

“Aha, but that was my cunning plan, to find out what you were up to,you see,” Strife laughed.

Joxer stiffened briefly, wondering if his friend had seen Apollo. Butthen there was no real reason not to say anything if he had. Unless ofcourse Strife was hoping *he* hadn’t seen Apollo and didn’t want toupset him by saying anything. He forced himself to relax and laugh,he’d seen the way Strife had reacted to Apollo, he hated the guy. Joxerfelt silly worrying.

“Hey, what about Jace? Any news yet?” Strife asked with a grin.

“Yeah,” Joxer sighed in satisfaction, “He’s been transferred and he’sgoing to be reassessed. I just hope all that time in an institutionhasn’t *made* him mad.”

Strife nodded, “Naw, if he’s anything like you, he’ll be cool.”

Joxer blushed, “Thanks, Strife.” Strife winked at him and Joxerchuckled.

“How you managed to convince Res to go somewhere without you, I’llnever know,” Strife commented in between balloons.

Joxer smiled shyly, “He’s getting over the over protective streak justa little, especially now school’s finished. Besides, he did need to gethis bike fixed, hasn’t been the same since…” Joxer trailed off andclosed his eyes, the horror he’d felt when he’d found out his fatherhad run Ares off the road still tangible. The thought of losing Ares,unbearable.

“Hey, Jox, come on, it’s okay,” Strife hurried over and wrapped hisarms round Joxer. Joxer clung on tightly, willing his tears away. Itwas ridiculous to still be so affected by what his father had put themthrough, he was gone now and he was never coming back. All that wasover. Maybe seeing Apollo had affected him more than he thought.

“What’s going on?” Joxer didn’t need to look up to know who it was, andhe felt himself transferred from Strife’s arms to his lover’s. Areshugged him tightly. “Love?”

Joxer looked up at the concern in Ares’ voice. “I’m okay Res, really,just bad memories,” he whispered.

Ares leaned down to kiss him gently, “You want to talk about it?”

“Not these ones, no,” Joxer answered quietly. He saw the look ofconfusion on Ares’ face and sighed, “Later, Res, okay?” Ares chewed hislip, then nodded.

“What are you up to then?” Ares asked, looking at the room.

“Jox’s birthday party,” Strife explained.

“Oh, I didn’t think you’d want a party, babe, that’s why I didn’t…”

Joxer placed a finger on Ares’ lips and smiled, “And you thought right,but this is more for all you guys than me, just a thank you.”

Ares looked bemused, “Why, love? Not that I don’t appreciate it.”

“For being here for me, being my friends, for all this,” Joxerindicated the room, then he leaned forward and looked up at Ares, “Andfor you loving me,” he whispered. Ares smiled and closed the gap foranother kiss. Joxer kissed back briefly, then he pulled away anddropped his head onto Ares’ chest with a sigh.

“Jox?”

Joxer lifted his head and gave Ares a weak smile, “I’m okay Ares,really.”

Ares shook his head, “No, no you’re not okay, love. What’s wrong,please?” Joxer just shook his head again and buried his face in Ares’neck.

“Uh, guys, look, I can do this, why don’t you go and talk?” Strifesuggested.

Joxer nodded against Ares’ neck and Ares smiled gratefully at Strife.He picked up his lover and carried him to their room.

@>*~

Joxer let Ares lie him on the bed and waited for his lover to spoon upbehind him. He snuggled back with a sigh.

“Joxer, you’re starting to worry me,” Ares whispered.

“Sorry, it’s just… I was putting this off, maybe I shouldn’t have, butthen today…” he stopped and sighed again.

“You’re not making much sense, love, putting what off?” Ares asked, histone one of complete worry.

“I saw Apollo at the store,” Joxer whispered, tensing in anticipationof Ares’ response.

“Shit!” Ares sat up and rolled him onto his back, “What did he do, areyou okay?”

“Shh, Res, he didn’t do anything. He tried to upset me,” Joxer wasinterrupted abruptly.

“What did he say?! I’ll kill him, the bastard,” Ares growled.

