"So who needs ta invite?" He giggled. "We just snatch 'em up. I mean, it ain't like it'd be tha first time, right?"

Cupid, Strife, Ares, and Joxer were gathered at the side of one of Hera's smaller audience chambers. Hephastus was sitting, placidly drinking a cup of wine, while he watched his wife trying to persuade Bliss that pink was a very appropriate color for a flower boy/ring bearer.

At the front of the room, Hera and Zeus were sitting side by side. Hera was tapping one foot, her expression saying that she wasn't far from losing her temper. Zeus was narrowly watching the quartet at the side of the room. "This isn't right," said Cupid in a low voice. "It's our wedding. Hera agreed that it didn't have to be a state ceremony. We should be allowed to invite just who we want. I can't believe that Zeus is insisting that we invite Hercules."

"Ya can't? I can believe it with no trouble a'tall," said Strife. He hooked an arm around Cupid's shoulders and whispered, "Look, cuz, it ain't too hard ta figure out his reasonin. He was easy ta get along with when Unc stood up an' claimed Joxer, an' now he's worried that he's gonna look like a wuss if he doesn't make some sorta demand he knows will piss off a good numbah of people." He squeezed Cupid. "Let's give 'im this without a fuss." Strife grinned. "I'm kinda looking forward ta tha reaction. I'm pretty sure it won't match..." he got a glazed look on his face and said in a stunned tone, "Joxer?" His expression returned to its usual puckish intelligence. "But this should come close. An' if it'll make ya feel any bettah," he giggled, "we can add a coupla more ta tha guest list that oughta twist his toga up pretty good."

Cupid had started to smile, almost reluctantly. "I'm afraid to ask."

"Ah, c'mon--I'm not that hard ta figure out." He glanced at Ares. "Unc, don'tcha think it would be well within reason fah Cupid ta wanta have his sistah attend his weddin?"

Ares groaned. "But if Xena comes, she'd want to bring Gabrielle. And Gabrielle..." Strife was grinning. "Gabrielle pisses Zeus off just as much, if not more, as anyone else. Ooo, I'll be glad when your honeymoon is over and I can get you back to helping with the plotting and machinations. But if we're going to have Xena and her bimbo, we ought to let Hercules bring a *cough* 'date'."

"Oh, absolutely." Strife was nodding vigorously.

"Sure," said Cupid. "I have no problems with Iolaus. He's been a great little energy generator for Mom and myself." Cupid held up a finger. "But that's all. I don't want this to be a circus."

Strife snapped his fingers. "Guess I bettah tell tha clowns not ta show."

"No need for them. We've already decided we're having Hercules and Gabrielle."

Ares rolled his eyes. "You're rubbing off on him, Strife."

Strife fluttered his eyelashes innocently. "I refuse ta answer that on tha grounds that I'm not s'posed ta discuss my sex life right before tha ceremony."

"I'm looking forward to this, sorta," said Joxer. His hands were cupped almost under his belly, supporting it. This seemed to be his common posture when he stood these days--either that or one hand on belly, the other pressed to the small of his back. "I was barely showing the last time they saw me."

Ares was scowling. Strife whispered to him, "Let Gabby make one remark about his weight, an' I'll send her home tha natural way. I'll just punt her skinny ass off tha side of Olympus."

They walked up to the thrones. Cupid inclined his head, and said, "We will bring Hercules here to witness the ceremony."

Zeus nodded regally. "I'm pleased that you realized..."

"We will also bring Iolaus, Xena, and Gabrielle."

Zeus didn't quite do a double take. Strife smiled at him. "Thanks fah givin tha go ahead ta have a little longah guest list. It was real big of ya."

Now Zeus could either accept the praise for something that was finagled around his wishes, or protest, and be shown up for his manipulations. His response wasn't surprising. *harumph* "Yes, it was rather a good idea. After all, you don't want it to look as if this is a sneak marriage. Ares, if you will bring in Xena and her... friend, I will bring Hercules and Iolaus." Zeus put a finger to his forehead, closing his eyes in concentration.

Hera snorted softly. "Like you don't keep closer tabs on him than merchants keep on Autolycus when he's browsing."

"Xena and Gabrielle are staying at the Freebitch Tavern," offered Joxer. When he was given a questioning look, he said, "They're having a lyric poetry contest in the neighborhood, and the proprietress of the tavern has a huge crush on Xena. She always gives them a special rate."

