"Happy Birthday my friend!" cried out Ptolemy.
"Thank you!" Hephaistion smiled. It's hard but he had to try.
Smiling was hard when one felt like weeping on the inside. It was his birthday and he hadn't seen his Alex even once.
His golden one had left in the morning without saying good bye. Throughout the day Hephaistion had kept on expecting something. A sudden hug from behind…a little kiss on the cheek with a whisper of "Happy Birthday Phai!"….a little token of love from his golden one.
But all he got was nothing. Alexander had broken the tradition of all these years and forgotten his Phai's birthday.
For Hephaistion..this was worse than death.
His companions had organized a little party to celebrate the occasion. Their exuberance and merry chatter did nothing to fill his hollow heart. His friends and soldiers heaped him with various gifts. Yet.. he struggled throughout the night with a pretend smile that didn't reach his eyes.
His birthday never really mattered to him. They were special because Alexander made them so. His memories of this day were filled with millions of little moments. A shiny apple plucked from their favorite tree presented by a young boy to his best friend…the first kiss stolen behind the stable at Mieza when no other gift was available…the first sensation of two bodies touching when a blushing Alexander gave himself to his Phai on his birthday.
But those moments were lost for ever. Alexander had forgotten his birthday.
The party ended and Hephaistion retired to his chambers. His heart was too heavy for all the light and laughter of the outside. He just wanted to cry.
He entered his room and stilled at the sight before him.
Alexander was sleeping on his bed. He was surrounded by numerous crumpled papyrus sheets . It appeared as if he was trying to write something. One of his hands was being used as a pillow and rested under his head . The other hand was clutching a page near his heart.
"Alex?" whispered the brunette giving his lover a little shake. The golden eyebrows creased and Alexander opened his eyes. On seeing his lover he hurriedly rose from the bed.
"I was waiting for you." whispered the golden haired man to his lover. He extended the little page to his surprised mate.
"I wanted to give you something…but couldn't find anything special enough. I hope you like it." Alexander said..biting his bottom lips nervously.
Hephaistion opened the folded page and his eyes widened .
There on the sheet was written
Eternity
For my Phai… At the end all dispair is forgotten.
All sweet memories lose their meaning.
My precious books with all their knowledge seem futile.
The ancient sea port, the sunshine, sayings of the philosophers lose themselves.
At that moment of nothingness...there is only you.
The celestial path to Lambda Aquarius seems like a child's play,
With you by side, I can now cover the universe in just three steps.
Hephaistion closed his eyes. He was over whelmed at this gentle gesture of everlasting love. Suddenly he could feel warm breaths close to his face.
"Phai?" someone whispered cupping his face with both hands.
Their eyes met. Their lips met soon after. and the room was filled with gentle sighs and heavy breaths.
"It's too beautiful Alex.." whimpered the tearful man "Just too beautiful. Thank you so much."
Alexander smiled. "I couldn't find the exact words Phai…have been trying since the morning."
Hephaistion looked at the room full of crumpled pages and fondly shook his head. "It doesn't matter my king." he uttered.
Alexander nodded laughingly and led his brunette to the bed.
He knew that already.
Nothing really mattered as long as he had his Phai.