“Res!” Joxer snapped. Ares blinked at him and raised his eyebrows.“This is part of the problem. We never talked about him, not really.Why do you react *so* badly whenever he’s mentioned?”

Joxer watched in concern as the colour drained from his lover’s faceand Ares looked away.

“Please, Ares, I need to know so I can get past this, so *we* can getpast this. So I don’t have a moment of doubt when he says you wantedhim before you hit him at the cinema that time,” Joxer said quietly.

Ares looked at him sharply, “How can you doubt…?”

Joxer shrugged, “Because I don’t know enough about your past with him.”

“Oh God, Jox, I don’t know, I don’t think…”

Joxer blinked in shock then hurriedly wrapped his boyfriend in hisarms. Ares was close to tears and that scared him, he’d never seen hislover look so distressed. “God, Res, what happened with him? What didhe do to you?”



Ares lay back on the bed and closed his eyes. He waited for Joxer tocuddle up next to him, and wrapped an arm round his slim lover, needingto anchor himself.

“I was sixteen, cocky, a bit full of myself. But nervous, reallynervous. I hadn’t been comfortable with being gay for very long, butRis and Strife had helped with that. Apollo was my first real crush;but he was so much older, had his pick of guys. I didn’t think I stooda chance, you know?”

Joxer nodded, “Yeah, I know.” Ares smiled softly and kissed Joxer’stemple.

“When he started showing an interest, I was thrilled. And determined.Determined that I wouldn’t do anything to mess it up. I thought, Ithought the first time would be amazing, special, like it was with us,but…” Ares stopped.

“Res?” Joxer lifted his head to stare down at his boyfriend in concern.The haunted pain in Ares’ eyes hurt him. “We don’t have to…”

“No, I do,” Ares interrupted him quietly. “Joxer, I don’t want him tothink he can manipulate you like he tried today. He’s a bastard. Idon’t know why he thinks he stands any kind of a chance, maybe he justwants to hurt me more.”

“Why?” Joxer frowned in confusion.

“Because he’s a bastard,” Ares repeated. “Joxer, he used me. Every timewe were together he hurt me, physically, mentally. He hurt me badly andhe didn’t care.”

Joxer buried his face in Ares’ neck so he couldn’t see his face, hewasn’t sure he could let Ares continue if he had to see the hurt in hislover’s eyes.

“He used my insecurities, my need to have someone, to make me think Iwas doing everything wrong, that I was the problem and he was the onehaving to make allowances and being hurt.”

“Jesus, Ares,” Joxer squeezed his eyes shut against the tears thatthreatened and held Ares tighter.

“Strife got suspicious, it was when he and Cupid were just startingout. I couldn’t understand their relationship at all. They were socaring and tender with each other, right from the start. We walked inon them having sex. It was so different from what I’d experienced, sobeautiful, I knew something was wrong. Strife confronted me, forced meto tell him what was going on.

“He made me realise that things really were wrong, that I shouldn’t begetting hurt like that.” Ares shifted round, pulling Joxer closer.Joxer clung to him tightly, crying silently. “It was when we confrontedApollo that I found out I’d been nothing more than a casual fuck. Hehad a regular lover, probably others on the side too,” Ares sighedagain.

“It took me a long time to really get over that. Not that he’d brokenmy heart, just being able to trust someone, to want to be with someoneagain. I knew I wanted what Cupid and Strife have. I didn’t think thatcould ever happen, until…”

Joxer lifted his head again and Ares reached up to gently wipe away thetears trickling down his cheeks.

“It’s okay, Joxer,” Ares whispered, “I got my happy ending. You’re myhappy ending.”

Joxer smiled tremulously, “Oh, Res, I’m so sorry.”

Ares pulled him down for a soft kiss. “It’s okay, Joxer,” he repeated.

“Is that why you were so careful with me?” Joxer asked quietly.

Ares nodded, “I knew how easy it is to be manipulated into thingsyou’re not ready for. I couldn’t risk hurting you.”

