Vacationing in Athens Chapter 1, an alexander fanfic

Title: Vacationing in Athens

Author: Baliansword

Chapter: 1 of TBA

Rating: As always, for anyone who wants to read, but there very well could be some mature, adult situations. I trust you to regulate yourself, but you're probably mature enough to handle anything I write.

Pairings: Alexander/Hephaestion

Summary: After admitting their love for one another, Alexander and Hephaestion are separated when Hephaestion returns to Athens with his father, Amyntor, of Philip's business. When Alexander finds himself in Athens for a short visit, Hephaestion takes him on a tour of the city. However fascinating the sights may be, it is what the two learn about one another that is most important.

Notes: This is just something that the Muses decide to give me right in the middle of my other story, "Arrows". Some of it coincides with some flashbacks that occur in "Arrows" but it is rather expanded into its own story. As always, read, review, and (hopefully) enjoy.

Palace of King Philip, Pella, Macedonia

Alexander sat back, watching as his father continued to make a fool of himself. At the present, Philip paraded around with his cup constantly filled, bragging of all of the glory he had gained when he was younger. There were those that listened, those that laughed, but Alexander knew that most of those present were only being courteous. His father was a fool, a blathering fool, nothing more. Anything that he had done in his past was quickly washed away at feasts like these. To add to his disappointment, the young prince watched as his mother, Olympias, rose from her seat and excused herself. Philip snarled after her, yet when she was out of the room he told Cleitus that he'd been unhappily married to a witch. Before Philip could say more, Amyntor began talking about another ancient campaign. Alexander rolled his eyes. The night was looking more and more unfortunate. It was not until Ptolemy looked up from his wine and tipped his head in Alexander's direction, motioning for the prince to look over his shoulder.

Cerulean eyes scanned the room, and Hephaestion turned once, offering a quick greeting to Cassander and the several girls that he stood amongst. Alexander smirked, watching as Hephaestion's dark brown hair caught in the wind as he walked quickly across the room. Stepping over Nearchus, who had rolled out on the floor and was out of his mind in wine's delirium, Hephaestion sat down beside Alexander. He had been in Athens with his father, who was away on Philip's business, and would be returning for three more weeks in the next two days. For the nine days that Hephaestion had returned, Alexander was grateful to the gods. Without his best friend, Pella could become dull faster than flies could be killed with honey.

"Have I missed anything relevant?" Hephaestion asked, reaching for an empty cup on the table. Ptolemy pushed a jug of watered wine in Hephaestion's direction, but Hephaestion added more water to his cup than he did water. Alexander often thought that it would be easier to toss a grape in a cup of water for Hephaestion, rather than watch him ruin wine, yet as he glanced up at his father he could understand Hephaestion's reservations to drinking.

"If you call my father's inane blabbering relevant, then I'm afraid you've missed a wonderful night," Alexander answered. "But you missed a wonderful story about my father killing a boy that looked just like me, and how odd it is that I now look like him."

"Is my father as bad?"

"Almost," Nearchus laughed, still rolling on the floor, reaching for more wine. "Your father told Philip that when he saw your mother, she was naked in a river. He says she was a great water nymph who came to him and chose him above all other men. He's almost as drunk as Philip I think!"

"Shut up Nearchus," Ptolemy warned. He then sat back and turned his attention to Hephaestion. "I think your father just loved your mother, and as far as I'm concerned there is nothing wrong with that."

"Did you finish getting your things together?" Alexander asked, changing the subject. He knew that Hephaestion did not like talking about his belated mother. At least, he did not wish to discuss her with anyone apart from Alexander.

"Everything is in order. I collected my father's things as well, which, now that I see him, is probably a good thing. He'll be drinking all night long. Unfortunately, I fear Nearchus is going to be drinking all night as well."

"I'm going to bed," Alexander announced, looking past Ptolemy and to his father. He refused to be here any longer. As he rose, and turned his back to Ptolemy and looked at Hephaestion. Before leaving, he whispered, "Meet me in the abandoned halls in fifteen minutes."

Hephaestion offered him a discreet nod and then told Alexander goodnight. Ptolemy piped in as well, as did Nearchus, on the floor. Alexander nudged Nearchus playfully in the gut with his foot and told them goodnight. Hephaestion watched Alexander as he made his way out of the room. He seemed defeated. As soon as he was out of the room Hephaestion turned to Ptolemy, who had watched Alexander's departure as well.

