Welcome to AresJoxerCupidStrife

Part 1

Title: Within the Gray
Authoress: Lady Bard
Feed back: ladybard@shellworld.net (or to list)
Rating: pg13
Archive: AJCS (any one else ask)
Pairings: C/s, Herc/Gab, (others as series progresses)
Type: AU

Disclaimers: many of the characters depicted in this work of fiction do not belong to me they belong to the PTB and I intend no infringment nor monetary gain. The ideas do belong to me as will some of the characters. If you wish to play in my sand box go ahead just give credit where it is do.

Dedication: to Hergerbabe and her fab Life Sucks. Huggles and thanks for helping me to see the possibilities.

Warnings: Some strong language, magic type abilities, Warm and fuzzies, SAP

Note: /bla/thaughts, ~*~: change of perspective, ***: time elapsed

More notes:

I read a lot of fantacy and many of the ideas have come from those books. Most noticeably Joxer's Abilities will be similar to that in the Shanara books by Tery Brooks. I am trying to put a unique spin on things but if I blatently use something from an author's work these notes will change to reflect that.

This world is very similar to our earth but it has some differences like Magic abilities being real if not popular.

The setting of this university is kind of like Florida. I live in Florida and the horrible weather we have been experiencing just screamed to be used for this. That's about all for now. I'll post these notes with revissions whenever I post a Within the Gray Story.

SUGGESTIONS, CC, and all other comments welcome.

LB

Within the Gray 1
First Meetings

The young man trudged through the lush greenery all around him ignoring both the heat and the tropical growth around him. Exhaustion pulled at his very bones and he was anxious to find his room. His brown hair was filthy and he was sweaty. He tried shaking off the bugs that constantly attacked him but it was useless. His usually graceless way of moving was worse than usual. This made Joxer stumble slightly and one of the duffel bags fell to the muddy ground. This almost brought him to tears but he picked up the now muddy bag and held it while the mud transferred itself from the bag to his clothing.

It had taken him *grueling* *hours* of hard work and practice to get him into Olimpic University.

It had been against the wishes of his family and with a full scholarship that he had packed up his meager possessions and had left his small home town. He vowed silently never to return. The tiny bit of confidence he had in his music was all that had sustained him through the agonizingly long bus trip south. He remembered with a faint smile, getting the letter that would change his life, for the better.

It was going to be 5 o'clock soon and Joxer had been on Campus since before noon. There had been a mix-up and the dorm which held the music students was filled so he had to room with someone in another department. He saw up ahead the Sign that said Defense and strategy and he sped up.

He felt the heat sucking the very life out of him but he continued, knowing that relief was just moments away. When the texture beneath his feet changed from mud to solid ground Joxer could have kissed the ground beneath his feet.

Juggling the two bags he held and dragging a wheeled bag behind him, Joxer realized that he would need to get the key to let himself into the main building. As he leaned over to place 2 of his 3 bags on the floor the door flew open right into Joxer's head. The young man sailed backwards and landed on his butt. A blond head poked out of the opening that had appeared and stared down at him. Joxer noticed that it was a she and as he looked up at her he saw the amusement in her eyes. The tiny laugh that escaped made it clear that she felt no remorse. The laugh had a mocking and cruel edge that Joxer had not heard since his mother Jonestra had left.

"Quality's really going down if rifraf *like* *you* are being allowed into Olimpic Uni."

"Is that so? And what would *some one* like you understand about what this school finds acceptable, Gabrielle?" Joxer could see in the girl's eyes that she had not heard the young man come up behind her.

"Yer boy friend actually teaching you how to speak Strife? I'm impressed. I didn't think he had it in him."

~*~

Strife looked down at the bedraggled figure that Gabrielle had knocked down so that his anger would not be visible. He was used to people under estimating him. He was used to the ugliness directed at him but when people said things about his Cupy he just *did* *not* stand for it. He decided to take the young man under his protection because no one deserved the scorn Gabrielle could throw out as easy as breathing.

