*Okay, I've got to stay angry. Never mind the fact that what I really want is for him to turn over and float on his back so I can get a really good look. After all, this isn't the first time I've seen Herc naked... and wet. But boy, he looks good wet and naked. Naked is fine, but wet just adds another dimension, what with the glistening and... Focus, Iolaus, focus.* "Herc, has it occurred to you that maybe the spell opens up a passage in the bottom of the spring that let's fish from another place swim in? Like maybe those teeny ones with big teeth and bigger appetites that the Nubian traveler told us about?"

Hercules paled, hands disappearing under the water. Iolaus knew where they were going. A woman swimming in unfamiliar water might be nervous about fish nibbling her toes--men instinctively protected other parts of their bodies. "Is... is the map marked like that?"

Iolaus relented. "No, it doesn't say what kind of spell, and I'm pretty sure it isn't carnivorous fish. I think those have to have water that's almost bath temperature to survive."

"Well, our baths..."

"...aren't very warm most of the time. You know what I mean."

"Come to think of it, I did sort of feel a tingle when I hit the water. I figured it was just my body adjusting to the sudden coolness."

"No, that would be your nipples getting hard and your balls trying to crawl up your butt. Tingling is not a good sign. I want you out of there, right now." Hercules swam toward shore. Iolaus came farther down the bank, as if to urge his friend on. "C'mon."

On Olympus, Whim had secreted himself in the closet of the tiny room assigned to him in the Temple of War. He'd flashed in a small scrying mirror, and was keeping an eye on the situation. When he saw Iolaus approaching the water, he started to sweat lightly. He noticed that the bank was a little slippery, and he started to twitch. He muttered, "Nonononono. Ain't gonna do it. My ass is in a deep enough crack as it is." He noticed that Hercules was having a tiny bit of difficulty wading out, since the slope in the spring was steep. Hercules staggered a bit, almost slipping, and Iolaus leaned over a little, reaching out a helping hand.

True to his nature and his godhood, Whim couldn't pass up the impulse. There was a brief flash of orange as he materialized behind Iolaus. Still invisible, he cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted to Hercules. "Duck!"

Both of the men reacted, but in different manners. Hercules had gripped Iolaus' hand, ready to use the hold to steady himself as he climbed out of the water. Iolaus gave in to a sudden urge to duck, squatting swiftly. Since that put him a little off balance, it made Hercules' response even easier. He just jerked--hard. Iolaus found himself pulled off his feet, and he landed on Hercules. Hercules immediately released Iolaus' hand, grabbed a double handful of blond hair--and ducked him. Whim, mission accomplished, flashed out again, wondering if there was any way he could sneak into Asphodel, since that was probably the last place anyone would look for him, and the most likely place he'd end up when everyone figured out he was responsible for this.

Iolaus came up spluttering. "I... wha... you... Herc!" He paused, going very still. "You're right, there is a distinct all over tingle. That said, I'm getting the fuck out of here." They both scrambled up onto dry land. As they stood there dripping, Iolaus studied Hercules. "Would you mind telling me what the Tartarus has gotten into you? It was irresponsible enough to go jumping in after I warned you, but to drag me in..."

"Okay, okay--I'm sorry about that. I don't know why I did it. It just seemed like a good idea at the time. Can you explain why you acted like there was someone behind you taking a swing at your head with a mace?"

Iolaus opened his mouth to reply, then closed it. He shrugged. "Same thing. It just seemed logical." He wrung water out of his vest. "Well, nothing has happened. Maybe you're right--maybe the map is wrong, and..."

Hercules suddenly drew in a great, whooping breath. The tingling was suddenly back, but this time it was a lot stronger, a lot warmer, and it was centered in his crotch. He could feel the heated blood pumping through his veins, and it all seemed to be headed for his cock.

"Herc" Iolaus said, concerned. That gasp had sounded a little worrying. He looked at Hercules, dreading what he might find. He half expected Hercules to have sprouted fur, a tail, more legs, maybe a second head--or breasts. No, he'd sprouted something, but it was completely male, and entirely natural. Of course, Nature had been quite generous with Hercules to start with, so the erection jutting from his groin was pretty impressive. "Uh... Okay, maybe that's the spell on the spring. A spell of horniness."

Hercules was staring at him. "Did you know that you have gold flecks in your eyes?"

Iolaus blinked. "Possibly horniness and distraction."

"No, really." Hercules reached out, one finger settling lightly just at the corner of Iolaus' eye. "Like little gilt flakes. Why haven't I noticed that before?"

