I walk beside Gabrielle, enjoying the spring day when an all too familiar and very much missed tingle goes down my spine. I smile and close my eyes, then grab Gabrielle’s shoulder. She turns to me, a question in her gaze. I hand her Argo’s reigns, “Go to town, shop, find a place to stay for the night,” I instruct, a little rushed. I need to calm down, I can’t let him see how much he affects me, not as a God. When he was mortal it was fine to be kind, soft, weak, but not anymore. Now I have to be hard, like before. If that’s possible. Gabrielle eyes me warily, “What about you?” I smile at her, “I’ll catch up later. There’s something I have to deal with.” She gives me that knowing smile, small, understanding, maybe a little cautious, “Are you sure?” She asks, rubbing my arm. I nod, “I need to do this, Gabrielle. Go on, I’ll catch up later, promise.” Gabrielle nods and begins to lead the horses down the road, never looking back. I smile at her back. She looks like me, a Warrior, a life I never wished for her, but she lives it well, too well sometimes.
The tingle intensifies, running through my veins like lava. He’s near, very near, I can almost feel the heat of him at my back, just waiting for me to call him out. Not here though, not in the middle of the road. Our interactions tend to be a little confrontational when he’s a God and I don’t want an innocent traveler getting hurt. I head off the road, into the forest and stop in a small field filled with flowers. Gabrielle would love the location, Ares won’t notice. I draw my sword and let a hard stare cover my face, hoping the glee doesn’t shine through my eyes too much, “I know you’re there.” He appears in front of me in all his Godly glory. The lines around his lips and eyes gone, erased by the magic of Odin’s apples, all signs of his mortality gone, replaced by the hard, cruelness of Godhood. His eyes travel over me and he smiles, a true smile, a sweet smile, “I missed that.” I smirk and raise an eyebrow, not lowering my sword, letting the tip rest against his chest, “What do you want?” I try to make my voice hard, uncaring. He smirks and comes towards me letting my sword glide harmlessly through him. I always love it when he does that. He runs the back of his fingers down my cheek and I can’t help but lean into the caress a little, eyes closed. His hand cups my cheek gently and then his lips meet mine. The kiss is soft, tender, almost cautious and doesn’t last nearly long enough. He pulls away and my eyes flutter open. I can only hope I don’t have that needy, disappointed look on my face. He smirks, “Thank you.” My brows scrunch, “For what?” I ask and I’m ashamed that my voice is a little breathy. He steps back, off my blade and spreads his arms wide, “For restoring me, of course.” I sheath my sword and smirk, “I couldn’t send Aphrodite back without you. She needs you on Olympus to remain sane, balanced.” He nods, eyes not meeting mine, then shrugs, “Still, I figured I owed you a thank you at least.” I shake my head, “You owe me nothing. You gave up everything for me and my family. If anything I owe you.” His eyes light up and I can see the wheels turning in his head. I shouldn’t have said it, not to Ares the God. Ares the mortal would have smirked and made a joke about it, something to ease the tension. He smirks and lets his hand rest against my cheek, “We’re even.” The smile I give him is full of surprise and probably a hint of passion, desire. Any other words would have put me on the defensive, angered me, but those, those words spoken from him now, as a God, they mean the world to me.
We stand in the field, staring at each other, neither speaking, neither needing to. I can see all the little changes. The softness is gone from his eyes, replaced by the gleam of power. The smile he gives me isn’t that lost, unsure smile, but one full of lust, desire, strength. Even from a distance I can feel his power, his strength reaching out to me, begging me to bask in it. I wonder though what does he see? Does he notice the lines around my eyes or the slight sag to my shoulders? Now that he has his Godhood back do I interest him as a woman or is it just my abilities to wage war that interest him? Even if he’s interested in more than a Warrior Queen, would it just be a fling? Sating some desire, some need he has to claim me? Does he know that when I told him he always got to me I was telling him that I loved him? Does he know that when we were on the farm that maybe just for a split second I entertained the thought of staying with him, starting a family? Maybe even having his children? Does he know how much I want him? All of him, God and mortal alike? Does he know that when he touches me my skin crawls, not in disgust but in desire? That when I hear his husky voice, my heartbeat speeds up and I grow wet for him? Are my eyes as hard and clear as I hope they are? Or is there a hint of lust clouding them? Can he feel my desire? Sense it? Taste it in the air around me? Does he know that his presence is enough to excite me? And if he does, does he even care anymore? As a mortal he would have delighted in my desire, but as a God, does it mean anything? Well, anything more than a good time, that is? Finally I pull from my thoughts before they can spiral into a direction that will only bring trouble. “How’s Olympus?” I ask, happy to hear the harshness in my voice. The lust in his gaze disappears and he sighs, shaking his head, “It’s not the same. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad to be back, but it doesn’t really feel like home anymore.” I let out a dry harsh laugh, “And what is home?” Mine disappeared long ago while I slept in an ice tomb. He looks away from me and almost seems unsure, reminding me of the mortal he was not that long ago. Finally he meets my gaze and the look he gives me tears through my armor. It’s soft and needy and there’s a trace amount of fear in it. I take a step towards him, only one and his hand reaches out to brush mine, “Home is with the people you love.” I gasp, “Love?” Even now as a God with nothing to bargain with? As a mortal I believed that he loved me, I even entertained the notion of a future for us, but as a God? I didn’t think it was possible. He grasps my hand and pulls me closer, our bodies not quite touching, “I haven’t stopped loving you,” he says softly. Whatever resistance I have left crumbles. I wrench my hand from his and his look turns sad and almost vulnerable. I smile and let my passion for him show, let the lust shine in my eyes. I grab his vest with both hands and pull him against me, straining to crash my lips to his. At first he’s stiff and I smile against his lips, tracing them with the tip of my tongue. I feel him smile, then he devours me, hands rushing everywhere at once. I press my hips against him and feel him rub against me. I moan deep in my throat and he lets out a feral growl that only excites me more. I release my hold on his vest, letting one hand tangle in his hair, pulling him closer to me while the other explores his chest. I feel his hands everywhere, pulling me closer, rushing over me. His mouth wrenches from mine and I’m ashamed to admit a disappointed squeak leaves my throat. He smirks and dives towards my breasts, lips, tongue, teeth, nipping and scraping and kissing every bit of flesh he can get to. I arch against him like a brazen hussy and he chuckles, then returns to my lips acting as though he’s never tasted me before. His hand goes to the buckle on my breastplate and I quickly slap a hand over his, halting his progress. He pulls away, looking disappointed, but understanding. He releases me and begins to back away, nodding a little. I watch him for a minute, battling with my own desires and my common sense, then as he’s about to slip into the ether, I grab his arm, biting my lip a little. He raises an eyebrow, looking truly confused. I look down for a minute, searching for the words, searching for my voice, “Maybe someplace a bit more…private?” His eyes fill with surprise and lust before he pulls me against him, lips crashing to mine and taking me with him into the ether.
Lost in the darkness of the ether, having no control, I cling to Ares, trying to devour him the same way he’s trying to devour me. My back lands on something soft then he’s on top of me, pressing against me. He pulls from my lips and stares into my eyes. I stare back and see questions, so many questions. I raise my hips and grind against him and his eyes close with a sigh. When they reopen there’s lust mixed with the questions. After staring at me for an eternity, a finger lightly runs down my cheek and he asks, “One time thing?” There’s a hint of bitterness in his voice and I can’t blame him. I’ve used his desire for me against him too many times. And now, having admitted his love, his true, unselfish love, for me to tease him again, that would be the cruelest thing I could do. But I can’t promise him a future, not now, not yet. At the same time I can’t let either of us back out of this, not this time. I give him a coy look, “Remember that one in a billion?” He nods cautiously. I smile a little and run my tongue over his finger, delighting when he closes his eyes and shudders. “Your odds just might have improved a little,” I tell him in a teasing tone. He smirks, then shakes his head, “That doesn’t answer my question,” I know what he wants to hear, he wants me to say that I am his and I want to say those words so bad, but I can’t. He sees the sadness in my eyes and nods, rolling off of me and sitting up, “I’m not interested in scratching an itch.” I growl, “Neither am I,” I admit quietly. He turns to stare at me, one eyebrow raised. I give him a small smile and run a finger over the stubble on his jaw. I keep my voice soft as I do my best to explain myself, “This isn’t a scheme or a way to mess with your head, this isn’t some sick way of saying thank you, this is just me wanting you.” He gives me the softest most vulnerable look I’ve ever seen and I finally realize that if I’m not very careful, I’ll destroy him, kill whatever humanity he has left. He’s made no move towards nor away from me so I smirk and give him a challenging look, “And I certainly hope it’s more than once.” He gives me that devilish smile and the lust returns to his gaze.