"Allow me," said Ares. "Since Xena is my blood, it's a lot easier for me to track her than anyone else here." He didn't make as much of a show of it as Zeus. He simply looked thoughtful, then flicked his hand. There was a brief crackle of energy, a red flash, and Xena and Gabrielle appeared in the middle of the room.

Xena was looking bored. Gabrielle must've been sitting at a table, because she plopped butt first onto the floor, still clutching a quill. Xena's hand went automatically to her chakram, but it dropped when she spotted Joxer, and a smile lighted her face. Gabrielle, apparently, didn't see anything that put her in a better mood. She jumped up, squawking. "How dare you just snatch a person! This is kidnapping! This is an insult! This is an outrage! This is..."

"This is a wedding," said Ares bluntly. "We're waiting on Hercules and Iolaus. Once they're here, the ceremony won't take long. It's only right for Xena to be here, and since she gets grouchy if you aren't along," he rolled his eyes, "Tartarus if I can tell why, we brought you, too. Now, just shut up."

"Ares, of all the high-handed, arrogant stunts that you've pulled, this takes the cake!"

He sighed. "I don't know why I thought she'd shut up." Joxer patted his shoulder sympathetically.

"I was right in the middle of working on my entry for the contest. I've already gotten my choral lyric perfected, but I'm still working on my personal lyric. I can't decide between dedicating it to Apollo or Athena, and... Wedding? Who's getting married?" Cupid held up his hand. Gabrielle looked like someone had just handed her a sack of dinars. "The Love God is getting married!" She shredded her quill in her excitement. "Now I'll have an exclusive theme for my poem. I'm sure to win! Oh, this is wonderful."

She was suddenly spun around, and Strife planted a big, juicy kiss on her. "Yer so sweet ta say so! An' here I thought ya didn't wish me well." Her eyes bugged out. Her mouth opened wide as Strife took a step back, and everyone in the room braced for an earsplitting screech. There was a sound, but it was tiny--almost subsonic. Strife cupped a hand to his ear. "Hark, I do believe we got bat." He strolled over to Cupid and looped his arms around his neck. "Cupie, I got an awful taste in my mouth fah some reason. Anythin ya can do about it?" Cupid kissed him deeply, with lots of tongue. Strife smacked his lips. "Much bettah. Thanks. Hey, Ruler an' High Muckity Muck, ain'tch located ol' Stick-up-his-Ass yet?"

Zeus sat up suddenly, scowling. "What?"

Strife gave him an innocent look. "I said ain'tcha located ol' This-too-Shall-Pass?"

"Yes, I have." He waved his hand. Hercules and Iolaus appeared before his throne. "Hello, son."

Hercules nodded, while Iolaus lost no time in going over to schmooz with Aphrodite. "Hi, Dad. What's up?"

"Well, we're having an outbreak of divine matrimony on Olympus. First Ares, now Cupid."

Hercules smiled. "Really? That's great!" He walked over to Cupid and clapped him on the shoulder, shaking his hand. "Who's the lucky lady?"

Strife clasped his hands primly and fluttered his eyelashes. "Me."

The hero's smile froze in place, and he was absolutely silent. Iolaus came over. "Hey, congratulations, you two! Love and Mischief together--now that's a natural combination if I ever heard of one. Isn't it terrific, Herc?"

Hercules blinked. "Strife?"

Iolaus sighed. "Fuck. Here we go again."

Joxer said, "Ar, do you think anyone would mind if I sat down during the ceremony?" He'd acquired a nice tan from relaxing in the garden the last couple of months, but now he was looking a little pale.

Ares materialized a chair and helped him into it. "If anyone did mind, do you think I'd give a flying fuck? Are you all right? Do I need to call Ace or Apollo?"

"No, no. Just a little tired." He smiled. "All the excitement, I guess."

Ares looked up at his parents. "As much as I'd like my son's union given due respect, can we get on with this?"

Cupid spoke up. "But Eris isn't here yet. We should wait..."

Strife laid a hand on his arm. "Cupe? Bettah not ta wait." Cupid gave him a concerned look, and Strife shrugged. There was a touch of resignation in his voice. "I'm gettin what I want t'day, whether she's here or not."