"Was he depressed all evening?"

"No," Ptolemy said after thinking for a moment. "He was actually rather excited when he saw you walk in to the room. The only time I've seen him happier was nine days ago when he saw you return to court with your father."

"Maybe I should go after him."

"Maybe," he agreed. "But you have at least thirteen minutes left before he's expecting you. Given the time it takes to walk out of this room and to the abandoned halls, that really only takes six minutes at the most, if you're stopped by a girl or two."

"You've finally mastered the art of reading Alexander's body language?"

"No, he just can't whisper when he's angry. Besides, earlier he told me to make sure Cassander did not take one of his whores to the abandoned halls. So, naturally when he announced he was leaving, after you'd arrived, I was suspicious. And now you tell me that you're going to go after him, that can only mean that you were told to go after him. Otherwise you would have rushed after him immediately, not waited. I thought you thought I was smarter than that Hephaestion."

"If you ever team up with Cassander, you two could take over the world. A perfect combination of ruthlessness and brilliance."

"Zeus forgive you for saying that," Ptolemy laughed. "Instead, you continue to be Alexander's confidant and you two can control the world. A perfect combination of strategic brilliance, intuition, scholarly splendor, humility, bravery, character -and I don't know what Alexander has yet, but I'm sure it will go with everything you have to offer."

"Watch your treacherous tongue," Hephaestion teased, standing and setting his cup down. Ptolemy laughed and waved him off. Hephaestion stepped over Nearchus, who had taken to snoring, and made his way out of the room. As promised, he was stopped by one of "Cassander's whores" but he told her that he had to run an errand for the prince. That seemed to silence her and Hephaestion let her go without saying more. When he reached the start of the abandoned halls, a nickname that the Companions had come up with, he decided he had a few moments to spare. Yet knowing Alexander, he was probably already waiting for him.

"Alexander," he whispered, carefully entering the dimly lit hallway. It was no secret that the hallway would not be in use, especially not now that Philip was throwing a lavish feast. Not even servants or Olympias' maidens found themselves in these hallways. Still, Hephaestion watched each step he took, and every few feet glanced over his shoulder. When he reached the end of the hallway he paused, unsure of whether he should remain where he was, or if he should take the path to the left or right. He glanced to the right, the dimmer lit smaller hallway, and looked over his shoulder once more. Then, he continued to the right, placing a hand on the wall to guide him.

"Alexander," he whispered again, his heart rate elevating. "Alexander where are you!"

There was no reply. Hephaestion paused once more and tried to remember the twists and turns of this hallway. If his memory served him correctly, in a few more feet the hallway would dead end entirely -a section of the palace that had never been finished and walled off. Yet there was a dimly burning torch at the end of the corridor, and if he was going to go back he might as well take it with him. Hephaestion kept his hand on the wall and continued, feeling the course stone until his hand touched something else. Something soft, something very much like familiar fabric, and then what was against his fingertips moved away.

"Alexander?"

"Were you expecting someone else?" a teasing voice asked. A rush of air told Hephaestion that Alexander was now behind him, moving through the darkness as if it were nothing. In truth, Alexander had always had a better ability to navigate the hallways at night, when both were supposed to be asleep. Now, Hephaestion relied on his senses. He chuckled and listened to Alexander's footfalls. Yes, the prince was behind him, still at least an arm's length away, which Hephaestion figured only by holding both hands out and searching for him.

"What are you doing? I thought you had something to tell me."

"I do," Alexander agreed, his hands suddenly wrapping around Hephaestion's torso. They slipped down to his waist and pulled him backward against him. Hephaestion swallowed the sudden lump in his throat. He hated when Alexander was so close, if only for he knew that it would lead to another night of him thinking of Alexander while he slept alone. As he thought of this, Alexander let him go, and placed both hands on his shoulders. He turned him, but Hephaestion could still barely make out the outline of his friend in the darkness.

"You couldn't tell me at the feast?"

"No, not with Ptolemy and Nearchus there. Besides, I was sick of listening to my father. Now take a few steps directly back, so that you can see. You look a little worried."

"I doubt you can see what I look like," Hephaestion disagreed. Nevertheless, he took the steps backward that Alexander wanted. As promised the dim light of the burning out torch illuminated Alexander. He looked as handsome as ever, a decorative golden laurel crown sitting atop his golden hair, which was even more vibrant in firelight. Once more Hephaestion thought of how easily he could lean forward and still Alexander's mouth with his. If, that was, Alexander was not his prince.