Iolaus shivered. The simple touch was sending a surge of warmth through him. "I'd say we both needed a cold bath right now, but with what the one we just had seems to be doing..."

"But the flecks are a darker gold than your hair." Now Hercules had run his hand back into Iolaus' damp curls. "Your hair is more sunshiny."

Iolaus blinked. "Herc? Take a minute here. You're not thinking clearly. You just used the term 'sunshiny'."

"I never much thought about your nickname--the Golden Hunter--but it's very appropriate. The eyes, the hair..." Hercules' hand slid down Iolaus' throat, coming to rest flat on his chest. "The tan. I can't remember--do you have a tan line?"

Hercules' hand slid a little father, grazing a nipple. It had been beginning to firm already--now it stiffened into a pebbled nub. "Hoo." Iolaus glanced down and saw that the front of his own breeches was emphatically tented. He looked back up at his friend. Sure, they'd had sex together before--just stroking each other to completion, but that damn sure counted as sex. *But Herc has never initiated it, and he's never indicated he wanted to go any farther than that. I've been wanting to fuck him for years, but... I don't know. Just about anyone else, I wouldn't be shy about asking, but he's different. He's my friend, and I wouldn't want to suggest anything that might put him off. No matter how much I desire him, I don't want any more than what we have if it means he'll be uncomfortable. Our friendship is too important to risk it for sex. I mean, I know it would be more than sex for me, and I think it would for him, but I don't think he really knows what he wants. I should walk away, right now. We're both obviously under some sort of influence, and if anything happens...* Hercules pinched gently. *It'll be one of the best screws of my life.* Hercules' hand slid lower, down Iolaus' belly, and dipped under his waistband. *And he sure as fuck is acting like he knows what he wants.* Iolaus found that his voice was a little choked. "What are you doing?"

"Checking for tan lines." Hercules tugged, and Iolaus breeches slid lower on his hips. "Nothing so far."

"Herc as much as I'm enjoying this, I think I ought to tell you that I believe that the water has something to do with it."

"Then we'll have to make sure that the spring is well marked on the map, so we can find our way back when we want to." Hercules tugged, and Iolaus breeches dropped around his knees. "Huh, no tan line at all! How have you managed that without my knowing?"

"Those naps I occasionally take on inn and stable roofs. I'm not hiding just so no one will wake me up."

Hercules reached down and drew a fingertip up the underside of Iolaus' straining erection. "Don't you have to worry about splinters in your ass?"

Iolaus was feeling a bit surreal; having such a casual conversation while his best friend was doing something so deliciously dirty to him. "Maybe straw. Most of the roofs are thatched, so..."

"Do you suppose grass would tickle as much as straw?"

"Huh?"

Hercules grabbed Iolaus' shoulders and pushed, following him down, and ended up lying on top of the smaller man. "Does it tickle?"

"I dunno. I'll have to move my ass before I can tell." Iolaus humped upward.

Their erections slid together, and both hissed. Hercules, hands now planted on either side of his shoulders, gazed down into his eyes. "Well?"

"Yeah, it tickles some, but friction can be a GOOD thing, don'tcha think?"

"Definitely."

They squirmed together, painting warm, slick trails on each others thighs and bellies with pre-come. Iolaus was immensely enjoying the feel of Hercules pressing him down into the grass with his solid weight. While the Golden Hunter was usually the aggressor, he had absolutely no trouble with bottoming. Since he figured Hercules WOULD have a problem with catching rather than tossing, Iolaus was more than willing to let his friend take the lead the first time they went beyond a friendly handjob.

Then Hercules sat up, bracing his knees on either side of Iolaus' hips, reaching between them to stroke Iolaus' cock. He gripped it firmly, then rose a little higher on his knees, shifting forward.

Iolaus' eyes flew wide open. *He can't be getting ready to do what I think he is!* Hercules started to sink down. Iolaus' hands shot out, gripping Hercules around the waist firmly. "Waitwaitwait! HHercyou don't know what you're doing."

Hercules' expression was still glazed with lust, but it also had that stubborn cast that Iolaus was very familiar with. "I may not have ever done it, Iolaus, but I'm not ignorant. I know the different things men can do together, and I want this."

"No, you don't." Hercules eyebrows lowered, and Iolaus felt him begin to push down. "Waitwaitwait! Let me rephrase that--you don't want to do it like this. Herc, under the best of circumstances losing your anal cherry can be uncomfortable--but from above, unprepared, with no lubrication? Can you say 'ow'?"

