Part 1

If there was one thing that Joxer know about life was that it was complicated. His, in particular, was sometimes more than he could wrap his mind around. He was both the friend of Xena and the on again, off again lover of Ares. Balancing those two meant keeping many secrets from his lover and even more from his friend. It meant telling too many lies. He wasn’t very good at either. It seemed like every cover-up spiraled into immense hurdles and he had a hard time keeping his lies and his truths straight enough to get over them. Scarily enough, those weren’t even the most complicated secrets and lies about him, but he found that he liked a certain amount of complication in his life.

For example, the road he was walking on. It was one of many leading or leaving Athens, depending on your point of view. He’d been on it hundreds of times as it was one of his favorite places outside his home town. More often than not Joxer was leaving, so that’s how he tending to think of it. The narrow road would take one all the way to the coast and a breathtaking cove, if a person had the patience. Joxer thought that this might actually be the most unbeaten path in Greece, for several reasons. It was narrow and the cove had what if one stretched could be called a single dock.

Most of all this road wound through a series of thickets. No matter which way the path twisted and turned the trees seemed to know just what side to grow on so that a traveler couldn’t see what was round the bend. In fact, they were so dense that even in fall and winter, the view was obscured. That was what Joxer loved about this route out into the world. He never knew what was waiting up ahead. He could take a step and find an old friend, a new one, a fruit stand, a bully waiting to push him into the dirt. The possibilities were endless. In his mind, the only truly terrible thing around the next bend was nothing. However, there were other twists and turns, even other roads, so one empty stretch wouldn’t get his spirits down. It was what made traveling so thrilling.

Only the particular bend Joxer was going around wasn’t disappointing. There in the middle of the road, lounging on a couple of pillows as if it were a perfectly natural thing to do on a road, was Strife.

A grinned bloomed on his face and he quickened his pace. Now there was one very good complication. Strife was his best friend, in on *all* his secrets. He helped him keep all his complications in line. He kept Joxer straight when his mind was in a jumble. He reminded Joxer of his truths and his goals. Joxer couldn’t imagine a better friend.

About three steps from his friend Joxer froze. Any smile on the face of Mischief was a bad sign. However, he’d only ever seen that particular look of glee thrice in his nearly thirty years. A cold sweat broke out under his armor. Each of those occasions had been well more complicated than a mere mortal could comprehend. The first was when he was ten and Strife had figured out his *big* secret. It had taken godly intervention for that not to blow up in his face. On the bright side, that had started their friendship. The second was when he’d come back from the dead without Hades’ knowledge. Even though he given Joxer all the details, he still just preferred not to think about it. The third was a year ago, when Cupid had asked him out. Which while he was happy for his friend, he didn’t think he could stand any more dating drama.

One would think that dating the God of Love would be… well, lovely. Only after Cupid’s disastrous marriage, something else Joxer didn’t really want to think about, the god was a little hesitant. At first, it had been funny but not so much any more. Joxer would scream if he heard one more complaint like ‘If I didn’t know it was a date I’d think we were just hanging out’ or ‘He could at least hold my hand’ or ‘I’ve come back from the dead, I’d like to live!’

The only way that that look could bode well for Joxer was if Strife had finally bribed Hephaestus for some chains and roped himself a Love God.

Still he’d seen Strife less then a week before and well he didn’t think Strife would get it all out of his and Cupid’s systems in that amount of time.

So staring at his friend Joxer knew he was in it way over his head. The question was whether or not he’d see his way out of it. Oh he was sure he’d be alive when it was over, but he wasn’t sure that one more complication wasn’t one too many.

In fact, he was almost sure of it as Strife jumped to his feet. “I’ve the solution to all our problems.”

“Really? I didn’t realize I had problems.”

Strife gave him a disbelieving look. “Riiiiight. I forgot ya like to call them complications. That’s why I like ya.” He threw his arm around Joxer’s shoulder. He gave his friend a slight squeeze. “Maybe I should be more specific. I’ve found the perfect solution to my problem with Cupe and several of yours, including the one with Unc.”

“Ares and I don’t have a problem.” Even as he said it, he knew it wasn’t true. They did have a problem and it had nothing to do with having to keep their relationship secret from Xena. Maybe even relationship was too strong a word. All they really had was the physical and it was great. Joxer certainly had no complaints there. Just sometimes when he listened to Strife talk about the stuff he and Cupid did, getting to know each other, he wished he and Ares would do that. Not that he wanted to spend even less time in bed, but more overall time would be good.