"I don't have to see you to know what you're thinking, what you look like."

"Are you going to tell me?" Hephaestion asked, wanting to be as far away from the dark corridor as possible. There was too much temptation here. He needed to go to the feast and drink several cups of wine. Then he could sit and sulk with Cassander, and try to debate Ptolemy, both of which were always more entertaining after wine.

"Are you my best friend?"

The question caught him off-guard. Of course he was, wasn't he? Hephaestion began to think back, reflecting on the last few days that he had spent with Alexander. Had he done something to offend him, to make him think otherwise? Without speaking, he nodded, watching Alexander's eyes to see if the prince would give anything away.

"Then you'll tell me the truth, even if it hurts you?"

"Yes."

"If it hurts me?"

"You know that I would," he said firmly. There was something troubling Alexander, he could tell by the way that his dark eyes continued to look him over, as if he were sizing him up. It was almost as if he were trying to make his mind up about something. "Alexander, what do you need to know?"

Alexander said nothing, he merely put his hands on Hephaestion's shoulders again and forced him back two more steps. Hephaestion felt his back reach the wall, but he was not afraid. Alexander's movements were gentle, and he was still staring at him, thinking. Hephaestion tilted his head to the side and waited for Alexander to say something. Instead, Alexander let one hand fall from Hephaestion's shoulder to his hip. In a single movement, his other hand wrapped around Hephaestion's throat, while the hand on his hip darted underneath his chiton. Alexander pressed his hand against Hephaestion's erection, forcing Hephaestion to let a moan to escape him. Perhaps Alexander knew, knew what he had been thinking, knew what he had secretly been wanting for months. If he knew, and was displeased, perhaps he had brought him to this secluded area to kill him. He doubted it, but if he'd mentioned it to Philip, well, Philip would have killed him. Hephaestion sucked in a breath and locked eyes with Alexander, who stared at him, his palm still firmly against him.

"How long?" Alexander asked. Before Hephaestion could answer Alexander's fingers had snaked around his shaft. He moved his wrist, sliding his palm up once before returning to cupping Hephaestion. Again he asked, "How long?"

"Months. Maybe longer, but is worse now. You must believe that I did not intend..."

"Damn your intentions," Alexander answered. He slid his hand behind Hephaestion's neck and pulled his head forward. He kissed him, kissed him like a man drowning. He tasted the faint remembrance of wine on Hephaestion's lip, smelled the sun that had soaked into his skin. It was like nothing he had every experienced. It was an awakening, for until that moment, Alexander knew that he had never been truly alive. His hand resumed stroking while Hephaestion's hands desperately tried to grasp any part of Alexander. When the kiss broke, for much needed air, Alexander smiled, pressing his forehead against Hephaestion's.

"You knew?" Hephaestion asked.

"No, not for sure, not until now."

"You're not angry?"

"No," Alexander laughed. He ran his fingers over Hephaestion's hardened erection again. "I'm relieved. I can finally stop touching myself and pretending I'm touching you."

"You're crude," Hephaestion half-laughed, half-sighed. His voice caught slightly as Alexander stroked him again, bringing him only a few touches away from orgasm.

"And you love that about me," Alexander whispered against his shoulder as he kissed him. "And for loving me, I love you -you, and only you, my Hephaestion."

Alexander's mouth found Hephaestion's again and he pulled him further against him. His hands fell away from underneath Hephaestion's chiton and made their way to the back of his neck. Once more he clung to Hephaestion, his steadfast friend, and he knew that after tonight they would be lovers. Hephaestion moaned against him, his own hands wrapping around Alexander and resting on his back. His fingers dug into Alexander's skin, and the prince could hear Hephaestion's breath catch in his throat. He swore that he could feel heat radiating from Hephaestion and that he could feel his heart racing through the veins hidden in Hephaestion's neck. When they parted again, both panting, desperate for air, Alexander placed his hand against Hephaestion's cheek.

"Come to my room with me."

"If we are seen..."

"I don't care about that," Alexander assured him, kissing his forehead lightly. "I've waited for what seems like years to tell you, to be able to touch you, to kiss you. You're leaving the day after tomorrow, and I will have lost you again."

"You will never lose me," Hephaestion corrected.

"Come to my room."

