Something In The Air
Something in the Air
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Authors Note- This is my first YH fanfic, although not the first posted. Heavy on the angst, as usual.
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It was a bright, warm day when the cadets were returning from break. They were just getting back to the Academy from a very nice spring break. Most were grumpy, complaining of the shortness of the break, even though it was the longest they'd had. Cheiron greeted the cadets as they came through the gates. As he expected, Hercules was one of the first.
"Greetings, Hercules. I trust you had a good vacation?" Cheiron asked, smiling.
"As always," the blonde cadet replied as he stood beside the centaur, "but still glad to be back. It gets lonely without Jason and Iolaus."
"I'm sure they feel the same," Cheiron said as he nodded and smiled at a group of arriving cadets.
"Well, speaking of Satan," Hercules said watching Jason coming down the trail to the Academy. Cheiron followed his best cadet's gaze to see Jason picking up a run and shouting greetings to Hercules.
"Hey Hercules! Good to see you!" the prince of Cornith said as he ran up to Hercules.
"You too, Jason! How was your vacation?" Hercules asked as they shook hands.
"Pretty good. Boring. Lots of king stuff," Jason replied, "how about you? I bet you and Iolaus had fun."
"Actually, I haven't seen him. Mine was boring too. Though I mostly helped mom fix up some stuff." Hercules said as more cadets passed them.
"Well, I'm going to put my stuff down. You want me to take yours?"
"Yeah, thanks. I'm going to wait for Iolaus," Hercules said, handing Jason his stuff.
"No problem, I'm heading over to Kora's after I put our stuff down, so when Iolaus gets here, you guys come over, OK?"
"Sure, OK," Hercules replied, distracted. He was getting more worried with each passing cadet that wasn't Iolaus. 'He should have been here by now,' the demigod thought as Jason headed in. 'He knew we were going to Kora's. Knowing how much he loves to eat, you would have thought he'd been here by now.'
As if on cue, Iolaus came into view. Hercules gave a quick sigh of relief as he headed for his friend.
"Hey Iolaus, where ya- what happened?" Hercules asked as he saw Iolaus had a bruised cheekbone and numerous other bruises on his body.
"It's nothing, I'm fine," Iolaus said as he kept walking. The smile that he worn when he first saw Hercules disappeared when he saw his friend's concerned stare.
Reaching out to grab Iolaus's arm, Hercules continued, "Iolaus, it doesn't look like nothing."
Iolaus spun around at the touch on his arm, flinching like a puppy about to get hit. Hercules could see the pain and fear in his friend's eyes immediately released Iolaus's arm.
As trust replaced fear in Iolaus eyes, he said, "Listen Herc, it was just a new stallion my mom got and I was trying to break him for her. That's all."
"And did you?" Hercules asked skeptically.
"No," Iolaus said, lowering his gaze to the ground, "no I didn't. He took me for a ride, though."
"Well, OK. Lets go put your stuff down and we'll head over to Kora's."
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot about that," Iolaus said as he instantly brightened, "I'm starved!"
"When aren't you, Iolaus?" Jason asked as he came up behind his blonde friends.
"Hey, Jason!" Iolaus said, turning.
Jason opened his mouth to ask about the bruise on Iolaus's face when he saw Hercules shaking his head and silently mouthing 'no' from behind the shorter cadet.
"Uh, Jason, me and Iolaus were going to put his stuff down and join you at Kora's."
"Huh? Oh yeah," Jason said, tearing his eyes away from Iolaus. "Well, I'll see you there," he said, looking at Hercules. Herc nodded and Jason waved as he continued on his way.
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The dinner was good and the three friends talked all night about their week off. Now they were back at the academy, and Iolaus was sleeping.
"What's up with Iolaus?" Jason asked. "He's covered in bruises and went to bed early. He's normally got do much energy, he can't sit still."
"I don't know. He gave me some story about breaking a horse."
"Do you believe it?"
"I don't know. I have to wait until he tells me other wise."
"No- dad, I'm sorry...clean it up...sorry!"
Hercules and Jason turned towards Iolaus, who was wincing and begging in his sleep.
"I think he just did," Jason said, his caring eyes still glued to his pleading friend.
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Iolaus's nightmares had stopped but the sounds of his friend's pleas had burned into Hercules' mind and he could not fall asleep. Today was the first day back to school and Hercules was up early. He began to get everyone else up, knowing that they'd need more time than usual to get back on schedule. He woke up half the room and moved towards Iolaus.
