Worth the Risk

Love's Gamble #2

Worth the Risk

Disclaimer: Actually, they are mine now. I kidnapped the boys, and they all decided they wanted to stay. I wonder why? :)
OK, so I'm lying. A girl can dream, can't she?

Note: Picks up directly after the ending to Wanna Bet?

"Hey, um, Jox?" Strife caught Joxer's arm just before they came upon the campsite. When the man stopped, Strife looked at him nervously. "Did ya, uh, did ya wanna, ya know, keep this a secret? 'Cause, like, I'd understand if ya didn't want Xena and Gabs ta know about...us. I mean, if ya wanna keep it quiet. I'm not 'xactly the best catch." He looked at the ground.

Joxer reached out and pulled him into an embrace. "I'm not ashamed of you. You're wonderful. And I don't care what anyone else thinks about us."

Strife smiled weakly. "So, does that mean ya don't mind sharin' a blanket tonight? 'Cause I ain't got nothin' fer myself." He gazed at Joxer hopefully.

Joxer blushed. "I...I...I'd like that," he whispered. The two stood together for a moment longer, then pulled apart. "Ryff?"

"Yeah?"

"Um, why...why exactly were you pretending to be, you know, 'Ryff'? A mortal? And why did you want to travel with Xena and Gabby?"

Oh, shit. What tha fuck am I s'posed ta tell him? I can't lie to the guy! Oh, gods, I am soooo in trouble. "It's...it's kinda not that simple, ya know? Could we, uh, sorta wait 'til tomorrow ta get inta it? I...I promise I'll explain everythin' then."

"Oh. OK, I guess. I mean, it's not really that important. I was just wondering. You don't have to tell me it you don't want to."

"No, I...I want ta. I can't lie ta ya, Jox. Ya...ya mean too much ta me."

Joxer smiled. "Then, we'll talk tomorrow. For now, we should get back before Xena starts a search for us." He leaned forward for a brief kiss, then led the way back into the camp.

Xena looked up at the men's arrival. She quirked an eyebrow at their flushed appearance. "It's about time you two got back. I though maybe you'd drowned yourselves or something."

Gabrielle snorted. "Not like that's too unbelievable. This is Joxer we're talking about," she muttered. Intent on a scroll, she missed the dark glare that Strife aimed at her.

Xena, having gone back to sharpening her sword, did not notice the tension radiating from the newcomer.

Joxer simply frowned and moved to make up his bed on the opposite side of the fire from the women. With a last angry look, Strife followed. Once his blankets were spread out the way he wanted, Joxer whispered to his new lover, "You want to sleep next to the fire, or on the outside?"

Strife grinned at him. "Ya face tha fire, Jox. I'll keep your back warm. I won't be cold or nothin' with ya in front of me. Nope, I'll stay nice an' hot...all night long."

Joxer blushed, but moved under the blankets to face the fire. Strife slipped in behind him, pressing himself along the length of Joxer's back and placing a proprietary hand around his waist to hold him close. Joxer sighed happily and closed his eyes. With a soft kiss to the nape of his pale neck, Strife did the same. They dropped off into a contented slumber.

After a few more strokes across the blade, Xena scrutinized her work, nodding in satisfaction. Sheathing it, she stretched out on her bedroll in preparation for sleep. Chancing to glance across the fire, she noticed for the first time the unusual sleeping arrangements. "Psst, Gabrielle!" she hissed.

Sighing at the interruption, Gabrielle looked up. "What? I was really inspired there, and you just threw me off." She didn't work too hard to keep the irritation out of her voice.

"Look." Xena pointed. "Isn't that cute? They look like puppies all snuggled together."

Gabrielle rolled her eyes, but looked anyway. The sight of someone curled up happily against Joxer threw her, she wasn't used to seeing anyone stay that close to the man voluntarily. Her forehead wrinkled as she considered. "Why are they sleeping together like that? Is Ryff feeling a bit insecure after his encounter today? I'd think he could do better that Joxer for protection."

Xena shook her head at her friend's obtuseness. "Well, I'm sure I'm not telling you anything new, but it's obvious that Ryff lost all his belongings today, so it's not like he has his own bedroll anymore. Who else was he supposed to bunk with if he wanted to stay warm? I didn't see you offering to share."

"Oh, please. Share with him? He's so...freaky. No offense, but with that pale skin and dark hair, he just reminds me too much of Joxer." She shuddered. "That would be way too creepy for me. And what is up with all those things in his ear? It looks...scary."

"Still, you have to admit, there is something rather...endearing about the picture they make."