"I did not refuse you the first time," he smirked. Hephaestion leaned forward and kissed Alexander again. As he kissed him he drew his lower lip into his mouth and began to suck at it, which drew a deep groan from Alexander. Alexander wound his hands around Hephaestion and pulled him as close as he could. Their hips ground together and Alexander felt his own erection pressing into Hephaestion's thigh.

In order to reach Alexander's room the pair had separate. Yet they managed to get through the main hallways without much delay. Hephaestion remained slightly behind Alexander, and to his side, but he knew that if anyone stopped them they could very well be caught. Alexander did the talking though, and those that attempted to stop them, most of which were drunken and leaving Philip's feast, were unable to stop them for more than a few seconds. Ten long minutes passed, but when Alexander opened the door to his room the fear that had been taking over Hephaestion's nerves was well worth the chance to step inside. Once inside Alexander shut the door and slid the lock into place. As Hephaestion surveyed the room he drew in a quick breath and then turned around. Alexander leaned against the door, watching him. Hephaestion took a step forward and as he did Alexander reached for his own chiton.

"Your hands are shaking," Hephaestion said. "Let me."

He closed the space between himself and Alexander and then reached out. His hands fell over Alexander's and after he pressed a soft kiss against the back of Alexander's hand. Hephaestion then slid Alexander's hands down to his sides. He kissed Alexander, and did nothing more, for several minutes. It did not take long for kissing to prove to be almost too much to handle. Feeling warmer every second, Hephaestion slid his hand up Alexander's arm. When he reached his shoulder he carefully slid the cloth away. He kept his movements slow and kept his eyes locked with Alexander's. If he wanted to stop, he would.

"Now your hands are shaking."

"Trembling," Hephaestion answered, expertly removing the chiton. The cloth fell to the floor and Alexander released the breath he had been holding. He then grabbed Hephaestion and pulled him against him. His erection rubbed against Hephaestion's chiton and the feeling was sensational. It took only a few moments but Alexander maneuvered Hephaestion to the bed. Alexander wrapped an arm under Hephaestion's knee and pulled his leg out from under him. Hephaestion laughed, but fell against the bed nevertheless. Alexander reached for Hephaestion's chiton, and began removing it. Hephaestion helped him, kissing Alexander's fingers as he slapped them away.

"You're beautiful," Alexander said, straddling Hephaestion before he kissed him again. He then ran a hand through Hephaestion's dark hair.

"You're not shaking any more."

"No, but neither are you."

Alexander silenced Hephaestion again, this time as he kissed him he let his hand wander to Hephaestion's thigh. As his fingers drew light circles over Hephaestion's tanned skin, his tongue wandered into Hephaestion's mouth. In response, Hephaestion's tongue began to wind around Alexander's. Both moaned, unable to contain the instinctive sounds. When Alexander paused Hephaestion turned them both. The kissing continued, as did the touching, and then Alexander stilled Hephaestion's hands.

"I'm going to roll over now."

"Alright," Hephaestion nodded, his voice ragged. Hephaestion swallowed as Alexander moved underneath him. For a moment Hephaestion thought that he was frozen in time and place. And then Alexander reached around and grabbed the back of Hephaestion's thigh. Hephaestion felt himself fall forward slightly when Alexander did this, and in the process his erection rubbed against the curve of Alexander's buttocks. Alexander moaned, and Hephaestion gasped.

"I trust you," Alexander whispered.

"I don't trust myself," Hephaestion answered under his breath, however, when he began to enter Alexander he released the breath that had been stuck in the back of his throat. Alexander whimpered, but his hand pulled against Hephaestion's thigh and he breathed his name. Hephaestion wound his hand around Alexander's thigh and he carefully slid his palm over Alexander's erection. Alexander gasped again, but this time it sounded like a cry of pain.

"I'm hurting you."

"No, no, no. Keep going, its perfect."

Hephaestion gently kissed Alexander's back as he rocked his hips against Alexander's. Alexander continued to cry out, but if Hephaestion began to still his movements Alexander would moan his name. Hephaestion continued to stroke Alexander's erection. His breath continued to catch in his chest, and he thought maybe he would stop breathing. Hephaestion felt his body tightening with the promise of an orgasm, and he could tell by Alexander's breathing that he was near as well. Then it happened. Both cried out before collapsing on one another. Hephaestion fell onto his back and continued to try and catch his breath. Alexander fell onto his side, staring at Hephaestion. When Hephaestion tilted his head to the side Alexander leaned closer and kissed him.