"Hey Iolaus, time to get-"
At Hercules' touch, Iolaus woke with a start, and forgetting where he was for a moment, pulled back, wincing. 'Expecting to be hit,' Herc thought. "It's OK, Iolaus, it's me," he soothed, pulling back his hand.
"Oh, sorry Herc," Iolaus said, not knowing how to justify his actions.
"It's okay," the taller blonde comforted, giving Iolaus his space.
"Why are we up so early?" Iolaus asked, blinking the sleep out of his eyes.
"Because it's the first day of classes and we need to get back on schedule," Hercules said as other cadets woke up around them.
"Mornin'," Jason said cheerfully as he entered the bunks. Seeing Ioluas and Hercules stare at him, he asked, "Did I interrupt something?"
"Uh, no Jase, we were just getting ready to go eat, right Herc?" Iolaus asked, getting up.
"Uh, yeah, we were actually," Hercules said with a smile, trying desperately to hide the anger he held for Iolaus's father.
"Well, hurry up, I'll be waiting," Jason said as he turned and left in the direction of the mess hall.
"You okay, Herc? You look kinda distracted," Iolaus asked, seeming to forget about his episode a few minutes ago.
"Yeah Iolaus, I'm fine," Hercules said. 'I should be asking you that,' he thought.
"Well, come on then, let's go! I'm starved." Iolaus said, running his hand through his shoulder length blonde hair.
"What's new?" Hercules asked as they headed out.
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After breakfast the cadets began their practice. Jason was practicing hand to hand combat while Hercules and Iolaus were using the padded cudgels, padded poles used to knock opponents off poles coming from the floor. Iolaus was a very skilled fighter and was a very good match for the demigod. Five minutes into the match, Iolaus was getting the upperhand, much to Cheirons' pleasing. He always enjoyed watching the two spar; they had so much to learn from each other.
Iolaus had Hercules backed into a corner when a man entered the academy.
"Iolaus!" The man shouted sternly as he crossed the training room.
"Dad?" Iolaus questioned just as Hercules' cudgel met the side of Iolaus's head before he could stop the defensive strike.
Being distracted, the blow knocked Iolaus off balance and he struck his head on one of the stumps on the way down. He slipped into oblivion at the sound of Hercules yelling his name.
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"Iolaus!" Hercules shouted as he jumped down beside his fallen friend. Although he was unaware, the other cadets had stopped to gather around the fallen cadet.
"Sir, please wait outside," Cheiron ordered the stranger as he pushed his way through the crowd.
"You can not order me around like that! I am General Skoraus, and I've come for my son!" the General shouted back. Cheiron could smell the alcohol on the man's breath as he passed.
Ignoring the man, Cheiron separated the other cadets and reached Hercules and Jason, who were at Iolaus's side. Hercules was taking Iolaus's pulse when he looked up and saw Cheiron.
"He's okay. His pulse is weak, but it's there," Hercules stated.
"Let's get him to the clinic," Cheiron ordered. Hercules bent to pick up Iolaus's head and Jason got his legs. Together they carried their injured friend past his drunken father, who remained silent.
Inside the clinic, Jason and Hercules lay Iolaus down on the table. Hercules noticed blood on his arm where his friend's head had been.
"Uh, Cheiron-" Hercules started, but the centaur had already noticed and turned Iolaus on his side. He began examining the wound though the cadet's long hair made it difficult.
"Hercules, I'll need some water," Cheiron informed without looking up.
Hercules obeyed while Jason backed against the wall to move out of the way. After grabbing a flask, Hercules left to fill it. Cheiron grabbed some cloth and put it under Iolaus's head. Looking up, for the first time, he saw Jason and explained, "It doesn't appear to be a deep cut, but it still needs pressure to stop the bleeding."
"Anything I can do?" Jason asked.
"Make sure Hercules doesn't get into trouble. I'll stay here," Cheiron assured the young man.
Jason nodded and left. After he was gone, Cheiron took off Iolaus's vest to look for more injuries. He found the cadet covered in bruises and a very obvious hand print on the young man's arm. Cheiron knew Ioluas had a lot of enemies, which's one reason why he was at the Academy. After years of stealing, he wound up on probation and either in jail or here. He also knew Iolaus's father. Skoraus wasn't the nicest man alive, but he was a respected general. The man was a legend, but also an abuser. From what Cheiron gathered at parents' day, the general was always disappointed in his son. His size, his skills as a warrior, (although now much improved) and probably more. If his father had taken up drinking, it was possible he was the one who did this to Iolaus.
