"But Herc, I don't get it." Iolaus gestured at the two little houses side by side, so close together you could almost lean from the window of one into a window of the other.
"I don't either, Iolaus," said his big friend. The two men contemplated the scene before their eyes. The kids were playing with a ball-Hercules'children and Iolaus' one precious boy who had died as a baby but whom the gods had brought back as an adorable five year old. Ania, Deinara, Alcemene, and Rena were bustling back and forth between the houses, chattering excitedly, and Iphicles and Jason were rigging a wide porch swing on the lawn.
"And you mean I get to stay here forever?" asked Iolaus.
"Zeus said all the gods swore by the River Styx. That's an oath even they can never break."
"And Ania and Deinara and the kids..."
"Will be here with us. And Mother and Jason and Iphicles and Rena can visit whenever they want to. We can even help out on Earth from time to time-if the world needs heroes." Hercules lay back in the thick soft grass with a contented sigh but sat up quickly at the sound of a stifled sob. "Iolaus, what is it?"
His partner was crying as if his heart would break and Hercules pulled him into his arms, rocking him gently and stroking the tousled blond hair. Iolaus finally quieted and Hercules said softly, "What's wrong, buddy?" Iolaus pulled back and looked into the blue eyes so like his own. His eyes were red but he was smiling that wonderful smile, the smile that put the sun to shame.
"Nothing's wrong, Herc. It's just so good to be home!"
Disclaimer: Aphrodite refused to comment on how she got Ares to agree to Iolaus coming to Mount Olympus.