"I love you," Hephaestion whispered. "I shouldn't, but I love you."

"No," Alexander disagreed, twining his body with Hephaestion's. "You're supposed to love me. It doesn't feel like this if you're not meant to love someone."

As he looked back at Hephaestion, he saw that his eyes were closing. Alexander smiled to himself and then nuzzled his forehead against Hephaestion's shoulder. He closed his eyes as well. Things, he knew, would never be the same again.

Alexander felt the heat of the sun on his back as he began to awaken from his deep slumber. His first instinct was to reach for Hephaestion, yet he found the opposite side of the bed empty. He slid his hand over the indentation on the sheets. They were no longer warm, so Hephaestion must have left longer ago than Alexander would have thought. Sighing, he rolled onto his back and stared up at the ceiling, hoping that last night had not been a mistake. He knew how he felt, and knew that if he had the opportunity to repeat his actions, he would in an instant. It was Hephaestion he worried about. What if he had decided that it was a mistake? It would explain his absence. Before he could worry about it further, he heard his the hinges of his door quietly moving. Sitting up, he watched as the door was opened, barely making a sound. Hephaestion stepped into the room and then, in the same tactful manner, shut the door and slid the latch into place. Once the door was locked, Hephaestion turned, a tray of food in hand.

"You didn't eat last night," Alexander said, suddenly frowning and remembering that Hephaestion had failed to eat at his father's feast. The last meal he could remember having Hephaestion present at had been an early morning breakfast, and Hephaestion had barely touched his food -more concerned with chiding Cassander about something.

"How many times had I told you not to worry about me?"

"Nearly as many times as I've told you the same thing," he answered. Hephaestion had reached the bed and was carefully placing the tray down. Alexander noted that Hephaestion had managed to get two helpings of all of the food he had scavenged. Whether it came from the kitchen, or if he'd gone through the feast halls, it looked appetizing.

"Was there chaos outside?"

"Several members of your father's calvary are strewn across hallways. It looks like a fight broke out as well. A few servants are working on cleaning up the blood. All in all, I'd say it looks like most of Philip's extravaganzas."

"No sign of him?"

"No. My father doesn't seem to be out there either. They likely had help to bed."

"You leave tomorrow."

"Not for long," Hephaestion assured him as he picked up a piece of chicken and pulled the fat away. "A few more days and then Amyntor's work will be done in Athens. I'll be back. You've managed thus far, I'm sure you'll be fine."

"Maybe I could come with you?" he mused.

"I doubt your father would like that idea. He seems to hate Athens, even though he would like to keep peace between the two. And I'm sure he'd rather you spent time with Cassander than me. He doesn't seem to like me."

"No, he hates you," Alexander agreed, picking at his own chicken. "He says that you're too quiet and too smart. For the longest time he hated Ptolemy though, so don't feel bad. If it helps, he hates you only because he wishes you were his son."

"What was planned for you today?" Hephaestion asked, changing the subject. "I'm afraid that I won't have anything to do and Cassander will want to best me with a sword again."

"He's never bested you yet."

"No, but taking time out of my day to show him he's not as amazing as he thinks gets tiresome."

"I've been putting my mother off for the last three days. I'm supposed to speak with her this morning. If you want, you can stay here and I'll go see what she has to say. I hope it is not another speech about finding a young, suitable match to make my heir with. If she tells me one more time about my responsibilities when my father dies, I think I'll have to move to Athens to keep from murdering her."

"Go speak with her," Hephaestion finally said. He seemed content in waiting for him, and for that Alexander was grateful. He stood and quickly dressed, but noted that Hephaestion did not watch him dress. Instead, he kept his eyes on the bed and food in front of him. Once more Alexander wondered if Hephaestion regretted last night.

Before leaving, the prince added, "I love you, Hephaestion, and you alone. I need you to know that, and that I mean it. I've loved you from the moment you refused to let me win wrestling; do you remember that?"

"Of course I do," Hephaestion laughed. He looked up from the bed. "I know you all too well Alexander. I know what you're thinking at this very moment. So no, I would not trade last night for anything. I only worry about hurting you, whether it be directly or indirectly."

Alexander approached the bed. He reached for Hephaestion, sliding his hand behind his neck, and drew their lips together. He kissed him softly, and then kissed his forehead. Looking down a him, he slowly shook his head while staring back at cerulean depths.

"The only way for you to hurt me is to leave me."