Gabrielle flopped back down onto her own pallet. "Yeah, sure, whatever." She reached for her pack to put away her quill and scroll. "I'm exhausted. Night Xena."

"Goodnight Gabrielle." Xena gave the men one last amused glance, then turned over and closed her eyes. As the women joined the other two in sleep, silence descended on the site, broken only by a few sighs from Joxer or Strife, and Gabrielle's occasional soft snore.

Joxer awoke to the sensation of a warm body pressing against him. Opening his eyes, he found himself face to face with Strife. He let his gaze wander over the spiky hair and multiple ear piercings to the slightly parted lips. He watched amused as a bit of drool escaped from between them. Quickly, he reached his head forward and licked, swiping his tongue across the luscious mouth to capture drop of moisture.

Pale blue eyes flew open in shock, and Strife reared his head back, startled. His mind sifted through its memories, and he relaxed once he remembered who he was with. Smiling at the lean form beside him, he stroked a hand gently across Joxer's cheek. "Sorry 'bout that. I kinda forgot where I was, ya know? Nice way ta wake up, though."

Joxer breathed a sigh of relief. "I thought you were upset with me."

"Nah, just not used ta bein' licked awake! Course, ya could change that fer me..." he trailed off suggestively, wiggling closer to Joxer and holding him tight.

Joxer grinned and leaned in for a kiss. Happy to oblige, Strife took his mouth gently, their tongues uniting in a dance of passion that increased its intensity until both men pulled apart a bit breathlessly.

"Ya do that real good, Jox. I'm gonna have ta watch out I don't get addicted ta it."

"Don't worry, I'll always be able to supply you with more...at no additional charge!"

Strife chuckled, then sat up. "C'mon, we should get ready. Who knows where we'll end up today what with Xena draggin' us around."

Joxer groaned. "I don't want to. Can't we stay here?" He looked up at the god plaintively.

"Look at it this way...we oughtta hit a town soon, an' then we can get a bed. A nice, big, comfy bed..." He leered at the pale man.

Joxer considered that for a moment, then sat up and began to gather his stuff together. "Well, what are you waiting for?" Strife laughed again, and moved to help.

Having finished that, Joxer moved to put his armor back on. Strife watched for a moment, then broke in. "Hey, ya mind not wearin' that today? Not that I don't like it or nothin', but I'd rathah be able ta see ya walk. Ya got a really nice rear view. An' you're much easier ta get at without it."

Joxer ducked his head bashfully as the meaning of this sunk in. "I...I guess I can leave it off. If you prefer."

"Oh yeah." Strife trailed a hand down Joxer's chest to emphasize his point. "I prefer."

Once everything was packed up, they noticed for the first time that the women were nowhere to be seen. Joxer shrugged. "They're probably getting cleaned up before we go. Girl stuff, you know? They should be back soon."

Not too long after he said that, the two women did indeed return. Barely glancing at the guys, they gathered their own things together and Gabrielle, with a curt "Come on, we're leaving" thrown over her shoulder, moved off after Xena.

Strife looked at Joxer. "Well, guess that means we gotta go too, huh?"

Joxer smiled ruefully. "Just...try to think about the bed. And how much sooner we'll get to it now." The two shared a burning look, then followed the women.

Strife perked up as a town came into view late that afternoon. Thank tha gods! This walkin' thing is so not me! Course, the bruises an' stuff from yesterday don't help neithah. Damn, I wish I could heal 'em, but I think even those two might notice somethin' weird if I did. He eyed the women irritably. Fortunately, he had managed to keep Joxer's attention occupied well enough that they'd had little chance to speak with him, much less put him down. Don't know how much more of their 'we're bettah than ya' attitudes I can take. Might hafta hurt them if they keep it up!

Joxer noticed the eagerness that had developed in Strife's stride as they drew near the town. He smiled. "Not used to it, huh?"

Strife snorted. "It's that obvious, is it?"

"Well, as soon as we find a place to stay for the night, I'll give you a massage. It'll help with the aches."

"Yeah, I gotta ache ya can massage anytime ya want ta!" He leered at Joxer, who blushed. Unsure, Strife asked, "Ya don't mind when I say stuff like that, do ya? 'Cause I can stop if ya want me ta."

"It's OK. I'm just not used to someone talking like that to me. But I like it." He smiled a bit.

"Good. 'Cause ya look really hot when ya blush like that. I like seein' ya turn all red...it gives me ideas, if ya know what I mean." His hand snaked out and brushed lightly down Joxer's ass, which he pinched gently.

Joxer jumped, turning even redder. Grinning, Strife leaned over and darted his tongue into a shell-like ear, swirling it around then sucking the earlobe into his mouth to nibble. Joxer stopped dead in the road, gasping at this blatant action.

