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Summary:
Warnings:
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by
Sighing deeply, Cupid stared hard into the reflective pool. Over the ages, he watched the world change and grow, but love and romance seemed to have fallen to the wayside lately. Besides, he hated wasting perfectly good magick on those who would normally fall in and out of love without a second thought. Rippling the water with his finger tips, he disrupted the vision of a man and a woman bumping into each other. As the water settled, he waited for the image to clear.
Cupid blinked and raised an eyebrow as the visage of a scowling face came into focus. The man had startling blue eyes that flashed with hidden passions. In the background stood an even taller man of dark complexion, his arms folded across his chest. The image before him didn't show any signs of possible affection, but the waters never lie. Somehow, these two men were meant to be together, but by all appearances they were completely oblivious of this little fact. It didn't matter, shrugged Cupid. One didn't argue with the fates. He gathered his golden bow and quiver of arrows and disappeared in a flurry of golden sparkles.
*******
"Damn it, Simon," growled Jim. "This isn't fair."
"Things like this happen all the time," sighed Simon. He had been listening to Jim rant for the last ten minutes.
"All I wanted was to have a new water heater installed, that's it!" Jim threw himself into the chair across from Simon's desk. "What should have taken a couple hours has turned into a nightmare."
"At least Sandburg is off at that seminar for the weekend," said Simon, pouring two mugs of his special blended coffee. "And you'll have running water tomorrow."
"Tomorrow," grumbled Jim. How could he have known that the piping needed to be replaced on top of everything? Now he'd have to stay in a hotel where the walls were so thin, he wouldn't need his enhanced senses to hear the guy on the other side snoring.
"Look, why don't you just come stay with me tonight?" suggested Simon, handing Jim a mug. "I've got the room since Darrell won't be visiting this weekend." He could have bitten his tongue for speaking before he thought. It was hard enough working with this man every day without having him within reach and unable to touch at night.
Jim visibly slumped into his chair, burying his nose in his mug. "I don't want to put you out, but thanks anyway." He'd rather risk losing sleep at a hotel from other people, than lose sleep fighting himself to not reveal his feelings with Simon in such close proximity.
Cupid huffed in disgust. He had fixed it so Jim wouldn't be able to stay at his place and nudged Simon into offering the invitation to stay with him, only to have Jim dig in his heels.
Jim slammed down the phone, nearly cracking the casing. "I swear, there's a conspiracy against me."
"They were booked up, too?" asked Simon, walking past Jim's desk.
"How can every single hotel, motel and flea trap be filled?" asked Jim, resting his head in his hand.
"Offer is still open," said Simon.
Jim sighed in defeat. "Thanks, Simon. I really appreciate this."
"No problem," smiled Simon, patting Jim on the shoulder. "How does pizza and beer sound?"
"Good," smiled Jim, feeling bad for acting the way he had been.
Cupid sighed in relief. It wasn't easy manipulating this electronic age. Now, he only needed to see things through.
*******
Jim and Simon watched a game on the T.V., happy that the Jags had won.
Simon had popped popcorn for them to eat and throw, and their hands collided inside the bowl. They both froze, suddenly aware of how close they were sitting together.
Simon cleared his throat, reluctant to end even this casual of touch.
Jim caught a flicker out of the corner of his eye and whipped his head around. He blinked at the blonde man standing behind the couch and lashed out and grabbed him by the wrist.
Cupid was too stunned to react. No mortal could see him, unless he chose to appear to them, but somehow this man not only saw him, but had captured his arm.
"Who the hell are you?!" demanded Jim, his heart pounding at the unexpected visitor. He should have detected the intruder long before he got this close.
Simon jumped and knocked the popcorn off onto the floor, staring open mouthed at the man who had invaded his home. The man staring at Jim in shock was beautiful, but by his dress, a definite fruit cake. Who in their right mind would prance around Cascade in a flimsy white skirt?
"You saw me?" asked Cupid, still stunned.
Jim's eyes narrowed and he studied the young man. His eyes alit on the feathered arrows sticking up from behind him and climbed over the couch while still holding the lax arm. Roughly, he yanked the quiver of arrows up and over Cupid's head along with the golden bow.
"How did you get in here?" asked Simon, slowly backing up to get his gun and handcuffs that hung with his coat by the front door.
"Just popped in," answered Cupid, distractedly. He needed to figure out how he had been seen.
"Uh huh," said Jim, pushing Cupid to bend over the back of the couch in an attempt to keep him off balance until the cuffs could be secured.
Cupid caught his breath as Jim leaned against him. It had been a long, long time since he'd been manhandled and being a god of love, it didn't take much for him to react.
Jim tensed and started to breath deeply the scent that wafted from his captive. The smell was intoxicating and soon he was lost to the lure of the firm body beneath him.