Hercules paused, looking a little doubtful. "Pretty bad?"

"Let me put it this way--you'd probably mince more than Jayce for a long time."

Hercules was still stroking him. "But I want this."

Iolaus could feel his good intentions slipping farther away with each glide. "And you think I don't? Look, I know more about this than you do. I won't promise you that the first time will shake like Atlas dropped the Earth, but if you trust me, I think I can at least keep you from regretting it every time you sit down for the next week."

"If you're going to say I should wait..."

"Can you wait long enough for me to get something out of my pocket? Sit back." When Hercules didn't move, Iolaus put his hands flat on his friend's chest and pushed. "As much as I hate to tell you to let go of my dick, you have to let me sit up so I can reach." Hercules rocked back on his heels, releasing his hold, and Iolaus sat up. He scrabbled, and managed to reach his breeches, which were still tangled around his knees. He dug in his pocket and triumphantly came up with a small vial. "Eureka, and other exclamations of joy!" He opened the vial and poured a little clear oil into his palm. Re-corking the vial, he began to carefully coat his fingers.

Hercules watched, shifting almost anxiously. "You carry that all the time?"

Iolaus nodded. "Hey, you have to work at spontaneity." He glanced at Herc who looked puzzled. "I've had to empty my pockets before. You've seen this."

"I didn't realize you used it for... uh..."

"Sheesh, Herc what did you think? I was carrying it in case I got a sudden urge to bake bread? Scoot off. I'm not going to let you try this position till you have a little experience under your belt..." he chuckled, "or under the belt, as the case may be."

"What should I do?"

"Given our height difference, and the fact that I REALLY don't think I'm going to have the patience for a lot of careful adjustment, I'd say lay on your belly for the first time."

"Okay." Hercules stretched out quickly. "What are you waiting for?"

"Damn, give me a second. I'm admiring the view."

"Well, hurry up, would you? There isn't a hole under me, but there will be soon, and it's pretty damn uncomfortable."

"Herc you are going to be what is called a bossy bottom, and I'm not the least bit surprised. Have you ever had anything other than a wild hair up your ass?"

"Uh... no."

"Brace yourself, then. I'm going to be careful, but it's probably still going to seem a little rude at first, buddy."

Hercules gripped handfuls of grass as he felt Iolaus spread his buttocks. He shuddered as oil was wiped down his crack, then massaged around his anus. He could feel himself beginning to tense up, then he heard Iolaus' soothing voice, "Don't tighten up, Herc Just try to relax. It's all right. Any time you need me to stop, just tell me, and I will." And he meant it, too. *I might end up with my bottled up sperm turning my balls as blue as the Aegean right before it blows the top of my head off, but I'll stop.*

As Iolaus watched, he could see the muscles in Hercules' back and shoulders slowly loosen as he relaxed, and he could feel the springy circle of muscle he was rubbing softening, beginning to spread slightly. He was suddenly struck by how much Hercules must trust him to be able to make himself this vulnerable. A strong determination to make sure Hercules didn't regret this rose up.

He gripped Hercules' shoulder with one hand. "Herc Don't tense, and take a deep breath, okay?"

"Okay."

In the midst of mind-melting lust, the smallness of his friend's reply got through to Iolaus. He was gentle to the point of tenderness as he slid the first finger into Hercules' back passage. The intrusion was so careful that there was scarcely any discomfort, and Hercules relaxed even further as Iolaus began to slide his finger in and out.

Hercules closed his eyes, concentrating on the sensations. He was wondering why he'd never tried something like this before. *Well, maybe not with someone, but I could have reached and tried it myself.* He groaned happily as a second finger pressed into him, then slid deep. Iolaus grazed a certain spot deep inside. There was a hot burst of pleasure, and Hercules jerked hard, eyes flying open. He also thrust against the ground--probably not the best move. "Ow!"

"I'm sorry!" Iolaus yelped, freezing. His first instinct was to jerk free of Hercules' body, but he realized that might have hurt even worse.

"It wasn't anything you did," Hercules assured him, voice strained. "I just have to remember that trying to actually fuck solid ground isn't a good idea. What was that?"

"That would be your prostate. I met this nutty philosopher once--Freuditas I think his name was, and he had this theory that women were envious of men's, um, equipment, but I think he meant dicks. As fond as I am of mine, I don't see it, but I can see where the gals got shortchanged in not being given a prostate."

"Iolaus? Could you shut up a minute and do that again?"