Strife released him, smirking as he took in the man's semi-aroused state. "C'mon, Jox. Ya don't wanna get left here, do ya?" He indicated the women who had continued on their way, not noticing that their companions had dropped behind.

Joxer shook himself, then started forward again. "That...that was very unfair of you. It's not easy to walk like this, you know." He scowled, trying hard not to start laughing.

"How about I make it up ta ya later?" Strife gazed at him soulfully, eyes wide and pleading.

Joxer paused, then pulled him in for a kiss. Releasing him, he breathed, "I'll hold you to that."

"OK, there's only two rooms available here, so Gabrielle and I will take one, and Joxer, you and Ryff can share the other. Sound good?"

"Gee, I don't know how I'll stand it," Strife muttered under his breath, snickering.

"Um, yeah, that's sounds fine to me, Xena." He kicked Strife's, ankle, giving Xena an innocent look when she turned toward them.

"Well, then, we'll stay here for a couple of days, see what comes up."

"Ooohhh, yeah, I can't wait ta see what comes up." Strife licked his lips as he stared at Joxer's groin.

Gabrielle gave Strife a strange look. "What was that, Ryff?"

"Hmm? Oh, nothin'. Just talkin' ta myself, ya know how it is."

"O...kay." That is definitely one weird guy. Hmph, no wonder he and Joxer get along so well! Of course he has managed to keep klutz boy out of my hair today. Guess he has his good points. Gabrielle dismissed them, and went to carry her things up to her and Xena's room.

"Gabrielle and I have some minor business to attend to this evening, then we'll probably go straight to bed. I'm sure you boys can find some way to keep yourselves entertained."

"Yeah, we'll probably go to bed soon, too." Joxer picked up his own pack.

"Right, ya know, I got all these stiff muscles...from yesterday...so I should prob'ly get myself ta bed so I can...rest." He snorted mentally as Xena simply smiled in agreement and went inside. He turned to find Joxer staring at him with a kind of fascinated horror.

"I can't believe you said that! That was..." he floundered for a word to describe it.

"It was hilarious is what it was. She, like, totally has no clue! An' as fer Gabs...sheesh! What, are those two blind or somethin'?"

Joxer smiled reluctantly. "I guess...it was kind of funny. They really don't notice anything going on, do they?"

"Whatevah. ''Nuff 'bout them...I believe ya promised me a massage!"

"Did I? Hmm, I suppose you're right. Shall we?"

"Oh, Gods!" Strife moaned in bliss as Joxer kneaded a particularly knotted region on his back. "Ya got great hands, Jox. I think I'm a puddle of somethin' gooey about now."

"See, I told you it would relax you." He caressed the bare skin, reveling in it's silky texture. The naked man under him seemed to enjoy it as well.

Strife turned over. "I don't think ya did a very good job of relaxin' me. See, I still got this really stiff muscle..." he smoothed his hands up Joxer's thighs. "An', I think ya could prob'ly work it out bettah if ya took your clothes off, too. Ya know, ta get better access."

"Of course, we can't be neglecting such an...important muscle, can we?" Joxer grinned and quickly skimmed out of his clothes, returning to sit beside Strife.

"I like how ya was before...ya know, kneelin' ovah me." Strife pulled on Joxer's body until he had maneuvered the man to lie on top of him. He gasped as their erections brushed against each other.

"Oh! Ryff, I..." Joxer grunted, and thrust his hardness against his lover, the feel of another swollen organ against his own driving him on. He braced his arms on either side of Strife's head, panting as he increased the movement of his hips.

Strife wrapped his arms around the body above him. He bit into a milky shoulder, shuddering at the pressure that was building up in his balls. The fluids leaking from both their cocks rubbed against their bellies, leaving damp smears. He reached down and pressed against Joxer's ass, pulling him into even closer contact.

Growling hoarsely, Joxer pounded against the receptive form under him. The small pain in his shoulder provided a counterpoint for the overwhelming pleasure he felt. He moved his head frantically until he was able to join his mouth with Strife's, and as the two shared an incendiary kiss, they reached completion virtually simultaneously, cumming in great spurts over their chests and stomachs, their seed mingling.

Joxer collapsed against his lover, rolling to the side to avoid squishing him. Strife rubbed his back as their breathing returned to normal, murmuring soothing noises that he could barely make out. Just as Joxer felt he was falling into a satiated sleep, Strife spoke quietly.