“Trust me. If we do this right, you’re life will be a lot simplah.”

Joxer thought about it. Strife had never made him a promise he hadn’t kept. Hadn’t he just been thinking that the unexpected was what made life interesting? He nodded, earning himself a maniacal giggle. They vanished in a flash of blue sparks, leaving behind three dark red pillows.

Part 2

In Strife’s tiny, out-of-the-way Olympian temple, Joxer paced as he listened to his host’s idea. The Master Plan, such as it was, meant big risks. Strife wanted to make Cupid and Ares jealous enough to come around to his and Joxer’s way of thinking. If this back fired, Strife could loose Cupid forever, something that he would hate to see his friend suffer through. It would be worse than dying. For Joxer, it meant even more. He would hate to loose what little he had with Ares, but it could cost him everything.

The key to Strife’s plan was revealing Joxer’s biggest secret. He knew that he couldn’t keep it forever, but he hadn’t planned on doing that for some time. Joxer came to a stop in front of one of the windows. His eyes scanned the view. He drew a deep breath as they locked on the neglected Temple of Poseidon, his father.

It had been so long since he’d even thought that for fear of who could be eavesdropping. One never knew who was hovering around Xena, after all. A sigh escaped. He was the youngest of three sons by the Sea God and Jordana, mortal. It was actually a rather complicated story, unsurprisingly.

Her beau was lost at sea, so she offered herself to the Poseidon for his safe return. Only the boy came back the next day with a wife he’d picked up in Crete. Being heartbroken, her father married her to the first man who would take her crying off his hands. Since there were a few who wanted her as she was a rather beautiful girl, it turned into the most bizarre competitions in Greece. Strife would still giggle at the memory of dozens of warriors, merchants, and farmers making silly faces to get her to laugh. It didn’t really work and she finally just randomly pointed to someone in the crowd. Perhaps not the best way to choose or the best choice, but it worked. Her eventual husband was a rather dense warlord from Athens who didn’t even know the children his wife bore weren’t his. Jace born first was pure mortal, poor Jett in the middle born a demi-god and Joxer, born last was pure god.

His father had hidden his condition before he was even born, until the day he was ready to take his full godhood. What Poseidon couldn’t have known though was how much godly interest he would stir up. By the time he was two he was a favorite of Strife’s. As an adult he’d somehow become Aphrodite’s special project. Then there was his whole thing with Ares. Although he was meant to be a mortal for a time, he couldn’t just be an ordinary mortal.

He sighed again. Going forward with the plan would mean giving up the life he’d forged for himself and starting anew as a god. Even if everything went perfectly, it was still terrifying. There was also the question what if his father didn’t think he was ready. That was step one, telling Poseidon that he wanted to take his godhood on his upcoming thirtieth birthday only a month away. That would send the entire Pantheon into a flutter. That would facilitate step two, the acquiring of accomplices. From there things got… complicated.

“Look, Jox, I know ya got doubts, but have I evah steered ya wrong?”

No, he never really had. That wasn’t to say that Strife had never used him in insight mayhem. With Joxer’s naturally poor balance on land, it would have been impossible for his friend to resist. Still, he’d never gotten Joxer into a situation he couldn’t get out or that Strife hadn’t helped him get out of. Becoming a god would be no different. Strife would make an excellent guide since he knew all the little intrigues.

Besides it wasn’t like he didn’t know how to be a god. His father had instilled all that knowledge in the back of his brain when he’d turned 17 and decided to leave home. That way if he was killed on his travels, he’d immediately assume his godhood. All he really needed was to be presented to the Pantheon, given a duty by Zeus and his mental block removed by Poseidon. No awkward training period was required. Still…

“You really think I’m ready?”

Strife laughed before turning perfectly serious. “You get why the tides work and where rivers run to. You know all about winds over land and over water. You could probably start and stop a forest fire all on your own. You get why things grow the way they do. You know more about being mortal than any of us. You’re ready for whatever godhood they give you.”

Joxer turned back to look at his friend. He was just about to thank him for his vote of confidence when Strife spoke again.

“Unless they make ya God of Kelp, then yer screwed.”

