Drabble – Beat
Sweat trickled down his spine from the Indian summers' night heat. A haze hung over the room as the beating of the drums vibrated off of the walls. The thumping of the sounds filled the air with it's own heat as he sat and watched the people around the room.
Servants filled wine glasses of all sizes to the brim and food was sitting in front of everyone for the taking. Laughter filled his ears and he smiled at the good time that was being had by all that were in attendance.
Dancers swayed and leaped in the middle of the room, their synchronized movements making them appear as one. He watched them for a while until his eyes were drawn to his left.
The man was standing alone, his eyes closed as his body swayed and dipped to the sound of the drums. He was in his own world, his movement meant for no one but himself. He was the picture of natural beauty and grace as he let the music take him. His slim body and long legs moved with a beauty all their own. He had no idea of the picture he was portraying.
Alexander couldn't take his eyes off of him as he continued to dance his own ballet. The love he felt for this man was beyond his imagining. Many dancers had performed for him, some talented and full of grace, his own wife and young lover among them. But none held the wonder he felt as he watched this man.
He was totally mesmerized by the sight.
The dance ended and Hephaestion slowed his movements and slowly opened his eyes, his long lashes revealing the blue eyes Alexander adored. As if waking up from a wonderful dream, Hephaestion blinked a few times and slowly looked around the room.
The drums began their steady beat again to a new song. Alexander had not taken his eyes away from the beauty before him and Hephaestion finally met his gaze. For both of them the sounds of the room grew dim and everyone else in the room vanished. Years fell away and yearnings they had felt so many times in the past came rushing ahead making their heads feel light and warm at the same time.
Alexander rose from his seat at the same moment Hephaestion started towards him.
Together they left to create their own music.