Category: Angst, Missing Scene
Season: Takes place right after "Redemption"; fifth season (yeah, I know it's late!)
Spoilers: Major spoilers for Redemption
Author's Notes: I did this story about two years ago, a little before "Love On The Rocks". I was listening to "Promise Me" from the Young Hercules soundtrack. If you have ever heard it or seen the movie, you know that it is so pretty and is kind of a melancholy melody, and it inspired this story because when I was writing it, it just seemed like the music they would be playing at a scene like this one. Since Iolaus is back now, I didn't see a need to post it anywhere. But, I'll put it on for AID [All Iolaus Day] on the IML. It is short and sweet, and reflects Hercules' thoughts and grief after Iolaus dies. Takes place immediately after the events depicted in "Redemption".
Hercules stood at the foot of a grassy hill. His work was complete. He looked at the tall, stone burial marker in front of him. *It should have been bigger* he thought to himself. Iolaus deserved the best, after all. He took a deep breath. Now came the part he hated the most. Saying good-bye.
"Hey, Buddy," he said out loud. No one was around him. It was just Hercules, and the grave before him. The grave of his best friend. "I know this really isn't much, but it's the best I could do.... Iolaus, why are you in there? Why aren't you by my side? I guess I still can't believe you're really gone. After all those years, all those fun times, adventures... Why aren't you still here, Iolaus?
"You've been my best friend for as long as I can remember. When I think of you, I think back on many years of friendship and love you have given me. I can't believe you're really gone, and this time there's nothing I can do about it. That you won't be here to pick me up when I'm down. I can't believe I won't hear another one of your corny jokes about thirsty hydras. That I won't hear that nutty little giggle of yours that always lightened up my mood. You always laughed at your own jokes; even if they weren't funny. But that was you, Iolaus. You liked to make everyone feel good. And how you loved to laugh. I can't believe I won't hear you laugh again."
Hercules swallowed and didn't hold back the tears as they leaked from his blue eyes. "You were a kind and gentle person. You hardly ever spoke bad about anyone. You never judged people by their looks, and were nice and helpful to everyone. And you were always there to help me when I needed it. Remember the time Hera's archers shot me with that arrow? There you were, by my side the whole time. Why aren't you by my side now?
"You loved all things and believed everything in nature was connected. You really loved nature. They called you the Golden Hunter, you know. I even miss your old hunter's tricks. The last few months and past few days have been a nightmare for both of us, Iolaus. Nothing makes sense to me anymore. I only know that I'm hurting, and that I'm alone. And that I miss you, Buddy."
The tears were flowing freely now, and Hercules swallowed hard. "I won't let anyone forget you, Iolaus. You're my best friend in the entire world. You're my brother. And I love you like one. I always will...."
Then, because he felt no more needed to be said, he turned and walked back down the path.
Season: Takes place right after "Redemption"; fifth season (yeah, I know it's late!)
Spoilers: Major spoilers for Redemption
Author's Notes: I did this story about two years ago, a little before "Love On The Rocks". I was listening to "Promise Me" from the Young Hercules soundtrack. If you have ever heard it or seen the movie, you know that it is so pretty and is kind of a melancholy melody, and it inspired this story because when I was writing it, it just seemed like the music they would be playing at a scene like this one. Since Iolaus is back now, I didn't see a need to post it anywhere. But, I'll put it on for AID [All Iolaus Day] on the IML. It is short and sweet, and reflects Hercules' thoughts and grief after Iolaus dies. Takes place immediately after the events depicted in "Redemption".
Hercules stood at the foot of a grassy hill. His work was complete. He looked at the tall, stone burial marker in front of him. *It should have been bigger* he thought to himself. Iolaus deserved the best, after all. He took a deep breath. Now came the part he hated the most. Saying good-bye.
"Hey, Buddy," he said out loud. No one was around him. It was just Hercules, and the grave before him. The grave of his best friend. "I know this really isn't much, but it's the best I could do.... Iolaus, why are you in there? Why aren't you by my side? I guess I still can't believe you're really gone. After all those years, all those fun times, adventures... Why aren't you still here, Iolaus?
"You've been my best friend for as long as I can remember. When I think of you, I think back on many years of friendship and love you have given me. I can't believe you're really gone, and this time there's nothing I can do about it. That you won't be here to pick me up when I'm down. I can't believe I won't hear another one of your corny jokes about thirsty hydras. That I won't hear that nutty little giggle of yours that always lightened up my mood. You always laughed at your own jokes; even if they weren't funny. But that was you, Iolaus. You liked to make everyone feel good. And how you loved to laugh. I can't believe I won't hear you laugh again."
Hercules swallowed and didn't hold back the tears as they leaked from his blue eyes. "You were a kind and gentle person. You hardly ever spoke bad about anyone. You never judged people by their looks, and were nice and helpful to everyone. And you were always there to help me when I needed it. Remember the time Hera's archers shot me with that arrow? There you were, by my side the whole time. Why aren't you by my side now?
"You loved all things and believed everything in nature was connected. You really loved nature. They called you the Golden Hunter, you know. I even miss your old hunter's tricks. The last few months and past few days have been a nightmare for both of us, Iolaus. Nothing makes sense to me anymore. I only know that I'm hurting, and that I'm alone. And that I miss you, Buddy."
The tears were flowing freely now, and Hercules swallowed hard. "I won't let anyone forget you, Iolaus. You're my best friend in the entire world. You're my brother. And I love you like one. I always will...."
Then, because he felt no more needed to be said, he turned and walked back down the path.