“What?! Why?”

This time Joxer saw the teasing grin on Strife’s face. “Ya would die of boredom in a month.” Strife then did his impression of floating sea kelp.

Joxer couldn’t help but smile at his friend’s obvious attempt to lighten the mood. Count on Strife to always have the odd perspective. Still he trusted his friend’s judgement.

“Okay, let’s do this.”

Joxer appeared in the shade of tall trees. He didn’t need to look around to know he was at the cove on “his” road out of Athens. It was quiet as usual. Just sun, surf, and birds to keep him company. He smiled. Joxer loved feeling as if this place was all his own. Well, his and his father’s, as there was a small shrine to Poseidon there.

Although he only spoke to the Sea God three times a year, he always left an offering here every time he passed. It was usually never much, maybe a few coins, a stone he’d found on the road and liked, a shell from the beach, just something so that Poseidon knew he was in his thoughts. That gave him an idea and he hurried across down the road, nearly tripping twice in his haste, to the gate of the shrine. Joxer squared his shoulders and took a deep breath. He walked slowly with as much dignity as he could muster on his land legs up the stairs, through the archway and right up to the altar. He quickly removed his armor and neatly laid it out on the stone slab.

“Lord Poseidon, Father, I give to you the symbol of my old life. I ask you to judge if I am ready for a new life.”

The sound of a large wave hitting shore echoed as the white haired Poseidon appeared in a burst of bubbles.

“Well, it’s about damn time. I thought you’d want to explore the rest of the world now that you’ve seen Greece.” The smiling god came around the end of the altar. He threw his arm around his son. “Between you and me the rest of the world isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Although I am going to have to take you surfing in a place called Hawaii to celebrate. The waves there are amazing.”

Joxer grinned. Poseidon took him surfing at least once a year since he taught him how at age eight. He loved to surf and was actually really good at it; his lack of balance was a land thing. Strife had actually figured out who he was by stumbling on one of those surf trips. He’d never surfed outside of Greece though.

“So we’ll get you presented tomorrow and…”

“Actually I was thinking on my birthday.”

Poseidon stopped and flicked a piece of seaweed from his beard. “Good idea. You’d want that for a feast day anyway. Besides, Zeus thinks he knows everything that happens in Greece. It’ll be fun to keep you hidden a little while longer and drive the old coot bonkers.”

In that instant, Joxer understood why his father had never objected to his friendship with Strife. Even though the younger god had told every mortal who would listen to him in the village where Joxer had been surfing his tenth year that he was a god and Poseidon had had to change their memories. The two of them were a lot a like. Eerily alike in fact.

The Sea God waved his hand and the torches in the shrine flickered and scroll appeared where his armor had been. Joxer picked it up and read. “I, Poseidon, God of the Sea, am pleased to announce that in one month hence my Son shall be presented to the Pantheon for full reception of his godhood. Feast to follow.”

He looked up and in the distance, he could see the flicker of torches in other shrines to his father along the coast. Joxer also saw Strife’s sign briefly at the horizon and realized there must be such a notice in every temple in Greece and on Olympus.

“Now, dear boy, I’ve a temple to clean. I also need to talk to Zeus about building you one.” The look of glee on his father’s face made him laugh. Poseidon began rubbing his hands together and all Joxer could think was poor Zeus. “Stay out of trouble.”

A series of bubbles began to appear around Poseidon.

“Wait! There is already a God of Kelp, right?”

All Joxer got was a laugh and bursting bubbles.

Part 3

It was two days later, just after noon that Joxer sat in Strife’s temple. Only this time he was alone except for the three scrying mirrors floating around the room.

One was focused on Zeus and Poseidon as they stood arguing over the location of Joxer’s temple. They’d narrowed it down to two and Joxer couldn’t really see the difference in which end of the currently open lawn they put it on. Either way it was a good spot, close to the temples of Poseidon, Ares, Cupid and Strife. Joxer shrugged. Once they quit arguing over where, then there would be a fight over how big, what color and material. If the thing was more then a shell when he took his godhood it would be a miracle.

The second mirror showed Ares. The War God was currently kicking back reading a scroll from his library. Joxer shuddered. He’d snooped through that room once. Ares had the scrolls of every boring bard in Greece, even one or two of Gabrielle’s. He figured it had to be a balance to the exciting job Ares had, but how he could stand to read that stuff Joxer would never know.