Ares stands and pulls me to my feet and I allow myself to sway into him, letting one hand rest on his chest while the other grips his hip opposite his sword. Eyes never leaving mine, he begins to remove my armor, piece by piece, letting it drop to the floor until I stand before him in my leather shift and boots. He runs a finger across my cleavage and I shudder. He presses on my shoulder and I sit on the bed. He kneels in front of me and runs a hand down my leg, then unlaces my boots, tossing them aside. Eyes still on mine he runs a finger from my ankle bone up to my knee, then pauses when I inhale sharply. He rises and pulls me up again. This time I don’t just sway into him, I crash against him, lips locking onto his while my hands rush to his sword belt. I feel him smile against my lips when it clanks to the floor. I push the vest from his shoulders and my hands move to the pants. He smiles again and pulls away, shaking his head, “No, no, you’ve tortured me for years. My turn,” he says, a deep husky quality to his voice. I raise an eyebrow and his fingers begin to slowly untie my tunic as his lips trace my collarbone. I feel the laces lose their tension, then his hands are slipping the straps from my shoulders and pushing it down past my hips till it puddles around my ankles. His lips return to mine for a slow, torturous kiss. Every time I try to push for more, I feel him smirk and take a step back. I growl and he pulls away, smirking at me then pulling me close and fully exploring my mouth while his fingers unlace my shift. He pauses, letting the laces dangle, probably waiting to see if I’ll back out. I nip at his lip and grind against him, getting a low moan as my reward. Slowly, one strap, then the other, he slides the shift down my body, leaving me exposed to him. He pulls back and gives me a hungry once over. I smirk and once again reach for his pants but he swats my hand away, “Later,” he says, eyes studying every inch of me. I cross my arms over my chest and give him what I hope is an impatient look then start to plot his demise because two can play this game.
I lounge back on the bed, arms behind me for support, legs slightly opened, an invitation to be sure. A feral look fills his eyes and he kneels on the bed, crawling over me, pressing me into the bed, smothering me with his body. I arch against him, wrapping my legs around his waist and moaning when he thrusts against me. I tangle a hand in his hair and pull his lips to mine, claiming them, devouring them, trying to make him a part of me, craving him. He leaves my lips and trails kisses down to my breasts, making my very core ache with yearning. Leaving my breasts, he trails kisses lower, over my stomach, then lower still. He stares up at me with a wicked grin, then lifts my hips and runs his tongue over my core. I inhale sharply, exhaling on a moan. He closes his eyes, giving me a longer taste and I writhe under his touch. He moans against me, sending shivers running through me. He glances up at me as I clench and unclench the sheets in my fists, then chuckles and slides a finger inside of me. I gasp out his name and tense for a second which only encourages him more. He quickens the thrusting of his finger and continues the torturous licks, taking some sort of delight in having me at his mercy. I feel the blinding white heat building inside of me and moan his name, grinding against him. He moans and slides another finger into me, moving them in the sweetest rhythm I’ve ever experienced. The tension becoming unbearable, my legs tense around him, my hips held up by his strong arms, the sheets wet and twisted beneath me, I find my release and scream his name, throwing my head back in pure delight. He continues to torture me until the last tremor has left my body, then slowly kisses his way back up my body. I meet his lips, tasting myself on him and he chuckles, “One.” I growl and shove at him, then smile and pull him back to my lips ready for so much more.
I pull from his lips and smile a little, then raise my hips and grind against him. My hands travel down his back, feeling the muscles tighten under my touch. This time when I reach for his pants they disappear and I gasp as my thighs make contact with the bare flesh of his hips. With a coy smile I reach between us and run a hand over him, delighted, impressed and excited by what I feel. He thrusts against my hand and I know this is something I’m going to enjoy far too much. Maybe it would have been better, safer, if I had backed out earlier. But now, with him pressing down on me and giving me that sweet, open look, full of not just lust but love as well, I can’t imagine being anywhere else, of doing anything else. When I make no move to advance things his look grows cautious and he tenses above me. I take one of his hands in mine and shift beneath him, using my other hand to guide him into me. A look of bliss covers his face and he inhales sharply. I moan and grind against him, bringing my free hand up to tangle in his hair and pull his lips to mine. I wrap my legs around his waist and moan as he slides deeper into me. His lips slide from mine, over my cheek, to my ear, then down the side of my neck. I moan and grind my hips against him. Then his hands are under me, lifting my hips to his and thrusting into me. I meet his thrusts, delighting in his groans and letting a few escape my own lips. I begin to tense around him and he slows, giving me a wicked smile. The tension subsides and I let out a frustrated noise. He smirks above me, “Oh this isn’t going to end that quickly.” I growl, I hadn’t exactly been planning on this ending quickly either, “Ares, we’ve been dancing around this for years, teasing, pushing, pulling, do you really think I’m going to be sated that easily?” His eyes darken and he growls, slamming into me, making me scream in surprise. One leg wrapped around him, the other on the bed for leverage I meet his thrusts, grinding my hips against his, delighting in the way his eyes close and he moans my name. I begin to tense again and this time he doesn’t slow, he pushes harder, faster. I grip his shoulders, nails digging in, breathes becoming choppy. Slipping over the edge I scream his name, head thrown back. He continues thrusting against me and finally he joins me, moaning my name, collapsing on top of me and letting his lips dance over mine.
Ares holds me close, pinning me to the bed and I run my hands over his back, through his hair and feel him smile against my shoulder, then kiss my shoulder, letting his tongue peak out to taste the sweat on my skin. I smile and squeeze him within me. He props himself up, staring down at me, too much love, too much lust, and too many questions in his eyes. I wrap my legs around him, holding him close, knowing that this is going to turn into a conversation that might just lead to an argument and the end of what truly was something I had fought against for too long. He leans close to me, bringing his lips to my ear, “I love you.” I sigh and nod, “I know,” I say gently. He pulls back and stares down at me, running a hand down my cheek, “It doesn’t mean anything, does it?” I give him a soft look and turn my lips to kiss his knuckles, “It means everything.” His eyes are soft, “It’s not enough though, is it?” I give him a lost look. Oh, how I want to tell him that I love him that I’m his now and always. How I wish it could be that simple, but it isn’t. “Let’s just enjoy the here and now,” I suggest, “No past, no future. Just here and now, you and me, together.” His look is so soft, so vulnerable, “You know that will never be enough for me.” I nod and reply quietly, “Me neither.” His eyes go light, shine with happiness and I shake my head, “But for now, it’s all we have.” He growls and I can tell he’s thinking of pulling away from me. I rise a little, bringing my lips to his, then settle beneath him when he relaxes again. I smile, “For now, I’m yours, as long as you are mine,” I offer. He claims my lips, then pulls away with a smile, “I’m always yours.” His confession tears at me, rips through my heart and chips away another bit of my armor. This probably was a very bad idea. By the time we’re done, I might not be able to tear myself away from him, to go back to the way things were, to being enemies again. Is that what we even are anymore? He gave up everything for my family, for me. And I fought to save his life, more than once. I even took him to my Grandparents farm, let him into my life. And then I restored him, fought Odin for the apples, returned him to Olympus even though I knew it meant losing him, giving him up. He must see the confusion in my eyes, the lost look that I know is there. His lips trace a path from my lips to my ear, “Stop thinking so hard,” he orders, nipping at my lobe. I smile and nod, “No more thinking, I promise,” I say moving my lips to his ear.
Ares lays on top of me, holding one of my hands, running his other down my side, over my cheeks, through my hair, over my leg that is still wrapped around his waist. His lips trace my cheek bones, my collar bone, my shoulder. I move under him, rubbing against him and letting my lips dance over his flesh, letting my tongue slip out to taste him. He’s already hard inside me, ready to go again. And I’m more than willing, but this time on my terms. Holding him with my legs, gripping him inside of me, I snatch at his lips. He moans into my mouth and I smile a little. I pull from his lips and smirk, hooking one of my legs around his and flipping us over, hands slamming onto his chest as I sit up and begin to slowly ride him. His eyes are locked on mine full of passion and his hips rise, trying to encourage me to pick up my pace. I smirk and freeze in my motions with a wicked smile, “My turn.” He raises an eyebrow, “For what?” I swirl my hips, smiling at his moan, “To torture you.” He smirks and laughs a bit, “You’ve been doing that sense I met you.” I smile and chuckle, knowing the truth in his words. Then I break my earlier promise and begin to think again. Even when I was his warrior, so very long ago, I tortured him. I gave him everything except myself. Back then, I wanted him so bad and I hated myself, hated him for the lust he was causing. After Borias and giving up Solan I swore not to put myself in that position again. So I never gave myself to the men I desired. Oh I would use sex to get what I wanted, but it was just that, a means to an end. And when I left him, turned from him, I still desired him and he still desired me. But had I given myself to him I would have been tempted to return to him, to be his warrior again. It would have been all too easy. For years we tortured each other, trying to convince ourselves and each other that what we felt meant nothing. And for a while I truly thought that I hated him. When he tried to use Eve to get me to have his child, I despised him. Yet still his offer intrigued me, ignited a fire within me. And when he confessed his love and gave up his Godhood for my family, for me, chose me over his own family, over his own eternal survival, I knew I loved him. How could I not? But he still tempted me in all the wrong ways. Being with him, even as a mortal, would have blurred the lines of right and wrong, at least that’s the excuse I told myself. And what changed between now and then? When Aphrodite bit the apple and restored love to the world, my heart jumped in my chest, leaped at the sight of him in all his Godly glory. And when he walked away, returned to Olympus, I felt like I would die. My heart screamed for him and a part of me died right there in the frozen Norse lands. I thought I had lost him, until now. He reaches up and runs a hand down my cheek, “What’s wrong?” He asks in the softest voice I’ve ever heard from him. I shake my head, “Nothing. Nothing at all. Everything’s perfect.” He doesn’t look convinced. I swirl my hips, trying to distract him, trying to distract myself. He moans and thrusts into me harder. I gasp and rock back a bit, then find a rhythm that doesn’t leave room in my mind for thinking. All I can think of are the sensations tearing through my body. His hands run from my hips, up my back, down my ribs, then back to my hips, urging me to pick up my pace. I oblige for a second, then back off. He gives me a dark look, then smirks and sits up, pulling me tight against him. I breathe out his name and claim his lips, kissing and nibbling and trying to force all my passion, all my desire into that one embrace. He returns my passion, my desire and races his hands over my back, through my hair, thrusting into me at a pace that hardly leaves me time or desire to breath. This time when I crash over the edge, he’s right there with me. My eyes are wide in surprise, delight, and love. Breathing heavy I meet his eyes, then rest a hand on his jaw and give him a soft kiss, a kiss full of everything I dare not tell him.
