Alexander smiled and closed his eyes, stretched out on a soft blanket. The sun was warm on his skin, and soothing to his sore, tired muscles. "It's beautiful here, isn't it Hephaestion?"

"It is." Hephaestion agreed quietly. He fixed his warm gaze on Alexander, pleased to see him relaxed and at peace. "It reminds me of our days in Mieza and Pella." He sighed wistfully. "Those were simpler times."

Alexander sat up and scooted back a little so he could rest his back against the trunk of an old apple tree, heavy with ripe, red fruit. He winced slightly at the soreness in his back. He selected an apple from the basket Hephaestion had picked and bit into the crisp flesh, licking the juice from his lips. He smiled fondly at Hephaestion, who was quietly watching him. "I remember quite a few days…and nights…spent in the orchard." He chuckled. "Do you remember the apples you used to leave on my bed when we were young? It took me a while to figure out where they were coming from, but I was very happy when I discovered it was you."

Hephaestion chuckled softly. "I remember." He turned his gaze to the gently flowing stream just down the hill, his mind filled with pleasant memories. It was a scene he never grew tired of – days of their youth spent laughing and learning to love in the seclusion of their little corner of the orchard. He shifted back under the tree, pouring them each a cup of wine before settling next to Alexander, their shoulders touching. He sniffed the air appreciatively, the sweet scent of apples and green grass filling his nostrils.

Alexander took the cup of wine that Hephaestion poured for him and drank deep. "You know, Hephaestion, I think this is the best wine I've ever had. Where did you get it?"

"I'm glad you like it." A soft smile curved Hephaestion's lips. "There's plenty more where that came from."

Alexander didn't seem to notice that Hephaestion didn't answer his question. "Do you remember the first time we stole an amphora of unwatered wine? Gods…we were so drunk." He grinned at Hephaestion. "Do you remember what you did?" Alexander laughed. "You kissed Cassander! I didn't think Ptolemy would ever let you live that down!"

Hephaestion shook his head, chuckling. "Please…that's one thing I'd really rather forget about." He smiled gently at Alexander. "We have had some good times, you and I."

Alexander closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the tree trunk, a smile playing on his lips. "We did." Opening his eyes, he glanced sideways at Hephaestion. "Do you remember Troy?"

Hephaestion nodded. "It was such an honor to be there…an even bigger honor to run our race and lay tribute on their tombs." He reached out and tenderly stroked Alexander's cheek. "I remember the young man who wanted to be Achilles, and then out did him."

That made Alexander smile wider. He turned to Hephaestion, love clearly written on his face. "I could never have done any of it without you, my Patroclus." He took another drink of wine and sighed contentedly. "So much we've done, so much we've seen." His expression sobered. "Not all of it was good, though, was it? There were lots of very difficult times." He frowned. "Especially for you."

Hephaestion sat quietly, saying nothing. He laid his hand over Alexander's and laced their fingers together.

"Hephaestion, tell me the truth. Do you regret any of it? Do you ever wish you hadn't followed me halfway around the world? Do you…do you ever wish you'd never fallen in love with me?"

"No! I have never regretted that!" Hephaestion shook his head emphatically. "Falling in love with you, and then learning that you loved me in return…there is nothing I wanted more. I was blessed by the gods, truly." He smiled gently. "I got to be with the real 'Alexander', not just 'King Alexander'. I knew who you were deep inside, and I vowed my life to you. Never, never sorry for that."

Alexander was quiet for a moment, squeezing Hephaestion's hand and obviously deep in thought. "I wasn't always good to you. I got so caught up in everything. I wanted everything, regardless of how you might have felt. I mean…Bagoas…that was inexcusable. I know that hurt you, even though you hid it well. I knew it, and I did it anyway. And Roxane…I know you hated her. She hated you, too. I should never have married her at your expense."

"Alexander, you needed an heir. I may not have been pleased with your choice, but who was I to deny you that?

Alexander snorted, obviously irritated. "Well, that hasn't worked out so well, has it?"

Hephaestion squeezed his hand again, reassuringly, his voice soft, soothing. "Heir or not, your legacy will live forever. You are the greatest man to ever live, and you will be remembered forever as just that. The greatest ever. You may not have had Homer to write your story like Achilles, but you have better. The whole world will write of you. The whole world will remember you, and none will ever best you." A smile curved Hephaestion's lips. "Fear not, Alexander. You will live forever."

That seemed to please Alexander. He returned the smile, leaning forward to press the lightest of kisses to Hephaestion's lips. "You always know the perfect thing to say." Wincing slightly, he arched his body, rubbing a sore spot in the small of his back. His smiled faded. "I feel a bit like I've been in a battle, Hephaestion, though I haven't been in one recently. I'm sore all over." He exhaled heavily, suddenly feeling like his limbs were made of lead. "I'm so tired, too." He looked at Hephaestion, perplexed. "Why am I so tired, Hephaestion?"

Hephaestion closed his eyes briefly, composing himself, before giving Alexander a warm, gentle smile. "Why don't you lie down and rest for a while?" He cleared the basket of apples and the wine from the blanket, and placed a small pillow on it beside him. "Lie down."

A very sore and tired Alexander didn't argue. He slid down and stretched out on his back on the blanket, his head resting on the pillow beside Hephaestion's legs. With a soft sigh, he closed his eyes and snuggled his face against Hephaestion's thigh. "I love you, Hephaestion."

Hephaestion tenderly brushed a sweat-dampened curl from Alexander's forehead. "Sleep, Alexander. I'll be right here."

As he drifted off, Alexander smiled faintly. "You always are."