The third mirror was the one Joxer should be paying attention to. Strife had finally tracked down their first soon-to-be accomplice. Joxer pushed the other two mirrors towards the other end of the room and settled into his chair to “watch da mastah at work,” as Strife had put it when he’d left to find Hermes that morning.

Strife was sitting on the steps of Aphrodite’s temple, presumably watching the battle between Poseidon and Zeus. For such major mayhem, he was taking it in with almost bored eyes. To someone who knew him, that was a clear sign that he was up to something. However, his target was clueless as he came out from a gossips session with the only person on Olympus who could be considered a bigger gossip. Joxer guessed from the frown on his face Hermes was no closer to his identity then when he’d gone in.

He nearly tripped over Strife’s outstretched legs. Tiredly he plopped down beside him. “Pretty exciting, huh?”

Strife shrugged and made a noncommittal noise through his nose. “Eeh.”

Hermes looked at him for a moment before his eyes widened. “You know.”

“Know wha?”

Hermes held up his hands. “Fine. Play it that way.”

“No, really, wha is ya think I know?”

Hermes eyes narrowed. “Poseidon’s kid.”

“Oh, that.”

Hermes practically bounced in place. “You do know.”

“So wha if I do?”

“Nothing. It’s not like I need to know.”

“Right. Good thing.”

Hermes resolve lasted about two second. “Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease tell me.”

“Wha’s in it fo’ me?”

“I’ll owe you big time.”

“Okay.” Strife leaned toward the other god and began to lay out his part of the deal.

Joxer laughed at how easy that had been. Maybe Strife was Da Mastah, or whatever. Then again, maybe Hermes was just easy.

He shook his head and shifted his view over to the mirror with Ares, still reading. Joxer narrowed his for a moment. He gestured the mirror closer and had to grin. Ares was wearing these funny wire and glass things on his face. It was really a very charming look. He’d never figured out how Ares could look hot doing nothing. To hell with War, Ares should be the God of Sex.

A hand fell on his shoulder, scaring him out of skin. “Strife, don’t do that.”

“Sorry, dude. Whacha watchin?”

“Nothing.” He pulled the mirror of Ares to his chest. “So what’s next?”

Strife waved his hand and the other two mirrors changed. “Ah. Our next target.”

Joxer looked then groaned. “Apollo? There’s no way he’ll agree.”

Strife grinned, “He owes me a favah. Besides he’d liked to put one ovah on Ares. You won’t have ta offah him much to get his help.”

“Me, why me?”

Strife grinned. “It wouldn’t really be me that he’s repayin’ by pretendin’ to be interested in ya. Besides think of it as an introduction to the politics of Olympus.”

Joxer looked at his friend with narrowed eyes. “What kind of favor does Apollo owe you?”

“Oh. I rigged Artemis’ moon chariot to run backwards fo’ him.”

“Strife!”

“I made sure it was ovahcast. No one saw. That was really too bad, since she fell out.”

“Strife!”

“Don’t worry. She wasn’t hurt, ‘cept her pride.” Strife sniffed as if offended. “Come on. Apollo’s gonna be bringing in his chariot soon.”

Standing on the top step of Apollo’s temple, Joxer still wasn’t so sure about this. That didn’t stop him form walking straight and tall at Strife’s side. He let his friend do all the talking and it sounded actually pretty reasonable.

“So I what do I get for helping you?”

“For one, I don’t tell Artemis you masterminded her little tumble.”

Apollo looked at Joxer. “She would want to get back at me, but I’m not scared. Tell you what though you do me a little favor and I’ll help you. I can still owe Strife, if you want.”

“That must be a pretty big favor.” Joxer knew he had a rather unenthused expression on his face.

“I want you to drive my chariot for a week while I go on vacation.”

“That doesn’t sound too bad.” Actually Joxer thought sounded kind of fun. He’d always wondered what it was like to fly. Even though he knew as a god, he could choose to do that anyway if he wanted, the mortal he still was wanted it to be something amazing, not something he could do at the flick of a finger.

“And I want you to arrange for my vacation companion to be Jett.”

“Done.” Strife jumped in and made all the arrangements.

A minute later, they left. Joxer dragged his friend up to one of the pillars right outside the door.