"Tha reason I joined up with ya guys is 'cause Ares ordered me ta." He looked down, afraid to meet Joxer's eyes, wary of the censure he might find there. "He, uh, said I was supposed ta follow ya no matter what, an' not let on ta anyone that I was a god. 'Just act mortal' he said, an' so that's what I did. But..." Pulling away, he rolled over to face the wall. "I...I don't think he had clue one what was gonna happen. He is gonna be majorly pissed with me 'bout this, 'cause there ain’t no way I'm gonna be able ta do whatevah it is he wanted me ta do ta ya. Not now that I know I...I love ya." He trailed off in a miserable whisper, anticipating rejection.

Joxer stared at the shaking back then, overcome with an emotion stronger than any he had ever felt before, he reached out. Curling up behind Strife, he embraced him tightly. "Well, if you hadn't shown up in the first place, we would never have had this. Why do you think I'd be mad?"

"I dunno." Strife shrugged. "Maybe I figgered ya'd think I was only doin' this 'cause Unc said I had ta."

"I believe in you. No matter what, OK?" Joxer nuzzled the back of his neck, nipping the pale skin there. "And by the way, I love you, too."

Strife wiggled around to face him again. "You're not...mad at me or nothin'?" In response, Joxer placed a tender kiss on his nose, shaking his head. Strife beamed. "Thanks."

"Anytime. Um, what's going to happen when Ares finds out about us though?" Joxer allowed a portion of his anxiety to show.

"Hey, don't ya worry 'bout nothin'. I'll take care of ya. Ain't no one gonna hurt ya again...evah. That's a promise. I ain't nevah gonna leave ya, hear me?"

Joxer gave a small smile, and nodded. Relaxing against his lover, he closed his eyes peacefully.

Strife sighed. Shit. Bettah get it ovah with already. "Jox?" The man looked up at him questioningly. "Unc's gotta temple nearby, I'd bettah go explain things ta him. Ya know, get it outta tha way so we can concentrate on us."

"Yeah, I guess. Promise me it'll all turn out OK?"

Damn. "Course. I promise." Gods, please don't make me hafta break that promise, 'kay?

Strife stepped hesitantly into Ares' temple. "Hey Unc, I gotta talk with ya." he called out, then waited.

Ares appeared draped over his throne, giving the young god a harsh stare. "What exactly are you doing here? I told you to stay with Joxer." His voice was level, but had a certain quality to it that made Strife quail a bit.

"Um, yeah, well about that..." He cleared his throat. "Ya see, it's like this. He...uh, we...ya know, it's really kinda funny if ya think about it." His glance darted nervously around the room.

"Are you trying to tell me you're having problems with this minor assignment?" Ares frowned darkly, all the while laughing inside. Come little nephew, let's see how much you really want this mortal. Show some backbone!

"Um, not 'xactly 'problems', more like, uh...an unexpected...twist."

Ares sighed. "What exactly is it you're babbling about? I'm starting to lose my patience with you." He crossed his arms and increased the intensity of his glare.

"Well, it's like this...um, me 'n' Jox, we, uh, kinda have this...thing goin'. Ya know? So, like, I was wonderin' if maybe ya could call off this assignment?" He held his breath. Please, please don't make me do whatevah it is ya wanted me ta do ta him!

"Unacceptable," came the flat reply. "Joxer deserves every bit of what I have in store for him. I have no intention of stopping."

'Deserves'! He ain't done nothin' ta no one ta deserve anythin' happenin' ta him! That's...that's not fair! Strife's face turned red with suppressed fury. "Ya...ya can't! He's...he's a nice guy. Ya can't make me do nothin' ta hurt him!"

Ares leaned forward, mouth tightening. "Are you telling me what I can and can't do?" The menace in his voice made Strife take a step back. "Don't presume, child. You have no idea what you're getting yourself into."

Strife gulped. Oh shit, he's totally gonna kill me. But...I can't do nothin' ta Jox, I just can't! Pulling together his courage, he braced himself and said quietly, "I won't let ya hurt him, Unc. I...I love him." He winced, anticipating the reaction this would evoke.

"You...love him. That worthless excuse for a man? You have got to be kidding!" That's right, give it to me. Don't let me down, Strife.

Strife shook his head. "He ain't worthless, he's perfect. An' I don't care what ya do ta me, I promised I'd take care of him, an' I'm gonna keep that promise."

"Oh really?" Ares stood and stalked toward the trembling god. Just a bit more, nephew, prove you deserve what I'm going to give you "And what if I decide to blast back to the elements for daring to defy me like this? Is the mortal really worth that kind of pain? Is he worth risking your very existence for? Because I could do it, you know. I have every right to...punish...someone who interferes with one of my warriors. And he is mine, rest assured." He gripped the back of his nephew's neck, lifting slightly.