We stay like that for a few moments, sitting in the middle of the bed, wrapped around each other, breathing and existing as one. Ares pulls away from where he had been nibbling on my shoulder and runs his hands on either side of my face, holding my hair back gently. He meets my lips for a second, then pulls back, hands still on my face, “Why now?” He asks, quietly. I growl, “I thought we said no more thinking?” He smirks, “No more thinking for you. I didn’t promise anything.” I give him a steely look and I see a touch of regret? Fear? In his gaze. I soften my look and shake my head, “Please don’t ask questions I can’t answer.” His look goes a little harsh, “Can’t or won’t?” I look away and shake my head, “Won’t,” I admit. “Why won’t you?” He asks, voice soft again. Because it would give him power over me. Because if I admitted I loved him, it would only cause more problems, more confusion, more pain. I shake my head, “Ares, I’m with you, can’t that be enough?” He shakes his head, “You have fought against this for years. And now after everything we’ve been through, put each other through, you’re just giving yourself to me. I have to know why. Why the sudden change? What made you stop fighting?” I lower my gaze, which doesn’t help because it just reminds me of what an intimate position we’re in while discussing my motives. Finally I sigh, “When I first left you I saw you as a living reminder of my past and how easily I could be tempted to return to it. And later you seemed to only want a Warrior Queen and I had no interest in that.” He starts to speak and I put a finger over his lips, “Let me finish?” He nods and kisses my finger. I continue, “When you came to me after Eve was born and asked for a child of your own, I was disgusted and hurt. But I learned that I could use your desires for my benefit and I did, more than once and I’m sorry for that. It was wrong and cruel.” I pause, trying to find my reasoning for the rest. His lips meet mine briefly, “And when I was mortal?” I sigh and shake my head, “I was afraid,” I admit. His eyes widen, “Afraid? Of what? That as a mortal I wouldn’t live up to your expectations?” There’s amusement in his voice. I laugh and shake my head, “No, definitely not that. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to pull away.” He raises an eyebrow, “And that’s a bad thing?” He asks, offence in his voice. “I didn’t want to lose myself.” He strokes my back, “I wouldn’t have asked you to change for me.” I smile, a bit of a challenge in my eyes, “And now?” I ask him, “Would you ask me to change now?” He captures my lips passionately, then pulls back, “I love you, the way you are, the woman you are, why would I want to change that?” And with that my last piece of armor crumbles. I latch onto him, rushing my hands over his back, his chest, through his hair, crashing my lips to his, pouring my passion into him, grinding against him. He growls, low in his throat and thrusts against me, feeding off my passion and giving me his in return. I moan, pulling my legs from around him and resting them on either side of him. He squeezes my thighs and I rise, almost off of him, getting a startled noise from him. Her jerks from my lips, eyeing me. I give him an evil little smile before letting myself slide back over him. His eyes roll back and I moan, then repeat the action a few times, making us both a little wild. Then I’m riding him, grinding against him. He pulls from my lips and gives me an evil little smile that makes my blood flow faster. His hand sinks between us and strokes me in time with my movements and his own thrusts. I gasp and fall against him, clinging to him, nails raking down his back. When I tumble over the edge my teeth sink into his shoulder, muffling my screams. When I don’t feel him join me in bliss I pull away, questions in my eyes. He smirks and throws me back against the bed, holding my hips to his as he kneels between my legs, pulling almost all the way out before slamming into me again and again, making me gasp each time. Far too soon he has me close to the edge again and I’m gasping out his name in a pleading voice that I have never heard come from my lips before. He quickens his movements, hands digging into my hips, as he thrusts into me harder and faster each time. He pushes me over the edge and I scream arching against him and dragging him over the edge with me.
Ares smiles down at me, then collapses, rolling to drape me over his chest. For about two seconds I think about the logic of my next move, but quickly quiet the voices in my mind, deciding that he has the right to know. I smile and crawl up his chest, swirling my tongue around his ear. He sighs, “Gods woman, you would have killed me as a mortal.” I chuckle and rise up to stare down at him. He leans forward and captures my lips, fully exploring, letting me explore. He starts to move against me and I rest a hand over his hip and pull from his lips shaking my head. He gives me a truly confused look, “Sated already?” I chuckle and shake my head. His hips start to move again and I put my hand back over them and shake my head. There’s a bit of impatience showing when he asks, “You don’t like that?” I laugh, “Oh, I like it, quite a lot.” His hands crash against the bed in true frustration, “Then what’s wrong?” I smile, meeting his eyes, “Nothing’s wrong, nothing at all. In fact it’s all perfect, beyond perfect.” He gives me that soft smile again and gently kisses me. I pull from his lips, tracing kisses over his jaw to his ear. I nibble his ear feeling him shudder beneath me. “I love you,” I breathe into his ear. His reaction isn’t exactly what I was expecting. He jerks beneath me, rolling me off of him and retreating from the bed. I stare at him, a little surprised, a little hurt, a little embarrassed. I had envisioned a lot of different reactions to my confession, him pushing me away and staring at me harshly certainly wasn’t on the list. His leather manifests and he tosses my stuff onto the bed, “Get dressed,” he orders in a hard voice, turning away from me. I growl and kick my stuff from the bed, rising and grabbing his shoulder, turning him to look at me. Only then, standing this close, do I see the pain in his eyes. I give him a soft look and try to kiss him, but he jerks away. He growls, “Look, I don’t know what the game is this time, but I’m not playing. I’m through with this. Now get dressed, I’m taking you back to the mortal plane.” I growl and plant my hands on my hips giving him a stubborn stare, “I’m not going back yet. I’m not done with you.” He lets out a cruel laugh, “Not done with me? What else can you possibly do to me? I have jumped through hoops, played your games, and given up everything for you and still my love is something for you to play with, some little string for you to pull on to get what you want.” I have to stop the spiral. I knew when this started that I had the power to destroy whatever humanity he had left. I never realized just how much I had hurt him over the years, toying with him, bending him to my will. I chew my top lip, trying to think of a way to fix this before he spirals more. He approaches, eyes still hard, “What’s wrong? Things not going according to plan anymore? Have to improvise now that Ares won’t play along?” I growl and lunge at him, agitated, hurt, lost, confused. He grabs my wrists, holding them between us, then uses them to push me back a step.
I sit on the bed and knowing that this is the wrong time and wrong reaction, I laugh and shake my head. His look turns violent, “Something funny, Xena? Is it funny that you finally found a way to get me to give up? To leave you alone?” I gasp. Give up? Leave me alone? Now, that I hadn’t been prepared for. He points at my things again, “Get dressed or go back naked. I’m through with this, through with you.” I give him a soft look and rise from the bed, walking towards him. I get close and he backs up a step so I don’t press him, I stay a step away. I reach out a run a hand down his arm. He jerks the arm away. I nod and reach for his hand. He lets me take it, hold it up between us, run my fingers over his. “I’m so sorry,” I say quietly, “I know I’ve hurt you. But that wasn’t my goal today. It really wasn’t.” He doesn’t pull his hand away, but his voice is still hard, “Then what was your goal? What was this big plan? What did you need to trick me into doing this time?” My patience wearing thin, my voice comes out as a command, “Stop.” He raises an eyebrow and can’t quite hide the flare of desire in his eyes. I take a step closer and he doesn’t retreat. I grab his other hand, running my fingers over and around it like I’m doing with the first and he allows it. I close my eyes, then meet his, “No goal, no plan. I came with you because I wanted to, wanted you. I gave myself to you because I’m done fighting you, fighting my own desires. And I told you I love you, because you deserve to know the truth. You said you wanted me, the way I am. Ares, that’s what I wanted, needed to know.” His look softens a degree, but there is still caution in his eyes. I smile and lead his hands to my hips, smiling when he doesn’t jerk them away. I run my hands under his vest, holding his shoulders, “I love you,” I repeat, “No games, no plans, just me finally able to return your love.” His hands go from my hips, up my back, lightly, making me shiver, “What does that mean for us?” He asks, voice not soft or husky the way I want it, but cautious and still a little hard. I sigh and give him a lost look, “I don’t know. I’m sorry, but I just don’t.” He nods, not surprised, not even disappointed, “You won’t stay?” I shake my head, “I’m not going to be your little Warrior Queen,” I reply, voice a little harsh. He shakes his head, resting a finger over my lips, “I’m not asking for that, not anymore.” I smile softly, “What are you asking for?” He sighs and his leather melts away as he pulls me close, running a hand over my back while the other raps around my lower back, holding my hips to his. He leans in close to my ear, “A partner, a lover, a Goddess, a wife,” he whispers. I gasp and it’s a good thing he can’t see my face, it would hurt him. I control my reaction and adopt a soft look, pushing him back enough to see his eyes. I shouldn’t have done that, there’s such love and hope in his gaze. My soft look goes sad and he nods, releasing me, “I see,” he says, taking a step back. I grab his shoulder, turning him back to me, “I don’t want to be a Goddess,” I remind him. He nods, looking sad, “You’d think I know that by now.” I smile a little and keeping my voice soft, I remind him, “I fight against you.” He smirks and pulls me against him, “You don’t have to.” I shake my head, “Ares, I’m not changing sides,” there’s impatience in my voice. His smile goes soft, “You don’t have to,” he repeats. My eyes widen, taking in the full meaning of what he’s telling me, then I shake my head, “You’re just saying that.” His lips dance over mine, then he pulls away a degree, “A fight is a fight no matter which side you’re on,” he repeats the words from so long ago. My look crumbles and I fight the tears, not about to cry in his arms, to give him that power over me, “I know that right now, you believe that. But what happens when we end up on opposite sides? It will just create resentment.” He gives me a devilish smile, “It will lead to a great fight and make up sex.” I laugh and shake my head, retreating from his arms, “That’s not going to work, not in the long run.” His eyes start to go hard, calculating, “You’re here now,” he reminds me. I nod, remaining quite. He’s right, I have every reason to hate him, yet here I am, in his arms, in love with him despite myself.