Hephaestion smiled and watched him go, and Alexander left the room. As he entered the hallway, he couldn't help but smile more. He had waited for last night for too long, and now that it had happened, it seemed like nothing new. He had always felt comfortable with Hephaestion, there was no doubting that. He'd confided in Hephaestion, and as only Hephaestion could do, he managed to keep all of his secrets -some of which would have benefited others, at hight prices. Still, he knew that Hephaestion was his soulmate, and anyone that cared to disagree would become his enemy. Simply put, he loved him unconditionally.

Alexander made his way to his mother's chambers. After the guards announced him, he stepped into her room. Unlike the mess that he'd passed in the hallway, drunks slouched against walls and as Hephaestion had said, servants cleaning blood from walls, Olympias' room remained pristine. When the door shut behind him Alexander stepped forward, staring at his mother's back. As she turned, looking away from the letter she had been writing, Alexander saw the blue-black color that rimmed her right eye.

"Did he do this to you?" Alexander asked, alluding to his father.

"Do not concern yourself with Philip. There are other matters that I would like to discuss with you. One of the servants said that she saw you leave the feast early last night." When he did not answer, she added, "With a lovely blue-eyed boy. Alexander, I've told you, your fascination with Hephaestion is not healthy."

"And I told you that I would attend to my own affairs."

"If it becomes serious with him, I fear that you will lose focus on our plans for your future. You need a wife, and an heir. When you father dies, Zeus be praised, you will rule. To assure that you keep your title you will need an heir. Trust me Alexander, this is what must be done."

"I love Hephaestion, mother. There is nothing that you can say to change that. The sooner you accept it, the better. Because he loves me too."

"Ah," she raised an eyebrow. "I can tell by your tone, you've already copulated. Well, then you are right, there is nothing that I can say. For nine long months I carried you in my womb, and this is how you're going to repay me?"

"No, this is how I am going to honor you. If you love me, then you want for me to love. I love Hephaestion, and that is that. When the time comes, we'll discuss an heir mother, but for now leave me be. Besides," he added, "think of how displeased this will make my father, if you truly believe he's paying whores to help me dishonor my name."

"Yes," she mused aloud, "at least I know that you will not be impregnating some whelp of a girl. That does, indeed, make me feel better. But that does not mean that I approve. Do you understand? For now, perhaps this fling will be good for you, but it will not last. It cannot last. You two will tire of one another, and Hephaestion will, like you, find a desire for another -for a woman, one that will give you both heirs."

"I refuse to talk about this more," Alexander said. He placed a hand on his mother's cheek and looked at her bruised eye and sighed. "We will not tire of one another, like he has of you. It is not you that he hates, he hates himself. Its just easier to hit you."

"Go," she sighed. "You won't listen to me until I'm dead. That will be your demise."

"Mother," he teased, "you know that I'll die long before you. You said it yourself, I'm careless and cursed by half of the gods."

Palace of King Philip, Pella, Macedonia.

The morning of Hephaestion's departure.

"Wake up," Alexander whispered, nudging Hephaestion's neck with his nose. Hephaestion chuckled slightly in his sleep and placed his hands over Alexander's, which were resting on his chest. He felt Alexander's chest pressed against his back, warm and inviting. As a smile pulled at his lips Alexander pressed a faint kiss against his shoulder. After a day of practicing with swords, and working on their hand to hand combat, they'd done little more than undress and fall into Alexander's bed. Still, lying naked, wrapped in each other's arms, had been pleasing enough for the pair.

"You have to go back to Athens today. Your father has been up since sunrise, overseeing things with Philip." Alexander said, trailing a line of kisses down the back of Hephaestion's neck, and onto his back. The wind blew the drapes and a warm ray of sun fell over Hephaestion's forehead. It was then that Hephaestion practically fell out of the bed, suddenly awake and frantic. Alexander sat up and watched as Hephaestion scrambled to pull his chiton over his head.

"What are you doing?" Alexander asked, holding back a slight laugh.

"If my father goes to find me I won't be in my room. He'll throw a fit. And if your father sees me here, or your mother, we're done for."

"My mother knows."

"What?" It was the first time that Hephaestion had stopped moving since he had rolled out of bed. Alexander had wanted to tell Hephaestion before he left, but he was starting to think that maybe he should have put it off until Hephaestion returned from Athens again. He'd be back in three weeks, it could have waited. He could tell by looking into Hephaestion's cerulean eyes that this revelation was only going to trouble him while he was gone.