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Outside, most of the cadets had resumed their practice and Hercules was trying his hardest not to say anything to General Skoraus. Jason was trying his best to keep them apart. When Hercules finished filling the flask, he crossed through the room again and watched as Skoraus drunkenly asked the other cadets where his son was. Hercules just glared at him as he and Jason walked by. Right now, helping Iolaus was all that mattered.
When they walked back into the clinic, Cheiron was putting the medicine on the back of Iolaus's head.
"How's he doing?" Hercules asked, handing Cheiron the flask.
Just then, Iolaus woke up. "Dad?" he asked, confused.
"It's okay Iolaus, he's not here," Hercules comforted, stepping with in view of his friend.
"Herc? I think I'm gonna be-" Iolaus started before he reached for a bowl on a nearby table and threw up in it. "Oh yeah. I feel better now," Iolaus mumbled as he rolled on to his back.
Cheiron began checking Iolaus as Hercules talked to him. Almost everywhere Cheiron would touch caused Iolaus to wince, but he never admitted to the pain.
Jason stepped outside to keep an eye on General Skoraus and found him annoying other cadets before he passed out. Jason gathered him up and carried him into the hallway, resting him against the wall.
Returning to the clinic, he found Iolaus sleeping again. "How is he?" Jason asked from where he was standing in the doorway.
"He is resting now," Cheiron informed him. Hercules was sitting in a chair beside Iolaus's bed.
"How is he?" Jason asked, nodding towards Hercules.
"Worried," Cheiron said flatly. Hercules kept his eyes glued to Iolaus. "Hercules, we've got to wake him up. It's not safe for him to sleep if he has a concussion. Besides, When I was checking him earlier, I noticed some cracked ribs. The injury is a few days old, but it still needs to be wrapped to heal properly."
Hercules began to gently wake up his sleeping friend. "Come on, Iolaus, rise and shine."
"I'm up, I'm up," Iolaus grumbled, swatting at Hercules. He opened his eyes and saw Cheiron approaching with bandages.
"Can you sit up?" Hercules asked.
"Of course I can," Iolaus said as he attempted to do so. A wave of dizziness hit him and Hercules reached to steady him. "I got it," Iolaus claimed as he swung his legs over the edge of the bed. He winced a little as he took his vest off, revealing some bruises on his chest and back. He didn't say anything and nobody asked. The anger in Hercules built up to where he could no longer stand by, watching.
"I'm going out for a while. I'll be back," Hercules said as he walked out.
Cheiron nodded for Jason to follow. He knew Hercules would keep his head but wanted to make sure he wouldn't do or say anything he might regret.
Jason followed and Cheiron was left to care for Iolaus.
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Hercules practically flew down the corridor to where Skoraus was coming to. Hercules ran over to the general and grabbed him by his shirt, pulling him up.
"How can you call yourself a father? Huh? A father takes care of his kids and loves them, not use them for punching bags!" Hercules yelled, his anger at his own father coming out. Zeus had ignored him completely except for the order that no god could kill him. Hercules didn't even realize Jason was there until he felt hands on his arms, pulling him away from Skoraus.
"How dare you talk to me like that!" the general yelled, alcohol still heavy on his breath.
"Why? What are you gonna do, hit me?" the demigod challenged.
"You little" Skoraus made a lunge for Hercules, but was still disoriented and Jason safely pulled Hercules out of the way.
"With all do respect, sir," Jason started, stepping in between them, "I think it would be best if you left the Academy."
"Glady! I will not put up with you juvenile wimps, now give me my son and I'll leave!"
"Uh, no, see, it doesn't work that way. Iolaus is staying here."
"I'll be damned if he's staying here!" Skoruas shouted back.
"Well I hope you like it hot, 'cause that's how it is down there," Hercules shot back, his cold blue eyes locking with the generals'. They remained that way for several seconds before the general looked away.
"Fine. Keep him. I wouldn't be able to use the runt anyway," Skoraus said as he tuned and stumbled away.
Herc and Jason stood for a few minutes, looking at each other in amusement before Cheiron and Iolaus appeared.
"I trust you did the right thing, Hercules," Cheiron said, walking up to Hercules and Jason with Iolaus at his side.
"I did what was right for my friend," Hercules said, looking from Cheiron to Iolaus.
"He's gone?" Iolaus asked.
"Yeah, he is," Hercules replied.
"Well, come on then. Let's go get something to eat. I'm hungry," Iolaus said.
Hercules and Jason looked at each other for a minute, and then they turned to each other and started laughing.
"You're always hungry, Iolaus," Hercules said, laughing.
"Well, it's my high metabolism," Iolaus justified as the three headed towards the kitchen.
Finis
-I doubt they knew about metabolism back then, but I could just see Iolaus saying that...
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