I sit on the bed and he approaches, standing in front of me. My eyes stray below the waist and I smirk, then glance up at him, eyebrows raised.” He kneels and takes both my hands in his, “Do you have any feelings for me, at all?” His question has a desperate quality to it, reminding me of when he was mortal and I found him at the top of hill after we had fought for his sanity. I nod, “Of course I do.” “Positive ones?” He asks with a laugh. I nod, smiling, “Some,” I respond, a teasing quality to my voice. He smiles and runs his hands up my arms to rest of either side of my face. He brings his lips to mine, letting them rest against mine, not a true kiss. I tangle my hands in his hair, smiling and pulling him on top of me as I lie back down, kissing him with all the love and passion I possess. He pulls away with a small smile, “You’re trying to distract me,” he accuses. I give an impish smile, “Maybe,” I respond, pushing my hips towards him, feeling him hard against my hip. He runs his hands through my hair and gives me a sweet kiss, gentle and full of so much emotion. He pulls away and stares into my eyes, “I love you more than anything.” I smile softly, not retreating from his gaze and nod, “I love you,” I tell him, not with passion or desire clouding my voice, but with honesty. He closes his eyes, savoring the words, then starts to rub against me. I moan rocking my hips against him. He smiles, feeling just how wet I am, then pulls my lips to his, exploring and continuing to rub against me. I moan, feeling the tension rising and shift my hips trying to encourage him to enter me. He laughs against my lips, moving my hips back to their original position and rubbing against me more. I moan his name an edge of desperation to my voice. He chuckles, “Don’t fight me, love, just enjoy.” I hear the huskiness of his voice, the strain as he fights his own desires. I moan again, tense under him and his lips snatch at mine, then travel down my throat, nipping at the tender flesh. I scream his name, finding my release and then just as I think it’s over and I’ll be allowed to flout back down to earth, he slams into me and I’m over the edge again, snatching at his arms, screaming and throwing my head back while his hips rock gently against mine, intensifying my bliss until I can hardly stand it.
Breathing heavy, I finally relax under Ares, eyes opening to meet his. He smirks, “See? It’s amazing the difference when you don’t fight me.” I raise my hips, “You love it when I fight you.” He nods, “It’s like foreplay,” he says meeting my hips, not rushing, letting both of us enjoy the sensation of being together, of being one. We continue slowly, enjoying each other and exploring. My hands trace his arms, arms that I knew are full of strength whether he is mortal or a God, arms that have never held me quite like this. Oh, he had snatched at me in desperation and passion and he had held me to his body in anger, keeping my trapped, but this is so different. There is tenderness mixed with the strength, almost as though he’s afraid of hurting me or scaring me away. His hands brush over me, little caresses that feel almost tentative. They’re gently exploring my arms, my side, my leg, my cheek, everything he can reach. And his legs brush against mine and again I feel the muscle there, the controlled strength. I rub my legs against his, holding one for a second before rolling over and draping myself over his body. His arms rap around my back, holding me closer than I thought possible. I feel his heart beating in sync with mine, in sync with our hips rocking together. His breath is hot on my cheek, mine on his, then his lips start to trace my shoulder, the hollow of my neck. I moan against his lips and feel him smile. Then slowly, oh so slowly, too slowly, his lips make their way to mine. The passion, desire, love I taste in his embrace is almost heartbreaking. And I can only hope that he can taste my love as well. It’s such a change from the games we played with each other for years. A change even from just a few minutes ago when he had teased and thrilled me. Somehow this is more, means more. Is this what people mean when they say ‘making love’? Slowly, the tension builds in me and I groan, trying to urge Ares to pick up speed. He chuckles, close to my throat, sending vibrations through me, “Patience, love, it’ll be worth it.” I moan, but stop trying to urge things on, hearing the tension in his voice, knowing he’s struggling not to speed things along. I feel the sweat dripping down my back, under his hands as they dance over my skin. Then I feel something unexpected. I feel sweat traveling down his chest, mixing with mine. I moan and bring my lips to his tasting the sweat on his top lip and I smile against his lips. Whether he’s genuinely sweating, quite a feat for a God or if he’s allowing it for my benefit, I love him all the more for it. Finally, he allows us to pick up speed, a sense of desperation growing in us both. One hand holds my hips firm, keeping them tight against his, the other rests along my spine, keeping me draped over him, held close, safe, protected. Together we fall over the edge, moaning, gasping for breath and letting our lips meet randomly.
The last tremor complete, I roll off Ares and settle next to him, watching his chest, glistening with sweat, rise and fall as he tries to catch his breath. I’m fighting to calm my breathing too. He rolls onto his side, eyeing me. I face him, smiling, not really sure what happens next, if anything can ever compare to that. He runs the backs of his fingers down my cheek and smirks, “Worth it?” I close my eyes, leaning into his hand and nod, “Completely.” I open my eyes and find him studying me with soft eyes. I run a finger down the stubble on his jaw and feel him shudder at my touch. I bring my lips to his gently, then push him onto his back and lay my head on his chest, sighing and listening to his steady heartbeat. His fingertips run up and down my side and I shiver. My hand dances over his chest, drawing lazy designs and I smile when he shudders.
Ares sighs and I know our time of peace is about to be over. “What’s the plan?” He asks, gently. I shrug, not moving from his arms. What is the plan? Do I steal away little moments with him? Or just let things drop, be a wonderful, world changing event that we can’t repeat? My breath catches at that thought and he raises my chin to stare into my eyes, “We don’t have to decide anything right now,” he says, meeting my lips gently. I sigh and retreat from his lips, “Yes we do.” He nods and sits up leaning against the headboard and pulling me up next to him, “I already agreed to fight with you.” I nod, smiling, then run a hand over his chest, letting it dance lower over his abs, then lower still, “And the rest?” I ask with a small smile. He puts his hand over mine, pressing it down over him and I smile. He smirks and motions around, “All you have to do is ask.” I smirk and shake my head, “Fighting and sex? Is that all we have?” His eyes darken, “Are you asking for more?” I inhale sharply, then shrug, “Maybe,” I respond, then shake my head, “I’m ready to try for something more.” He raises an eyebrow and I’m wondering if that’s scheming I’m seeing in his eyes, “What kind of more?” I smile, “Maybe, I’ll make you wait and see.” Because I have no clue what I’m asking for. Well, I do, but I have no right. He chuckles, “I’m not going to ask you to change,” he reminds me, a serious note to his voice. I raise an eyebrow, wondering where this is going. “I’m the God of War,” he reminds me. I nod, a little sad, “I haven’t forgotten. But as you said a fight is a fight no matter which side you’re on.” He nods, “What happens if we’re on different sides?” I shake my head, “We’ll keep our personal and professional lives separate,” I say all too practically. He chuckles, “Yeah, that’s going to work,” he says, sarcasm dripping. I jab him in the ribs, “It will be foreplay. Remember? You like it when I fight against you.” He chuckles, “That I do,” he pauses, “Give it a try?” I remain silent, oh I want to, but I shouldn’t. Right? He sees my indecision and sighs, starting to pull away from me. I grab his arm, still thinking, still wanting him near. Finally I nod and bring my lips to his, “We’ll make something work.” He returns the kiss for a moment, then pulls away, questions in his gaze, “Something?” I nod, “Something, we’ll figure it out as we go.” He nods and pulls me close, “Stay the night?” He asks, kissing his way from my lips to my shoulder where he starts nibbling. I moan, then nod, “Yeah, the night,” I say, voice a little breathy. Then I pull back to look in his eyes, “But just the night. Then I need to return to my life, helping people, finding redemption.” He rolls his eyes, “Yes, redemption. So be it,” he says returning to my shoulder. My eyes close as I run a hand through his hair and enjoy my night, knowing that tomorrow I would be back with Gabrielle, answering her questions and waiting for my next encounter with Ares, wondering if it would be like this or like before or something completely new.