“Are you nuts? Jett will never go for that. He hates bleach blondes.”

“Nevah is a long time, Jox. Ya would be surprised.” Strife pushed away from Joxer and practically ran down the steps.

“Where are you going?”

“I’ve got a hot date. ” Strife hurried back to his temple.

Joxer shook his head and followed at a more sedate pace, taking in the new foundation of his temple in the early twilight. It was while he was walking back that he actually ran into Ares.

“Hey. What are you doing here?” The god asked as he helped him to his feet.

“Just hanging out with Strife.”

“Oh.” Joxer hoped it wasn’t his wishful thinking that made Ares sound disappointed.

“But he and Cupid have plans for later.”

“Really? How much later?” He was pulled against Ares’ chest.

“Soon.”

“Good. Meet me at my place?”

Joxer nodded even though they both new the answer. He watched Ares walk away before he practically ran back to Strife’s.

Joxer actually made it through ten minutes of listening to his friend debating over which shade of black to wear, before he simply patted Strife on the back and told him to have fun. It was a short walk to Ares’ and Joxer, alone on the path, found himself running.

He found Ares in his library. He was lounging on a chaise, wearing comfortable linen clothes, scroll in hand and his strange eyewear on. Joxer didn’t know what it was he was reading, but the thoughtful frown on his face was strangely enticing. As if he were one of those reserved intellectuals of Athena’s in his home town that lived entirely in their minds and libraries. He could just imagine introducing Ares to the physical. Joxer grinned at the little fantasy. He had to be right and Ares’ true calling was as the Sex God.

“Hey.”

Ares looked up and smiled. The eager look in his eyes, made Joxer’s heart beat faster. As if living his fantasy, the scroll was forgotten in a second, haphazardly tossed over his shoulder. His hand rose to his face to remove his black metal frames.

“Leave them on.”

Ares’ smile turned inquisitive but he dropped his hand. He settled back into the chaise and over the rim gave Joxer a look that was pure invitation. Who was he to resist such a look from his own personal God of Sex?

Joxer came forward slowly. He wasn’t trying to be a tease, he just didn’t want to trip in his haste. He’d have to take Ares sailing sometime so he could see how much more graceful his was on water than land. Ah, but that was a fantasy for another day.

He grinned down at Ares, before slowly straddling him. He molded their bodies together from thighs to chest as he lent with Ares against the arm. He loved the feel of Ares’ body heat seeping through their clothes. His lover’s awakening hardness rubbed against the inside of his thigh. Then there was the feel of his lover’s hand on his back, not directing him but connecting him to the moment. It was almost as good as the distinctively Ares smell that rose from his neck as he nuzzled it with his nose. He pulled back for a moment and grinned as his breath fogged the glass lens over once, twice.

He placed a soft kiss on his lovers’ lips. When he pulled back, they simply shared air for a moment, eyes closed. He let himself just revel in being this close to his lover before rubbing the tip of his nose over Ares’. The War god said it was another form of kissing, but Joxer thought he was teasing. He’d noticed on several occasions Ares seemed obsessed with his nose so he let it go.

His lips brushed against the edge of Ares’ beard as his hands slipped under Ares’ shirt. It took a moment to get his body to shift away enough for his hands to have room to move up. It didn’t matter how many times he had the chance, there was nothing he liked more than mapping the contours of his lover’s upper body, the play of muscle, skin, and hair.

Meanwhile his lips moved to Ares’ ear. He nibbled for a moment, eliciting little shivers. A slightly rough hand was bunching his shirt, but the other’s touch was gentle on his skin. It trembled ever so slightly as it pressed him closer to Ares. Joxer loved nothing more than the little signs the Ares was as eager as he was. In some ways it was better than skin on skin.

He grinned as a thought occurred to him. Joxer’s hands slid along Ares’ stomach before sliding over his own sides and up his back to grab his lover’s hands. Entwining their fingers he pressed their hands to the edges of the chaise on either side of Ares’ hips.

Ares pulled back to look at him through smudged lenses. After only a second, he relaxed back under Joxer who could do nothing more than smile at the simple show of trust. He leaned in for what he intended to be a quick thank you kiss. Only it quickly got away from him. The temple around them could have been on fire and he wouldn’t have known. Joxer finally had to pull back to breathe.