Simon retrieved his gun and handcuffs and moved next to Jim to slip the cuffs on the intruder. He had just clicked them closed, when he felt himself become light headed. "What the hell?" He shook his head and backed up, using one hand to steady himself on Jim's shoulder.
Jim turned his head toward Simon at the warmth of his hand. "Simon?"
"I'm okay," said Simon, straightening to his full height.
Cupid wiggled at the uncomfortable position, drawing the attention of the two men. "Will you let me up, now?"
Jim tugged on Cupid's bound hands and steadied him until he had his balance. "Why don't you call in a squad car to pick him up?" He suggested to Simon.
Slowly, Simon made his way to the phone and was ready to dial when he noticed there wasn't a dial tone. "Shit."
"What?" asked Jim, forcing Cupid around the couch and making him sit down. He stood sideways, hoping to hide the sudden erection he was sporting.
"Phone's dead," answered Simon. "I'll get the car." He grabbed his keys and checking that Jim had the guy under control, reluctantly left the two men.
Cupid masked the small smile that wanted to shine. Then again, the electronic age did come in handy.
"Care to tell me who you are?" asked Jim, again, unsettled by the physical reaction his body was having toward this young man.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," answered Cupid, testing the cold metal that encased his wrists.
"Try me," said Jim, forcing himself to concentrate.
Cupid shrugged in response, hiding the little act of magically unlocking the metal shackle.
Jim pressed his lips together, wary of how calm this stranger was after being caught and cuffed.
The front door banged open, and Simon's face was thunderous with disbelief. "Neither my car, nor your truck, will start."
"You're kidding," said Jim. He turned his attention back to the blond man. Somehow, he had tinkered with their vehicles before breaking in.
"Look," said Cupid. "There's been a mistake."
"Damn, right there's been a mistake," said Simon. "You broke into a house owned by a Police Captain."
"This is ridiculous," muttered Cupid. "If I tell you who I am, you tell me how you saw me."
Jim snorted and shared a look with Simon. "Fine."
"I'm Cupid."
"Uh huh," nodded Jim, his mind wandering with images of the blond naked. He blinked when the figure of his uncontrolled fantasy changed into Simon.
"Well?" insisted Cupid, waiting for Jim to answer his question.
Jim eyed the young man, shaken at the way he was unable to concentrate on the matter at hand. "It's simple really. I used my eyes."
Cupid had had just about enough. He stood up, dropping the handcuffs on the floor and put his hands on his hips. "How am I supposed to do my job, if people can just see me whenever they want? It's complicated enough without adding my presence to the mix."
Jim and Simon both jumped back, Simon with his gun drawn. "Hold it right there." He swallowed hard, trying to shake the feeling of desire that washed over him.
"Oh, please," scoffed Cupid. "You honestly think that little... toy can hurt me?"
"Jim..." whispered Simon, Sentinel soft. He took a couple steps to the left, drawing Cupid's attention.
Jim braced himself to tackle the guy while he was distracted. Lunging forward, he bounced on the couch. The man had simply disappeared into thin air. Jim scrambled to his feet, looking everywhere at once for him.
"How did he do that?" asked Simon, gun forgotten as his hands lowered.
"I told you," said Cupid, popping back into the room behind Simon. "I'm Cupid. A god. You know, love, flowers and romance."
The two men stood in stunned silence, wondering if the pizza they had for dinner had been spiked.
"What do I have to do, to convince you two?" asked Cupid. He vanished again, only to reappear behind the couch and reaching for his bow and arrows.
"Oh, no you don't," said Jim, scooping them out of Cupid's reach. "If you are Cupid, why on earth are you here?"
"I would think that would be obvious," countered Cupid. "I nudge people into a direction that they're too blind to see for themselves. If it works out between them, then I give my little stamp of approval, giving them true love with a little accurate aim."
Simon felt faint. If this was real, and not some pizza driven dream he was having, then Cupid was here because of him.
"In case you haven't noticed, we're two guys," said Jim, trying to hide his panic that Simon would find out about him. All his senses told him that what was going on was real, not a hallucination or dream.
"I know," said Cupid. This was going to be much harder than he had lead himself to believe. "Why are the two of you fighting me, here? You want him, he wants you. Bam! No problem."
Simon coughed and Jim flushed, neither able to look at the other.
"I kinda expect a little bit more in response here, fellas" said Cupid. "What's left to hide? I just told your biggest secrets, and they're the same! Come on, give each other a kiss, or two. You'd be surprised as to what it could lead to."
Jim mumbled something he didn't quite catch.
"What's that?"
"I said," spoke Jim, clearing his throat. "I never kissed a guy before."
"Me either," admitted Simon.