-The End
The tingle intensifies, running through my veins like lava. He’s near, very near, I can almost feel the heat of him at my back, just waiting for me to call him out. Not here though, not in the middle of the road. Our interactions tend to be a little confrontational when he’s a God and I don’t want an innocent traveler getting hurt. I head off the road, into the forest and stop in a small field filled with flowers. Gabrielle would love the location, Ares won’t notice. I draw my sword and let a hard stare cover my face, hoping the glee doesn’t shine through my eyes too much, “I know you’re there.” He appears in front of me in all his Godly glory. The lines around his lips and eyes gone, erased by the magic of Odin’s apples, all signs of his mortality gone, replaced by the hard, cruelness of Godhood. His eyes travel over me and he smiles, a true smile, a sweet smile, “I missed that.” I smirk and raise an eyebrow, not lowering my sword, letting the tip rest against his chest, “What do you want?” I try to make my voice hard, uncaring. He smirks and comes towards me letting my sword glide harmlessly through him. I always love it when he does that. He runs the back of his fingers down my cheek and I can’t help but lean into the caress a little, eyes closed. His hand cups my cheek gently and then his lips meet mine. The kiss is soft, tender, almost cautious and doesn’t last nearly long enough. He pulls away and my eyes flutter open. I can only hope I don’t have that needy, disappointed look on my face. He smirks, “Thank you.” My brows scrunch, “For what?” I ask and I’m ashamed that my voice is a little breathy. He steps back, off my blade and spreads his arms wide, “For restoring me, of course.” I sheath my sword and smirk, “I couldn’t send Aphrodite back without you. She needs you on Olympus to remain sane, balanced.” He nods, eyes not meeting mine, then shrugs, “Still, I figured I owed you a thank you at least.” I shake my head, “You owe me nothing. You gave up everything for me and my family. If anything I owe you.” His eyes light up and I can see the wheels turning in his head. I shouldn’t have said it, not to Ares the God. Ares the mortal would have smirked and made a joke about it, something to ease the tension. He smirks and lets his hand rest against my cheek, “We’re even.” The smile I give him is full of surprise and probably a hint of passion, desire. Any other words would have put me on the defensive, angered me, but those, those words spoken from him now, as a God, they mean the world to me.
We stand in the field, staring at each other, neither speaking, neither needing to. I can see all the little changes. The softness is gone from his eyes, replaced by the gleam of power. The smile he gives me isn’t that lost, unsure smile, but one full of lust, desire, strength. Even from a distance I can feel his power, his strength reaching out to me, begging me to bask in it. I wonder though what does he see? Does he notice the lines around my eyes or the slight sag to my shoulders? Now that he has his Godhood back do I interest him as a woman or is it just my abilities to wage war that interest him? Even if he’s interested in more than a Warrior Queen, would it just be a fling? Sating some desire, some need he has to claim me? Does he know that when I told him he always got to me I was telling him that I loved him? Does he know that when we were on the farm that maybe just for a split second I entertained the thought of staying with him, starting a family? Maybe even having his children? Does he know how much I want him? All of him, God and mortal alike? Does he know that when he touches me my skin crawls, not in disgust but in desire? That when I hear his husky voice, my heartbeat speeds up and I grow wet for him? Are my eyes as hard and clear as I hope they are? Or is there a hint of lust clouding them? Can he feel my desire? Sense it? Taste it in the air around me? Does he know that his presence is enough to excite me? And if he does, does he even care anymore? As a mortal he would have delighted in my desire, but as a God, does it mean anything? Well, anything more than a good time, that is? Finally I pull from my thoughts before they can spiral into a direction that will only bring trouble. “How’s Olympus?” I ask, happy to hear the harshness in my voice. The lust in his gaze disappears and he sighs, shaking his head, “It’s not the same. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad to be back, but it doesn’t really feel like home anymore.” I let out a dry harsh laugh, “And what is home?” Mine disappeared long ago while I slept in an ice tomb. He looks away from me and almost seems unsure, reminding me of the mortal he was not that long ago. Finally he meets my gaze and the look he gives me tears through my armor. It’s soft and needy and there’s a trace amount of fear in it. I take a step towards him, only one and his hand reaches out to brush mine, “Home is with the people you love.” I gasp, “Love?” Even now as a God with nothing to bargain with? As a mortal I believed that he loved me, I even entertained the notion of a future for us, but as a God? I didn’t think it was possible. He grasps my hand and pulls me closer, our bodies not quite touching, “I haven’t stopped loving you,” he says softly. Whatever resistance I have left crumbles. I wrench my hand from his and his look turns sad and almost vulnerable. I smile and let my passion for him show, let the lust shine in my eyes. I grab his vest with both hands and pull him against me, straining to crash my lips to his. At first he’s stiff and I smile against his lips, tracing them with the tip of my tongue. I feel him smile, then he devours me, hands rushing everywhere at once. I press my hips against him and feel him rub against me. I moan deep in my throat and he lets out a feral growl that only excites me more. I release my hold on his vest, letting one hand tangle in his hair, pulling him closer to me while the other explores his chest. I feel his hands everywhere, pulling me closer, rushing over me. His mouth wrenches from mine and I’m ashamed to admit a disappointed squeak leaves my throat. He smirks and dives towards my breasts, lips, tongue, teeth, nipping and scraping and kissing every bit of flesh he can get to. I arch against him like a brazen hussy and he chuckles, then returns to my lips acting as though he’s never tasted me before. His hand goes to the buckle on my breastplate and I quickly slap a hand over his, halting his progress. He pulls away, looking disappointed, but understanding. He releases me and begins to back away, nodding a little. I watch him for a minute, battling with my own desires and my common sense, then as he’s about to slip into the ether, I grab his arm, biting my lip a little. He raises an eyebrow, looking truly confused. I look down for a minute, searching for the words, searching for my voice, “Maybe someplace a bit more…private?” His eyes fill with surprise and lust before he pulls me against him, lips crashing to mine and taking me with him into the ether.
Lost in the darkness of the ether, having no control, I cling to Ares, trying to devour him the same way he’s trying to devour me. My back lands on something soft then he’s on top of me, pressing against me. He pulls from my lips and stares into my eyes. I stare back and see questions, so many questions. I raise my hips and grind against him and his eyes close with a sigh. When they reopen there’s lust mixed with the questions. After staring at me for an eternity, a finger lightly runs down my cheek and he asks, “One time thing?” There’s a hint of bitterness in his voice and I can’t blame him. I’ve used his desire for me against him too many times. And now, having admitted his love, his true, unselfish love, for me to tease him again, that would be the cruelest thing I could do. But I can’t promise him a future, not now, not yet. At the same time I can’t let either of us back out of this, not this time. I give him a coy look, “Remember that one in a billion?” He nods cautiously. I smile a little and run my tongue over his finger, delighting when he closes his eyes and shudders. “Your odds just might have improved a little,” I tell him in a teasing tone. He smirks, then shakes his head, “That doesn’t answer my question,” I know what he wants to hear, he wants me to say that I am his and I want to say those words so bad, but I can’t. He sees the sadness in my eyes and nods, rolling off of me and sitting up, “I’m not interested in scratching an itch.” I growl, “Neither am I,” I admit quietly. He turns to stare at me, one eyebrow raised. I give him a small smile and run a finger over the stubble on his jaw. I keep my voice soft as I do my best to explain myself, “This isn’t a scheme or a way to mess with your head, this isn’t some sick way of saying thank you, this is just me wanting you.” He gives me the softest most vulnerable look I’ve ever seen and I finally realize that if I’m not very careful, I’ll destroy him, kill whatever humanity he has left. He’s made no move towards nor away from me so I smirk and give him a challenging look, “And I certainly hope it’s more than once.” He gives me that devilish smile and the lust returns to his gaze.
Ares stands and pulls me to my feet and I allow myself to sway into him, letting one hand rest on his chest while the other grips his hip opposite his sword. Eyes never leaving mine, he begins to remove my armor, piece by piece, letting it drop to the floor until I stand before him in my leather shift and boots. He runs a finger across my cleavage and I shudder. He presses on my shoulder and I sit on the bed. He kneels in front of me and runs a hand down my leg, then unlaces my boots, tossing them aside. Eyes still on mine he runs a finger from my ankle bone up to my knee, then pauses when I inhale sharply. He rises and pulls me up again. This time I don’t just sway into him, I crash against him, lips locking onto his while my hands rush to his sword belt. I feel him smile against my lips when it clanks to the floor. I push the vest from his shoulders and my hands move to the pants. He smiles again and pulls away, shaking his head, “No, no, you’ve tortured me for years. My turn,” he says, a deep husky quality to his voice. I raise an eyebrow and his fingers begin to slowly untie my tunic as his lips trace my collarbone. I feel the laces lose their tension, then his hands are slipping the straps from my shoulders and pushing it down past my hips till it puddles around my ankles. His lips return to mine for a slow, torturous kiss. Every time I try to push for more, I feel him smirk and take a step back. I growl and he pulls away, smirking at me then pulling me close and fully exploring my mouth while his fingers unlace my shift. He pauses, letting the laces dangle, probably waiting to see if I’ll back out. I nip at his lip and grind against him, getting a low moan as my reward. Slowly, one strap, then the other, he slides the shift down my body, leaving me exposed to him. He pulls back and gives me a hungry once over. I smirk and once again reach for his pants but he swats my hand away, “Later,” he says, eyes studying every inch of me. I cross my arms over my chest and give him what I hope is an impatient look then start to plot his demise because two can play this game.
