A/N: This was originally written for my friend, AtomDancer. Just reposting it.
Enjoy.
Nameste,
Sunny
Cupid
Outside the Fire
Prologue
Life is Not Tried, it is Merely Survived
Ethan Mahoney stood near the entrance to the bar with a bottle of O'Doul's and secretly watched the tall dark-haired man behind the bar. He had an easy-going smile, a great rapport with the customers and didn't look crazy. The bar was busy as usual for a Saturday night, but he made the work look effortless. He mixed drinks, refilled snack bowls, cracked jokes and dispensed advice on life in general and on love in particular whether it was asked for or not.
When Ethan had made the decision to seek out the self-professed god of Love, he'd been determined and eager but lost his nerve as soon as he walked in the door. He turned to look out the window at the lightly falling snow. Sometimes alcohol was referred to as liquid courage, but he was drinking non-alcoholic beer so there was no help from that quarter. He sighed and took a swig from his bottle, jumping when a voice said, "Beautiful, isn't it?"
Ethan turned to see Trevor standing next to him, hands in his pockets. "What? Oh, the snow. Yes, it is."
"Unless you've got no one to cuddle with in front of the fire."
"What makes you think I don't have a wife or a girlfriend or that I have a fireplace?"
Trevor gave him a knowing smile as he moved to stand in front of the shorter man. He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms. "Come to a bar on date night sans date and you're looking for one of two things: love or someone to do the mattress Mambo with. I'm just guessin' about the fireplace."
Ethan pushed his free hand through his hair and gave Trevor a rueful smile. "You got me there."
"Well, my friend, this is your lucky night because standing before you…" Trevor indicated himself, "…is none other than the god of love, but you can call me Trevor." The man who claimed to be Cupid extended his hand and Ethan took it. "I am ready, willing, and very much able to help you find true love."
"Ethan Mahoney, and luck has nothing to do with me being here tonight, Trevor."
"It doesn't?" Trevor seemed genuinely surprised.
"I've heard stories about you. You've helped others find their soulmates." Ethan shoved one hand into the pocket of his jeans and used the hand holding the bottle to gesture. "I want you to help me find a wife."
TBC