"What's so different from kissing girl to kissing a guy?" asked Cupid, clearly befuddled at the problem.
"It just is," insisted Jim.
Cupid studied the two men, then moved toward Jim. "You think?" He promptly captured Jim's face in his hands and plastered a big kiss on him, delving into the shocked mouth with his tongue.
Jim stiffened, then succumbed to the intoxicating taste that matched the fragrance that surrounded Cupid. He kept his eyes closed, even after Cupid withdrew.
Simon had taken two steps forward before he caught himself. He had no right to be jealous, when there was nothing between them in the first place.
Cupid smirked in satisfaction, then turned to face Simon. He didn't give the large man a chance before he kissed him in turn.
Simon found himself returning the demanding kiss, hugging Cupid close.
Blinking his eyes, Jim pulled back from the near zone out, only to find Simon in a clench with the blond god. Zeroing in on the two, he followed his instinct and trapped Cupid against Simon. He nuzzled Cupid's neck, losing himself in a haze of desire.
Cupid knew he should vanish. He had accomplished what he had set out to do, but he found he was reluctant to leave. With Jim pressing into him and Simon pushing back, he threw caution to the wind and decided to enjoy himself for once. It wasn't like he couldn't fix things later.
Simon raised his head and met blue eyes staring back at him over Cupid's shoulder. "Jim." He leaned forward, wanting to capture his heart's desire.
Mesmerized, Jim watched as Simon lightly brushed their lips together. He never wanted the kiss to end, he had waited too long for this moment.
Squirming against the two men, Cupid freed himself from between them. Before he could move very far, two hands grasped him by the arms. One dark, one light.
"Where do you think you're going?" asked Jim.
"Doesn't look like I'm needed anymore," said Cupid, unable to hide his reluctance to leave just yet.
"Oh, I think you're presence is still needed," said Simon, tugging Cupid and Jim toward his bedroom. "You got us through the kiss, you can get us through the rest."
Jim raised his eyebrows at that, but couldn't find any reason to argue. He was as taken with Cupid as he was with Simon and apparently Simon felt the same way.
"Uh." Cupid's mind went completely blank, unable to come up with a logical reason not to join them.
Once Simon had them in the bedroom, he was hit with a case of nerves. He stood beside the bed, unsure what to do next and Jim wasn't any help, he just looked back wide eyed.
Cupid waited, until it was evident nothing more was going to happen. Taking matters into his own hands, he passed his hands over each of them in turn, causing their clothes to drop unimpeded to the floor. "Much better." He prevented Jim from covering himself with his hands. "Can't be shy and madly in love at the same time." He turned to Simon and found the man tensed and nervous. "Relax! This is supposed to be fun."
Simon held Jim's gaze and suddenly all his doubts and fears drained away and was replaced by the care and love he had for him. He held out his hand toward Jim, inviting him to join him.
Keeping his attention on Simon, Jim stepped forward into his embrace. Strong arms surrounded him and he found himself drawn down on the bed.
Cupid stood and watched them, a little miffed that he had been forgotten so quickly. Resigned to always being on the outside looking inward, he turned to leave them to their privacy.
"I thought you were going to join us," said Simon.
Cupid turned around and smiled at invitation. He crawled onto the bed into their open arms, making his own clothes vanish from his body.
With Cupid's encouragement, Jim and Simon explored each other, their movements guided by him. Eventually, their need for release became paramount and Cupid found himself caught between them as they strove toward completion. His own desire swirled with theirs and he found himself flying as dual cries of pleasure greeted him. Satisfied that everything was at it should be, Cupid slipped from between them.
Breathing hard, Jim allowed himself to be pulled into a warm embrace. He snuggled against Simon's chest, happier than he could ever remember being. "Love you."
Simon's heart skipped a beat and he squeezed Jim closer. "Love you, too."
With smiles on their faces, they settled into each other's arms.
Cupid watched with a silly grin on his face until he felt the air shimmer behind him.
"What have you been up to?"
Cupid jumped and whirled around. "Mom! Hey, how's it going?"
"Don't mom, me," said Aphrodite, crossing her arms. "You know we're not supposed to get involved with mortals."
"Involved? I'm not involved," said Cupid. "They just needed a little more help than most."
"Mmhmm." Aphrodite looked at the two sleeping men, then smiled. "They are cute, aren't they?"
"I'd say they're adorable," agreed Cupid, hastily adding, "together," when he saw his mother's look.
"I agree," said Aphrodite. "But it's time to let things take their course."
"I know," said Cupid, his bow and arrow appearing in his hands.
"Come along, Cupid," said Aphrodite, vanishing in a swirl of gold.
Taking one last look at the two sleeping men, a grin spread across Cupid's face. He notched two arrows and let fly, piercing them with the gift of true love.
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