“Let me take my glasses off. They’re getting all steamy.”

Joxer let out a little puff of laughter. “But I like you steamy.”

Ares grinned at him and shifted his hips in retaliation. The friction of their clothes only heightened the sensation as their erections brushed against one another. Joxer groaned and the glasses were forgotten. For a long time, there was nothing but the movement of their bodies against one another’s. It started slow, but it didn’t take long for the pace to become more frantic. Joxer wasn’t even sure when he shut is eyes. He did know that he wasn’t going to last long; he didn’t even care that they were still fully clothed.

It took a long moment for him to realize it, but he could feel the tension in Ares’ arms as the god fought to keep his hands at their sides. Slowly he managed to open his eyes. The sight of his lover, head thrown back, glasses askew and sweat smudged, hotter than his fantasy was enough to send him over the edge. He quickly bent and sharply bit Ares’ lip, taking him with him.

When his brain finally started to function again, he only had one thought. God of Sex, indeed.

Part 4

The three weeks in between flew by. Poseidon had a blast driving his brother crazy with demands. A good-sized white and blue marble temple went up on Olympus, despite this. Hermes spent time spreading rumors about Joxer, but thankfully, he didn’t really associate with Ares’ circle so it was still a secret. A few gossips saw Hermes and Strife in embraces, but Cupid seemed oblivious. Joxer had a quick lesson in chariot driving, on the ground only to his disappointment though. He spent enough time with Apollo for Ares to notice them talking, but beyond narrowing his eyes seemed unaffected.

So it was decided that this day, the day of his presentation, Joxer and Strife would pull out all the stops. They were going to totally ignore Cupid and Ares for as much of the day as possible. Personally, Joxer thought he had the easier task of the two. Everyone was going to want a piece of his time. He fiddled with the collar of his loose comfortable black linen shirt.

Actually, Joxer was getting nervous. Unbelievably, shake the furniture nervous, to be exact. What if he got a truly terrible godhood? He knew that Strife had just been joking, but he knew there had to be jobs as bad as God of Kelp. Maybe he’d be made God of Mismatched Metal Pieces. Only his father’s hand on his shoulder kept him running for the path down to the mortal plain.

“It’ll be fine, you know.”

Joxer looked into his father’s face and smiled. It was hard not to take heart in all that confidence. “Thanks, Dad.”

“So I was thinking. How’s three months from now sound?”

“For what?”

“Our surf trip. By then you’ll have paid back Apollo, settled in, and you’ll be recovered from you and Ares working things out.”

“How did you know?”

“I’m a father, I have eyes out the back of my head and an extra set of ears.” His hand tightened for moment. “It’s time. Let’s go.”

Joxer squared his shoulders and took a deep breath, before turning to follow his father into the Pantheon’s formal chamber. He was glad he’s opted for simple, comfortable linen pants, because he was sure he’d trip over the tail if he’d worn a toga like his father. At least, he had better land legs on Olympus and wasn’t likely to land on his face.

After what seemed like miles of walking before staring faces, his father came to a stop and he stepped to stand beside him.

“Lord Zeus, Lady Hera, I present to you my son, Joxer of Athens.”

A huge cacophony of murmurs erupted at Poseidon’s voice, despite Hermes’ rumors. He’d known that most wouldn’t believe he was godly. Joxer tried not to turn his head toward the House of War to see Ares’ reaction.

“Step forward, Joxer of Athens.”

Joxer swallowed quietly as he took the two steps to be before Zeus. He lowered his head in the briefest bow. It wasn’t that he didn’t respect the King of the Gods and he certainly didn’t want the guy picking his new job pissed at him but he didn’t what to stumble through a deep bow. He’d never mastered them.

“After consultation with the Fates, it is my pleasure to present you with this the symbol of your godhood.”

Zeus held out a small black object. Joxer took it with a mostly steady hand. He looked down to find a short cylinder, no deep than his hand. Inside a small, slightly curved piece of metal, it reminded him of the bending road by Athens. It spun wildly as it was handed to him only to slow at his touch. As it did he realized there was an arrow at one end. Without asking Joxer knew that when it came to a stop, it would point North. This object could help every wanderer find the right way around the bend.