"I told her that I loved you, it just...slipped out." Hephaestion sat on the edge of the bed, staring silently at Alexander. "You know that if there is something she can do to spite my father, she will do it. What would make her more happy than to help in the depravation of Philip's grandson?"

"What if she tells him, just to get a rise out of him?"

"She won't Hephaestion, she has always liked you, and the fact that I like you only makes her like you more. That's why she told Amyntor that she sent us out with our friends, to practice our swordsmanship and to give you a chance to say goodbye to everyone."

"She told him that?"

"Yes, when I went to see her this morning before waking you," Alexander answered. He reached for Hephaestion and drew him back onto the bed. As Hephaestion lay back Alexander threw a leg over him. Straddling him, he placed Hephaestion's wrists above his head and kissed his forehead.

"And since we're not here, there's only one thing to do."

"And what is that?" Hephaestion asked, kissing Alexander's chin as he continued to hold him down. Alexander shifted so that only one hand held Hephaestion's wrists. The second reached for the bottom of Hephaestion's chiton, and he began to pull it upwards.

"After I undress you," he replied seductively, "I'll show you."

A knock at the door ended all the promise of Alexander's last statement. The young prince sighed and fell back against the bed, running a hand through his golden hair. He could only imagine, that if things were so tedious now, how they would be when he was king. Would he never have privacy?

"It could be your mother," Hephaestion warned.

"She wouldn't have knocked," he disagreed. Before Hephaestion could tell him to answer the door, for he knew his best friend well enough to know that these were the words his lips were beginning to form, he made his way to the door. He was less than surprised to see Cassander, who offered a quick smirk before waving at Hephaestion -who had made his way from the bed to a writing desk before Alexander had pulled open the door.

"I was looking for Hephaestion."

"He was transcribing an important document for me," Alexander lied, used to the action when it came to Cassander's nosiness.

"What is he transcribing?"

"A request for Antipater to remove his beguiling, dishonorable, questioning, narrow-minded, rude, and otherwise plain boring son from King Philip's court until further notice," Hephaestion answered as Alexander opened the door wide enough for Cassander to step in. He then added with a slight smile, "And that's just the first sentence."

"Maybe I could go to Athens with you, then I'd be a hetera as well."

"Watch your words," Alexander warned. Hephaestion sat unmoving at the desk, still staring at Cassander. His lack of response only seemed to anger Cassander, for which Alexander was pleased. The last thing that he needed was a fight between the two.

"I came to tell Hephaestion that his father is looking for him," Cassander finally said. "It would appear that you're leaving early. I'm to escort you to him, so that he doesn't have to wait any longer. He's been looking for you everywhere, and when he saw me, he assumed we were back from our wrestling matches."

"You weren't invited for obvious reasons," Hephaestion countered.

Alexander felt a burning in his chest. He wanted to defend Hephaestion but knew that to do so would give them away. If Cassander knew, or suspected and told others, they would be doomed. Hephaestion had always defended him, but he reminded himself that Hephaestion was not a prince -where Hephaestion was obligated to defend him, even though he did it out of love, Alexander could not. At least not now. And the burning only increased as he realized that he would have to part with Hephaestion without saying a proper goodbye.

As the three left the room Alexander reached out, gently running his hand over Hephaestion's as Cassander turned down the hallway. Hephaestion glanced at him and offered a quick smile, but said nothing. When they reached Amyntor and Philip, Hephaestion was even quieter, something that had always caused Philip to think Amyntor's son was introverted -thus not the perfect companion for Alexander, unlike Cassander, who Philip had always pushed his son to like.

"There you are," Amyntor said. "We can go at last. Come boy, get on the horse."

Hephaestion did as he was told. Once upon the horse he glanced back at Alexander, who did not take his eyes from him. Even as his Hephaestion became a small dot on the horizon of Pella, he stared after him. When he could see him no longer, the desire to be with him created a longing in his heart that he had never felt. As soon as it settled within his breast, he went to his mother. If there was a single soul in all of Macedonia that could find a way for him to make a trip to Athens, it would be Olympias.

A/N: This is just something popping up out of nowhere. I'm writing it during classes at the UofA (and during breaks, nights, etc) and it should be done soon. Hopefully you can understand any delays in posting! As always, THANK YOU to my readers, and I look forward to comments of any kind.