I lounge back on the bed, arms behind me for support, legs slightly opened, an invitation to be sure. A feral look fills his eyes and he kneels on the bed, crawling over me, pressing me into the bed, smothering me with his body. I arch against him, wrapping my legs around his waist and moaning when he thrusts against me. I tangle a hand in his hair and pull his lips to mine, claiming them, devouring them, trying to make him a part of me, craving him. He leaves my lips and trails kisses down to my breasts, making my very core ache with yearning. Leaving my breasts, he trails kisses lower, over my stomach, then lower still. He stares up at me with a wicked grin, then lifts my hips and runs his tongue over my core. I inhale sharply, exhaling on a moan. He closes his eyes, giving me a longer taste and I writhe under his touch. He moans against me, sending shivers running through me. He glances up at me as I clench and unclench the sheets in my fists, then chuckles and slides a finger inside of me. I gasp out his name and tense for a second which only encourages him more. He quickens the thrusting of his finger and continues the torturous licks, taking some sort of delight in having me at his mercy. I feel the blinding white heat building inside of me and moan his name, grinding against him. He moans and slides another finger into me, moving them in the sweetest rhythm I’ve ever experienced. The tension becoming unbearable, my legs tense around him, my hips held up by his strong arms, the sheets wet and twisted beneath me, I find my release and scream his name, throwing my head back in pure delight. He continues to torture me until the last tremor has left my body, then slowly kisses his way back up my body. I meet his lips, tasting myself on him and he chuckles, “One.” I growl and shove at him, then smile and pull him back to my lips ready for so much more.
I pull from his lips and smile a little, then raise my hips and grind against him. My hands travel down his back, feeling the muscles tighten under my touch. This time when I reach for his pants they disappear and I gasp as my thighs make contact with the bare flesh of his hips. With a coy smile I reach between us and run a hand over him, delighted, impressed and excited by what I feel. He thrusts against my hand and I know this is something I’m going to enjoy far too much. Maybe it would have been better, safer, if I had backed out earlier. But now, with him pressing down on me and giving me that sweet, open look, full of not just lust but love as well, I can’t imagine being anywhere else, of doing anything else. When I make no move to advance things his look grows cautious and he tenses above me. I take one of his hands in mine and shift beneath him, using my other hand to guide him into me. A look of bliss covers his face and he inhales sharply. I moan and grind against him, bringing my free hand up to tangle in his hair and pull his lips to mine. I wrap my legs around his waist and moan as he slides deeper into me. His lips slide from mine, over my cheek, to my ear, then down the side of my neck. I moan and grind my hips against him. Then his hands are under me, lifting my hips to his and thrusting into me. I meet his thrusts, delighting in his groans and letting a few escape my own lips. I begin to tense around him and he slows, giving me a wicked smile. The tension subsides and I let out a frustrated noise. He smirks above me, “Oh this isn’t going to end that quickly.” I growl, I hadn’t exactly been planning on this ending quickly either, “Ares, we’ve been dancing around this for years, teasing, pushing, pulling, do you really think I’m going to be sated that easily?” His eyes darken and he growls, slamming into me, making me scream in surprise. One leg wrapped around him, the other on the bed for leverage I meet his thrusts, grinding my hips against his, delighting in the way his eyes close and he moans my name. I begin to tense again and this time he doesn’t slow, he pushes harder, faster. I grip his shoulders, nails digging in, breathes becoming choppy. Slipping over the edge I scream his name, head thrown back. He continues thrusting against me and finally he joins me, moaning my name, collapsing on top of me and letting his lips dance over mine.
Ares holds me close, pinning me to the bed and I run my hands over his back, through his hair and feel him smile against my shoulder, then kiss my shoulder, letting his tongue peak out to taste the sweat on my skin. I smile and squeeze him within me. He props himself up, staring down at me, too much love, too much lust, and too many questions in his eyes. I wrap my legs around him, holding him close, knowing that this is going to turn into a conversation that might just lead to an argument and the end of what truly was something I had fought against for too long. He leans close to me, bringing his lips to my ear, “I love you.” I sigh and nod, “I know,” I say gently. He pulls back and stares down at me, running a hand down my cheek, “It doesn’t mean anything, does it?” I give him a soft look and turn my lips to kiss his knuckles, “It means everything.” His eyes are soft, “It’s not enough though, is it?” I give him a lost look. Oh, how I want to tell him that I love him that I’m his now and always. How I wish it could be that simple, but it isn’t. “Let’s just enjoy the here and now,” I suggest, “No past, no future. Just here and now, you and me, together.” His look is so soft, so vulnerable, “You know that will never be enough for me.” I nod and reply quietly, “Me neither.” His eyes go light, shine with happiness and I shake my head, “But for now, it’s all we have.” He growls and I can tell he’s thinking of pulling away from me. I rise a little, bringing my lips to his, then settle beneath him when he relaxes again. I smile, “For now, I’m yours, as long as you are mine,” I offer. He claims my lips, then pulls away with a smile, “I’m always yours.” His confession tears at me, rips through my heart and chips away another bit of my armor. This probably was a very bad idea. By the time we’re done, I might not be able to tear myself away from him, to go back to the way things were, to being enemies again. Is that what we even are anymore? He gave up everything for my family, for me. And I fought to save his life, more than once. I even took him to my Grandparents farm, let him into my life. And then I restored him, fought Odin for the apples, returned him to Olympus even though I knew it meant losing him, giving him up. He must see the confusion in my eyes, the lost look that I know is there. His lips trace a path from my lips to my ear, “Stop thinking so hard,” he orders, nipping at my lobe. I smile and nod, “No more thinking, I promise,” I say moving my lips to his ear.
Ares lays on top of me, holding one of my hands, running his other down my side, over my cheeks, through my hair, over my leg that is still wrapped around his waist. His lips trace my cheek bones, my collar bone, my shoulder. I move under him, rubbing against him and letting my lips dance over his flesh, letting my tongue slip out to taste him. He’s already hard inside me, ready to go again. And I’m more than willing, but this time on my terms. Holding him with my legs, gripping him inside of me, I snatch at his lips. He moans into my mouth and I smile a little. I pull from his lips and smirk, hooking one of my legs around his and flipping us over, hands slamming onto his chest as I sit up and begin to slowly ride him. His eyes are locked on mine full of passion and his hips rise, trying to encourage me to pick up my pace. I smirk and freeze in my motions with a wicked smile, “My turn.” He raises an eyebrow, “For what?” I swirl my hips, smiling at his moan, “To torture you.” He smirks and laughs a bit, “You’ve been doing that sense I met you.” I smile and chuckle, knowing the truth in his words. Then I break my earlier promise and begin to think again. Even when I was his warrior, so very long ago, I tortured him. I gave him everything except myself. Back then, I wanted him so bad and I hated myself, hated him for the lust he was causing. After Borias and giving up Solan I swore not to put myself in that position again. So I never gave myself to the men I desired. Oh I would use sex to get what I wanted, but it was just that, a means to an end. And when I left him, turned from him, I still desired him and he still desired me. But had I given myself to him I would have been tempted to return to him, to be his warrior again. It would have been all too easy. For years we tortured each other, trying to convince ourselves and each other that what we felt meant nothing. And for a while I truly thought that I hated him. When he tried to use Eve to get me to have his child, I despised him. Yet still his offer intrigued me, ignited a fire within me. And when he confessed his love and gave up his Godhood for my family, for me, chose me over his own family, over his own eternal survival, I knew I loved him. How could I not? But he still tempted me in all the wrong ways. Being with him, even as a mortal, would have blurred the lines of right and wrong, at least that’s the excuse I told myself. And what changed between now and then? When Aphrodite bit the apple and restored love to the world, my heart jumped in my chest, leaped at the sight of him in all his Godly glory. And when he walked away, returned to Olympus, I felt like I would die. My heart screamed for him and a part of me died right there in the frozen Norse lands. I thought I had lost him, until now. He reaches up and runs a hand down my cheek, “What’s wrong?” He asks in the softest voice I’ve ever heard from him. I shake my head, “Nothing. Nothing at all. Everything’s perfect.” He doesn’t look convinced. I swirl my hips, trying to distract him, trying to distract myself. He moans and thrusts into me harder. I gasp and rock back a bit, then find a rhythm that doesn’t leave room in my mind for thinking. All I can think of are the sensations tearing through my body. His hands run from my hips, up my back, down my ribs, then back to my hips, urging me to pick up my pace. I oblige for a second, then back off. He gives me a dark look, then smirks and sits up, pulling me tight against him. I breathe out his name and claim his lips, kissing and nibbling and trying to force all my passion, all my desire into that one embrace. He returns my passion, my desire and races his hands over my back, through my hair, thrusting into me at a pace that hardly leaves me time or desire to breath. This time when I crash over the edge, he’s right there with me. My eyes are wide in surprise, delight, and love. Breathing heavy I meet his eyes, then rest a hand on his jaw and give him a soft kiss, a kiss full of everything I dare not tell him.