“You could never have done that, Ares,” Joxer said firmly. He snuggledback down into Ares’ arms. “You know that every moment we’ve hadtogether have been the best of my life. I love you.” Joxer felt thesigh and slight trembling of his lover and looked up again, “I mean it,Ares.”

Ares finally smiled at him, “I know. I love you too.”

Joxer nodded and leaned up to kiss him. They held each other quietly,Joxer’s mind racing. He was devastated that Ares had had such aterrible experience and very glad Strife had been there for his lover.But he was also a little relieved that Apollo had no hold over hislover. There was no shadow hanging over his heart anymore and he felttruly happy and complete.

“So, we’re okay?” Ares asked suddenly.

“Of course we are, Res,” Joxer replied, “I’m just sorry my owninsecurity made me bring this all up.”

“No, it was important to you, to us both,” Ares said quietly, “He’sgone now, completely. It’s just you and me.”

“Always.” Joxer pulled out of Ares’ arms and sat up. He twisted roundand smiled down at his lover. Ares sat up and caressed his cheekgently, pulling him forward for a deep, possessive kiss.

“Always,” he whispered against Joxer’s lips.

“You ready to go back and help, Strife?” Joxer asked quietly. He didn’treally want to. He wanted to stay in their room, just the two of them,but the party was his idea.

“In a minute, I have something for you.” Ares leaned over him and overthe edge of the bed. He pulled out a small package and held it out toJoxer. “Happy birthday, love.”

Joxer smiled, “Thank you.”

“Open it,” Ares said quietly, nervously.

Joxer ripped off the packaging and opened the box. “Oh, Ares,” hegasped, pulling out the slender, silver chain and small locket.

“I wanted, I wanted to show you how much I love you,” Ares smiledtentatively.

“You do, every day,” Joxer whispered. He fingered the locket carefully,and opened it. Inside were two tiny photos. One of him with Ares,kissing. A picture that Strife had taken at a picnic they’d been onafter school had finished. The other photo was a copy of the picture ofJoxer with his brothers. Joxer felt tears on his face again and Arespulled him into his arms.

“Is it all right?” Ares whispered. Joxer could feel the tension in hislover’s body and nodded.

“It’s beautiful, perfect. How did you… when?” he asked. Ares rarelyleft his side and he wondered how he could have found the time.

“I got Auto to help me out,” Ares replied with a small smile.

Joxer smiled back, “Thank you, Ares.”

Ares took the locket from him and carefully fastened it round his neck.“Sweet seventeen,” he whispered, brushing back Joxer’s hair.

Joxer laughed. “At last. I won’t feel quite so out of place at collegenow.”

Ares grinned and shook his head, “If anyone’s going to be feeling outof place at college, love, it’ll be me.”

Joxer raised his eyebrows and pulled a face at his lover. “Ares, we’vetalked about this. Please don’t put yourself down all the time.” Areslooked away, but Joxer caught his chin and made him meet his eyes.“Res, I don’t care what school said, your SATs and I say different, yougot that?”

Ares gave him a tiny smile and nodded, “I wouldn’t have got in withoutyou though, love. But I’m glad I did, you wouldn’t want your olderlover hanging around mooching off you.”

Joxer snorted, his lips twitching, “Older? Give me a break, Res, youhardly qualify.” Ares pouted and Joxer couldn’t resist leaning forwardfor another kiss. “Anyway, if anyone mooches, it’s me. You guys are themoneyed folks in this town.”

Ares made a rude noise, “Oh, because you are *so* broke.”

“Well, I don’t pay rent here,” Joxer said with a slight twinkle in hiseyes.

Ares laughed, “You pay in kind, love.”

“Are you calling me a rent-boy?!” Joxer exclaimed in mock horror.

“Maybe,” Ares chuckled, “I only accept the best though.”

“Oh well, that’s okay then,” Joxer snickered and shook his head. “Comeon then, I’m in more of a party mood now.” Ares pouted again. “Come on,Ares, I got cake.”

Ares’ eyes lit up, “Chocolate?”

