by Elvichar
Joxer was alone. And it was dark.
And he was very, very confused.
The last thing he remembered he was in the bed of Alexander... no that wasn't right, the last thing he remembered was three gods fighting over who owned him.
What was that about?
Joxer peered through the darkness to try and find where he was. He could just make out a door at the far end of the room. Yes - he was definitely in a room. But where?
The door opened and a tall figure stepped through, haloed by a back light. Joxer couldn't see the face.
"Are you awake yet?" The figure asked, concern in the voice.
Joxer rubbed his head. "I think so."
"How do you like being fought over?" The voice asked.
"Where am I - who are you?" Joxer asked back.
The figure giggled but didn't answer. Suddenly the room was brightly lit.
The man in the door way stood in a heroic pose, head tilted up as if to say 'recognize me now?'
"I'm sorry - do I know you?" Joxer asked in exasperation, "because I'm really tired and I want to get some more rest."
The man glared at Joxer - his lip jutted in a close approximation of a pout. "Do you know me - do you know me?" He bellowed shrilly.
"Yes that's what I asked - do I?" Joxer felt really pleased with himself. Cool in a calm of crisis - he knew it was in him.
"I am a god - bow down and worship me."
"If you're a god why don't I recognize you?"
The man in the doorway stamped his foot." It's no fair - why can't I ever inspire awe and wonder - what am I doing wrong?" He wailed and rested his head against the door frame.
Joxer started to feel a little guilty. He got up and patted the man's shoulder - at arm' s length - he didn't want to get too close, he might get bitten or something.
"I'm sorry - maybe I'm just a bit confused or something. Perhaps I don't recognize you because I've lost my memory." Joxer thought this was extremely unlikely. In fact he knew he could remember every single event in his life, but it seemed to make the 'god' feel better.
Another taller, broader figure suddenly loomed over the two. He coughed to draw attention to his presence.
Joxer and the 'god' both jumped in surprise. They turned round slowly to look into the face of a very, angry Ares.
"Strife - did I say you could come here?" Ares asked his nephew.
Strife looked up from the doorframe sullenly. "I'm sorry unc. I just wanted to see if he was awake. Honest."
Ares took his nephew by the collar and threw him into the room.
"Ever since you got back Strife - what is up with you? You just can't keep your hands off other people's property. You are just like your mother." Ares stood just inside the room. His arms folded.
"Aw don't say that - take it back." Strife whined.
"Hello - can someone please tell me what's going on." Joxer was sick of this now. Four. Four gods in one day. In his whole life nothing and now this.
Ares spun around - remembering Joxer was there suddenly. Now he had him here he realized he had no idea what to do with him.
"Ah - worshipper. You may kneel
in the presence of your god," Ares said majestically.
Joxer couldn't help himself. He started to laugh. First a bubbling
in his chest and after a few moments a rippling guffaw that spread
through his entire body.
Ares stared at Joxer for a second. Then his lips began to twitch. He couldn't help it - that laugh, he just had to join in.
Temporarily forgotten Strife took that moment to disappear, leaving Joxer and Ares in paroxysms of laughter - clutching each other in their hilarity.
It took minutes for them to collect themselves. When they had calmed down they were both standing very close together in the doorframe. Joxer had his head rested on Ares chest.
After the laughter everything had gone very quiet and still. Neither the god nor the mortal moved for what seemed an eternity. Ares spoke first.
"Um - Joxer?"
Joxer gulped and looked up into the god's face. "W..what?"
"You realize you're mine don't you?"
Joxer smiled. "Of course."
Ares clutched him tighter.
He might have millions of worshipers
- but he'd fought for this one. He wasn't going to let him go
now. Ever.