Iolaus found himself smiling. "Bossy as Tartarus." He probed again. This time Hercules' reaction was less violent. It consisted of a squirm, and a purr. Iolaus liked that sound so much that he spent a good, long time massaging the spongy bump, feeling Hercules relax and warm even more. Finally he said, "Herc are you really sure about this? To mangle the speeches of some priests, speak now, or prepare to get a piece."

"I've always known you could talk the hind-leg off an oxen, but you pick the damnedest times."

"I mean it, Herc If you don't say something quick, you're going to get fucked into next week."

Hercules twisted his head and looked back over his shoulder. His pupils were dilated with desire, making his eyes look almost back, and his voice was rough. "Promises, promises."

There was a challenge in that tone that spurred Iolaus into action. "And I can keep them." He crawled over Hercules, spreading himself atop his friend's larger body. One of Iolaus' hands spread Hercules' buttocks, and the other wrapped around his own cock, guiding it.

Hercules buried his face in the cool grass as he felt himself breached. First there was a hot nudge at his slightly aching hole, and then more stretching. He closed his eyes, biting down on his bottom lip as he was filled. It hurt, but it felt good, too, and it the pleasure was far outweighing the discomfort. Besides, this was Iolaus. If anyone could make this act pleasurable, surely it would be him.

Iolaus wanted to crow as he was engulfed by the tight heat of Hercules' body, but for once in his life, he restrained himself. This was special, Herc was special--not some tavern pick-up to show off for. He just hoped that Herc was as excited as he was, because he didn't think he was going to be able to last long, and he wanted it to be good for Herc too.

Normally he'd have tried to tease things out, keeping his lover on the edge for as long as possible, but mindful of how close he was to the edge, he acted accordingly. Iolaus reached under Hercules, wrapped a hand around the demi-god's hard cock, and started to fist him in time to his strokes.

The burning ache had lessened to not much more than a memory very quickly. The electric bursts of sensation every time Iolaus' cock scraped over his prostate pretty much made it fade into the background. Now Hercules couldn't decide whether to push back and drive Iolaus in even deeper, or thrust forward into the tight grip stroking his cock. He quickly decided that he didn't WANT to decide--and did both.

It didn't last long. Very soon Hercules was ripping up handfuls of grass as he reached his climax, sprinkling the cool, tickling grass beneath him with his seed. The hard, squeezing ripple of his lover's back passage did the trick for Iolaus, and he came seconds after Hercules. Herc jerked again at the novel, but very erotic, sensation--a hot, liquid gush in what felt like the very core of his being.

They lay still for a moment, layered together, still connected by Iolaus' softening member. After a moment Iolaus pulled out, moving very carefully. There was still a wincing grunt from Hercules. The adrenaline, and other hormones, had begun to drop, and certain aches and pains were beginning to announce themselves.

Iolaus sat back, staring at Hercules, who still lay sprawled on his face. "Herc Are you...?"

"I'm fine."

There was a brief silence. "I mean, if you need..."

"I said I'm fine, Iolaus. I just don't feel like talking right now." The haze he'd been in since he'd dived into the spring had faded away suddenly, almost at the second he'd climaxed. *What have I done? Zeus, I practically raped Iolaus. He must think I'm either crazy, or a slut.*

Iolaus was rubbing his face. *Oh, man. Post-coital awkwardness to the max. I should have remembered how strained it can get when friends become lovers. Yeah, we had sex before, but this took it to a whole 'nother level, and we both know it.*

Iolaus dug in his breeches pocket and came up with a cloth. He nudged Hercules till his friend looked at him, then offered it. "It's clean." Hercules raised an eyebrow questioningly. "For... uh..." He made a swiping motion. "Usually after... I'd usually suggest a bath, but considering the last time we got wet..."

Hercules took the cloth. "Thanks." He got up, getting his pants from where he'd dropped them earlier. "I'm just going to go over into the trees and..."

"Yeah, right." Avoiding looking at Hercules now, not wanting his friend to feel any more embarrassed, Iolaus began to dress, too. "Maybe we can pass on the fresh fish tonight. Dried fish isn't too bad. I can stand one more night. Or maybe I could snare a couple of rabbits for later. Nice grove like this, there are bound to be some rabbit trails." *I'm babbling. I'm usually pretty smooth with my bed partners. What have I gotten myself into?*

"Sounds good. You do that, and I'll go set up camp." Hercules, now decently clad, started through the woods.

As they separated, both had very similar thoughts.

*I wonder if we're ever going to be able to talk about this?*