We stay like that for a few moments, sitting in the middle of the bed, wrapped around each other, breathing and existing as one. Ares pulls away from where he had been nibbling on my shoulder and runs his hands on either side of my face, holding my hair back gently. He meets my lips for a second, then pulls back, hands still on my face, “Why now?” He asks, quietly. I growl, “I thought we said no more thinking?” He smirks, “No more thinking for you. I didn’t promise anything.” I give him a steely look and I see a touch of regret? Fear? In his gaze. I soften my look and shake my head, “Please don’t ask questions I can’t answer.” His look goes a little harsh, “Can’t or won’t?” I look away and shake my head, “Won’t,” I admit. “Why won’t you?” He asks, voice soft again. Because it would give him power over me. Because if I admitted I loved him, it would only cause more problems, more confusion, more pain. I shake my head, “Ares, I’m with you, can’t that be enough?” He shakes his head, “You have fought against this for years. And now after everything we’ve been through, put each other through, you’re just giving yourself to me. I have to know why. Why the sudden change? What made you stop fighting?” I lower my gaze, which doesn’t help because it just reminds me of what an intimate position we’re in while discussing my motives. Finally I sigh, “When I first left you I saw you as a living reminder of my past and how easily I could be tempted to return to it. And later you seemed to only want a Warrior Queen and I had no interest in that.” He starts to speak and I put a finger over his lips, “Let me finish?” He nods and kisses my finger. I continue, “When you came to me after Eve was born and asked for a child of your own, I was disgusted and hurt. But I learned that I could use your desires for my benefit and I did, more than once and I’m sorry for that. It was wrong and cruel.” I pause, trying to find my reasoning for the rest. His lips meet mine briefly, “And when I was mortal?” I sigh and shake my head, “I was afraid,” I admit. His eyes widen, “Afraid? Of what? That as a mortal I wouldn’t live up to your expectations?” There’s amusement in his voice. I laugh and shake my head, “No, definitely not that. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to pull away.” He raises an eyebrow, “And that’s a bad thing?” He asks, offence in his voice. “I didn’t want to lose myself.” He strokes my back, “I wouldn’t have asked you to change for me.” I smile, a bit of a challenge in my eyes, “And now?” I ask him, “Would you ask me to change now?” He captures my lips passionately, then pulls back, “I love you, the way you are, the woman you are, why would I want to change that?” And with that my last piece of armor crumbles. I latch onto him, rushing my hands over his back, his chest, through his hair, crashing my lips to his, pouring my passion into him, grinding against him. He growls, low in his throat and thrusts against me, feeding off my passion and giving me his in return. I moan, pulling my legs from around him and resting them on either side of him. He squeezes my thighs and I rise, almost off of him, getting a startled noise from him. Her jerks from my lips, eyeing me. I give him an evil little smile before letting myself slide back over him. His eyes roll back and I moan, then repeat the action a few times, making us both a little wild. Then I’m riding him, grinding against him. He pulls from my lips and gives me an evil little smile that makes my blood flow faster. His hand sinks between us and strokes me in time with my movements and his own thrusts. I gasp and fall against him, clinging to him, nails raking down his back. When I tumble over the edge my teeth sink into his shoulder, muffling my screams. When I don’t feel him join me in bliss I pull away, questions in my eyes. He smirks and throws me back against the bed, holding my hips to his as he kneels between my legs, pulling almost all the way out before slamming into me again and again, making me gasp each time. Far too soon he has me close to the edge again and I’m gasping out his name in a pleading voice that I have never heard come from my lips before. He quickens his movements, hands digging into my hips, as he thrusts into me harder and faster each time. He pushes me over the edge and I scream arching against him and dragging him over the edge with me.
Ares smiles down at me, then collapses, rolling to drape me over his chest. For about two seconds I think about the logic of my next move, but quickly quiet the voices in my mind, deciding that he has the right to know. I smile and crawl up his chest, swirling my tongue around his ear. He sighs, “Gods woman, you would have killed me as a mortal.” I chuckle and rise up to stare down at him. He leans forward and captures my lips, fully exploring, letting me explore. He starts to move against me and I rest a hand over his hip and pull from his lips shaking my head. He gives me a truly confused look, “Sated already?” I chuckle and shake my head. His hips start to move again and I put my hand back over them and shake my head. There’s a bit of impatience showing when he asks, “You don’t like that?” I laugh, “Oh, I like it, quite a lot.” His hands crash against the bed in true frustration, “Then what’s wrong?” I smile, meeting his eyes, “Nothing’s wrong, nothing at all. In fact it’s all perfect, beyond perfect.” He gives me that soft smile again and gently kisses me. I pull from his lips, tracing kisses over his jaw to his ear. I nibble his ear feeling him shudder beneath me. “I love you,” I breathe into his ear. His reaction isn’t exactly what I was expecting. He jerks beneath me, rolling me off of him and retreating from the bed. I stare at him, a little surprised, a little hurt, a little embarrassed. I had envisioned a lot of different reactions to my confession, him pushing me away and staring at me harshly certainly wasn’t on the list. His leather manifests and he tosses my stuff onto the bed, “Get dressed,” he orders in a hard voice, turning away from me. I growl and kick my stuff from the bed, rising and grabbing his shoulder, turning him to look at me. Only then, standing this close, do I see the pain in his eyes. I give him a soft look and try to kiss him, but he jerks away. He growls, “Look, I don’t know what the game is this time, but I’m not playing. I’m through with this. Now get dressed, I’m taking you back to the mortal plane.” I growl and plant my hands on my hips giving him a stubborn stare, “I’m not going back yet. I’m not done with you.” He lets out a cruel laugh, “Not done with me? What else can you possibly do to me? I have jumped through hoops, played your games, and given up everything for you and still my love is something for you to play with, some little string for you to pull on to get what you want.” I have to stop the spiral. I knew when this started that I had the power to destroy whatever humanity he had left. I never realized just how much I had hurt him over the years, toying with him, bending him to my will. I chew my top lip, trying to think of a way to fix this before he spirals more. He approaches, eyes still hard, “What’s wrong? Things not going according to plan anymore? Have to improvise now that Ares won’t play along?” I growl and lunge at him, agitated, hurt, lost, confused. He grabs my wrists, holding them between us, then uses them to push me back a step.
I sit on the bed and knowing that this is the wrong time and wrong reaction, I laugh and shake my head. His look turns violent, “Something funny, Xena? Is it funny that you finally found a way to get me to give up? To leave you alone?” I gasp. Give up? Leave me alone? Now, that I hadn’t been prepared for. He points at my things again, “Get dressed or go back naked. I’m through with this, through with you.” I give him a soft look and rise from the bed, walking towards him. I get close and he backs up a step so I don’t press him, I stay a step away. I reach out a run a hand down his arm. He jerks the arm away. I nod and reach for his hand. He lets me take it, hold it up between us, run my fingers over his. “I’m so sorry,” I say quietly, “I know I’ve hurt you. But that wasn’t my goal today. It really wasn’t.” He doesn’t pull his hand away, but his voice is still hard, “Then what was your goal? What was this big plan? What did you need to trick me into doing this time?” My patience wearing thin, my voice comes out as a command, “Stop.” He raises an eyebrow and can’t quite hide the flare of desire in his eyes. I take a step closer and he doesn’t retreat. I grab his other hand, running my fingers over and around it like I’m doing with the first and he allows it. I close my eyes, then meet his, “No goal, no plan. I came with you because I wanted to, wanted you. I gave myself to you because I’m done fighting you, fighting my own desires. And I told you I love you, because you deserve to know the truth. You said you wanted me, the way I am. Ares, that’s what I wanted, needed to know.” His look softens a degree, but there is still caution in his eyes. I smile and lead his hands to my hips, smiling when he doesn’t jerk them away. I run my hands under his vest, holding his shoulders, “I love you,” I repeat, “No games, no plans, just me finally able to return your love.” His hands go from my hips, up my back, lightly, making me shiver, “What does that mean for us?” He asks, voice not soft or husky the way I want it, but cautious and still a little hard. I sigh and give him a lost look, “I don’t know. I’m sorry, but I just don’t.” He nods, not surprised, not even disappointed, “You won’t stay?” I shake my head, “I’m not going to be your little Warrior Queen,” I reply, voice a little harsh. He shakes his head, resting a finger over my lips, “I’m not asking for that, not anymore.” I smile softly, “What are you asking for?” He sighs and his leather melts away as he pulls me close, running a hand over my back while the other raps around my lower back, holding my hips to his. He leans in close to my ear, “A partner, a lover, a Goddess, a wife,” he whispers. I gasp and it’s a good thing he can’t see my face, it would hurt him. I control my reaction and adopt a soft look, pushing him back enough to see his eyes. I shouldn’t have done that, there’s such love and hope in his gaze. My soft look goes sad and he nods, releasing me, “I see,” he says, taking a step back. I grab his shoulder, turning him back to me, “I don’t want to be a Goddess,” I remind him. He nods, looking sad, “You’d think I know that by now.” I smile a little and keeping my voice soft, I remind him, “I fight against you.” He smirks and pulls me against him, “You don’t have to.” I shake my head, “Ares, I’m not changing sides,” there’s impatience in my voice. His smile goes soft, “You don’t have to,” he repeats. My eyes widen, taking in the full meaning of what he’s telling me, then I shake my head, “You’re just saying that.” His lips dance over mine, then he pulls away a degree, “A fight is a fight no matter which side you’re on,” he repeats the words from so long ago. My look crumbles and I fight the tears, not about to cry in his arms, to give him that power over me, “I know that right now, you believe that. But what happens when we end up on opposite sides? It will just create resentment.” He gives me a devilish smile, “It will lead to a great fight and make up sex.” I laugh and shake my head, retreating from his arms, “That’s not going to work, not in the long run.” His eyes start to go hard, calculating, “You’re here now,” he reminds me. I nod, remaining quite. He’s right, I have every reason to hate him, yet here I am, in his arms, in love with him despite myself.
