H&M: After a Long Day (locked to Gabrielle) (NC-17)

[iolaus_dw]

Who knew that repairing and sanding floorboards could hurt more than fighting a hydra?

Iolaus had been on his knees most of the day, hard at work on the flooring to the derelict building that would house Herculaneum. Almost a third of the surface had to be replaced with new wood, which required measuring, cutting, fitting, then more sanding until not a single threat of splinters remained. The sun had already set by the time he looked up from his work and realized it was too dark to continue.

It wasn't until he started walking back to the hotel that he began to understand exactly how stiff and sore he was. He'd used muscles today he hadn't used in a long while (especially his bruised knees). His chest ached as bruised ribs only recently healed protested a day's worth of stretching and bending with little respite.

Reaching the door to his room, he fumbled the key from his belt pouch. Gods, he was tired! And he'd glady fight a dozen hydras for a long hot soak inthe bathing tub.

Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to stand a bit straighter as he opened the door. No sense worrying Gabrielle.

Comments

[potadeiabard.livejournal.com]

She took advantage of Iolaus taking over his bathing, by running her slick hands over his arms as well as sliding the bottom of her foot over the top of his.

"Splinter-free is definitely a good thing, especially since I envision myself spending a bit of time on it." Gabrielle smiled and placed a kiss on Iolaus' cheek. Her smile turned soft at his compliment of her story telling ability. "I'd like to read some of them to you. Stories are always best shared."

[iolaus-lj.livejournal.com]

Nodding his agreement as he lathered his lower abdomin and further down, he said, "There's something about a good story that brings people together, you know? I can repeat stories I've hard well enough and entertain kids, but I could never create one out of nothing." He captured one of her hands and the palm. "Thank the gods for bards. Especially this one."

[potadeiabard.livejournal.com]

"And thank the gods for those that like to listen." Gabrielle gently wrapped her free arm around Iolaus' waist, very careful not to hurt him. "Especially this on."

Her eyes closed for a moment, enjoying the feel of being wrapped around him. "When I was little, I used to make up stories for Lilla. We'd be laying quietly in bed but we couldn't sleep, so I'm make up stories about the animals in our village. They had a secret life when the sun went down, a life we didn't know about."

Gabrielle laughed slightly, "It's the beginning of when I knew I would never fit in in Potadeia."

[iolaus-lj.livejournal.com]

"I never had anyone to tell me stories," Iolaus said quietly, then gave a little shrug. "Mother had to work too hard to keep food on the table, so she wasn't exactly the story-telling kinda woman. Not that it really mattered, since I was hardly ever home. When I thought I was old enough, I was outta there like an arrow."

His hands were in the water again, caressing her thighs on either side of him. Loving the feel of her pressed against him and wishing he felt a bit more agile so that he could turn the tub into a playground. Next time.

"I can't imagine you spending your life in a small village, weaving clothes and farming pigs. You were born to do so much more," he told her sincerely. "And mark my words, Gabrielle. Some day, all of Greece will know your name."