Hera stood. "Let's do this, then." She cocked an eyebrow at Cupid and Strife as everyone scrambled to get into position. "You may be one of the oddest couples I've ever joined..." she hesitated, then seemed to decide on something, "but I have a good feeling about this, Fates know why." She smiled down at Bliss. "Are you ready, dear?" He nodded vigorously, holding up a basket of white rose petals to show her. "Go ahead."

Cupid and Strife were standing side-by-side before Hera. Bliss skipped back and forth before them, tossing handfuls of petals with admirable enthusiasm. He went around the couple, tossing more petals at them, chanting, "Dah-dee's marryin Stwi-fee! Dah-dee's marryin Stwi-fee!" He finished off by pitching handfuls directly at their faces. He wouldn't have been able to get enough distance, except that he was so excited that he was flapping his wings, stirring the petals up into a cloud. When the basket was empty and he retired to stand beside Aphrodite to one side, Cupid and Strife both had rose petals drifted in their hair.

Hera started to speak, but there was an abrupt crackle. The entire group looked back in time to see Eris appear at the very back of the room. She glared at them all silently, as if daring anyone to speak. Her eyes met Strife's. She saw the surprise and pleasure in her son's expression, and something flickered in her eyes. It came and went too fast to be interpreted, but it had been there.

Hera said quietly, "Now that we have all assembled." Her tone was a clear call for attention, and everyone turned back to her. "It was not long ago that we gathered to celebrate another joyful occasion, another marriage. This is one instance in which I pity my followers. How many mortal women not only see their children wed, but live to see their grandchildren take a spouse," she smiled at Bliss, "and later still their great-grandchildren." He wrinkled his nose at her. "You'll change your mind some day, little one."

She looked back at Cupid and Strife. "To many this union may seem hasty. Some might council that you take more time, so that you might be sure of this connection you feel." She smiled at Cupid. "Foolish, aren't they?" He returned the smile. "As Love himself well knows, there is no set time on these things. True love can come in a flash, or it can grow gradually, over a lifetime. I think that here we have a little of both. I remember you two as boys. You were together always," she rolled her eyes, "much to the annoyance of most of the Pantheon. Strife wasn't the only mischief magnet. Cupid, you could definitely give him a run for his money. Then time and life seemed to move you apart. That first bond may have been stretched a little thin, but it never broke, and now... Now it is as strong as I have ever seen, shining between a couple standing before me." She looked around the room, her eyes touching everyone. "This is right. This is what has to be, and will b e."

She looked to the couple again. "You have told me that you choose to exchange tokens, to symbolize your commitment." They nodded. "Do so now."

Cupid called, "Bliss?"

Bliss took a small wooden box from Hephastus, and carried it carefully over to his father. Offering it up, he said, "Here, Daddy. I din't drop it."

"No, you didn't. Now, stand still and hold it for just a little bit longer, okay? Once Strife and I both have our rings, you can go back and stand with Dite."

"Okay." He held the box a little higher.

Cupid opened the lid, reached in, and withdrew a small, bright ring. Strife leaned forward, and winked at Bliss. The little boy giggled, but didn't drop the box as the Mischief God reached in and extracted a second ring. Then he closed the lid and said, "Ya done good, kiddo. Now, scram." Bliss giggled again, snapped the box shut, and trotted back to the side.

Hera said, "Hold out the rings, you two. They did, and she held her hand over them. "You have chosen these rings as outward symbols of your devotion and commitment to each other. As the Goddess of Marriage, I bless them. Exchange them, and speak your vows."

Cupid took Strife's left hand and slipped the ring on, then held it. Looking deep into Strife's eyes, he said quietly. "Once I thought I had found love, but I grew to understanding. I can't regret it," he threw a warm glance at his son, "because one of my greatest joys was the result. And the loneliness and pain I felt afterwards prepared me to recognize the real love that I'd been overlooking for so long. I love you, Strife. I think I always have, deep down. If you're willing to forgive me for the years of stubborn ignorance, I'm ready to spend from now till eternity showing you just how much you mean to me."

Strife lifted Cupid's hand, kissing it, then slipped his own ring on Cupid's finger. "I ain't all that good with words, 'cept when I'm tryin ta bamboozle someone." He shook his head. "That ain't happenin here, so don't be surprised if I'm less than eloquent. Truth don't always sound as pretty as lies. I love ya, Cupe. I've loved ya for a long, long time, but I kept tellin myself that nothin was evah gonna come of it." His smile was a little pained. "Ain't easy ta believe in some things, but ya made a believer outta me. I believe ya love me. I believe ya mean fahevah. I believe I'm gonna take ya up on yer suggestion. Ya ain't gettin rid of me." He looked at Hera. "Your turn."