The cylinder began to glow. Joxer could only stare as it was slowly absorbed into his palm. He turned his hand over and there was the bent arrow like a tattoo, pointing North. He couldn’t help but move his hand to watch the black mark move over his skin. His other hand rose to touch it. For all that his hand was still flat he could feel the warm metal within.

He felt the barest touch of his father’s hand at his back as his knowledge flooded his brain. It was like simply understanding something he already knew. Only it was absolutely everything he’d ever known or experienced. His world tilted and spun like that thin needle in his hand. Over his head a bright green bent and wobbly compass rose of smoke appeared.

“I present to you Joxer, God of Lost Travelers.”

He turned at Zeus’ urging to face the crowd that cheered him. He caught Ares’ expression for a moment. He looked a little astonished but pleased, too. Joxer smiled and got a small grin in return. A warm feeling spread in his chest. He wished the moment could last longer, but then the Sea God pulled him into a tight hug.

“I told you you’d do fine.”

Joxer smiled at Poseidon. “Thanks, Father.”

He found himself inundated by people wanted to congratulate him. There was an overly excite ‘Dite gushing. “I knew you were special. Why didn’t you tell me?”

Then there was quiet Hephaestus. “Did you like you’re symbol? I made it myself. I call it a compass.”

From there Apollo appeared at his side, clung to it like a barnacle, and guided him through what seemed like hundreds of introductions. Every god, goddess, and immortal had to be there. He felt like he was under intense scrutiny. Everything, even the way he stood, seemed to be analyzed for some sort of clue into him and whether he’d screw this up.

It was only slightly easier when he had a few moments with Jace to exchange birthday greetings. Joxer desperately wanted to know if his brother accepted his deception. This was certainly too public a place to ask. He knew that he could have found out but couldn’t bring himself to look into Jace’s thoughts. Maybe it was better not knowing.

Seeking a distraction from his thoughts, his eyes scanned the crowd. He saw Strife and Hermes off to one side. They appeared to be talking to one of the Muses and discreetly holding hands. As he was watching, Strife said something that made the goddess laugh and Hermes kiss his cheek.

Out of the corner of his eye he could see a very pissed off looking Cupid approaching the trio. Jace turned to see what had caught his gaze. They watched with identically wide eyes as the Love God punched Hermes. Then when his winged shoes kept him on his feet, Cupid kicked him in the groin, sending the poor god into the rafters, well if there’d been rafters.

“Wha’ do jou suppose tha’ was about?” Jace whispered as they watched Cupid drag a grinning Strife out of the room.

“I’m sure I have no idea” was all he said though he couldn’t help a smile of his own. Things definitely appeared to be going Strife’s way. Joxer caught ‘Dite’s eye and saw her wink, but that didn’t encourage him much. He certainly wished his friend luck.

Even with the uproar, the gossip soon turned back to Joxer. Being under all that scrutiny was giving him indigestion. Or maybe that was the 12 glasses of juiced Ambrosia he’d had trying to settle his nerves. All he knew was that he was tired of small talk and subtle jabs at his recluse father and barely disguised invitations to “get lost in a sea of new pleasures” as Erato put it.

He was actually pretty thankful for Apollo, who guided most of the conversation. Joxer was sure he’d have been overwhelmed long before the food ever appeared. The Sun God held up his end of their deal beyond the call of duty but he also helped him in between politely disguised interrogations. He kept him distracted. “Remember the chariot will almost drive itself…. You just have to not get distracted by the view…. Between you and me, I didn’t burn the Sahara because of the Trojan War, but a topless beach on Cyprus….” Still the night seemed to drag on into eternity.

Part 5

The feast was finally winding down. The food was picked over and the wine was freely flowing, if a bit slower than before. Small pockets of conversation littered the Pantheon floor. The gossips were still in high alt, but the guests seemed less interested in the newest member to their ranks.

Finally, Joxer had a chance to breathe. He had a few minutes alone. He’d lost Apollo about an hour before. That was fine with him. The Sun God was good for playing his part but Joxer just didn’t really like the clingy way Apollo hung on him. He wondered if Apollo was like that in a real relationship or if that was just put on for the ruse. If it was real, blonde or not he was perfect for Jett.

Joxer shrugged and looked around for his brother. They hadn’t really had a chance to talk much. He’d seen Strife with him earlier, but didn’t see him now. Of course, that didn’t mean much of anything as people were starting to edge toward the door.