I sit on the bed and he approaches, standing in front of me. My eyes stray below the waist and I smirk, then glance up at him, eyebrows raised.” He kneels and takes both my hands in his, “Do you have any feelings for me, at all?” His question has a desperate quality to it, reminding me of when he was mortal and I found him at the top of hill after we had fought for his sanity. I nod, “Of course I do.” “Positive ones?” He asks with a laugh. I nod, smiling, “Some,” I respond, a teasing quality to my voice. He smiles and runs his hands up my arms to rest of either side of my face. He brings his lips to mine, letting them rest against mine, not a true kiss. I tangle my hands in his hair, smiling and pulling him on top of me as I lie back down, kissing him with all the love and passion I possess. He pulls away with a small smile, “You’re trying to distract me,” he accuses. I give an impish smile, “Maybe,” I respond, pushing my hips towards him, feeling him hard against my hip. He runs his hands through my hair and gives me a sweet kiss, gentle and full of so much emotion. He pulls away and stares into my eyes, “I love you more than anything.” I smile softly, not retreating from his gaze and nod, “I love you,” I tell him, not with passion or desire clouding my voice, but with honesty. He closes his eyes, savoring the words, then starts to rub against me. I moan rocking my hips against him. He smiles, feeling just how wet I am, then pulls my lips to his, exploring and continuing to rub against me. I moan, feeling the tension rising and shift my hips trying to encourage him to enter me. He laughs against my lips, moving my hips back to their original position and rubbing against me more. I moan his name an edge of desperation to my voice. He chuckles, “Don’t fight me, love, just enjoy.” I hear the huskiness of his voice, the strain as he fights his own desires. I moan again, tense under him and his lips snatch at mine, then travel down my throat, nipping at the tender flesh. I scream his name, finding my release and then just as I think it’s over and I’ll be allowed to flout back down to earth, he slams into me and I’m over the edge again, snatching at his arms, screaming and throwing my head back while his hips rock gently against mine, intensifying my bliss until I can hardly stand it.
Breathing heavy, I finally relax under Ares, eyes opening to meet his. He smirks, “See? It’s amazing the difference when you don’t fight me.” I raise my hips, “You love it when I fight you.” He nods, “It’s like foreplay,” he says meeting my hips, not rushing, letting both of us enjoy the sensation of being together, of being one. We continue slowly, enjoying each other and exploring. My hands trace his arms, arms that I knew are full of strength whether he is mortal or a God, arms that have never held me quite like this. Oh, he had snatched at me in desperation and passion and he had held me to his body in anger, keeping my trapped, but this is so different. There is tenderness mixed with the strength, almost as though he’s afraid of hurting me or scaring me away. His hands brush over me, little caresses that feel almost tentative. They’re gently exploring my arms, my side, my leg, my cheek, everything he can reach. And his legs brush against mine and again I feel the muscle there, the controlled strength. I rub my legs against his, holding one for a second before rolling over and draping myself over his body. His arms rap around my back, holding me closer than I thought possible. I feel his heart beating in sync with mine, in sync with our hips rocking together. His breath is hot on my cheek, mine on his, then his lips start to trace my shoulder, the hollow of my neck. I moan against his lips and feel him smile. Then slowly, oh so slowly, too slowly, his lips make their way to mine. The passion, desire, love I taste in his embrace is almost heartbreaking. And I can only hope that he can taste my love as well. It’s such a change from the games we played with each other for years. A change even from just a few minutes ago when he had teased and thrilled me. Somehow this is more, means more. Is this what people mean when they say ‘making love’? Slowly, the tension builds in me and I groan, trying to urge Ares to pick up speed. He chuckles, close to my throat, sending vibrations through me, “Patience, love, it’ll be worth it.” I moan, but stop trying to urge things on, hearing the tension in his voice, knowing he’s struggling not to speed things along. I feel the sweat dripping down my back, under his hands as they dance over my skin. Then I feel something unexpected. I feel sweat traveling down his chest, mixing with mine. I moan and bring my lips to his tasting the sweat on his top lip and I smile against his lips. Whether he’s genuinely sweating, quite a feat for a God or if he’s allowing it for my benefit, I love him all the more for it. Finally, he allows us to pick up speed, a sense of desperation growing in us both. One hand holds my hips firm, keeping them tight against his, the other rests along my spine, keeping me draped over him, held close, safe, protected. Together we fall over the edge, moaning, gasping for breath and letting our lips meet randomly.
The last tremor complete, I roll off Ares and settle next to him, watching his chest, glistening with sweat, rise and fall as he tries to catch his breath. I’m fighting to calm my breathing too. He rolls onto his side, eyeing me. I face him, smiling, not really sure what happens next, if anything can ever compare to that. He runs the backs of his fingers down my cheek and smirks, “Worth it?” I close my eyes, leaning into his hand and nod, “Completely.” I open my eyes and find him studying me with soft eyes. I run a finger down the stubble on his jaw and feel him shudder at my touch. I bring my lips to his gently, then push him onto his back and lay my head on his chest, sighing and listening to his steady heartbeat. His fingertips run up and down my side and I shiver. My hand dances over his chest, drawing lazy designs and I smile when he shudders.
Ares sighs and I know our time of peace is about to be over. “What’s the plan?” He asks, gently. I shrug, not moving from his arms. What is the plan? Do I steal away little moments with him? Or just let things drop, be a wonderful, world changing event that we can’t repeat? My breath catches at that thought and he raises my chin to stare into my eyes, “We don’t have to decide anything right now,” he says, meeting my lips gently. I sigh and retreat from his lips, “Yes we do.” He nods and sits up leaning against the headboard and pulling me up next to him, “I already agreed to fight with you.” I nod, smiling, then run a hand over his chest, letting it dance lower over his abs, then lower still, “And the rest?” I ask with a small smile. He puts his hand over mine, pressing it down over him and I smile. He smirks and motions around, “All you have to do is ask.” I smirk and shake my head, “Fighting and sex? Is that all we have?” His eyes darken, “Are you asking for more?” I inhale sharply, then shrug, “Maybe,” I respond, then shake my head, “I’m ready to try for something more.” He raises an eyebrow and I’m wondering if that’s scheming I’m seeing in his eyes, “What kind of more?” I smile, “Maybe, I’ll make you wait and see.” Because I have no clue what I’m asking for. Well, I do, but I have no right. He chuckles, “I’m not going to ask you to change,” he reminds me, a serious note to his voice. I raise an eyebrow, wondering where this is going. “I’m the God of War,” he reminds me. I nod, a little sad, “I haven’t forgotten. But as you said a fight is a fight no matter which side you’re on.” He nods, “What happens if we’re on different sides?” I shake my head, “We’ll keep our personal and professional lives separate,” I say all too practically. He chuckles, “Yeah, that’s going to work,” he says, sarcasm dripping. I jab him in the ribs, “It will be foreplay. Remember? You like it when I fight against you.” He chuckles, “That I do,” he pauses, “Give it a try?” I remain silent, oh I want to, but I shouldn’t. Right? He sees my indecision and sighs, starting to pull away from me. I grab his arm, still thinking, still wanting him near. Finally I nod and bring my lips to his, “We’ll make something work.” He returns the kiss for a moment, then pulls away, questions in his gaze, “Something?” I nod, “Something, we’ll figure it out as we go.” He nods and pulls me close, “Stay the night?” He asks, kissing his way from my lips to my shoulder where he starts nibbling. I moan, then nod, “Yeah, the night,” I say, voice a little breathy. Then I pull back to look in his eyes, “But just the night. Then I need to return to my life, helping people, finding redemption.” He rolls his eyes, “Yes, redemption. So be it,” he says returning to my shoulder. My eyes close as I run a hand through his hair and enjoy my night, knowing that tomorrow I would be back with Gabrielle, answering her questions and waiting for my next encounter with Ares, wondering if it would be like this or like before or something completely new.
-The End