His body moved fluidly and with what he knew would look like one continuous movement to anyone watching he laid her out flat on her back. "We all know that you have no talent and that the only reason you're here is that you're screwing Herc the jerk so just shut the fuck up and go away. Oh, and don't mess with him." Strife said, pointing to the young man slowly getting up. With a huff, Gabrielle left to plot her vengeance.

"I'm Strife."

"Joxer." Strife blinked and shook the grubby hand held out to him. The voice had been soft yet it had held a note of power that few admitted to this school held.

"You lost?" Strife asked.

"No, I'm a music major. I can play the harp and the Flute and I sing. It's actually my voice that got me in."
/I can imagine/ Strife thought quietly as Joxer continued speaking.
"I have a full scholarship. The dorm for the vocalists was filled and I was told by Mr. Avory that I was to stay here. He said that I-" he stopped, as though realizing he had said too much.

Strife smiled gently. That was an expression very few saw. C'mon. I'll help you find your room. I was told I had a room mate coming in so that's what I was doing out here. Figured I'd help the guy out."

"I've got room 69."

Guess I've been waiting for you, cool. Come on. I'll show you around and you can settle in."

Joxer looked down at his filthy clothing and cringed. Strife noticed, being much more observant than most gave him credit for.

"We'll go to the room so's you can unpack and shower or bathe and then I'll show you around?" Joxer nodded and they entered the building.

*** ~*~

forty-five minutes later Joxer decided to take Strife up on his offer. He felt refreshed and energized and did not want to waste it. A long bath had done wonders for him. Joxer felt his usual curiosity along with his upbeat nature resurface.

He walked out of the bathroom that Strife and he shared with 2 students that he had not yet met and gaped. His mouth was slightly opened to allow him to speak but it dropped the rest of the way open with out a word. The sight before him made him weak kneed and he slumpt against the wall just to stay on his feet.

Strife was on the bed furthest from the door and draped over him lips glued to his was a mail person. They looked to be enjoying themselves. To Joxer it seemed that the two were inhabiting, for this brief moment, one skin. Strife's fingers were twined in the other boy's hair and Joxer could hear the tiny whimpers the two were making. He had always known that girls did not appeal to him and now, he understood why.

He watched in awe as the kiss ended but the two staid glued together. He felt like a voyeur as the two boys spoke.

Striffy, what did she say this time." The other boy was placing tiny kisses over cheeks, eyes, nose and any other bit of skin he could reach.

"Don matter Cupy. Usual shit."

"She made you sad."

"You're here now, with me. Es all that matters. Please?"

Okay. Okay. Shh!"

"Got a room mate, Cupe."

"What! Where?" Joxer watched in sudden amusement as Strife's friend rolled off him and right on to the floor.

~*~

Strife burst into giggles and Joxer found himself joining in.

It took them several moments to get themselves under control. Strife looked at his love and found a scowl on the face he loved so much. Deciding if Joxer had seen them making out a little more action wouldn't harm him, he took Cupid's lips in a tender kiss. He nibbled gently on his Cupid's bottom lip tugging slightly. Strife felt the brief annoyance leave his lover's body. Cupid's arms wound around him and he parted his lips for Strife's tongue to find its mate. Their breathing sped up as the kiss deepened and became wilder.

"Boys. Hey. Stop that!" They broke a part and glared evilly in the direction of the voices.

"Hey Res, Pol!" Strife waved Shamelessly at them and grinned. "That's Joxer over there."

As Strife waved in the direction his new room mate was in he blushed a little and apologized. "Im sorry man. Cupe and I we don't get to see each other lot so when we do we get a little carried away."

"That's alright. It was, um, quite a revelation."

Strife's grin returned. "Like I meant to do. Cupid this Is Joxer. He's in Pol's department. Joxer, Those two over there are Ares and Apollo. Res and Pol for short. They live next door. They're good friends of ours."