Strife choked out the words, determined not to give in. "Yeah, he's worth it. I'd rathah not be around at all than not have him." He closed his eyes. Gods, Jox, I'm so sorry. I promised I'd take care of ya an' nevah leave ya alone. But it looks like Unc's gonna kill me now, so I hope ya don't hold it against me.

He gasped when the hand suddenly released him. Sprawled out on the floor, he looked up at his dark uncle.

Ares turned his back and returned to his throne. He smiled slightly. Oh, bravo, Strife! I knew you had it in you. Adopting a grim expression, he turned and sat. "Well, I can't have one of my worshippers taking another god for a lover. So, I'll just have to make sure he doesn't...ever."

No! Strife scrambled to his feet, consumed by rage and not a small amount of fear. "Ya can't! I won't let ya kill him! If I hafta, I'll --"

Ares raised his voice to drown out the other's, and continued. "No, that just won't do at all. The only choice left for me is to...give him to you." He smirked, waiting for that to sink in.

"-- An' there's no way in Hades I'm gonna just stand here an' -- what? Give...whattaya mean, give him ta me?" Thoroughly confused, he stared at his uncle blankly.

"Simple. It's not quite the thing for one's followers to choose a different god for their lover, so...I'm giving him to you. Then he's your follower, and your responsibility, and I don't look bad."

Strife's jaw dropped. "You...you're...givin' him ta me? Fer my own worshipper? You're...not gonna kill him...or me?"

"Well, now, that would be just pointless, wouldn't it? What would be the purpose of setting you two up together if I was just going to kill you?" Ares held in his laughter at the bewildered look on Strife's face. Before the young god had a chance to recover from that revelation, Ares winked at him and flashed out.

Strife watched the residual sparkles fade, his mind whirling. Unc...set us up? He planned this? He...he put me through Hades, when all along this is what he wanted! Tha bastard! I'll...I'll... His anger dissipated, and a smile grew on his face. I oughtta kiss him! He's mine! Joxer's all mine now! Laughing joyfully, he raced from the temple, intent on returning to his lover.

Breathless, Strife raced up the stairs and burst into his and Joxer's room. Startled, Joxer jerked his head up, coming to his feet at the expression on his lover's face.

"What is it? What happened?" Worried, Joxer watched as Strife struggled to get his breathing under control.

Flushed and panting, Strife stared at Joxer hungrily. Mine. He's mine! He pounced, knocking the man to the bed and spreading out on top of him. Running his hands through his dark hair, Strife tilted his face up and bent to devour the full lips.

Joxer's eyes flew wide as his lips were possessed. He groaned and arched up, clutching the lean back and rubbing whatever skin he could. Finally he was released, and, unable to form a word, he met Strife's lust filled gaze.

Strife grinned, passing a thumb across the moisture left on the swollen lips of his lover. "Guess what?"

"Well, I assume that means things went well and we don't have to run for our lives."

"Yeah, ya could say that. Actually, ya ain't gonna believe this, but...the whole thing was a set up."

"What do you mean, a 'set up'?"

"Well, see, fer some reason, Unc got this bright idea ta get us togethah. That's really why he sent me ta hook up with ya. So he wasn't really mad at all." He frowned. "He had, like, WAY too much fun pretendin' he was, though. I'll hafta get him back fer that."

Joxer tilted his head. "You mean, he wanted us, you know, like this? He wasn't upset that I, kind of, turned to another god?"

"Actually, he made a fuss about havin' one of his followers takin' another god fer a lover, but I kind liked his solution ta that." He pressed kisses along the smooth jaw, licking and biting gently.

"Um, what exactly was his solution?" Joxer moved his head to provide better access.

"Mmmm. He gave ya ta me." He jerked back, having just thought of something. "You...you don't mind, do ya? I mean, if ya'd rathah stay with Unc instead bein' one of my followers, I'd...I'd understand." He tried not to look too downcast at that idea.

"I...No, I don't mind. I mean, I was never really a good warrior anyway. And I have been told I'm nothing but trouble!" He grinned impishly.

Strife heaved a sigh of relief. "Well, ya got the perfect god fer that, don'tcha? I could always use someone like ya...in more ways than one!"

"Glad to hear it. So...what do we do now? I mean, you don't have to pretend to be mortal anymore, do you? And you probably don't want to travel with Xena and Gabby anymore, I'm sure."

"Ya got that right!" Strife thought about it for a moment, then asked, "Well, Jox...ya evah wanted ta see Olympus?"

Finit

Go to Love's Gamble #3: Holding Close

So??? Let me know what you think!