He noticed Ares out on one of the terraces. He hadn’t had an opportunity to so much as share a look with the War God since the ceremony, hours ago. To hell with the plan, he wanted to talk to his lover. He moved quietly to lean against the pillar leading to the terrace.

“Hey, enjoying the view?”

Ares didn’t turn, but his back tensed. “Where’s Apollo?”

“I don’t know. Why?”

Ares finally turned. “Isn’t that why you’re here?”

Joxer shook his head. “I don’t understand.”

“Don’t play stupid. You’re obviously not if you could pull off your deception all these years.”

He moved forward to stand directly in front of Ares. “Are you mad because I kept this from you?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You did what you had to do.”

His frown deepened. “But you are mad at me.”

“You know why.”

There was something in his voice that froze Joxer for a minute. “No. I don’t.”

“Gods! Did you think you could have it both ways?”

“Have what?”

Ares moved so fast, Joxer didn’t even know it until he was slammed against the pillar he’d been leaning on. “You wanted someone to talk to you. I got that. He’s way better with words then I am. I was even willing to put up with it this week, but it’s another thing to fuck him.”

Joxer gasped. “Who? Apollo?”

Ares simply growled. However, he let up a little bit and Joxer was able to breathe.

“I didn’t fuck him.”

“Really? Then what do you call bending him over his chariot?”

“What are you talking about?”

“I saw you sneak out to the stable with him.”

“Ares, I haven’t left the chamber until I came out to talk to you.”

The War God searched his eyes for a moment. Joxer knew that he was trying to decide if he was being honest. “Really?”

“Yes. Although I did make a deal with Apollo to try and make you jealous.”

Ares let go of him completely and stepped back. His wide eyes were filled with shock. “What? Why?”

Joxer found that he felt foolish explaining it to Ares. So his eyes hit the floor and he did little more then mumble. “I wanted all that get-to-know-you stuff that Strife is doing with Cupid. Not that I want any less bedroom stuff.”

“You know if you wanted to spend more time with me, all you had to do was ask.” Ares said as he tapped Joxer’s chin back up.

“I thought you knew.”

“I’m not a mind reader, Jox.”

“But you are a god.”

“So are you. Does that mean you want to know what everyone is thinking? Besides you’re my lover. I would never violate your privacy like that.”

“And if I weren’t your lover?”

“I’d be torn between wanting to know if you wanted me and not wanting to know that you don’t.”

“No worries. I’ll always want you.”

Later that night, Joxer listened to Ares breathe in the quiet. It had been nice to finally talk to his lover and not have to worry about saying something that he shouldn’t. It wasn’t even so much about keeping his parentage quiet as saying something that might drive Ares away. Now though, he knew he didn’t have to worry.

He should have been sleeping the sleep of the relieved. He’d gotten a kind of cool godhood, improved his relationship and had great sex. What more could a guy ask for on any given day?

He sighed. The tightening of Ares’ arm at his waist made him smile. He only hoped that Strife’s half of the deal had turned out so well. In fact, that half hope, half worry was keeping him up. He cast a quick glance at Ares, before sliding out from under his arm to the edge of the bed. He conjured a mirror about an inch from the floor. He waved his hand to focus the image and nearly fell out of bed.

A tangle of limbs and feathers appeared. Cupid and Strife lay side beside, kissing like it was all that was keeping them alive. Hands moved over every available inch. Occasionally a wing moved to push Strife’s hair off his face. White skin and tanned rubbed against each other as if trying to imprint itself onto the other. Strife began to squirm.

Joxer bent his head. His eyes widened as he realized what he was seeing. Cupid was using the tip of his feathers to tease Strife’s arousal and opening. He hadn’t know wings could bend like that.

He heard a noise behind him. A moment later, Ares propped his head on Joxer’s shoulder and said "Porn? Really, Jox, I thought I satisfied you."

"I'm just checking up on Strife and Cupid. I wanted to make sure they're all right."

Ares raises and eyebrow and looks at the mirrors. "Oh, I think they're doing fine. Although I think I might need to give Cupid some pointers."

"I doubt the God of Love needs sex pointers from the God of War."

"Maybe not the God of War, but what about the God of Sex?"

Ares rolled off the bed and sauntered off into the bathing room while Joxer could only gape after him.

“Hey! I thought you said….”