~*~

"Nice to meet you." Joxer found himself staring, rather rudely at the golden guy in front of him. He was tall and blond and he was tanned. There was not much left to the imagination. He wore skimpy clothing that highlighted his attributes rather nicely.

Joxer found himself shaking the hand offered to him and something past between them. Their eyes met and held as they measured one another.

"You're a music major?" The question fell softly into the sudden hush that had fallen over the room.

"Yes, vocals." Joxer watched as Apollo's eyes widened.

"Good to meet you. Hope we can be friends."

Joxer turned to the other person in the room and looked into the most beautiful dark eyes he had ever seen. For a split second he could not speak.

"Hello." /Oh my./ The voice, Joxer thought was as compelling as the eyes. It seemed to wrap around him promising him the unknown.

"Hello. It is a pleasure to meet you." joxer murmured breathlessly. He was stunned at his ability to speak. Ares exuded a dangerous aura that quickened his heartbeat.

He was the complete opposite of Apollo. He was dressed in painted on leather from head to toe. Joxer wanted them off to see what lay beneath. He immediately smacked himself for the thoughts he was having.

~*~

Ares Smiled. This innocent before him was so easy to read. he could feel the waves of lust rolling off him, and something else too. There was a genuineness that Ares had rarely seen. It was at that moment he decided not to take advantage of him .

Ares was aware that he could have Joxer flat on his back or on all four begging him for the fuck of a life time. He chose to do something he rarely did. He would become friends with Joxer. He had done it with Pol and Heph and he would with Joxer too. He could do it. It would be a difficult task because Joxer was looking at him with soulful eyes but he *knew* that he would not be able to live with himself if he hurt the young man before him.

"So." Ares started, "Has Strife shown you around?"

"No, not yet. We were getting to that."

"Would you mind if Pol and I gave you a tour so that Strife and Cupid can spend some time together?"

A slow smile spread over Joxer's face. "I'd love it."

"Come on Pol!" Ares said, grabbing the blond and tugging him towards the door . Joxer waved at his room mate and followed.

~*~

As the door closed with a bang Cupid swept his lover into his arms and shimmered slightly and they were floating above the ground. "Cupe, this safe."

"Mm! Need to stretch them out sometimes. It hurts to have them absorbed all the time. Wish we could go for a ride. Strife became aware of soft feathers caressing his skin and sight contentedly.

"You didn't hurt them when you rolled off me, did you?" As he spoke, Strife petted the soft White wings that had appeared on his love's back.

"Not Really."

"Joxer, he's got a lot of power doesn't he?"

"Seems like it."

"Do you think Pol and he will be alright, Having more or less the same abilities?"

"I think so. Did you see Joxer and Res." Cupid grinned as he asked the question.

"Uh-huh. How long before they end up in bed, Cupe?"

"They might not. Res seems like he's going to *just* be a friend."

"I intend to be a friend for him. I get the feeling he could use one, or more than one."

"Can never have enough friends, babe."

"When do you have to go back?"

"Monday."

"Love me.?"

~*~

Cupid leaned into Strife and captured his mouth in a breath stealing kiss. One day, he swore once more to himself, they would be together. Until then, Cupid would steal whatever time he could with Strife and store the memories for when they were apart.

He was glad that Strife had got a room mate that he could get along with. It would give Strife something to do. It worried him when Res and Pol told him that Strife would sit for hours staring out the window in hopes to see him coming. Now maybe Strife would turn his energies to helping someone that seemed to be as out of place as he was.

In a place where lineage and connections mattered, Strife was pretty low on the ladder. It had been Ares who had taken Strife under his protection and it had been one of Strife's practical jokes that had brought Ares and Apollo to where they were now instead of always sniping at one another. Strife was a wonderful person but few saw beyond what he allowed them to see.

Cupid found his thoughts scattering to the winds as Strife's hands wandered over his skin. He would think tomorrow. Right now he would just feel and love and store the memories they made.

tbc