"Thank you so much," she said dryly. "Hold out your hands." The two extended their left hands, the new rings glinting in the torchlight. She held up her own hands, and a golden cord and silver dagger appeared. Hera made a quick, short slice across each man's palm. As the blood began to well out she said, "In the mortal world, the giving and receiving of rings is enough, but divinities are held to higher standards. We bond in blood. You will save this dagger as a reminder of that." Ares stepped forward and took the dagger, as Strife had done for him at his wedding. "Hold hands, young ones." Cupid and Strife clasped hands tightly, pressing their wounded palms together.

Hera moved quickly, lashing their forearms together, from wrist to elbow. "Here your blood mingles in the most basic and obvious of ways." She gave Cupid, then Strife a shrewd look, then said quietly, "There are deeper, more profound ways of blood bonding." She glanced at Joxer, her eyes resting on where his hand moved restlessly over his belly, and her gaze softened. "As we have proof." She looked back at Cupid and Strife. "Who's to say that other bonding might be in the future? We can only hope." She stepped back, her tone becoming once more official. "Cupid, Strife--take this moment to think about what you are promising to each other. Know once and for all that you belong to each other." She raised her hands. "All others here, stand silent witness to this joining."

Silent seconds ticked by. Strife and Cupid gazed into each other's eyes, and Strife later said that he could have been dive bombed by Harpies while Cerberus chewed on his butt, and he wouldn't have noticed. Finally Hera stepped forward and quickly untied the cord, handing it to Ares as well. "This cord symbolizes all that binds you two together. Keep it also, as a reminder." She smiled faintly. "Though I have to admit, I really don't think you two will need a reminder." She healed their cuts, then materialized a basin of water and washed away the blood. "All barriers between you are cut, let any doubt about your love be washed away, and come away from this moment with a fresh, new life--together. Face your guests as you will now face the world--together." The two turned, clasping hands again, and Hera said, "I present to you Cupid, God of Romantic Love, and Strife, God of Mischief--now and forever mates in all things."

There was an excited squeal, and Bliss pelted over to throw himself at Strife's legs. "I gotta new daddy! I gotta new daddy!"

Strife laughed, picking him up to swing him around. "Ya sure do, kid! Now there's two of us ta make ya clean yer room, take baths, eat green stuff..."

Bliss looked horrified. "Stwife!" Strife giggled, and Bliss joined him. "You so funny!"

Cupid took Bliss from Strife's arms. "Babe, Strife and I are going to be leaving in a minute." Immediately a plump baby lip was thrust out, quivering dangerously. "We'll only be gone a few days, and listen--since we won't be staying for a reception, you need to eat some cake and goodies for us to celebrate."

The lip stopped quivering. "Ice cweam?"

"I wouldn't be at all surprised. You're going to have to eat two bowls--one for you, and one for me and Strife."

Bliss shook his head. "Daddy, you and Stwife need a bowl each. I better eat three bowls."

"Makes sense ta me," said Strife.

Aphrodite took Bliss from Cupid. "Yes. You aren't the one who'll be sitting up with him when he gets a sore tummy." She kissed Cupid and Strife each on the cheek. "Get lost, you two. I'm getting buzzed just from the energy waves coming off you already."

Eris walked up to the front of the room. It grew quiet as she stared between Cupid and Strife silently. Finally she looked back at Cupid and said, "You know what happens if you hurt him, right?" Cupid nodded. Her scowl deepened. "The House of War has a reputation to uphold, you know. Wouldn't do to let one of our own..." She caught Strife's eyes. His expression was a little bewildered. She cleared her throat. "Yeah. Well..." She disappeared.

Strife and Cupid made their goodbyes to Ares and Joxer, then the demigods and humans. Xena hugged Cupid, while Iolaus shook Strife's hand. Gabrielle stiffly offered her hand to Strife. He ignored it in favor of giving her a huge hug and a sloppy kiss on the cheek, which left her rather shell-shocked. As they were flashing out, Cupid was heard to remark, "I don't understand you sometimes. I thought you said she made your skin crawl."

"An' I do tha same fah her. Was I gonna pass up an opportunity like that?"