“Of course.” Joxer stood up and held out his hand. Ares took it with agrin and followed him back to the lounge. Neither of them wereparticularly surprised to find Strife lying on top of Cupid on thecouch, the pair kissing voraciously.

“Can we save the fucking for the film at least?” Ares asked with asnort of laughter.

“Aw, but,” Strife looked up and grinned, “Yeah sure.” He looked at themseriously, “Everything okay?”

Joxer smiled at the note of concern in his friend’s voice. He was stillgetting used to people other than his brothers caring about him. “Yes,everything’s fine now.”

“Cool,” Strife nodded and Cupid grinned at them.

Cupid peered at Joxer, “Hey, nice, is that from Res?” He pointed at thelocket.

Joxer grinned and nodded, “Yeah, isn’t it beautiful?” Joxer opened itand showed them the pictures.

“Aw, I love that photo, I’m very proud of it,” Strife chuckled.

“Not as good as the one Res took of you guys,” Joxer laughed.

Cupid flushed and pouted, “There was no need for that one! Not that Idon’t keep it close to my heart at all times.”

Strife snickered. “Hey, it’s not your cock that got photographed!”

Ares laughed and shook his head, “Honestly, you two! You know if youcould keep it in your pants for two minutes, you wouldn’t get intothese situations.”

“And where’s the fun in that?” Strife snorted with a mischievous grin.

The front door slammed and they could hear Eris giggling. The dooropened and Eris and Auto piled into the room.

“Oh, hey!” Eris grinned, “Hey, what’s going on here?” She looked roundthe room in surprise.

“Jox’s birthday treat,” Strife smiled up at her.

“Oh, Joxer, you should have said!” Eris exclaimed.

Joxer smiled and shook his head, “It’s not a big deal, but I wanted tosurprise you guys.”

Eris looked confused, “Why? It’s *your* birthday.”

“Yeah, so it’s my choice what we do,” Joxer grinned.

Auto chuckled, “Did you like your present? I wondered what it was for.”

“Yeah, it’s fantastic, thanks for helping Res get it for me,” Joxernodded happily.

“So that’s why you were sneaking around!” Eris exclaimed, “I was alittle worried you know, you could have told me.” She pouted first atAuto and then at Ares.

“I promised Res I wouldn’t say anything,” Auto shrugged. “Aw c’mon,sugar, you weren’t really worried were you?”

Eris held herself away from her boyfriend and continued to pout. Autoslid his arms round her waist and nuzzled her neck, “Baby, come on, youknow I love you.”

Eris’ mouth lifted in a half smile and she nodded.

“Go on, kiss and make up,” Ares chuckled, hugging Joxer close. Joxerlaughed and Strife and Cupid started to snicker. Eris glared at themthen kissed Auto hard. Auto moaned and clutched the back of her head,bending her backwards slightly.

Strife and Cupid broke out into a round of applause, whooping andlaughing. Auto straightened and broke the kiss with a grin. Eris lickedher lips and cleared her throat.

“Yes, well, you’re forgiven,” Eris sighed.

“So, Jox, what film did ya get out?” Strife asked, leaning againstCupid. Cupid wrapped an arm round his lover and he looked upquestioningly at Joxer as well.

“Friday the 13th part 6,” Joxer tried to suppress the giggles thattried to consume him at the multiple groans. “Oh, come on, it’shilarious.”

“True,” Ares sighed and sat down, tugging Joxer into his lap, “And youlike Tommy.”

“I do not!” Joxer protested with a laugh.

“Right which is why you keep getting ‘Return of the Living Dead’ outtoo!” Ares blinked and tried to look hurt.

“Give me a break, Res, I don’t like blonds. No offence, Cupid,” Joxergrinned.

Cupid snorted, “None taken, dude.”

“Well, happy birthday, Joxer,” Eris said quietly, taking her place onAuto’s lap.

“Yeah, happy birthday,” Strife and Cupid repeated.

Joxer smiled and settled back against Ares. As the film started, heglanced over his family and sighed happily.

the end

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