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

[iolaus-lj.livejournal.com]

"You?" he breathed, overwhelmed by emotion. He rested his forehead against hers, meeting her gaze with open adoration. "How did I get so lucky? What did I do to deserve even a second of time with you in my arms?" He laughed. "And how do I do it again so I can guarantee more time with you?"

He lightly kissed her nose then brushed her lips with his.

And how will I ever find the strength to let you go when the time comes?, he thought.

[potadeiabard.livejournal.com]

Gabrielle moved her hands to cup the sides of his face, holding him and loving him, before reluctantly breaking the soft kiss. Her thumbs caressed his cheekbones as she rested her forehead against his.

"Just being Iolaus guarantees that you'll have more time with me." She smiled softly. "You and Xena are the best things that ever happened to me and no matter what happens after this, you'll always be the best things in my life. I met a Darsham in India, one that can see our karmic lives. She said that Xena and I are forever connected and I'd like to think that this isn't our only time together either. That some time, some life our lives will be connected again. I know my soul would recognize yours again just as mine did when it recognized Xena again."

[iolaus-lj.livejournal.com]

"I don't know much about karma," he admitted. And he hadn't a clue what a darsham was, but it sounded like some kind of soothsayer. "But I know I'd recognise you no matter what. No matter where. And if my eyes didn't, my heart would."

He suddenly frowned, clearly puzzled. "Wait. What do you mean, when you recognized Xena again? Did you lose your memory?"